ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 12, 1990                   TAG: 9004110300
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Tammy Poole
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU NAMES TOP 5 MAIL-ORDER COMPLAINT GENERATORS

The mail-order industry continued to generate the highest volume of complaints to the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York last year.

There were more than 11,000 mail-order complaints in 1989, a 40 percent increase over 1988.

The top five complaint generators in the mail-order industry, in alphabetical order, are:

American Direct Industries Inc. Tradenames include: American Direct Discount Shopper; American Vision Research; Applebey, Noble & Co. Inc.; Cambridge House; Carlucci Jewelry Gallery; Christopher Gallery of Fine Gems; Henri of Paris; Market Research Bureau; Pooles Fifth Avenue; Poole's Beauty Boutique; Premium Distribution Center; Prize Headquarters; Wilson & Whyte; Win-O-Gram.

Direct Marketing Enterprises Ltd. Tradenames include: RBM, GHR, Carter & Van Peel; National Historic Mint Ltd., Gem Collectors International Ltd.; DV; Cheeselovers International Ltd.; and Abernathy and Closther.

HKS Purchasing Inc. - Tradenames include: Ashley Collins; American Showcase; and American Gift.

Modern Coupon Systems. Tradenames include Dr. Leonard's Health Care Products and Healthfast.

Synchronal Research Corp. Shows include among others Chae Basics; Chae Beauty Imaging System; Children's Video Club; Hand & Foot; Home Show; How to Buy a car; Kibbe's Metamorphosis; Loving Together; Memory Dynamics; Natural Cover with Linda Seidel; and Raising Responsible Kids.

Each of these companies has appeared on the BBB's list of top mail-order complaint generators in the past.

Quickline helps consumers get service, information and refunds of more than $25. Mail complaints, questions to Quickline, Roanoke Times & World-News, Box 2491, Roanoke. Include name, address, phone number and photocopies of documents such as canceled checks, receipts or credit-card statements. Documents cannot be returned; complaints cannot be taken by phone. Questions not selected for use in the column will not be answered personally.



 by CNB