I got a very official looking statement from Publisher's Billing Services for a three year subscription (18 issues) to Cruise Travel magazine. I've never seen or heard of this company, never seen or heard of the magazine, and certainly didn't want to pay $90 for it, even if they did allow me to make two payments of only $45 each. I googled the company and found this article about this company sending out subscription offers disguised as invoices. That was the only reference that Google turned up for Publisher's Billing Services and I'm hoping to provide additional links to it so that people have a better chance of avoiding being taken in by these jerks. They did provide an 800 number for customer service so I called and waited through a long hold (I was just sitting at the computer doing other things while running up their phone bill) to get a customer service rep. Once I identified myself I stated in no uncertain terms that I wanted to be removed from their mailing lists and wanted to never hear from them again. I also expressed sympathy to the phone rep for having to work for such scum. She told me that I was removed from their records. I certainly hope so.
Posted by JoKeR at November 12, 2005 04:16 PM | TrackBackI have been trying to get through to Publishers Billing Services for 3 Hours - to no avail - when I read your blog. I've also talked to Smithsonian & National Geographic who say they have never heard about these people. I have written to PBS in the past requesting they take my name off their mailing list - to no avail. They can keep sending me their mailings and spending money on postage.
Posted by: June Gow on December 13, 2005 06:50 PMI have also been receiving "invoices". I contacted "Guitar Player" magazine, whom PBS claimed to represent. "Guitar Player" responded that they were well aware of this outfit and had their legal department working on it.
I, too, got an official invoice for Islands Magazine. I paid their $26.50 for the 3 year subscription as mine was running out. Now, Islands tells me they can't contact them. My next call will be to the Better Business Bureau!
Posted by: Janet on December 14, 2005 06:51 PMI got one for "Rolling Stone" - only it is the second one in 12 months and I have not been a subscriber in forever. The scenario fits the one above: 31 minutes on hold, every 30 seconds "your call is important to us blablabla" and finally a woman answering and telling me she needs to check my records and see what could possibly have happened that I am receiving this. I filed a complaint with BBB in Utah and encourage everyone to do the same. It takes 5 minutes or less, and will save a bunch of unsuspecting or too busy to read the fineprint folks from losing their money.
Can you imagine how much they have to make to stay in business, if they can afford to have people on hold for 30+ minutes at $1 or more per minute?
This company is CROOKED! I didn't know it was legal to go around sending invoices under false pretenses. It says on the slip in small print they are not affiliated with the magazine they are requesting that you renew, however, the print the name of the magazine in huge type at the top. Deceptive practices, anyone??
Posted by: Stephanie on December 16, 2005 05:19 PM