How to Drastically Reduce Credibility – Follow iMagicLab’s Lead
In an effort to build our Internet Department, I reached out to an Internet Lead Management Vendor (ILM), iMagicLab, and was shocked at the amazing apathy displayed in that organization.
I basically asked if they would be willing to work out some type of trade out for their ILM product’s set up fee and the response was that they were not interested. I really did not have a problem with them not being interested with advertising on two automotive marketing blogs for a trade out of their services set up fee or a monthly reduced rate. What I have a problem with is the lack of honesty in their response to this proposition.
Their sales rep replied: “I forwarded these to Keith but he is not interested. Sorry.” But based on traffic stats Keith nor she even visited the sites in question.
In responses from the owner at iMagic Labs they do not barter services, which is all the sales rep had to say to begin with. But based on these interactions I would never spend money with this company, even if they had the only product in the Internet Lead Management Arena.
Automotive vendors need to realize, that someone will always come around and do it better for less, and being smug in your dealings with the people on the ground using the products hurts them long term.
So I guess the moral of the story is if you are going to lie to customers or potential customers make sure you cover your tracks or take the path of honesty from the start.
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[...] vendors I looked at iMagic Labs and BZ Results as well. I do not think I will ever do business with iMagic Labs based on the interactions I had with their owner when I was researching their [...]
The real reason to not do business with imagiclabs ( icarmagic ) is the founder ceo keith latman, richard latman, or what ever his name is was convicted of credit card fraud where he’d bill customers for products they never received. Then he skipped town and never paid the damages owned, and then tried to hide assets from the court.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002885560_latman24.html
Ask a icarmagic imagiclabs dealer how easy it is to figure out their bill from these guys, and how much liability they open them selves up to for storing SSN and PII of their customer’s on his servers.
Mr. ______ Latman is a fraud. He is out to screw everyone. You will regret any deal with him. Guaranteed.
This company is so broke it is not even funny. The company doesn’t pay any of their bills, and they have an accounting department, with two inexperienced young ladies in-one that is supposed to head accounts payable, and the other, she is supposed to be handling accounts receivable. Then to top it off, they have a boss, the ‘Controller’, who needs only to control her mouth, for she BLABS everything and starts a lot of rumors. The three of those disasters mixed together in one place is a recipe for an even bigger disaster.
To make the situation worse, on my many visits inside the office, I have heard several rumors that Richard Latman is engaging in (edited). (edited) What a jack-ass! (edited) -and messes with the trailor trash?? (edited). Maybe if Mr. CEO spent more time trying to operate his business ……(edited)
Get this, they have put something called the BDC in their office. Some upscale name for telemarketers that I can tell-the poor kids do nothing all day-another investment lost, thus, further contributing to this companies debt. What a bunch of morons…all of them from the CEO all the way down to the cleaning crew, if they have one, and knowing Mr. Big-Wig himself, he probably has one of those too.
A word to the wise-if this is a place that you work, get out now!! If your company does business with this place, find another provider. (edited)
Dear Anonymous – and we are quite sure we know who you are -1. Please remove the numerous untruths mentioned before you find yourself in court
2. The owner of this blog should have more sense than to post rantings from a former employee who was fired for incompetency
3. The company is a great place to work – wonderful people including the accounting department and BDC (please buy a dictionary and look up “morons” – it more correctly refers to you)- the BDC is a hard working dedicated group – (grab that new dictionary – you need to look up the definition of “telemarketing” as that is not what they do) –
…….and oh yes – both of the “inexperienced” acounting assistants have college degrees, one a BS in Accounting….and, contrary to your belief, the Contoller did not have you fired – leave her alone, she’s the nicest and most professional person on staff
4. The personal attacks are slanderous and unconscionable – the “trailor trash” (please use that dictionary again) has a Masters Degree – for shame that you have lowered yourself to this sort of diatribe
5. The bills you racked up without authorization have finally been resolved – your rant re the company’s finances is totally untrue proving that, as always, you know nothing but just make it up to suit your purpose
The truth is, the BDC, the accounting staff, the trailor trash”, along with everyone else on staff including the great “Head Guy”, simply ignored your attempts to create dissension and spread gossip – you had no friends here so……you weren’t respected or liked when you were here – and guess what? nothing’s changed
@happyimemp
He posted just as anonymously as you have. It is not my place to verify anything that is stated.
Just as you stated that he/she was fired for incompetency I have no way to verify that other than you stating it in an anonymous fashion.
FYI if you are one of the well educated people encouraging people to use a dictionary I recommend you doing the same.
You have completely misused the word “slanderous” and it shows incompetence on your part and a “trailer trash” mentality.
I have to agree with everyone except for the author of #5’s posting: The head guy of Imagiclabs has long history of chaos that he himself creates. He can not manage a company in an orderly fashion and will twist the truth to hide it. His history of moving for personal and business may be a sign that he’s running from more creditors he again owes once again. Even if his accounting department has experience, they can not control his wrong-doings. At home and at work he’s trouble. Sad for his children, wives (past and present), employees (past and present), and conned investors. He is still on probation with the Federal Gov’t. and needs to stay clean. He still owes on his taxes, still owes the $1.5 million dollar judgment to the State of Washington for credit card fraud. Folks, do not be afraid of this guy. If he has hurt you financially, you need to make sure you get what is due to you. He needs to do what is “right” – Make him!
Check this out!
“Keith” Latman(A.K.A.Rick or Richard)was denied bankruptcy. The Judge said, “Noting that bankruptcy-court protection was intended for “honest debtors,” Judge Karen Overstreet of U.S. Bankruptcy Court denied such relief yesterday to Rick and Bettina Latman.”
See article…http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010428&slug=latman28
Strange to find these remarks regarding IMagicLabs.
It’s been over a year since I left Automotive Business Development to do my own business, but my relationship with them under several rooftops was pristine, enjoyable, and they overdelivered, time after time.
I guess that’s the way things go – there are vendors who I wouldn’t throw a glass of water on if they were dying of thirst in the desert who are yet much beloved by other business people I network with.
To this day, I miss the great service and product I got with IMagic. Things may have changed drastically since I left.
T. Lavon Lawrence
Dynamic Mental Fitness Training
Lead Brain Trainer & Author
imagiclab offers an incredible product to its users. The features are cutting edge and innovative — when they are working. Repeated downages make the ILM useless to the dealerships. Thousands of dollars are being lost for everyday that this”good” product is down for many stupid reasons. The company offers its employees some great benefits. There’s a lounge where the employees can play wii games on a big screen TV in leather chairs, well there was until former employees stole the games. There was free lunch offered to employees on Fridays until they cancelled that too. There was a stocked refridgerator, wait, they cancelled that too. Perhaps, if they offered employees a better salary instead of video games and food, the system would work on a more consistent basis. There are far too many chiefs and not enough indians. How many vice presidents does one company need? I am not discussing rumors and innuendos. What Keith Latman does with his staff on a personal level is exactly that; personal. What he does with them on a business level effects the many users of the product. Everytime I think of Mr. Latman, I think of that song about the mentally unstable guy, “They’re coming to take me away”. Good employees are let go to hire cheaper and more incompetent ones. The fact is, this company is bleeding at the seams. The staff, with few exceptions, is nasty and underhanded. They neither offer support nor good service to their users. Let’s just chalk up imagiclab to another future failure for K.Latman and his morbidly obnoxious cronies. If you are unethical, nasty, not so bright but strive to throw your colleagues under the bus every chance you get, this is the place for you. Enjoy your day at imagiclab… it will soon come to an end.
Hi Paul. Hello to all the other people that have contributed to this particular thread.
I have received several emails from people asking if I am ‘Anonymous’. The answer is no. I generally deal with my problems through competent legal counsel. Not via ‘Anonymous’ postings on blog sites or community networks.
Even though I find some of the posts accurate, I would be equally dispositive of things that are speculative or fabricated. Unless you have evidence to the affirmative; I would caution how one professes to such events. There is a difference between slander/libel/defamation and truth. If truth can be established, then it cannot be litigious. If you profess a non truth publicly; then you must/may face certain legal recourse. Evidentiary proceedings may possibly follow should the damaged party bring forth charges. No matter what the allegation may be…if you have stated something questionable; you may end up in court paying exhorbatant legal fees. When you come up against a company or person with money…make sure you post the FACTS. Defense proceedings can be very costly.
Here’s my question -…why does a person with a Masters Degree go to work as a SECRETARY? I have emails from said secretary that would violate laws in all 50 States. Genius. I didn’t find her (opinion) all that intelligent and/or her attractive/smart. If the CEO is accused of playing around with that brainiac…she should find out if he has the proper E/O insurance. Without the insurance…good luck. Collecting may end up just like that from the State of Washington. Good luck..
When counseled properly, you should follow advice. Please review the posts recommending advice(s) toward doing business with posted companies. I would certainly investigate allegations from those dealerships who post their opinions.
Punitive damages may vary from state to state…jury to jury. The attempt to hide behind ‘Anonymous’ postings is dangerous considering most web hosting services track IP addresses as a protection to thier own business. Paul has the records and can show those accordingly.
As an experienced litigant versus the very company I founded…stay clear of defamatory statements. If there is ‘truth’ (and you can PROVE it) to the matter…we’d love to hear your story’s. If you can’t provide the evidence…it’s better to put your drink down and think later with a clear head.
Paul…don’t forget to look me up when you get to KC. I look forward to seeing you and gaining information about your company.
Thanks for your input Eric
It amazes me how daily this simple post about a poor interaction I had with this company has gotten so much attention.
I can only profess my interactions with them them. I also know that this post has been used as leverage against me personally. At the end of the day it does not matter.
The more that comes to light about vendors in the niche the better off the dealer community is served.
The last thing that iMagicLab wants to do is sue me for providing a sounding board for others to share their interactions. You can’t throw rocks when you live in a glass house!!
This is funny stuff.
Hey Paul – or anyone,
I just got of the phone with my friend david kain and in conversation he reccommended using iMagiclabs for my dealerships ILM system (along with a few others). Being as that this blog was the second search result in a google search I decided to take a look. Point being he had nothing but good things to say about this company and I respect him and his opions greatlty which is why I was confused when I read the posts.
If indeed there is truth to the rants on this blog, my question for you and others would be what is a good ILM tool that I could look into? Any help would be appriciated.
Thanks,
Chris
I respect David’s opinion as well. I do not have first had experience with the imagiclab product and really have no personal opinion of the company other than my original post.
With that being said apparently many others have expressed their opinion of the company here good and bad.
Their ILM may very well be a good product but personally based on things other have expressed about the company and what others have expressed to me in email and on the phone I would never do business with them or in good conscience recommend them to anyone.
Paul,
I appriciate the quick reply. I’ll check back often to see if anyone can provide some insight to an ILM that they can recommend. Keep up the good work.
Thanks again,
Chris
Chris
I think that David Kain will recomend VinSolutions as a great ILM/CRM tool. Call us to set up a demo if you have not already. David is very good in the eCommerce arena and his group is one of the best.
Can anyone confirm the current rummor that Imagiclabs was sold and Keith is out. As a once long time promoter and user of the Imagiclabs system, I can share numerous horror stories about the wonderful customer service and attitude of the employees including the self proclaimed ego maniac Richard Keith Latman. Feel free to ask me for a referal for Imagiclabs and I will be happy to let you know what to expect. My Favorite is there ADP / Reynolds Integration that they claim to have.
Brian J Cole
Director of Internet Operations
Ed Napleton Auto Group
We have been looking at Car Research, Vin Solutions, and Izmo Cars. Feel free to contact me for an objective overview of each system and company. I have spent several months looking at all three and have met with the executives of each company. All three have a great product each does something the other does not. We have not made a decision as of yet but we are taking the list down to two.
Brian J Cole
Director of Internet Operations
Ed Napleton Auto Group
708-543-6946
No, I know for a fact that Latman is not only running iMagicLab but is now also in a big place with ADP. They bought the company and promoted him.
This blog is not factual and in a lot of respects is just a bus driver for people who have grudges. Too bad, debate is good when it’s fair and right
Tom I blogged about my interaction with the company and others in the automotive community have put forth their interactions both good and bad.
My interaction is 100% accurate and I stand by it. He was as smug as his employee. His email reply to me indicated he did not consider this site/blog worthy of his notice.
He is more than welcome to comment here just as anyone is. A debate requires a pro and con. If imagic was concerned with their reputation they can come and address the issues.
Tom, I agree this is a one sided debate but when the other party does not show, tells me there might be some truth to these posts. I like Paul, have first hand experience with Keith and the lovely emails he sends to customers that have a problem with his product.
Paul I respect your opinions that he is smug and cocky but I believe that it takes that kind of guy to run a technology company in our space. Most of us are Type A and think our opinions are better than the other guys. Without a strong person running the show any piece of software would look like Reynolds or ADP’s solution: A mess.
As a long time ADP dealer I hope he makes a difference with his CRM merged with ADP’s DMS. ADP is far and away the best and most open DMS in the space and their merger with iMagic can only be considered huge news by everyone that uses ADP.
My final opinion is your blog is a an attempt to slander a man personally who has built one of the best pieces of software our industry has seen. It is full of baseless personal attacks and seems like a blatant attempt to be relevant. I have no idea what will happen when ADP reads this, but I hope you have good lawyers…
Tom per JC today, he told me that the company was not sold. Keith is still the CEO and they have no plans of selling. Not sure who told you this unconfirmed rumor of ADP buying them, however if JC does not know about it then I would say it is false.
As someone who has done integration with every DMS company there is, Arkona has the most open DMS via their OpenTrack platform.
Tom Bourbon said:
“Paul I respect your opinions that he is smug and cocky but I believe that it takes that kind of guy to run a technology company in our space. Most of us are Type A and think our opinions are better than the other guys. Without a strong person running the show any piece of software would look like Reynolds or ADP’s solution: A mess.
As a long time ADP dealer I hope he makes a difference with his CRM merged with ADP’s DMS. ADP is far and away the best and most open DMS in the space and their merger with iMagic can only be considered huge news by everyone that uses ADP.
My final opinion is your blog is a an attempt to slander a man personally who has built one of the best pieces of software our industry has seen. It is full of baseless personal attacks and seems like a blatant attempt to be relevant. I have no idea what will happen when ADP reads this, but I hope you have good lawyers…”
LOL I LOVE THREATS !!!
I especially like how you have stated he has the best software in the industry; you obviously have not shopped around a lot.
So how much is Keith paying you?
Tell Keith to come see me he is in Chicago today we could all use some extra money, ROFL !!!
@Tom You are so far out there when you claim I tried to “slander” Keith Latman. I gave an account of my interaction and others shared their experience as well. I did not allege anything other than facts and my personal opinion.
I invite ADP or Latman to sue be for the comments I made about my interaction with his company. I also invite them to comment on this post as well.
Like the young lady that made the same claim before I advise you to use http://www.websters.com and learn the definition of slander, in no way could slander even be inferred in my post and it’s comments or even those that commented.
Paul there is no offical press release or confirmation from high ranking employee’s of both companies that Imagiclab was purchased by ADP.
I heard from a very reliable source inside of ADP that they backed out of negotiations with iMagicLab.
Their due diligence and legal team found that the liability they would incur in acquiring Mr Latman’s company would place them in possible legal peril.
Wow this is entertaining….Brian you crack me up!
Thanks Troy I do aim to please
How things going you got my enhancements done yet ????
See ya soon
Going well. Release 1 (that you had for a short time) is 7-10 days out.
Great looking forward to the Enhancements talk to you later.
[...] did a post a while back about Imagiclab CRM awhile back, where I discussed my interactions with their sales rep and Keith Latman. Some of the [...]
Outside of the fact that I know most of the people in this post, I only stand behind the one central concept here. As far as iMagicLab goes they are not a company that RyanTech will consider doing business with again. That said, there is at least one other company that has the same reputation and is creating a “magic” relationship as well.
I will say that founders of companies do have my support especially when they have “solutions” to bring to dealers and not bull or high costs and arrogance.
Dealers deserve cutting edge technology without the sabre of costs from companies that don’t understand the business.
I’m responding just like other Primary Financial and Founding Investors, not as Social Media “Pretenders”
This is easy if you’ve been in it for a while, more than let’s say 7 years and you’ve spent your own money – not borrowed money… check my credentials before you respond with your BS.
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