April 13 I received a phonecall from a man who said "Jonny" had asked him to call - I responded "Jonny who?" He said "Jonny Andrews" (an internet marketing personna, from whom I had purchased a "course" some months prior). Since I was out of town at the time, he said he'd call back the next day, but didn't.
Late afternoon of April 22 I received a phonecall from a man representing himself as "Jonny". When I said he didn't sound like the individual I had seen in a video online, he said that was because the online man is an actor hired to do commercials for him. Both phonecalls originated from the same area code and and set of company numbers.
He professed interest in how my internet marketing business was going, and when I said I was frustrated and needed to know more about altering websites that I have and tracking advertising, among other things, he said he could "help" me to get the business into a profitable position within 2 weeks to 6 months. He said he would ask just 2 things: 1) that I promise to never reveal or sell his trade secret marketing methods, and 2) that I send him a cheque for $5,000 after my business made $50,000.
He asked how much credit I could access, and how. I told him I could use credit on a credit card. He asked which one and claimed to check if they would extend my credit. He then said we could get started immediately and his GM, Ted Molina would send me a non-disclosure/confidentiality agreement to sign - that it would have to be done quickly because it was end of the day and his employees would be gone for the day shortly.
I saw nothing in the agreement to indicate they would be putting an immediate $4,500 charge on my MasterCard (there was a partial number there and the name I go by, not the name on my card), and consequently considered that the inclusion of my number was a fair assurance that he would be paid when the deal was complete, so emailed it back. The paperwork did not mention "Jonny Andrews" by name - there was a company name of Push Traffic Inc.
He said there would be phonecalls confirming our agreement and setting times for the mentoring sessions the next day, and that he would call. When I called my credit card company the next morning they said that Push Traffic had put through 3 separate charges, totalling $4,500US.
As promised, a woman named Christian phoned that afternoon to set up times. She had sent me emails detailing what preparations I needed to make. The emails said I must choose one of the provided website templates that she could "customise", and that I would need to arrange for domain name and hosting, as well as other services. When I refused to choose because (as I told her) I already had, and had paid for, websites, domain names and hosting, as well as the other things mentioned like autoresponders, she just replied that I needed to choose a template so she could begin work.
It was obvious that I was not being offered the help I'd anticipated - "Jonny" had been saying whatever he thought would "sell" me. They had taken by misrepresentation of intent $5,713.05CAN, and were providing me with what other companies had given for no charge. I would have to come up with additional funds for anything one can't access for free online ie: hosting, autoresponders, tracking software or service and, most importantly and expensively - advertising. Christian said she would talk to "him" about it and he would call me back.
I heard nothing that afternoon or the next morning, so decided to exercise my right to cancel the contract (3 day clause). I emailed the cancellation Friday, as well as sending a hard copy by registered mail that day (April 24).
Mr. Molina emailed me Sunday (April 26) night instructing me to "be available" Monday when he called because I was "implying" that there would be more expense and he didn't see where. I replied saying I would be available every week day, and forwarded Christian's emails to him to prove my point about the additional expenses I'd be responsible for. He did not call then, and has never called since.
The registered letter was picked up April 30 in Los Angeles, and the signature card (signed by A. Black) was returned to me. I have since sent a second email requesting a refund, but they have not responded; nor have they put through a credit to my account as of today, May 28.
Kathy
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
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