Complaint Review: Ripoff Report | Hudbox.com - Managed By Heavy Hammer - Annapolis Maryland
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- Author Confirmed
- Hudbox.com - Managed By Heavy Hammer 65 Solomons Islands Road Annapolis, Maryland U.S.A.
- Phone: 410-268-7863
- Web:
- Category: Internet Services
HeavyHammer REVIEW: Heavy Hammer New Media Solutions has thousands of clients and millions of users, each of which can feel safe and confident with the security of their data. Heavy Hammer uses several stages of fitlers and firewalls to protect the integrity of the data that is either posted or exchanged on any of our online platforms. Commitment to Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program, a program benefiting consumers, ensuring complete satisfaction & confidence when doing business.
*UPDATE: Recognized by Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Program as a safe business service. HeavyHammer pledges to always resolve any issues: feel safe, confident & secure when doing business with HeavyHammer, recognized by Ripoff Report Verifiedâ„¢ as a safe business service.
Show customers why they should trust your business over your competitors...
REVIEW UPDATE: May 16, 2018: Heavy Hammer remains committed to increased customer satisfaction and has improved their business practices over the years to better serve their customers. Heavy Hammer is truly dedicated to making sure their customers are satisfied and that any complaints which do arise are addressed promptly and fairly.
To date, Heavy Hammer has made good faith efforts to resolve all complaints reported on Ripoff Report. Based on our experience, the member business has proven to be among the top members of the Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program as a Verified Safe Business™.
Over time and since becoming a member, Heavy Hammer has remained actively engaged and improving the way they address customer service complaints. As an active and current member of the Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program we are happy to report that now more than ever Heavy Hammer remains committed to improving customer satisfaction.
Remember, no company or individual can ever satisfy 100% of the people 100% of the time. There are no products or services that will always be perfect for everyone and even the best companies will receive complaints from time to time. However, by participating in the Corporate Advocacy Program, the member business has made a commitment to working with its customers to resolve complaints quickly and fairly whenever possible.
Please keep in mind that as a consumer you have some responsibilities as well. Success has many definitions that based on your past experiences, current situation and your perceived expectations. Success with any product or service is always based on the proper application and understanding. The fastest car will not run if you never turn the engine on. Look at how you used the product or service that was provided in relation with the instructions that you received. The Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program will help you get your voice heard but please be prepared with documentation and fair representation of your concern, also have an idea of how the company can fix your concern. Can they offer additional services, extend warranties, offer a fair refund or just get you talking with someone that can help. ..let them know and let us know!
*Any consumer not receiving satisfaction from a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program should email us at editor@ripoffreport.com.
Ripoff Report Verified™ REVIEW
EDitor's UPDATE: Positive rating and recognition has been given to HeavyHammer for its full commitment to quality customer service.
Ripoff Report's discussions with HeavyHammer have uncovered an ongoing dedication by the company to total client satisfaction. This means that clients can expect that the company will work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to any concerns. HeavyHammer listens carefully to client concerns and sees them as an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and become more efficient as a company in the services offered and the support for those services.
Heavy Hammer New Media Solutions Founder, Michael Urbanski, has let us know in no uncertain terms that his personal philosophy is to put the users needs first and design products and services that benefit the client as well as the user. Only after it has been determined that it is the best thing for the user does Heavy Hammer implement a new platform or feature. The team continues to drill down to the very bottom of the scale of pro's and con's before designing a new function to ensure that is does not complicate or create unneeded steps to any process. This is for both users and clients and has been a driving force of the company since launch. Mr. Urbanski announced with passion that by putting the client and user experience first and creating value, everyone has their needs met.
An interesting thing that Ripoff Report learned in the course of discussions with the Heavy Hammer team is that they are dedicated like few other companies to innovation and helping people with limited technical skills to use the technical world and make it simple and beneficial for everyone. Mr.Urbanski admits that he himself is not a technical expert and therefore takes the approach that it has to be easy for him to use without instruction and if it is not, it is too complicated. Everything from onboarding through the entire experience has to be seamless or it doesn't pass the test and Heavy Hammer goes back to the drawing board until the process of getting the user what they want is as simple as it can possibly be. "If our clients are not successful, we cannot be successful and we understand that simple mantra very well" said Mr. Urbanski
Ripoff Report Verified™ .. part of Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program.A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business..
The information provided in this report below is based on comments made by Michael Urbanski during an onsite inspection held by a third party verification company with no biases toward HeavyHammer.
Heavy Hammer is a new media solutions company that invented geographically based online advertising in 1999. Michael Urbanski explained that they exercise their technology using different websites including: USAHUD.com, Allhud.com, and Hudexchange.com. They do this in order to ensure that each website has an exclusive real estate agent, "each website has its own advertising campaign driving home buyers and sellers to that website, and creating business for that individual real estate agent in that area." Heavy Hammer doesn't put more than one real estate agent or loan officer per geographic area so the agents can maintain their exclusivity.
Leads for Heavy Hammer are generated generally through some organic search, but mainly through cost for click advertising. They also have the number 1 rated app for foreclosures in the Apple istore, "we generate a lot of traffic via our apps." Mr. Urbanski explained that their business development department will reach out to real estate agents who are interested in creating more business, "if the real estate agent is open to the business, then we transfer that call to the sales person. The sales person actually does a live demo online, and presents them with the product."
CUSTOMER CARE & COMPLAINT RESOLUTION FROM HEAVYHAMMER
During the onsite interview, Mr. Urbanski was as asked described a situation where a client was not satisfied with the level of service they received. Mr. Urbanski described the most recent complaint in which a client stated that a lead he received wasn't correct. Heavy Hammer took action to find the lead in question, and Mr. Urbanski personally reached out to the lead to verify his information. The information for the lead was correct, but the lead was wanted to purchase a home for his Aunt. This was something the client was not anticipating. Heavy Hammer wants their clients to be successful in converting leads to deals. They take it upon themselves to provide training and scripts for their clients, as well as calling leads for quality assurance. If a lead dose prove to be incorrect, Heavy Hammer will reimburse the client was a new lead.
When asked to comment on complaints posted on Ripoff Report's website Mr. Urbanski explained that the complaint was made by an individual who never signed up for their services. This individual was confused when she found out that USAHUD.com, Allhud.com, and Hudexchange.com were under the umbrella of Heavy Hammer, "she was solicited to be a client of ours, and believed that we were running a shell game." Heavy Hammer reached our in order to clarify the nature of their businesses, but the individual was unresponsive. In order to assure future potential clients Heavy Hammer is a part of both the Maryland Business Association, and the Better Business Bureau.
When asked what type of changes they have made to honor their commitment to make things right with the customer per the request of Ripoff Report, Mr. Urbanski expressed that Heavy Hammer has, "beefed up the client services department."
HEAVYHAMMER – COMPANY FOCUS
The focus of the company is to improve results based advertising of every company and user that takes advantage of Heavy Hammer technologies. This is accomplished by creating cross platform ad solutions with particular attention to improving search results, satellite navigation, social networking, lead generation, video and mobile advertising.
Geo-targeting does not have to be local; national advertising campaigns that use geo-targeting ads can experience a greater ROI by focusing on the areas that want their products when and where they are most useful
STATEMENT FROM THE FOUNDER, MICHAEL URBANSKI
"We are proud to have been and continue to be at the forefront of new technologies. We do not shy away from the fact that at times we are going to introduce new technology. We embrace it and put it on the market for the world to see. We realize that many times new is scary so we try our best to simplify as much as possible the technology so that more people are able to absorb it more quickly. People in the 90's accused us of being crazy to launch geo-targeted online advertising and we took those criticisms and remained true to our belief that online advertising was too expensive for the average business. Today geo-targeting is standard on many sites and it continues to become more granular. Please take the time to visit our site www.HeavyHammer.com to see what we have done, are doing now, and are planning to do in the future?"
HeavyHammer's technical staff expressed that they are as confident and knowledgeable as any team online today. They don't posses an unlimited budget or resources but this only makes them strive to accomplish more with less. This cost savings of R and D is then passed on to the end users and allows business to use our systems and operations less expensively. The Client Services Department provides another layer of support that can handle most concerns but when the need for additional tech support arises, the tech team is there as the need dictates. HeavyHammer takes employee satisfaction seriously as well. Employee feedback and surveys reveal comments such as this, "Heavy Hammer New Media Solutions provides an environment that prides itself on allowing each member of each team to be as creative as they can be. Creativity is what makes things happen. When the tech team takes on a new project or initiative Mr. Urbanski gives them as much freedom as possible to allow their own experiences and knowledge to create the best solution. The same is true with each division in the company and is of the goals of the company since inception in 1999. " Ripoff Report was pleased to learn that HeavyHammer's past and current approach to business is focused on its pledge to total commitment towards client and employee satisfaction.
STATED IMPROVEMENTS FROM HEAVYHAMMER
" HeavyHammer recognizes that complaints posted on Ripoff Report (whether true or not) are issues that need to be addressed, not ignored. If handled correctly, complaints can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Ripoff Report's review, HeavyHammer has made organizational changes allowing its clients and employees a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a commitment to a great client experience.”
In summary, after our review, which included discussions with Michael Urbanski, Ripoff Report is convinced that HeavyHammer is committed to quality delivery of services resulting in total client satisfaction.
Be sure to contact us with your questions and comments about any business that is part of the Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction Program. Your questions, comments and suggestions are always welcome and will be considered even if we don't agree with them. Please realize Ripoff Report is chartering in new territory, working to make a change for both consumers and businesses alike.
How does a business get Ripoff Report Verified™
The member business allows Ripoff report to email everyone from the past. Those who respond to Ripoff report with a valid complaint must be take care of.. they have made a commitment that if anyone contacts Ripoff Report in the future, they will make things right within 14 days. The member business must err on the side of their customers. Otherwise the member business is off the program.
Ripoff Report has determined that HeavyHammer meets Ripoff Report Verified’s standards which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. Members of the Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation and Customer Satisfaction program do pay a fee for our on-site review, 24 hour monitoring and for support with customers to resolve any disagreements.
Ripoff Report sends a 3rd party service to do an onside inspection of the new member business. The on-site inspection / review does not mean that the products or services offered by the business have been evaluated or endorsed by Ripoff Report, and has not made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services. We can verify, that Ripoff Report went to the business, verified their business or “work from home business”, there for, if a customer in the future does not get treated correctly, Ripoff Report can get the problem resolved. If not, and the customers is right, the member business will be taken off the Corporate Advocacy Program. Remember, Ripoff Report emailed every customer from the past that filed a complaint to make sure the member business made things right with customers from the past. Again, to err on the side of their customer, those from the past and those in the future..
Read more about why consumers should feel confident when doing business with a member of Ripoff Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. Yes, it’s a long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and businesses alike.
Read about Ripoff Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program, a program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. This program works.
As a matter of policy, when a business becomes a member of the Corporate Advocacy Program they agree to allow Ripoff Report to contact every client who filed a complaint so they can make things right with them. In order to confirm that the complaints were resolved, Ripoff Report is copied on all responses so we can insure that the member business did right by their customer.
NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED
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HUDBOX.COM - Managed By Heavy Hammer ripoff unauthorized and fraudulent billing Annapolis Maryland *EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back into your bank account!
The nature of this complaint is a credit/billing dispute, and it involves the unauthorized use of my debit card to pay for good & services.
I have spoken to the following Heavy Hammer/Hudbox.com representatives in attempts to resolve the issue before contacting the BBB of Greater Maryland.
Sara Smith, Katie Smith (???), Melissa Smith, and David Sabian.
Complaint Details
On July 13, I checked my bank account to see if a rent check had cleared. I noticed two unauthorized deductions from my account - it turned out both were subscriptions to online services that I did not sign up for. I followed up with one company Privacy Plus, and had a refund issued. The second company, HUDBOX.COM managed by Heavy Hammer - for whom I am filing this complaint did not respond appropriately. Events are as follows:
July 13, 2004 I spoke to Sarah Smith about an unauthorized charge to my debit card. She said I had subscribed to their online service. I told her I did not sign up for the service, and that someone illegally used my information to access the site. I informed her this was the first time I had ever noticed such charges on my checking account and that I wanted to be reimbursed for the $79.95 since I do not use that service. She provided me with logon information and a password to cancel the subscription - she said this was the first step in the refund process. She then told me to forward an email to "Billing@Hudbox.com I told her I was not comfortable sending an email to an unknown person at Billing@Hudbox - I asked for a contact name or a supervisor - she declined. She seemed amused by my predicament and spoke to me very condescendingly -which further annoyed me. I tried to be persistent in getting a contact name or a supervisor - she said they don't have supervisors or managers, and if I wanted to use her as a contact I could. SO - I decided to settle for her name and email address: Sarah Smith, Sarah@HeavyHammer.com. I emailed billing@hudbox.com, and cc'ed Sarah on the email.
July 23, 2004 I received no response from Hudbox, so I emailed them and informed them via email that I had not heard anything and would contact them shortly. The same day I called and spoke to a much friendlier person named Katie whose last name I did not request. Katie said the billing department was behind, but someone would contact me soon.
July 27, 2004 I receive an email from David Fabian, mail@hudbox.com saying my refund request had been forwarded to Hudbox billing, and I'd have a response in 10 business days.
July 30, 2004 David Fabian emailed me again saying my refund request was denied because I did not cancel my membership until 7-13-2004. The message further states that monthly subscription fee is non-refundable.
Aug 03, 2004 I contacted Heavy Hammer and spoke to Melissa Smith. I provided the details of my situation for her, and explained that I should be entitled to a refund since I did not sign up for the service. Melissa told me that if the billing department reviewed the account and decided I was not entitled to a refund, then I was not going to get a refund. I asked her if they had a record of who signed up for the account, and who had accessed it. She told me that I signed up for the account which is flat out not true. I explained that was impossible since I wasn't aware the account even existed until July 13, 2004 when I saw a bill for it. I don't even know how many times I've paid for this service, and am afraid to find out! Melissa continued to explain how the decision was final, and I asked her how their company normally handles these types of situations. She responded by saying they don't have these types of situations, and I informed her that on July 13, 2004 after speaking to Sara, I looked them up on the BBB website, I noticed the company had some previous issues. I asked again So you normally tell people that they cant be refunded their money even if the subscription was fraudulent? She became angry and said I was not getting a refund, I need to talk to my bank, and if they don't help me I should consider switching banks. I said "thank you for your advice but" and Melissa hung up the phone.
After being disconnected by Melissa, I called back and talked to David Fabian. It should be noted he didn't verbally volunteer his first name, I found it on an email. When I asked him what his first name was, he just said Fabian. I asked him what Melissa's last name was and he said Smith. I went on and explained the situation to David. He was unhelpful insisting I go back to my bank. I told him I would follow up with my bank, but that on July 13, I had been told by my bank to contact the companies directly to settle the disputes-which is what I was doing. Fabian began the lengthy process of explaining how they aren't equipped with the means to research refunds and things, and that those types of issues are handled by Visa even if it is a debit card. He said he could not help me. I asked him if he was aware that Melissa had just hung up on me, and are they in the practice of hanging up on people just because they didn't authorize their company to charge them $79.95- and he just went on explaining how they couldn't do anything about it.
End of Complaint
M
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.
EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!
HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:
Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.
According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.
If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.
Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!
DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!
Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.
And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.
Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.
If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.
CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD
If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.
Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.
And good luck Let us know how you do!
ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com
Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!
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We are Consumer Advocates.
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...by consumers, for consumers
CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 08/24/2005 02:50 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/hudboxcom-managed-by-heavy-hammer/annapolis-maryland-21401/hudboxcom-managed-by-heavy-hammer-ripoff-unauthorized-and-fraudulent-billing-annapolis-154863. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#1 Consumer Comment
Not a BAD Company
AUTHOR: Nope - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Let me start by saying I have been a paying member and client of Heavy Hammer for YEARS. There is no way the company just opened an account in your name, with your credit card info. When any online/phone order company takes billing info for services, the card holder is required to enter the CVV # on their credit card. The purpose of this # is so the company providing services can verify that they are actually dealing with the card holder since they can't verify that in person. The CVV # is unique to each card, and cannot be found anywhere else. This is something that VISA, MC, Amex, Discover all REQUIRE of these online/phone companies that are not dealing with customers in person. Violations of this by those companies are finable to the tune of $20K per infraction. If someone used your info fraudulently, they would need to be holding your card to have done it. And if that was the case, you either authorized them to do so, had your card stolen, or need to have a talk with the people in your household. On top of that, if you had your card stolen, you should have filed a fraud alert on your credit report with the 3 reporting agencies which would have prevented this comapny from using it, and cancelled your card with your bank. And to boot, it sounds from your letter that you did not follow the cancellation instructions you were provided from the company when you inquired about the charge. They did their job by researching your inquiry for refund. Unfortunately, with the CVV # from your account on file, its proof enough for the comapny and proof enough in court that you have no defense for a refund.
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