Menu
Login
We were offered an offer 'Too Good To Be True' by someone at Southern Counties Times and guess what... it was!
We were told that their newspaper had a 200, 000 'paid subscribers' and that our advert along with editorial would appear on the front cover for 2 successive editions.
When I received the voucher copy I couldn't quite believe what I saw. 'Rag' wouldn't even come close to describing the quality of this so called newspaper, it is nothing more than a complete rip-off and I would even use it to wipe my ###.
The advert was the wrong one and they squashed and resized the advert to fit into the tiny space allocated for it - even though it was meant to be A5. There was no sign of the paid for editorial either and also no sign of a cost for the newspaper, which indicates that this is not a paid for newspaper. When calling to complain we are greeted with nothing but rudeness, arrogance and damn right ignorance.
These guys are nothing but a bunch of cowboys who couldn't a 'real job' even if they had attended school.
We have used all our local newspapers and received enquires from all of them - with far less a circulation. We did not receive a single call or enquiry from this rag, which I am not surprised. Lesson to be learned here - always ask for a copy of the publication prior to using it!
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
I think you'll find '###ic' means "A person of mild mental ###ation" which is exactly what South Counties Times are. Give them a call and see for yourself; [protected]
By the way their email address is southerncountiestimes@live.com - which is a bit suspect right!?
At last some justice may finally be done to this evil company ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01611m7/Inside_Out_West_Midlands_17_10_2011/
Hello. Does anybody know if they are now trading as Southern Counties Chronicle? Been approach be this newspaper but after reading these comments I am concerned it could be the Times now trading as Chronicle.
They are definitely the WORST company i have ever had the misfortune to come across. After doing a small piece of advertising with them they then used my card details to STEAL over £2000 from MY account. They refused to have any contact with me once i complained to them. It has taken me nearly 2 years going through the courts to get my money back. DO NOT USE THEM !
Have a look at this BBC iplayer link - programme aired on 17th Oct 2011 - cut and paste below link into browser, first 10 mins of programme all about them!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01611m7/Inside_Out_West_Midlands_17_10_2011/
Looks like things are catching up with them :-)
i used to work with these mormons once i realised i was being passed all complaints i realised there intentions towards to people they changed there name from north thames! never deal with this paper the other papers under same company are western counties published my hydra media! always changing names
Looking on the internet there is a lot of complaints not only about the paper in question but also about the other papers which are all under the same organisation.
@ Ramelle, then I can only presume you are one of these who scam money off unsuspecting businesses and are involved in this scam for leaving such a stupid comment
I was emailed this to fill in. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5FWQFNZ I suggest anyone who has done any advertising or been approached to fill in the survey. No personal details required.
Please search : We hate the lincolnshire telegraph on facebook for peoples experiences with jpc /wvyern media /media today
They are all part of the JPC Publishing company or JGPC (Journal Group Publishing Compnay) and should be avoided at all costs.
There is a very good forum with good advice on http://forum.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?p=43311722
If you have not signed for a proof to agree they may print your advert then you are not liable to pay costs if they print it.
It is illegal for anyone to print your name, company advert etc without your permission.
The group of newspapers (about 150 in all) tend to change their name once rumbled.
NEVER give your credit card to any of these cold callers. Ask them to post you a copy of the paper for you to review its quality first, ask exactly where they distribute and do your research first.
Always take thier name, phone number, vat number and email address.
Ask them to email YOU with the information.If they don't then you can be sure its a scam.
Wow, so many similar stories to ours. We were conned with a cheap price in an ad that was supposed to run in the Birmingham wedding show programme - weeks later after daily pestering we received a tatty paper full of adverts. Ours appeared without a logo or any information that had been checked. Total scam. I've since spent 6 weeks attempting to speak to someone sensible and been greeted by a bunch of petulant children, treating the business like a game in a car park. I dread to think how many businesses are being pulled in. They assoicate themselves with 'shows' so you can't find out too much information. I agree with all the above - it's a criminal company and we must all make official complaints.
We have also learnt he hard way. Today is first day of National Golf Show and we have not had a proof before print, despite many calls to their office [protected]. We have forwarded details to the DTI website as advised above and now seeking money back from our credit card company.
Lesson learnt
Agreed – dealing with them was a nightmare. We finally received a copy of a tatty newspaper full of cheap ads, nearly four weeks after it was due to be distributed at the National Weddings Show! We rang the show organisers and they knew nothing about this outfit. Never received a proof. And yes, a week later we had a call from the Western Counties Telegraph trying to sell us another ad! Buyer beware.
This is a terrible company, bordering on criminal. The worst things is however that there is a network of these things (Western Counties Telegraph, Central Advertiser, Media Today, Surrey Hampshire Express, Wiltshire Guardian etc etc). Once one has your details and conned money out of you they pass your details around...which usually means walking across the office since most of this dross comes from the same place. The front company is a hydra with 3 heads - JPC (Journal Publishing Company), Media Today Online, and Wyvern Media (including Wyvern Media Group South) . Some are better (or worse) than others. At the bottom end they are very bad indeed. Folks, if you get conned by these people you have to do something about it - a report to the DTI using http://www.ripofftipoff.net/ is a good start, or to the OFT in its Consumer Direct guise at https://secure.consumerdirect.gov.uk/reportascam.aspx. Don't let them get you! And if you have already done business with these people and they have your bank or credit card details, then consider changing them- we had to cancel our business Visa to stop them helping themselves to our money.
I agree this company has to be the worst i have ever dealt with, i have also experienced the same thing. Shocking service, terrible attitudes and the so called magazine that comes with it is nothing more than a cheap tin pot piece of rubbish and the quality of the paper i wouldnt even give to a tramp to use to keep warm as it is that flimbsy and woe ful. Do not do any business with these cowboys.