ComplaintsforInternational Development Services, Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  06/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Following aggressive cold-calling, my business, **********, signed a consulting agreement with IDS with estimated fees of $70,525. We also signed an IDS Assurance Agreement whereby IDS assured us "the realization of a return, through a combination of cost savings and profit enhancements, in excess of 2 (two) times the investment incurred for the consulting hours billed[.]" ************** was obviously important to us.IDS proceeded to rush through a business evaluation and made various suggestions that were disastrous for our bottom line, impossible to implement, and/or suggestions they did not follow through on to conclusion. They charged us $254,628. Needless to say, we did not realize a two-to-one return. When we complained, we were offered some half-hearted assistance from a gentleman who ultimately ghosted us after providing no help. We were put into a seemingly endless internal review process whereby we answered the same questions over and over but got no results. We have recorded phone conversations with the representative who claimed to be helping us through the review process with damning admissions about IDS's work and the supposed "Assurance" of a return, but it went nowhere.I cannot stress enough how IDS almost single-handedly ruined our business.Upon further research, we discovered that numerous BBB complaints and reviews, revdex reviews, and ******** page reviews complain of similar behavior. Likewise, IDS appears to be affiliated with various other shell entities with the same model and similar complaints. Various people associated with this network of companies include a disbarred lawyer who owned a company that was the subject of an ******** Attorney General investigation and suit, and a former President and CEO who was charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, grand theft, and making false statements.To date, IDS has not meaningfully addressed my concerns. I will not trust anything they say until I see a refund check. BEWARE OF IDS!!!

  

  Business response

  06/29/2023

  
  RE:     Better Business Bureau (BBB)
              ***********
              Customer:*************************
  
  To Whom It May ******************** correspondence shall serve as International Development Services, Inc.s (IDS) formal response to Mrs. ******* June 21, 2023 Better Business Bureau complaint relative to her business, **********.
  
  While IDS sympathizes with ******Chems unfortunate economic hardship, we cannot accept ownership of the allegations asserted in the complaint. The statement asserts vague, ****** broad, and indefinite reasons for how IDS *** have contributed to any of the outlined grievances. More importantly, the complaint overlooks the fact that ********** engaged IDS at the height of Covid-19 when most businesses were beginning to experience the long-term economic effects of the pandemic. The complaint is also devoid of any specific facts indicating how the consulting services IDS provided were detrimental.
  
  The complaint also fails to state that ********** voluntarily signed a services agreement with IDS that contained a no-guarantee provision highlighted in bold or that ********** maintained authority at all times over the direction,suspension, termination, and conclusion of the project. Therefore, all assertions about any alleged prior complaints and reviews against IDS to the BBB or any other reviewing entity are irrelevant and have no weight or bearing on the services provided to **********. Consequently, IDS denies all of the existing or potential future claims that *** arise from the allegations detailed in ******Chems complaint.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******************************
  Corporate Counsel

  Customer response

  07/05/2023

   On behalf of my business, I am rejecting IDS response to my complaint.
  
  IDSs response says nothing as to the huge deviation between their estimated fees at the outset ($70,525) and what they charged us ($254,628).
  
  IDSs response completely ignores the actual language of their Assurance Agreement, which stated that they would assure the realization of a return, through a combination of cost savings and profit enhancements, in excess of 2 (two) times the investment incurred for consulting hours billed. The Assurance Agreement clearly modified the principal consulting agreements disclaimer of a guarantee.
  
  IDSs response overlooks the fact that they knew, as we did,that the ******19 pandemic was happening and that they would have to do quality work that yielded real results despite the pandemic to get us to the amount that they assured through the Assurance Agreement.
  
  IDSs response as to a lack of specifics in our original complaint is disingenuous. We hired a lawyer who sent them a twelve-page letter detailing specific complaints with IDSs service (which included a failure to obtain a ************************* status, failure to obtain quality leads for our sales reps, etc.) three weeks before they sent this BBB reply. All this was after over a year of internal review of our specific complaints that went nowhere. For them to claim in their reply that they have no idea why were complaining is simply bad faith.
  
  We tried multiple times to end the engagement. However, their consultant assured us that it would be to our benefit to continue and pressured us to continue by asserting that their Assurance of a two-to-one return would not kick in if we terminated the relationship.
  
  After IDS finally stopped leaching off of our company, we provided IDS with month after month of financials that were requested showing that the supposed Assurance was not being met. They obviously did not look at anything but the bottom line.  If they had actually looked through them, they would have seen that we were losing money. NOT making money.  
  
  We followed the consultantssuggestions of lengthening our work hours and creating a new pay structure which caused a cut in pay for our sales reps. This resulted in losing 3 of our top producers that ended up making a recurring loss of about $80,000 per month in sales.
  
  When they finally provided someone to help, he ghosted us.
  
  IDSs response omits the recordings of our phone calls with their own client services representative that was supposedly trying to helpus after we raised complaints. That representative, over the course of at least eight different phone conversations that I recorded stated the following:
  
  a.  IDS service providers obviously were lying because there are things that are quite evident that they say happened that didnt, nor could they have happened given the circumstances.
  
  b.  IDSs position with respect to denying us a refund was crazy, that the supposed remedial efforts IDS undertook after we complained was mind-blowing and that we had every right to be upset.
  
  c.  If IDS did not have something tangible that is netting you a result, in this particular case, through increased profitability, why are we doing this? With respect to the actual thing that netted you profitability he asserted that doesnt exist.
  
  d.  He wondered why IDSs work (and billing) was continued given the circumstances.
  
  e.  He stated that it was shameful what IDS personnel were doing in the field.
  
  f.  He stated that IDS various excuses for not providing some relief to us is starting to be ridiculous.
  
  g.  He stated that IDS work was something that should not have continued to go on, that all the facts that the consulting director has presented have been inaccurate, that everything we do should be tried and tested and if that wasnt the case, we didnt do our job and that IDS approach to the work was ridiculous.
  
  h.  He admitted that with respect to IDSs work there was nothing tangible that was really done and that there was no product there in terms of work product.
  
  I remain highly dissatisfied with IDSs so-called work and response. It appears that if you engage IDSs services, you can expect to pay for virtually nothing and must fight for any recourse. In the words of their own customer service representative (who may have just been trying to string us along and lull us into not suing), thats shameful and ridiculous.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  02/16/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  They showed up saying that they will help us grow our business, and gave us to sign a paper saying that it was something without importance and then on the next day they came and told us that we already signed a contract and that we owe them money They put us to sign the contract in the first day with lies.

  

  Business response

  02/17/2023

  Dear Mr.***********, we apologize for any inconvenience. We appreciate you taking your time to inform us on this experience. Your complaint has been addressed internally. In accordance with your request, we will place your companys information on our internal Do Not Call list and place an electronic block on your telephone numbers so that you are not contacted in the future.
  We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

• Initial Complaint

  01/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  7/28/2022 A company came into our business by the name of ************************* with International Development Services or IDS, with the intention of setting up Estate Planning/Tax Planning, Will and Trust and business Consultation. After ***** convinced us that we could benefit from their professional experience in these areas We paid $1300.00 for him to bring on a 2ndperson/business Analyst (*************************) as well as Tavas Tax(*************************) for the tax advisory, valuation and estate planning, $5845.00. After payment they immediately sent out ***********************(project manager) and *********************(Senior business consultant) They came to the conclusion our business was struggling and needed a line of credit immediately to pay for their services and to help our business succeed they secured a loan that we now learned is a predatory loan with a very high interest($174,000 with interest $231,000) with $3640.00per week repayment. Over the course of 4-5 weeks of so called consultation and a cash management system and a 2:1 return guarantee on our investment upon completion. After a few weeks in we were struggling to pay our bills and vendors and payroll because of the repayment and their fees, all for Oginga to say we are just fine. When the money ran out and the business is flat on its back ****** left to never to return. Found out that IDS is also **************** LLC, Tavas Tax and ***********, All the same people who SCAMMED us out of $231,000 that we are struggling to repay. We have reached out to ****************,IDS and *********** and we get no answers but lies and excuses and or silence. We have NOTHING to show for their Services but lies. We have asked for our money back for services not rendered or completed and they said no. To resolve this we would like our money back for services not rendered or completed If this is happening or has happened to you, Please contact me ************************ Never Let anyone from these companies listed above set foot in your business.

  

  Business response

  02/06/2023

  The facts surrounding Waypoints consulting engagement are significantly different then the allegations made in their complaint. An initial sales appointment scheduled for 7/28/2022 to discuss the services IDS provides to business owners did not produce the consulting engagement. A subsequent meeting scheduled on 8/12/2022 met with the same result. On 8/18/2022 Waypoint agreed to have their business analyzed. The purpose of the analysis was to determine if there were any areas of concern that could be addressed by our consultants. After the analysis was completed, ******** elected to engage our consultants to address those areas that were identified during the analysis. The consulting engagement began on 8/24/2022. In addition to consulting services, Waypoint contracted with TAVAS to provide a strategic tax report. The fees for these services were $131,250.00 and $17,537.00 respectively, as clearly stated in the contracts. It is also important to understand that the sales representative does not charge a fee for his services. The analysis was billed at $1,300.00 for his review of Waypoints business. With Waypoints approval IDS dispatched a Project Manager and a Business Consultant. TAVAS sent a Tax Consultant.
  Waypoint participated in the development of the scope of work that was prepared and utilized to guide the consulting engagement. Each week during the engagement a review of the work accomplished was presented to Waypoint. At no time during the engagement did Waypoint notify IDS personnel of their dissatisfaction.
  IDS maintains relationships with many unrelated professionals and financial institutions. In Waypoints case they were in need of an infusion of capital. IDS personnel referred them to several companies to obtain financing. IDS has no ownership or financial interests in any of these financial institutions. As everybody knows,the terms and conditions of any financing obtained is documented and explained before a client accepts any funds. Waypoint was fully advised and has agreed to the financing terms.
  IDS has been in communication with Waypoint on many occasions since the engagement concluded.We always endeavor to provide continuing support for our clients. Waypoint is not entitled to a refund in any amount, because IDS has accomplished all scope of work contracted to.  IDS is willing to assist and support the work provided.
  Waypoint has our contacts. Please be free to reach out at any time during business days and hours Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tell us why here...

  Customer response

  02/07/2023

   
  Complaint: 18898776
  
  I am rejecting this response because: This is an automated response, because this is the same response I got from Tavas tax a few weeks ago. You are in this together to scam small businesses. I just got an email today from a business in ********** that went through the same thing, However he was smart enough to catch it before you got all his money! I want you to prove to everyone who is reading this that you finished the Job? What was put in place for the 2:1 return, The cash management, the ***** and trusts! We want some answers as to why we Do Not Have This! I want the next person to read this before they get scammed. I have serval recordings and e mails and text stating that the job was not finished and that you were going to find out what is going on! 8 Weeks later we are still waiting for that answer. You Scammed our small business to the point of almost closing the doors. None of you have any remorse! Why? We told ****** that this was not working and we needed to re group, That is when he hauled out of here never to return! I have that text from him that he was sorry he disappeared! He admitted it! What about the words you said that we don't do business like that. Really? Because you did it to us and many more out there. We have nothing, You stole $231,000 from us and we have nothing to show for it! We have called weekly and sometimes daily to get answers, Nobody will come forward and talk to us let alone follow up with us. I thought that was suppose to happen for a year! We deserve our money back, Every bit of it! I can not believe we trusted you, Tavas Tax and ***************** All the same company. Why hasn't **** or **** or **** or ***** and ****** ever followed up with us? I wish we would have read the reviews before we let you in the door! We want answers not an automated response! 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

   

• Initial Complaint

  01/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  International Development Services called on my company in May of 2021 and a Mr Chris XXXX presented a very convincing case that they could help improve our business and its returns. They were so confident that they guaranteed a 2 for 1 return on the consulting investment within 12 months of completion. In addition they presented a proposal to assist with Tax planning which was to reduce our experience tax rate significantly through the application of their tax attorney's knowledge of the tax code and its application to our situation. We signed a contract for both services and the process began the week of June 1, 2021. The consultation for the operations improvment continued with weekly activity from June 1 to July 28, 2021 at which time we concluded the planned consultation and were implementing the recommended actions. Part of the implementation plan called for us to share financials with them monthly for the 12 month duration of the guarantee on return which we did. On 5-2-22 I sent a message to Stephen XXXX our project manager detailing my view on the two projects we had contracted for and on the results of those projects which were both lacking. The tax project did not have a guarantee so I concentrated on the operations project. We were well short of the promised return and it had become clear that they were going to be unable to find that savings. I was promised follow up - waited a month and reached out again to Stephen on 6-1-22. On 6-2-22 I recieved a call from Michael XXXX from their client service area - no title was provided, he asked for some finanical info which we provided. 2 more months passed without contact - I reached out again on 8-10-22 and indicated that a partial refund would satisfy me to close out - 1/2 of money spent on the projects, I provided a payment history to support the amount. Michael indicated he would carry request forward. Addiitonal follow ups on 9-8-22, 10-3-22, 10-26-22, and 11-7-22. Nothing since.

• Initial Complaint

  01/07/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  In the fall of 2020, IF International Development Services called me to set up a consultation on how to market my business. The consultation was presented to me as a short meeting, but it ended up taking all day. They suggested sending out a team the next day. I refused the offer of sending a team out the next day because the initial consultation was not very helpful and I did not want to proceed with any further services. The 2 young ladies showed up the following day, and I did not meet with them. Right around that time I also found out that I had an employee that had a case of COVID. IF International Development Services was there no more than 5 minutes. On that first day, I wrote them a check for $1,300 for the one-on-one after refusing further services. I paid the $1,300 which I thought would have covered for the services rendered that day. About a year later, I received an additional $6,000 **** from IF International Development Services.. $6,000 is a ridiculous charge for services that were refused and not provided, especially when I was not made aware of these charges beforehand. . To this day, it has not been made clear to me what the $6,000 **** is for.

  

  Business response

  01/10/2022

  ************, executed an agreement to have IDS provide consulting services for his business. IDS personnel arrived on site as contracted and attempted to provide the services he requested. ************** agreement disclosed the cost of our services, and he was aware that failure to cancel prior to our arrival would incur a one-day charge for our personnel. IDS has contacted ************ on multiple occasions beginning on August 25, 2020, and our last correspondence was on December 10, 2021. IDS generously offered to settle his account for $900 which represents the expenses incurred for our personnel travel. ************ has failed to respond to our repeated attempts to resolve this matter until filing a complaint with the BBB. ************ is encouraged to contact IDS at his first opportunity and settle his account.  

• Initial Complaint

  10/26/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  The company called multiple times trying to talk to me to "offer a free tax consultation." The number would always register as a local number. Upon agreeing to a meeting, a consultant named Chris came in on 10/21/21 to go over our previous engagements with the company and offer a new project. Chris waited until after all other staff had left for the day, also knowing I was not going to be in the office the next day, and used a high pressure sales tactic to get me to sign a contract. Chris said the first 40 hours would be non-billable, but on further review of the contract it was actually stated that the last 40 hours would be non-billable. A consultant named Tim showed up at 10:45am on 10/25/21 and began asking for documentation. His tone and demeanor were slightly degrading to our staff. Later, at 3:45pm another consultant, Jerry the "project manager" showed up. They sat with me until well after 7 pm the first day and I agreed to have them come back the second day to talk with myself and my CFO. On the second day, Jerry went through some information with us and we decided that we did not want to continue with their service. Jerry presented us with a contract to sign that said that we owed them $19,218.02 for their services for the two days (which he later amended to say that it was for the whole week). He also put that his hours were not billable because that was what was originally agreed to. Chris made it seem like we were not going to pay for the first 40 hours and didn't explain that we would be paying for the travel, lodging, etc. A bill for $19.218.02 is a ridiculous amount for 2 days, even a full week of consulting, especially as Chris framed it in a way to make it sound like we wouldn't have to pay for the first 40 hours. As many before, I would warn others against the high pressure sales tactics of this business, and make sure to understand what you are signing as the original consultant was not straight forward in his words and actions.

  

  Business response

  11/03/2021

  IDS has conducted a comprehensive review of the facts and related activities associated with Mr. ******** and his business, ******** ****** ****, and concluded that the actions that took place should not have occurred. We have made numerous attempts to contact Mr. ******** to discuss this and to inform him of our desire to void the outstanding invoice that was generated by our personnel. To date we have not been able to speak with Mr. ********, as he has not responded to the numerous messages we have left at his office.
  We encourage Mr. ********  to contact Mr. ******* *******, Corporate Compliance Officer at
  ***** *** * **** with any questions and or concerns he may have.
  

  Customer response

  11/04/2021

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ********

• Initial Complaint

  07/07/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This company came to our business as a consulting firm. The agreement and contract to my understanding was that we can back out anytime. We backed out snd they still came out the following Monday and Tuesday now they are trying to invoice us for there time. The invoice amount is over 7,000.00

  

  Business response

  07/16/2021

  International Development Services, Inc. has contacted the client, and we have resolved our differences to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.

• Initial Complaint

  05/17/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  International Business Services came to our business and was under agreement to provide a written "Expansion Plan" that was to tell us how to maintain our business growth. We had a consultant work here every day for 3 weeks. Then he got sick, went home, never came back and we did not ever receive our plan. They wanted to replace him with a new guy and begin all over again. I cancelled the agreement. Nothing was ever received. We have asked for a refund and they do not respond to us.

  

  Business response

  05/24/2021

  Ms. ****** is exactly correct. She engaged our consulting services for 200 hours. The consultant assigned became ill after 141 hours of consulting services had been delivered. We attempted to assign another consultant to complete the project, but Ms. ****** refused and terminated the engagement. Given the opportunity, IDS would have completed the remaining 59 hours of consulting and delivered the Strategic Growth Plan she desired. IDS remains committed to Ms. ******’s goals and objectives for her company and is ready to complete the remaining 59 hours of the consulting engagement. Due to Ms. ******’s refusal to complete the project a refund is not warranted. She may contact our Client Services Department to discuss this matter in greater detail at [email protected] or phone: (224) 676-7565.

*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. ↩