Complaint Review: Startup Essentials - A-1 Leasing - National Business Advisors

I got an email from the Dallas, Tx BBB. It referred me to a link, which I clicked on. Following is Se's reply to my complaint. I don't understand how anyone can say this company's out of business.On September 06, 2007, the business provided the following information:
September 6, 2007

Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Dallas
1601 Elm St., Suite 3838
Dallas, TX 75201

Re: Eileen Keane - Comp #:
To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is in response to a complaint issued by the above referenced individual. The following is our response to their concerns.

Our services are offered solely and exclusively to those individuals who have previously and expressly requested information about starting a business or enhancing an exiting business. They did so by responding to an ad or email on the Internet or a television commercial. In their response, they stated they understood that someone would be contacting them. We do not cold call. We responded to their initial request for more information.

The program can include a wireless laptop computer to assist them as they build and develop their business, a merchant account established with a credit card processor, but always includes extensive training material. The training material consists of written instructions, CD's, videos and links to numerous additional resources. The Merchant Support staff is also available to assist with specific questions or concerns.

Prior to accepting a merchant's commitment to purchase or lease any of our products or services, we provide complete and full disclosure of all services, rates, and fees via a Merchant Agreement that the merchant is required to electronically initial and sign before they can be approved for the program. They must initial several statements on the form acknowledging their understanding and agreement as to what they are to do and what Startup Essentials does and does not provide with the program.

Among other things, they acknowledge they are entering into a non-cancelable lease (if they have not purchased all the material), that Startup Essentials does not provide a business opportunity or products to sell. The merchant also agrees that no employee of Startup Essentials has made any statement guaranteeing or even implying a guarantee of financial success of the merchant. Startup Essentials provides tools, information and support.

The form also states that Startup Essentials does not build a merchant's website for them. Startup Essentials provides tools and Customer Support, but does not build the site or select the products for the merchant to sell. All of this is clearly outlined on the Merchant Agreement.

For those that choose to lease, we take several steps to make sure they understand they are entering into a non-cancelable lease. In addition to the lease application itself, we ask the merchant to electronically complete and sign a Lease Confirmation Agreement. This form requires the merchant to initial separate statements indicating, among other things, they understand the payment amount, the length of the lease, and that the lease is non-cancelable. They also indicate they understand that simply returning the leased items will not automatically terminate the lease.

Each prospective merchant is instructed to save all electronically completed forms on their computer. They are asked if they need help in completing this task. If they need help, help and instructions are provided. This way every merchant should have all the forms, agreements and applications saved on their computer for easy access and review.

Before the merchant is approved they participate in two additional phone calls or interviews. The first call - internally this is referred to as the Welcome Call - usually happens shortly after they submit their request. This call is designed to fully explain the various parts of the Merchant Agreement and make sure the merchant understands and agrees to each point they initialed. We want to make sure they not only fully understand and agree, but more importantly, are committed to all aspects of the program. At no point do we make any guarantees about the profitability of their business.

If any prospective merchant has any questions or concerns, the process is stopped and they are returned to the Senior Business Analyst who had explained the program earlier. If the prospective merchant is not comfortable with any part of the program, the entire process is stopped, and the prospective merchant is under no obligation to continue the process.

If the Senior Business Analyst answers the prospective merchant's questions and concerns, the merchant is then sent back to the Welcome Call Group. Once that call is completed to everyone's satisfaction, the equipment and training material is shipped to the prospective merchant.

The second call is a conference call involving the merchant, a Startup Essentials' staff person and the lease company. This call usually takes place a day or two after the Welcome Call and after the merchant has received their equipment and training material. We want to make sure the prospective merchant has ample time to see the material, and where appropriate, look at their laptop computer.

It is during this phone call that we once more make sure the merchant understands they are entering into a non-cancelable lease, the length of the lease and the amount of the monthly payment. Additionally, we once more confirm they understand Startup Essentials is not providing them a business, or a business opportunity, and is not providing them products to sell. Also, we confirm that no Startup Essentials employee has made any guarantees about the financial success of the merchant's business. After all of this a merchant may be approved and allowed to enter the program.

After going through every step as outlined, this merchant was finally approved for the program. They completed the lease application and Lease Confirmation Agreement. They confirmed in writing and in two separate phone calls that they fully understood the length of the lease and the monthly lease payment.

We are very sorry the program has not yet met their expectations. We have provided this merchant every part of the advertised program. Again, they completed at least four phone interviews and three separate documents over at least a two day period - if not longer - confirming their understanding and agreement to all aspects of this program. They had ample opportunity over several days to stop the process. They did not stop the process. We have not done anything unethical or deceptive, much less fraudulent.

Our Merchant Support staff prides itself on helping our merchants succeed with their businesses. We still want to help them grow their business.

I trust this is the information you need. If not, please let us know.

John D. Brutsche'

Has anyone else received this letter?

I know that Startup Essentials has reaked havoc on hundreds of people and it's unfortunate. But the company itself is no longer in existence. They closed down about a month ago and everything is gone. A friend that still works in the same building says that everything has been taken out and locked up by the building owners since they even skated on their lease.

Someone said SE lost a class action suit and that it tore them apart. There was just no way they had the cash to keep ripping people off after that.

I'n not sure what anyone can do now, as SE is out of commission but I guess the good news is that they can't rip anyone else off.

I've just finished filing complaints with both the Dallas area BBB and the western MI BBB. Is there anyone else I can file with? The Texas AG sent me a letter stating that they've had 188 complaints in the past 2 years! Why has this company been allowed to continue doing this to everyone??????

I've now filed a complaint with the FBI's IC3 dept. I'm going to pursue this as far as I need to in order to not have to pay them any more. I still have the laptop, since I've already lost over $1000 to these thieves. If they ask for it, I'll send it back. I'm holding it as evidence against A-1; it's not CC processing equipment after all.

I've now filed a complaint with the FBI's IC3 dept. I'm going to pursue this as far as I need to in order to not have to pay them any more. I still have the laptop, since I've already lost over $1000 to these thieves. If they ask for it, I'll send it back. I'm holding it as evidence against A-1; it's not CC processing equipment after all.

I went to the bank this morning and put a block against A-1/Bond Corp taking money out. They can't touch any of my other accounts because I didn't give them any information on them. I mailed my complaint to the NY OAG office, certified return receipt.
Now I'll wait to hear from A-1. They should start screaming for their money around the middle of next week. Hopefully, they don't use threats because I'll file criminal charges if they do.

Contact your bank and tell them what is going on even if you close all your other accounts. I contacted my bank yesterday. They had me fill out a fradulent report even though, I did agree to pay. The fradulent report is going to help me in the future, it will keep them from taking any more money from any account. I am just now starting to send out letters to the credit bureas, FTC, Attorney General, and have filed complaints with the BBB.

Since I first filed my report, I have contacted the Dallas BBB, who gave me the number to the FTC. I filed a complaint with the FTC and they told me to contact the TX Attorney General. When I did, I was told they don't take complaints like mine anymore-they stopped about 2 or 3 years ago.

So I contacted my Attorney General and am filing a complaint with them. I know I've probably lost the money I've already paid, but I don't want to give them any more.