- November 23, 2024
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A publisher selling ads has claimed to be affiliated with the chamber, according to officials. The publisher denies it.
The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates recently issued a statement warning its members of contact and promotions from an Illinois-based company called Skyline Publishing. According to the chamber, Skyline has been soliciting Flagler businesses using the chamber’s name.
But according to Jeff Crusen, a Skyline Publishing representative, the allegations could not be further from the truth.
“We have not used their name,” he said, adding that all of his company’s phone calls are recorded to prove it. In fact, he said, “We tell our customers, ‘We are in no way, shape or form affiliated with the chamber.’ Every customer in your area … would have been told that upfront.”
Doug Baxter, chamber president, stands by the allegations. “They were using the chamber’s name,” he said, adding that he would pursue legal action if it didn’t stop.
According to Baxter, Skyline claims to sell a “Flagler County Florida 2012 Relocation & Visitors Guide.” The name of the chamber’s is “Fantastic Flagler Visitor & Newcomer Guide.” Invoices and payments have been issued for the guides, as well, with a $50 cancellation fee built into all orders.
“Over and over again,” Baxter said, the chamber has been notified of members being contacted by Skyline. Now, some members have gone so far as to decline to advertise in anything, out of paranoia, Baxter said.
“We don’t want someone coming in and then leaving a bad taste in the mouth of our (members),” he said. “This is just craziness.”
Of the 81 complaints filed against Skyline in the past three years through the Better Business Bureau, 60 have been closed. The bureau found Skyline made good faith to resolve concerns in 16 of the other cases and did not make good faith in five. Visit www.SkylinePub.com.
The deadline for advertising in the chamber’s 2012-2013 visitor guide is Feb. 28. For more, call 437-0106.
