- Report: #71787
Complaint Review: Lady Of America - Fort Lauderdale Florida
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Lady Of America
500 East Broward Blvd. Suite 1650 Fort Lauderdale, 33394 Florida, U.S.A.
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800-833-5239
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Lady Of America, Bill Landman, Mark Camara, Elite Retail Leasing illegal fraudulent kickbacks Fort Lauderdale Florida
I recently opened a Ladies Workout Express franchise from Lady of America in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We are located in California. I was told by our landlord that the lease that Lady of America (Bill Landman and Mark Camara) negotiated included a "kickback" every month to Elite Retail Leasing, a company owned by Bill Landman, VP of Lady of America, and operated by Mark Camara. The landlord said the payments were supposed to be for services rendered for negotiating the lease. But that is what the franchise fee was supposed to cover.
Now, I am stuck with a much higher rent because it includes a kickback to Lady of America, supposedly without me knowing it. Lady of America was not looking after my best interest when it found our location in a "high rent" area, but what landlord they could find to be an accomplice in their kickback scheme. It did not matter if the rental rates fell within the guidelines of acceptable start-up costs. They are just trying to line their pockets at my expense.
Maria
Walnut Creek, California
U.S.A.
Now, I am stuck with a much higher rent because it includes a kickback to Lady of America, supposedly without me knowing it. Lady of America was not looking after my best interest when it found our location in a "high rent" area, but what landlord they could find to be an accomplice in their kickback scheme. It did not matter if the rental rates fell within the guidelines of acceptable start-up costs. They are just trying to line their pockets at my expense.
Maria
Walnut Creek, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Maria
Walnut Creek,California,
U.S.A.
LIES, LIES, LIES!!!
#2REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, November 30, 2004
You told the owners that the $12,500 franchise fee covered the cost of real estate lease negotiation. LOA Vice President, Bill Landman promoted himself as an expert at lease negotiating. NOBODY ever said that Bill would be negotiating himself a "commission" every month for the next 10 years at my expense by padding the rent. You tried to hide the fact that Bill was receiving a kickback (sorry, "commission") by creating a separate company called Elite Retail Leasing with Bill as the owner rather than have the landlord send the "commission" directly to Lady of America. Let's talk about some of the other "commissions" that you are receiving at my expense without me knowing. How about the "commission" that you receive from NFFS for membership dues collection? Owners are paying twice the going rate for membership collection. Why? So you can collect a "commission" from NFFS without owners knowing about it. How about the "commission" you get from Perfect Fitness International (a.k.a. Lady of America - Deerfield Beach)? You restricted the equipment supplier to one vendor with whom you have a "commission" agreement where you overcharge the owners for equipment. By the way, using the Deerfield Beach location to promote sales without divulging the fact that they also own the fitness equipment supply company is an FTC violation. IT IS ILLEGAL!!! You are nothing but a con artist trying to steal money from franchise owners without their knowledge while also collecting a high royalty fee. You are not concerned about the success of franchisees, only in taking their money. You have not earned your money, you have stolen it!!! I'll be waiting for your call where you threaten to sue me. Please do. I will be able to bring up some of our other tactics and lies in a legal setting.
Roger
Fort Lauderdale, Florida,Iowa,
U.S.A.
President
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, November 10, 2004
Lady of America offers a Franchisee the OPTION of selecting their own site or using a LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER that has experience in lease negotiations. Maria elected to use the services of Bill Landman and Mark Camera. Bill is the broker and Mark is his agent. It is typical and understood by all the Real Estate brokers earn a commission from the landlord. Maria not only understood this was was happy to have that option. real Estate commissions are not kickbacks!!
