Inforetrieval.com CONTRACT BAIT AND SWITCH. LIED TO ABOUT MY CHOICE IN PROCESS. Shaker Heights Ohio

 I contacted Inforetrieval on January 3^rd and asked for the company to no longer pursue data retrieval on the drive that I had given to Inforetrieval.com

When I initially sought them out for business, I was very careful with my questioning about their services and what I would be obligated to pay for services.  You can see from beginning of my inquiry, that I sought the free evaluation of the drive.  At the time I heard back from the rep about the next step, he told me “299.00 to cover parts and initial data recovery procedures” but it did not obligate me to pay anything more.  In fact, the only thing I agreed to was this.  I was told by the rep and by the woman that I gave the drive to in Rosemont, Illinois that I was only obligated to pay the 299 and if was up to me after that if I wanted to pay the remaining balance to have the data recovered for me.  If I didn’t, I was only out the 299 and that I could pick the drive back up in Rosemont, Illinois where I dropped it off.

I received an email on Thursday morning, January 2, 2014, stating that you had received the parts that were ordered and that the data retrieval process would begin and I would hear in the next 1-4 business days about the status of my drive.  I also want to point out that I chose a retrieval effort that would where work would not be done outside of business hours or on weekends.  This continues to limit the amount of work that would have been done to retrieve the data.  

It was at this point that I attempted to contact Inforetrieval first via the Internet portal and then via the phone my rep to ask that the process be discontinued.  My wife and I made a decision to not waste anyone’s time by going any further in the process.  I realize I am out the 299 for the parts and initial retrieval steps.  However, I felt it was very early and that this would be a reasonable request.

The rep did not agree with my request stating they “were well into the process and that I was obligated to pay the full amount at this point.”

Let me point out a couple of things to support my request:

1. The first page of the signed agreement states very clearly in bold letters at the top of the page:  “Non-deductible Down Payment”.  To me, that is a down payment and if I walk away, I am out the down payment.  It is not stated as a bill for services in full.
2. The agreement for the amount of 1845.00 (minus the 299) would only be due, as discussed with my rep on the phone and the woman who took the drive in Rosemont, Illinois, upon my signed agreement.  At this point, I have not signed to agree to such amount. 
3. The clause in your contract allows for me to pay nothing if any single file that I need is not retrieved. 

It is clear to me that there are some deceptive practices and consumer fraud being attempted by this company, it's rep, and the woman at the Rosemont, Illinois office who took my drive.  I asked many clear questions, was told one thing, and now am being told something that is quite to the contrary. 

I have asked very simply for two straight days for the data recovery to be stopped.  I realize that I am out the 299, which I fully understand and accept.  However, it a reasonable solution cannot be reached, I will be forced to file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General for these deceptive practices.

Again, I simply request that the data recovery efforts be ceased and no additional costs other than the initial 299 I agreed to be billed so that no more time is wasted by your company.