E Merchant Middleman
Complaint 131548 Details

I was contacted by a representative of this company, P J, by phone who sold me on an idea to sell merchant services - credit card machines with residuals on each machine a company ordered. A Mr S Powers then contacted me and gave me a business plan that spanned 6 to 12 months. According to the plan at the end of 90 days "there is no reason why you shouldn't be making at least $5,000 a month, 6 months - $7,500 and within 12 months $10,000 per month." "Within 6 months you should be debt free." I was sold 8,000 leads at $2.00 each. In the first 2 months (2,000 per month) 4,000 newly formed companies were to be contacted and 1,000 per month for the next 4 months ending in May, 2012. Instead once the leads started, all 8,000 leads were contacted at the same time. By the end of the third day I spoke to Christine, Shay and finally Bill Stark. I was told to contact Powers once a week for updates on my "business". I was also sold an internet site at $200 per month (charges to begin when a monthly profit was made) By December I was told to report to Bill on the weekly basis. When I questioned the "Business Plan" I was told that that was not in effect and "that's the reason that person no longer works for this company". In February I was told by Bill Stark that I shouldn't worry about the $16,000 because the company guaranteed that I would make at least $16,001. They would stay with me until a profit was made.No sales were made until the new year, (Jan 20 - $325.00 commission) when one sale was made on my behalf with residuals of $150 starting at the end of February, 2012. I submitted a company to my site - a personal friend , who later informed me he was not contacted. I continued to report to Bill on a weekly basis. The state of the economy was blamed for the lack of business, and he told me to hang on and remember the guarantee of a getting my investment back. Suddenly, in the middle of June my phone calls, email messages and all communication came to an abrupt stop as did the residual payments. The company left a message on my voice mail (home land line) concerning the internet site while I was away the week of June 25. Early today, I returned the phone call and left a message including my cell phone number, but as of 3pm today, July 2. I have not heard from them. I would like a refund of the "investment" I made to the company. I am a senior citizen on a fixed income and can ill afford a loss of this magnitude.