Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/02/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Talk of the town sold me a contract based on publication of a small advertisement of my business in their publications (coupon books). My business did not appear in the last two publications that they say I owe them for, and further more, they do not have my signature on the contract that they conjured up. I told them in May of 2024 that I was not happy with their services and requested not to be charged anymore. They did not charge me for over 11 months until today when they charged my account twice for $680 ($1360 total) . I did not sign their contract.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/02/2025

  ****** contracted with us to mail 4 mailings (Feb, Mar, April and June of 2024).  Attached is the signed agreement.  He also approved the 4 ads for the 4 mailings witnessed by the attached proofs and his approvals of each ad.  (I included 2 per photo since I'm limited on number of files to include.) I've attached photos from the actual publications and I'm happy to send 3602 (proof of mailings from the ****** You'll see in the photos 3 different books for each of the 4 mailings (12 books total).  

  We mail 8 times annually.  He contracted for half a year (4 mailings), 3 books per mailing, and set it up to pay 6 monthly installments.  He made 4 of the 6 installments prior to the 2 installments we processed today.  Every installment was paid late.  He is upset because we finally got the last 2 installments to process on his credit card today 4/2/25, where they have been declining previously.   He's avoided all attempts to contact him on the past due balance.  Below is an excerpt from the contract.  You'll see we had every right to process the remaining payments per the agreement.  

  We've been in business since 1987 with no complaints.  We have customers dating back 37 years that still advertise with us.  We promote on average 250 small, local businesses each mailing (8 times annually).  

  CONTRACT LANGUAGE:

  By signing this agreement, you are stating that you have the authority to do so and acknowledge liability both as a business or corporation and personally. If this agreement is executed by a representative of the Advertiser, the Advertiser may not, under any circumstances, claim that such representative did not have the authority to bind the Advertiser to this agreement. This agreement shall be binding on the parties and their respective successors and assigns. The liability of *********** shall not exceed the amount actually paid by the Advertiser to **********. The Advertiser agrees to assume sole responsibility for statements contained in his/her copy and to protect and indemnify TOTTC, **** against all liability, loss or expense arising out of claims for libel, unfair trade practices, unfair competition, infringement of trademarks, names of patents, copyrights and proprietary rights to include any and all photos and logos provided by and/or approved by the **********. Should the Advertiser fail to honor the terms of this agreement, and *********** deems it necessary to place the agreement in the hands of an attorney for collection, the Advertiser agrees to pay all collection costs incurred therefrom, including a reasonable attorneys fee, as well as the outstanding balance. A finance charge of 1.5 % per month or 18% per annum will be charged on any account that is past due for any reason. Personal Guaranty: In consideration for the extension of credit pursuant to the agreement I/we will personally agree to pay all amounts due under the account, including all finance charges to *********** I/we agree to pay all costs of collection including reasonable attorney fees, incurred in enforcing this guaranty. I/we consent to jurisdiction in ** in the event of any suit to enforce or interpret the terms of this guaranty, and agree that the sole proper venue shall be ***************, **. *********** shall be held harmless in the event mailing cannot be effected because of strikes, acts of God or for any other reason beyond the control of **********. *********** is not responsible for the delivery status of mail after acceptance (with receipt) by the ****. Deposits: Advertiser is required to place a deposit with *********** at time of execution of this agreement. Such deposits are nonrefundable. Both parties may agree to apply deposit to a future mailing by *********** if for any reason Advertiser timely notifies *********** that it cannot participate in the

  contracted mailing for reasons beyond its control. Any and all production costs incurred by *********** prior to such notification by the Advertiser of its hardship will be deducted from the deposit. Proof of Mailing: Upon written request, *********** will provide in a reasonable time period US Postal Form 3602 to Advertiser. This form will identify the date of the mail drop, zip codes mailed, and quantity mailed. It shall serve as the mailing programs sole proof of performance. Mailing rate in this agreement will be adjusted without notice in the event of a postage, printing or paper increase. Changes to artwork, offers &
  ad copy must be provided to ********** prior to the artwork deadline. If no changes to artwork are given by deadline, *********** will print and mail the most current ad copy approved by the Advertiser and extend the expiration date (if any) appropriately. Upon completion of this agreement, *********** will continue the agreement on a "mailing to mailing" basis at the currently published rates until notified in writing, 60 days prior to mail date, by the Advertiser. Multi Mailing Discount: If multi-mailing discounts are applied, the Advertiser agrees to rates based on multiple mailings, and the rate will be adjusted accordingly if the Advertiser should cancel any of the contracted dates (with 60 days written notice to ***********) and further agrees to pay the difference noted as "Multi-Mailing Discount" above, per mailing, on all prior mailings affected by the adjustment and any art charges incurred for pieces already in production. Cancellations without required notification, where logo of advertiser was included elsewhere in/on the publication will result in $100/10,000 homes mailed advertising fee. Minimum cancellation fee is $100. Payment Authorization: If Advertiser opts to pay by automatic Bank Draft   Credit Card, thissignature authorizes the processing of the above indicated charges to the referenced card, or any card replacing the above referenced card, without requesting original signature approval being obtained from cardholder for each charge and this authorization may not be revoked until the total charges hereinabove stated are paid in full (including any cancellation fees). We do not offer  any guarantee of performancefor the above referenced advertisement. Please note that all sales are final and we do not offer any refunds or exchanges for any advertisements or services sold through Talk of the Town Coupons******