Signing up with Startup Essentials

I am a Senior Citizen and wanted to supplement my Social Security and small pension by earning some extra money from home.

On April 18, 2007 I was contacted by Startup Essentials and given a sales pitch for starting up my own home-based business at no cost up front. They stated that they were members in good standing with BBB. Everything sounded very good. They promised complete support and training to get the Web based business started. They have a training program (The Journey, Business University) that I was to complete and as I did so, I would also be building my website.

The Startup Essentials Salesmans name was Mike Weston.

They stated that the package would include a top of the line laptop computer loaded with all the necessary expensive software needed to run my business, including credit card processing capabilities. (I never received them).

They encouraged me to have all sales processed by credit card because they would receive a 2 to 4 percent payoff for all charges that were run through my business.

Part of the package was that they would provide me with my first Webpage. When Startup Storefront (who they had me go to) and I had finished building the Webpage, I was to send it to Optigroove who would critique it. They would do the meta tags and crawlers which were included in the package, this in turn would enable my company to come up on the top ten listed companies for anyone looking for any of my products, This would continue until the pay per click money of $250.00 was used up (which also suppose to be part of the package).

They would also provide optimization for my website.

Starting off in the first week, A-1 Leasing sent me two different front pages to the contract, on which the monthly charge increased. I contacted A-1 Leasing who stated that I could cancel (this non-cancellable) contract. I said that I would, however, when I contacted Startup Essentials, there seemed to be a logical explanation for these increases in cost (tax and computer).

I called A-1 Leasing back and was put through to Steve Miel who stated that if I didn't cancel and failed to make ONE payment on time, they would be all over me. I was distressed with this kind of rude treatment but told them that I have always paid my bills on time and have excellent credit. I then contacted Startup Essentials and was put through to John Brutche, who supposedly was the Customer Service Manager, again, to clarify the situation and express my concern about the rude behavior of A-1 Leasing. They told me not to contact A-1 Leasing anymore.

During the course of the training, I was able to contact customer service through a contact button on the training home page, or call them direct.

Starting last month, I got extremely disturbed when I could get no response from messages left on the answering machine every time that I tried to contact Startup Essentials. I would leave a message but never hear back from them. The contact button no longer worked on the Startup Essentials home page. At one point, out of frustration, I stayed on hold to try to talk to a real person. I was on hold for over 1 hours and never got to talk to anyone.

I decided to check them out on Better Business Bureau again (I had in fact checked them out when I signed up), only to find that they had been dropped because they had too many complaints against them and they were not taking the necessary steps to correct the problem.

After completing three of the training modules, I was told to contact Startup Storefront to build my Webpage. I was able to talk to them many times to get it set up. However, as of this week, their phone number has been changed and is now answered by the same answering machine, stating that it is Startup Essentials and to leave a message.

I was getting anxious to get my Website up and running so I forwarded my site to Optigroove as I was told. They sent back an email that I would receive a response from them within 3 business days. I never heard back from them and again tried to reach Startup Essentials to see what the status was on my site. NO RESPONSE!! I did not receive anything further from Optigroove.

Again hoping for the best, I looked up Startup Essentials on www.ripoffreport.com only to discover that they have nothing but rip off reports against them and many, many people like me that have been ripped off.

Two days ago, upon the recommendation of an attorney from Dallas, Texas, I returned the laptop to Startup Essentials along with a letter telling them that I would not honor their contract since they were not fulfilling their part of the agreement. I sent it Fedex overnight delivery, requesting a receipt confirming delivery. Yesterday, Fedex called and stated that the company had moved and left no forwarding address.

I have put in two months of hard work and over $1,000.00, only to discover that they are no longer.

I have closed both of my checking accounts (personal as well as business) since they were debiting my checking account for their money.

I don't know where to go from here. It is my understanding that A-1 Leasing will be contacting me to try to get their money.

Everyone that was ripped off by the this company, report them to the Fraud division of the FBI. This was recommended by the U. S. Criminal Justice Dept.

Peggy

Gilroy, California

U.S.A.

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on Startup Essentials, A-1 Leasing, Startup Storefront, Bond Corp. Optigroove

14 Updates & Rebuttals

Formeremployee

Highland Village,
Texas,
U.S.A.

still being fooled

#2UPDATE EX-employee responds

Tue, September 04, 2007

the fact that Opti2007, (which is Steve Mayes, because Steve is not only the owner, he's also the only employee of Optigroove) is trying to cover his own butt still at this point is fabulous. Not only is OptiGroove associated with Startup Essentials, his office was 15 feet away from National Business Advisors, and yup, you guessed it, Startup Essentials - all on the same floor of the same building. Enjoy!

Sabts

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

Startup Essentials Address.

#3Consumer Comment

Mon, August 13, 2007

I am going to try and ship my laptop to their PO Box in Addison, TX. For those of you who don't have it. P.O BOX 2087 Addison, Tx 75001. If this is not correct and you have a different one please let me know. (((ROR removed because of security purposes))) 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. Sarah

Peggy

Gilroy,
California,
U.S.A.

Response to Opti2007

#4Author of original report

Sun, August 12, 2007

I sent my laptop to Startup Essentials in Dallas. I sent it Fedex (very expensive) but wanted confirmation that it was delivered. Fedex called and stated that they could not deliver it, the company was no longer there and there was no forwarding address. Upon advise of the Lawyer previously mentioned, I had it forwarded to A-1 Leasing since they held the lease on the laptop. It is my understanding from John Brutche that A-1 Leasing sent the laptop to them at Startup Essentials (where they are, who knows). Anyway, the local DA here in CA sent a letter to Startup Essentials and it was also returned, no forwarding address. Who are they kidding, either they exist or they don't, they need to make up their minds.

Peggy

Gilroy,
California,
U.S.A.

Response to Opti2007

#5Author of original report

Sun, August 12, 2007

Sabts

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

RE: Startup Essentials

#6Consumer Comment

Sun, August 12, 2007

Peggy, Did you send the laptop back to the Dallas address for Startup Essentials or did you send it to their PO Box in Aniston, TX?(The BBB for TX has that PO Box Number) If you go through the USPS I think you can send it to their PO Box and they have to sign for it when they pick it up. You just can't send it through UPS since it is a PO Box. Just to clear things up from my previous post about Optigroove. I talked to Steve Mayes today through email. Startup Essentials claims that his company, Optigroove, is affiliated with their company. After talking with Steve, he explained he is not. He had done video and audio training for their company but was not working for their company. Out of all these companies who are screwing us thanks to Startup Essentials, Optigroove is not one of them. Steve is aware of their legal troubles and does not have any desire to be affiliated with that company. So for everyone reading this, that has an account with Optigroove, I truely believe that Optigroove is a reputable company. So, I appologise to Steve Mayes for posting the incorrect information I have received. I explained to him that none of us know who to trust, he understands and does have sympothy for what we are all going through. Thank you to Steve for taking the time to explain the credability of your company and settle any doubts I may have about Optigroove. At least Steve Mayes has the guts to get on here and defend his company when Startup Essentials just took off running.

Peggy

Gilroy,
California,
U.S.A.

Optigroove

#7Author of original report

Sat, August 11, 2007

You are right, the person that called me from Optigroove was Steve Mays. However, he is the person that called me and assured me that he had no affiliation with Startup Essentials. They did critique my website such as it was and found it lacking. When I tried to contact Startup Storefront about a problem that has existed in the software for over seven years (according to the person from Optigroove), they are now doing the same thing as Startup Essentials, when you call, all up get is a answering service and they don't return the calls. Sent several message (just like with Startup Essentials) and no response. I went on their website and set message and it wouldn't go through. It seems they must be connected, because they all have the same bad habits. When I talked to Startup Storefront, they said that I owned my website for 1 year. However, when I checked it out, found that they registered my domain name as theirs (that they were the owners) so now I can no longer do anything with it and have to start all over again. It seems to me that they are all in this thing of ripping people off together.

Sabts

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

Optigroove- No Affiliation with Startup Essentials?

#8Consumer Comment

Fri, August 10, 2007

I was reading the post about Optigroove not being affiliated with Startup Essentials. When I signed up with Optigroove they called me. They said I would get a discount for being with Startup Essentials and that Steve Mayes was the owner of Optigroove. Steve Mayes is the voice you hear on the majority of their calls to get you motivated about your website. So how are they not affiliated?

Sabts

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

Optigroove- no affiliation with Startup Essentials?

#9Consumer Comment

Wed, August 08, 2007

From what I have been told by Startup Essentials, Optigroove is owned by Steve Mayes. He is/or was affiliated with Startup Essentials. He was on most of the weekly calls. I'm not saying that Optigroove is a bad company but that Steve Mayes was affiliated with Startup Essentials. I have actually paid Optigroove over $1200 dollars to put my website on the search engines. It is not ranked yet but I wasted that money only because Startup Essentials is a joke and if I don't have a website, I don't need Optigroove. I have found nothing in dealing with Optigroove that would make me question them as reliable. If Startup Essentials gave me the wrong info as to who the owner is I appologize.

Sabts

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

Optigroove- no affiliation with Startup Essentials?

#10Consumer Comment

Wed, August 08, 2007

Sabts

Wilmington,
North Carolina,
U.S.A.

Optigroove- no affiliation with Startup Essentials?

#11Consumer Comment

Wed, August 08, 2007

Peggy

Gilroy,
California,
U.S.A.

Optigroove

#12Author of original report

Tue, July 31, 2007

I would like to update my report regarding Optigroove. It seems that I was wrong regarding this company and that they are not connected to Startup Essentials. I contacted them and when I resubmitted my webpage they did in fact critique it and got back to me the same day. When I talked to them on the phone, they stated that somehow my original request fell through the cracks and they didn't have it. Thank you Optigroove for living up to your part of the agreement.

Peggy

Gilroy,
California,
U.S.A.

Startup Essentials, A-1 Leasing, Startup Storefront, Bond Corp.

#13Author of original report

Thu, July 26, 2007

TO EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE I received a phone call on Tuesday, 7/24/07 from John Brutche the Customer Relations Manager from Startup Essentials stating that A-1 Leasing had turned my lease back to them and Startup Essentials has cancelled my contract. As I stated before, contact everyone that can possibly help you get out of your erroneous contract. I did and it seemed to have worked. I don't have anything in writing yet, but am working on that.

Peggy

Gilroy,
California,
U.S.A.

Startup Essentials, A-1 Leasing, Startup Storefront, Bond Corp

#14Author of original report

Thu, July 26, 2007

First in response to Optigroove. I did receive an email upon receipt of my webpage stating that you would get back to me in 3 business days. However, nothing ever happened and was not provided with a phone number to contact you. I tried to find one but was not successful. I am no longer under contract with Startup Essentials, therefore not sure that my webpage is any longer workable. However, it was my understanding that the webpage belonged to me.

Opti2007

Carrollton,
Texas,
U.S.A.

Opti-Groove's services are not affiliated with Startup Essentials

#15REBUTTAL Owner of company

Mon, July 23, 2007

Peggy - We certainly hate to hear of any consumer that is not satisfied with the service they have received from our company. Based on your complaint on this website your main concern with Opti-Groove is that we did not reply to your submission for our services. Let me apologize for our mistake. We certainly do not want anyone to fall between the "virtual cracks" and had you called us when we did not respond we would have surely responded to your request for our services. Obviously we never received your request due to a technical glitch on the Start-Up Essentials submission process. We are prepared to offer you a free search engine criteria review and report on your website absolutely free. We will also give you a phone call to go over the report with you so you will have a complete understanding of what you need to do to get your site to the top of the search engines. Opti-Groove is a separate company from Start-up Essentials although they have referred many of their customers to us to help them with search-engine-optimization services. I hope that your apparent dis-satisfaction with Start-up Essentials will not reflect on our company. We are here to help you and will answer the phone each time you call. Please give us another chance to serve you. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Reports & Rebuttal