Vending Dreams / Jim Ellis Ripoff stole my money Stoy Illinois
Vending Dreams? Vending Nightmares!
I just thought that consumers should beware of Jim Ellis - the owner of Vending Dreams. I purchased vending machines about one year ago and I was referred to Jim Ellis by the company that I got the machines from. He was supposed to find locations for my candy machines but instead gave me a bogus list of businesses that I paid him $750.00 for. The locating company that he worked for returned my deposit and told me that he had ripped off several of their other customers but refused to reimburse me for the $750.00 that he stole. They said that they were sorry he "beat me" but there was nothing more they could do for me and they went out of business before I could pursue them. Most of the businesses on the list were not even in existence!
Anyway, the vending company that I purchased my machines from finally reimbursed me for the $750.00 that Jim Ellis stole from me, but it took almost a year and letters to the BBB, the NBOB and the Attorney General.
When I got my money back I was finally in a position to try to get my machines out there. I called Vending Dreams and I'll be damned but guess who I spoke with - Jim Ellis! I didn't let on to him that I knew who he was b/c he was going by an alias but he must have been suspicious because he originally told me his name was Steve and when I asked "what did you say your name was?" he said "Bernie." Steve doesn't sound anything like Bernie but I knew who it was anyway. When I got off the phone with Steve-Bernie-Jim I looked up Vending Dreams and found out that the owner was Susan Davis. Sure as s**t - Susan Davis is Jim Ellis' girlfriend that "assisted" with my locating last year.
If anyone is interested in purchasing 26 candy machines I am going to list them on e-bay at about big discount!
David
Durham, North Carolina
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Steve
Phila,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
Answer my questions
#8Consumer Comment
Fri, October 28, 2005
Hey Jim:
Your a fony with the rest of your company. I called in Jan. to get 5 references and I waited. The contract doesn't say to take the current machine owner out and put someone elses in. Thats just wrong. It doesn't say that in the contract. I almost signed and thought what if. By next year things will be accomplished.
Jim Ellis your friends with the other companies just admit it.
Joshua
Charlotte,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Response to Jim Ellis
#8Consumer Comment
Tue, October 25, 2005
Mr. Ellis,
My name is Joshua A. Bevan, I am the President of Brahma Vending Inc. (you have my address and phone number on file, and I'm quite sure you recognize my name). I paid a down payment of $1,066.47 for a contract you did not deliver on. I attempted to contact the five phone number I have for your office (including your cell phone and Mr. Chris Oehler's cell phone) repeatedly and you eventually blocked my calls.
I have documented our interactions with your company and have filed a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General of Illinois, and the Attorney General of North Carolina. You should be receiving a letter from my attorney, Harry Crow, this week. We have also retained counsel in Illinois to pursue legal action in your own state, you will hear from attorney Ian Brenson shortly.
The following is the official report for your company filed with the Peoria, IL Better Business Bureau (I will let the documents speak for themselves):
BBB of Central Illinois
112 Harrison
Peoria, IL 61602
309-688-3741
bbb@heart.net
May Not Be Reproduced for Commercial or Sales Purposes
Vending Dreams
103 W. Main Suite 5
Oblong, IL 62449
The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the BBB is voluntary. Members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.
Original Business Start Date: 02/01/03
Type of Entity: Corporation
Principal: Jim Ellis, President
Customer Service Contact: Susan Davis, Owner
Phone Number: 888-569-1147
Fax Number: 866-829-1957
Email Address: vendingdreams@yahoo.com
Web Site Address: www.vendingdreams.com
Membership Status: This company is not a BBB member
Type of Business: Vending Machines-Supplies & Parts
NATURE OF BUSINESS
This company provides vending machine locating, training, and consulting.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Based on BBB files, this company has an unsatisfactory record with the Bureau due to a pattern of complaints. The company has resolved some complaints presented by the Bureau; however, some complaints remain unresolved. Complaints are concerning delivery issues.
When evaluating complaint information, please consider the company's size and volume of business. The number of complaints filed against the company may not be as important as the type of complaints and how the company handled them.
Closed Complaints
Number of complaints processed by the BBB since the firm's BBB file was opened in September of 2004: 60
Number of complaints processed by the BBB in last 12 months: 58
Complaints Concerned
Delivery Issues: 15
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 8; Unresolved: 1; Delayed Resolution: 1;
Company made good faith effort to Resolve: 5
Guarantee or Warranty Issues: 3
Outcome of all complaints -
Unresolved: 1; Company made good faith effort to
Resolve: 2
Refund or Exchange Issues: 3
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 2; Company made good faith effort to Resolve:
1
Contract Issues: 6
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 1; Company made good faith effort to Resolve:
5
Customer Service Issues: 32
Outcome of all complaints -
Resolved: 18; Unresolved: 1; Delayed Resolution: 1;
Company made good faith effort to Resolve: 12
Credit or Billing Issues: 1
Outcome of the complaint -
Resolved: 1
LICENSING INFORMATION
.
ADDITIONAL ADDRESSES
Additional addresses for this company include:
306 East Main St, Oblong, IL 62449.
REPORT DATE: 10/25/2005
COPYRIGHT DATE: 2005 BBB of Central Illinois
The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.
STANDARD DISCLAIMER
As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any product, service, or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained in this report is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time.
Steve
Phila,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
You don't treat customers right and you breach of contract you deserve to be out of business.
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, May 14, 2005
I decided to reply to this.
First off to other vendors if your not getting your refund call an attorney.
I have an idea on how to get machines placed. Don't sign a contract. Pay your friends the money and let them locate. I paid one friend some money and hes cool about it. I'm sendind an attachment ad to anyone who finds me a location. And guess what!!! No contract. Just locate and they make $50. I also understand that the independent contractor does make only $30 out of that money. No wonder why the locations stink. You don't treat customers right and you breach of contract you deserve to be out of business.
Jim
Oblong,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Liars Never Supply Proof
#8REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, January 03, 2005
Ok, you are a bad liar at that. Anybody that wishes to check my company out just go to this link - http://www.birmingham-al.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bureau=birm&compid=28005691&code=8E Or go to www.bbb.org and do a search.
Yep, indeed, we are members. RipOff Report, please remove bogus information on our company as the BBB, at the very least, requires documentation, receipts, and real evidence. This is pathetic.
Karen
Miami,Florida,
U.S.A.
Vending dreams is a ripoff!
#8REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sat, January 01, 2005
I have 55 singleheads i needed placed. I called vending dreams and spoke to jim and susan. I also, called about 10 more locators. I also called manufacturers to see if they heard of them.
Vending dreams says it's part of BBB on their site but, i looked them up and there was no so company for the BBB. If they where part of BBB they would have BBB link and report on their site.
This guy jim ellis had worked with other locators in the past and he owns people monies BIG TIME! Other locating comapanies! My friend used him to locate and all was fine and dandy till he recived the monies through pay pal and then had no other conversation with him after!
Vending dreams DOES NOT have a good reputation in the locating buisness. They ARE NOT as "big" as they seem on their website!
The horror stories i have heard from this company makes me think where is the FTC?
Karen
Miami,Florida,
U.S.A.
Vending dreams is a ripoff!
#8REBUTTAL Individual responds
Sat, January 01, 2005
I have 55 singleheads i needed placed. I called vending dreams and spoke to jim and susan. I also, called about 10 more locators. I also called manufacturers to see if they heard of them.
Vending dreams says it's part of BBB on their site but, i looked them up and there was no so company for the BBB. If they where part of BBB they would have BBB link and report on their site.
This guy jim ellis had worked with other locators in the past and he owns people monies BIG TIME! Other locating comapanies! My friend used him to locate and all was fine and dandy till he recived the monies through pay pal and then had no other conversation with him after!
Vending dreams DOES NOT have a good reputation in the locating buisness. They ARE NOT as "big" as they seem on their website!
The horror stories i have heard from this company makes me think where is the FTC?
Jim
Stoy,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Sad Post some documentation and proof
#8REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, November 17, 2004
David, it's sad that you would take the time to post such nonsense on this board. My guess is your a competitor and you have too little time and too little customers on your hand.
Post some documentation and proof! Why not post your real name and address?
Get a life!