My business was contacted in 2008 about becoming a part of the Global Directory of Who's Who, which advertised itself to be a networking directory. We paid $699.00 for the membership and were subsequently charged $199.00 for a directory that we did not order. The total amount charged to our credit card was $967.99. To date, we have not received ANYTHING as a result of this money paid out - they sent us two wall plaques with the wrong name written on them, and when I contacted them about it back in December, they assured me that they would fix them and send new ones - we still have not received them almost four months later. They never sent us the directory they charged us $200 for. The company is impossible to get ahold of - you rarely reach anyone except for an answering machine.

I was contacted earlier today by a salesperson for the company named Chris Matthews, who verbally abused me. After I told him my boss was in a meeting and asked if there was something I could help him with, he informed me that I was not important enough for him to waste his time on, told me that he was making $100, 000 a year at his job while I was probably making ten dollars an hour, called me an "asshole, " said I had a smart mouth, and refused to let me speak to his supervisor because he was too busy to bother with people like me. I told him I wanted to cancel our membership and he refused to let me. I asked both to speak with his supervisor and to cancel my membership at LEAST 15 times and was denied every time. The situation was so ridiculous that it was almost comical. When I hung up, called back, and finally spoke with someone who was in charge, he wanted to know why I had been so rude to Mr. Matthews.

The company's policy is that all sales are final after three days. I have absolutely no confidence that this company will cancel my membership, so we're turning the case over to American Express to have them handle the dispute.

I received their most flattering invitation to apply via the web, and I completed the form. I was just contacted by "Lynda" on New York, who interviewed me to make sure I met their stringent requirements. After congratulating me, she told me all about all the wonderful benefits, including a wall plaque and a magazine subscription, all for only $695.00. When I told her I wanted to do some research on the company first, she immediately gave me their company website (www.worldwidewhoswho.com) and encouraged me to peruse the website, and for sure to read all the testimonials. She assured me that I would have to look no further. But meanwhile, to hold my place, "Let's get the membership set up now". When I said I wanted to research the company outside their website, the price dropped to $500+ for 5 years (the $695 was lifetime "Platinum" membership, while the $500+ would be "gold". She continued to tell me that this is a one-day offer, and, "Do I at least have your permission to give this information to our "?" department (I forget the name), so they can get things rolling for you, for only $195.00, and after you research the company, I can upgrade you to the platinum". Again, I told her I would not be spending ONE CENT on the company until I did an independent analysis of their company. She wasn't quite as friendly by this time, but not rude either. I asked her to call me in a few hours after I had time to do my research, and she gave me her number to call her back instead. I suspect I've heard the last of "Lynda". Total scam. Jack 315