Post - Wall of Shame - Talk Of Tools Community

2024 Wall of Shame

# Q4-2024 Wall of Shame _NOTE: I don’t actively monitor Sauce discussions anymore, especially with censorships in full play and posts getting deleted. Please keep sharing here if you hear about Red Flags or Shutdowns. It’s possible there could have been many tools which went down, and we got no info or knowledge to keep populating here._ 1. Sizzy,co #ABANDONED ([AppSumo store review](https://appsumo.com/products/sizzy/reviews/abandoned-324981/)) 2. [Picvario](https://picvario.com) DAM tool #SHUTDOWN ([AppSumo store review](https://appsumo.com/products/picvario/reviews/information-of-discontinuing-my-account-333394/), [Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/picvario-shutting-down-us-operations)) 3. [Kites.io](http://Kites.io) #LIKELY-ABANDONED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/kites-io)) 4. Illusto #SHUTDOWN ([ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=34136)) 5. Paillor #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Side-Lifetime-Deals-Survival-ebook/dp/B0DMT6GCRT)) 6. Bleach Cyber #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/another-1-bites-the-dust-bleach-cyber)) 7. Yodel #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/yodel-discontinuing-on-jan-15th-12-17-24)) 8. ProPoVoice #ABANDONED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/propovoice-anyone-else-buy-and-then-abandoned)) 9. Leadmonk #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/leadmonk-closing-december-31st-12-16-2024)) 10. Webinar Ninja #ACQUIRED #LTD-BUYERS-DITCHED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/webinar-ninja-acquired-by-proprofs-12-16-2024)) 11. Frank AI #POTENTIALLY-DEAD-OR-ABANDONED ([AppSumo Store Q&A](https://appsumo.com/products/frank-ai/#questions), [Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/frank-ai-down-again)) 12. Sidekick Browser #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/sidekick-browser-full-refund-in-credits-12-6-2024), [ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=33929)) 13. Leadmonk #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/leadmonk-recent-announcement-12-3-24)) 14. SmartTask #BAIT-AND-SWITCH #LTD-DISHONORED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/ask-the-community/smarttask-v2-making-ltd-buyers-pay-how)) 15. Sizzy #ABANDONED ([AppSumo store post](https://appsumo.com/products/sizzy/reviews/seems-to-be-abandoned-326406/), [ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=comment%2Fperma&id=10007), [Glink post](https://glink.so/kitze/sizzy/forum/clzvrf5zl5244831umctclvhxv1)) 16. Illow #LTD-DISHONORED #COMPANY-SOLD ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/illow-acquisition-and-appsumo-purchase-protection), [ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=comment%2Fperma&id=9984)) 17. Nytro SEO #QUESTIONABLE-TOOL #POTENTIALLY-FAKE-TOOL ([AppSumo review](https://appsumo.com/products/nytroseo/reviews/support-times-are-lackluster-5-days-fo-328533/), [ToT post)](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=33370) 18. Zupyak #LTD-DISHONORED ([AppSumo review](https://appsumo.com/products/zupyak/reviews/scam-319998/), ToT post) 19. APUTime #LTD-DISHONORED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/aputime-ltd-pushing-to-branchis-with-80-discount)) 20. Frank AI #DISAPPEARED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/frank-ai-suddunly-gone), [AppSumo Q&A](https://appsumo.com/products/frank-ai/questions/?page=1)) 21. uTeach #LTD-DISHONORED #CONVERTING-TO-SUBSCRIPTION ([Sauce post 1](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/uteach), [Sauce post 2](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/uteach-subscription-changes-and-new-options-12-4-24)) 22. Fourie #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/fourie-tool-closure-11-14-24)) 23. [Yep.so](http://Yep.so) #LTD-DISHONORED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/yep-unlimited-is-no-longer-unlimited)) 24. Popmii Factory #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/popmii-factory-product-closure-update-11-12-24)) 25. Notice #ABANDONED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/former-appsumo-deal-notice-blogging-app-abandoned)) 26. Retable #SHUTDOWN-CONFUSION ([Posted on AppSumo Store](https://appsumo.com/products/retable/) / [ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=32987)) - Please double-check with Retable. They said they’re struggling and trying hard to stay on; AppSumo’s post was confusing/conflicting. 27. FreshLMS #BAIT-AND-SWITCH #LTD-DISHONORED ([ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=32954)) 28. Heybase #BROKEN-TOOL #NO-SUPPORT ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/ask-the-community/heybase), [AppSumo Reviews](https://appsumo.com/products/heybase/#reviews)) 29. Proposa #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/proposa-platform-closure-11-1-24)) 30. RankAtom #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/rankatom-final-date-to-request-refund-10-31-24)) 31. Lindo AI #BAIT-AND-SWITCH ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/what-can-we-do-about-lindo-ai-bait-and-switch)) 32. Blogely #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/blogely-update-another-one-bites-the-dust), Email to Users) 33. Social Animal #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/social-animal-is-officially-dead)) 34. Krademy LMS #DISAPPEARED ([Sauce Post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/krademy-lms)) 35. Qapop #DISAPPEARED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/qapop-is-dead)) 36. [USP.ai](http://USP.ai) #SHUTDOWN ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-updates/usp-ai-service-discontinuation-notice-10-21-24)) 37. Dukaan #LTD-DISHONORED ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/my-experience-with-dukaan)) Note: This was a [problem since a year back](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=8127), and very bad reviews (if not terrible), but AppSumo re-listed them. 38. Smartslide #DISAPPEARED ?? ([Sauce post](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/smartslide-ai-is-it-no-longer-working)) 39. Waspnote #DISAPPEARED ([AppSumo post](https://appsumo.com/products/waspnote/reviews/another-failed-appsumo-product-323149/)) 40. XBOT #DISAPPEARED ([AppSumo post](https://appsumo.com/products/waspnote/reviews/another-failed-appsumo-product-323149/)) ([founder](https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhishek-sawan/) same for Waspnote, parent company site also disappeared) 41. [CookieZen](https://cookiezen.io/) #DISAPPEARED ([ToT post](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=32171))

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Olderico Caviglia · Oct 24, 2024

[Qapop is dead](https://sauce.appsumo.com/c/tool-talk/qapop-is-dead) too (post in the sauce)

Show previous 4 comments

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tess washington · Nov 30, 2024

Wow! thank you so much for this list [Haroon Mansoori](mention:9cb0d73a-f505-40ce-b20f-78fda433ecdd "/index.php?r=user%2Fprofile&cguid=9cb0d73a-f505-40ce-b20f-78fda433ecdd") !!! They got me for EIGHT tools on this list! Putting together my ‘give me my money back’ email now…smfh…..what’s sad is we spend so much time researching these tools; for me - LEARNING them as the learning curve for non-techies such as myself is insane….just for them to ‘disappear’ or ‘not honor’ the contract they signed to be on the appsumo platform in the first place????? uugghhh

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Haroon Mansoori · Nov 30, 2024

[tess washington](mention:9983274b-4cd5-4868-8b28-7df552aa0153 "/index.php?r=user%2Fprofile&cguid=9983274b-4cd5-4868-8b28-7df552aa0153") - glad to see active here. Hope all is going well at your end. Yes, it’s very sad to see so many tools sunset, either founders doing that intentionally, or circumstances making them do that. Either way, in the end-game, buyers always remain the losers. I talked about that quite a lot in [my book](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1069148520/).

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Haroon Mansoori · Oct 29, 2024

![image.png](file-guid:0b605348-42e9-41d5-a938-1a1a397bb63a "image.png")

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Dante Healy · Nov 19, 2024

Very disappointing.

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Allen Tram · Nov 24, 2024 · Last updated Nov 25, 2024 - 2:39 PM

zupyak and NytroSEO should be added to the list. Zupyak - they are no longer honoring pro plan updates and requiring $79/month for new features. it looks like every one of my reviews have been placed in review after calling out NytroSEO too. NytroSEO - fake headquarters, bad script injections, giving false sense of security of updated metas and your site will not get indexed. they will tell you it takes x amount of days conveniently for all your metas to get indexed properly - right outside that return window. Don’t use Google Rich Results Tool which they will guide you through, instead use Google Search Console and inspect URLs yourself to see what google crawler picks up. I’m pretty much in an arguing spat with the owner since I’ve been leaving him bad reviews on the web. Edit: NytroSEO is threatening defamation - good luck on that when the claims are factual and his service does not work. Edit 2: he just messed up and violated **CRFA.** He requests that the only way he will refund anything is if I remove all reviews. [https://share.cleanshot.com/5HWXrmHy](https://share.cleanshot.com/5HWXrmHy)\ \ Edit 3: FTC report filed on violating CRFA - this guy is just making things worse for himself. As a business owner I can’t believe how poorly NytroSEO is handling this simple situation.

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Allen Tram · Nov 25, 2024

[Haroon Mansoori](mention:9cb0d73a-f505-40ce-b20f-78fda433ecdd "/index.php?r=user%2Fprofile&cguid=9cb0d73a-f505-40ce-b20f-78fda433ecdd") - Here’s the latest with NytroSEO:\ they have now violated **CRFA** and I hope Appsumo does something about this. Nytro SEO’s Email: [https://share.cleanshot.com/v5SyJkHJ](https://share.cleanshot.com/v5SyJkHJ)\ My Response: [https://share.cleanshot.com/SwZCl2TM](https://share.cleanshot.com/SwZCl2TM)\ Nytro Violating CRFA: [https://share.cleanshot.com/lQrDjfg5](https://share.cleanshot.com/lQrDjfg5)\ My Final Response: [https://share.cleanshot.com/n75Qwymh](https://share.cleanshot.com/n75Qwymh) My biggest learning experience from this is to do total vetting from now on. I wish appsumo did better vetting of their vendors but it’s best to DYOR from now on. - Google the addresses - Reverse lookup phone numbers to see carriers - Check the email header IPs to see what origin country the emails are really coming from. We shouldn’t have to do this, but in the world of LTDs, it’s a necessary evil now. This was an inexpensive but annoying lesson.

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Dante Healy · Nov 26, 2024

Just received an email from Illow to say they have now sold up and will no longer honor their lifetime deals: \ \ ”Dear Sumo-ling, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to inform you that illow has been acquired and will no longer be able to continue providing services to our customers after the date of **January 31, 2025.** The reason for this closure stems from a company shift to focus on enterprise-level clients and developing technology around security and privacy, meaning that it is not feasible to continue maintaining illow due to the limited staff resources. The new company acquiring illow will be focusing on enterprise-level clients and developing technology around security and privacy, which caters to the needs of top companies globally. As a result, it is not feasible to continue offering the services currently provided by illow. We explored options to maintain the service, but given the significant shift in focus and technology, it was not possible to do so. This decision ensures that the new company's resources are aligned with its mission, and we hope this context helps clarify the situation and avoids any confusion. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for all the support you have given us. We hope you’ve been able to make the most of this great product during the time it was available to you. Ensuring a smooth transition for our customers is extremely important to us. To help facilitate this process, we have developed various features that will allow you to download key assets from your illow platform account, including: - A list of domains - A list of cookies with their classification for each site - Cookie policy and privacy policy content - Consent logs for each site - A list of team members with access to the platform - Data Subject Requests (DSR) You can learn more information on how to download these assets by visiting this link: [https://illow.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/73000639808-how-to-export-assets-domains-trackers-team-members-policies-and-dsrs](https://illow.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/73000639808-how-to-export-assets-domains-trackers-team-members-policies-and-dsrs) Throughout this process, we’ve been working in collaboration with the AppSumo team to provide credit refunds to those who purchased illow. In order to receive your credit refund, please write into **[support@appsumo.com](mailto:support@appsumo.com). ** We understand that choosing a new solution can be challenging, so we have also provided a list of [official Google partners](https://wibson.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c7c328a7d3ab8f8b649cf066d&id=42f85183c1&e=787773a445) to help you explore the options that best suit your needs as a substitute for illow. Thank you once again for being a part of our journey. Best regards, The illow team”

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Haroon Mansoori · Nov 26, 2024

Sad to hear and its bad from their part. Another classic example of how they used LTD system and customer base to sell off. I have written about this tactic in [my book](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1069148520/).

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Elvis l · Nov 26, 2024

I reached out to Appsumo support to see what they say since the email said we should reach out to them for a refund.

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Elvis l · Nov 26, 2024

Reached out to Appsumo, and they are going to refund, so at least no money lost.

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Olderico Caviglia · Nov 27, 2024

i got full refund of Qapop

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Dante Healy · Nov 27, 2024 · Last updated Nov 27, 2024 - 6:00 PM

Fair play to AppSumo - I just received my full refund of illow earlier today.

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Elvis l · Nov 27, 2024

Only got Appsumo credit, but this isn’t a win for Appsumo like they think it is and more from illow trying make it right unlike other partners. Refund is coming from illow and Appsumo is only give Appsumo credit instead refund to credit card.

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Haroon Mansoori · Nov 27, 2024

That’s well spotted, [Elvis l](mention:f5860f5e-dc61-454f-a21b-c2c6d1bda2e1 "/index.php?r=user%2Fprofile&cguid=f5860f5e-dc61-454f-a21b-c2c6d1bda2e1"). I have also been saying multiple times. AppSumo collects cash from founders for all refunds, and gives them only in credits, and only selectively from among those who contact them. For all those who are unaware or don’t contact AppSumo in time, AppSumo gets to keep all that cash for themselves - a pure white-collar theft.

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Elvis l · Nov 27, 2024

BTW add Sizzy to the list of Abandoned/wall of shame. He’s stopped responding 3 months but is active on Twitter/Youtube with other things. Cash Grab.\ \ [https://appsumo.com/products/sizzy/](https://appsumo.com/products/sizzy/)

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Elvis l · Nov 27, 2024

[https://glink.so/kitze/sizzy/forum/clzvrf5zl5244831umctclvhxv1](https://glink.so/kitze/sizzy/forum/clzvrf5zl5244831umctclvhxv1)

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Haroon Mansoori · Nov 28, 2024 · Last updated Nov 28, 2024 - 5:13 AM

It appears there is some good story behind illow. It had a high profile investor EndeavorLAB, who are backed by JP Morgan Chase, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation among others. Endeavor had a large event called Endeavor Miami which was in the works since beginning of the year. In early June, there was a high profile event and many companies were invited (yes, invited) to pitch in. Illow was not just the one invited, but it won the Pitch Awards, which suggests that they received funding on their next idea from Endeavor. This even was co-sponsored by JP Morgan Chase, Dell for Startups, and others. Now this makes sense, as it implies, their pivot is towards moving into enterprise clients. We could potentially analyze the potential breakdown: 80% AppSumo, 20% illow (AppSumo’s marketing cut 60%, AppSumo’s commission 20%, illow’s cut 20%) In the event of refunds, there are two possible scenarios: 1. Illow's responsibility limited to its share:\ In this case, illow would be responsible for 20% of the total revenue, which is their direct share after marketing costs. 2. Illow shares marketing cost responsibility:\ If illow is expected to cover half of the marketing costs as well, their total responsibility could be:\ 20% (direct share) + 30% (half of 60% marketing costs) = 50% of total revenue In either of these scenarios, for illow, it makes it still more easy to return even assuming if it’s 50% of the total revenues. With the investments they would have received, this “expense” would be just minimal to offload LTD buyers. I focussed on one of the two co-founders - Rodrigo Jose Irarrazaval Mitarakis, and here are some insights: - Won a grant from the European Union to develop the Next Generation Personal Data Platform. - [Won the Endeavor Miami Awards](https://www.instagram.com/endeavormiami/p/C7zxn4pu7v7/?img_index=10) - Selected by the US government under the program “The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative. - A frequent speaker at industry events in numerous countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, Argentina and Brazil among others.

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Haroon Mansoori · Nov 29, 2024

As suspected, illow is internally rebranding (in the name of acquisition) pivoting to enterprise / corporate customers. Now my analysis above makes more sense, right? Numerous similar voices are being heard across several posts - one of them here. [https://appsumo.com/products/illow/questions/this-is-shutting-by-virtue-of-an-interna-1253001/](https://appsumo.com/products/illow/questions/this-is-shutting-by-virtue-of-an-interna-1253001/), which [Darth Philip J Fry](mention:5f4f8199-0f0a-49b6-ac87-0ecd7415e750 "/index.php?r=user%2Fprofile&cguid=5f4f8199-0f0a-49b6-ac87-0ecd7415e750") has also noticed. It's purely unethical, but that's how founders find a way to discontinue LTD buyers.

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Dante Healy · Dec 3, 2024

Sessions seems to have stopped working in the backend although it’s main site is still peddling the tool. Will wait to see how this plays out! :frowning:

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Haroon Mansoori · Dec 6, 2024 · Last updated Dec 7, 2024 - 5:02 AM

Unfortunately, launching on AppSumo proved to be a poor decision for Sidekick, a valuable browser platform which incorporated many tools purchased via AppSumo and other marketplaces. They are now witnessing their unfortunate end.

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Haroon Mansoori · Dec 19, 2024

In the previous year, [Q4-2023](https://talkoftools.com/index.php?r=content%2Fperma&id=8127) saw the most significant number of tools being discontinued, with 49 reported cases. This year seems to follow a similar pattern. As we approach the end of Q4-2024, we are nearing 40 reported tool closures with two weeks remaining until the New Year. Interestingly, this is also the time when marketplaces like AppSumo experience a surge in revenue, this same period also coincides with the highest number of tool shutdowns.

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Haroon Mansoori · Dec 22, 2024

Just a reminder that both Kites and TruConversion are from the scam master Hammad Akbar, and AppSumo has continued to actively promote and sell. TruConversion also was a part of Black Friday 2024 and is still sold at the moment through manipulative 5-star reviews. We discussed this topic a lot in the past, including relationship between that gang and AppSumo. Just be careful before putting any money on these as well as other tools from this gang and his Digital Marketer nexus.

Wall of Shame

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Olderico Caviglia · Nov 27, 2024

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Elvis l · Nov 27, 2024

Glink

Haroon Mansoori · Nov 28, 2024 · Last updated Nov 28, 2024 - 5:13 AM

Haroon Mansoori · Nov 29, 2024

This is shutting by virtue of an internal acquisition | illow | AppSumo

Dante Healy · Dec 3, 2024

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Haroon Mansoori · Dec 6, 2024 · Last updated Dec 7, 2024 - 5:02 AM

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