Complaint Review: SBGA

Kent Zimmerman, a crooked sales associate of SBGA (Small Business Growth Alliance) took advantage of an overwhelmed small business owner and harassed us until we said ok. He lied, he agreed to things that he could not commit to, told us things that he has no way of honoring, just to get a sale.

Kent stopped by the business multiple times during inconvenient times. The business is ran by 1 person, who does everything from answering phones, talking to customers that come in, and doing the actual work desired by customers. Kent spoke to my wife, who explained the terms that would be suitable for the business such as no contract due to the length of the current lease on the building, and that we did not want him to terminate our current credit card provider, which he did not.

Kent was to come back with papers to sign pending what was discussed but that is not what he brought. He never once mentioned that this is a non cancelable agreement, nor did he mention the 48 months term length.

He did not leave a copy of the agreement when he was there on 8-31-15 and one was finally mailed on 11-11-15, but that had alterations made under the vendors bill of sale with a date of 11-10-15 handwritten and name, address, phone crossed out. As soon as we received the paper copy in the mail, a call was made to Kent (left voicemail) and to the SBGA office on 11-18-15. Spoke to Michael who would have a supervisor call back. I called SBGA and Kent (left another voicemail) again on 11-20-15 since no supervisor had called, and spoke to Holly and requested to speak with Kent's supervisor. Holly said she would forward the request and someone should call me back, which did not happen. I explained to both Michael and Holly that this is unacceptable and not what was agreed to and wanted to terminate everything. Called back and requested Kent's supervisor again on 11-30-15 and left a voicemail to be called back.

We both explained very clearly to him that in no way shape or form would we be ok with a 48 month commitment (or any other length) since we only have a 18 month lease on the building were the business is located. His answer was, no problem, simply return the equipment and that will be the end of it, on a month to month basis.

There were several automated recorded calls made to us from SBGA in hopes of getting a verbal consent of 48 months, which on all calls we said NO.

The equipment does not work well, gives false declines and when ran through our previous provider's machine, the sale completes.

We want to return the equipment and cut all ties with this horrible excuse of a company and would rather do business with an honest company who will not take advantage of a small business owner. I would like to see Kent's sales commission revoked due to the dishonesty and lies that he received it with, as well as his employment terminated.