advertising my business

Cornzi09

I received a phone call yesterday from a woman stating that she was from Bella Napoli a local restaurant and they have a fantastic opportunity arisen whereby we can advertise our services at a cost of £5 per week and I would attract £5 per week discount in the restaurant therefore the advertising is effectively cost free. She then went on to ask if a rep could be sent out to go through the details etc… they wanted to come Friday 18th October at 8:30am which I stated Fridays aren’t a good day for me as we are busy and could we do it Monday 21st? she stated that there were no reps in the area on Monday so I said can we come to the restaurant for a meal and sort out the details there, at this point she then went on to state that she didn’t work from the restaurant and this wasn’t possible as she was at their marketing office. So I agreed to have the rep come on Friday 18th at 9am (this morning)

I have had the marketing rep in our office this morning, he offering advertising space in a booklet of which would be £10+VAT per week and 10,000 copies would be published and these would be handed out to all customers that visit a local restaurant (Bella Napoli Warrington Road, Action Bridge, Northwich CW8 4QT).

The agreement between ourselves and them would be 2 years advertising at £520+VAT per year and the payments would be made in 4 payments, 1 upfront deposit of £260+VAT and then 3 further equal payments of £260+VAT each 6 months. The rep, a man called Bob How (if this is his real name) told us that we could split the remaining 3 payments over equal monthly direct debit payments over the 2 year period.

I was interested in the scheme as the whole thing seems rather cheap and the fact that we would have our business advertised in 10,000 booklets on the back outside page and that this would only be handed out to local customers over a 2 year period was very appealing so I decided I would go ahead.

Bob prepared the paperwork and at this point informed that we must now make a payment of £312inc VAT immediately and asked if we would like to pay by Card or Cheque, at this point I felt a bit uncomfortable handing over money for a service that has not yet started, therefore I said we can pay by BACS at this point he rang through to his office and I spoke to a lady who’s name escaped me but I think he said Jane and she gave me the bank details in which to make the payment to. I then made out like I was making an online payment and said our accounts lady would authorise the payment shortly.

We then went through the agreement of which he spent most of his time covering the small print with his hand and just explaining what it said. I signed the agreement at which point he took it away and seemed a little more relaxed now I had done so, he then asked if the payment had been done of which I confirmed it had (knowing full well it hadn’t) at this point he handed me his card and a copy of the agreement (see attached) and then he left. At this point I then realised that he wasn’t from Bella Napoli as the woman on the phone had said.

Toward the end of our meeting I started to feel very uncomfortable and just felt that something wasn’t right and Bob handing me this paperwork with the company logo at the top being Venditare Ltd. At this point I felt very alarmed and immediately started to search the internet for information on this company, it took me no longer than 30 seconds to find a whole host of ‘Bad Press’ from other business owners {text removed by MSE Investigator} . I also found a lot of bad information about a company called Limestone Associates and DSM Media. We being a company that supplies business lease vehicles to businesses have access to information from Companies house so I looked up Venditare Ltd and found that the directors of this business were in fact the directors of Limestone Associates and DSM Media of which were both in liquidation with risk warnings labelled against all three companies.

I have called Bella Napoli (the local restaurant) and they have no agreement with or have ever heard on Venditare Ltd.

I have not given this company my bank details and have made no payments to them and will not be doing so.

Cornzi09

Gavin58 wrote: »

{text removed by MSE Investigator} A rep called me (I should have been more on my guard as it was a COLD call) offering me advertising space in their magazine they would be distributing at Funsters in Stoke.

It happened to be just the venue I needed to advertise at as I am a guitar tutor and want to advertise to mums & dads of young families. I got the impression it was actually Funsters who were calling me and I agreed to have a salesman come and show me all the details.

The rate I was originally quoted was a fraction of the amount I was shown by the salesman - so me and the salesman thrashed out a deal where I was getting a slightly larger advert than I could afford at a rate that I could just about afford, at a discounted price (what a mug I was)

Luckily, a monthly payment rate was agreed and I cut a cheque for about £125 (which I later cancelled) - the advertising contract which I stupidly signed (I was pressured to do so) was for 2 years at a rate I realised was just too high for me to afford.

I tried to cancel the contract directly with Venditare, by phone, by email, by recorded delivery, all to no avail.. A Mr Street's name was mentioned by the woman on the phone and after some considerable hot air being blown on both sides I finally conceded that I was indeed stitched up. I had to agree to the contract as it was a B2B agreement and that trading standards and consumer rights had little to offer me apart from "come back to us if they fail to meet the terms of their own contract" A payment plan was suggested and the payments spread over 2 years -that's £35 x 24= £840...

Well it's been 2 months since I signed, and I have contacted Funsters and Venditare, still no magazine, they are telling me I will have to wait between 14-16 weeks for the printing to be completed. Having done a search on VENDITARE I have come across several highly disturbing posts {text removed by MSE Investigator} I really wish Business Initiative had warned me about this sort of thing when I got my business training...never sign a B2B contract like, EVER. You have virtually no rights and you are no longer a consumer just sheep to the slaughter... Your own fault, etc etc...

So like the poor unfortunates before me I HAVE to warn you - Avoid companies like these like the plague that they are... I will have to just hope that I get my advertising (this is looking increasingly unlikely) and that I can cancel the direct debit - (I may end up being sued by them) but I will have to study the terms of the contract. If anyone is interested I will scan the contract and post it if anyone wants to read it...This is turning out to be a ROYAL PITA...Damn and blast!

Hi Gavin,

Do not pay the fees that are being put before you, cancel the direct debit and if they take you to court which is highly unlikely as they will be revealed in court and it will get thrown out. This company have had a long string of businesses that have taken money from people and never printed adverts etc therefore the directors should be named and shamed and be struck off from trading. The sales rep 'Bob' has been here this morning and sold us the back outside page of a booklet, we pretended to make a deposit payment through bacs payment as i smelt a rat so they have no bank details and no money. I contacted the Restaurant and they have never heard or spoken to this company {text removed by MSE Investigator} cancel your DD and stop paying {text removed by MSE Investigator} !

sarah34penn

I also have advertised with venditare they have taken money out of my account without permission and also the rep offered me sole rights in my industry witch they have not kept to I have complained email them a copy of my agreement and they are saying they cant read it and have sent me there copy witch has been doctored and amended am having to seek advice.

Marnie1981 wrote: »

I run a small dog training company and was appraoched by a company called Venditare for advertising in my area on a screen in the reception of 2 sports centres.

I was told it would cost £312.00 to be paid as deposit there and then by cheque, then a further 3 installmennts of £104.00 for the year, can then have another year at same price. I agreed I would go with this and was also told they would come along on a set day to my club and take some photos/video of dog training to be included as art work for my advert.

Stupidly I signed the contract agreeing to this without throughly reading it all
Gave a cheque of £312.00 as deposit. This was cashed on 2nd May 2013 and then through direct debit they took a further £312.00 on 13th May. I rang and asked them why they had done this and was told I had to pay for 2 years in advance as per contract. The next payment of £104.00 will be taken in June2013.

They turned up and took a few camera shots of dog training, then left before I even had a chance to speak to them. I have not seen any of the photos or proofed them and the contract states...

"The client agrees to pay company a non refundable deposit equal to one half of the first year ( £520 + VAT) The balance of the first years value is due on the production of the artwork proof (payment 2) 30 days later the first half of the second years value is due (payment 3) (2nd year value £520.00 + VAT) 30 days after that the second half on year 2 (payment 4).

All very confusing and not what the woman told me at all. Am I right in saying they have breached contract by taking 2nd payment on 13th May before production of artwork was proofed or indeed even taken, as they turned up last night to take photos!??

So so far I have paid £624.00 and got nothing. Not sure if I should cancel direct debit and take them to small claim courts?

Thanks.

xjr

Venditare told me if I advertised on the back of a local restaurant menu with just a couple of other traders, I would receive a card credited with the advertising cost which could be used against meals there at £10 per visit. Basis was that my normally none deductible business entertaining was now classed as advertising, and the restaurant had its menus printed by Venditare for free, but indirectly for the cost of the food, so saved about 60%. Yeah, logical I thought... Card never arrived. Complained several times and a card for a single £10 arrived 6 months later, with a copy of my contract attached marking all their "get outs" in pink highlighter. Also restaurant had never agreed to honour the £10, let alone the £1020. They take the whole 2 year contract within 2 months, and in the small print on the back, require 12 months notice to cancel year 3. STAY WELL AWAY. They lie, lie, lie. They have two big departments, sales, and complaints. Forget the delivering on an agreement department.

xjr

Venditare told me if I advertised on the back of a local restaurant menu with just a couple of other traders, I would receive a card credited with the advertising cost which could be used against meals there at £10 per visit. Basis was that my normally none deductible business entertaining was now classed as advertising, and the restaurant had its menus printed by Venditare for free, but indirectly for the cost of the food, so saved about 60%. Yeah, logical I thought... Card never arrived. Complained several times and a card for a single £10 arrived 6 months later, with a copy of my contract attached marking all their "get outs" in pink highlighter. Also restaurant had never agreed to honour the £10, let alone the £1020. They take the whole 2 year contract within 2 months, and in the small print on the back, require 12 months notice to cancel year 3. STAY WELL AWAY. They lie, lie, lie. They have two big departments, sales, and complaints. Forget the delivering on an agreement department.

Blossomic

We had a call from [TEXT DELETED BY FORUM TEAM] yesterday. Politely told them we were not interested. We have had a terrible experience with Venditare {text removed by MSE Investigator} (taking money without authority, taking MORE money than the contract value, court threats, interest charges, charges for letters etc) We never saw the ad, and never had confirmation that it went in. This type of company will never catch me out again. They ought to be ASHAMED of they way they do business, and the way they prey on businesses just starting up.

wealdroam

appy_ppl_customer wrote: »

Crossley and Davis Accountants of Blackpool should really be made aware of the kind of people they are representing.

Seems like a good idea appy ppl customer.

Perhaps you could write to them this afternoon.

anniemac1986

I have just rather stupidly fallen for this.
They told me it was advertising for a local business and i believed them. Its only since signing up and paying a Deposit that i have found out said local business is closing and actually on the market for sale.
I spoke to them and have been told that basically tough ive signed the contract and now i have to pay it.
I really dont know what to do. I wish i hadnt signed up.
Im only a little one person business selling handmade crafts and cant afford for something like this {text removed by MSE Investigator}

PEDZ21

It would appear i have been taken for a ride by Venditare also!
Signed up for advertising in voucher book for local restaurant for 2 years, told we would receive a £5 weekly voucher, paid by DD installments, two were taken and we still had not received anything, called up nd was told we would get it after half was received. Finally received book and the vouchers were out of date! Said restaurant then closed with us still having one DD payment to be made! Called Venditare and they said advertising would be transferred to another local business, gave them 2 weeks and nothing happened so i told them i had cancelled DD and they would not receive anymore money until it was sorted.
Still not heard from them and trying to contact them via letter, email and phone is impossible!
Today i have been on hold for half an hour!
Going to Trading standard and Advertsiing standards agency as it would appear im not the first person this has happened to with th company.
{text removed by MSE Investigator}

whallwendy

Please contact me if you feel you have been duped into this scheme by BOB the salesman with his {text removed by MSE Investigator} tactics and false promises. if many of us get together we may be able to build a stronger case!