Metropolitan Who's Who aka Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
April 14, 2007
This is an update to this post.
The Better Business Bureau of New York is currently updating their information concerning Metropolitan Who's Who at MWW's request. The heart of the report that was available in January, 2007, is here in the body of this post. However, it does exclude some peripheral information about Metropolitan Who's Who (Metropolitan Registries).
Many of you who are searching for information about the aforementioned organization may find the following links interesting:
Wikipedia's Talk: Who's Who Scam
Here is a discussion with one of the Wikipedia editors and an employee of Metropolitan Who's Who. The employee appears to be Cyndi Jeffers (aka Cyndi Jeffus, aka Amanda). It was this editor who directed the MWW employee to take their concerns up with the BBB. Hence, the review process that has begun concerning Metropolitan Who's Who Better Business Bureau's report.
This is a "snippit" of the above discussion.
This is a forum post written by a person who was approached by a "who's who" organization. Her detailed account mirrors conversations (That I've read on the internet, but which have since been deleted.) that other "nominees" have had in the past with organizations like this.
Finally, I have another post that I have written which provides for a link to a blogger who wrote about the letter that she received. Metropolitan Who's Who is aggressively active in removing all negative content concerning their organization from the internet. There are many posts and conversations that have been deleted because the commentators were threatened with legal action by MWW.
I recommend that you place your search terms between quotes when you find that you are unable to locate information you are searching for. A search like this, "Metropolitan Who's Who", will give you much different results.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I have been in contact with other bloggers who have been threatened with a lawsuit concerning blog posts. These were posts that they had written about Metropolitan Who's Who and the letter that they had received from them.
These are bloggers other than SouthCon, who has firmly held his ground about his freedom of speech rights concerning his original post.
I have found out that Metropolitan Who's Who is incorporated as Metropolitan Registries.
They also have three locations listed with the Better Business Bureau:
According to the January 2007 report there have been several complaints lodged against Metropolitan Who's Who and are categorized as follows:
I have listed below some of the information that has been published by the BBB. The links will take you to each location's report page as provided by the Better Business Bureau. The items in bold are my emphasis.
Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
(Metropolitan Who's Who )
76 W Main St Ste 1B East
Islip, NY 11730
Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
(Metropolitan Who's Who )
181 Freeman Ave Ste C
Islip, NY 11751
Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
(Metropolitan Who's Who )
1940 Deer Park Ave # 234
Deer Park, NY 11729
later...
Questions...
Hate E-mail and Threatened Bloggers...
Blogger's Rights...
Do Search Engines Serve the Public?
This is an update to this post.
The Better Business Bureau of New York is currently updating their information concerning Metropolitan Who's Who at MWW's request. The heart of the report that was available in January, 2007, is here in the body of this post. However, it does exclude some peripheral information about Metropolitan Who's Who (Metropolitan Registries).
Many of you who are searching for information about the aforementioned organization may find the following links interesting:
Wikipedia's Talk: Who's Who Scam
Here is a discussion with one of the Wikipedia editors and an employee of Metropolitan Who's Who. The employee appears to be Cyndi Jeffers (aka Cyndi Jeffus, aka Amanda). It was this editor who directed the MWW employee to take their concerns up with the BBB. Hence, the review process that has begun concerning Metropolitan Who's Who Better Business Bureau's report.
This is a "snippit" of the above discussion.
This is a forum post written by a person who was approached by a "who's who" organization. Her detailed account mirrors conversations (That I've read on the internet, but which have since been deleted.) that other "nominees" have had in the past with organizations like this.
Finally, I have another post that I have written which provides for a link to a blogger who wrote about the letter that she received. Metropolitan Who's Who is aggressively active in removing all negative content concerning their organization from the internet. There are many posts and conversations that have been deleted because the commentators were threatened with legal action by MWW.
I recommend that you place your search terms between quotes when you find that you are unable to locate information you are searching for. A search like this, "Metropolitan Who's Who", will give you much different results.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I have been in contact with other bloggers who have been threatened with a lawsuit concerning blog posts. These were posts that they had written about Metropolitan Who's Who and the letter that they had received from them.
These are bloggers other than SouthCon, who has firmly held his ground about his freedom of speech rights concerning his original post.
I have found out that Metropolitan Who's Who is incorporated as Metropolitan Registries.
They also have three locations listed with the Better Business Bureau:
1940 Deer Park Ave # 234
Deer Park, NY 11729
181 Freeman Ave Ste C
Islip, NY 11751
76 W Main St Ste 1B East
Islip, NY 11730
According to the January 2007 report there have been several complaints lodged against Metropolitan Who's Who and are categorized as follows:
*Advertising Issues
*Credit or Billing Disputes
*Product Quality
*Refund Practices
*Selling Practices
*Service Issues
I have listed below some of the information that has been published by the BBB. The links will take you to each location's report page as provided by the Better Business Bureau. The items in bold are my emphasis.
According to complaints 'Metropolitan Registries' contacts businesses to offer them a complimentary listing on their registry upon membership. The company then sends them material which according to business owners, clearly states there is ‘no fee’. Business owners state that when accepting their offer, the company then informs them of fees involved which could be anywhere from $400 - $900. Most business owners then turned down the offer because they felt the companies advertising was deceptive. Those that did pay a fee to the company realized its misrepresentation and therefore called the company to cancel their membership but funds were still withdrawn from their accounts. Consumers are requesting a refund and that this companies business practices be made aware to other business consumers...
Based on BBB files, this business has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau, because there is a pattern of complaints, and the business has not corrected the underlying reason for the complaints...
Metropolitan Registries publishes electronic biographical directories on CD-Rom and on the internet. _ _ GENERAL INFORMATION: Better Business Bureaus often receive inquiries regarding direct mail solicitations which offer to include the recipient in a biographical directory. The solicitation may be accompanied by a request for a membership fee or for an order of one or more copies of the directory. Some publishers don't charge for the listing, but require purchase of the directory by those listed for a substantial amount. In most cases, no nominee or entry is turned down by the company...
Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
(Metropolitan Who's Who )
76 W Main St Ste 1B East
Islip, NY 11730
Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
(Metropolitan Who's Who )
181 Freeman Ave Ste C
Islip, NY 11751
Metropolitan Registries, Inc.
(Metropolitan Who's Who )
1940 Deer Park Ave # 234
Deer Park, NY 11729
later...
Questions...
Hate E-mail and Threatened Bloggers...
Blogger's Rights...
Do Search Engines Serve the Public?
Labels: FYI
posted by It's me, T.J. at Tuesday, February 06, 2007
15 Comments:
Wow. AWESOME follow-up. Looks like these guys really are bad news! Thanks a lot for the support on this issue!
wow, this is ridiculous...
good work on digging up this information...apparently metropolitian who's who isn't the only group that knows how to use google and simple search tools.
bring 'em down...bring 'em down.
Hey Darrell...
You're welcome.
Although I don't get to visit everyone on my blogroll very often, I really enjoy reading your blog and you have a great sense of humor.
Hey R.C...
Thanks.
later...
Hey TJ,
I wonder if they'll be sending you some of their warm and fuzzy e-mail soon.
They sound like trouble to me. Thanks for the continued information. I am glad I threw their "listing" letter right in the trash
Take Care!
Hey Pattie...
I'll be sure to let you know.
I promise.
later...
Hey T.J. it looks like you probably found out what there is to find out. I would have suggested BBB - and if it looks like a scam, it probably is. : ) I don't believe in paying for networking opportunities, even in D.C. where there are literally people who get paid to introduce other people. CRAZY - Julia
Hey Julia...
It is crazy!
later...
I just got off the phone with the Metropolitan Who's Who. The woman got almost rude due to the fact that I did not want to sign up immediately and pay them $800 to be a "platinum" member. All I asked was for a few days to think about my choice as I felt it was a lot of money. I tried to be as polite as possible, but finally just had to say a firm "NO THANK YOU". Wow!
$800 is a LOT of money for something that you can't eat, drive, or wear!
You would think that if you were selling a product that you would put your best foot forward.
Now wouldn't you?
The Metropolitan Who's Who is a scam plain and simple. Just for kicks I mailed the post card and a card guy called about a month later. He sounded very professional, I asked if there was a fee. He quickly ran into his pitch. He started out with some lifetime Platinum Gold thing then went all the way down to a yearly membership. I told him nicely, several times, that I was not interested in paying for anything like this. Not only did he keep pushing, he kept talking over me so I just hung up on him.
I had a similar experience to one of the anonymous responders on this thread. When I asked for a day or two to consider it, and to look over their website, which was by the way quite unimpressive, the rep responded rudely and curtly, saying "Come on, I've been tracking you down for weeks, the least you can do is make a decision and pick a gold or platinum program." He wasn't being aggressive or determined to make a sale, he was being loud and rude.
My networking activities will NOT include MWW.
You guys are stupid. Who has time to call in "for kicks" If you don't like a marketing tool you don't like it. Arent we all adults here? The same marketing tool you bash is used by many other businesses and people. There is value and benefit to it for some, and others don't finde usage in it. Does it mean its a scam? No. You guys deserve to be sued for walking around trying to destroy companies that people built. And trying to destroy careers. The people who read these blogs are also stupid. You're stupid if you don't go do your OWN research. So you googled something and found a few blogs from disgruntled customers. So what? I was contacted by a person from who's who as well. I asked right out front if there was a fee. And the rep nicely said "there is no fee for a basic listing but you can take advantage of the many different levels of membership we make available" Which makes perfect sense. Nothing of value is completley and totally free. You still gain some exposure from being in the basic listing. But obviously if you want super benefits you pay super prices. Makes perfect sense. Some person up there said "I don't pay for networking oppurtuinities" THATS BULLSHIT. EVERYONE DOES. When you pay for travel to go meet someone you're paying to network, companies pay ridiculous amounts for marketing, every year ou're paying for exposure, credibility and progress. You guys act like you're each "so special." LOL wake up! That company doesn't NEED you. They have over 250,000 members in their subscription. A few skeptics, and consipracy theorists hunting for fraud because they are bored will not be enough to shut down the company. If you have a bad experience with a company feel free to tell. Because then Its the companies fault for hiring such poor representatives. But if you're just a dickhead with no life and you call up a company to "fuck with them" Then you're an idiot who is wasting their time. Does it make you feel special now? "ooooh I declined their offer, Im so cool" If you can't afford the prices they offer suck it up and move on. Don't get sour just because you call yourselves business owners but can't shell out at least a minor $99 for a year. (Thats the trial program they offered me) Its a cool program. You just have to actively use it and be open to it. Like ANY business there are people who find use for it and there are people who don't find use for it. But it is not a scam. Know your facts. Don't just open your mouth and blurt out nonsense about something you've failed to investigate closely. I understand you desperately want people to read your blog, but that drive to gain readers by being controversial may cost you way more in the long run.
Interesting.
A supporter...
Or an employee?
I'm sure that the verbage used in the above post will help drive Metropolitan Who's Who's image.
It will certainly make for interesting search results.
The people who read these blogs are also stupid.
BTW...
Why were you, Mr. Anonymous, here anyway?
later...
We have been placed on the Met. Who's Who and found that there is nothing special that they can offer us. A couple of years later, we receive a call that they are calling everyone to purchase their catalog. Well, when we told them that we really had no use for it, they didn't like our answer. I was told by the owner to handle the call and the rep. was told to call me. When I told him we didn't want to purchase the book, he then told me, well, I was told to call you and you would give me all the credit card info. and that he was now confused because the owner said I would purchase it. I explained that I am also part owner and that I make all purchasing decisions. He then said that he shouldn't even be discussing anything with me as I was not the one on the plaque. I told him he was more than welcome to call the owner back but that he was going to get the same answer. He was somewhat persistent in getting our credit card info. and I had to tell him twice that he could call the owner because I was not going to purchase anything from him. He then, politely, said that he would call back in an hour.
I understand that this is how people make a living, but if someone says "no" then they should respect their decision and try again next time. As a business owner, I do not push our clients to purchase anything they do not want. I treat my customers as I would want to be treated. I agree with T.J. and feel that if vulgar language has to be used in any kind of conversation, then there could be some kind of attachment to the situation. This type of language is not necessary to make people understand that something can he beneficial. As any business owner knows, it takes a lot of work to make a business successful. One needs to know or learn how to carry himself/herself so that the clients will be interested and grateful for what is being offered and purchased.
awww sounds like someone got dooped by a slick talking telemarketer. u only have urself to blame i did telemarketing for a different company for years and preyed on retards like you who are easily confused and manipulated. bottom line if u give ur credit card over the phone u might as well give urself a pat on the back for stupidly putting some money back into a bad spot in the economy. and the complaints against MWW's lawsuit threats... honestly if u had a business that was making money and it was being "slandered" by any random idiot with an ISP, im gonna imagine you'd fight for it too. congratulations on getting tricked because ur brain doesnt work as fast as some peoples tongues. get back in school for that GED and try try again genius.
-VaiN
P.s. i give you 20 minutes on the phone with me (tops) before i could get all the information i'll ever need from u. yes, im that good
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