ARA Consulting

Dear **. [redacted],
 
As mention just now in our phone call, this complaint has been resolved.  However, the version of the dispute put forth by the customer is incorrect, and is defamatory.  I want to correct the record as follows:
 
This complaint has been settled as requested by the client.  However, the complaint sets forth accusations that are not factual and need correcting for the record.
 
In 2012, the client engaged our services to assist him to obtain SBA 8(a) program certification for his business as a Tribally Owned and Controlled Business.  A retainer of $2,500 was paid (not $5,000 as indicated in the complaint). 
 
The client claimed that his business met the strict eligibility requirements for ownership and control by a recognized Indian Tribe, even though he was not a member of the tribe, or even a Native American himself.  As we got into the project, I held numerous lengthy conversations with the client to iron out what appeared to be inconsistencies in the ownership and control of the business.  I also prepared an detailed application checklist, customized to the peculiarities of the client’s case, as well as number of other documents on the clients behalf, and researched to viability of a proposed ownership structure with SBA.  My last discussion with the client regarding the Tribal Business application was on 12/20/2012.  After that, I could not reach the client.
 
Over the next 10 months, I made numerous attempts to call and email the client, all of which went unanswered.  Finally, the client contacted me in November 2013, to say that his business was no longer tribally owned but was now a Woman Owned business (allegedly owned and controlled by his wife), and that he now wanted to apply for Woman Owned status.  I indicated to him that we would need to close out the first engagement and then talk about any further engagement for a different project. 
 
I sent him an email with a billing log that documented in detail the 12.10 hours I had spent on the first project, at an agreed upon billing rate of $150 per hour, for a total of $1,815, and indicated that he was due a refund of $685 for the unused portion of the $2,500 retainer.  He became angry and demanded a minimum refund of $1,250.  Although he was not entitled to such a refund, I agreed to it in order to wash my hands of a difficult, and apparently deceptive, client. 
 
The Federal Government imposes severe sanctions on applicants for SBA’s contracting programs that misrepresent the ownership and control structures of their firms.  It is now my opinion that the client’s firm has never actually met the requirements of ownership and control by a recognized Indian Tribe, and that the client is now trying to misrepresent his business as being woman owned and controlled.  Tribally-owned businesses do not suddenly become woman-owned businesses.  In all of my dealings with this client, however, I never spoke to any member of the Indian Tribe, or to any alleged woman owner of the business.  The client appears to attempting to access programs for which he is not eligible.  If SBA determines that this is the case, he risks severe penalties, including a potential prison sentence.
 
I have been providing high-integrity services to small disadvantaged business for over 30 year.  I have no desire to be associated with deceptive and manipulative practices.
 
**. [redacted], since this client has called my business a “scam” on the Revdex.com site, I believe it is necessary to publish my response to such a libelous statement.
 
Thnak you for your assistance.
 
[redacted] Anderson
 
 
ARA Consulting
[redacted]
Toll Free:  ###-###-####
Local: ###-###-####
Fax: ###-###-####
Email: [redacted]

I would like to withdraw my complaint #[redacted] , payment was made today.
Thank you for your efforts.
[redacted]
CEO
[redacted]
I would like to withdraw my complaint #[redacted] , payment was made today.
Thank you for your efforts.
[redacted]
CEO
Black Bear Industries Inc
I would like to withdraw my complaint #[redacted] , payment was made today.
Thank you for your efforts.
[redacted]
CEO
Black Bear Industries Inc

Review: On November 31, 2012 we signed an agreement for services to complete our 8a application with SBA. However, during the next several months the Tribal Entity that we were associated disolved our association, thus we no longer needed to file an 8a application. I spoke with [redacted] Anderson and told him of our situation. He agreed to use the $5000. we deposited with him to

complete a Disadvantaged Woman Owned Application. He also agreed to send me a check list to begin the process. He never sent any information and was impossible to get in touch with over the next xeveral months. Finally I was able to reach him and he said he could not perform the servcies we required . Therefore I requested a refund of our $2500. deposit. [redacted] responded with the answer that he had spent time on the phone which was billable at $150. per hour . This was unbelievable, becauce the only time spent on the phone was tracking him down. Nevertheless I conceeded to accept a $1250. to resolve the issue. That was 2 months ago and still he has not refended any money and has not been accessable for discussion.

Seems like this company and the owner are a scam.Desired Settlement: Since, I agreed to accept $1250. then the outcome should be $1250.

Consumer

Response:

I would like to withdraw my complaint #[redacted] , payment was made today.

Thank you for your efforts.

Review: ARA consulting and its President [redacted]derson (then as [redacted]), contracted with my company to perform consulting services in which I had to pay upfront. He then decided he was going out of business, but then pops up as ARA consulting as a business that has been in business for 30 some odd years. I would like an apology and my $4,000 back. Seems unfair that he can take my money then say he is going out of business..... then decide to start back up without paying me back.Desired Settlement: I would like my money back.

Business

Response:

Dear **. [redacted]: This is in response to the complaint number [redacted] alleging that ARA Consulting owes a refund to [redacted], [redacted]. We refute this claim on the following grounds: 1. [redacted], [redacted]. is not now and has never been a client of ARA Consulting.2. **. ** states that he was a client of [redacted] Corporation, which went out of business in 2008. I was a stockholder in [redacted] Corporation until its collapse in 2008. A corporation’s liabilities, however, do not flow through to its stockholders. **. **’s claim is against [redacted] Corporation, which is out of business.3. I began ARA Consulting in 2012 after several years of unemployment. It is a separate business that has no assets in common with the former [redacted] Corporation. 4. While I do claim 30 years of experience, that claim is a personal one based on my resume. No claim is made that ARA Consulting has been in business that long.5. [redacted] Corporation went out of business due to the collapse of the national economy in 2008. All employees were laid off and the business, which had no assets, was closed. There was no attempt to defraud clients. The business simply failed. 6. **. **’s arrangement was with a corporation, not an individual. As a former stockholder of a corporation, I am protected from personal liability from claims against that corporation due to its business failure.7. **. ** has no basis for any claim against ARA Consulting. Please let me know if this response is sufficient, or if you require anything further. Regards, [redacted] Anderson ARA Consulting[redacted], Suite 100Rockville, MD 20852Toll Free: ###-###-####Local: ###-###-####Fax: ([redacted]) [redacted]Email: [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: in a fairness sense, **. [redacted] Anderson took my money and failed to deliver on his promised services. In whatever entity he was apart of, it does not matter in a better business sense. Legally though, he is correct. And I will never get my money back. But it should be known that [redacted] Anderson has done this before, and is capable of doing it again. So buyer beware.... and don't expect any communication back from [redacted] Anderson when he does it again.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Neither I nor ARA Consulting have any legal liability toward [redacted] - that liability was held by [redacted] Corporation, which is bankrupt. While it is not legally possible to offer the requested refund because the only entity that could make such a refund is out of business, what I can offer to **. ** on a personal is to provide "pro bono" services up to the value of $4,000. This is offered in the spirit of general fairness, not out of any legal obligation. If the offer to provide "pro bono" services is not satisfactory to **. **, there is nothing more that I can legally offer.