John
Elk River,#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, January 26, 2006
Numerous sites have cropped up which tout downloading MP3 music, movies, and various types of software. We won't get into the ethicality of pirating copyrighted materials; what the sites basically are doing is marketing free shareware (especially Shareeza, for the MP3 download sites). And to add insult to injury, users report that they are unable to log onto their accounts, or do any of the things that the sites promise. Support e-mails are ignored, or bounce back; customer service lines are unanswered. Basically, you pay your money via ACH, and get nothing in return. The moneyman making ACH withdrawals for the sites is IP-P2PSupport.net. This site belongs, in turn, to a self-described online media marketing company called Vendare Media. Details for this company are as follows: Vendare Media HQ 2101 Rosecrans Ave Ste 2000 El Segundo, Ca 90245 URL: www.vendaremedia.com Phone: (310) 647-6000 FAX: (818) 647-6001. It appears that all of the websites (see below) are under the umbrella of MarketEngines.com, which is described on its website as a market leader in advanced billing solutions or e-commerce websites. Its corporate offices are: MarketEngines, Inc. 47000 de la Savane #210 Montreal, OC H4p 1T7 Canada Clare In turn, MarketEngine's subordinate is Cashengines.com. I was unable to determine a corporate address; however, its affiliate managers are listed as Ian Bacon (e-mail: [email protected] phone: (514) 448-6931 X271)) and Darren Berze (e-mail: [email protected] phone: (514) 448-6931 X274)). E-mails to both individuals failed to elicit responses. Mr. Berze, however, can be found on a marketing forum called ABestWeb (www.forum.abesteweb.com) on which he posted with username cashengines. He described his company thusly: We specialize in monetizing affiliate generated traffic with our high converting site designs and offers which are engineered for your online marketing needs (especially PPC). We are constantly on the look out for new affiliates and merchants The response from other posters on the forum was scathing, and I haven't found a new post from him yet. Here is an eloquent comment about his company from another forum member: Drop the crap. You promote your site in a misleading way. Why would anyone trust you? They shouldn't. From your site. "Unlimited music downloads" "Wish you had the ability to download all of the music you ever wanted?" "Download anything you want - no time limits, no bandwidth limits, no content limits" "listen to and download an unlimited amount of music without paying by track" Your analogy fails, because you are clearly promoting the stealing of content, you slip, you slide, then at the bottom you deny. Why would any affiliate ever trust a company that is willing to mislead their customers? It is pretty simple, there are limits, there are legal owners, there are lawsuits for illegal downloads. You brush that all aside. In the states, promoting p2p software for stealing copyright content is illegal, your wording is meant to mislead, to promote "unlimited" theft. Nice strawmen you build, nice false analogies. There is money in selling crack, doesn't mean people should do it, or should they trust the crack dealers. Why are thieves like this even allowed on these forums? This is at least the second one, all scum like this do is drag the industry futher into the gutter. Wow. I couldn't have said it any better myself. Below are websites associated with CashEngines. Many of these sites are under a company named MP3 Networks, which will be addressed shortly. MP3 download sites: Mp3musicaccess.com Freemp3musicaccess.com Freedownloadacess.com Netfreemusic.com Realmp3music.com Freemusicwave.com Freemp3lover.com Freemp3provider.com Etomiprodownload.com Spyware download sites: Thenuker.com Netspyprotector.com Adware download sites: Adwarepro.com Virus protection download sites: Easy.antivirus.com Software download sites: Error-doctors.com Myxptools.com Movie download sites: Freemovieaccess.com Freemovieslover.com Allfreemovie.com Myfreetvshow.com 360share.com downloadtvnew.com Gaming download sites: Freegamesaccess.com Freegamesconnection.com. These sites share a set of common customer and technical support lines (which, incidentally are never answered). The various combinations consist of: 1-866-240-2481 (U.S.) 514-448-0103 (International) 1-866-240-2760 (U.S.) 1-866-794-1517 (U.S.) 514-448-0105 (International). Finally, about 80% of these sites belong to MP3 Networks, Inc., while the remainder appear to be operated directly by CashEngines. The addresses are listed as follows: MP3 Networks, Ltd. 271 Tower Rd. Sliema, SLM, 155331 Malta 356134422 MP3 Networks, Ltd. Armory Building Basseterre, St. Kitts. Interestingly, a Google search uncovered a Maltese immigration document authorizing a foreign work permit for a Charles Sliema, who is described as the associate director and chief executive of MP3 Networks, Ltd. Not a very original name, is it?
Terry
Lake Stevens,#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 17, 2005
I had a problem alot like yours and used my credit card to get MP3's from a site. The program wasn't what was advertised so I uninstalled and asked for a refund. They refused and were hardline, so I told my credit card company to refuse payment. The card company backed me all the way and all the threats by the scammer were just that, empty threats. You pay for the credit card and their support, use it, it works.
Robert E
Yuma,#4Consumer Comment
Fri, October 29, 2004
This Company has charge my credit card with $38.73. For that I was to received unlimited music downloads, MP3, software programs etc: I can't even get on to there sight, my Name and password do not work. I have e-mailed them about this 4-5 times and they do not answer me. I have tryed at there Log On window, saying I loss my password and they say they will send it to my e-mail but they never do. This is a BIG RIP OFF!