CMYK Group in Administration

Watchdog — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:58:35 +0000

We have been advised that the CMYK Group goes into administration today. This follows the loss of a recent court case and steady pressure from various groups of people around the country who mounted strong opposition to their sales techniques. So full credit to those who were determined not to give in, despite being told they had signed a contract. But every business needs to remain alert as similar business models pop up all the time and often rely on us agreeing to a scheme that is not supported by the contract we sign. Always, always read the contract – and if there isn’t one, as often happens over the phone, politely tell them to go away. And if that doesn’t work – just hang up.
Important update here – www.cmyk-conned.us

CMYK in Court

Watchdog — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:22:21 +0000

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

Hotel Wedding Brochures

Watchdog — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:30:07 +0000

There are companies that specialise in the publication of hotel wedding brochures. The hotels typically provide details of local wedding suppliers to sales reps, who then phone suppliers using the hotel phone and introduce themselves as calling from the hotel. It is reported that the salesmen often introduce themselves as the hotel manager or an area manager of the hotel group. The inference is that you are dealing direct with the hotel and most local businesses generally value an opportunity to be featured in the brochure of a respected hotel.

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

Potential advertisers are then invited to the hotel to discuss the details and pricing. While you must make your own decisions we feel it only right to point out that one company that offers this service is CMYK Communications. Dozens of UK businesses believe they were deceived by sales reps. There are numerous reports of advertisers being offered exclusive adverts, in effect being the hotel’s preferred supplier. Or it may be suggested that if you advertise you’ll get a hotel contract or should you not advertise, you’ll be excluded from wedding fairs run by the hotel. You need to be aware of the following:

1) These salesmen work for CMYK and not the hotel group and they have no authority from their company or the Oxford Hotel group to make any offers whatsoever. The terms and conditions of CMYK specifically exclude any offers or representations made by salesmen and the company will not uphold any offers of exclusivity or any other offer presented as an inducement to sign. It is difficult not to draw the conclusion that some sales reps blatantly make offers just to get your signature – and their commission. Read the contract before you sign.

2) Pricing is widely reported to be deliberately misleading. Typically a fee is quoted without being qualified eg, £800. This is actually the fee for just the first of a two-year initial contract, so you will be charged £1600.00 in total.

3) Payments are reported to be presented as requiring an initial deposit followed by equal monthly instalments over two years. A deposit is payable but this is followed by a charge equal to the deposit on proof of the advert – and then followed by equal monthly instalments. Should you default on any payments, the full two-year balance may be taken from your credit card without further consultation. We advise that you never use your credit card for deposits as banks cannot stop requests for payment. You may be surprised to know that neither can they stop certain Direct Debit requests for payment. I know of one advertiser who had paid £1500.00 as a deposit and had £4500.00 taken from his credit card within a matter of weeks simply because funds were not available to cover the unexpected payment on receipt of proof.

4) Although you may or may not be told that the brochure has a two-year cycle, be aware that the CMYK contract is actually an initial two year contract and can “rollover” into further years. In other words, the contract does not automatically expire after two years. There are provisions for the termination of the contract within the first 12 months of your agreement. If you fail to spot this you could be sent an invoice for year three. Terms also state that the agreement includes the current publication and any subsequent editions and that the contract is automatically renewable. There are no clauses about when the contract will cease to be binding, so if your advert is printed after the end of the initial period you will be charged for it. Read the contract and if you don’t require further advertising take advantage of the provision for termination.

Watchdog advice. If you wish to advertise in a hotel brochure just be aware of the above issues. It may be worth doing but make sure you are happy with every detail of the contract. Make sure you know what you are being offered and what the total cost will be. Do not assume the sales rep has told you everything. Once you have signed the contract your chances of getting any satisfaction are extremely limited. However, do let us know if you find yourself in this situation as I have discovered that CMYK are not totally heartless and have made attempts to resolve issues we have brought to their attention.

SOS Debt Collection
Some advertisers who have failed to pay invoices have received demands from this company. While you must make your own decisions about how you respond, be aware that this is purely a sub-division of the group that owns CMYK. They are not a registered debt-collection company and have no legal status as such. In my view, while they may make your life a misery, they have no powers to compel payment and can be reported for harassment if they persist.

Business Watchdog » Hotel Wedding Brochures

CMYK Group in Administration

CMYK in Court

Hotel Wedding Brochures