Complaint Review: Zingow.com

I was browsing Craig's list, and I came across an ad regarding purchasing pre-foreclosed homes in the Pittsburgh area for no money down. On November 15, 2008, I responded by calling the 800 number listed. The service was $199, and that was suppose to cover the search, title transfer of property, and the assistance of the site to act as a realtor. I thought it sounded to good to be true, so I was very thorough in the questions I asked. They guaranteed that if I was not happy and I did not purchase a home as a result of their services within the course of the year, my money would be 100% refunded no questions asked. The following is a list of reasons why I felt I have been defrauded out of my money:

1. I reluctantly gave them my debit card, and pulled up my online banking to make sure they charged it the correct amount. I watched before my eyes as they charged my card three times, for a total of $599.97. I told them to refund my card immediately and that this was a scam. He assured me that it was a mistake, and my card would be credited for the two accidental overcharges, which it was a week later. I was then given a user name and a password to access zingow.com.

2. I was very specific with the area code I wanted to live. He told me that was 30 pre-foreclosed homes in that specific area alone. I later found out after purchasing and accessing the site, that there were NO homes at all in that area code.

3. When I accessed the site with my username and password, there were terms and conditions listed on a separate section that you DID NOT have to agree to access the search, but I read it anyway. It stated a very vague and ambiguous policy stating something about a seven day refund policy, so I called, and tried to cancel on November 17, 2008, which was within the terms of the week, even though they told me a year. They offered to do a custom search for me, again reassuring me that I had a year to find a home or get my money back, and that I had nothing to lose. The custom search offered nothing in the area I wanted either, so I made yet another attempt to cancel a few days later.

4. I spoke with a rude manager who hung up on me several times, before finally telling me that my seven day cancelation policy had expired and that she would review the recorded phone conversation to see if the rep did indeed tell me that it was a year. She never returned my phone call. I sent an email within the seven days trying to cancel, but heard nothing back either.

5. Since then, I have made several more attempts to speak with someone at the site regarding this problem, and there either is not a manager present, or they hang up on me.

This site is taking advantage of vulnerable people that are trying to own a home in a volatile market. They blatantly lie to people to steal their money. Not only do they give false information about the time frame you have in order to get your money back, they lie about the services that they offer as well. They make a $50 commission off of every unsuspecting victim that they sucker in. Of course you will never see your money again, even if you abide by their terms, because then they will have to pay back the $50 that they made from you, and judging by the people I spoke with, our money has already been smoked up in a crack pipe!

I found out some information that may assist in getting a refund.

Zingow.com
12335 Santa Monica Blvd.
Suite 180
LA, California

Owners name: Gopinath Bhaskarpillai
Account Manager: Irana (310) 442-3330 *154
customer service line (useless crackheads): 1-877-425-6887

I tried to call Irana several times and left messages, but didn't receive a call back, but I came across a couple people on the internet who were able to get their money back dealing with her. Good luck everyone! Lesson learned!

Pissedoffhomebuyer
Presto, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.