A Warning to Freelancers
I am writing this review to warn other freelance journalists, photographers, and media professionals about my negative experience with Freelance Journalists Association running on website presscard-application.com. I ordered a "freelance journalist card" from this site, believing it to be a legitimate service. Unfortunately, my experience suggests it is not.
The Initial Appearance
The website appears professional enough to be convincing, promising a press card that can help freelancers gain access and credibility. Like many independent journalists, I was looking for a way to formalize my status, and this seemed like a straightforward solution.
Once my payment was processed, the problems started. I have received nothing but a series of emails claiming that the printing and delivery of my card are "delayed."
"AI" Support and No Real Answers
When I tried to contact their customer support to get a clear update, I was met with what is clearly an AI-powered chat. The answers were generic, unhelpful, and did nothing to resolve my issue.
Refund Refused for a "Custom" Item That Doesn't Exist
Given the lack of support, I requested a refund. The company refused, claiming that a refund was not possible because the card is a "custom made" item. This is an absurd excuse, as they have simultaneously been telling me that the card has not even been printed yet. How can an item be too "custom" to refund when it hasn't even been created?
Conclusion: Avoid This Website
My experience leads me to believe that presscard-application.com is, at best, a highly unprofessional and unreliable service, and at worst, a scam designed to take money from freelancers without providing anything of value.