I had been researching federal grants for several months. Several companies were aware of my interest. I was called by a telemarketer about a month ago regarding obtaining grants. They did not identify themselves as a telemarketer working on behalf of Synergy. They told me this was their main business and would be happy to work with me to obtain a grant. I received a call a few minutes later from Nick Reynolds from Synergy to sign me up and get my check by phone. Only after I received my enrollment package did I learn that the people doing the work were independent contractors working from home.
It took me two weeks to complete my part of the business plan. I had downloaded the Federal Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and read it several times. The grantor is very specific regarding the information to be presented and the proper format to use. They say if their rules are not followed precisely they will not even consider the application. The business plan I received was a copy of my plan and my financials processed with graphing software. This application does not meet the grant requirements for consideration. I received an email from my plan writer stating she was furnishing the business plan and not an application. She further stated that if I wanted an application, I should contact my funding coach. Nobody seemed to know who the funding coaching was. I was led to believe that Synergy would prepare the applications based on my data. This has not happened.
Synergy's agreement specifies that I would have thirty minute coaching sessions once a week by phone. This never happened.
Based on the above failure to prepare the applications properly and provide the promised coaching sessions, I believe Synergy is in default of their own agreement. I want a full refund of my $6350.00.
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