Reservation Rewards = SCAM

ATTENTION ONLINE SHOPPERS and Friends:

Before you purchase online for the holidays PLEASE read!

A year and a half ago I purchased flowers for my friend from FTD.com, not knowing I had signed up for much more than a bouquet of daisies…

After submitting my credit card information to pay for the $40 flowers on FTD’s website a page popped-up on my computer encouraging me to apply for a $20 rebate - for a poor college kid, that’s an attractive deal.

I clicked it to find out more information, but after realizing it was just another scam I exited the screen. NOTE: I did not sign up for anything nor did I purchasing any additional items. I bought flowers, nothing else.

Although I review my purchases regularly, I never noticed anything out of the ordinary on my account – until last night when I was checking my account again. There, on my online banking account screen I saw:

Pending Withdrawal - Reservation Rewards - $12.00

Reservation Rewards? What was that? I racked my brain trying to think what store I could have possible purchased $12.00 worth of rewards at. Nothing came to mind. That’s when I thought to Google search the “Reservation Rewards”, and I found these:

1.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQ7x3X6CN43d2k6TLJcsjJlgwlDwD9C1JV3O0
2.http://www.complaints.com/2008/august/24/FANDANGO___RESERVATION_REWARDS_SCAM_182699.htm
3. http://www.ripoffreport.com/Corrupt-Companies/FTD-Reservation-Rewa/ftd-reservation-rewards-do-not-c9pap.htm

I found hundreds of blogs and customer complaints about other people – like me - who were paying for the same bogus rewards program. Turns out, I was one of the unlucky ones.

Reservation Rewards IS A SCAM.

It’s part of a company called “Webroyalty” that claims to offer rewards points and coupons. Well, I’m here to tell you that THEY DON’T. I went to my bank to print out my debit history, and it looks like they’ve been feeding off my account for over a year and half. At $12/month – that’s more than $250 gone.

After calling the number (800-732-7031) and clicking around for 5 minutes, I finally got to talk to a customer service rep. He said I had signed up, and that it was my choice to participate. I told him that I NEVER signed up for anything and wanted my money back. He said they could only refund me up to 6 months prior to my call, I wish I would have pressed further, but $72 is better than nothing.

I alerted my bank and cancelled my credit card, but I won’t get back my $200.

Friends & followers PLEASE be careful this holiday season – even legitimate sites can be deceptive.

Here’s the most recent update about the scam as presented by the Associated Press.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQ7x3X6CN43d2k6TLJcsjJlgwlDwD9C1JV3O0

I can’t believe I fell victim to this, I just hope no one else does.

My Career & Such...

This past Thursday & Friday DC Networks traveled to St. Louis to explore advertising/PR agencies around the area. Essentially, the trip was a "career quest," or a way for students to learn more about agency life, network with potential employees and explore the opportunities St. Louis had to offer.

It sounds silly, but I feel the need to blog about my experience as a way to organize my thoughts! No, I won't be receiving a grade for my efforts (like I did last semester) but I hope that using this blog outside of a class setting will help me build my experience with social media (see below) and help me process my journey in pursuing a career in advertising and public relations.

To start, here are some of the key things I learned from the networking trip:
1. I need to get a Twitter/Linkedin account.
2. Most employees are impressed with our generation's knowledge of social media - if I want to impress potential employees, I need to show I am engaged and actively seeking to educate myself on such a topic.
3. Internships are ESSENTIAL. Often times, 1-2 internships won't set students above the rest. Several of the agencies stated 3-5 internships would be needed before even expressing an interest in a new hire.
4. I still don't know if a small or large agency is better suited for me, or if nonprofit is the way to go!

I learned a lot about myself and a lot about my potential career - but instead of elaborating on that, I'll start with an addition to # 2: social media. I am currently enrolled in a class called "Strategic Media." One of our first assignments is to subscribe to "mediapost.com" and explore the website. At first I was a bit hesitant - I hate signing up for things online - but after I realized the website is an extraordinary tool for those in Ad/PR, I changed my mind. Already, I have gained new and exciting insights on the world of social media/marketing:

First, it looks as if Facebook will be surpassing Myspace in terms of viewership and popularity. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/13/social-networking-will-facebook-overtake-myspace-in-the-us-in-2009/). Although stats prove that Myspace has over a quarter million more users than Facebook, it doesn't surprise me that it might eventually dominate the social media scene! I've never had success with Myspace (not sure I ever figured out how to use it correctly) and it seems as if Facebook is a bit more user friendly. Heck, if my aunt can figure it out - anyone can! Sure, I liked it back in 2005 when Facebook was exclusively for college students, but it's nice to have some way to connect with long lost friends in a not-socially-akward-manner. Looks like others are jumping on the bandwagon too! I'm interested to see how advertisers use this form of media to target their audience... more later on that!

Second, the increase in the popularity of cell phones/smart phones has caused a clash with media spending. From what I understand, companies are now realizing the importance of digital media and are looking to alter spending efforts on traditional media as a way to reach their targets. I remember reading an article in Advertising Age that highlighted the trends in cellular ads. As of last year, most cell phone advertising was target at younger males. However, it look as if that will be changing in the near future! As cell phones transform into hand held computers, companies will have to learn to take advantage of the mobile market. For now, I'll enjoy my cell phone as simple a calling device.

That's all the info I have for now! I'm not sure how insightful it was, but it sure helped me process :)

The End

It's time to say "sayonara" to my blog, and to be completely honest, I will not miss posting one bit! As happy as I may seem, I still do have a great appreciation for those that can actively maintain a legitimate blog site. I regret to say I did not find (or make) the time to truly devote myself to this project and I envy those that have the passion to post online frequently and make the most of their sites. Blogging is something that I have never really had a passion to do, or the time to commit to but I am grateful that this project gave me such an experience - I will surely benefit from this in my future career! 

This blog assignment has prepared me for a professional career in the way that it has forced me to closely monitor my online presence. Online postings, such as the ones provided in this blog have the potential to be found by future employers and coworkers. Just as a journal provides somewhat of a "secret outlet" for someone to write their thoughts and emotions in, they still are a tangible document that can be found and read by someone else. Although it may seem as if no one is keeping tabs on your blog, anything written or posted on the internet is ultimately public property. I remember my mom telling me when I was a kid, "If you want something to remain a secret, don't write it down." The same holds true for blogs, facebook or e-mail. the internet is a powerful tool and it has the power to make or break my career. 

I think more and more, PR Companies are beginning to utilize online communication because they offer a cheap and effective relations strategy. Whether people are working as a part of a large firm or a small nonprofit organization, blogs provide a way for the company to communicate with its constituents. Blogs also offer an attractive way for the younger generation to become involved (because it is new media!). They are available 24/7 and can be updated any time for up-to-the minute news. 

Looking back on my chosen topic or "theme" for this blog, I wish I would have chosen a broader topic, either that... or I wish I would have followed more closely with my theme, "Becoming a Woman of Influence." It was my intention to follow the book Becoming a Woman of Influence, given to me by Sarah Duvall, and use the chapters as a means for posting each week. However, (and I regret to inform you Sarah) somewhere between traveling home from Washington D.C. and moving to college, I lost the book and still have yet to find it! I attempted once during the semester to purchase a used copy, unfortunately the copy was too worn to be shipped and never reached my apartment. Two-thirds of the way through the semester I ceased all attempts to find the book and kept posting blogs that loosely related to the theme. In the future, I will devote myself more heartily to the theme and try NOT to lose the reading that serves as the basis for the entire project. 

Elections

It's official - the our sorority's Executive Council was voted into office tonight. I am now the first Vice President, or the President of the Programming Council. This means I will be leading the other committee in my sorority and serving as a liaison between them and EC. I have to admit, I am REALLY excited... but it's made me think a lot about the influence I wish to have on the girls in my chapter. 

You see... I can be a woman of influence, but with that influence comes wisdom and responsibility. This may sound cocky or arrogant, but it's not meant to be. Every leader holds some sort of respect or power that must be used wisely - and if that influence is not used correctly... the whole chapter will eventually will be affected. As the first Vice President of the my chapter, I will hold a large amount of power that has been entrusted to me by my sisters. I hope that my position will allow me to serve the chapter in a positive way, and that I will not overstep my boundaries as a leader. 

"A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position."  

-John Maxwell

I like this quote because it turns the focus away from the office I am about to hold, and it focuses the vision on my passion instead. Titles aren't important, it's the motivation to lead that drives the leader (to good, hopefully!) In order to keep my motivation and passion "good" I must make my mission bigger than myself and enlist the help of those greater than I. 

Build Me Up

This past week I have realized more than ever how much I appreciate my roommates and friends.... and most importantly, I have come to understand how blessed I am to know them all. 

Yesterday, on the way to class I became VERY sick and had to miss class. My family is far away in Kansas City, but my roommates took care of me when no one else could! They picked up my homework, got me medicine, ran errands for me, brought me dinner and made sure I was taking care of myself (even when I thought I was better!). AND, they even dealt with my bossy attitude when I started to feel worse! But, that's not the only time they've helped me. My roommates LIVE with me - they know me (the good and.... not so good parts!) and they continue to lift me up when I need it. 

Throughout the semester we have all taken our turn helping and being helped. Friends need that, I need that. My friends and I lift each other up when we're not strong. 

I don't have a ton of friends, but those I have are more precious than anything :) 

"True friendship consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and value." 

-Ben Jonson

Bigger Than Myself

This semester I started going to the contemporary service at the Second Baptist church in Springfield. It's held at 11:00 on Sunday mornings (which is excellent since I love to sleep in!) and it's called "Second Eleven." The past few weeks have highlighted a sermon series called "Bigger Than Myself" and I'd like to elaborate a little bit on it... 

During the first Sunday of the series the pastor asked us to evaluate whether or not we were living for a "big mission," "a mini mission" or "no mission at all." I decided that I was living for a mini mission, because I don't think I can change the world - but I do believe I can change a small amount of peoples' lives. 

It turns out that a "mini mission" is not what I thought! Those who live a mini mission are the hero's of their own story. They are the ones in control and decide their fate. Those who live a big or "grand" mission are in a story in which there is another hero and they are living to make that hero well known. 

My whole purpose of this blog was to be about "being a woman of influence." However, in the last few blogs.... it's been all about ME. Although I didn't fully know what a "mini mission" was, I think I am living one. 

I can't be a woman of influence when the focus is about myself and how I CAN make a difference in these girls' lives. The greater hero is GOD, and I should be living for his story... the influence will come later. 

That's why I looked up to Sarah Duvall, Megan Blosser and Jacquelyn Ratliff. Because they weren't living to make a difference in my life; they were living for something greater than themselves... and I'm lucky I got to be a part of it. 

Speaking of Elections...

ZTA is holding elections within the next few week for the 2009 Executive Council. I have really struggled over the decision to run for an office. I think I would like to run for a big position such as President of VP I. I've already served as VP III, or Recruitment Chair, last year and I want to continue my leadership in ZTA somehow. 

But... I'm scared of the responsibility it will entail. 

and... I am scared of the time commitment and the effort it will require of me. 

Maybe I'm especially exhausted right now, but I am not looking forward to the amount of work a new position will be. Next semester, I plan on taking 16 hours in addition to working in the Admission Office and for The Mirror as the Advertising Sales Manager. Somehow I've made it work this past semester on top of having a boyfriend AND  life (sort of!). But, whatever position I take will add a bigger commitment than the position I currently hold.

So, why am I running? It's always a struggle to define this for myself. Am I running because other people have suggested it? Am I running because I think it's best for the chapter? Am I running because no one else will do it? Am I running for selfish reasons? I don't know! Maybe it's a little bit of everything. However, I do know that despite all the time and effort it will require, I want to run because ultimately, it is my personal decision. I know being a leader is about taking what others want into consideration too...

Two years ago, one of my friends was struggling with whether or not to run. Although everyone asked her to, she decided not to run. She didn't base her decisions off of others opinions, but rather decided what was best for herself. Am I doing what's best for myself? She felt as if she could best serve the chapter as someone who wasn't in an executive office. However, I think I can be more effective IN an office. Although it's going to be a lot work, I can't wait for the GOOD stuff. I can't wait to help lead a group of outstanding Zetas and help them grow as leaders. 

I don't know how I'm going to do it... but I think I'm ready.