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Report: #302378

Complaint Review: Internet Advancement - Kirkland Washington

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  • Reported By: Des Moines Washington
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  • Internet Advancement 10210 NE Points Drive, Suite 400 Kirkland, Washington U.S.A.

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As a long time and now former employee of this company, these complaints I've read are true.

This company has stolen from so many people that its not funny. They have employed many unethical sales people, people who promise the moon and then quit .

This company targets online business owners primarily owners who purchase SMC, Stores Online, Volusion and Internet Speedway websites.

The majority of the sites cannot benefit from optimization as they are template based sites.

One year ago, Internet Advancement brought Dwayne Walker in as CEO. Do your research on this guy....most of the companies that he has run are now out of business. Mr. Walker proceeded to wreck havoc with the company. He raised the prices for the programs, raised the monthly fees and lowered the services from Top-10 search engines placement on the major search engines to Top-25 placement on 50 search engines, portals, etc.

Mr. Walker started a 'Content' department that sold overpriced 'comprehensive content' to existing clients that were already paying for an SEO program. He also started a 'Targeted Traffic' department that was supposed to bring in select buyers from relevant sites such as 'marthastewart.com', cbssports.com', 'cardomain.com' as well as pay-per-click advertising from Google and Yahoo. Also, the sales people were instructed to praise something named the 'Partner Network'. What is a partner network ? I found out that this is a group of websites that are owned by Mr. Walker himself !! Go to mypetvideos.com, one of the 'partner' sites. Mr. Walker is collecting advertising from trusting people and that money is going directly into his pocket as he owns not only this 'partner' site, but hundreds more. No one buys from these sites. The 'Targeted Traffic' clients are being ripped off bigtime.

Stay away from this company

Big b
Des Moines, Washington
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/22/2008 01:43 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/internet-advancement/kirkland-washington-98033/internet-advancement-they-really-do-scam-kirkland-washington-302378. 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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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
0Author
8Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#8 Consumer Comment

Get Your Facts Straight Before Slandering Others, Please Brian

AUTHOR: Matt - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Although it appears that you do have a bit of insider knowledge regarding some of the companies you mentioned, I find that many of your facts are not straight, which may or may not have been your intention. Either way, here's some information to clear up the mess you made in your report. This is exactly how bad information gets spread, people without all the facts SPECULATE as to what something is before taking the time to REALLY know. Your opinion is your opinion, no one is asking you to change that, just make sure you don't state factual slander, it may get you into trouble.

First, you are right, the companies are not owned by the same people. Many of them happened to be past employees who were either mistreated or moved onto their own.

Second, you are right in saying that D. Walker is no longer employed by IA.

In regards to the client references you mentioned, only two are company employee sites. If you take the time to look at the contact pages, you'll see the phone numbers, addresses and information are from different states. And yes, they ALL rank rather well, employee or not. It's not because we spend extra time on them, it's because the tools we offer are used in the right ways. Basically, these are some of our oldest customers, they appear on our client page because they all practice what they have been taught by us and can attribute their success to the training they have received.

The individuals you blamed are in no way connected to the mess IA is in with the state AG. As a matter of fact, many of the people you mentioned were no longer employed at IA long before the first AG issue. Frankly, saying that the sales people were the reason for their failure is just plain dumb, its obvious that the owners and managers are the ones to blame as every company is only as strong as the leaders. You used to work at IA too right, in sales I bet? Saying the sales staff is responsible is like saying YOU are responsible, do you think you are the reason they are in a mess with the AG again? Do you think you should be imprisoned? Probably not. Same for others who currently work there or used to in the past.

I agree with your last statement, but in relation to the founders of IA, not any of the other companies. There are some crappy ones out there, that's for sure, everyone should shop around carefully whenever picking an SEO company, or internet service of any kind. No one forces people to sign up with any of these companies, many times a quick reference to the BBB or a search would tell them what they need to know, if they trust those sources.

Many sources, such as ROR, Wikipedia and others appear to be authoritative just because they rank in Google, doesn't mean they are or that the info can always be trusted. Just some food for thought.

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#7 UPDATE EX-employee responds

Gill Walker and Dwayne Walker

AUTHOR: Brian - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

The companies Internet Advancement and Captures/Future Rankings/Web Marketing Source are not owned by the same men who share the 'Walker' name. Dwayne Walker has been removed from employment with Internet Advancement. As a former employee of this company I must say that Mr. Walker is a very conniving and scandalous person.
He enticed the owners of IA with who knows what, and probably came away with some profit. Mr. Walker should never be trusted.
Gil Walker is a former employee of Internet Advancement. If you visit their website and review the 'client' references you should be made aware that these references are actually websites that are owned by Captures employees. Of course these sites are ranking. The founders of Captures (and whatever they call themselves) are part of the reason that Internet Advancement got into trouble with the Washington State Attorney General office. These sleazy salespeople lied to clients, making empty promises and reworking the online marketing agreement so that to even view the agreement the client needed to accept the terms and was charged money. When the Attorney Generals' office stepped in, Gil Walker and others (Glen Jones,Brad, Jose et al) went away and started 'Captures'.
These people should be imprisoned for what they have done and for the scandalous business practices that they utilize.
Please do your research and stay away from companies such as this. While the owners are driving new BMWs and purchasing magnificent homes the consumer is left with nothing but empty promises.

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#6 Consumer Comment

Watch Out For Internet Advancement Clones - New Companies and Ex-employee Scams

AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

UPDATE: PLEASE READ.

A judgement was passed down by the WA Attorney General in January 2008 forcing these guys to cease selling any services related to SEO or Optimization of sites. It appears that they have stopped selling SEO (namely their accelerator programs) to customers they pitch, however the services remain on the site, wording hasn't changed and their SEO services page is still up. If you call and attempt to sign up for any of them, they won't sell it to you, due to the AG order.

They now pitch content and digital marketing services solely and will recommend those packages rather than the ones that basically built their business in the beginning (accelerator programs).

The fact that they cannot sell SEO hasn't stopped them in any way. As I write this, various companies continue to pop-up with strikingly similar business practices (the deceptive ones). These companies sound an aweful lot like the folks at Internet Advancement in my opinion, even some of the testimonials, examples and references are the same, just different services. My belief is that they are either ex-employees of Internet Advancement or are trying to replicate their business model in an attempt to get rich quick.

Keep in mind, the companies listed only appear to practice business in similar ways, nothing is proven, but as I said, the call pitches, testimonials and referrences are either the same or similar.

Here's a list so others are aware...

IEplexus.com - The NEW Internet Advancement.

Offers Wordpress blog setup and theming for outrageous prices along with press releases from PR Web. Both free, both overpriced for what you get. Goes along with the content services IA sells. They work with blogs, yet don't have one. They claim to be social network experts yet cease to exist in any and they are lcated in the same locatino as previous IA offices.

EasyPlacetoShop.com - Ex-employee of Internet Advancement.

Sells high priced directory listings in their directory that has absolutely no popularity. Basic listing and submissions, no core services. Basically a spin off or IA's 4greatbuys.com directory model. The site is newer.

I am sure there are more out there. These are a few of the newer ones and some not so new knock-offs. The company featured in this article not only ripped off thousands, but they also trained hundreds of motivated, sleazy people a way to make money without actually doing anything. it has, and will continue to reap havoc in our industry as long as it continues. These guys are only one company like this, I am sure there are others who start this cycle, not knowing how many will be affected by it. Not just the clients the service (which is bad enough), but also the industry, the peope in it, and the ability to open a new reputable company without having to jump through a bunch of FTC and merchant account company hoops.

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#5 Consumer Comment

Watch Out For Internet Advancement Clones - New Companies and Ex-employee Scams

AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

UPDATE: PLEASE READ.

A judgement was passed down by the WA Attorney General in January 2008 forcing these guys to cease selling any services related to SEO or Optimization of sites. It appears that they have stopped selling SEO (namely their accelerator programs) to customers they pitch, however the services remain on the site, wording hasn't changed and their SEO services page is still up. If you call and attempt to sign up for any of them, they won't sell it to you, due to the AG order.

They now pitch content and digital marketing services solely and will recommend those packages rather than the ones that basically built their business in the beginning (accelerator programs).

The fact that they cannot sell SEO hasn't stopped them in any way. As I write this, various companies continue to pop-up with strikingly similar business practices (the deceptive ones). These companies sound an aweful lot like the folks at Internet Advancement in my opinion, even some of the testimonials, examples and references are the same, just different services. My belief is that they are either ex-employees of Internet Advancement or are trying to replicate their business model in an attempt to get rich quick.

Keep in mind, the companies listed only appear to practice business in similar ways, nothing is proven, but as I said, the call pitches, testimonials and referrences are either the same or similar.

Here's a list so others are aware...

IEplexus.com - The NEW Internet Advancement.

Offers Wordpress blog setup and theming for outrageous prices along with press releases from PR Web. Both free, both overpriced for what you get. Goes along with the content services IA sells. They work with blogs, yet don't have one. They claim to be social network experts yet cease to exist in any and they are lcated in the same locatino as previous IA offices.

EasyPlacetoShop.com - Ex-employee of Internet Advancement.

Sells high priced directory listings in their directory that has absolutely no popularity. Basic listing and submissions, no core services. Basically a spin off or IA's 4greatbuys.com directory model. The site is newer.

I am sure there are more out there. These are a few of the newer ones and some not so new knock-offs. The company featured in this article not only ripped off thousands, but they also trained hundreds of motivated, sleazy people a way to make money without actually doing anything. it has, and will continue to reap havoc in our industry as long as it continues. These guys are only one company like this, I am sure there are others who start this cycle, not knowing how many will be affected by it. Not just the clients the service (which is bad enough), but also the industry, the peope in it, and the ability to open a new reputable company without having to jump through a bunch of FTC and merchant account company hoops.

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#4 Consumer Comment

Watch Out For Internet Advancement Clones - New Companies and Ex-employee Scams

AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

UPDATE: PLEASE READ.

A judgement was passed down by the WA Attorney General in January 2008 forcing these guys to cease selling any services related to SEO or Optimization of sites. It appears that they have stopped selling SEO (namely their accelerator programs) to customers they pitch, however the services remain on the site, wording hasn't changed and their SEO services page is still up. If you call and attempt to sign up for any of them, they won't sell it to you, due to the AG order.

They now pitch content and digital marketing services solely and will recommend those packages rather than the ones that basically built their business in the beginning (accelerator programs).

The fact that they cannot sell SEO hasn't stopped them in any way. As I write this, various companies continue to pop-up with strikingly similar business practices (the deceptive ones). These companies sound an aweful lot like the folks at Internet Advancement in my opinion, even some of the testimonials, examples and references are the same, just different services. My belief is that they are either ex-employees of Internet Advancement or are trying to replicate their business model in an attempt to get rich quick.

Keep in mind, the companies listed only appear to practice business in similar ways, nothing is proven, but as I said, the call pitches, testimonials and referrences are either the same or similar.

Here's a list so others are aware...

IEplexus.com - The NEW Internet Advancement.

Offers Wordpress blog setup and theming for outrageous prices along with press releases from PR Web. Both free, both overpriced for what you get. Goes along with the content services IA sells. They work with blogs, yet don't have one. They claim to be social network experts yet cease to exist in any and they are lcated in the same locatino as previous IA offices.

EasyPlacetoShop.com - Ex-employee of Internet Advancement.

Sells high priced directory listings in their directory that has absolutely no popularity. Basic listing and submissions, no core services. Basically a spin off or IA's 4greatbuys.com directory model. The site is newer.

I am sure there are more out there. These are a few of the newer ones and some not so new knock-offs. The company featured in this article not only ripped off thousands, but they also trained hundreds of motivated, sleazy people a way to make money without actually doing anything. it has, and will continue to reap havoc in our industry as long as it continues. These guys are only one company like this, I am sure there are others who start this cycle, not knowing how many will be affected by it. Not just the clients the service (which is bad enough), but also the industry, the peope in it, and the ability to open a new reputable company without having to jump through a bunch of FTC and merchant account company hoops.

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#3 Consumer Comment

Watch Out For Internet Advancement Clones - New Companies and Ex-employee Scams

AUTHOR: James - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 05, 2008

UPDATE: PLEASE READ.

A judgement was passed down by the WA Attorney General in January 2008 forcing these guys to cease selling any services related to SEO or Optimization of sites. It appears that they have stopped selling SEO (namely their accelerator programs) to customers they pitch, however the services remain on the site, wording hasn't changed and their SEO services page is still up. If you call and attempt to sign up for any of them, they won't sell it to you, due to the AG order.

They now pitch content and digital marketing services solely and will recommend those packages rather than the ones that basically built their business in the beginning (accelerator programs).

The fact that they cannot sell SEO hasn't stopped them in any way. As I write this, various companies continue to pop-up with strikingly similar business practices (the deceptive ones). These companies sound an aweful lot like the folks at Internet Advancement in my opinion, even some of the testimonials, examples and references are the same, just different services. My belief is that they are either ex-employees of Internet Advancement or are trying to replicate their business model in an attempt to get rich quick.

Keep in mind, the companies listed only appear to practice business in similar ways, nothing is proven, but as I said, the call pitches, testimonials and referrences are either the same or similar.

Here's a list so others are aware...

IEplexus.com - The NEW Internet Advancement.

Offers Wordpress blog setup and theming for outrageous prices along with press releases from PR Web. Both free, both overpriced for what you get. Goes along with the content services IA sells. They work with blogs, yet don't have one. They claim to be social network experts yet cease to exist in any and they are lcated in the same locatino as previous IA offices.

EasyPlacetoShop.com - Ex-employee of Internet Advancement.

Sells high priced directory listings in their directory that has absolutely no popularity. Basic listing and submissions, no core services. Basically a spin off or IA's 4greatbuys.com directory model. The site is newer.

I am sure there are more out there. These are a few of the newer ones and some not so new knock-offs. The company featured in this article not only ripped off thousands, but they also trained hundreds of motivated, sleazy people a way to make money without actually doing anything. it has, and will continue to reap havoc in our industry as long as it continues. These guys are only one company like this, I am sure there are others who start this cycle, not knowing how many will be affected by it. Not just the clients the service (which is bad enough), but also the industry, the peope in it, and the ability to open a new reputable company without having to jump through a bunch of FTC and merchant account company hoops.

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#2 UPDATE Employee

We are in no way affiliated with them, it's a very common last name, very different business practices

AUTHOR: Matt - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, February 25, 2008

Citizen,

I have posted this to you before, but here it is again in case you missed it.

Captures and WMS are in no way affiliated with IA. There have been individuals who have worked here who also used to be employed by IA (not in upper management), however the number is less than 10 in about 4 years in business for WMS. Their offices used to be right across the street from us, so it would make sense that some of them would come over here after the way they were supposedly treated there, however we have had no issues with any of them during their time here, or they wouldn't be employed with us.

Captures has actually been registered as a business longer than IA. First as a sole proprietorship in 1998 during their freelance design days, then as a full corporation selling eCommerce solutions.

Kindly refrain from throwing others in the same boat as IA (their management is responsible for what has happened before and since 2004, not their sales reps), especially when you are not aware of all the details to begin with.

Don't get me wrong, I strongly dislike their ethical approach to the business, so I appreciate you spreading the word about them, however I do have a problem with pointing fingers at others just because 'a few' employees may have worked there at one time. I know WMS and Captures try very hard to do the right thing always (our customers and employees are #1), otherwise I wouldn't work there myself and publicly state it in my Online profiles.

Every business gets complaints, it's what you do about them that sets the good ones apart. Seems IA hasn't done anything about theirs, that's why they are in the mess they are in, not because of the people who worked their under managers who should know better than to let the issues continue for so many years.

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#1 Consumer Comment

Is Dwayne Walker Related to Gilbert Walker?

AUTHOR: Concerned Citizen - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I commend you...for your honesty...and thank you so much for taking the time to write in...as your report may help so many out there being contacted by this company...by confirming (if they're even remotely considering it) Internet Advancement is NOT the right company to go with.

I was wondering...if by chance the CEO Dwayne Walker is related to Gilbert Walker, who is the head of Captures.com, a company that has the exact same M/O as Internet Advancement. Myself and countless others...have been hurt by Captures.com, and caught up in the exact same scheme as Internet Advancement.

Many have thought these companies are somehow owned by the same people...or a partnership of some sort...which may or may not be true. But if these two individuals ARE related...then...even if the companys are not officially owned and operated by the same person...they ARE in some way related.

Thanks for your help.

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