"I tried to call them about a problem but they no longer take calls. You can only email them. So last July I emailed them at least three times and finally asked that my subscription be cancelled. No response.
This month I was charged for the software which I have stopped using. Again tried to call, no calls accepted only email. You could leave a message with your email which I did twice. Emailed again, no response yet.
Furthermore at their access site I am unable to remove my credit card information although it says it cqn be edited. I may need to cancel my card to get this to stop which is ridiculous.
I don't know how this company got so bad but it did. "

"I dont like the fact that once you order and have to call and they then want you to order additional services...not gonna happen!!!"

"I felt its fair to note that all 1 star reviews are by people who, too, have only written 1 review. In addition please note that when an attorney general is involved 97% of the persons filing the complaints do not attempt, or remember, to get in contact with the company first. It's just one of those things that have neither rhyme or reason...

Alas, this is not to say that we as retailers are not as fault. This is not the first err in communication we've come to face as consumers and retails or people in general... we are humans too.

For example, the main complaint to the AG and the BBB was because we were unable to forsee that a novice computer users would see a dialog box and auto-assume it was an error, or worse, a random pop-up. We'd assume they'd know that they didn't have the product and move on, alas, we were wrong.

Here at Ascentive we have no desire to deceive or manipulate anyone. We offer the highest form of transparancy between us and our patrons. Unlike most businesses our reps use their -real- first names, not codes, and each rep is responsible for leaving their personal extension - this was done so that customers would know " Hey, we're available" but, every now and then someone misses that memo.

Here's to a future of better communication! A necessity in any relationship, business or otherwise"

"Please note that all 5 star reviews are by people that only have 1 review. Ascentive was fined by the state of Washington for deceiving consumers. They are currently embroiled in 2 class action lawsuits. Their software makes bogus claims and does not work. "

"The software is really helpful. I bought the FinallyFast software, and it definitely did speed up my computer. A+!"

"This software is awesome. Not only did it save my computer - I was about to throw it out the window - but it continues to keep my computer running fast. I had a question on which software package to purchase so I called the customer service line provided on the website. The customer service rep was very helpful and gave me the information I needed. I have since bought numerous pieces of software from Ascentive including FinallyFast and its GREAT!"

"After trying to use Ascentive's "ActiveSpeed", which is claimed by them to "learn" to make internet use more efficient, several times, with no improvement I could find; and after constant "upselling" of additional programs at inflated prices, I contacted Ascentive requesting a refund. Since I contacted them 55 days after I purchased ActiveSpeec, it was beyond the 30 day refund time and they refused reimbursement, something I understand, but which does not make me feel better about the failure of the program to accomplish what I had expected. From my experience with Ascentive, my belief is that their advertising is misleading, the product I used was ineffective, and that their primary mission is to lead purchasers to buy additional products, not to provide either good service or effective products. I will not purchase Ascentive software again."

"this product does nothing to speed your pc: in fact, since they ripped me for over $85, i get ten times the junk mail, and my pc is SLOWER!!!
DON'T BE FOOLED! IT'S A SCAM!!!"

"Software has been used on my computer since October 2006. My broadband connection has indeed significally increased. Not as much as advertised but still much better than before.
"

"I ordered ActiveSpeed and found out it was basically useless. The website ensures a 30-day satisfaction guarantee period which they did not honour. Cancellation procedure vey cumbersome and time consuming. I would never order from this company again."

"I wholeheartedly agree with the comments of others on this site that Ascentive deliberately make the cancellation procedure immensely difficult & use all possible tactics to delay your cancellation. After sending 2 cancellation emails within 2 days of signing up, I still have received no correspondance from them confirming my cancellation. The most you get is an automated response claiming: "Someone will be getting back to you with an answer very soon!". It's dubious as to whether the products I trialed had any effect whatsoever on the speed of my internet or computer, hence my decision to cancel so soon after installing them. They have given me the distinct impression that they fully intend ignoring my emails & charging my account for a service I trialed for a day, in which case I will have to go down the complicated route of contacting my bank about withholding payments to Ascentive.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY! You are guarenteed to regret it if you don't."

"Buyer beware!!!! Don't wast your money with active speed!! Ascentive claims to boost your computer's performance by 375%, I hardly even noticed any difference!!!But the worst part is trying to get your money back. I cancelled my free trial BEFORE it ended and they charged my credit card two days later. I have requested cancellation three times, and even e-mailed a copy of my cancellation verification. I still haven't got my money back. Be smart! Don't deal with this company! "

"I would strongly suggest that you stay away from these people. I downloaded their trial version of their "Activespeed" when I was using a 56K Modem. I noticed a slight improvement but nothing earth shattering and certainly not worth the 39.95 they are asking for a full subscription after the trial. I have since gone to high speed cable and don't even need the service. Like a couple of the other responders, I received my renewal notice on the 6th of November, 2003 indicating that my trial expires on the 19th. I did finally manage to find out how to cancel, after a few e-mails and some serious searching through the website. I immediately cancelled their use of the credit card I provided, also on their site. When reviewing my account on the site, it showed that my account had been paid the 39.95 that would be due on the 19th, even though it was only the 6th. So far, I haven't seen it on my statement, but I can guarantee if they charged the card before it was due I will pursue legal action against them. It should not be this difficult to deal with a reputable vendor and process a cancellation. Beware and proceed at your own risk!"

"DO NOT PURCHASE FROM THIS COMPANY - Here's why...

I purchased Active Speed for $39.95, I saw no apparent improvement in download speed and discontinued use of the software.

One year later, I get an email stating- "Thank you for continuing your Ascentive subscription! We appreciate the privilege of having you as a customer. This is a reminder that your
service, ActiveSpeed Special Offer, will renew on September 8, 2003. For your convenience, your Amex ending in xxxx will be charged $39.95."

I never intended to 'subscribe' and I certainly recieved nothing of value from this company in the past year. Know doubt a lawyer could locate some 'fine print' somewhere. I only intended to buy a piece of software. Still no big deal, as long as I can easily cancel and avoid the charge.

This is where is problem really starts - This company either has the most cumbersome process for handling this situation and the worst site design, OR they intentionally have made the process difficult in an effort to minimize cancellations.

Buy from the company and then you can decided which is correct."

"BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY!!! DO NOT SIGN UP /DO NOT ACCEPT ANY "FREE" 30-DAY TRIAL OFFER of any of their products. I agree 500% with comments from "Chuck012" (posted 8/8/03.)They are clearly practicing deceptive /fraudulent and very unethical business practices. They should be prosecuted by some U.S. federal agency. I DO intend to file an official police complaint because these folks should not be able to continue doing business this way. Check out their website for yourself. It is impossible to exercise cancellation even before the end of 30 days. (1)There is no online cancellation form to fill in---you have to request one after filling in a detailed comment form....which seems impossible to submit! (2) No email link exists for Customer Support! The website graphics show a friendly-looking Customer Service rep with phone receiver on her head---but there is no contact phone number to call anywhere on their site. (3) I have tried to do my best to follow all their site instructions for cancellation(very-hard-to-find). I've wasted more than an hour & still haven't been able to submit even their cancellation form request---there's always a website auto-rejection which suggests that I have not fully /properly completed their form. THE BEST ANYONE CAN DO is to send a cancellation notice to their mailing address---which IS given.
I am sending them a Registered Letter of Cancellation(with copy of my letter and copy of Sales Receipt) which my credit card company says will be all the proof I need to be able to dispute the charge(& hopefully get a refund.)I signed up for 30 day trial of their Active Speed utility on 31/07/03. But they say they will automatically bill my credit card on 31/08/03 if I have not completed and submitted THEIR cancellation form AND received THEIR "Cancellation Confirmation Number" by 31/08/03. Even with Express Mail, there's no way anyone would have enough time to jump thru all their cancdellation hoops. AND I ALSO INTEND TO REPORT THEM TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. But my highest hopes are that the federal government will latch onto the principals behind this company, prosecute (hopefully, slam them hard with very large fine) and shut them down, with a bit of luck. IT WOULD BE VERY EFFECTIVE & POSITIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT to show they are really serious in protecting internet users. Ascentive helps give e-marketting a very bad reputation. "