Local Advertising / Toolbar scam

ComplaintsInternet ScamsPerformance Media Placement

Complaint

0
YouCannotFoolMe
Country: United States
This company is owned by Carl Perkins and Duane Brinson under the name PBH LLC or Perkins Brinson Ho. They created the toolbars discussed here: http://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=28710 and profited greatly. They may be at it again with this: http://www.performancemediaplacement.com/OnlineDemo.asp

The sales people they currently employ sell a new type of local advertising that has been reported as fraudulent. Here is a post on some of the things they promise: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/AdWords ... 79abadae6&hl=en.

Both Perkins and Brinson worked for Search Initiatives (Now Elocal, Elocallistings, Elocalplumbers, etc.) until they were both "let go" for unknown reasons when the company formed Elocal. http://web.archive.org/web/20070621061940/htt ... om/company.html

Do not be fooled by promises of "exclusivity", 24/7 first page placement, unlimited clicks and other false claims. The company has been known to break many contracts and forces employees to lie. If they do not lie to customers they are fired.

Here are just a couple of the many URL's the company uses:
premiumlocallistings.com
performancelocallistings.com
performancemediaplacement.com
pl411.com
pll411.com
pll-orange.com
premierlocallistings.com
g2411.com
nw411.com

Please do your research before doing any business with this company.

Comments

12345678910...11Next
  • 0
    Mike Markman
    According to the profile above PMP offers:

    "In as little as 10 days, see your business featured on the front page of GOOGLE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with unlimited clicks.
    Modernize your business today with your own exclusive GOOGLE territory...ciites are going fast!
    Month-to-Month NO CONTRACTS!"

    As you can see in the post below a Google employee has "...no problem saying that all of these claims are completely false."

    http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/AdWords ... 79abadae6&hl=en
  • 0
    Chloe
    | 3 replies
    Did you ever get the cake shop web site-I've heard bad things about the company and want to check them out too. My concern is the positive comments don't have a web address or contact info to call and verify.  What have you heard if you don't mind sharing. Also, did you by chance find a company that you do like?
    • 0
      Performance Media Marketing replies to Chloe
      | 1 reply
      You can't hide that easily:

      http://www.performancemediamarketing.com/
      http://www.adworks-local.com/
      http://www.pmplegal.com/
      http://www.pmmmobile.com/

      How many times will you change your name? Whos legit? Obviously not a company that changes websites every few days.
    • 0
      Performance Media replies to Chloe
      Google is helping to protect businesses who buy Adwords marketing through third parties. They require all third parties to adhere to strict guidelines such as 100% transparency, not making false or misleading claims and the account setup requirements. What does this mean for the business owner using a third party for Adwords management?

      * Google requires these third parties to provide the Adwords customer ID to all business owners: "It's important for advertisers to have the ability to contact Google directly with concerns about a third-party partner. To allow Google to properly investigate and assist the advertiser, we require that you provide your customers with the customer IDs for their AdWords or AdWords Express accounts when requested."
      * Third parties "...must provide your customers with monthly performance reports that include data on costs, clicks, and impressions at the Google advertising account level. When sharing Google advertising cost data with customers, report the exact amount charged by Google, exclusive of any fees that you charge."
      * Management fees must be disclosed: "Third parties often charge a management fee for the valuable services they provide, and end-advertisers should know if they are going to be charged these fees. If you charge a management fee (separate from the cost of AdWords or AdWords Express), let customers know. At a minimum, inform new customers in writing before each first sale and disclose the existence of this fee on customer invoices."

      False claims are described by Google as:
      * claiming false affiliation with Google
      * guaranteeing top placement on Google
      * claiming that ads will appear in Google Search at all times
      * representing free Google products as pay-for-insertion products
      * making false statements about how AdWords costs are calculated
      * offering unlimited clicks

      Read about everything here:
      https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6086450

      My opinion is every person NEEDS access to the google adwords account. Access to an account will show how much was actually spent on the advertising, the position of the ads and frequency of ads being shown. If the company does not want to provide report access to an account, request the "Adwords Customer ID" and contact Google directly, they will provide all the information you want.
  • 0
    Frobozz
    NO-ONE receives this many positive reviews! No-One! You are lucky if one person in 10 will actually refer you, much less write a review and post it. I was in conversation with a rep from this company and was about to go ahead and send them $3000. I put them off and did some research. I don't like what I'm finding. They haven't ripped me off or done me wrong, but I dont think I'm going to give them that chance. Thanks to whoever is posting all the positives, they were the real eye-opener.
  • 0
    ripped off bigtime
    I'm sorry I didn't do my due dillegence and research these pricks before I gave them my credit card. They are a total scam! No one can guarantee first page on Google, and these guys do. Their sale guy Jeremy lies through his teeth. They build a landing page for us that looked my 2nd grader put it together. If you are at all considering these guys, do yourself a favor and do your homework on them. I regret returning their phone call and you will too.
  • 0
    bobby
    I know for a fact they do not have any campaigns at $150 / month. Google bases everything on population. $200 will get you a smaller population, $5000 would get you a much larger population.
  • 0
    Adwords Dude
    Bobby, They do not base anything on population. It's based on the amount of traffic that you receive. Companies that sell "Google Listings"  will often tell you it's based on population so that they can charge more for a bogus product. (A violation of Google policy. You are not supposed to sell CPC campaigns as "listings" or imply any kind of permanence)
  • 0
    MA
    I have worked for PMP for over a year and you do not know what you are talking about.  The monthly fee IS based on population and factor. We have many very happy clients who love us because we do what is right by them and get them results. We consistently get referrals.  So stop your lies.   I should not be surprised by your ignorance.  Anyone who calls himself Adwords Dude has to be a moron.
  • 0
    Marianne PMP Employee
    | 1 reply
    I have worked for Performance Media Placement for over a year now. I am so happy to say that the majority of our clients are very happy with the services we provide them. We DO get our clients on the first page of Google in the sponsored link section 24/7 with unlimited clicks and the all the pertinent key words. We are a month to month service so we absolutely do everything we can to get the results our sales people promise our clients.   Just this morning a limo company in Napa let his rep here know that instead of dusting off his limos he is now booked thanks to our company.  Last week we got an email from another client that is putting his campaign on pause because he is getting so much business that he can't handle all of it due to the campaign we ran for him. We will hold the cites he advertises with us in and not charge him until he is ready to get up and running again.  He raved about the service he gets from us and about his rep. Yesterday one of our client added a bunch more cities to his campaign. His monthly fee went from $400 to $1500. I'm quite sure that would not have happened if this client was not thrilled by the results we are getting for him.  These are just three true examples of the feed back we receive periodically.  We have had a few sales people who were not being honest and they were fired promptly. I would not work for a company who scams people out of their hard earned money.  I am proud to work for Carl Perkins at Performance Media because I know we are helping people, especially in this horrible economy. I feel good when I lay my head on my pillow at night. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them for you 888 248 2488 ext 108
    Thank you for your time.
    • 0
      Wouldn't you like to know replies to Marianne PMP Employee
      I would feel good about your company too if you guys weren't bad mouthing other companies. I beat your price and it pissed off an employee named Sheldon and now he is telling people that my company has over 9000 complaints. Which is in no way shape or form true. We have had 1 complaint since we opened our doors and we have a A- rating with the BBB without even being accredited. I think its crap that you guys have to bad mouth other companies who are Google Partners just because we can beat you price. If your that desperate for a sale than by all means take it! I have so many clients I cant keep up with them all. Luckily I have helpers that do that for me! But I would never bad mouth another Google Partner and I think your Partner certification should be taking away!
  • 0
    Marianne PMP Employee
    | 1 reply
    I have worked for Performance Media Placement for over a year now. I am so happy to say that the majority of our clients are very happy with the services we provide them. We DO get our clients on the first page of Google in the sponsored link section 24/7 with unlimited clicks and the all the pertinent key words. We are a month to month service so we absolutely do everything we can to get the results our sales people promise our clients.   Just this morning a limo company in Napa let his rep here know that instead of dusting off his limos he is now booked thanks to our company.  Last week we got an email from another client that is putting his campaign on pause because he is getting so much business that he can't handle all of it due to the campaign we ran for him. We will hold the cites he advertises with us in and not charge him until he is ready to get up and running again.  He raved about the service he gets from us and about his rep. Yesterday one of our client added a bunch more cities to his campaign. His monthly fee went from $400 to $1500. I'm quite sure that would not have happened if this client was not thrilled by the results we are getting for him.  These are just three true examples of the feed back we receive periodically.  We have had a few sales people who were not being honest and they were fired promptly. I would not work for a company who scams people out of their hard earned money.  I am proud to work for Carl Perkins at Performance Media because I know we are helping people, especially in this horrible economy. I feel good when I lay my head on my pillow at night. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them for you 888 248 2488 ext 108
    Thank you for your time.
    • 0
      Wouldn't you like to know! replies to Marianne PMP Employee
      I would feel good about your company too if you guys weren't bad mouthing other companies. I beat your price and it pissed off an employee named Sheldon and now he is telling people that my company has over 9000 complaints. Which is in no way shape or form true. We have had 1 complaint since we opened our doors and we have a A- rating with the BBB without even being accredited. I think its crap that you guys have to bad mouth other companies who are Google Partners just because we can beat you price. If your that desperate for a sale than by all means take it! I have so many clients I cant keep up with them all. Luckily I have helpers that do that for me! But I would never bad mouth another Google Partner and I think your Partner certification should be taking away!
  • 0
    Marianne PMP Employee
    | 1 reply
    I have worked for Performance Media Placement for over a year now. I am so happy to say that the majority of our clients are very happy with the services we provide them. We DO get our clients on the first page of Google in the sponsored link section 24/7 with unlimited clicks and the all the pertinent key words. We are a month to month service so we absolutely do everything we can to get the results our sales people promise our clients.   Just this morning a limo company in Napa let his rep here know that instead of dusting off his limos he is now booked thanks to our company.  Last week we got an email from another client that is putting his campaign on pause because he is getting so much business that he can't handle all of it due to the campaign we ran for him. We will hold the cites he advertises with us in and not charge him until he is ready to get up and running again.  He raved about the service he gets from us and about his rep. Yesterday one of our client added a bunch more cities to his campaign. His monthly fee went from $400 to $1500. I'm quite sure that would not have happened if this client was not thrilled by the results we are getting for him.  These are just three true examples of the feed back we receive periodically.  We have had a few sales people who were not being honest and they were fired promptly. I would not work for a company who scams people out of their hard earned money.  I am proud to work for Carl Perkins at Performance Media because I know we are helping people, especially in this horrible economy. I feel good when I lay my head on my pillow at night. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them for you 888 248 2488 ext 108
    Thank you for your time.
    • 0
      WOW REALLY! replies to Marianne PMP Employee
      I would feel good about your company too if you guys weren't bad mouthing other companies. I beat your price and it pissed off an employee named Sheldon and now he is telling people that my company has over 9000 complaints. Which is in no way shape or form true. We have had 1 complaint since we opened our doors and we have a A- rating with the BBB without even being accredited. I think its crap that you guys have to bad mouth other companies who are Google Partners just because we can beat you price. If your that desperate for a sale than by all means take it! I have so many clients I cant keep up with them all. Luckily I have helpers that do that for me! But I would never bad mouth another Google Partner and I think your Partner certification should be taking away!
  • 0
    Marianne PMP Employee
    | 1 reply
    I have worked for Performance Media Placement for over a year now. I am so happy to say that the majority of our clients are very happy with the services we provide them. We DO get our clients on the first page of Google in the sponsored link section 24/7 with unlimited clicks and the all the pertinent key words. We are a month to month service so we absolutely do everything we can to get the results our sales people promise our clients.   Just this morning a limo company in Napa let his rep here know that instead of dusting off his limos he is now booked thanks to our company.  Last week we got an email from another client that is putting his campaign on pause because he is getting so much business that he can't handle all of it due to the campaign we ran for him. We will hold the cites he advertises with us in and not charge him until he is ready to get up and running again.  He raved about the service he gets from us and about his rep. Yesterday one of our client added a bunch more cities to his campaign. His monthly fee went from $400 to $1500. I'm quite sure that would not have happened if this client was not thrilled by the results we are getting for him.  These are just three true examples of the feed back we receive periodically.  We have had a few sales people who were not being honest and they were fired promptly. I would not work for a company who scams people out of their hard earned money.  I am proud to work for Carl Perkins at Performance Media because I know we are helping people, especially in this horrible economy. I feel good when I lay my head on my pillow at night. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them for you 888 248 2488 ext 108
    Thank you for your time.
    • 0
      WOW REALLY! replies to Marianne PMP Employee
      I would feel good about your company too if you guys weren't bad mouthing other companies. I beat your price and it pissed off an employee named Sheldon and now he is telling people that my company has over 9000 complaints. Which is in no way shape or form true. We have had 1 complaint since we opened our doors and we have a A- rating with the BBB without even being accredited. I think its crap that you guys have to bad mouth other companies who are Google Partners just because we can beat you price. If your that desperate for a sale than by all means take it! I have so many clients I cant keep up with them all. Luckily I have helpers that do that for me! But I would never bad mouth another Google Partner and I think your Partner certification should be taking away! I don't have to bad mouth other companies to get clients! I'm that good! I feel sorry for your company!
  • 0
    Overpriced Adwords
    Marianne - I guess the poor sucker didn't know to set up an Adwords account - a 20 minute procedure.  What's your mark up on those clicks he could be buying directly from Adwords?  How much of that $400-$1500 is actually going to buy clicks from Google that he could be buying direct?  

    This question has been asked here before.  Legit companies like Jumpfly.com and other legit PPC management companies offer full cost transparency, but not these guys.  So, do you even know the answer Marianne or do they keep it a secret from you as well?

    As to your happy customer who you sold more of the marked up Adwords to, well, imagine if he bought his clicks with Performance Media Placement blind spend jack up the price on Adwords job?

    The bottom line is that the flat rate dream is disingenuous at best and a scam at worst.
  • 0
    Overpriced Adwords
    Correction:

    As to your happy customer who you sold more of the marked up Adwords to, well, imagine if he bought his clicks directly from Google without the Performance Media Placement "blind spend jack up the price on Adwords job"?
12345678910...11Next

Post a new comment