Complaint Review: StoresOnline PMi - Professional Marketing International

Anyone want to start a class action suit? Merchandise returned; refunds promised but never delivered. _________ February 15, 2005 Mr. Brandon Lewis StoresOnline, Inc. PMi Professional Marketing International www.StoresOnline.com www.PMiCoaching.com 754 E. Technology Ave. 360 S Technology Court Orem, UT 84097 Linden, UT 84042 (801) 434-8582 (800) 860-8068 (801) 227-0004 (888) 251-1116 (801) 226-8848 FAX (801) 437-6894 FAX Dear Mr. Lewis; On April 30, 2004 I attended a seminar presentation for StoresOnline, Inc. in Medford, Oregon. During this full-day seminar I had the opportunity to discuss my online application with numerous individuals in your employment. I was impressed by your methods and operation; your presentation sold me on your ability to meet my online solution. I discussed my application specifically with Mr. Bob Schnuk (Mr. Schnuk was one of your speakers); he suggested I discuss it further in depth with StoresOnline employees present at this seminar. I was concerned as to whether or not StoresOnline could actually provide an online solution for my specific application. I met with Ms. Laura Olsen; I discussed my online application with her in detail. I showed her my application online at www.AutoPartMart.com, explaining that I wanted to use StoresOnline to be the web server for my application as described during the seminar. I would use the tools and knowledge available to me through StoresOnline to increase the performance of my web sites. Laura brought in another two representatives (Jeff Johnson and Duane Barney) to discuss whether or not my application was feasible using the StoresOnline system. We discussed that I would initially open six stores using different websites with online auto parts sales using my existing drop-ship vendor with which I presently had an ongoing relationship. I could then manage and maintain these six sites through StoresOnline. I already had my own merchant processing set up using Authorize.net as a gateway and Online Data Corporation for merchant processing of online credit card transactions; however Laura told me that StoresOnline preferred using a different solution, so she gave me a $999.00 discount to offset the ECI Real-time Internet Setup and Configuration Fee which I felt was unnecessary and unneeded. I left the April 30, 2004 seminar a happy camper with the understanding that very soon I would have six unique internet websites up and running allowing me to market new replacement automobile parts on the internet in a manner similar to what I was already doing at www.AutoPartMart.com. After all, I had discussed my specific application with representatives from StoresOnline and they had assured me that it was no problem. About a month later I was approached by a StoresOnline representative on the telephone concerning an opportunity which would help get my six websites up and running faster. This service included educational material, executive mentoring sessions which would be specific to my application and pre-paid internet promotion packages for my websites (pay-per-click on Overture was specifically discussed). When I received my invoice I noticed that I had been charged $25.00 for shipping and handling (I was told it was included) and $1495.00 for Links for Trade. I immediately notified StoresOnline that I already had a Links for Trade www.Links4Trade.com account established an in use, so I did not need nor want to pay for this feature. In August I received a refund from StoresOnline for $1520.00 to reimburse me for these unnecessary expenses. I first contacted Mr. Andy Louder with PMi Coaching for an executive mentoring session on June 8, 2004. He looked at my existing website www.AutoPartMart.com online; we discussed what I expected to accomplish with StoresOnline and how I intended to have StoresOnline be my server for six unique online applications each site centered around marketing new replacement automobile parts using the online database and cataloguing of my vendor. Andy told me he had to show and discuss my application with the StoresOnline data programmers. On June 22, 2004 Andy informed me that the StoresOnline data programmers required an API Integration Guide from my vendor in order to synchronize the StoresOnline software with my application. I contacted my vendor, IMC (Interamerican Motor Corporation) and discussed this with their data operations manager who informed me that they required a confidentiality agreement to be completed prior to allowing the release of their API Integration Guide to a third party. This became a sticking point with StoresOnline for a few months since StoresOnline refused to sign such an agreement. Finally StoresOnline agreed to sign a confidentiality agreement. Now we learned that IMC had not yet completed an API Integration Guide so IMC was unable to deliver this information to StoresOnline! Talk about frustration - right about now I was becoming extremely frustrated and disappointed. I had spent all of this money on a business investment and I was getting nowhere fast. Andy and I kept loose contact over the next few months. Finally on November 12, 2004 I forwarded a completed API Integration Guide from IMC via email to Andy; I followed up with a telephone call to be positive that he had received it. It now seemed like maybe we were beginning to accomplish something. During this time, I talked a few times on the telephone with employees from StoresOnline / PMi: Any Louder, Kurt Becksrom, and a gentleman named Boyd. Kurt told me that he would discuss my situation with Andy. No new news. On January 24, 2005 I received a telephone call from Andy Louder. Andy informed me that StoresOnline was unable to provide an internet solution for me; StoresOnline was unable to interface with IMC so as to create the six online web sites (stores) which I wanted. I was disappointed and expressed to Andy that I then deserved a refund. Andy told me I had to talk with Kurt. I did not talk with Kurt. Instead, I am writing this letter today. With all good intentions I properly and completely expressed my goals to the employees of StoresOnline at the April 30, 2004 seminar in Medford, Oregon. I specifically told Lisa, Jeff and Duane what type of web sites (stores) I was interested in developing. I was assured that StoresOnline was my solution and that creating, developing, monitoring, and updating my sites would not be a difficulty using the StoresOnline infrastructure. I have learned that this is not so. In fact, StoresOnline is unable to offer me a solution for my application. I am returning all documentation included with two Complete Store Building Packet folders which were given to me by StoresOnline at the April 30, 2004 seminar in Medford, Oregon. Included with this are: 1) One Certificate for Special Workshop Offer 2) Two StoresOnline Active Merchant Receipt for six websites a. License/Certificate # 787903 b. License/Certificate # 784895 c. License/Certificate # 781893 d. License/Certificate # 864906 e. License/Certificate # 864907 f. License/Certificate # 864908 Following is a statement of what has been paid to StoresOnline: $ 4300.00 April 30, 2004 StoresOnline Inc. B to B Order Form 6 Online Stores 7520.00 May 25, 2004 PMi - Promo Package / Links For Trade 999.00 May 25, 2004 PMi - 10 Stores Online Executive Mentoring Sessions 12819.00 SubTotal ( 1520.00 ) August 16, 2004 Refund StoresOnline Check # 11741 $ 11299.00 Outstanding Balance - Credit Jim Lefeber I request a 100% refund in the amount of $11299.00 for services not delivered; unable to deliver services as promised. Please immediately issue this refund and mail to me at: xxx If a refund is not received by Monday, February 28, 2005 legal remedies will be pursued. Sincerely, 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. Jim Grants Pass, Oregon
U.S.A. Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Storesonline