- Report: #213760
Complaint Review: Mark 5 Inc. - Houston Texas
-
Author Confirmed
Why?
Mark 5 Inc.
908 Town & Country Blvd. Suite 120 Houston, 77024 Texas, U.S.A.
Phone:
800-480-0031
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Mark 5, ripoff Earring Distributorship, cheap quality, poor service, doomed to fail Houston Texas
The idea seemed simple. Purchase earrings at $2 per pair, then place the displays in stores at no cost to the owner, sell the earrings at $9.95, pay the owner 30% and keep the rest ($4.95).
This company claims their earrings are high quality, that you could make $30,000 per year or more, and that if you don't make your total investment back in one year, they will refund the difference. My total investment was $12,150: $9950 for Mark 5 and $2200 for a locator. Keep in mind that Mark 5 charged me $9950: $5800 for 2100 pair of earrings and 31 displays and $4150 for their "fee".
I purchased this "business" on or around October 1, 2005. My total profit is $2930.35 as of 10/1/06. My goal for the year was $12,000 which is less than half of their minimum possible annual profit.
I hired the locator they suggested, which cost me $2200, and he went to 65 businesses in my town and surrounding towns and only placed 22 of my displays. Therefore, all the businesses who said No are now burned and I have now had to go out to a 50 mile radius to place these displays and have actually run out of businesses. I have 26 displays currently placed and businesses are dropping me b/c the earrings don't sell.
I was promised high quality earrings that would sell for $9.95. Women constantly tell me they wouldn't pay more than $2.00 for most of the earrings. Every time I order 8 dozen, I receive about 2 dozen that won't sell and/or are damaged. Mark 5 allows me to exchange 8 dozen each month (as long as I purchase 8 dozen). Every time I exchange 8 dozen, at least 2 dozen are damaged, won't sell or are exactly what I sent back.
I have contacted the president of Mark 5, Bob King, on numerous occasions to correct these issues. Nothing has happened. I cannot afford to lose $12,150.
Apparently, Mark 5 doesn't care if I succeed or not, b/c they already have my money. My reorders have cost $1368. That brings my total to $13,518. My current out-of-pocket: $13,518 - $2930.35 = $10,587.65. With interest and other costs, my out-of-pocket comes to about $12,000. I believe I am entitled to a refund b/c Mark 5 has NOT met it's expectations.
David
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
U.S.A.
This company claims their earrings are high quality, that you could make $30,000 per year or more, and that if you don't make your total investment back in one year, they will refund the difference. My total investment was $12,150: $9950 for Mark 5 and $2200 for a locator. Keep in mind that Mark 5 charged me $9950: $5800 for 2100 pair of earrings and 31 displays and $4150 for their "fee".
I purchased this "business" on or around October 1, 2005. My total profit is $2930.35 as of 10/1/06. My goal for the year was $12,000 which is less than half of their minimum possible annual profit.
I hired the locator they suggested, which cost me $2200, and he went to 65 businesses in my town and surrounding towns and only placed 22 of my displays. Therefore, all the businesses who said No are now burned and I have now had to go out to a 50 mile radius to place these displays and have actually run out of businesses. I have 26 displays currently placed and businesses are dropping me b/c the earrings don't sell.
I was promised high quality earrings that would sell for $9.95. Women constantly tell me they wouldn't pay more than $2.00 for most of the earrings. Every time I order 8 dozen, I receive about 2 dozen that won't sell and/or are damaged. Mark 5 allows me to exchange 8 dozen each month (as long as I purchase 8 dozen). Every time I exchange 8 dozen, at least 2 dozen are damaged, won't sell or are exactly what I sent back.
I have contacted the president of Mark 5, Bob King, on numerous occasions to correct these issues. Nothing has happened. I cannot afford to lose $12,150.
Apparently, Mark 5 doesn't care if I succeed or not, b/c they already have my money. My reorders have cost $1368. That brings my total to $13,518. My current out-of-pocket: $13,518 - $2930.35 = $10,587.65. With interest and other costs, my out-of-pocket comes to about $12,000. I believe I am entitled to a refund b/c Mark 5 has NOT met it's expectations.
David
Cape Girardeau, Missouri
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Richard
Cortez,Colorado,
Mr. King Pleaded Guilty to Attempt and Conspiracy Fraud
#2General Comment
Mon, April 22, 2013
A very interesting response from Mr. Robert (Bob) King, who pleaded Guilty to Attempt and Conspiracy Fraud in the case of the United States v. Robert D. King, Court Docket #12CR-00087 in the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, for doing exactly what Mr. Cape states in his Mark 5, Inc. RipOff Report; i.e., committing fraud on people like Mr. Case and myself for falsely representing a Mark 5, Inc. jewelry distribution business as a profitable enterprise.
Mr. Cape: If no one has contacted you (they probably have), call the US Department of Justice at (713) 567-9501 in the above-referenced case and let them know you are a victim and interested in restitution in this matter. Mr. King's sentence hearing is set for May 30th, 2013 at 10:30am, Courtroom 3A Houston, United States District Court, 515 Rusk Av., Houston, TX 77002.
Bob King
Houston,Texas,
United States of America
Fair & Balanced
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Sat, January 23, 2010
I helped start this company in 1990. I purchased the company in November of 1992.
We have done business with distributors across the country, thousands of retail outletsand millions of retail customers. Not unlike any business, business opportunity or franchise offering you will have people who do not find the same success as others. Running a business isn't for everyone...if it were nobody would work for someone else.
Having said that our program is not difficult and is a great business for the right individual. We get very few complaints from distributors and we work very hard to assist them in the operation of the business. We become the supplier for each distributor so we make money as they do...it is in our best interest to help them build their routes.
Having an positive attitude is key in running your own business. Those that come into the business with that do well. The longer I am in business I try to avoid those whoseem negative or timid in general. You will have great days, good days and bad days when you run a business. It's how you deal with the bad days and problems that makes a difference.
I will not get into a back and forth dispute of facts etc. But we offer a great value here that is hard to find at $12,950. We send quality products that can be viewed on our website by the thousands and in a catalog as well. We send an authorized distributor to your door to train you in person. He requires you ride with him for the training and then lets you say yes or no to any account(s) before they are placed. He is able to locate 30 retail accounts in almost any area we go into and does it within 3-4 days. Keep in mind he does this in an area he does NOT LIVE IN. If he can do that withina few days imagine what ANY DISTRIBUTOR can do who LIVES there and really wantsto run his/her business. I have a 27 year old man in Pueblo, Colorado who has over150 stores and will have 200 by summer of 2010. He has the same products, samesystem, and had the same trainer as the gentleman who wrote this report. Its about follow up skills and attitude. I have people coast to coast who find the same successand yes I have had a few don't find success but every system does.
Along with the in person training we take back products each and every month
(Should there be that need) that don't sell and exchange them. We offer a one year
loss protection plan that only requires you to maintain 30 stores to protect your investment. We help you expand your business by offering free merchandise and displays. And when I make a mistake or find someone who is really trying and needs extra assistance I think almost all my people will tell you I go the extra mile to help.
I tell everyone who comes into this business that if money is tight, or its your last
$13,000 and you need to LEAN on the business from the very start for all your needs...its best to get a job and not buy any business. In our video and materials
we do not promote this as get rich quick. It is a real business that like any other...
if you come in with long term goals and actions that support that you will find
success.
We have a tremendous products in all areas of jewelry and if you have the
ability, desire and attitude to succeed we can make that happen.
Sincerely,
Bob King
President - Mark Five, Inc.
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