ADCO Media reviews and complaints 9
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your stupid computer set up
I have had three different accounts with your company, out of those tree I have ordered one thing an recieved one thing something I did not want or need.
Just about what im getting about your company what with your enouying notifacatoins hourly to much way to much, an now this problem im having trying to renew my payment card details. So im getting alittle anoyed with it, will try one more time after that im finished with it! So take payment details or leave me out of ye notifcation crap. Thats it. Got no more to say apart from all ye stuff is fake full stop an you owe me a wireless phone charger. So sort ye [censored] out or leave me out or im gonna go over ye heads an complain to soneone who will do something.
Fraud
I was sold a marketing/media package in Orlando Florida by Paul Jones. He told me at the time of the sale it was the last day, so in order to expedite the process, I should write him the check and he would process everything immediately. After I gave him the check I asked for a contract and he sent me an invoice for the amount of the check, $1135. The following month, I could not get a hold of Paul, for weeks he claimed he was in the hospital. All the while, I'm waiting to get started with my company marketing campaign. Finally after several attempts to reach Paul, I looked up the company headquarters. I called to resolve the situation, and the President of the company told me that I had created the invoice that I received from Paul, and that he had no contract with me. I told him Paul had obviously committed fraud against me. He told me that he would do nothing about the situation and that was between me and Paul. So this man, PAUL JONES, is not to be dealt with in Orlando. And obviously, Adco Media does not care how they make their money. I have nothing to show for the $1135 that I paid Paul Jones, and ADCO is doing NOTHING about it. Look at other reviews online through various sites and see that I am not alone. This company is FRAUD...
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
publishing scam
ADCO MEDIA launches another new publication to DUPE SMALL BUSINESSES into advertising! In order to get around all the complaints posted about their other titles, they've launched The Best Of whatever city, town or neighborhood, in order to secure outrageously expensive ad rates. They have a new website, mytownsbest.com, to support their claim of internet advertising, which is nothing more than the ad. While they sell a 6 months shelf life, they never tell their clients how many copies they print. And, they do not print anywhere near enough to keep their rack stocked. I know, as I monitor the rack on a 3x weekly basis and I've seen ADCO cycle through several different titles. These sales reps will say anything to get a sale, and they will charge only a few dollars to the last few who agree to run. They close the sale by saying it is the "STORE'S" magazine - and in some cases, that the store has the final say on who gets to advertise in it! And, they rarely, if ever, make good on the tv promise...which is nothing more than your same ad if they ever do it.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Is ADCO Media legit?
ADCO Media earns 100% level of Trustworthiness
Perfect Trust Endorsement: ADCO Media achives 100% ligitmacy per Complaints Board. Highly recommended, yet always stay vigilant.
We found clear and detailed contact information for ADCO Media. The company provides a physical address, phone number, and email, as well as 2 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.
The age of ADCO Media's domain suggests that they have had sufficient time to establish a reputation as a reliable source of information and services. This can provide reassurance to potential customers seeking quality products or services.
Adcoamerica.com has a valid SSL certificate, which indicates that the website is secure and trustworthy. Look for the padlock icon in the browser and the "https" prefix in the URL to confirm that the website is using SSL.
Adcoamerica.com regularly updates its policies to reflect changes in laws, regulations. These policies are easy to find and understand, and they are written in plain language that is accessible to all customers. This helps customers understand what they are agreeing to and what to expect from ADCO Media.
However ComplaintsBoard has detected that:
- Adcoamerica.com has relatively low traffic compared to other websites, it could be due to a niche focus, but could also indicate a potential lack of traffic and popularity. The adcoamerica.com may offer a niche product or service that is only of interest to a smaller audience.
- ADCO Media protects their ownership data, a common and legal practice. However, from our perspective, this lack of transparency can impede trust and accountability, which are essential for establishing a credible and respected business entity.
SCAM - RIP OFF - UNSATISFACTORY BUSINESS PRACTICE
We have been VERY unhappy with ADCO MEDIA aka TRISTAR. They are located in California and this is not a COPYCAT company as some of these posts suggest. ADCOMEDIA.COM is their website. They were unprofessional and rude as well as not fulfilling the promises of cable TV spots! There was one mistake after another and I can NOT recommend them to any business. We feel we just threw our money away! BUYER BEWARE!
TV Spots not Aired
Truly wish I would have researched this company before advertising, but, as with anything in business this has definitely been a learning experience. The sales rep was personable, friendly and persuasive - last time we fall for that. After she walked out the door with the signed contract, dealing with Adco Media has been nothing but a headache.
Nothing that was communicated in the face-to-face meeting w/ the sales rep was completed by the company as promised. Weeks passed before "magazines" were placed in local store. To call it a magazine is a long-shot. It's the biggest waste of money to have an ad in a 6 page "flyer". We were told our print ad would run in conjunction with our tv spots. No tv spots as of yet (5 months into contract) and we have been advised by Adco Media they have 6 months to complete the ads. I've filed my complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I'm contacting my credit card company today as well to file a dispute. FUTURE PURCHASERS OF SPACE FROM ADCO MEDIA BEWARE -- THEY ARE A SCAM IN THE BIGGEST WAY!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Booklet and TV commercial scam
We went into contract with Adco media to utilize their advertising with a pamplet being handed out in Blockbuster movie stores and a TV commercial that would run for 6 months. As of September 21 st, 2009 we have recieved and seen only 1 copy of the supposed ad and no TV commercial. We have been given the same run around as several others with this promotion and have never actually been able to get any real answers. I have filed a complaint with the BBB and Adco offered a $150.00 dollar refund citing that is more than the cost of $16.00 per advertiser to produce and air a TV commercial for 6 months. The BBB has now closed my complaint claiming they can not help any further. Adco has refused to hand over any paperwork showing their cost at the time of printing or distribution. They have given me 2 tracking numbers. They claimed they would give the information to the BBB as long as the BBB would not hand it over to us, then accused me of Blackmailing and Extorting money from them. We have been in business for 23 years and not by shady business practices. I would strongly suggest any company thinking of doing business with Adco to give it a long hard look, there is considerably more bad complaints then good, and a long record with the BBB as well.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Scam
Steve Barenfeld called my business 3 times. He asked to speak to me, that I was highly recommended. My secretary took down his info. The first thing I did was google his name. I had my secretary call him and ask if it was a sales call, he said it was not. I decided never to call him. That was last week. Today, I received a call and he spoke to another secretary, said he was "RETURNING " *MY* call, and he said my name. My secretary gave me the phone and I spoke to Steve.
He said that he did a local interview of a nearby grocery store anda found out that we came HIGHLY recommended. That they were doing this FREE cable advertising that they would do the production and everything, that they would put my business in this great magazine that I'd never heard of called American Home. Then he said that my customers could win a cruise and if they did, I automatically did. He said the cost would be 50 dollars. He paused. 50 dollars a week he continued. For how long was the campaign 6 months, (26 weeks) 1200? No, 1300 for 26 weeks. I asked him how long our company would be featured in the commercial "10 seconds" he said. I asked him if I could use my own video which I am working on, he said NO, that it's a video that showcases still images and that it promotes the magazine and has to promote the magazine.
I said, do you have any samples of work that you've done, can you send me a video, he insisted on meeting in person. I said, I wouldn't want to waste your time without looking at your media first, since I have a very special way of marketing and I won't accept certain formats and ways of marketing of my company. His voice went down an octave. He agreed to let me see the website, and then I told him that I had heard of Adco, he said "how? I've never told you about it" I said, I googled your name and read some negative things about it. He suddenly got quieter. Well, I'll be in town until tomorrow. I said great, I'll let you know, and I took down his number.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Steve Barenfeld called my business 3 times. He asked to speak to me, that I was highly recommended. My secretary took down his info. The first thing I did was google his name. I had my secretary call him and ask if it was a sales call, he said it was not. I decided never to call him. That was last week. Today, I received a call and he spoke to another secretary, said he was "RETURNING " *MY* call, and he said my name. My secretary gave me the phone and I spoke to Steve.
He said that he did a local interview of a nearby grocery store anda found out that we came HIGHLY recommended. That they were doing this FREE cable advertising that they would do the production and everything, that they would put my business in this great magazine that I'd never heard of called American Home. Then he said that my customers could win a cruise and if they did, I automatically did. He said the cost would be 50 dollars. He paused. 50 dollars a week he continued. For how long was the campaign 6 months, (26 weeks) 1200? No, 1300 for 26 weeks. I asked him how long our company would be featured in the commercial "10 seconds" he said. I asked him if I could use my own video which I am working on, he said NO, that it's a video that showcases still images and that it promotes the magazine and has to promote the magazine.
I said, do you have any samples of work that you've done, can you send me a video, he insisted on meeting in person. I said, I wouldn't want to waste your time without looking at your media first, since I have a very special way of marketing and I won't accept certain formats and ways of marketing of my company. His voice went down an octave. He agreed to let me see the website, and then I told him that I had heard of Adco, he said "how? I've never told you about it" I said, I googled your name and read some negative things about it. He suddenly got quieter. Well, I'll be in town until tommorow. I said great, I'll let you know, and I took down his number
Rip off
Susan Liddy is a liar. She said they would have my add in time for Thanksgiving as I am a holiday shop and the add was not even sent out until Dec. 10. Lots of promises short on Delivery. Susan Liddy apparently says anything to get the sale.
Adco Media is a rude, unreliable company and has refused to fix their mistake on my advertising and is now accusing me of defaulting on an account that THEY NEVER FULLFILLED!
susan liddy is a liar
Do not do business with this company. My rep, Lou Capolino, lied about everything. Magazine never came out. TV commercials never ran. If this guy contacts you in New Jersey call the police.
ADCO MEDIA...TOTALLY A FRAUD!
According to Adco Media's website, their CEO and President is Jack Brown. And yes, he has over 35 years as owner and chief executive. So, who is Gary Lavine?
I got a call from some guy named John yesterday. He offered to place my company's ad on Time Warner's Cable TV spots (channels like HGTV, WE, etc.), website and California Style magazine. He said it is only $52 a week for 6 months of advertisement. He insisted on making an appointment today because he and his partner has to start another promotion in Temecula the next day. This morning, he called to reconfirm our appointment. I asked him for his company's name, website address and a phone number. I'd like to review it before I meet him. He then said his company is associated with ECO Friendly Living magazine and ignored my question about the phone number. He was very pushy about getting the appointment. So I sensed it could be a fraud.
Any legitimate businessman would not hide its identity. They will not rush their consumers to make any business decisions and will offer company's information for their customers to review.
Because all his calls were caller-ID blocked and his unprofessional way of conducting business, I was a bit suspious. I went online and check the name of the magazines he mentioned. Both of them were not found. Of course, I didn't attend the meeting. Then, he called me and finally gave me his first name (John...so unique!), and phone number [protected] with an extension. I search that phone number online and found it's Adco Media. After reading all these reviews, and a fraud CEO's name, I am more sure that it is a fraud.
Sorry, I take back everything in the above post. It was caused by the body of the text from the art department; the President actually emailed me back instantaneously stating that I can revise the proof. I suggested to him that they change the initial email sent by the art department.
How many company Presidents email back? Not many. So, they have been redeemed in my eyes.
So. please ignore my presumptuous statement above.
We are signed up for the Tri-Star marketing program; this morning after googling your company i found a couple of interesting comments about your company along with your email.
Somebody did get in touch-a June Nelson but never mentioned anything about sending in materials etc.
Yesterday, i received an email. If one reads the body of the email, it seems that it is a done deal and NOT a proof and actually as mentioned to the sales Director we only have one location. Terribly misleading. A proof is something that one gets to approve. This "proof" is so full of inaccuracies that i am already now regretting signing up with Adco and will sadly end up as just another complainant.
I do hope that i am wrong about your company, but if not then i am greatly saddened that this opportunity has been lost and i now understand why sales are conducted in a "rush" manner.
AdCo's sales people do tend to "be in a hurry" because of "the deadline" thereby not offering you opportunity to ask in-depth questions. How about those 30-second commercial spots they offer that are only 6 seconds long? Hm?
My name is Gary Lavine and I am the president of Adco Media Corp. The owner of this company and I have been in this business for over 35 years respectively. We are currently servicing over 6, 000 advertising customers each year and are quite proud of our record. It's not unusual for a company to have a few complaints (whether founded or not) over a long period of time. The complaints on this site are from 2002 forward. Actually, even a dozen or so dissatisfied customers over the last 7 or 8 years is an insignificant number even though it is our mission statement to do all that we can to come to a mutually beneficial resolution when a complaint does arise. The internet is a wonder of the world. However, anyone can post a complaint and for that matter a favorable posting. It doesn't matter if it's a disgruntled independent contractor (sales rep), a competitor or any other person that is so inspired to place negative or positive postings. Keeping that in mind, I sincerely invite any of our customers or other business owners approached by our independent contractors and/or managers to contact me personally with even minor complaints should they materialize. My email address is glavine@adcomedia.com or I can be reached at [protected], extension 112.
Susan Liddy is not a sales rep. She is the Regional Manager. I found her to be of high caliber. My business was in trouble and I could not afford this ad. Susan discounted the price and design the ad for free to help me and my family business. This Dunedin, is a coward who wont put his name or business name out there. Susan even gave me three interest free payments on a hand shake. Tell me you can find that in these times. Even the banks wont help us now. Thank god for Susan Liddy and Adco.
ps We, the other advertisiers in the Dunedin book know who you are (Dunedin) if you contunie to discredit Susan we will put your name on the next post.
Why are there so many people on here who seek to try to rebuttal complaints. You would think Adco was a multi level marketing company. LOL.
Business advertiser
We would like to know if this company is legal for the marketing of American home today magazines in fl.they sold to our company a space for business for 6 months for a value of 1, 134.00 dollars and this supposed to be marketed beginning of January, but we haven't gotten any thing yet the the local business contractor that visited the office gave a wrong number for contact and we are getting concerned about our money and business. The name is james march [protected].
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I will go in with anyone that wants to fight this company. Class action I'm all in!
I was ripped off of over $1000 and they made a fake check when I refused to pay the rest till I had something from them. This check had all 0000 at the top. I have all the paerwork still and a fraud case against them.
The mag I got was about 5 pages long (the sample had more). That nice comment at the top calling us [censored]es I'm sure is working at that company. That is about how professional they are after they have your money.
So if anybody needs any help fighting them I would be more then happy to help. This is my junk email address: briihl2000@yahoo.com
I will watch it for your emails. But it is a junk one so no worries about spam if the wrong person gets it.
We were also scammed by this company. Luckily, we only paid our deposit, but now they have a personal injury lawyer chasing us for the balance due on advertising that never took place. Shame on you ADCO. They never returned e-mails that questioned them on what was happening with our advertising. Of course not, that would be written proof of their scam.
We used Media Corp several years ago and it is SCAM! Media Corp produced a semi-professional commercial for our company and aired it randomly on several stations in test markets. We didn't pass the "test" and after speaking to a real PR firm, were informed that their format of random commercials at random (cheapest) time slots were proven to FAIL. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH MEDIA CORP. I'm surprised the company hasn't had a class-action law suit filed against them...huh, maybe I'll call my attorney.
I have spent a year looking into ADCO Media and I am here to tell you it are NOT what they tell you! PERIOD! They most often do provide the paper ad but it might take up to six months and you may have to redo it several times(the art work is done by one of the office staff Chris who does many other things at the office). One fact is that Comcast (owned and operated by the NCC and provides 90 some percent of all cable ads in the US) has terminated all advertising with ADCO Media as of Dec. 2009. In an effort to cover their butts, ADCO has snuck on Comcast under another name called American Home Today and I'm sure they will continue to change names to get onto Comcast.
The Problem is...most ADCO contracts require for 20 cable ads...( VERBALLY promised 30 seconds). Where they are STILL breaking contracts is when they do not book "guaranteed" ads with Comcast. They actually book "UNGUARENTEED" time slots or otherwise known as "Direct Response" ad space. This results in many ads not actually running or possibly a few may run for 5 seconds or so with no guarantee how many times. Comcast reps consider them “FILLER ADS”. THIS IS A RIP OFF AND NOT WHAT YOUR CONTRACT STATES. THE WORST PART IS AFTER YOU GO THROUGH ALL THE TROUBLE (which takes a lot of hours and digging to get details from Comcast if you can figure what name they used to even sneak ads onto Comcast), ADCO in turn wants to only give you a refund of $100.00 or $200.00. They mislead you upon selling you the ads. You think that the money is going to your expensive (20 ads at 30 sec. each) Cable ads but it is not. It is their PROFIT! You actually get (if any) the cheapest ads available at 5 seconds or more and most likely not 20 of them and they keep the rest of the money from your ads that didn’t run. This is a breach of contract.
I have confirmed this with Comcast and the NCC as of July 2010. If you need to check call yourself and confirm with Comcast Spotlight and the National Cable Commission (California), that ADCO and American Home today purchase and run "Direct Response" ads and not guaranteed ads. They can actually tell you how few seconds and how few times your ad did or did not run. They are usually combined with a few other companies onto ONE 30 second run at a few seconds per company which makes your ads difficult to find and makes it APPEAR that ADCO is running 30 second ads. REMEMBER, these most times do not run 20 times each as contracted.
I was almost duped by Dyson Media Corp with the same promises, but I stopped payment on my check as it just did not feel right. They called offering deep discounts $500 off, and then threatened me with the fact that this is a non-cancellable contract. I told them I was not going through with the ad and that if they wanted to sue me they could try. Rick the manager then called and knocked the price all the way down to $800. He stated the rep was no longer with the company as they had a lot of complaints about her. I declined and he stated they were not going to pursue anything. Yesterday I received a call from the rep who sold me the ad telling me that I made a good decision because she found out the company was a big scam and that the parent company is ADCO MEDIA CORP. and they have been scamming people for years. Not sure what to make of it disgruntled employee or what! I know it did not feel right and I am glad I passed it up!
[censor] company
The artwork is horrible. We had it redone several times and they tried to copy another ad to the T that I sent to show them what a REAL ad looks like. I had to tell them NOT TO COPY someone else’s work but to LOOK at what good work is. The art director has several other jobs in the Co., I don't think he is really trained in commercial art. It is not just the reps. The home office rarely returns calls. The caller ID alarmingly says UNKNOWN (what kind of legit co. hides phone ID?) if they do call you. It has been 5 months since signing with them Paper ad did come out but no commercials as of yet. I have called numerous businesses listed on the www.localsupersavings.com website that lists all businesses that had purchased ads through ADCO. Not one of the business I have spoken with has seen the Comcast commercials promised. When I told ADCO this they threatened me and told me to stop calling other businesses. Every reputable company I have worked with in the past asks you to call others for TESTAMONIALS of great service, ADCO threatens! I encourage others to do the same. Go to the wbsite, put in the zip of companies in yyour aera and call some of them. Ask if they are satisfied with the work and service and if they saw and liked THE COMMERCIAL. Ask them if they actually saw the commercial...hmmmm.
So you $$$ with you comment using profanity on this site, do the math. The numbers are totally against you, ADCO DOES NOT appear to be a company that ROCKS!
If anyone is considering an ad with ADCO Media of California - read all of these complaints. Sure wish I had before I spent my advertising dollars with them. We have had a VERY unpleasant experience with them with numerous problems and feel that our money has been WASTED! The rep MacKenzie Ruhnke will not even return phone calls. DISGRACEFUL!
You all deserve it =)
I agree with Burned Too ^ ... I know feeling like you've gotten ripped off sucks and you just need someone to blame, but how about looking past your self and try seeing the big picture...
THIS COMPANY ROCKS! Not to mention the art dept. There work is flawless so long as you(the client) aren't [censored]es!
Most of you will most likely go out of business anyways so how about just shut the ### up and start filing your papers for bankruptcy!
You all deserve it =)
Contact ADCO Media customer service
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