Local Splash

Did not provided services that were promised to me. When I brought it to their attention, they refused to show me the work that was done and they refused to refund my money. Unethical with a long line of bad reviews on the web.

The client signed up for Local Splash’s services on March 2nd, 2016, and was billed for the first month on  3/2 totaling $199.The client claims she was mislead into buying a website, when in actuality it was a landing page.   After reviewing all of the calls between Local Splash and...

the client,  the sales agent used the term ‘webpage’, never website.  There seems to be a miscommunication between the client and sales agent.  When building the webpage/landing page Local Splash uses stock photos based on the industry of the client, until the client electronically sends pictures of their work done (please note no pictures were ever sent in by the client to use on the landing page, so stock photos were used).  The client claims there is no links on the landing page.  When agent described these links he stated Local Splash would put links for [redacted], etc.  All of these links were included.  Again, it seems there was a miscommunication of the wording of what ‘links’ are between the client and sales agent.  When the client called in with questions about the account and landing page, she was not interested in uploading pictures of her work, going over the links that were there, and other issues, the client demanded a refund.  Local Splash is not able to provide a refund owing to the fact that many hours of work have already been done on this account:3/4/2016 client completed the Client Interview.3/4/2016 keyword verification, and photo request email sent.3/8/2016 [redacted] local placement verified.3/8/2016 [redacted] placement verified.3/8/2016 [redacted] ID placement verified.3/8/2016 [redacted] completed ready for promotion. At this time Local splash does not feel a refund should be authorized, due to the amount of work done on the account.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Hello [redacted]This is [redacted] responding to the case ID # [redacted]. Kindly excuse my delay in response. I didn't receive the email with the response from Local splash. I only received the email of the case being closed. Nevertheless I was able to see what they had to say after I sent images and explanations to prove that they did not deliver what was promised. I still stand by my allegations for Local Splash and will further explain below;1. My ranking on the [redacted] pages is still the same as it was in the month of January 2015 when this dispute began. I am first on the [redacted] listing when you search for the key words "wedding videographer [redacted]". I have explained earlier that these keywords were decided by local splash, not me. And I had also explained earlier that as a wedding photographer/videographer in New York, I would not have any benefit of being listed first with such key words. 2. If Local splash says my position/listing on [redacted] pages was any different from what it is now, they should be able to show proof. In the same way that I am asked to produce proof for my claims. I am repeating, Local Splash has to show proof that they have delivered what I have paid for. 3. My business is not correctly located on [redacted]. This alone makes it clear that they do not know how to do their job. 4. Local splash delivered late. The dispute began once local splash was able to show results. Besides the fact that the result was unacceptable, they did so only after I was billed $1000. I was promised results after one month. I have explained earlier that I would have cancelled with local splash after I saw what they delivered, and I would have wasted $200 at the most. But Local splash kept making excuses for delays and also begged for more time.Kindly take into account these points and my earlier email which contains images/screen shots of my business listing on [redacted] pages which has been unchanged from day 1. If Local splash says the listing has changed, it is only fair to ask them to prove their statements. Sincerely, [redacted]
Regards,
[redacted]

I am writing to provide my official response to my dispute with Local Splash/Relevant Ads ID # [redacted].  I am satisfied with the response from the company and with the resolution they provided. I wish to close this case.Thank you for your attention to this matter,[redacted]

Local Splash has thoroughly reviewed the client's account.There are a few discrepancies that should be clarified before moving forward, however. In the complaint, the client wrote (these are the client's exact words) " I PAID SOFAR OVER $1300 FOR PROJECT AND I LOST REVENUE FOR PERIOD YEAR TOTALING...

$1300 FOR WEBSITE AND SEP PROJECT AND LOSS REVENUE $4500 TOTAL COMPENSATE DOLLORS $ 5800.00"What the client actually paid was $718 total: $400 for the website and $318 for local SEO.Because of the abnormal amount of time it took to complete the client's website, we have offered the client a refund for the amount paid for his website only. We offered this refund in a private email sent to [email protected]. We have not received a response from the client as of the time of this posting.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
[redacted]

Local Splash has thoroughly reviewed the client's account.There are a few discrepancies that should be clarified before moving forward, however. In the complaint, the...

client wrote (these are the client's exact words) " I PAID SOFAR OVER $1300 FOR PROJECT AND I LOST REVENUE FOR PERIOD YEAR TOTALING $1300 FOR WEBSITE AND SEP PROJECT AND LOSS REVENUE $4500 TOTAL COMPENSATE DOLLORS $ 5800.00"What the client actually paid was $718 total: $400 for the website and $318 for local SEO.Because of the abnormal amount of time it took to complete the client's website, we have offered the client a refund for the amount paid for his website only. We offered this refund in a private email sent to [email protected]. We have not received a response from the client as of the time of this posting.

The charge back disputes were decided on in the merchant's favor. This means the banks agreed that Local Splash provided enough evidence to prove that we did what we said we would do for the client. Local Splash will contact the client directly in an attempt to resolve this matter.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me.  I will wait for...

the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.
Regards,
[redacted]

Local Splash would like to
specifically address each of the points made by the client in the client’s
latest response to make it clear that all of the work that we did was approved
by the client and that it was done in a timely manner. We have spent hours
listening to each of the 20+ phone conversations between ourselves and the
client. Some specifics of those conversations will be cited while addressing the
client’s issues. Also, we will cite our Terms and Conditions ([redacted])
while addressing the client’s issues.
“1. My ranking on the [redacted] pages is still the same as it
was in the month of January 2015 when this dispute began. I am first on the
[redacted] listing when you search for the key words "wedding videographer
[redacted]". I have explained earlier that these keywords were decided by
local splash, not me. And I had also explained earlier that as a wedding
photographer/videographer in New York, I would not have any benefit of being listed
first with such key words.”
Local Splash does our best to improve
the rankings for our clients. There is no guarantee of increased ranking. We do
have a Performance Promise ([redacted]
section 5.1) which states:
“Local Splash promises that it will apply a credit for
Client’s next month of basic service if, after the second payment, Client’s
business is not on the first page of a major search engine using any of your
search phrases in your local area (e.g. Attorney in Santa Rosa). It is the
Client’s responsibility to call us before each eligible month’s billing date to
receive said credit.”
The purpose of the Performance
Promise is to protect our clients from having to pay for our service if they
are not seeing results. This client utilized the Performance Promise three
times while he was an active client (11/3/2014, 1/3/2014, 2/3/2014). The client
received a total of $597 worth of credit while utilizing our Performance
Promise.
The client states that Local
Splash decided on his keyword “wedding videographer [redacted].” The client
clearly states on multiple calls that he wanted the keyword “wedding
videography.” During the Client Interview calls that took place between
8/4/2014 and 8/6/2014, the client agreed to all of the keywords that we used in
his campaign. The geographic modifier (“[redacted]”) included in the search query
is not part of a keyword. Because Local Splash creates local search engine
optimization campaigns for our clients, the client can only expect to see
increased exposure in their local area. [redacted] and the other search engines
determine “local area” based on a number of factors like, but not limited to:
How much competition the client has, how well the client’s competition is
search engine optimized, population density, etc. Referring back to our
Performance Promise, you can see that we clearly state, in writing, that the
client should only expect to see increased exposure in their local area.
2. If Local splash says my position/listing on [redacted]
pages was any different from what it is now, they should be able to show proof.
In the same way that I am asked to produce proof for my claims. I am repeating,
Local Splash has to show proof that they have delivered what I have paid
for. 
Local Splash can only be expected to provide
proof of the work we completed, not of increased rankings for reasons mentioned
above (we do not guarantee increased rankings). During the time this client was
active, we are providing a complete timeline of the extensive work that was
done on this account:
3/9/2015 9:23:18 AM:
--Billing Status--CANCELED
Future Invoice automatically deleted
Client called in for placement
updates, spoke with client in regards to his placement he is ranking for
Wedding Videographer [redacted] NY letter A... client is not satisfied with that
and would like to rank for Wedding Videographer... attempted to clarify how SEO
works but client was not interested in listening and redacted... canceled
account and turned down refund.
Survey email sent
3/9/2015 9:20:56 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
Title: redacted
Reminder created: 03/09/15
(Later Dismissed: 03/09/15)
Dismissed By:
 
3/5/2015 10:03:39 AM:
-- Placement Activity --
Public placement has been verified.
[redacted] Local Manual Business Listing
Created via [redacted] page
[redacted]
Inserted Status record for crawling
1/13/2015 2:25:13 PM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
Title: Optimization complete, please
see my notes for details thanks. I created many listings, and added permalinks
for [redacted] and [redacted] so he can see both those listings in the client
dashboard
Reminder created: 01/13/15
(Later Dismissed: 01/14/15)
Dismissed By:
1/13/2015 2:23:39 PM:
-- Placement Activity --
Placement requested has been ordered.
[redacted] Local Business Listing
Created via [redacted] page
-- Placement Activity --
Public placement has been verified.
[redacted] Local Business Listing
-- Placement Activity --
Placement has been requested.
[redacted]
-- Placement Activity --
Public placement has been verified.
[redacted]
Permalink Changed
-- Placement Activity --
Placement has been requested.
[redacted]
-- Placement Activity --
Public placement has been verified.
[redacted]
Permalink Changed
 
No duplicates found on [redacted]. I had
to completely optimize the ** page it was a blank slate; Added introduction,
hours of operation, photos, banner, profile picture, 2 categories, post, and
link. Ranking on the first page for 2/3 categories.
Created listings on [redacted],
[redacted], [redacted], [redacted], [redacted], [redacted], and [redacted]. Added
permalinks for [redacted] and [redacted]. Verified [redacted].
 
[redacted] login
redacted
 
Video Production Service-1 not in
pack
Wedding Photographer-6 not in pack
Photographer-16
 
1/13/2015 10:55:04 AM:
-- Placement Activity --
Placement requested has been ordered.
Profile Audit on External Sites
Audit triggered thru [redacted]
 
1/9/2015 8:14:21 AM:
-- Placement Activity --
Placement is prepared for submission.
[redacted] Local
[redacted]
 
12/22/2014 12:57:18 PM:
Save Tool Used: Full Month Service
Credit
 
Client called in to cancel and get a
refund went over his placement he is limited in placement and I attributed it
to his not being pin verified until Nov 25... redacted... saved him of either
by offering 2 service credits and optimization
 
Disposition Deleted--Billing
Action--SERVICECREDIT : Poor Performance - , Amount:199
 
--Billing Action--SERVICECREDIT :
Poor Performance - , Amount:199.00
 
Disposition Deleted--Billing
Action--SERVICECREDIT : Poor Performance - , Amount:199.00
 
--Billing Action--SERVICECREDIT :
Poor Performance - , Amount:199.00
 
12/22/2014 12:54:02 PM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: Performance
Title: Please optimize
Reminder created: 12/22/14
(Later Dismissed: 01/13/15)
Dismissed By:
 
12/18/2014 3:40:41 PM:
Updating Portal Account...
 
12/8/2014 5:25:03 PM:
-- REMINDER DISMISSED --
Title: [redacted] Page has been
created
Reminder created: 08/11/14
Days to dismissal: 119
Dismissed By:
 
11/25/2014 5:20:02 PM:
-- Account Manager updated
from:Team-Onboarding to:Team-Ongoing
 
11/25/2014 8:56:10 AM:
-- Placement Activity --
Public placement has been verified.
[redacted] Local Manual Business Listing
[redacted]
 
-- Placement Activity --
Public placement has been verified.
[redacted] Local Placement
 
pv'd [redacted] and [redacted].
 
11/25/2014 8:53:04 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: [redacted]
Title: [redacted] and [redacted] follow up**
Reminder created: 11/25/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/25/14)
Dismissed By:
 
11/11/2014 2:09:46 PM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: PV
Title: sent [redacted] 11-11
Reminder created: 11/11/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/25/14)
Dismissed By:
 
11/11/2014 9:24:58 AM:
Took xfer from [redacted] lack of
placement. Sent [redacted] PIN
 
11/11/2014 9:20:26 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
Title: New [redacted] PIN sent, pls
follow up
Reminder created: 11/11/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/11/14)
Dismissed By:
 
11/11/2014 9:19:50 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
Title: New [redacted] PIN sent, pls send
new [redacted] PIN as well and follow up for both. Thx
Reminder created: 11/11/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/11/14)
Dismissed By:
 
11/11/2014 9:13:12 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
Title: [redacted] follow up *
Reminder created: 11/25/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/25/14)
Dismissed By:
 
11/11/2014 9:12:58 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: PV
Title: sent [redacted] 11-11
Reminder created: 11/11/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/25/14)
Dismissed By:
 
11/11/2014 9:12:41 AM:
-- REMINDER DISMISSED --
To: PV
Title: sent [redacted] 10-18
Reminder created: 10/18/14
Days to dismissal: 24
Dismissed By:
 
 
11/11/2014 9:12:18 AM:
[redacted] says no [redacted], confirmed address
and sent again.
 
10/27/2014 8:55:06 AM:
no pv card yet, he's watching.
 
10/18/2014 9:49:28 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: PV
Title: sent [redacted] 10-18
Reminder created: 10/18/14
(Later Dismissed: 11/11/14)
Dismissed By:
 
10/18/2014 9:40:08 AM:
-- REMINDER DISMISSED --
To: PV
Title: Sent [redacted] postcard PV 9/24
Reminder created: 09/29/14
Days to dismissal: 19
Dismissed By:
 
10/18/2014 9:39:58 AM:
No [redacted] card, confirmed address and
sent again.
 
10/18/2014 8:05:09 AM:
Client was on his way to catch a
train, asked me to call later.
 
10/16/2014 8:50:25 PM:
-- REMINDER DISMISSED --
To: RevisionRequests
Title: Please change the promoted url
to http://[redacted]
Reminder created: 10/15/14
Days to dismissal: 1
Dismissed By:
 
10/16/2014 8:50:20 PM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
Title: Updated where needed. Thanks!
Reminder created: 10/16/14
(Later Dismissed: 10/17/14)
Dismissed By:
 
10/16/2014 8:46:21 PM:
--Updated Profile(P:[redacted]) Settings
Info--
Search Terms modified from: to:
Wedding Video, Wedding Photographers, Engagement Photos, Headshots, Video
Production, Wedding Videographer
 
10/15/2014 11:34:43 AM:
Client called in to give us the url
to promote, told him we would change it, wanted an update, told client that he
was very close to the front page, told client that we would optimize the
account and issue sc moving forward, client agreed.
 
--Billing Action--SERVICECREDIT :
Poor Performance - , Amount:199
 
10/15/2014 11:28:33 AM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: RevisionRequests
Title: Please change the promoted url
to http://[redacted]
Reminder created: 10/15/14
(Later Dismissed: 10/16/14)
Dismissed By:
 
9/30/2014 8:00:01 PM:
-- REMINDER CREATED --
To: Team-Onboarding
Title: THIS ACCOUNT HAS FAILED
PAYMENT
Reminder created: 09/30/14
(Later Dismissed: 03/09/15)
Dismissed By:

The client originally filed this complaint in March 2015. Local Splash also responded to the complaint in March 2015. Local Splash stands by its original response made three months ago. It should be noted that the client's rejection to our original response included screenshots or images that could not be viewed by Local Splash. If those images showed the client not ranking on [redacted]'s search results pages, they would not be relevant. It has been over three months since Local Splash last did any local search engine optimization for the client.

We have tried to reach out to this claimant several times to give him his credentials. Each time we call,  he hangs up before we can state the purpose of the call. Our records show no further attempts were made after February of this year. We will check to see if we retained the data for his...

Google places page and contact the claimant.

[redacted] notified us of this action, and we have since had several detailed discussions with him regarding the development of his website. The matter has been resolved and [redacted] has elected to remain a client.

Hello,
My name is [redacted] and I am gathering some information to help investigate the claim. Could you please provide the email that was sent to [redacted] as well as the email address used to send the email? We appreciate your cooperation and patience.

We stand by our original response

Mr. [redacted] signed up for our service on 1/27/14. After review of the recordings between Mr. [redacted] and members of Local Splash, I found no misrepresentation of our service. Our sales representative initially told Mr. [redacted] that Adwords would be a necessary component in achieving his goal of 1st page...

placement in the neighboring 4 counties where he does business. Mr. [redacted] indicated that the subscription price was a little steep for his budget and the representative offered a reduced rate which Mr. [redacted] accepted. The representative failed to mention that this reduced rate would not include an Adwords campaign and for this reason, we are going to give Mr. [redacted] the refund he is requesting.

[redacted] has reached out to the client directly in attempt to solve this matter

vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: transparent;">The client signed up for Local Splash’s services on March 2nd, 2016, and was billed for the first month on  3/2 totaling $199.
The client claims she was mislead into buying a website, when in actuality it was a landing page.   After reviewing all of the calls between Local Splash and the client,  the sales agent used the term ‘webpage’, never website.  There seems to be a miscommunication between the client and sales agent.  When building the webpage/landing page Local Splash uses stock photos based on the industry of the client, until the client electronically sends pictures of their work done (please note no pictures were ever sent in by the client to use on the landing page, so stock photos were used).  The client claims there is no links on the landing page.  When agent described these links he stated Local Splash would put links for [redacted], [redacted], [redacted], [redacted], etc.  All of these links were included.  Again, it seems there was a miscommunication of the wording of what ‘links’ are between the client and sales agent.  When the client called in with questions about the account and landing page, she was not interested in uploading pictures of her work, going over the links that were there, and other issues, the client demanded a refund.  Local Splash is not able to provide a refund owing to the fact that many hours of work have already been done on this account:
3/4/2016 client completed the Client Interview.
3/4/2016 keyword verification, and photo request email sent.
3/8/2016 [redacted] local placement verified.
3/8/2016 [redacted] placement verified.
3/8/2016 [redacted] ID placement verified.
3/8/2016 [redacted] completed ready for promotion.
At this time Local splash does not feel a refund should be authorized, due to the amount of work done on the account.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Hello [redacted]
This is [redacted] responding to the case ID # [redacted]. Kindly excuse my delay in response. I didn't receive the email with the response from Local splash. I only received the email of the case being closed. Nevertheless I was able to see what they had to say after I sent images and explanations to prove that they did not deliver what was promised. I still stand by my allegations for Local Splash and will further explain below;
1. My ranking on the [redacted] pages is still the same as it was in the month of January 2015 when this dispute began. I am first on the [redacted] listing when you search for the key words "wedding videographer [redacted]". I have explained earlier that these keywords were decided by local splash, not me. And I had also explained earlier that as a wedding photographer/videographer in New York, I would not have any benefit of being listed first with such key words. 
2. If Local splash says my position/listing on [redacted] pages was any different from what it is now, they should be able to show proof. In the same way that I am asked to produce proof for my claims. I am repeating, Local Splash has to show proof that they have delivered what I have paid for. 
3. My business is not correctly located on [redacted]. This alone makes it clear that they do not know how to do their job. 
4. Local splash delivered late. The dispute began once local splash was able to show results. Besides the fact that the result was unacceptable, they did so only after I was billed $1000. I was promised results after one month. I have explained earlier that I would have cancelled with local splash after I saw what they delivered, and I would have wasted $200 at the most. But Local splash kept making excuses for delays and also begged for more time.
Kindly take into account these points and my earlier email which contains images/screen shots of my business listing on [redacted] pages which has been unchanged from day 1. If Local splash says the listing has changed, it is only fair to ask them to prove their statements. 
Sincerely, 
[redacted]
Regards,
[redacted]

The video the claimant refers too was "Live" as she states but the content of the video was correct - was only the Title tag of the email sent to her from YOU TUBE (Not Us) that was incorrect. contrary to her claim, this claimant has been coached. and not by Google. Had Google been notified of any "3rd party disclosure violations" as she states, Google would have contacted us immediately. We stand by our original statement, we wish the claimant well.