ComplaintsforeGumball Inc

• Initial Complaint

  07/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  These people call me non stop they wake me up they interrupt my business I conduct on my phone. Its non-stop and they claim I owe them something. High pressure sales I want nothing to do with! I realized after the first call it was a scam when someone called me right after and they claim they are ******* When I say dont call me they threaten to send me to collections I have never done business with them! I dont want anything from them and they attempted to steal money from my PayPal as well and hack it!

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  Firstly, we want to emphasize that our commitment to transparent and ethical business practices is of paramount importance to us. As indicated in our terms and conditions, we clearly state that eGumball s not affiliated with ******* We understand your frustration if you've received other calls claiming to be from ******* however, those instances are beyond our control.

  Regarding your claim that you did not sign our contract, we have thoroughly reviewed our records and found that you did, in fact, sign our agreement. This agreement outlines the terms of service, payment details, and our non-affiliation with ****** which is BOLD and front center. Your signature confirms your understanding and acceptance of these terms before proceeding with the activation of our services.
  

  We have carefully reviewed the call logs and found no evidence to support this assertion. Our records show that our representatives consistently identified themselves as eGumball throughout the duration of our relationship. We believe there might be a misunderstanding or confusion related to this matter.
  

  During the activation of your services, you willingly cooperated with our representative and allowed us to claim your listings over the phone via PIN code verification. This process further confirms your agreement to engage with eGumball and your acknowledgment of the services being provided.  
  

  The agreement you signed clearly stipulates that payment is due upon the activation of our services. Your cooperation during the activation and adherence to the terms of our contract further strengthen our position that the contract is valid and collectable.

  If you have any additional concerns or require further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team at ************. We are dedicated to addressing any outstanding issues and finding an amicable resolution.

• Initial Complaint

  07/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I want to stop my account with ********************. After noticing their bad reviews and lack of work. I do not feel safe working with this company.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  Firstly, we would like to express our understanding and sympathy for the challenges your family is currently facing. We sincerely appreciate your trust in our services and your ongoing commitment to our business partnership.
  

  We would like to address a specific matter regarding the services we agreed upon in the signed agreement. As outlined, our scope primarily covers local search optimization services, which encompass tasks such as claiming listings for updates or creating new listings. While we understand that certain clients prefer not to provide administrative access to their ****** My Business listing, it is important to note that this access is integral to ensuring optimal service delivery.
  

  In your case, we observed that you had claimed your own ****** My Business listing and subsequently declined our request for administrative access. We respect your decision and have proceeded with the services we can provide outside of the ****** listing domain. These services include the claiming and editing of citations, as well as the creation of unique content to enhance your online presence.
  

  We value your satisfaction and would like to offer a solution to address any concerns. If you are interested in setting up payment arrangements for the services you have received outside of the ****** listing, we encourage you to get in touch with us at your earliest convenience. Our team is here to assist you in finding a resolution that aligns with your needs and circumstances.
  

  Please feel free to reach out to us at ************, and our dedicated team members will be more than happy to discuss the available options and work towards a mutually agreeable solution.
  Thank you once again for choosing our services. We understand the challenges you're facing, and we remain committed to providing you with the best assistance possible.

• Initial Complaint

  07/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  4 months ago eGumball said they would place my site with ****** and others and drive customers to my site. 3 weeks ago a business manager called wanting 4 months back payments. I asked what they had done for me to earn it and he referred me to a tech representative who would or could not answer any of my questions concerning activities performed by eGumball. I did see my site copied onto a site set by eGumball but it had typoes and corrections that needed to be made that no one from there had made me aware of. When I asked about that and the double talk continue with no specific answers to my questions. He made some suggestions but offered no agreement to complete the work. I have had two conversations with 2 different techs with no resolution to date. If the sent these tech's to listening schools vs hultler school all could be worked out. I am ready to stop ding business with them as they do not do what they say they are going to do.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  We have consistently delivered our services promptly and maintained a record of workflow outcomes for the client. Unfortunately, the initial payment check from the customer was returned due to insufficient funds, and they are now unwilling to fulfill their payment obligation, citing financial difficulties.

  Curiously, the client has lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), alleging that we are neglecting our responsibilities regarding their website, which they have full control and access over.
  It's essential to clarify that our scope of service does not encompass managing their website. Our role primarily involves enhancing data accuracy by creating and refining existing directory listings.

  We urge the customer to establish direct communication with us at ************ so that we can work towards a resolution.

  We are committed to addressing their concerns and finding a suitable way forward.
  

  We appreciate your attention to this matter.

  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  06/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company is a scam and very dishonest. Back in April they contacted me at my business misleading me into putting information onto a form thinking they were going over things ONLY with me. Then come to find out I put my name on a form I was not aware was a contract. I told the sales rep after going over things with me and prices that I had get off the phone and I would call him back (name is *****) when I made a decision. Again not realizing he had me put my name on a contract! I NEVER gave them a form of payment and now that I have had time to call them they are saying I committed because I signed their contract and that I owe over 400 and have to fulfill my 6 month commitment. I spoke with ******* who then sent me over to *****. I have asked to listen to the recorded line and they have told me they cant allow me to listen to it because it is for training purposes only. Very unethical company and please be aware they trick you into placing ***************** form without even realizing what you just did. How is this company still in business??? Its clear to me by reading all of the reviews Im not the only one that has been put in this situation and been mislead.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  On April 12, 2023, our contractual arrangement was agreed upon on our online e-signature platform, where all the terms and conditions, along with the associated pricing and conditions, were prominently displayed. It's worth noting that our company provides a variety of sales promotions, one of which you agree to was our "payment upon activation of service" option. Subsequently, the executed agreement was emailed to your for your records.
  

  According to the information provided by our sales representative, you were given the liberty to await communication from our marketing department regarding payment matters. This outreach indeed took place during the activation process on April 27, 2023. During this interaction, you expressed your preference to postpone, or "hold off" on updates, a request which we honored.

  In adherence to our company's practices, we exercised patience for a span of two months before initiating any action with regards to the initial payment. Precisely on June 27, 2023, our billing department reached out to you, prompted by our standard aging report that indicated a pending owed balances. It was during this conversation that you conveyed your perception of our agreement, suggesting that you were "under the impression it was a promotional offer" and that you felt "misled into entering the agreement".  Please note, 60 days later, right or wrong.
  

  From a pragmatic standpoint, it's noteworthy that opting to terminate the agreement upon its receipt on April 12 would have been the most prudent course of action. Alternatively, formally discontinuing the service prior to its activation or, at the very least, during the telephone conversation on April 27, 2023, would have similarly been a sensible approach.

  Please contact us at ************ and ask for our account executive department.

  Customer response

  08/14/2023

  On April 12th, 2023 when ***** called me from Egumball misleading me by telling me he could "show me" somethings on the computer of what he does to help attract more business by adding keywords (thinking this was free).  Misleading me into printing my name on some contract which I don't remember doing. After taking the time to hear ***** out on what I thought was free I then told him that I wanted some time to think about this and I would get back to him by taking his name, number and extension. I never agreed to "payment upon activation of service" If I was interested I would call him back! I never called him back because I wasn't interested in signing up for this nor did I return calls because I thought these were all sales calls that I wasn't interested in. I don't feel as if your company is being upfront and honest and it is really upsetting that I'm still having to deal with something I never committed to! It is so disturbing to see how many complaints have been filled against your company, so I know Im not the only person being mislead. This is so unethical in so many ways! 

  

  Business response

  11/01/2023

  We appreciate your position and are taking your complaint seriously.  Our records indicate that the agree to service button was clicked and bound to your ip address.  The form which all customers agree to clearly illustrate price and term.  Please call our customer service department so that we can walk you through and show you screen shots of our sales flow to agreement.   Please call ************.  Ask to speak to the customer service manager.  Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  06/23/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  eGumball contacted the barbershop manager on 5/17/23 to sign him up for services. ********************* repeatedly told them he did not have the money to pay for services and could not afford it. They offered him a free trial and asked him to sign into the website to see what they were offering. Unbeknownst to ******************, he was signing a contract for 6 months service. When they called him back on 5/30 to let him know that the account was ready and he'd be paying $149.99/month, he explained that he never agreed to that and to cancel it. They are now trying to bill the shop, and as the office manager, I never authorized this transaction. They are refusing to let me to hear the phone call they recorded where he was lied to about the costs. They also did not email the shop account until well after the 3 business days (signed him up 5/17 and emailed me for the first time on 5/30) to cancel, or I would have been alerted to their scam and cancelled the contract immediately. They are refusing to send me a copy of anything and the billing rep was just downright rude insisting that "well you just admitted that he didn't read it so oh well". He didn't read it because the rep told him it was a free trial and he needed to just sign so that he could log in and see the info he was explaining to him. They didn't make me aware there even was a supposedly signed e-contract until 13 days AFTER.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  The client has been with us since 2018 but had previously terminated services. They were re-engaged and enrolled in May 2023. After a month of service and a thorough manual audit, they stated financial inability to continue. In June 2023, a new proprietor took charge, asserting the departure of past owners. We hold that the new owner has acquired both the business and its commitments. Releasing the signed agreement requires consent from the prior owner, as their personal credit card is linked. Meanwhile, a redacted agreement can be offered.

• Initial Complaint

  06/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Your Account is Past ************************** Account #************ *********************,Our records indicate that your eGumball account has an outstanding balance in the amount of $1,183.00.If the amount has already been paid, please disregard this notice. If you have not yet made your payment, please contact the ****************** at **************.Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter.Sincerely,Billing Department eGumball, **** Your Leader In Local Search and *************** Toll: ************** Call: ************** Send: ************** www.egumball.com ******************************** eGumball, **** Your Leader In Local Search and ***************

  

  Business response

  08/08/2023

  Our records indicate that on 2/20/23, you entered into a service agreement with business by signing the contract electronically, and this agreement was linked to your IP address. This agreement outlined the terms and conditions of the service you requested, including the duration, pricing, and cancellation policies.

  Despite your claim that you did not sign the agreement, our sales records and the associated IP address provide strong evidence of your commitment to the service. It is important to us that our customers are treated fairly and transparently, and we maintain a robust system to ensure the accuracy and integrity of all contractual agreements.

  We understand that circumstances may change, and you later sought to cancel the service. However, the cancellation policy outlined in the signed agreement clearly stipulated the procedures for cancelling and any associated charges or penalties. In accordance with this policy, our team attempted to contact you regarding the final payment to be settled as per the agreement. Regrettably, the call ended abruptly when you hung up.

  Given the circumstances, we proceeded with the necessary steps to resolve the outstanding balance by involving our collections department. While we understand that this situation may be distressing, our intention is to work towards a fair and amicable resolution for all parties involved.

  We would like to offer you an opportunity to discuss this matter further and explore potential options for resolution. Our goal is to address your concerns and find a mutually agreeable solution that takes into consideration your circumstances while adhering to the terms of the agreement.

• Initial Complaint

  05/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On April 24, I was contacted (unsolicited) by eGumball as someone who could help me with marketing on ******* They represented themselves as a ****** partner. As an introductory offer, they helped me fix an issue with a ****** listing which they showed my website being incorrectly listed as edentcustompainting,com. The "comma" com instead of .com concerned me and as I had been having reduced business coming from ******, I felt their "catch" was helpful. I now believe it was a predatory fix. I agreed to a hard sale of 6 months help but declined to pay someone who called me. I got a Number to call ***************** back at ****************** and agreed to call back with a credit card. I tried several times to make that call but never could get through to ****. After 4 days of trying, I started researching the company and found several predatory stories and bad reviews. During this time, I received several attempts by eGumball to give access to my ****** account. At no time during the sales pitch did **** ever mention that the company would want or require this type of access. This is something I would never (EVER) allow. At that time, I wrote an email asking to sever ties with the company. That's when the calls started. I have been harassed by eGumball almost nonstop since. They have sent me a bill for $1073 which covers the entire amount of a 6 month contract. I tried to speak with the account fixer *** last Friday (5/5/23) as I had a medical emergency in ******* with my parents from 4/28-5/4/23 this was the first I could deal with this matter. At that time I questioned how a maps optimization company could help me with marketing and *** at **************** said that the company is a citation development company. I looked that term up and see no definition for it at all. At this point, I want to know if I have any recourse and I'd like to let others know that this company seems to be a professional fraud outfit.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  Our system scanners crawl the internet and look for inconsistencies in our customers network of online listings (citations).  We report these inconsistencies to our customers to help them resolve these issues through our program.  Although you may view this a "predatory" it is not.  

   Our agreement does encompass a comprehensive manual audit of citations, including both listed and unlisted ones, irrespective of correctness. This practice is aimed at ensuring consistent and accurate business information across various platforms. We use the term "citations" to refer to local business listings, a common concept in local search marketing.

  While citations might be familiar to local search marketers, we ensure strive to provide clarity for all clients. Auditing all citations helps maintain a unified online presence, benefiting your visibility and reputation.

  Optimizing each citation is a vital step, ensuring strategic adjustments by our content and submission team. This aligns with our goal of providing optimal outcomes for your business in local search.
  
  We understand the intangible nature of our services and its implications on reviews and understanding. Collaborating closely with us will aid in effectively conveying our value to the less informed in our field.
  

  Please contact us at ************ to settle this matter.

• Initial Complaint

  05/02/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I can fill in more details and provide supporting documentation.In response to a sales call I reluctantly agreed to pay egumball for 3 months of internet optimization services. I made it ABUNDANTLY clear in all verbal and email communications that I would allow only three months. They agreed. I was presented no contracts, signed no contracts. During the three months I received minimal, if any services. The sales associate never called back, I received no other communications from them. Ten months later I noticed they were taking money from my account without my knowledge or permission. I wasted hours arguing with ******* working there who, once I stopped the ongoing thefts, they hadthe stupid audacity to begin calling for collections. They claimed to have a contract I signed. I know for absolute certainty I signed nor approved any such contract. They kept pretending I needed to cancel the contract. It took dozens of hard requests to call their bluff regarding some signed contract. When I finally received it, instead of a signature, they typed my name. Pure fraud. They have no morals. Their entire business model is based on scamming be pretending people agreed to perpetual services, none of which were ever provided. I hope to find a way to force them to repay the hard earned money they stole from me. Please advise the best way to recover my money. I have three projects I need to complete today. Please allow me to start the process today and continue providing documentation over the next few weeks.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  The customer engaged with our services using our electronic signature system, agreeing formally to our terms and conditions, which encompassed our cancellation policy and the month-to-month billing arrangement. After this agreement, the customer received an email containing the contract, reaffirming their acceptance of the electronic agreement. This email also recorded the customer's IP address during the signing.
  

  Initially, for three months, the customer did not ***** us access to their ****** My Business listing. This access was crucial for aligning our citation efforts with their ****** listing. Although three months is relatively short in the context of local SEO, it allowed search engines like ****** enough time to index and store the managed listings across the internet. Over a ten-month span, search engines successfully cached a significant portion of service-related content. Our strategies include measures to expedite this process, aiding clients in achieving higher rankings on ****** Maps even without direct ****** listing access, given optimized listings.
  

  Our terms and conditions explicitly state that cancelling our services requires written communication after the agreement expires, following standard practices for terminating various service agreements, such as those for website hosting or internet services.
  

  To summarize, the customer's acceptance of our terms happened through an electronic signature system, with a subsequent email confirming the agreement. An ongoing issue in the initial three months was the customer's refusal to provide access to their ****** My Business listing, hindering the alignment of our work with their ****** listing. Our cancellation process aligns with common procedures for ending various service agreements.

• Initial Complaint

  03/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  HARRASMENT VIA PHONE, MAIL

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  We hope this message finds you well. We understand that your preferences for communication are important, and we want to ensure that we respect your wishes. If you prefer not to receive further communications from us, please feel free to call our dedicated number at ************.
  

  When you call, kindly ask to be added to our "Do Not Contact" (DNC) list. This will ensure that you won't receive any future communications from us unless you choose to reach out to us again.
  

  Please know that your satisfaction is our priority, and we're here to assist you in any way we can.

  If you have any other questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

• Initial Complaint

  03/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  These b******* keep repeatedly & repeatedly calling, despite my numerous and repeated requests to get them to stop calling my business. More times than not, their cold-callers refuse to provide any accurate information pertaining to the business they work for; they simply say that they work for MapSupport, a ****** Partner. That is not the name of the company. More times than not, they also refuse to provide a phone number for their business--as if I'm ever going to do business with a company that cold-calls me and then refuses to give me a name and contact number for their business. I am going to write them a cease and desist letter now that I know for certain who they are, and if they still refuse to quit calling my business I am going to report them to the attorney general's office.****** should yank their accreditation immediately. The BBB should also immediately yank their accreditation They are not a legitimate business, and I doubt they provide any actual service for their clients.

  

  Business response

  08/10/2023

  We appreciate your frustration and concerns and we would be more than willing to add your phone number to our DNC list.   Please keep in mind that we are only one out of the hundreds of local search marketing services that is making contact with you. 

  eGumball and Maps Support are legitimate registered businesses.  In fact, mapssupport.com redirects to egumball.com.

  Please contact ************ and asked to be put on the permanent do not call list.

  Thank you

  Customer response

  08/10/2023

  I asked many time to be removed from your calling list on each occasion one of your representatives contacted me. You are hardly a legitimate business & ****** should revoke your status as a ****** Partner. Your policies & procedures are obviously non-existent or are broken.

  

  Business response

  11/01/2023

  Although we appreciate your response, we kindly ask that you follow our instructions so that we can properly add you business to our permanent DNC.  Keep in mind, this action does not assume the responsibility of the other service providers calling you.  Please call ************.  Thank you.  Well wishes.

*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. ↩