This Mom's Confessions

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Passionfruit Ads Cheating Bloggers Out of Their Own Money

Filed Under: BLOG, Making Money, Writing/Blogging Tagged With: , , , , ,

Most who read my blog know that when I first began this journey, I wasn’t making money blogging nor did I even realize I could.

But slowly, I found ways and resources to help me indeed make a living blogging.

By the way, I am truly humbled and grateful for all that my blog has afforded me in so far as generating income.

One of the many sources of income, I have utilized with my blog is to run paid advertisements and even sponsored written posts for companies.

[Tweet “Bloggers beware of @passionfruitads and find out why now”]

Some are commissioned through other companies that I have relationships with. Still other have paid me directly through Paypal.  While others have also found me directly through Passionfruit Ads.

What is Passionfruit Ads?

According to their website this is how they describe themselves:

“We’re a small company out to make advertising a little easier. Maybe a little more human. Maybe a little less like a late night on a used car lot. Maybe a little more like a nice dinner with that person you love. PF is built, designed and run by Jason Lynes.”

Seems totally legit. Even all the blogger testimonials on their front page would lead anyone to believe that this is a wonderful resource for bloggers, who are looking to run ads on their blogs, as well as help them do it is quite easily and simply.

Hell, I used Passionfruit for almost 3 years now and would have told you to definitely use them up until recently.

But all this changed in the past few months and should have seen the handwriting on the wall.

What happened to Passionfruit Ads?

For starters, payouts were always according to Passionfruit to be performed weekly on Fridays.  Then, in recent months, I began to notice payments getting pushed back by a month or even more.

But I still did receive those payments.

However, that changed this past weekend. See, I was supposed to be paid out almost $200 for a written sponsored post purchased through Passionfruit Ads.

Friday came and went with no payment made to me from Passionfruit Ads.

Then, I checked on Monday morning and a payment was supposedly paid out to my Paypal account of $193.90.

Passionfruit Payout

Although it says I was paid, I truly wasn’t…

Lo and behold though, there was no payment in my Paypal account.  Upon further investigation, Paypal even told me that a payment was actually never even made.

What have I done to rectify this?

I reached out to Jason (the owner/operator) via email, Twitter and even called his mobile phone number he has listed on Passionfruit Ads site, which went directly to voice mail.

I have yet, days later, to have any of my inquiries answered.  In my search, I found others on Twitter complaining of similar issues. These bloggers also have yet to be responded to by Jason or Passionfruit Ads.

I even filed a formal Better Business Bureau complaint, as well as reached out to my clients, who I am still pending payouts from with Passionfruit Ads. I directed them to file formal complaints with either Paypal or credit card companies that they paid Passionfruit Ads with.

Passionfruit Ads Cheating Bloggers Out of Their Own Money

This is truly reprehensible and unconscionable to me. But still, I vow that I will indeed get the money owed to me either from Passionfruit Ads or from my clients, who once again are currently working to dispute said charges.  

Why share this about Passionfruit Ads?

Because I want to forewarn my fellow bloggers, who may still be using Passionfruit Ads to discontinue working with them.  

Right now, it appears that Jason and/or Passionfruit Ads are MIA, keeping payments that belong to hardworking bloggers, such as myself and possibly you, too.  Again, this isn’t right nor fair.  And I certainly don’t want to see anyone else go through not being paid the money they might be rightfully owed. So, CANCEL your account if you have one.  If you were thinking of using Passionfruit Ads, simply DON’T.

PayPal logo

For companies, who are looking to advertise with me, please rest assured I am no longer running Passionfruit Ads on my blog.  I am now receiving advertising and sponsored post requests myself with payments through Paypal directly or through Adproval. Have no fear though as this will not be an issue here on out for anyone else.

Adproval Logo

Therefore, please feel free to reach out for all advertising and sponsored post needs though my page directly HERE now.

The Bottom Line…

DON’T USE PASSIONFRUIT ADS!

As always though, many thanks to all who are loyal readers, business partners and more for your support.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Cynthia says

    Ugh. Sorry that happened! I hope you get it rectified, soon. That’s pretty awful when stuff like that happens and the internet is a bit like the Wild West – you just hope that someone can help or that people keep their moral scruples. Sending you hugs and hope that you will get what is owed to you. Have a good Monday!

    • Janine says

      Thanks again, Cyndi and I agree just very sad that it has to come to this. I truly tried to give this person and company the benefit of the doubt, but after not hearing back and others going through similar knew I had to share here. Again, thank you for sharing too. Happy Monday now!! xoxo

    • Janine says

      I know that should have been a red flag to me, but I still stuck it out. But now payments were “supposedly” being made, but nothing was actually being paid. Then, I took to Twitter to find that others were having this happen, too. So, I knew I needed to put it out there. Thanks again, Meredith for also sharing and appreciate it so much!!

  5. Jen says

    Good for you for speaking out! I think something is definitely rotten here. I wonder if they are failing as company and at this point and just don’t care? I used Passionfruit for about a month 3 years ago and then just moved on straight to having people directly pay me. I am going to need to look into Adproval. Thanks for the heads up.

    • Janine says

      I think you may be onto something and glad you moved on though, too. Definitely check out Adproval as I have now been with them for about a week, but already sold ad space and sponsored posts, too through them.

  6. Dara says

    I stopped using passionfruit when they started to charge bloggers to use their service. I may have given up ad money by not using them, but I am glad I don’t have to deal with this now. I hope it works out for you!

  7. Amanda || Growing Up Madison says

    Oh I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve heard of Passionfruit ads and actually thought of using them in the past. I’m pretty happy that I’m not and now after reading your story, I would never use them. I hope you’re able to resolve the issue soon though. Definitely have to share this.

  9. William Holland says

    Thank you for the heads-up, Janine. I’m sorry you had to find this out the hard way, but you are helping others with this notice.

    Despite the problems, have a great Monday.

  11. Kisna says

    Oh my heavens! This is kinda why I haven’t ventured that far into ads on my blog-im still learning the ropes and I’m not ready to conquer advertising on my site yet.

    I’m so sorry and hope that the issues is resolved soon.
    Thanks for sharing this!

    • Janine says

      Aw, Kisma sorry that this scared you off a bit more and to be honest, running ads directly with Paypal is something I would highly suggest if someone was thinking about getting their feet wet with advertising. So far, I have that and Adproval running as I said and things are running a lot smoother now. Just want to put a rest to the money owned to me and pay it forward to other bloggers to not use Passionfruit now, too.

  13. Seana Turner says

    Sorry to hear about this, Janine. Very frustrating to have to pursue someone who won’t pay you what you are owed. I’m sure other bloggers who have been considering working with this organization will be grateful for the warning!

  14. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    Oh wow! I used to use Passionfruit but migrated over to Adproval about a year ago. Funny too because I got no business through Passionfruit but now I do with Adproval.

    So sorry you had to go through this 🙁

    I hope they properly pay you for what they owe.

    Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo

    • Janine says

      Thank you for sharing and you are right as I am now with them only a week and already gotten a few ads and also sponsored post offers from them. Glad you switched though, too!! xoxo

  15. Jill Robbins says

    I’m glad you wrote this. I don’t use them but I’ve contemplated using them several times and have even set up an account with them. I just never got around to going anywhere with it. Good thing, too! I hope you get your money back!

  16. April G says

    Wow! I haven’t used Passionfruit in a long time, but I certainly won’t consider going back in the near future. It seems like they are going under and don’t know how to handle it.

  17. eli@coachdaddy says

    I just read a post about doing no harm, taking no crap, and then saw this. Way to go Janine. Thanks for looking out for us – it’s tough to navigate the offers for sponsored posts and the like and not know what’s legit.

  20. Aunt Gloria says

    How terrible that these people feel they can sneak off in the middle of the night and leave everyone hanging. Good for you Janine for going after them. Don’t let them off the hook! I know you are careful who you do business with but you never know …..he probably ran into problems and took the coward’s way out! Hope this gets resolved and you get your money! xxoo

  21. Chris Carter says

    Oh Janine! This makes me so angry! Passion fruit ads sound very familiar… although I’m not doing much n the way of sponsored posts or ads on my blog.

    This is NOT okay. You deserve all the money owed to you and so do all you clients!

    Passing this on.

  23. Leslie says

    How awful, Janine! I remember hearing some buzz about Passionfruit ads a few years back, but never really tried to use them. Thanks for the heads up. I’ll definitely be looking elsewhere when the time comes!

  25. Mrs. AOK says

    That is horrible! I haven’t used PF ads in a few years, I didn’t even know they had a sponsored post feature. I guess it doesn’t matter now, now that I know they are unethical. I hope you get your money. Thank you for the warning! Tweeted this to help other bloggers.
    XOXO

  26. Jack says

    It is frustrating when you work hard and expect to receive the benefits of your hard work. You’d think that in good faith someone would respond to your inquiries.

  32. REA says

    Sorry to hear about this Janine! It’s good you didn’t just stay silent. Bloggers work really hard and deserved to be paid so you definitely deserve your money. I hope this gets settled soon.

  33. Chris Desatoff says

    Damn, this really sucks, Janine. I’m so sorry you got treated that way. And you work so hard to earn that money. GRRRR. So any updates? I know it’s only been a week, but I hope they make things right and pay you your earnings.

  36. catherine gacad says

    that is so horrible to hear! i think i used passionfruit at one point. you are doing all the right things: filing a complaint, trying to contact the owner. it did seem totally legit and so many in the blogger community used them. so hard to believe the owner just went MIA. we need to stalk him!

  37. Kimi Who says

    This really upsets me a lot. I’ve recently written about the PF situation on my blog because they owe me money as well… I haven’t been paid since April They don’t owe me a lot of money that I know of. Like you, most of my advertisement payments goes through me directly and is paid for via PayPal, thankfully! But that sure didn’t stop PF from continuing to take their $9/mo subscription fee.

    We should chat. I’m actually working on selling ads directly on my blog now using a couple of WordPress plugins that hook onto WooCommerce. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to PassionFruit that I can control completely. There’s also a small Facebook group of people like us who have been scammed by PF as of late too.

    • Janine says

      Jessica, I completely agree with you and seriously am not sure how this man does sleep at night. So sorry you, too are going through this and do hope you also get the money that is owed to you paid, as well.

  39. Shelby Simone says

    Just found your site while looking for contact information for PassionFruit because they have deleted it form their website. I cancelled my account in April and have found that I have still been charged every month for $9 even though I only had the $3 membership. And of course there is no way to contact them. Such a scam.

    • Janine says

      Shelby, I am glad you found my site and so sorry that you have also had problems with Passionfruit Ads. I also just accepted you into the private Facebook group and you can also see that Passionfruit Ads was a subject for a NY Post article just today. So sadly you aren’t alone and hoping that we all can work together to get any money owed to any of us that is still outstanding.

      • Lori Ennis says

        I’m one of those who naively trusted…sigh. Thanks for your article. Any chance you have the link to the NYP article? They don’t owe me a ton–less than $300, but still! My magazine is a labor of love and every penny helps it run! I’m so sad they just outright STOLE!

      • Janine says

        So sorry Lori and I am accepting your request in the Facebook group, where we have a copy of the link to this article right now.

  40. Katherines Corner says

    He owes me $398 and he just took another $50 out of my paypal account this morning at 2am. I filed a fraud charge. But, I doubt I will ever see that money again. I burst into tears about an hour ago when I went to my paypal account to get the money to send to my latest giveaway winner. When I saw it was zero I couldn’t believe it! He is a Thief!. I am so sorry so many have been swindled.
    Thank you for posting about this my sweet friend. The next avenue to pursue is to contact the Attorney General for the state of Georgia.
    xoxox

    • Janine says

      Aw, Katie I hate seeing that he did this to you and I have been fighting this battle with a few others since earlier this summer. We are hoping to get justice for what he has done to all of us. I also saw you joined our Facebook group and approved you as a member. Happy to have you with us, but wish it was under better circumstances. Seriously, he is a crook and thief and just a miserable person. xoxo

  42. Emily {B. Lovely Events} says

    I am totally behind the times because I am just finding this out now. They owe be $87 so not as much as you all, but still!!!

    Has filing a complaint helped any of you so far? I will do what I can to make sure this stops. It looks as though they are closing their doors on Dec 31 this year and they are definitely being MIA.

    • Janine says

      Emily, I dealt directly with my clients to get all outstanding payments. I had them file complaints or disputes with their payment method whether it was PayPal or credits cards. All were able to get payments refunded this way and then pay me from their refunded payments. Hope this helps you get paid.

  43. Emma says

    Thank you for this article. I’ve just realised they are still charging me for their services.
    I’ve asked my bank to cancel payments to them.

    How long have they not been in operation for?

    • Janine says

      Emma, it seems that they have been out of business or at least not paying their accounts from late May/early June from my knowledge. So, I definitely recommend having your bank cancel all payments out to them ASAP.

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