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BBB Business Review

This Business is not BBB accredited

Longwood Industries, Inc

Additional Locations

Phone: (540) 586-1430 View Additional Phone Numbers 1617 Longwood Ave., Bedford, VA 24523 rfisher@longwoodinc.com http://www.longwoodinc.org View Additional Web Addresses ! There is an alert on Longwood Industries, Inc !

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Description

Longwood Industries is a 501(c)3 charity that does not solicit for donations; therefore, they have not been evaluated in relation to the BBB charity standards.

Through an agreement with Adventis, Inc., a commercial call center, Longwood Industries offers automobile Internet-Web Advertising under the name Auto Marketing Systems. Consumers report that after placing an ad in a newspaper or on the internet  to sell an automobile, they are contacted by Longwood Industries to place a similar ad on the internet. The firm offers a non-refundable ad for $149 or, a refundable ad for $249 of which $29 is non-refundable. 

Customers must follow their cancellation policy exactly. The firm's cancellation policy states that a vehicle photo must have been provided within 14 days of enrollment; the required cancellation form must be postmarked within two weeks after day 90 of enrollment and the cancellation form MUST be notarized. Fax, email and phone requests for cancellation will not be accepted. Consumers may wish to return the form certified for proof of receipt.

BBB Accreditation

This business is not BBB accredited.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Auto Marketing Systems is NOT Accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The firm is not eligible for Accreditation with the BBB due to their volume of complaints and serious complaints regarding excessive delays in providing refunds.

The BBB continues to receive calls from consumers stating that the firm told them they were members of the BBB. The firm is a member of the Online Business Bureau which is in NO WAY affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. For a separate report on the Online Business Bureau visit http://www.dc.bbb.org/default.asp

Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered.

Factors that lowered the rating for Longwood Industries, Inc include:

  • 557 complaints filed against business
  • 12 serious complaints filed against business

Factors that raised the rating for Longwood Industries, Inc include:

  • Length of time business has been operating.
  • Response to 557 complaint(s) filed against business.
  • Resolution of complaint(s) filed against business.
  • BBB has sufficient background information on this business.

Customer Reviews Summary Read customer reviews

2 Customer Reviews on Longwood Industries, Inc
Customer Experience Total Customer Reviews
Positive Experience 0
Neutral Experience 0
Negative Experience 2
Total Customer Reviews 2

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Customer Complaints Summary Read complaint details

557 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 258 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type Total Closed Complaints
Advertising/Sales Issues 142
Billing/Collection Issues 6
Delivery Issues 1
Guarantee/Warranty Issues 31
Problems with Product/Service 377
Total Closed Complaints 557

Additional Complaint Information

Complaints processed by this BBB generally involve either the firm's refund policy and serious complaints regarding excessive delays in providing refunds or contacting consumer’s that advertise vehicles on Craigslist.

The company has responded to the refund policy complaints brought to their attention by stating customers must follow their cancellation policy exactly. The firm's cancellation policy states that a vehicle photo must have been provided within 14 days of enrollment; the required cancellation form must be postmarked within two weeks after day 90 of enrollment and the cancellation form MUST be notarized. Fax, email and phone requests for cancellation will not be accepted. Consumers may wish to return the form certified for proof of receipt. 

Auto Marketing solicits consumers that place ads on Craigslist to sell their vehicles. Each complainant refers to default language that Craigslist places on every online ad which prohibits contacting sellers with other commercial services or interests.

When contacted regarding the practice, the firm stated, “We understand the BBB’s concern regarding these complaints; however, when compared to the ratio of individuals contacted and of satisfied customers this number represents a very small percentage.” And, “We simply cannot assume that the default (opt-out) language placed on every online ad is representative of the individual seller’s willingness to hear about our specific service.”



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Additional Information

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BBB file opened: September 21, 2003 Business started: 07/17/1972 in VA Business incorporated: 07/20/1972 in VA
Licensing

This business is in an industry that may require professional licensing, bonding or registration. BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

These agencies may include:

Department of Labor
3013 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke VA 24019
Phone Number: (540) 562-3580

State Corporation Commission
P.O. Box 1197, Richmond VA 23218
http://www.state.va.us/scc
Phone Number: (804) 371-9733
Fax Number: (804) 371-9211

Type of Entity

Corporation

Business Management
Ms. Renee Fisher, Executive Director
Business Category

AUTO LISTING SERVICE SIGNS SCREEN PRINTING PARCEL POST ASSEMBLY SERVICE MAILING SERVICES INTERNET MARKETING SERVICES EMBROIDERY

Alternate Business Names
Auto Marketing Systems Sheltered Workshop of Bedford Customizedlogowear The Big Lot
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BBB Complaint Process

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Auto Marketing Systems is NOT Accredited by the Better Business Bureau. The firm is not eligible for Accreditation with the BBB due to their volume of complaints and serious complaints regarding excessive delays in providing refunds. The BBB continues to receive calls from consumers stating that the firm told them they were members of the BBB. The firm is a member of the Online Business Bureau which is in NO WAY affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. For a separate report on the Online Business Bureau visit http://www.dc.bbb.org/default.asp