Complaint Review: Coverplex Inc.

Nick Manikis is an event coordinator at his business:

Coverplex Inc. 
16600 RISING STAR DR.
CLERMONT, 34714

Nick has promoted The Orlando Sun Fest for the last six months or so. The event was held at:

El Pabellon De La Victoria Church
12355 S. John Young pkwy
Orlando, FL 32837
From- Feb 1-3 2013
(The Church has no relation to the business or event. They have no responsibility to what went on)

The contract stated the fair would be held from 11-10 P.M. Friday and Saturday and 11-6 P.M. on Sunday (Feb 1-3). That vendors had the option of purchasing power for an additional $25. And that vendor types would not be duplicated. Emails sent from Nick Manikis to the vendors stated he expected 15,000 attendees, 8 different bands/DJs and that this was going to be the third annual event. 

I am a food vendor that paid $275 to sell snow cones. This event was posted on all major food vendor web sites and seemed like a great opportunity. I was under the impression I was to be one of the only snow cone vendors so I paid the down payment and filled out all the appropriate paperwork. My check was cashed a week or so later with-out an acceptance email or letter. A few days before the event I was notified about set up and that there might be issues with power.
 
Upon set up I was immediately taken back by the number of food vendors at the event. I then walked around and counted eight additional snow cones vendors. I was livid but was still hopeful due to the amount of vendors, carnival rides and the stage. There was around 80 food vendors and craft booths. Vendors also arrived finding out that there was very limited power and were forced to share generators.  

The fair rides did not turn on until 4 P.M. on Friday, no band ever showed to play and only a few dozen people were in attendance all night long. On Saturday the fair brought in MAYBE 75 people all day long. I did not stick around for Sunday for obvious reasons. This was a disaster and was grossly oversold to vendors and under promoted to fair goers. 

My total sales were $6 over those two days. This is by far the lowest amount of sales I have ever had. After travel, fuel for my generator, one night at a hotel, unused Ice and the entry fee, I lost a little over $400. I am a one man show that sells snow cones! It makes me sad to think of the amount of money the carnival ride operators and larger food vendors lost. If I had to pay expenses for my entire family or employees my losses would have been much greater.  

Nick Manikis is a fraud, cheat and a liar. He provided plenty of funds to attract food and craft vendors but nothing to attract fair goers. As vendors continued to question him on Saturday morning he just kept saying things like, "have faith its still early" and blah blah blah. I am a even tempered guy but what set me off was when I looked over and saw him playing basketball at one of the games and laughing with one of his security guards (that followed him around). He was not even remorseful to the tens of thousands of dollars he lost vendors. 

I know I will never see that money again. But I hope that no company will ever use Coverplex INC or Nick Manikis's services ever again. He incorporated his business in August of 2012 to protect his fraudulent plans. Who knows how many times he has done this in the past. Please stay away! 

 Here are the news articles in your interested.

 http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid836881585001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAPmbRNRk~,eMJgSV_RKKdQQ0LxUSni2YJuJke-LF5t&bclid=1160416625001&bctid=2142574275001

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/vendors-upset-say-they-outnumbered-patrons-orlando/nWFsN/