Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/07/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Direct Fairways approached me to have an add placed for ****************** on the score cards of a nearby Golf Course (***** Eagle Golf Course in ********) I agreed to place one add for $450. They continued to charge my card for $500 a year later and then $500 again in March and now again in June for a total of $1950.00. I had called and argued with them every time with a new excuse from them each time. I called again today because of the most recent charge and fought them, they said I signed up for a add at one of the holes. I asked which hole, they didn't have an answer. I said I wanted a signed by me copy of the agreement. They said they didn't have one, that it was verbal. I said I wanted the verbal agreement sent to me. They said that it was too long ago. I said none of that would stand ** in court. And I was going to report them to my bank. They said if I did that I wouldn't get my money back I had to wait for them to return the money and they agreed to pay back $500. They (****** **********) said they would send me an email offering the "rebate". I have not received any such email. I took matters into my own hands and went to the golf course and got the Score cards to see my "add" It is no where to be seen. Then went a step further to call some of the people in the area that had an add on the scorecard and found all of the numbers to be false. Then actually called a few from their actual numbers on ****** to find out they had been ripped off by the same company. This company is completely fraudulent and has ripped off me to the sum of $1950.00 with no add to show for it and all of the members of my community. Please help me get my money back from them. $1950.00

  Business Response

  Date: 06/09/2022

  Hello,

  Thank you for reaching out and we are sorry we were not able to meet your expectations. We did reach out to the golf course and we were able to confirm that they have your ad. You are welcome to go down and pick one up, we asked them to keep it aside for you. The customer service representative has also agreed to refund the last two charges to resolve any issue.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/09/2022

  I will accept this resolution with the statement that they did not supply what they said they would and charged me way more than the agreed upon amount. ($375) They promised me ****** score cards. From what I can tell they may have produced my ad in a publication at the golf course that not many people even look at. And even though they are promising to refund me $1000. They are still keeping $975 I was charged.
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  
  Regards,
  
  
  ***********************
  
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/07/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  after reading all the posts about this company i too am one of the advertisers that used direct fairways for what was told to be a 1 time fee of $500. flash forward 5.5 months later and i have been charged $798 three times since ($2,394 total). i called, they left me on hold for 30 minutes and then told me someone from accounting would call me back. no one has ever returned my calls. this company is a scam.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/08/2022

  Hello,

   

  Thank you for reaching out, it looks like since this complaint was posted the issue has been resolved. Please reach out to us with any additional questions at ************ or email us at ******************************************.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/08/2022

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************************
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/03/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  They said they were calling from a local golf course (but they are in *******).They claimed that they did not have a business like mine on the golf courses yardage cards and would love to have me advertise there. I was not comfortable with making a deal over the phone so they kept pressuring me with better deals until I said yes to one. I agreed to have a smaller ad for $449.00 that would run for the season (invoice#******). I purchased advertising on 3/08/2022 ($449). I was told it would be out the following month. I checked the golf courses in April and May of 2022 and they had not received the advertising yet. I followed up with Direct Fairways and was told it would be sent the following month. By that time, it was past the window to dispute with my credit card company. I still have not been able to obtain evidence that the documents were ever printed with my paid for advertising. And just today (6/03/22) I was checking my bank account and noticed a charge from direct Fairways that I DID NOT APPROVE for another $449. I never even spoke to someone about this charge. I feel like I should be refunded both charges (the one I approved on 3/08/22 and the one I DID NOT APPROVE on 6/03/22.

  Business Response

  Date: 06/10/2022

  Hello *********,

  We always aim to deliver a great experience, and we are extremely disappointed when we dont meet expectations. Thanks for taking the time to bring this to our attention. It looks like you spoke with a member of the customer service department and together you were able to reach a resolution. We will use the feedback to make us better and to ensure this doesnt happen again. If you have any further questions please give our customer support department a call at ************.

   

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/19/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I was charged **** for 2 courses last year ******************** and *********** in **********. *********** closed in 2021. I also play both courses and NEVER saw a yardage card with my information at either place. Also being told I owe a random 798 for year 2 (when I didn't sign a 2 year agreement). Now they won't stop calling my cell and office for "edits to my artwork" for year 2. Since I didn't receive anything of value I said I wouldn't be moving forward with anything this year. Their response was to "send my balance to accounting". If this is attempted to be charged off my card or reported as late/delinquent there will be serious repercussions. Just cancel everything and stop calling.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/25/2022

  Hello, 

  Thank you for reaching out. We are in the process of reaching out to the golf courses. Once this has been completed we will be contacting you to finish resolving any concerns with your account.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Purchased advertising in 4/23/2021 ($799) and 4/27/2021 ($1100). Each time I wanted to see the advertising, I was told it would be out the following month. I checked the golf courses in June and July of 2021 and they had not received the advertising yet. I followed up with Direct Fairways and was told it would be sent the following month. By the time it was to be printed, it was past the window to dispute with my credit card company. I still have not been able to obtain evidence that the documents were ever printed with my paid for advertising.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/25/2022

  Hello,

   

  Thank you for reaching out about your account. It looks like one of our customer service agents reached out to you, and together a resolution was able to be met. Please give us a call at ************ or email us at ****************************************** with any additional questions. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/28/2022

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************************
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The **************** Manager of this business (***************************) stated in an email dated 2/22/22 (ATTACHED) the following:1) We are more than willing to get your refund to you this morning.2) I am not denying you a refund.3) We have refunded the charge in good faith.My business Attorney told me to dispute the charge and do not remove the dispute as they were requesting because based on their online reviews they have an established track record of promising a refund if the credit card dispute was removed and then not refunding the money. He also said the reason they want the dispute removed is because it damages their business credit rating.This company promised me a full refund of $1197.00 in writing the day after the invoice dated 2/21/22 was emailed to me and I called and emailed to cancel the service. They issued a partial refund of $600 and are challenging my CC dispute for the balance of $597.00. They are not doing business in good faith and I want the balance of the money refunded that I was promised in writing on 2/22/2022 by ********************.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/19/2022

  Hello,

  Thank you for reaching out. As I told ******************** in the email that she attached to this complaint, we have been willing to refund this the whole time. I did let her know that the chargeback she placed would cause delays in the refund process. I let her know we could cancel the chargeback and refund it, and she would have her receipt before we got off the phone with the bank. Or, we could wait for the dispute process to take its course and then refund it if the bank decided in our favor. We have a third-party agency that handles the chargebacks, and we do win a large percentage of those. I didn't want this to drag on longer than it needed to, and I did try to avoid this from happening but ******************** was not cooperative. Unfortunately, because the chargeback was not cancelled accounting held the refund until the chargeback process was over. The charge was refunded after the bank notified us that the chargeback was over and the bank decided in our favor. ******************** has received all of her money back. I understand that she is unhappy with the amount of time that it took, however, this was outside of our control. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/19/2022

  If I had not filed this complaint I never would have received my full refund.  This business told me in writing on February 22, 2022 they had ALREADY issued my refund and they lied about that. They proceeded to fight my dispute as my Attorney told me they probably would and why he told me not to remove the dispute. There was no necessary delay because I was uncooperative. They did everything they possibly could to keep my money after they told me they had already refunded it.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/25/2022

  Hello *****,

  I apologize if you feel that way, however, that is not the case. We let you know we were willing to refund you before you filed the complaint. As I had explained in my previous message, Accounting held the refund that I submitted until the chargeback process was over. Again, we have a third party agency that handles the chargebacks and we do win a large percentage of those. This is why I wanted to have you cancel the dispute so we could get you the refund quicker. I am not sure why anyone would send over an email confirmation that something was going to be refunded, if that was not their intentions. The money was refunded immediately after the chargeback case was closed. All of this aside, it was a pleasure working with you and hope someday you will reconsider your position and advertise your business with us again.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 06/24/2022

  My position remains the same and is supported by the hundreds of other similar complaints to BBB.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/13/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  5-11-22 I was called by Direct Fairways representative indicating they were a local company looking to fill advertising slots in a local, ***** *************** ad. I searched the golf course and it was real, but didn't search the company calling.I agreed to a year long ad for $499 by text after receiving an example of the product. (Picture included)I was told I would be contacted by the graphics department to design the ad. I have not received any emails. Then, on 5-12-22, I received another call from another representative pretending at first to be the graphics department asking questions for the ad, but then tried to sell me another spot in a different golf course. When I asked her to email me her contact information she hung up. I want a full refund of $499 and for other companies to be made aware to stay away from Direct Fairways!!

  Business Response

  Date: 05/17/2022

  Hello ***,

  Thank you for reaching out about your account. We do have over **** golf courses throughout the ************* and some in ******. If there are other ones available in the area, they would like to give our existing customers the first right of refusal before going out and obtaining new sponsors. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. I do see that when you spoke with someone on May 13th, you mentioned that you aren't spending money on marketing and wanted to cancel. They did transfer you over to customer service. I am not sure if that is the call you are referring to, but I apologize if the call was disconnected, in no way was it intentional. I do see that you did speak with customer service as well, they did extend an extra year out as a courtesy for any issues with your account. We are outside the timeframe allowed within the terms and conditions to issue a refund, however, we would like to again extend the offer of an additional year at no cost. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/23/2022

  It is true that I called in and was transferred to customer service only after refusing this same offer of more time to advertise and refusing multiple times. I have not heard back from the customer service department.  I had hoped to handle this in that way, but was not able.

  I am rejecting the offer of additional time to advertise on the basis that I do not believe I would actually receive any advertising whatsoever regardless of how long you'd offer it, and that is confirmed by the 160+ other identical cases already reported on the BBB website for your business pulling this same scam. It is the same exact scenario of offering more advertising only to be relieved of our money and not actually receive any advertising for it.

  I will only accept a full refund of $499 as a resolution and that the BBB would indeed investigate your business for all of these same reported cases against Direct Fairways. 

   

  Business Response

  Date: 05/25/2022

  Hello ***,

  Thank you for your response. We are contracted with each course that we work with. We understand that we have some complaints on the BBB but we do have over ****** customers. 160 is a very small percentage of those customers, less than .5 percent of our advertisers. We are always looking for ways to improve our customer experience and apologize if we contacted you for additional placement. We have been in business for over 7 years, that would be impossible if we did not provide advertising when that is the only thing our company does. We have exhausted all available options to resolve these issues. You are outside of the cancellation period per the terms and conditions and you are not eligible for a refund. We did offer you additional advertising as a courtesy, but that offer was denied. We are still willing to offer that to you, should you change your mind. Our customer service number is ************ and our email is ******************************************* Please reach out with any additional questions. 

  Here is a link to our terms and conditions: https://www.directfairways.com/terms-and-conditions/