International Genetics, Inc. Rick Dobbins misrepresentation, deception, fraud, thieft by deception Freeport, Other
Went with a company by the name of Pawsitive ID, which later changed to International Genetics owned by Rick Dobbins, to have my dogs DNA tested for vWD type 1 which is a clotting disorder. They did the testing but had to redo one of the tests because of not enough DNA. Sent the test back to have all my tests sent back stating all the dogs were clear and knew they were testing Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Later, I learn their test was no good, they were testing for vWD type 2. Even though they knew they were testing Pembroke Welsh Corgis and the testing they were doing was no good for this breed they still did the test and handed me certificates with the status of being clear. Time and time again I had contacted Rick Dobbins, Pawsitive ID and International Genetics, questioning them on their testing being no good for my breed and why they had stopped offering the test all together with explanations from Rick, himself, and an associate that there was an ordering mix up but the test would be reoffered. Finally, after much research and my persistent questioning, Rick Dobbins stated they never did a test for vWD type 1. This is when I learned they misrepresented themselves, they were deceptive, thieft by fraud, since they knowingly took my funds and gave me certificates of status on each one of my dogs when no test on that certificate pertains to my breed which then makes me misrepresent my puppy buyers and diluting the gene pool of my breed. Through further research on this company, there are many other companies advertising their product stating vWD testing but not clarifying on what breeds and have paper work forms listing Pembroke Welsh Corgi as a breed they test and a list of tests they were capable of doing that came back with my certificates of DNA status. After several conversations back and forth with Mr. Dobbins he finally agreed to send me 5 new test kits that do infact test the vWD type 1 for Pembrokes back in November 09 but have yet received them. I have sent many reminders to not get a response nor the tests. Thats just a piece of the pie here for if these dogs tests come back where pups are indeed not clear of vWD, then there are several litters that are at danger for the disease and will have me misrepresenting the kennel and a ton more of money that has been wasted along with time and heartbreak. I have retested all of my dogs through a reputable well known OFA certified lab called VetGen so I know I will get the accurate test results. Theses tests cost $140.00 per dog. So all in all I have paid well over the $140.00 since I originally paid Rick Dobbins for the original test and because my dogs per his test passed I moved onto the next testing that should be done for my breed so if one of these dogs tests comes back from VetGen other then clear, I have wasted money on the other tests on a dog that is no good for my kennel. I have tried to be patient but enough is enough. Its been over a year of discussions and run arounds with this company and I never get a straight, upfront answer.
Wendy, Cleveland, Ohio
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Wendt Worth Corgis
Fairview Park,Ohio,
United States of America
Proof of Fraud
#3Author of original report
Sun, February 21, 2010
I have never spoken to Mr. Dobbins on the phone or have ever been able to get him on the phone. There was only one time he had called and left a message. All communication has been through e-mail on which I have saved. The information that came along with the certificates has Pembroke Welsh Corgi Listed and on the Welcome Letter that came along with those tests when ordered states "Our mission at Pawsitive ID is 100% customer satisfaction. If not completely satisfied with our product, we will either retest or refund the cost of the test. Period." The lists of test per breed did not come til after the test was completed and I sent several emails disputing this having excuses that they did the test but there was an ordering mix up. Several times I disputed why they did the test if they never tested for vWD type 1. August 14, 2008 I sent an email to Mr. Dobbins telling him I need the tests results on the vWD specifically since it was over 3 weeks of submitting the tests with Mr. Dobbins replying back but never mentioning that the vWD results are no good on PWCs. Many emails were going back and forth since I was not receiving my results. March 22, 2009 I send another email asking why vWD type 1 was not offered any more with a response from Sherill Williams stating "A mistake was made by the laboratory in ordering new array chips and vWD was not included on the new chips. They were thinking that we were not allowed to test ANY vWD, but only one type of vWD is involved in the patent issue so that is why we had to post this on our website. We will be ordering new chips in the summer and this will be added back to the array for testing. We also hope to get all vWD tests on our platform by the end of the year. I'm sorry we could not help you but keep checking back and when we can offer the test again, it will be posted on our website." Here again...why not mention which test wasn't allowed or when I openly state I am testing PWCs vWD type 1. And that Interpretative Guide Mr. Dobbins mentioned that came with the certificates..well I have a copy of that and a copy I printed from their website WHEN it was Pawsitive ID NOT Ingen as there have been many updates. That guide states TEST #10 is for Von Willebrand Disease on both types never clarifying which type and even gives a few examples of breeds of dogs that come from lists of type 1 and type 2 so if they never did type 1 vWD testing then how can they test Poodles, Doberman Pinchers, etc. I did not fail to investigate the genetic test, Mr. Dobbins failed to learn which breeds his was able to test or which tests he was allowed to do. It wasn't til November 4, 2009 that Mr. Dobbins stated that they never did the type 1 test only the type 2 but on his interpretive guide he listed breeds of dogs w/mutations for type 1. After much debate over his misrepresentation he agreed to send me 5 new tests kits that now are allowed to be used by his company since the labratories are in the Bahamas and there are no patent restrictions in that area. He has yet sent those tests to me and in an email dated November 16, 2009 offered to send me free test kits which I agreed to. As of yet I have not received those tests and I have sent several emails letting Mr. Dobbins know this with only receiving one response back in January 2, 2010 stating he didn't get my other emails in December but he will get Sherrill to get those kits out to me ASAP. Still no tests and so I sent out more emails on this w/no replies from either party. He has not been upfront with me, and I categorically refute his allegations since they are without merit. I've done my homework and am very organized saving all material, emails and even making copies off of Mr. Dobbins old website, not the new one he has provided you.
Thoughtfully Yours~
Wendy Wendt
Wendt Worth Corgis
www.wendtworthcorgis.com
Rick Dobbins
Atlanta,Georgia,
United States of America
International Genetics Rebuttal
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sun, February 21, 2010
I have tried many times (obviously unsuccessfully) to resolve this matter with Ms. Wendt. She and I have spoken on the telephone several times. The problem originated when Ms. Wendt purchased our older Pawsitive I.D. test kit (which was being sold by PinPoint DNA Technologies, Inc). This test was being processed by The Animal Genetics Lab at Texas A&M University and included 128 different genetic tests from the DNA collected from a single buccal swab. 2 of the 128 tests on the PID platform were for Von Willebrand Disease, Type II & IV. This was clearly listed on Our Interpretive Guide which was available before she purchased this test and a copy was included along with the Certificate of Genotyping we mailed to her showing the results of the testing. The Type II & IV tests are not for Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The specific breeds are clearly listed and DO NOT include PWC's. Ms Wendt purchased her PID product prior to December 2008 when PinPoint was purchased by International Genetics. In July of 2009, InGen began testing for the VwD Type I which is a genetic test that is used for Pembroke Welsh Corgis as well as many other dog breeds. The problem here is that Ms. Wendt failed to properly investigate the genetic test she was purchasing. These documents are available for viewing at www.ingen.bs/documents
Now I will not say my company is completely without fault here. I will admit that the older PID test was complicated and hard to understand and read properly. This was a driving force in InGen's decision to modify its testing protocols. Ingen now has a much simpler testing product with only the most popular, sought after canine genetic disease tests including pra-PRCD, VwD Type I, EIC, MDR1 & DM. Realizing this, I tried to work with Ms. Wendt and did agree to to send her 5 new tests. Although I believed then as now that it was Ms. Wendt who failed to properly do her homework here, I decided to send her these promo tests as a show of good faith, hoping she would continue to purchase our product in the future. These test kits were sent to her and I have only now learned, through this complaint, that she has not received them.
I have been upfront with Ms. Wendt and tried to work these matters out. It is unfortunate that Ms. Wendt has taken this step on this forum. Although there are some threads of truth in her complaint, when taken into its entire context, I categorically refute her allegations. they are completely without merit.
Respectfully
Rick Dobbins, GM
International Genetics
rick@ingen.bs