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  • Report:  #150300

Complaint Review: Grant Seeker Pro /-Government Grants - Placentia California

Reported By:
- Honolulu, Hawaii,
Submitted:
Updated:

Grant Seeker Pro /-Government Grants
1057 E. Imperial Hwy, Suite #420 Placentia, 92870 California, U.S.A.
Phone:
714-577-5386
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
7/11/05 I am a small business owner and I wanted to expand my business using grant monies, so I came across a website that rated Grant Seeker Pro as one of the top 5 Grants available. I Reviewed their website and I was sold, so I purchased the download for $39.99 as I was anxious and curious to read and get started.

After my purchase, it directed me to download the program, during the download progress, my system will freeze up to five minutes and then re-boot my system, I tried 3 times and it still wouldn't let me download the program, so I decided to call it a night and just call the company first thing tomorrow morning.

07/12/05 I called Grant Seeker Pro and spoke to Nathan in Customer Service, whom I explaned my situation to and he stated that he will send me an email linking me to the download. I got the email and tried that option but it still wouldn't let me download the program.

I called back and this time spoke to Tina (who did the infomercial on TV), I again explained to Tina that I couldn't download the program, the first sentence Tina said was " sorry I can't give you a refund ", I said I don't want a refund, I just want to download the program and it is giving me problems, and I also tried the link provided by Nathan. Tina stated " I don't seem to know why your having this problem when everyone who ordered the download, didn't have a problem, maybe you have an old computer (my computer is new, purchased in March 2005), maybe it's your connection ( I have DSL ) and all other excuses.

I kindly ask Tina what do I need to do to get the cd and book, she stated " you need to upgrade for another $20.00 + $5.95 s/h and I will have it shipped to you today, I then agreed, so my total came up to $65.94.

07/13/05 Since I didn't have the download and I just upgraded, I couldn't wait to get started, so I called Customer Service and again Nathan answered, I told him that I wanted to get started and that the number for the FREE consultation is not working, Nathan said he will call a consultant and have them call me to get my FREE consultation.

I got my call from a consultant named KAREN, we spoke and we talked for about five minutes and made arrangments for Karen to call me on saturday 07/16 at 0930 (Hawaii time) so that way my husband can be present and we can give Karen an idea as to what we want and how to get the Grant started. I was then very excited and couldn't wait for Saturday.

07/15/05 Four days have passed and I still didn't recieve my cd and book which I paid for using my credit card, so I called Customer Service and again spoke to Nathan. I question the status of my order and Nathan stated " the order was processed and you should be recieving it within three to five business days, so I decided to give it until Monday 07/18 which would have been 7 days passed.

07/16/05 It is Saturday and my husband and I are very excited and anxious for Karen's call at 0930 as scheduled, we had canceled all our Saturday activities and commitments. It is now 1100 and Karen has not called, so I called the toll free consultant line and a recording stated that the office is closed. We waited and waited hoping Karen would call and now it is 1pm and still no call from Karen. Now I start to wonder about Grant Seeker Pro, is it legit or just another HOAX.

07/18/07 It is Monday and the I have no cd or book and Karen has not called as promised, so I called Grant Seeker Pro office and spoke to TINA. I explained to Tina what had happened over the weekend about Karen and that I have no cd and book. Tina checks her computer files and said I did not upgrade, I said " Tina, your the one who I upgraded with and you said my order has been processed ", Tina stated " maybe you blocked your credit card, I don't know ", I said " why would I do that when I really want this grant to get started ", she said I don't know but I will go ahead and re-order the cd and book and it will be delivered to your address.

I then told Tina that Karen has not called me on Saturday at 0930 and I am upset, Tina said " do you want another consultant ", she then gave me a number to call and to report Karen in and request for another consultant, Tina aslo asked me which really suprised me, she said " did you pay for your consultant " I said " this is my Free consultation " and she paused and continued to instruct me to call the number for another consultant.

I called that number given by Tina and I explained to her that Karen has not call me and the lady said which Karen, we have 3, I told her I don't know, she didn't give me her last name, the lady said I can't help you, and do I want another consultant or do I want to speak to a manager and make a complaint, at this time I am UPSET ande TIRED of this Grant process and just decided to get a refund and try another Grants program.

I then called back Grant Seeker Pro customer service and spoke to the manager of customer service who by the way is very very RUDE with no customer service qualities or training. I told him about my whole ordeal and he said I couldn't get a refund cause the order was placed today by Tina, I said I just spoke to Tina about 10 minutes ago and why can't you just cancel the order, he stated that the order just left and that he couldn't cancel.

I told him that that was kind of strange, and all I wanted was a refund, he was very RUDE and didn't want to listen to me as I tried to explain to him, instead he put me on hold and Tina came on the phone and this is another RUDE RUDE RUDE lady who stated " I just spoke to you and placed you order " I said, " well I've decided to cancel and why can't you just give me a refund, she said I can't" so again I tried to explain to her but she wouldn't listen just like her RUDE RUDE customer manager who don't have listening skills and customer qualities.

After I tried to explain to Tina, she finally said " well when you get the order, just send it back and I'll give you a refund and hanged up on me "

Warning:

This company has RUDE customer service and managers who are very unprofessional on how to manage customers who just want answers.

Consultation might have a FEE as Tina said during one of our converstations, " did you pay for your consultation ".

The toll-free numbers don't work and when you call the number for the consultation, the recording leads you to another number and another number and another number and so on.

Nathan in customer service is the only one in customer service, because he is the only one answering the phones.

Grant Seeker Pro might be listed under Government Grants or is the same company, check RIP OFF REPORT website before making any purchased regarding grants.

Tina stated that they have thousand and thousand of people ordering and why I am the only one who has this problem, let me ask, if thousand and thousand orders from your company, why is Nathan and you only answering the phones. Take the thousands and thousands of monies and get TRAINING in customer support and please UPGRADE the manager in customer service.

WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE CD AND BOOK TO SEND BACK TO YOUR COMPANY TO GET MY REFUND?

Julita

Honolulu, Hawaii
U.S.A.


2 Updates & Rebuttals

Fyi

Greensboro,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Tangled Web of companies.... & response to Nathan.....

#2Consumer Suggestion

Thu, February 16, 2006

Diverse Equities, Grantseekerpro.com, PMI, NMR, Summit Group, Summit Consulting DBA's of Grant Seeker Pro: Grants Biz, Unique Finance, www.fregovmoney.net, National Financial Publishers, College-Scholarship-Grants.biz, E-biz Solutions, Free Government Money, Government Grant, Governmental Grants I came across a report on Diverse Equities, naming Dustin Garr and Mark Tapp as owners. I was curious and still don't have an answer, as to how this company: Diverse Equities / grantseekerpro.com is involved with StoresOnline/iMergent as the report indicated the iMergent address of 754 E Technology Ave, Orem, UT. Maybe some of you that have already filed reports can shed more light on the subject. What are the names & addresses on your credit card statement/who charged your account?, names & addresses, phone numbers on the information they shipped to you. List all program names etc. Maybe we can piece more of the tangled web puzzle together. I did some research: grantseekerpro.com does NOT have a very good background / history given 3 different BBB reports which can be seen at 3 different web addresses: 1) http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=13219825 2) http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=100009531 3) http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=13197951 1) Grant Seeker Pro: BBB opened 11-29-04 / F Rating = BBB questions company's reliability per their failure to respond to complaints, their advertising is GROSSLY misleading and they do not comply with licensing &/or registration laws/requirements, complaints contain serious allegations or company's industry is knows for its fraudulent business practices. 1057 E. Imperial Hwy, Suite #420, Placentia, CA 92370 This company's business is grant/government grants. 2) Grant Seeker Pro: BBB opened 4-28-05 D Rating = BBB has enough concerns about company's offer, consumer complaints, advertising, etc., that they recommend caution in doing business with them. 231 East Allessandro Blvd, Suite #A343, Riverside, CA 92508 Phone: 951-924-7080 This company's nature of business is providing a grant information booklet for a fee of $60.00 3) Grant Seeker Pro Inc: BBB opened 8/31/1998/ F rating, same address as #1 above. Phone 714-577-5386, FAX 714-459-8173 Contacts: Minimol Rajan, Richard Labus:Owner, Rudy Paramo, Steven Le:Office Manager, Tina Roberts:President, Michael Winters:Accounts Manager Email: [email protected] Web: www.grantseekerpro.com, www.freegovmoney.us Other Addresses: 15928 Perris Blvd #E-167, Moreno Valley, CA 92551 5225 Canyon Crest #71-431, Riverside CA 92507 17476 Yorba Linda Blvd #326, Yorba Linda, CA 92870 Other Phones: 714-577-5386, 951-242-6003, 951-924-3649. 951-924-6003, 951-924-7080, 909-796-6926 Faxes: 714-459-8173, 714-961-1412 10-13-03 Chilling Effects web site article at: http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512/notice.cgi?NoticeID=895 Google on behalf of Capital publications notifies Grant Seeker Pro, Riverside CA of alleged infringement of copyrights of others. I couldn't find anything on Diverse Equities or DM National LLC, possible new names, as grantseekerpro is set up to make you an affiliate, you purchase rights, get to create your own web site to sell others on grantseekerpro software. This is what I found on Dustin Garr. Lehi, UT, DM National LLC, lists grantseekerpro.com as his web site. He is listed in a rip-off report under Diverse Equities. His ad says they help others find & obtain gov. grants or other funding. They also offer business and grant COACHING -- doesn't that RED FLAG wave brightly???? Perhaps that is why Diverse Equities was linked to the infamous PMI / NMR / Summit Group / Summit Consulting and addressed with StoresOnline. When it comes to software, don't do downloads, wait and get the CD's. Every computer is different, some programs won't load if you haven't turned off your firewall or background running programs, which leaves you extremely vulnerable. Some report that downloads aren't working, little or no help from customer service, owners etc., If download doesn't work there are no refunds as stated on their website in more than one spot. Well it may not be their fault but if it is --what a scam-- think about it, everyone that pays for a download, ?some/most/all? don't get it and you don't get a refund. Grant Seeker Pro, sold on eBay for 15.00 Buy It Now, some sold for a lot less. Prices via online bookstores vary between 5 & 45.00. There are lots of web sites that will lure you in, saying they have done all the research and spent over a thousand dollars doing the research, but when following the links, it may take you right to one of the above aka's. Please be cautious with your money, do as much research as it takes, and see what your local book store has in comparison or your local office store. You DON'T need to pay thousands of dollars for COACHING, if you can read, you can follow tutorial software or get FREE info from the internet. Please look at: BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FRAUD ACT Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) - Deceptive Telemarketing and Abusive Telemarketing 16 CFR Ch. I (1105 Edition) 310.3 Deceptive telemarketing acts or practices and 310.4 Abusive telemarketing acts or practices. at -- http://www.ftc.gov/os/2002/12/tsrfinalrule.pdf Highlights: 310.3 (a) Prohibited deceptive telemarketing acts or practices. It is a deceptive telemarketing act or practice and a violation of this Rule for any seller or telemarketer to engage in the following conduct: (1) Before a customer pays for goods or services offered, failing to disclose truthfully, in a clear and conspicuous manner, the following material information: (i) The total costs to purchase, receive, or use, and the quantity of, any goods or services that are the subject of the sales offer; (ii) All material restrictions, limitations, or conditions to purchase, receive, or use the goods or services that are the subject of the sales offer; (iii) If the seller has a policy of not making refunds, cancellations, exchanges, or repurchases, a statement informing the customer that this is the seller's policy; or, if the seller or telemarketer makes a representation about a refund, cancellation, exchange, or repurchase policy, a statement of all material terms and conditions of such policy; . . . (2) Misrepresenting, directly or by implication, in the sale of goods or services any of the following material information: (i) The total costs to purchase, receive, or use, and the quantity of, any goods or services that are the subject of a sales offer; (ii) Any material restriction, limitation, or condition to purchase, receive, or use goods or services that are the subject of a sales offer; (iii) Any material aspect of the performance, efficacy, nature, or central characteristics of goods or services that are the subject of a sales offer; (iv) Any material aspect of the nature or terms of the seller's refund, cancellation, exchange, or repurchase policies; . . . (vi) Any material aspect of an investment opportunity including, but not limited to, risk, liquidity, earnings potential, or profitability; Top 10 Online Scams: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/10/topten.htm Top 10 Dot Cons http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/dotcons FTC article on Flop-portunities & reporting fraud. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/netbizop.htm FTC report: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/oinvalrt.htm Scroll down to bold titles.....FTC says look for these signs of a company that may NOT be on the up-and up and compare them to the company's web site or printed material. If you purchased grantseekerpro software via internet or infomercial, it doesn't give Summit or any other coaching group the right to call you. Are you on the National Do Not Call list???? If you live in any of these 26 states, this is a web site SCAMS do not want you to know about: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/franchise/netbusop.htm Click on your state to see what they have outlined to protect you and see how Diverse Equities / grantseekerpro.com / StoresOnline / iMergent / PMI / NMR / Summit Group / Summit Consulting have violated you & your state. Nathan: How dare you tell these people you are not responsible, what nerve, but then it really isn't any surprise. You are in bed with all the different coaching services. Your company agreed to use them as coaches. Your company passes on grantseekerpro customer names/addresses/phone numbers (without the consumer's knowledge that you'll be doing that) to the coaching companies so they can call and sell overpriced / worthless coaching services. Plus I highly doubt that you tell them up front that the coaches are not from your firm. You sell the software on the basis that customers can do it with the software, but then you have the coaching co. call (if you really want to succeed, get through it fast and get that grant money...)and for what?? a kick-back to fill your pockets???? Help the customer empty their pockets into yours???? Ya... I thought so. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE !!!!!


Nathan

Fullerton,
California,
U.S.A.
Customer Confused customer was dealing with two companies.

#3UPDATE Employee

Thu, July 28, 2005

The primary problem is that this customer was dealing with two companies. Grant Seeker Pro is separate from the company which provides the coaching service and so Grant Seeker Pro cannot be held responsible if the Coaching personel fail to keep an appointment. The customer was sent the Download many times (which has unprecidently low errors as far as downloads are concerned.) And when the customer failed to download we sent the Costomer the CD in the mail as requested. The mix-up occured when Tina, who didn't realise the package was already shipped told the customer it hadn't been sent yet. When the customer asked to cancel the order we realised the mistake and attempted to tell the customer that yes indead the package was shipped. The customer then became irate and argued with the manager. Of course we are unable to refund until the package is returned. Almoast all retail stores have a simmilar policy.

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