Espresso Italia Marketing POSSIBLY BROKE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION RULE ripoff Boynton Beach Florida
My story is the same as all the previous writers, particularly regarding the "location" expectations and lack of communication. I made it very clear up front to Tom Cook, my "seller's representative," that I was only interested in handling large corporate accounts and I was NOT interested in doing any sales work. He reassured me their LOCATION department handled that and all I had to do was deliver the machines, train the staff and manage inventory.
Of course, once I paid my money and received the machines I discovered otherwise. I sent in my zip codes and they set up two location appointments - neither in the designated areas - both about 25- 30 miles from my house and both disappointing prospects. I rejected those for safety reasons.
At that point I realized that there was a problem and the story continues in a frenzy of broken promises and unanswered phone calls. It is frightening to see how there is a pattern to their deceipt.
The main issue I wish to present is whether they POSSIBLY broke a Federal Trade Commission Rule. Regarding the INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY PURCHASERS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION, page 6. In the second to last paragraph it states "The prospective purchaser must have .....the completed Purchase Order at least 5 business days before any money is paid to ESPRESSO ITALIA MARKETING INC...." According to my documentation I completed the purchase order and signed on 5-10-2004, mailed it with the money order on 5-12-2004, and they received the funds and the president accepted the contract on 5-13-2004.
NOTE: I DID NOT RECEIVE A COMPLETED PURCHASE ORDER WITH MY DISTRIBUTION PACKAGE. I received a blank one and, after some negotiating during a very persuasive phone call on 5-10-04, Tom Cook told me how to fill it out. I decided to think about it for a couple of days. Well apparently when they did not receive the funds as expected on 5-11-04, he called me on the morning of 5-12-04. Again, more resassurances(???) and pressure to send in the money and get the process started - locations in Houston were waiting for their machines as we spoke!!
If anyone has any insight on this FTC Regulation, which I believe is put into place as a "buffer zone" for individuals making such investing decisions, please share your knowledge. Does anyone know what steps I should take from here - should I file a complaint with the FTC and/or contact a lawyer
Cathie
Houston, Texas
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Debra
Anchorage,Alaska,
U.S.A.
I could be wrong, but I do not think they answered your question
#7REBUTTAL Individual responds
Fri, February 18, 2005
I do not think your specific question was answered.
Go to www.espressoitalia.org
You may find some interesting information
Cheryl
Boynton Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
Compliance Officer
#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, February 17, 2005
Cathie, If you became a distributor in May of 2004, then you and I have spoken on the phone and I tape recorded our conversation. In doing so, I asked if you had a chance to read and understand our disclosure documents and our financial statement as well as no one has guaranteed any earnings claims or profitability to you. You did answer yes to these questions. These contract that is sent in the package is in the guidelines of the FTC regulations as well as the questions that I asked.
As for sending a blank PO, we have to send it blank because we have no idea as to the distributorship you are looking for, so it is filled out over the phone and then mailed in. You had a chance to read over the information and return the PO when you were ready. Once you mail back the Purchase Order, it is because you have read and unstood it all and are ready to make a committment.
With the locations department, there has been a revamping with the use of e-mail and hiring more capable locators. We are still here waiting to assist you and hope to find for you better locations, and more profitable ones. We are willing to get the appointments if you are also willing to work it. This cannot be done by EIM alone, it has to be a team effort.
Please feel free to contact either myself or Richard Sciacchetano so that we can be of assistance to you. You can reach me @ cheryl@espressoitalia.tv, or Richard @ richard@freeespressomachines.com.
Thank you for your time,
Cheryl Altman
Compliance Officer
Cheryl
Boynton Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
Compliance Officer
#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, February 17, 2005
Cathie, If you became a distributor in May of 2004, then you and I have spoken on the phone and I tape recorded our conversation. In doing so, I asked if you had a chance to read and understand our disclosure documents and our financial statement as well as no one has guaranteed any earnings claims or profitability to you. You did answer yes to these questions. These contract that is sent in the package is in the guidelines of the FTC regulations as well as the questions that I asked.
As for sending a blank PO, we have to send it blank because we have no idea as to the distributorship you are looking for, so it is filled out over the phone and then mailed in. You had a chance to read over the information and return the PO when you were ready. Once you mail back the Purchase Order, it is because you have read and unstood it all and are ready to make a committment.
With the locations department, there has been a revamping with the use of e-mail and hiring more capable locators. We are still here waiting to assist you and hope to find for you better locations, and more profitable ones. We are willing to get the appointments if you are also willing to work it. This cannot be done by EIM alone, it has to be a team effort.
Please feel free to contact either myself or Richard Sciacchetano so that we can be of assistance to you. You can reach me @ cheryl@espressoitalia.tv, or Richard @ richard@freeespressomachines.com.
Thank you for your time,
Cheryl Altman
Compliance Officer
Cheryl
Boynton Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
Compliance Officer
#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, February 17, 2005
Cathie, If you became a distributor in May of 2004, then you and I have spoken on the phone and I tape recorded our conversation. In doing so, I asked if you had a chance to read and understand our disclosure documents and our financial statement as well as no one has guaranteed any earnings claims or profitability to you. You did answer yes to these questions. These contract that is sent in the package is in the guidelines of the FTC regulations as well as the questions that I asked.
As for sending a blank PO, we have to send it blank because we have no idea as to the distributorship you are looking for, so it is filled out over the phone and then mailed in. You had a chance to read over the information and return the PO when you were ready. Once you mail back the Purchase Order, it is because you have read and unstood it all and are ready to make a committment.
With the locations department, there has been a revamping with the use of e-mail and hiring more capable locators. We are still here waiting to assist you and hope to find for you better locations, and more profitable ones. We are willing to get the appointments if you are also willing to work it. This cannot be done by EIM alone, it has to be a team effort.
Please feel free to contact either myself or Richard Sciacchetano so that we can be of assistance to you. You can reach me @ cheryl@espressoitalia.tv, or Richard @ richard@freeespressomachines.com.
Thank you for your time,
Cheryl Altman
Compliance Officer
Cheryl
Boynton Beach,Florida,
U.S.A.
Compliance Officer
#7UPDATE Employee
Thu, February 17, 2005
Cathie, If you became a distributor in May of 2004, then you and I have spoken on the phone and I tape recorded our conversation. In doing so, I asked if you had a chance to read and understand our disclosure documents and our financial statement as well as no one has guaranteed any earnings claims or profitability to you. You did answer yes to these questions. These contract that is sent in the package is in the guidelines of the FTC regulations as well as the questions that I asked.
As for sending a blank PO, we have to send it blank because we have no idea as to the distributorship you are looking for, so it is filled out over the phone and then mailed in. You had a chance to read over the information and return the PO when you were ready. Once you mail back the Purchase Order, it is because you have read and unstood it all and are ready to make a committment.
With the locations department, there has been a revamping with the use of e-mail and hiring more capable locators. We are still here waiting to assist you and hope to find for you better locations, and more profitable ones. We are willing to get the appointments if you are also willing to work it. This cannot be done by EIM alone, it has to be a team effort.
Please feel free to contact either myself or Richard Sciacchetano so that we can be of assistance to you. You can reach me @ cheryl@espressoitalia.tv, or Richard @ richard@freeespressomachines.com.
Thank you for your time,
Cheryl Altman
Compliance Officer
Debra
Anchorage,Alaska,
U.S.A.
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#7REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, February 08, 2005
We were all told similar stories, some a bit different, whatever concerns you expressed; they addressed with a promise.
I was told I was the first distributor in Alaska. Last week I found a machine at a location in Alaska that was not mine. Obvisoulsy there is another distributor. I ask Richard Sciacchetano, manager, over 10 times via phone, and fax for the names of distriburots in Alaska. He never had the information handy and had to get back to me, yada yada yada....
Debra
Anchorage, Alaska