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:01/09/2025

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  After meeting with ***** regarding their services, we decided to give them a shot. If they could save us a significant amount in taxes, we were interested. On 12/30/24 a man by the name of ***** came to meet with us. He was nice enough at first, but seemed like something was a little bit off. He was very jittery and seemed nervous. He proceeded to walk us through what they do and how the process would go. At the end of that meeting, we agreed for him to go through our financials and put together a proposal for us. This decision was made because we felt like $1300 was a minimal amount of money to pay if they could potentially save us thousands in taxes, NOT because he was super convincing. The next morning he returned with documents in hand. He was rather pushy and kept repeating the phrase "it's a no-brainer". He couldn't or wouldn't tell us what any particular "phase" of work might cost. He just said he could have one of their senior analysts out the following Monday to "get started". We told him we weren't going to make a decision on the spot for that because we wanted to review the info he had given us and talk through our own plans for the business. He was VERY pushy after that, so we shut it down and told him thank you for his ******* this point, he then asked for his check of $1300. I asked if he had a receipt to provide for the payment. He got nervous & pushy again. He then looked on his phone and produced an agreement we had supposedly signed. I guess this was supposed to be the receipt. He showed it to me and asked "Is this your signature?". IT ABSOLUTELY WAS NOT MY SIGNATURE. We immediately called him out on it and he could not get out of our office fast enough! He then sped down our office driveway leaving as fast as he could. THIS IS FRAUD. I'm very glad we didn't give him any money. Do NOT do business with this company or any of their affiliates (************************) EVER! I do not know how this company has an A+ rating.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/28/2025

  Dear *****,
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We appreciate you sharing your experience, and we are currently investigating the details you provided. In the meantime, we have placed you on our internal Do Not Call list to ensure you no longer receive any calls from our organization or its affiliates. Should you ever need assistance in the future, we would be glad to help. We consider this matter resolved and wish you a wonderful rest of your year.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/01/2024

  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.

  We used this company in the past and have no desire to use them again. We have had 3 different salespeople show up at our office trying to meet. Each time we have told them to remove our company from the database. They still call and request meetings. We are not wanting to do anymore business with them. They are a scam and out to get peoples hard earned money. If they continue to contact us through their spoof phone numbers where you cant call them back, we will have to get proper authorities involved.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/14/2024

  Dear Mr. Weatherman, we apologize for any inconvenience. We appreciate you taking your time to inform us on this experience. Your complaint has been addressed internally. In accordance with your request, we will place your company’s information on our internal Do Not Call list and place an electronic block on your telephone numbers so that you are not contacted in the future. We disagree with your comments, as International Development Services, Inc. operates only with a signed agreement by both parties, and we have delivered results for years to small and medium businesses all over the U.S. and to your company. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/14/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID 22364384, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Randall Weatherman

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/19/2024

  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.

  We were contacted by someone claiming to represent a company offering business solutions to ****** growth, reduce waste, and enhance our business's overall health. The following day, a representative visited with similar promises, pushing for an immediate meeting with their analyst to review our business's health. The next morning, ****, a pleasant man with a solid business background, met with us and our employees, reviewed parts of our business plan, and suggested ideas for improvement, along with a compelling pitch to hire their services. After the $1300 meeting fee, we considered their ideas potentially beneficial. On the next business day, two men, *** and Chaz, arrived to propose their services, promising a return of at least $2 for every dollar spent on them. They scrutinized our books and operations, and after a day and a half, they presented a proposal for a 6-week engagement at $525 per hour, totaling $193,000, claiming it would "save our business." We declined, reminding them that they approached us and that our business was performing well. They responded with an immediate invoice for $9250 for their time and travel expenses. The materials they compiled were merely posters with notes, and the complex spreadsheet they created with our financial data was not provided, citing the need for extensive training to use it. It was a costly scam, leaving us $11,000 poorer with nothing to show for it. Thankfully, we avoided a much larger financial commitment. Beware of such schemes.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/02/2024

  International Development **** regrets the apparent misunderstanding between our company and the Mr. ********* After the meeting with our Senior Area Sales Manager on September 9th and a Senior Business Analyst on September 11th, Mr. ******** entered into a signed agreement to have our company schedule a project manager (**) and senior business consultant (***) to arrive at Splash Time Pool on September 16th.The agreement lists the hourly professional fees and expenses, and clearly outlined expected first day fees for additional transparency. Our ** and *** worked onsite at the clients location on September 16th and September 17th, for a total of 32 hours, 16 of which were credited on the clients invoice. During their time onsite the ** and *** developed a scope of work addressing specific areas of concerns identified.
  On September 17th, *** and ***** ******** signed the Value Enhancement Plan (Scope of Work) for 220 hrs. to develop,implement, and train the team on tools and management strategies focused on achieving the identified objectives. Later on, September 17th Mr.******** signed a document requesting that the engagement be recessed.  Mr. ******** was presented with an invoice for professional fees and expenses which included the above-mentioned credit for professional fees. Mr. ******** signed the invoice and presented the ** with a check for payment. There was no indication that the client was concerned that our encounter differed from their expectations.
  International Development **** will attempt to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution to this matter.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/08/2024

   
  Complaint: 22308617
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction with the services provided by your company. I was led to believe that I would receive a comprehensive assessment of my business, along with a strategic plan to address financial challenges and improve overall efficiency. Unfortunately, what I received was far from what was promised.
  Instead of a detailed plan, I was given a few sheets of notes and shown an Excel spreadsheet that contained my businesss financial information. However, when I requested a copy of this spreadsheet, I was refused on the grounds that it supposedly "requires six weeks of training to fully utilize and understand." This response is not only unacceptable but also completely at odds with the transparency and support I expected from your company.
  Additionally, the high-pressure, fast-paced sales techniques employed during your consultation left little room for thoughtful decision-making. This approach created a false sense of urgency, pushing me to commit before I had an opportunity to evaluate the proposal carefully. I believe this was an intentional strategy designed to extract more money from clients without delivering on promises.
  Currently, your company has full access to my financial and sensitive business information, while I have received nothing of value in return. Given the misrepresentation of services and the lack of tangible results, I am formally requesting a full refund of all payments made.
  I expect a prompt response and a satisfactory resolution to this matter. If I do not receive an acceptable response, I will consider pursuing further action to protect my business and its interests.

  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ********

  

  Business Response

  Date: 11/05/2024

  International Development **** has contacted Mr. ********* and as of October 29, 2024, we have reached a mutually acceptable resolution to the matter for both parties.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 11/05/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/10/2024

  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.

  Very aggressive "salespeople" trying to extract ridiculous amounts of money for marginally useful advice.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 09/10/2024

  Dear *******************, we apologize for any inconvenience. We appreciate you taking your time to inform us on this experience, although we never had the opportunity to engage other than the business analysis. Your complaint has been addressed internally. In accordance with your request, we will place your companys information on our internal Do Not Call list and place an electronic block on your telephone numbers so that you are not contacted in the future.
  We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/07/2024

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  A ******************************* called our business and was very forceful on trying to speak with the owner. He thought he knew the name of the owner but he had passed away a few years ago. Then proceeded to ask our employee if he had any ownership in the business. The next ********************** shows up saying he had an appointment with the owner. He did not have an appointment and he was rude and again forceful in insisting to talk to the owner. He didn't care to talk to me as the owners wife. I asked him to leave and he said he was ****** that he wasted both our times. I kindly agreed but reinforced that he did not have an appointment. We don't need people calling our business and talking to our employees in a rude manner. I sent him an email to inform him he is not to call or come by our business again. This is the second time we have had this happen from this company. It was a woman the first time, but I discarded her business card.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/09/2024

  Dear ****, we appreciate you taking your time to inform us on this experience. This kind of behavior is not tolerated in our company. We will address the issue internally and have already placed your number on our internal Do Not Call list. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/18/2024

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  On June 20th a gentleman by the name of ************************* came to our office and we agreed to receive a hit list and outline of all items that IDS would be helping us with. We paid $1300 that cleared our account 07/08/2024. On Monday 06/24 **** and ******* came by the office and began working on a set of deliverables. By this date we still had not received any information for any outline of services that would be rendered according to the original contract that we paid $1300 for. On 06/25 we were asked to pay $78,000 IDS was to wait for consent to proceed with payments schedule and did not. We were also told on 06/25 that if IDS could not assist with some type of bridge loan that they would just leave. We were told on 06/26 that we would not qualify. This should have been the end of the services according to our verbal conversations and commitments. Instead, we felt pressured to agree to a payment arrangement while a loan was negotiated. On 06/28 I emailed them a list of our expenses. Up until this date all we received were boiler plate contracts and financial figures that were already provided to **** by our accounting ***** On 07/01, we had a check clear for $3500 This should be more than enough for simply transferring our data of numbers over to create spreadsheets with no actual list of deliverables or accountable time that makes sense to pay for. On 07/01, I specifically told **** we would no longer need services. He continued to send us emails all week and harass my husband, employees and work place for a check. My entire team was made very uncomfortable by his presence.On 07/03 **** sat alone in our office creating a final report that he forced my husband sign in order to leave. Our business sustained a devastating financial blow that IDS was well aware of, my husband was in a catastrophic mental state so he signed just so **** could leave our staff alone - it was a boiler plate package of a few items that were changed based off a meeting.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/29/2024

  International Development regrets the apparent misunderstanding between our company and the Marinellis. After the meeting with ********************, ********************** entered into a signed agreement to have our company schedule a project manager and senior business consultant to arrive at Exotic Coach on 6.24.24, to develop a scope of work addressing specific areas of concern identified in conjunction with the client. The agreement signed on 6.21.24, included the estimated hours and estimated professional fees of $74,250 plus or minus 10% for the engagement.  On 6.25.24, ********************** signed off on the scope of work and agreed to pay for the entire engagement and estimated expenses upfront in the form of a retainer. ********************** wrote 6 checks postdated 7.1.24, 7.8.24,7.15.24, 7.22.24, and 8.5.24 from Exotic Coach Lines in the amount of $9500 each and 6 checks postdated 7.1.24, 7.8.24, 7.15.24, 7.22.24, and 8.5.24, from GM ******************** in the amount of $3500 each. At this time the checks dated 7.1.24, 7.8.24, 7.15.24 have been returned as Bad Checks and we do expect the check for 7.22.24 to be returned as the same status.
  Our consultants worked on various objectives from the agreed scope of work for eight days, a total of 83 hrs. On 7.2.24, the Marinellis elected to recess the engagement. Our process is totally transparent, clearly stating the hours needed to complete the Marinellis stated goals and objectives and the cost.Our agreement with the Marinellis allowed them to cancel our services at any time, being responsible to pay for those services through the end of that same day.  At the present time. The Marinellis has refused to honor their commitment to pay for the consulting services. International Development will attempt to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution to this matter.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/19/2024

  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.

  Received a call from a **** at IDS. He wanted to speak to the owner. I am not allowed to put calls through to the owner. Anyone that is important enough to talk to him, has his cell. I tried to take a message from **** to take to my boss. **** didn't want to provide much information as to who he was or the reason for his call. He didn't wish to leave a message, just said he would call back. I advised him that he would not be able to reach my boss except via message. He said he would try to reach him when he was here. I told him, he was here, but not available, and if I could get a phone number I would pass along the message. He wasn't interested in leaving any message, as he just hung up on me. I would like to ask this business to remove us from future communications. If they can't leave a message, and feel the need to hang up on employees, then we would not do business with them.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/01/2024

  Dear *****,

  Thank you for sharing your impressions with us.While we couldnt find any project with your company, we are very sorry to hear about this experience. This kind of behavior is not tolerated in our company. We will address the issue internally and place your number on our internal Do Not Call list. We wish you the best in your future endeavors!

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/01/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/21/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  Following aggressive cold-calling, my business, **********, signed a consulting agreement with IDS with estimated fees of $70,525. We also signed an IDS Assurance Agreement whereby IDS assured us "the realization of a return, through a combination of cost savings and profit enhancements, in excess of 2 (two) times the investment incurred for the consulting hours billed[.]" ************** was obviously important to us.IDS proceeded to rush through a business evaluation and made various suggestions that were disastrous for our bottom line, impossible to implement, and/or suggestions they did not follow through on to conclusion. They charged us $254,628. Needless to say, we did not realize a two-to-one return. When we complained, we were offered some half-hearted assistance from a gentleman who ultimately ghosted us after providing no help. We were put into a seemingly endless internal review process whereby we answered the same questions over and over but got no results. We have recorded phone conversations with the representative who claimed to be helping us through the review process with damning admissions about IDS's work and the supposed "Assurance" of a return, but it went nowhere.I cannot stress enough how IDS almost single-handedly ruined our business.Upon further research, we discovered that numerous BBB complaints and reviews, revdex reviews, and ******** page reviews complain of similar behavior. Likewise, IDS appears to be affiliated with various other shell entities with the same model and similar complaints. Various people associated with this network of companies include a disbarred lawyer who owned a company that was the subject of an ******** Attorney General investigation and suit, and a former President and CEO who was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, grand theft, and making false statements.To date, IDS has not meaningfully addressed my concerns. I will not trust anything they say until I see a refund check. BEWARE OF IDS!!!

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/29/2023

  
  RE:     Better Business Bureau (BBB)
              ***********
              Customer:*************************
  
  To Whom It May ******************** correspondence shall serve as International Development Services, Inc.s (IDS) formal response to Mrs. ******* June 21, 2023 Better Business Bureau complaint relative to her business, **********.
  
  While IDS sympathizes with ******Chems unfortunate economic hardship, we cannot accept ownership of the allegations asserted in the complaint. The statement asserts vague, ****** broad, and indefinite reasons for how IDS *** have contributed to any of the outlined grievances. More importantly, the complaint overlooks the fact that ********** engaged IDS at the height of Covid-19 when most businesses were beginning to experience the long-term economic effects of the pandemic. The complaint is also devoid of any specific facts indicating how the consulting services IDS provided were detrimental.
  
  The complaint also fails to state that ********** voluntarily signed a services agreement with IDS that contained a no-guarantee provision highlighted in bold or that ********** maintained authority at all times over the direction,suspension, termination, and conclusion of the project. Therefore, all assertions about any alleged prior complaints and reviews against IDS to the BBB or any other reviewing entity are irrelevant and have no weight or bearing on the services provided to **********. Consequently, IDS denies all of the existing or potential future claims that *** arise from the allegations detailed in ******Chems complaint.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******************************
  Corporate Counsel

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/05/2023

   On behalf of my business, I am rejecting IDS response to my complaint.
  
  IDSs response says nothing as to the huge deviation between their estimated fees at the outset ($70,525) and what they charged us ($254,628).
  
  IDSs response completely ignores the actual language of their Assurance Agreement, which stated that they would assure the realization of a return, through a combination of cost savings and profit enhancements, in excess of 2 (two) times the investment incurred for consulting hours billed. The Assurance Agreement clearly modified the principal consulting agreements disclaimer of a guarantee.
  
  IDSs response overlooks the fact that they knew, as we did,that the ******19 pandemic was happening and that they would have to do quality work that yielded real results despite the pandemic to get us to the amount that they assured through the Assurance Agreement.
  
  IDSs response as to a lack of specifics in our original complaint is disingenuous. We hired a lawyer who sent them a twelve-page letter detailing specific complaints with IDSs service (which included a failure to obtain a ************************* status, failure to obtain quality leads for our sales reps, etc.) three weeks before they sent this BBB reply. All this was after over a year of internal review of our specific complaints that went nowhere. For them to claim in their reply that they have no idea why were complaining is simply bad faith.
  
  We tried multiple times to end the engagement. However, their consultant assured us that it would be to our benefit to continue and pressured us to continue by asserting that their Assurance of a two-to-one return would not kick in if we terminated the relationship.
  
  After IDS finally stopped leaching off of our company, we provided IDS with month after month of financials that were requested showing that the supposed Assurance was not being met. They obviously did not look at anything but the bottom line.  If they had actually looked through them, they would have seen that we were losing money. NOT making money.  
  
  We followed the consultantssuggestions of lengthening our work hours and creating a new pay structure which caused a cut in pay for our sales reps. This resulted in losing 3 of our top producers that ended up making a recurring loss of about $80,000 per month in sales.
  
  When they finally provided someone to help, he ghosted us.
  
  IDSs response omits the recordings of our phone calls with their own client services representative that was supposedly trying to helpus after we raised complaints. That representative, over the course of at least eight different phone conversations that I recorded stated the following:
  
  a.  IDS service providers obviously were lying because there are things that are quite evident that they say happened that didnt, nor could they have happened given the circumstances.
  
  b.  IDSs position with respect to denying us a refund was crazy, that the supposed remedial efforts IDS undertook after we complained was mind-blowing and that we had every right to be upset.
  
  c.  If IDS did not have something tangible that is netting you a result, in this particular case, through increased profitability, why are we doing this? With respect to the actual thing that netted you profitability he asserted that doesnt exist.
  
  d.  He wondered why IDSs work (and billing) was continued given the circumstances.
  
  e.  He stated that it was shameful what IDS personnel were doing in the field.
  
  f.  He stated that IDS various excuses for not providing some relief to us is starting to be ridiculous.
  
  g.  He stated that IDS work was something that should not have continued to go on, that all the facts that the consulting director has presented have been inaccurate, that everything we do should be tried and tested and if that wasnt the case, we didnt do our job and that IDS approach to the work was ridiculous.
  
  h.  He admitted that with respect to IDSs work there was nothing tangible that was really done and that there was no product there in terms of work product.
  
  I remain highly dissatisfied with IDSs so-called work and response. It appears that if you engage IDSs services, you can expect to pay for virtually nothing and must fight for any recourse. In the words of their own customer service representative (who may have just been trying to string us along and lull us into not suing), thats shameful and ridiculous.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/16/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  They showed up saying that they will help us grow our business, and gave us to sign a paper saying that it was something without importance and then on the next day they came and told us that we already signed a contract and that we owe them money They put us to sign the contract in the first day with lies.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/17/2023

  Dear Mr.***********, we apologize for any inconvenience. We appreciate you taking your time to inform us on this experience. Your complaint has been addressed internally. In accordance with your request, we will place your companys information on our internal Do Not Call list and place an electronic block on your telephone numbers so that you are not contacted in the future.
  We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/25/2023

  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.

  7/28/2022 A company came into our business by the name of ************************* with International Development Services or IDS, with the intention of setting up Estate Planning/Tax Planning, Will and Trust and business Consultation. After ***** convinced us that we could benefit from their professional experience in these areas We paid $1300.00 for him to bring on a 2ndperson/business Analyst (*************************) as well as Tavas Tax(*************************) for the tax advisory, valuation and estate planning, $5845.00. After payment they immediately sent out ***********************(project manager) and *********************(Senior business consultant) They came to the conclusion our business was struggling and needed a line of credit immediately to pay for their services and to help our business succeed they secured a loan that we now learned is a predatory loan with a very high interest($174,000 with interest $231,000) with $3640.00per week repayment. Over the course of 4-5 weeks of so called consultation and a cash management system and a 2:1 return guarantee on our investment upon completion. After a few weeks in we were struggling to pay our bills and vendors and payroll because of the repayment and their fees, all for Oginga to say we are just fine. When the money ran out and the business is flat on its back ****** left to never to return. Found out that IDS is also **************** LLC, Tavas Tax and ***********, All the same people who SCAMMED us out of $231,000 that we are struggling to repay. We have reached out to ****************,IDS and *********** and we get no answers but lies and excuses and or silence. We have NOTHING to show for their Services but lies. We have asked for our money back for services not rendered or completed and they said no. To resolve this we would like our money back for services not rendered or completed If this is happening or has happened to you, Please contact me ************************ Never Let anyone from these companies listed above set foot in your business.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/06/2023

  The facts surrounding Waypoints consulting engagement are significantly different then the allegations made in their complaint. An initial sales appointment scheduled for 7/28/2022 to discuss the services IDS provides to business owners did not produce the consulting engagement. A subsequent meeting scheduled on 8/12/2022 met with the same result. On 8/18/2022 Waypoint agreed to have their business analyzed. The purpose of the analysis was to determine if there were any areas of concern that could be addressed by our consultants. After the analysis was completed, ******** elected to engage our consultants to address those areas that were identified during the analysis. The consulting engagement began on 8/24/2022. In addition to consulting services, Waypoint contracted with TAVAS to provide a strategic tax report. The fees for these services were $131,250.00 and $17,537.00 respectively, as clearly stated in the contracts. It is also important to understand that the sales representative does not charge a fee for his services. The analysis was billed at $1,300.00 for his review of Waypoints business. With Waypoints approval IDS dispatched a Project Manager and a Business Consultant. TAVAS sent a Tax Consultant.
  Waypoint participated in the development of the scope of work that was prepared and utilized to guide the consulting engagement. Each week during the engagement a review of the work accomplished was presented to Waypoint. At no time during the engagement did Waypoint notify IDS personnel of their dissatisfaction.
  IDS maintains relationships with many unrelated professionals and financial institutions. In Waypoints case they were in need of an infusion of capital. IDS personnel referred them to several companies to obtain financing. IDS has no ownership or financial interests in any of these financial institutions. As everybody knows,the terms and conditions of any financing obtained is documented and explained before a client accepts any funds. Waypoint was fully advised and has agreed to the financing terms.
  IDS has been in communication with Waypoint on many occasions since the engagement concluded.We always endeavor to provide continuing support for our clients. Waypoint is not entitled to a refund in any amount, because IDS has accomplished all scope of work contracted to.  IDS is willing to assist and support the work provided.
  Waypoint has our contacts. Please be free to reach out at any time during business days and hours Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tell us why here...

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 18898776
  
  I am rejecting this response because: This is an automated response, because this is the same response I got from Tavas tax a few weeks ago. You are in this together to scam small businesses. I just got an email today from a business in ********** that went through the same thing, However he was smart enough to catch it before you got all his money! I want you to prove to everyone who is reading this that you finished the Job? What was put in place for the 2:1 return, The cash management, the ***** and trusts! We want some answers as to why we Do Not Have This! I want the next person to read this before they get scammed. I have serval recordings and e mails and text stating that the job was not finished and that you were going to find out what is going on! 8 Weeks later we are still waiting for that answer. You Scammed our small business to the point of almost closing the doors. None of you have any remorse! Why? We told ****** that this was not working and we needed to re group, That is when he hauled out of here never to return! I have that text from him that he was sorry he disappeared! He admitted it! What about the words you said that we don't do business like that. Really? Because you did it to us and many more out there. We have nothing, You stole $231,000 from us and we have nothing to show for it! We have called weekly and sometimes daily to get answers, Nobody will come forward and talk to us let alone follow up with us. I thought that was suppose to happen for a year! We deserve our money back, Every bit of it! I can not believe we trusted you, Tavas Tax and ***************** All the same company. Why hasn't **** or **** or **** or ***** and ****** ever followed up with us? I wish we would have read the reviews before we let you in the door! We want answers not an automated response! 
  
  Sincerely,
  
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