Services Unlimited Plus fraudulent magazine sales Glendale Arizona

On 17-Oct-2002 my daughter was walking across the University of Washington campus and was approached by a young man. He told her that he wanted to be a radio DJ and had to get over his fear of speaking in public, so he asked if he could make a quick presentation. She agreed, and his "presentation" turned out to be a sales pitch for magazine subscriptions from Services Unlimited Plus (SUP). He told her he could win a trip to London if he sold the most subscriptions, and he also told her that if he didn't meet his quota for the day he would not be reimbursed for his food expenses.

She wrote him two checks: one for two magazine subscriptions, and the other for two "charitable donations" (she doesn't remember what the "donations" were for). He told her that she could cancel the "donations" the next day, but they would still count as subscriptions toward his point total for the London trip. This all sounds incredible, but my daughter says the young man was very nice and seemed very forthright. My daughter received a total of four "receipts for proof of payment".

After thinking about it overnight, my daughter decided to cancel everything and sent the receipts to SUP on 18-Oct. The salesman told her this was how she could cancel, and the receipts had wording on the back for canceling. Unfortunately, she did not make copies of the receipts.

A week or so later, my daughter received a form letter from "Kate Clair" in SUP Customer Relations. The letter said they would refund the money for the first receipt, but she needed to send a copy of the canceled check AND THE RECEIPT. A couple of days later she received the same form letter, this time for refunding the other three receipts - as long as she sent in a copy of the canceled check(s) AND THE RECEIPTS. On 12-Nov my daughter sent SUP a letter containing copies of the canceled checks and informing them that she had already sent the receipts.

In mid January, 2003, my daughter called me and told me the story. She had not heard from SUP and had not received her refund (and, of course, no magazines were ever sent). On 20-Jan I called SUP and spoke with "Vanessa". She kept delaying: first saying my daughter hadn't canceled in time, then giving the incorrect amount and then finally saying they had been looking at the wrong records (while I was on hold for 10 minutes). I kept insisting on a refund, and finally "Vanessa" said my daughter would have her refund "no later than the end of next week".

On 5-Feb-2003 there was still no refund, so I called SUP again and asked for Jacob Short (listed on one BBB report). I was told Mr. Short wasn't available, so I asked for Jessie Williams (listed on another BBB report) - he also "wasn't available". I asked for the highest person available, and spoke to "Rebecca" in Customer Services. I asked for a phone number where I could reach the principals, but that wasn't available. I demanded the refund immediately. "Rebecca" said that they were only the data processing department, but she promised the check would be mailed "today or tomorrow".

I don't expect the refund to be sent. If my daughter hasn't received it by 12-Feb, I will file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General. I urge all of you who have been mistreated by Services Unlimited Plus to also file a complaint. You can get instructions and the complaint form at the following website:

http://www.attorney_general.state.az.us/consumer/compformintro.html

Put "Services Unlimited" (without quotes) in the Company Name box and then click the "Submit Request" button. The link for "Subscription Services" is the more informative.

Notice that Services Unlimited Plus also uses several other names: Subscription Services, National Magazine Services, NMS, SKS Services, SKS Subscription.

I haven't been able to find a website for SUP; if I do, I'll update this report.

John
Spokane, Washington
U.S.A.

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