#announcements
Important info for Customer Marketers & Community members
Thread
My annual PMA membership renewed when I was on vacation. They send one reminder email and then 3 days later charge you. My former company paid for the membership but I was laid off from that role back in March and I have no need for the PMA any more. PMA refuses to refund me (sent a 7 paragraph email about why). Instead of being out $700 for nothing, I'd like to see if anyone here wants it. It's the executive level and you can access CMA content from there, I believe. I'm not even positive they'll let me transfer it but if someone wants it I can certainly try.
What about going to your credit card company? I’m sorry they did that.
Wow. Not cool, PMA.
Yes, I’d dispute it. $700 is a lot.
@ I KNOW
> I understand that the automated renewal notification, which was sent three days before the due date, coincided with your holiday, making it challenging for you to respond in a timely manner. I also empathize with the financial difficulties you've experienced earlier this year, especially as a working mother managing personal and professional responsibilities.
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> Upon reviewing your account and circumstances, I want to assure you that we take such matters seriously. However, as per the terms and conditions agreed upon at the time of your subscription - which include the no-refund policy on renewals - we are unable to process a refund for your membership. As evidenced by our records, these terms are highlighted on our purchase page and were successfully communicated to you.
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> We have also confirmed that we did not receive communication earlier this year from you regarding your desire to cancel your membership nor after your dashboard access this past June. If we had received the request at either of these points, it would have been in line with our terms and conditions and we would have had the opportunity to process a cancellation immediately so that you would not have incurred a renewal charge. As this did not happen, we will unfortunately have to act in accordance with our policy as previously stated.
Logging into the dashboard once ≠ use of the membership
@Mary Green (Owner CMAweekly) the bank can't refund me because their (PMA) policy says that it will auto-renew so that's on me fully.
So I'd like to try to offer it up here if someone wants it
Ugh, Val. Same thing happened to me! They really got us with those T & Cs.
This is a golden example of BE A GOOD HUMAN AND JUST REFUND HER. Like come on. This could easily spread to bad PR in their niche and I'm willing they could refund a whopping $700 to maintain goodwill and do the right thing.
Also HI @Vera Flores!
Oh hello there @Tim Jahn!
That email is unbelievable @Val Geisler. To get all personal about relating to a working mother and then basically say BUT YOU DIDN'T ASK US SOON ENOUGH SUCKER is just despicable.
Damn that’s douche of PMA - I’m happy to escalate this to Richard King the owner if it helps at all - just say the word
@Kevin Lau that's super generous of you. If no one here takes me up on the offer by EOW I may ask you for that. Policies exist for abusers of them, not situations like this.
@Vera Flores that's wild. They've never been known for their incredible customer service so I'm not surprised but incredibly disappointed nonetheless.
@Tim Jahn it's big PER MY EMAIL vibes and I hate it.
How, besides here, can you share your story and PMA's lame letter with everyone? Make it public how awful they are and maybe you'll get a "upon further consideration" letter.
@Kathy Fava I rarely use social to shame other companies but I was this close when I first got that email. I have since cooled down a bit.
You're absolutely right, Val. That was petty and wrong of me, certainly not taking the high road. I'm still mad about this, though, and wondering how to help.
@Val Geisler , I’m on with them Wednesday morning, I’ll bring it up and see if this can be escalated. I’m not sure I can help, but I know I can try!!
Wow, @Val Geisler that is a bummer and very bad business. Thank you so much for your kindness and offering your membership to us. Hopefully you can get a refund for it, but if not since I’m in between I can try to put it to use. Thank you. 🫶
@Val Geisler , just for clarity, you do have a paying job now right? You’re actively at ByHeart?
@Val Geisler they are looking into it. I’ll keep you posted. They do help with people who are out of work, so that did make it a bit trickier, but I tried to explain your situation and they seemed open to it. He doesn’t handle subscriptions, but said he’ll circulate it and get back to me. Fingers crossed =)
@Ciana Abdollahian they did the same to me (while on maternity leave!) and a lot of folks on the CM/PMM team at my company. Very frustrating awful brand experience we were all turned off by!
This company sounds terrible.
Yeah the reputation isn't great, @Tim Jahn. @Jane Menyo 120/10 would not recommend.
Thank you for bringing it up, @Ari Hoffman! Always a champion for CMers!
Always and forever
@Val Geisler I was told that head of Rev team reached out to connect with you. Not sure which channel, so check your slack, linkedin, and email.