Poetry ripoff - Misprinted my original poem, I bought their book, and they Will Not Reprint or Correct my poem as They advertise! consumer fraud ripoff Owings Mills Maryland

Well over a year ago, I submitted an original poem to the poetry.com contest and was notified that my poem would be printed in an anthology. I bought the book for $40 plus dollars. When the book arrived, There were many spelling errors on my poem, which changed the meaning completely (this happened even though thety sent a confirmation and draft for me to look over before they printed it...on the draft there were no errors).

Obviously, I was disappointed to receive a beautiful book with my poem competely screwed up. I got back on line to get their customer service number (not a toll free number and I waited on the line 20 minutes before getting an answer)and called them immediately. The date was 1/25/2002. The representative told me that they would reprint my poem in the next anthology coming up in April 2002. She told me to fax my information and the corrections in the poem. I did so the same day. She told me to put her name on the fax (Attn: "Lata") and she would call to confirm she received the fax. She never called.

I never heard a word from them, so I called the customer service rep a second time on 3/19/2002 (waiting again on the phone line for about 20 minutes for them to answer) to report I had not heard a thing nor received confirmation of my poem being republished in the April anthology. The representatibve I spoke with this time was named Shaunte'. I told her my story and she said that "Lata" was no longer with the complany and told me to re-fax all the info and the corrected poem putting attention to her name. She confirmed the fax number was correct. She said she would call to confirm when she received the fax. She never called and I never heard a word from her.

The third time I decided to write a letter to the contact address given by poetry.com to see if I would have luck that way. I mailed a detailed letter and attcahed all the information I had documented (luckily. The letter was mailed June 14, 2002. I never received a response of any type.

I was beginning to think that they were only stalling and thinking I'd just forget about it - and I tried emailing them and calling again, but never did get through on the line after that. So I guess I just have given up. I'm upset and angry that they will not honor their word - clearly stated on their website and reprint my poem correctly. I did not even want my $$$ back - I just wanted my poem to be printed right!!! It is apparent they will not do that and they make it impossible to reach them to talk to any live person who will give a "real name" - Each time one calls they report that that person is no longert with them (the person who helped you last time)....

Well that's about all.

Brenda
Cody, Wyoming
U.S.A.