Last December, after attending a real estate conference put on by Craig Proctor Coaching, I got the call from Future Ranking. I had purchased a website from successwebsites.com as part of the coaching package. I still believe the coaching program has some value and the successwebsite design is useful when used in print advertising.
When futureranking.com called, they were extremely persuasive. Promised top rankings within 180 days. Of course, our market is so competitive, I had to get the gold plan which they offered as a special to upgrade to the premium plan. They would even throw in some ppc as part of the package. I asked to see which other realtors they worked with and was given a couple of sites that were the same templated site I had just purchased at the coaching program. I don't believe Craig Proctor coaching is part of this, but it's really funny how they got the contact info to get to me and also gave a couple of references who were obviously using the same templated website.
I'm not complaining about the other two businesses, but the folks at futureranking.com should be put out of business and probably in jail.
First, I never received the ranking reports I was supposed to get. A couple of months ago one of their workers called me about my ranking report and I told her I hadn't received it. She verified my e-mail and said she would see that it was re-sent. I never received it. I finally did receive one about 2 weeks ago. After their required 180 days, I have received nothing for my $5K. I called demanding to cancel and they insisted that I send them a letter. I couldn't get anyone in their "cancellation" department to speak to me. I FedExed my letter for cancellation, of course, they couldn't save me that expense by letting me fax it because they had "upgraded their phone system and didn't have fax reception anymore"... Yeah, yeah, yeah. I believe that one like I believe they ever had the slightest intention of getting me ranked.
I have begun searching for an SEO company to promote my custom site which I have had longer. Now as I get into learning about SEO, I realize that their promise of submitting me to the search engines repeatedly is non-sense. Search engines don't like that. Even worse, I now find that templated sites really can't be optimized for top rankings. The site they called me about was nothing but a template.
Russ finally sent me an e-mail this afternoon stating that I have received "lousy customer service" and my "rankings aren't stellar" but I'm not entitled to a refund. I can't believe I was such an idiot as to fall for these scam artists. I have a funny feeling they are nothing but a boiler room with telemarketers. I also found on the guarantee that Russ sent me today they do have another address. The secondary address is 1518 1st Ave. S., #200, Seattle, WA 98134.
I would appreciate any assistance in getting my money back and/or putting these guys out of business. They're obviously operating across state lines. Their behavior is fraudulent and the amounts they're stealing (more than $2) qualifies as a felony. I'd like to see the Feds after them.
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