Ad publisher cheats businesses
Dear advertisers (and prospective), we thought this press release from the Better Business Bureau about unscrupulous publishers, targeting restaurants primarily, might possibly save you time, hassle and money.
ADVERTISEMENT PUBLISHER CHEATS BUSINESSES
Avoid Wasting Hard Earned Advertising Dollars
Lake Oswego, OR – June 19, 2009 – The “Trivia Pages” is presented as an entertaining laminated booklet displayed in restaurants and other high traffic eating establishments. However, businesses complain they are getting cheated when they purchase advertising space from Northwest Publishing the Portland, Oregon-based company, located at 2705 SE Ankeny St., in east Portland also goes by NW Publishing, NWP, and Table Topics. Accusations that the company over-promises and under-delivers are common.
Business complainants report that the company exaggerates the publications exposure; “Trivia Pages” are not displayed in specific restaurants as promised by Northwest Publishing sales personnel, and in some cases, the restaurants have never heard of them. Some say that there is a delay in service and refunds. Others allege that no service has been performed after payments have been submitted. In some cases, when complainants seek resolution from the business, phone calls go unanswered, e-mails are not responded to, and refunds are not provided.
“In a time when advertising dollars are more important than ever, it seems unfathomable that a publishing company would take advantage of advertisers at local businesses,” said Robert. W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington.
With 138 complaints in the last 36 months, several complaints remain unresolved or unanswered. BBB gives Northwest Publishing an “F” rating.
