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I just thought I'd warn everybody to watch out for the occasional marketing scam when running your consultancy business.
Over the last few years various marketing companies have listed the contact details of my business on their online business directories, usually without my knowledge. At the end of 12 months they then contact me to say that my business has had a complimentary (free) listing in their directory and if I wished to keep it there for the next 12 months, then I need to pay an annual fee. It's usually at that point that I have the listing removed because I'm not prepared to pay the annual fee. On average, I probably experience about half a dozen online directories approaching me in this fashion. I have no problem with this approach as it is a legitimate marketing approach.
However, imagine my surprise when I received an invoice from another online business directory for a listing for the next 12 months. Apparently, the online directed had provided a complimentary listing of my business's contact details (without my knowledge) over the last 12 months and, rather than enquire if I wanted to keep my details listed, they just assumed that I did and sent me an invoice!
I've since heard from several other businesses (none are ecological consultancies) that they've received a similar invoice from the same online business directory. So beware and check your invoices before automatically paying them.
Incidentally, in phoning the offending online business directory, they removed my listing. It still remains to be seen if I'll receive a reminder notice for non-payment of my invoice. |
