New employee - was I misled or is this entirely my fault?

Fluffpuff

When I first started my job back in October 2012, I had a phonecall from the company we lease our printer from kind of like a service call. They asked if we were ok for toner etc and that they would send us some out as we were running low.

Not long after this we had a phonecall from a company that sells franking cartridge ink. The phonecall sounded nothing like a sales call, more like the service call we had had from the printer company. The girl started the phonecall with 'Hi can you check how many franking machine cartridges you have and let me know if you are running low'. She didn't introduce herself or say where she was calling from and I said I was new and for her to bare with me as I didn't know where everything was. I went to check and said that we were running low. She said 'right ok I will send you some out they will be with you in the next few days'.

Didn't ask for our address either so never thought anything of it as naively thought it was Neopost who I now know is the only company we ever use.

My boss is now questioning the invoice as we have never used this company before and the prices are alot higher so obviously he isn't happy.

I know I was extremely naive and stupid but I'm also quite annoyed with the tactic they used and me being new. I was so snowed under trying to get used to my new job, trying to remember everything and also extremely nervous. it sounded like we'd used them before because she sounded so casual as if this was the usual routine.

Just wondered what others thoughts were on this? And whether you think it was a little underhand of them or whether you think it was my own fault.

Thanks

phill99

It is very underhanded. Business to business selling is incredibly devious and sometimes erring towards fraudulent.

You were naive and they took advantage of you. Put it down to one of life's experiences. Next time you get a call like this, take all their details and say you will call them back, then just check it with your boss.

Fluffpuff

phill99 wrote: »

It is very underhanded. Business to business selling is incredibly devious and sometimes erring towards fraudulent.

You were naive and they took advantage of you. Put it down to one of life's experiences. Next time you get a call like this, take all their details and say you will call them back, then just check it with your boss.

Thanks Phill

heretolearn_2

Is it part of your job to order supplies? If it isn't, in future don't take calls about them.

If it is, then you need to be a bit more on the ball and know who your suppliers are.

This is a sneaky, but not uncommon, sales tactic.

bap98189

This is a well known scam. Do not pay the invoice, or use the cartridges. Put them aside and fax/write to the supplier informing that your company did not order the goods, they arrived unsolicited, and can be collected by the supplier any time.

If this goes any further, they will have to produce some sort of proof that the goods were ordered. As there is no written purchase order they have no evidence that anyone actually ordered these.

McKneff

I used to get them all the time, very very underhand. The prices were horrific, 4 times more than our usual supplier and I can understand how you got suckered in being new.

If it was a quiet time, I would really wind them up, eventually telling them that as their prices were so high, would they actually like to buy some from me lol

I would return them to the company, outlining the underhand tactics and demanding that they take your company off their database.

Do it so the parcel is trackable.

Lesson learned, dont beat your self up about it, they are very clever.

Fluffpuff

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I have since found out that 'Link Mailing Systems' are known scammers and I'm not the only one that has been drawn in.

I tried to ring the number to get the cartridges picked up and kept getting a busy tone like it doesn't exist. I went through each option and on option 4 I got through.

They are now hopefully collecting the cartridges tomorrow.

Any idea where I go from here to make a complaint? I hope something gets done about this company.

fluffnutter

Check out the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008. That might give you some idea about who to complain to. Trading Standards don't cover business to business transactions.

pmduk

Perhaps insist on making an order when it suits you and your employer, rather than responding to a phone call. (But check stock very regularly to ensure you don't run out.) That way when you order you know you are using the Company's choice of supplier.

nzmegs

I was also caught out by this scam a few years ago when i was a receptionist. i went to the company accountant and explained and he called them. he said in no uncerain terms that the "order" would not be paid for and so they had best not send it. he also pointed out that future orders would not be paid for. (be careful because they may just keep sending you items without asking). he cited all sorts of legal terms and mentioned taking them to the courts.

iot worked and they items were not sent and we heard no more. I get another call from them a few weeks later trying again. I collared the person on the other end and told them that they were working as a scam artist. i think they are just people hired to follow a script and they don't really know what they are saying or doing. The guy i spoke to was a bit ruffled by my complaints and apologised.

Takeaway_Addict

bap98189 wrote: »

This is a well known scam. Do not pay the invoice, or use the cartridges. Put them aside and fax/write to the supplier informing that your company did not order the goods, they arrived unsolicited, and can be collected by the supplier any time.

If this goes any further, they will have to produce some sort of proof that the goods were ordered. As there is no written purchase order they have no evidence that anyone actually ordered these.

This! We are currently charging the company a monthly rent for holding the cartridges as one of our employees did this accidently.

Its very childish but satisfying sending them an updated invoice each time they threaten us for not paying their con