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:09/20/2022

  Type:Sales and Advertising 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.

  I was enticed by the idea of using Inventhelp to bring my invention idea to life. Fadi from inventhelp talked about the invention process and explained how I could work with them and pay around $1400 to get my invention idea going once I paid the initial fee of around $900 for them to check with a patent attorney and verify it was an original idea. Once I paid that initial investment the real pressure began. Fadi explained that the packages were not $1400 but started at $14000 and that was the basic package. He told me several times there were cheaper options but never gave specifics. Now he explains today that they all require a down payment and then could have payment plans. That was never explained from the beginning. I was told I could make payments, and was never told I had to pay a down payment. I would like a refund for my initial investment to the company since they lied to me from the beginning and made it seem like there would be options to pay in payments and much less than they now tell me I must pay.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/28/2022

  
  This complainant contracted with our company in July, 2022 for the preparation of a Basic Information Package Report (BIP) as well as a Preliminary Patentability Search & Opinion (PPSO) report.  The BIP report assembles basic information about an invention and the history of its development in a report format.  In addition, a Preliminary Patentability Search & Opinion was conducted for the idea by an independent patent attorney with whom we refer our clients’ patent work.   Upon completion, this complainant received copies of his BIP report and Preliminary Patentability Search and Opinion Report.
  
  We provide every prospective client with a copy of our service & fees brochure, which clearly outlines all of our services and the cost associated with our services.  Our contracts and disclosures, which this complainant signed, as well as our company literature make it very clear that we offer invention submission services in two stages.  We have no reason to believe that the complainant was not informed of this fact. 
  
  Additionally, we do not give patent advice and we rely on the opinion of the independent patent attorney’s with whom we refer our clients to give their professional opinion.  Any activity and/or questions surrounding the patent or the process should be directed to the patent attorney.     
  
  Our company upheld our contractual obligations and provided the service for which the complainant contracted.   We would encourage him to contact us if he would like to discuss his concerns further.
  
  Sincerely,
  Maura R******
  Compliance Manager
  InventHelp
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 09/28/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below. 

  I was given the packet with the pricing but was additionally misinformed by Fadi verbally that there were less expensive options for me to proceed with step 2 of their process. When it came to actually being provided with this less expensive option I was then told I could pay in payments the least expensive package. That is not the same as a less expensive option. I feel I was lied to in order to get me to complete the first phase. 

   

  
  
  Regards,
  ******* *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/19/2022

  Type:Order 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.

  I am going through a company called Invent Help. I have paid a lot of money into this company and is still paying for the support I am supposed to receive in getting a product I revamped to be marketed. I do not hear from them unless I am late on a payment. I have been dealing with this company since 2021. I was first told by Gil G*****, the sales representative that I would receive funds if I haven't been partnered with a manufacturing company. I am still waiting for one. After calling the company and explaining what I was told. I was then told that I will not receive my money and that they are to be done with communicating with me after two years, but a company can call and ask about my design 3 years from now and they would try to contact me. I would no have agreed to this company if I was not getting my money back being that I have student loans and struggling to pay on them. I pay $315 a month on a $12,900 loan which is to help me get a partner or manufacturer for my product. Until today 19 July 2022 I have paid about $4000 of the 12,900. I plan on stopping making payments as I see no help and it's been a year now. I see no results. I have paid $760 to get a contract with invent help. I am tired of struggling and not getting anywhere in promoting my small ideal or business.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/20/2022

  This complainant signed a Retail Installment Contract on July 19, 2021 agreeing to pay monthly payments for the contracted services.

  Universal Payment Corporation is not able to address this complainant's specific statements regarding InventHelp Services. The complainant should contact InventHelp directly.

  We hope this information helps.

  Sincerely,

  Deborah L***

  Manager/Universal Payment Corporation
  

  Business Response

  Date: 07/28/2022

  
  We are in receipt of the above referenced complaint. 
  
  This complainant contracted for our services almost a year ago for the assistance in submitting her invention to industry in an attempt to obtain a good faith review.  Our records indicate that the services are being provided in accordance with the contract. 
  
  While we understand the inherent frustration regarding getting companies to respond to new inventions, we were clear before, during, and even after this complainant contracted for our services about the high-risk nature of this industry.  This complainant signed contracts, as well as other documents, which specifically outlined the risk and the fact that we cannot promise success. 
  
  Additionally, her claim that we have not provided updates regarding her services is simply untrue.  We have sent her updates anytime a service is provided, we have been in communication with her via e-mail and phone, and furthermore and we have a Client Services Department which is available Monday through Friday during normal business hours, anytime she would like information regarding her invention services.  
  
  If the complainant has payment related questions, she should contact the payment company directly.
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
  
  Sincerely,
  Maura R******
  Compliance Manager
  InventHelp®

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/29/2022

  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.

  Greetings, I am writing to you to complain about InventHelp. I started doing business with this company on 6/10/2020 and its ongoing. During this time, InventHelp has engaged in misleading business practices including misrepresentation, false advertising, deceptive practices. They charged over $5,000 for the Inventor's Mailing Program. This program was falsely advertised to me by Zulan B**** from InvenHelp. InventHelp misleads customers on what's offered and as the process moves along they engaged in deceptive practices by not answering questions directly and creating delays in revision of the IMP brochures. They use the exact text you provide them on the brochure which is contrary to what was told to me and the designs were horrible and never met expectations. I have all the email correspondence to show the level of deception and false advertisement they were engaged in. I attempted to amicably end our relationship and get a refund for non-rendered services. But they denied my request and want to send me a brochure I didn't approve by default. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible to possibly avoid further actions taken against this company. Thanks, ********* ***** FILE ********

  Business Response

  Date: 07/11/2022

  
  We are in receipt of the above referenced complaint.
  
  Over two years ago this complainant contracted for our Inventor Mailing Program Services.  This service is a personalized do-it-yourself mailing program which enables inventors to submit their inventions on their own in the hope of finding a company that may have interest in reviewing their inventions. 
  
  The complainant’s concerns stem from the belief that his services were delayed, which is simply untrue.  This complainant received an invention brochure which included an illustration of his invention and a description of its features and benefits for review; we worked with him on several rounds of revisions to revise his brochure.  Please keep in mind, revisions to invention materials are a common occurrence in this process and we work with each inventor to ensure their revisions are completed in a timely manner.  We have had multiple conversations with him regarding his revisions and offered to schedule a call with his illustrator, who attempted to reach this complainant via phone as well as e-mail, however we did not receive a response.
  
  Additionally, this complainant’s claim about misrepresentation and deceptive practices is simply untrue.  We clearly outline, in our contracts and literature, what we provide for the Inventor Mailing Program Services and according to our records, his services are being provided in accordance with the contract.
  
  We would encourage this complainant to contact us directly if he would like to discuss his concerns further. 
  
  Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
  
  Sincerely,
  Maura R******
  Compliance Manager
  InventHelp®
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/11/2022

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  Greetings,

  The response from invent help is very dishonest.  First, I have worked with them on the revisions and never had anything satisfactory. Second, I never attempted to reach me once; I always initias contact with them and finally I have reached out to them directly and they refused to resolve the issue and offered more revisions of the brochure.  It has been two years and they have done a horrible job so far so I don’t understand how much more revisions they want to do. I have all email communications with the sales reps to show the show their misrepresentation of their services.  If invent help refuses to resolve this amicably now, I will take further actions that will expose this company for what they are and make sure I explore all possible avenues to recover my monetary losses and more.

  
  Regards,
  
  ********* *****