I have given Jake Bartow more then enough time to make right on the money he owes me, and I’m fed up with his little merry-go-round of, well I don’t even know what he thinks he’s doing…so I filed a lawsuit against Jake Bartow (doing business as AIB Marketing) yesterday. Court date is set for November 21st. It will be very interesting to hear what he has to say for himself in front of a judge.
Oct
1
On August 19th, I receive a check for partial re-payment ($480) of the money owed to me by Jake Bartow/AIB Marketing. But, Jake has threatened to stop payment on it (see emails below)…So, we are back to square one…again. Jake has made threats to sue because of this very website. He claims it is libelous and again tries to make himself out to be the victim. I guess he forgot that he still has $1200 of my money that he refuses to give back to me. The paperwork he “needs” me to sign in order to repay me has never arrived. Not surprising. I’m more then fed up with the games…
Aug
7
4/29/08 - I met with Jake Bartow for the 1st time for a free consultation and gave him a “retainer” check for $1200 that would be used towards 10 hours of work on our Quickbook Enterprises company file. Gave Jake Bartow our Quickbooks company file.
5/2/08 - Jake Bartow cashes $1200 retainer check.
6/2/08 - Email Jake for status on work. Receive no response.
6/10/08 - Call Jake Bartow’s cell phone and leave a voicemail requesting a call back with status of work. Receive no response.
6/12/08 - Send another email to Jake Bartow requesting a refund since he has been non-responsive to my requests for status on work. Receive email response from Jake within 12 minutes. He admits that he has not done any work on our company file.
7/2/08 - After two requests for a refund, Jake Bartows states that he needs me to sign paperwork in order to receive a refund. States he will send the paperwork to me in the mail when he is “back in the office next week”. As of 8/7/08, no paperwork has been received.
7/14/08 - I request a refund, again, and offer to drive to his office to sign any paperwork needed. Jake Bartow advises that he will refund “3.0 unused retainer hours equaling $360″, even though he has done no work (which he admitted on 6/12/08).
7/15/08 - When I advise that I’m not going to let him keep any money of mine that he did not work for, he counteroffers with a “settlement of $600″.
7/17/08 - I visit Jake Bartow’s office at 3:12pm. The door is locked and the sign appears to be ripped off the door. I call Jake Bartow and leave a message on his voicemail requesting a call back. My call is never returned. Receive an email from Jake Bartow stating that he “will resolve this issue on Monday, or via Express Mail if you are back in Puerto Rico”. As of today, 8/7/08, no further attempt to resolve this issue has been made by Jake Bartow, nor has anything been received via Express Mail (or any type of other mail service).
7/28/08 - Send email to Jake Bartow requesting status of refund.
You can read all of the emails to and from Jake Bartow, here.
The just of it is that Jake Bartow has not done the work that I gave him $1200 to do. It has been over 3 months and he refuses to refund my money.
Aug
1
June 2nd, 2008 - 10:05am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
Can I get a status on when you are going to complete cleaning up our QB file? I’m waiting on you in order to get my taxes done and I want to get them done asap. Thank you!
Cheers,
Summer
June 12nd, 2008 - 10:53am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
Unfortunately it has been well over a month since I have heard from you, despite repeated attempts to contact you. You have not responded to the email I sent 10 days ago, nor have you returned my phone call. I’m extremely disappointed that you did absolutely nothing for me, except waste my time, yet you were very quick to cash the retainer check that I gave you. I request that you immediately refund the $1200 that you took from me. You can send a check or money order to:
Summer Hogan
PO Box 697
Rincon, PR 00677
If I do not receive my money within 7 days, I will be filing an action against you and your company.
Sincerely,
Summer
June 12nd, 2008 - 11:05am PST
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Hi Summer:
I was waiting for you to let me know you have entered all transactions for 20007. That was the first step in my outstanding items.
Please advise if you have a change or different understanding than what is indicated below:
Per my understanding you were going to enter in all transactions or summary transactions as we discussed.
Then I would review those and provide comments/suggestions as well as the process flow if you wished to use Purchase Orders going forward.
If you have entered all sales, purchases and expenses then please send me a note saying you have updated, created a backup, and give permission to for me to access that backup from your online storage.
I will not access a client’s backup without their express permission.
I await your response.
Regards,
Jake Bartow
office/fax: 760.434.1181 / cell: 310.418.0509aib Marketing, Inc.
June 12nd, 2008 - 7:16pm PST
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Summer:
I just received an email from you today and would appreciate clarification if this is in response to my 2nd request for status sent today to your different email addresses.
I am sorry if you did not read or receive my first email. Please advise which email is your actually email.
I have been waiting for your update on the activities you were going to do before we reconvened per our meeting the day before you left for Puerto Rico.
Please check your emails, and I do hope you decide to return my voicemail. I will await your call.
Sincerely,
Jake Bartow
office/fax: 760.434.1181aib Marketing, Inc.
June 13th, 2008 - 3:14pm PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
No, unfortunately that was not the plan. If there was some sort of misunderstanding on your part we could have cleared it up 11 days ago when I first contacted you, but you chose to ignore my requests. I find it to be a huge red flag that I have to threaten legal action to get a response from you.I’m sorry it didn’t work out and I’m even sorrier that I have to spend additional time and money to fly back to San Diego and start all over again.Cheers,Summer
June 13th, 2008 - 9:27am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
HI Jake,
Here is the breakdown of our communication (Times listed are PST):6/02 10:05am - Summer sent an email to Jake requesting status.6/10 1:59pm - Summer called Jake requesting status.6/12 10:53am - Summer sent an email to Jake requesting refund since he was non-responsive.6/12 11:05am - Jake responds via email.6/12 6:44pm - Jake responds via phone.6/12 7:16pm - Jake sends the email below.I hope that clear things up for you!Cheers,SummerVicious Enterprises
June 30th, 2008 - 9:38am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
I still have yet to receive my money, can you let me know when you sent it?Cheers,
Summer
July 2nd, 2008 - 12:41am PST
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Hi Summer:
As previously noted, AIB needs your signed acknowledgement of:
AIB’s withdrawing from further services, a refund of only the unapplied balance of retainer, and confirmation of which address to send remaining funds. As previously stated, upon receipt of Original signed document noting above, AIB will promptly cut a check to Vicious Enterprises for the unused balance.
Sincerely,Jake Bartow
office/fax: 760.434.1181
aib Marketing, Inc.
July 2nd, 2008 - 7:34am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
I never received notice that you needed any sort of paperwork, nor
have you forwarded the paperwork you need me to sign. Please do so.
Cheers,
Summer
July 2nd, 2008 - 8:02am PST
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Summer:
I will forward when back in office next week. Thanks for the quick response.
Regards,
Jake
o: 760.494.3092
c: 310.418.0509
July 2nd, 2008 - 12:13pm PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Jake,
What day will you be “back in the office”? It’s quite obvious that I will need to follow up.
Cheers,
Summer
July 14th, 2008 - 11:19am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
I’m still waiting for my refund. I will be by your office tomorrow to pick it up. Kindly have a check ready along with whatever paperwork you need me to fill out.
Cheers,
Summer
July 14th, 2008 - 12:09pm PST
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Summer:
Refund for balance of 3.0 unused retainer hours equaling $360 will be available on Friday. To expedite, please make appointment for a meeting to sign documents and receive your check.Respond via email.
Cheers,
Jake
July 15th, 2008 - 8:09am PST
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Jake,
You must have my account confused with another. Although you deserve not a single penny since you have wasted over two months of my time and have produced absolutely nothing, I’m willing to pay you for two hours, and that is being quite generous. If I don’t have a check for $960, in my hands by Friday, I will be contacting Intuit in regards to your interesting business practices. I will also be filing a complaint in small claims court for the entire amount of my retainer as well as the travel expenses it will cost me the fly back to San Diego to recover my money from you (a minimum of $1500). In addition, the dealings I’ve had with Jake Bartow and AIB Marketing will go public. I’m sure you have no idea what that means, but trust me on this one, anyone researching you or your company will find out exactly how you do business. Don’t take this as a threat, I am simply mapping out the exact steps that I will be taking to recover the money the you are attempting to steal.
I will see you on Friday.
Cheers,
Summer
July 15th, 2008
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Dear Summer;
Although advised against doing so, I will make one final suggested settlement to resolve this on behalf of AIB. AIB is offering you a total settlement of $600 paid upon signing of documents (if documents are signed and received). If you accept I will have documents drafted for you to sign at my cost regarding this final settlement.Cheers,
Jake Bartow
July 15th, 2008 - 10:01am
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Sorry, Jake. I’m not going allow you to keep money that you did not work for. It’s not even about the money, it’s about principal. I work extremely hard for every cent that I earn. For you to think that you can take that money from me is completely asinine.
I will be seeing you on Friday and I do expect a check for at least $960 to be waiting for me.
Cheers,
Summer
July 17th, 2008 - 2:43pm
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Hi Summer:
I have not received, as requested, an appointment time for a meeting to resolve this.To expedite this matter, I am suggesting a meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the Starbucks on Carlsbad Drive downtown Carlsbad. There will be a document to sign and a check if you confirm via email. Please confirm via email.
I waited, but now unfortunately, Friday is not available at this late date.
I would like to resolve this quickly and efficiently.
Again, please email me as quickly as you can to book this time for Monday.
Cheers,
Jake
July 17th, 2008 - 3:04pm
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hello Jake,
You never requested an appointment time or a meeting, as I’m sure you
know. I will not be in San Diego on Monday. As I stated before, I will
be at your office to pick up my check on Friday (7/17/08). If you are
unable to be there. Simply leave the check for me.
Cheers,
Summer
July 17th, 2008 - 9:38pm
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Hi Summer:
Read the email on this string from July 14.As can be seen, you even responded to that specific email.
I will resolve this issue with you on Monday, or via Express Mail if you are back in Puerto Rico.
And yes, your threats to harm my business, my family and me have been taken seriously. I believe you have the wherewithal and intent to commit physical and criminal actions upon us. You have severely scared my family.
Thus, I am resolving this issue with an agreement and a check if an appointment is made Monday or via express mail.
Jake
July 18th, 2008 - 7:02pm
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
HI Jake,
I’m sorry to hear that you feel so threatened by the truth being revealed about your business practices. I’ve never made any threats towards you, your family or your business, so drop the drama.You stated on Monday that you would have a check for me on Friday. It’s Friday at 7pm and I still have no check from you. I even stopped by your office this afternoon, as I told you I would, but it was closed. It has been 35 days since I have requested a refund and you have made no effort to resolve this. Give me a date, Jake. When will I have a check from you in my hand, and how much will it be for?
Cheers,
Summer
July 28th, 2008 - 9:00am
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hello Jake,
It has been 9 days since my last email to you and 10 days since I left you a voicemail requesting you to call me back. Unfortunately neither my email, nor my phone call has been returned. I also have not receive any paperwork “via express mail” (or any other type of mail) as you indicated you would be sending. As a matter of fact, I have received nothing from you. What’s the status on my refund? When can I expect to have a check in my hand from you and what is the exact amount that it will be for?
Cheers,
Summer
August 5th, 2008 - 11:36pm
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Hi Summer
I will be sending you/dba Vicious Enterprises a check for $400 this week if you forward your correct address for mailing. This the initial refund of unused hours plus a portion of the extra amount you require.
Please confirm the exact address to send it to.
Also, as indicated earlier, the balance of a settlement will be sent once the written agreement is signed, and original sent to me. AIB will pay the balance of the $960 you demanded in return for your written agreement not to pursue your threats of business and personal defamation and possible other business interruptions by you or associates. As noted before, your threats are taken seriously and will require a written binding agreement that you will withdraw and/or refrain from any actions, intended actions, direct or indirect by you or on your behalf by any others against AIB, myself and my family.
Cheers,
Jake Bartow
AIB.
August 7th, 2008 - 8:47am
From: Summer
To: Jake
Hi Jake,
Once again, you can send whatever you need to send to:Summer Hogan
PO Box 697
Rincon, PR 00677I don’t know what sort of game you are playing, but I have never threatened you, nor have I given any indication that I would ever commit any sort of illegal act, as you know. I have no legal
obligation to you or to sign any documents in order to recover the
money that you have stolen from me. I find it very strange that you are trying to make yourself sound like the victim, when in fact you are the one that has broken the law. Nonetheless, I will be happy to take a look at what you are trying to get me to sign. I would recommend that you send these documents as quickly as possible, as I have plans this week to make my travel arrangements to fly back to San Diego, for the sole purpose of filing a lawsuit against Jake Bartow DBA AIB Marketing. It has been nearly two months since I have requested a refund from you and I have still not received a single document or check, despite what you have told me you were planning on doing.
Cheers,
Summer
August 12th, 2008 - 2:26pm
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Hi Summer:
FYI: Initial payment of ½ total should be received by you at the PO Box in Puerto Rico by 8/
Confirmation Payment to: Vicious Summer receipt no later than: 08/19/2008 $480.00
The second half will be sent upon receiving the signed agreement. This will conclude our business.
Cheers,
Jake
August 14th, 2008
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Summer:
Your website and information has cause for legal review. I have just recently been made aware of your misguided actions.
Summer, I highly recommend that you immediately cease and remove the site “jakebartow.com” and turn over the url to AIB Marketing immediately.
If you do not do so within 24 hours, you will force AIB and I to take every legal action available given the activities you are now engaging.
You know that your representations are not accurate and are solely intended to cause destruction to my business and my reputation.
AIB has made payment, advised you of it, have proof of it and I provided the confirmation. You claim yourself an innocent victim, yet you purposely you initiated this libel against my business and me personally.
I question whether your intent is the verbal agreement or the destruction of my business and my reputation through your acts.
Please advise what is your intent, and to what end?
Jake.
August 15th, 2008
From: Summer
To: Jake Bartow
Hi Jake,
The definition of “libel” is:“An untruthful statement about a person, published in writing or
through broadcast media, that injures the person’s reputation or
standing in the community.”The key word here, Jake, is “untruthful”. I have never written
anything about you or AIB Marketing that is untruthful. Just let me know what statements are untruthful and I’ll be happy to remove them.You have had several months to make what you did right and you have continued to avoid me, ignore me and lie to me. I still have not received anything from you, let alone the money you owe me. Do you have a tracking number on the partial payment you sent?
Cheers,
Summer
August 15th, 2008
From: Jake Bartow
To: Summer
Summer.
Your website and claims are libelous given your definition. The facts are
presented in your website to mislead and cause irreparable damage to my
livelihood and reputation. There is no refuting that fact. It has been
done so under both your personal name and your business entity.Regardless, as stated in an earlier email, a check has gone out. I stated
at the onset that I will reimburse for hours not used $360. I will allow the
check to clear even though it is for more than owed, $480.Fortunately, there is now enough documentable proof of your actual intent to
cause harm from the onset.Even so, I will provide a last request: immediately take down the site
permanently. Be prepared to deliver to AIB the domain registration.
Once done, I will have a new legally binding agreement that must now address
your actions and any further intent.I have been advised it is pointless to pursue settlement with you. Your
actions are overt and meet the definition by defaming me and causing
irreparable damage to my business.You have until end of business today to decide the direction of this
dispute.
Jake
October 1st, 2008
From: Summer
To: Jake
Hello Jake,
I’m sorry, but I still have not heard which parts you find to be libelous. Like I stated before, I will be happy to change/remove anything you point out to be untrue. But, as we both know, the website is a totally factual timeline of events, and will continue to be a factual timeline of events. I think that consumer reviews of businesses/products are very important in this day and age. Don’t you?Any how, I’m really tired of your attempts to re-word things to try and make it seem like you are the victim here. I received your check for partial repayment of the money you owe me, but I of course have not receive the mystery papers that you keep claiming that you need me to sign in order for you to return all of the money you stole from me. I have not cashed the check, since you have threatened to stop payment on it and I really don’t have time for any more of your bullshit, Jake. I filed a lawsuit again you and your company yesterday. I will see you in court on November 21st. If full payment of $1200 is received before our court date, I will consider dropping the case.
Cheers,
Summer
Jul
28
This blog has been set up to chronicle the experiences I am having with Jake Bartow ad AIB Marketing. I found Jake Bartow on the Intuit (Quickbooks) website and hired Jake (doing business as AIB Marketing) to help clean up my companies Quickbooks Enterprise file for preparation for taxes. We met briefly and went over what I wanted and expected from him. I gave him a $1200 “retainer”, which he promptly cashed (one day after the retainer was issued, but before he had actually done any work). I then waited two months and heard absolutely nothing from Jake Bartow. My emails and phone calls went unanswered/ignored, until I requested a full refund and threatened legal action to recover my money. I got an email within minutes and have gotten the run around from Jake Bartow ever since. SO, this blog is to chronicle every experience that I have with Jake Bartow/AIB Marketing until this issue is resolved.