Can Bubblews be held accountable to their former contributors?
By Justusforus
@desertdawg (312)
United States
January 31, 2016 6:45am CST
In scanning the interesting discussion here on Mylot, I can't help but notice there are many articles about Bubblews and how many participants were left disappointed. What I never see is if anyone ever actually pursued any formal action against them.
I realize that many of the Bubblews writers were out of the country and Bubblews seemed to be based out of California. Some of the writers claimed they were not paid hundreds of dollars. It may seem like a lot of effort, but did any of the local writers use the small claims court?
There are many resources on the internet for reporting fraudulent or unlawful conduct. I do not know the particulars of each case but the few I have read, seem to say they were actively mislead. Whether a person who feels they have been wronged are in the US or abroad, it appears from simple online reporting forms, it seems this would be a simple process. Have any of these writers used Internet Crime Complaint Center (also know as the IC3) which investigates activities conducted through the internet?
If there is a company in California that a consumer wants investigated, there is a direct contact for the Office of the California Attorney General. The point I am making is that although it is said "the pen is mightier than the sword" simply writing blogs and complaining about a possible scam seems unlikely to get anyone satisfied. There are channels both from the Federal government (like the IC3) and the state where the business is being conducted in and investigators on the ready.
Seems to me if enough people take the time and make a formal complaint, these agencies and their investigators will take it seriously. I am not saying people cannot vent and express their opinions, but it also seems that by following available resources, at least a person knows that they have not "taken the law into their own hands". By using those entrusted to investigate and carry out the law, it may truly send a message that there is much more to good business than just talk.
20 people like this
16 responses
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 16
I'd love it if those bubblews twaats were taken to court
I'd even chip in for the lawyer
Yes the terms of service say blah blah blah but I've watched The Good Wife...I know a lawyer could be found in the US to take ANY case as long as they're paid.
Lets get the crowdfunding started
....who's first to stump up some of their ACTUAL money????....Oh...nobody
case closed before it's started.
Nice idea but not going to happen is it as most people won't put their money where their mouth is
I'd even chip in for the lawyer
Yes the terms of service say blah blah blah but I've watched The Good Wife...I know a lawyer could be found in the US to take ANY case as long as they're paid.
Lets get the crowdfunding started....who's first to stump up some of their ACTUAL money????....Oh...nobodycase closed before it's started.
Nice idea but not going to happen is it as most people won't put their money where their mouth is5 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
31 Jan 16
The point was that small amounts add up to a lot. The discussion I raised was not about a class action (for a civil recovery) but a FREE online report of suspected wrongdoing. Put Internet Crime Complaint in your browser and see what it says.
4 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
31 Jan 16
@JolietJake Reporting suspected misconduct is completely different from ignoring a contract. Apples and oranges. I find it strange so many seem to say they were taken advantage of yet would fear that B would come after them.
2 people like this
@Mike197602 (15504)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 16
@JolietJake nobody is going to court
That being said if I ever came across that Arvind I'd like to see him write his world with 2 broken arms after a severe bat beating
That being said if I ever came across that Arvind I'd like to see him write his world with 2 broken arms after a severe bat beating4 people like this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
31 Jan 16
They should have done right by the members but unfortunately there is no way to make them pay. I have to agree with Morley, it would be pointless to try.
4 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
31 Jan 16
I would simply say look at the site for the IC3 (put it in the browser). If people really feel they were harmed it is a simple process and this should be promoted more since people do feel helpless.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (238275)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Mar 16
@desertdawg I may check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
31 Jan 16
You are welcome. It is handy information to have and it seems many are not aware of what these folks do.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
1 Feb 16
That's a good idea what about a class action lawsuit.
3 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
31 Jan 16
Again, it seems that you should just search IC3 and read what they say. If people could avoid liability for criminal behavior (if it is found to be such) then all would hide behind waivers.
3 people like this
@quarternoes (236)
• Indianapolis, Indiana
31 Jan 16
I don't blame you for being upset. I do, was burned. My problem is, places like Yahoo and Associated Content ran off with far more money then that. Always easy to hide behind a contract for $2 x 3,000,000. No, Yahoo owes me more like hundreds, but you get the picture. Who gonna sue for $2 ?
3 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
1 Feb 16
Thanks for your input. There is a big difference between suing (or arbitrating) and reporting conduct that could be considered fraudulent or a deceptive trade practice. From the responses to this post it seems clear that most people do not want to follow through, even if it is simply filling out a form. If enough people came forward against any business I am quite sure there would be an investigation on a state or federal level.
1 person likes this
@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
19 Feb 16
I think the owners of Bubblews is banking on the fact that people won't do anything except complain online and blogging about it. It's quite a hassle to lodge a complaint because you need to provide documentation which Bubblews didn't seem very forthcoming. Unless you've screenshot all your redemptions, there are hardly much documents to support your complaints.
2 people like this
@UmiNoor (4521)
• Malaysia
23 Feb 16
@desertdawg Yes, it would be interesting to see what investigations will come up with. I would be curious to look at Bubblews' books. Then we can see how much they're really earning.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238275)
• Walnut Creek, California
17 Mar 16
@desertdawg Was it 400 words? Or 400 characters?
1 person likes this
@swissheart (6482)
• Romania
22 Feb 16
it would be interesting if they could actually be made responsable for their fraudulent behaviour
2 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
13 Mar 16
There is strength in numbers...seems most folks though would rather not even fill out a simple on line complaint form. That is what these agencies are for...tax dollars support them.
If anyone kept the emails or the posts of the management staff, I think it would speak volumes to any investigator.
@carexing25 (1822)
• Philippines
1 Feb 16
i just don't wanna talk about it anymore.. i think it's better to just let go of our contributions to Bubblews..
2 people like this
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
13 Mar 16
@Auntylou The "officers" still exist. Anyone who was on the site near the end may even recall them asking to vote for them for outstanding young CEO or something like that. Their blogs encouraged everyone to hang on and keep contributing.
To those quoting the site, it is down, but NO ONE ever agreed to waive arbitration and it is against public policy for people to waive their rights to make complaints with governing authorities. If any agency took these young savvy officers to task, I would hope it would deter the next writing site from taking all the revenues and closing the doors.
@desertdawg (312)
• United States
21 Feb 16
Apathy is often what allows wrongs to go without a remedy. Remember how Bank of America was taken to task for bounce fee practices....Mortgage companies and banks....soit does not matter that it may be a small amount for many...it is the practices that harm people that are the subject of investigations and prosecution that not only punish the wrongdoer but hopefully deter others. Bigger organizations have been called to task than writing sites, but if no one cares to follow up...even with a simple request for an investigation, then yes it can fall by the wayside.
2 people like this
@Auntylou (4262)
• Oxford, England
21 Feb 16
@desertdawg Problem is they exist no more and if as @:nameless says, they were not making profits , then there would have been no profit to share
2 people like this
@HanVanMeegerin (1161)
• United States
1 Feb 16
@desertdawg maybe, but I doubt anything wlll happen.
3 people like this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
31 Jan 16
Perhaps someone has and we wouldn't know- as it takes ages to go through any court action.
3 people like this
@artemeis (4189)
• China
6 Apr 16
I really like to file a complaint and take this Arvind to the courts even if it means spending the money to do so. However, I wonder if going through the trouble and just get back that few hundred dollars payback would suffice here.
I want to permanently put him out of business like he wouldn't be able to start-up any businesses real time or online, he wouldn't be able to sit in any managerial position of any legitimate money making businesses. Literally, I want to see to it that his entire career as a business owner or high management is over. I felt that such a character is unfit and unqualified to run any business. He has no ethics and morality in any of his bones.
So unless we have this angle I'm sure there will be takers!
