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Sbfc mimics a federal organization webpage when they're not. The resources they offer after charging a membership fee is available for free on the website of entrepreneurship centers. They're evasive when you call them back demanding refunds: you always end up with a "receptionist". They cite success stories of others businesses online, but none of these have obtained their grant through sbfc. The fact is any bank like cibc can guide you for free on how to apply for a government-subsidized loan for your business. If they charged you anyway, work with your credit company to get re-imbursed: you have the right to get re-imbursed for a fraudulent product.
hi,
I got a refund of the first installment after I wrote them (and called) saying that I want to return their package to them and I find their service to be the same as what a bank can tell you for free. I was insistent, and told them I'll blog / write about it as well, and that they unfairly mimic a federal government page on their website.
I now hope they won't accidentally charge me a second installment.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
This would be trevor's trusted friend that prints the garbage you pay your hard earned money for. the company explains you should receive your package in 7 to 10 business days. obviously they don't stock it because if they shipped it when they say, it should only take 2 business days by canada poste. so the print order would go to isaacs company and shipped direct to you when done.
Isaac oziel
President at corporate printing services
Location
toronto, canada area
Industry
printing
Current
* president at corporate printing services
* vice president at corporate printing services
Past
* vice president at continental press
Education
* york university
Recommendations
3 people have recommended isaac
Connections
35 connections
Websites
* my website
Public profile
http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/isaac-oziel/3/725/114/
Expanded profile views are available only to premium account holders. upgrade your account.
Summary
I have been in the printing industry for so long that some people think I have ink running through my veins!
I love working with my clients and I am amazed at how often I learn something new about the print industry. technology has changed the industry but my approach has not. I am honest and straight forward person who knows that hard work and integrity go a long way.
My goal is to build my relationships with my clients so that they trust and count on me to deliver even in the most difficult situations.
Specialties
Corporate printing services specializes in end-to - end design, print and fulfillment solutions for companies of all sizes.
Trevor byrne
Owner, consumer centre inc.
Location
toronto, canada area
Industry
marketing and advertising
Current
* founder and president at consumer centre inc.
Past
* marketing consultant at bigdough.com
* sales manager at marylebone communications
Education
* university of toronto - new college
Connections
38 connections
Websites
* my company
Public profile
http://ca.linkedin.com/in/trevortoronto
Expanded profile views are available only to premium account holders. upgrade your account.
Summary
Entrepreneur and investor in numerous small businesses. founder and president of a successful information publishing firm "the small business finance centre" founded in 1990. currently employ 45 employees in canada and australia. opening in uk and france soon. experienced and enthralled by all aspects of direct marketing and call centre management. owned a residential painting company, and operated a rooming house while in university. subsequently ran a telemarketing office with 20 tsr's as a sales manager. past ventures have included a kitchen lighting firm, a construction company, franchise director and recruiter for a home renovation operation and president of national legal services firm for divorced men and women.
School of hard knocks experience as a venture capitalist for numerous start-ups - some successful, some not. I have lost (and gained) monies in ventures such as a barter company, a local search engine directory service, a bar/restaurant, and a custom postcard service. have possibly learned something from these good and bad experiences or at least I have convinced myself this is the case.
Specialties
Web marketing especially seo, direct mail/response and copywriting expertise along with call centre management.
I'm another in a growing list of people that fell for the sales pitch. $700 put on my credit card. I will be demanding a refund. it is buyer beware, and they know their web site and sales pitch are designed to lull you into their trap.
My next steps are a complaint with the canadian bbb, marketplace on cbc, and w5 on ctv.
The bbb has had 33 complaints at this time and ranks this company very poorly.
I will post an update as to how this unfolds.
Toronto
I completely agree. I only wished I had found out abou this scam prior to ordering my package. I'm trying to get my money back as well. They did not inform me that they were not associated with any government agencies. The information they provided is absolutely useless to me.
I also feel incredibly angry with this scam. The book is filled with all kinds of loan programs, I couldn't find any grants. When they asked me if my very small and CASH TIGHT small business would qualify they said yes. Even after telling them the nature of my business... Which, from what I can tell has no chance in hell of getting any funding at all. I completely thought it was a government organization and have been totally fooled by them. The information is available at institutions for free. All they have done is put paper together in a binder. It's a TOTAL RIP OFF $750! That's incredible for a binder of paper with free information in it. I was totally scammed and I am absolutely going to get my money back. Small Business Finance Centre is a scam through and through. Do not approach SBFC for $750 investment. www.Grants-loans.org is a scam.
I fell into this scam with this company-SBFC. Now I'm tring to get my money back.
The Small Business Finance Centre makes it very clear both on our website and on the phone that we are NOT affiliated with any government agency. We do provide valuable information on available government grants and loans. Our site lists thousands of recipients and some of their stories to back it up. Think about it: Where do you think all your tax dollars go? Hundreds of municipal, provincial and federal agencies are funding different agendas and if you know where to apply you might get some monies too. Nothing is guaranteed and we don't promise you will get funding and you should not believe anyone who does.
I am surprised about comments saying our materials are useless for anyone. There are success stories of people on the site who DID get monies through our centre but of course we cannot claim our materials and services are 'guaranteed' or a 'sure thing' for you.
If anyone has experienced impolite behavior from our staff I sincerely apologize. We do record ALL calls between staff and clients so we can investigate any rudeness and to insure no misrepresentation takes place. We do inform all clients there are no refunds at the time of sale and in instances of a past client claiming we did not inform them we have checked the recorded conversations and found to the contrary. We do sometimes give refunds to clients who are upset as a gesture of goodwill.
Customer Service,
Small Business Finance Centre
Apparently this is what the guy looks like
http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Byrne_Trevor_1141511339.aspx
Apparently this is the owner of the business according to this website:
http://www.benoted.com/seo-testimonials.htm
Trevor Byrne, Owner, The Small Business Funding Centre
What you just experienced, we experienced, We are from ottawa, and caused a stink to the local office then phoned the toronto office and again encountered extremely rude and abrupt people. the last one we spoke to, we said we were going to call all local media about them, call the government and go to every complaint website about them including the chamber of commerce and BBB. I don't know who finally felt threatened at that end, but we received an anonymous call message on our phone from a blocked number saying they were from the SBFC in Toronto and to mail the package back to toronto, with shipping instructions. We received the credit of over $600.oo on our Amex bill yesterday. It took about 2 weeks to see the credit on the card. My sincere wishes for luck sending your way. Be persistant.
I finally got a hold of someone today and they were less than helpful.
They were arguing with me about no refunds.
I tried to explain that they were mimicking the government which is unfair and that the information I paid them for was free from the bank.
I asked to talk to a manager or someone else, as this man was quite rude, but he said no.
Is there anything else I should try?
Who should I address a letter to?
Thanks.
we just received full refund today after returning the initial documentation, credited on our Amex card! What a relief, we were very leary about getting anything back, but we caused quite a stink on the phone and told them we would go to every source, media, internet etc. to let the public know how useless their info is. That is when we received a call back to return it to Toronto.
You are right I just got off the phone with 'Allen' and he kept pushing for my number and then closed his 'government' sales pitch by getting my address and trying for my credit card.
I asked is this the government when they asked for how I would like to pay and he replied ' Yes this is provincial and federal government backed ' which could EASILY be seen as this company is the government
http://www.grants-loans.org SBFC is very poorly portrayed there should be action taken so people aren't fooled into buying into what they don't want.
we are in the midst of awaiting refund, returned the information back to Toronto after a few phone calls.It has been 1 week since we returned it.
I purchased the grant package from them back in late november - found it useless. Is there a way I can still be reimbursed? and how do I go about it?
Thanks for the help, much appreciated.
I completely agree its a scam
Yes, we have just experienced a fraudulant expense and we are trying to re-coop over $600.00 through our credit card company. Every listing for a grant or loan for small business listed in the binder supplied by SBFC all lead to having your bank help you get the loan through Industry Canada (your bank does the work for you once they approve it) OR to the Business Development Bank. DO NOT give this organization your valuable time or money.
did you ever get a refund and if so how?