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5.0 4 Complaints
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Seccion Amarilla Complaints 4

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J
9:11 pm EDT
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Seccion Amarilla seccion amarilla

It's sad how all you people have nothing else to do but talk bad about a company that helped you feed your family i've been there almost two years and it keeps on getting better, if the accounts won't renew is for your lack of performance i meet my quota every month after month with room to spare, don't blame SECCION AMARILLA if you're all are useless and stop with the racism just because you could't performed get on the ball do your job and follow on your accounts because it was your job and you failed, with these words i end my posting on this web site STOP LYING AND MAKING UP STUFF JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A FAILURE.

JORGE S.

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mad with them
Edison, US
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Jan 03, 2011 9:28 pm EST

I got so mad that I didn't even finish reading your disgusting ### kissing post! Listen you p of s! how dare you call us
losers! are you a ###? are you still deceiving people just like them? Be man enough and post your real name, because
if you need mine, I'll be more than glad to tell you who I am. I have worked in advertising in New York City for the past 20 plus years. Have been very successful, keep tracking my sucess still. I just wanted to infiltrate myself into this company because the idea is great, but the know how is totally not there. So please, spare us who have been taken advantage of and deceived the stupidity of your post.

M
M
mad with them
Edison, US
Send a message
Jan 03, 2011 9:22 pm EST

It is very sad that someone that probably has been working illegally in this country with this company that is deceiving so may great advertisers feels that he should be proud for working here. Listen, my "friend" either you are one of the "high executives" or I don't know what you've done that hundreds of other employees or ex-employees like me didn't do. First of all, I am writing from the New Jersey office. The office ran great expectations with a great guy that was scammed too. We lied to advertisers, lawyers, clinics, physicians etc. about not only distribution, but also about the book itself. If the book os for New Jersey, how come there were ads from NYC? Distribution, none. In Union City, which is a town with the latino population at 90%, no one had ever seen the mysterious directory. It is a shame that we americans are helping this con artist, who is not even Mexican, he is from the Middle East but was raised in Mexico by his parents, he might feel mexican, but he's not. How can we put up with this b------t!. The person that explained at the top of the page with all the details of what really happens, kudos to you. The should go back home and let the experts do the walking!

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M
9:38 am EST
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Seccion Amarilla A Nationwide Scam Theme Against Businesses and Employees

Seen in Mexico by many as a monopolist who controls the country with one of the three most expensive telephone services in the world – Telmex, the national telephone company -, it is said that you can’t live one day in that country without putting money in his pockets through one of his many companies. He also owns America Movil, the strongest wireless company in the continent from Mexico to the Antarctic, and Seccion Amarilla, the yellow-page division and right hand of Telmex, closing the circle for a perfect telecommunications monopoly. Seccion Amarilla has made its way into several countries through the American continent in the past 36 months, including the U.S.

Back in the third quarter of 2006, Slim bought, through his Mexican yellow-page emporium Seccion Amarilla, a controlling 60% of Cobalt publishing, then the largest Spanish yellow-page company in the U.S., already established in over 17 states, and owned by entrepreneur Jonathan Blue (Blue Equity) from Louisville, Kentucky, and run from Miramar (Miami), Florida, by Mexican-national, Juan Reffreger, company’s CEO (also owning a percentage in the company). Although Slim’s Mexican Seccion Amarilla controls the new Seccion Amarilla USA, Cobalt publishing still runs the business under the new name, as part of their sales agreement.

Now, almost three years later, Seccion Amarilla USA has expanded very much all over the country, from the San Francisco Bay area to the Mexican Border in San Diego, through New York and Florida, with just a few key markets in between left to be conquered. New directories are being launched in new cities almost on a monthly basis, making the company grow at a pace only possible with the funding from a man who’s net worth in believed to be at over $50 billion. Today Seccion Amarilla USA owns and publishes well over 60 Spanish telephone directories in cities the size on Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Kansas City, Phoenix, New York, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Diego, San Francisco, Atlanta, St Louis, New Orleans, among many other.

Many directories are new launches, while several are buy-outs for insignificant amounts from small local yellow-page businesses that had no option but to sell or be put out of business as they find it impossible to compete with a monster the size of Slim’s Telmex / Seccion Amarilla. A practice similar to Slim’s monopolizing style in Mexico: Align with him or be put out of business.

Mexico makes the perfect ground for abuse to businesses that have their yellow-page invoice attached to their phone bill, and being both sister companies, leaving very little ground for complaints and disputes. Mexican businesses and individuals have no choice but to take any abuse imposed on them. Although the U.S. is a totally different arena, it seems that Telmex/ Seccion Amarilla is bringing its bad business habits and practices into our American soil.

It has become very well known to Seccion Amarilla employees at high management levels that the company is not delivering just yellow pages, but also deception and fraud to both businesses as well as to their own employees.

Businesses are being charged top dollar and in exchange promised a certain amount of directories, to be printed in a certain format, to be delivered by certain dates, within certain metropolitan areas, all of which is not happening.

Seccion Amarilla does not audit its printing, and American businesses, being used to large reputable yellow-page companies such as AT&T, Dex, Superpages, or Yellow Book – just to mention a few – are caught in their innocence, thinking that Seccion Amarilla USA will deliver honest numbers, just like everyone else does. Big mistake! The problem with unaudited publications – such as Sección Amarilla USA - is that there is no way to verify if the number of copies promised – which is actually the only single reason businesses are paying for their advertising - are actually the number of copies being printed or distributed.

The only way outside of an independent auditing company to do this, is to get a certification either from the printing or the distribution company. Seccion Amarilla USA has been questioned many times in different markets in the U.S. about their number of directories printed, and they have been able to get away defrauding their clients with short numbers because it so happens – very conveniently – that the owner of their distribution company – Sean Harper, president of Harper Directory Distribution Group, LLC., based out of Corinth, Dallas, Texas – is one of the two Vice-Presidents of Sales (for key markets such as California, New York, Florida, Texas, etc.) for Seccion Amarilla USA, so every time a business requests a certification of distribution, Seccion Amarilla USA can produce one, “in-house” with a distribution company name that appears to be independent from Seccion Amarilla, thus putting any possible doubt or claim immediately to rest without further questioning. It is well known to upper management within the company that the numbers in distribution have been cut as much as an outrageous 50%.

Seccion Amarilla USA promised in several markets to deliver 4-column directories, which means ads of certain dimensions, but actually printed 2-column books that delivered smaller ads, in a much smaller, unattractive and less impactful directory, therefore cheating businesses from the results they were promised, and expected.

Late distribution dates is another big issue. 90% of the times since the company started doing business, no less than 2 and up to 6 months late. Companies expecting a book to be delivered by certain time of the year, for example, A/C companies expecting the book on the streets right by Summer time, where left on the cold when they saw their ads being published at the end of summer, when it is not profitable to their business anymore, until next Summer.

The million dollar questions is: Why would a company the size of Seccion Amarilla, owned by the richest man in the world, risks its reputation in the national market place and the ability to continue doing business in the U.S., by shortening their distribution numbers, shrinking the size of their directories or coming out unacceptably late?

The answer is on the hands of Juan Reffreger, CEO for the U.S. operations (Seccion Amarilla USA) and Mr. Benjamin Podoswa, President of Seccion Amarilla in Mexico city (whom, by the way, reports directly to Mr. Slim).

Mr. Podoswa assigns the U.S. division and Mr. Reffreger a yearly target revenue that needs to be reached. Mr. Reffreger does whatever it takes to make sure the numbers are produced, understanding that not only his position in the organization is at stake, but also his income as share-holder.

In the yellow-page business, the largest portion of the overhead comes from the printing bill. About 80% of the books printed for Seccion Amarilla USA area done by R&R Donnelly – the largest printing company in the world -, while the rest is done by Quebecore World – U.S. second largest - and other smaller outfits. Interestingly enough, R&R Donnelly also prints the company’s directories for Mexico.

Making smaller books, and making cuts of up to 50% in the number of directories printed, is the easiest way to save hundreds of thousands – if not millions - of dollars, and get away with it. It wouldn’t be surprising to find out they are doing the same in their own homeland of Mexico, as well as in all other countries where the company already operates.

The distribution program is another deceptive tool Seccion Amarilla USA uses to create the false perception of covering certain demographic area, and the way to accomplish this is by spreading the distribution as thin as possible in order to cover the largest possible area with the least amount of books. This is another common practice executed by their in-house distribution company, Harper Distribution Group, LLC.

Another huge problem is the way Seccion Amarilla USA deals with their clients: Many ads are published without submitting proofs and without approval from the client; many businesses having pre-paid in full still get billed and even threaten to go to collection; businesses start getting billed way before their directory has been published, even when the book may be months behind schedule. Many businesses don’t even get published at all – as it was the case of a well know law firm in West Covina, California, and the only remedy offered by the company is “We’ll publish your ad in the next directory”. If a complaint arises, it gets absolutely disregarded, no matter how high in the corporate ladder of Seccion Amarilla the business’ complaint may try to go. There will always be a wall, and that’s as far as they’ll get, with their issue unresolved. California alone has thousands of businesses undergoing this frustration. This only shows a totally defrauding conduct.

Additional unethical practices include making every possible effort not to pay their sales representatives and management as agreed. Seccion Amarilla USA’s HR department is already well known in the industry for such practices. The HR Department doesn’t even respect the immigration laws, and this is understandable considering that of course they will do whatever it takes to help their Mexican nationals, no matter how many U.S. laws they break. The Human Resources team out of Miramar, Florida, uses the common practice of dismissing undocumented employees when they find one, but still letting them work for the company as Independent Contractors (1099s), which frees the company from any possible liability while in reality they are still breaking the law. There are plenty of these cases to review across the country. As an example of breaking blatantly immigration laws, there is a well known case in San Diego where a Tijuana, Mexico, Seccion Amarilla employee was falsely offered a management position in the U.S. just to get him a permanent working visa, when the company was only trying to get him across the border without ever having the intention to get him that management job.

All of these irregularities deserve immediate intervention on the part of the Federal Government through the Department of Justice, the Labor Department and Homeland Security – just for starters - and each State where Seccion Amarilla USA operates, before they drain more cash out of our country by the way of deception and fraud, victimizing small and mid-size business owners that work very hard to survive, especially in today’s struggling economy.

Read full review of Seccion Amarilla and 3 comments
Update by M.G.
Jan 19, 2011 3:14 am EST

YES, there is at least one that I know of. Unfortunately I cannot participate because as an ex-director there is a conflict of interests with the litigating attorneys, but I'll be delighted to give you or anyone else the information. Email me at martinadeo@gmail.com and I will reply with the info. Sincerely.

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victimofSA
apopka, US
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Jan 19, 2011 2:51 am EST

What does a company do if they fall victim to these people? Is there a class action law suit?

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H
HappywithAd
Cary, US
Send a message
Sep 29, 2010 10:54 am EDT

I totally disagree I have advertised with Seccion Amarilla for 2 years now in North Carolina and it's worked great! The prices are great, far less then the other "yellow page" books. I had to give a deposit but I did not have to pay in full until after the book was out. Actually it was my choice, I could break the bill into 10 payments but it was so inexpensive that I paid in full. And you answered your own question, Why would the riches man in the world risk his rep by not distibuting his book in the right manner aaaaaaa he wouldn't. I alway ask my new customers How they heard about my business and the % are correct or make me happy about the $$ spent with this avenue of advertising. Maybe it's just my sales rep from Seccion Amarilla that made my business with them so great...her name in Renee Vannostrand

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D
Disappointed
Abilene, US
Send a message
Jan 22, 2010 5:56 pm EST

I agree with most of what you're saying. I was in one of the several "internet" markets that failed. I blame this on a decision to get rid of the print. Rather than work harder to ensure that the print ads were correct and distributed properly, they decided to go with the online directory only. However, it was very difficult to convince most advertisers that enough Hispanics were using the online directory enough for them to a ROI. Besides, the online directory is lame and the ads are cartoony looking. It really didn't impress clients. Even with the online ads, they were still making mistakes. And the billing office is a disaster! The AEs in my office were so busy dealing with customer service issues that we were having a difficult time setting enough appointments.

I do disagree with this statement though, "Many directories are new launches, while several are buy-outs for insignificant amounts from small local yellow-page businesses that had no option but to sell or be put out of business as they find it impossible to compete with a monster the size of Slim’s Telmex / Seccion Amarilla. A practice similar to Slim’s monopolizing style in Mexico: Align with him or be put out of business."

In my city, Seccion Amarilla couldn't even compete with the local Spanish publication. It would have been great if SAUSA had bought them out and eliminated the competition. And, it would have been great if SAUSA got their act together by keeping the print, getting ads proofed, and billed correctly. I think it could have been a great company, but I think it's too late for them now.

ComplaintsBoard
S
12:31 am EDT
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Seccion Amarilla Fraud

Seccion Amarilla has engaged in a repeated fraudulent activity of rackeeting, this time the victim being the US Goverment.
Exploiting the Ntl Flood Insurance program of FEMA they have sold advertising space to the expense of FEMA at rates between 6 to 1o times HIGHER than they charge regular clients and to lure insurance agents to participate they throw a kickback of free advertising in other sections, deal which is kept hidden from FEMA. Someone must stop their frauds, they have done this in Chicago, Tampa, St Louis, Tulsa and Chattanooga. Voice your concerns to their CEO Juan Reffreger at [protected] or their faux HR director Loren Maldonado at [protected]

Read full review of Seccion Amarilla and 58 comments
Update by SAUSA Victim
Mar 13, 2010 8:26 am EST

The office of Seccion Amarilla in Los Angeles has closed. At last!
This theives are on the run, its time to shut down all the offices and leave the US, you guys have abused and robbed enough.

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 27, 2009 7:22 pm EDT

The facts stated by ComeClean are the purest truth. Now, they face federal indictments. They fired a sales director from Oklahoma as scapegoat, but they have not touched the true monster...not just the VPs and the playboy CEO but the Nashville sales director who filled the Chattanooga book with fake contracts and dozens of FEMA ads. He got his bonus... the employees nothing!

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 15, 2009 11:46 am EDT

Fake info on FEMA? that was a SAusa memo...haha. How fake it is? the very own sausa memo that say that FEMA will NOT pay their ads... crooks! croooooksss!

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 13, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

They fired the manager and made this thug a manager... welcome to the revolving door, only 10% employee retention?

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 12, 2009 11:31 pm EDT

Dissapointed...a thug, just like all management in sausa.

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 12, 2009 9:39 am EDT

Momento, Inc. v. Seccion Amarilla USA, 2009 WL 1974798 (N.D. Cal.)

Momento sued defendant SAUSA for copying Momento’s Spanish-language ads for use in its own Spanish directories. Momento owned both the individual ads and the design and layout of its directories. (As set forth in another order, Momento created advertisements for its Yellow Pages by “preparing text, taking photographs of client advertisers, translating text from English to Spanish, and designing the layout of advertisements, including selection of fonts and colors.”) SAUSA argued that it got nonexclusive licenses directly from the advertisers as part of its form contract with them, and that the Momento ads were works of joint authorship because they resulted from collaboration between SAUSA and the advertisers and incorporated preexisting elements. (Interesting business model: allegedly, SAUSA solicits customers by sending an “ad proof” that’s a scanned copy of a Momento ad, sometimes with font/color changes; customers are asked for permission to print the ad “as is” for free, or with corrections for a fee.)

Under the 9th Circuit’s test for joint authorship, the court found, Momento is the sole owner of the ads. Momento’s contracts with its clients say that Momento’s artwork is its sole property; one client expressly sought permission to use a photo taken by Momento on its web page; and several clients submitted declarations that they never gave SAUSA permission to copy the Momento ads (not sure why this is relevant to ownership, but ok—in fact, of course, regardless of whether the ads are jointly authored, the contract could separately change the ownership).

So Momento showed likely success on the merits of the copyright infringement claim. It also alleged false advertising under California state law based on SAUSA’s sales pitch that its directories are “the first and only Spanish directory delivered to consumers in Northern California.” SAUSA argued that the parties have entirely different methods of delivering the directories, making the claim ambiguous at most. However, Momento’s was the first Spanish directory published in Northern California and thus “at least that part of the statement is false.” In the absence of evidence that consumers weren’t deceived, then, Momento therefore showed a likelihood of success on the merits. Now, in Lanham Act parlance, it probably is true that “delivered to consumers” is ambiguous—if a directory is published, but consumers need to purchase it or call to request it or pick it up at a grocery store, then it’s not “delivered to consumers” and that even seems likely to be material to potential advertisers, since a directory delivered to consumers is more likely to reach those consumers who aren’t proactively seeking a Spanish-language directory. However, California law doesn’t include the false/misleading distinction, so it was open to the court to find the statement likely to deceive consumers even without evidence of actual consumer deception.

Since this was a preliminary injunction motion, the court then turned to the issue of irreparable injury. The old 9th Circuit rule that a presumption of irreparable harm applies in a copyright case can’t be applied automatically after eBay, however. So instead the court applied the general test: irreparable injury; remedies available at law inadequate; balance of hardships; public interest.

Momento argued that the harm to its investment and competitive position caused by SAUSA’s copying at least 30 Momento ads showed irreparable harm. SAUSA says it’s the largest publisher of Spanish Yellow Pages in the world, and Momento is a family-owned business, directly competing. The court found that the copying and false advertising had an adverse and irreparable effect on Momento. The court could fairly consider Momento’s competitive position where SAUSA “built its business” around Momento’s works.

SAUSA argued that Momento’s four-month delay before filing suit precluded a finding of irreparable harm. Momento, however, wrote to SAUSA before that and got a response from SAUSA’s counsel that it took IP rights very seriously and was investigating, and would cease any infringements found, requesting proof of Momento’s copyright registrations and Momento’s directories to investigate further. Then, several months passed. The court accepted Momento’s explanation that it didn’t sue until it had evidence that SAUSA hadn’t ceased infringing, which came only when a new directory was published; Momento sued about a month and a half after that.

The court ordered SAUSA to retrieve directories stored on pallets at distribution points, but did not require SAUSA to retrieve directories picked up by consumers, and enjoined further distribution. SAUSA had notice of the infringement contentions as of the first cease & desist letter, yet proceeded with production; the injunction created a hardship for SAUSA, but not an unreasonable one in light of its decision to keep printing.

Note: in an earlier order, Momento, Inc. v. Seccion Amarilla USA, 2009 WL 1974905 (N.D. Cal.), the court denied a TRO on the ground that the plaintiff hadn’t made the extraordinary showing required. Without notice to SAUSA, the court stated the standard for irreparable harm using the old 9th Circuit presumption. Once there was notice and a hearing, the court had a chance to get more deeply into the law as well as the facts: a victory for the adversary process.
Posted by Rebecca Tushnet at 4:43 PM

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 12, 2009 9:28 am EDT

Dissapointed works in the marketing department in Miramar, where people sits on their butts collecting a salary to socialize in their own little world. Maria is pointing only two lawyers of the many customers who have been done wrong by Seccion Amarilla.
You are thug, with threats left and right. You are trying to silence a truth that is so obvious... with insults and ridicule. You should be ashamed of yourself, why dont you tell the truth about FEMA, or about the thousands of dollars in fake contracts in South Florida, the billing and art errors...listen anyone can make errors, i give you that, but when they become a pattern and a business practice thats called RACKETEERING. We are not just disgruntled employees, we are speaking the same things that most customers speak, you should examine yourself and before defending such a crooked group of people you should think twice. Our are you getting a juicy kickback from that party boy you called CEO or the crooked VP of Sales who also runs the pathetic distribution company. Bad! bad! and now you think firing a director and not the heads will clean your FEMA mess? No Sir, thats a stain that will hit the news and everywhere, because its inmoral to go around robbing people like Seccion Amarilla does.

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 08, 2009 11:22 am EDT

So, threats? the typical sausa way... what am i going to lose? the $200 a week you pay? I make more money working at McDonalds! LOL
I can speak, and you cannot make me shut up, or... you cannot cut my phone like telmex usually does in Mexico when someone complains.
This is America, you cant do business here like you do in your mafia style in MExico.

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 06, 2009 9:54 pm EDT

Your book is great? You really think so? Tell it to the hundred of clients that have been defrauded, tell it to FEMA who now refuses to pay any ad sold by SAUSA and its preparing legal action just like many other clients across the country.
You should be ashamed of coming online to say the book is great? what book? the one that is delivered by the the company owned by the VP of sales who enjoys double dipping? or the one you promised to print and is always late ?
Just be ashamed and bow your head, i know you just like me work here because there are no jobs anywhere else, so we have to shut up and be part of the mafia. Eventually some sense will come into our minds and we will leave.

Update by SAUSA Victim
Sep 06, 2009 9:51 pm EDT

Be advised that we have received notification that FEMA will not reimburse any insurance agent for contracts sold by Seccion Amarilla for its Flood Insurance co-op reimbursement program. Therefore, all contracts sold under the FEMA Flood Insurance program are being cancelled by Seccion Amarilla with a full refund to the customer. As with previous notifications, no Account Executive is permitted to sell, discuss or attempt to sell or discuss Flood Insurance advertising with insurance agents and any contracts received from the sales force will be immediately cancelled. Should we receive any contracts that are sold as Flood Insurance under the FEMA co-op program from this day forward, whether marked as such or not, the Account Executive that sold the contract, and the Management that accepted and forwarded the contract, will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy.

It is the policy of SAUSA that no member of the sales force (at any level) is authorized to provide notice, develop in writing or otherwise identify any sales program, incentive, opportunity or deal to the sales force or to any potential or renewal client without first requesting authorization from his/her Supervisor. The Supervisor will discuss the request with senior sales management and if the relevant Sales Vice President agrees with the request, the Sales Vice President will present it to the Corporate Office for approval.

Account Executives are not required to request approval for the following written communications to potential or renewal customers:

1. Standard sales proposals within SAUSA pricing guidelines; and

2. Standard communication regarding ad proofing.

Other than the above two (2) exceptions, no member of the sales force is authorized to email or otherwise correspond in writing to a potential or renewal customer for the purpose of marketing SAUSA or identifying any sales program, incentive, opportunity or deal without first requesting authority from the Corporate Office. Any individual that does develop and deliver such a document without authorization from the Corporate Office will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. If a potential or renewal customer emails, faxes or otherwise provides written communication to an Account Executive that is not within (1) or (2) above, the Account Executive is required to forward the email to his/her Sales Manager, who is then responsible for sending the communication to the Corporate Office (with a courtesy copy to his/her Supervisor) to provide a response.

Additionally, under no circumstances should a member of the sales staff (at any level) write anything on a contract other than the yellow pages print or internet advertising being purchased under that contract. Also, should any Account Executive be found to write more than one contract on a sales deal, or to write something on a contract AFTER it is signed by a customer, that Account Executive will be terminated immediately. Only one contract is permitted per customer and under no circumstances shall anything ever be written on a contract after it is signed by a customer.

Update by SAUSA Victim
Aug 20, 2009 8:53 pm EDT

MEMORANDUM

DO NOT DISTRIBUTE

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INTERNAL DOCUMENT

TO: All SAUSA Employees

FROM: SAUSA Legal Department

DATE: August 19, 2009

RE: Flood Insurance / FEMA Documents

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We anticipate that we might receive a request for information and documents related to advertising sales of Flood Insurance advertising throughout the nation as it relates to a FEMA co-op program. In anticipation of any such request, we ask that until further notice you retain all relevant documents and information, as described below. This includes e-mails, voice mails, hard copies (printed documents) and computer files, both on your own computer and on any shared drive that you use.

Please avoid discussions with customers about this matter. If anyone from outside SAUSA asks you about this matter, you should refer them to the Legal Department. Similarly, if you have any questions about this matter, please direct them to the Legal Department.

A. Relevant Documents and Information that must be preserved:

1. Documents and information related to the sale of Flood Insurance advertisements in any Directory, including, but not limited to:

a. Documents and information about particular customers for Flood Insurance advertisements in any Directory, including sales calls and other communications with customers (including e-mails with and about customers);

b. Documents and information about the design of Flood Insurance advertisements in any Directory;

c. Documents and information about policies, statements, marketing instructions or material, advertising flyers, receipts, invoices, contracts, bill of sales, emails, correspondence, and records of accounts relating to Flood Insurance advertising sales;

d. Any and all written or printed materials which provides instructions, examples or samples concerning the sale of Flood Insurance advertising through the FEMA co-op program; and

e. Price sheets, rate cards or other documents discussing any advertising prices for any Directory.

2. Documents and information relating to FEMA or Flood Insurance in any way.

In general, if in doubt, don’t throw it out.

B. E-Mail, Electronic Document, and Voicemail Retention:

All relevant e-mail must be retained. You can do this by creating an e-mail folder for all relevant messages (both sent and received) and filing them in that folder until further notice or by printing out and retaining hard copies of relevant messages. Regardless, under no circumstances shall any relevant emails or voicemails be deleted.

This hold also applies to documents in electronic form. Thus, do not delete any electronic documents, regardless of where you store them (for example, on your desktop, on a laptop, on a shared network drive, on a separate hard drive, a jump drive, or a PDA), that contain relevant information. Please also save any voicemail messages that contain relevant information.

C. Follow-Up and Questions:

You will be notified by the Legal Department if we receive a request for information and documents. At that time, you will be given further instructions on how to identify and provide documents and data responsive to the request.

If you are unsure whether you must retain a particular document, it is best to err on the side of retention. If you have any questions about this Memo, please do not hesitate to contact the Legal Department.

We appreciate your cooperation with this important matter.

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Maria
Los Angeles, US
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Jul 09, 2011 3:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Seccion Amarilla, the unstoppable king of fraud...judge for your self. A copy of a company who didn't get what he paid for, but was forced to pay.

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MyEthix
Louisville, US
Send a message
Oct 21, 2011 6:06 pm EDT

Disappointed, you would be out of your depth in a parking lot puddle. If manure were music, you'd be a one man brass band! There are plenty of people who have PROOF of what went on there and who have not put it out there... yet. Do not mistake the silence for absolution of what has gone on in your little house of horrors. And do not talk about people not using their real names on this board - I do not see you using your real name, either -- so put a sock in it.

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MyEthix
Louisville, US
Send a message
Oct 21, 2011 5:54 pm EDT

No one here really even knows the half at what has gone on at that company. Apparently, they've FINALLY fired Juan Refreger - you know the short little Mexican wanna-be Jonathan Blue with the Napoleonic complex? Yeah, THAT guy. He gives certain English words a whole new meaning... words like inept, incompetent, racist (he HATES Americans!), whiny, abusive, lazy, jealous, mean-spirited. I could go on... but for the sake of brevity, I won't. Juan is a Mexican National and the ONLY reason he is here is because he is sponsored by Johnathan Blue, wealthy businessman out of Louisville, KY. Juan went to go work for Seccion Amarilla, a violation of his work visa - and while there was very derisive about Jonathan behind his back. He's jealous of Jonathan because he's constantly in his shadow and can't seem to get out and make his own way without totally and completely screwing things up. If you look at the guy's work history, it reads like this (my paraphrase): I worked for my daddy in Mexico and now I'm working for my quintessential big brother, Jonathan Blue, in Louisville, KY. I did have a couple of years where I had to essentially go it on my own, but I kind of messed that up and they fired me, now I'm back under Jonathan's wing and HATING every minute of it because I'M not in control!" Of course, now that he's been summarily FIRED from Seccion Amarilla, he's run back to Louisville, KY with his tail tucked between his legs and is once again Jonathan's whipping boy. I say 'whipping boy' because Juan is a VP in name only... because Jonathan and Juan's fathers were friends, Jonathan looks out for Juan - all of his ineptness aside. I think if Jonathan knew the things that Juan has said behind his back in an attempt to play the 'big man', he might have a different take on Juan. As for Juan, if he was given half a chance and knew that Jonathan would never know OR that Jonathan was down and out, he'd stick a knife in Jonathan's back in a New York nano-second... maybe Jonathan's smart enough to know that... maybe he isn't. Either way, I've seen Jonathan make decisions that were less than, let's say ethical, in order to protect Juan. And don't get me started on some of the people they've had working there, Sergio, Loren Maldonado, Maria Pena and her 'assistant' Yana - the biggest bunch of liars, thieves and losers on the planet! Talk about screwing up a company. Carl Slim could personally send a thank you note to each of these people for the demise of a once profitable company - but then he could also thank all the rocket scientists he has working in Mexico, as well. You can't do business in the states the same way you'd do it in Mexico... but boy oh boy, they sure were trying... and you can see how well it worked out. Pffft. I say good riddance to them.

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rocky21
Dallas, US
Send a message
Sep 01, 2010 3:05 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This compiny is a total fraud, I know for a fact, I have been scam by them

edukateu
edukateu
A city near you, US
Send a message
Mar 16, 2010 8:25 am EDT

This is the way I see it. If you disagree, you have a right. Seccion Amarilla is like a police force. Not all police officers are good, neither are all SAUSA employees. The most important thing is to remember the company's mission/objective. My experiences with Seccion Amarilla were great!
I am unsure as to why or how you guys have had the negative experiences you have had but I pray that all eventually goes well. Peace.

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M.G.
US
Send a message
Jan 22, 2010 9:45 am EST

Anything said against Seccion Amarilla is going to be short of how bad this really is. As ex Sales Director I have seen things at all levels and in all areas, as no one can even start to comprehend. This company should be taken to court and put out of business, starting with Jonathan Blue in Louisville (KY) and his CEO, Juan Reffreger (a true piece of work), and everyone involved in their acts at their corporate offices in Miramar (FL). They are just common thieves operating from an office. - Martin Gondra.

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RUN FROM THIS COMPANY
Kansas City, US
Send a message
Dec 06, 2009 10:53 pm EST

IF DISSAPOINTED IS ACTUALLY A SALES REP HE IS TO NEW TO KNOW WHAT THE HELL HE IS TALKING ABOUT. HE SOUNDS MORE LIKE THE COMPANY ATTORNEY. THIS GUY HAS THE MORELS OF A NAZI. EVERYTHING MARIA AND COME CLEAN SAYS IS CORRECT. DISSAPOINTED ONE THING I CAN NOT STAND IS SELL OUTS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE NAME OF LATINO PEOPLE! I PROMISE YOU ONE DAY YOU AND ALL THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN YOUR LIES AND THREATS AND DISRESPECT WILL PAY. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST NOW. AND BEST BELIEVE WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND. TOMORROW YOUR JOB, MONEY, AND FAMILIES MAY BE THE ONES HAVING TO DEAL WITH ALL WE EX EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS HAVE. GOOD LUCK AND MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU FOR ALL THE LIVES YOU SO NEGATIVILY EFFECT!

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Come Clean
Tampa, US
Send a message
Sep 27, 2009 1:47 pm EDT

If you work for this Company you would also know that your Managers got paid Book Bonuses on those FEMA Insurance contracts and the Company has
no intention of paying the sales reps for the work they did there will be no commissions unless some Attorney happens to file a huge suit there is huge
amounts of money owed to the reps past and present not only for these contracts but other contracts the company never paid the reps
they do this quite often whether you work there or have left.

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Come Clean
Tampa, US
Send a message
Sep 27, 2009 1:23 pm EDT

If you really work for this Company you would know that they have federal indictments relating to the FEMA contracts.
If you are the great Sales Person you say why don't you charm us with your knowledge of this product and the benefits
Everybody out there would love to see some of your expertise at work be sure in your presentation to include real facts like
distribution and RCF's and Usuage studies if you know what this means or what they are.
Or are you just full of it and that is the only way you know to sell, do you have any training from anywhere other than them,
or are you just saying what you have been told to say can you actually back up anything you have been told to say.
That is the whole problem with this company and you.

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Maria
Los Angeles, US
Send a message
Sep 16, 2009 12:06 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Typical...issue resolved.

Is Seccion Amarilla Legit?

Seccion Amarilla earns a trustworthiness rating of 100%

Highly recommended, but caution will not hurt.

Our conclusion: Seccion Amarilla stands out for their exceptional legitimacy, according to ComplaintsBoard’s detailed analysis. This highlights Seccion Amarilla's reputation as a trustworthy leader in their field. Customers can rely on Seccion Amarilla's services, assured they're dealing with a highly reputable and fully legitimate company.

We found clear and detailed contact information for Seccion Amarilla. The company provides a physical address, phone number, and 2 emails, as well as 4 social media accounts. This demonstrates a commitment to customer service and transparency, which is a positive sign for building trust with customers.

Seccion Amarilla resolved 100% of 4 negative reviews, its exceptional achievement and a clear indication of the company's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. It would suggest that the company has invested heavily in customer service resources, training, and infrastructure, as well as developed an effective complaint resolution process that prioritizes customer concerns.

The age of Seccion Amarilla'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.

Seccionamarilla.com.mx 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.

Several positive reviews for Seccion Amarilla have been found on various review sites. While this may be a good sign, it is important to approach these reviews with caution and consider the possibility of fake or biased reviews.

We looked up Seccion Amarilla and found that the website is receiving a high amount of traffic. This could be a sign of a popular and trustworthy website, but it is still important to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of the site before sharing any personal or financial information

Seccionamarilla.com.mx 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 Seccion Amarilla.

ComplaintsBoard
J
9:37 pm EST
Resolved
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

Seccion Amarilla fraud,salary pending, deeceptive practices

Salary always short with employee, I know I was top producers and never got paid on time, Bonuses were never paid on time! Also commisions were always delayed! plus we lied to customers about distributions numbers and we printed incorrectly! all the time!

Read full review of Seccion Amarilla and 20 comments
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hollywoodnyc
US
Send a message
Aug 21, 2010 5:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am a business owner and was SCREWED by this company! The Seccion Amarilla Rep submitted my contract after I specifically told him NOT to move forward about 2 days later after he told me I had 15 days to cancel. I was told everything was taken care of and no cancellation penalty would be billed. A few months later I get a bill for $1, 000. I immediately call and find out the Rep no longer works there. I explain to the customer service what happened and she told me to try and get a hold of that Rep somehow and get a verbal statement or writing from him. (*I though it was a stupid recommendation, but I was lucky enough to have met him in the past so I knew where he worked before) One month of traking him down I found him and placed him on a 3-way call wit the same customer service representative who told me to do so. The rep and customer service rep KNEW each other and said not a problem, it will be cancelled as long as we can get something in writing as well, so the rep agreed to come to my office and write a statement saying it was company error and should have been pulled from the start. Two months go by and I see the same bill of $1000 again and I get a phone call from a rude collector from Seccion Amarilla. I explained the situation and resubmitted everything to him and his Supervisor so they said they would review and take care of it. Well guess what, it's been almost ONE year and I just got that bill again! So now, I have submitted the original cancellation paperwork, verbal statement from the representative to the customer service rep whom both KNEW eachother, and a statement from the Rep saying it was Seccion Amarrilla's fault and should have been cancelled from the start.

@Maria, I'm going to call the Attorney who's information you've posted. I've done everything they've wanted plus more. I'm more upset at that rude collector who read over the notes on his screen from previous conversations with seccion amarrilla and then had the nerve to say, "Oh, I've seen you sing and cry the same old song in the past." And said, I should not have signed from the start. I told him it's in writing that you are allowed to cancel within 15 days, their very own contract states that. How dare he say that! I HATE this company. I don't recommend anyone using them for advertising. If you ask any other reputable marketing company they'll ALL share the shady/horror stories of what this company puts hard workers through. I think they're trash and the lowest of the low.

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whistleblowerinthewind
Los Angeles, US
Send a message
Jun 16, 2010 5:07 pm EDT

"As the stomach turns "should be next epoisode for a soap opera. This company blatently lies to customers and employees. Its your basic pyramid scheme. The only ones making money are at the top of the pyramid. This company hires a group of idiot hoping to make a living and they sell for a while. then when they find out that their dream is nothing more than a nightmare, they quit or are let go. even management is being slighted.
when all those emoployees who made sales are gone the company and CARLOS SLIM keep all the commissions in their pockets, waiting for the next group of "VICTIMS", and so on and so on.
Its amazing this company is not on Nightline or 60 minutes discussing why they are going to prison for defrauding client and employees alike.
If you are an officer of this company I suggest you hire a good lawyer so you dont spend too much time in prison for FRAUD and OTHER LABOR VIOLATIONS.
WHAT A TWISTED COMPANY. Amazing what money can buy you huh Carlos slim!?

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uphill41
US
Send a message
Mar 22, 2010 9:21 pm EDT

As a previous sales manager for Seccion Amarilla...I have filed an EEOC claim against them and received a "right to sue" after their investigation. The suit was filed in Federal Court and is pending a jury trial.

I'm curious to know if there are other lawsuits that have been filed, settled or pending against Seccion Amarilla in regards to wrongful termination, sexual harrassment, age/gender discrimination.

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Maria
Los Angeles, US
Send a message
Jan 22, 2010 3:09 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

And now Carlos Slim/Telmex has brought in a new line...a trac disposable cellphone. Check out their complaints...NET10 Wireless Complaints - Terrible customer service!, Net10 Complaints - Misinformation on prices...sound familar ?

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M.G.
US
Send a message
Jan 22, 2010 9:51 am EST

Anything said against Seccion Amarilla is going to be short of how bad this really is. As ex Sales Director in charge of the largest area in the country (West Coast) launching the first SAUSA book in the US (Los Angeles), I have seen things at all levels and in all areas, as no one can even start to comprehend.
This company should be taken to court and put out of business, starting with Jonathan Blue in Louisville (KY) and his CEO, Juan Reffreger (a true piece of work), and everyone involved in their acts at their corporate offices in Miramar (FL). They are just common thieves operating from an office.
If you are curious to see my entire report, look it up as Seccion Amarilla complaints is this site.
Anyone needing a witness or information about this company is more than welcome to contact me.
Martin Gondra - [protected]. martinadeo@gmail.com.

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dave wrinkle
Mau, US
Send a message
Sep 13, 2009 7:53 am EDT

I gave this company a full effort..even calling on my own...relationships I had built up in Little Rock over a 12 years period. I made the mistake of going down to the more hispanic areas of town.where I found that not a single hispanic person...ever even knew the book existed. We had a situation where just about everyone bought in 06 but by 07 less than 40% had renewed.and then the book they started selling in 07...couldn't get off the ground or delivered...for six months..and...the year was up in June..but now they are trying to sell a 2010 book..and...they say..it will come out...by 2010 but..the
printing has been delayed and very few people...renew. the customers that had double trucks.will not even talk to you this year. (Not because I am such a poor salesman, but because the company can't seem to comprehend customer service. Their idea seems to be one of volume and percentages and if there is a mistake with a large customer or an influential customer..the management idea is ..just move on. It Atlanta they said..there are 30, 000 businesses in the Atlanta area..and...we could only possibly call on 7500 if we had all sales people.making maximum number of appointments.
Their business plan seems to be one of...screw the salesman...but only do it..after you threaten him or her..and make sure..there are lots of unprofessional hollaring and screaming in the office first.
Smile and Dial and hopefully like a broken clock..you will find someone who might buy who has not
researched anything about the company. This is the current business model. When the trainer started talking about ROI and mathmatical equasions about Return on the dollar..using their phoney distribution numbers...I started to feel and see lightening starting to strike all around the HOTEL. This company is full of Pinochio's noses growing right through the windshield and way too many assumptions and false claims to sell yourself out to their lies for 150.00 a week..which was the average take home pay for most Little Rock employees. I was there 5 weeks..never saw a sale other than the one I made and...I doubt if he will pay either. If lieing is something you do well and have no conscious and you know nothing about media or distribution numbers or audits of distribution numbers then this is your job. Six figures is just around the corner. The bigger the liar..the better and faster you will be promoted. Go get em!

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Keeping it REAL
Nashville , US
Send a message
Aug 02, 2009 1:16 pm EDT

I worked in the Nashville market and allot of what they are saying are true.
The hispanics will do what ever it takes to get a sale, they don't care about the American clients they sell to.
Putting it in their own words "I have to feed my family" they just want the clients money. They constantly fight against anyone in the office other than the Hispanic race, they run the office and no one controls them,
They constantly turn everything to their advantage, the upper Management has no idea what the reps are doing because they are constantly lied to. When any pressure is applied they lie and run to upper management saying they don't understand English or was never told when they get the same memos as everyone, they have a problem with any management unless you believe the lies and fall into the trap then they constantly run to that manager with lies to keep doing things their way.
They have their own rules that they go by the Americans working in the company can't write the deals they
let the Hispanics write and all Hispanics starting to work for the company are given accounts and help out so they can acheive the next level of pay and they constantly help them. They are rude and nasty
to all Americans who work there. and the Corporate Company is no better they have no respect for Americans or the American clients they constantly write off accounts for the Hispanics, they let them put clients in for 3 years or more who have never paid any of their bills and most of them are Hispanics they know in the community, the ads are hardly ever correct, they never send proofs and write off for the Hispanics to make there quota. They have no respect for the American way of life they have no American business since and they make it as hard as possible on the Americans working for them. I have been in bookkeeping all my life and this
Company only collects about 40 percent of what their books say. The Upper Management never takes clients out that have cancelled because their bonus is paid on the book total. Most of the Managemnt is Hispanic as well
and all they care about is the money they are going to make they will promise a American client the moon and as soon as they get that contract and the check they forget about anything they have promissed the client, it takes at least 6 months to get any complaint listened to because Corp. will never call you back they know the
loads of crap the Hispanics are feeding the customers.

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Maria
Los Angeles, US
Send a message
Jun 21, 2009 6:13 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Pobre Ramiro, estas tan mal informado o ciego a la realidad de que seccion amarilla, trajo a los estados unidos su actitude de abuso y extorcion. Negar en este caso que no existen problemas graves con los que governan los intereses de Carlos Slim es tu peor error. Concentrence en arreglar su imagen, que esta servidora no va a descansar hasta que no se haga justicia. Seccion Amarilla es un imagen Latino que affecta a los que si toman en cuenta los empliados y los clientes. SHAME ON YOU!

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ramiro
US
Send a message
Jun 17, 2009 6:10 pm EDT

jose ten cuidado por que lo escupas al aire siempre te cae en la cara.
debes de estar perdido, esta tan avanzada la ciencia y tecnologia que tengamos personas todavia pensando en el razismo.
eres una verguenza para la sociedad.

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ramiro
US
Send a message
Jun 17, 2009 6:06 pm EDT

Maria tu quizas ni existes para mencionar algo.
No estoy de acuerdo en que la compañia sea la mejor pero si te digo que si no pudieron estar alli es por que ustedes no quisieron estar.

Overview of Seccion Amarilla complaint handling

Seccion Amarilla reviews first appeared on Complaints Board on Feb 17, 2009. The latest review seccion amarilla was posted on Sep 27, 2010. The latest complaint seccion amarilla was resolved on Sep 27, 2010. Seccion Amarilla has an average consumer rating of 5 stars from 4 reviews. Seccion Amarilla has resolved 4 complaints.
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  1. Seccion Amarilla Contacts

  2. Seccion Amarilla phone numbers
    +1 (800) 202-7272
    +1 (800) 202-7272
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  3. Seccion Amarilla emails
  4. Seccion Amarilla address
    Insurgentes Sur 3500, Colonia Peña Pobre, Delegación Tlalpan, C.P., Mexico City, 14060, Mexico
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    Checked and verified by Maria This contact information is personally checked and verified by the ComplaintsBoard representative. Learn more
    Jun 30, 2025
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Seccion Amarilla is ranked 99 among 198 companies in the Magazines and Newspapers category

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