Consumer Tips

Directories/Guides/Cd Roms

Year after year, different companies are fooled into purchasing expensive manuals and business directories over the phone. The telemarketer may start by calling your receptionist. During the course of the call, the telemarketer will confirm your company's address and obtain the name of a purchasing agent or a manager. Several days later, a second person will call back to confirm the order, mentioning the contact name and again confirming your address. The caller often speaks very quickly in order to confuse the contact person, who inadvertently may acknowledge the order and authorize delivery. Within a week, the directory will arrive, possibly by courier, along with a pricey invoice.

The directory may simply be a list of businesses compiled from readily available sources, or may contain information that is of little use to your company. The listing may contain businesses that are not even in your service area. If you have fallen prey to this scheme, do not be embarrassed. You are not alone. Everyone who answers the phone is a potential victim. Please alert your staff.

If you feel you have been a victim of such a scheme, or have any questions, please phone, fax or mail all details to the Project Phonebusters Office.

Attention: Barry Elliott
Detective Staff Sergeant
Project Phonebusters
Ontario Provincial Police - North Bay
Box 656-320 Airport Road
North Bay, Ontario
P1B 8W9
Phone: (888) 495-8501
Fax: (705) 494-4008

These transactions may be difficult to reverse. The BBB and Project Phonebusters offer the following tips:

IF THE METHOD OF SHIPMENT WAS MAIL:

For Unordered Goods:

- Send a certified letter to the sender requesting proof of order.
- If no proof is provided, then notify the sender you are keeping the manual as a gift.
- If there is proof that the goods were ordered, then follow procedures for ordered goods.

For Ordered Goods:

- Inspect the goods.
- Reject them as not conforming to the contract, having defects or being overpriced.
- Written notice must be sent to sender. (Certified, return receipt requested).
- Hold the goods for a reasonable time with reasonable care for the seller to dispose of.

For Ordered Goods Not Yet Received:

- Inform the seller that if more supplies are mailed, you will not accept the goods or take responsibility for their maintenance. (Easily accomplished by an additional sentence in your letter of rejection)

IF THE METHOD OF SHIPMENT WAS A PRIVATE COURIER:

- Send a certified letter to the sender requesting proof of order.
- If no proof, then notify the sender that unless picked up in 30 days, the goods will be disposed of or a storage fee will be charged.
- If there is proof that goods were ordered, then follow the same procedures as those for ordered goods shipped by mail described above.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

- Timely inspection of the goods is essential.
- If you choose to reject the merchandise, you must act within a reasonable period of time and give reasonable notice to the sender.
- After rejection, do not exercise ownership over any commercial unit of goods.
- Revocation must be within a reasonable time after discovery of defect, non-conformity or inflated price.