I was contacted by Ronald Romero of Advanced Access in December about taking advantage of a special promotion for a website. As a part-time realtor I felt that a website could enhance my image, but I wanted to get the best for the least, so I was hesitant to commit without all the facts. I initially spoke to Mr. Romero, but when he couldn't close the deal with me, I was turned over to Casey Griswold.
This is were the trouble started. I spoke to Mr. Griswold at length more than once and I thought I had asked all the right questions. He insisted that this was a great value and that I had to commit RIGHT NOW in order to get the special pricing. I kept notes and according to my notes the 1 time cost was $749. I could pay the entire $749 up front or I could pay $399 up front and $49 a month for a total of $899. I chose the $399 with $49 a month program. I specifically asked if there were any other fees such as web hosting and was told there were no additional fees.
I was suppose to receive an email confirmation, but I did not receive it because Mr. Griswold had the wrong email address. I only received my confirmation after the website designer, Charlotte, called me and got my correct email address. When I printed out my confirmation, instead of $399 I was billed for $749.90. At first I was concerned, but I thought I might as well get it over with and save some money. No where on the invoice did it state that I had agreed to pay $49.95 a month for 12 months of web hosting. If it had I would have cancelled immediately.
I only found out about the web hosting when the charge appeared on my American Express bill in March. I called Advanced Access customer service to voice my complaint and was simply told that if I was unhappy I could take my site off line and I could have taken advantage of their 30 day money back guarantee. Unfortunately, I did not realize I had been misled within that 30 days. How convenient. I decided to try and stick it out.
Once again I began to think about how I had been deceived and on July 6, I contacted Advance Access customer service. I was told that someone would contact me. On July 9th I was contacted by Fannie with Advanced Access at ext. 1019. I was told by Fannie that the $49.95 was disclosed on my confirmation, but I have a copy and there is no mention of my agreeing to pay $49.95 for 12 months of web hosting. I was told that my site could be taken off line, but that I would be required to pay the balance of the web hosting fees for the remainder of my CONTRACT.
WHAT CONTRACT? Apparently I agreed to pay for web hosting, even though Mr. Griswold told me there was no fee and the fee was NOT DISCLOSED in my confirmation. My thought is that either Mr. Griswold is a liar or he is incompetant and I am the one suffering, because I certainly would not have agreed to these terms.
I feel that their sales technique at Advanced Access leave a lot to be desired and if they think that cheating me out of $49.95 a month is going to enhance their image in the real estate world, they are dead wrong.
Communication is my business and I intend to communicate my displeasure to any and every one who will listen. Realtors work too hard for their money to have a company like Advanced Access take advantage of them.
0 comments