StoresOnline says it didn't misrepresent local websites

By CHRIS BARTON

The head of American web shop builder StoresOnline says his company did not misrepresent local websites as examples of its own work.

Attendees at StoresOnline seminars in Auckland this week told the Herald that during the sales pitch Beer In Mind www.beer.co.nz, which is hosted by Dunedin firm e-Media, was used as an example of the success that comes from using the StoresOnline system.

But Jay Poelman chief executive of Netgateway which owns StoresOnline says the local sites were used simply to illustrate to attendees the sorts of things that can be sold over the internet.

He has recordings of the seminars and is getting them transcribed.

"There's no way we would suggest from the front of the room this [Beer In Mind] is one of our stores."

Poelman said if there was any impropriety it would be clarified. Webtech International which resells e-Media's e-commerce software has laid a complaint against StoresOnline with the Commerce Commission.

"We would not represent someone else's work as ours. That would not only be embarrassing, it would be a stupid thing to do. I suspect what we are going to find is that someone who may consider us a threat, may be over-reaching. In any event, we'll get to the bottom of it," said Poelman

One of the attendees who the Herald spoke to, Alex Cowdel, said he stands by his claims.

He said the Beer In Mind site and a local florist site were put up on screen as examples of StoresOnline work.

He said the presenter handed out photocopies of other sites, saying there were not developed by StoresOnline, but were examples of what could be sold on the net.

Poelman said not everyone who puts their business on the web is automatically successful.

"Our focus is on how to achieve success, not failure. We believe the internet provides an unparalleled opportunity and access to a world-wide market at a cost far less than traditional business models."

He said StoresOnline believes that before a person invests in creating an e-commerce website, they should take the time and learn how business is done on the internet.

"We offer a full-day training program, which includes handouts, meals, and refreshments for two, to learn about the internet and how to market on the internet, before they pay someone to create a website for them."

Poelman said those who do sign up and attend the workshop, are under absolutely no obligation to buy anything from StoresOnline.

He said a NBC Dateline investigation about a related company, Galaxy Mall, MSNBC.com and claims by the Utah Better Business Bureau ThePittsburghChannel.com about StoresOnline were exaggerated.

"We've trained over 200,000 people over four or five years. In that time the Better Business Bureau has had less than 200 complaints. Only one of those is unresolved."