Espresso Italia Marketing Ripoff knowingly lied and witheld critical business info to get my money Boynton Beach Florida
I purchased a Distributorship with them 2 years ago, prior to the FTC Ruling of June 19, 2003. At the time they WERE in violation of the FTC Franchise Rule in that there was required information missing that SHOULD have been provided in order for prospectives to make their decision.
I was not given a current list of distributors and their contact information. The financial information that was provided was unaudited and over a year old. When I asked for the information I was told they had no obligation to give it to me. "We do not have to follow the Franchise Rule." This was directly from the President's mouth. They told me that they could give me phone numbers of up to 3 current distributors so that I could speak with them. They said they would provide no more contacts becaused they had promised their distributors they would not give out their numbers and I would only be "bugging them". I was not allowed to choose with whom I spoke and CONVENIENTLY, none of them had any negative opinions.
They also made false statements about the territories and number of distributors per area. They told me that there would only be 3 distributors in my area and that I was the last one. I found out that was a LIE when they were required to send a list (The SAME LIST I had asked for before purchasing!!!)of their current distributors. There were WAY more than 3 distributors in my area. I also started receiving calls almost daily from people in my area who were interested in signing up with them. Obviously, they didn't care how many people were in the area!
The marketing people were setting up appointments for me in places where other distributors already had machines just like mine. THEIR distributors. Other people just like me who signed up thinking we had exclusive territories! The marketing people didn't care and tried to blow it off when I questioned them about it. They all of a sudden had NO IDEA where those machines came from since they were brand new in my area. Later, I found out they had lied about that as well. They were NOT new to the area and had placed distributors there a year before!
I was also told that my customers could not purchase machines and parts from anyone else. That is another LIE! You can purchase the machines and supplies on internet. What is to keep our customers from purchasing on internet and not goin through us. That in itself will put us out of business!
I have had ZERO luck with Customer Service! Last time I called to purchase coffee, it took them a week to return my call. They just keep signing people up, taking their money and then we become invisible to them.
The bottom line is this:
I spent $20,000 on 10 espresso machines (that ALWAYS break!) and NO customer service! The machines can be puchased on-line for $200.00 It costs them less than $100.00 to make the machines. The re-order price they are charging their distributors is ridiculous! They are charging anywhere from $650 to over $1000.00 for us to buy these machines that are cheap and leak or break down constantly! Not to mention how much it will cost you to fix them or send them in for repair. Wake up distributors! You are being taken for a ride!
Mark
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Michael
Merida,Other,
Mexico
Ken we are taking Espresso Italia to court
#9Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 23, 2004
Ken,
I have been trying to get in contact with you through the mail that you have given me. We are taking the company to court together with a Lawyer who has taken them to court before.
Please send me a mail to my Yahoo address and I will fill you in on all the details.
We will be on messenger this Sunday to see how things are going ahead. Please get in contact beforehand.
We have also been in contact with CBS.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Michael
Espresso Italia Fraud Victim,
www.espressoitalia.org
Michael
Merida,Central America,
Mexico
Get on to the press!!!
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, September 27, 2004
Hi Mark,
things have been moving along nicely since we last spoke.
This week in several newspapers there will be articles on our esperience with Espresso Italia. I invite you to do the same. Get in contact with journalists to let the consumer know what Espresso Italia has to offer.
I have a friend that has recovered a lof of documented information about how they continue to violate FTC Franchising rules. If you need the documents just let me know.
I have also been in contact with the editor of this glorious page and they are willing to publish the documents and see what can be done.
I have also been in contact with the FTC about these violations.
The wheel is only starting to turn, it is not at any significant speed at the minute but we are surely getting there.
Keep in touch,
Ken
Allen,Texas,
U.S.A.
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ESPRESSO!!!!
#9Author of original report
Tue, September 21, 2004
Linda, so far you seem to be outnumbered in your opinion. I'm sure you are relatively new at this. We are all veteran victims.
They had US highly motivated at the beginning as well, until they started treating us like we dropped off the face of the earth. I know many others who share our view.
I am not angry with you for anything other than the fact that you imply that I donnot know how to run a business. I have lots of accounts as well. They all love the product, no arguement there. But the fact remains that you cannot sell enough product to make up for the machine reorder/repair costs. If it were possible, you would need a much larger machine. My customers who do a high volume of business, are in need of something industrial strength. These machines are not adequate for that.
If your local health department has not forced you to spend more time and money on modifying your machines, they soon will. They leak inside the unit's electrical wires and are a major safety hazard!
You speak of being successful. Have you been able to recover your initial investment, yet? If you know how to run a business, then you know that you cannot measure success ONLY by the number of accounts you have. That is unless, you just started.
Do you have a list of the accounts in your area that are currently being serviced by other distributors? If you don't, I suggest you ask them for one. I can guarantee they don't know who has what accounts in your area. You will be running into and competing with each other in no time.
I have proof in their wrong doing in my communications with the FTC. I can attest to the fact that they withheld information from me (and many others) that was critical in the decision I made. They have since been ordered to cease and desist from 3 States. There must be a reason for that, don't you think? I don't think the Federal government would be involved if there was not wrong doing on their part.
Maybe you are one of the fortunate few. If so, I commend you.
The fact is, they treated many of us poorly. We are only trying to recover what they owe us. Please just let us fight for our cause. If it were you, you would want the same.
Michael
Merida,Central America,
Mexico
one issue that you fail to answer
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Mon, September 20, 2004
Dear Linda,
I think your problem is a problem with perception. I am not angry with you. Are you blond? AGAIN I tell you that I am not angry with you. I congratulate you for your business. You are saying that you are sucessful despite Espresso Italia. I sincerly congratulate you!!!
There is one issue that you fail to answer and in nearly every mail it is mentioned. Why doesn't Espresso Italia respond?
As I insisted once before, our problem is with the company and not with you. You CANNOT respond for the company. That is THEIR responsibility and as far as we can see, they take no responsibility. It's what we call the "can't care less attitud". They have got our money and that is all that they were interested in.
If you are looking to defend your interests and investment, don't waste time with us. Get to the bottom of the issue. Investigate why they don't respond. That for me is a lot more worrying. What are other people going to think about you when they see that you are defending a company that has committed a rip off. Where does that put you??? I am not putting you in any position, I don't need to, you do that yourself.
You see, you continue to "fight" against us but YOU NEVER RESPOND TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE COMPANY.
You affirm that you are a successful business person and at the same time you have attitudes of someone totally different.
ONCE AGAIN, I wish you all the success that you deserve. I AM NOT ANGRY WITH YOU!!! I AM angry with a company that ripped me off with a fraud of 20,000US. That in itself is enough to be angry with, don't you think so? I'm sure that all who read these pages will understand my anger with the company and be a little more critical with all that you say given that you are defending an act of corruption which the majority of the people are against. For that reason alone they will take all that you say with a pinch of salt.
To be honest, I don't believe one word of what you said about the piece that was lost. I believe that in your blind afan to defend the company, which you have proved in all your mails, you just said that. But again, I AM NOT ANGRY with that.
Linda, just answer me one thing. What do you say about the negligence and lack of responsibility of the company on our behalf? You have seen this question in about 5 mails and you have never responded and this is our core issue... NOT YOU!!!
Read the mails that are sent to you and be more professional and responsable in responding,
Thank you for keeping in contact,
JUST INCASE THERE IS STILL ANY DOUBT. I AM NOT ANGRY WITH YOU BUT WITH ESPRESSO ITALIA THAT RIPPED ME OFF 20,000US AND HAVE SHOWN THEIR VALUE FOR MONEY AND PEOPLE.
Have a great day and business!!!
Linda
Stony Point,New York,
U.S.A.
AS USUAL - YOU ASSUME
#9Consumer Comment
Sun, September 19, 2004
DEAR MICHAEL;
I AM WRITING IN LARGE TYPE SO YOU DO NOT MISINTERPRET MY RESPONSE AND PUT YOUR SELF-SERVING SPIN ON THINGS. WITH REGARD TO THE PART I ORDERED.. ONE OF MY RESTAURANTS LOST IT.... AND THEREFORE, LIKE A GOOD VENDOR I REPLACED IT.
LETS TRY THIS AGAIN... STOP BEING ANGRY BECAUSE I HAVE NO ISSUES.
Michael
Merida,Central America,
Mexico
Alice in Wonderland
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, September 19, 2004
Dear Linda,
thank you for keeping in contact.
As you said, you are in AMERICA and we are all entitled to express our experience with the company.
I have recieved many mails from people that are tied to Espresso Italia because of the need for coffee... not because of success. They are afraid to speak up because they still need the company.
You are defending a supposed success. I am not in any way angry with that. Read the last reply that I sent to you. I said "I hope you recieve all the success that you deserve". Do not be so susceptible, be more responsable and professional please.
I am sorry that you too have had problems with the machines, they are really not that good quality. The only thing that makes me think that as opposed to Mark you have a honkey dorey experience with the company. I just hope you are not another Alice in wonderland.
Well, thank you for defending something that is obviously wrong. That is relativism in its most pure expression. That's your decision, everyone is architect of their destiny.
Thanks for writting and expressing your opinion. You are giving your opinion and we are giving our experience. That is something that "our" constitution guarantees.
Once again I hope you have all the success that you deserve in spite of Espresso Italia.
Michael Curran
www.espressoitalia.org
God knows, we might even be able to meet soon in the States.
Linda
Stomy Point,New York,
U.S.A.
Your Libelous Comments
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, September 16, 2004
Michael, despite the fact that I had chose to offer no further comments on your other ranting thread, I choose to respond to the libelous accusations posted by you on this thread. Please note that I have forwarded this to my legal council. I can not understand why you choose to attack me because I have posted positive and truthful comments that I could unquestionably back up.
I am a SUCCESSFUL business person who has had a good relationship with Espresso Italia and most other people I do business with. My situation reflects my ability to run a business as well as the fact that ESPRESSO ITALIA has done what it promised to do.. FOR ME. Why are you so angry about that? Do not continue to attack me because I am successful and do not reflect the difficulties you or the other alleged former distributer claim to have.
ANY current, former or prospective Espresso Italia
dealer may have a list of my current accounts with is about 30 restaurants and growing. They are free to call the accounts. My accounts LOVE the machines and products as well as the proper way I conduct business.
Furthermore, I have had no problem obtaining coffee from Epsresso Italia and I have invoices to prove it. In addition, I did have to order a part for a machine which was shipped in 3 days. I was not charged for the part under warranty. I have had no major breakdowns or problems so far. I also put in the effort of following all leads, maintaining the machines and training the restaurant personnel in proper machine use and maintenance. Again.. my comments reflect MY situation. I enjoy the business and its been successful for me. Michael grow up. . You could disagree all you want, but MY FACTS ARE MY FACTS. Stop your libelous insinuations with regard to my character and motivations.
Linda
Michael
Merida,Central America,
Mexico
Linda must have been one of the three!!!
#9UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, September 15, 2004
I am glad that you took the decision to write Mark. The more people that break their fear to tell the truth, the better.
Now I understand why Linda spoke up. She must be one of the three. And she spoke about touching her integrity...ahhh!!!
The reason why the majority of people that I have come accoss do not speak up about this fraud is that they still need the company for coffee supplies. Other than that they would have filed their report!
Congradulations Mark! And as I said to Linda, she is in pampers yet. She has to wait to see when she falls into problems and see Espresso Italia's real face.
I have recieved more reports about how people have been badly affected by their "I couldn't care less actitud".
They will suffer the consequences, I promise that!!!
Michael Curran
www.espressoitalia.org
Thanks Rip-off Report. Mark went to me through your page and has had the courage to speak out. Let's see if the respond to you Mark.