[NWH]

Like i say had a call today from a company saying that they supply a regional magazine and said that the window cleaner in the area that i cover has retired and his advertising space in the mag is free,during the conversation they slated Yell buy saying we don`t tie you in like them you only need to sign up for 3 months at a time no catch.Anyone had a similar call lately.

[bonsey]

scam to me 

[AuRavelling79]

Like i say had a call today from a company saying that they supply a regional magazine and said that the window cleaner in the area that i cover has retired and his advertising space in the mag is free,during the conversation they slated Yell buy saying we don`t tie you in like them you only need to sign up for 3 months at a time no catch.Anyone had a similar call lately.

If they are genuine then they will be able to supply you with a copy of the regional magazine with the previous w/c ad in it. Then you can phone him up and see if he has any decent work for sale!

If they woffle then it's a pack of lies.

[NWH]

You could be right but it didn`t sound like it to be honest,they do your ad including pics etc email you it and after you`ve approved it they take payment.I would want a copy of the mag first.

[sparklebright]

I get these calls quite regularly, either that or they purport to be from charitable organisations. Or the police federation, I told one of those my Father in law was a copper and they hung up! It's just advertising space for sale, and they'll say almost anything.
But if they have the previous mag with his ad. it could be worth phoning him as someone said.
I always say to them 'I have spent my advertising budget for this year' and they usually go away

[NWH]

I get these calls quite regularly, either that or they purport to be from charitable organisations. Or the police federation, I told one of those my Father in law was a copper and they hung up! It's just advertising space for sale, and they'll say almost anything.
But if they have the previous mag with his ad. it could be worth phoning him as someone said.
I always say to them 'I have spent my advertising budget for this year' and they usually go away

Did you mean speak to the previous WC that had the ad,i asked that and they told me they don`t give out numbers.Don`t get me wrong i`m not stupid it just sounded different to the usual sales pitch,i asked how they came by my number and they said through someone else i advertise through.

[sparklebright]

No I can tell you are definitely not stupid, but I guess I meant they should let you see the other guy's ad. if they want commitment from you that's the least they could do. Or ask them to send you a previous copy, if the old guy was really in it you would see his ad.

I agree it does interesting though

[www.mrgutters.co.uk]

mate they are all the same...but thats a  goodline the window cleaner in your area has retired...!!!lol

best thing for advertising is a website

but there is never good response from magazines and papers ...from my experience.

[Neil Williams]

Like i say had a call today from a company saying that they supply a regional magazine

If you knew how many of 'THESE' calls we get per year you'll guess what my answer is going to be.....SCAM
Didn't have an accent from the the Manchester, St Helens, Liverpool area did they, because this seems to be scam central for Britain.
Did they name the mag? Have you heard of it? Have you ever seen it?

If you can't answer yes to all three then forget it.

[Oakley Windows]

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/bcc/news/detail.jsp?contentid=-1054278336

Trading standards - Small traders targetted in advertising scam.

Date: 04/03/2009

We are urging local businesses to be wary of an advertising scam once more doing the rounds.  The advertising companies involved are often based in the Greater Manchester area and a number of local traders are being hounded with invoices.

Typically a small business receives a call out of the blue from someone who states they are selling advertising for a ‘good cause’ publication, for example promoting child or road safety.  The publication is to be sent free of charge to appropriate local recipients such as schools and colleges.  To confirm a booking the trader is asked to provide a ‘code word’ which will be used in future communication. The chances are the trader will never see this publication, but they do receive the invoice  – followed by a number of further invoices from other ‘media’ or ‘publishing’ businesses for the same advert in similar ‘good cause’ publications all stating the agreed code word.

The unsuspecting trader, often unsure of the name of Company they dealt with may pay up. If the invoice is queried or left unpaid, the trader can expect follow up telephone calls which become increasingly unpleasant.  Many traders cave in and pay up in the mistaken belief that the problem will go away – but it does not!  Unfortunately paying up means the trader is seen as an easy target by other scammers of this nature, who often purchase the trader’s details, so the invoices and phone calls continue.

‘We have seen as many as ten different traders invoicing and then phone chasing the one small business following the initial sale’ stated Adrian Schwab from Buckinghamshire Trading Standards.  The phone calls and invoices do not make it clear whether or not a contract has been formed.  Adrian Schwab added, ‘The scheme creates confusion in the mind of the trader, who may be unable to readily recall what and with whom they agreed to advertise.’

The scammers rely heavily on the use of telephone recordings, sometimes expertly and fraudulently edited, to make it sound as if advertising was agreed to, to support their claim for payment.  Also, the terms and conditions of the advertising companies are completely weighted in their favour, leaving businesses concerned they will be heavily penalised if they withhold payment.

All businesses need to be vigilant and recommends the following steps to avoid falling victim:

If you receive a call from an unknown source trying to sell advertising space in a ‘good cause’ publication, remember any answer you give may be later used against you to give the impression you agreed to an advertisement.  Let them do the talking and be generally non-committal in your responses.  If they are genuine they will happily send you a no obligation written proposal. Also consider where the publication will be distributed – is it the right catchment area / type of publication?

If you receive follow up invoices or telephone calls which you think might be linked to this scam, only respond in writing and refuse to pay. It is up to the supplier to demonstrate they have a contract. Keep copies of your letters and notes of telephone conversations.

Do not pay anything without being sure you agreed to the advert as printed and know the advert appeared in the agreed publication and that the publication receives the stated distribution audience. I.e. are 5000 copies of the magazine really printed and distributed? Consider if that advert will really help promote your business.

Don’t cave in if they hound you for payment. It is unlikely formal legal action will be taken to enforce an alleged debt of this nature, and if you pay up you will probably receive other invoices demanding payment.

If you are unsure about a company offering advertising or believe you have been conned/scammed by an advertising company then please us contact for advice. 0845 3708090

I thought you were street-wise NWH?

[NWH]

The reason why i was miffed was because she was making out she knew me as in my business,i just thought i would ask to see if she was doing the rounds on us she ain`t getting any of my hard earned that`s for sure lol.

[mci services]

ive had this on numerous occasions. the last time i narrowed it down to a w/c forum that the scammers were targetting and picking up info from. wasnt this one by the way but it does happen. but at the end of the day it has to be expected when you advertise and use forums, its amazing what info you give away without realising it

[cozy]

good point stu

[rhys11]

i get phone calls like this ever march april time when the new yellow pages comes out  there all a con

[Londoner]

Its ALL cobblers! You can't believe how plausable they can make it sound. Its just a scam, the best was to get rid of them is to say you have work coming out of your ears and the last thing you want to do is advertise for more.
Never, never, never agree to anything.  They are all conmen.

[leapstallbuildings]

Yesterday I had a call from a woman asking me about how I cleaned windows.  After severasl questions when I had a pole in one hand and the phone in the other she came clean about she was representing a magazine.  Quite annoying really.  She should have got to the point more quickly.  Also, my numbers are registered with the TPS so I shouldn't even be receiving cold telesales calls.  A few hours later the same woman rung me again not realising she had rung me earlier in the day.  Might be a case of using different numbers as I have an 0845 as well as a geographical.

[Helen]

the window cleaner in the area that i cover has retired 

1) How did they know exactly what area you cover?
2) Are you really lucky enough to have ony 2 WC's in your area, you and the retiring one....hey you should be the only one now!
 

[Tosh]

I had a message left on my landline a few months back from some well-spoken gentleman who asked if I would be interested in some local authority work.

I phoned him back and it turns out he reckons that his company has been contracted by the local authority to put together some advertising mag with a big local distribution.

Of course, because of the message he left, I declined the offer; it sounded dodgy.

[simp]

Had 2 last year, 1 for the ambulance service and the other for police. Decided to give it a go ( they caught me off guard). Gave it a second thought and cancelled. WHAT A NIGHTMARE! Had 1 this year, just put the phone down. Wouldn't give them the time of day!

[Mr Formby]

I had one , they said they were looking for a window cleaner in the area and could I take on more work . Then they said for X £s  I can go into there mag.

If this mag they are on about is for your area why have you not seen it , have you not had one delivered to your house.