U S Promedia

This company sells computers and other educational materials via door to door sales representatives. Initial reports on this company's activities seem to indicate they primarily solicit the Latino population in Southern California. Based on a review of the company's contract, and other file information, we believe this company may be using high pressure sales tactics, false or misleading advertising, and verbal misrepresentations relating to the offer or sale of their products.

We urge caution. Our experience with similar offers has been that some customers receive only partial orders rather than their entire system contingent upon their payments. Most buyers believed they were being offered credit, and not a pay as you receive plan. Other types of problems for this industry are generally that computer systems are overpriced, are refurbished, and not new, or that systems are delivered inoperable.

Door to Door salespersons often use high-pressure or scare tactics and sometimes misrepresent the quality and value of their products. They may charge several times the going rate for comparable merchandise and services. To avoid being victimized by an unscrupulous seller, keep in mind the salesperson is at your door uninvited and remains there only at your courtesy. Don't let yourself be hurried, intimidated or coerced. If you are interested in buying from a door-to-door seller, get everything in writing including price, warranty and all conditions. Tell the salesperson you will check it out and get back to him. Ask for proper identification before listening to a sales pitch. Be careful about letting any salesperson into your home. Don't fall for the "sympathy" approach. Salespersons may say they're working their way through college or in some other way try to get your sympathy. Be wary of any offer that includes "referral sales." A referral sale is when a seller offers to pay you a certain amount of cash or promises a discount if you give him the name of friends who might buy his products.
Don't make any payment hastily, especially for merchandise or services you haven't received.

California law provides the right to cancel any in home sales contract for $25 or more, within three business days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) if the seller personally solicited and presented the contract in your home. The law also requires the seller to advise you of this cancellation period, and provide instructions for cancelling if a special format is required. If you wish to cancel, we suggest you send the cancellation notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you have proof of the notification. This law does not apply to business to business transactions.