On Oct. 25, I attended an online auction seminar held by Online2income in Orlando, FL. The very convincing speaker was none other than Robb Mulder, whom I just discovered also speaks at many other similar internet website sales seminars. He was very convincing and I bought into the most expensive package offered at $6,995.00. This price included a merchant account with Century Bankcard Services. Luckily, I didn't have a blank check to give them.
Mr. Mulder clearly stated to the assembled audiance and through video clips that purchasing the most expensive program would include 6 website licenses. Further, Online2income would create and design all six exclusive web sites. All I had to do was provide the web designer with my registered domain names, the products I wanted to sell and whatever logo I wanted. The web designer would do the lion's share of the work.
His repeated assurances that I would not have to do this work was the major inducement for me to sign the contract. At this point the pressure to sign began. They were packing up the equipment and turning off the lights. Being hurried and pressured, I signed the contract and gave them my credit card.
Later that evening at home, I read the contract. No where does it state that they would do the things that Mr. Mulder said they would. I immediately sent a letter via Certified Mail to Online2income cancelling my contract, effective immediately. Needless to say, they are disputing my demand for a refund citing their No Refund policy.
Mr. Mulder also stated during the seminar that there would be a three month free grace period before the monthly hosting fees ($29.95) would begin. Today, only two days after the seminar, I received an email from them stating that the first charge would be applied in two days. I haven't even been trained yet.
I called my credit card company to post a dispute to the charge. I also changed my account number.in addition, I wrote them a letter describing what had transpired and why I was disputing the charge, attaching all the documents I received from Online2income, along with a copy of the newpaper advertisement that appeared in the Orlando Sentinel promoting the workshop and seminar. I also included a copy of a Complaint form I filed with the State of Utah.
In the meantime, I received a telephone call from Online2income's trainer, who wanted to set a date for my training session on designing my website. I informed the gentlemen, that it was my understanding that they would be doing the design and that that service was promised to me at the seminar. He informed me that they never do that.
Next, I found the State of Utah's Department of Commerce, Division of Consumer Protection's website. A form is provide for filing complaints. I completed the form and mailed it to them along with all the attachments.
My research of Utah's website revealed a page entitled Media Alert and listed the Top Ten Consumer Scams. Guess what they were? E-Commerce Internet Auction Offers was first, followed by Home-Based Business Opportunities on how to make money on the Internet, promoted through sales seminars. You should look it up at www.commerce. Utah. Gov.
My next step will be to write to eBay, Google, MSN, Yahoo, Amazon, AOL, and others to tell them what happened and that Online2income is using their good names and reputations to promote themselves and their scam. I kept a copy of the material sent to me with their names and logos printed on it. I don't think these reputable companies want to be associated with any business that tarnishes or abuses their names.
I would like anyone who attended this seminar or others held by online2income, whether you bought into one of the programs or not, to please come forward. I need your help and I feel certain that within a very short period, perhaps you or others will be in the same boat that I'm in. We've got to stop these abuses.
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