Scottsdale Family Treasures
Eric E. Hovemeyer
4428 North 12th St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85014
Tel. 602-264-1721
Fax 602-263-0997
Better Business Bureau Report Date Written : 02/01/94
Scottsdale Family Treasures, Inc.
5110 N. 44th Street #L-160
Phoenix, AZ 85018
(602) 952-0100
Principal: Mr. Marc J. Kaplan, Incorporator / CEO
Type/Busi: Publications
Business Start Date: 09/01/91
BBB File Open Date: 02/04/92
This Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the
Better Business Bureau is voluntary. If a company is a member of
the Bureau, it will be indicated in the following report.
According to the information supplied by the company, Scottsdale
Family Treasures, Inc., began business in September 1991. The
Bureau opened its file on February 4, 1992. Sheldon Kent Weiner
was the original president and one of the two original
incorporators. On January 6, 1994, he resigned his position and
Marc J. Kaplan is the current CEO.
According to the company's articles of incorporation Marc Kaplan
is the other incorporator. This information was not on the
Business Questionnaire supplied by the company. Mr. Kaplan was
Vice President of Health & Nutrition Laboratories (separate
report) which used questionable advertising to market a weight
loss pill. Mr. Weiner was also an officer of that company.
Information provided by consumers indicates that the company is
mass mailing an offer to list families in a "family heritage"
type of publication. Originally $49.95, the publication was up
to $72.95 including shipping; the shipping and handling have
since been reduced, bringing the cost to $69.95. Other consumers
were reportedly told by company representatives that the regular
cost of the book would be $99.95, even $105, unless they ordered
immediately by phone.
The book is a compilation of one or two page family histories
supplied by individuals around the country who share the same
last name and who, in response to the mailing, agreed to complete
the form. Consumers are called back after the first contact and
offered purchase of the book, sight unseen. The handwritten
notes from those who respond appear to be photocopied, "as is"
and bound together; there is no evidence of editing, research or
evaluation of these notes. The company states that ten full time
employees review each questionnaire, adding and deleting
information when necessary and retyping illegible responses.
According to a Scottsdale Family Treasures phone script,
telemarketers are instructed to identify themselves as "editors."
Solicitors go on to say that their "senior editorial staff" has
selected the person being called, implying that the selection was
special and exclusive, which is not true since everyone gets the
same pitch.
At least one individual reported being asked for his checking
account number. The company responded that it subscribes to
Check-Tel, a national service which allows companies to debit
their customers' checking accounts for purchases by phone. The
company's telemarketer script also encourages consumers to give
their credit card numbers, claiming that, once entered into their
computer, these numbers are not accessible to anyone. The Bureau
considers this claim to be misleading and deceptive.
Another consumer said she was told the cost of the book would not
be charged to her credit card until ten days after delivery;
however, in spite of a post card notifying her of a publishing
delay, the charge did appear on her credit card statement.
The Bureau has received complaints alleging misrepresentation of
the book, high pressure sales tactics, dissatisfaction with the
quality of information provided and failure to refund the entire
cost. The company has responded to most complaints presented by
the Bureau although not always to the customer's satisfaction.
Terry Frye 753-9445 (815)
>supplied by individuals around the country who share the same
>last name and who, in response to the mailing, agreed to complete
>the form. Consumers are called back after the first contact and
>offered purchase of the book, sight unseen. The handwritten
>notes from those who respond appear to be photocopied, "as is"
>and bound together; there is no evidence of editing, research or
>evaluation of these notes. The company states that ten full time
>employees review each questionnaire, adding and deleting
>information when necessary and retyping illegible responses.
I received one of those questionnaires to fill out quite a few
months ago. Actually it was addressed to my mom, but since my mom
has never lived at that address and has lived at the same address
for over 45 years, I opened it to see what it was. The letter
stated that they were compiling books on different surnames
containing information supplied by people with those surnames and
would I please fill out the questionnaire. It also stated that
since my surname was rather rare (Frye is really a rare surname!!!)
it was important that as many people as possible fill out the
questionnaire. Needless to say, it sounded like one of those
trashy ripoffs and I threw the questionnaire in the trash.
Terry Frye, Systems Programmer Bitnet: a01tmf1@niu
Northern Illinois University Internet: a01...@mvs.niu.edu