Complaint Review: Stores Online AKA Galaxy Mall Galaxy Enterprises - Orem Utah

If you have signed up with Stores Online I urge you to contact your credit card or bank, tell them of this fraud, and get out right now. I have read other Rip-Off reports and it appears some people have waited to long. Now they are deeper into the ruse for more money, and their anguish continues to grow. My story follows.

Stores Online misrepresented the services I would receive by becoming a merchant member at a seminar I attended in Mesa, AZ. Stores Online indicated that a merchant membership for $2400 would entitle me access to the member services section of their website. When I went to the website I could not gain access to the features demonstrated at the seminar without spending more money by activating a storefront. (i.e.: One of the services demonstrated and promoted throughout the day was a reverse search engine service. It was promoted as the key to making your online store effective. At no time was it mentioned that the storefront activation fee first needed to be purchased to access this service. Stores Online representatives intimated that a merchant membership alone gave you access to this information.)

The person who took my order at the seminar specifically told me that a URL for my storefront would not have a Stores Online URL, but have an independent URL. This is not the case, and I feel this was a deliberate distortion and misrepresentation. A personal, or private URL requires additional costs, which were not explained or disclosed beforehand.

Further, in reading the complete store building packet materials I was provided I find there are other hidden costs not disclosed to me. It was implied that a one time fee paid for everything needed to build a custom website, and that a Stores Online membership would pay for all programming costs. Again, there are additional fees required, and the Stores Online storefronts are not really a custom designed site as implied, but standard format tutorials.

I feel there are future costs that I am not even aware of at this time in the Stores Online ruse, plus length of time service agreements that have not been disclosed. No price list or written terms for the eventuality of these services has been provided.

Upon learning I could not enter parts of the Stores Online website (paragraph 1), and that there were additional hidden costs not disclosed (paragraph 2 & 3), I telephoned Stores Online. In that call I stated that I was dissatisfied with the program and felt it was misrepresented to me. I expected to be able to discuss my concerns of Stores Online's honesty, and the issues I have described with a representative, but was transferred to voice mail. I left info for a return call on March 28, but have not received any response. In fact, on April 4, I called 801.227.0004, the published number, and reached a not in service at this time message. This is just another example of the misrepresentation of the services presented at the seminar. Stores Online stated I would be able to call and speak with a representative, or consultant at any time. However, this has not proven to be the case, and I have disengaged from further attempts.

I feel it was Stores Online intent from the beginning to dupe me into membership with false hopes, ambiguous service claims, undisclosed and distorted fees for services, false statements of the seminar presenter's claims of experience with Stores Online, and complete misrepresentation of the company's reputation. The Utah Better Business Bureau lists Stores Online, also known as Galaxy Mall, Galaxy Enterprises, and Internet Marketing, as having an unsatisfactory record. Unfortunately, I did not know this at the time.

I was pressured into joining Stores Online under duress, without reasonable time to consider the offer, and without full disclosure of their services in a proper manner. No price list or services menu was fully explained. In fact, I did not even receive a receipt. Additionally, my initial experience with Stores Online indicate that the company has not been honest, forthright or sincere in the presentation of their fees and services, and have not lived up to what I expected to receive. Therefore, I have asked my credit card company for assistance through their consumer protection services, and that no payment be made to Stores Online. They have agreed to provide me this assistance, and have directed me to return to Stores Online their complete store building packet, which I have done.

I have great hope that my credit card company will come through for me. In addition, I have sent information on Stores Online to the Arizona Attorney General's Office Consumer Complaints; Utah Department of Commerce Division of Consumer Fraud; and the Utah Better Business Bureau. The Utah BBB has replied to me that they have forwarded my complaint to Stores Online. I have not heard from the states, however, I'm hoping Arizona will follow up and not allow them to do business in Arizona anymore.

Rich

Mesa, Arizona

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