non-refundable activation fee is charged to set up a layaway account. If the purchase/layaway agreement is cancelled by the customer prior to completion or if the company terminates the agreement, an early Termination Fee of $175 is due. Funds paid to the layaway account prior to full payment would be forfeit if the account is terminated. According to information in Bureau files, the ownership of this firm had operated in a partnership as Incline Guaranteed
Computer Finance, now Guaranteed Computer Finance, until December, 2006.
3. Preferred Platinum Services Network markets a work at home postcard processing opportunity via the internet and other advertising outlets. Postcards offer debt and mortgage related products. The company requires an initial start-up fee of $85 - $99 dollars from potential workers in order to receive the postcards for mailing. Workers are then set up on an auto-bill program to receive future mailing material and charges. Complaints from those who have sent money to this company complain they are charged for the materials but do not receive payment from the company for work completed, have problems obtaining refunds, and are not informed that they will be paid only for the mailed postcards that are filled out and returned to the company with consumer’s information. Beware any work at home offer that seems too good to be true, makes outlandish earnings claims, or charges upfront start-up fees.
4. Many internet sites offer the sale of Ebooks, locally based Electronic Business Resources has a pattern of complaints where consumers claim that this company placed unauthorized charges on their credit card bills. Specifically, consumers report being charged $5 to $10 for ebook purchases which they claim were never made. Mail sent to the company's address has been returned by the Post Office as not deliverable and unable to forward. The BBB is no longer processing complaints against this particular business as the company can not be located and all previous complaints have been closed as non-pursuable. General advice is to be cautious when dealing with online ebook sales and to check your bank and credit card statements monthly for any unauthorized charges.
5. In May 2009, BBB issued a warning concerning door-to-door Magazine Sales. Recently we have been receiving calls about New Image Consultants, a magazine subscription agent business based in Pittsburgh that has a pattern of complaints concerning delivery issues. The company has the lowest BBB rating for their volume, seriousness and lack of response to complaints filed with the BBB.
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