SEM Company Ordered to Give Refunds

bhartzer · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Internet Advancement, which also goes by 4GreatBuys.com, must refund customers, pay $24,432 to the state for costs incurred and a civil penalty of $25,000.

The company had promised to get its customers ranked in the top 10 to 20 results on the search engines for $980 to $1,500 in set-up fees and monthly fees of $79.80 to $89.95.

The case involved "search engine optimization" services, which attempt to get businesses high placement in search-engine results.

"Internet Advancement misrepresented its success rate, promised more than it could deliver, then refused to provide refunds to customers who didn't get what they paid for," said Attorney General Christine Gregoire.

Here is the full article from the Seattle Times

This search engine marketing firm promised to get top rankings but they didn't do so. They have been ordered to give refunds.

nickc · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 01:48 PM

Moral of the story - never offer more than you can deliver.

Nick

bhartzer · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 01:56 PM

And if you guarantee anything (products or even search engine rankings) you need to stand behind your guarantee and give refunds if you or your products fall short.

fathom · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2004, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhartzer

And if you guarantee anything (products or even search engine rankings) you need to stand behind your guarantee and give refunds if you or your products fall short.

...or pick and choose those industries that you are familiar with. Historically SEO companies fall short (most of the time) because they believe they can succeed "in all industries" with but the knowledge of a few keywords from some tool that really doesn't know the merits of the industry! :-)