Bad news for the publishing company International Masters Publishers, which is once again having problems with the Antitrust. In a provision dated March 18, 2010, the Authority had already sanctioned the company with a fine of 70 euros. Now, more than a year later, the "Imp continues to implement a commercial practice that presents the same profiles of impropriety already ascertained", as stated in the latest weekly bulletin of the body led by Antonio Catricalà.
Between December 2010 and February 2011, the Antitrust received reports from some consumers who received "promotional material containing obscure and non-transparent information on how to activate subscriptions to publishing products". Not only did they find themselves signing contracts without realizing it, but they received constant payment reminders for editorial material that they had never requested. Anyone who has tried to contact the company to cancel the subscription "has not received a reply". The tools used by the company were coupons with the inscription "Order voucher with gift".
Consumers were asked to join the special offer of the "Welcome Pack for only 1,95 euros", specifying that they would receive new shipments, at a higher price, "approximately every 3/4 weeks". In order not to receive other material, it was necessary to send a cancellation to the company. Too bad that the coupon didn't even indicate the address to send the registered letter to. Imp said that it contacted customers by telephone, obtaining their consent to send the "Gift Package". Consumers, however, according to what the Antitrust claims, deny having received calls from the company.
According to the Authority, the coupons sent by IMP "do not inform clearly enough that with the receipt of the 'Gift Pack' consumers are automatically subscribed to subsequent issues of the editorial series". For this reason "the conditions exist for the initiation of the proceeding - concludes the Antitrust - which could lead to an administrative fine ranging from 10 to 150 euros". (cm)
