As corporate counsel for Energy Automation Systems, Inc. (EASI), I am compelled to respond to the untrue and defamatory postings on this website. Over the past eighteen months, a small group of individuals who seek to disparage and destroy Energy Automation Systems, Inc. (EASI) have posted derogatory and defamatory messages this website. EASI does not make a habit of responding to every inaccurate, inflammatory misstatement. We feel there is a point at which our dealers and customers deserve to have widely disseminated false statements publicly corrected.

These postings have been made, in large part, by a few disgruntled former EASI dealers. To create the appearance that numerous dealers are unhappy with EASI, those few former dealers frequently post messages under many different pseudonyms. In fact, our investigation has shown that those few posters actually respond to their own messages under different names. Rarely do those individuals provide their true identities in the posted messages. Many times, the posters use names and/or initials designed to give the impression that they are affiliated with EASI. Under the cloak of anonymity, the posters are essentially free to say whatever they please, regardless of whether their statements have any factual support. More importantly, the content of the postings is never checked for accuracy and simply amounts to unfiltered and unverified cybersmearing. (See http://www.bizmonthly.com/2_2001_focus/jordan1e.html for more on cybersmearing). We find it informative that the messages that support EASI are almost always made by individuals willing to identify themselves.

For example EASI is currently a party to pending litigation involving the same few disgruntled dealers described above. In fact, EASI initiated several of those lawsuits and, in one case, was forced to obtain injunctive relief against a former dealer who made thinly-veiled threats of violence against EASI's sole shareholder. As for many of the other litigants, many of them were dealers for less than one year and never attempted to complete, much less completed an installation of an EASI system. EASI remains confident that it will prevail on the merits of those cases.

EASI was founded in 1982. EASI has been selling dealerships since 1985 and had received very few complaints until last year, which suggests that the Internet disparagement campaign and the pending litigation originated after a few disgruntled and unsuccessful dealers blamed their lack of success on EASI and its employees. However, even after that campaign commenced, EASI has still kept the door open to those former dealers in the event they still would like to make their dealerships successful, as other dealers have. EASI continues to strive to provide good business opportunities to motivated, hard-working people. EASI cannot, however, sit idly by while anonymous detractors disparage the company's reputation.

John

Nashville, Tennessee
U.S.A.

Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on EASI - Energy Automation Systems

8 Updates & Rebuttals

Tracy

San Francicso,
California,
U.S.A.

Franchising SCAM and more LIES!!!

#2UPDATE EX-employee responds

Sun, May 07, 2006

I can tell you that we were telling people about the plans to start offering EASI as a franchise as far as back as early 2000. The idea was and still is that this lends us alot of quick and easy credibility!!! "Jee, if EASI is putting together a FRanchise program, they must be legitimate AND I better buy in quick before the price goes up". That was the mentality that EASI is after when talking about franchising. In addition, TYE SWIFT, anyone ever heard opf that name? It is rumored that he is back with EASI and back on the franchise tradeshow circuit. If anyone has information about that, please post it here so we can start to reconnect the dots that were erased over the last few years by all of EASI's threats and legal wranglings against people just trying to get the truth out there and to get some answers to questions posed to Joe Merlo, Jack Campbell, Paul Bleiweis, Bob Depalo, Bill Theissen, Tye Swift, Donna Swift, the swift Children accomplices, Lloyd Spendriff and a whole host of others over the years that run, hide, lie and threaten rather then just answer up the claims that they made! Does anyone know the whole history behind Tye Swift??? If so, lay it on us here please. Also, the Scott from Canada. He is Scott Hunsberger from the Toronto area I believe. He has single handedly unravelled alot of the EASI mystery and deceit, probably more than anyone else in the history of the scam, and has been the victim of attack from our lawyers. An unrelenting attack for doing nothing other than asking some grown men to be accountable for their words and deeds. Scott, if you are still out there and reading this, I want to congratulate you. Sincerely, E ...Git 'er Done....tick tock tick tock...that is the sound of time running out Joe. Don't let the bed bugs bite sweetie!!! Remeber, I, WE, know where the "bodies are buried" Heck Jack Campbell lives a "stone's throw" from me right now!

Walter

Long Island,
New York,
U.S.A.

Not a complete lie

#3Consumer Comment

Fri, May 05, 2006

Joe's claim that he was in the energy saving business since 1977 is not a complete lie. The attorney is corrected that EASI started in 1982, but Joe had another company called Multi Energy Concepts prior to that time. Why the name change? Energy User News ; Vol/Issue: 7:35 Subject 320100 -- Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization-- Buildings; ;ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS-- INSTALLATION;ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS-- PERFORMANCE; LAWSUITS;MARKETING Related Subject ENERGY SYSTEMS Description/ Abstract Two users are suing Multi Energy Concepts Inc.^(MEC) because savings projections have not met MEC promises.^Other users are considering similar lawsuits and action against faulty installation.^Third-party financers also report that they have dropped MEC because dissatisfied customers refused to pay.^A company spokesman blames salesmen who oversold the equipment and made unrealistic claims.^MEC argues that the performance problems are the result of poor installation, not faulty equipment.^The company offers a review of past electricity bills, a projected savings (usually 20%), and a package of equipment.^It offers no pre-installation audit, and admits to only one licensed electrician.^The salesmen have little or no expertise, and use a standard formula to determine prices.^(DCK) Country of Publication United States That is why. Multi Energy Concepts was being sued prior to Joe changing his company's name to EASI.

Michael Robert

Schenectady,
New York,
U.S.A.

I was told 88,000 Installations!!!

#4Consumer Suggestion

Thu, May 04, 2006

When we were training, I was told that EASI had over 88,000 installations...NOT pieces of equipment, but actual systems installed!!! I reallyleaned on this and was told that they would give me references in almost any towninthe World that had "Companies big enough to have big electric bills". That is a quote! NOw, in hindsight, what the heck does that even mean? As of today, EASI has ZERO ZERO ZERO electrical engineers on staff. All this from a company that they claim has been in business for almost 30 years now and lately said they have over, well over 100,000 installs to therir credit! Man, how can this continue unabated for all these years. I had NO idea of the depth or length of this scam until recently and NOW I am pissed! SO, what to do??? MR from SF

Keith

Los Angeles,
California,
U.S.A.

EASI has not cleaned up all their lies

#5Consumer Comment

Thu, May 04, 2006

Probably on the advise of counsel, EASI has tried to "clean up" various lies they have told to dealers and prospective dealers. However, they have not been thorough in their attempt. Taken from the EASI website under company history: "The company's business model, however, changed dramatically in 1985. Both the geographic location and the way EASI did business turned in a new direction. After 8 years of success as a direct sales company in New York, EASI became a distributor-based manufacturing company in Tennessee." EASI's attorney just said that EASI has been in business since 1982, but EASI claims that they have been in business since 1977. A small lie perhaps, but another lie regardless. EASI has removed all references to the number of installations of the EASI system. They have been hammered on this issue over and over and must have determined that it was a LIE that could not continue. I suspect they still tell would be dealers some outrageous number to entice them to purchase. But, EASI's attempt at "cleaning up" this lie could not control the website information of various dealers as follows: BITS Ltd Home Welcome to our Website. You invest thousands of dollars annually in power expenditures. ... 70,000 installations, in over 50 countries). You face literally zero risks in your decision to implement our proven recommendations. Plus, you have the comfort of dealing with EASI ...www.bitsltd.net - 10k - Cached - More from this site - Save About Us ... FAQ Page. Approach. About EASI. Conservation. Products. Lighting. Industrial ... With over 25 years and more than 70,000 installations worldwide, our affiliate, Energy Automation Systems Inc ... - 12k - Cached - More from this site - Save Electric Power Deregulation Ecological Life Systems Institute advocating sustainable use of resources ... (SAM): The EASI staff has been on ... over 70,000 installations. (ELSI): How much will these energy savings cost my bottom line? (SAM): Your EASI Industrial ...- 28k - Why would these dealers claim such a number if EASI had not previously used such figures in the promotion of the "dealership"? More importantly, why would EASI have to remove any references to the number of installations of the EASI system? Because it is a LIE. CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Aaron

Kansas City,
Missouri,
U.S.A.

Franchise talk, false names and alternative

#6Consumer Comment

Thu, May 04, 2006

I want to start by saying the Energy Conservation business is a good business. As to why people do not give out there real names is because as a dealer they could find their contract with EASI cancelled for speaking out against EASI and Mr. Merlo. Unless they are set up with a new supplier they will find themselves suddenly without product for their business. Resulting in the ruin of that persons business. Also, if Mr. Merlo knows who you are he will try to distroy the person with legal fees. We know that those who have the money typically win one on one legal battles. It would be silly to put the real name down in many cases. As for the franchise, well that has been in the works back when Jack Campbell was with the company. In fact there were papers signed to get it started back in 2001 but for some reason it never happened and I wonder if it ever will or is it just talk. There are places a EASI affiliate can go to cut away from EASI and still maintain product and get support. I did and I was taken in without paying a dime. I suggest those who like and believe in the business and want to get away from EASI contact Energy Design Services or Smith Environmental, both can be found on the internet. They have much of the same equipment that EASI has and more, and at better prices too. Also, the complaints on EASI go back much further than 18 months ago. I know people where upset with EASI at least since 2000 when Jack Campbell was with the organization. It is just that most of those are no longer in this business. In fact non of the people I was in the class with of 20 are still in this business. If you are looking to get started in the business Enercon International I believe is a good company. I know there must be other good companies out there too.

Don

Jacksonville,
Florida,
U.S.A.

Turnover and bankruptcies

#7Consumer Comment

Tue, May 02, 2006

That is nothing. Turnover in this scam should be expected. The real deal is knowing that the President of EASI, Paul Bleweis, is a formal failed dealer who went bankrupt from his EASI dealership. Joe Merlo will brag about how successful Blewweis was as a delear, but you got to wonder why he went bankrupt as a dealer. This is a big time scam and hopefully the Tennesse Attorney General will finally catch up with the con artist Merlo.

Michael Robert

Schenectady,
New York,
U.S.A.

Just FYI

#8Consumer Comment

Sun, April 30, 2006

IN case anyone cares, 8 to 10 of the people that are currently pictured as "STAFF" on the energyautomation.com website are not even THERE any more. Some have been literally gone for months if not years so it is not just that someone has not gotten around to updating the site. I called to EASI the other day and asked for 5 of the 10 and after I asked for the 5th person, they just hung up on me. NICE way to treat a dealer huh?

Don

Jacksonville,
Florida,
U.S.A.

Dealerships or Franchises??

#9Consumer Comment

Sun, April 09, 2006

Reply EASI Franchises ----------------------------- Hello all, At a recent entrepreneur show in Washington D.C., Tye told one of my salesman that EASI would begin selling "franchises" some time around mid-July. When will EASI officially roll out the franchising plan? How will franchises differ from the "affiliate" agreements? Will there be any difference in pricing structure? What is the incentive for current dealers to purchase franchises? I look forward to hearing from you Reply Re: EASI Franchises ------------------------------- EASI will eventually move to a Franchise model. Existing Dealers will remain and will have the opportunity, for a period, to upgrade to a Franchise if they desire. The details of the program are still being developed, so we're not ready to go "public" yet. Therefore, this conversation never took place. Joseph Merlo, Chief Executive Officer Energy Automation Systems, Inc. You were eavesdropping!!! Now stop that. Franchisees will not have exclusive or restricted territories. The terms and provisions of all existing Dealerhips will not be affected in any way. Joseph Merlo, Chief Executive Officer Energy Automation Systems, Inc. Joe, I respect EASI's position to wait for all of the details to be worked out before they go public with the opportunity. What I don't understand is, if that is the case why are EASI representatives using that as a sales pitch to prospective dealers in a public venue? That sounds "public" to me. Don't you think that this sends mixed messages? Yep, I agree it was a case of TMI (too much information). Joseph Merlo, Chief Executive Officer Energy Automation Systems, Inc. Whatever happened to franchising?

Reports & Rebuttal