Beware The Global Directory of Who's Who
A reader recently forwarded us this e-mail:
Priscilla,
It is my pleasure to inform you that on April 3rd, 2009 your information was reviewed and accepted for inclusion in the 2009/2010 edition of our registry.
The Global Directory of Whos Who each year, recognizes and selects key executives, professionals and organizations in all disciplines and industries for outstanding business and professional achievements.
This recognition is shared by those who have reached a distinguished level of success in their chosen profession.
Please take a moment to complete the invitation by clicking on the link below. We ask that you complete it carefully, as it will be reviewed by our editorial department.
http://www.formdesk.com/pgn/GDW
** Please complete the online link by May 5th.
The Global Directory of Whos Who is pleased to inform you that there are no fees or dues to be included in the publication. On behalf of the publishing department and our esteemed staff, we wishyou continued success.
Sincerely,
John Franklin
Vice President, Research Division
The Global Directory of Who's Who
4250 Veterans Highway, Suite 2050
Holbrook, NY 11741, USA
Phone: (631) 588-8600
This isn't the first time we've looked at one of these vanity spam offers, and we're sure it won't be our last. Thankfully, it took us about 10 seconds to suss this one out.
Although The Global Directory of Who's Who site looks legitimate enough, the lack of a privacy policy troubled us. Far more more troubling was a Better Business Bureau Reliability Report, which gives the Global Directory of Who's Who an Unsatisfactory Rating.
We also found some illuminating comments on the Ripoff Report:
The Global Directory Of Who's Who Sketchy Sales Tactics. Don't buy from them, you pay more and get more then they tell you
I too should have followed my gut when these over aggressive people kept calling me and calling me. I mean I ignored their calls for 3 weeks until I finally couldn't take it any more. Unfortunately I agreed to purchase the 5 year membership with Wall Plaque (Which looks like it was made by High School Shop Class). Finally I got my stuff and then they called me because they couldn't charge my card an additional 150 dollars for a book I was told was including in the membership. When I told them I have already paid my membership and that the book was promised to me, they told me I am only partially paid. I told them that this is BS and that that was only mentioned AFTER they had received my payment info.
Their representatives are rude, mean, and annoying. STAY AWAY!
I too have opened an BBB claim against them.
Saleensolutions
Woodbine, Iowa
U.S.A.
The Global Directory Of Who's Who Dishonest sales practice and Charging of products not ordered ripoff
Ms. Mary Michaels, a sales representative from The Global Directory of Who's Who, contacted me on 05/21/07 to sell me a 5-year or lifetime membership in The Global Directory of Who's Who. I agree to buy the membership since I was led by Ms. Michaels to believe that the membership included the directory book. Only after I gave her my information, she informed me that an additional $199.00 was going to be charged to my credit card account for the directory book.
After learning this, I informed her that I was not interested to purchase the membership anymore. I contacted her again the same day to confirm that I did not want to purchase the membership (in fact, this was within the 3-day cancellation period policy of The Global Directory of Who's Who). Nevertheless, The Global Directory of Who's Who charged my credit card for $967.99 for a lifetime membership and the directory book without my consent.
Andres
La Grange Park, Illinois
U.S.A.
The Global Directory Of Who's Who Questionable Sales and Billing Practices
When signing up for the Global Directory of Who's Who, I expressly told the sales representative, Diane Webster, that I would access all member data online and that I DID NOT want to pay $199 plus shipping & handling for their hard-bound book.
Upon finding the charge of $228.99 to my credit card, I contacted the Global Directory of Who's Who and asked that they refund the $228.99 because I did not want the book. Things got a bit heated between the Executive Director, Connor Walsh, and myself. When the topic of disputing the charges on my credit card came up he stated that he (as a vendor) has rights also and that it would do me no good to go that route. The conversation ended with him saying, 'I will see what I can do...'
David
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.
Comments
This email is again surfacing with a new tag line - Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail communication and any attachments may contain confidential and privileged information for the use of the designated recipients named above. etc.....
Posted by: Al Ma | April 6, 2010 04:56 PM
I too received this email and thanks to those who have posted their comments. I did not respond. BIG THANKS to this site for posting. ALWAYS do your research first.
Posted by: Beverley Mendez | December 30, 2009 11:25 AM
We've been getting calls from these people for 6 weeks at least. With a mechanical persistence, the representative says exactly the same lines every time, gets no interview every time, and still keeps calling.
Apparently, the person who she's trying to get in touch with responded to an email inviting him to apply to have his biography written. However, there is no trace of this email, neither the invitation nor the response.
But I must say, we've become very fond of the person who's always calling. We'll miss her soothing monotone.
Posted by: Tom Bagley | October 23, 2009 09:38 AM
As I was talking on the phone to the guy and being "interviewed", I looked online and found this site...He tried talking me into the lifetime membership, then the five year, then the not-for profit then when I said I had to review before purchasing he got short with me and transfered me to a recording where I would get the info on the basic membership..I always question when someone once me to make a purchase without seeing what I am buying beforehand! Buyer beware!
Posted by: Afox2go | July 30, 2009 05:46 PM
I registered my 10 year old cattle dog with no problem. They were surprised when I they called for my (her) credit card and I tol them she didn't have one.
Posted by: guavafan | July 27, 2009 03:51 PM