- Report: #654916
Complaint Review: Electronic Payment Systems - Hillsboro North Dakota
Reported By:
Eric -
West Fargo, North Dakota, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Electronic Payment Systems
RR 1 Box 77 Hillsboro, 58045 North Dakota, United States of America
Phone:
7014300998
Web:
Categories:
Business Rating:
(0)
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Electronic Payment Systems EPS False Information, Non Cancellation & No Contact Hillsboro, North Dakota
On 9-30-10 I was called by phone from a solicitor asking if they could have a few minutes to sit with me and go over some financing options for my customers. Being in the car industry I accepted. I have been looking for some time for a company to finance automobiles so I was enthusiastic about our appt. I was visited later that afternoon by a representative name Joel Hamre. He went through the program and explained how the financing works and how the 3 month guarantee works. At the end of the presentation I found out this was actually for Credit Card Processing and that the Financing was through EPS. I told him that I was not going to make a decision that day and that I would call him back. Reluctantly he agreed and left me a card of where I could reach him. He also informed me that he had some other appts with other car dealers and was offering them the equipment for 1/2 price as well and if I did not take it they most likely would and I would have to pay the full price for the service. I called him back on Friday the 1st of October and told him that I had decided to go with the program if he still had the used equipment. He came over to my place of business immediatly and we signed the paperwork. At that time, and to this day, I still do not have copies of what I signed. (10-25-10)My wife and I each have a business that we run. Joel had stated that we can use the same equipment to run transactions for both business'. He needed a voided check from her business, and apparently had some "used equipment" he was getting me, and that is why I got it for the price I did. He did not have it with him and told me that on monday (4th) he would be back to install it, and to have a check from my wifes business as well. He did not show on the 4th, but did show up on the 5th with some equipment and put it in. At that time he also had me sign some additional papers that he needed to "make copies of" and then would bring them back to me when he brought me a financing available herebanner to hang outside. I agreed and said that would be fine. On Wednesday the 6th, After much deliberation and thought I decided that for my line of business, spending this amount of money (roughly $3000) is just not acceptable to provide customers with only 90 days of financing. I also had realized that I do not get the money that I need to replace that vehicle I just sold untill about 60 days later. This is just not something I can do at my current start up phase of my business. I called Joel, and asked him what the cancelation policy was. Joel informed me that I had signed a non cancellable Lease agreement and that nothing could be done. At that time, I contacted a personal friend of mine who works in this industry for Another company. He informed me that there is a 3 day cancellation policy that exists called- 3 day recision law. It explains that a place of business when solicited has 3 business days to cancel a lease, contract, purchase when cancelation notice is given in writing. After hearing that I wrote up an email to Joel and to EPS Customer Service indicating my change of mind and that I am formally canceling my contract agreement. I do have copies of those emails. I did not run any transactions through the equipment, and it has been unplugged since the 7th of October. The following day the 7th of oct. I called Joel and my call was not answered. I tried him later and again there was no answer. I called from a different number and he answered the call. I asked him what must be done to get things cancelled and informed him of the 3 day right of recision. He stated that it does not apply and told me he would have to call in to his manager to find out how to cancel the agreement. He told me he was going to work with me, and help me get this taken care of. He stated he would call me back that afternoon with more information. at about 4pm I had not heard anything from Joel. I tried to call him and
got no answer. I tried again from a blocked line and he answered. He told me he was working on it and seemed upset. He stated that it was not up to eps, but up to the leasing company to terminate the lease. He said that they were waiting to hear back from the leasing company (Ladko) and he would call his manager again and call me back. After recieving no return call I began to get nervous. I was instructed by my friend to call the leasing company (Ladko Leasing) I called in that afternoon (the 7th I believe) and talked to a very helpful representative named Colleen. She informed me that Ladko would absolutely terminate the lease IF Eps would refund thier money they had been paid for the lease agreement. I informed her that is not what I was told and asked if she could call Joel(Since he supposedly had never done this before) and inform him of this. She agreed and we called Joel 3 way. He got so upset that I had called in that he was not able to even talk and ended up hanging up on Colleen and I. She told me that it is up to Eps and to give him some time to work with his manager. I thanked her for her help. I then tried calling Joel to ask him what I did wrong by calling Ladko for information. He did not answer. Untill the 12th of oct. I did not call Joel back. I thought he would be in contact with me. I did try to call him, leaving 2 messages asking him to call me and touch base with where things were at. No Response. I called into Ladko again a week later and talked with Chris. He was super, and explained that the next step from my end was to submit a vendor complaint. I did this and it was denied by eps, and then I was informed from ladko that there was nothing they could do. So here is where we are. I am not able to get ahold of my rep, except when I call from a blocked number. The amount of Unprofessionalism on his part is unreal. I have been in sales for 14 years, and have owned my own business for 7 years. If I would have ever treated a customer with this type of service I would have been repromanded. If any of my employees would have treated someone this way they would be let go. I am doing all that I can to be Fair, Honest, and Ethical. I made a mistake by signing. I believe that I have done everything I can do on my end. I now find out that At the end of the lease agreement I don't own the equipment, and that I have to buy it out!? This is not what I was told or explained either. The fact that a company can do/act like this is un-real. All I want is a termination of the lease And agreement That I signed.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Eric
West Fargo,North Dakota,
United States of America
Resolved
#2Author of original report
Sat, December 11, 2010
My attorney was able to get ahold of joel hamre. After 2 weeks of working with him mr hamre offered that i pay an additional 240 dollars and he would terminate all the agreements with eps, and ladco. I figured it is worth it and did it.
Per his request I am posting that the matter was resolved favorably.
Bman
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,
United States of America
Eric, here are some additional measures...
#3Consumer Comment
Sun, November 21, 2010
What a horrible experience! Here are some possible sources for you to use to counter this company and its tacky people!
Contact Your United States Senators
Every state has two United States Senators. Senators are elected on a state wide basis and represent your entire state in Washington D.C.. Your United States Senators have enormous power and enormous influence. A simple letter or phone call from a U.S. Senator's office can move mountains. Every United States Senator has an office that deals with constituent complaints involving a number of issues -- every problem imaginable are handled by your United States Senators' office. Plus, they want to get re-elected and they serve their voters not the business.
Contact Your United States Congressman/woman
Unlike Senators, your state has anywhere from one to over 50 United States Congressmen/women. In your congressional district, you have ONE United States Congressman/woman. Like Senators, members of Congress deal with a huge amount of voter problems -- you name the topic, and they can and will help you.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Contact The United States Department of Justice
The Department of Justice is the federal government's chief law enforcement agency and prosecutorial office.
And my favorite:
Contact The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
It is the only federal agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy. The FTC pursues vigorous and effective law enforcement; advances consumers interests...
This is the agency that companies fear.
http://www.ftc.gov/reports/index.shtm
Contact The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
This agency regulate all companies that are trading stock publicly. They also are very concerned with companies who engage in fraudulent activity which might manipulate their stock price and give investors a false picture of the truth of a company's heath.
http://www.sec.gov/complaint.shtml
Contact The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Report the offending company to this feared and effective government task force. Your aim here is to highlight the criminal and fraudulent nature of the companies activities. You must be able to detail how they wronged you and stole your money.
http://www.ic3.gov/complaint/default.aspx
Contact The Council of the Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau is another group that many businesses need to answer to -- first it has enormous influence and second, many businesses are members. Since it is paid for by businesses it may not be as effective as the government agencies that are created to protect you.
Contact The National Consumer Law Center
"The National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is the nations consumer law expert, helping consumers, their advocates, and public policy makers use powerful and complex consumer laws on behalf of low-income and vulnerable Americans seeking economic justice.
Todays consumer marketplace is complex and full of potholes, even for those of us with all the necessary skills and advantages. For unsuspecting low-income consumers its far more treacherous - even the smallest misstep can lead to financial ruin and a sense of hopelessness that paralyzes individual progress."
Contact The National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C)
They will help you with filing a complaint against the company showing you how to do it and provide other resources. White collar crime is a term coined for something that many businesses engage: it is fraud and outright theft committed by those wearing a white shirt and tie to work everyday.
Eric
West Fargo,North Dakota,
United States of America
Update
#4Author of original report
Sat, November 20, 2010
Well, it is now in the hands of my attorney. Yes Kent-you are exactly right. There has been in excess of 50/mo of withdrawals out of my account that I was not told about.
Account Closed, and new one opened. What a headache.. Say do you think eps will compensate me for my time I have lost dealing with this? Plus the cost of my attorney fees? would only total about $2000 so far.... Buyer Be VERY AWARE.
There are companies out there that don't charge for equipment, and the other thing- the rates they tell you are on standard credit cards only.. NO PERKS CARDS> Then the charge is double what you are quoted. so if they tell you 1.75% on any rewards type card at all they will be charging 3.5%.
Miz
Kent,Washington,
United States of America
EPS VS. Small business
#5Consumer Comment
Sat, November 20, 2010
There is certainly a pattern, Cameron. The pattern is not that people did not read their contract per se, the problem is that the contractors EPS hires to sign up new customers OUTRIGHT LIE and misrepresent what EPS's contract states. I'm pretty sure certain state's attourneys general would agree with me. What do you think? Or more importantly, what does your boss think? Bring this correspondence up with him/her and get back to me/us.
Stupid idiots. Why would they think what they are signing is anything different to what was just discussed in person in the comfort of their own living room?
Hmmmm. So much to worry about as the owner of a small business. To think you would have to worry about "legal" thievery. Enjoy it while it lasts Cameron.
Miz
Kent,Washington,
United States of America
EPS VS. Small business
#6Consumer Comment
Sat, November 20, 2010
Yeah, sure, give EPS a call.
Of course you'll probably be on your cell phone and, hell, considering you are trying to run a business and be productive, you can't just sit on the phone on hold for an hour or so playing the automated system shuffle, right?
Let alone once you finally get to speak to an english speaking human your concern isn't their department and you get the "can I put you on hold while I connect you?" thing and if you're like me you'll get accidentally disconnected and have to go through all that BS again. Joy. Wish I was big enough to have employees like you, Cameron, to deal with this kind of garbage.
EPS should give this Cameron fellow his bonus now before this racket is dismantled because he really is going above and beyond for his "team".
Hey kids! Remember when you are about to sign a contract not one thing you just discussed with this business's representative will in any way be present in what you sign.
Buyer beware.
Cameron-EPS
Englewood,Colorado,
USA
THE FACTS
#7UPDATE Employee
Tue, November 16, 2010
I would like to start off by saying If you did not get a copy of your contract why did you not call us and ask for one. Anyone here would fax it, mail it, or email to you. Its very simple. We cant help you if you dont let us know whats going on. As far as having three days to cancel your contract that is not a Colorado state law and would not apply to your location seeing that are business is based in Colorado and under Colorado state law.
You mentioned Ladco several times in this letter as well. Ladco is separate from us and they decide their own fees and have their own contracts that do not apply to ours. Yes we are partners in things we do but it is common knowledge to know that every establishment will have their own rules and regulations.
In the long run its simple do not be upset if you did not pick up the phone and give us a callwe are here to help and go through the fine print with you to make you successful, not fail.
