Complaint Review: EWorldWire.com

Here is a copy of the dispute I submitted to VISA.

I regret having to contact you with this problem. Upon reviewing my account you will see that I have spent more than $200,000 on my Northwest Visa card in the past year.

I have never contested a single charge until now.

On June 20th, 2002 I sought professional services to distribute a press release. I researched several services and the website of eWorldWire.com was most compelling (details included with this letter). I had telephone conversations with the company and they assured me of the validity of their service and convinced me that it would be effective in my situation.

I was charged a fee of $459, considerably more than the $99 introductory service that attracted me to them. According to the employee, the additional fees would supposedly result in a much better media distribution with both far higher quantity and higher quality contacts than the basic distribution.

I am requesting a refund for the following reasons:

1. The service was 100% ineffective and produced absolutely no results whatsoever. Not a single phone call, email, letter or web visit resulted from this media release. This massive lack of response indicates that this company is either misrepresenting its service or is not providing the service as described, especially considering:

A. the glowing promotional descriptions on the service providers website stating the massive quantity and quality of their contacts e.g.

we have over 485,000 individual writers, editors and reporters in our databases, more than any other release service.

Thousands of editors and writers have contacted us and continue to each day - publishers themselves, too.

our service has become the most successful - and it is the journalists' primary and preferred source of information.

B. the additional costs I was charged for a premium version of the service, considerably more expensive than the basic version (450% higher fee)

C. the huge quantity (claimed to be 3,000+) of highly targeted communications sent directly to writers dealing with my industry that the company supposedly sent out. To quote their website (coincidentally relating to my industry):

Actually goes direct to the writer or editor of whatever given subject your release is about instead of a general newsroom address. For example, we send your release about your new tour package direct to the travel editor and writer.

2. The company made verbal assurances. After seeing my media release content and after I explained that this was more than I was comfortable spending with my budget the employee assured me that their service was highly effective and delivers results. Based on his assurance I upgraded my service purchase to include the largest distribution of the best and most highly targeted contacts eWorldwire has available.

3. The company did not provide an itemized or detailed receipt for their services. Only a total with the name of the charge (copy attached).

4. I complained within 48 hours of the release by contacting the company by email with my concern that there was no response whatsoever. I explained:

Having dealt with media for 22 years, it has been extremely rare for even a small mailed press release (contacting 4-6 local sources) to generate a ZERO response. I have not received one email inquiry. I have not received one telephone call. Even more telling, I do not see ANY increased web visit activity.

If you sent my release to 3,000 travel writers, every newspaper, all major outlets, etc. I find it hard to believe that NO ONE thought to call, send an email or even click through to my website.

Their response was:

I would not be worried about your release since it was not breaking news you may not see immediate effects. Many publications especially print such as magazines work any months ahead. Your release is also archived in our database as well as many others.

You are also given exposure from the many syndicators and aggregators which we send your release to which in turn distribute to thousands of sources.

For example you can go to News Now at http://www.newsnow.co.uk and do a headline search for Siam for example and see your release listed in their database, it is currently #6 in this list if you search this way.

In other words Dont worry. Be happy. Adding insult to injury, the only proof of their service offered is the UK news link and it does not show my release.

5.There is no way to verify anything that they say or any claim of service performed. As time went on with zero response (it has now been five weeks) I contacted them multiple times with my concern, asking for names of recipients or some other proof that the service was performed to the extent claimed.

The company refused to provide any evidence that the service was performed to the extent described. Citing federal confidentiality reasons they refuse to release any specific names or addresses of individuals who supposedly received the release.

They claim to have sent my release to 3,000+ individuals but it could be 3. Or none.

6.They refuse to provide any proof or offer any additional service to make up for deficiencies in this case. I have sent numerous emails and spent nearly an hour on the phone pleading with the company to give me some value for the service they supposedly provided. They refused to give me anything.

7.Their service is grossly misrepresented and their practice of not providing proper documentation or receipts is deceptive. Their terms of service conveniently state No refunds can be provided after the service is provided or the process or any work has started. I am not a lawyer, but when I pay for a service to be rendered I believe I have the right to effective service and the right to proof that the service was rendered. EWorldwire provided neither, despite my patient and repeated requests. I question that they can accept credit cards with unfair and unrealistic terms such as this.

8.Their terms of service allow for refunds. They state: EWORLDWIRE's liability to member shall be limited to the refund of the fees paid to it. I am asking for a refund of my $449.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

Kent
Anna Maria, Florida
U.S.A.