Connect NC, Inc.

They did a sorry job,wanted $100 every time for doing anything after the setup was complete. The website was never functional,it now must be replaced We contracted with Connectnc to find and purchase a website template ready to be programmed that was a [redacted] template. It was to work exactly like [redacted]. Being that they could look at [redacted] and see and understand what we wanted. Our website is called [redacted]. We had nothing but problems from the moment we paid them in full of around $800. The program never worked correctly from the beginning and were told all they had to do was put in our information. Our name, [redacted], and Welcome to explain what the website was about. This was to be and was advertized as a [redacted] Clone. We started this in Feb 2013. They also hosted this website. If we were computer literate, like most people, we would have seen alot of the problems with the website earlier. If we could have done this ourselves we would have. One thing we do was put our confidence in Connectnc. After we paid them, we had our website up and running there initially was no cost to place an ad. We wanted to let people use the site and build up interest in the site. We thought this would be a good public service. People who are in dept could post their loans to show what they have, how much they owe and to let people take over their payments. When we looked at our website, there was nothing but spam on our website. We were then left on our own. We had been deserted by Connect nc. The only way to get them to help us was to pay them $100 for any little thing they did. One time the receptionist did something and they charged a little less than $100. The security wont work properly. After hosting us for over a year,the hassels of trying to get them to fix what they should have fixed to begin with, and realizing that all they wanted was the money, We moved our website to [redacted]. This website was so messed up, it cost alot to get it off their website. they sent us a blank disc that was supposed to have the initial format of the website on it. we have now found out the reason we are having all these problems by going through other website developers and paying them to help us fix these issues. There is no login. Anyone can post anything anytime. There is no way to stop anyone from posting stuff on the website. We have paid other developers to try to fix all kinds of issues. It has gotten so bad, we considered just deleting the whole thing and giving up on [redacted]. We have found out that we are going to have to get rid of this format and completely re-do the sebsite, starting from scratch. Without going trough all our receipts, we have spent over $1,000. This isn't counting the hosting fees for something that doesn't work nor all the other people we have paid to help us with this website. It would be unreal to count all the time we have spent and lost in an attempt to find our what is wrong and why our website will not work. The last person we talked to, last week, talked about how companies took advantage of people who did not know anything about websites. withing thi first hour, he found the clone they bought and showed they charged us twice as much for the website and they initially said and why the program would never work. It was right on the page of the website description and the features of it. At the top it said there was not login.everything we have done is worthless. There is nothing we can do to fix this. And no way to stop anyone from putting anything. We have done a bad word filter, but have found out this doesn't eve work in a different language. We get all kinds of languages we don't understand. we could talk all day about this, but this is enough to complain about and to warn other people they are't what they say they are. Desired SettlementrefundWe want to make other people realize they do not know what they are doing, whether they are building one or buying one. The hosting is 5x's higher than [redacted], and [redacted] has helped us dozens of times as much as they can and are allowed. They have never charged anything to do it.Business Response I'm sorry the client is so terribly unhappy. In our nearly 20 years in this industry, we have collected hundreds of accolades from customers, so I can assure the customer that we do know what we're doing. We would like to offer the customer 6 months of free hosting here, if he accepts the offer within the next 30 days (by October 1, 2014).However, as he stated, the program itself was something that was purchased from a third party. He had the opportunity to read about it before agreeing to the purchase, and he even contacted at least one of the software developers himself to ask him sign a NDA. We are not the software developers, but are the hosting company. We installed the turnkey software on our server and did the configuration and some CSS editing, all with the client's input. He was also trained on the use of the program.We have extensive documentation of everything we did, and the site was functional from the time it was installed on the server.We believe the client's issue is actually with the software developer, and he should contact that organization to express his dissatisfaction to them directly. As for charging for work we did, he was aware that there would be a charge. In each case, he approved the work and made payment. He complained one time about having to pay, so the receptionist sent him a link to contact the developer directly.We are happy to attempt to resolve his problems with our hosting by offering the credit for 6 months of hosting, but the responsibility for rectifying the issues with the actual software lies with the software developer. http://[redacted]/ Since he already paid for the program (~$300 USD), why not do that?We can provide the initial signed quote and all emails related to this case, if needed. Consumer Response We now have a hosting company we are happy with and will not be changing. They have put in hours of their time in assisting us to fix the website. when we started this, ConnectNC new we knew nothing about websites or their development. Their services were to find us a reputable template to use for our website in hopes to accomplish what we had in mind. We initially went for help at the local community college. They signed a NDA. Connectnc signed a NDA, everyone signed a NDA. We were told to get a NDA from anyone we talked with to protect our idea and goals. We did contact the company that Connectnc recommended. There was a big red flag when the NDA came back signed back dated 2 years, which at that point would have made it void. Connectnc was made aware of this and agreed with us on not using the company. They were still working for us when they found the program they ended up using. We told them exactly what we were looking for. It was to be a clone of [redacted], and was supposed to work like [redacted]. The only difference is that there would not be as many categories. We did not know anything about websites, how they should run, and the functions they should have to prevent many of the issues we are still having. We know how to get on [redacted] and put ads on it. Our website, that we paid them to set up and run properly, is called [redacted]. It runs and opperates like [redacted] if running properly. It never has run properly. We have all our emails from the beginnning to the end of our relationship with them. When we asked for the original files/script that we purchased to install the site, we were told we might not be able to get a copy of it. After insisting that we needed a copy because we were changing hosts, we were sent a blank disk with nothing on it. Our current website developer, says this should have been sent to us. Again we have a blank disk. This same, current website developer, is the one who immediately noticed the problems with the website we have been aggravated with from the beginning. Within a few minutes, he found the website where connectnc purchased our template from and what they paid. He found where the features were listed. The biggest problem we have had is that there is no login. That is the first feature listed, "no login needed." That mean anyone can put anything on there at any time. It also means that you can't keep anyone off or out. There is nothing but spam and garbage on the website. Connectnc's training consisted of 30min. We tried to video it so we cold remember what we were shown but that did not show up very good. This was the administration end of the website and we had never seen anything like this before. This web site had [redacted] and it had a [redacted] button, but how could that be used with no log in. We wanted to be able to help people with it and at first wanted it to be free, but after one year or so when we were going to charge $1.00 to be able to get people that were putting junk on off of the sight buy making them pay. That is when the problems really started. No login means the [redacted] would work. The whole time, and yes I know that people have to charge to make a living, but most website developers charge in 15 min units. We were informed that it would be a $100.00 each time. Even if it was only to do some simple thing. If they just went on it, I mean anything. Business FinalWe have distilled the customer's concerns down to 4 items:1. The PHP program obtained for your website does not require users to register before posting;2. The PHP program allows too much spam to appear on your website;3. The original PHP installation disk wasn't sent to you when you requested it; and,4. You were charged more than the contract amount for work you believe should have been included in the scope of the project.These are our responses to those concerns:1. While the PHP program, about which you complain, does not require users to register prior to posting, this feature mirrors [redacted], the internet service which you sought to model and which is exactly what you requested. Registration only occurs when the payment gateway is turned on and payment is being accepted. You have chosen to accept free ads in the exact same manner as [redacted], which only requires an email address to verify the posting.2. While [redacted] addresses spam and inappropriate posts by having employees review and remove the inappropriate postings and ConnectNC recommended that you do the same, you declined. 3. Although ConnectNC would be glad to provide you with a copy of the PHP site on disk and send it to you, ConnectNC cannot send you a hard copy of the program since it was a downloadable file that was supplied once the single license was purchased. Since you are still using the program, in the same state as it existed while on our server, it appears that you DO, in fact, have a copy of the program.4. ConnectNC's contract, which you signed, clearly outlines the scope, cost of services and hourly rates and circumstances under which additional costs may apply.