Home > Internet Business > Matthew P. Griffin: Customer Service at its Worst?

Matthew P. Griffin: Customer Service at its Worst?


Here’s a good case study on what’s wrong with a lot of customer service associated with internet products, these days. I recently had an unfortunate encounter with Matthew Griffin (trading as G.N.I. Marketing), an internet marketer who distributes Private Label Rights (PLR) and other info products – typically by blasting out sales emails to subscribers on a very regular basis.

Unfortunately, a number of his products have proved disappointing and I want to warn you to stay away from purchasing such products, after the disastrous experience I had. The product in question was ‘PLR Cable’ which purports to be an internet TV application that comes with PLR rights.

I’ve been interested in the internet TV niche for some time, as it has a lot of potential and there is a good deal of traffic for it on Google, Facebook and other sources – especially for sports. The PLR Cable product itself is very poor, and would be unacceptable for me to sell it to any of my customers or friends – it just does not work as advertised.

But rather than focus on the ‘PLR Cable’ product (which – not to put too fine a point on it – sucks) what I want to highlight in this post, is this; the awful experience I had with Matthew’s customer service (or lack of it) following significant installation problems with his program.

Here’s a transcript of the PayPal resolution process, so far – makes for interesting reading (I’m the Buyer-OnVideo1). Note the accusation at the end of the exchange… what a nice way to treat a customer;

From Buyer – OnVideo1

7/15/2010 02:42 PDT

Requesting refund. Registration does not work

From Seller – G.N.I. Marketing

7/15/2010 12:01 PDT

Registration issues have been resolved. Sorry, was a misunderstanding on how the software operates, but has been fixed.

Ok, got the problem fixed. I would like you to redownload all the sales material here:

http://plrcable.com/cablemazster.com

Make sure to uninstall all related world wide web tv on your computer, then reinstall

the software. When it prompts you for a registration code, here is the new one (copy and paste into your browser):

http://softlocker.net/ca.asp?l=469&p=[redacted]

That URL will be included in your sales material that you are downloading again.

This should solve all the problems for you and you should be good to go. If you

have any more questions, or run into anymore problems, please let me know.

Talk Soon,

Matthew P. Griffin

From Buyer – OnVideo1

7/15/2010 22:07 PDT

Unable to install – requesting refund

From Seller – G.N.I. Marketing

7/15/2010 23:49 PDT

It works fine. All my customers are using it. I have no way of knowing if you are requesting a refund and then still using my software. I have tested it true and as long as you deleted all the old files, and download the new ones, there should be no problem. Here is the link again:

http://plrcable.com/cablemazster.html

Let me know how it works for you.

Matthew P. Griffin

From Buyer – OnVideo1

7/15/2010 23:53 PDT

Requesting refund. Unable to install.

No response needed. We’ll automatically escalate this to a PayPal claim on 22nd. Thanks

From Seller – G.N.I. Marketing

7/15/2010 23:59 PDT

Ok…escalate…but you should really try to use the software because it works. And when paypal tries it and sees that, they are going to rule in our favor. There is nothing wrong with the software. There is even a Mac OSX installer on the download page. I cannot understand why you would say that it will not work. It works, tested and true for everyone that has purchased and every one I’ve had test it.

From Buyer – OnVideo1

7/16/2010 00:02 PDT

OK, will be interesting to see. In addition, I will be posting your comments and lack of response on my blogs. It’s unfortunate I have to do that, but I believe my subscribers need to be warned about you.

I’ll ensure the blog posts rank highly in Google, next to your name and products

(as indeed I did about 3 minutes later – CLICK HERE for PROOF)

From Seller – G.N.I. Marketing  (Matthew P. Griffin)

7/16/2010 00:08 PDT

You can do that. It will not effect me. Your the one that has bought a product that is now in perfect working order, bug fixed almost immedietly apon hearing from you…I kept in constant contact with you through here about it all. And now your the one saying it does not work when infact it does, so you are the one looking like a crook…like so many out there online, who buy, download product to use for life and then ask for a refund. I would understand if there was not an instant fix for the problem you stated above, but there was. All Internet Marketers know very well the type of customer you are, buying a really good product and then requesting refund, knowing that you can use it even after refund granted. I bet you will not post this message in your blog.

From Buyer – OnVideo1 (Roger)

7/16/2010 00:14 PDT

Actually, I’ll post everything including your comment above, and will send you the links.

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  1. Paul Perry
    July 16th, 2010 at 04:13 | #1

    Hi Roger
    you always give up to date information, I know you would not recommend something you have not tried your self, that in itself is a good tip to start on the right foot for a solid business.

  2. Roger
    July 16th, 2010 at 04:15 | #2

    Thanks for your comment, Paul. I have sent you a bonus by email for taking the time to comment on this post.

    Thanks again!
    Roger

  3. July 16th, 2010 at 06:25 | #3

    Wow – amazing! All they had to do was act honestly and give a refund.

    And you got it to rank highly on Google too.

    Been having some issues with the Bank at the moment and possibly doing a media interview next week. Maybe I should put my communication on my blog too and see if it ranks high.

    After all, if it is factual what is there to complain about.

    Thanks for the product review too – one to avoid ;-)

  4. July 16th, 2010 at 06:46 | #4

    Another perfect example of why you shouldn’t always say everything you’re thinking!

    True – there are people out there who use a product, get a refund, and repeat the process. But it’s mega unfair to bunch all of your new (or potential) customers into the same category.

    Thanks for another great post Roger :-)

  5. Roger
    July 16th, 2010 at 06:50 | #5

    Thanks for your comment, James. I have sent you a bonus by email for taking the time to comment on this post. Google and the world now knows about Matthew P. Griffin. Google is ranking my posts very high for the following keywords;

    “Matthew P. Griffin products” (My Posts rank #1, #3, #5, #6 and #9 as I write this… I own half the front page of google for many of his keywords now – took all of about 35 minutes)

    also, see how I’m ranking for…

    “gni marketing”
    “matthew p. griffin scam”
    “PLR cable”

    and others. It never pays to mess with someone who knows a little bit about SEO

    Thanks again!
    Roger

  6. Roger
    July 16th, 2010 at 06:51 | #6

    Thanks for your comment, Bobby. I appreciate your support. I have sent you a bonus by email for taking the time to comment on this post. Got the keywords to rank on google in about 3 minutes! “Matthew P. Griffin products” (My Posts still rank #1, #3, #5, #6 and #9 as I write this…).

    The 35,000+ blog updates I sent out by email didn’t hurt, either.

  7. Donna White
    July 16th, 2010 at 09:04 | #7

    Wow. Remind me not to get on your bad side. LOL I try really hard never to ask for a refund, but sometimes it just has to happen. Luckily I rarely have. I totally respect your opinion and will definitely stay away from Matthew Griffin and his products. He sounds like a total idiot. Your blog is one of the few that I actually read. Thanks for all the info you give. It is appreciated.

    Thanks, Donna :)

  8. Roger
    July 16th, 2010 at 09:15 | #8

    Thanks for your comment, Donna. It takes a lot to push me over the edge… I’m just tired at the behavior of some marketers out there, making a bad name for every honest marketer who’s trying to do a good (and fair to the consumer) job of selling online.

    Got an email coming your way!

    Talk soon, Roger

  9. July 16th, 2010 at 13:15 | #9

    Good job Roger!!!

    To anyone reading, I have been close friends with Roger for close to 2 years now. We have done webinars for his readers together, attended events together, and even worked on profitable campaigns together. We constantly talk about the products we buy and recommend them to each other.

    There have been numerous occasions when Roger was less than satisfied with a product and did NOT return it, simply because he got SOME value out of it, even if it wasn’t worth the full-ticket he paid.

    Everyone reading this blog knows that Roger is a stand-up guy and when I read the bit about “so you are the one looking like a crook…like so many out there online, who buy, download product to use for life and then ask for a refund.” …I actually took offense to that! Yes, there are lots of losers out there to do exactly that (too many in fact), but buddy missed the mark on this accusation.

    Anyhow, that’s my $0.02…. and I’ll opt to “be the better person” and simply reserve my comments and opinions on Mr. Griffin’s behaviour.

  10. Tony
    July 16th, 2010 at 14:48 | #10

    Hi Roger,

    Thanks for the post and heads up. Even entrepreneurs of your stature encounters these problems ( for some reason, I never imagined this). I guess he discovered he was “messing with the wrong guy.”

    I had the same problem in the past. I’m curious to know if you could recommend some software I could use ( as a weapon to “even the playing field”) which would generate a high Google ranking review, as you did?

    Again, thanks for the input.

  11. Roger
    July 16th, 2010 at 23:15 | #11

    Thanks, Kosta!

    Talk soon, Roger

  12. Roger
    July 16th, 2010 at 23:22 | #12

    Hello Tony, I have found having a “ring” of at least 3-blogs – all linked to each other works great – and then post to all 3 blogs. Next, I use SEnuke (or a similar program) and Ping.fm to Social bookmark it. I also use Odiogo.com (free plugin) on all my blogs and that seems to make a positive difference with Google.

    If you like, email me at roger [at] betterclix.com and I will be happy to get on the phone with you (no charge) to help you even the playing field.

    Over the years I’ve come to understand what works with Google for operations such as this is;

    - Original content
    - Inbound links (thru social bookmarks works great, such as Digg, Jumptags etc)
    - a history (having your blog established for a while)

    I’ve sent you something for commenting.

    Thanks, Roger

  13. greg segal
    July 18th, 2010 at 08:58 | #13

    Hi there Roger.

    I do appreciate your regular emails. I must now acknowledge and commend the stand that you took, even knowing that they would try and badmouth you and then suggest that you were in the wrong.

    Yes, there may be people that download and then ask for a refund. I am sure that it a very small percentage compared to the overall number of sales made.

    I learnt many years ago that to stay in business for the long term, you need to treat each customer as if they are your only customer. It is cheaper for you, the seller, to be an honest person and do the right thing, than it is to go out constantly looking for new customers.

    I had a similar problem with J.P. the unethical person from Ethic-Cash. In the end, he is the ultimate loser. I wonder, just how many customers can a seller afford to lose?

    Thanks again for your honesty and the great info that you share.

  14. Roger
    July 18th, 2010 at 09:03 | #14

    Hi Greg. Thanks for your kind comment and I have sent you a special gift by email, for commenting.

    Talk soon, Roger

  15. john samuels
    July 18th, 2010 at 22:24 | #15

    Actually you come across pretty bad in this Roger. If you had any inclination to use the product you would have been a lot more open to sorting out the installation issues.

    As you were not, it is pretty clear you did indeed buy to refund. Whether you are still using it or not, I don’t know. But you definitely come across as the one in the wrong here.

  16. Roger
    July 19th, 2010 at 05:38 | #16

    Hello John, thanks for your comment – I appreciate it. While it goes without saying I don’t agree with you, I certainly respect your opinion. Just to show I’m fair to everyone – no matter whether they support me or not – I have sent you a gift by email for taking the time to comment on my blog.

    Talk soon,
    Roger

    P.S. I am not using the product.

  17. July 20th, 2010 at 10:17 | #17

    Good for you Roger, for posting the complete transcript.

    I had a similar problem with a different product, but after the second try I got my refund promptly. That was good customer service in spite of me not getting the goods.

    If this guy is all that concerned he should invest in trying to find a way to stop customers using the software after a refund.

  18. Roger
    July 20th, 2010 at 10:20 | #18

    Hello John. Thanks for taking the time to post your comment… I appreciate it, and have sent you some special links by email.

    Talk soon, Roger

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