ComplaintsforDesign Genious Corp.

• Initial Complaint

  12/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Scammers. This firm was hired to develop a website for a non-profit organization. They were paid approximately 5k for the work. They delivered a version of the website where there are at least 3 major functionalities that are broken making the site completely unusable. They refuse to log back into the server and fix the issues. They never delivered a working first version of the website. There's a guy there that calls himself "***********************" where every time you call, it's clear that the call gets routed to *****. It's not a ******* company even though they pretend to be one. It's probably an offshore scam.

  Business response

  12/28/2023

  Hi,

  First of all,

  The person adding a false review against our brand, in not our client. And he claims that he is the client of Design Genious, than I will request the proof of transactions he made with our company as client claims that he paid 5k for the website.
  
  Mr. **** kindly show the purchase receipt or any proof that invoice has been billed from your name and you have paid us 5k for the website.
  
  Than I will look into you case and will analyze it, right now your not an onboard client to me I can not further look into any claims and complaints.

   

  Thanks.
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/12/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I talked to one of your affiliates/subsidiaries back in April 2023; I guess ***************************** or ********************* from ********************* *****) must have told him to call me about my trademark refilling for nationwide rights to add in 3 additional subclasses. Right after I got off the phone call with *****************************, *************************** from Design Genious called me up the same day or the next day. I was scammed out of my money from one of your affiliates/subsidiaries company because ***********************( Head of ***************** from ********************* *****) stated that I could get a refund if my trademark was denied and that ***** would refund my money back if my application got denied. I called ***** and told me they do NOT refund people's money if their trademark application is denied. A legal letter was sent out to *************************** from Design Genious on July 14th, 2023, I did not get a response back until a court order was served to one of their affiliates/subsidiaries. *************************** from Design Genious was very unprofessional and asked me if I was a happily married woman and if I was really SURE ABOUT IT, and then asked how my husband was doing. This had nothing to do with my trademark refilling. I am not sure if he was just ***** or if he was just flirting with me. Why couldn't you just ask me how my day was? Being a fairly new entrepreneur is already stressful enough. I'm still trying to figure out who is the trademark attorney because I had to hire a trademark attorney to send out an letter and my trademark was abandoned. I was able to settle from one of your affiliates company ********************* *****) for $9,000 on November 8th, 2023. I found a suspicious website on ****** with my business name, logo, and trademark number along with some other businesses, etc.evidence.... once it got reported it was dismantled. I've learned my ****** to always ask for an attorney's bar numbers. They did not provide proof of having attorney bar numbers.

  Customer response

  11/14/2023

  Logo ladz is another digital company that they are affiliates of ******************** *****)  and Design Genious(**) in *******. The General Manager ********************* sent me an email from an logo ladz Domain from Brandscreation Corp. 

  I could not find a  Business license of Logo Ladz in the Open Corporates system or the Florida *********** ******************** system? They are operating without an Business license? Here is thier website. ********************** and Logo Logo Ladz both have the same mailing address.  I was just alerting you about it. 

  *************************

  I found one of them spying on me on my media account and found a a name of a ********************************* in ***** which they used an username name of a Mary_Marie****.  **** is my birthyear  my  as well. I've don't even know what these people real names are .  

   

  Business response

  12/11/2023

  Design Genious Corp. has no business with this client, this client is not onboard with our company (Design Genious Corp) and we have never provided any services to this customer.

  It is our request to ******************** to close the complaint.

   

  Thanks.
  

  Customer response

  12/12/2023

   
  Complaint: 20860861
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************************

   

  It was indeed  *************************** from Design Genious an affiliate of ******************* that called me up and even sent me an email . I have proof of his email and Design Genious Logo. He even got the name of my store wrong which also proved to me that they were taking advantage of me . My store name is Victorious1shop  not Victorious1shop Stop Shop.  He emailed on June 27th 2023 16:23 . I can't  send all the screenshots to you because it will only allowed to send me 5? I also have text messenges that he sent that he does have affiliates companies in *****, ******* and **********.  One of them being ******************* in *****.
  

  Business response

  12/13/2023

  Hi,

  Again we have no records for this customer,

  If this client is claiming to be a client of Design Genious Corp, then please share the transaction details with Design Genious (showing that you paid to Deisgn Genious Corp).

  Also, please share the number from which people are calling you or share the email, I will look into it and report it from our end too. If some one is mis-using our identity than we will also report it.

   

  Thanks.
  

  Customer response

  12/13/2023

  Hello I'm adding more evidence that this company has other affiliates or umbrella companies .  I've already sent the evidence of ******************************************************  to the email to *********************************** with using the same logo for Design Genious. These screenshots here are sent from the General Manager name ********************* with the email Of ************************ about my trademark registration.  I looked up to see if ********.com was a legit company but I could not find thier company registered in  ******* Secretary Business or Opencorporates.com??All the evidence is there that I have right now to show that these people are fraudulent? 

   

  If ************************; from Design Genious never called me up about seeking payment  and emailing me then  why do I have evidence of his email that he sent me and his text messenges.  There also an employee of Brandscreation that broke into my Snapchat account name ********************************* which is one of thier real names .  I was alerting you about them because they are taking advantage of people.  I was never provided proof of thier Attorney  numbers . If you take a look at all my evidence and the email I sent , you will that *************************** from Design Genious indeed email me with the same logo as Design Genious.  Now is he  an Trademark Attorney? They never gave me proof.
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I hired Design Genious to redesign a website for me with hosting for one year. Everything was good until there was an issue with my site in December 2022 and I contacted the Project Manager and there was no response for several days. I hired someone else to fix the issues with my site. I finally received a phone call from another digital marketing person, *********************, but only after I sent him an e-mail telling him that I was not happy. This is was when I was informed that my Project Manager was no longer with the company, but did not receive another point of contact if I had issues.Fast forward to March 2023, I received a random text message from ********************************* stating that there were "specials going on" and I told him that I was not available. ***** contacted me in April ******************************************************* a month, which was definitely not the case. ***** contacted me again on May 3, telling me that the specials were going to end. I again told him that I was not interested.On May 10, 2023 I received a text message from ********************* stating that my website hosting had been suspended. I ask him as of when. **** told me as of that morning because the hosting expired on May 1, 2023. No one informed me of this before the hosting was going to expire so I could decide what I was going to do, stay with them or find another hosting site. The fee went from $349.00 per year to $299.00 per year to host. I told **** that I don't even pay that much for my other site. I told **** that I was upset because I was not given an opportunity to look around for another hosting company and now the site is suspended. Ultimately, I have asked them to "Unlock" my domain so I can transfer it to a different hosting company and they want to charge me $185.00 to "Unlock" MY DOMAIN that I brought to them from another company that did not charge them a fee to unlock. Right now Design Genious is holding my site Hostage unless I pay them more money.

  Business response

  05/29/2023

  Dear Better Business Bureau,
  
  We are writing in response to the complaint filed by ********************* against our company, Design Genious, which was assigned the case number #********. We appreciate the opportunity to address the concerns raised and provide our side of the story.
  
  First and foremost, we would like to express our regret that ********************* feels dissatisfied with our services. Our goal has always been to deliver high-quality websites and hosting solutions while maintaining open and transparent communication with our clients. We have reviewed the details of the case thoroughly and would like to present an accurate account of the events that transpired between our company and **********************
  
  Our records indicate that ********************* approached our company to develop a website for her business. After discussing her requirements and providing a clear breakdown of our services, we proceeded with the development and design process. Once the website was completed to her satisfaction, we made it live and provided her with a 1-year hosting service as part of our package.
  
  When ********************* contacted us after the hosting expiration, demanding a free renewal, we explained to her that the renewal comes with a fee, as per our standard policies. We pride ourselves on maintaining transparency and ensuring our clients are fully aware of all costs involved in our services. It is regrettable that ********************* felt blindsided by this, but we stand by the fact that we had clearly communicated the terms of the hosting service.
  
  Furthermore, ********************* requested a domain transfer without acknowledging the associated transfer fee. We informed her that domain transfers involve administrative and technical processes, which incur costs that need to be covered by the requesting party. We have outlined these charges in our service agreements, which ********************* agreed to at the time of signing up for our services.
  
  We take customer satisfaction seriously and have always aimed to resolve issues amicably. We engaged in multiple conversations with *********************, seeking a mutually acceptable solution. Regrettably, she persisted in her refusal to comply with our terms and, instead, chose to file a complaint with the BBB.
  
  In light of the above, we kindly request that you review the evidence and information provided and consider the context of this situation. We firmly believe that our actions were in accordance with industry standards and our established terms and conditions. We value our reputation and strive to maintain our commitment to providing reliable and transparent services to our clients.
  
  We remain available to address any further inquiries or provide additional documentation, if required, to support our response. We appreciate your attention to this matter and your impartial evaluation of the situation.
  
  Thank you for your time and consideration.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Designgenious
  www.designgenious.com

  Customer response

  06/06/2023

   
  Complaint: 20049016
  
  Dear Better Business Bureau.
  
  I reject Design Genious' response to the complaint for the following reasons:
  "Our records indicate that ********************* approached our company to develop a website for her business."  On March 30, 2022 I posted an inquiry for a website redesign through Team Bark.  *********************, Senior Associate of Design Genious, started messaging me almost immediately.  After several text messages, I scheduled a phone conference with **** to talk about Design Genious' services.  During this call, I told **** that I did not need a domain as I already had one and **** assured me that I would retain ownership of my domain.  I also asked **** to forward a contract for my review, at which time **** said there is no contract, just an invoice and questionnaires for me to complete.  At the conclusion of the call, **** sent through e-mail, an invoice for $499 which included 5 to 7 Page Website design, Logo Design (Complimentary), W3C Certified HTML, 1-year hosting, Payment Gateway Integration, Cross-Browser Compatibility, 3 Royalty Images, 1 year domain name, Free Unlimited Revisions, Free Unlimited Variation, Free Unlimited Color Options, Dedicated Account Manager and 24/7 Customer Support.  Also attached to the e-mail was a Website Questionnaire and Logo Questionnaire.  (See Exhibit A). 

  Everything was good until I had an issue with my site in December 2022, I reached out to my project manager, **********************  I heard nothing for months.  Eventually, I paid my other web designer to fix the issues with my site and paid him to continue doing work on my site as I thought Design Genious was no longer in business.

  "When ********************* contacted ** after the hosting expiration, demanding a free renewal...  On May 10, 2023 I was contacted by *********************, Representative of Design Genious via text message stating that my hosting had expired.  (See Exhibit B).  I had no knowledge that it was due to expire prior to this date.  It was at this time that I learned that my Project Manager, *********************, no longer worked for the company.  **** told me that it would cost $349.00 for another year of hosting.  I told **** that I dont pay that for my other site, he said If we go with the lower package of the hosting it will cost you $299.  Okay, how much to you pay for that?  It was at this time I decided it was time to break ties with Design Genious and I asked for my domain to be transferred. 

  "Furthermore, ********************* requested a domain transfer without acknowledging the associated transfer fee."  "We have outlined these charges in our service agreement, which ********************* agreed to at the time of signing up for our services."   This is when I learned that it would cost me $185.00 to transfer MY domain that I brought to Design Genious for nothing.  I had no prior knowledge of this fee as a Service Agreement was not provided.  I did not request hosting or a domain transfer for free.
  

  On May 11, 2023 at approximately 7:40 p.m., I spoke with Client Retention Manager ****, via telephone, who tried to convince me to stay with Design Genious.  I declined telling him that $349 for hosting or $185.00 to give me an authorization code is outrageous.  **** asked me "what can you pay?"  This was another red flag.  I told **** that I no longer felt comfortable with Design Genious especially with then asking me what I could pay and told **** this during our conversation.  Ultimately, **** finally agreed to transfer my domain and would do so for free.  **** told me that he would get someone to provide the authorization code right away.  Imagine a bigger flag when ********************* asked for my domain credentials to start the transfer process.  I ask the meaning and then there was nothing.  I did some research and Design Genious did not need any of my domain credentials, they just needed to give an authorization code.   (See Exhibit C).  I did not ask for him to transfer the domain for nothing.
  

  On May 12, 2023 I tried contacting Design Genious through telephone, through e-mail, through text, through the 'Contact **' on their website and received no response.  The phone calls did not go through.  Again, thinking that Design Genious had gone out of business, necessitating this complaint.
  Since filing this complaint, I have been threatened with a lawsuit calling my complaint "unethical."  I also have been blackmailed by ********************* stating that if I don't delete the complaint, sign a document stating that I won't defame Design Genious anywhere or write that "there was a miscommunication and I am completely satisfied, I would not get the Authorization code to transfer my domain.  (See Exhibit C).
  

  I have also learned that the domain that I brought to Design Genious, is registered to a company called Paak Comm who is located in ********.  Design Genious, according to their website, are located in *******, *******.  I do not know who Paak Comm is or if they are affiliated with Design Genious. I did not authorize the transfer of my domain.
  

  At no time have I ever expected anything or asked for anything to be free, just reasonable.  The hosting and domain transfer fees that Design Genious is requesting is double, if not more than what I have seen elsewhere.  Prior to the text message received by ********************* on May 10, 2023, I was not notified that my webhosting would be expiring on May 1, 2023.
  

  Thanking you for your time and attention to this matter.  Should you require additional information, please feel free to contact me.
  

  Respectfully submitted,
  *********************

  Business response

  06/20/2023

  Desired Settlement:
  Other (requires explanation)
  I want my site to be unlocked and the code to be provided to me to complete the transfer; Stop holding my site hostage so I can complete the transfer without their interference.

  We can share the authorization code and release the website without any cost, if client will cooperate us and resolve this issue in a friendly way.

  We have offered everything to client but every time she gets skeptic. **** approved the transfer of domain for the client without any fee, our representative calls the customer and requested to share credentials in order to transfer the domain but client again gets skeptic and said that there is no need to share credentials just share the auth code, how can the developer transfer the authorization code without credentials.

  Customer is not cooperating with us moving forward and resolve this concern, this is our request with her to cooperate and understand the ways to do things as she do not have technical knowledge, so how can she claim that the procedure we are telling is wrong? she is just being skeptic and making things more worse.

  Please note: Transferring a domain is a complete technical process (Screen shot Attached) which require a technical resource and no one do it for free. Still we offered her a free transfer and resolve concern in a friendly way, but she posted the complain over BBB and also claiming false against us and defaming us.

  This is our request with customer to stop defaming our reputation and resolve this complain and canceled it, we will transfer the domain and for that she need to share the credentials what is required from technical resource.

   

  Thanks.

  Design Genious
  

   

  Customer response

  06/21/2023

   
  Complaint: 20049016
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  We have offered everything to client but every time she get skeptic. **** approved the transfer of domain for the client without fee, our representative calls the customer and requested to share credentials in order to transfer the domain but client again get skeptic and said that there is no need to share credentials just share the auth code, how can the developer transfer the authorization code without credentials.  I have previously provided attachments to my initial complaint and rejection to Design Genious response.  I was asked through text message to send credentials.  Yet, no one has elaborated on what exactly the "credentials" are that are to be provided.  I have done research and I have spoken to representatives from the new hosting company.  In order for a domain to be transferred, the domain needs to be unlocked and then an authorization code is sent to an e-mail address.  No other information is required.

  Customer is not cooperating with us moving forward and resolve this concern, this is our request with her to cooperate and understand the way to do things as she do not have technical knowledge, so how can she claim that the procedure we are telling wrong? She is just being skeptic and making things worse.  While I do not completely understand what is all involved in transferring a domain, Design Genious has giving me good reason to be skeptic of them, as follows:

   -- Design Genious has changed the Registrant of the domain without my knowledge or consent to a company that I do not know in ********. 
   -- Design Genious wants my credentials (which I still do not know what exactly this means because no has responded to this) in order to transfer the domain, when they only need to provide an authorization code to my e-mail address, which has been previously provided and is listed on the website. 
   -- Design Genious wants more money to provide an authorization code that they continue to hold over my head. 
   -- Phone calls, e-mails and text messages to Design Genious have gone unanswered for several months until they have a promotion that they want me to purchase without mention of any website issues that had happened.
   -- Design Genious failed to inform me that the website hosting was due to expire on May 1st until ten (10) days later when the site was suspended.
  

  Please note: Transferring a domain is a complete technical process (Screen shot attached) which require a technical resource and no one do it for free.  Still we offered her a free transfer and resolve concern in a friendly way, but she posted the complain over BBB and also claiming false against us and defaming us.   For one, nothing was attached to Design Geniousresponse.  Secondly, while I do understand that transferring a domain is a technical process, the technical process is not on Design Genious. It is on the new hosting company to make sure everything is transferred over once an authorization code is provided.

  No Defamation occurred toward Design Genious.  The word Defamation means:  the action of damaging the good reputation of someone; slander or libel.  Filing a complaint is not an action to damage the reputation; nor is it slander or libel, it is a means to get a third party involved for resolution of an issue.    While Design Genious may try to appear innocent while placing blame on me for being skeptic, the issue still remains that they are holding the domain hostage while blackmailing (demand money or another benefit from (someone) in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them) until this complaint resolved.  As stated, before and as provided in previous attachments, once the domain is back in my name and the site has been transferred to another hosting company, is when I will accept that the issues between myself and Design Genious has been resolved.

  This is our request with customer to stop defaming our reputation and resolve this complain and canceled it, we will transfer the domain and for that she need to share the credentials what is required from technical resource.  Again, Design Genious has the credentials because my e-mail address is all the is required for the authorization code to be provided.  If they need something other than an e-mail address as they claim are credentials, then they need to be clear on exactly what they need in order for the Registrant and Domain to be transferred back to me.

  I have been willing to cooperate in order to accomplish the main goal of domain transfer, however when Design Genious is questioned, they say credentials and never elaborate on exactly what they mean by credentials. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Business response

  06/21/2023

  Hey,

   

  Keeping everything aside, we are ready to resolve the concern in a good friendly way.

  Please share your GoDaddy email so that we will transfer the domain directly to you.

  Thanks.
  

  Customer response

  06/22/2023

   
  Better Business Bureau:

  In reference to complaint ID ********, and the issue has been resolved.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  04/08/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  To whom it may concern,I was promised a refund in the amount of $4,680 for a 5 yr Prepaid hosting package that was never utilized due to Design Genious's inability to create a website as agreed upon. I also paid them $1199 for a website that was partially drafted, but never completed. Unfortunately, the initial work they provided can't be used. I have initiated a dispute through ******************* Date 01/19/2023 Description DESIGN GENIOUS CORP ************ Dispute # *********B Due to the company's unreliable behavior in meeting deadlines, lack of updates, delayed product delivery and unclear communication, I have no choice, but to report them to the Better Business Bureau.

  Business response

  04/17/2023

  
  The Complain filed by **************** represented by Complaint ID: ******** is invalid and false. The customer ordered for "Elite Logo Package + Professional Website +Hosting and Domain +Animation + Business Cards design and printing + T-shirts design and Printing + Caps design and Printing" and agreed on the process and policy while ordering.
  Then Design Genious started working on the project and completed the logo and website for the client according to the client's requirements and the website was live and working properly, we have shared the admin credentials and C panel with the client which she herself changed the password and switching the website to another host. (below we have attached the evidences to show that we have made the website live and share the credentials, also in addition we have shared the final files with the client for all the work we have done.
  
  Design Genious provided the client with logo files + logo animation, moving forward completed and provided the business cards, T-shirt designs and Caps Design, moving forward after designing all the products has been delivered to the client at door step (Evidences Attached), After that our team started working on the website and design home pages which the client reviewed and approved it then we designed the inner pages and with the same protocol we made the website completed and provided hosting to the customer and made the website live, but suddenly client requested for a refund with the reason she can not trust us "that is change of mind" (after delivering every single thing the client claiming that she don't trust us) according to our policy which client agreed in the beginning she is not eligible for a refund but still in good faith we promised her a refund of hosting amount and explain her every single thing (what amount will be refunded, Estimated time of Refund and On which card it will reflect) and our team was corresponding  with client and was updating her with the refund status but from our merchant we came to know that the amount we refund can not processed cause the client disputed the amount a while ago and after that client filed a false complain against us, cause if you will look into the work we have done for the customer there is no reason to request for a refund at this point where she received everything and the project was completed and delivered.
  
  After we made the website live the client requested for a refund on hosting which we approved just to maintain the friendly relation, after that client claim that she do not like the website whereas she herself approved to make the website live, our team informed the client that she requested herself to make the website live, how can she claim that she is not satisfied with the client, on that she threaten us that if we will not refund her she will call her bank, on which we offered her that we will build her website from scratch and will satisfy her with the work, we completed it and delivered the final files again but later on she complained here on BBB and informed us that if we will not refund her the amount she will not cancel the complain and if we will refund the amount she will cancel it.
  
  After that point, after completing everything and delivered to the customer the customer is continuously trying to threat us and to take the advantages.  
  Therefore this is our humble request to please close this complain as we have provided you the evidences that we have delivered everything for what the client paid to us. And now after getting all the work now the client is requesting for a refund.
  
  Its our request to **************** as well to have patience and stop threatening us cause we have done everything for what you have paid, and if still there is anything we can work for you and help you in all your ways.
  
  LINKS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES:
  
  ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
  
  WEBSITE LINK:
  ****************************
  

  Customer response

  04/21/2023

   
  Complaint: 19913182
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Design Genious charged me $1099 for a website that was unusable and incomplete and $4680 for 5 years of prepaid hosting that was never used. Despite their promise to issue a refund, I never received it.  Initially, I was charged $1099 for website development, $2299 for six months of social media.  Later, I was informed that the website could not be launched without a five-year hosting plan costing $4680. I was surprised since this requirement was not disclosed in advance. I requested to cancel the social media which was never started and ***** agreed to issue a credit and apply to the 5yr prepaid hosting. He then charged me the balance of $2350 for hosting. When my website kept being delayed and not finished I became uncomfortable with this compay hosting my site for 5yrs. 

  I was assured a full refund of the 5yr prepaid hosting. A couple weeks later I received a partial refund of $2350 for the hosting fee. After I filed a complaint with the ********************************** Design Genius recharged the amount of $2350 on 19th April 2023.
  
  Design Genious advised me to transfer my site to another hosting company. However, the website that Design Genious had been working on was not even close to the example I had chosen. The resulting partially finished website from Design Genious was unusable and the new hosting company had to start from scratch. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****************

  Business response

  04/27/2023

  Hello,
  
  As per the things client mentioned.
  
  1. Initially client purchased website and social media package, and then we asked the client for hosting and domain the client informed that she do not have it, then we have shared our packages from which the client chose herself for 5 years hosting, there are 1year plan as well 2 years plan as well but the client picked 5 year with her choice.
  
  2. Then client adjusted the social media balance and paid the remaining $2350.00 for hosting, we made the website completed with client's approval and made it live on the hosting server, we have purchased the hosting server and domain for 5 years for client and then she changed her mind and said that I don't wanna continue with your company, I wanna do the work with some one whom I can meet physically. (Whereas the client was not eligible for a refund with this type of reason but still our company committed and promised a refund).
  
  3. We have never suggested the client to go with some one else for domain and hosting where we already purchased it for client and made the website live. But the client changed her mind with the hosting and also claimed that the website is not upto **** whereas the client himself approved the website before we make it live.
  
  4. In all this client suddenly disputed the charge of $2350 whereas we have already committed the refund but client disputed it, and we have showed the work to client's bank which we have done for her and informed the bank that she was not eligible but still we promised a refund and she disputed it, we were trying to resolve the matter in a friendly way but the client started dispute method and also threatening us that she will  complain on BBB, whereas we have showed in the previous attachments that we have completed the work and on good faith we were refunding the client but the client was trying to be smart to wants all the money and the work he have done for her, which can not be possible.
  
  We are still willing to provide every single thing with the client if she is willing to resolve it on a friendly manner but if she chose to threat us and if she tries to  be smart and trying take advantages of keeping the money and work both, then we have enough evidences and work, approval and correspondence which show that client claim is false.
  
  Design Genious never charged client's card but the bank it self reviewed the document and close the dispute in our favor as we were at our right (we showed the evidences to bank).
  
  I'm still requesting the client to get back to us and we can resolve the case in a friendly manner.
  
  
  Thank you.

  Customer response

  04/28/2023

   
  Complaint: 19913182
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

   I was charged $2299 for social media services on Jan 16th, and three days later on January 19th, I was informed about a prepaid hosting charge of $4680. I was surprised by this additional cost, as it was never mentioned during the development of my website, which was priced at $1199.  In response, I suggested cancelling the social media service and applying the funds to the new charge. Design Genious agreed and charged my Discover Card for the remaining $2350.  All transactions were made over the phone and no contracts signed.
  
  However, there was no disclosure or contract regarding 5 yrs of prepaid hosting.  Furthermore, my website was not completed or approved after months of delays and I became uncomfortable with the idea of Design Genious hosting my site for 5yrs and requested a refund of $4680 for the hosting charge.  ****, the Design Genious (owner?) agreed to refund my payment and allow me to take the hosting to another company.  However, he wanted to keep working on my website.  After even more delays, finally the website was released to my new hosting provider and it was only a mock up not a working website. 
  
  **** promised a refund in two payments (two credit cards)within 15 days for the first one (Discover) and another week for the second one (***** Fargo), but this did not happen and my texts and phone calls were ignored.
  
  Discover Card Case # ***-997-453B
  ***** Fargo - Dispute #********

  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  
  
  This is a statement from Profusion Solutions about the status of the unfinished website by Design Genious at the time they asked me to find a new hosting company and would refund me the 5yrs prepaid hosting fee. 
  
  From: ********************************* <****************************************************************************; ********* Monday, April 24, 2023 9:11 PM
  To: mgmt seattlewavacationhome.com <******************************>
  Subject: Development Status
  
  Hello ****, This is the link that shows what work had been done on your site from your previous developer. ***************************************************** I have captured a screen recording of t
  External ***********************************
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  Hello ****,
  
  This is the link that shows what work had been done on your site from your previous developer. ***************************************************** I have captured a screen recording of the site and attached it to this email in case they take down the link and/or modify what was there. As you noted, many of the photos are not yours and 100% of the content is placeholder (lorem ipsum is used). In my opinion, this site was not ready to go live. The site looks like it was in the mock-up stage - with no actual content, no reservation/contact form, and the use of non-property photos. Typically after the mock up stage, the developer would request content from the client and then begin production of the site and once that is complete, the site would be ready for testing and then go-live.
  
  Please let me know if you have any other questions or need additional information.
  
  Thank you,
  
  *********************************
  President
  phone: ************
  email: *********************************
  **************************************
  PO Box 747, Ferndale, ** 98248
  

  Business response

  04/28/2023

  Please look into the claim client mentioned:
  
  In first complain client mentioned: " I feel uncomfortable to proceed with the hosting and I requested refund".
  
  In second complain client mentioned: "Design Genious asked me to find a new company for hosting"
  
  Please note that client verdict in both the complains do not support her complain, we have never said client to change the hosting company whereas the client her self changed her mind and requested to refund, Whereas she was not eligible but we have approved the refund and gave her the refund confirmation, the day we were processing the refund "**** informed the client that today the refund will be reflect into your account, when our billing processed the refund it showed us that customer already disputed it".
  
  Still the client is not ready to accept her mistake and continuously fighting and claiming false so that she can get the money and work but this is to inform her that if she will try to be smart we do have all the evidences all the messages and proof that we have made the completed website live on the hosting server(we purchased for 5 years)
  
  After that she changed her mind and canceled it, we bear that loss and committed refund to the client in good faith but client disputed.
  
  Secondly we have redesign and developed the website for client but she stopped us after the development and said to share the credentials  (she had the admin credentials of the website we have designed for her therefore she can login to it and check the status) After getting the credentials the client requested for domain credentials we have the proofs as well of this conversation (as we were not willing to provide her with the domain credentials cause the hosting and domain we have purchased for 5years she canceled and we bear that loss but still in good faith we have shared the credentials and after that client disputed the first charge with discover and the bank close that dispute in our favor after analyzing that thing that client was claiming false) And then the client started complaining on BBB as she is help less where as we are still helping her and try to get the things sorted but she again claiming false and disputed the charged with ***** and we will now show all the evidence to bank as well that how the client is acting smart and trying to get the work and money both in her favor.
  
  This is my request to client if she will cancel all her disputes and complain we can resolve the matter in friendly was they way we discussed before, please stop acting smart, you can not get the work and money both (we have shared the domain and website admin credentials with you).

  Customer response

  05/06/2023

   
  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

  07/09/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Hello I received a call from Design Genius (***********************) through Upwork website. I spoke to ***** at length about their services - he sent me contract information and assured me that they would be able to monitor my website and help with maintenance for 1 year. I paid 650$. They are out of ******* and it is not uncommon to use a business out of state for this type of service. I read reviews on trust pilot - and there are over 47 with 5 star. (not sure this is accurate). There were a couple bad ones - and I assumed that since there were an overwhelming amount of good - that must have been a rare experience. Well - i experienced a bait and switch just like they said. Plus I was contacted shortly after signing up - that I should pay for "SEO" - maintenance and paid them another 300$ to trial. They did not follow up with me - and after having a slighty heated discussion about the lack of work or lack of follow up on their part to help me with some website work - they completely stopped answering my calls and emails - My contract is not up until next FEBRUARY 2023. So I just got jipped after paying almost 1000$

*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. ↩