Tis the Season... a scam by ProFlowers & Easy Saver Rewards

Never really thought that I'd become some kind of online advocate about scams that companies pull. I promise I'll get back to the music, hockey, racing and marketing posts after the holidays.

So ProFlowers. I've used them and apparently too well. Signed up for free shipping or something and got SCAMMED for $14.95/month. The complaint board linked to ProFlowers goes back to 2009.

The affiliate they use is Easy Saver Rewards. I don't actually know what I was paying for since 2009. Here's my complaint to the BBB:

So now the only thing I can really do, since being refunded and having the interest taken off my statement; is to make my post public.

I'll also ask anyone reading this who feels slightly P.O.-ed by this type of thing to NEVER use ProFlowers again. Tell your friends and family too! Use the local florist in the neighborhood. Give the small business the money.

Any scams you've found or have been a part of lately?

~bbryon

Direct Marketing - Continuity/Subscription Scam: Synapse Group, Inc.

We all know I love hockey, marketing, music, & NASCAR. So at times I use a brand we all know to purchase tickets to many events: aka Ticketmaster.

In April of 2010 I made such a purchase. Wouldn't ya know at the end of this transaction here's an offer to get four magazine subscriptions for $2 each. I'm like o.k. buyer-beware; but still I'm curious. Good magazines of which I read: Fortune, Inc., Time, & BusinessWeek. I read over everything... no other obligations and no disclosure about cancelling at any time.

I'm a pretty decent consumer and I purchase the special offer. I trust Ticketmaster and most brands who are large and recognizable that operate online, whom I use. I don't believe they are (for the most part), using sneaky tactics anymore to take my money. I also didn't believe they'd use or allow sneaky companies to operate on their behalf.

Without further adieu here's portions of the letter I wrote to the Better Business Bureau about how Synapse Group, Inc. is currently operating. (Wouldn't ya know it, Synapse Group, Inc has the BBB Reliability Program logo on their site).

Synapse Group, Inc. is a Direct Marketing - Continuity/Subscription. I purchased tickets through Ticketmaster in April of 2010. Synapse Group, Inc. is the company responsible for offering four magazine subscriptions for $2 apiece for one year with no other obligations. The terms in the email I received, never stated that I would be charged once a year for the full price of those magazines in subsequent years.

This all occurred without knowing I signed up to a direct marketing - continuity/subscription. The state of Florida is cracking down on companies such as Synapse Group, Inc. because they tend to take advantage of an older demographic. If I hadn't checked my credit card statements from earlier this year I wouldn't have known they were charging me (and would continue to do so for as long as that credit card was open).

So once a year Synapse Group, Inc. was starting to charge me full price subscriptions on all four magazines I purchased. $12 dollars for all > now became $188; that's a 1566% increase.

The really sad part is they are a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Inc.  

Then the BBB asks for a "desired settlement description." So I gave them mine:

I would like a full refund from Synapse Group, Inc. I would also like the Better Business Bureau to remove Synapse Group, Inc. from this "Reliability Program BBB Online." The Better Business Bureau protecting consumers from businesses that take advantage of people and their information.

Aren't companies past this? Why would you want to take advantage of a customer? If you make me happy I'll be with you for life; probably. Keep my trust. The scariest part of this is knowing this is happening as my parents (baby boomers) are getting older; and that's right folks, living in FL where these scams run rampant.

It's not always perfect marketing for a university, but at least I'm pushing accredited education.

As always I'd love to hear your thoughts/comments.

~bbryon

Phishing Trip

Got to connect again with one of my best friends from MI and OH! Of course I was jumping out of my seat since March or so when I won the Phish ticketing lottery! Living in central FL I'm usually more apt to travel in the state to see concerts. But since Pete made the offer I was able to stay in Cleveland.

Not since 2000 in Atlanta have I seen my favorite jamband on their epic summer tours. I consider myself somewhat of a New Year's snob; having seen them for the first time at Big Cypress (1999-2000), then Miami (2003-2004) 3 of the 4 nights, and lastly this past New Year's at Madison Square Garden in NYC! I've been blessed, what can I say.

This summer I got to see the boys play 6/3 (Mike Gordon's Bday in MI), 6/4 Cuyahoga Falls OH, & 6/5 in Cincinnati OH! Plus because Phish is so awesome you get a download of the shows with your ticket stub's UPC!

What an awesome experience, so here's some pictures to help tell the story:

See the full gallery on Posterous

Any other tour stories from the summer to share thus far? Doesn't have to be Phish...

~bbryon

 

What's your business thought?

So I finished the article "Steve Jobs' iCloud: The View from 10,000 ft" by Philip Elmer-DeWitt from Fortune magazine.

There was one anecdote that stuck out to me after reading this article. Jobs tells a story, apparently if you're an Apple employee you've heard the story more than once.

The story is about a janitor that doesn't empty the trash. The janitor is asked why the trash wasn't emptied. His response was that the locks to the office were changed and he didn't have the new key. There's a reason why something didn't get done. Jobs' makes the comment that at this level "reasons" matter. Jobs' goes on to comment that somewhere between the janitor and CEO, reasons stop mattering. He says; that Rubicon is crossed when you become a V.P.

I love this story for a few reasons:

The first being that I feel I'm part of the tail end of Generation X; and I'm one of the few who doesn't feel that he is entitled. The whole hard work, dedication type mentality that I was brought up with. Though I don't necessarily feel any loyalty toward a particular organization.

The second is that in my career at points I know that I've had "reasons" that were valid as to why a task or project was not up to par.

The third is that even where I am now within the hierarchy of my organization, I have responsibility and accountability.

Why then do I see more people around the same level, or demographic, in mine and other organizations still looking for "reasons?"

When you're courteous and pleasant in business no matter at what level it goes a long way. Couple that with doing your job and a winning combination starts to manifest itself. Sometimes it does take a steadfast leader to steer an organization. It also takes employees who want responsibility and accountability.

So my business thought for myself is Be Responsible and Accountable. It has also served me well in life.

What's your business thought?

~bbryon

My Ending Music

Why? Why make a post about the music I want played when my time is up? Some take it as morbid. I don't look at it that way at all.

Heck, my parents have told my sister and I to "sticky" note the stuff we want when they go. That's how our inheritance will be divided; by "sticky" notes. As a stocking stuffer for Christmas one year they gave us a few packages each of "sticky" notes.

Ever since I read "Be Here Now" by Ram Dass about ten years ago; I'm good. I really have a phenomenal existence. I appreciate my life and try to just be a better "me."

I told the story of my grandfather's passing recently. I'd made him a mix cd sometime ago; probably around the same time I read "Be Here Now." It consisted of the music he loved and was passionate about; what moved him. He requested in his will that the cd be played at the memorial service we had for him.

That is why I'm writing this and creating my playlist for "My Ending Music." It's my list of tunes, I want played. I promise there will be a ton of music played when I'm gone and hopefully it will be a celebration, not a mourning. But these are my personal choices. They're for me to leave for my friends, family and everyone who's touched my life.

(I'm fine, there's nothing wrong, don't worry)

~bbryon

A phenomenal weekend & the NHL's regular season ends

This is really more of a "Life" post for me.

No, I'm not talking about just hockey or that the Masters was played, or NASCAR at Texas this past Saturday night.

Personally for me it was the best weekend of 2011 thus far, for many reasons.

Yes, yours truly is quite happy with a lovely lady who's passions include music and hockey. I've struck gold you say; more like I was mining and found a diamond.

Friday April 8 began as we traveled to the Dali museum in St. Pete, FL. Some culture is always in order. There's nothing like walking with someone special through a gallery of your favorite artist's works and sharing insights about them. Those moments are priceless. Of course lunch was in order so we headed to the Colombia for a meal over-looking the bay. Apparently, a man is not to drink a mojito there, so I told our waiter not to look. Ft. De Soto was next for a stroll down one of the most gorgeous beaches I've set foot on (technically I was in sneakers but we'll let that slide).

When two people share a good majority of passions it's quite a good time. Insert hockey game! Lightning vs. Panthers for Tampa's last home game of the season! 14 rows back from the visitor bench! Guys, there is nothing like your gal watching the game as intensely as you. Also, having my "hockey voice" (which for me is a mix of mid-western and Canadian, of which I'm neither) pointed out when I'm yelling "let's go boys;" gave us both a great laugh! Tampa played a great game where its stars shined (St. Louis, Stamkos, Lecavalier). As I've adopted the Lightning as my 2nd team, so has she.

Saturday April 9 we ventured to downtown Orlando for the Florida Music Festival where her favorite band, Better Than Ezra, was playing. We got 2nd row for the awesomeness that ensued! She shared her musical love with me as she knew every lyric to every song they played! The encore was our cue to get to the front row as some silly people left their spots. The energy was simply incredible! Here's her 4 choicest tunes:

Sunday April 10 we returned to the Tampa area for a boat outing with her friends. Relaxing on the water with good food, music, and people cannot be beat. All culminating with watching the sun set on the beach.

Though I've tried, words don't give our weekend justice. The moments were incredible in this paradise in which we live. So here's some pictures that captured those moments for us:

See the full gallery on Posterous

Citizen Cope (Solo Acoustic) St. Pete

This was my first show in quite a while that I went to by myself. Of course knowing me I'm no introvert and quickly made a few friends. You must do this if you are a "single" at a concert especially when you've snagged a primo front row spot.

One of the gals that I met was on her own as well. We chatted about how it's quite enjoyable to go to a show by yourself sometimes. No worries, no going with someone to the restroom, only have to buy drinks for one etc...

Yes, it also makes being up front very easy! This was my 3rd time seeing Clarence. The first two times was with the full band behind him.

Up close and personal for solo acoustic was absolutely phenomenal. His presence and playing brought up a well of feelings from the gut of everyone in the crowd. You could see the emotion as he poured from his soul to all of us who were present.

See the full gallery on Posterous

This was what my new found friend had to say when she heard "Holdin' On." - "I wanna treat you like you wanna be treated". I'm such a girl :) & that song...I know just what he's saying. The lines surrounding those lovely lines let me get it.

I have a friend who explains it well when you feel the emotion like this at a show. You feel it in the bottom of your lungs, it pushes up, and then you catch your breath.

 It was a special night. Those of us in the front who were a little more vocal than others (eehhhmm) did ask for our song. I asked for "D'Artagnan's Theme" and he obliged. He looked right at me and started the first few cords and nodded.

Here's some of my choices from Citizen Cope, though in the music widget they are with the whole band; Enjoy!