ComplaintsforTop 100 Magazine

• Initial Complaint

  03/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  TOP 100 MAGAZINE IS A COMPLETE SCAM!THEY REACH OUT UNDER THE FALSE PREMISE OF YOU BEING "SELECTED" FOR ONE OF THEIR "TOP 100" LISTS. THEY SET UP TIME FOR A ***** CALL, WHICH ONE WOULD ASSUME WAS THE INTERVIEW FOR THE LIST, BUT INSTEAD THEY QUICKLY TRANSITION TO HOW MUCH THEY CHARGE TO BE FEATURED IN THEIR MAGAZINE AND BEGIN ASKING FOR YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION. WHEN I ASKED IF I COULD GET BACK TO THEM, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A ONE TIME OFFER AND THAT IF I DIDN'T PAY WHILE ON THE ***** I WOULD LOSE MY SPOT. AFTER PAYING, THEY SEND YOU A VARIETY OF EMAILS REGARDING NEXT STEPS. IN THE FINE PRINT OF ONE OF THESE INCOMING EMAILS THEY STATE THAT YOU HAVE A THREE DAY REFUND PERIOD, AFTER WHICH THEY ARE LEGALLY ABLE TO KEEP CONSUMERS MONEY. THE **** THAT TOP 100 IS NOT ACTUALLY A MERIT BASED LIST, BUT RATHER THAN A PAID ADVERTISING SERVICE, COMBINED WITH THEIR OUTREACH METHODS AND PREDATORY PRACTICES OF GETTING CUSTOMERS ON THE ***** UNDER FALSE PRETENSES AND THEN PRESSURING THEM TO PAY IS A CLEAR DECEPTION OF CONSUMERS AND A VIOLATION OF THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT.

  Business response

  03/08/2023

  Top 100 Magazine selects individuals based on a variety of sources. We do not have any advertisement in the magazine itself and therefore the distribution costs are passed along to the customer. Of course the customer has the option to decline the interview, write and payment but ************** chose to move forward. Having an account executive explain the process of our publication and offer different payment options is in no way predatory. In fact this business model exists across numerous genres. Our refund policy was conveyed to ************** as he stated. It is also on his initial transaction receipt and in the Welcome email sent at the time of sale. 

• Initial Complaint

  05/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In January 26, 2022, I was contacted on LinkedIn by Lexi ***** notifying me that I had been selected to participate as part of the Top 100 ************************** of 2022. I set up a call with her to discuss the opportunity on February 2, 2022.On this preliminary call, Lexi explained the process of being featured in their publication. Then, with no previous mention or indication that this would be a factor, Lexi told me that it would cost $2,000 to secure my spot in the magazine. This was something that needed to be done on the spot, and Lexi pressured me to do so. Uncomfortable with the amount of money but afraid to miss out on the opportunity, I reluctantly provided my credit card information to secure my spot. She then notified me that I would receive an email to set up the interview for the feature.After paying the $2,000, I did my own research and spoke with my network regarding the opportunity. They agreed that it seemed questionable, and advised me against proceeding. After reaching out to Top 100 Magazine the following week to notify them that I changed my mind and did not want to proceed with the feature, they refused to cancel the transaction despite not having rendered any services (they did not even conduct my preliminary interview) because they stated that they sent an email saying that I had 3 days for a refund and that I was now outside of the refund period. They then became extremely combative and hostile, using profanity towards me and telling me that they did not care whether I did the interview or not because they would not be refunding me and that they would fight any disputes through my credit card provider. Since then, they lied and told **************** that I never tried to cancel my order, despite a phone conversation in February exactly to the contrary.I think it is disgusting that Top 100 is defrauding and disrespecting innocent customers. I demand a full refund of $2,000 since no services were rendered.

  Business response

  05/05/2022

  Client had purchased our services and then a few months later decided he did not want the services. We called the client to amicably come to a resolution but were unsuccessful. Client became aggressive with name calling and threats of charging back the sale. Ultimately the client did charge back the item with ***************** As was explained to the client we have a cancelation policy that he was made aware of multiple times. **************** sided with us the merchant and credited back the funds. **************** has strong protection in place for the consumer so to win the chargeback with the evidence that was presented. Attached is the chargeback documentation. We strive for customer satisfaction as evidence by our rating and lack of complaints. We are happy to still work with the client if they so choose. 

   

   

   

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