Country Kitchen Candles, ExpresScents, Elite Designs Fraudlent misleading tactics to get contract signed, defective products, hidden costs, grossly mistated income potential. 17 Thelma Avenue Rhode Island
I experienced a similar situation as the distributor from New York's report. There are at least 20-25 others that have as well. Complaints have been filed with the Attorney General's office in Rhode Island, the BBB, the FTC. Mr. Antonelli has had meetings with the AG's office and the BBB. Now, at least, there is more information on the BBB to warn people to really look at the contract.
My problems lie mostly with the company. While my locator did not do his job, he at least gave me money back and stated that with the costs involved I would not make money at this using them. He offered to help in the future if I decided to try it again.
The web site and the material received is grossly misleading as is what they will tell you verbally. The product is defective, the territory is not protected, the income is grossly overstated, the freight costs are hidden, the product does not move as stated, the guarantee is setup to disqualify 99% of distributors. the references most likely are not real and they refuse to get written premission from those who are "doing very well" so I can speak with them. It fits the FTC's description of a display rack scam.
Mr. Antonelli and others have this worked out very well. They may (and that's giving them alot of undeserved credit) walk just on the inside of the law, but it is not a business to get involved with. I have never come across a business that operates the way they do and be a real business.
Their only advice is to sell you more product to "help" you. There is no addressing of the problems-just the "contract stands" reply. I have proceeded with every suggestion in their "sales manual" only to have spent hours and hours to no gain.
I wish I had known where to go to get more information-although the Country Kitchen Candle department is fairly new and when I checked the Secretary of State, the BBB and FTC, I found nothing. I've borrowed on my house, total about $17,000 to buy into this, set up an office, buy software, advertising, business cards, etc. I am now making payments on my house and can't sell the product.
I do not feel I can, in good conscious, sell the candles to unsuspecting folks because they are defective in that the oil is separating from the wax, leaving a mess inside the boxes on the large ones and dripping through the plastic on the small ones. Some are worse than others, but most are showing the same signs. While they will take the candles back, the shipping is prohibitive and they will take only 72 at a time back. I have around 720 or more left sitting in my basement.
There are many problems I could list, but I hope you get the message. I realize they may threaten some sort of legal action against those of us who write here but the truth is the truth. They have the money to prodeed legally where most of us do not. I truly hope a law firm or consumer group will contact me and others about this and stop this "business".
Sharon
FORT COLLINS, Colorado
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Laura
Ft. Lauderdale,Florida,
U.S.A.
Update re www.helplocalsoldiers.org (and .com) and Kim Rushford
#7Consumer Comment
Sat, January 08, 2005
This morning Kim Rushford called me regarding my original post to this site, as referenced above. She is Ron Wattu's current girlfriend, as mentioned in my original post.
Apparently my post has created some problems regarding the soldier sites, which are www.helplocalsoldiers.org and www.helplocalsoldiers.com. She wanted to assure me that these sites are totally legitimate, and she feels that I have interfered with their ability to do something good for our soldiers. We had a very long, civil and serious conversation, but I was not convinced. In fact, I told her that there was nothing she could say or do to convince me. I did point out that her claims might be more credible if all references to candle distributorships were removed from the site, and she indicated that she would consider that. I also suggested that people should be able to actually place an order on the site if it is legitimate, which she was not inclined to do.
She also felt that my original post gave the impression that she was Ron's girlfriend when he was going through a divorce in Florida, so I offered to correct that impression by stating that she was not. As far as I know, she and Ron have known each other for a very short time, and it was not my intention to give the impression that she was his girlfriend during the time of his divorce.
This past week, they did modify the site to state that it is solely the responsibility of their "distributors" to determine the amount and the disbursement of the donations of any funds to soldiers and their families (and that they do not "audit or police" their distributors, that it is based on the "honor system" ), so that is an improvement, and should enable visitors to the site to make a more informed decision about their contributions and involvement.
If business opportunities and promoted donations are scams, it is difficult for them to survive, much less flourish, once the light of public awareness is on them. Unfortunately, sometimes that is the best victims of such scams can hope for. There is a legal phrase that won't help any of those who have been misled feel any better, but it is true just the same, and it is "buyer beware". Hopefully more people will be able to find the information they need to make informed decisions thanks to more sites like this and the reports people take the time to post.
Laura
Ft. Lauderdale,Florida,
U.S.A.
Ron Wattu of ExpresScents/Country Kitchen Candles - now using helplocalsoldiers.org & helplocalsoldiers.com for Bakers Batch Candles & Soldier Scents
#7Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 05, 2005
The military websites Sharon referred to are:
www.helplocalsoldiers.org
www.helplocalsoldiers.com
The key to resolving your issues is getting MAJOR publicity and this disgraceful site offers you that chance. I urge everyone to contact Fox News and let them know their site is being linked to from this website and that you are offended by it. The following is a portion of the text from the above site, which list other links who would be highly offended to know that their organizations are being used in such a way (to create that "illusion" of authenticity and credibility):
"bear.php
How can you help?
Thousands of Americans are asking what they can do to show their support for service members, especially those serving overseas in this time of terror and upheaval.
Listed hereare web sites for several orgainizations that are sponsoring
programs for members of the armed forces overseas. While it would be inappropriate
for the Department of Defense to endorse any specifically, service members do value
and appreciate this support.
How you can get involved Please note, it is our policy that 100% of funds designated for a specific purpose are to be used for that purpose. We do not charge a percentage against your
donation to cover overhead.
Military Moms Adopt a Platoon Defend America Fox News Support Airforce Troops New York State Supports our Troops Hero Miles Military.Com
Locations of US Military Bases
Care Packages
|
Contact Us
|
Bakers Batch Candles
|
Become a Distributor"
You need to get every distributor you know that was involved in this scam to contact the organizations linked to from this site to let them know that you have been a victim and that you don't want their organization to be used for such a purpose. Can you imagine how offensive this would be to anyone connected with the military, or anyone who has family and friends in Iraq now...like me?! This is the kind of story that the news media would love, so take advantage of this opportunity.
I don't know Mr. Antonelli, but can tell you from personal knowledge as a former employee, that Ron Wattu has been doing this sort of stuff for almost twenty years. (Do a search on this site for "Ron Wattu" and you can see more details of my experience with him from 15 years ago in Florida and what he is doing now). When the heat gets to hot in one location or scam, they just move on to something else. They can not succeed without the ads they put in newspapers or other publications, so everyone needs to contact the source of the ad they originally found and notify that source of your experience and any new information you have about the current business names they operate under now. Keeping ads in the paper was a major challenge for Ron when he was in Florida. That is why they have so many different business names and phone numbers.
Good luck everyone! Remember, publicity is your best defense and the best chance you have of getting the proper attention from AGs, the FTC or anyone else investigating this matter.
Sharon
Fort Collins,Colorado,
U.S.A.
there is working on settlements with those who have filed
#7Author of original report
Wed, January 05, 2005
This is an update! If you have not filed a complaint with the Attorney General's office in Rhode Island, do so now! The contact there is working on settlements with those who have filed.
The New York distributor used an attorney. I don't think things are yet settled for her. Another distributor is using an attorney as well.
I have come across 5 five more who have the same problems in Denver. The more we can get to file with the AG's office, the better chance we may have. File with the Federal Trade Commission as well. After reading another report on this site, it seems these folks just keep going now perhaps using the military as possible scam. Check it out!
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report. CLICK AND READ MORE..
Dave
Bethlehem,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Attorney being hired
#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, December 30, 2004
I would also consider chipping in towards the attorney cost but have no idea how to contact you.
Sarah
Coopersburg,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Count me in!!
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, December 16, 2004
I would absoutely be interested in sharing the costs of an attorney, but I don't know how to contact you. Any ideas on how to put this together?
I am at my wits end on how to proceed with this thing.
I see the distributor from New York has received a settlement that was to her satisfaction but what about the rest of us?
Sharon
FORT COLLINS,Colorado,
U.S.A.
anyone interested in sharing the cost of an attorney?
#7Author of original report
Sun, November 07, 2004
Another distributor has obtained an attorney-is anyone interested in sharing the cost of an attorney?