Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

Helouise · #1 12-22-2009, 11:35 AM

Hi, my friend inside would like me to order from this company, but are they still in operation? We have never used them before. Their website is functioning, but not their phone and I don't want to send money to some where that is ceasing to trade.

Thanks for any guidance, Helouise

JMK · #2 12-23-2009, 05:51 PM

I have ordered from MGM multiple times, and we really like them. They are a small family run company, so if they take holiday vacation or something like that there'd be no one to answer the phone. I'd probably hold off on ordering until you get a hold of them, but I can say they're a great company, with a lot of unique, healthy products.

ZoeyR · #3 02-23-2010, 10:24 AM

Has anyone been in contact with MGM packages lately? The package we ordered for my husband in Novemeber was FINALLY delivered in late January. MGM said our next package would be free because of the lengthy delay, but they never sent a letter like they said they would to put it in writing. Now whenever I call it's either busy or it rings and rings, even on the weekends. It used to be they had an answering machine on the weekends. My husband heard a rumor that they are out of business, which would not surprise me at all with how slow they were and how difficult it always was to get ahold of anyone. And the fact that they cashed my check in November and didn't mail the package until 2 months later. Not a good way to do business! Obviously they were having financial issues... Does anyone know anything more? Have you had ANY luck talking to anyone there in the last week or so?

ChilaRena56 · #4 03-02-2010, 10:35 PM

This vendor is no longer in business, yet the website and phone lines are still up and running. But don't be fooled.
Don't use this vendor and mail in your money order with catalog sheet, you won't get your money back.
CDCR has now removed them as an Authorized Vendor for the State. The are supposed to pull any MgM 2010 catalogs from facilities as well as inform inmates that the vendor is no longer in business. Please pass the word.....Do not use MgM Packages as a vendor to purchase goods for your inmates.

ChilaRena56 · #5 03-03-2010, 09:27 PM

p.s. I was a victim of this vendor....i put in an order in Dec09, cancelled it; and it is now March 3, 2010, and I still can't get my money back. This business is a FRAUD!!!.

JMK · #6 03-03-2010, 09:39 PM

I'm sorry to hear about this, because when they were in business they were a pleasure to do business with. A family owned company that had a lot of really unique products. I'm not surprised to hear that they couldn't stay in competition with the big companies like Access.

Luv Hurts · #7 03-03-2010, 09:48 PM

They sucked and I am glad they went out or under whatever it was. They would tae 3 to 4 weeks to mial out a pkg, not call you when it was sitting there, but bst beleive they were on it when it came ot taking money out. I ordered shoes one time that said were available and then they were not and they substitued this ugly things that I did not order. Food i did not care about, shoesshould not be substituted.

2sleepy · #8 03-05-2010, 08:52 AM

I know that CDCR says that they are not responsible for these vendors- but they are 'approving them' and since they limit you to 3 or 4 sources I am guessing that they might actually have some liability when one goes out of business. I would like to see someone take them on- sue both the vendor and CDCR in small claims court.

ZoeyR · #9 03-06-2010, 06:23 PM

I agree with you- they cashed the check (or billed the credit card, back when they took them) right away, and then took two MONTHS to mail our package. Two times in a row we orderd WAY before the end-of-the-quarter deadline, and the package didn't arrive until well after the new quarter started causing it to count for the new quarter, not the quarter we ordered it for. Hardly ever answered their phone, frequently substituted things we did not want, and at times the food items were even moldy. I asked them not to make substitutions this last time, and then they (eventually, after changing their story a couple of times- "It's going out Friday," "We're shipping it Monday and THEN we can tell what is out of stock") tried to use that as an excuse for why it was taking so long to mail it out-- they were waiting for items to come in. What? Why not just tell me what was out of stock and let me pick out something else, or send me a refund? Very poorly run business, and I'm also not surprised they went under. I feel REALLY bad for all the people who lost money to them in the process.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv Hurts

They sucked and I am glad they went out or under whatever it was. They would tae 3 to 4 weeks to mial out a pkg, not call you when it was sitting there, but bst beleive they were on it when it came ot taking money out. I ordered shoes one time that said were available and then they were not and they substitued this ugly things that I did not order. Food i did not care about, shoesshould not be substituted.

lazyincali · #10 03-08-2010, 04:46 PM

Does anyone here know how they screen vendors for approval?

What is the criteria that a vendor has to meet to be approved?

Big-Arn · #11 03-17-2010, 09:45 PM

MgM apparently bit the dust about February 19. They had a phone answering machine message (at least for a few days) that said they were out of business and would "try" to return money where no package had been sent. They are no longer included on the CDCR's web page that lists approved vendors. Another web page alleges that the Better Business Bureau had given them an "F" rating. It's too bad, because they apparently had some unique products.

2sleepy · #12 03-18-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazyincali

Does anyone here know how they screen vendors for approval?

What is the criteria that a vendor has to meet to be approved?

This is what the CDCR website says about vendors:
"Vendors must receive CDCR approval before providing services to institutions. CDCR vendor approval is limited to minimum security requirements and general business intent. Purchases from vendors are at the buyer’s sole risk. CDCR assumes no liability for such purchases. Any issues or disputes regarding the vendor’s products are the sole responsibility of the buyer and/or vendor, and CDCR is not obligated to mediate or resolve any such disputes."

I don't think they can walk away from liability that easily. If any of you have been ripped off by a vendor who has gone out of business, I would suggest that you contact your local legal aid organization and ask them to pursue this for you. I think if CDCR gets taken to court a few times they will either make these vendors post a bond, or they will allow people to purchase from anyone that they want.
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/g...al_index.shtml