DR Resolved pankajjangir vs Deleted member 752298

[Deleted member 731332]

Straight up, the staff spent a ridiculous amount of resources to help him make it right.

The community sees 10%, like what you can see with an iceberg, but the work that went into this was Herculean.

That’s not true I see it. I’ve never seen someone come back from a confirmed shit listing. EVER!

I know yall did it so people would get their money back and out of respect for someone that everyone respected.

Chatting through a CMS is about as impersonal as it gets.

I see it though. I know all of you are just trying to do what’s right. For everyone.

 

[lawrencelau]

no wonder there is no response in their support email, damm it.

 

[AlekhyaDas]

Could only use it for a few months, now that I've factually good amount of websites, it's been dead over a year or more. Unfortunately $150 might not be a lot in many countries, in India it is significant and I would be still ok if I could use it up for like 3-4 years or like some guys have mentioned here.

I wish any other provider like these can offer us some discounts or something, would be a very kind offering. @BassTrackerBoats possible to ask them?

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

Could only use it for a few months, now that I've factually good amount of websites, it's been dead over a year or more. Unfortunately $150 might not be a lot in many countries, in India it is significant and I would be still ok if I could use it up for like 3-4 years or like some guys have mentioned here.

I wish any other provider like these can offer us some discounts or something, would be a very kind offering. @BassTrackerBoats possible to ask them?

There is someone who offers something similar in the marketplace... maybe more than one person.

Feel free to search and ask them.

 

[HopSeb]

Username: HopSeb

Please create your Dispute title using the format in the description below. HopSeb vs Deleted member 752298

Are you the buyer or seller? Buyer

What is the date the incident took place? Jul 2, 2023

What is the name of the accused? Deleted member 752298

Did you encounter the accused on BlackHat World? Yes

Have you started a chargeback with your bank or a Dispute with the payment provider over the transaction? No

Have you contacted the accused via DM (direct message) here on BlackHat World? Yes

Have you informed the accused of the Dispute? Yes

Please add the URL (link) to the location the transaction took place here on BlackHat World.
https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/festy-is-back-get-unlimited-themes-and-plugins-festingervault-com-automatic-updates-bulk-downloads-virustotal-reports-register-for-a-bonus.1095237/

What product category best describes the product/service involved in your Dispute? Other

What is the USD amount involved in your Dispute? $178,5

Please describe the reason for submitting a Dispute, in detail.
I purchased a Deleted member 752298 lifetime membership approximately three years ago (March 2023, as documented in my bank statement), paying $178,5 USD. This service was actively promoted on BlackHat World and initially functioned properly. However, over the past year, the service has experienced repeated and prolonged downtime, with the website often completely non-functional or inaccessible for months at a time.

Despite multiple promises from the service owner to resolve these technical issues, the membership has remained essentially unusable for an extended period. I have attempted to work with the seller to resolve this situation through multiple channels without success. On December 21, 2024, I formally requested a refund due to the persistent inability to access and use the service I paid for. Since that refund request, I have received no response whatsoever.

In addition to the unanswered refund request, I have sent multiple support messages to the seller regarding both the technical issues preventing me from using the membership and my refund request. All of these support communications have gone unanswered. The seller has chosen not to respond to any of my attempts to resolve this matter, including direct messages here on BlackHat World and support inquiries submitted through their website.

I am seeking a full refund of the $178,5 USD I paid for this lifetime membership, as the service is non-functional and the seller has demonstrated a clear pattern of non-responsiveness to customer support inquiries and refund requests over an extended period.

Please detail exactly how you have tried to resolve your issue before now.
I tried to contact him multiple times on several channels, over YEARS. I was empathetic, I waited almost a year without service when the Automattic lawsuit was going on. I didn't run for chargeback, I gave a lot of chance and time and I'd like to be out and spare this stress for me because obviously the service never could be used what I wanted for doing business, because of the unreliability.

What kind of outcome are you looking for from this Dispute?
I would like to have my money back as I got almost 0 value and return of investment from it.

Please paste any URLs that point to evidence for your Dispute.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NOmGTi-QFKepSA9O11S5eho89QRx0IjO?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BWHKg1yNmsS_9upNLbrA2p7GOfTjvqPC/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aZ1Rgk0Mdj_M1mZUb-DUm_coL8Ca_NDe/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ANkv9sAssd70caMzBiF_TDu2yWI6zYRT/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17UTmyYGOjfFvLhPhABBHqPIT72ZL08K_/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1exJi3_0FYHt4ju_LDTb10yZoyc8C49SH/view?usp=drive_link

Please upload any screenshots, videos, or other document files that point to the required evidence.


Please confirm you have sent a DM, here on BHW, to the accused? Yes

Please confirm there has been a 24 hour period between informing the accused of the dispute and right now? Yes

Please confirm that the transaction started on BHW via DM, sales thread, WTB/HAF threads, advertisement or signature. Yes

Please confirm that you have provided evidence of the transaction via URL, screen shot or video. Yes

Please confirm that you have explained what the dispute is about, in detail. Yes

Please confirm you have added all supporting evidence to show that you have a case for a dispute. Yes

By pressing the Submit button on this form, you certify that you have completed every step.

You acknowledge that skipping any of the requirements or failing to attach evidence that supports your case could result in this Dispute not only being deleted, but your account being given a warning. Yes

 

[SilverClouds]

Could only use it for a few months, now that I've factually good amount of websites, it's been dead over a year or more. Unfortunately $150 might not be a lot in many countries, in India it is significant and I would be still ok if I could use it up for like 3-4 years or like some guys have mentioned here.

I wish any other provider like these can offer us some discounts or something, would be a very kind offering. @BassTrackerBoats possible to ask them?

Damn, I get he is a scammer (like, come on... He's basically carding people at this point) but I had wtf moment when I saw someone complain about $150. Guys, if THAT is a huge amount for you maybe you shouldn't be doing what you're doing in the first place, you can't really afford it. It's nobody's fault, not even Festinger's.

 

[AlekhyaDas]

Damn, I get he is a scammer (like, come on... He's basically carding people at this point) but I had wtf moment when I saw someone complain about $150. Guys, if THAT is a huge amount for you maybe you shouldn't be doing what you're doing in the first place, you can't really afford it. It's nobody's fault, not even Festinger's

FestingerVault wasn’t worth $150 for barely 6 months of access. I paid because it had a long, established track record and was reasonably expected to last a few years at minimum. That’s basic consumer expectation, not entitlement. Also worth noting: I was already accessing the same plugins from other sources for free before buying FestingerVault, and I still can. I chose to pay specifically for stability and longevity and expected better for them.

I guess basic comprehenion is hard nowadays, literally said $150 can be peanuts for someone staying in UK or US or any country with a better dollar value. I have paid $15 for Windscribe VPN, $10 for IDRIVE, $299 for pCLoud, and it's all running perfectly, and these lasted me almost a decade now. I'm not evening talking about post-2020 deals. I won't crib about it so much, if and when it dies.

It's Festinger's fault because THEY LITERALLY promised to refund back the money and couldn't afford TO. Guess they are the only one that can't afford to run the website.

No one here is asking for financial advice, just fair delivery of what was sold.

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

He's basically carding people at this point

That's about right.

I assume that someone could report him to whatever authorities, and the civil issues he had would look like child's play if they went after him.

 

[haozhuce]

I saw this problem is marked as resolved, so have OP get the money back?!
If yes, I hope get my money back( lifetime membership $249 ).

 

[Jaspix]

I saw this problem is marked as resolved, so have OP get the money back?!
If yes, I hope get my money back( lifetime membership $249 ).

It's over bro, we're not getting our money back

 

[pankajjangir]

I saw this problem is marked as resolved, so have OP get the money back?!
If yes, I hope get my money back( lifetime membership $249 ).

No I didn't.

 

[Panther28]

Its a shame that you guys were happier to give money to someone who turned out to be who they are. When instead you could have been supporting the real developers of the themes all along and had better support & longevity. I don't feel sorry for anyone losing money from this scammer. Once again, the scammers got scammed.

Yes i consider you a scammer if you subbed to this BS vault, instead of paying the people who actually spent the time developing the original themes for release, before festingscammer got it. You guys got what you deserve. Maybe next time you'll all do the right thing and buy from the original source. I bet you guys don't much like working for free?

I don't think anyone subbing to festscamvault, really knows or cares about what it must feel like to have people steal your work. What was the appeal of such a site? Knowing you were spending even more upfront than you needed to, and ripping off developers. There are a few theme builders like themify.me that have a good bunch and much better than theme forest almost every time. Why don't you guys look for better quality theme providers with cheaper rates and better support?

 

[Jaspix]

Maybe next time you'll all do the right thing and buy from the original source

What this nice guy doing in a BLACK HAT forum.
Go be an angel somewhere else.

 

[geomink]

Its a shame that you guys were happier to give money to someone who turned out to be who they are. When instead you could have been supporting the real developers of the themes all along and had better support & longevity. I don't feel sorry for anyone losing money from this scammer. Once again, the scammers got scammed.

Yes i consider you a scammer if you subbed to this BS vault, instead of paying the people who actually spent the time developing the original themes for release, before festingscammer got it. You guys got what you deserve. Maybe next time you'll all do the right thing and buy from the original source. I bet you guys don't much like working for free?

I don't think anyone subbing to festscamvault, really knows or cares about what it must feel like to have people steal your work. What was the appeal of such a site? Knowing you were spending even more upfront than you needed to, and ripping off developers. There are a few theme builders like themify.me that have a good bunch and much better than theme forest almost every time. Why don't you guys look for better quality theme providers with cheaper rates and better support?

Don't worry: this “loss” of money was just a drop in the ocean of the profit I make every year from my activities, which I would never have made if I had thought like you.

Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 731332]

It's over bro, we're not getting our money back

In the rear view now. Better luck next time.

Hope everyone gets their business straightened up quickly.

What this nice guy doing in a BLACK HAT forum.
Go be an angel somewhere else.

You can stick to the theme in your head about your business operations, but @Panther28 has a point. I pay for all my plugins and I don’t have a problem. I also make so much money the subs don’t make a difference.

Zero problems, zero headaches over trying to be cheap.

Have fun trying to update your plugins

 

[Panther28]

In the rear view now. Better luck next time.

Hope everyone gets their business straightened up quickly.

You can stick to the theme in your head about your business operations, but @Panther28 has a point. I pay for all my plugins and I don’t have a problem. I also make so much money the subs don’t make a difference.

Zero problems, zero headaches over trying to be cheap.

Have fun trying to update your plugins

Yes, someone even said fest had taken a theme from another random download site and put it on his vault. Talk about sharing condoms, lol. Some of us can't afford such obvious security blunders in their business. There are people that welcome it though, i get that, they want to feel the rush of saying "I'm blackhat"

Don't worry: this “loss” of money was just a drop in the ocean of the profit I make every year from my activities, which I would never have made if I had thought like you.

Good luck.

Obviously you aren't a developer that sells your own Wordpress code or similar products you developed then! lol If you stacking lets see you upgrade your membership here then ? Also a nice guide if you have time to write about what you do would be welcomed by the community.

A membership here would have been a more fulfilling and useful purchase.

 

[Deleted member 731332]

Yes, someone even said fest had taken a theme from another random download site and put it on his vault. Talk about sharing condoms, lol. Some of us can't afford such obvious security blunders in their business. There are people that welcome it though, i get that, they want to feel the rush of saying "I'm blackhat"

Very eloquent. I couldn’t have said it better.

They don’t know what blackhat is. We aren’t even allowed to discuss it.

Acquiring GPL code for plugins is barely scratching the surface. If you think basic blogging with nulled themes and plugins is blackhat then you’ll be well suited for jury duty hahahaha

 

[kryssluck]

He has yet to disable the subscriptions. I still get notifications every day about the subscription "RIDING-SOLO-MONTHLY" renewal has failed because my card is not active. Can't we contact the payment provider and tell them to stop trying to charge for a non-existent service and ban his account?

 

[Venusaur]

He has yet to disable the subscriptions. I still get notifications every day about the subscription "RIDING-SOLO-MONTHLY" renewal has failed because my card is not active. Can't we contact the payment provider and tell them to stop trying to charge for a non-existent service and ban his account?

Crazy how those payment processors work...everyday someone honest and legit comes here to complain that PayPal deactivated their account and stole their money, but when an actual scammer is trying to grab money via unauthorised charges, they don't do anything. I'm not involved in this dispute, but if I was one of the victims, I would report him to Paddle, which is his payment processor according to some screenshots

 

[NirvanaWolf]

He never intended to make things right. It was evident from how he dragged it for months and years. There are now hundreds of GPL sites running without any issues.

I was a lifetime member and had maybe like 5 downloads in total after I came to know he's just downloading them off other GPL sites and uploading them on his website. How I came to know? There was literally a file that had the name of another GPL site, he was lazy enough to not even change the file name. Yet, he claimed on his sales thread that he purchased all of these items with his own money. I didn't create a thread because I don't like unnecessary drama in my life, also because, people were going gaga over his 'generosity' of sharing free items which were basically just curated items from multiple other websites, which I realise was my bad, because I should've warned people here.

Not going to debate about whether he should've refunded lifetime members, but still charging people for a non functional service is a douchey move. Business going bad should never be a reason to scam others. If he didn't have any malicious intention, he should still make things right by refunding those who were charged without rendering any service.