OK, long story short I've been royally screwed over by the local phone company monopoly Yellow Pages. 6 months into this year I found out they had changed my phone number (sort of disconnected) from the previous year. This cost me a sharp decrease of about 50% gross profit. I stopped paying them as I had no money! Despite several complaints, they have offerred nothing but collections companies in return.
Now, I signed up for only half the advertising this year and they insisted on charging me a ridiculously high rate (about 700/month for an ad that should be less than 200 only because I didn't spend more with them). Needless to say, this ad at this rate is performing miserably.
The good news is I've found an alternative cheaper advertising for my business. The bad news is that if I even try to pay this hefty yellow page bill I swear I'll be broke in a few months. So, I know they won't let me list again, but will they chase me for the money. The bill is under my corporation so
2007-08-19 08:32:10 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
So I've been told they can't attack my personal credit. I fear they might try to sue me. Even though I believe I have a good defense it might cost me a lot in attorney's fees to win. TIA for any help!
2007-08-19 08:34:11 · update #1
Yes, I'm a corp. The last letter I got from them said they'd mark some bad debt with D&B on my corp name. Whatever! I'd file my case which basically states that their mistakes cost me a lot.
2007-08-19 08:47:58 · update #2
About the changing the number ... they signed me up for a tracking number. This is a made up number which only goes in your display ad and is fowarded directly to your real number. It's supposed to help you figure out what ads are working. Well, they never sent me any of the tracking info to this day and the worst part is the tracking numbers go to a changed number recording at the end of the year which sounds exactly like a disconnect. People that don't know you will just assume you are out of biz and call the next. I've debated this with the phone company and others and in my opinion this is what happens. People that don't agree don't understand how the YP works. They advertise CONTINUITY to you when they sell you the ads. In other words you can't change your phone numbers without losing business.
2007-08-19 08:59:01 · update #3
Are you a sole proprietor? Because a sole proprietorship is essentially a business being run in the name of the owner, that person is liable for any action against the company. In the eyes of the law, there is no wall of protection between the owner and the business. They are one and the same.
So if you are, yes, they can come after your personal assets/credit.
Add: Sorry, re-read your question and note that you're a corporation. I'm not sure how that works vis-a-vis your personal credit.
2007-08-19 08:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, be glad it's 2007 and not 1977. In the old days before the telephone company was broken up, they could completely terminate your business telephone service if you didn't pay your yellow pages bill. Essentially, if you didn't pay your bill, you were out of business. These days, the law doesn't allow this.
You can expect this bill to go to collections, and if it does, it will have a negative impact on your credit. You might want also want to take a second look at the contract you signed. I would be surprised if they didn't sneak some type of personal guarantee clause in there. They typically do this for small businesses that are incorporated just so you can't get out of the bill.
I don't think that there is anything you can do about have having the "tracking number" go to a disconnect message. If you aren't paying the bill, they certainly aren't going to allow you to benefit from the ad. Hopefully, your alternative advertising media will bring in enough business so that this won't be an issue.
You could get a attorney to fight this, but it would be costly and probably not worth it in the long run.
Technically, if they screwed up your number earlier in the year, you should not have to pay for the ads for the period that the number was screwed up. As far as getting any other type of damages, I wouldn't hold your breath. Their contracts typically limit their liability to just refunding any ad charges, and specifically exclude any consequential damages. These guys are pros at what they do and have all their bases covered.
2007-08-19 17:31:58 · answer #2 · answered by silvaconsultants 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-24 19:39:06 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since the company is a corporation, they can not collect from your personal resources. They can however bring a case against the corporation and collect that way. The question is, is it worth it to them to come after your business. They will, or they have already, turned the account over to a collection agency which will hound you for the money. With a business phone listing, I thought that you were also included in the yellow pages at no cost. Unless you go for the larger paid ads.
With them changing your phone number, they should also have a recording of the change and should tell all people that call the old number that the number was changed and then tell you the new number. If not, then your advertising dollars are wasted.
If you can't get any satisfaction out of customer service, then you may have to get a lawyer and follow his suggestions.
good luck to you, I've also had my problems with Ma Bell.
2007-08-19 08:47:11 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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OK, long story short I've been royally screwed over by the local phone company monopoly Yellow Pages. 6 months into this year I found out they had changed my phone number (sort of disconnected) from the previous year. This cost me a sharp decrease of about 50% gross profit. I stopped paying...
2015-08-06 07:37:09 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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It depends on whether or not you signed a 'personal guarantee' for this bill. If you did, then you can be reported for both personal and business. They can still hit the reporting agencies too. They may also be able to take you to court for the balance of the bill. Not only will your business be cited, but possibly you personally if there is a personal guarantee. I know that quite a few of the contracts have it worked into the contract that you cannot sue them in excess of the original contract amount vs what has been paid. In other words, you cannot sue them for $10,000 if your bill is only $2,000. Pull out the contract and read this section. You may be wise to have a lawyer take care of this for you, rather than trying this yourself.
2016-04-13 05:29:52 · answer #6 · answered by Elena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-04-22 18:39:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2015-02-15 11:52:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2015-03-20 15:59:24 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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