StoresOnline - unhappy with web site building service - disputing charge to credit card

December 19, 2006 - Business Reply:

StoresOnline is committed to customer satisfaction and is constantly improving its products and services. StoresOnline is eager to satisfy its customers by fixing problems and overcoming misunderstandings. If StoresOnline has problems with its software or its services, then a detailed complaint about what is wrong is necessary for StoresOnline to remedy the situation. General postings made about StoresOnline’s products or services are often unclear as to what consumers want StoresOnline to do. StoresOnline’s products are constantly improved when customers identify specific glitches in the software or shortfalls in its services. Indeed, the latest version of StoresOnline software, introduced earlier this year, is a result of detailed and clear feedback from StoresOnline customers. We urge you to contact StoresOnline and identify your concerns. Please provide your full name, address, telephone number, and StoresOnline product license numbers. StoresOnline will respond to your email and will find a resolution to your questions and concerns. Other useful information about StoresOnline can be found at its website at www.storesonline.com. StoresOnline provides small business owners and entrepreneurs with eServices to help their customers successfully market their products and services. Whether a company wants to extend an existing business to the Internet, or launch the next big idea, StoresOnline's eServices are there to help each step of the way. From education, to training, to eCommerce-enabled websites, StoresOnline seeks to be the best in the business. StoresOnline's software platform has continuously developed over the past decade, evolving to fit the needs of the dynamic, global economy. Today, the development platform (StoresOnline Pro) sets the precedent as small business owners and entrepreneurs offer their products and services to the world. You should not only consider what StoresOnline is claiming about its commitment to customer satisfaction. Consider the recent report written by Ed Magedson, founder of RipoffReport.com, detailed below. Please visit www.ripoffreport.com to confirm this report. Through exhaustive research in conjunction with RipOffReport, StoresOnline found that only 12% of complaints filed on that website were true StoresOnline customers. In that report Ed Magedson - Founder, Rip-off Report, stated: “Rip-off Report discovered disgruntled ex-employees, competitors and persons who have taken a "short position" in StoresOnline Stock have tried to victimize StoresOnline repeatedly. Actually, Rip-Off Report's investigation reveals that many of the complainants are not StoresOnline's customers at all, but some of the aforementioned miscreants instigated others to file complaints without even first contacting StoresOnline customer service.

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Rip-Off Report's investigation of StoresOnline shows that StoresOnline is fulfilling its commitment to provide excellent customer service.” StoresOnline has researched this consumer’s complaint and has determined this person is not a StoresOnline customer. Sincerely, Customer Service

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on February 11, 2003:

From: franiof Email User RE: StoresOnline - unhappy with web site building service - disputing charge to credit card I am currently in the process of "disputing" the charge placed on my credit card for StoresOnline.

My daughter and I attended their workshop on January 14, 2003.in Phoenix Az.

The sales agreement was dated the 14th, however I asked that it not be processed until the 17th and the receipt was dated the 17th. I thought this would give me the "three day right to cancel". On the 16th, I went on line and checked my credit card posts. To my amazement they were already processing the charge. I immediately called StoresOnline to cancel.

I was told that I could not cancel, that I had waived my right since the sales agreement stated it was "non refundable".. This was NOT disclosed to me at the workshop. I then called my credit card company and told them I had to tried to cancel and asked them NOT to honor the charge. They told me it could not be stopped, however after it appeared on my statement they would help me to dispute it.

I am filing this complaint re: Deceptive Sales Claims!

StoresOnline does not fulfill the promises they make. I spent hours reading through the "mountains" of paper work that was supposed to lead you through a step by step process that was "user friendly" and even a "non professional" with very little computer skills could set up a storefront. This is definitely not true.

My daughter, who is an accountant and owns her own business found the site very confusing. We "tried" to set up a storefront using her business. She uses the computer in her business every day, and this site was definitely not "user friendly" in our opinion.

Like the other complaints that I have read, we too received a call from them, offering to "coach us through the process" for an additional sum beginning at $2000.00. Naturally I declined their offer. We were told at the workshop we would get all the help we needed, but nothing was said about being charged for help. Just another example of their deceptive sales tactics.

Another example of their deception: In their workshop manual, they state: Customer Support Services, which include technical support via telephone, email, fax and online chat are provided FREE. Since they do not have an 800 number, I had to pay for the long distance call to them, hardly making it free.

Also I plan to file a complaint with the FTC. During my research, as well as communication with others we came upon this site, where you can file with the FTC, etc.

www.stores-on-line.co.nz.

Any help from anyone regarding this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Fran

Comment On This

We were tricked into buying the six websites for $6000 also. We have tried numerous times to get a refund and have been told that they will not issue us any money and will not send us a ceritfied letter stating that fact. Their support team knows only enough to get someone unfamiliar with web started and was no help whatsoever. We actually lost money on our site and were told constantly by their online chat that they would look into things and never got back to us. Only after multiple phone calls did they offer any "help". They have a 3 day refund policy because it takes you longer than that to go through all the propaganda they give you at the seminar. Not a pleasant experience.