Complaint Review: Business Development Group - St. George Utah

I was contacted by Ken Iverson of BDG on 10/17/03 about purchasing coaching sessions on how to effectively market products on the internet. I told him that I already had an ecommerce website on the internet including shopping cart and merchant account etc, and that I had a background in accounting and tax preparation.

He asked me what my ultimate goal would be for a sales figure on the Internet. He assured me that they would help me reach all of my sales goals. I was told that they only worked with a few select individuals, but that I might qualify.

He referred me to a Dee Beckstead who discussed in more depth what my goals and ideals were. He gave a highly motivating sales pitch about how, with their package, I could experience my sales goals and ambitions.

I did research on the web about the company, and at the time found no negative feedback about them.

They ended up selling me a package for $8,595.00 which I later found out consisted of a website, a merchant account, a tax advise package, some e-books, 8 coaching sessions, and ad banners with impressions.

They had me call the credit card company and make the transaction a cash advance and make the check payable to their company. (NEVER DO THIS, it leaves you with no recourse with the credit card company). BDG told me that I would be contacted that same day by my coach. That never happened.

A week went by and still no contact. I called them and spoke with a John Palmerson and I asked what was going on because I had not received anything nor heard from anyone. He assured me that I would hear from someone that same day. Nothing happened.

On 10/29/03 I was called by a representative from a third party consulting company who wanted to know what I was looking for.

I explained my background and what had transpired with BDG. He told me that they had way over-sold me on products. That I only needed about 2 or 3 coaching sessions and didn't need their website, merchant account, tax consulting, and e-books. He said that he was telling me this because he wanted to be honest and up front. He did not provide any coaching of any sort, nor did he disclose any information to me at all. He said that he needed to talk to his supervisor about my situation and that I would be contacted by them, that never happened.

I contacted the credit card company who told me that I had no recourse with them against BDG because of it being a cash transaction.

I have called BDG many times over the past month asking to simply get my money back. They refuse to do so saying only that they are willing to continue to work with me by exchanging those items I didn't need with additional advertising. I told them I wasn't interested in that, only in getting my money back.

I have no desire to continue in a business relationship with them because of their unethical and dishonest practices and their total lack of credibility. They will no longer return my phone calls. I have since discovered others who have had a similar experience.

As of today 11/26/03, I still have nothing from them and they still have my money.

Rick

Mendon, Utah
U.S.A.