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:03/13/2025

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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.

  I hired this company to help with my invention.what seemed to be them creating and promoting my invention was not acceptable. They promised support, advertisement, marketing and trade shows that they would attend to promote my invention. Instead they sat behind a desk and sent emails to various companies, there was no leg work, there were no trade shows, only empty emails and promises. I got a report about 3 times in 2024 of a few companies they said they sent an email to. The marketing department was supposed to be this dynamic team of go getters who merely sat and sent out emails, no follow up. I am very disappointed that they are allowed to falsely claim that they work for you and make all these promises that they never deliver. The sell sheet is the only thing provided besides a 3D photo .and of course an email regarding trade shows Hello ******, I hope all is well and sorry about this confusion. The contract you signed with Invention Assistant contains the Tradeshows. We attend them for networking purposes to get contacts then send them inventions in their wheelhouse to license later. We did that regularly before Covid. Since Covid a lot of the Tradeshows we attended are no longer operating however we still attend a few. What we can do is pay for your marketing the $600 for this oversight and we will let you know about shows we attend in your industry. Does this outcome work for you? Thanks, *** ***** Senior Product Supervisor Direct: ************** Office: *********************** Toll Free: 1-888-707-IDEA Email This was post COVID. Although they deducted the 600 they still never attended trade shows as promised.They never attended a trade show on my behalf. My invention turned out be nothing more than a piece of paper.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2025

  We appreciate all feedbackpositive or negativeas it helps us continuously improve our services. Were sorry to hear youre dissatisfied with the marketing firm as we do not do the marketing and we do not have a marketing department. This complaint seems to be for the marketing firm but it is aimed at us even though we paid for your marketing for you. Also, we do not use that marketing firm anymore as we are focusing on the ones with higher success rates. With that being said, we would like to clarify the sequence of events and the work our team completed on your invention:

  1.Initial Design & Development:
  Sketches: After reviewing the initial sketches, you responded, We think it looks great! So whats next?
  Prototype Renders: Upon receiving the 3D renders, you wrote, Hi. We think it looks good. What is the next step?
  Sell Sheet Copy: You responded your approval with, Perfect, thank you.
  Sell Sheet: You stated, It looks good to me. What next?
  Animation: You approved the final animation.
  Website Completion: Once your dedicated product website was ready, you asked us to add your sisters name as a co-inventor. We promptly made that update for you.
  Patent: You worked with one of the top Patent Attorneys in the *** and they filed the patent in your name, and you own it outright. 
  

  *********** Assistance:
  We referred you to a separate marketing firmat our expensepaying $600 on your behalf so they could reach out to potential licensors. They contacted 20 companies, sharing your presentation; while there was some initial interest, no companies ultimately moved forward. 

  We also attended a major trade show in October in ********** relevant to your product. We showcased your invention, which drew some attention; however, no viable leads developed further so we did not contact you about it. We have all the info on the tradeshow and contacts if you would like to contact us. 
  

  3.Our Role and Limitations:
  Its important to note that we are primarily a Design and Development firm, not a full-scale marketing agency. Our goal is to bring your vision to life through sketches, prototypes, websites, and presentationstools that you or third-party marketing firms can use to secure licensing or investment.

  As with any new invention, success in the marketplace depends on numerous variable consumer demand, industry trends, and partner interest. No company can guarantee an invention will be licensed or profitably marketed.

  We understand youre requesting a refund for all the work we completed (sketches, prototype renders, sell sheet, website, animation, and the marketing outreach we financed). However, each of these deliverables was provided and approved at various stages. We fulfilled the scope of services outlined in our agreement, and we regret that the outcome did not meet your ultimate expectations.
  

  Inventions sometimes do not advance to the mass market, despite every reasonable effort to promote them. Although we cant promise or guarantee success, we strive to offer honest, high-quality assistance in the design and development process. We hope this clarifies our position and all weve done to help bring your concept to life.
  

  We use multiple marketing firms and can refer you to one that has better contacts in the market which we could pay for you to try and would have recommended if you would have contacted us first. . Also, we are attending one of the Top Cosmetics tradeshows in ******* in May which we can still showcase your product. 

  If you have any further questions or wish to discuss the situation in more detail, feel free to reach out at any time.
  

  Thanks, 

  The Invention Assistant Team
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/02/2025

  The contract stated that trade shows, not a trade show would be attended by this company. And although this firm is stating the marketing firm was to blame, this is who they put me in touch with, and might I add that the contact for the firm seemed to be related since last names were the same. The only reason the six hundred was paid on my behalf, that is partially untrue. It was due to the fact that I was told by the marketing firm that they would not be attending any trade shows. And although the reason being blamed on COVID, COVID was not an issue in 2023/2024. I was misled either way on what to expect from this firm. I feel I am due at least a partial refund of the *******. I could have chosen a different firm had I known that all the marketing of my product would have been through an email server!

  Business Response

  Date: 04/13/2025

  Dear ******,
  Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. We understand your frustration and are sorry you feel you were misled regarding the marketing aspect of your inventions development.
  

  1. Deliverables Provided
  Our firms role was to handle design and development, which included sketches, 3D renders, a sell sheet, animation, a dedicated website, and ensuring you had the necessary legal protection with a top-tier patent attorney. These services were completed and approved by you at various stages.
  

  2. Marketing Firm Referral
  Our contract included a referral to a third-party marketing firm but you can use any firm you would like. We covered the initial marketing fee of $600 on your behalf as a courtesy. While they did reach out to multiple companies and provided you with updates, we understand that their approach did not meet your expectations.
  

  3. Trade Shows
  While our contract references trade shows, our involvement was ultimately limited by external factors (e.g., COVIDs impact and the reduced number of shows). We did attend a relevant show in ********** in October, where we showcased your invention, although it did not yield any new leads. We understand that you felt more should have been done; however, we did fulfill the terms by attending a trade show and continuing to seek potential leadseven if they were ultimately unsuccessful.
  

  4. Moving Forward
  We respect your position and regret that the marketing did not result in a licensure deal. Its important to note that no company can guarantee a licensing agreement. Still, we stand by our commitment to help you market your invention further. If you are interested, we can:
  Refer you to a different marketing firm with a more hands-on approach.
  Showcase your product at an upcoming trade show in ******* this May, which we believe could be highly relevant to your invention.
  

  5. Refund Request
  We understand your request for a partial refund due to your dissatisfaction with how the marketing was handled. While we fulfilled our design and development commitmentsincluding sketches, 3D renders, sell sheet, animation, website creation, and patent facilitationwe recognize your concerns regarding the marketing efforts effectiveness.
  With that in mind, we are willing to offer a $1,500 partial refund as a gesture of goodwill. We hope this measure demonstrates our commitment to supporting you and acknowledges the disappointment youve experienced.
  

  Additionally, we remain open to helping further by referring you to a more hands-on marketing firm or showcasing your product at the upcoming ******* tradeshow in May. Please let us know if youd like to move forward with either option.
  

  Thanks, 

  The Invention Assistant Team 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/14/2025

  I agree to accept the partial refund and close this case 

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2025

  Hello ******, 

  I think maybe there is a button or way to close this as it is saying we need to respond and you are rejection our offer even though you have agreed and want this closed. 

  Thanks, 

  The Invention Assistant Team