google resell

Log in to reply
T

Tangent

Free Member
Dec 11, 2008
6
0
  • #81
    I got a reply from Andrew Eastham via email. He says that he does accept my cancellation but does not agree to supplying me with a refund. I still haven't got the emails that he has once again promised me regarding the account. Today I noticed that my site was not coming up for one of the searches so I took several different screenshots of the search, saved them, emailed them to myself one by one so that I have proof and have emailed one of them back to him.

    I would be very interested in hearing from anyone else trying to recover money from Sphere Marketing.

    Lois
     
    Upvote 0
    T

    Tangent

    Free Member
    Dec 11, 2008
    6
    0
  • #82
    I have found another site just like the one I first saw. I cannot yet post urls so cannot direct you to it but if anyone wants to see it let me know.

    The front page looks like a legitimate company and the Google Resell page is down as a client. Not sure whether to alert this company or whether it is yet another of Greame Ross's ventures!
     
    Upvote 0
    P

    pepe53

  • #84
    Just thought I would let you all know that this company are still at it. They have been contacting all the clients that advertise on my property rental website. They even phoned me here in Spain!! I have already emailed all my owners informing them not to have anything to do with this scam. They did not like it when I told them that I knew it was a scam. They got very defensive. When I told them that I had emailed all my clients the hung up on me!! Phil
     
    Upvote 0
    P

    pepe53

  • #85
    Had this from one of my clients. It was sent to them by you know who, But the web address says someone else. Interesting eh???
    We would like to offer you a guaranteed first page position on Google™ using the following key phrases:

    ( at the moment we have not agreed what phrases you will have yet but can ofter you 3 phrases )

    Prices are as follows (GBP£ + VAT):

    Initial Setup: £99 This allows us to process your account and get you live on the first page within 24 hours of payment.
    Monthly Fee of: £99/pcm

    You will feature on the first page of Google permanently over the duration of your membership
    You recieve unlimited clicks for the traffic that will go through your websites.
    It is a 24 hour 7 days a week listing.
    The keywords can be entered anywhere in the world and you will always feature.
    You will rotate between the shaded area on the top left and also on the right hand sides.
    Our technicians will check which keywords recieve the most traffic to maximise your business potential.
    We maintain and manage the membership at all times..
    Here are the figures I mentioned for your perusal:

    From 1 Billion Internet searches per day Yell.com recieves less than 3% of these in comparison to
    Google.com/Google.co.uk who receive 87% of these searches. With Ask and Yahoo trailing behind
    with just 3% each also.
    Google™ guarantees qualified traffic 24/7, 365 days a year.
    Furthermore, 87% of online marketing budgets are spent on Google™ as it is proven to work most
    effectively.
    I look forward to speaking with you soon.

    Could you please kindly reply either with a yes or a no thank you and have a great day.

    Kindest regards,
    Shaheen Kouser
    Sales Consultant

    01772 672800 ext 2290

    adwordreseller co uk
     
    Upvote 0
    T

    Tangent

    Free Member
    Dec 11, 2008
    6
    0
  • #87
    I managed to get half of my money back via a claim through Visa and am working on the other half as if my bank hadn't given me false information I would have been in time to claim it all back.

    It's nice having that money back in my bank after reading his email telling me that there is absolutely no chance of a refund :)
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    suzysue

  • #88
    I have also been duped by Sphere.

    Matthew called me on the 8th Jan 09 and said he was from Google Marketing and could get my website on the first page of Google. Usually I refuse these sales pushes because of the high price, but as my offline ads have been getting less effective decided maybe it was time to go with Google!

    It was only after paying 409 euro for three months and I received their confirmation email that I discovered they were actually Sphere Marketing. I also discovered that all they would be doing would be placing an Adword ad, not putting my website in the organic section as I'd supposed! At no time was it mentioned that they were an Adwords Reseller.

    The five page agreement was also interesting. Incidentally, how can one agree or disagree with a 'contract' that is sent after you have paid?

    First of all it was entitled Automatically Renewing Website Marketing Agreement. At no time was it mentioned that my payment would be renewed automatically after the initial three months. In fact, Matthew said he would call me before the end of the three months and we could discuss renewing!

    Paragraph 18 worryingly states that even if I send a registered post letter cancelling said 'automatic renewal' this notice will be ineffective unless SM confirms in writing that it actually received the letter within the 30 day period. Right, that's going to happen!

    Paragraph 26 then states that Sphere are not connected in any way with Google, Yahoo or MSN.

    I have tried to get a refund (even offered to take less then a full refund) but had no replies to emails and when I try to speak to Paul have been told he's 'in a meeting'. By the way, could this be the Paul Heywood who contributed earlier in this thread?

    I have now written to both Lancashire Trading Standards and Andrew Penman at the Mirror newspaper. I also now have to send all my info about Sphere to my credit card supplier for them to give me a refund.

    How I wish I'd not decided to go with Google!!

    My husbands low opinion of the Internet is now confirmed!
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    suzysue

  • #90
    Thanks Steve,

    Actually I was joking about the 'going with Google' comment. I just meant I thought I WAS going with Google at first.

    Yes, I have contacted my credit card company and I have to send all my info, emails and a copy of the agreement for them to give me a refund. A lot of hassle, but hopefully I'll get my hard earned money back!
     
    Upvote 0
    C

    chocolatelady

  • #91
    You need to contact Google to let them know these people are still using their name. They have already blocked them on the www as using the google name is not allowed. They will be very interested to know that the sales epople are still calling themselves by the google name.



    Johanna Sistek
    Google Inc., Contract Trademark Counsel

    johannas at google dot com


    Also contact Lancashire trading standards as they are compiling a case against these awful people,
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    suzysue

  • #92
    I spent ages trying to find an email address to write to Google, so thanks for the above email address, I'll certainly contact Johannas as soon as possible.

    I did send a long email to Lancashire Trading Standards Saturday, but was disappointed to find it returned to me yesterday by the Mailer Daemon as being unable to send.
    This is the address I sent it to:feedback at lancashire.gov.uk so don't know what happened.
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    Steve2507

  • #93
    suzysue said:
    Thanks Steve,

    Actually I was joking about the 'going with Google' comment. I just meant I thought I WAS going with Google at first.

    Yes, I have contacted my credit card company and I have to send all my info, emails and a copy of the agreement for them to give me a refund. A lot of hassle, but hopefully I'll get my hard earned money back!
    Click to expand...
    I know you realised you weren't with G, I just thought I would point out it wasn't G's fault as some people reading the forum will still blame G.
     
    Upvote 0
    Y

    Yannux

  • #96
    Hi all,

    Well I recently had dealings aswell with Adwordreseller / Sphere / Sphere Marketing /Sphere Marketing.tv.
    I got a call from them two days ago saying the usual " we can get you on the first page etc" so I my ears did shoot up abit I must admit... anyway I said I would think about it, maybe call me back in two days..

    They call back NEXT MORN... put someone else on the phone to reassure me of all my many questions...So I get roped in..

    Though I said it still sounds like alot of money up front.... " ok what we can do for you is you can pay us £25.00 now and the rest of the setup fee later." errr so I did..

    Something was telling me to look them up at midnight last night and I find all this! Soooo annoyed.

    I called and emailed them I didn't want to do this any longer and to be honest they said they would ave the listing by yesterday and the relevant paperwork sent by email wothin half an hour.

    I have since sent an email to them and guess what............they put my listing up....after the email was sent requesting my refund.

    Due to the distance selling regulations we have a right to cancel anyway.

    Lets see.
     
    Upvote 0
    T

    The Dreaded Lurgy

  • #97
    Well you have only lost £25 as long as you have not set up a direct debit or left them some other way of accessing your cash, if you have I would advise cancelling it and contacting your bank to make sure they cannot take any further unauthorised payments from you and just ignore them.

    It sounds unlikely you will get your £25 back and its probably not worth the effort to try and if they sound too dodgy to be able to pursue you legally for any more payments!
     
    Upvote 0
    Y

    Yannux

  • #98
    I have received emails confirming now what I'll be paying. But they still didn't do what they said when they said and I obviously want to stay clear!

    It annoys me that due to 'credit crunch' everyone is likely to pay attention to these scams because obviously we all want to generate business.

    I am annoyed with myself really that I didn't do my ususal - research first! just thankful it's only £25 and not like others who have lost hundreds.

    They said they use 'dove tailing and pump and rush' techniques......anyone???:rolleyes:

    By the way has anyone had any dealings with Mall.TV - virtual mall?
     
    Upvote 0
    Y

    Yannux

  • #102
    I gave them authrisation to take £25 over the phone so they do have the three numbers. I have to wait till Tuesday to start chargeback proceedings....

    Having looked at the terms and conditions I have to actually send a written letter( which I will ) to there registered office to cancel.

    So anyway finally after many phonecalls I speak to Andrew Eastman......obviously abrupt and rude. Says he will look into it to see if I am eligable for a refund......at this stage I am fuming. :mad:

    I have to wait till Tuesday and fingers crossed I get my money.

    They have to be shut down they have been doing it for far too long.
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    Steve2507

  • #106
    The further problem you may face is that they take more money in the future.

    If you succeed with a chargeback you should also get a new card and card number. That way the worst case is they get the £400+.

    If you don't succeed with your chargeback they will still have your card number:(, so you "lose you card". I.e. you will need to lose your card so the bank has to cancel it. Sounds a bit of a hassle (and it is) but if these guys are the crooks they sound, you need to protect your card number.
     
    Upvote 0
    R

    Rachael 100

    Free Member
    Feb 16, 2009
    1
    0
  • #107
    Hi, my name is Rachael. I have a business based in Dublin. I was contacted by telephone by a chap called Jamie from "Google Resell". I authorised them to take €120.00 from my credit card, they deducted nearly €3000.00. I contacted the Police in Dublin and they are working with the Police in Lancashire - an investigation is under way at present. I will be suing them however the criminal matter must complete first. They are absolutely lethal. I am endeavouring to get the money back through my credit card company but this is not looking viable. I urge people not to give any bank or debit or credit card details to anyone over the phone. I notice their website is down and they have not replied to my most recent emails or my letters. I did receive a letter from them dated 20 November 2008. Maybe the Police have got to them?
     
    Upvote 0
    N

    navtis

    Free Member
    Feb 19, 2009
    3
    0
  • #110
    Rachael 100 said:
    I was contacted by telephone by a chap called Jamie from "Google Resell". I authorised them to take €120.00 from my credit card, they deducted nearly €3000.00. I notice their website is down ...]

    It's not down, it's just moved to coolasfcuk.co.uk/clients/googleresell.net with the curious page title of "Paul Heywood" (where've I heard that before...?). Incidentally coolasfcuk.co.uk are "Website Design services in Market Rasen" (where?) which also wrote the web site for adwordreseller.co.uk which is another Sphere Marketing outfit, very much still alive (I had a call from them today). It just goes round and round... Good luck getting your money back, Rachael.
    Click to expand...
     
    Upvote 0
    L

    lizwhibley

    Free Member
    Mar 7, 2009
    6
    2
  • #111
    Was interested to find all this on here, I have been on another forum and found other disgruntled people!!
    I have copied here what wrote on the Google forum yesterday.

    I too fell for Sphere Marketing's approach. I was contacted back in November and had a lengthy conversation with a young man who introduced himself as from the Google Marketing team. He gave me discounted prices as we are only a small family business... the cost would be £149.99 per month + VAT, after a cheery "Welcome to Google, we hope you enjoy your Google experience!" he put me through to customer services where I was asked for business card details so they could take my payment for the first six months. I said that I would not be able to pay this amount, some £1050 + ( having checked the invoice they were charging more than I had been advised £165.50/month) and that I had been told that I was going to be able to pay monthly. It was eventually agreed that I would pay for the upload fee so that we could go live... this was £116.33, and that we would be able to pay in three installments, every two months and that they needed payment for the first installment. I was emailed during the morning of 27 November to say that we were now live on the system and that we would appear as a sponsored link if anyone entered our keyword phrases. I checked and it worked.... for one day only!!!! as far as we can make out. I had also told the customer service operator that I would have to send a cheque for the first installment balance as there was not enough available credit on my business card to pay. This did not stop them taking a further £250 the following morning!! .(I must admit I was surprised when I received the order confirmation and invoice by email to see that it was from a company called Sphere Marketing and there was no mention of Google or their link to it!! but even then I did not twig that I was being had :-( )I was then hounded by the customer services team by email and phone for a further payment... they kept insisting that I needed to pay the full balance of £1050.45 even though I pointed out that they had already taken £250,(which eventually they agreed!) after much arguing I agreed to send a further cheque for £100.15 which I did on 17th December. However we had not appeared on Google since before that date. I then received an email in January saying that I needed to send a further payment of £233.44 and that I had a further three payments to make in February, March and April. I did not respond as I did not consider that I needed to pay for a service that doesn't work. I had intended to take this up with Sphere Marketing but due to the Christmas rush had not got round to the onslaught.
    On February 24th I was telephoned by a Ms Rogerson who was very aggresive... I said that I would not be making any further payments as the service they had sold me did not work, "Oh yes it is," says Ms Rogerson, "I always check that the system is working before phoning !!!" Strangely, five minutes after our conversation we still were not appearing on Google page 1 even though our nearest rival shop was!!! I was at that time waiting for a telephone call from my daughter in law as my son had been admitted to hospital the night before and I wanted to know how he was. I told Ms Rogerson that I needed to terminate our conversation for this reason. She said I would be hearing more from her, I emailed her that morning to say that we still were NOT on Google and that I could and would not pay for a service that did not work and that I looked forward to her reply. I heard nothing until Wednesday this week when I received a very threatening letter from a Sue Jackson at Sphere Marketing saying in very large red letters they are going to sue me and that they will have my company bank account frozen. I have contacted Trading Standards who tell me that they may be able to sue as it might be worded into their small print which I have never seen.... copy available on request. However he is reporting them to the trading standards office in their local area. I am seeking advice from my solicitor and will keep you posted as to developments.

    Sorry about the long windedness of this but I had to get it off my chest... SPHERE MARKETING are definitely scamming us. :D:(
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    Steve2507

  • #112
    I had a phone call from one of these types of company on Wednesday, I don't know if it was Sphere, because as soon as they say guaranteed placement I switch off.

    But as I was emptying deliveries at the time I thought I would have some fun. I was adamant that I only wanted the term "sex" guaranteed top placement (worldwide) for 12 months for £150 per month and that I wanted the contracts seen first by my solicitor plus I would only pay in arrears.

    Took them an hour to realise I was taking the p***, it was very satisfying knowing they weren't talking some newbie into parting with their cash.
     
    Upvote 0
    N

    navtis

    Free Member
    Feb 19, 2009
    3
    0
  • #116
    lizwhibley said:
    I received a very threatening letter from a Sue Jackson at Sphere Marketing saying in very large red letters they are going to sue me and that they will have my company bank account frozen. I have contacted Trading Standards who tell me that they may be able to sue as it might be worded into their small print which I have never seen.... copy available on request. However he is reporting them to the trading standards office in their local area. I am seeking advice from my solicitor and will keep you posted as to developments.
    Click to expand...

    Hi Liz, By my reckoning you've already paid this outfit £466.48 for not much. So far from paying your solicitor to defend yourself, I'd say attack is the best form of defence and it's cheap. The Small Claims Court paperwork will cost you (I think) about £20 to sue them for the money you've paid for a service they have failed to provide. Turn the tables. Attack. Good luck.
     
    Upvote 0
    L

    lizwhibley

    Free Member
    Mar 7, 2009
    6
    2
  • #117
    Thanks Navtis,

    I am seeing my solicitor on another matter, so just seeking his advice. I agree with you, I do need to attack.... Sue Jackson was a little taken aback when she phoned obviously expecting that her letter would have frightened me into paying and hung up very quickly when I said the matter was with my solicitor. Having read all I have about Sphere Marketing I guess they are all too use to receiving complaints, they certainly don't work very hard at providing a service, just extremely hard at taking money off people. :(
     
    • Like
    Reactions: navtis
    Upvote 0
    B

    Beadons

    Free Member
    Nov 20, 2008
    84
    17
  • #119
    Just had phone call from Search Rank Results.co.uk! I requested they email details. I had to give them my email address as the young girl admitted they only guessed I had a website!!! I won't be taking up their offer but this is what they claim!

    Thanks for your time
    We are called Search Rank Results.co.uk and we are a Google reseller. We give and guarantee you a Front Page position on Google (in writing) for things you want to be listed for. (There was over 600 hits for Private investigator Kent / over 1000 for Process server uk on Google in the last 28 days).
    We give you a 3 month trial, to let you see for yourself the business Google will generate for you. If after 3 months you wish to stay with us, the price remains the same. (It is the period that is the trial, not the price).
    In a nutshell I am offering you ;Guaranteed first page listing on Google, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
    Direct link to your web site (no 3rd party info or links)
    £99 + VAT set up fee (Included in this price I will give you key phrases)
    £99 + VAT per month
    3 month / 90 day trial
     
    Upvote 0
    Ali-v-8

    Ali-v-8

    Free Member
    May 8, 2008
    5,374
    1,191
    Burnley, Lancashire, England, Britain, UK, Europe,
  • #120
    Beadons said:
    Just had phone call from Search Rank Results.co.uk! I requested they email details. I had to give them my email address as the young girl admitted they only guessed I had a website!!! I won't be taking up their offer but this is what they claim!

    Thanks for your time
    We are called Search Rank Results.co.uk and we are a Google reseller. We give and guarantee you a Front Page position on Google (in writing) for things you want to be listed for. (There was over 600 hits for Private investigator Kent / over 1000 for Process server uk on Google in the last 28 days).
    We give you a 3 month trial, to let you see for yourself the business Google will generate for you. If after 3 months you wish to stay with us, the price remains the same. (It is the period that is the trial, not the price).
    In a nutshell I am offering you ;Guaranteed first page listing on Google, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
    Direct link to your web site (no 3rd party info or links)
    £99 + VAT set up fee (Included in this price I will give you key phrases)
    £99 + VAT per month
    3 month / 90 day trial
    Click to expand...


    Total lies
    58 impression average over the period of 12 month
    so she has quoted you 12 months traffic for 1 month.
    but just so you know last monh only 22 people searched for private investigators kent.
     
    Upvote 0
    Log in to reply

    Latest Articles

    Top Bottom
    Community
    Articles
    Menu