global communication / image trade Chelmsford

[BroFergie]

The .uk websites can be found with Nominet, based in Oxford. I will recommend you contact them and explain your situation. If you have a contact medium, to Image Trade, please unleash an aggressive campaign to get the files and everything to do with your website. Not a single person in that organization has scruple, moral compass or posses any ethical value to run a decent business so pester them to get the files. They lie about everything so put real pressure and don't be nice to them if you want results. The words polite and courtesy doesn't exist in their vocabulary.

I will fire off a letter to Nominet, but don't see how they can help if my website is managed by the hosting company? Hopefully I will hear back from the web designer who initially contacted me yesterday.

I totally agree regarding the unscrupulous way in which GCS/Image Trade operate. I paid for my website in full mid October 2009 and it was not completed until the end of January 2010, and that was only because I kept emailing them. Likewise with the SEO package that I was sold, paid for in October 2010 and I only received confirmation that it had been completed on Monday of last week 5 months after it had been paid for and the day before the company went into administration.

I don't know if there is anyway of checking the work they say they have done regarding the SEO package that I paid for?

And I'm still waiting for the two unauthorised credit card transactions to be credited to my account, but hopefully Barclaycard will deal with that!

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I really think that no matter what you do it wont make any difference as Paul does not give a flying **** about anybody.The E mails will just get deleted .

Paul will look after himself and he would have made sure the administrators are the type that look after the directors .He is that type of person .

Im not happy with myself really as I was warned along time ago not to deal with them but I was prepared to give them the benifit of the doubt .I even made a point of talking to Paul every now and then and have his moblie number .

I wont be putting too much energy into this and I would advise anybody else not too.I certainly feel that it would be a pointless task and we all have more profitable ways of investing our time

 

[BroFergie]

I really think that no matter what you do it wont make any difference as Paul does not give a flying **** about anybody.The E mails will just get deleted .

Paul will look after himself and he would have made sure the administrators are the type that look after the directors .He is that type of person .

Im not happy with myself really as I was warned along time ago not to deal with them but I was prepared to give them the benifit of the doubt .I even made a point of talking to Paul every now and then and have his moblie number .

I wont be putting too much energy into this and I would advise anybody else not too.I certainly feel that it would be a pointless task and we all have more profitable ways of investing our time

I was informed that the administrators were called in by TTNS and went into GCS offices unannounced last Tuesday. As far as being a pointless task you are playing into the hands of individuals the likes of Paul Johnston & Phil Bedford. They need to be accountable for their actions and the more people that expose them for the unscrupulous individuals that they are will hopefully speed up their downfall and stop them from operating in business.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I will let you continue with your crusade Fergie but my time is very important and everytime an issue crops up during the week thats more time that I lose when I could be gaining customers in this already depressed industry..

I expect you are in the same boat as me but these clowns are a couple of small time chancers that none of the authorities would want to corncern themselves with and the more time you invest the more you will lose.

I think at some point I will be looking for a new website with good seo .Something I could do without but Im most defently not going in on some war to bring down a couple of wasters

 

[Darren Falkingham]

Hi all,

I've had to remove a couple of posts in this thread that suggested GCS and TTNC were one and the same company - this is not true.

TTNC has been in touch with UKBF, and as a result I have agreed to post a statement from Mark Burcher of TTNC, as follows:

Dear All,

Due to some of the comments posted, we feel that we should add some of our own...

There is no connection between TTNC and Global Communication Solutions (GCS) other than TTNC has supplied Numbers and Call Services to GCS on a wholesale basis.

TTNC is completely independent of GCS, there are many Telecoms companies, Directories and Marketing companies who resell our numbers and services under their own brands.

It is disappointing to see people making totally false and unfounded comments about our company, especially when it is so easy to perform a simple credit check or company report on TTNC.

A credit check or company report will show that we are in no way related to Global other than debenture holder in respect of credit supplied to GCS. We do not have the same directors or shareholders and never have done, also, TTNC is not a new company as suggested by some people, we were incorporated in 2004.


Following formal demand for payment GCS have failed to repay sums due to TTNC for goods/services provided. Therefore, on Monday the 22nd of March 2010, we enforced our Debenture and GCS was placed into administration. We then sent out a 24 hour Disconnection Notice to all GCS customers that use our telephone numbers and call services.

As per OFCOM regulations, GCS customers have been given the following options;

1. Transfer the number to TTNC free of charge and pay for future call routing charges using our Pay As You Go system
2. Port (transfer) the number to BT (we charge a £25 Porting fee)
3. Stop using the numbers

For people wishing to transfer over to us, we have built a registration page for GCS customers here - http://www.ttnc.co.uk/gcs - this process should take no more than 4 minutes and once completed, your number will be re-activated.

For people that no longer want to use the number, you do not need to do anything.

For people wishing to transfer the number to BT, you need to contact BT to initiate the Port and pay our £25 Porting charge. We have spoken with BT today and their charges to operate a Freephone number are;

£30 + VAT Per Quarter (Services Charge)
4.98 pence + VAT per minute to route a freephone number to a landline
21.38 pence + VAT per minute to route a freephone number to a mobile

Please be aware that Porting a number to BT can take up to 14 days and that you arrange the number porting directly with BT.


We hope the above information will give people some confidence in us (TTNC) and we kindly ask that people please stop making unfounded accusations against us, please note that we will take legal action against anyone to defend our name.

If you would like more information about the GCS situation please visit: http://www.ttnc.co.uk/gcsadmin.do

-
Kind regards,
Mark Burcher
TTNC Limited - The Telephone Number Company
-
Web: www.ttnc.co.uk
-
Freephone: +44 (0)800 468 1000
Telephone: +44 (0)20 3151 1000
Fax: +44 (0)845 468 1001
-
OFCOM Registered PECN Operator - Public Electronic Communications Network.
Members of OTELO - The Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman.
PhonepayPlus Registered Premium Rate Service Provider.
Company Registration Number: 5256607
VAT Number: 853462419
-

I hope that this helps ex-GCS customers in some small way - please do let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Darren Falkingham

 

[Teflon dan]

Mark Butcher from TTNC says we should have made a simple Credit Check, I could not agree more, I only wish they had made a simple credit check before dealing with Global.

Hi all,

I've had to remove a couple of posts in this thread that suggested GCS and TTNC were one and the same company - this is not true.

TTNC has been in touch with UKBF, and as a result I have agreed to post a statement from Mark Burcher of TTNC, as follows:



I hope that this helps ex-GCS customers in some small way - please do let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,
Darren Falkingham

 

[Teflon dan]

Thanks Malcolm, that's very useful information. In my own case I have a .uk website managed by Fasthosts and not a .com

Would it just be a case of me requesting FTP access for the website ( Fasthosts account) so that I could have control of the website?

I have had an email from an employee of Image Trade and he told me he was aware of the postings of this forum and has offered to zip all the files, everything, even the artwork.

Will wait and see if it acutually happens and inform you all of the outcome.

Hi
Have you heard anything yet from Imagetrade regarding the website files?.
Teflon Dan

 

[Atilla]

Mark Butcher from TTNC says we should have made a simple Credit Check, I could not agree more, I only wish they had made a simple credit check before dealing with Global.

That's a bit of an unfair comment.

 

[BroFergie]

Hi
Have you heard anything yet from Imagetrade regarding the website files?.
Teflon Dan

Image Trade's email seems to be down. If you read post #27 James has offered to save the files for anyone who requires it.

 

[Atilla]

Image Trade's email seems to be down. If you read post #27 James has offered to save the files for anyone who requires it.

Because they've gone/going tits up - along with Global

 

[theyhaveitcoming]

i would urge customers of image trade limited and global communications to contact the administrators and tell them what has happened to you, e.g. monies debited from your bank with no service etc and websites paid for from image trade but global collecting the money from your bank. they will investigate [removed by mod] contact the administrators now and push them to investigate. [removed by mod]

 

[theyhaveitcoming]

i have a friend check this at company house tonight and image trade is being dissolved as it has never filed accounts in over 2 years which stinks. this is proper bad

 

[Darren Falkingham]

Do NOT post accusations of criminality, nor the details of individuals concerned - I've deleted the previous 6 or so posts.

Any more posts of that nature and I'll have to delete the whole thread - which would be a shame, as the thread is serving a good purpose as it stands, I think. Don't spoil it.

If you've got a genuine grievance, go through the proper channels as advised in an earlier post.

Cheers,
Darren

 

[malcolm69]

Do NOT post accusations of criminality, nor the details of individuals concerned - I've deleted the previous 6 or so posts.

Any more posts of that nature and I'll have to delete the whole thread - which would be a shame, as the thread is serving a good purpose as it stands, I think. Don't spoil it.

If you've got a genuine grievance, go through the proper channels as advised in an earlier post.

Cheers,
Darren

Sir,
I am not subscribing to the use of any indecent vocabulary but you must Understand that GCS/Image Trade are driving these victims to ulcers and heart attacks. The livelihood of some of these people are either at stake or at the verge of ruin. Is it, maybe, possible to edit the content and not completely delete them?
Thanks.

 

[cjd]

removed by mod - related to deleted post

Don't wish to do the mod's job (really don't wish to do the mods job) but if you want to chuck allegations around about criminal activity, naming names, you can't do it at Sift's risk - that ain't reasonable; no matter how justified.

 

[Teflon dan]

It must be a criminal offence taking money out of peoples accounts without there permission. What are the authorities doing about it?.
I cannot believe they are getting away with it.

 

[theyhaveitcoming]

if fraud is found and you can prove it you have a claim against both paul johnson and phil bedford but the problem may be proving it. if any ex staff of global or image trade are reading this thread and have any info to share it would be useful. for example if it was common knowledge that paul johnson and phil bedford were just charging customers credit cards or just out to make a quick buck we may be able to prove fraud. charging customers for seo work that was not done is fraud and you could report this to the police economic crime unit. google essex police economic crime unit and report it. this would be covered under the theft act. no good reporting this to trading standards or consumer direct now as the company is in administration and they would not be interested, however, the benefit is, the adminsitrators should have all the files and complaints and notes etc / emails and if they do essex police would have a good chance of being able to charge them for fraud if they thought there was enough evidence. i do think it is bad that they have done this - and there are loads of customers effected - google courier scams global and you will come across another forum full of their customers with the same issue as this excellent forum. plainly there are loads of customers effected by what appears to be a dishonest practice. i do note the comments made earlier by the moderator and i respect his comments hence i say appears to be a dishonest business and not is / was a dishonest business. i wonder how many complaints ttns have had or the administrator? does anyone know who the landlord of their old office is? maybe we should speak to them and let them know all about their tenants and what they have been doing.

 

[theyhaveitcoming]

have just made some enquiries

Essex police economic crime is covered by

The serious and organised crime directorate
which is Responsible for collecting and collating information on criminals and crime and investigating crime by business. if enough people spoke to them about global and image trade there is no doubt they would investiagte and speak to the administrators.

does anyone know if webexceed is up and running?
does anyone know where their offices are now?
does anyone know for sure if image trade is now in administration?

 

[Atilla]

removed by mod - related to deleted post

i had.
Without the insider knowledge of who's 'cosy' with who, it wasn't/isn't apparent there is a link.

 

[Atilla]

Probably another company set up by the global team!

Who knows. All I know is the money I and many others have lost as a result of these people.

If someone phones you to sell you something. Just say NO! I wish I had.

They too are recently incorporated, Dec 09, coincidence or what?

Can't see any obvious business link so far though.

 

[dreamseer]

Not wishing to hawk our wares on this forum but it might not be over yet.

As far as I can tell most websites sold by this company are hosted on fasthosts
and someone has paid fasthosts to host these websites and if or when that payment stops I think the websites will disappear from the internet.

In response to this we “Kane Research Ltd” through our websiteGB brand have created a website backup service where, we back up the entire website and send it to the owners on a CD.
Then if the website does disappear at least the owners have their website safe, and can approach another web developer to have it re-hosted.

It’s not free “we’re not a charity” and of course we’d be more than happy to re-host it.

If you want to find out about us, type websiteGB (all one word) into google find one of our clients websites and phone them up.

 

[malcolm69]

removed by mod - deleted comment

I am all set for this CRUSADE, so let's roll, Sir! I am in consultation with Fasthost UK, to get the domain name transferred to my name after contacting Verisign, who further directed me to Twocows in Canada who then, redirected me to Fasthost UK. According to Twocows I am the registrant of the domain name so it's probable to transfer the file to me . According to Fasthost, they will send a letter to the webhost, the defunct GCS/Image Trade/Webbuilt4U, to contact them and me about the complaint. If GCS does not respond after 14 days, Fasthost will be compelled to make me the webhost thus, gain access to the files.

I have notified KSA by a letter of the above developments and given them copies of every transacrions with GCS. I am prepared to go every mile to publicly expose all those who acted in an unprofessional fashion and did not meet the terms of contracts as agreed upon.

You can release every information you know about GCS and their affiiliates and I will fight a lone battle if I have to. Thank you for your understanding and potential support.

 

[businesspersonessex]

Not wishing to hawk our wares on this forum but it might not be over yet.

As far as I can tell most websites sold by this company are hosted on fasthosts
and someone has paid fasthosts to host these websites and if or when that payment stops I think the websites will disappear from the internet.

In response to this we “Kane Research Ltd” through our websiteGB brand have created a website backup service where, we back up the entire website and send it to the owners on a CD.
Then if the website does disappear at least the owners have their website safe, and can approach another web developer to have it re-hosted.

It’s not free “we’re not a charity” and of course we’d be more than happy to re-host it.

If you want to find out about us, type websiteGB (all one word) into google find one of our clients websites and phone them up.

People are going through tough times with all this administration business, but what gets me is people like this trying to make money out of it, offering a service that anyone can do themselves basically in seconds.
I know for a fact that other Image trade/GCS/Web exceed customers have been contacted by another web design company (not related at all to the Image trade/GCS/Web exceed) offering web design. Gets my goat!

 

[bandwagon]

right - i've started the ball rolling !

it would be really useful if as many people as possible logged the story with Watchdog so we could create a groundswell of support with their researchers.

i've copied the link to this thread in my submission but as i said earlier, my loss is only £100 so my story isn't that sensational.

If others submit their story i'm sure the researchers will pick up on it and maybe we can expose them on national TV.

link to the website is bbc.co.uk/watchdog/gotastory

happy hunting !

 

[malcolm69]

right - i've started the ball rolling !

it would be really useful if as many people as possible logged the story with Watchdog so we could create a groundswell of support with their researchers.

i've copied the link to this thread in my submission but as i said earlier, my loss is only £100 so my story isn't that sensational.

If others submit their story i'm sure the researchers will pick up on it and maybe we can expose them on national TV.

link to the website is bbc.co.uk/watchdog/gotastory

happy hunting !

Thanks for this vital lead. I am writing my story with its minutest details of my dealings with GCS/Image Trade/webbuilt4u from day one and send it now. I would strongly urge every victim to do so. Regardless of how much one has lost is not the issue, but the premise upon which they conducted themselves. They did not conduct themselves in any legal fashion considering all the reports that have been posted on this forum. Your loss can be from zilch to a zillion but it needs to be addressed and the people involved must be exposed.

 

[Atilla]

where are they now, as the address on the web exceed websie is a po box address in wales and i know thay are in chelmsford somewhere

Google this and see what comes up. May answer your question.
12/13 OLD FIELDS ROAD BOCAM PARK

Even better when you google map it.
You couldn't make it up.

 

[Stainbusters]

I have only just seen this site so I'll give you a quick rundown of my expereince [removed by mod]. 18 months ago I bought an 0800 number with the now widely known features. 4 weeks ago, totally out of the blue, I noticed that my credit card had been charge £117.50 by Global Communication Solutions Ltd. I tried to call them but all I got was an answer machine. After leaving 2 messages as they did not respond to my requests to explain this transaction, I sent an email to Johnston. No response. After several more emails and with no response I decided to pay them a visit as I live in Chelmsford. I walked into their offices and met a guy called Phil Johnston. He said that there had obviously been an " admin error" and he said he would contact his accounts dept in Kent and get this charge returned to my card within 3 working days. He looked me in the eye and shook my hand promising to personally sort it. Furthermore he gave me his personal mobile number to call him if there was a problem. After 5 days with no returned money I tried to call him to inform him of this. The number he had given me was ficticious - surprise, surprise.!! A few days later the company went into administation. Of course Bedford wouldn't have known this when he promised to return my money would he? - yeah right!! now trying to get the money back from my card co. as this was obviously a fraudulent transaction on behalf of Global.

 

[malcolm69]

I've been trying to check on the webexceed website but I don't seem to find it. All that appears is a .com company in Canada. Would someone be kind and get me the complete website address?

 

[Atilla]

all other readers remember the new name of their 3rd business is webexceed - do not be thrown off the scent by an address in wales. it is simply a po box address and they operate in chelmsford essex

We know they operate from Chelmsford. Did you bother to check the address i posted up for you? Seemingly not.

 

[Stainbusters]

Message to theyhavitcoming.

That is incorrect as their registered offices are (were) 141 Parrock St, Gravesend, Kent and I was told that that is where accounts were handled. I originally went to their 5th Floor, Rivers House, Springfield Rd, Chelmsford address.

 

[horsey1]

Not sure if this is any help, But you can phone 0800 numbers from a
mobile using this set of numbers 01257380800 then enter the Full freephone number that you wish to call at the prompt press # and its that simple, The guy's at www . insure any courier .co.uk gave me this advise
and it works

Regards

Wayne

 

[Atilla]

Message to theyhavitcoming.

That is incorrect as their registered offices are (were) 141 Parrock St, Gravesend, Kent and I was told that that is where accounts were handled. I originally went to their 5th Floor, Rivers House, Springfield Rd, Chelmsford address.

You might want to look up that address - also resident there is KSA, the Insolvency Practitioners.

 

[Teflon dan]

I've been trying to check on the webexceed website but I don't seem to find it. All that appears is a .com company in Canada. Would someone be kind and get me the complete website address?

Try www dot webexceed dot co dot uk

Teflon Dan

 

[Bizzy1]

I too was taken in by GCS/look4a. I bought my freephone number with 1000 mins for life a few years ago. never recieved a contract or any "paperwork" even though I hassled them for it. I naively agreed to advertising on their look4a site then discovered they had taken £225 from my account without my permission. I chased them for the money to be refunded only to find they then took another £225 from my account. I chased them over this matter but was fobbed off. Eventually I got my money refunded from my debit card provider, Abbey, who are normally pants!
I understood I had bought a freephone number with 1000 mins/month for life. surely TTNC cannot just take over and scrap that contract? anyone got any ideas here?

 

[malcolm69]

Thanks for joining the crusade and taking action. I urge everyone not to be complacent and stay indifferent. A collective action will definitely yield results.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Yes Malcom but once again I cant stress enough that Im not going to invest anymore time in this and Im sure everybody else is in the same frame of mind.

I mean you dont say much about yourself here on this forum and we know nothing about you ,some of you are not very open about things at all yet you appear to be using this forum just for your own crusade and for no other reason.
I would love to know how much time you have on your hands during the day.
I cant afford to lose our site its really important to our business .I did not want the hassle with the phone no that I had two weeks ago .I now have to find a new site supplier and refight our way back to the top of google in the South West again .
All thiis will cost time and money .Time during the week is something that many of us do not have .Things are tough enough in this game now ,There is no time to go knee deep in ball**** like this as much as I would wish to see these muppets come a cropper .
So I would love to know what you people do then I could understand a bit more why you wish to see your lives consumed by this sorry mess !!!

 

[Teflon dan]

Some people don't mind being walked all over and others stand up for what they believe in, It's every individuals choice. No body is asking you to invest anymore of your time in this crusade but let people make up there own mind please.

Teflon Dan

Yes Malcom but once again I cant stress enough that Im not going to invest anymore time in this and Im sure everybody else is in the same frame of mind.

I mean you dont say much about yourself here on this forum and we know nothing about you ,some of you are not very open about things at all yet you appear to be using this forum just for your own crusade and for no other reason.
I would love to know how much time you have on your hands during the day.
I cant afford to lose our site its really important to our business .I did not want the hassle with the phone no that I had two weeks ago .I now have to find a new site supplier and refight our way back to the top of google in the South West again .
All thiis will cost time and money .Time during the week is something that many of us do not have .Things are tough enough in this game now ,There is no time to go knee deep in ball**** like this as much as I would wish to see these muppets come a cropper .
So I would love to know what you people do then I could understand a bit more why you wish to see your lives consumed by this sorry mess !!!

 

[Bull]

Hi,

Only just found this forum/site and am glad i did.

I'm in exactly the same boat with my 0800 number (now with TTNC)

And my 7 day website started last September and still not finished, tut, tut.

I've been trying to contact GCS/Imagetrade and got through once after the administration was announced, to their new company as they said Image trade was no more but a new company had begun.

I was told that my site was still being built and my contract was still valid (whatever that means as they still haven't provided me with specific t's & c's relative to the website which after speaking to the FSB i think is unlawful?

Either way, i'm coming to the end of making a decision about whether to cut my losses/how, if to procecute? As i'm constantly being told tommorrow and tommorrow never comes!

Glad to hear i'm not alone though.

 

[malcolm69]

Yes Malcom but once again I cant stress enough that Im not going to invest anymore time in this and Im sure everybody else is in the same frame of mind.

I mean you dont say much about yourself here on this forum and we know nothing about you ,some of you are not very open about things at all yet you appear to be using this forum just for your own crusade and for no other reason.
I would love to know how much time you have on your hands during the day.
I cant afford to lose our site its really important to our business .I did not want the hassle with the phone no that I had two weeks ago .I now have to find a new site supplier and refight our way back to the top of google in the South West again .
All thiis will cost time and money .Time during the week is something that many of us do not have .Things are tough enough in this game now ,There is no time to go knee deep in ball**** like this as much as I would wish to see these muppets come a cropper .
So I would love to know what you people do then I could understand a bit more why you wish to see your lives consumed by this sorry mess !!!

Sir, I am not here to present my resume and an autobiographical sketch of who I am but if you care to know, the following is why I want to expose these people.
I commisioned a GCS/Image Trade/webbuilt4u and whatever names they called themselves to design an ecommerce website for me at the beginning of November, 2009. The initial desposit was charged to my credit card immediately with the promise to complete the work in four weeks. Nothing was done, the whole amount was debited to my card with tax and unauthorised money was taken as well by them. I bought a freephone as well but I am not interested to follow up with that. My concern is all about the websites but if others want to deal with the phones that is their priority, so let them do it.

Upon persitent phone calls to get the work done all they could come up with was a copied and pasted work of other websites, both in graphic images and word content on March 12. Furthermore, the website was not completed and they did not notify me of filing for bankruptcy through any medium of communication. I got the message in the form of a text on my cellphone from TTNC, March 23 regarding the freephone service. The last time I spoke to Phil Bedford on March 18, about the amendments on the website, he promised me that it was going to be done and completed on March 25. I am yet to see it done and I need not explain further with what happened.

If you do not want to invest time in this, I have not targeted you to do so. Also, I am perfectly certain that not everyone is going to let these people off the hook. All I am trying to do is to get my fasthost account from the webhost to enable a legitimate designer to amend and complete everything, and send the message to those who might not know what to do as have already been posted on this forum. It might be unknown to just one person that after the one year hosting period the website will go down because the webhost is unavailabe to renew it. That could be tomorrow for someone.

The £1500 I have lost might be peanuts to you, and much as I would not get that back, I cannot simply look away. I will try to expose these people, to at least save potential victims, from dealing with those names.

Finally sir, people use their times differently and so far as it does not infringe on other peoples rights, maybe, all you need to understand is that we internalize messages and process information differently.

 

[mmarknewman]

Had a website with GCS for over a year no problems with service so on renewal and change to our Company have ordered a new 10 page site it had gone through to the final design stage but have heard nothing for a few weeks! Same story paid up front but had before with them and no problems. They took 2 lots of £117 pounds from account without authority. Old site still up and running and emails!?
I was led to believe the "site" and domain etc were owned by us? Any help and advice gratefully received!