American Entertainment Distributors, AED has my money and owes me a machine Hollywood Florida
I guess I'll add my name to the list.
I purchased a Box Office Express machine from AED on August 4, 2004 after visiting the office in Florida and meeting directly with a salesman (Evan Feig) in July. I was told it would take up to 60 business days for delivery (by my calc that makes it October 26). While I was waiting, I worked with the locations department (Damien Phillips), and had pretty much decided to place the machine at a university campus in St. Louis. Actually, I was quite pleased with how things were going so far (minus some tiny customer service issues - Osler ?), and was really looking forward to getting my business started.
I have made a number of attempts to contact AED since October 1, but have received no answers to phone calls or emails. My last contact was with Damien on September 28 (or 29?). From reading reports here, I now believe that the company is shut down, but by whom and for what reason, I still don't know. The FTC knows nothing about this (as of Oct 5), and I can find no other information regarding this company anywhere except on this site.
It is my understanding that many people who already have their machines - and are not happy with them - have been the cause of this problem, and potentially are responsible for the shut down. At least those people have the machine in their possesion - what about all the people like me (several have spoken up on this site) who have paid for, but not yet received a machine? I understand the frustration of poor customer service and faulty equipment, but by initiating the closure of the company, you are putting many people out of nearly $40,000, which for me (and many others, I'm sure) is everything I had.
Sure, I would like my money back, but I would be thrilled to just get my machine - at least I would have a tangible asset instead of just a copy of a contract.
And, as mentioned in other reports, I'm not sure I would like to see a class-action suit except as a last resort, because we all should realize that the only person who will come out OK in that situation is the lawyer. I really don't want to make a lawyer rich just so I can get back a few pennies on the dollar of my investment.
Please, anyone reading these posts, continue to post new information until we can find a solution to this problem.
Gene
Pacific, Missouri
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Gene
Pacific,Missouri,
U.S.A.
You made me feel so much better!
#5Author of original report
Thu, October 07, 2004
Thanks so much for your comments Joseph
If you don't have anything useful to say, or any help to offer, then just shut up. I don't need someone calling me an idiot. I have already filed my reports with every agency I can think of, and still have no concrete evidence as to what has actually happened. Sure, I've probably been scammed. I don't need your input on that. Thanks, but no thanks.
Joseph
Atlanta,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Gene wake up and smell the scam.
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, October 06, 2004
This comment you made is idiotic:
"It is my understanding that many people who already have their machines - and are not happy with them - have been the cause of this problem, and potentially are responsible for the shut down."
You know who wants you to have that understanding? The scammers. That way you can blame other victims who were merely a few steps ahead of you in the ripoff process. If you already were delivered a broken, cheap machine and not getting any support you'd be right next to them complaining.
And FYI the goverment does not RAID businesses, FREEZE THEIR ASSETS and SHUT THEM DOWN because of a smattering of complaints over customer service. Wake up Gene. This is huge fraud going on and AED is just the tip of the iceberg.
It's easy to quickly fall into denial over this smooth operation. TV doesn't lie, right? The Better Business Bureau doesn't lie, right? My salesman didn't lie, right???
It's a very expensive and very eye opening experience to how vulnerable we still are to being scammed.
If I would you I would file a report immediately with the Florida Dept of Consumer Affairs and with the DA. That way if assets are truly frozen you at least have a claim.
Joseph
Atlanta,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Gene wake up and smell the scam.
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, October 06, 2004
This comment you made is idiotic:
"It is my understanding that many people who already have their machines - and are not happy with them - have been the cause of this problem, and potentially are responsible for the shut down."
You know who wants you to have that understanding? The scammers. That way you can blame other victims who were merely a few steps ahead of you in the ripoff process. If you already were delivered a broken, cheap machine and not getting any support you'd be right next to them complaining.
And FYI the goverment does not RAID businesses, FREEZE THEIR ASSETS and SHUT THEM DOWN because of a smattering of complaints over customer service. Wake up Gene. This is huge fraud going on and AED is just the tip of the iceberg.
It's easy to quickly fall into denial over this smooth operation. TV doesn't lie, right? The Better Business Bureau doesn't lie, right? My salesman didn't lie, right???
It's a very expensive and very eye opening experience to how vulnerable we still are to being scammed.
If I would you I would file a report immediately with the Florida Dept of Consumer Affairs and with the DA. That way if assets are truly frozen you at least have a claim.
Joseph
Atlanta,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Gene wake up and smell the scam.
#5Consumer Comment
Wed, October 06, 2004
This comment you made is idiotic:
"It is my understanding that many people who already have their machines - and are not happy with them - have been the cause of this problem, and potentially are responsible for the shut down."
You know who wants you to have that understanding? The scammers. That way you can blame other victims who were merely a few steps ahead of you in the ripoff process. If you already were delivered a broken, cheap machine and not getting any support you'd be right next to them complaining.
And FYI the goverment does not RAID businesses, FREEZE THEIR ASSETS and SHUT THEM DOWN because of a smattering of complaints over customer service. Wake up Gene. This is huge fraud going on and AED is just the tip of the iceberg.
It's easy to quickly fall into denial over this smooth operation. TV doesn't lie, right? The Better Business Bureau doesn't lie, right? My salesman didn't lie, right???
It's a very expensive and very eye opening experience to how vulnerable we still are to being scammed.
If I would you I would file a report immediately with the Florida Dept of Consumer Affairs and with the DA. That way if assets are truly frozen you at least have a claim.