This number is on a card mailed from Tyler TX.  Supposedly for answering a 2 minute survey you get free nights in a Holiday Inn and $250 in Exxon gas.  You are supposed to mail the card back to them then call this number and put in your code.  The card said the code is HHG.  However the recording asks for a 10 or 12 digit number.  (It was on the card and has been mailed.)  Even entering the correct code, it went into a loop and kept repeating the "enter the code" command.  What's up?  What do they gain by having people call them.  Are they getting names and numbers through caller ID for some reason?  Who is J Marketing & Research, really?

I have called this number several times and the recording said give them the number on the post card. Then the recording say I did not understand I will connect you to a custormer service agent but only receive a busy signal and then hang up. I have no such post card. I am writing to find out why I have not recieved my 300 dollars gas rebate card and two complimentary round trip airline vouchers with 2 nights accomidations. I attended a 90 minute presentation 11-30-08 with this company GTG which is Global Travel. I have this certificate that say I will receive this in 6 weeks. Is this a hoax are what?

I just got home and opened my mail from a company called Department of Distribution, Division of Acquistion, 5400 University Blved. Suite 5, Tyler, TX 75707. Thinking their offer was too good to be true "you have been awarded TWO ROUND TRIP AIRLINE TICKETS FROM ANY MAJOR INTRNATIONAL AIRPORT IN THE CONTIENTAL USA ALONG IWHT HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS.  As an added gift, you will receive a $500.00 Rewards Cash Card" I decided to check it out and see what I could find out before I called the 888-801-4387 number.  Thank you to the gentleman who wrote about his experience.  It's not worth my trouble, even for the "suppose" generous incentives they are offering.  I only wish I had the time to jerk them around like they have other unsuspecting victims, because it does seem to pay off if you are willing to go the distance.  Again, thank you for sharing your experiences.  You have saved me a lot of time.

Same card received as the above commenter, and same situation.  While I would love nothing better than to call them up, and then force them to eventually cough up exactly what they are promising through this deceptive offer, I'm afraid I just don't have the time or patience to go twelve rounds with them before I finally get paid.

So, thanks and congrats to you, "Completely Happy"... unfortunately, I'm going to have to pass.

this number is on a post card.

SCAM!

Postcard...you're suppose to get freebies but you don't.

They still have an F with the BBB.

This is the J Marketing and Research in Tyler, Texas

I was called and told i would receive by mail a certificate for 2 nights at BEST WESTERN plus roundtrip airfare. I would like to know what has happened. I called back and they told me the number i entered from the card was not valid. Sounds crooked to me. I think our Attorney General will be hearing about this.  The number on the card to call is 888-287-7891.

It's nice that you received your $450 but it was still hardly FREE.  The amount of time, and the hoops you had to jump through, the frustration, etc. was worth the $450 you received.  I aso scanned my card and mailed it back on October 1st, 2008.  I have received nothing and don't expect to after all these postings including yours.  My time is too valuable to spend that many hours trying to recoup something they should have just taken care of.  I don't expect FREE things in life but when I do, I thank the Lord and move on.  I'm not upset, just disappointed in the way certain people and companies still make promises they don't keep or try to con people out of things they can't afford especially in todays economic whoas.  Hope things continue to work for you and congratulations for being in the minority.

"2 minute" survey turned into 10 minute high pressure sales pitch for local travel company.Did everything as requested and as much suspected, nothing. Miraculously, my claim # is no longer valid.
I would be very interested in pursuing legally if anyone else is up for it.
Company claims they were working on behalf of Bon Voyage Travel in Austin, TX.

they must use the postcard and calling in and verifying for purpose or they wouldn't be in business, someone is paying them to confirm your name, address and phone number!!! think about it, it is expensive to mail so many postcards and set up the whole system, it is for tracking there can be no other purpose.  I received the postcard today and googled the company and got here.  Who can afford to give out $250 and 2 nite hotel ($200) so a free  $400.  Maybe they are affiliated with bill collectors or identity theives. Has anyone started receiving any weird phone calls after calling in?

I just received $450.00 from J. Marketing and Research!

Let me say that again.  In caps -- so no one misses it...

J. MARKETING AND RESEARCH JUST SENT ME $450.00!!!


I know that a lot of people posting on this site are upset about J. Marketing and Research, and their postcards.  (I received mine on July 28th, 2008.)  But I patiently worked the system, and am now _thrilled_ that they sent me that postcard.  So I'm trying to spread the word, so that maybe other people will start to feel better about _their_ dealings with J. Marketing and Research, as well!


Here's the story.  (It's long and a bit involved, but stick with it -- I think you'll like it...)


I live in Lansing, Michigan.  I received the postcard, and was immediately highly skeptical.  But I went ahead and called 888-287-5525, vowing not to give them any sensitive or personal information, but interested in whether or not I could really get what they were promising.

I spoke to a representative on the phone.  She was very nice and professional, though it was obviously a "hard sell"-type conversation.  She assured me that, yes, I was indeed already entitled to $250 in gas and a two-night hotel stay, but if I would just drive to Ann Arbor and attend a presentation about their vacation packages, I could get even _more_!  I think it was another $400 in gas, plus free airfare to one of seven select cities.

I told the representative that I was skeptical of this deal, as the postcard was covered with exclamation marks and seemed too good to be true.  But I told her she could flag me in the "system," and that I would be happy to talk with her with a more open mind once I had received the initial incentives.

She assured me that I was entitled to the $250 in gas and the two-night stay already, but explained to me that if I went to the presentation in Ann Arbor, I could get the incentives (the original, _plus_ the additional) right there.  But if I didn't go to the presentation, I would have to wait 6-8 weeks for the incentives to be sent to me.  I said, "Fine!  I'll wait."

She replied, "But there are only 38 spots left at our presentation -- I can't guarantee that you'll still have a spot in a couple of months..."

I said that I was willing to take that risk...


So I waited.  For six weeks.  Then I called the number again (I scanned the card into my computer before I mailed it back with the "HHG" code written on it), and asked, essentially, "It's been 4-6 weeks -- where's my stuff?"

The man I was speaking with said, "Oh!  It takes 6-8 weeks for the cards to arrive -- not 4-6 weeks..."

I admitted my mistake.  I said I'd wait a couple more weeks.  In the meantime, he took my name and address again and said that he'd check into what was causing the delay...

Two weeks later (September 23rd), I called back.  I was given a new number to dial -- 800-337-0214 -- and I talked with "Kathleen."  She apologized, and said that she didn't know where the original mailing might be, but she said that she would send out a new mailing by Friday (Sept. 26).  She said it would arrive by the next Friday (Oct. 3).  I said, "Well what happens if the one you _already_ (presumably) mailed arrives in the meantime?"

She responded, "If that happens -- Merry Christmas!"

So I said OK, and waited for a week.  When the envelope arrived, it was hand-addressed, not machine processed.  Clearly, it was the "special" mailing, not the "automatic" mailing that should have come to me without any extra provocation.  However, it did not contain what I was promised.

I had been promised $250 in free Exxon gas.  I received a form on which it said that I had to pay $35 (which they claim is refundable) to get "the opportunity to receive $300 in gas rebates."  But the rebates have to be redeemed in $25 increments, and only after I've bought $100 worth of gas, and I can only receive one $25 rebate each month.

I had been promised a free 2-night stay in any Holiday Inn of my choosing.  I received a form on which it said that I had to pay $35 (which is NOT refundable) to get a "reservation request form."  Plus, when I get to the hotel, it said that I have to pay a $60 room rate tax deposit.  (Again -- nonrefundable.)

Plus, I also received a form for a THREE-night stay at a hotel.  But on the form, it said that I had to pay $40 (again -- NOT refundable) to get a "reservation request activation form."  Plus, when I get to the hotel, it said that I have to pay a $75 room rate tax deposit.

So -- I called the 800-337-0214 number back.  This time, I spoke to "Tina."  I related the whole, sordid story.  I told her that I didn't know for sure whether it was an honest mistake or just "business-as-usual," but it sure _seemed_ like, if I hadn't called back, I never would have gotten anything.  And if I hadn't scanned the postcard before I sent it in, I wouldn't have known how to get in touch with them.

Tina said, "Well, we're not the fulfillment house, and oftentimes companies want a 'good faith deposit' that you're going to do what you say you're going to do."

I said, "I understand all of that.  But even if you're not the fulfillment house, you ARE the company that promised me free gas and a free hotel stay.  It is YOUR company whose name is on the postcard.  And if someone wants a 'good faith deposit' from me, I'm going to remind them that THEY didn't do what THEY said they were going to do -- why should they expect more from me?"

Tina asked what I wanted.  "I'm assuming you want us to pay the $35 redemption fee for you?" she asked.

I said, "No.  I want what you promised.  I want a voucher for $250 in free Exxon gas, and I want a voucher for a free 2-night stay at the Holiday Inn of my choice."

She was very nice.  (It helped that, at the beginning of the conversation, I assured her that I wasn't at all upset with _her_ -- she was just the poor unfortunate who picked up the phone with me on the other end.)  She talked for a few minutes with a "manager," and then came back and said, "Well, I'm a manager too, and I'm going to see what I can do for you.  I'll talk to the other company and see if I can get you what you want.  Can you give me a couple of days?  My direct number is 903-565-6088.  Can you call me back at the end of the week, and I'll see what I can do?"

I said I'd be happy to call back on Friday (Oct. 3).

In the meantime, I started letting people know about my frustrations.  I e-mailed the U.S Attorney General's office (AskDOJ@usdoj.gov).  I filed a report with the Texas Attorney General's office (http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml).  I e-mailed the Tyler Better Business Bureau (info@tyler.bbb.org).  I let them know what had been going on so far, and asked them what they thought about all of this.

Well -- it turned out that I didn't get a hold of Tina Hackney again until October 13th, because she was out ill, but she did tell me that her company agreed to send me a gas card and a voucher for a hotel stay.  In return, however, I needed to write a letter to the company, stating that once I received this incentives, I would not pursue further any grievances in this matter.

Here's the heart of the letter I wrote...

*****************************************************************

Executive Incentives
5400 University Blvd.
Suite 5
Tyler, TX  75707

To whom it may concern:

I spoke today again with Tina Hackney about the incentives I was promised (but never received) after calling your 888-287-5525 number.  She said that I should write the following letter, and that this would guarantee my receipt of the $250 in Exxon Mobil gas and the two-night stay at a Holiday Inn which I was promised.  While I am personally of the opinion that I have already met the stated requirements for receiving these incentives (i.e. calling the number and answering the questions), the conditions I was offered are so reasonable that it would be petty of me not to meet them.  Therefore, I agree to the arrangement that Ms. Hackney described on the phone today.  The arrangement is as follows:

?  I am to receive a gift card or a gas card in the amount of $250.00 to be used to purchase Exxon Mobil gasoline.  It should be able to be used like cash (i.e. not a discount coupon or a rebate program), except of course that it cannot be redeemed for cash.

?  I am to receive a voucher for a two-night stay at any Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Select that I choose.  Ms. Hackney said that your company would pay for or cover any taxes or other charges that apply.  (She mentioned specifically a $37.50 per person charge that is normally applied at hotels.)  I am willing to stipulate that there will only be two adults staying in the room and no more.  As I told Ms. Hackney, I want to be able to redeem my stay using no more than a valid picture I.D., such as a driver?s license.  I do not want to have to carry any cash to the hotel.  I do not want to have to provide a credit card number to the hotel.  The voucher I receive is to take care of all monetary considerations relating to my reservation.  (Other things, such as food, are of course my own responsibility.)

?  In return, once I have received the above-mentioned incentives, I agree not to pursue further any grievances in this matter.  Furthermore, as I already sent a query to the U.S. Attorney General?s office (on 9/29/08), and as I already filed a complaint with the Texas Attorney General?s office and the Tyler Better Business Bureau (both on 10/4/08), upon receipt of the above-mentioned incentives, I gladly agree to contact each of those entities and report that my complaint has been resolved to my full and complete satisfaction.

?  Furthermore, since I have already brought this situation to the attention of those institutions, I will e-mail a .pdf copy of this letter to each of the addresses I contacted before, to let them know that an agreement has been reached in principle between us, and that the matter will be resolved as soon as I have received what I have been promised.

On a more personal note, I would like to express my disappointment with your company?s policies.  While I have been treated with nothing but respect by every single representative with whom I have spoken on the phone, and while I am grateful for the assistance I have received from every one of them (particularly Ms. Hackney), I am dismayed by the scam that it appears your company is perpetrating.  I have now spent close to a month trying to receive what I was promised on July 28th, and I am now convinced that the only reason that I am getting it is because of my persistence and my repeated calls.  And now, as an added condition for receiving what I was assured many times on July 28th that I had already ?earned,? I am being asked to remain quiet about it so that I ?do not create embarrassment for your company.?  I can only presume that this is a euphemism for ?do not alert others to your deception.?

If your company makes a practice of telling members of the public that they will receive incentives ?simply for calling and participating in a two minute life-style survey,? then when they do, your company should honor its obligations.  To imagine that your company is on firm ethical ground when it imposes further conditions on the receipt of those considerations after the fact (i.e. voluntary gag orders) is ludicrous.  The only reason that I agreed to such further conditions is because, personally, I am far more interested in receiving the incentives than fighting this particular ethical battle and, as such, these extra conditions are extremely easy for me to meet.

Signed, as in agreement,


*****************************************************************

Well -- three weeks later, we were still having trouble.  The hotel voucher Ms. Hackney was trying to get for me had a 250-mile-radius stipulation and didn't give me enough flexibility in making a reservation.  So Ms. Hackney suggested she just send a USPS money order for the value of an "average" hotel stay.  I said that was fine.  We agreed to go do some research on the cost of a hotel stay, and she said she'd call back in a week.

On November 14th, Ms. Hackney called back.  She asked if it would be okay with me if she just sent a USPS money order for $450, since she was having trouble acquiring a gas card from Exxon Mobil.  I said that was fine.  I myself had estimated that a reasonable hotel stay would be between $200 and $250 (including the taxes, which Ms. Hackney didn't consider), but since she was affording me extra flexibility by essentially giving me cash that I could spend however I wanted, I was willing to accept the lower estimate.

Ms. Hackney said that I needed to write another letter to reflect the changes in our agreement.  So -- here's my second letter...


*****************************************************************

Call Center Solutions
5400 University Blvd.
Suite 5
Tyler, TX  75707


To whom it may concern:

On October 13th, 2008, I wrote a letter to your company after I spoke with Tina Hackney about the incentives I was promised (but never received) after calling your 888-287-5525 number.  In it, as per Ms. Hackney?s instructions, I wrote that once I received a gift card or a gas card in the amount of $250.00 to be used to purchase Exxon Mobil gasoline and a voucher for a two-night stay at any Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Select of my choice, I would agree not to pursue further any grievances in this matter.

Since then, Ms. Hackney and I have spoken further.  Some of this communication was precipitated by the original letter getting lost; some by Ms. Hackney?s difficulty in procuring a hotel voucher such as was described in the agreement; and most recently by Ms. Hackney?s frustration in not ever receiving the gas card she requested from Exxon Mobil, even after repeated attempts.  So Ms. Hackney proposed a new solution, which I accepted.  The solution is as follows:

?  I am to receive a USPS money order for $450.00, mailed to me via FedEx with signature proof of delivery.  The $450.00 money order is being offered now instead of the gas card and the hotel voucher.  Ms. Hackney and I agreed on this figure, as the gas card would have had a value of $250.00, and we both independently arrived at a figure close to $200.00 for the value of an ?average? two-night, two-adult hotel stay.

?  In return, once I have received the above-mentioned money order, I agree not to pursue further any grievances in this matter.


Once again, now that it seems like this issue is about to be resolved, I would like to express my appreciation for Ms. Hackney?s efforts.  From my perspective, it seems like Ms. Hackney has gone ?above and beyond? her normal duties in her efforts to resolve this complaint.  As events unfolded, she proposed three distinct solutions to try to remedy the problems inherent in resolving the issue of the free hotel stay.  She has described to me her own frustrations about her protracted struggle in trying to secure a gas card for me.  I want to thank her for her perseverance and her creativity.

I wish that I could say that Ms. Hackney?s personal heroics help cast your company in a more flattering light.  Unfortunately, however, her administrative acrobatics only serve to show even more clearly just how fraudulent your company?s policies are.  I am certain that your company sends out hundreds, if not thousands, of these cards at a time.  And if I received this card here in Lansing, Michigan -- more than 1,000 miles from Tyler, Texas -- then I can only imagine what a wide net your company casts with these cards.  The very fact that Ms. Hackney had to spend a month trying to deliver only just that which your company offered at the very beginning of this fiasco, plus the fact that Ms. Hackney ultimately was unsuccessful in delivering what your company promised (resorting instead to paying me off in cash), offers substantial proof that your company never had any intention of honoring its promises or fulfilling its subsequent obligations.  For shame.

However, as a man of my word, I will continue to abide by the concessions to which I agreed in my last letter.  As I did before, I will e-mail a .pdf copy of this letter to each of the addresses I previously contacted (the U.S. Attorney General?s office, the Texas Attorney General?s office, and the Tyler Better Business Bureau), to let them know that an agreement has been reached in principle between us, and that the matter will be resolved as soon as I have received what I have been promised.  And upon receipt of a $450.00 money order from your company, I will contact each of those entities once more and report that my complaint has (finally!) been resolved to my satisfaction.

Signed, as in agreement,

*****************************************************************


Well -- today I received my money order!  I now have $450 in cash from J. Marketing and Research!  So since my grievance has been resolved to my complete satisfaction, I am trying to go further and _advocate_ for J. Marketing and Research.  I'm sorry I don't have any faster solutions to offer -- my solution did take me just short of four months of intermittant effort on my part.  But I was very pleased with my interactions with Ms. Hackney, and am thrilled to have an extra $450 as the holidays approach.  And maybe -- now that it has been done once -- maybe the process can be streamlined for others.

I know that this company is getting a bad rap on the Internet and in the news.  Perhaps if people heard my story and learned of steps that they could take to receive what they have been promised, they might also come to view their interactions with J. Marketing and Research in a more positive light.  But even if nothing else comes of this, I am very pleased that I received the postcard from J. Marketing and Research back in July, and am thrilled that might be able to help others find a way to feel more positive about _their_ experiences with J. Marketing and Research, as well...


:-)

Check out my post on page 4...  I think you'll like it!

I got the card in the mail tonight.. this one says "2 nights accommodations at Ramada Inn and $250 in Exxon Gasoline. The back says "This promotion is in no way sponsored by Ramada or Exxon". I feel like calling and saying "I just promised my grandma who has a terminal disease that I would give her the gift, and she's really excited about this. It gives her a reason to keep fighting".  I really hope this 'con artists' can't sleep at night.

To help eliminate some confusion, this is NOT the J Marketing Corporation in the Dallas area.  They are a legitimate marketing firm.  The company in question here is located in TYLER TEXAS.

Here is a link to the company in Tyler, Tx better business report:
http://easttexas.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=74&bbb=1075&firm=28042228

God Bless Google! What a great tool.

I have the post card.  I did call and entered the 'code".  this was an endless loop.  Let me know when I can send the card.

Thanks for all posts, it saved me the trouble of trying it out find out if it was a scam. I got the same little card in the mail - dumped it!!

hey count me in on the suit also.....this is very misleading cause i trieds to call the 888 number and it doesnt recognize my claim number on my postcard.

hey becky im with you on this same here happened to me...but how do we get a hold of these fraudgilant people?

Definitely requesting a DNC at the following numbers will help:

1-866-451-3070  (Safe Ride/ Versa Debt/ Clear Breeze Solutions)
1-866-884-6555  (Safe Ride/ Versa Debt/ Clear Breeze Solutions)
1-800-350-3046  (Versa Debt/ PHL)

1-800-461-6675 AFT Technologies call centre, request for ALL clients they represent

1-800-943-3250 MCS   groups/interest rates/debt/vacations/various
www.mcsdnc.com   but doesn?t give chance to request ALL companies working with MCS companies, so do both website and telephone 1-800-943-3250 number
1-253-383-8780 person will answer

1-800-441-6858 Elite Options, Inc.    vacations/surveys, opinions. Majesty Cruise Lines/Ramada/National Travel

1-773-483-1073  Mitchell Communications, request for ALL clients they represent

1-800-931-9744  JAK Productions, Inc.  re Fundraising and various other
1-212-555-1212 JAK Productions, Inc  Re Fundraising and various other

1-800-232-6641 The Vacation Store



Request DNC for ALL affiliated/associated/connected companies.


File complaint, easy, documented, fines:
Canada   https://www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca/plt-cmp-eng
      US   https://www.donotcall.gov/complaint/complaintcheck.aspx

My story is much the same as those above.  I do have a copy of the postcard and a return receipt showing receipt of the card that mailed certified to Tyler Texas.  I received all prizes from GVN but nothing from J Marketing and Research.  I have emailed them and intially the email was forwared to someone and they were instructed to send me the promised gifts by the marketing company, but have received nothing to datey.  I also filed a complaint with better business bureau in Tyler Texas. I guess it would have been cool to check these people out on Google first but I wasn't that smart. :(

I just got the postcard today. Thank goodness I saw this site first before calling. Thank you all for the information!

I received this card in the mail today. I have already thrown it in the trash where it belongs. Nothing in life is "free" people. If it looks too good to be true then it probably is. Do not even waste your time with such nonsense. These folks are nothing more than professional con artists at best.

Thanks Peter!! My sentiments exactly!  My husband wanted to call and I said you don't get anything for nothing!  And then googled them!!!  And got to this posting!!!  Phew!!!!

I called the Number .. they gave me the code. They asked if I wanted to receive additional prizes (airfare two tickets - 3 additional hotel nights - and an additional $300 in gas ) I could - all I had to do was continue to the next survey - therefore I did. They gave me instructions on what to do with the card. I followed them. I need to mail the card back in an envelope to the address with the code (I made a copy of the card) I will also get a notary to sign an affidavit that I have the card as matching the picture and that it appears to have been mailed by US Mail. If I do not receive the Gifts promised - not only will I contact an attorney but the FBI and the US post office will get a call and a letter - to arrest these people for Mail Fraud - each occurence is 10 years in Jail. The reason they want the card mailed back is - so you have no evidence that the card was mailed to you - as a matter of fact I might go to the post office first and get them to sign off on the card.

Please let me know what the attorney General has said. My email address is beck9221@sbcglobal.net. I would love to sue these people! I mailed my card back to them but i wrote all the info down.

Did you get your gifts? I did the same thing and it has been 2 mo. and I haven't received anything. I called back and they are claiming my claim # is invalid. If you started harassment procedures please let me know how to go about that and if anything came about. Thank You

You are wasting your time. I called and the gave me the same code HHG and I mailed it back and didn't receive my gas or my hotel stay!!! Somebody needs to do a class action lawsuit!!!

Got one in the mail today, and thanks to this site and everyone else who has researched this. Saved me 2 minutes of my time!

If I was in a fun mood I would call and mess with them.

I hope some legal action comes to them. The card clearly states getting 2 nights at Holiday Inn and $250 worth of Exxon gas for simply calling and participating in a two minute survey.

Yes, I called 888-287-5525 when I received the postcard.  The postcard read:  simply for calling and participating in a two minute life-style survey you will receive 2 nights accommodations at the Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn select of your choice.  Call in the next 48 hours and receive $250 in Exxon gasoline.  They tried to get me to buy Orlando, Florida trip.  When I told them I was not interested they HUNG up on me.  I called back with my claim # from the postcard and it no longer was valid (that fast)!