I just read all the comments because I too received a call.  I have been looking for grants and loans.  I am glad to have this info for when I talk to them tomorrow I will have more questions.  I am not sure exactly what to believe at this point.  Has anyone received a grant?

We need a class action against 4 season consulting. Everyone who was scammed should speak up and get their $ back. I wish this info was on the web earlier to save others from scam.. I have recorded everything they promised on the phone.

Who are these more legitmate companies?  I'd also like to ask... The people who are complaining, is it because they couldn't help you personally?

I received the call and answered the questions and I am now waiting to see if I'm "qualified."  What I don't understand is if I was a client of Four Season and they successfully got me a grant I would be on this blog telling everybody that it is legit.  I don't care who is saying what about who, but to me it seems that the risk of giving somebody 3500 dollars that doesn't have a client that's willing to stick up for them isn't really one that I am willing to take.  Maybe I missed something somewhere but I have a feeling I'm not going to go any further with this company.  Also the 5 minute phone call that it was supposed to be turned into 45 minutes and the person I talked to basically guaranteed me $67500 without coming out and just saying "The check is in the mail". Anyway if it is a scam, what goes around comes around, and I believe people get what they deserve.

I agree.  Thanks to all that take the time to warn fellow business owners about people that prey on others that need help.  Also, I am not sure if this is a possibility, but couldn't their be a contract saying that the business pays the firm after they receive the grant or whatever funds they are trying to get.  Maybe if this is possible the fee could even be doubled.  I would give somebody 7,000 if they got me a 65,000 grant.  Who wouldn't??  By the way my call was from Anita, 702-347-1935 but I was given 877-804-4435 ext: 245

A physically challenged friend and I paid FS $3500 to do a qualification of our business idea. They asked extensive questions via a form to be filled. We did so and after a bit of back and forth, received a very well done color analysis. They then asked to do a business plan for $1500, we declined and I bought software for $100 and we did it ourselves and submitted it. FS then sent out four letters to various entities (copy to us) suggesting we were worthy of a grant.The letters were addressed to grant sources that were not in any way associated with the business arena we planned to address.

My final analysis is that FS is a legitimate business as far as analysis and business plan development but then do minimal follow-up, not anywhere near the possible source funding they said was available. So our $3500 was a learning experience but I feel we could have purchased the appropriate software and done it ourselves, since the analysis was only as good as the info we gave. If you are starting a business you would be better off to get a book from Amazon and spend a few hundred dollars on software to do your own grant writing.

By the way, Google "grant sources" and you will find a number of grant sources but they are mostly for non-profit and for local concerns. Their website will spell out the process you need to go through for that particular grant to be considered. FS did not touch on any of the detailed work that needed to be done to apply for a specific grant, they just sent out a broad-spectrum letter saying we were worthy of consideration.

For anyone who is still wondering if this is legit, the first thing that should be apparent...NOT ONE CUSTOMER CAN VERIFY RECEIVING GRANTS!

My situation is that I gave them the $3500 back in August and that my proposals supposedly went out at the end of Sept for the start of the 4th quarter. I was told that I would receive a portion of my grants by the end of the year, and more by the end of the first 2011 quarter.

I will let you guys know what happens in a couple of months.

I haven't asked them for references, but soon will. If they give me the Privacy Act, guess what? They're lying! The Privacy Act guarantees that a business will not sell or otherwise distribute PERSONAL information of clients (i.e. Social Security number, date of birth, etc). It has nothing to do with giving out Names and Phone Numbers. Think about it....there a millions of businesses in America who give out references...are they all breaking the law? If they do not give reference names and numbers, it is because they have none to give. If they spout about the Privacy Act, then they are purposely deceiving you.

I want to consult with an attorney (who happens to be my brother) and see what I can do about the contract. They did give me the Business Analysis, but they came back and said it wasn't "thorough enough" and wanted $5000 more which would guarantee me a $500k grant within a week. That's when I knew I was taken. But I think that I can get a portion of my money back...lemme see.

In the least, if no grant comes my way, I'm definitely complaining to the BBB...as all of you should, too.

Don't be a sheep...help others. That is our duty on this planet....you either help or you hurt. Which are you? (We know which one Four Seasons is and their employees...it is disgusting how people justify the way they make money.)

Good luck to you all!

This has been an interesting forum here.  I am currently seeking a grant, and I have some of the same questions.  First; there seems to be a discrepency between two different companies...one named Four Season Consulting, and another named Four Seasons Business Solutions.  Both do grant writing, and both are listed in Nevada.  My company has been in talks with the latter, and we even brought an attorney into the mix to clarify whether the company is legit or not.  At this point we are still unclear.  The company refuses to give references at the request of their attorney(who was rather rude and abrupt with our attorney).  On the other hand, they seem to be very transparent as to how they operate, etc.  
What concerns me, though, is that I can't seem to find testimony of one single company that has received a grant via this organization.  They also maintain an arbitration clause that would disable a lawsuit if the monies were not refunded in light of failure to secure a grant, though they claim that payment is refundable in such a case.  
I'd like to hear any information available on Four Seasons Business Solutions (not Four Season Consulting).

I must also add that this company mentioned the name Larry Heater as the principal...Larry is a former football player who apparently has his hands in many pies, so to speak.  According to my research he doesn't have the best reputation among former NFL guys either.  That1guy mentioned his name and Anita Heater in relation to the company he worked for, and I'm now curious if the two are somehow linked.  These guys also have a 3690 Howard Hughes Parkway St 500 address.  The process seems to be the same as well.  If I can't find a single grant recipient, I won't do business with these people.  If I were to receive a grant via a quality organization I would be more than willing to stand as a reference for them and give my business name and phone as well.  A lack of strong reference appears shady to me.  Not one "satisfied client" on the website listing his company name?  On the other hand, I haven't seen anything solid from anyone who feels they've been scammed!  Some clarity on one side or the other would be nice.

K Mitchell,

I am still waiting to find out what happened with my grants. I think the reason that no one has clearly complained about them yet is that it's all a lengthy process. They say that it can take from 2 to 4 fiscal quarters to receive funding. That's 3-9 months. They JUST started doing this "scam" in the spring so it hasn't been enough time for people to be outraged yet. I think that they're just baiting us along for now. I feel that in less than a year, there will be so many complaints and blogs that they'll fold the "Four Season Consulting" and open another dormant company that's been affliated with BBB, but hasn't done any actual business to generate a bad rating.

I don't know any of this for sure, but I highly suspect that's how this company operates.

i HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THESE PEOPLE SINCE FEBRUARY  2009 I WAS PROMISED A GRANT IN SEPTEMBER THEN DECEMBER ANDNOW THEY ARE SAYING MARCH AND YES I PAID MONEY. SO i AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF IT IS A SCAM. I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER. SO IF THERE IS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INFORMATION PLEASE POST IT.

I just want to know who owns/owned this company and how do I get back i touch with them.  Where did "that1guy" go to work and how did he get his paycheck?  I know somebody out there knows who he really is and how to find him.  I would be willing to share the benifits of this kind of knowledge.

I'm not looking for "that1guy"...I am looking for the owner/operator of Four Season Consulting!  If "that1guy" happens to know, I would like him to give me some direction to find "Victor Vasquez" or whoever.  Some guy named Stephen Arcuri is the person that I had been speaking with through this company!  Kind of funny that the phone number nor the e-mails don't work anymore...still, somebody out there knows something about these people...

I do totally believe you. We were hit up by these people but after google there is no way we would send them one dime. How long did you work for the company? How much money did you make off their scam? So they are really out of California not Las Vegas? DId you work in California? I also googled their address in Las Vegas WOW you should see all the companies that have that very same address and amazing the same suite #500. Does this Victor own more companies at this address. In google someone also got scammed out of a tv at this address that's why I ask. I say I believe you because the script is the same. So if I would have sent my $3,500 what would happen next? would they keep asking for more money or would they just go away? I was just in Las Vegas on a trip I wish I would have gone over to their building that would have been pretty funny if I would have asked for Richard Jacobs at 877-336-7190 ext. 244 and he really didn't exist there. When you worked for the company did you use your real names or do you make up a name? Thank You for letting people know about these crooks I also believ what goes around comes around.

I am not saying that there isn't grants out there but I will assure you that you will not get anything or anywhere with Four Season Consulting..Yes they might give you a couple of radio adds but thats in expensive to them. they pay $300.00 for a couple adds on the radio..That comes out of the fee that you paid.You get those adds and you think that the grant should be coming but its not..Just stay away from them. Those who want to take my advice do so. Those that dont that is fine with me. You will be the one with more to loose. Not only will you loose your money but you might loose your significant other and even your home.. Oh by the way, their guarantee is what it states in the contract. Four Season Consulting is only responsible for the services that are be rendered which is research,letter writing and grant writing. those are free services that you are obtaining. You are paying for a analysis that will help you get the grant. If you do not have that analysis within 90 calender days your money will be refunded in fool.. Now that what it says but I'm pretty sure that the rep. you speak to tells you that without that analysis you will not get funded and since they got you qualified the foundations that qualified you are the ones requesting the analysis so they could release the funds to..BLAH,BLAH,BLAH..People i was their top sales man there.DO NOT FALL FOR THE CRAP!!!

I am not saying that there isn't grants out there but I will assure you that you will not get anything or anywhere with Four Season Consulting..Yes they might give you a couple of radio adds but thats in expensive to them. they pay $300.00 for a couple adds on the radio..That comes out of the fee that you paid.You get those adds and you think that the grant should be coming but its not..Just stay away from them. Those who want to take my advice do so. Those that dont that is fine with me. You will be the one with more to loose. Not only will you loose your money but you might loose your significant other and even your home.. Oh by the way, their guarantee is what it states in the contract. Four Season Consulting is only responsible for the services that are be rendered which is research,letter writing and grant writing. those are free services that you are obtaining. You are paying for a analysis that will help you get the grant. If you do not have that analysis within 90 calender days your money will be refunded in full.. Now that what it says but I'm pretty sure that the rep. you speak to tells you that without that analysis you will not get funded and since they got you qualified the foundations that qualified you are the ones requesting the analysis so they could release the funds to..BLAH,BLAH,BLAH..People i was their top sales man there.DO NOT FALL FOR THE CRAP!!!

Did you receive a grant? And what are your thoughts now...reputable or not?  I applied, Have been waiting.

Did you receive a grant? And what are your thoughts now...reputable or not?

I never wrote to myself.. I have no reason to lie..Your the idiot that is going to go to jail with Victor and Pierre once everything comes down on them..FOUR SEASON CONSULTING is a SCAM...

You are delirious. Everything is just a huge conspiracy against you, right? Look moron, you got caught sockpuppeting. Here you are talking to yourself, pretending to be a client:

that1guy replies to that1guy
16 Jun 2010
i was read about how to be able to file a complaint in the state of Nevada.  Can you provide that infor once more.  I need to let someone know about Four Season Consulting before more lose thier savings like i did.

.....Only that you FORGOT to change your name to something other than "that1guy" that time. It's at the bottom of page 2 if anyone else wants to look at it.

Hey chefman u most be either Victor himself or Pierre..You guys are so full of it. I know your company must be doing really bad because I'm putting your whole scam out there for the public to know what to expect when they receive your phone call..So don't get mad. I never got demoted.I left because I don't like taking peoples hard earned money.. Its all a scam. And nomatter what you do Victor I will never stop talking.

<b>my not unredstanding</b>

that1guy, you are really pathetic. I've read this whole thread and it is extremely obvious that you're attacking this company just because of a personal vendetta against one of its managers. The other guy got promoted to VP, you got demoted. Get over it. Oh, and the sockpuppeting you're doing is super obvious. I know I'm not the only one to notice this. There's been no new posts in a month, then 3 different names all post within minutes of eachother, all complimenting and agreeing with you. Give me a break. Using multiple accounts just shows how dishonest you are. If someone did this to my company, I would sue them for defamation.

P.S. Anyone here bought a website from Four Season Consulting? I'm thinking of getting one.

Very informative, thank you!

Nasty people!!!  Especially if you start out by saying, "I Googled your phone number and you are a scam..."  If ever you want a good telephone fight, call back, press 2 and ask for Erica.  

She got very defensive, saying in the history of their company there has only been one complaint, and I said, "I'm reading the complaints right now, shall I read them to you?"

Anyway, she got flustered, said, "We don't even need your money!"  and hung up on me!   Ha ha to you Erica!  I THOUGHT YOU HAD THE GRANT MONEY!  Of course you don't need my money, apparently you think I'm looking for money.  

What?  Not a scam?  yeah right!

The woman called and hung up when I answered, and then called again.  I answered and said, "Did you just call and hang up on me?"  She said, "No I did not."  I said, "I have caller ID, so you're lying already."  She then said she was returning my phone call for business grant help.  

I have a business for tax purposes, but not a big business.  I am a sole proprietor and have absolutely no need for any grant money.  I know it was a lie and I told her so.  She said, "I have a message I'm returning, you left an answering machine message asking for our help.  If you don't need our help I'll delete the message."  

I then said I'd like to hear myself on her machine and she hung up.  

SCAM!

Also yes, you are not allowed to promise a grant. But to all of you that have been pitched tell me if this doesn't sound familiar: Mr.or Mrs. business owner, in the years that we have been in business once we get you qualified I can assure you that you will get funded.Our success rate says it all (85-90%) success rate (what ever it is that they say now) Then they tell you that the only reason that they can not promise or guarantee you a grant is because they are a third party company.That if they were the once writing out the check to you then yes they will promise you the funds. Look people you are not ignorant.Listen to your instinct, If its too good to be true it is..

Once again we have a smart a**.Like I said before I do agree that there are alot of successful people without a high school diploma and all those people you mentioned are very successful but none of them have scam reports against them..They all earned their money the right and honest way.You want Facts and Proof? How come if this company and Victor Vazquez is so successful why don't they have an international commercial on the television showing atleast a couple of credited successful clients that have received grants through this company..Four Season Consulting calls you trying to pitch you a SBA loan or a Grant. Then they magically qualify you telling you that you are a prime candidate because of your demographics or because your a minority.People this country is so screwed up right now that there is no funding for any type of projects. Specially if your not a nonprofit.That doesn't mean go and set up a nonprofit with four season consulting.Look you guys are smart enough to have common sense.Don't fall for Victor Vazquez pitch. I would say that he created it but he didn't.He took it and re worded it from the other grant scam companies that he has worked for that is why when you hang up your phone alot of you say to yourself, "This all sounds familiar"..Yep its all the same people in the same web.

For starters, let's dispel the "he doesn't have a high school diploma, therefore he must be a dunce" theory. A simple list should suffice...

Richard Branson... Billionaire British businessman.
George Eastman... Founder of the Kodak company.
Albert Einstein... Mathematician.
George Gershwin... Composer
Wright brothers... Inventors of the airplane.
Peter Jennings... News anchor and reporter.
Thomas Sowell... Economist, author and political commentator.
Quentin Tarantino... Movie director. (I'm still debating his "talent" LOL)
Dave Thomas... Founder of Wendy's restaurant chain.
Ansel Adams... Photographer, author.
Dhirubhai Ambani... Billionaire Indian businessman.

All of the above are high school drop outs, and I edited out most of the actors, singers and composers that were on the list. I just couldn't bare to leave Tom Cruise in there. =P Now, are high school dropouts as a massive success rare? Sure. But using that in conjunction with a personal attack on the guy doesn't make him clueless and is not EVIDENCE of why you THINK Four Season is a scam. And random stories about unknown people losing their life savings (11K ... really? Come on!) don't cut it either.

I have just started working for them. Previously I worked for a credit union and worked with small businesses to obtain grant money for endeavors in much the same way Four Season does, only I was one guy doing the whole thing. Do you have any clue how much freakin paperwork there is in getting considered for a grant? It makes 'War & Peace' look like a travel brochure. As far as I can tell, Four Season has been able to boilerplate the process down to getting the info they need to PRE-QUALIFY clients for these grants. In the 300+ calls I've made the last two days, I've NEVER promised anyone that they would get a grant if they went through the process, nor have I ever been asked, ordered or threatened to promise some they would get a grant simply to hook them in. In fact, I've been encouraged to have the clients take the contract to their attorney's to review it for them.

Now I will say that I have submitted 15 leads in the last two days and have yet to see one close. This is either because the client decided they didn't want to spend the $3,500 on the service (which is a lot of money) or I simply have not been able to reach them to give them the news of their pre-qualification. The proof absolutely will be, as they say, in the pudding.

I went looking for sites and discussions such as these to see what Four Season may or may not be up to. I have yet to find one of the complaints against them to have any facts that remotely fit anything I have seen or been trained on at Four Season. If you (That1guy) were PROMISING people they'd get money, then you were obviously asleep during the albeit brief training session. We were told explicitly not to promise anyone anything regarding the process. Again, when I did this kind of research before when working for a credit union, we never promised anyone they'd get a grant as even the grant foundations don't promise that.

So, if you have some FACTS and HARD EVIDENCE about how Four Season is scamming people, please, bring it on! I don't want to work for a company that is a con, but nothing on any of the sites I've seen so far support that in any way shape or form. All I've seen is one very frustrated former employee (who seems to have taken it upon himself to lie to people about guaranteeing people grants against company policy) and a few disgruntled people who seemed to think they were being guaranteed grants who obviously didn't listen to the call room folks or read their contract very well, if at all.

I don't care if you are a scam or legit, just quit calling me.  I have asked every time you have called, which has been many, to please put me on your do not call list.  You continue to call and anyone who is this persistent must have some credibility issues and I would never do business with you.