It appears the kind folks at GoldPoints have decided to rewrite history rather than face the consequences of their own poor planning. They are now claiming that the ValueMags promo ended on Dec 25, and unless there's documentation to the contrary, any orders after that date gets only 150 pts/$.

Everyone here knows the facts:

1) Promo was advertised as lasting thru the end of the year
2) The website showed the msg "You are earning 450 points per dollar" past 12/25
3) ValueMags customer service reps told customers that anyone who placed orders prior to 12/25 would have the 450 points/$ honored
4) GoldPoints CSR's gave myriad conflicting information
5) GoldPoints sent everyone an email assuring us, IN BIG CAPITAL LETTERS, that "ALL POINTS EARNED WOULD BE AWARDED".
6) The email said to wait UP TO 45 DAYS, then call.

I intend to fight this sleaziness with everything I've got. To do so, I need help in documenting this whole thing. Any msgs, faxes, emails, transcripts of conversations, or anything else of use would be greatly appreciated. I intend to compile all this and take legal action the company, including contacting several state's attorneys general and the Better Business Bureau.

Feel free to post here or email me directly.

Thanks.

~BK

Which day did you order?

I saw the promo pulled sometime after noon on the 26th.

JL2

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/005868.html

Check out page 7 that indicates when promotion was officially pulled on Dec 26 and when it was 'unofficially' extended through Dec 31.

Good luck

Can you give any details? Is this confirmed information or the response of a single GP rep?

The Better Business Bureau is a voluntary organization and really can't do anything except give them some sort of fictional black mark. You are better off getting a state regulator to enforce a state law against deceptive trade practices against them. There are various offices in the states that enforce these, from the office of the state attorney general, the office of the governor, office of consumer affairs, or department of agriculture depending on how the state offices are organzed. I recommend calling the atty generals office and tell them you have a complaint about a deceptive trade practice--if they don't handle these in your state they should be able to direct you to the proper office. I'm not sure which state you should start in--probably the state you are located but maybe the state where GP or VM is located. Also, the federal trade commission also has rules on this--not sure if they have offices outside of Washington.

Have you complained to VM?

BBB complaints do carry weight against honest companies (which I had assumed GP was). No reputable company likes to have unresolved BBB complaints against them (rotten companies, of course, don't care).

I fully intend to contact the agencies you mention. Unfortunately, most companies assume that most threats to do so are idle, and just take the "So sue me" attitude. The only thing that works is following through, so that's what I'll do.

Complaining to VM? Done that, yes. But to what end? They are the "stuckees" in this mess, almost as much as the customers. If I dispute the charges, they are the ones who will end up losing a large sale.

The "marketing exec" jerkoff who cancelled this promo early, then made promises and reneged should be fired and carried out nude.

~BK