On February 5th, I purchased a software package from the website http://socialbookmarks.biz based on sales page text and the guarantee of a refund. After purchasing and installing this horribly designed software, I realized that it did not fulfill nearly ANY of the features listed on its sales page. So, on February 10th, I requested a refund. I received a response stating that the developer would help me with my issues. I replied to this saying that I simply wanted a refund. I never received a reply to that response.
This past week I sent another email through their customer support system requesting an update on the refund and never received a response, so I went through Plimus to request the refund. Of course, this shady individual responded to the Plimus refund request stating that there was a 7 day refund policy in their Terms of Service.
There are 2 problems with that statement:
1. As of today and according to Google's cache, there is no Terms of Service statement/agreement with this clause on their site.
2. I originally requested the refund 5 DAYS after purchase.
After asking the developer to refund the payment because I had contacted him within 7 days and stating that I'd file a chargeback otherwise, he berated me stating that filing a chargeback was illegal and that they would "bust" me for it. Aside from being a simply preposterous notion, as far as I know, stating the intent of legal action without legal justification is, in and of itself, grounds for legal action.
This individual proceeded to reply to my requests for a link to the Terms of Service with a copy and pasted form response that in no way answered my question. Upon calling my bank, I was informed that to file a chargeback, they'd have to also cancel my credit card and issue me a new one. After emailing Plimus on multiple occasions about this issue and never receiving a response, I attempted to call the phone numbers listed on their website here:
http://home.plimus.com/ecommerce/about-us/contact-usThe result? After hitting 0 to talk with a support representative, the call was cut-off without warning. I tried again on both listed numbers multiple times with the same result.
I have been buying and selling software online since the mid-90's and have never in my life been so frustrated with either a developer or a payment processor. PayPal, with all of their faults, at least answers their phones during operating hours.
I write this Ripoff Report not to attempt to defame Plimus, but rather in hopes that I can get this issue resolved without having to go through the slow, tenuous process of a chargeback. I've found numerous reports online of individuals having the same exact issue with this "software developer"/SocialBookmarks.biz/Nijole who have also reported receiving no assistance from Plimus.
I'm giving this issue until Tuesday to be resolved by either the developer or Plimus or I will be forced to file a chargeback. I hope that this report also stops other individuals from making the same mistake I have.
This is 2010. If you can't operate a business online without being shady, you're going to get outed publicly. Quite frankly, bad business people like Nijole/SocialBookmarks.biz deserve to get outed publicly before they can defraud more people.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
SocialBookmarksBizScam
United States of AmericaNijole of Social Bookmarks Demon Replies
#3Author of original report
Sun, February 21, 2010
"There is a page simply called TOS, which clearly states: Software comes with 7 days money back guarantee. Customer may ask for refund if software does not work and our support staff is not able to assist solving customer problems. Support staff will do everything humanly possible to solve any issues customer may have, and full refund can be issued only when software fails to operate after support staff investigation. All sales are final, and we do not provide any demo or preview versions, so customers can not order software just to preview it and email us later with messages "I did not like software, please issue full refund" or similar. Also refunds are not available if: Customer has installed more than single copy of software during 7 days trial period. During this period, customer is allowed installing single copy of software. Software has integrated callback feature, connects to our servers and stores records (installation time, license key, IP address, etc.) of software usage. Customer asked performing installation, upgrade or customization for him. If customer asks support staff to install, upgrade or customize software for him (this service is provided FREE OF CHARGE). Software was ordered using affiliate link. Software was ordered using discount code. Only orders without discount codes are eligible for refunds."
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
SocialBookmarksBizScam
United States of AmericaUpdate from Plimus
#3Author of original report
Sun, February 21, 2010
As of about 15 minutes ago, Plimus updated my refund request asking for the seller to respond to my inquiries regarding the location of the Terms of Service on his site. Not as much as I hoped would happen, but much better than no response at all.