Lavora Marketing

[fergusw]

Fire off a story request to watchdog

[Jane123]

Biggest Rip Off Dont Waste Your Money.......scam!!

I was sold a months trial by LAVORA MARKETING for my small business to be on the first page of google, which seemed an outrageous claim but they promised that by defining my type of business to the area where they had noticed a huge increase in public interest they would guarantee my place on a first page. Despite being hand-picked to register for 4 areas of London and Milton Keynes, my website was NEVER visible using the keywords they suggested. I spoke with them on the phone whilst doing the searches they suggested and could not find my website. They told me I had too many cookies on my computer and they would reset it for me!....still nothing. I want my money back!!

This company called Lavora Marketing telephoned us in May promising us how they could increase and expand our business opportunites.It all sounded to good to be true.
They promised to put us on front page of google and said that they would be able to do this by using adwords and key phases. We were told it would cost £136 for the trial period and if it didn't work we were under no obligation to continue the service. We were very reluctant to give our credit card details and the guy on the phone said he wanted to reassure us that they were not able to take the money again without s[peaking to us as Lavora would need to take the card details again with our authorisation. He also stated he would call back before the end of the month to see how things had gone for us.

The whole thing was a waste of time and was waiting for him to call to tell him the service was a total waste of money. However, we had no phone call and was not concerned as we had not entered a contract.
On the 1st June we noticed we had been charged again by Lavora for another month, although we had not agreed to this.
We called them only to be fobbed off time and time again, they stated that we had a contract with them and if we no longer wanted we had to put in writing to give 30 days notice.

We have sent e-mail and that have been ignored, left messages and requested call backs that have been ignored and sent letters in writing ( complained and gave notice) and yes again they have been ignored.
When we finally spoke to a representative of the company, he told us Lavora could not refund the money (we know this was a lie as we had spoke to our bank earlier ) furthermore, he told us that the key words we had were not working for us. I told him that Lavora chose the key phases and NOT us.
We clearly stated we were not happy as we were supposed to be paying for this and they were supposed to be the experts.. He also said there must be something wrong with our website, but we advised him clearly we know there was nothing wrong with it as we were getting hits on it from other sources.

We were bullied into continnuing this again for June as they would not take no for an answer, but again was reassured that as long as we called before the last 2 days of June we would not have to carry on for July. We called back as advised before the end of July as we did not want to carry on with this scam and was now told we had to put it in writing as it was a legal binding contract although we have never signed for it, he stated business to business was different.
They also denied what they had said in the discussion we had earlier in the month. We suggested they listen to the telephone calls
We advised they had already failed to uphold their side of the contract as they failed to advise (e-mail) us they were taking money off our credit card for June. They state in their FAQ's as they are unable to contact all their customers they give notice via an e-mail 48 hrs before any money is taken.

So were back to where we started, cant get our money refunded, cant get them to cancel this pathetic scam they have going each month and peolpe in there offices that are just not prepared to listen and will not take no for an answer.
We advised them this is nothing more than a money making scam and they were taking money from peolpe by deception and its was nothing less than fraud. We also told them this company needs to be investigated and if it was a legitimate company as its head office address does not sound credible.
He seemed a little suprised by this and stated that they were ( yeh right).

We like others have had to go to the extreme and completely stop our credit card so they dont take any further monies. We have since received nasty letters. We have also spoke to another memeber of staff their and said if we had a complaint we would need to put in writing.....AAHHH.
We then replied to ask how thick & dense Lavora are, the letters we have sent are all complaints (moran)....
we just refuse to acknowledge this company again and now they can have a taste of their own medicine.

We have been trying to seek legal advice.
There seems to be a lot of legal advice for consumer's but not for business to business. As we are only a small family run business this has been very daunting and an experience one can never forget. A very big learning curve for us. Its made us very wary now about any marketing companies.

Anyone who comes in contact with this company, please...please...please put the phone back down...this is a scam..although C.A.B couldn't really help us they even said it was a scam....Please BEWARE.

[CymraegKev]

I'd go to trading standards and/or the police if I were you Jane (and others).

[CymraegKev]

If you put Lavora Marketing into Google, this thread is the third entry. I'm guessing they will not be getting too much business themselves from Google generated links in the future.

[Chunkford]

It's so annoying that it's these b#@t%$ds that give the rest a bad name.

[Jane123]

I'd go to trading standards and/or the police if I were you Jane (and others).

I agree I think they need to be investigated and do feel they need to reported to the police. If anyone wants to pursue the matter further but does not want to do alone please get in touch.

[cbarling]

This all sounds pretty appalling.

I did some rooting around. The directors are:

Natalie Wheeldon, The Oranges, 28 Bradgate Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4QU

Michael Damartiis, same address

These guys are also the owners of the company. This is all part of the public record at Companies House.

Ways that you can tackle this sort of thing are:

- small claims court. If enough people filed claims they might take some notice. If they don't file a defense, the court will automatically find in your favour. After that, if they don't pay your claim, you can send in the bailiffs. Under this route, they have to work as hard as you, else they lose.

- complain to Trading Standards, as mentioned. Again, the more complaints the merrier. Trading Standards, Turnpike House, 631 Eccles New Road, SALFORD, M5 2SH, Telephone: 0161 925 1346 should be able to tell you which is the correct office if they are not.

- take a copy of letters that you have sent to them, then write to your card issuer asking for a chargeback based on their refusal to return money that should not have been taken. If enough people do this, then their merchant status could be under threat.

- if what has been described in this thread is precisely true, it sounds like fraud to me. That is, taking money from a card account without any agreement to do so on a deliberate basis. Presumably if enough people contacted Altrincham police, they might take action. Altrincham Police Station, Barrington Rd, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 1HZ, Tel: 0161 872 5050

- you might wish to write to the directors at their home address above.

Incidentally, I couldn't see anywhere on their web site that they stated that they were a limited liability company. Might be worth taking some screen grabs of that. I believe that under those circumstances, the directors may make themselves personally liable to any actions against the company.

Chris

[guccij]

Everything about Lavora Marketing makes me want to scream. Their carefully worded "online marketing agreement" is deliberately tucked away in a barely-legible link. And I bet Lavora Marketing don't read you out those terms and conditions when they make their sales pitch.
Lavora Marketing makes it sound as if the client has chosen the key words - and I quote "[the buyer's] chosen key phrases" - yet from what we read, it is Lavora which chooses these for the client.
There are lots of ways to take Lavora Marketing to task. Chris's post is brilliant. I hope someone is brave enough to take Lavora Marketing to the cleaners.

[Jane123]

This all sounds pretty appalling.

I did some rooting around. The directors are:

Natalie Wheeldon, The Oranges, 28 Bradgate Road, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 4QU

Michael Damartiis, same address

These guys are also the owners of the company. This is all part of the public record at Companies House.

Ways that you can tackle this sort of thing are:

- small claims court. If enough people filed claims they might take some notice. If they don't file a defense, the court will automatically find in your favour. After that, if they don't pay your claim, you can send in the bailiffs. Under this route, they have to work as hard as you, else they lose.

- complain to Trading Standards, as mentioned. Again, the more complaints the merrier. Trading Standards, Turnpike House, 631 Eccles New Road, SALFORD, M5 2SH, Telephone: 0161 925 1346 should be able to tell you which is the correct office if they are not.

- take a copy of letters that you have sent to them, then write to your card issuer asking for a chargeback based on their refusal to return money that should not have been taken. If enough people do this, then their merchant status could be under threat.

- if what has been described in this thread is precisely true, it sounds like fraud to me. That is, taking money from a card account without any agreement to do so on a deliberate basis. Presumably if enough people contacted Altrincham police, they might take action. Altrincham Police Station, Barrington Rd, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 1HZ, Tel: 0161 872 5050

- you might wish to write to the directors at their home address above.

Incidentally, I couldn't see anywhere on their web site that they stated that they were a limited liability company. Might be worth taking some screen grabs of that. I believe that under those circumstances, the directors may make themselves personally liable to any actions against the company.

Chris

Many thanks Chris I will pusue this further.
We have already stopped our credit card so they can no longer get anymore monies from us, but were are still getting letters requesting the payment for July. I have e-mailed them how they have the nerve to ask for this when were no longer listed. Just trying to get our money back now.

[richardalun60]

I Am Taking Them To Court!

Having read the comments I agree and have already taken out a County Court Sumonse, they have to date paid back half my fee and court costs. I would welcome any member telling of their experiences to me, if you put your name and address on an e;mail to me they can be submitted to court as evidence that they are not the honourable company they claim to be and I will get the rest of the conned money back, and you can go through the same procedure and get your money back. I would appreciate any comments by e;mail to me on alun@execclub.net great site should get the con artists eventually regards Alun

[parklifeclothes]

I feel like we had a lucky escape, we were targeted ages ago and spent about an hour or more arguing with them, they make out you cannot live without them. Promised we would be top of adwords for any given keyword any and everyday.
What they failed to see was I could be top myself without them using my own adwords account, there is nothing they do that any of us site owners can't do. I actually said I could outbid them and be above them on adwords and they would then be in breach of their contract, was told I would be in breach as the contract stated I could not use the same or similar adwords as them, in other words, compete with them.

Thankfully no longer using adwords our calls from 'marketing' companies have pretty much dried up but whenever they do call they are told NO, and not even listened to.

[Dman]

Front page of Google...?

Lots of people call me to put us on the front page of Google...

Ignore this type of thing because:
1. They dont run Google - it's not up to them whats on the front page
2. Its not magic - they don't have the secret key to success
3. You can do it yourself - it pays to make an effort to learn how Google works!

Do you know how these charlatans found us - we were on the front page of Google!

People I know have done this against my advice, and months later all grumble about what a waste of money it was. However, they weren't willing to read up on Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and doing some thinking about keywords (which you should do from the customers perspective - what they are looking for - rather than your perspective - what you are selling).

If you go for a quick fix and delegate this kind of thing - expect to get a disappointing result.

[party_pete]

This is a great video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7P_f8VRsjU

[Chunkford]

Pete..... that's priceless

[pnagames]

This is a great video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7P_f8VRsjU

weird thing

none of their sales staff sits down (its probably because they are upset that nobody wants to sign with them and they will not get any commission)