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Hit Web Design review: bad business to work with/for! abc4 news utah will expose! 528

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12:14 pm EDT
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As an ex-employee I can say that HIT Web Design, formerly known as Heritage Web Solutions, was once a great company to work for. Unfortunately this is no longer the case.

I had worked there for 2 and a half years and in the past year, HIT (who changed their name to run away from their bad reputation) has seriously gone down hill. It supposedly all started when customers began charging back on their credit cards due to a flurry of bad complaints in a scared economy (which actually never happened, they are just very greedy).

Needless to say the company is ran very unprofessionally. They were once the leaders in custom website design but have now abandoned their business model...

When you treat your employees so poorly they will not give the customers the kind of help they need. That is why there are so many customer and employee complaints.

This all has now come to a head as Utah's ABC4 News will soon be airing an investigative report on how HIT Web Design has lied and cheated their customers. The ABC4 News crew showed up Friday October 16th to interview employees on what has been going on.

The air date has yet to be released so please contact Annie Cutler of ABC4 News to express your disgust with HIT Web Design/ Heritage Web Solutions at [protected]@abc4.com

Let's make sure HIT Web Design will not continue doing this to customers!

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 20, 2009 1:04 pm EDT

i am also an ex-employee this as all true! i believe that the ABC 4 news story will air later this week.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 21, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

HIT Web Design will do whatever they need to in order to safe face and the company as a whole. No matter what, we all know their business is going down the toilet when all they do is ask for more and more from their customers and employees and give nothing in return.

Dave Aitken, CEO at HIT, is ignorant to think that just because employees make good money (or atleast used to), that it is considered treating them fairly. Is that fair? NO!

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 21, 2009 5:51 pm EDT

Well said. HIT's customers have no idea how bad it really is there and its disgusting how HIT management are such cowards as to deny the truth that has mounted up before them.

They should just "man up", "dial the phone" and admit they are the ### we all know they are!

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 21, 2009 6:08 pm EDT

WOW! Things are worse than I thought...

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 23, 2009 12:07 am EDT

Someone who knows, it seems you have some great perspective on this. I do not apologize for anything that I've said but I should not have called Dave and Jeremy "uneducated idiots". It is not easy to create a business as successful as HIT once was.

It is disappointing that they have abused their power and have got so greedy over time.

Someone who knows, thank you for your words, integrity and honesty.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 23, 2009 12:41 pm EDT

What a good way to discredit everything, "grow up please". But it all ties into speech patterns, which, by nature, cannot be manipulated. all the postings have very distinct, and different, speech patterns. you know that "grow up please" is Dave Aitken..

Now Dave, you know you can not speak out of both sides of your mouth, even though we know you try! You would send emails stating that our compensation was so good we couldn't find work anywhere else to make the money we needed to support our families. That was EXTREMLEY intimidating and the money was the only thing that kept us there. THIS IS WHY PEOPLE WERE NOT WALKING OUT!

You would also tell us that there was no where to go and it was a dead job market but we are welcome to leave if we were unhappy. WHAT A MIND GAME! HOW DECEPTIVE!

I was told by a manager that they "only need one more paycheck and im out of here!"

Now Dave, dont do what everyone thinks you are going to do and flip out. I would sit down with your managers, suck up to them and let them know how much you appreciate them.

Or, maybe you could send one of your oh-so-powerful threatening emails. This is your choice...

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 23, 2009 1:09 pm EDT

Just to reitterate, "donebeingbullied" is referring to Dave Aitken's, aka "GrowUpPlease", threat to Bryce Turpin.

Dave was assumptive, as usual, in stating that Bryce is posting while he is at work.

I am paraphrasing as this thread is becoming VERY long...

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 25, 2009 12:38 am EDT

Ryan, you are a smart guy and have been nothing but helpful to employees who asked you for help at anytime. I am sorry that they stuck you in the middle of this.

By your understanding you know HIT management to be reasonable and sensitive. You have never (for atleast the 2 and a half years i worked there) had close association with the sales team and how it was ran.

Please don't put yourself out there saying that HIT management is reasonable and sensitive. You dont have the capabilities to make a blanket statement like that. You have no idea what hell everyone on the sales team went through to bring in the money to support their families! There was even a sales manager who was constantly humiliated just to "motivate" the sales team. How sad is that?! This same sales manager was very sick one day and was forced to come in. He puked in front of everyone! How embarrassing!

THAT IS NOT SENSITIVE OR FAIR AND THIS ALL HAPPENED ALL THE TIME!

I know you have a nice family to support and need to protect the place you work at but please dont make blanket statements when crap like that is happening.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 25, 2009 12:46 am EDT

Also, why would HIT need to be told to be more sensitive or aware of family emergencies? That is basic business ethics.

The mere psychology of your post lets us all know that you are somewhat siding with us subconsciously, most likely due to the lack of training management/supervisors are given.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 25, 2009 6:01 pm EDT

Every single person at HIT is encouraged to sell.

Just in the past week there has been a major change. There is no sales team!

The sales team has been absolved and lumped in to the account managers department.

Does this sound like a company that may have a problem here or there and may "stub their toe" once in a while? NO!

This all just makes the comments by HIT management all that more laughable.

It just goes to show that HIT is in a state of disrepair.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 26, 2009 10:28 am EDT

This is all very sad and I don't think that anything is going to change until we take this a step further...

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 26, 2009 7:50 pm EDT

You can contact Annie at ABC 4 at the email address annie@abc4.com...

The rest of the contact info is on my original complaint.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 27, 2009 1:10 pm EDT

This is just like Dave... he loves to butter people up and make them feel good so he can use that as leverage at their most crucial moments.

Trust me, Dave is not this altruistic.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 28, 2009 2:04 pm EDT

Not sure if Greg is unemployed by HIT - or if he's just working from home to save face for the company... Why would a company with this much greed ever actually get rid of someone who can manipulate an old lady with a severance check to use her social security check to line their pockets? ... hmmm... perhaps someone should try calling their sales line and ask for him, you might be surprised at the results.. unless you are familiar with the company. Then you wouldn't be surprised at all when they get him on the phone.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 28, 2009 7:56 pm EDT

Yes and its a bunch of crap... just disregard it with a laugh and ignore it. There is nothing they can do to you. There is so much evidence that they are horrible, unethical business owners that would be foolish to even think about pursuing "legal action" against you.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 28, 2009 11:15 pm EDT

Before I left on my own free will, months actually, HIT was hitting $30-40, 000 in revenue daily! This was expected and it was quite dreadful to management when we fell below this norm.

Now the latest from the HIT sales team... 3 days in a row at $12000 in revenue or less!

Having worked there 2 and a half years, 3 horrible days is deffinitley hurting their business. I've even got word from some employees that customers are sending links to reps from specific complaints done right here on complaintsboard.com.

These customers are demanding their accounts be cancelled! Let's hope this trend continues...

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 28, 2009 11:20 pm EDT

Actually they are failing miserably.

Plus, why would anyone take a stand for a company they have no relation to?

Thanks for trying though.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 29, 2009 12:35 am EDT

idiotswillalwayscomplain,

im sorry you are stuck at HIT. Obviously you have no where else to go. I'm sorry if we are harming the place you work at and we all would be mad if we were still there too because it would be hurting our paycheck.

The truth is, I have great friends that work there and they are amazing salespeople. Heck, I might even know you! We are not here to destroy your paycheck, in fact HIT is already doing that to you. We do not want you to fail but we do want HIT to change their ways. At HIT we had no voice! This is the only voice we have for the time being. Hopefully all of our collective complaints have been heard through out the state and government agencies we have made them to. There is only one way to fix HIT and hopefully bring it back to the positioning it was once in...

The Aitkens must go. I don't even think that is possible since they own a majority of the company from my understanding, but it is the only way. They once had HIT in a great position and it was the best place to work, now they have ran it in to the ground.

I really wish you the best of luck. There are many options for employment, employment that will pay you and treat well for the effort you put in.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 29, 2009 12:50 am EDT

wow "culture of fear" describes HIT perfectly.

By the way, Mark Strong and other HIT management have told their sales reps to say the same things to clients as Mark presented in the interview.

Its all fluff to make people feel good. The customer does not buy it in the end.

It may have worked for Mark because he is a nice, stately man who was speaking face to face with the news anchor. This is also why it hasn't aired.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 29, 2009 12:30 pm EDT

I QUIT after the let one of the top consistant performers on the sales team go. This guy was awesome. He was always in the top 3 sales people pay period after pay period. Great guy with a nice wife and a few kids.

He was let go as an example that we were all expendable!

How sick is that! I was near tears to see him walk out, knowing he was going to have to go home, tell his wife he was fired and then hunt for a new job when he had kids to feed. I could not work for people that are vendictive as they are.

If you go to HIT management and try to talk about making $600 on a paycheck when you have earned them $20, 000 in a pay period is unfair they will say "So what?! We have kids to feed too!" (direct words from Jeremy Aitken). Keep in mind a pay period that productive would yeild a sales person atleast a check between $[protected] before management got greedy.

HIT sure is GREAT!

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 29, 2009 5:04 pm EDT

Now that is just greed... why would they fire someone and then say "oh you can work from home for us!"

Once again, they have no business sense at all.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 29, 2009 11:26 pm EDT

awesome-company,

we all know you are not this altruistic.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 30, 2009 11:38 am EDT

In this case I think HIT was duped and was embarrassed to tell their employees that it really wasnt "national news".

It was deceitful as all employees thought that it was going to be a big break for HIT.

Update by stopthegreed
Oct 30, 2009 12:00 pm EDT

My_Compaint,

The reason they haven't been able to push our comments away is because they no next to nothing in regards to search engine optimization.

They follow antiquated SEO principles. They still think that meta keywords are KING! HIT tells their sales people to tell the customer that only custom sites can be optimized but templates easily can.

That will soon change as they are switching to template sites starting January 1, 2010.

Update by stopthegreed
Nov 01, 2009 5:34 pm EST

TO MEDICINE AND ALL OTHERS WHO ARE TRYING TO DEFEND HIT...

It doesn't matter what you say or do at this point. You came in to this thread to late in the ball game!

This thread has been optimized for many phrases that are being searched when family, friends, ex-employees, customer, ex-customers and current employees search for "hit web design abc4". Just Google it.

Now if we do a quick search for "bad business abc4" (as we all know ABC4 is known for their investigative reports and consumer call to action stories) we pull HIT Web Design up in the number 2 spot. Ouch.

And YIKES! When we search for our favorite web design company under their new name "HIT Web Design" we find complaints immediatley under their own site. Bummer.

Sorry guys, try as you might but you are screwed.

Your business is failing and you are watching the ruins crumble.

Try doing something legitimate about it. You guys must be in real bad shape if you need to get on this board and monitor every little thing people are saying about you.

I wonder if the CEO of Wal-Mart does this?

Update by stopthegreed
Nov 01, 2009 5:57 pm EST

Geez, you are right! What was I thinking?!

They know how huge they are, they don't need to stroke their own egos to prove it.

Update by stopthegreed
Nov 03, 2009 10:03 pm EST

You know what I think is neat? If someone were to do a google image search for "Design by HWS" a TON of Heritage/HIT's websites come up. There usually is some contact info on the sites.

What could be done with that info?

Update by stopthegreed
Nov 04, 2009 1:59 pm EST

Ryan, what about the grievances? I know for a fact Turpin's grievance is 100% legit as I was there.

Please address this. Thank you.

Update by stopthegreed
Nov 04, 2009 3:08 pm EST

Ethicalhit,

If that is the correct link, it looks like he took it down.

What's there to be ashamed of Ryan?

Update by stopthegreed
Nov 05, 2009 11:18 pm EST

This must be quite a bit for Ryan to take in. Notice he isnt saying anything...

By the way, accoridng to a source who is still at HIT Web Design, at te begginning of the year they had 400 employees and now they have about a tenth of that left!

January first there were 25 sales representative on the "sales team" now there are 7.

What a wonderful company! I'm glad to see they are doing so well.

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528 comments
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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:06 am EST

by Unknown

People cut your losses with these losers and move on. It is hard to find reliable trustworthy people but Heritage is a bunch of low life losers. I swear I would they would never live to see any of the money that they steal. I do wish they would all be cursed and damn to hell!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:05 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Horrible experience
by Unknown

I am at a loss for words to describe the horrible experience of finding out that your server crashed and that you did not have a back up more recent than July 8.

When the server went back online, our site AFFPS.COM had some old files, some missing files, a disabled shopping cart, a subsite (Decatur Market) that was completely lost.

I cannot access the shopping cart from AFFPS.COM/CART/ADMIN.

Our merchant account with Authorize.net has received scrambled data and some orders (with multiple names assigned to the same invoice) that never went through the shopping cart. Authorize.net is also holding some unprocessed orders that were sent from our shopping cart which cannot be processed. I have repeatedly asked for this problem to be fixed, but NO ONE has responded.

Our business is crippled due to the complete disregard for customer service by Heritage Web Solutions. I have called many times today, but never get a call back.

The only person who has demonstrated interest in the success of our site is Kristina Roberts, and she has been reassigned to other areas within your company. I know that she would be very sad to know that the site she helped design has been treated with little or no regard by others.

We promoted Labor Day reservations (purchases on our site) by spending a lot of money. Now we are losing thousands of dollars each hour since we cannot receive or access customer orders.

Our phones are ringing off the hook and I'm handling them as best I can, working late hours. I cannot imagine that your company would just LEAVE work for the day without any interest in helping your clients, but that is what happened. I finally got a hold of one tech person by phone at 5:30 p.m. who told me he was aware of the problems but that no one was working on it. He said he would try to reach his manager, but again that yielded no response.

What will you do to rebuild our site's missing files? Will you take any preventative measures? How can you operate in this manner?

I have learned a hard lesson with Heritage Web Solutions. IF our site becomes operational again, I will only use it until I have established a new contract with a new provider.

AFFPS
Atlanta, Georgia
U.S.A.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:04 am EST

by 209girl

The person who wrote the original complaint is ABSOLUTELY correct! What a scam! Please do not use this company. It's been a miserable experience from the moment AFTER they got my money!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:03 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Stay away from this company!
Review all Heritage Web Solutions complaints
by Unknown

You contact Heritage Web Solutions and the sales department is really nice and let you know that you will have a web design in about 4-6 weeks BUT this is how they really get away with MURDER!

After you are told about the price agreement and hosting fees that they want you to pay at least for one year before you can even transfer to another hosting site. But hey, of course they try to give you a little courtesy by telling you that in order to do that transfer you must pay them ONE YEAR HOSTING FEES!

Everything will seem fine at the beginning and they tell you that your account manager will be contacting you soon and they do but hold up. this is what gets better.

Your account manager is trained to encourage you to go ahead and submit your information/content to them. You start submitting your content and you get some information where you must choose your design colors etc. but of course before that information can be submitted, you must electronically sign the TOS (Terms of Service Agreement).

Get this in their terms of Agreement, it states that once content have been submitted, you have already been bind as far as agreeing that they will be working on your website as your web designers so, you are already backed up against the wall.

They 1. Get you to submit content

2. Tell you to pick out your color scheme for your web etc.

3. Have you sign their Terms of Agreement (Sorry theirs nothing that protects YOU as their client)!

4. Whether you like it or not you already submitted content to your account manager and was therefore bind to their agreement in their TOS statement.

5. As their client they state that you have no rights to complain about them.

6. They make you not get to worried about charging you for hosting fees because they place a little temporary website their just in case you ask too many questions.

7. They have no guarantee that their website will work once completed.

8. They state that you hire them AT YOUR OWN RISK!

9. They expect YOU as a client to test your own technical part of the web before go live. MMMMMMMM. wonder how you do that as a client?!

10. Their sales person may say 4-6 weeks but they will be VERY quick to promise you, HEY did you read or TOS we make NO guarantees. That was only a time frame.

11- 100. CAN YOU SAY RIP OFF! They GOTCHA!

Oh PS You really didn't expect to keep YOUR domain name if you only register it but not purchase it right, because if they purchased it, go ahead and FORGET it because they do have rights to that name for an ENTIRE year.

Your reading this right? Which means it happened to you too! Go ahead and tell your story! Hey, Don't forget the BBB.org (Better Business Bureau)

Unknown
Adamstown, Maryland
U.S.A.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:02 am EST

by Jeff

This just funny...I've had issues with this company too, but seriously, Dr. Phil? I was just poking around in here because I was interested, but when I saw this Dr. Phil thing I had to chuckle. I can tell you exactly what Dr. Phil will say: just let it go man, the stress of hanging on to this junk will eat you alive. Despite all of my issues with Heritage, they've never refused service, and as difficult as it has been at times, they do eventually get the job done. If you let them fix it for you, they actually do a pretty good job. Have you seen Roxanne's follow-up comment? She's another one like me that had issues at first, but everything has worked out.

Have you considered the possibility that you're just being paranoid?

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:01 am EST

by Francis

I had the idiots at Heritage attempt to build me a site. They are pathetic and I advise anyone to put their money elsewhere. I thought I would go through my letters of complaint to them and put them in this message board but when I went to do so, there were so may of them I just couldn’t be bothered wasting any more time on this company. Take it from me, NEVER deal with this company.

If you value your money, your time, your sanity, stay away. If you have extra cash to blow on absolutely nothing, go to the casino, at least there you have a slight chance of winning. DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY!

They have no value on customer service. Take a look at their Customer Guarantee policy and you soon see you are F@#$%ed either way if you deal with them, they have you totally cornered!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:01 am EST

by Donna Robinson

It has been 5 weeks now since I paid my money and I have seen no results. I can't even get anyone to return my calls. It really saddens me to know that I have been a victim. It saddens me even more that there are others out there fixing to make the same devastating and costly mistake that I did.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 10:00 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints by Unknown

To all of you who have been victimized by Heritage Web Solutions, please go on to drphil.com and tell your story.

Dr. Phil has a segment about scams and Heritage Web Solutions need to be exposed for hiding behind their TOS "Terms of Agreement" statement all the time.

We all know that we signed it with the good faith that Heritage would do what we paid them to do. As citizens, we alway are quick to complain under our breath.

If YOU want this company to be exposed I would say DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Dr. Phil should be able to bring some kind of attention to consumers letting them know the importance of reading these long worn out agreement in it entirety!

Please, Please tell your story, why should you still be waiting for a website to be completed for months now or just being out of your monies with nothing to show for it. This right here is simply unacceptable!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:59 am EST

by Pat Reich

Previous customers who air there complaint on public forums are the ones that have reached an indescribable level of frustration with Heritage. The company hides behind its terms of services contract that is written to favor only Heritage and alleviates Heritage of any responsibilities for such a despicable levels of service that Heritage should be embarrassed by the way some of their personnel managed projects.

If you don't like people posting negative comments simply refund their money and move on instead of trying to justify keeping portions of it. $500 means a lot more to the small business then it can possibly mean to Heritage so when you go out of your way to retain these moneys it is an insult to the consumer, and for a mere $500 dollars you have created lifelong Heritage haters. It would be so much easier to address the problems head-on then to deal with them the way you do. I hope all of the negative press is worth the $500.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:58 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Don't waste your money and time
by unknown

Business owners, if you really really really value your MONEY and TIME: Stay AWAY from these LIARS!

Heritage Web Solutions is the ### of the earth and all deserve to be in JAIL!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:57 am EST

by Renee Barley

I agree with each and every COMPLAINT here, and beleive they are true. Like my self I got out when the getting was good. And lost only the start up fee of $200.00, thanks to Wells fargo Bank. This Web company has the worst customer service I ever have seen. They make big promises and do not deliver any thing but bull ### .

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:57 am EST

by ITor

I also signed a contract with Heritage Web and after 9 months of on and off promises to complete a website I was told would be finished in 4 to 6 weeks, I finally gave up. It was a complete headache, killed the momentum I'd worked so hard to garner for my business. Promises that were made to rectify mistake after careless mistake without fail we're not kept.
In the end I walked away from my 700 dollar deposit because I had no other options. They'd dicked me around in too many ways and I'd just had it. I never even want to look at my shoddy half a site they put up again. Ugh. Totally killed my dream of having a website. Worst experience ever.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:57 am EST

by Pamela O'neal

I feel the same way, These people are full of it!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:56 am EST

by Suzanne Lloyd

ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT WRONG. THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:53 am EST

Brian Potvin

I agree with everyone else, I wish I had found this site before I gave money to Heritage web. Their high pressure tactics & smug attitude are an every day thing. They claim their software is user friendly but every time I try to use it I have to call one of their Techs. Then I have to wait a week before the problem gets fixed, it took them 5 months to build my site. Was I being charged for the design & a hosting fee? YES! When I asked for my money back they said I was under contract, but if there is no site there is no contract. Do not do business with these people.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:53 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Absolutely the worst web company out their
Michelle W.

These people are not good for ###! They did wrong to my cousin who has a business opening next year

They took away here fears that she would not be ready to open up as scheduled because of Heritage Web Solutions!

If there was an award out for: "Web Scam of the Year" they would all be on the stage with their black and white suits!

I really believe that all of America would vote for them too.

Hey Heritage, "How do you sleep at night"

Heritage: "With a pocket full of your money!"

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:51 am EST

by Nick Xxx

heritage uses zencart free software and charges for additional items that come free with the software
advertises custom design no templates...uses zerncart template and charges for a custom design.
for over 1, 000 you can get a true custom design from any designer. plus heritage designers use your pics and no designing is involved. it is just putting a reusable template together. I would expect this for 199.00 but not for overe 1, 000 and paying 49.99 a month for hosting. sales people lie when they say custom design and no template. they do not let you cancel from the start. creates havoc when it gets to the point that you see you website and find out it is a free downloadable software system. Not truly a custom design! TOS is against the law. Violates freedom of speach. Plus who the hell reads a TOS that is like a 265 page book!

In order to get your money back if you have not used your website yet, charge them for the time and energy it takes to get your money back. If you have a business license...this is justified. I plan to charge at least 35.00 per hour it takes me to work on getting my money back.

_______________________________________________________________

Ryan, can you open you law books and see if this false under false advertising ?

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:49 am EST

by mkeym

WOW. You've got to be kidding. I guess all of these complaints are true - there's no way all of these companies could be telling an untruth!

I just want them to cease calling me. After the first three phone calls, I made up my mind to run in the other direction! It makes me nervous when I am approached by companies that exhibit such urgency. ... it's almost as if they're desperate. If you have a great product or service, you don't have to beg for people to do business with you!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:48 am EST

by rossmangifts.net

When I first started reading your comments, the first thing that ran through my mind was that if you want them to stop calling you, purchase a website from them... lol After I decided to give them a shot, it was virtually impossible to get a hold of anyone to talk to about problems. Even emails were rarely answered. I am thinking a great deal of that may be that there is high turnover on the employee front? It seemed everytime I tried to get a hold of someone with problems, I would be told it was "in the next phase" of production and they would have the person working on it get a hold of me, which was their "polite way" of telling me TOO BAD ?

This company is a crock and I feel sorry for people who are trying to make it on a budget and try to deal with them. I have gotten to the point that i think they only really cater to those who are willing to invest thousands of dollars with them, if even that?

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:47 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Repeated Phone Calls
by mkeym

These people just don't get it. My caller ID registered:

1). 16 calls from this company during the month of May
2). 27 during the month of April
3). 31 during the month of March
4). 6 during the last two weeks of February

When is it ever a sound business practice to harass customers into purchasing a product or service?

Originally, my business information was forwarded to Heritage Web Solutions when I enrolled my business online with another site. I figured I'd have someone design my website, to free me up for other things.

At the onset of the conversation, the price was $199; However, by the end of the conversation, the price was inflated to $400. Nevertheless, I was still interested... but because of other priorities, I could not give half immediately as he requested. Instead, I asked if I could do so in two weeks. After placing me on hold to "speak with his Vice President", the answer was no. So, I told him I'd just call back when I was ready.

I didn't.

I got to thinking: What a poor decision it is to allow a customer out of your grasp because you're not willing to work with them! So, when I finally received the cash in hand, I decided that I'd rather make the sacrifice and work on the site myself. I did - and saved myself $400! Judging from the negative feedback on this company, that was the best decision I could have ever made!

My advice? Stay clear of Heritage Web Solutions!

________________________________________

Dave ... Comments ?

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:44 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Lack of Service
by mike sullivan

We had Heritage Web Solutions design a website for our new business. We gave them all of the information for the design of the site. They promised to get the site designed and functioning in a timely manner. After more than 30 days and many phone calls they had not started the design of the site. I asked for a timeline to complete the site and they decline to give me one. Shortly after we discovered a few charges that Heritage had put on our credit card for services that we did not order and they did not perform. They admitted the charges and reimbursed the money. After all of this we completely lost trust and confidence with Heritage. We are now in dispute with Heritage over the first payment. We feel they have breached the contract by not creating the website reasonable expected time frame that cost our company several thousand dollars. Heritage has refused to return the money, even though they had not performed any work. The only time anyone spent on the website was when we called to complain about the lack work being done.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:42 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Dishonesty!
by Adsf
www.heritagewebdesign.com

I did design for Heritage Web Solutions for almost a year. At first, I really loved the job and believed in what I was doing. Over time though I came to dislike Heritage for many reasons. To start with, the hosting plans are ridiculous. HWS offers hosting packages up to $60/month, giving you 20 GB of space, with a 1 year contract. 20 GB of space is a lot, but 99% of sites will NEVER need more than 1 GB of space. Taking this into consideration, I'd like to note that GoDaddy's economy plan gives you 5 GB of space for $4/month, no contract. That's $56 less a month for everything you will need. Who would you go with?

Also, don't expect great customer service. For starters, the sales team's pay is based almost entirely on commission. They will promise things that are not true, commit to deadlines that will not be met, do whatever it takes to make sure you sign up for a 1-year contract with the company. I know this, because I dealt with the lies at my end--doing design. By the time clients got to me, 80% of the time, they were highly dissatisfied, and said I was the only person in the company that would talk to them.

Finally, I worked at HWS for almost a year, and not ONCE did I have a manager stress quality in my work--not in general, not for a specific project, not ever. To top this off, instead they took the time to push me to make sales to my clients. How many companies make their websites developers make sales for them? They even have a sales quota. If you don't squeeze enough money out of your clients each month, you're gone. Sometimes I was forced to pitch sales for things I wouldn't even buy for my own website.

In conclusion, don't go to HWS, whether you're a client or a potential employee. Many of my friends at HWS are trying to get out as soon as possible. I will say that I loved working with the people there. I miss them, but besides that I am very glad I am no longer associated with Heritage Web Solutions.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:40 am EST

by TheRossman

I had to laugh when I saw the comments from Mr. Stone. That must be some sort of form letter that he has saved, because I have seen the exact duplicate more than once. That should be a sign right there, that a company CEO has a form letter to send out to all the complaints on their company...

Anyway, I will be brief and just say that I too have been scammed by HWS! They got me for almost a grand total. If you like throwing money away, please give it to charity instead of HWS, atleast it will do someone some good.

Ron Ross
Rossman's Worldly Treasures
www.rossmangifts.net

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:40 am EST

by Bryan Boe

HWS is a fraud and SCAM. The only thing they are good at is running your credit card and collecting your money. This has been the worst experience I have ever had with a company and the worst run around ever. HWS has financially ruined us as we have been completely unable to promote out program that was suppose to be completed back in June! Now 5 months later I have nothing. All our funding has been lost. Presentation, promotions, major events etc. have all been lost. We have lost at least 90k not including other opportunity costs and HWS could absolutely care less.

I want to gather a group of very unhappy customers and file a class action lawsuit. I'm not one to go this route but HWS does not care. For months I have had to plead and beg them to finish my project and I have nothing to show for it. I have been bounced back between a dozen or so people and for months I seem to be saying the exact same thing and still they do not deliver but promise that it will be done.

I finally spoke to an attorney today and I'm not going for the smalls claim garbage. I'm seeking damages. Brad you and your company has destroyed us. We put our complete trust and confidence in what your sales and Account reps told us and to this day after almost 8 months ago we have nothing.

It really sucks that you have a business that brings in money for yourself but when other start-up or small business go to you and accept what you promise and put their good faith in a company that prides itself as being #1 and then SCAMS them and puts them out of business, you should not be able to get away with that.

You should have worked to make sure that your customers are getting what they are promised and are happy. This world has so many crooks and they have somehow justified themselves and constantly convince themselves that they have done no wrong. Where are your ethics?

You have a bunch a sales folks who celebrate and ring bells in the back ground when a sale goes through and you make sure you collect your$$$ but I don't hear any celebrating or bells ringing once that customer has been satisfied.

I will not stop. I will make sure everyone knows that your company rips people off and that they should stay far away from you.

You want to make things right as you say? Call me. I have been waiting for you and other reps but it seems that you guys only call back people to get their money.

Anyone who has been scammed by HWS call me and we can somehow file a class action suit against Heritage Web NonSolutions.

Regards,

A very dissatisfied customer.
Bryan Boe
[protected]

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:39 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Terrible experience!

www.hws.com

I have had the same problems as described by so many other people out there. Heritage Web Solutions never did complete or even begin a design on my "package deal" and then continue to charge my credit card for hosting fees after I paid to have the domain released over 4 months ago. I wish I had checked the Utah BBB and then I would have known before hand that this company has a HORRIBLE record to put it mildly.

Companies such as these simply take advantage not so savvy consumers and get away with it everyday. I learned my lesson and also lost about $800.00 to boot with absolutely nothing to show for it other than a domain name. I say, STAY AWAY unless you have money to burn.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:38 am EST

by heritagenoservice

Totally agree with how you feel Bryan. I will be calling you tomorrow.

Their name recently changed to Hit. Why did they change names? Heritage had a bad enough name? Wonder how long it is going to take Hit to get a bad name too? Bet they are already working on the next "New" name for the company.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:37 am EST

by Bryan Boe

How funny that CEO Brad seems that his blanket comment to go under each complaint thinking he has rectified customer issues.
Why don't you prove yourself Mr. Brad Stone. I Bryan Boe want you to refund my money completely. Then I want you to pay me for damages for what I have lost in watching my whole program go down the drain as I have had to cancel every promotion, event, presentation loosing more than 90+k. Words are cheap! I have waiting for almost 7 months and you and your company have failed us miserably.
Show me you mean what you say and I will let people know that you delivered. I doubt that will happen. I have seen the list of lawsuits filed against you since 99 and some of them you did not even respond. You could care less. The attorney that I have been speaking to said any decent company would never allow that to happen and would rectify the problems, refund people. You are a greedy man and you will be held accountable one day for the dishonest money you generate to put in your pocket.
Show us that you mean what you say because I have been trying to get your inept company to finish my project with nothing but empty promises and in the end after months and months of listening to your folks that are completely disconnected promise me that my project will be completed to then have them come back to me after 6 months of the worst hassle I have ever experienced to say "Oh we can't do that without us having to charge me 10+ thousand $$$ to hire outside professionals to complete my project.

This is after from inception, all you programmers and sales reps and account managers and designers have all promised me that it will be done and are so apologetic as to my projects unacceptable delay.

Anyone who has been screwed by HWS please call me. I will work to organize a large class action suit. HWS cannot continue screwing up peoples live and businesses while they sit fat and happy in there $$$$ and rip off people.

Bryan Boe
[protected]

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:36 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions Complaints - Incomplete service!
by Anonymous

www.hwsinet.com

This Company has many complaints already. And mine are, of course, strikingly similar. But for those of you who have been involved with this firm, Heritage Web Solutions, how about either a suit in Small Claims Court in Provo or a class action suit against them? Really, they need to change their practices. Of course, we can allow nothing to happen, and see more small business owners treated unethically. I think eventually, their unscrupulous practices will create real trouble for them. However, if we pull together to stop this kind of business practice, maybe we will save a few other business owners and help the owners of HWS to come to their senses. If this is something you are interested in, go to Small Claims Court of Provo, UT. Can someone of this group can think of a way for all of us to communicate directly?

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:35 am EST

by rossmangifts.net

I really wish I had found this thread a year+ ago before I got roped into the HWS Scam! I too have had a bad dealing with them and am right now getting things together to go to the BBB and start a lawsuit against them! This is one of the poorest companies I have ever had dealings with and when you get virtually nothing for the hard earned money you spend trying to get a little bit ahead, it is very dis-heartening! I have been spending a few minutes every day trying to spread the word to everyone that they need to steer clear of this company unless they are just looking for write-offs or just looking for somewhere to waste a lot of money and time for nothing but hard times in return.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:34 am EST

by ITor

Call the company and ask to speak to the CEO.

Tell them you have been struggling for 9 months and now have what's called a priority case.
Tell them that you have paid hard earned money for a site that still looses information.
Let them know that at this point you've have had many direct promises and due dates broken.
- In fact tell them that you have a signed contract from the CEO himself,
that you got 7 months in to your project, after you'd documented all of the things that had gone wrong with your site {a huge unnecessary task in itself that you should have been paid for- what a headache} and the shoddy handling of your case and were finally ready to SUE.
As I was, and like I'd finally gotten.

{My site was supposed to be completed by september 9th 2008 a full 7 months after I began the process. I have that in writing.}

And I bet you still cant talk to him.
I sure was denied.

Now I understand CEO's are busy, nature of the game right? Sure. But if someone had been screwed by my company for 9 Months in a hundred different ways, {you see I'm a CEO too}, I'd get on the horn and handle it.
Especially if I'd signed something I put my personal promise on.
You see, I have integrity.

What can you do though, when the foundation is weak how's the structure supposed to stand?

It doesn't.

This is a greedy greedy company. Disorganized, lax on business morality. Ultimately they don't get that our money is in exchange for a promised product.

Please, don't waste your time. Go elsewhere. And investigate all companies first.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:33 am EST

Heritage Web Solutions
by Foosie

I assumed this company was legitimate because they had an impressive looking website. I was fooled by glitter. If you are thinking of getting a website I would strongly suggest you look locally. I learned the hard way. My advice is to stay away from Heritage Web Solutions. Don't be fooled as I was with a good looking web page. I am surprised someone hasn't brought criminal charges against them by now.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:29 am EST

by Bill

-**if you press "I Approve" on the site and later discover a mistake they made, updates will charge you to correct it ! (no joke, this is true!). That is completely unethical. If I approve of a brake job from
an auto place which later fails on the interstate, is it my liability because I approved the work they did? I don't think so. This is a horrible "gotcha!". It is my one very serious complaint.

-front loaded; very eager to sell initial services but then some drag feet on the delivery if complications develop, which inevitably occur.

-integration is quite expensive with this company. If you need to do different things across the board for your customers and want to manage their email addresses, this can nickel and dime you to death. They say they can do it all, but usually site integration of many services results in a lot of custom programming.

-quote one price but then charge you more later (multiple times) - e.g. We will sell you a feature for x$ but then hit you with z$ for a feature of the feature or w$ for different features. They give the impression when you buy a web feature the price includes it all. No sir, there is serious nickel and diming. For any HWS customer ask up front for this or that feature "are there any other potential costs".

-Problem employees. I guess every place has them. Problem is its not so great when the space cadet is in charge of an aspect of your site! This can seriously bottleneck your business. If the name sounds unprofessional, and the emails are full of misspellings and run on sentences, and things said multiple times aren't getting done, you better start sweating.

-disengage/re-engage - their employees are so busy pushing the load work will be done then you won't hear from them for a while.

To sum it up: if you are a person who has great patience and are willing to work with others through the entire process, HWS is okay. However, is you are expecting a high degree of customer satisfaction with little interaction in getting the desired product, you are screwed. If you want to toss the deal everytime a snag develops, don't do it. HWS is a clearing house; you have to be prepared to go to market to get the services you want. **Problem is, it can get so expensive, you might do just as well to hire a website developer just for your project at ODesk (outsourcing) or other custom place where they can focus on you with less hassle...

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:27 am EST

by Anonymous

WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT HERITAGE! THE STATE, THE BBB, THE FEDERAL TRADE COMISSION? WHY IS THIS ALLOWED TO OCCUR? WHY AREN'T THE SEARCH ENGINES REMOVING THEIR ADVERTISING? EVERYONE IS AIDING AND ENCOURAGING THIS COMPANY TO CONTINUE. I TOO AM A HERITAGE VICTIM..WHO DO THESE PEOPLE HAVE AN "IN" WITH?
IS THERE ANYONE IN WASHINGTON WE CAN CONTACT...HOW ABOUT THE FBI? WHAT ABOUT INTERNET POLICING? WE WOULD NOT ALL BE VICTIM IF THIS COMPANY DIDN'T HAVE THEIR WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING? ITS LIKE A CONSPIRACY. IF YOU GOOGLE ANY OTHER WEBSITE HOST COMPANY UNDER COMPLAINTS...NONE COME UP WITH THIS MANY COMPLAINTS...WE ARE NOT CRAZY!

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:27 am EST

by James

I implore you to NEVER to use Heritage Web Solutions. They start charging you hosting fees from day one. I ordered my web site in March, and it is almost July and it is still NOT finished. NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER use this company. They are eager to take your money and then do nothing but sit on their ### and offer excuses... "we are adding more staff... we had to let go of that person... your site will be up and running today...

This has to be the worst company in the history of the world... do NOT give them a dime. You will regret it if you do.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:25 am EST

by SorryConsumer

Let say that I am also among the unhappy customers that have been cheated by a web site designer company. In a few words, I have payed 100% of the cost and I got nothing in return. It looks like the contract that I have signed is very one sided (the company can deliver, charge and make changes of the contract at their pleasure) and litigation is actually a binding arbitration. Anyone knows what can be done in these cases, the cost might exceed the site value and I do not know how arbitration works in these cases where a company, even when it does not deliver, is quite protected by a one sided contract. (Even if it did not deliver the product)

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:24 am EST

by ITor

If anyone decides to sue please contact me also. I have my entire 9 month case documented { My business partner was a lawyer- I talked him out of suing months ago out of naivety and I feel too bad to go back and ask him now...BUT! my entire case is highly organized anyway as a result. I also have a signed contract from the CEO with a clearly stated deadline that was ridiculously missed.}

I'll check back here periodically. Please leave me a note. I'm interested in being involved.
If only to help other people who are still out there to get taken advantage of and stressed out beyond belief and have their impetus stomped, as we've had.

Remember that gut clenching feeling when you first realized who Heritage Web really was {after the first or second time the dic-ed you around blatantly} and you realized you were so screwed? When all you wanted was a freaking website- and you were paying for it too!
Ugh.

I don't think this company has any intention of changing.

Leave me a note.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:24 am EST

by MemyselfandI

Oh i'm over hear really really upset now. I have been thinking the were playing us all a long and reading all these things confirms it. They're ### and they're big lairs. They made promises to do things that they didn't finish. They promised two months of free hosting and we still have no finished website? How is that truly free? I wonder if we all can join together and get a lawyer to do a class action law suit. It just makes no sense that someone can continue to cheat people out of their money like that.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:23 am EST

.

by Anonymous Coward

Well, I work for these guys. Their setup is a lot different than you think. Here's the lowdown.

1) They take on jobs and place them in a queue with the name, location, type of job, and the price paid.

2) Contract developers in the relevant field and at the relevant skill level take on the project.

3) It is up to the contractor to get the job done while the bean counters at the top try to protect their investment.

4) The contractor is supposed to contact the client (and stay in contact) and have it done by the "due date" (for each segment, depending on how complicated and large the project is).

5) The site must be approved by the supervisor at each stop (graphic, php, database, HTML, etc) and then by the client.

6) Lastly, the webmasters at the very top of the food chain must approve the job.

This is a very redundant system that relies on the honestly of the developers (contractors), the supervisors, and the management. They do have serious quality control standards.

When you have trouble with them, it's usually because either your project didn't get picked up or the person who did pick it up was a flake. I make a pretty penny picking up "dropped" projects, getting paid the entire price for a few days of work.

When I take on a project, I always put my best effort into it, making sure the client is especially happy with the product. That said, I've also seen more than one developer flake out after getting hired by a "real company". We don't make that much money either BTW, maybe the equivalent of $15 - $20hr.

So, we're taking it on our end as well. I can't blame you for being angry, nor can I blame a poorly paid developer for going after a better paying job. That's just how the world works ... everyone's trying to make a buck.

I hope you all have better luck in the future. Using any "discount" service is definitely hit and miss.

.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:17 am EST

YOU GOTTA READ THIS COMPLAINT
YOU GOTTA READ THIS COMPLAINT
YOU GOTTA READ THIS COMPLAINT

Heritage Web Solutions
by Minimike

Internet Web building fraud and scam
www.heritagewebdesign.com

This company is the truest of crooks... PLEASE SAVE YOUR SELFS. There is no lower ### then a company that feeds and steels from new small business owners. Heritage Web Solutions specializes in getting your money and frustrating you until you leave. I have hundreds of emails and documents and over 200 hours of wasted time to end up out $1, 300 to Mark Strong who has stolen tens of thousands of dollars from people like you and me. He will simply send a copy of his terms of service. HERITAGE WEB SOLUTIONS TERMS OF SERVICE is over 50 paragraphs of your out of luck. It even says they don’t have to finish the site at all if they don’t want to. I am not kidding. AND BE CAREFUL! THEY SLIP IT BY WHEN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU WANT FOR A WEBSITE... AFTER THAT YOUR OUT AT LEAST $59 PER MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS IN HOSTING FEES PERIOD!

I will paste a letter he sent me below that says if you want to go to small claims court you need to come to Utah. You See he knows its not worth the trip and bam he keeps on steeling! This ### offered me and my business partner $200 because the other $1, 100 should be his for having to email me?

AGAIN SAVE YOURSELFS FROM PURE HELL AND ###!

SEE LETTER FROM CEO MARK STRONG BELOW.

Mark Strong Thu, Aug 28, 2008 at 4:04 PM
To: michael rose
Reply | Reply to all | Forward | Print | Delete | Show original
Dear Mr. Rose,

When you accepted Heritage's Terms of Service http://www.heritagewebdesign.com/tos.html on April 2, 2008 you accepted the essence of the third (3rd) paragraph in the Account Termination Agreement. See Section 41.

The purpose of the Account Termination Agreement is simply to put in concise terms the provisions of unwinding our relationship. Heritage doesn't need an additional signed Account Termination Agreement. It is as much for your protection as Heritage's.

It is now your call as to what you want to do. Our position has already been stated: $200 refund and release of Heritage's work to you. If this is not acceptable, then have your attorney communicate with Heritage at:

Heritage Web Solutions
1460 N. Moonriver Drive
Provo, Utah 84604

Attn: Legal Department

As a professional courtesy, please make your attorney aware of Section 43 of the TOS. It establishes the courts in the State of Utah as the courts having jurisdiction in all legal matters. It states:

43. Jurisdiction.

This agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Utah, USA, without regard to any conflicts of laws provisions thereof, as a contract entered into and performed entirely within the State of Utah. The parties herby expressly disclaim the application of the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods. Any disputes between the parties relating to the subject of this agreement shall be submitted exclusively to the jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in the State of Utah, Counties of Utah or Salt Lake, and the parties expressly consent to personal jurisdiction and venue therein and waive any objection based on forum non convenient or otherwise.

Should you decide to litigate in any other jurisdiction, HWS will engage legal counsel in that jurisdiction. However, HWS will not litigate the merits of the case. Our legal counsel will have the jurisdiction referred to Utah. This “Jurisdiction” provision has been challenged in the courts before and the courts have consistently upheld this provision.

It is hoped that we can terminate this relationship amicably and promptly.

Please advise.
Respectfully,
Mark Strong
Chief Quality Officer
Heritage Web Solutions.

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sickofhit
, US
Nov 27, 2009 9:15 am EST

by HORITAGE WEB FRAUD

WILL SUE HORITAGE WEB SOLUTION, WHO WANT TO JOIN ?

I paid almost $3000 for custom programming, they keep on saying they have people work on it, after half years nothing was ever done, and they are charging hosting fee everything month. we cant wait for any longer for our website to go live, business has to run. we called to cancel the service and get money back for the works which not finish, but they said THEY DONT HAVE TIME LIMITE TO FINISH THE WORK ON THE CONTRACT, AND THEY HAVE RIGHT NOT TO ISSUE REFUND, and they said they will cancel our website, we need to look for other company to host it. we cant file dispute with credit card company after 3 month, WTF we lost $3000 for nothing. We are looking an atterney to sue this company, I can join you guys if anybody else want to sue this company, please contact me johnli7777@hotmail.com

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