Empire Marketing Systems - (EMS) ripoff dishonest bad software fraudulent billing St. George Utah
I received a call from EMS. They were offering several items, one being a website. I was currently looking for someone to create a website for me and was so happy they called. I explained in detail that I was in a $ and time sensitive situation and that I would be willing to invest 2 of the 5 months of income I had left just to have someone build a website for me. I was anxious to get started and recoup my investment. I thought the 6 sessions and coach provided was to teach me how to manage and navigate in the website. Well I found out two weeks into this that there was software and a coach to assist me and I would be creating my own website. By not correcting me in the beginning and letting me assume EMS was creating the website, they lied to me.
I received my webbuilder software after two weeks ( I should have had it before my first session). They apologized and gave me two extra sessions at N/C. But they sent me software that was bad and knew it was bad. They had someone working on the program but continued to sell the bad stuff. I had screens coming up with only the top 1/4 of the page showing. There was no where to enter text, make choices, no navigation buttons, no arrows. To make things really bad, I couldn't get out of the system. I could close down everything but these bad pages. At this point everything on the computer was frozen. I couldn't even turn off the floor unit. I had to unplug.
I contacted EMS and they pretty much ignored my problem. I was passed to someone who knows how to "spin" and I had no idea what the guy said when he was finished. But nothing was done and I still could not create a website with their software. Of course they insist that a refund is not an option.
I decided to write a letter to the Attorney General in Utah. I mailed it Friday 4/9 and they have not received it yet. I sent a copy of the contract, emails that have gone back and forth regarding this prolem. I copied EMS and my business attorney.
When EMS received their copy of the letter (only), there was an absolute flurry of emails and calls. I am not talking to any of them until I hear from the A.G's office in Utah.
Oh, another fun thing . . they submit applications to Discover, American Express, E-Commerce for you without asking if you want to carry them. E-commerce is pretty much necessary to do business on a website (Visa and MCard). But they do this before there is an active website, and until I have one there is a minimum $20/month charge; not to mention that to have e-commerce software (Wonderpay) you have to have another software (instead of the little machine you slide a card through) and you have to purchase it through A-1. So now I have a loan with A-1 for this software because I didn't have an extra $1200. to buy it outright. $73/mo. for 36 months. This one you can't get out of unless someone assumes your loan. E-commerce will help this happen, but no guarantees how soon or at all.
I have cancelled everything but the loan.
I just have to wait and see what the Attorney General's Office and Consumer Protection will do for me.
Jan
Hurlock, Maryland
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Jan
Hurlock,Maryland,
U.S.A.
Apology to Empire Marketing Systems, Inc.
#3Author of original report
Wed, April 14, 2004
I wish to register my apologies to Empire Marketing Systems, Inc.for the negative comments made in Rip-Off Report.
I have talked at length with EMS management and all differences have been resolved. I knew EMS was a large and successful company and could not have gotten there by being a dishonest company. I was really upset because I was not getting a response as quickly as I though I should have. Patience is not one of my virtues.
Every company has things that happen which are unexpected and uncontrollable. A glitch in my software was one of these things. EMS is not aware of these glitches until they are made aware of them. I am completely satisfied with the outcome and have no bad feelings toward Empire Marketing Systems.
EMS has hundreds of satisfied and successful customers using their products/services. I just wish it had been a smooth ride from the beginning for me.
I wish to thank EMS for assistance offered and that of the coaching office.
Reid
Aiea,Hawaii,
U.S.A.
This company is clearly a scam!!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, April 13, 2004
I hope this message finds Jan and everyone else in good spirit and health. First of all, I would Like to say that I'm really sorry to hear what has happend to Jan and the many others who have been scammed by this company. I have not personally done business with this company, but have posted several rebuttals against it. I have however, been scammed by the company responsible for selling me on a fraudulent and non-existing "mentoring" program by John Beck. This Empire Marketing Systems sounds EXACTLTY like just another consumer transaction trap, where the salepeople tell consumers exactly what it is they want to hear, then later screw them over. Most consumers have not read the fine print on their credit card agreements, but guess who has? Fraudulent businesses. They're really only in business to take advantage of consumers ignorance of these hidden rules, by structuring all transactions in their favor and to strip consumers of the protections that are inadvertantly overlooked or taken for granted, so they can steal your money. The product, service and all their fraudulent claims are just covers for their brilliantly disguised trap. Does any of this sound familiar to you Jan? Well it should, because the fact that this company is based in UTAH really does not surprise me. California and Utah seem to be really popular spots for these types of activities. Don't let this company give you a hard time like they did the many others they have already scammed. Immediately go over their head and dispute the transaction with your credit card company. Also take whatever actions necessary to get a prompt and courteous refund with compensation for mental anguish and all the unnecessary stress that they have imposed on you. Until next time, take care Jan and the rest of you, and I wish you the best of luck. Aloha from Hawaii & God Bless each and every one of you out there.
P.S. Don't forget to read my story on the fraudulent third party marketing company that's selling John Beck's Free & Clear. Any and all media companies and attorneys who are interested in my story on the fraudsters selling bogus mentoring please contact me through this website.