ComplaintsforBark.com Global Limited

• Initial Complaint

  04/22/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I received an email from a lady named **** that said she had a lead for me for free and to see if I wanted to work with her client - and if I did all I had to do was click a link and send my information over. Some how this company already had my business information in the system, and my email, etc. They promoted this service as free, but then, when they send you the name of the client reveal that they are a "paid service" when they send you a lead! This tactic needs to stop, they should not be sending links claiming it as FREE, and then it not being free. If they want to send out emails and be 100% honest about what they do it and how, before they start spamming your box with leads - I mean over 20 emails! - that would be fine. The way they did it appeared to be like a professional noticing what you do and just reaching out to you - which is common in the therapy industry. But what they do is the pre-enter your info in the system and mislead you in the process. There isn't a way to cancel anything and they don't say what their fee is! It says you have to contact customer service - totally unacceptable.

  

  Business response

  04/30/2024

  Hi Team

   

  Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns regarding the recent communication you received from **** offering a lead opportunity through our platform. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused.

  
  At Bark.com, we strive to connect businesses with potential clients efficiently and transparently. We utilize publicly available information, such as your website, to identify and reach out to businesses like yours with relevant opportunities. Our intention is to provide a valuable service to support your business growth.

  
  Regarding the issue you encountered, our initial leads are indeed provided at no cost for you to evaluate the suitability of our service. We regret any misunderstanding regarding the pricing structure. It's essential for us to clarify that while our initial outreach and lead provision are complimentary, further engagement with our platform may involve paid services, which we aim to communicate clearly and transparently.

  
  We understand the importance of managing email communication effectively, and we offer options to tailor the frequency of leads and notifications to suit your preferences. Additionally, every email communication from us includes an unsubscribe option for your convenience.

  
  We acknowledge the significance of first impressions and the need for clarity and transparency in all our interactions. We sincerely apologize for any confusion caused and assure you that we are committed to addressing your concerns promptly and improving our communication processes.

  
  If you wish to discuss this matter further or require assistance with account management, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team. We are here to assist you and ensure your experience with Bark.com is positive and beneficial for your business.

  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you better. If you still need to be unsubscribed just let us know!

  
  Best regards,

   

  The Bark Team

• Initial Complaint

  04/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Bark leads are a scam. They never reply. No matter how early and how long you contact them, they dont reply. Bark Support team is useless. They ripped us off with the money but their leads are non-responsive.

  

  Business response

  04/19/2024

  Hi Team

  We regret to learn about your experience. Our commitment to serving our community spans 24/7, striving to offer ample assistance to all.

  However, we couldn't locate an account associated with the email provided (*****************************************).

   Kindly reach out to us at ************* with the correct email linked to your account, enabling us to extend our support promptly.

  Look forward to speaking soon.

  The Bark Team

• Initial Complaint

  04/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Bought credits on Bark. Com April 3rd. The company lead me to believe they had clients looking to hire in business field I offer services for. Very little to no leads generated. Given the run around when contacted for cancelation and refund. $293.22 was what was paid out to get client leads.

  

  Business response

  04/19/2024

  Hi Team

  Thanks for reaching out.

  It seems there might be some confusion regarding your account details. We couldn't locate your email associated with an account in our records with a transaction or payment info attached.

  If you require assistance with a refund or any other support, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly at ************* from the email linked to the account your referring to. If we can identify you we may be able to support.

   Our team is committed to resolving any issues and providing assistance where needed.

  We appreciate your patience as we work to address your concerns.

  The Bark Team

  
  
  
  

  Customer response

  04/19/2024

  Complaint: 21572799
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  The email on the account should be ************************************** No credits were ever used one your site because no viable clients were ever given as a lead. The account was only open for a few weeks. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  04/24/2024

  Hi Team

   

  Thank you for reaching out.

  
  However, please note that we are unable to discuss account queries without verification of your email through the platform (BBB).

  
  We hope you understand that ensuring the security of our users' information is paramount, and without proper identification, we cannot disclose account details.

  
  Kindly send us an email from the address linked to your account to ************** Once verified we are speaking to the account holder, we will promptly assist you with your inquiry.

  
  We are committed to providing the best support possible.

  
  Thank you,

  Bark Team

  Customer response

  04/26/2024

  Complaint: 21572799
  
  I am rejecting this response because: every time you're email I get the same response of trying to up sell me on your services.  The business is Anti-**************** Services the email is ************************************** You have been asked repeatedly to delete the account and settle.  
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************

  

  Business response

  05/10/2024

  Hi there,
  
  We're sorry to hear you have rejected our response.
  
  Please follow up with us directly via the email we have sent through from ************** to you on 10th May 2024, with information regarding the monetary refund issued.
  
  Kind regards,
  
  The Bark Team

• Initial Complaint

  04/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  My ordeal with Bark, which began on March 3, 2024, when I purchased leads for $350, has been deeply disappointing, underscoring misleading customer support and subpar lead quality, falling short of my expectations as a health insurance agent. Initially, I was drawn to their Get Hired Guarantee, believing it to be a safeguard for my investment. Following advice from phone support provided by *********, I used my credits, expecting to leverage this guarantee against the numerous health insurance leads I deemed fraudulent.My frustration escalated when attempting to activate the Get Hired Guarantee, only to have it denied by *** on the basis that I had acquired a single client in HR consulting, a service unrelated to the problematic health insurance leads. This diversion overlooked the larger issue: a substantial portion of my 350 credits were expended on leads that seemed fraudulent. Of these, only 28 credits resulted in an actual sale within HR consulting, while a significant 256 credits were squandered on what I suspected were fraudulent health insurance leads.The customer service process was strenuous and fruitless. I was told to file separate requests for each disputed lead, a task both time-consuming and seemingly redundant. In the end, only 17 of these credits were refunded, starkly disproportionate to the total used.The customer service experience was particularly disheartening, marked by a lack of empathy and flexibility. My interactions, especially with *******, were characterized by passive-aggressive communication and a strict enforcement of a 14-day policy for lead disputes, a detail previously unemphasized.This entire sequence of events has greatly diminished my trust in Bark. The quality of leads did not align with their promises. ****'s management of the Get Hired Guarantee and their bureaucratic method of handling legitimate grievances illustrate a significant disregard for customer satisfaction and service integrity.

  

  Business response

  04/10/2024

  Hi Team
  
  Thank you for getting in touch.
  
  The Get Hired Guarantee is a feature that acts as a safety net for new professionals on Bark, and is designed to minimise the risk associated with your first credit pack.
  
  In the event that you do not secure any customers using the credits in a credit pack covered by the Get Hired Guarantee, well return all the credits to your account and give you a second 'attempt' with the credits you've purchased.
  
  This would not cover individual lead purchases. 
  
  You would need to ensure that you've used all the credits in the pack, and it's been 3 days since you purchased your last lead.
  
  Whilst we rarely need to action a Get Hired Guarantee, we can support you if you do find yourself having to request it, and can guide you through best practices on the Bark platform to ensure the greatest chance of converting a lead.
  
  For more information, you can navigate to our Help Centre. 
  
  You still have this offer available in which if you are not hired once completing the pack you can be reimbursed the full pack again for a second time on us. You still have a balance of 37 Credits - Once used or cant use it any further wait 3 days from the final lead purchased. If not hired then contact us to redeem this.
  
  If you need to report a lead for a credit return as you raised it could not be valid, please send an email to ************* and provide the details of the issue you are facing. We follow a credit return policy and we will make sure to investigate the matter thoroughly.
  
  Please also email us if you have any questions we are always hear to support you.
  
  Look forward to hearing from you soon and supporting your business!

  The Bark Team

  Customer response

  04/15/2024

  Complaint: 21503453
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I utilized the entire credit pack purchased on March 3, 2024, predominantly for health insurance leads, which unfortunately appeared largely fraudulent. I did secure a single client from a different service domain (HR consulting), but the success in this unrelated area does not mitigate the issues encountered with the health insurance leads.

  
  According to the Get Hired Guarantee, if no customers are secured from the credits used, a refund of credits should be applicable. In my case, I did not acquire any valid clients from the health insurance sector with these credits, fitting the criteria for the guarantee. Additionally, I utilized all remaining credits at the time of attempting to redeem the Get Hired Guarantee, and it had been more than 3 days since my last lead purchase.

  It's important to note that the remaining balance of 37 credits falls short of purchasing a quality lead in HR consulting, which typically requires a higher credit investment. Therefore, I would like to discuss how we can address this shortfall to ensure I can genuinely benefit from the Guarantee as intended.
  
  Regards,
  
  **************************************

  

  Business response

  04/24/2024

  Hi Team

  We've noticed you've been in touch with our team regarding issues with leads.

  To maximize your chances of success, it's essential to utilize your credits effectively. Given your preference for health insurance leads at 5 credits per lead, you should be able to reach approximately 6 leads. Utilizing these credits is key to qualifying for our get hired guarantee. If three days pass without securing a position and all credits have been used, we'll ensure you receive the guarantee. You just need to let us know.

  We strongly advise following up with all leads diligently, especially since you've purchased a significant volume without any conversions. If you encounter difficulties in converting leads into hires, don't hesitate to reach out to our team for support.

  Please keep us informed by emailing ************* if you haven't secured a position after utilizing your credits. We also recommend reaching out to us first for support as we are able to provide a variety of help which can be comunicated via email or call 24/7.

  Please let us know if you need support or dont get hired. However we look forward to hearing you got that hire!

  The Bark Team

  Customer response

  04/27/2024

  Complaint: 21503453
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  While I appreciate your suggestions on utilizing credits effectively, there are critical details that need to be addressed to correct misunderstandings and achieve a suitable resolution.

  Initially, my focus was on health insurance leads, which unfortunately led to significant challenges, including numerous leads that appeared fraudulent. Consequently, I no longer wish to pursue health insurance leads and am now interested exclusively in HR consulting leads. However, the remaining balance of around 30 credits is insufficient for this purpose.

  Moreover, my account is currently suspended, preventing me from using any credits as suggested by your team. Given this situation, my preferred resolution would be either the reinstatement of all original 350 credits purchased or a full refund of my initial payment. This adjustment will allow me to either apply the credits toward HR consulting leads or to recuperate my investment due to the unresolved issues.

  Here is an updated timeline to provide a clear sequence of the events and issues:
  *March 3, 2024: Initial purchase of 350 credits for high-quality leads.
  *March 3 to March 15, 2024: Encountered a majority of health insurance leads that were unusable due to disconnections or outright denials by individuals of having submitted their information.
  *March 15, 2024: Contacted your support team to resolve issues under the Get Hired Guarantee. I was advised to use all my credits, despite flagging the leads as fraudulent.
  *March 27, 2024: Officially rejected on the Get Hired Guarantee and instructed to submit individual credit return requests for each purchase.
  *March 28 to early April: ********* credit return requests; only a handful were investigated, and of those, approximately 50% of the credits were returned.
  *Ongoing: Multiple attempts to engage with your team to clarify and resolve these issues have been made, alongside an unexpected account suspension, blocking access to use or review remaining credits.

  In light of these complications, I request immediate steps be taken to resolve this issue either through credit restoration or a full refund. I seek a prompt and positive resolution that reflects both our interests and rectifies the challenges encountered.
  
  Regards,
  **************************************

  

  Business response

  05/10/2024

  Hi there,
  
  We're sorry to hear you have rejected our response.
  
  Professionals have the choice of adding as many categories of leads they want to their account settings, and can use their credits to purchase any leads they like, regardless of the category. 
  
  As you were hired using your Starter Pack of Credits, as per our terms, you are therefore not eligible for the Get Hired Guarantee credit return. Please note however, we would always investigate leads on a case by case basis, in line with our Credit Return Policy, for example, where a number is disconnected and reported to us within 14 days of purchase.
  
  For more information regarding our full Credit Return Policy, or if you require further assistance using your account, please don't hesitate to email ************* directly.
  
  Kind regards,
  
  The Bark Team
  

• Initial Complaint

  04/01/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 2/1, 2/2 and 2/4 I was charged for lead services for our company Sparkle with a twist and more Bark is a company that you can get business leads from as well as employment, but our company was looking for new business for are ****************** NOT EMPLOYMENT. After paying for several leads that were sent to us and we followed up on, we noticed that. Their applicants were not vented correctly the leads we received was for people looking for employment I have a list that my team called on, no one spoke English, nor could we understand what they were saying, until on one I asked are you looking for a job and they said yes. So I want back advised them of what was happening and the customer service team advised me that I need to email them on the leads that had issues , so we send a email on feb4,5, and 6th and no one got back to us until feb 14th advising them that on feb 6 2024 I called my cc company to advised them of what had occurred and that I wanted a full credit for these charges, thats when **** emailed us and at first he said he couldnt find my account and then came back and said they can't issue a refund only credits . this is nonsense I have canceled my account and will not do any business with them. When a lead is sent, they need to make sure they are filling it out correctly and they totally were not.

  

  Business response

  04/10/2024

  Hi Team

  Unfortunately we do not have a record of this email linked to a Professional's account.

  Just incase we can cover your response. We also aim to prevent people using the platform incorrectly, however, we do get individuals such as these who don't fully understand what Bark is or what we do. You even indicated the language barrier.
  
  We are constantly developing our platform to make the process better for customers and professionals, and are incorporating measures to stop this happening.
  
  In the meantime, we are happy to return the credits when this has happened. Simply email us to let us know, and send over any proof of correspondence if you have it to speed up the process. We can then close the request and issue the credits back.

  Please can you go into your bark.com account and locate the email address in account settings and please contact us from this email.
  
  Once we have identified you we will be sure to provide support!

  Thank you

  The Bark Team

   

• Initial Complaint

  03/28/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I joined Bark looking for leads and was excited about having a feeder program that I could use for drumming up new business. My first payment was $300 and supposedly that would provide 10 new leads. But the pricing on the leads is spurious and inconsistent. I was only able to purchase 7 leads. I contacted all 7 but only heard back from 1. After discussing the project (business plan) I offered to work over the weekend so they could have a quick turn around. No response. I reached out again. No response. I texted them on Saturday and asked if perhaps they had changed their mind. No response. So I told them I would shelve the project until further notice. No response.I would gladly pay a commission on actual work performed. But this scenario is ridiculous. I am forced to pay money ($300) for leads that have no guaranteed response rate. And if I want to keep contacting leads, I must pay an additional $300? It's just too much...At this time I respectfully request a full refund of the $300.

  

  Business response

  04/15/2024

  Hi Team

   

  Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your understanding that Bark.com operates as a lead generation platform, and while we strive to facilitate connections between service providers and potential clients, we do not guarantee work as part of our service.

  
  
  Marketing efforts inherently carry risks, and despite our platform offering various tips and strategies to help convert leads, success is not assured.
  
  
  Regarding your account, we've noted that you are eligible for our "Get Hired Guarantee," which was outlined in the offer you agreed to. This has been applied to the account so you can have another go on us!
  
  
  In regards to a refund, we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer a refund in this instance, as you have had access to qualified leads through our platform, which are not retrievable.
  
  
  In order to maximize your chances of converting leads into clients, we recommend implementing a robust follow-up process. This can significantly increase your chances of success in converting leads into paying customers.
  
  
  If you require assistance or guidance on how to optimize your follow-up strategy, please don't hesitate to contact our support team.
  
  
  We're here to help you make the most out of your Bark.com experience.
  
  
  The Bark Team

• Initial Complaint

  03/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Charged me $29.99 for membership when you have to email them to cancel your free trial. I did that twice. They kept trying to push more services on me and I declined, insisting to cancel. When I was charged anyway, they insisted I had the wrong company. They are a scam. I did not have the wrong company. I can no longer log in to remove my banking information as they did terminate my account but continue to bill me

  

  Business response

  03/28/2024

  HI BBB

  Thank you for reaching out! We've extended a refund offer to the customer, but it's currently being disputed with the bank meaning while we would issue a refund it is not possible since the bank has intervened and withdrawn funds, we are now required to follow a formal process.
  

  We understand the basis for the dispute and would have been happy to assist in resolving it directly however we had not been given any notice of the event happening until now through BBB platform.
  

   If there's anything we can do to facilitate this process, please don't hesitate to let us know.

  Please advise the consumer to directly contact us at ************* for any further support as we are hallways happy to help and have a dedicated team around the clock to handle any situations like this.

• Initial Complaint

  03/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased the 240 credits package trying to get some leads for my Business. I soon I realized that all the leads were fake and unverified. Bark.com is running a complete scam to charge $40-$50/Lead for unverified fake Leads contact information. I contacted their customer services within 14 days asking for a refund and to honor their advertised (guarantee to get hired) of purchase but nobody responded.

  

  Business response

  03/12/2024

  Hi *****- thanks for taking our call. As discussed, we've refunded your card for the full amount. Should you be interested in testing the platform out again, we'd love to organize a tips and tricks session with you to ensure you are getting the most out of your credits!

• Initial Complaint

  03/02/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This business provides leads which are a) not well vetted b) fraudulent.After spending a significant amount of money, I called Bark to try and resolve this and was met with resistance the entire time.The next morning I awoke to several emails which informed me of being banned from the service after they received "many complaints about my professional services".It would be impossible to have complaints if I was never hired - and that is a fact.

  

  Business response

  03/21/2024

  Hi BBB

  Thank you for reaching out to us and expressing your concerns. We take all feedback seriously and aim to address any issues promptly.

  We understand your frustration regarding the leads provided and any potential fraudulent activity. Please be assured that we have systems in place to vet leads, and any that are deemed invalid can be reported directly to us for investigation and potential credit return, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions. If this is the case please report these to ************* with details where the team will investigate and support.

  Regarding the removal of your account, we must address the behavior that led to this action. We strive to maintain a professional environment for both our staff and users, and abusive/threatening language towards our team members is not acceptable under any circumstances. With one situation in quotes "you are a F****** a******" directed to a member of the team providing support. Unfortunately, such behavior violates our community guidelines, and we reserve the right to take appropriate action to protect our staff and users. We would hope to BBB and the individual raising understands this.

  We acknowledge that this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, but we stand by our decision to uphold a respectful and professional environment for all involved. This is an integral part of the platform which leads to protecting our users. If you have any further concerns or would like to discuss this matter further, please feel free to reach out to us at ************* or follow the information provided with the email provided with our address.

  Thank you for your understanding.

• Initial Complaint

  02/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Bark.com has sold my personal contact information and I'm receiving non-stop spam and phone calls for the last 5 days. They have no option to opt out or close my account. The calls I'm receiving are not related to any services that Bark offers.

  

  Business response

  02/27/2024

  Hi there,

  We're sorry to hear that there may have been some confusion about how our platform works.  

  When you came to our website and input your contact details, we shared your details with select individuals who could offer their services to you based on them matching the criteria you requested. Professionals will need to call if there are not enough details in the request for them to offer a quote. This also ensures that they are providing the most accurate quotes.

  You would also have been notified of this when inputting your telephone number and via email. We only share those details with up to 5 professionals to stop customers being overwhelmed.
  

  If you would like to have your account deleted, please let us know by emailing us at *************.
  

  Kind regards,
  The Bark Team
  

  
  

  Customer response

  02/28/2024

  Better Business Bureau:

  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to my complaint and have determined that this does not resolve my  issue.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

  **In order for the bureau to continue to assist you, you MUST provide your view on the matter or your complaint will be closed as answered.
  
  I'm specifically being contacted by scammers and other fraudulent callers non-stop. This only started happening 3 days after I input my information into bark.com. With no other source of my information being released, it seems reasonable to suggest that either Bark.com OR a Bark.com vendor is selling my personal information to data brokers. The calls are not coming from vendors related to my original quote request on Bark.com and are coming from multiple states. Most are scam calls from ***** trying to offer me tech support. In the past I've occassionally had a spam call here or there, but now I receive them non stop, sometimes one after the other (see screenshot attached). If Bark.com did not sell my private information to a data broker then I strongly urge Bark.com to review the vendors who they have given my information to. 
  
  
  Regards,

  Complaint ID: ********

   

   

   

  

  Business response

  03/21/2024

  Hi BBB & Consumer

  Sorry to hear of your experience, its never nice to hear that you where inundated with calls. This would be service providers trying to support you!

  When you sign up, we enable up to 5 professionals to contact you regarding your request for a quote.

  If you wish to cease this communication, please close your request and indicate why you have closed this!

  For any concerns about your data privacy, please reach out to ****************. Rest assured, we adhere to strict guidelines regarding data protection and comply.

  Any other queries please direct to *************! 

  The Bark Team

  Customer response

  03/22/2024

  Complaint: 21328166
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************************

  Customer response

  03/25/2024

  Complaint: 21328166
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The calls I'm being inundated with are not related to the services that I approved solicitation for. Instead, it looks as though my personal information was sold to call centers by one of the 5 clients you shopped my information to in regard to my Bark request. My Bark request is closed and cancelled. My complaint to the BBB is to inform both **** and others that our personal information is being sold either by Bark or by it's business users to third parties not authorized to contact users and are specifically spam and phishing calls from *****!! All of which started shortly after creating the original Bark request. 
  
  Regards,
  
  *************************************

*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. ↩