I'm a victim of Heritage Web Solutions as well. I normally search for customers review before I buy anything, but I made a mistake not doing it about Heritage and read this blog and many other blogs about Heritage reputation before.
First of all, take a look on example of websites they show on their portifolio, most of them are not longer with Heritage.
Second before you give them your credit card number to close any deal with them, ask them to send a copy of their TERM OF SERVICE, it's a document protecting them to take your money, and they know what they are doing.
Here is some lines of their TERMS OF SERVICE.
HERITAGE WEB SOLUTIONS (part of their terms of service to protect them, and give them the right to take our money)
Line-29
29. Cancellation Fee and Refund Policy
WEBSITE DESIGN/DEVELOPMENT - Refunds of the fees paid for development of the website may be issued on accounts cancelled within 90 days of the initial sale and prior to the completion of the website according to the following schedule:
A) A minimum of a 50% cancellation fee will be retained by HWS on cancelled accounts even if no work has been started and no content yet submitted by the Client.
B) A minimum of a 75% cancellation fee will be retained by HWS on cancelled accounts if work has been presented to the Client; or HWS has made multiple attempts to work with the Client, and Client has not responded to those attempts.
C) A 100% cancellation fee will be retained by HWS and NO REFUND issued if any changes and/or modifications requested by the Client have been completed by HWS. No Refund will be issued on any website cancelled after services have been rendered, including but not limited to, the design work having been completed and/or the website taken live.
D) 100% cancellation fee will be retained and NO REFUND will be issued by HWS if Client cancels after 90 days from the initial sale.
MINIMUM CANCELLATION FEE Client agrees that a minimum cancellation fee of 50% will be retained by HWS on all cancelled accounts even if no work has been started. The cancellation fee is charged to compensate HWS for up-front expenses and services rendered, including but not limited to, costs incurred for the purchase of domain name (s) for developing the website, securing server space, creating the temporary website or space saver, employee expenses, marketing, and overhead costs.
ENHANCEMENT SALES - A 100% cancellation fee will be retained by HWS and NO REFUND will be issued once work has begun on any enhancements purchased, including, but not limited to, databases, programming, logos, flash, galleries, rollovers, e-commerce stores etc. Client agrees that a minimum cancellation fee of 50% will be retained by HWS on all cancelled enhancement purchases if cancelled within 90 days of the enhancement sale and if work has not yet begun. NO REFUND will be issued by HWS if client cancels after 90 days from the enhancement sale. Enhancements or additional services purchased after the initial sale are separate purchases and are in addition to and separate from the original sale. If a client cancels an enhancement the original sale is not cancelled.
Take a look and see, how well they try protect themself.
Line-41
41. Negative Comments/Slander
Client specifically agrees not to engage in negative comments or slander regarding HWS, including but not limited to publishing, or causing to be published, complaints or derogatory comments regarding HWS in any format, including but not limited to, print, newspaper, television, radio or on internet complaint sites, blogs or other public internet forums. Should there be a breach of this condition HWS will be entitled to liquidated damages in the amount of $2,500.00 for each publishing or posting. If said breach occurs on an internet complaint site each hit to that website will be considered an individual breach of this condition, and subject to additional liquidated damages of $100 per occurrence. Further, HWS shall be entitled to litigate this matter, and obtain the money damages together with injunctive relief. The prevailing party to that litigation shall be entitled to an award of attorneys fees.
Do you want to read the whole Heritage TERMS OF SERVICE?
Here it is, I found the link for it: http://www.heritagewebdesign.com/tos.html
By the way, they sell a shopping cart which is distribuited for free ZEN CART, and the enhancements (modules) for the cart is available all over the internet.
They charge monthly $45.00, to host your Website, which you can find the same or better hosting service out there from $5.00 - $7.00 month, if you get a wesite with them, you have to use their hosting service for at least ONE YEAR, so they will take antoher $600.00 from your pocket guaranted!!!
If you still want to go with them, it is up to you, but I wish I could have read these blogs before.
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