Universal Software Distributors rip-off scam liar con artists Rolling Hills Estates California
Universal Software Distributors is a business opportunity offered by it's president and sole proprietor, Wayne Menthen.
Through this business opportunity, you will buy and sell new hot selling CD-ROMS from companies such as Disney, Broderbund, and Sierra to name a few. For the meager sum of $12,000 Wayne will set you up as a dealer with 15 displays of hot selling software most of which is children's educational. You sell these CD-ROMS through various retail outlets on a consignment basis. These retail outlets will be high traffic locations such as supermarkets, drug stores, discount stores, and books and music stores just to name a few. The majority of the CD-ROMS will be priced at $20.00 each. The store will receive a 30% commission leaving you with $14.00. You then purchase more CD-ROMS at an average price of $5.75. This leaves you with a net profit of about $8.00.
Unfortunately, this is all a total con that Wayne Menthen advertises on his web site as well as various franchise web sites throughout the Internet. The fact is that Menthen deals in old close out software. For the most part this software will bring between $8.00 and $12.00. There are a few titles that might bring as much as $15.00. And even at these prices it is extremely slow selling since most people have little interest in old software. After paying the store owner his commission, you are left with virtually no profit. To make matters worse, the high traffic locations that Menthen advertises do not exist for this type of consignment. The locator that he recommends ends up placing the displays in hole-in-the-wall convenience stores. At $150.00 per location, this is yet another ripoff.
Wayne Menthen advertises on many of the franchise sites that his company has contracted with some of the top ranked software manufactures in the world which allows them to offer a competitive edge to their distributors. This statement is an out right lie. Menthen has nothing to do with any software manufactures. His relationships are with various software wholesalers around the country that deal in old software. He would also tell you that only by going through him do you get the best prices on the software. Once again this is a lie. Anyone with money can call one these wholesalers and order old software dirt cheap. The prices are the same for everyone. Bottom line is that anyone can start up a this type of business at a fraction of the cost that Menthen charges. It is my hope that this report will prevent anyone from being drawn into one of the biggest most expensive ripoffs on the Internet.
Greg
Dacula, Georgia
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Joe
St Louis,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Another Victim of Universal Software Distributor
#3REBUTTAL Individual responds
Mon, May 01, 2006
I had a very similar experience as reported by Greg. However, I spent more money for my franchise and the product prices were different at the time. My experience was the same. I was given a contact person to setup my locations. The person did not secure the required number of sites and provided names and addresses of locations that had not agreed to carry the product. The reality of securing strong locations and getting product that sells from Universal Software is highly exaggerated. I spent a year and a half pushing this outdated product. I spent another 5 years digging myself out of a financial hell hole. Beware of WAYNE MENTHEN and his claims of success. My experience did not match the claims made by Wayne Menthen. I would never do business with Universal Software Distributor again and was surprised to see they are still around.
Greg
Dacula,Georgia,
U.S.A.
Wayne Menthen of Universal Software Distributors ..scare tactics and intimidation to get me to remove my ripoff report as well as another website which reveals the ripoff home business that he is currently hawking on the Internet.
#3Author of original report
Sun, February 22, 2004
This is an update to Universal Software Distributors Rip-off.
I have recently be threatened with legal action by Universal Software Distributors.
They have ordered me to remove all references to Universal Software Distributors and it's owner, Wayne Menthen from the Internet.
This is an attempt on Menthen's part to use scare tactics and intimidation to get me to remove my ripoff report as well as another website which reveals the ripoff home business that he is currently hawking on the Internet. You can visit www.mammothprofits.com/images/menthenletter.jpg to view an image of the letter. Unfortunately for Menthen, his attempts at intimitation have not only failed, but have served to fuel the fire.
I will now use every avenue at my disposal to get the word out about the Universal Software Distributors Rip-off. I have absolutely no contractural obligation to remain silent about being riped-off by this company.
In addition, everything that I have stated here or elsewhere is 100% true. Here is one example of one the so-called top software supplier/ manufacturers that Wayne Menthen claims to have contracted with.
It's a close out software wholesaler called Rom-Man. Here's the address:
Rom-Man Distribution
800-334-8666
978-740-0027 Int'l
978-740-0017 Fax
63 Flint Street
Salem, MA 01970
Anyone is free to contact this company. They will sell you as little or as much software as you desire. Don't get me wrong here. There nothing wrong with this company. They are quite legitimate. It's simply that they are just one of many close out software companies accross the country that you can locate and contact yourself. You can save yourself about 10 grand by not going through Universal Software Distributors.
Now, don't think I'm the only one who has been gutted by this Internet predator. A background check through Knowx.com has revealed a pending lawsuit against Universal Software Distributors and Wayne Menthen. In this case, it is charged that Universal Software Distributors sold the plaintiffs old out dated software, just as was done to me.
You can visit www.mammothprofits.com/images/lawsuit.jpg to view the report captured from the Knowx website.
If you're wondering why more lawsuits haven't been filed,it's probably because of jurisdiction. If you sue Wayne Menthen's company, you must do so in his home state of California.
The time and cost of such a lawsuit make it an impossibility for most people who are living outside the state of California. That's why it's so important that I get the word out about this company.
I fully intend on putting up a new website armed with new facts and information about Universal Software distributors that will be submitted to all major search engines.
This company is about to learn something about the power of free speech.