Stephen
Vancouver,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 11, 2008
If you read postings regarding this industry...you will be able to deduce I, too, was a former magseller. I prefer to keep my work history somewhat undisclosed...to the many, many folks who have fallen prey to this age old problem...it is simply not a priority for lawmakers to regulate this business. Its about the money and thats a long story in itself. The only REAL way to defend against this practice of draining Americas doorsteps of cash for benefit of the likes of Lonnie Devine, Vinnie Pitts, the late Robert Spruiell, Joe Edge, Jonothan Tork, Robert Cecil, Karleen Hillary, Russel Wood and a virtual myriad of others is simply... Do NOT buy from them...tell your friends and nieghbors and anyone who will listen about your experience. To the other Magsellers who want to communicate with each other, I host a website that can be found like this: google the name Choan Lane, scroll down until you see a familiar term to anyone who has done this job..." guys and gals"...viola! You will then be able to navigate to a guestbook and find one another. I hope Ed and Company allow this post...people who have been employed in the Magbiz need a place to centrally disseminate info for 1099 tax purposes, to warn other youngsters of the perils...and just sound off on their exploits. Getabunch.
Brint
Brooksville,#3UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, June 07, 2008
Well, I am a former Road Runner as well! My name is Brint and sure would love to find some of the people I traveled with. This is going back to 89,90,91,92. The "crew" we had was alot of fun. In all, Lonnie and Yvonne where awesome for some of these reasons. 1) They did not believe in drugs, and no exsesive drinking ok so that one got over looked, for the moment! 2) They put pride back in the "agent". Most agents that join crew join due to some personal reasons. Could be a bad situation at home, or there last result before they did somthing stupid, or like me just wanted OUT, a CHANGE. When I got to the crew we where in HOLLYWOOD, my first day I my trainer and my self sat in Charleston Hestons front yard! I have been in the Kennedy compound, and went to the Bahamas for New Years, and San Fran, Mexico fishing, I can go on and on. It's not all bad, and you know today I own a manufacturing business and sell my products world wide, THANK YOU LONNIE AND YVONNE FOR ENCOURAGING MY CONFIDENCE IN WHO I WAS, AND WHO I AM TODAY! Yes I do pay my taxes!! I dont like to, but..... Any way it sure would be cool to hear from some of the others, you are thought of offen! Brint F.
Roadrunner
Miami Beach,#4Consumer Comment
Wed, January 09, 2008
i am sorry for your trouble. i did not work under that company. the best thing to is send a letter to the company you ordered from requesting a refund. try sending it certified to make sure they get it, then call the BBB. any other questions feel free to write back.
Jennifer
Birmingham,#5UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sun, June 24, 2007
I too worked for the Divines though it appears many years prior to Jackie. When I worked there if you didn't make quota you got like ten bucks twenty if you made it. I worked for them for about three years. Would very much like to email correspond with jackie if she would like to. I have longed for years to talk to someone else who had worked for these people. It was a learning experience but it was pretty horrible on some levels to be sure. Spent some time in jail and all the stuff Jackie says about warrants and bills following you after you are done is totaly true. There is so much more I could say but perhaps another time. I worked most directly with Deanna and her husband Kevin in the eighties. Long time back.
Jackie
Maryland Heights,#6UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, April 24, 2007
I don't want to sound like I am giving you no hope, but here is the reality on that company...It is owned by one Lonnie Divine who has been in prison for the past 18 months on federal tax evasion charges...do a Google search on his name. The company sets the price at 24.95 for a reason...legally only contracts over 25.00 fall under the federal "cooling off" time frame in which you have 3 days to cancel orders. The only real hope you have is to call and call and call until you finally get a response. I am sure that the address on your receipt is a po box. If it is a street address it is probably on 41st in Miami??? This is the address they used years ago....it is a Mail Boxes Etc. store where the owner rents a box. I can give you a couple of numbers to try but they are set up to an answering machine and not answered. 305-629-8604 866-667-4346 I will give you details on how the company works...the orders are sent to the office where they sit...the are looked at...if it is a renewal or if the name is a familiar one...such as that of an employee...same last name...it is processed, otherwise it is set aside. If and when the customer calls, gets an answer and complains repeatedly, they will process the order. They have been around long enough to know that most people won't mess with calling and complaining especially when they can't get an answer. They just assume most will write it up as a lesson learned. They also realize that most people also will not put a stop payment on a check because typically it will cost more than the 24.95 subscription. Here are names of some people you can ask to speak with...just the fact that you know their names will give you an advantage because they like their anonimity. Lonnie Divine Yvonne Ruel Divine Flo Roos I don't know of anyone else currently working in or around the office any more but these three are lifers....Just to let you know .... the Divine's live in multi million dollars homes...yes, homes not home. They have homes in Vista, California, Delray Beach, Fl and the Bahamas as well as multiple time shares...Lonnie has had an unbelieveable amount of gambling debt. They have overseas bank accounts to keep the US from being able to get ahold of it and yes, both Lonnie and Yvonne Divine served time for tax evasion...Please search their names and read some of the articles about them...It is pretty amazing how warped two individuals can be. I worked for them for a total of 6 years...while I did have fun and visited some cool places I regret it for the most part...I refused to be part of the scam and got to the point where I would not write orders, but ended up working in them for other capacities...hence, the behind the scene knowledge of the office...I stayed for the sole purpose of being able to travel. I hope some of this is of help to you...Please feel free to respond and let me know if you need anymore information...I still have a few contacts on the road, that I trust to give me information...they are in the same position I was...wanting to get out, but not having the means or strength to do so.....It is very hard to get out from under the Divine's control...I was lucky to do so 6 years ago after spending 6 and a half to 7 years around them Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.