Business Watchdog

Archive for July, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen.
In order to have your company inserted in the registry of World Businesses for 2009/2010 edition, please print, complete and submit the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:
WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE
P.O. Box 2021
3500 GA Utrecht
The Netherlands

I did not open the PDF but their web site outlines the terms of the contract (http://www.world-businessguide.com/terms.php). They publish a CD ROM of World Businesses and the charge for the initial 3 year contract is just under 3000 Euros. Could be just what you need, but if not, be aware that this is not free.

Update 29th August 2009. Another of these emails has been received. The pdf form offers free updates, followed by a statement saying, “Only sign if you wish to place an insertion.” Placing an insertion is charged for and this is what you are agreeing to:  – I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO 995. THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN NOTICE IS RECEIVED….
So this offer is not for a free entry but only for free updates – after you have subscribed.

Now being targetted by office in Spain:

Dear Madam/Sir,
In order to have your company inserted into the registry of Worldwide Business Guide for 2009/2010,
please print, complete and return the enclosed form (PDF file) to the following address:
Worldwide Business Guide (WWBIZG)
Apartado 3054,
29649, Sitio de Calahonda,
Mijas Costa, Málaga, España.

This company call saying they represent Google. Very much doubt it. But they have a search engine service called Google Easy which they say is “a new online marketing strategy from Search Engine Easy. We will identify your businesses five most important keywords, and within 48 hours they will be listed on page one of Google – the UK’s most popular search engine. That’s it. No contracts, no lengthy processes, just quick, easy and effective online marketing.” They promise a lot and may well deliver – but at £89.00 a month you may find there are cheaper options. Once again they did not check before phoning and the site they phoned about is already in the top 3.
My understanding is that this company will manage your Adwords campaign. But you can do this yourself.

This company declare they are a Google Adwords Qualified Company. We can find no record of them on the UK or Ireland list of approved companies. S E Easy Ltd is registered in Ireland. http://www.whoisagap.com/individuals/united-kingdom.html

The brochure publishing group known as CMYK are in court – again.  A restaurant in the south of England that had already taken CMYK to court “and won” over an unauthorized amount of money taken from their bank accounts has now taken CMYK to court for the second time due to the misleading selling techniques used at the time of signing the contract.”

CMYK / SOS Industries have gone into Administration.
You can read about it here www.cmyk-conned.us