We’ve been working on an artificial intelligence project for a while and, early on, were directed to chat with a consultant to the industry who, we were told, could give us a full rundown of existing AI software, platforms, and tools, to help us build out our startup.
Pickerel ran a decent intro meeting, talked up what he could do and, as someone recommended by a partner business (they’ve since regretted that decision), it seemed like we were on to a winner.
But he was VERY keen to get paid not just up front, but immediately. Within 24 hours, tops.
And he was also very insistent on pitching us upsells. He could do more for us than we realized, he promised.
My partner wasn’t convinced, saying “I’ve seen dudes like this before, I don’t trust him. Too heavy on the sell.”
But, to me, a recommendation from a colleague bears weight, and we really did need some expert insight, so we decided to ignore the upsell and pay his fee, a ‘deal’ at mid-four figures for one report.
But when it was time to meet and discuss his report, Pickerel was busy. He missed one appointment, then another, and we noticed his various social media and Youtube accounts – AIorDie, @ChristopherPickerel, and @PickPredicts had grown stale. He also runs SolveForX.AI offering market analysis for private capital, and codified.me which, frankly, sounds like codified bullshit.
Then he ghosted, for weeks. So I contacted the company that recommended him.
They were surprised, but reached out to him and suddenly Pickerel was back in our inbox, swearing he’d been overseas and ill, deaths door, but that he’d deliver his report and talk about a refund as soon as he was caught up.
But, again, he never showed at the agreed time. It was our fault this time, he said, claiming we hadn’t confirmed the meeting.
By now I was done and said we expected our money back, as no work had been delivered and – surprisingly – he agreed – but – now some of his money had been stuck behind an online account that he was having trouble accessing so hey, could we just wait a minute for him to clear that up..
So here’s the thing: When you pay for a service online using a credit card, you have four months to call your card company and notify them you got shafted, and they’ll often send your money back.
Pickerel was three months and three weeks into that period, so his ‘sure thing, money back next week’ routine was, in my opinion, all about dragging things out long enough to avoid a chargeback.
I’ve been accused of going too easy on shady folks before, believing promises when they appeal to my better nature. Pickerel was ‘still catching up’ after his near death experience, he said. Some foks owed him some money that would drop any minute, he said.
In response, I said, “Fuck me over and I’ll make sure anyone who searches your name finds what you did.”
So here we are.
And here’s where my money went, big hello to his realtor girlfriend Elizabeth.
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Do not trust Chris Pickerel. He may know things about AI and quantum computing and whatever bitcoin/NFT/blockchain/metaverse bullshit is hot this week in tech dbag circles, but he’s untrustworthy, not a man of his word, and will absolutely leave your company worse off than he found it.
— Chris Parry
PS: Told ya, man.
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