Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  01/08/2025

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Ambassador contacted our church and myself as the Senior Pastor about sponsoring books in our local school. I gave the salesman my contact information but told him clearly that I would talk to the deacons/finance committee and get back to him before making any decision. After speaking to the owner of another area business who had sponsored books I determined it was not something we wanted to be involved with and considered it to be a scam. The salesman never called or came by again so I assumed it was over until over a FULL YEAR LATER we received a bill for $200 dollars due immediately. I contacted the number and told them clearly we never agreed to anything and they said they would report it and get back to me. We did not hear from them again until we were sent to collections by a incredibly sketchy and seemingly fake collection agency. We have now received a letter from a lawyer who works for the company and is listed as their ***. With this report I am submitting the incredibly fraudulent contract that was sent to me by the collection agency that I supposedly signed. Except its not my handwriting or signature. Multiple pieces of information on the contract are incorrect. It is missing an initial in one spot, has an incorrect business address, incorrect phone number, incorrect individual name in one location, a signature that is not mine, and no email addresses. We absolutely never agreed to pay anything and either the salesman or the company clearly fabricated this contract with whatever information they had. In addition to this I have spoken with the staff of the elementary school and all the local businesses here that were sponsors (none of which remember signing) I have confirmed that over 3 years that this company has collected over $2000 and delivered less than 40 small children's books without enough to make a single classroom set of any of the books. If we are contacted again we along with other businesses will be seeking legal action against the company.

  Business response

  01/09/2025

  In reviewing the files, we have no record of these comments from this customer.  We made collection calls but did not receive a call back.  We agree to write off the balance of the invoice.

• Initial Complaint

  10/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We received an invoice from the Ambassador Company on August 23, 2024, dated 9/1/2024 for $710.00 for book sponsorship by our dealership. On august 26th I called the Ambassador Company to request some more information on this invoice as no one at the dealership knew what the bill was for. I spoke to ******* ****** and requested a copy of the contract, an ad proof showing our dealership listing in these books and the distribution information for the books as they are supposed to distribute the books in our community schools, churches, and family centers per the contract. ******* sent the contract via email on August 28th but was not able to provide any of the other information on ad proofs or distribution, she was going to contact the local representative for the Ambassador Company, **** ***** to get us the rest of the information.On September 23rd we received a second Past Due invoice for this order, but we still had not received any additional clarification on ad proofs or distribution locations form either **** ***** the local representative or Ambassador Company directly. I sent a follow up email the same day to ******* ****** in customer service but did not receive a response to my inquiry.On October 21st, nearly two months after our initial inquiry and request for an ad proof and book distribution information, we received a third invoice from the Ambassador Company threatening us with collection action for non-payment. I again emailed ******* ****** in customer service to ask about our previous inquiry on October 22, 2024, and have had no response. On October 23, 2024, I called the Ambassador Company and left a message for ******* ****** at Extension 141 asking about our prior inquiry and if she was receiving our emails following up from ********* of this writing we still have not had any response to our requests for additional information on these books published and distributed by the Ambassador Company other than a copy of a contract.

  Business response

  10/24/2024

  In reviewing this complaint, our sales representative has set up this program to be distributed by local churches.  Our customer service **** was not aware of this until today and could not inform the customer.  We have asked the sales representative, **** *****, to communicate the details directly to the customer.

  Customer response

  10/24/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  We requested further detail on distribution locations and quantities on August 26th, at which time the customer service representative ******* ***** responded with "Yes **** I completely understand and I myself apologize that I don't have the answers to assist you. I did contact the liaison for Ambassador and gave a request for the sales representative to provide us with this information."  We have not received any follow up other than invoices with escalating threats for non-payment until we opened a complaint with the BBB.  

  Additionally, We were told that  "After reviewing the distributor information, it shows **** *****, the sales representative, taking the books directly to the school in your area." which is contradictory to their response on distribution.  We have no problem paying for goods and services provided but we need to know where these items are going, to whom, the distribution numbers (1 book?, 50 books?) and would like to see an ad proof of how our dealership is being listed/represented in these books.

   

   

  
  

  Business response

  10/28/2024

  Our sales representative has attempted to contact the customer to provide the information he is requesting.  He will continue to try to call him.

• Initial Complaint

  10/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  January of 2023 this company came to our office wanting us to sponsor this book thing, my husband (the owner) nor myself were in the office. Our secretary signed her name and printed my husbands name. She did not have any right to sign us into a contract. My husband was pressured into this scam before, so that's what they told her. They told her she could just sign for him. She was not allowed to spend any of our money or sign any contracts. I had already decided this was a scam as I had never seen any of these "books" with our sponsorship on them. Only the ones they sent us. I contacted the company to explain the error after receiving an invoice. The first time I even knew about this. They stated that it is a binding contract. I will not pay, as the owners of the company did not OK this. She was a secretary, and no longer works here. I have received one "lawyer" letter, but my lawyer has also been contacted.

  Business response

  10/23/2024

  The invoice has been credited for this customer since it was not authorized by the owners of the business.  The books have been shipped to the elementary schools in the area.

• Initial Complaint

  10/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We are being billed for books that we did not receive, nor were we invoiced. When I tried to contact the company the website is no longer functional because the company is out of business. I do not want to pay for some books we did not receive. I am asking the $320 charge be removed.Thanks,**** Welding

  Business response

  10/03/2024

  The books are not scheduled to ship until November.  The customer has been contacted with a copy of the agreement and all other documents he requested.

• Initial Complaint

  09/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against The Ambassador Company, specifically regarding their sales representative, ****, who visited my appointment-only business in February 2023. During his visit, he solicited a donation of $200 to help local schools obtain books, promising that my business logo would be included in those books.At the time of the visit, I was occupied with a client in my treatment room. To quickly conclude the interaction, I reluctantly agreed to the donation, despite my financial constraints. Over a year later I received additional invoices demanding another payment of $200.Upon further investigation, I realized that ***** sales pitch was deceptive and laden with misleading information. I never intended to commit to multiple years of donations, and I would not have agreed to even the initial contribution had I been fully informed about the implications. About six months ago, my son was diagnosed with a bone disease, necessitating my full attention and care at home, leading to my absence at my business. Despite telling them this, I have continued to receive harassment for the second payment of another $200 along with threats of being sent to collections. I never saw any books that my donation supposedly funded, and when I inquired with my client who is a member of the ************* she was unaware of my donation or the book program I was talking about.It is clear to me that The Ambassador Companys practices are unethical, and I believe they are operating as a scam. The numerous complaints against this company on the BBB website further substantiate my concerns.I request your assistance in addressing this matter and encourage you to investigate The Ambassador Companys business practices.

  Business response

  09/04/2024

  Please see the attached signed contract where the box confirming the sponsorship is for two years is initialed.  Yesterday was the first time that this customer had contacted us with a complaint.  We could have provided her with a copy of the book with her ad inside.  She filed the complaint before anything could be sent to her.  I will write off the balance for the second year since the business is now closed.

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We first received an invoice from Ambassador Company January 2024, along with a copy of a book that had our name, with an old logo and non-existent phone number, as well as a few other small local businesses on a "sponsored by" page. I asked around the dealership and no one knew anything about it, so I threw the invoice away as it was not the first time a company had tried to get us to give them money for something we did not order. I also called the other businesses listed, none of them had authorized this book sponsorship either. Since then we have received an invoice/month and a letter from their "lawyer". We also received a collection notice from RMS in February. I called RMS and told them we had never authorized any sponsorship with this company. This was after I had spoken to a rep from Ambassador/Good Will Publishing. I had told them no one here with the authority to sign anything remembered them. We finally received a copy of an agreement Dec 15, 2022, with the signature of a salesperson. This salesperson is not only not authorized to sign any contracts or agreements, but he does not remember signing anything in the first place. From what I have seen on other complaints here, that is what the company does. They find the first person they see in the business, misrepresent themselves as a someone with the local school district, get their name and maybe even see their signature on something on their desk, and complete a fraudulent agreement. They can't even get the information correct on their fraud. Fortunately, we have not paid this scam company any money and we will continue to trash any invoices we receive in the future.

  Business response

  07/09/2024

  Our sales representatives are trained to only work with the business managers/owners.  Unfortunately, our representative did not follow procedure with this customer and we will provide corrective training.  We will cancel the balance due.  Thank you

  Customer response

  07/09/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint.
  
  Thank you. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  06/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The Ambassador Company sent a bill to our business Windy Chevrolet - and we never ordered, signed a contract, or agreed to any purchase. We never even received any product(s). This is not a legitimate charge, we have advised the collections of all of these facts, we have never received a product and do not owe.

  Business response

  06/05/2024

  Please see attached contract that was signed by ***********************.  We have no record of Windy Chevrolet responding to our office's collection calls.  The first year of the contract had books sent to both ************************* and ******* Intermediate this past spring.  The books will be sent out again next school year.  I have also attached a copy of the sponsorship page where the customer is acknowledged.

• Initial Complaint

  03/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Received a bill for books and a statement stating we agreed to a binding contract. **************** we did not sign a contract and the company stated a waitress signed her name giving permission. I explained that a waitress is not on the business and can not sign a contract. The waitress states she did not sign her name to a contract. We contacted the company and said no permission was given by the owner and sole proprietor and they threatened legal action. I was home recovering from quadruple bypass surgery and a stroke. This company is being dishonest and is refusing to acknowledge their error. We would like them to cease and desist their attempts at collections and want no further contact with the company. I have included a copy of what was sent to us as justification. I reminded them that their due diligence is the issue at hand. The waitress states she never signed ***************** importantly she in no way is authorized to sign a contract.

  Business response

  03/21/2024

  We will cancel the balance due from ********** Restaurant and stop all collections.

• Initial Complaint

  02/23/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Job# ************ A few months back a guy walked in my shop a small business and asked if we could sponsor some books for local school. Little did I know he was not local nor did it benefit the community any. He promised a full page with our business logo for a $561.60. We got the book proofs and our logos are in black and white and are the size of a dime. I tried reaching out to the guy who came here and I called the number on the invoice but we are getting the run around. After reading all these reviews I feel like I got caught in thier scam as well. I would like this invoice canceled, I am not paying for something we didn't agree on.

  Business response

  02/23/2024

  The sales rep should have had examples of the ad with him to show this customer.  Since they are unhappy with the sponsorship of the books to the schools, we will remove their ad and cancel the balance due.

  Customer response

  02/23/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Thank you. 
  

• Initial Complaint

  02/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  A woman entered my business and stated that she was looking for a $100 donation in order to purchase books about dog safety to pass out to two local schools. As a dog groomer and trainer, I thought that sounded great so I agreed to a $100 payment, which she said they would bill. A month goes by and I get a bill for $598! I attempted to call the company - under the name she gave - Ambassador Publishing - and found that they were permanently closed. I called the school and talked with the principal and she told me that this was "fraud" and that the school had "absolutely NO relationship with the company and that they had not received books, aren't expecting to receive any books, and told me NOT to give them money because it is a scam. Then another month or so passes, and I start getting letters in the mail with them sending my business to collections! Then, their shifty lawyers started calling me endlessly, even after I told them many many many times that this was fraud and that I have contacted state authorities AND filed a complaint with the ***** Still, they continue to harrass me and my business with letters, calls, and are absolutely ignorant towards myself and my employees if we answer the phone. I have been told by them that I should "pay up so that nothing happens to my business" and that "they would hate to see my go out of business over this." and just using really intimidating words to try to get me to pay them for this very obvious and blatant fraud. I have talked to other businesses in the area who were also approached and given the same lies and we are ALL obtaining legal council so that we can go to court and *** for damages. We have school administrators who are more than willing and ready to walk into court and prove that this company is completely a fraud and are targeting small businesses across *****************. So help me god, they better never walk into my store again or I will be utilizing the Castle Doctrine.

  Business response

  02/15/2024

  In January ****, the customer notified us about his complaint and we cancelled the balance due.  

  Customer response

  02/15/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  This is another lie. I received a call from a lawyer this morning at 8:36 AM and another at 9:07 AM. I also have received two letters in the past week. This company is perpetuating fraud against small businesses all over this nation while the owner claims to be a devout Catholic. His lies WILL be coming to the light. 

  
  

  Business response

  02/20/2024

  I contacted our collection agency and was told that they have closed the account and have not contacted this business since December.  Our office wrote off the balance in January and have not contacted since then.  He claims he is still receiving letters.  Please forward copies of these letters to us.

  Customer response

  02/21/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

   

  I have already sent copies to the ****************** Protection Beureu as well as the ********************* of the *** so that they can investigate your company for this fraud that you are blatantly committing against small businesses all across the nation. I'm not sending you anything. The federal government will be, though! There are SO MANY instances of your fraud on this BBB page alone. Countless business owners with the SAME EXACT story. You may think that writing off the account will help resolve this. It isn't. I am going to make absolutely sure that you are held financially and criminally liable for this and the many other cases of fraud that Goodwill Publishers has perpetuated. Not only that, but the Catholic Diocese that your owner and his family attends are also now fully aware of where his donations come from and have been sent all the appropriate information and complaints from countless other businesses. He can go around pretending to be someone he isn't with the church and whoever else he wants. He is going to pay for this financially and criminally. You can't do this to people. 

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩