Qype - Are they any good

[stevit]

Wow - I actually got a reply from Qype after they send me an invoice for £675 for doing absolutely nothing! I have already been through the "You signed a 6 month contract so you owe us money", "you signed a 12 month contract so you owe us more money", "you have never paid an invoice so you owe use lots of money" and the "you haven't paid so we have contacted your client directly to request money from them" shenanigans and as most here know it's all lies.

Well, this morning, after writing them a pretty strong email yesterday I received this:

Dear Sir / Madam

Please ignore the invoice that we emailed to you last night.

This was sent by a systems error, and the amount shown bears no relation to any balances on your account.

We apologise for any confusion that this may have caused, and can reassure you that this was not a Friday 13th hoax!

Regards


UK Billing Team

Qype UK Ltd
Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7291 7409

Mob: 07900 197 076
3rd Floor

95 New Cavendish Street
London,
W1W 6XF​

Personally I am not impressed or amused. For starters how many of these emails must they have sent out to a) not know my name and b) not bother to do a mail-merge from their database?

Previously I have demanded they remove my contact details from their database and they obviously haven't - this, I believe, breaches the Data Protection Act and now they send me this crap.

Has anyone else received an email like the one above? It would be quite interesting to see if this is a fob-you-off email or a real problem.

Cheers

(Sorry for my first post to be a rant but people need to know about companies like this).

S.

 

[semikie]

I am pleased that you do have have to pay the buggers!

I am still awaiting the out come from my bank with the disputed payments taken from my card after I cancelled them after 6 months.

They really are a cowboy set up, but sadly many more people will be caught by their misleading talk over the phone.

Michale

 

[tompeters]

Gosh, just read some of the posts on here. Glad I didn't give in to all of the sales calls. Persistent aren't they!

 

[WatsonPalmer]

About a month ago I made the mistake of becoming a Qype "premium partner", which costs me £50 per month compared to the same facility on FreeIndex (which bans marketing calls) for £7.95 a month.

I have seen 150-200 appearances per week of my listing, numbers clicking through to my Qype listing falling by the week; 30% then 20% and now 10%. Zero clicking further to my actual Web site, and zero meaningful contacts of any kind through Qype.

Evidently however Qype will bring out a new product in July/August 2012 that will guarantee many more page impressions than at the present time. My problem is - who uses Qype?? Act in haste, repent at leisure, as they say and I have to pay another £250 to complete my 6 month obligation and escape. By the way, FreeIndex does not have that absurdly long 'lock in' period, it operates by the month and I believe that Qype should take the same approach.

26th July - excitement! Qype has started its new product guaranteeing 10,000 page views! Great! So, I log into Qype and what do I see? There is the new tab to get the 10,000 views - oh, almost forgot to say - also a request for £100 if I want the facility. Strange that nothing was said about extra cost whilst my "account manager" was hyping it up over the phone. And also a statement that my £100 will last between 3 days and a whole month (if I want to spread my banners out thinly).

Funnily enough, this time I didn't fall for it. Down to 1 star now. Shame, I hoped that Qype might bring me some business. Not a chance according to my experience so far.

 

[Jan Bertelsen]

Hi there

I have just been in touch with Qype again - and just to let you know they are very good in taking your money. The free listing may be ok - I still doubt how much traffic you acutally get from that as well - I signed up with them for 6 months initially and was not put in the correct category to start with nor was I told in detail what I had to do - I then found out for the renewal of the contract that I actually should have done most of the work my self - what do I actually pay them for?? when I look at my google analytics afterwards it was VERY few who actually came through Qype.

Further to this they then called me up when my contract was due to expire in order for me to renew - I explained that I was not instructed properly on how to use their services and that the mis-categorisation had resulted in the low very low traffic from Qype - I was then given an offer still to pay and then to see - I declined as the friend who initially told me about Qype told me NOT to use the paid service and he was right!! DONT USE QYPE.

I just found out now that Qype have taken money out of my card without my authorisation when I explicitly told them that I was NOT interested in renewing my membership - I was then told that in the small print that I had to write into them to cancel despite telling them on the phone that I was NOT interested in the Qype service - I told them that it was bad service that they only call when then want money and then take it without asking - I gave them the opportunity to give me a good customer service especially in the light of not having received hardly any business contact via them but they were only interested in taking the money out of my account - to me that constitutes theft and not customer service - SO BE VERY AWARE IF YOU SIGN UP!

If I would treat my customers like this I would be out of business very fast!! and I would not be able to sleep at night - but some businesses do not seem to have a soul - that is Qype for you!!

 

[DFitton]

I am glad I am not on my own fighting Qype. I just a few minutes ago posted my complaing about Qype.

 

[tonytreacy]

Thanks for the heads up on qype!

 

[QypeBiz]

Hi

Thank you all for leaving your feedback.

*WatsonPalmer- We have responded to your post left on the Qype listing and I believe this has now been activated for you.

*Jan Bertelsen- Could you please private message your details so we can look into this?

Thanks

 

[WatsonPalmer]

I shall write this week to Qype to ensure that my 'Premium Partner' listing is ceased immediately at the end of the amazingly long 6 month lock-in period. Still, I agreed to it so I guess it has been a very, very expensive lesson to learn at £50 per month.

Note that in accordance with clause 7.2 of Qype's conditions, "notice of such termination will only be valid if served by registered letter addressed to the address provided at clause 22 and marked "termination of offline package“. Shame that registered post no longer exists!

I have been told by my "account manager" that an email will do instead, but I am going to do this by the book to make absolutely sure.

In business terms there has been NO FRUIT WHATSOEVER from my Qype listing, and I would advise all others to heed the lesson that I have so expensively learned and decline all sales pitches from Qype no matter how persuasive they may appear to be. In fact, I have had a few hits on my bookkeeping Web site from this free forum, but only one from Qype in the 5 weeks that I have had ads plastered all over their site! So, once again, who actually uses Qype to search for businesses?

Also, I am still waiting to see ANY positive reviews .... where are they (apart from the Qype staff reviews)?????

 

[WatsonPalmer]

Qype's new product - Qype Ads - is a sort of rather badly designed banner that sits right at the top of the relevant page and is supposed to encourage more traffic to your company.

10,000 impressions are free for "Premium Partners" (for which substitute the word "suckers") and I have the misfortune to be one of them.

When I set up my Qype Ad I had two choices:

• Diplay all the banners in a mighty splash over 3 days
• Spread the impressions out over a month

I chose the latter. In reality though, at the current display rate it will take 2.41 years to display the 10,000 impressions, and I cannot imagine Qype being in business that long.

 

[rolaba]

I will not recommend to anyone I was stupid enough to sign for a premium listing with their statistics and great figures and an incredible offer with their application for android phones, after two weeks my application is still not working the account manager only gives excuses and when you tell them you are going to leave they just remind you that you had sign for six months! Do not sign! for premium, do not waste your money!.

 

[WatsonPalmer]

Another company that seriously wishes they had never heard of Qype, this time an IT company called AJPC solutions. Cannot paste a URL yet, but go to their Web site and type /blog after the .com.

 

[QypeBiz]

Hi Rolaba,

I'm sorry to hear that you have had a negative experience with us. Could you please private message us your details so we can look into this.

Thanks

 

[WatsonPalmer]

At last I have the pleasure of being rid of Qype; my experience of being a "premium partner" (ha ha) was appalling, and now I have paid a total of £300 to exit my contract early. At least I have learned a valuable lesson.

Qype seems reluctant so far to delete my personal details as required by the Data Protection Act, and if I do have to write to the ICO in respect of action against Qype I will certainly do so and post again here.

The next idea is to wait a few weeks, then set up a dummy company Web site, list with Qype and wait for the inevitable salesman's patter about becoming a "premium partner" (which will be recorded). If I get a load of ********, I will consider publishing the results here and on YouTube.

 

[Rogerims]

Barge pole material. Telesales team claim your website will be bombarded by leads via qype but in six months not a dickiebird. Funny because we ask all our clients how they got. Hold of us and non say qype. Qype claim they can show you how many hits the website has had via qype but the figures are unsubstantiated.
By the way they claim 30 days trial or your money back ... Dream on!!
Whatever you do don't give them your card payment number. If you do , expect to pay 6 months payments at worst

 

[WatsonPalmer]

I agree, I gave my card number and had cause to regret doing so! Do not respond to their overblown sales pitch!

 

[RabbitRabbit]

Just say no!!!

Really wish we hadn't signed up - was a complete waste of money.

Be aware they employ fast talking, smooth salesmen who have an answer for every objection who are extremely difficult to get off the phone or say no too. Yes, I know I could have just put the phone down but they did sell "the benefits" well and I fell for it hook line and sinker.

When talking to him I could hear other sale staff in the background and they seemed to use the "ring a bell" when you got a sale idea -a true sign of the worst kind of salesteam.

I cancelled at first possible opportunity - NB they insist on having cancellations in writing - and after numerous emails to ensure they got my letter, I got a phone call from someone in their "retentions" team. Quite frankly the guy was a total d**k - he kept going on and on at me about how good they well and more or less implying I was stupid for cancelling. In the end he just put the phone down on me - not exactly professional.

 

[DM25]

Wow - I actually got a reply from Qype after they send me an invoice for £675 for doing absolutely nothing! I have already been through the "You signed a 6 month contract so you owe us money", "you signed a 12 month contract so you owe us more money", "you have never paid an invoice so you owe use lots of money" and the "you haven't paid so we have contacted your client directly to request money from them" shenanigans and as most here know it's all lies.

Well, this morning, after writing them a pretty strong email yesterday I received this:

Dear Sir / Madam

Please ignore the invoice that we emailed to you last night.

This was sent by a systems error, and the amount shown bears no relation to any balances on your account.

We apologise for any confusion that this may have caused, and can reassure you that this was not a Friday 13th hoax!

Regards


UK Billing Team

Qype UK Ltd
Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7291 7409

Mob: 07900 197 076
3rd Floor

95 New Cavendish Street
London,
W1W 6XF​

Personally I am not impressed or amused. For starters how many of these emails must they have sent out to a) not know my name and b) not bother to do a mail-merge from their database?

Previously I have demanded they remove my contact details from their database and they obviously haven't - this, I believe, breaches the Data Protection Act and now they send me this crap.

Has anyone else received an email like the one above? It would be quite interesting to see if this is a fob-you-off email or a real problem.

Cheers

(Sorry for my first post to be a rant but people need to know about companies like this).

S.

I received this email too. I received the one the previous day about me owing them money and I just ignored it (like I do with every other bit of rubbish they send me).

I then got this the day after.

It just goes to show that they are running an operation with about the same level of sophistication as a chimps tea party.

 

[Logic Design]

Qype, lmao what a joke. Ripped me off a treat with lies and fraudulent withdrawals from my debit card UNAUTHORISED. They owe me money and I have an email from their customer service manager Ben who also does not return phone calls or emails with confirmation of cancellation yet they still took money. The service was totally mid sold by a very slippery so called salesman Sam who also has no backbone to admit it that it was totally mi sold to us.
its stress like this that lead me to having a massive heart attack this year.
Steer very clear.
I am meeting with my bank this week to start the procedure to recover the money taken and costs incurred.
Watch out Qype I'm now coming for you with all guns blazing.
You could always avoid the headache and bad publicity by contacting me and resolving this long issue

 

[QypeBiz]

Hi Logic Design,

We are currently looking into your account and someone will be in touch shortly.

Thanks
Qype B2B

 

[stevit]

I received this email too. I received the one the previous day about me owing them money and I just ignored it (like I do with every other bit of rubbish they send me).

I then got this the day after.

It just goes to show that they are running an operation with about the same level of sophistication as a chimps tea party.

I'm amazed how a company can be this incompetent!! It must take a lot of training!!!

So, after my complaint to Qype back in July and my request for them to remove my details from their database guess what.... I get this today:

CRN:XXXXXX

Your Qype account is now in arrears

Please be advised that payment will be deducted from your account on 2nd of October 2012


Regards,

The Credit Control Team

02072917404​

So not only have they failed yet again but they have ignored my request to remove my data from their system, in effect storing my personal information even though I have written to them requesting they remove it - is this not a breach of the Data Protection Act?

I am seeking legal advice now, I so hope I can sue these idiots!!

 

[QypeBiz]

Hi Stevit,

Sorry to hear that you've had a bad experience with us. I'd like to look into this for you, could you please direct message me your business details or send them to [email protected]

Thanks
Qype B2B

 

[philbromley]

Another story of unprofessional behaviour from qype from me as well. I signed up to a 6 month premium listing as well after a long conversation with Will, who assured me that it wasn't a rollong contract and that nearing the end of the 6 month period he would give me a call and look at the next period. Also, the promises of clients just cannot be backed up. I've had page views but that certainly hasn't been converted into clients, or even potential clients.... We monitor our leads very closely as a salon so know that nothing has come from qype.

Surprise, surprise (based on what I've just read on this forum) there was no phone call and the money has been taken out of my account without any warning. I've emailed them 3 times, tweeted them, tried calling every number and it just goes to a message saying that the voicemail is full. If we all ran companies like this then we wouldn't have any clients.

Maybe, just maybe one day I'll get a response.

 

[QypeBiz]

Hi philbromley,

Thanks for getting in touch and leaving your feedback. You were emailed by your account manager on 05/10/11 who confirmed that we are in receipt of your cancellation request and your account has been reverted back to a basic listing. A refund request for £240 has also been put in for you via our finance department which can take up to 8 weeks. Please get in touch if you need any help or have any questions.

Thanks
Qype B2B

 

[Websitehandyman]

Hi philbromley,

Thanks for getting in touch and leaving your feedback. You were emailed by your account manager on 05/10/11 who confirmed that we are in receipt of your cancellation request and your account has been reverted back to a basic listing. A refund request for £240 has also been put in for you via our finance department which can take up to 8 weeks. Please get in touch if you need any help or have any questions.

Thanks
Qype B2B

8 weeks !

I guess thats about long enough for the poor bloke to forget it was ever coming considering it takes us up to holiday season. I would suggest he would get a better time frame from his card or bank.

 

[WatsonPalmer]

My correspondence with Qype extends to 118 emails since I was duped into becoming a "Premium Partner".

After threats of taking them to court and of visiting their office to talk personally, my complaint eventually got 'escalated' and I received a refund of £200 out of the £300 paid.

I was glad of the refund, but it is a shame that it took 118 emails rather than 2 or 3.