Complaint Rating:

Company information:
Innovative Merchant Solutions
United States

It is unfortunate that another small business owner had to fall pray to the deceiving tactics of two Innovative Merchant Solutions (IMS), an INTUIT (R) Company. Two unassuming representatives pressured a merchant to sign two "Applications" for the purchase of two ATM machines. The merchant continuously stated that there was no interest in purchasing the machines and therefore would not be interested in signing a contract. Preying on a merchant with a limited understanding of contractual agreements and reading the English language, continued their "sales pitch" in an effort to convince the merchant that signing the "Application" would only secure availability of a future purchase if the merchant so desired. Therefore, the remarks made clearly expressed that there would be no contract signed and therefore no liability placed upon the merchant. In demonstrating their lack of personal moral and professional ethical principals, the two individuals convinced the merchant to sign two applications explaining that they would receive payment for simply "completing the applications." Within five days the IMS representatives had processed the fraudulent "deal" and had two ATM machines shipped to the merchant. Upon receipt of the machines, the merchant contacted the representatives and as the typical shady salesmen, did not answer or return the call.

The merchant then contacted the customer service line and was told that the problem would be resolved easily by simply faxing the representatives a statement explaining that, as stated previously, there had been no interest in purchasing the machines. Again, there was no response. Instead, they began billing the merchant for use of the machines that the merchant was not interested in owning or even able to cover. When the merchant refused to make the payment, a series of intimidation tactics began to be employed. On one occasion one of the merchants walked by the small business, taking pictures of the location and the employees inside. When confronted by the merchant, the salesman threatened the merchant with legal action and taking the merchant to collections. Then, in an extreme effort of continued harassment, the salesman drove by the business several times, changing cars after the third drive through with male passengers inside; as to express a direct threat against the merchant and the employees.

Clearly, IMS is either a company run amuck by shady sales people who have no regard for ethical business principals or they intentionally train their sales force to employ such vile tactics in an effort to turn a profit. As for Intuit, the holding company of IMS which was acquired in 2003, and provider of reputable products and services such as QuickBooks (R), Quicken (R), and TurboTax (R), is either complicit in these frauds by approving of and or providing the necessary training, or lack of oversight of their $116 million investment.

Check it out for yourself: http://web.intuit.com/about_intuit/press_releases/2003/09-02b.html

Don’t be taken! If you hear IMS just say NO!!!