Idearc / Superpages - I am angry with them...
- Thread starter Ed Witles
- Start date
I've seen many vendors screwed over by YP.
I myself have not used or needed YP in about 16 years. The last year I was in a book was 1993.
Out here the ATT "Smart Yellow Pages" is the main book. All the rest are wannabes.
Yet, even the main book is ignored by most, unless you're looking for Joe The Plumber.
I myself have not used or needed YP in about 16 years. The last year I was in a book was 1993.
Out here the ATT "Smart Yellow Pages" is the main book. All the rest are wannabes.
Yet, even the main book is ignored by most, unless you're looking for Joe The Plumber.
Idearc took over the traditionally telco-owned YP a few years ago. The telcos now have nothing whatsoever to do with the YP/Superpages.
As I understand, the costs and the rules are much the same as when the telcos did YP. If you agree to a paid YP listing you are responsible for the year's cost whether you cancel or not.
When we cancelled our box ad at the end of the year (in July), Idearc continued to send us what looked like bills. In effect, they were pseudo-invoices, attempts to get us to reregister. They finally stopped sending them.
If you have any questions, call them to discuss it. Be prepared ~ they have very slick-talking sales people who will try their best to get you to buy in.
As I understand, the costs and the rules are much the same as when the telcos did YP. If you agree to a paid YP listing you are responsible for the year's cost whether you cancel or not.
When we cancelled our box ad at the end of the year (in July), Idearc continued to send us what looked like bills. In effect, they were pseudo-invoices, attempts to get us to reregister. They finally stopped sending them.
If you have any questions, call them to discuss it. Be prepared ~ they have very slick-talking sales people who will try their best to get you to buy in.
Since the invention of the internet I do not think we have used a phone book.
My guess would be that 50% of homes throw them away instead of even bringing them into the house.
I stinks when you are billed for something you didn't want.
I have never once considered a phone book ad as since 1997 my business phone number has been my cell phone. I think now they will list a cell phone # but not in the past.
My guess would be that 50% of homes throw them away instead of even bringing them into the house.
I stinks when you are billed for something you didn't want.
I have never once considered a phone book ad as since 1997 my business phone number has been my cell phone. I think now they will list a cell phone # but not in the past.
G
Guest
Guest
I had a YP ad about two years ago. The slickster salesman said I'd get tons of events and it would more than pay for itself. He said that in front of several witnesses (read oral contract). I told him that we'd give it six months. He said that they bill out for a year but I could call and cancel (in front of witnesses = oral contract). Three months later Idearic took over.
I got one event from it and called him back to cancel after six months. He never returned my phone calls and I never paid the bills.
Then they sent their lawyer after me. I told him the story and also told him that if they sued I counter sue for $500,000 for breach of promise. Never heard from the since.
I got one event from it and called him back to cancel after six months. He never returned my phone calls and I never paid the bills.
Then they sent their lawyer after me. I told him the story and also told him that if they sued I counter sue for $500,000 for breach of promise. Never heard from the since.
some people still use phone books. I got into the phones books several years ago. It was a very inexpensive "trial" and it generated business. but their whole game is to increase the revenue from each customer, so if you stay with the same ad, the price goes up while your position goes down because new guys are coming in with the "trial" discounts they recieved.
The only way you can keep recieving "discounts" is to move up to a bigger ad, which obviously costs more money.
did that for a few years, until one book was about $2500 a year. It generated 6 weddings and 2 birthday parties. cost was over $300 an event. Pay a DJ and not much profit left.
My average marketing costs per event booked on the internet is about $70
These books are still priced like they are the only way to reach customers.
The only way you can keep recieving "discounts" is to move up to a bigger ad, which obviously costs more money.
did that for a few years, until one book was about $2500 a year. It generated 6 weddings and 2 birthday parties. cost was over $300 an event. Pay a DJ and not much profit left.
My average marketing costs per event booked on the internet is about $70
These books are still priced like they are the only way to reach customers.
Idearc took over the traditionally telco-owned YP a few years ago. The telcos now have nothing whatsoever to do with the YP/Superpages.
As I understand, the costs and the rules are much the same as when the telcos did YP. If you agree to a paid YP listing you are responsible for the year's cost whether you cancel or not.
When we cancelled our box ad at the end of the year (in July), Idearc continued to send us what looked like bills. In effect, they were pseudo-invoices, attempts to get us to reregister. They finally stopped sending them.
If you have any questions, call them to discuss it. Be prepared ~ they have very slick-talking sales people who will try their best to get you to buy in.
That would work if I could actually find someone to yell at.
When the telcos did YP, one could find a customer service rep, at least. With Idearc, there are no customer service reps. It's all sales people.
Idearc may have downgraded their customer service (if one wishes to call it that) since the early days. When we were dealing with them, they were brand-new at it and getting a real person on the line was easy.
The whole program was to maximize sales. As I recall, it was damn nigh impossible to simply get what you wanted done, like change a category for instance, without hearing a sales pitch. They were constantly trying to lead you astray with a commercial. I had to interrupt the guy more than once.
If you don't stay focused on your original reason for calling they'll sell you the full monte and make it appear to be the best bargain ever.
They're trained to do that. Everything is made out to be a bargain. In fact, what they're really doing is trying to get more money out of you than you're already spending.
Like the old YP system, Idearc is not immune to SNAFUs. They can still foul up your ad. And you're stuck with it for the year.
Idearc may have downgraded their customer service (if one wishes to call it that) since the early days. When we were dealing with them, they were brand-new at it and getting a real person on the line was easy.
The whole program was to maximize sales. As I recall, it was damn nigh impossible to simply get what you wanted done, like change a category for instance, without hearing a sales pitch. They were constantly trying to lead you astray with a commercial. I had to interrupt the guy more than once.
If you don't stay focused on your original reason for calling they'll sell you the full monte and make it appear to be the best bargain ever.
They're trained to do that. Everything is made out to be a bargain. In fact, what they're really doing is trying to get more money out of you than you're already spending.
Like the old YP system, Idearc is not immune to SNAFUs. They can still foul up your ad. And you're stuck with it for the year.
I remember back in the early 90's--- my overhead was mostly YP & Bridal Fairs that ate up 30% of my revenues!
Now, my entire overhead cost per gig is $30 (about $10 attributable to marketing costs on the internet)
I have JUST listed with our YPOne directory, it isnt the ATT and the prices are more affordable, and I feel they put out a better product that ATT's yellowpage, at 50% or more of the cost.
So far no problems with the yellowpage company, they are being real adaptive to our needs. Since the publication is in august, we were on the front running to get one of the best packages. And I also did some wheeling and dealing to get more out of the package.
1/4 Column ad listed on the included map
Bold listing on DJ Services
1/2" White Text listing in Videography Services
1/4 Column ad in Sound System Services & Equipment
1/4 Column ad in Web Design Services
Inclusion in White Pages
Listing on their site which includes website link, companies buy links from these companies to put in their directory service, and as DJMC would say, will make more more googlelicious.
All for 2K for the year, I paid in advance and got 10% off. To me, for all the listings, not a bad deal for 1 year's worth of advertising.
Comes out to about $160 a month, to list in roughly 6 places $26 a place per month. I can live with that.
So far no problems with the yellowpage company, they are being real adaptive to our needs. Since the publication is in august, we were on the front running to get one of the best packages. And I also did some wheeling and dealing to get more out of the package.
1/4 Column ad listed on the included map
Bold listing on DJ Services
1/2" White Text listing in Videography Services
1/4 Column ad in Sound System Services & Equipment
1/4 Column ad in Web Design Services
Inclusion in White Pages
Listing on their site which includes website link, companies buy links from these companies to put in their directory service, and as DJMC would say, will make more more googlelicious.
All for 2K for the year, I paid in advance and got 10% off. To me, for all the listings, not a bad deal for 1 year's worth of advertising.
Comes out to about $160 a month, to list in roughly 6 places $26 a place per month. I can live with that.