ComplaintsforThe YP Direct

• Initial Complaint

  03/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The yp direct company is trying to scam me out of $499.95. I never agreed to a contract, never received any emails for a contract. I have the recording that the yp direct is using to hold me to a verbal contract. They started recording after I told them I do not need there services. They asked me if I knew what service rendered means and I said yes. This is were the recording begins. In no point of the recording did I agree. There is no explanation of contract, there is no description of services. He asked verification of information at the end of the call he asks how will I be paying and I said probably debit. There was no email sent of confirmation as the rep says on the recording. I never agreed to any terms. They are calling me non stop for payment.

  Business response

  03/12/2024

  After thoroughly examining the consumer complaint and cross-referencing it with our internal records, we have confirmed that the client was duly informed about the services covered under a 1-year contract. It seems there may have been a misunderstanding or oversight regarding the specifics of the contract. As a company dedicated to transparency and integrity in our digital marketing services, we meticulously document all contracts and ensure that the terms and conditions are clearly communicated during the verbal agreement process.
  Acknowledging the client's wish to terminate the contract and their dissatisfaction with the arrangement, we have decided to cancel the contract and waive any outstanding charges. We appreciate the Better Business Bureau for their assistance in resolving this matter.
  If the client ever chooses to utilize our services again in the future, we would be happy to extend a discounted rate as a gesture of our commitment to customer satisfaction and excellence in service.

  Customer response

  03/14/2024

   I am rejecting this response because:
  We have reached out to our lawyer. Please see attached letter. We will also be sending a certified letter to YP Direct at *** ***** ****** ******* ************ ** ***** with return receipt requested.

   

  To whom it may concern:
  This letter serves as my company’s notice to The YP Direct that its invoice ******** dated
  February 15, 2024 in the amount of $499.95 is hereby disputed and shall not be paid for the
  following reasons:
  The amount on the invoice was never agreed upon by the parties.
  The services allegedly provided under the invoices were never agreed upon by the parties.
  The parties never agreed on consideration for the alleged agreement.
  The invoice arises from a telephone solicitation and is therefore subject to Florida law.
  Specifically, section 501.615, Fla. Stat., requires that “[a} purchase of consumer goods or
  services ordered as a result of a commercial telephone solicitation as defined in this part, if not followed by a signed written contract, is not final. If a contract is not made in compliance with this section, it is not valid and enforceable against the purchaser.” No written contract was executed by the parties nor was such a document ever provided to my company, which renders the alleged transaction invalid as a matter of Florida law.
  Please be advised that further attempts to collect this alleged claim must cease and desist. Any
  attempt to impair my company’s reputation, including by contact to credit agencies, will be
  challenged.
  
  ******** *********** *** reserves its right to add additional claims and defenses arising from
  this matter.
  Sincerely,
  ****** ** ******, Manager
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was contacted in early September by call. From a sales person for yp direct. He gave his pitch for advertising my new business on all the search engines. For a payment of 499.95. billed quarterly and that would work out since there was only 1 quarter left in 2023. He asked if that sounded good I said yes. Received the invoice on 9/22/23 for 499.95 for September to December. I was under the impression that if I did not pay or sign anything then I was under no legal obligation. I started receiving calls in October that I was past due. I argued with them that I had not signed a contract. They said I verbally agreed and that was enough. I started to look at their supposed advertising. Nothing showed on ****** or ***** for "******** *****" my business. Their advertising is solely on their website. Which can only be found on their invoice. On the website it showed our business name and phone number, and address. No logo, hours, or info about our business. I paid the 499.95 on 11/2/23 with the verbal understanding from them that this would be the only payment and I would like my account canceled and taken off "renew service". They said I would get a letter saying as much. I never received it. I got calls in December of 2023 saying I had another invoice due. The man I talked to said I had to pay 2 invoices to cancel. Or cancel within 72 hours of being in contract. I said I would not pay anymore. Received second invoice 01/18/24 499.95 December-March. I emailed back explaining to situation. I got a call from Cindy walker explaining that I have to pay 4 more invoices to cancel. I advised that would not be happening. Attatched are the invoices, payment confirmation email. A screenshot of what shows up when I ****** search "******** *****" my business. What happens when I search yp direct where they advertise. I am locked out of their system so could not get a shot of what my advertisement looks like. There has never been any advertising on any search engines.

  Business response

  02/16/2024

  We have received and thoroughly reviewed the client's complaint regarding visibility issues of their advertisement on the internet.
  Upon investigation, we found that their ****** Business Profile, which we have previously optimized, is actively displaying with all pertinent information as intended. This was confirmed through a detailed search on ******, ensuring that the listing's online presence is as expected.
  Regarding the second invoice, it was issued as a recommendation for the renewal of our services, aimed at further enhancing their online presence. While this is not mandatory, it is suggested to maximize the effectiveness of our efforts on their behalf. We respect their decision should they choose not to proceed with the renewal, and we want to assure that our team is here to support the clients' choices.
  We have decided to pause further communication on this matter to avoid any confusion, as it appears there may be some mix-up with other companies they have interacted with. However, please know that our door remains open to the client. Should they require our services in the future, it would be our privilege to assist them again.
  We wish the client all the best and look forward to the opportunity to serve them again, should the need arise. Also, we want to thank BBB for acting as an intermediary and helping resolve the issue.

  Customer response

  02/16/2024

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

  BBB Thank you so much for meditating this issue with the company. 

• Initial Complaint

  01/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I was contacted by this business around July of 2023 about some services for my new business that I just set up in June. I listened to their pitch and agreed but at the time didn't know what I was signing up for so in August the Rep calls back and he was like you owe us $300.00. I was shocked and I was like what? I told the rep then that I couldn't afford the $300.00 and could he break up into payments and he agreed. I got 2 invoices for what I paid and I told them that I was done. or so I thought then I get a call from them Janurary 17th trying to collect $600.00. I was like I told you guys in August I was done. This new rep informed me about a year contract and I said I never agreed or even saw anything about a year contract. He told me I did I argued and he said we have it on tape. He asked me if I wanted him to play the tape and I said yes, when he played back the tape there was NEVER any mention of a year contract. He also had left me a voicemail and threatend me that this new bill was going to collection and that they were adding legal fees to it. I asked him to cancel the account and he said that he would not and that I agreed to a 1 year contract. I asked him how was I supposed to know there was a contract and he mentioned something about SEO. I had no idea what that was until I looked it up AFTER he mentioned it. I feel like they should tell people what they are getting into so they don't feel like they are being played/scammed and this is what I feel like. They also never sent me anything for my business a website to look at or anything all I have ever received from the company is 2 invoice for my payments. There was nothing to look over or even dispute if I wanted to

  Customer response

  01/26/2024

  I recieved another email today with 2 invoices 1 dated from October 27th and one dated for January 27th. I have looked up their address and in that lookup found out that there is no record of them at that address and when you go to their website ************************ and try to look up business you get a 404 message. I want no further contact with this company they have scammed me out of 300.00 I know I will never see again, now the latest "invoice" they are telling me I owe $607.24 and they have charged a late fee  for the October invoice. I have included the new invoice. 

  Business response

  02/08/2024

  Upon a thorough review of the consumer complaint alongside our internal records, we have determined that the client was indeed informed of the services provided under a 1-year contract. It appears there may have been a misunderstanding or a lapse in memory regarding the contract details. As a company committed to honesty and integrity in our digital marketing services, we ensure all our contracts are diligently recorded, and the terms and conditions are clearly stated during the verbal agreement process.

  
  Recognizing the client's desire to terminate the contract and their dissatisfaction with the arrangement, we have opted to cancel the contract and waive all outstanding charges. We are grateful to the Better Business Bureau for their role in facilitating a resolution to this matter.

  
  Should the client ever decide to engage our services again in the future, we would be delighted to offer our services at a discounted rate, reaffirming our commitment to customer satisfaction and service excellence.

  Customer response

  02/08/2024

   Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  YP direct contacted me about marketing for my new business. When I spoke with the lady named ***** on the phone there was never mention of a contract, and I was only to pay 547$ total. but due to me signing an email that they sent me to confirm, I realized a month after I entered into a 12 month contract. Everything changed, it went from one payment to 4 quarterly payments of the 547$.. I spoke with a supervisor and we agreed that if I made one more quarterly payment I could terminate the deal. That didn’t happen either. Also the business itself seems like a scam, they claim to create an online presence for your business, but that is not true at all. They have not held up anything they have claimed or said and I really need to get this taken care of. Thank you

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩