News
Report: National Consumer Marketing - American Historic Society Colorized State Quarters Program
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By: Debbie (Oregon City Oregon) BACKGROUND INFO: Responding to the 11/10/02 advertisement in the Sunday Parade (include in most US newspapers), we purchased the 1999-2001 (15) colorized Quarter set for $35.85 (the stated $29.95 plus shipping & handling). That shipment was received 12/9/02 with the free Bonus portfolio with the enclosed paid statement listed as American Family , 889 Waverly Ave , Holtville NY 11742 . The offer from Publishers Choice also listed (NSI) 2002 National Syndications Inc . 6 Commercial Street , Hicksville , NY 11801 . We, then accepted the offer for the 2002-08 Colorized Qtr Collection paid via AMEX in 3 installments $60.80 11/26/02; $39.95 12/23/02 and $39.95 1/14/03. Those charges were listed as Rogers & Webster Collectibles [Box4165, Dept MC70-PG, Huntington Station NY 11746 ] on my American Express statement. And that’s when the trouble began. The guaranteed Feb shipment for ’02 coins didn’t arrive until June 03 … only after numerous phone calls and 3 separate New York BBB complaint submissions. Every time I phoned, another explanation (or excuse was offered). This time the paid/packing statement indicated that the previously designated NSI was now National Consumer Marketing (NCM) with the same 6 Commercial Street Hicksville NY address but still showing www.publisherschoice.com . Further research showed that on May 19, 2002 National Syndications filed bankruptcy proceedings, assigning Sherwood Partners, Inc. granted on July 22, 2004 by the Court of Chancery, Delaware , New Castle County . The following year, the 2003 shipment was received 9/8/04 - late again, after many phone calls. The paid statement still reflected American Historic Society but the former listed Publishers Choice web site address had been changed to www.AHS.com . The statement included this statement, “Remember, you have prepaid for this and all future Colorized State Quarter shipments and you will not be billed for any of them. NEXT 5 YEARS QUARTERS” The 2004 Qtrs were received 4/12/05; 2005 Qtrs 2/15/06 again with National Consumer Marketing Invoice/Packing slip with the reminder statement: Remember you have already paid for the entire set of 50 Color State Quarters so enjoy your new coins.” We moved in Oct 2006 contacting NCM with our new address with repeated phone calls; then standard letters when phone numbers were no longer active, and Registered letters over the next couple of years. All to no avail. Finally, today, after a Google search, I came upon your web site – Ripoffreport.com. Though the reports provided little optimism which further shook my belief that we’d ever see the remaining qtr sets, there was one report submitted by Linda in Lakewood , Colorado that not only provide a working phone number but included an update that she had actually received some quarters. CURRENT STATUS: I placed a call immediately speaking with Sharon who provided the same pat answer others had reported – that this was a cancelled account. Getting nowhere, I asked to speak with the supervisor. Stephen initially began with the same cancellation story until I reminded him this was a prepaid (Jan 2003) program & I was expected the company to do the right thing. Hearing voices in the background, he informed me that he’d just received updated information. I could expect the 2006-08 Qtr shipment within 2 – 4 weeks. He took my address and contact phone number. He seemed responsive and polite. Within 5 or 10 minutes, I received a phone call from Stephen (Caller ID displayed Kelly Joseph 386-447-5202), politely informing me that, unfortunately, their 2006 inventory was completely gone. The shipment would contain only 2007 & 2008. With my fingers crossed, I await ... hopefully .
Source: http://www.ripoffreport.com/coin-dealers/national-consumer-ma/national-consumer-marketing-bd68c.htm |