Themeware, Leasecomm, i-Toolbox, I-Pagebuilder, Innovative Merchant Services A Ring of Internet Crooks and Thugs e-Commerce Mafia California

RE: A synopsis of the situation with Themeware/Leasecomm.

I signed on with Themeware for their Internet Toolbox (i-Toolbox for short) in late November 2000. I was assured by them that account holders would have continuous access to technical support/customer service for the length of the lease's term. The lease was to be for 36 months at 79.00 per month; and was supposed to be a rent-to-own deal for my slot on the server.

In late December of 2000; or sometime in January 2001, we were sent very vague e-mails which suggested the there were large-scale modifications to be made to the server or the organization itself; and that we should look for another host; at least on a temporary basis. I called to get clarification of/verification of this; but was given an odd excuse by the representative. She stated that her message gave a false impression due to her not being very articulate when it comes expressing technically specific or otherwise complicated things; and due to being affected by having a lot of work or inquiries to sort through. Another message was received a couple of weeks later stating that their online wholesale store would be closing soon; and that there was no telling when or if it would be operational again.

In the few short weeks that I was actively using the site; I was continually met with technical difficulties that occurred server-side. The server was completely down for several minutes or hours on several occasions. There were whole days when the server was down in the first few weeks of my term with them. When the server was operational the program exhibited so many glitches that made making the necessary modifications to my website extremely frustrating. We were promised by statements made on their website and in promotional materials that we would receive plenty of traffic form net surfers through their site submission software. It was a sorry excuse for a program. Not only did it not have the desired effect; it had no effect at all. I did not receive one visitor to the site who was not personally invited.

In mid to late January we received a couple of vague e-mails that suggested that Themeware would be defunct as of mid-February (I believe the date quoted was February 17th). Then a couple of weeks later an e-mail came stating that the state would be moved to March 10th to allow us more time to make other arrangements. I attempted to call customer service at that point but it was impossible to get through at anytime on any day. My e-mails went unanswered. A rep called during this period but did not leave details in his message except for his name and the hotline number. I called back almost immediately after the message was left and could get through easily but could not get service from that or any other representative. A while afterward a call was placed to a new hotline number they forwarded us. It was answered by a recording. There was no longer any means of making contact with Themeware.

For at least 3 weeks after March 10th the server was completely down. I called the bank to have a stop payment put on Leasecomm's debits. Luckily I called the bank just in time. They had already taken the fee for March and were moving to take the one for April. (Had I called any later I would have been left without the privilege to make the stop payment; the bank's policies were changing to prevent it.) Now they're calling constantly to demand payment; though they know that I have not made any further use of their services nor am I in possession of any of their property.

I hope this provides enough information. Thank you for your kind assistance.

Dee
Laurel, Maryland

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