I rec'd a phone call from a telemarketer stating he was from Ivy Capital but he was soliciting a program for Vianet Webzone. He talked to both myself and my husband and explained the whole program to both of us. At the time, I had just been forced to sell my shares of my business to my partner due to illness. I was owner/operator and traveled the states to set up our program in different Medical Supply Companys. When I could no longer work I was awarded SSD. I worked from the age of 18 and now I am 58. Even though I was not well, I wanted to weigh my options in regards to an online work from home business. I wanted to make up the difference in my Social Security award and what I was actually making in the past.
I received an article from Jennifer Johnson who put me in touch with Ivy Capital. Around mid July '09 I was contacted by Ivy Capital representing themselves as employees or solicitors for Vianet Webzone.
They made my husband listen in on our conversation and he pitched this program for about an hour or more. He explained the program to both of us. The program consisted of training us to creat, develope and market our own successful online business. At times the salesman used high pressure tactics to sell the business coaching system and would not take no for an answer. He told us we had to act quickly because there we were among the chosen few (give me a break).
He proposed 3 different programs ranging from $10,000.00-$20,000.00. I was stunned to say the least. But his pressure and my rationalization that I was going to learn something new and make money doing it. It was a six month program and I took the middle package which was $16,800.00. Ok, I know now but at the time I had excellent credit, all my credit cards were paid off, I owned my home and I had a line of credit of 90K. I was ready to learn. I was told I would be contacted by Vianet.
My package (I think all the packages were the same, they just wanted to see how much they could screw you for) included the training on how to build a website, in fact we could build two if we wanted. I had 20 or so coaching sessions and at the time, I did not realize the coaching sessions were instructional and critical to building of your site. No one ever called me. So I took it upon myself to research my niche, write articles and I solicited many many affliates in which I was to sell their product on my website and receive a commission. The only thing about that is there was a way to do that and I had no coaching so???
About a week after I was contacted by Ivy Capital, they called again. The same high pressure tactics was used to bully me into buying an LLC. What did I know? Another thing, they set my business up in Nevada because there are no state taxes. They told me it was perfectly legal. I even had an office there and could visit any time. So... There is another $1200.00.
I finally get a call from Ric at Vianet. Asking me all of these questions about my site and how was my marketing going... Hold up. What are you talking about. After we talked, he stated that since I had LLC after the title of my business, he (they) assumed, I was up and running. I then received the coaching classes, one hour a week, I had no clue what was up. Ric made the comment that I was one who slipped thru the cracks. I was supposed to be contacted by their marketing division which was in my contract but never was. I called on several occassions to try to put the pieces of this puzzel together. I then find out... Marketing is the most important part of running an internet business... Didn't have not one coaching session. So I bought 3 more sessions (even though I never rec'd the three that was included in my package.) I also bought 3 more session of coaching for my original website. I am not done buying yet. I think for the above, it was $297.00 a piece... I also purchased some advertising for $897.00 and they wanted to sell me some for my other website (started it... Loved it too much... Could not finish... I know now what an idiot I was) Ok where am I... Oh yes that is 2 more products at $897.00 each... Then I was solicited a 30 second commercial about my website that would be aired on youtube...$2197.00... I know there are many many more charges to my credit card... And the best part... I never rec'd any of the stuff I bought.
Every time I actually get a person, I tell them the story about the products I never received and that I would like a copy of them. The regular employees are so nice. They try to help, but tell me they would have to check with their supervisor and get back to me. I had the one gentleman sending my copies of invoices, but then he talked to his supervisor and nothing came of it. And I almost forgot, I get billed on a monthly basis for a program that I do not have... It is $299.00/month. I think they are just jacking me now. The email states, "credit card failed". I also paid $295.00/mo for something that did not even exist. It was for the ITK (Internet Tool Kit)... Don't get me started. I paid that from September thru January and it was not even up and running. When I ask for my money back... They scoffed. That is what I am getting billed for on a monthly basis. I could go on and on. All you need to do is Google Vianet and you will see several forums where people have the same complaint. The FTC is involved but that does not help the little people who got screwed by these unethical greedy people.
I hope you can help!!!
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