Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  12/06/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In August 24, I hired ********* to manufacture my childrens clothing collection. I paid her $1,800 upfront with the promise that the project would be completed in 1-2 months. ********* assured me of her expertise and promised consistent communication and results. However, over three months passed, and no tangible progress or deliverables were made.During this time, I was invited to multiple meetings to re-discuss project details, such as fabric choices. Each meeting was repetitive and unproductive, yielding no outcomes or results. It became apparent that these meetings were an attempt to create the illusion of progress while wasting my time and money. Despite all her reassurances, no actual work was done, and I was left completely empty-handed.Frustrated by the lack of results, I requested a full refund. ********* responded by issuing a check for $600, marked as "remaining balance." This was unacceptable, as no work was ever completed, and I was left with nothing to show for my $1,800 investment. Upon further investigation, I discovered troubling details about Mariellens background, including at least four prior criminal charges, with the most recent occurring in October of last year. This information, combined with her behavior, raises serious concerns about her intentions and integrity as a business owner.********* has threatened me with criminal stalking and harassment charges simply for pursuing my right to a refund. She also threatened legal action if I reported her to consumer protection agencies, claiming that such action would defame her reputation. These threats are a clear attempt to silence me and avoid accountability for her fraudulent practices.Mariellens failure to deliver on her promises, her refusal to issue a full refund, and her use of intimidation tactics are unacceptable. I trusted her with this project, and I have been left with nothing no collection, and significant wasted time and money.

  Business response

  12/15/2024

  Dear ****** *********,
  I have provided a detailed written response in the attached Document of Proof. This document includes evidence of work, communication, and timeline details. Additionally, it highlights meetings attended with industry professionals. I am also willing to offer contact info for my partners, who contributed to the project but did not receive any payment for their time. I have also listed my own concerns.

  Please let me know if there is anything else required of me that I may have missed. 

  Thank you for your time into this matter.

  Customer response

  12/19/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:

  it fails to address the core issues of her failure to deliver on promised services, the lack of tangible progress, and her unprofessional and deceptive behavior throughout this project. Her response is filled with irrelevant justifications and unsupported claims that do not excuse the financial and emotional strain she has caused me.
  
  Imagine ordering a steak at a restaurant and being told itll be ready in 40 minutes. Hours later, the chef finally comes out and says, I didnt cook your steak, but I did stop by the butcher to look at his meat selection. Heres a spreadsheet I made to prove it. My colleges can confirm that I went to the butcher, too. With 30 years of experience, I expect to be paid. Pay me. Youre paying for the effort, not the steak.  
  Would anyone accept that? Of course not. You paid for a finished product within a promised timeframe, not a list of excuses or irrelevant details. I did not pay for the chef to go to the butcher -I came to eat the steak.
  This situation mirrors my experience with Ms. ***** and it is completely unacceptable.
  
  I am demanding a full refund because the project is not even close to completion, despite being promised within 1-2 months. I made my payment on August 13, 2024, after specifically asking Ms. **** how long the project would take. Her failure to deliver anything tangible within three months clearly demonstrates either her incompetence or her intentional disregard for her obligations.
  
  As a mother of three young children who works tirelessly to provide for my family, I am committed to ensuring that justice is served in this case. I will not allow Ms. ***** fraudulent actions to go unchallenged, as they have caused significant emotional, financial, and professional harm. For the sake of my family and others who deserve fair business practices, I urge the Better Business Bureau to hold her accountable for her deceitful behavior.
  
  -**** *******

  Business response

  12/19/2024

  At this point, Im confident in my initial response to the consumers complaint. 
  After careful review of the consumers rebuttal, I do find it contains inaccuracies, embellishments, misleading and conflicting information. Nonetheless, the consumers rebuttal fails to move me to add any additional responses or documents related to this complaint.
  Over the course of my career, I have had the honor of working with a diverse range of individuals, professional sports teams and retail companies (********, Mountain Dew, Canes Chicken, *********** the Lodge) and have NEVER had anyone respond in this way.
  Respecting the BBB consumer complaint process, I am happy to respond appropriately to the BBB consultant should they require clarification or have any questions or concerns related to specific items included in the consumers rebuttal. 
  

  Customer response

  12/19/2024

   
  I am rejecting this response because:
  Ms ****, If you have nothing more to add, it is clear you cannot provide any evidence to prove you delivered the agreed-upon project. Youve failed to address the core issues - your inability to deliver results within the promised timeframe - and continue to avoid accountability for your actions.
  Despite claiming inaccuracies in my rebuttal, you have not provided a single document to refute my statements or show tangible progress. The facts remain:
   -You failed to deliver any work or progress.
   -You failed to provide prototypes, fabric samples, manufacturing agreements, or anything of value for the $1,818 I paid.
   - You kept my money without fulfilling your obligations.
  Your references to past clients or achievements are irrelevant and do not excuse your failure in this case. If you had evidence to prove you delivered, you would have shared it. Instead, your vague responses and refusal to engage suggest you cannot defend your actions.
  If you respected the BBB process and your professional reputation, you would address this transparently. Instead, your behavior shows a clear attempt to avoid accountability.
  
  The facts are undeniable: you did not deliver the project and fraudulently kept my money. I demand a full refund immediately. I urge the BBB to investigate and hold you accountable.

  Sincerely,
  **** *******

  
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩