Vent/Warning re The West Midlands News

Horace

Really this is aimed at any business people who may use MSE. I have just been rung by The West Midlands News demanding that I advertise with them, when I asked for more information to be sent via email before I made a decision I was informed "I don't have time to send emails" - the salesperson was most insistent that I let her have my credit card details so that she could run with a quarter page ad so I repeated that I would need more information before I would commit to an advert plus I didnt give out my credit card detaiils to complete strangers. I was so angry that I rang back to make a complaint, in a way I am glad I did because I can now see why their saleswoman was so rude. The phone was answered "Hello, whatddya want?" prompting me to ask whether or not it was the newspaper - then the eejit at the end of the phone proceeded to shout "there is a bird on the phone called x dunno which company the cow is from but she wants to make a complaint" at which point some girl came onto the phone and claimed to be the Sales Director but it was the same person who had called me (I recognised the voice) to apologise for the sales person's attitude only she slipped up and said my attitude before she changed into her Sales Director mode. No senior members of staff seemed to be present. To be honest I was appalled and they won't be getting my business and I don't think that anyone should advertise with them - be warned.

marleyboy

I cant see how they could DEMAND you use them for advertising.

codger

Are you SURE you were dealing with some kind of a newspaper???????

Even a rag-bag freesheet has more style than the clowns who contacted you. . .

Horace

I am sure - I even have their web address which is where I got their contact number from.

I thought them fishy when they demanded my credit card details too, I am not about to give my details out to a company who has rung me up out of the blue - I have never seen their horrid rag anyway and I feel sure its not aimed at my target market:D

codger

Can you pop their web address on here? I'm intrigued.

* Sorry, meant to say: telesales staff working in display advertising do NOT ask a business for credit card details. EVER. A quarter page ad is a display ad, not lineage, so that automatically means they have to provide details of their rate card and either pop it in the post (unlikely) or ask to arrange to visit you (much more likely.)

I have never heard of ANY display advertisement department ever phoning a business prospect in the way your experience relates. Which is why I'm curious as to just what this "newspaper" is (or is not. . .)

Horace

https://www.wmnonline.co.uk

They saw my advert in Your West Midlands Wedding magazine which is published by Kline Davis (a much more professional outfit). I know that this bunch of cowboys wanted my advert to go into their wedding guide - Marleyboy, I also know the difference between a request and a demand.

I have never heard of this crowd before and have never come across their silly paper. Apparently it has a circulation of 45,000 if they are to be believed.

Horace

Codger - I have rate cards from other publishers - in fact with Kline Davis I negotiated their quarter page ad down from £250 plus VAT to £95 + VAT because I asked for an early payment discount plus my business is featured in their article on wedding planners:D

codger

Thanks for the info, Horace.

First off: this "newspaper" may possibly be not even one year old.

(2) It's not an accredited member of The Newspaper Society.

(3) Its website is gibberish: what the hell is all that stuff about awards????

(4) It seems to be of a somewhat peripatetic nature: previously The West Midlands News Ltd was called. . . The North London & Herts Express Ltd.

(5) No certified distribution. No verified circulation. Nothing at all.

(6) On which basis, your decision to keep well clear of it seems wise: anything which purports to be a "local newspaper" but isn't a member of the UK's recognised association of local newspapers wouldn't rate with me or any business I might happen to be advising.

PS: how fascinating to read this "newspaper" and its career opportunities. . .


http://www.wmnonline.co.uk/html/careers.html


** Blimey. I've just seen its page rates. £1,000 for a quarter page mono / £1,200 for a quarter page colour. . . and they ring somebody out of the blue and say, give me your credit card???

This really is one of the funniest meda-related stories I've heard in many a year!

codger

Horace wrote: »

Codger - I have rate cards from other publishers - in fact with Kline Davis I negotiated their quarter page ad down from £250 plus VAT to £95 + VAT because I asked for an early payment discount plus my business is featured in their article on wedding planners:D

That's more like it.

I was going to try hammering down the illustrious West Midlands News in view of the following --

http://www.wmnonline.co.uk/html/supplements/christian.html

but when I checked it out, even Christians aren't spared from the amazingly high rates this outfit thinks it might have a chance of getting away with. . .*

A newspaper with dedicated Christian content though. Wotever will they think of next? lol.

* Though in my case, I'd have been looking for a pagan's discount.

Horace

They asked me what I paid for the ad in Your West Midlands Wedding and I lied and said that I got it for £50 to which I was told oh I'll have to speak to the manager and in the next breath the ad will cost £40.

Being a new business then I am very careful where I splash my cash and their whole demeanour was wrong. Reading their website they seem to give out silly awards too.:rolleyes: After you pointed me in the direction of their careers section - they seem to be ageist preferring energetic young things to timorous oldies (condescending bunch of twits).

I will stick with something more reputable and I very much doubt these people will be in business for too long if they insist on using dodgy tactics. Thanks for your help Codger - now I know what to look for if and when I decide to advertise in local newspapers:D

maggie111

That job description is quite illegal... Somebody should consider suing under the new age descrimination leg!! Tut.