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September 2021 by Willy F.
Hah! Same here. What a nutcase. I let him run his mouth for about 15 minutes... I offered a little bit of info about my services... Then I laughed aloud and I told him "man I spoke to you four or five years ago..." and then he hung up. He's definitely gunning for you freelancers! And from all that I can tell he's been doing it for at least four years. It's what he does. So, now I have "National Products" properly blocked. Carry on, all.
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September 2021 by Jim C.
I feel like I should add to this as well. Isn't it odd that all the reviews are from graphic designers? Says a lot about this guy! I just got another call from "Joe." He periodically calls me looking for graphic design work. Years ago, I spoke to him after unwisely answering my phone. As with all the other reviews here, he complained about the graphic/web design industry and their inability to accept work, or want work, etc., etc. After about 30 minutes of that, he actually described the work he wanted - adding a carpet and awning to an RV photo. I did spend some time trying to work with him, but ended up, like all these other designers, giving up after realizing he just wanted free work. He calls me every now and then asking for services as if he's never spoken to me. Definitely something wrong here. My advice is no different than the rest - don't take his call, don't return his call! Even now, he is still up to his same shenanigans!
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December 2020 by Dj G.
O.M.G! I am so glad I googled this guy's number before I called him back!! I received a voicemail from him just now asking for design services from me. Thank you all for leaving real reviews for this business / this guy. I am used to receiving questionable calls and emails, but so glad I didn't return this guy's call before checking here first. #DesignersUnite!
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November 2020 by Katrina G.
I never got this guys name but man, his game has not changed! There is definitely something wrong with him. He called me asking to design a label and when I told him that's not something I do, I got a 25minute rant about the entire industry and how we just aren't interested in working anymore. There was a lot more said and I should have hung up but I tried to politely decline. I could not get a word in. Do yourself a favor- don't answer and don't return the call!
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May 2020 by Sue F.
Yup.... I'm glad I googled the number. He called me the other day and keeps calling me. Wouldn't tell me what he wanted... he only ranted about designers. After 20 min, I told him I had to go and he hung up on me. He called back this morning and I asked if he was the same guy a couple of days ago and he hung up. He has now called me 3 times in the last hour and I have not answered. He's definitely a disturbed individual.
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December 2019 by John D.
10 plus years ago this guy called saying that all Web designers are flakes. Tried to hire me but I was already working on a project for another client. When I told him it would be a couple weeks until I could start on his project he called me a flake and hung up. 2 years later, he calls asking for a quote and I reminded him that he called me a flake and he hung up on me. 3 years later, guess what? He calls again. I reminded him and he hung up on me. Today he calls and left me a voicemail asking for a quote for graphic design. I think I'll pass on calling back. Only reason I know it's the same guy is because he has a distinct dull monotone voice. Beware and give this guy a wide berth.
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December 2019 by Deborah K.
I, too, am a graphic designer that this guy has tried calling repeatedly. Fortunately, the first time, I missed the call, heard the voicemail (with the very distinctive voice), and Googled the phone number and found all of the horrible reviews on here, Rip Off Report, etc. describing his abusive business practices toward graphic designers. The second and third times he called, I recognized his voice immediately (since he doesn't say his name or his business name unless you specifically ask) and mentioned that I only service non-profits and wouldn't be able to help. This last time, when I asked if he had called me before and if he was based in Signal Hill (where his business is registered), he lied and said no to both. Definitely shady. Stay away.
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November 2019 by Kirstin S.
This guy won't stop calling me. I've endured two of his crazy tirades in the past, and now I have his number saved so I won't answer it. Each time, he acts like we've never spoken. He probably can't remember other people because he doesn't actually allow them to speak when they get on the phone. He's got a chip on his shoulder about marketers and designers in general, and if he gets you on the phone, it will cost so many minutes of your life that you'll never get back. He's absolutely unhinged, and likely suffering from severe mental issues. Save yourself.
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November 2019 by Buck D.
Well it looks like I wasn't the only one....what's this guy's deal? you'd think he has some personal issue with graphic designers - if not the entire profession full stop. I have received at least 3 calls from this business soliciting graphic design services that were so bizarre, I was almost certain it was a prank. The caller (joe hale?) had an adversarial tone throughout and seemed far less interested in defining a scope of work that he was looking for rather than launching into open-ended tirades lambasting graphic designers as a trade and a meandering catalog of grievances. he had an odd habit of asking a question and then immediately going into long-winded screeds precluding the ability to answer them. the first time I must have let him do this for upwards of 20 minutes before I explained I had a client waiting on me (which was true) at which point he became extremely angry before hanging up on me. In each call, I tried to isolate what exactly the caller was looking for in terms of services in the attempt to hopefully build a quote to practically no avail. (the closest i got mentioned something about "labels" but i was unable to get him to pull any focus beyond that). on all three occasions that he called, he hung up on me mid-sentence. on at least 2 of the calls - his hanging up revolved around my answers to his question regarding our company's deposit policy. on at least one of the 3 phone calls, he became outwardly hostile towards the notion of the suggestion of having to pay the industry standard deposit before work could begin. judging from reports in these reviews of him stiffing someone who actually made it as far as creating product for him - it's a reminder why deposits need to be charged in the first place. To be completely honest - I was a little surprised to google the number and discover that it actually belonged to a working business. my assumption from the experience of my calls was that this was someone with untreated mental health issues bored and alone somewhere. i cant believe someone with this level of acumen is somehow still in business on any level. After today's call - i actually blocked his number. I suggest others do the same and help spread the word around the freelance and design community.
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October 2019 by Maaleen E.
Same here, got a call for design services, wouldn't accept a quote, said he wanted to see the work done first, how would I know he was even worth my time and effort if I didn't understand his budget and expectations. Very rude and entitled Tone, clearly not used to working at a professional level.
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September 2019 by Lance W.
So I too got a call from this guy today. He never stopped ranting to find out his needs or what he was calling about, so I googled his number to find the comments below. I was then able to cut him off and end the call.
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September 2019 by Jed P.
Definitely agreeing with other people who've received requests for design service from this guy. He definitely goes on a bit of a rant. He talks about being charged by people for design work when most of it seems to be people just modifying other people's work and doesn't seem to take any education. I did find it extremely rude to those who did go through school or had to go through a lot of experience training for graphic design work.
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August 2019 by Julia F.
This person called for web design services and he talked for 45 minutes straight with stories about graphic designers. He had lots of questions but never let me speak beyond saying hello. He called again recently probably forgetting that he called me before. I literally left the speaker phone on in my office, went to another part of my house, cooked dinner, threw in a load of laundry. He was still talking and never thought to ask if I was on the phone. Literally I had to interrupt and tell him that i had to eat dinner, and i didn't think I could take him as a client. So weird!!!
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July 2019 by Danielle V.
While I haven't worked with this business, I too receive periodic phone calls from him asking the difference between freelancers and teams of web designers. He interrupts you frequently and always hangs up on you. Not sure what it is about, but it happens like clockwork every 3-5 months for the last three years.
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January 2019 by Kelley N.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME WITH THIS COMPANY. He is incredibly rude and dishonest. He believes everyone in the service industry are "sleazy" and went on a rant about how everything is expensive. Worst merchant ever. Don't be in business if you can't handle the real world, Joe!
