Urban Development Solutions review: Scammers! 26

I got scammed, but in another state. There are a couple of hundred complaints in my state now. When I looked them up initially, they were clean.

I agree. This company is a bunch of scammers! I ordered magazines from 2 girls who came to my door telling me that Urban Development helped young unwed mothers, the website states otherwise. But that wasn't the reason I ATTEMPTED to cancel. I ordered the magazines OVER 7 months ago and have not received one! I have leave messages and messages and have received not so much as a call back. Oh but when I was asked to sign the check, the company could be found! What makes this so sad is honest people like me who want to help out our youth are made suckers of and will NEVER help again!

I just bought a subscription from a guy who had a great story, getting his life back together after a lifetime on the wrong side of the tracks. I made check payable to Urban Development Solutions. Once he left the house I decided to do a check on the company and came across this site and also checked them on the BBB website. Bottom line, too many complaints, while I wanted to help the guy I didn't want to get involved with a company that has a history of complaints and poor customer service. I managed to find the guy before he left our neighborhood and retrieved the check. I appreciate the heads up on this company, too bad they're not legit.

i recently came across two young woman at my door soliciting for a good cause...i usually dont do anything threw door but these two woman were in desperate need of help with chikdren so i wrote them a 2000.00 a peice. i honestly disagree with the allegations that your trying to throw at urban developments solutiobs and i gota ll of my magazines in fashionable manner!

I feel as a full time medical college student that you have so many differbt looks a solicting persiods. I have once work for URBAN DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION over the summer and i feel as if this was a great organization to help young people out that really dont have the obligation to do something better with there lives. I feel as if this company are very legit and are very well standard conditions. When i joined this company over the summer i really didnt need to joined it being that my father a judge and my mom a bank manager, so it wasnt like i needed the money or support for the company. but not only that i really wanted to see what the company was all about and was it really was made up of scams. and with me being apart of this great organization i do not feel as id this company are a scam, i just feel that its a company to give people second chances in life.

I feel as a full time medical college student that you have so many different looks at solictiors period. I have once work for URBAN DEVELOPMENT SOLUTION over the summer and i feel as if this was a great organization to help young people out that really dont have the obligation to do something better with there lives. I feel as if this company are very legit and are very well standard conditions. When i joined this company over the summer i really didnt need to joined it being that my father a judge and my mom a bank manager, so it wasnt like i needed the money or support for the company. but not only that i really wanted to see what the company was all about and was it really was made up of scams. and with me being apart of this great organization i do not feel as id this company are a scam, i just feel that its a company to give people second chances in life.

This so-called company is a bunch of BS! This young black man came to my door mid July and gave me a sad story about second chances and if I believed in them. He caught me on a good day and there was ONE magazine that he was selling that I was willing to buy. He didn't mention that I wasn't going to receive the first copy of my magazine for 120 days so after a few weeks went by and I still didn't receive anything in the mail, I called the company. I talked to a lady on the phone and she said that they weren't selling O.K. magazine anymore and the Interview magazine was chosen in place of it. WHAT THE HELL! Not only was I not receiving my correct magazine but instead of returning my money back to me, this company thought that they could get away with just picking out another one for me. So the lady I talked to told me to fax to her a copy of my ALREADY cashed check with the receipt number on it and a letter explaining why I wanted my money back and it would be went back to me within 4-6 weeks. Well, the time has passed and I have checked the mail everyday expecting a check. Today, Friday October 17, 2008 I came home from work and what do I find on my kitchen counter? A COPY OF INTERVIEW MAGAZINE! The fact that it showed up on a Friday makes me even more pissed because I can't call anyone to complain until Monday morning. It's companies like this that makes it hard to help anybody that really needs help. It's too bad that there are people like this in the world. I hope that somebody from this company reads this because I will be taking legal actions to get my money back and put you out of business!

Samething happened to me tonight! The young gentlemen told me he was from Detroit trying to earn his GED, and that he did not want to end up like the rest of his friends. I felt bad considering the fact that I myself came out of the Bronx. I almost bought $500.00 worth of magazines from him for my business. Fortunatly, I did not have any business checks on me. I turned around and bought a personal subscription for 26 months for a total of $93.o0. As I wrote the check, something did not sit right in my stomach about the whole deal. I became more worried when he brought up the fact that if I were to cancel the check that it would come out of his pocket. I also asked him where his ID was and he had explained that he had accidently left it in the car which was to far away. After he left, I decided to do a search on the company and was extremly disturbed at not only this site, but police records on individuals consulting for this company. I have not only canceled the check right away, but have also contacted the police for them to look after the neighborhood for these individuals. It's getting harder and harder to trust people now a days!

I work for this company now! It has saved my life and given me a chance where no one would. For ther people who do not use this opportunity to change, it is there own fault. We work to help young adults change their lives for the better . To learn something new, to meet successful people who came from the same backgrounds. People seem to forget about these young adults just because they have made some mistakes in the past. The people who organize these companies are only trying to give back to the community. As far as this being a scam people should understand that people are trying to do something positive to create a better society as a whole. most people forget where they come from and how hard it was to get where they are now. The young adults in these programs are just a reminder of what people behind the doors where when they started. I am from Chicago, Il i have done this for a year now because i know for every ten people that join we help at least 5 make a change for the better. And when they go home the have a skill in communications that they would have never known or ever thought to find out about in the inner city. these young adults are learning to speak publicly and can now hold a conversion with people from all acts of life, from the poorest to the richest people in the world. and thats more than we can say for some of our most influential people that we have in offices across our goverment.

-Hi, Carla this is Bradley Smith that worked for the organization last summer around this time. I don't know if you fully remember me or not but I was the guy with the hazel eyes, you guys called me the "rich kid". well how is things going with you guys? i hope well, its strange because i was just wondering the internet tonight and decided to check on this website and decided to read the comments and luck up to read you comment. well im just going to make this short, i will love to get in touch with someone there in the organization to just check up on yall, i am currently in Costa Rico until December but will be back in the United States then. cant wait, lol.. but hey when you see this comment or if you do please -feel free to give me a called on my cell [protected], thanks please call within two weeks because after that i may change my number again because it publicize to the public now, but hey take care! wish you guys the best of luck, and once again this organization is really a organization that really help kids that came from not so good areas as others. ( if you get sent to the voice mail, just leave a message with your number and i will get back in touch)

Company rated "F" (unaccredited) by the Chicago Better Business Bureau (rating url below).

http://www.bbb.org/eastern-michigan/business-reviews/magazine-sales/urban-development-solutions-inc-in-grosse-pointe-mi-45000580/

Maurice came to my door and "sold" me a magazine. The "stories" here of people who have been "helped" are fake. Maurice is a one man show (listed as "President" on the better business bureau site) who created a very simple website to give himself credibility and then comes to this site which is unaudited and writes stories which also attempt to give him some credibility. He IS a magazine salesman but is NOT being honest about what he's doing.

Murderer and Rapist employed by Urban Development Solutions (link below). !DO NOT LET THEM IN THE HOUSE! I want the best for these souls but the safty of my family comes first.

http://www.travelingsalescrews.info/wanted.html#w
anted_9

SOLVED:
Traveling Door-to-Door Magazine Salesman
Quario Deeric Dozier

CRIME:
Statutory Rape
Location: Forest Lake, Minnesota
Date: May 17, 2006

Urban Development Solutions:
Quario Deeric Dozier told an officer that he sold magazine subscriptions for Urban Development Solutions out of Grosse Pointe, Mich.

A guy from Nigeria just came to my door from this company. I did not buy any magazines, but he gave the same talk as described above. He seemed nice, but...I took his name/email/phone number. He said he had some education in Biology and is taking courses in Health Management...don't know...but after reading above, I'm very glad I didn't buy anything. I hate companies that take advantage of their employees...

I supported the guy that came to my door last night. Then I went online today and found out the magazine that he charged me $4 per issue for can be ordered online for only $1.25 per issue! Needless to say I also contacted the company to cancel. If you choose to support them be careful of what cost/issue they charge you!

These people were at my job trying to recruit shelter residents. The alledged owner's name is Rodney Rankins 313/320.3335 or 847.863.7943. Contact him or give his information to someone who can stop him.

I purchased subscriptions for two magazines with three-years terms at a cost of over $200. It took 5 months to get the first issues. Then 5 months later, I was told by the magazines that that my subscriptions were ending in 2 month. So I paid for 3 years, and received 7 months. This is a scam and a ripoff. If these people show up on your doorstep, slam the door and call the police.

I have two friends that has become unkowing victims of this magazine company.
They left on last night at 7:30 taking a bus to Kansas City Missour with out any knowlegd of this company it was not until now that I got a call from her and asked some more detailed question about this company. I know she is not going to believe me and at this point I do not care because if it was me I woiuld hope she would do the same thing. They do not get there until 10:30 tonight and has no idea who it is they are going to meet they gave them a description of how they look and what they are wearing (WARNING SIGN-1) Well I went online after the coversation and let me tell you it has not been anything nice about this company I am just hoping and praying that they be okay and I am waiting for her to call me so I can tell her the bad news, you know what they do not even know if the bus tickets that was provided was a round trip or not. I really hope and pray that they make it home okay and I guess this is my way of letting people know how the innner working of this company gets you in. T o be honest that's not even the bad part, the bad part is the fact that they have to be committed to this make it or not for 30 days, Yes I said it, for a whole 30 days. Well you can't fool all the people but, those that fall for it fall very hard.

Yeah, these guys are a useless company that is wasting people's time and stealing their money. This well-dressed black guy came to my place and gave a very identical sob story to what I have heard here...he even went so far as to say that he wishes the Judge that sentenced him way back in his shady past had been as compassionate as myself! What a load of crap! This is some canned story that these guys memorize so that they can sell magazine subscriptions for 5 times more than they are supposed to cost because they trick you into thinking you are helping some poor lost soul get back on their feet. In reality, this is a for-profit organization that is using their sales agents to get them more money than they could normally get by being honest. At least the guy that came to my door was actually decent; he looked me in the face, smiled, had a firm handshake etc, didn't use any slang when talking to me. But hey, it looks like some of the other salesmen have been rude or outright forceful in their sales techniques. This guy did want to come into my house to ask my roommates if they wanted any mags--my roommates, having the advantage of not getting brainwashed by his speel (I was outside mowing the lawn so I had talked to him for 10 minutes before bringing him inside) went bug-eyed when they say I was bringing this random guy into the house. Bottom line is he got 87 bucks off of me for a 2 month subscrip to motor trend. After seeing in here the difficulties people have getting their magazines at all, I have sent in my cancellation notice and stopped the check at the bank. Now lets just see if he gets pissed and comes back to rob all my stuff, since he already has been in the house...

Be Aware of UDS Criminals Lurking in Your Neighborhood!
This is an excerpt from a Police Blotter in a Stamford, CT paper on Saturday, May 8, 2010:

Residential Burglary: Two men selling magazine subscriptions door to door were arrested Friday (May 7, 2010) on burglary charges after a woman reported jewelry missing from her Rosano Road home, in Stamford, CT.

Paul S. Keller, 18, of Indianapolis, and Gordon Waldron, 24, of New York, were charged with third-degree burglary and other charges after police said they discovered Keller in possession of the missing jewelry.

The woman discovered the theft Friday afternoon after returning to her home and finding a broken window in the bathroom. Police interviewed the victim and witnesses and determined two men had been seen in the neighborhood soliciting magazine sales, according to police. A search of the area located the men on separate nearby streets.

Both men identified themselves as employees of URBAN DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS who had been dropped off in Stamford to sell magazine subscriptions, according to a police statement. Neither had a Stamford solicitors permit, and each was detained.

Keller was wearing and in possession of several articles of jewelry, which the victim later identified. Waldron denied working in proximity to Keller, but witnesses identified him as being with Keller near the burglary scene.

Keller was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, third-degree larceny and soliciting without a permit. He was held in lieu of $150, 000 bond.

Waldron, ALREADY A FELON, was charged with third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny and soliciting without a permit. He was held in lieu $100, 000 bond. Both will be arraigned in state Superior Court in Stamford on Monday, May 10.

Stamford police contacted Urban Development Solutions CEO and President Maurice McClain, who indicated Keller and Waldron were subcontractors of the company. Police advised McClain that if any UDS agents participated in further solicitation without a permit, it would lead to their own and McClain's arrest. The company, based in Detroit, is currently operating out of a hotel in Meriden, Gallagher said.

I too have experienced a similiar situation. Approximately three months ago I was approached in my neighborhood by two young black men, dressed in ill fitting, crumbled suits. They looked like life had not been easy for them. One couldn't of been more than 15 years old with an old knife scar across his face. Under normal circumstances I would not of given them the time of day but they were very polite and full of tales regarding the opportunities available to them through this company. I realized that I was paying alot more for the magazine I purchased but admired the fact that they were supposedly doing something positive to improve their lives. I just now decided to google this company after realizing that the magazine was overdue. It is rare that I give in to such solicitations, I vow from now on to never do so again, how sad!

Had one of thier sales reps come into my home here in Georgia today. Just like the above, felt bad for the guy. He was well dressed, articualte. As a mother, I felt compelled to assist in which I did. The subscription was way overpriced but I placed an order for a two year subsciption anyway, since I thought it was a good cause. I left the house to get some dinner with my family and low and behold when I return. The sales rep was in HANDCUFFS by the local police on the sidewalk. We live in a nice nieghborhood with no crime. My husband is going to get the information tomorrow from the police dept. and file a formal complaint with the State of Georgia and the Better Business Bureau. NEVER AGAIN... After seeing the above comments, someone should ban this company.

A well dressed, overweight, gay black man stating he had HIV, was in foster care growing up in VA and now in Philadelphia arrived at my door tonight in Downingtown, PA. He spoke very well and was very polite. Being from Philly myself I gave him a chance, out of my character. After giving him 40 dollars in cash for 1 year subscription to benefit breast cancer victims (no check since I was skeptical but wanted to believe he was honest), he didn't even have change. I quickly googled the company and realized it was a scam. I marched down to my neighbors house that was in the process of giving him money too. I demanded my money back. He stated others give that company a bad name but I showed him the proof on my iphone. NEVER again will I open my door for anyone, let alone listen to their made up story. Thankful for the wake up call but I will make it my mission to get the word out and try to contact them.

Hi, my name is Terry. I was on the website and saw some of the comments said by some of the costomers. What alot of people dont understand is that this company is not a scam, in fact this company is saving alot of lives. As a vet, i can say that in economically hard times we are in this company has allowed people who have hard times and want to better themselves and takes responsibility for themselves and there families to do so. See people dont see all the good that this conpany does and how it is changing lives like my own. The purpose of the conversation is to learn and get comfortable with speaking to people rather day to day or in a interview. Then we apply it to our lives and what we are out to accomplish. What people dont see is the lives that are lost with out a company like this in place, and the good it is doing. This is why people should look at the life of the individual and there goals in life instead of judging off someone else. If you believe that God blesses you when you help someone that should be the reason you help them not because someone said so. I would be able to do anything for my three girls if this company wasnt in place. because of bad comments when i go door to door im turned down alot more. That affects not only me but my children. I served eight years in the military honorable. Im having a hard time finding a job and this company gave me a opportunity i could not find. Sad that the same people that i protected while serving in the militatry and risked my life for wont even use there heart to help individuals like myself and others. And because they cant look past what others are saying, wont reach out a hand and pull me up.Its not about the company its about the lives that are being saved right infront of my eyes. Dont let people that dont care about saving lives blind fold you.

Thankyou very much

Hi my name is Melvin and I am CURRENTLY employed with Urban Development Solutions. Directly with Dr. Maurice McClain day in and day out. And I am here to tell you all that this is no scam of any sort. What most of you all fail to realize is that we all have our own reasons for being in this program in the first place. We all come from different walks of the earth and different parts of the country. We all have had hardships and obstacles to overcome in our lifetime. Therefore this program does help people just like the so called "sob stories" that I have frequently heard referred to. I don't know how perfect anyone's life is or isn't but I do know that this program provides for a lot of single mothers, a lot of underprivileged, troubled and inner city youths. Everyone is so quick to refer to the bad apples of the bunch and fail to see the good ones. We aren't all the same nor does everyone strive to be upstanding and of integrity. But we do have a zero tolerance for these types of actions and immediately fire those that do partake in these misrepresentations of the organization. If only you all would take the time to make your complaints known through proper channelling before jumping to the extremes of posting slandering blogs we could and would gladly resolve any misunderstanding or misinformation that you may be encountering. It's not easy doing what we do but we are proud to be working and providing for ourselves and families. We pride ourselves in being a part of the solution instead of the problem. It feels good to be a taxpayer and not a tax user. Everyone doesn't want government assistance, welfare or to be a product of circumstance or environment. Some of us actually prefer to work hard for what we want and to achieve our goals. Dr. Maurice McClain is a wonderful man whom I'm thankful to have had the pleasure of meeting with and working beside. His testament alone is enough to give one hope and reawaken dreams that had long disappeared.
Undoubtedly every company will have complaints thus that isn't the issue. It's all in the way one goes about doing their complaining. Especially when there is more organizations other than Urban Development Solutions. It is simply that U.D.S and Self Starters was the first of their kind that every program similar knows the name. Therefore giving any and every other organization alike a safe goat so to speak...
So be a part of the solution and not the problem. Don't put good people out of work for people who could care less about helping others.
I work in this program personally and I'm here to tell you that it is truly changing lives and bettering the way a lot of people think, act, work and carry themselves through personal relations skills, business training and work ethic. I for one stand by Urban Development Solutions and Dr. McClain 100%. I'm in a better place in life and my daughter is well taken care of and provided for thanks to him and his organization.

Evil wins when good people stand by and do nothing... Be a part of the solution and not the problem...

As well I would like to extend a hand to anyone whom would like to file a complaint the proper way instead of just slandering the company name for one bad individual whom probably isn't with the organization anymore anyhow... 1-855-91URBAND will direct you to our customer service representative. We will be more than glad to resolve any issues to prevent any further misrepresentation of our name.

Thank you for your time and may god bless each of you. Customer Service

I can't tell if this is a scam or not. The way the salesperson approached me was unclear, misleading, and confusing. I thought it was extremely weird but I went with it. I looked them up on the internet and this is the first page that pops up so I went ahead and stopped the check. I did some further research and UDS appears it MIGHT be legitimate and trying to help people but I'm not so sure it's the best way. I want to help the community but will probably donate to an organization where it's so unclear and in the gray area.

Young african american gentleman came to my door selling children's books that will be donated to local shelters ect. He was from Detroit ( which I believe), but everything else was probably a lie. I gave him a check. After I looked up the information for the "book" company and for the company I made the check to I saw that the the internet was riddled with scam reports. I got into my car and found him in the neighborhood while he was in the middle of a sale. Saved my neighbor, but I think I will not be so lucky. When I asked for my check back, he said that his supervisor had been by and picked up the checks. ( Probably should have asked to look in his binder). I asked him to call his supervisor to bring it back. I talked to the supervisor. I took him back to the front of the sub to get his coat. He started walking down the street to continue his sales. He said his supervisor would be by in a white van to bring it to me my check. About 3 minutes later a white van went by and never stopped. I immediately called the police and put a stop on my check. The fact that the van went by validated it was a scam. Lesson learned . Beware.