Dear Readers,
(Last Updated June 17th, 2013 @ 3:35 pm EST) RC 6.0 MO
For this week’s “Scam Watch” feature. I thought I would tell you a little about the Internet service called JustAnswer.com
JustAnswer.com is a Question/Answer site where you can go to ask any kind of question to a so called “Expert” Which is supposed to answer your question.On their homepage they claim their service works this way:
But for most users it is more like this: Ask a question, Make a user account, write a bit more about your problem, contact with the “Expert” then you choose what you want to pay him for his services. Like $10, $20 or $30 dollars USD, and they claim you will get much faster and better help if you pay more. Anyways, the next step, you pay, you wait, you wait more and then you wait a little more. Then you check your bank account and you might see that they have “taken out more money” than you actually agreed to pay for a service you never even received.
On their site there is a complaint section, I have copied some of the post from the section (This complaint section has since been removed):
“I needed some advice on a wound my cat received by a raccoon. I needed the information immediately and this seemed like a good option. I asked the question and was asked how much I would pay- I chose 13.00. It directed me immediately to Paypal where I paid the amount. in full using my bank acct. Received the receipt and waited. About an hour later I got an email that I had a response. I went to retrieve and it asked me to pay… I contacted customer service and they said I had not paid. Checked Paypal and it was received by them- also deducted from my bank acct. I sent them the receipt and went back and forth with about 20 emails. Got no where but the run around. I asked for a phone number – I called, no one answers… so left a message. 2 days later and have gotten nowhere. I am really ticked off- not even just the money- but the principal and the time I have taken on this! Ridiculous… DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY- YOU WILL BE SORRY!”
“I clicked the $10.00 box that I am willing to pay for recommendation of a simple drawing software program.
They charged me for $175.00.
I sent them an email and claimed a refund. No response yet. I was in touch with their ‘Expert’ waiting for further advice because the first was not fully usable. I am waiting for both responses. 08 / May/ 2009″
“i did not accept any answer’s i received so they told me i would receive all my money back in my account in four days but instead the took twice as much more out and made my account over drawn by $148.00.”
“I submitted a question to Justanswer and paid £6.30. I was told the money would only be taken from me if I accepted an answer. I haven’t had any answers at all but the money has been taken.”
Also important to note that if you decide you want to exit their site. You end up getting this message:
WAIT! Your question has not been posted yet. This is what you get by placing a fully refundable deposit into your JustAnswer account:
* Experts are reassured that you are serious and are willing to reward them for a helpful answer.
* You will be able to preview and “Accept” your answer before deciding to pay for it.
* Deposits are fully refundable for any reason until you are happy. Satisfaction guaranteed!
Thank you,
JustAnswer
JustAnswer also tells you that if you are not satisfied with your experts answer. You do not need to pay, but how can this be when you need to pay to get in contact with the said “expert” ?
I would highly recommend you stay away from this site. Now I am not saying that they only scam people. JustAnswer.com may help around 25% or so of people. But when someone loose $100 USD when they only choose to pay $6 USD something is very wrong !
From the comments I have read throughout the net it seems like around 50% actually get what they are told to they will get. It also seems like they have had some inside scamming themselves, people who claimed to be experts and were noting of the sort.
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Now the link I am about to share with you all is 100% legit and is in fact on the JustAnswer.com website. Via the link we have provided for you. So you all can see how counter productive and really silly it seems. HELL…..I maybe DEAD wrong but you just need to click on the link and read the proceeding text to DECIDE FOR YOURSELF……
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One Of JustAnswers.com Claims:
**Image directly taken from JustAnswer.com website
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JustAnswer.com Wikipedia Page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justanswer.com
**Link Provided By (CSW) -Moderator- Erin
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JustAnswer.com Better Business Bureau (BBB) Profile:
http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/url/justanswer_com/
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JustAnswer.com Promo Link “The Shockingly Simple JustAnswer® Promise” –
http://ww2.justanswer.com/shockingly-simple-justanswer-promise
**Link Discovered By Nico
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JustAnswer.com HELP And REFUND Section “Blackbelt Support” Quality. Access. Compassion –
http://ww2.justanswer.com/help/topics/143
**Link Discovered By Nico
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JustAnswer.com How Can I Request A REFUND ? Link –
http://ww2.justanswer.com/help/how-can-i-request-refund
Verification Status: Confirmed as a SAFE LINK. Confirmed via (CSW) readership as useful. But you must be registered to see page.
JustAnswer.com REFUND Link –
http://www.justanswer.com/refund/refund.aspx
Verification Status: Confirmed as a SAFE LINK. Confirmed via (CSW) readership as useful. But you must be registered to see page.
**Both JustAnswer REFUND LINKS Were Provided By Commenter Ethan
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JustAnswer.com Customer Service E-Mail Address – cs@justanswer.com
Verification Status: E-mail Address is Confirmed via (CSW) readership.
**E-mail Address Provided By Commenter Ethan
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JustAnswer.com Non-Corporate Customer Service Phone Numbers -
Toll-Free: 888-587-8220, 888-567-8220, 1-888-862-9212
Canadian Toll-Free Number: 1-888-587-8220
UK Toll-Free Number: 0-800-452-621
Australian Toll-Free Number: 1-800-679-634
New Zealand Toll-Free Number: 0-800-452-621
Intl: 650-385-2899 and 1-650-985-2899
From The Rest Of The World: 1-650-385-2899
Verification Status Of Non-Highlighted JustAnswer.com Customer Service Numbers: Confirmed by (CSW) readership.
Verification Status Of RED Highlighted JustAnswer.com Toll Free Customer Service Number: Confirmed via (CSW) readership and Scam Watch Team.
Verification Status Of Orange Highlighted JustAnswer.com Canadian Toll-Free Service Number: Confirmed via (CSW) readership and Scam Watch Team.
Verification Status Of Brown Highlighted JustAnswer.com Canadian Toll-Free Service Number: Are not confirmed via (CSW) readership and or Scam Watch Team.
Verification Status Of Blue Highlighted JustAnswer.com Toll-Free Service Number: Are not confirmed via (CSW) readership and or Scam Watch Team.
*Non-Corporate Customer Service Numbers Provided By Commenter Ethan
**Second Toll Free Number Customer Service Number Provided By Commenter Plain Jane
***Canadian Toll-Free Number Provided By Commenter Daniel
****All Numbers In Brown Were Provided By Commenter Mike H.
*****All Numbers In Blue Were Provided By Commenter Alan
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JustAnswer.com Direct Corporate Phone Numbers: 1-415-929-9923
Verification Status: Confirmed via (CSW) readership and Scam Watch Team.
The 1-415-929-9923 corporate phone numbers above have been confirmed by both our “Scam Watch Team” and (CSW’s) readership. On a number of occasions. But please feel free to comment below if you have indeed called one or both of the above numbers and let us know if they are indeed helpful. In solving any issues you came across.
*Phone Numbers Provided By Commenter James Fox
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If you guys have any question regarding this or any other similar subject. Please don’t hesitate to comment or e-mail us @ computer.savvy@hotmail.com
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Important Side Note: Please guys could you speak English in the comments section. If you can’t speak English please use the following embedded link to GOOGLE TRANSLATOR. It’s 100% free and very easy to use.
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DISCLAIMER: The Computer Savvy Weblog has no control over the ads Google decides to display on our blog/site. Due to the fact The Computer Savvy Weblog is using the free version of WordPress. Sorry for any inconvenience or possible misunderstandings this may of caused.
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Return To The Main Features Page
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Later Dayz,
Post Written By Nico
And
Scam Watch Feature Was Created By Remy “Se7en”
Hi Erin and Danny I apologize for the legal comment, Ii can see how it can be interpreted as a threat, but I promise that was not my intention. I was surprised to see Jon’s comment as well as a little relieved to finally have support. As you can see by the voting my attempts to isolate the experts from the financial arena has not gone well. I summarized the money issue to computer settings either on JA’s side or the subscribers and felt the need to differentiate the two. I have been in construction since I was 10yrs old which has ended in disability I still carry the ideals that you are what you do and how well you are reflects how good you do. Which reading back I can see it being the bases of my stand. As I stated you can see how much support I gathered from the votes. I never meant to mis-use or display misconduct on your site at any point. Erin I’m not sure about the “he said she said thing” or even why I was the addressee of the reprimand. Other than my poorly placed legal comment I can not see anything in any of my post that suggest anything else but support for the experts. Please let me know where I offended anybody or even said anything negative to anyone. I have read through this twice and can only see from the responses and votes that the experts are still considered as part of the problem regardless of its nature. I can’t explain the negative responses to my comments as anything else. If you can decipher any other hypothesis please include it with any examples of my misconduct. Please forgive the legal sentence as I am aware of my ignorance in its use. I believed in the binging that good and bad points had equal chances, after receiving 12 thumbs down just for supporting my co-experts I don’t think I ever had a chance.
What do you expect from people watching a thread that implies JA is either a scam or a really bad investment? It’s only one or the other here. Scam or Bad Investment. The people watching this thread don’t want to hear from the people that are helped by JA and have no negatives to say.
Disclaimer: Although I am an expert with JustAnswer, my posts on this board are my own and I do not claim to represent JustAnswer in any way.
Dear Bryan
I do not agree with you, I would say our title is more of an open question for the readership, but it really just depends on how you look at it to be honest.
-Nico
Sup Nico,
First off, it is nice to finally chat with you. Even if it is via the JA comment section. Kudos brother. I have always commended you with your sheer dedication to this post.
I still can’t imagine supporting a post that was written and published way back in Dec 2009.
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Well, anyhow I agree with you 100%. The title of this post is……….
Your fellow (CSW’er)
Erin
Dear Erin
Glad to hear that ! Nice to chat with you too, keep up the good work ;D !
-Nico
Hey There Mike,
I would like to apologize for being overly blunt and generic. When it came to your comment.
I get hot under the collar whenever someone implies legal action into a perfectly open and equal opportunity comment thread / discussion.
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I not sure what to say about the 12 thumbs down you got. I don’t control that and we don’t vote. (We as in the (CSW) Team.)
Heck at one point or another most of us has been on the receiving end of some very negative voting. I don’t take it personally. You said what you wanted and people can think what ever way they want to. That is how this JA feature is suppose to work. And pretty much has for quite sometime.
I would fathom that quite a few of these comments are angry people so. Anyone that is talking on behalf of JA. Would more then likely have a very good chance of getting voted down.
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To end off Mike. Give the people some time. Post another comment if you wish. You maybe surprised what our readerships reactions maybe. Because in the end you make some very good points.
And truly in the end I am just doing my job protecting (CSW) and (CSW’s) readership.
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Erin (CSW) Moderator
Dear Mike Couch,
No need to apologizes to anyone Mike. Erin and myself were both rather frustrated. By some of the comments left. (We should of been more tactful on our end.)
Mike, I personally don’t agree with all the negative votes you are getting. Just for supporting your fellow JA experts. I honestly would of done the same thing if someone was attacking or berating one of my fellow (CSW) membership.
But again, like Erin said “There are more then a few angry people on this comment section.” Sour grapes and all that. But again, if I got taken advantage of “scammed” (regardless of the method and how it occurred). I too would be seeing red.
Danny (Managing Editor -CSW-)
Erin, Danny Thank you, my inexperience in web surfing and blog sites is evident huh? lol Since becoming disabled I have spent a lot of time familiarizing myself with different internet avenues and must confess not really impressed with how it is used. It has the feel of a flea market for lack of a better analogy. Somebody trying to get you to buy or sign up for something around every corner. A good example is the “miracle PC cleaners just press this button and your worries are over…………after you register and buy the product. Until then they throw more crap on your computer and tell you you have a problem derrr lol. In this I can understand everyone ire and hell yes I would ticked to no end if I threw away money for substandard advise then get over charged/double charge/or charged continuously at no fault of my own. I’m just as tired of these sites as everyone else. Your replies have shown me that my opinion is not absolute and not to judge all from experiencing a few. I commend your professionalism and efforts in maintaining quality assurances and would like to sign up for the email subscription if you can put up with me lol I will wear the thumbs down as badges of honor earned holding the course while under fire in a hostile terrain lol and yes I truly understand both your responses. I would have done the…………………ummm or did the same which makes us true to our convictions something not found on many sites, at least the ones I have visited. Thanks again and as a final thought “everyone must believe in something………………..I believe I’m going to bed.
Good health and happiness to you and yours.
Mike Couch
Mike,
First off…..Ur welcome.
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The net can indeed be a maze of click here (or else) type situations. It can easily be seen as pure hell or bliss. It really depends on who you talk to and what frame of mind you are in.
(CSW) was in fact created in part for people such as yourself. We are open to everyone. We don’t turn anyone away. Feel free to say or do what you feel is right.
My job is to listen and help out where I can. While at the same time not letting it spiral into madness. I’ll let Danny explain to you. On how to sign up for an email subscription.
Erin (CSW) Moderator
You more then welcome Mike,
So not to repeat what Erin has already said. Which I fully agree with. In no uncertain terms.
(CSW) is a safe place. Don’t let anyone say anything different. And don’t worry Mike about the comment voting thing. You should wear it as badge oh RESPECT. It just means people actually read your comments and took it to heart. Very few other places can you get the same feedback. In such an easy to understand way.
(At least, that is the way I feel)
Now Mike, if you want to subscribe to our (CSW) feeds. There are a few different ways. Our RSS feed and our blog subscription service. Both are located on the middle right hand side.
If you just want to be contacted when ever there is a new comment. You should see 2 or 3 check boxes. Where you can decide what level of interaction you want. You can get notified if there is a new comment on the post. You can get contacted if there is a reply to your comment.
PS: Mike , we would be more then happy to as you said “put up with you”
Keep it real,
Danny (Managing Editor -CSW-)
I have come to realize the importance of a site such as this coupled with the fact you guys respond on a personal note make it a comfortable environment. I get involved when I feel the subject and feel there are points still to be made. I’m not a socialize I say my piece when I feel it is relevant but not without putting myself in the other set of shoes first,. I have stopped myself from many blunders that way lol. I do have to ask if it is normal for the members of a company that has been featured like JA to come on site and respond in the manor I’ve seen our members like Ethan, Jon, Bryan, and myself? While I agree corporate needs to figure out why this is happening and fix it, the ones that have replied here are the type of experts I talk to daily and stand up for. I have found similar comforts on this site which is actually all any of us are looking for. Thank you for you for creating an inviting atmosphere to learn, teach, and above all else………..learn from the mistakes of others because we will never live long enough to make them all ourselves. On that note Tahhh. lol.
“Just Answer” is a scam
Absolutely
Dear Jane
I would at least not use JA under any circumstance ;P
-Nico
Wish I had read these before J.A. took £13.00 of me.I managed to get intouch with the bank to stop any further payments.
I have emailed J.A. twice now with no reply.
There add says 100% satesfaction guaranteed!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi David,
My name is Ethan and I am the Customer Service Supervisor for JustAnswer. I am sorry to hear that you have not received an answer to your emails. You can get a refund by following this link:
http://www.justanswer.com/refund/refund.aspx
Our Customer Service team responds to most emails within 4 hours. How long have you been waiting for a reply? Can you let me know what email address you send your request from so that I can look into what happened.
Regards,
Ethan
Thank you Ethan doing us proud.
Mike Couch
Ethan: I cannot find any of the links suggested for cancellation. The help number is busy. Please cancel my subscription
Dear David
As Ethan has allready replied, you will probably get your refund if you give customer support a call!
-Nico
I have been reading all the info above, and it leaves me quite
confused. I have used JA several times to answer some questions
of an automotive nature, regarding electronic ignitions,
and r&r of engine components. In each case, I got an accurate
responce that truly helped me.
It never required pre-payment.
As a matter of fact, I am considering becoming a JA “expert” in the
electronics fields I consider myself a professional expert in.
Rick
Check your bank statements carefully if you have given them your credit details . Warning .
Dear Jon Lee
I double this !
-Nico
Hey Rick, I’ve been with them for about a month and enjoy the experience. I find many of the experts in my field {electrical} to be of the same caliper as the ones I’ve worked with. I recently became disabled and was not adjusting well to the extra time I had. I’m able to fill that time as well as use the experience I have to assist others and keep the synapses firing. You fill in your personal, professional, and experience including degrees, licenses, and certifications which they will check on . Then a quick 10 question test to confirm you are knowledgeable in the field and in about 2-4 days your accepted. I would advise reading others answers to find the veterans as well as the ones on their game and touch base with them. Most experts welcome other experts inputs to their answers and will in turn do for you. This is the experts way of maintaining quality within our abilities. There are some knuckleheads but they don’t seem to last long. Gina-mod is one of the moderators for electronics that is visible active. I also noticed in the blog/forum section that they are really needing more experts for electronics so its a good time.
Hope to see you on, feel free to give me a shout out at DrSpark1 in electrical, I have befriended a circle of veterans that are willing to give pointers and advice to us new-bees.
Til Then,
Mike C.
Dear Mike
Thanks for giving such a in depth reply about becoming a expert, I’m sure a bunch of readers will find this interesting! Keep up the good work !
-Nico
What are the prerequisites for becoming an expert at JA? Your own opinion or academic achievements with proof of such? The “mechanic expert” that helped me with a BMW question gave me answers that immediately brought up some red flags. Now you guys, most probably part of the JA scam come and hustle your stories here.
Dear Rick Green
If I’m not wrong I think everyone has to make a deposit with JA when they make an account, it would be very mysterious if you skipped this part and still became a member, anyhow, I’m glad your time with JA was wellspent! Sadly not everyone are as lucky :/
-Nico
Hey There Folks,
I am very happy to report. We have reached over 1,000 comments as of this comment.
I want to give a quick shout out to “Nico” the writer of this feature.
I also want to give a quick heads up to both our (CSW) readership and the JA experts and Customer Reps. Who helped out our readership.
By providing JA customer and corporate phone numbers , links and personal support to our readership. Very well done guys.
And to all the hate-ers out there who comment , e-mail or DM me. “Hey folks we are still here. And we are not going anywhere anytime soon.”
“So deal with it or don’t and comment. We are open to anyone on ether side of this topic. So post and be heard.”
So anyways keep it real folks and see you on the flip side…..
Later Dayz,
Remy “Se7en” (Editor-In-Chief -CSW-)
Dear Remy
:DDD!! Thanks to everyone who stopped by, and all of those who spent some time writing a comment, good or bad, it means the world to me ! ;D
-Nico
William, you are asked why you think you are an expert in a category of which you can reply I do it for a hobby but think I can instruct others. When you put down training, certifications, licenses, or any other notable accomplishment in the field it will be checked for authenticity and posted on your profile as confirmed by a third party or not..It gives the client a clear picture to the expert answering. That is why it is crucial as the subscriber to check the experience of the expert handling your question. If they do not meet with your criteria re-list the question stating you would like a certified expert to answer. It is your money on the line don’t settle. I belong to a circle of experts who check answers before they are released to uphold quality in our category, just because our reputations are important to us. We don’t usually report them but they don’t feel as smart when their answer is scrutinized by another expert with more experience and knowledge. Some disappear, some rebel, but most appreciate it and step up their game to match us. JA does not send anyone out or try to recruit in anyway I’m aware of. I came across this site in a search for JA, said my piece above for my fellow experts and was invited to explore the site as a learning tool. Erin and Danny have made me feel comfortable here so to better myself as a person and as an expert I visit here to learn, nothing more, nothing less. This site has taken a subject and opened it for all opinions and points. I got my turn and invite you to read through as it unfurled to understand why I am here. I hope this answered your question, if not please feel free to contact me through this forum for any question you may still have.
BTW Nico thank you I was a little disillusioned at first but it incredible how a little bit of knowledge can change a perception. Great topic {I’m spent lol} and thank you Remi for the nod to all participants contributions. Gratz on the 1000 comments most are probably mine lol. I need to be instructed on RSS and how it works if anyone could please. .
Dear Mike Couch
On behalf of myself I thank you for the nice words, I’ll let the others answer themself if they feel like ;D ! Hope to see you around !
-Nico
Ok cool, have you got a category for BS? You need to move some of your experts to THAT category.
I wish there was I know of a few experts I’d like to nominate for that category myself. My suggestion for this would be to look around the site a little and view the experts in your category for the ones that have the background beholding of your trust and send them a direct question. You can re-list anytime to change experts until you find the one that clicks with you. Then return exclusively to them. It’s your money, it’s your choice. I do not have any experts in that category on my buddy list, I’m sorry.
Mike Couch
Dear Mike Couch
Wise words, smart tips !
-Nico
This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of
your great post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
Dear Jbob
Thanks bud, hope to see you around ;D !
-Nico
As soon as I realized they were going to be trouble I looked for how to cancel. None of their suggestions for canceling works. Their help phone is always busy. In addition to wasting money I’m wasting time. GCS
Dear Bia
Hmm, did you use the customer support line which is in the feature, if so, then I suggest you to follow the guidelines about how to end the subscription, if you cant figure it out then you can always talk with your bank and stop payment that way !
Keep me posted !
-Nico
I feel that I was tricked into a subscription and after canceling that subscription was still charged for it after a week went by, I have a email saying that my money was refunded yet I have yet to receive it and have contacted my bank to dispute all this since talking to Just Answer and told that it would be refunded in 2 to 5 days usually within 24 hours, this after 4 phone calls where I was placed on hold for long period and had to call back and was even hung up on once because I was told I was angry, (wonder why). The answer I received was strait up text book it provided no help to me at all. VERY DIS-PLEASESD, would not recommend Just Answer to anyone. If this was accidental as I have been informed than possibly they need to be more clear about their services because the subscription that I thought was canceled evidentially was not just the FREE 7 Day Trail answer that I was given was refunded which under the 7 Day Trail should have been FREE, I was made to give payment info. to get the answer I’m just sorry that I did it. I will say they do provide answers but the answers I’m getting from them now are not as yet putting my funds back into my account that never should have been taken out to begin with. I say stay away, I knew better and did it anyway. Don’t do what I did.
JA uses clever hooks with search engines using very well researched marketing tactics. I think its time the big boys get informed, like the FBI.