Monday, December 31, 2007

Gotcha! What it is and how it works

Do you have an experience you wish to share with the Internet community?

Here are the rules to make certain only the truth appears here: You must be able to confirm the facts.

You must be honest.
You are invited to post your comments and experiences here or send an email to gotcha@GrandLifestyle.com.

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO RIGHT A WRONG. We do this
by letting the truth be known and warning one and all
helping you with an energetic effort to resolve the problem
cooperating with the appropriate authorities if necessary.




Sunday, October 01, 2006

Condo*monium — True Condo Episodes

Flashbacks to the cold realities of life (it's the cherished grand lifestyle's other side) cannot be overlooked and oftentimes stand taller than fiction. I present here articles in chronological order reported in Grand Lifestyle magazine based on the actual events.

The nonagenarian and the "property buyers"

Don't be mistaken. We are not presenting here a fable intent on challenging Aesop's fame. Here we present the truth and nothing but the truth. Hopefully, it will also serve as a warning.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Do the dragon and nuance speaking naturally
serve you well?

DRAGON: 1. a mythical monster generally represented as a huge, winged reptile with crested head and enormous claws and teeth, and often spouting fire.
2. a fierce, violent person.
NUANCE: 1. a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc.
2. a very slight difference or variation in color or tome.
NATURAL: 1. existing in or formed by nature.
2. free from affection or constraint.

Here's a typical case of customer service having gone to the dogs. Or is it to the dragons? The naturally speaking dragon! Or should it be called a voice recognition monster?

Let me share with you an experience — however, I do not claim to wrestle with a dragon. I simply wanted to get a simple question to their heavily publicized proclamation answered. Who doesn't get annoyed when he or she is being ignored. Frankly, I must admit, I was annoyed — and still am. Actually, I am very disappointed because "Dragon Naturally Speaking" is a good product; it just got kicked around like an orphan from foster parents to foster parents. And now it's in the hands of Nuance Communications, Inc. Of couse, sadly, some foster parents in the world of homo sapiens use the foster children as vehicles for putting money into their pockets.

This is what it's all about: In conjunction with an intended upgrade, I want to buy a digital recorder to record interviews away from my computer. Visiting the Nuance website at http://www.nuance.com/, I bumped into the following statement under the heading "Key Benefits": "MOBILE -- Dictate into any Nuance-certified handheld device for automatic transcription when you synch with your PC." Great! All I need to do is find out which of the multitude of available recorders are "Nuance-certified" for use with Dragon Naturally Speaking. That, I discovered, is more difficult to discover than what the brothers Fidel and Raul Castro are up to these days. The Nuance website refused to give the answer.

I wrote a letter to Paul Ricci, Chairman and CEO of Nuance Communications, Inc. (http://www.nuance.com/), now the owner and seller of this wonderful voice recognition program we have all known for years as "Dragon Naturally Speaking". Let me give you the contents of the letter here. It explains all.

May 1, 2006
Mr. Paul Ricci
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Nuance Communications, Inc.
One Wayside Road
Burlington, MA 01803
Via facsimile: 781-565-5001 (2 pages)
Via email: Paul.Ricci@nuance.com
Subject: Customer Service and Marketing Strategies — Dragon Naturally Speaking
Dear Mr. Ricci:
By way of introduction:
I purchased Dragon Naturally Speaking, Version 6 Professional on September 3, 2002 (Serial Number And PREF-6-000651).
Furthermore, I recommended your program to a friend and client. This latter action caused me to raise eyebrows and brings me now to the brink of regretting both of my decisions of choosing Dragon Naturally Speaking. And here is why: I need answers to the following questions before going forward with purchasing and installing the program for my friend and client:
1. Will Dragon Naturally Speaking 8 Preferred work with Microsoft WordPad? Your website does not specifically identify WordPad but states that the program works with "virtually all Windows®-based applications."
2. Which are the "Nuance-certified handheld devices[s] for automatic transcription"?

During the past four weeks I submitted these questions TWICE to Nuance via your company's email customer service inquiry system. The response from Nuance? None! Zilch! Nada! We also invested our valuable time in pursuit of the following:
1. We searched a number of websites (including nuance.com) selling your products and could not find the answers.
2. We visited two computer stores in Miami that sell your products and could not find the answers.
3. We carefully read everything printed on the outside of your program's packaging and could not find the answers.

Isn't what I report here disappointing? I will gladly supply detailed information, including dates and names, in support of my report. How would you feel and what would you do if you were in my shoes? I am frustrated. In an abundance of caution, I express dismay. How can you create a successful company with the evidence of such poor marketing techniques? Making certain customer service works flawlessly and no customer is left in the dark is the unchallengeable prerequisite for making a customer happy. A satisfied customer is your best salesperson. I am not satisfied. I am disappointed.
Sincerely yours,
Heinz Dinter, PhD
c: Kristen Wylie Kristen.Wylie@nuance.com

Have I heard from the voice recognition software purveyor? Nope. I am puzzled. I don't understand. Why can I not get an answer? Not even from Kristen Wylie who is in charge of providing "detailed information about Nuance and our products". I mailed my request. I faxed it. I emailed it. Oops! Perhaps I should have contracted with a flying dragon to deliver my easily answered inquiry. I am annoyed. I am their customer and go to the trouble to sit down and write the man a letter — and the folks at Nuance ignore me. What an ANNUANCE! Frankly speaking, I don't understand the finer nuances of Nuance's customer service business practices. Do you? Will sprinkling pepper on the dragon’s tail make him curtail his vivid running away from a simple customer service issue? What's your take on this dragon adventure? What's your experience? Please let all of us know.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Hitting the roof for a septuagenarian widow:
The shameful business practices of dealing with helpless hurricane victims

Not even Wilma — that's Hurricane Wilma — terrified the septuagenarian widow as much as those who promised to put a new roof on her home of 49 years.
Let us present here for your review and commentary the chronology of events that document the shameful acts of this South Florida roofing company.

October 24, 2005, Monday: Hurricane Wilma hit Fort Lauderdale with devastating fury.
February 25, 2006, Saturday: Patricia Niesel, the hurricane victim, gave a $5,500 check to Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc. as a down payment demanded by Pro-Line for a roof replacement job quoted to cost a total of $11,997.86. The check was cashed promptly and without delay.
June 24, 2006, Saturday: My email to Paul and Je DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 24, 2006 4:19 PM
To: 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'deepscubadive@yahoo.com'; 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: Patricia Niesel
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
a Florida corporation, License # CCC1326537
Mr. Paul A. DeBeer, President
Mr. Joe DeBeer, Vive President Sales
3529 Brink Circle, Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Reference: Patricia Niesel’s home at 4411 SW 24 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317
Dear Messrs. DeBeer:
Mrs. Niesel has asked me to communicate with you.
On February 25, 2006, Mrs. Niesel gave your company a check in the amount of $5,500 as a down payment for a roofing job for which you quoted her a total price of $11,997.86. The check cleared on February 28.
To date you have neither scheduled the job nor given Mrs. Niesel any indication when the job will be scheduled.
It is my understanding the permit for this job was issued by the City of Fort Lauderdale on or about the week of June 12, 2006. Mrs. Niesel had telephoned 877-306-7663 and was so advised by your representative in the Fort Lauderdale office.
Inasmuch as we again have entered the hurricane season and time is of the essence, I will appreciate your letting me know via return email forthwith and without delay when you will commence this job.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Heinz Dinter, PhD
June 25, 2006, Sunday: Joe DeBeer's email to me.
From: Joe DeBeer [mailto:motoryacht1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 11:28 AM
To: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com
Subject: Re: Patricia Niesel
Thank you very much for you letter, I am afarid I have recieved this email in error, I run the west coast and my brother runs the east coast, So I am not aware of any customers over there, But I will check into this for you and get back with you as soon as possiable, if you would like to contact me you may do so at 239-272-3554 and I will do my best to help you, I will say that the east coast permitting threw the building department is a mess, and very timely delays are do to them, but I can not say for sure, so give me a few days and I will get you some answers, If you where my customer here on the west cost, you would be done by now and have a smile on your face! Please give me a few days and I will check into this for you and respond asap! thanks for your letter Joey DeBeer
June 25, 2006, Sunday: My email to Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2006 12:21 PM
To: 'Joe DeBeer'; 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'deepscubadive@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)Subject:
RE: Patricia Niesel
Thank you, Joe, for your prompt response. I appreciate it.
Is your brother Paul A. DeBeer, the president of Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.? I assume your brother will look into this matter because he, too, received my email.
Inasmuch as we were informed by one of your employees that the permit has been issued, we should no longer be held back by the Fort Lauderdale Building Department.
Please let me know if we can be of assistance and look forward to the completion of this job ASAP.
Heinz Dinter
June 26, 2006, Monday: My email to Paul DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 4:54 PM
To: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com)
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com); 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Subject: Patricia Niesel
Mr. Paul Allen DeBeer, President
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Good afternoon, Mr. DeBeer.
I was looking forward to hearing from you today.
As I advised you in my email of June 24, Mrs. Niesel had been informed by your Fort Lauderdale office staff that the permit had been issued with the permit number 06-049-77.
However, I learned today that no permit with this permit number has been issued.
Also, there appears to be no record of your company, Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc., with Broward County.
Please let me know where we stand with this project.
Heinz Dinter
June 27, 2006, Tuesday: Joe DeBeer's email to me.
From: Joe DeBeer [mailto:motoryacht1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 5:04 PM
To: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com
Cc: Paul alan DeBeer
Subject: Re: Patricia Niesel
Good afternoon to you too,
Yes we are too, registered with them, lic#CCC1326537 and have been so for a while, and I am great standing with all who do business with me, I am not , Involved with the west coast, in any way, My brother ,the owner of this company, handles all that goes on there, But for you I have spend some time getting to the bottom of all this, and here it goes, First ,The Secretary has had eye surgery,and has been gone for a week or so, god help them without her there, and the phone is out with sprint,Repair order has been in now 2 weeks) and yes your your permit was applied for and was rejected due to No Fire rating and no N.O.A. rating on ridge vent system, so we gathered those two documents and fax them ,and received notice it was ready to be picked up,
When arriving, to pick up permit was informed that it was given to the wrong person and we now have to start all over, even though they know who they gave it too!?
I have also been informed that you have just within the last 30 days went to contract and your file is just over 30 days old? If so please tell me what time table you had in mind and i will pass it along and see if i can speed the process up for you!
Roof replacements in your part of the country are harder than any other place in the whole U.S. to receive, they are very short staffed and have HUGH attitudes to match,
It is not just go file a permit , you have to show proof, of U.L testing on all material before issuing a permit, the price we charged you has to be disclosed and the pitch of the roof ,etc. etc. and it does go on and on. I would think, that it would take 30 days for permitting and material special orders to be placed. and than a 30 days to work your way to the top of the list, and 4 day to complete the work, bare in mind every day it rains or has greater chance of 40% of rain,adds another day to your wait, I will not open a roof up unless it is lower than that, for insurance purposes, and liability,. I hope this helps you with this understanding of how difficult this really is, If you will have some Patience and some understanding , I am sure your turn will come soon, Just bare with us , If you can not wait , for some reason , please let me know and I will speak to my brother about a refund of moneys unspent in your file, But please don't miss-understand it is my brothers call, not mine, and this is a little job, 11K if we refund the unspent money and you started all over with some other contractor, would you get the best job , like we do? would it be more likely your Wait will be longer with a smaller company? Most great contractors are booked Months in advanced, and I would be very careful with anyone who said they could do it right away? I was very busy before Charlie hit and after I was overloaded, we where just about to see day light and take some time off for ourselves and Wilma hit, and yes we are still in overload, I have enjoyed theses letters to you and welcome your responce! have agreat day. Joey DeBeer
June 28, 2006, Wednesday: My email to Paul and Joe Debeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 11:32 AM
To: 'Joe DeBeer'; Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com)
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: RE: Patricia Niesel
Mr. Paul Allen DeBeer, President
Mr. Joe DeBeer, Vice President
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Dear Messrs. DeBeer:
Mr. Joe DeBeer’s email dated June 27, 2006 prevents me from responding in detail because I am unable to fully understand the details of his message.
Here’s one point of contradiction: In his June 25 email Joe states “I run the west coast and my brother runs the east coast.” In his June 27 email Joe states, “I am not involved with the west coast in any way; my brother, the owner of this company, handles all that goes on there.”
Let us cut through the chaff and deal with what is at issue: Patricia Niesel needs her home’s roof repaired and you promised to do the job in a reasonable, timely and professional manner. Pat gave you a good-faith deposit of $5,500 on April 25, 2006.
As you know, Pat is a 74-year old widow who is not qualified to deal with complicated business matters; that’s why she asked for help.
Gentlemen, we will work with you and cooperate with you if you, too, will act in good faith. Please give us a date certain when you will complete this job, fulfill your commitment, and you will have a grateful customer on your side who will thank you for a job well done.
Time is of the essence. Please respond with a firm commitment via email not later than Thursday, June 29, 2006.
Sincerely,
Heinz Dinter, PhD
June 30, 2006, Friday: My email to Paul and Joe DeBeer
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 12:05 AM
To: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com); 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: Patricia Niesel
Mr. Paul Allen DeBeer, President
Mr. Joe DeBeer, Vice President
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Dear Messrs. DeBeer:
Your failure to respond to my email of Wednesday, June 28, 2006 and your past actions and representations prompts Mrs. Niesel to demand the return of her deposit of $5,500 and terminate any and all relations with Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
My efforts in pursuit of truth and justice are not limited to sharing the facts of experiences in my blog. The news media, including but not limited to The News-Press, Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, the South Florida Business Journal, will receive all information and materials should we fail in securing your cooperation.
Of course, this matter will also be turned over to the appropriate authorities should you not resolve this matter in a fair and just manner.
I have been requested by Mrs. Niesel to issue the following demand to you: Return the deposit of $5,500 to be received by Mrs. Niesel not later than Monday, July 3, 2006 and to be delivered to 4411 SW 24 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317. You must confirm your honoring this demand in an email to me at hdinter@grandlifestyle.com and to be sent by you not later than 4:00 pm, Friday, June 30, 2006.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. PLEASE GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY.
Sincerely,
Heinz Dinter, PhD
June 30, 2006, Friday: My email to Paul and Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 4:07 PM
To: 'HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com'; Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com); 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: RE: Patricia Niesel
Mr. Paul Allen DeBeer, President
Mr. Joe DeBeer, Vice President
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Dear Messrs. DeBeer:
I am desperately attempting in a good-faith effort to communicate with you, to wit:
At 3:09 pm I telephoned 877-306-7663 and left a message for Paul DeBeer requesting he return my call today or he leaves us no choice to send a certified letter requesting the return of Mrs. Niesel’s $5,500 deposit and reporting this matter to the appropriate authorities.
At 3:12 pm I telephoned 239-765-7663. This telephone number has been “temporarily discontinued.”
At 3:13 pm I telephoned 239-272-3554 and left a message for Joe DeBeer requesting he return my call today or he leaves us no choice to send a certified letter requesting the return of Mrs. Niesel’s $5,500 deposit and reporting this matter to the appropriate authorities.
At 3:29 pm Joe DeBeer returned my call. He reiterated that the Fort Lauderdale office is not his responsibility and refers me to his brother, Paul DeBeer.
At 3:43 pm Paul DeBeer called. He will expedite this matter and call me on Thursday, July 6 to confirm a schedule which should call for a completion of the job within three weeks, but not later than July 31.
Please note: I had begun writing this email before both of you called me. Hence, consider this email as a record of what has transpired today and reflects a record of our understanding.
Many thanks for calling and your promise to get this job done before the end of July.
Pat will be relieved to hear the good news.
July 3, 2006, Monday: My email to Paul DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 2:19 PM
To: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com)
Subject: Patricia Niesel
Paul, just to follow up on our conversation today: You will go forward to do Pat’s job and try to do it within the next two weeks.
Please ignore the June 30 letter you will receive.
If any problem needs taking care of, call me and we take care of it.
Heinz
July 25, 2006, Tuesday: My email to Paul and Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 10:42 PM
To: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com); 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: FW: Patricia Niesel
Good morning, Paul.
This email is for the record.
On Tuesday, July 11, you telephoned me from your Fort Lauderdale office and confirmed the job is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 18 and 19.
Since then repeated calls to you and attempts by Pat to meet with you at your office failed. You did not return any of my calls.
For example, Leslie’s assurance to Pat that you will be in your office beginning 2:00 pm, Tuesday, July 25 turned out to be incorrect. Pat went to your office and no one was there. Etc., etc.
Leslie told Pat that the permit was posted on the property and acted surprised when Pat told her that there is no permit posted and Leslie tried to convince Pat that the permit was posted. Paul, there really is no need for such antics.
I left you a message this morning, to wit:
Pat needs a contract with itemized list of all materials and services required by the SBA.
There is no permit posted at Pat’s property. Pat needs three copies of the building permit for the lender/insurer.
Pat needs proof of liability insurance required by the lender SBA .
Pat needs the paperwork she left at your office returned to her and have your and Pat’s signature notarized.
Any further delays coupled with inconsistencies in your and Leslie’s representations jeopardize Pat’s status with lender and insurer.
Heavy rains have penetrated the interior of the home, part of the ceiling caved in, and mold is creating a most severe situation.
Paul, why? I am very disappointed — and Pat is devastated. We definitely did not expect this type of business relationship.
Heinz
August 1, 2006, Tuesday: My email to Paul and Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 10:34 AM
To: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com); 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: Patricia Niesel
Paul DeBeer and Joe DeBeer,
Please be advised of our decision — based on our utter frustration caused by your conduct — to turn our files, including numerous supporting notes, over to the appropriate authorities with copies to The News-Press, the Sun-Sentinel and The Miami Herald on Thursday, August 3, 2006 unless you can show good cause why we should not do so.
I am now tired of your many empty, false, and self-serving promises. You won’t even take my telephone calls. Frankly, I have never witnessed business practices as those carried out by you under the name Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
August 4, 2006, Friday: My email to Paul and Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 11:38 AM
To: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com); 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'motoryacht1@yahoo.com'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: Patricia Niesel
Messrs. Paul DeBeer and Joe DeBeer,
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
For the record, it is now Friday and your promises continue to be empty, deliberately misleading promises.
The problems identified in the re-tag notice remain uncorrected.
I telephoned your Fort Lauderdale office at 11:04 am and Paul’s cell phone at 11:06 am. No one answered either phone so I left a message requesting a call back to let me know the status of this job. No one called back.
August 4, 2006, Friday: Joe DeBeer's email to me.
From: Joe DeBeer [mailto: motoryacht1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 1:14 PM
To: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com
Cc: Paul alan DeBeer
Subject: Re: Patricia Niesel
Do not write to me at my email address, again , or i will report you to the authorities,
Your problems are on the east coast and i am on the west coast and have NOTHING at to do with the east coast, at all, respectfully Joe DeBeer
August 4, 2006, Friday: My email to Joe DeBeer with copy to Paul DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Friday, August 04, 2006 2:09 PM
To: 'Joe DeBeer'
Cc: 'Paul alan DeBeer'; 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'; Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com):
Subject: RE: Patricia Niesel
Dear Mr. Joe DeBeer:
You are an official/officer/owner/employee/agent of Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc. and also the brother of Paul DeBeer, president of the corporation, and you have in the past been personally involved in this matter. Therefore, we have the right communicating with you unless you obtain a restraining order from a judge.
My including you in communications re the job your company contracted for is, for one, intended to prevent anyone from claiming of not being advised of your company’s handling of this matter.
I welcome your reporting me to the authorities; it will eliminate my doing so.
Here’s a simple and quick solution: Pro-Line does what has been promised many times and complete the job on Mrs. Niesel’s home.
Let me take this opportunity to document a few facts:
When the workmen were doing the work that resulted in the red-tag notice, they admitted that their nail gun was not working properly.
Yesterday, Thursday, August 3, someone in a white truck arrived at Pat’s house at approximately 5:30 pm. Was it Paul? He climbed onto the roof and doing something on the roof. He made a mess and then tossed a milk carton containing tar into the recycling bin.
The nails on the roof are sticking out.
We are being kept in the dark. Our telephone call are not being returned.
Again, why don’t you and your brother make sure promises are kept and the job is completed?
Sincerely,
Heinz Dinter
August 6, 2006, Sunday: My email to Joe DeBeer with copy to Paul DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com] Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2006 2:09 PM
To: joe@prolineconstruction1.com ; motoryacht1@yahoo.com
Cc: paul@prolineconstruction1.com ; Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com) ; Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: For the Record: Mrs. Patricia Niesel
Mr. Joe DeBeer, V.P. Sales
Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Dear Mr. DeBeer:
Further to your email communication of August 4, 2006 in which you demanded I do not communicate with you regarding Pro-Line’s contract with Mrs. Niesel for the repair of her home’s roof, the victim of Hurricane Wilma. To wit: “Do not write to me at my email address, again, or i will report you to the authorities.”
Inasmuch as your company’s website (http://www.prolineconstruction1.com/) presents you to the public as a corporate officer with the title “V.P. Sales” (I am taking the liberty of concluding that “V” stands for “Vice” and “P” stands for “President”, turning the acronym into a corporate title to be known as such by the public) and Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc. is presented to the public as “Family owned and proudly serving your community”, I am puzzled, flabbergasted and confused by your desperate attempt to stop communication with the public in general and customers in particular who have handed over thousands of dollars to Pro-Line, expected your company to honor its promises and contractual commitments, and get the job done in a timely and satisfactory manner to assure an inspection by the authorities resulting in “passing with flying colors”. As you will recall you accepted $5,500 from Mrs. Niesel on February 25, 2006. What is the status today? Your work has not yet passed inspection. When will the job be completed?
On July 27 your crew worked on the roof for the first time. The inspection by Fort Lauderdale authorities resulted in a red tag: your work flunked the inspection on numerous points. On August 3, a one-man effort with messy results (was it your brother Paul who climbed onto the roof?) was observed and reported on August 4. Another one-man effort was observed on Saturday, August 5 at approximately 7:28 pm: one of your people (employee?) arrived in a Pro-Line marked truck and climbed onto the roof with his roommate (he represented he is not working for Pro-Line) holding the ladder.
If you as a corporate officer demand members of the public, especially those who are your customers and have given your “Family owned and proudly serving your community” company thousands of dollars up-front not communicate with 50% of the corporate officers (your brother Paul represents the remaining 50% wearing the hat labeled “President”) then there must be others who can and will communicate with members of the community you assure to be “proudly serving”.
One other representative/employee of Pro-Line is Ms. Leslie Maloney. Unfortunately, in tune with the practice of the management she reports to, the majority of telephone calls to the company (877-306-7663 and 954-922-8909) goes straight into voicemail and, sadly, goes no further because these calls are not returned. Calls to your brother Paul’s cellphone at 239-634-7232 suffer the same fate.
Well, where should and will those turn who crave for “Customer Satisfaction is #1 Priority” (that’s what you promise on your website)?
You let the public know of Pro-Line’s membership in several organization for the purpose of gaining the confidence and trust of the public (or is it something else?). Would it then not be reasonable to suggest your members pitch in and accept oral and written communications on your behalf — and give straight and honest answers?
Let us refresh your memory and list these membership organizations here:
Building Trades Association; Consumer Fraud Awareness; BBB (Better Business Bureau?); National Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association of America.
I will gladly do the research and dig up names of officials, telephone numbers, fax numbers, email address, and mailing addresses. Please let me know if you concur.
One other puzzling fact: The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations has no record of you, Joe DeBeer. Why not?
While on the subject, how did you and brother Paul (presuming there’s no one else owning and/or managing your company) amass “over 20 years of experience” as told to the public on your website when the public record clearly documents your roofing company came into being less than two years ago when it was registered with the Division of Corporation on August 18, 2004?
Joe, why don’t you and your brother Paul live up to your promise of “Customer Satisfaction is #1 Priority” and your website representation of being “Experienced — Responsive — Reliable” and finish the roof of Mrs. Niesel’s home, the septuagenarian widow who has suffered greatly at the hands of Hurricane Wilma’s devastating force and Pro-Line’s shock-inducing and self-serving business practices, and who wants to live in her home again.
Sincerely,
Heinz Dinter, PhD
PS: One final question. Who are your satisfied customers? A blog inviting them to step forward will give us the answers.
August 7, 2006, Monday: Joe DeBeer's email to me.
From: Joe DeBeer [mailto:motoryacht1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 8:40 AM
To: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com:
Subject: Re: For the Record: Mrs. Patricia Niesel
STOP writing to my email address this is none of my business!
August 7, 2006, Monday: My email to Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 11:12 AM
To: 'Joe DeBeer'
Cc: Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com)
Subject: RE: For the Record: Mrs. Patricia Niesel
Joe, I will gladly honor your request and not communicate with you anymore — including re matters pertaining to Pro-Line business — if and only if you no longer are represented to the public as a corporate officer of Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc.
Of course, as suggested before, you have the option of seeking a restraining order from a judge of competent jurisdiction.
I repeat my appeal to you and your brother Paul: Please complete satisfactorily and acceptable to the Broward County authorities the roofing job on Mrs. Niesel’s home.
August 7, 2006, Monday: Joe DeBeer's email to me.
From: Joe DeBeer [mailto:motoryacht1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 12:52 PM
To: HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com:
Subject: RE: For the Record: Mrs. Patricia Niesel
All I am saying to you is I have no control of what happen on the east coast, you need to get in touch with my brother Paul, I am in fort Myers beach and a Run a perfect ship here, with no complaints or beefs, and have over 300 completed roofs here.
I am not trying to be mean, i just cant help you with your east coast problems other than call my brother and compain to him . respectfully Joey DeBeer
August 7, 2006, Monday: My email to Joe DeBeer.
From: Heinz Dinter, PhD [mailto:HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com]
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 1:18 PM
To: 'Joe DeBeer'
Cc: Paul Allen DeBeer (deepscubadive@yahoo.com); Pat Niesel (DNiesel@hotmail.com); 'paul@prolineconstruction1.com'; 'joe@prolineconstruction1.com'
Subject: RE: For the Record: Mrs. Patricia Niesel
Joe, the claims in your email do not limit your corporate responsibility and liability to what happens on the west coast of Florida. You are “V.P. Sales” of Pro-Line Roofing & Construction, Inc. As long as you are a corporate officer and present yourself as such to the public (see your website, http://www.prolineconstruction1.com/) you are liable for what the corporation does anywhere in the world, including Timbuktu.

This blog posting is not yet completed.
Please come back soon.
How did you fare during the hurricane, any hurricane? What was or is your experience?
Please join our efforts in disseminating the truth by posting your comment and experience here.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Majon International:
Matthew Hesser just takes the money


This company — claiming to be "Internet Marketing Specialists" — offers services to the public using the following websites: www.majon.us, www.majon.com, www.majon.cc, www.majon.net, www.safeannounce.com, www.clickexposure.com, and www.coolsurveys.com.

Majon International owner and president:
Matthew Hesser, matthewh@majon.com

Is Majon International a one-man show?
Though I have received email communications from Majon International with the senders shown as Tom Harris, Jake Klamka, Monique Vautor, and Matthew Hesser, I have never spoken with anyone except Hesser.

A most deceitful practice pursued by Majon International:
The use of testimonials that are grossly misleading, false, or phony.

The Better Business Bureau reports complaints against Majon:
http://www.bbbonline.org/cks.asp?id=10109071224619023

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What are the issues?
Are they fraud, deception, false advertising?
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Here's the truth about one experience, let's call it the "Power Blast Explosion" gimmick.


I ordered Majon International's "popular SAFE ANNOUNCE (Power Blast) Email Service", paid for the service one month ago, and Majon promised to send out 450,000 opt-in email messages.

The result: There has been no response whatsoever to this alleged mailing. None! Zero! Zilch! (By the way, they claimed to have mailed 900,000; see below) And no one at Majon, including the company's owner and president, Matthew Hesser, has responded in a responsible manner to my numerous emails.

Was I the victim of a con? You decide.



Let's look at the facts in chronological order:

Majon lured me with promises to help significantly in expanding my business.
Majon accepted my payment in full in advance of rendering the service.
Majon advised me that the service was rendered, claiming they carried out a 450,000 count opt-in mailing.
There was not even one response. So I questioned the results and complained.
Majon promised to do the mailing again. Now we are at a count of 900,000 opt-in emails supposedly having been sent.
Surprise! Surprise? There still was no response to this alleged mailing. Not even one! Common sense will tell you that zero returns from a 900,000-count mailing is simply not plausible. A PhD in statistics will call such mailing a sham or non-existent.
Again, I complained.
Now a red flag ascends the pole: I am being ignored; no one from Majon responds to explain and give answers.
Wouldn't you too be mad as hell now? This blog posting appears on the Internet for the worldwide Internet audience to read.
Lo and behold I now hear from Majon International. Monique Vautour informs me, "I'm sorry that you are still unsatisfied with the results. I've therefore asked our payment department to process a refund."
Does this not add insult to injury? How can anybody be "satisfied?" What about my economic losses as a result of trusting Majon? What about the credibility losses as a result of believing in Majon International?
The quintessence of justification of events occured at 51 minutes past midnight on March 1, 2006: Majon International president Matthew Hesser sent me an email message. I am sharing it with you in my comment below.
It's getting to be interesting and ripe for action by the appropriate authorities: Beginning March 1, I am now receiving telephone calls in response to my alleged online inquiries for products/services including diabetes cures, hair restoration, and mortgage loans. I am not in need of either. How childish a prank intended to get back at me. Not even my grandchildren would stoop so low to do what children love to do. For grown-ups claiming to be responsible business people to engage in such silly antics should make us wonder and begs this question: Can you trust them with services to help your business grow?
I requested a list of 10 customer references from Mr. Hesser. He referred me to http://www.majon.com/customer-testimonials.html.
Here is what we found: Of the 52 names listed, 39 were not reachable for various reasons including no contact information, no email address, invalid email address. Of the 13 reached, none matched the testimonials stated by Majon; three confirmed they used Majon to send out press releases some time ago but no longer use Majon's services.
Here's the real stinger: Of the 52 so-called testimonials, we could not find a single company that used Majon International's "Safe Announce" email service.
03-02-06 — My email to those featured in Majon testimonials: Mr. Matthew Hesser, owner and president of Majon International, gave us your name as a reference [http://www.majon.com/customer-testimonials.html].
I will appreciate your commenting on your experience as a customer of Majon International. Please, also identify the type of service(s) you contracted for.
Your response may be shared with appropriate authorities pertaining to business practices including but not necessarily limited to Internet marketing services.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Heinz Dinter, PhD
HDinter@GrandLifestyle.com; 305-859-9695; http://www.grandlifestyle.com/
Addressees:
matthewh@majon.com (he was copied); khafner@provide.net; info@weil4feet.com; peterhebda@sbcglobal.net; mfleming@farrellsusa.com; donate@afcef.org; info@acclaropartners.com; sales@choicescooters.com; Michael@monicoproducts.com; webmaster@e-mailpaysu.com; mike@neorealestate.com; info@gematria.com; service@edson.net; kvkreative@aol.com; wayne@elektrolumens.com; sales@mrremotecontrols.com.

[This report will be updated as more responses are received.]
03-03-06 — Telecon with Matthew Hesser: Hesser urges me to switch to Hypertracker (http://www.hypertracker.com/). Though he argued that Majon (http://www.majon.com/) is “just a customer of hypertracker.com,” I urge you to visit both websites and compare.
Searching Google for hypertracker sent me to Amazon.com. A customer review published there is titled “How to Destroy your Business fast with Hypertracker” and reads as follows: I really liked the idea of Hypertracker, to be able to measure your ad performance for each ad source and make more money by reallocating advertising dollars. So, I subscribed to the service, enthusiastically directed thousands of ads to their tracking URLs and pumped in a bunch of money the Pay Per Clicks and other ads. After a couple of weeks work to get it all right, I turned on the computer expecting good results. What happened was their server went down, and is still down as I write this. The money I spent on the service was wasted. But worse, MY ENTIRE ADVERTISING BUDGET IS BEING WASTED BECAUSE MY POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ARE GOING TO HYPERTRACKERS DEAD LINKS!!!”
03-06-06 — My attempts to communicate with Majon International are thwarted by Majon: All emails are bounced back with the message, "Sorry, that address is not accepting mail." Would you deal with your customers like that?
03-08-06 — Email addressed to Matthew Hesser, owner and president of Majon International: In response to additional considerations following further detailed investigation of your company’s Internet marketing services, including but not limited to your Targeted Opt-In Email Service, ListKingPro and Hypertracker, please be advised we will not accept your offer for a “special deal” and renew our request of February 27, 2006 for the reimbursement for damages we suffered as a result of your failure to deliver the services promised — for which you accepted payment — and deceiving us regarding the nature, extent of and quality of Majon International’s services. The damages you caused us with your so-called “Safe Announce” email service dubbed “Safe Announce Power Blast” are very significant.

More facts will be posted.

"There's a sucker born every minute." Those words, uttered by David Hannum, P.T. Barnum's competitor, are words that rile those who are unwittingly dumped into this category. They are fighting words for those who believe in fair play in the world of business and got suckered by those who do not believe in ethics.

Gotcha!

Is my experience with Majon International an exception rather than the norm? Who are happy and satisfied customers of this California company? If you are, please come forward and let all of us know of your success doing business with Majon International.

What's been your experience with Majon International? The worldwide Internet community needs to know.

Who is out there with requisite authority to do something that protects others from suffering a similar fate?

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Noble House Grove Isle Hotel & Club Truths

Facts, news and commentary focusing on Noble House Hotels & Resorts, owners and operators of the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa and the Grove Isle Club in Coconut Grove (Miami), Florida.We welcome your thoughts. Please post your comment.

NOBLE HOUSE LURES YOU:
"For our guests, this means arriving into a very distinctive setting. As a result, each property has its own character, yet maintains the consistent, high standards of the collection as a whole."