Warning: James at Orchid Escort Designs - A fraud

[Gabriella Laurence]

.*I'm not sure if I can post this here or not but I'd like the ladies to see this post and to be aware of the situation so they don't get ripped off, too.*

Long story short: I paid him for a new website that he never did and he refuses to refund me. I also paid him for 1 year hosting 2 weeks prior paying for my new site and with no website from him, my hosting money went down the drain, too. Considering the fact that I need a website to run my companionship business, I also had to spend money elsewhere for a site and hosting.
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I will not re-write what I already posted in a private SP area so here's the full version:

I have been a client of his since 2012 or 2013. I`ve never had an issues with him until this year. Mind you, after he built my custom site back then, I had minimal contact with him throughout and only contacted him if I had a technical question or needed a page picture change or something similar because of the set up. All was accomplished in a reasonable amount of time.

Following my recent experience with him, I thought I should add the following as a warning for anyone looking for a web design service in the future. I added the same warning to xxxxxxxxx`s page: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I`ve had a similar issue with him recently. In a nutshell, I paid him for a new website on July 29th and the only 2 times I heard back from him was in one email (August 9th) telling me he had other projects going on and to complain about the low price he was charging (when all I wanted to know was if he had questions regarding the info I sent him to do my custom site or needed high res pictures because he said he started working on my site on July 30th) and a second email (August 13th) telling me he would have my site ready that night or the next morning BUT he never followed up after that.


Since he went MIA and never had the decency or professionalism to answer any of my follow up emails nor presented me with a sample of what he supposedly had done for me, I thought he had taken my money and scammed me. I sent him several emails requesting a refund but didn`t hear from him until I reported him publicly on Twitter on August 23rd.

I was mad, upset and tired of chasing him around for a reply without knowing if he had actually done any work for me and if I would have a new website before Pagelime shut down at the end of this month (where my current site, by him, is built on) or if he had gone out of business, took my money and ran with it. Honestly, I have never dealt with a so-called professional who goes MIA on his clients and personally have to go hunting for a reply or an update of some kind. But my experience with him back in April of this year should`ve taught me a lesson (more chasing around to get an answer from him after I paid him--it took 3 weeks to get a page added on my site.). Ridiculous and completely absurd!"

Sadly, the only way I was able to get a reply from him (and find out he was still alive) is when I reported him publicly on Twitter @Miss_gabriellaL and SWs showed him my tweet and told him to make it right with me. 24 hours or so later, he finally replied to the refund request I had made several times over and told me he would refund me next week. I will let you know if he does and keeps his word or if he chooses the same unprofessional path he`s been walking on so frequently.

Since I reported him publicly, several ladies have told me, both privately and publicly on Twitter, that they had issues with him, too, from going MIA (recurring regular issue with him), to not renewing hosting and letting their site go offline, to taking their money and not doing the work, etc.

Moral of the story: if you need a reliable and dependable professional to work with, James is not the person you`re looking for. On the other hand, if you like to gamble with any aspect of your own escort business, go ahead and take a chance with him.

My recommendation to you:
don`t gamble with your business-- hire professionals who care about their clients and the service they offer and who take their own business seriously, like all (real) professionals do.

If you have any more questions, I would be happy to answer them in this thread or via email at [email protected] . If email proof is needed, I more than happy to provide that as well.

Gabriella xox

PS. I know for a fact that he`s been playing the victim card like a royal flush behind the scenes. Don`t get fooled by it. Like I said, if you have any more questions and/or want further details, please contact me. Thanks.
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A follow up update on James at Orchid Escort Designs:


The first email I sent requesting a refund was on August 18th. Like I mentioned previously, he had gone MIA and never got back to me until 24+ hours after I reported him publicly on Twitter on August 23rd. He had 5 full days to get back to me from the time I sent my refund request and/or act before being reported. That was plenty of time to do something about the situation.

On August 24th, he sent me an email saying he would send me a refund (told the same thing to another SW who had told him to make things right with me). It`s now September 1st and I still haven`t received a dime back from him and from what I hear through the grapevine, he will not be sending me a refund because he can no longer afford it after I outed him publicly. Apparently, *I* did damage to his business and the whole thing is now my fault. Talk about taking responsability for ones (unprofessional) actions! This is so pathetic I no longer know what to say.

 

[anon_vlad]

Sadly, it's too late for this time, but always insist on receiving a copy of the website and database to save on your own computer or some storage device and ownership of the domain name before paying in full for it. The code and images should be your property, not the developer. Not only does it protect you against negligence, dishonesty and accidental loss, but you are not obliged to continue with the same person for maintenance.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Did you report him to the Ripoff Report?

http://www.ripoffreport.com/

 

[Gabriella Laurence]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

Sadly, it's too late for this time, but always insist on receiving a copy of the website and database to save on your own computer or some storage device and ownership of the domain name before paying in full for it. The code and images should be your property, not the developer. Not only does it protect you against negligence, dishonesty and accidental loss, but you are not obliged to continue with the same person for maintenance.

Thankfully, I always owned my own domain and always took care of the renewal myself. Everything related to my companionship business is linked to it (brand, marketing, seo work, etc) so I never gave up control /access to anyone. The only reason I still dealt with him once he built my site back in 2013 (or so) was because a lot of functions were disabled on the back end of Pagelime (where my site was built) and needed to pay him to make some changes to it. Yes, I know, I wasn't happy with that aspect but I went with it because he would help out if I ever had technical issues (or questions) with my site. Plus, he took care of hosting so it made it easier for me. I learned that convenience is not the safest option if you run into a problem with the web master.

When the time came to get a new site because Pagelime was shutting down at the end of August this year, it was a no-brainer for me... Get him to set it up a new custom template and complete the work myself. Or so I hoped lol

don t know if it s a dumb question or not but why did you pay him before the work is done. Normaly don t the send you a bill ones the work is done.

I always paid him upfront because he came highly recommended at first and I just got used to paying before he started any kind of work for me. Honestly, I never gave it a second thought because of what I said before and because I never had issues with him until this year.

Did you report him to the Ripoff Report?

http://www.ripoffreport.com/

No but I will. Thank you for suggesting it. I truly want to protect the other ladies who might consider working with him in the future and potentially save them some money and headaches.

 

[Al Swearengen]

If the guy took money, all he has to do is finish the job. All it will take is a few hours. He must be going down the crapper to not give a shit anymore.

 

[Gabriella Laurence]

If the guy took money, all he has to do is finish the job. All it will take is a few hours. He must be going down the crapper to not give a shit anymore.

Finish the job? Haha, good one That ship has sailed a while back. Plus, I don't believe he ever started my project either.

I'm very happy with the website I build myself recently and honestly, I never want to work with another web master, ever. Nothing can replace having full control of every single aspect of your own business. That piece of mind is priceless.

As for his business, he can run it how he wants--with the unavoidable consequential results that go along with it.
My hope (aside from wanting my refund) is that this will be a valuable lesson for him and that no other client of his ever gets ripped off again.

 

[insatiable04]

Never pay to full amount upfront.

Usually, when I do a website for a new client I ask 30% upfront and the rest when I finish the job.

don t know if it s a dumb question or not but why did you pay him before the work is done. Normaly don t the send you a bill ones the work is done.

I would never start a job without a small upfront payment. So many time the clients changed his mind after I started the job or simply They would stop communicate with me.

 

[Charles Darwin]

Holy mackerel. This guy is getting a real bashing. He might just have to change his business name.

 

[EagerBeaver]

He might just have to change his business name.

The ole musical chairs with corporate name after being exposed as a ripoff artist. I have seen it done many times. He will resurface under another name and it will not be James, it will be Ralph at Royal Courtesan Designs or something similar. And he will offer a Grand Opening Discount Rate which will attract Gabriella, Maria and other unsuspecting clients. And then he will try and rip them off all over.

 

[Gabriella Laurence]

Holy mackerel. This guy is getting a real bashing. He might just have to change his business name.

A bashing? No.
Being exposed for how he conducts his so-called business? Yes.
Why? To save other sex workers time, money, frustration and headaches. No one deserves to get scammed out of their money.
I'm thinking most of you would do the same if an escort was going around stealing and/or ripping off clients.

The ole musical chairs with corporate name after being exposed as a ripoff artist. I have seen it done many times. He will resurface under another name and it will not be James, it will be Ralph at Royal Courtesan Designs or something similar. And he will offer a Grand Opening Discount Rate which will attract Gabriella, Maria and other unsuspecting clients. And then he will try and rip them off all over.

As you very well point out, like many other unsavory and dishonest businesses have done in the past, Orchid Escort Designs re-branding is a possibility but I will not speculate on the probability of it. What I can tell you with--absolute certainty--is that it only takes me *one* bad experience to learn a lesson. Working with another web designer in the future, no matter how low their offer is (a red flag in my books anyway), is out of the question for as long as I choose to remain involved in this industry. Unfortunately though, the sad reality is that he will find other unsuspecting clients to steal from in the future, re-branding or not.

By the way, EB, thanks for guiding me towards http://www.ripoffreport.com/ . The process was simple and straightforward.

 

[Doc Holliday]

James @Orchid Escort Designs sounds more like a scam artist than a fraud.

 

[EagerBeaver]

By the way, EB, thanks for guiding me towards http://www.ripoffreport.com/ . The process was simple and straightforward.

Gabriella,

I will tell you a funny story about the Ripoff Report because it led to me getting a legal case. Here is what happened.

About 7 years ago, a long time client of mine contacted me about a case he had and wanted me to take. He had done business with some guy who was seeking investors for some kind of sport exhibition event (vagueness intentional here). He claimed that the event had TV contract and sponsorship from a major network, which in fact, it did not. My client agreed to meet with the fraudster and apparently, the guy had a very decorous resume showing degrees from prestigious American universities in engineering and marketing. My client had previously worked with some local marketing companies and was actually involved with a company that did marketing for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. So he was not without knowledge in this field.

After having lunch with the fraudster, my client contacted a mutual friend whom he knew from his marketing endeavors with that aforementioned company. The mutual friend gave Mr. Fraudster a good reference, having worked with him on some past project. The mutual friend who vouched for the fraudster later disappeared from the face of the Earth as far as my client was concerned.

My client sank $50,000 into the venture. He later found out that not only was there no TV sponsorship, but that the event never happened nor was even scheduled to happen. Never got off the ground. Apparently, it simply never got enough financing to interest anyone in even putting forward preliminary estimates on location and costs etc. The fraudster absconded with the financing he raised, and neither my client nor any of the other front level investors saw a penny of the money back.

My client was livid and posted a scathing report on the Rip Off Report. The fraudster then put up some retaliatory BS replies. My client ratcheted up the accusations on the Rip Off Report and at that point, the Fraudster somehow got my client's Friend list on Facebook and sent all those persons emails that personally humiliated my client.

At that point I was retained to file a lawsuit and obtain a judgment against the fraudster and his company, which I did. We never collected on it. He did not and does not have a pot to piss in. Unfortunately more often than not this has been the case with clients who have been scammed. The money on hand is never enough to make the client whole let alone pay his legal fees. I had another client who was swindled out of his life savings, $110,000, in a real estate scam. I got $40,000 of it back for him, so his $110,000 loss became a softer $70,000 punch in the stomach. That is the best damage control I have done in this type of situation.

 

[anon_vlad]

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i could understand your point of you but on my side if i fall upon a company who tells me to pay a certain amount before the work i would just say no thank you. Dont know

much about web company but i look at it like example a mechanic or plumber or anything in that stlye that asks you to pay first.

I had a client (a friend of a friend) once who loved the website I created for him to advance his consulting business. When the time came to make the site live and, of course, pay for it, he told me that he had gotten a job and therefore could no longer use the website and paid nothing. It's not worth pursuing legal remedies for small projects. I therefore have always insisted on a deposit to start work, with payment in full to make a website live since.

 

[anon_vlad]

When I first created websites, I did some for as little as $500, but avoid such projects now. Clients for bargain sites are usually far more demanding than corporate clients. They invariably add requirements, want top-quality, expensive, time-consuming graphic work, but are unwilling to pay an extra dollar.

 

[Marlin Perkins]

Holy mackerel, I was over at the SP union building yesterday and they had wanted posters up on the wall offering a reward for this guys head!!!

 

[Gabriella Laurence]

Gabriella,

I will tell you a funny story about the Ripoff Report because it led to me getting a legal case. Here is what happened.
...
...
My client sank $50,000 into the venture.
At that point I was retained to file a lawsuit and obtain a judgment against the fraudster and his company, which I did. We never collected on it. He did not and does not have a pot to piss in. Unfortunately more often than not this has been the case with clients who have been scammed. The money on hand is never enough to make the client whole let alone pay his legal fees. I had another client who was swindled out of his life savings, $110,000, in a real estate scam. I got $40,000 of it back for him, so his $110,000 loss became a softer $70,000 punch in the stomach. That is the best damage control I have done in this type of situation.

When I hear about stories like these I often wonder if there was a due diligence period before taking the plunge or if it was mostly an impulsive decision on the part of the buyer/investor. I know big scams/frauds are expertly set up to deceive and once in the hands of sharks, getting out before it's too late is not always as obvious as it should be. I still feel sorry for everyone who gets duped by fraudsters/scammers/thieves, especially when it concerns vulnerable elders. It's appalling beyond words.

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i could understand your point of you but on my side if i fall upon a company who tells me to pay a certain amount before the work i would just say no thank you. Dont know much about web company but i look at it like example a mechanic or plumber or anything in that stlye that asks you to pay first.

Aside from plumbers and mechanics, there are plenty of independent contractors, companies and/or professionals who require some sort of deposit/retainer before the service/work even begins: lawyers, architects, business consultants, construction, paving/landscape/snow removal services, photographers, etc. etc. and yes, it includes web designers amongst many other professionals in various fields or specialty services.

I remember years ago when one of my neighbors had hired a company to do his driveway, front porch, stairs and other work. The whole thing was to take about 3 weeks to complete--during peak season. He had paid a deposit to secure the contractor's time (and his team) and for the uni stone custom order. The man thought he was paying a little too much so he kept shopping (something he should have thought about before). A few days before the work was to begin, he wanted to cancel the whole project because he had found someone else who could do "the same" thing for $500 less. I really don't see why the contractor/company would have to lose money and time and be stuck with thousands of dollars worth in custom uni stones just because the client changed his mind at pretty much the last minute. Deposits are necessary to protect someone's time and bottom line when dealing with people like my late neighbor.

I had a client (a friend of a friend) once who loved the website I created for him to advance his consulting business. When the time came to make the site live and, of course, pay for it, he told me that he had gotten a job and therefore could no longer use the website and paid nothing. It's not worth pursuing legal remedies for small projects. I therefore have always insisted on a deposit to start work, with payment in full to make a website live since.

Bingo! This is why deposits are needed. You have to protect yourself, your time and your income from people like that.
If someone is uncomfortable with a deposit, they can easily shop elsewhere--where they will most likely be faced with the same requirement.

James @Orchid Escort Designs sounds more like a scam artist than a fraud.

@Doc Holliday
Is there really a difference between a scam artist, a fraudster and a thief? The end result is the same...

 

[EagerBeaver]

Gabriella,

In regards to your question about my client doing enough "due diligence", as I indicated, he did some due diligence, but obviously not enough. My clients described above, like other clients who were scammed, relied heavily on their own subjective feelings of trust. Both of the clients who were scammed investors in the post above had face to face meetings/business lunches with the scammer about the investment, and the scammer's business plan for the investment. They came away from those face to face meetings believing and trusting in both the scammer and the scammer's business plan. In both of those cases - a planned sporting event, and a real estate development- the projects literally never even made it to the first stage of development because they were poorly conceived and thought out, and thinly financed. Which is usually the case when the plan relies heavily on duplicity and facts that are not actually facts, but fictions.

@Doc Holliday
Is there really a difference between a scam artist, a fraudster and a thief? The end result is the same...

There is no difference. Whether scammer, fraudster or thief, the objective is the same: to part an unsuspecting target and his/her money through trickery, duplicity, deceit, duress, and if necessary, force and violence.

 

[Gabriella Laurence]

This is with the same exact web master I have dealt with.

My story is not the same as Gabriella's, but well, I thought I was the only one and maybe, this guy did not want to continue my website due that I asked to know how to change my pics by myself, and he did show me.
I thought maybe he could have preferred that I pay him to make the updates himself? Anyway, here is the link of the discussion of last winter about that. Take note that at first, I thought that my website was robbed, but that wasn't the case. In fact, 3 months after a non-renewal, a domain become free to be purchase by anyone who wants, and sadly, that's a B&S french agency that did jump on it. So I lost all the website I paid for at the end. Anyway, old story for me now, because I manage with a lots of work to go through that hard time (I did have to hunt for all the places/sites where this domain was linked to my name to update the infos, to stop them to take advantage of my reputation to promote their shit.... and that was intense for me this extra work because I have to build at the same time a website by myself, and trying to continue to work also and find "clients".... Not something a wish for anyone. Very stressful period it was.

So now, just be awarded ladies, be careful.

https://merb.cc/vbulletin/showthrea...-name-photos-and-text!&highlight=maria+divina

Thanks for sharing, Maria. I'm very sorry about your experience with James. Although he didn't technically rip you off, his unprofessionalism made you lose your previous investment with him and ended up costing you more in the long run. Without taking into consideration the business you might have lost as a result and all the time and effort (frustration and headaches) you spent rectifying the situation at hand.

Isn't why why hire pros to begin with? To avoid all that? Ironic!

*Oh and if you want to know, James never ever got back to me. He disappeared literally. That's just way negatively surprising when I learned that he was still active...... you can imagine.

Since I posted about this, more than 10 ladies have contacted me to share their experiences with him... Don't worry, James going MIA and never reappearing when he should is a classic.

Gabriella,
...
There is no difference. Whether scammer, fraudster or thief, the objective is the same: to part an unsuspecting target and his/her money through trickery, duplicity, deceit, duress, and if necessary, force and violence.

That's what I thought but for a second I thought the meaning was different in English versus in French.