Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:12/02/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Dear BBB Team,I am submitting this complaint regarding unprofessional services provided by ******* *******, a commissioned notary public in ******* (Notary ID: ********. I hired ******* for expedited apostille services for my *** Criminal Record Certificate but encountered multiple issues:She sent my federal document to the wrong entity (Florida Secretary of State instead of *************** of State), causing unnecessary delays.She failed twice to meet promised deadlines despite charging $321 for expedited services.She refused any refund after admitting fault for mishandling my document.She issued retaliatory threats via email on November 21, 2024, stating she would report me to professional organizations and advise other notaries "not to do business" with me if I pursued further action regarding this matter.Due to these failures and unprofessional behavior, I incurred financial losses totaling $589.65 (including non-refundable accommodations and missed appointments). I am requesting that BBB investigate this matter and ensure that ******* resolves this issue professionally by refunding me fully.Sincerely,**** *********

  Business Response

  Date: 12/11/2024

  The complaint from **** ********* is an error on his part. I did send the *** criminal record certificate to the wrong entity first, but within a timely manner I paid much exrtra to have this sent to the ******************* in **********, **. Usually the Apostilles from ******* go to the ******************* in *******. I ended up not making any profit on this Apostille which was fine due to my mistake. Mr ********* stated I didn't give him the tracking information which is a lie, I did provide this information. I spent several days on the phone on hold to speak with the ******************* in ************* to find out that the return envelope with the return overnight label I paid for was not used. I did advise Mr ********* of this information. I also offered the customer a full year of free ******************************************* which he advised he did not want. I was able to track down the parcel that was sent by regular mail and the **** advised me the parcel was received by the customer on 11/01/2024. That is when **** ********* started allegations against me. He also had his girlfriend and a random friend of his leave bad reviews about my notary business and sent info to BBB. The customers allegations are untrue and a flat out lie. The customer acted very immature about the whole situation. I am a single mother of two working three jobs to make ends meet, this is why I could not offer a refund. All the money he paid went towards making sure this got to the ******************* in **. I had nothing left. Again this information is untrue by the customer. I have several reviews from past clients that rave about how fair and honest I am. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/12/2024

   
  Complaint: 22594486
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  Upon review of the response from this business, I am further disappointed in this experience. The service in which I paid for was not correctly provided and the document that should have been the output of this effort was never delivered. Despite my efforts and hopes that using this notary service would work out, I did not receive the apostilled document, nor did I receive tracking information from ******* providing confirmation that the document had ever been processed and returned to me.

  Furthermore, I have received no invoice or breakdown of the cost of Melissas services besides the initial receipt of payment. I have presented financial expenditures I have incurred on my end with supporting documentation. I expect a business to provide the service the consumer has paid for, and upon admission of fault in the process, pay to correct the faults until a solution is met. Offering free notary services that I do not need when the notary services I paid for have not been satisfied is not an acceptable solution. No other resolutions to this issue were presented by the business for my consideration.

  I reject the response from the business and will be following up my complaint with the Florida Notary Commission.
  

  Sincerely,

  **** *********

  Customer Answer

  Date: 12/20/2024

  Hello BBB,

  I received an update from the ******************* saying that my document was improperly processed and could not be completed due to the Notary's mistakes. This contradicts multiple claims by ******* that she had followed up on my document, that sending my document to the wrong location was her only mistake, and that I had received my document.

  Thanks,

  **** *********