U.S. Commerce Association Scam

My small business got this email but I thought it was pretty funny. It said that I received it for my business in a city where I moved from 2 years ago. There are scammers everywhere!

I suppose for a start-up company this contrived award may work as a start to build some credibility. Don’t be too hard on contrived awards, they’re everywhere. For example, take Chrysler / Jeep and their bogus “Trail Rated”. There’s no such achievement or certification as “Trail Rated” because Jeep made it up and awarded themselves the designation. I laugh my ass off every time I hear their commercial and they pat themselves on the back for an award they made up and never earned.

Funny enough, I can think a many vehicles from other manufacturers that deserve to be “Trail Rated” far more than any Jeep product. If that was an official award from a 3rd party, and Jeep actually had to compete to earn the designation, they would lose.

So even big companies partake in contrived awards. Maybe US Commerce Association can send an award notification to Chrysler / Jeep to help them out.

Yeah, it’s a scam, we got the same SPAM email. See the BBB posting on this one. http://spokane.bbb.org/article…eem-11397.

I received an award email from the U.S. Commerce Association on September 28, 2009. It came with a $79 plague and a Press Release that I couldn’t find. Running your business is hard work. I consider this type of scam cruel and unusual punishment. I would like to put these scam artists out of business once and for all. Lillian Cauldwell, CEO, Passionate Internet Voices Talk Radio, Inc. http://internetvoicesradio.com

I got this AMAZING offer too. Unfortunately I have been out of business for the last 3 years… It amazes me that I could do such a good job without even having my shop open. For what’s it worth I used to make award/plaques, etc and they are far cheaper than the $79 quoted above.

Our company received this email and it is a SCAM! What ever happened to people that were honest and had credibility? I called our local Chamber of Commerce and they had not heard of this type of business award. I definately see this company trying to make money in a very dishonarable way. One should never have to pay for their award! This is a true scam and shame on them!

I work for an international company with offices in over 50 countries, almost 10,000 employees and revenues pegged at over a billion dollars per year…and our company won the “Best of” award for “marketing excellence” for one of our offices in the Mid-West.

Now, naturally, this raised a red flag in my mind. How on earth did we win a small business award? A few questions here and there and a quick google search and my suspicions were realized: this was a scam. What stinks about it is that it hurts small businesses. My parents had a small business when I was a kid and I know the struggle of it. Just burns me when someone pretends to help small business, but really are just taking advantage of them.

One of the funny things to mention was before we uncovered the scam, my giant company decided that our tightening of budgets meant we wouldn’t pay pay for the award (which was another red flag, btw) but it seems that many small business have forked over the money.

Finally, to the poster saying “don’t be too hard on contrived awards”…this isn’t a contrived award. It is an out and out SCAM! At least with the Chrysler advertising campaign, you get a Jeep that you can drive. With this “award”, you get a useless chunk of glass.

Nice to be recognized as the Best of Pueblo 2009 for Video production. Very clever and they had the name of my company correctly listed, and some how found an obscure email address for a Rotary group I operate. I’ve done some fine video work in San Francisco and here, but I retired about six years ago. Don’t need a vanity award, but was impressed with the scam and how well they run it.

Wow, I’m an executive at a company and got this email for the small business I help run. At first glance, I was excited because we took above measures for marketing this year and I thought we were being recognized for it. But when I found out I had to pay for the award…I thought, “what a scam.” Even though, we were in Vogue 10 times this year, but no mention of that in the email.

It’s a total scam.

We got this email award two times this year! I knew it a fake when they spelled san fran incorrectly. What a joke! I guess some people fall for it.

i was an emplyoee of the business…and I feel horrible for the people I sold these too. it is a scam. It costs about not even $40 to get a plaque made and they charge fricken $80 to for on stupid plaque. And then $180 for a stupid crystal. They say you have been awarded the Best of (town) Award…when in fact there is a good chance they have never heard of the town. Seriously have you ever heard of an award you have to BUY? Awards are given to you. I told that to my boss and he told me the reason that they sell them is so they they can build their “business” well if they need money for a plaque or crystal why dont they go get donations from places like most places do that give out awards. It just makes businesses look stupid when they call and ask if they would like to buy their own award. I believe the definition of award. is not something that you buy.

I just received a similiar email from “Small Business Commerce Association” and I initially thought it was junk. Something caught my eye and made me look at it a little closer. I investigated the website, but thought it curious that we hadn’t applied for an award and couldn’t think of anyone else who would nominate us. I didn’t want to insert the “award code” to receive my press release. Instead I searched for them and found this scam. They sure know how to appear legitimate.

thank you for posting this on your website.

With everyone fighting for some sort of advantage, any reason to contact a customer and say “see how good we are”… I could see companies buying this “award” even KNOWING it’s a scam. They use it as an opportunity to toot their own horn and brag to unknowing customers.

I agree though, you’d be pretty embarrassed broadcasting that press release – when somebody writes back and notes that it’s a fake. In the long run it could do a lot of damage.

I agree though, it’s a good idea and a well-run little scam.

We just got it…I actually had a hard time finding anything leading me to believe it was a scam (which was shocking because this stuff comes my way all the time), then I found this page and…well, that’s it!

We do win real awards frequently…this one actually sounded true…except that we only got 4 stars;-)

http://sanjosebootcamp.com
http://primephysique.com

Glad I found your site as I just received this message:

I am pleased to announce that …. has been selected for the 2010 Best of MyTown Award by the US Commerce Association.

In recognition of your achievement, a 2010 Best of MyTown Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly by following the simple steps on the order form.

The US Commerce Association website even looks legit (unfortunately) but glad I sniffed out the scam.

They do a nice job of trying to hide behind the title ‘US Commerce Association’, but they are just a small firm in NY that markets overpriced award plaques that are sold under the guise of being an award. Doesn’t exactly fit with their Vision Statement on their website (http://www.us-ca.org/AboutUsUsca.aspx ) “Promote the best practices in the industry.”

Of course the fact that we ‘won’ an award for best Fitness Center is a big tip off since we do nothing of the sort.

I too have been selected to purchase this prestigous award. As it the case with others above, I have not been in operation since the beginning of 2009. Of greater concern to me is, “who would be foolish enough to fall for this scam?”

Thank you!This is a very useful article for me!

We’re a church and were just informed that we won “2010 Best of Mercer Island Award in the Religious Organizations category.” How does one become the best Religious Organization? More and better miracles? Our spiritual guidance is superior? We saved more souls? LOL!

I didn’t recognize the outfit and a minute or two of googling “US Commerce Association” turned up a BBB caution and this site.

Like some others, at first I thought “Wow! We’re cool!” Then I remembered:

“Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs, 16:18

What a trip. $200 for a cheap plaque and a plastic statue. I’m in the wrong business.

I’m like everyone above, I thought, wow, how cool! The next thought was, hey, wait a minute, who are these people and who nominated us? I first went to their website but did not want to commit by putting in my code; so I had no idea ‘it’ cost money. The site looks legit, but something felt off. Further seaching first took me to the BBB site, who tells it like it is! BBB threw up enough red flags that I knew this was not for my company. In my search for the truth, I next landed at this site and it confirmed all my suspicions! I feel sorry for the poor souls who fell for this scam.

It seemed appropriate that we should be awarded such an honor, since we have felt for many years that we are the best door shop in the Modesto area. However, we could just have our own plaque made and give it to ourselves. It would have as much meaning as the one offered from the US Commerce Association. And it would be cheaper. At least they spelled “Capitol Door” correctly.

Small Business Commerce Association,, this “award” is a scam and not worth the wood the placard is printed on..

It had me in the wrong city.. but they were gracious enough to allow me to change to correct city.. ROFLMAO

SCAM SCAM SCAM…

i posted this message with Small Business Commerce Association in the first part of the message so it will be searched better by google..

every one posting a scam message BE sure to put Small Business Commerce Association in the first line for Google search pickup..

go a google search for Small Business Commerce Association and see how it comes up..

good day all and happy times are a coming in nov..

Think about this folks – JD Power, the BBB themselves – how do those companies give those “free” awards OR A ratings in the case of the BBB? Oh, they make you BUY into the system to begin with. Companies have to PAY to be considered. The marketing tools are still provided to you, whether or not you purchase a “plaque” or “award” from the SBCA or USCA. You still get the recognition. I checked into this so called “scam” in depth. Their information on companies is collected by a series of 3rd party data providers – companies such as Dunn & Bradstreet. Companies in each town are rated on a series of points given by the data providers. The BBB wants payment for every city that awards are given out in. This is not feasable to a small award recognition company. There is no pay-to-play system here, you still get the recognition whether you purchase the award or not and do not have to pay to be considered.

2 years ago I got an email from U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). They said we was the best. I didn’t do any research before I buy the plaque. I suspect it is a fake when they sent me another email in 2009. This time they have a crystal award with a higher purchase amount. I didn’t fall for it and start research on the net.
So I received an email from talk of the town today saying that we are the best. After I read all the reviews on this site I decide to copy the link and email them with the title SCAM, 5 min. later I got a return email back from them. I think you should never pay for your own plaque.

John,
This award is for real. Our company is led by professionals with over 30 years of successful business to business publishing experience with a unique vision. We hired the best editors, writers, administrative staff and research team to produce the best results. We have invested a great deal of time and financial resources to survey the thousands of businesses with online posts from customers in order to qualify those that have been getting good ratings. In fact, it takes us 6 full time people to make sure we cover the entire country each year. It is a labor of love. The Talk of the Town Award measures and recognizes businesses for what their customers say about them online at different websites.

Celebration Media
Talk of the Town News/Awards
32000 Northwestern Highway Suite 128
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(877) 498-6405 ext. 805
fax (877) 659-1653

Check this out
http://spokane.bbb.org/article/us-local-business-association-(uslba)-sending-random-award-notices-to-businesses-5195

I’m glad I checked this out before contacting them! I also got one of their e-mails, and became suspicious as soon as I got to the part about “exceptional marketing”, since I haven’t actually sold anything in years!

Wow! Now I’m depressed. Here I thought we won this great award for not doing anything.

Even though they spelled our company name wrong and wanted money for the award they had to be on the up and up… right? Ha!

And I thought I was special! lol

OK, who thinks Becky is on the payroll of the scammers?

If you’re bored you can go to the scammers’ website, click the Contact Us link & vent your spleen on them. Cheaper than therapy. : )

Hi,

I received the following SCAM email about an hour ago. Funny thing is, I moved to a neighboring city 18 months ago!

From: Board of Review
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 1:56 PM
To: sales@team-solutions.com
Subject: Team Solutions Inc Receives 2010 Best of Laguna Hills Award

I am pleased to announce that Team Solutions Inc has been selected for the 2010 Best of Laguna Hills Award in the Electronic Circuits category by the US Commerce Association (USCA).

I’m sure that your selection as a 2010 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses. In recognition of your achievement, a special 2010 Best of Laguna Hills Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to Team Solutions Inc by following the simple steps on the 2010 Best of Laguna Hills Award order form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser to access the order form:
http://lagunahills.uscommassoc.com/ACZN-LUWB-J3B

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Also, a copy of the press release publicizing the selection of Team Solutions Inc is posted on the USCA website. USCA hereby grants Team Solutions Inc a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, distribute, and display this press release in any media formats and through any media channels.

In order to provide you with the best possible service, you have been assigned an award code that can be used on our website for quick access to your award information and press release. If you have any questions or comments, please include this code with your correspondence.

Your Award Code is: CZN-LUWB-J3B

To place your order over the phone – please call us at: 877-312-9340 and select option 1.

Sincerely,

Kelly McCartney
Board of Review
US Commerce Association

The intended recipient of this notification is the Marketing Director for Team Solutions Inc. If you have received this email in error please forward it to the intended recipient. If you do not wish to receive further advertisements from USCA, please mail a written request to: US Commerce Association, 5042 Wilshire Blvd #13854, Los Angeles, CA 90036 or simply click to opt-out.

Gee I thought I was really special falling for this twice so no wonder we got a threepeat!!

For the third consecutive year, I am pleased to announce that Merlin Petroleum Co., Inc. has been selected for the 2010 Best of Westport Award in the Petroleum Products category by the US Local Business Association (USLBA).

Nationwide, only 1 in 120 (less than 1%) 2010 Award recipients qualified as Three-Time Award Winners. I’m sure that your selection as a 2010 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses. In recognition of your achievement, a special 2010 Best of Westport Award has been designed for display at your place of business. You may arrange to have your award sent directly to Merlin Petroleum Co., Inc. by following the simple steps on the 2010 Best of Westport Award order form. Simply copy and paste this link into your browser to access the order form:
http://www.uslbaaward.com/ACZX-LWE2-FTQ

The USLBA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These

Did you know Emmy Award winners get one award and have to pay for any additional? So when you see a team of 20 Daily Show writers on stage, they have to pay for those trophies. I also heard the same for Grammy awards. Did you win an award because you are special? Yes! Is the award free? No. This only makes sense. What company can just give out awards? No one. These awards are for the select few. And it’s not like they are giving everyone a chance to buy one. I looked over their site, and you have to have a high online rating. And looking at the company’s listed, it’s true. So this is a real and legit business. Quit bashing them like they aren’t

I got the letter for a domain for a company I never ended up starting. When I lived in San Francisco 10 years ago. I never even created a website for the company. I find it very amusing that I got the award for best marketing! I don’t own the site anymore and after a quick check, no one else has done anything with it either.

So those of you who think this is a great honor, you may want to give it another thought. I’m sure your companies are great, but find someone who is legit to give you an award.

We just got one of these via fax, addressed to our company name. Total scam. Just google them. I’m always amazed by how bold these scammers are. I should send them a bill for my time and for our ink/fax paper, haha.

I was looking at a competitors website and they have the award listed.and couldn’t figure out how they won.Now I know they bought it. Now they makes sense When you can’t win a award Buy One.

Thanks for this page. It confirmed my suspicion that this was a scam. My first clue was that we were “Best in St. Paul.” We’re not in St. Paul, even though the USPS codes us that way. We are in Roseville. My second clue was the request to pay for the award. Apparently we are a new target – a Catholic School. Given the competition for students, it looks like a feather in the cap and a way to impress parents. I’m glad I didn’t fall for it.

We also got a similar message. The message told us we had xyz marketing practices and we should b honored blah blah blah…the interesting this is my company is ref based. We do not advertise. This is the first RED FLAG!

We just received the email as well. My husband was excited because we have been working very hard to establish ourselves in our community. I was suspicious. Glad I was. Thank you for the article.