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BBB Exposes Dirty Dozen For 2009
POSTED: 9:13 am PST February 4, 2010
UPDATED: 5:06 pm PST February 4, 2010
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The BBB received 4,563 complaints against businesses in central California in 2009 and Thursday exposed the laundry list of businesses by complaints. These companies have failed to respond to consumer complaints in a timely manner, if they responded at all, or their complaints are unresolved or unresolved to the consumer’s expressed satisfaction.The list below contains companies that are still operating and does not reflect those companies with heavy complaint histories that have gone out of business or are located outside the central California service area.Master Internet Profits: (BBB Grade: F) Ezequiel Carlos, operation manager; an internet marketing company in Fresno
Capitalizing on the slow economy and the attraction of work-at-home employment, consumers reported that this company promised the prospect of earning big bucks through the internet but failed to deliver the training materials they claimed would give users financial security. Unfortunately, the profits all went to the company. Master Internet Profits had 24 complaints (1 unresolved and 1 unanswered) in 2009.
Central California Spas: (BBB Grade: D-) Erick Johnson, owner; a spa and hot tub dealers in Bakersfield
Promised the soothing luxury of home spas, customers advised that the company only delivered stress and aggravation in the form of missing parts, faulty equipment and less-than-responsive customer service. Central California Spas had 23 complaints (2 unresolved) in 2009.Micro-Gems.net: (BBB Grade: F) a magazine sales company in Bakersfield
Magazines are a great way to kick back and relax…if they are actually delivered. Customers of Micro-Gems.net discovered that their credit cards were charged in a timely manner for their magazine subscriptions, but delivery didn’t follow despite repeated assurances that the company “would look into” the problems. Micro-Gems.net had 17 complaints (17 unanswered) in 2009.KickzandGear: (BBB Grade: F) an internet shopping company in Fresno
An online store for high end sneaks; trendy logo sportswear coupled with big time disappointment with consumers alleging problems with delivery, quality and attitude brought KickzandGear into the Hall of Shame. The company had 13 complaints(12 unanswered) in 2009.The Allergy Center: (BBB Grade: D-) John Van Horn, partner;a vacuum cleaner dealer in Clovis
High pressure sales tactics worked better than the expensive vacuum cleaners the company sold customers. Ignoring the 3-day cooling off period, the company has numerous contract disputes and unhappy customers who told us they were either unable to contact The Allergy Center or couldn’t obtain a refund. The Allergy Center had 12 complaints (1 unresolved) in 2009.Ashley Furniture: (BBB Grade: F) Russ Carter, general manager; a furniture store in Bakersfield
Besides some advertising issues involving gifts with purchase, many consumers found that they didn’t have any complaints about the quality of the furniture because they reported that they couldn’t get it delivered. Waits of up to three months and more caused frustrated buyers to request refunds which brought even more delays. Ashley Furniture had 12 complaints (1 unresolved and 1 unanswered) in 2009.Vacation Marketing: (BBB grade: F) Mike Brandon; a vacation time share company in Fresno
Consumers alleged that they received coupon certificates for great vacation packages and only had to pay a processing fee. Consumers received great discount offers on airfare (buy one, get one free). What the consumers didn’t get was what they paid for, namely, the vacations. Their credit cards were charged but the airline tickets and vacation packages never materialized, despite repeated efforts to contact the company. Vacation Marketing had 11 complaints (7 unanswered) in 2009.Fresno Wedding Chapel: (BBB grade: F) Rev. Karl Jordan, owner; a wedding chapel in Fresno
Planning issues, lack of paid-for-photographs and marriage licenses that weren’t filed in a timely fashion all combined to create less than happily-ever-after bridal experiences reported by consumers. Fresno Wedding Chapel had 10 complaints (3 unresolved and 7 unanswered) in 2009.Tower Pest Control: (BBB grade: F) William Davenport, owner; a pest control company in Fresno Consumers reported that they called for a one-time service and signed what they thought was an offer for a free follow-up visit. Unfortunately, they had signed a one-year contract that the company wasn’t anxious to cancel, despite repeated requests. Tower Pest Control had 8 complaints (1 unresolved and 3 unanswered) in 2009.Big Happie Hair: (BBB grade: F) Kelly Fitzpatrick; a hair ornament store in Fresno
According to consumers, hair devices were ordered to give them big hair but got big billing problems instead. Big Happie Hair, maker of Bump-its, had 8 complaints (2 unanswered) in 2009.RMR Group: (BBB grade: F) a loan modification company in Fresno
Start with desperate people telling us they are trying desperately to save their homes from foreclosure. Add in a loan modification company that we have been told takes their money with a promise to save their homes and then cannot be reached for further information. The result is a recipe for lost homes and dreams. RMR Group had 7 complaints (6 unanswered) in 2009.Open Grave Records: (BBB grade: F) an internet shopping company in California City
Consumers reported that they ordered cds, t-shirts and other merchandise from Open Grave Records. Merchandise was paid for but never delivered. Despite repeated contacts by consumers and the BBB to work with the company to resolve the complaints Open Grave Records had 7 complaints in 2009 ( 5 unanswered).
Capitalizing on the slow economy and the attraction of work-at-home employment, consumers reported that this company promised the prospect of earning big bucks through the internet but failed to deliver the training materials they claimed would give users financial security. Unfortunately, the profits all went to the company. Master Internet Profits had 24 complaints (1 unresolved and 1 unanswered) in 2009.
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Promised the soothing luxury of home spas, customers advised that the company only delivered stress and aggravation in the form of missing parts, faulty equipment and less-than-responsive customer service. Central California Spas had 23 complaints (2 unresolved) in 2009.
Magazines are a great way to kick back and relax…if they are actually delivered. Customers of Micro-Gems.net discovered that their credit cards were charged in a timely manner for their magazine subscriptions, but delivery didn’t follow despite repeated assurances that the company “would look into” the problems. Micro-Gems.net had 17 complaints (17 unanswered) in 2009.
An online store for high end sneaks; trendy logo sportswear coupled with big time disappointment with consumers alleging problems with delivery, quality and attitude brought KickzandGear into the Hall of Shame. The company had 13 complaints(12 unanswered) in 2009.
High pressure sales tactics worked better than the expensive vacuum cleaners the company sold customers. Ignoring the 3-day cooling off period, the company has numerous contract disputes and unhappy customers who told us they were either unable to contact The Allergy Center or couldn’t obtain a refund. The Allergy Center had 12 complaints (1 unresolved) in 2009.
Besides some advertising issues involving gifts with purchase, many consumers found that they didn’t have any complaints about the quality of the furniture because they reported that they couldn’t get it delivered. Waits of up to three months and more caused frustrated buyers to request refunds which brought even more delays. Ashley Furniture had 12 complaints (1 unresolved and 1 unanswered) in 2009.
Consumers alleged that they received coupon certificates for great vacation packages and only had to pay a processing fee. Consumers received great discount offers on airfare (buy one, get one free). What the consumers didn’t get was what they paid for, namely, the vacations. Their credit cards were charged but the airline tickets and vacation packages never materialized, despite repeated efforts to contact the company. Vacation Marketing had 11 complaints (7 unanswered) in 2009.
Planning issues, lack of paid-for-photographs and marriage licenses that weren’t filed in a timely fashion all combined to create less than happily-ever-after bridal experiences reported by consumers. Fresno Wedding Chapel had 10 complaints (3 unresolved and 7 unanswered) in 2009.
According to consumers, hair devices were ordered to give them big hair but got big billing problems instead. Big Happie Hair, maker of Bump-its, had 8 complaints (2 unanswered) in 2009.
Start with desperate people telling us they are trying desperately to save their homes from foreclosure. Add in a loan modification company that we have been told takes their money with a promise to save their homes and then cannot be reached for further information. The result is a recipe for lost homes and dreams. RMR Group had 7 complaints (6 unanswered) in 2009.
Consumers reported that they ordered cds, t-shirts and other merchandise from Open Grave Records. Merchandise was paid for but never delivered. Despite repeated contacts by consumers and the BBB to work with the company to resolve the complaints Open Grave Records had 7 complaints in 2009 ( 5 unanswered).
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