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World Business Guide - WARNING!!

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Bathead

Just a warning to avoid the World Business Guide when looking for directories to list in. We submitted ours when trawling around for free submissions, as you do.

Anyway this morning in pops an email asking us to print and return the attached fax. Strange, but I took a look at it anyway. At the head of the fax it states 'UPDATING IS FREE OF CHARGE'. Then the shocker is reading the very small print towards the bottom:

THE VALIDATION TIME OF THE CONTRACT IS THREE YEARS AND STARTS ON THE EIGHTH DAY AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT. THE INSERTION
IS GRANTED AFTER SIGNING AND RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER. I HEREBY ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION WITH SERVICE PROVIDER
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORIES LTD “WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE”. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO
995. THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN NOTICE IS RECEIVED BY THE SERVICE
PROVIDER OR THE SUBSCRIBER TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION.


Ouch! Scam! Beware!

The headline gave a clue as the language changes slightly with 'Updating' indicating that maybe physical administration is free.

Always read the small print and anyway don't sign an agreement for a directory listing, you shouldn't need to.

Take a look at this, why didn't I spot it. Well you don't always have time to investigate everything you do, just never sign without investigating.
 
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You would be much better off using a program called WebCeo to submit your website. And it's free to download and use. :)
 
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An Oasis said:
Is one way to look at it (and not a bad halfway house) but the question is are the links worth having and the answer is...no. A total waste of time.
Click to expand...

Too right. Better to do a bit of rainy day link building to directories direct. Not of great benefit but maybe a little nudge in the right direction.
 
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not a good idea to do automated directory submissions. repeat content between all pages that link to your site is very bad for seo. to get good use from free directories, create varied site descriptions for each submission. more tips here
 
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Hi everyone, World Business Directory which is No. 1 on google for key phrase "World Business Guide" is not scam. You can submit your all web sites offering services related to business without any risk of being spam to death.

Another thing very good about this directory is that it is search engine friendly and that is why it is on top of Google and any listing approved by the Administrator and posted is very quickly picked by Google and Yahoo providing you a quality back link. Above all it is free to submit your site. So get benefited by this and enjoy free quality back link to your site
 
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Hi there

I went through an article written by David H Bolton stating the same thing about World Business Directory. I contacted him and ask him if he had any proof of that and if he he had asked him to send to me so that I know. He replied me with this:

"Hi
I think you misread the article. I haven't changed it (in case you think I did).
I said in it (about half way down).actually there is a typo which I'll fix.
..
World Business Directory (Their 2009 attempt).
NOT the legitimate people at worldbusinessdiary.com but WORLD-BUSINESSDIRECTORY.COM. I used their trademark style of all caps! The linke done is ok, the unlinked one is not."

I think it clears the things.
 
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It does not clear things at all.
The world business directory is a well known scam having been investigated by mulitple police authoritys across Europe.
 
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streetslocal said:
It does not clear things at all.
The world business directory is a well known scam having been investigated by mulitple police authoritys across Europe.
Click to expand...

Yes it is a well known scam...and if you don't pay they will pass your details / debts onto a Debt Collection Agency...funnily enough registered at the same address. :rolleyes:
 
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Hi,

All the articles and complains are for Euro Business Guide. World Business Directory is not scam and dosnt ask any money for business listing. All you have to do is just to fill your details and if your web site is appropriate to be listed, your business detail is posted. No cost, no hidden cost, no risk.
 
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emarketer2009 said:
Hi,

All the articles and complains are for Euro Business Guide. World Business Directory is not scam and dosnt ask any money for business listing. All you have to do is just to fill your details and if your web site is appropriate to be listed, your business detail is posted. No cost, no hidden cost, no risk.
Click to expand...

No you do charge people....
Its the reason for the first post.
 
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World Business Directory is just a generic name.
Just because emarketer2009 is calling his directory,
World Business Directory
doesn't mean he is associated with the scams.
 
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In Response to the threads ref: WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE I have to agree with the first post on how its a scam. Of course its a scam to those or don't agree, if it was a genuine sales pitch it would state wording either in a different format or more clearly,only SCAMMERS tell people at the small print what its going to cost! And in business when your extremelt busy and also trying to promote yourself if you think its free you'll try anything. So thanks to the person whom originally let us know of this scam cos i very nearly did sign it! ANY COMPANY NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE FULL DETAILS TO THE CONSUMERS WITHOUT HAVING TO PRINT THEM SMALLER THAN POINT 8 TEXT IS JUST CONNING PEOPLE INTO SOMETHING THERE UNAWARE OF!

If they where reputable then they wouldn't try and cnvince you to sign this so sneakly!


BEAWARE OF WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE SCAMMERS!!!:mad:
 
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fayec126 said:
In Response to the threads ref: WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE I have to agree with the first post on how its a scam. Of course its a scam to those or don't agree, if it was a genuine sales pitch it would state wording either in a different format or more clearly,only SCAMMERS tell people at the small print what its going to cost!

BEAWARE OF WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE SCAMMERS!!!:mad:
Click to expand...

Are you looking at the same site as me. A search for World Business Directory returns loads of sites but http://www.worldbusinessdiary.com doesn't have any small print or appear to charge anything. All the articles and warning are about a completely different business directory.
 
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...included is the fax that is being discussed here.

1 - The sender email address is on the domain: (a.t.)nfo-wbg<>info
2 - The email address they publish for registration is : (a.t.) worldbusinessguidenow<>biz
3 - The comany advertised is WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE
P.O. Box 2021
3500 GA Utrecht
The Netherlands
4 - The text in the email specifically states: "Updating is free of charge"
5 - Their advertised web domain is : WORLD-BUSINESSGUIDE <dot> COM
6 - States: The World Business Guide is a product of International Directories LTD,
7 - Below is the Small Text included on the order form - Note the bit in BOLD - I have bolded this to draw your attention, it is not bold on the original text and is hidden well with surrounding text.

ORDER
THE SIGNING OF THIS DOCUMENT REPRESENTS THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND THE CONDITIONS STATED IN “THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS FOR INSERTION” ON WEBPAGE: WORLD-BUSINESSGUIDE <> COM. THE SIGNING IS LEGALLY BINDING AND GIVES YOU THE RIGHT OF AN INSERTION
IN THE ONLINE DATA BASE OF THE WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE, WHICH CAN BE ACCESSED VIA THE INTERNET. A CD ROM WITH WORLDWIDE BUSINESSES IS
GRANTED, ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONTRACT CONDITIONS STATED IN “THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INSERTION” ON WEBPAGE: WORLDBUSINESSGUIDE <>
COM. THE VALIDATION TIME OF THE CONTRACT IS THREE YEARS AND STARTS ON THE EIGHTH DAY AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT. THE INSERTION
IS GRANTED AFTER SIGNING AND RECEIVING THIS DOCUMENT BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER. I HEREBY ORDER A SUBSCRIPTION WITH SERVICE PROVIDER
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORIES LTD “WORLD BUSINESS GUIDE”. I WILL HAVE AN INSERTION INTO ITS DATA BASE FOR THREE YEARS. THE PRICE PER YEAR IS EURO
995. THE SUBSCRIPTION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED EVERY YEAR FOR ANOTHER YEAR, UNLESS SPECIFIC WRITTEN NOTICE IS RECEIVED BY THE SERVICE
PROVIDER OR THE SUBSCRIBER TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE SUBSCRIPTION. YOUR DATA WILL BE RECORDED. THE PLACE OF JURISDICTION
IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING IS THE SERVICE PROVIDER’S ADDRESS. THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SERVICE PROVIDER AND THE SUBSCRIBER IS GOVERNED BY THE
CONDITIONS STATED IN “THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INSERTION” ON WEBPAGE: WORLD-BUSINESSGUIDE <> COM

Summary? 3 domain names used? Price well hidden in T&C's, after saying it is free in big lettering?

Sound legit?
Yeah right.
This has SCAM written all over it!

Uncle.
 
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Hi Aftab,

if what you say is true, then who are these companies:


  • [*]EU Company Directory
    [*]Euro Business Guide
    [*]European Business Connection
    [*]EU Business Services Ltd
I am not one to speculate but there is alot of talk about these 'umbrella' of companies. Generally the World Business Directory. None of it is good either. I would be cautious!!!
 
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UncleCiao,

I agree that the fax is a scam. But that's got nothing to do with worldbusinessdiary.com

PerfectOffice

Same to you, world-businessdirectory.com and worldbusinessdiary.com are not the same animal - check whois.
 
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If you are in any doubt then avoid any variation of the so-called World Business Directory, especially those that are based outside of the UK.

If it states that its FREE then puts a significant charge in the small print, under UK law its not an enforceable contract. I've no idea what the European Law is on unfair contracts but why take the risk?
 
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Just to clarify. worldbusinessdiary.com which is top of the list following a google search for 'World Business Directory' does appear to be a legitimate business and NOT a scam.
However, be very carefull with all the others below.

Knowing that the term 'world or EU business directory' is known for scamming why someone would set up a legitimate website of a very similar name in the same trade I don't know!
Good luck to them.
 
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Thanks for the post. I am the CEO of "The eMarketing Consultants" and running this worldbusinessdiary.com beside so many other web sites. You can see that there is no payment system on worldbusinessdiary.com. No member ever complained about anything. If you list your business on WBD, your web site is rewarded with a back links with in 2-3 days. So again I want to clear this from this platform that worldbusinessdiary.com is not scam and not involved in any illegal business.

Thanks for being here.
 
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Does anybody knows what happens to those who signed and returned the registration form of the World Business Guide (the scammy one, not the legitimats look alike).

We did and, though we cancelled the order upon receipt of the invoice, and before they included our data in their databank, they have been showering us with mails and faxes demanding payment of 995 euros, as per the small prints.

They have a Debt Collection Agency located at the same address as their "business", and some posts indicate that they use it to extract payment from those having signed the form.

Any info welcome.

Thanks
 
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If you have fallen victim of the World Business Guide, like we did, I just want to point out the following suspicious elements that appear in their own correspondence and Terms and Conditions. Just in case it might help.

In addition to the numerous postings on the Internet denouncing them as scammers, the following points seem suspicious:​

Article 9 of their Terms and Conditions states that: “The place of jurisdiction in any dispute arising is the service provider’s address.”​

Yet, the information relative to their physical address is confusing as at least three countries figure in the details they provide.
The snail mail address of that company is in Utrecht, Holland at :​

World Business Guide
P.O. box 2021
3500 GA Utrecht
The Netherlands​

The return mail address for the payment reminder is in a different city than their postal address:
Skynet
Bornhout 15
1046 BE Amsterdam
The Netherlands​

The contact details on their website gives another address in Spain:
World Business Guide
C/ Azcona, 58, local
BOX 252
28028 MADRID
SPAIN​

And the bank details they provide indicate that their bank is in Hungary :
PAY TO : International Directories Group Ltd.
Bank : Unicredit Bank Budapest, Hungary,
IBAN : HU2110918001000000372210012​
Swift code/BIC : BACXHUHB

Furthermore, their invoice stipulates that : No VAT invoice for E.C. customers. For customers (enterprisers) from the EU : “VAT has moved to entrepreneur”. As businesses located in non-EU country are not submitted to EU VAT, this could indicate that their physical location is outside of the EU, which would imply yet another address

Hope this might be useful.

By the way, should we decide to sue them for unfair commercial practice, does anybody know in which part of the world their "service provider" is located?


'Mila Tova' International Translations Ltd.
Specialists in Arabic, Hebrew, English and French
Tel: (+) 972-3-5245035 Fax: (+) 972-3-5271608
Sun-Thur 9am-7pm, Fri 9am-1pm (GMT +2)​

Please visit our website: milatova . com
 
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emarketer2009 said:
Hi everyone, World Business Directory which is No. 1 on google for key phrase "World Business Guide" is not scam. You can submit your all web sites offering services related to business without any risk of being spam to death.

Another thing very good about this directory is that it is search engine friendly and that is why it is on top of Google and any listing approved by the Administrator and posted is very quickly picked by Google and Yahoo providing you a quality back link. Above all it is free to submit your site. So get benefited by this and enjoy free quality back link to your site
Click to expand...

Oh come on it may be No1 for "world business guide"

But as no one searches for that term,not a lot of bleeding use to anyone who wants to make money.:mad:

Earl
 
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