- Report: #227292
Complaint Review: Startup Essentials
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| Startup Essentials 4455 LBJ Freeway Suite 500
Dallas, Texas U.S.A. |
|
StartupEssentials, A-1 Leasing-USA Card Services Scammed me in to "signing" a 48 mo. lease @ $139/mo for laptop that has to be returned at end of lease Dallas Texas
*UPDATE Employee: STOP PAYING Startup Essentials, USA Card Services, A1 Leasing, James One, Robert Harris, Opti-Groove
*Author of original report: Startup Essentials & A-1 Leasing/Bond Corp., Dallas, TX
*Consumer Suggestion: Contact Texas Lawyer
*Consumer Comment: Still in their grasp.
*Consumer Comment: Still in their grasp.
*Consumer Comment: Still in their grasp.
*Consumer Comment: Still in their grasp.
*Consumer Comment: About returning laptops
*Consumer Comment: They will sue you...
*Consumer Comment: Startup Essentials/A1leasing-Ripoff
*Consumer Comment: Who is sticking their nose in where it dont belong?
*Consumer Comment: who is stealing from who?
*Author of original report: Startup Essentials/A-1 Leasing USA Card Services
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I was contacted by Al Conkelton, a sales rep for Startup Essentials offering a no money upfront opportunity to start a home based internet business with promises of all kinds of help, support, etc. This call was as a result of an internet inquiry I filled out regarding home-based businesses.
After speaking with "Mr." Conkelton about Startup Essentials opportunity, he wanted to fax me the contract for signing, etc. I had no access to fax machine, so he connected me with his "boss", who miraculously was able to complete the contract using online signatures...this should have raised a red flag immediately, but I was new to this and dumb...at no time was I told I was entering into a 48 mo. non-cancellable lease, only that I should sign here, initial there, etc. etc.
This seemed to be the opportunity I was looking for - no upfront money, a great business opportunity, education, etc.
Once I received my laptop, it was then I realized, after calling the number required, that I had in fact been duped into signing a non-cancellable 48 mo lease with A-1 Leasing (formerly Bond Corp.) Since then, and some $600 later, I have been looking for a way to get out of the lease. After doing additional research, I found on A-1 Leasing's website that Startup Essentials was listed as a PARTNER, as well as on USA Card Services, Starup's credit card processing program.
I am now in the processing of getting out of this lease. Have already closed my bank account and in the process of notifying all appropriate agencies (i.e. BBB, State Atty. General, Credit Reporting Agencies)
At first I was going to return the laptop, but have been thinking that I have actually already PAID for the thing and may keep it. After all I did pay for it! Almost $700 prior to closing my bank account.
I do believe that EVERYONE who is contacted by Startup Essentials as a "potential partner" can get into their program should they desire....their "credit-check", screening, etc. is actually a smoke screen so you feel you are truly being interviewed by a legitimate, honest company. They have tapped into people's innate desire to be "accepted".
I will fight this company tooth & nail, and I WILL win!
P.S. Today I tried to go to Startup Essentials website, and believe or not their "server" is down, or the site no longer exists! Imagine that!!!!!
I was amazed to discover the overwhelming number of individuals who were duped the same as me, which is what actually propelled me to take action.
Monica
Joliet, Illinois
U.S.A.
After speaking with "Mr." Conkelton about Startup Essentials opportunity, he wanted to fax me the contract for signing, etc. I had no access to fax machine, so he connected me with his "boss", who miraculously was able to complete the contract using online signatures...this should have raised a red flag immediately, but I was new to this and dumb...at no time was I told I was entering into a 48 mo. non-cancellable lease, only that I should sign here, initial there, etc. etc.
This seemed to be the opportunity I was looking for - no upfront money, a great business opportunity, education, etc.
Once I received my laptop, it was then I realized, after calling the number required, that I had in fact been duped into signing a non-cancellable 48 mo lease with A-1 Leasing (formerly Bond Corp.) Since then, and some $600 later, I have been looking for a way to get out of the lease. After doing additional research, I found on A-1 Leasing's website that Startup Essentials was listed as a PARTNER, as well as on USA Card Services, Starup's credit card processing program.
I am now in the processing of getting out of this lease. Have already closed my bank account and in the process of notifying all appropriate agencies (i.e. BBB, State Atty. General, Credit Reporting Agencies)
At first I was going to return the laptop, but have been thinking that I have actually already PAID for the thing and may keep it. After all I did pay for it! Almost $700 prior to closing my bank account.
I do believe that EVERYONE who is contacted by Startup Essentials as a "potential partner" can get into their program should they desire....their "credit-check", screening, etc. is actually a smoke screen so you feel you are truly being interviewed by a legitimate, honest company. They have tapped into people's innate desire to be "accepted".
I will fight this company tooth & nail, and I WILL win!
P.S. Today I tried to go to Startup Essentials website, and believe or not their "server" is down, or the site no longer exists! Imagine that!!!!!
I was amazed to discover the overwhelming number of individuals who were duped the same as me, which is what actually propelled me to take action.
Monica
Joliet, Illinois
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 12/27/2006 06:34 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Startup-Essentials/Dallas-Texas-75244/StartupEssentials-A-1-Leasing-USA-Card-Services-Scammed-me-in-to-signing-a-48-mo-lease-227292. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 UPDATE Employee
STOP PAYING Startup Essentials, USA Card Services, A1 Leasing, James One, Robert Harris, Opti-Groove
AUTHOR: Bob - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, October 07, 2008
If you are still paying money to Startup Essentials, USA Card Services, A1 Leasing, James One, Opti-Groove or anyone else associated with these folks STOP STOP STOP!!!
The company went out of business in March of 2007. They are no longer supporting their clients as per the contract you have signed. You can legally claim Abandonment / Breach of Contract and do not have to pay a single dime more.
There is a Class Action Lawsuit being filed in Dallas Texas against the company and the CEO/Owner Robert Harris. I use to work there and I have talked to other former employees that have been questioned and have already testified against the company. I would list the name of the Law Firm filing the suit but it appears that RipOff Report removes that kind of info. If you are interested in joining the suit just do a little searching on the Internet and you will find the info you are looking for. You may not get much out of it once all the Lawyer fees and court costs are paid, probably only a fraction of what you have already paid, but you DO NOT have to PAY ANYMORE MONEY TO THEM!!!
The company went out of business in March of 2007. They are no longer supporting their clients as per the contract you have signed. You can legally claim Abandonment / Breach of Contract and do not have to pay a single dime more.
There is a Class Action Lawsuit being filed in Dallas Texas against the company and the CEO/Owner Robert Harris. I use to work there and I have talked to other former employees that have been questioned and have already testified against the company. I would list the name of the Law Firm filing the suit but it appears that RipOff Report removes that kind of info. If you are interested in joining the suit just do a little searching on the Internet and you will find the info you are looking for. You may not get much out of it once all the Lawyer fees and court costs are paid, probably only a fraction of what you have already paid, but you DO NOT have to PAY ANYMORE MONEY TO THEM!!!
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What's this? #2 Author of original report
Startup Essentials & A-1 Leasing/Bond Corp., Dallas, TX
AUTHOR: Monica - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, August 25, 2008
While checking my email recently, I ran into an email with a complaint that brought me back to "rip-off reports" and inadvertently to the complaints about A1 Leasing again. Funny how this company seems to keep popping up out of nowhere every few months with more and more complaints. I have also been sent to collections by this company to the tune of some $10,000 plus, however, know NOTHING of a class action lawsuit. I have not had any contact from the company at all for nearly a year now.
If what I have read is true, and you do not do anything and are bound by the outcome of the class action suit, how can this be true when you knew nothing about the case in the first place???? This doesn't seem at all fair. I would think that the company would have to have some way to prove that each person involved did indeed receive the papers that were supposedly sent out the the parties involved in the suit.
I know some people returned their laptops, while others did not....I had paid over $1000 and know this is way more than this computer is worth, not to mention whatever personal info most of us had on the computer trying to get this "business" up and running....I for one did not want this information getting into the hands of a company like Startup Essentials or A1 Leasing. And like one of the ladies said, it has been so long since I was scammed into this "home business" (I was NEVER told I would be doing business with A1), I have no idea where my paperwork could be.
Anyway, if someone knows the answer to the Lawsuit thing, please advise. Thanks.
If what I have read is true, and you do not do anything and are bound by the outcome of the class action suit, how can this be true when you knew nothing about the case in the first place???? This doesn't seem at all fair. I would think that the company would have to have some way to prove that each person involved did indeed receive the papers that were supposedly sent out the the parties involved in the suit.
I know some people returned their laptops, while others did not....I had paid over $1000 and know this is way more than this computer is worth, not to mention whatever personal info most of us had on the computer trying to get this "business" up and running....I for one did not want this information getting into the hands of a company like Startup Essentials or A1 Leasing. And like one of the ladies said, it has been so long since I was scammed into this "home business" (I was NEVER told I would be doing business with A1), I have no idea where my paperwork could be.
Anyway, if someone knows the answer to the Lawsuit thing, please advise. Thanks.
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What's this? #3 Consumer Suggestion
Contact Texas Lawyer
AUTHOR: Carla - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, July 02, 2007
You can contact xxxxx a Texas Lawyer who is filing a suit against this company and told me the co had agreed to shut it's doors in response to his lawsuit. I guess he lied about that also. Respond to this info if you need more info. Best of Luck
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What's this? #4 Consumer Comment
Still in their grasp.
AUTHOR: Andrew - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 18, 2007
Please let me know if you enter into a class action suit. I am unemployed and have been for over six months. This "OFFER" was to help me with my bills and all it is doing is keeping me from paying some of them. I contacted A-1 leasing in May and they would not cancel but offered me a buy-out amount.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
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What's this? #5 Consumer Comment
Still in their grasp.
AUTHOR: Andrew - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 18, 2007
Please let me know if you enter into a class action suit. I am unemployed and have been for over six months. This "OFFER" was to help me with my bills and all it is doing is keeping me from paying some of them. I contacted A-1 leasing in May and they would not cancel but offered me a buy-out amount.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
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What's this? #6 Consumer Comment
Still in their grasp.
AUTHOR: Andrew - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 18, 2007
Please let me know if you enter into a class action suit. I am unemployed and have been for over six months. This "OFFER" was to help me with my bills and all it is doing is keeping me from paying some of them. I contacted A-1 leasing in May and they would not cancel but offered me a buy-out amount.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
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What's this? #7 Consumer Comment
Still in their grasp.
AUTHOR: Andrew - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 18, 2007
Please let me know if you enter into a class action suit. I am unemployed and have been for over six months. This "OFFER" was to help me with my bills and all it is doing is keeping me from paying some of them. I contacted A-1 leasing in May and they would not cancel but offered me a buy-out amount.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
They, as you know, are also connected to the "Purpose Driven Life" which is a christian based entity. There should be no hardships caused by people seeking to do good for others. This alone should inspire A-1 to release people who experience hardships due to their lease, no matter who initiated the contract.
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What's this? #8 Consumer Comment
About returning laptops
AUTHOR: Penni - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, May 19, 2007
Hi, I just wanted to suggest that before you send back any laptops with personal info on them, please do yourself a favor and FORMAT the hard drive. It's not hard to do and it will save you a lot of heartache later. Just put int ehr recovery disk, start up the laptop, and follow the directions on the screen. Make a full recovery to factory specs. This will usually erase everything on the hard drive unless you are using Windows Vista. None of us are sure if formatting truely erases Vista or if there is a shadow copy hidden on the resource part of the drive. Vista's workings are still a mystery, although I did format one Vista computer and it seemed to erase the hard drive. But I have heard horror stories about Vista's capability to hide information you thought you had deleted. Actually, unless you format the hard drive, any computer will make a secret file of everything you thought you were deleting and a knowledgable computer tech with data recovery software can find it.
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What's this?
Hi there. I feel for you, totally.
3 ago years my elderly grandfather Edward Leong got involved with these screwjobs (I think Bill Chandler was supposed to he his "coach") as well over signing a contract for a credit card processor. Bad idea. Mind you he is an old man.
My grandfather tried to call the jerk and he never once returned ANY of his phonecalls. They "promise" that they will provide you with a mentor and help you through each and every step while you set up your business. LIES. LIES and more lies. So after about 3 months he sent the credit card machine back. They then started taking ALL of his money out of his checking accounts. Mind you he had perfect credit before this happened.
To make a long story short they sued him for $13,000.00, put a lien on his house and threatened that they would take his house, his car and make his life a nightmere. No Joke. We saw an attorney and the company is not even licensed in oregon where we live! They sued him in California and therefore he did not even have a chance to tell his side of the story.
They have tormented him and hes 67 years old and raising my younger sibilings as well. It breaks my heart to see how these monsters take advantage of honest, hardworking people. They are greedy and have no positive purpose in this life. These people are scum of the earth! I would like to help him participate in a class action lawsuit if any come up.
I hope this very very sad story can and will encourage people not to do business with these people. They are bad and will take you for everything you have.
3 ago years my elderly grandfather Edward Leong got involved with these screwjobs (I think Bill Chandler was supposed to he his "coach") as well over signing a contract for a credit card processor. Bad idea. Mind you he is an old man.
My grandfather tried to call the jerk and he never once returned ANY of his phonecalls. They "promise" that they will provide you with a mentor and help you through each and every step while you set up your business. LIES. LIES and more lies. So after about 3 months he sent the credit card machine back. They then started taking ALL of his money out of his checking accounts. Mind you he had perfect credit before this happened.
To make a long story short they sued him for $13,000.00, put a lien on his house and threatened that they would take his house, his car and make his life a nightmere. No Joke. We saw an attorney and the company is not even licensed in oregon where we live! They sued him in California and therefore he did not even have a chance to tell his side of the story.
They have tormented him and hes 67 years old and raising my younger sibilings as well. It breaks my heart to see how these monsters take advantage of honest, hardworking people. They are greedy and have no positive purpose in this life. These people are scum of the earth! I would like to help him participate in a class action lawsuit if any come up.
I hope this very very sad story can and will encourage people not to do business with these people. They are bad and will take you for everything you have.
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What's this? #10 Consumer Comment
Startup Essentials/A1leasing-Ripoff
AUTHOR: Marnae - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, May 14, 2007
To monica I too was scammed. I did also pay at least $700.00 for a cheap Acer laptop before closing my bank account.I signed up for a business with a 48 month lease.
I thought that they were here to help me start up a business. But I was wrong I told the fast talking saleman that this was way over my head, but he was persistant and said it would be easy with their help.
MY credit was OK I knew that, but they had to check it out anyway. How did they know about me? I did not give them any info at the time. By the way he (Rocky) was on the phone with me for about 2hrs. What was I thinking It was going on midnight California time about 3am Texas time Shouldn,t they be in bed. Who does business at these hrs.
I ve read about so many others Scammed by these people. This should be a TV news Item. Maybe we could get faster results. I am afraid to send back the laptop because I did try to work with it and I am not sure what kind of personal information (bank accounts and what ever )they could get from it If I send it back as is. So many others sent theirs back hope they are safe. Im open for any and all advice.
I thought that they were here to help me start up a business. But I was wrong I told the fast talking saleman that this was way over my head, but he was persistant and said it would be easy with their help.
MY credit was OK I knew that, but they had to check it out anyway. How did they know about me? I did not give them any info at the time. By the way he (Rocky) was on the phone with me for about 2hrs. What was I thinking It was going on midnight California time about 3am Texas time Shouldn,t they be in bed. Who does business at these hrs.
I ve read about so many others Scammed by these people. This should be a TV news Item. Maybe we could get faster results. I am afraid to send back the laptop because I did try to work with it and I am not sure what kind of personal information (bank accounts and what ever )they could get from it If I send it back as is. So many others sent theirs back hope they are safe. Im open for any and all advice.
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What's this? #11 Consumer Comment
Who is sticking their nose in where it dont belong?
AUTHOR: Kelly - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, May 13, 2007
Edward you are NOT involved in whats going on here and have NOT been ripped off by these people! I know exactly whats going on here and you are WRONG. I have been ripped off by Startup Essentials, A-1 Leasing and their partners in crime. Myself I have a lot more invested in this scam, like over $1500.00 and hours of my time into their program and got NOTHING out of it.
One year of my spare time and about $1500.00 GONE, WASTED and not one red cent to show for it. I tried hard to make their program work for me, I had a website on line for 5 months and not one sale on it!
NO help and support like the promised, no big money being made, no software in the laptop to help run my small business like the salesman promised. I was also hooked by a slick talking salesman on the phone like many others that have posted on here.
And like this lady you are calling a criminal for keeping the cheap laptop IM KEEPING MINE TOO!
So Mr Edward do you work for Startup Essentials or you just a blow hard that likes sticking his nose in where it dont belong?
Either way Mr Edward you need to take a long walk off a short pier and keep out of other peoples business!
One year of my spare time and about $1500.00 GONE, WASTED and not one red cent to show for it. I tried hard to make their program work for me, I had a website on line for 5 months and not one sale on it!
NO help and support like the promised, no big money being made, no software in the laptop to help run my small business like the salesman promised. I was also hooked by a slick talking salesman on the phone like many others that have posted on here.
And like this lady you are calling a criminal for keeping the cheap laptop IM KEEPING MINE TOO!
So Mr Edward do you work for Startup Essentials or you just a blow hard that likes sticking his nose in where it dont belong?
Either way Mr Edward you need to take a long walk off a short pier and keep out of other peoples business!
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What's this? #12 Consumer Comment
who is stealing from who?
AUTHOR: Edward - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, May 10, 2007
It is really hard to give someone sympathy, when they portray themselves as a victim, yet their demise is because of their own greed. You are absolutely correct to imply that $6672.00 is entirely to much for a laptop. I just looked at their website, it was a little confusing, but it seems that their core business, is to help you begin a start-up business. They offer the tools, hardware, software, and support. You then lose all credibility, when you proudly declare that you have taken it up yourself, to decide what the end cost should have been? I have been ripped off by internet business's . I mostly stay away from them now.
After paying less than 10% , you proudly announce that you are going to keep everything they have given to you, without paying anymore for it? You did sign the contract. You probably, owe them the money. It sounds like you got yourself into a deal that will not work for you. I wonder if I can get by, after only paying 10% on a car, furniture, or a home? I don't think that I would get away with it. They most likely would come and take it from me.
You can continue to portray yourself as the victim. Looks like a smooth salesperson worked you over. You can notify all of the agencies that you want too. It is when you brag that you are keeping everything without paying for it, that you change from being the victim, to just being a thief.
After paying less than 10% , you proudly announce that you are going to keep everything they have given to you, without paying anymore for it? You did sign the contract. You probably, owe them the money. It sounds like you got yourself into a deal that will not work for you. I wonder if I can get by, after only paying 10% on a car, furniture, or a home? I don't think that I would get away with it. They most likely would come and take it from me.
You can continue to portray yourself as the victim. Looks like a smooth salesperson worked you over. You can notify all of the agencies that you want too. It is when you brag that you are keeping everything without paying for it, that you change from being the victim, to just being a thief.
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What's this? #13 Author of original report
Startup Essentials/A-1 Leasing USA Card Services
AUTHOR: Monica - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, May 10, 2007
After much research I discover that not surprisingly, the 3 companies listed above are for all intents and purposes one and the same. A-1 Leasing (formerly dba Bond Corp. which is the name that appears on your bank statement when they draft your account), and USA Card Services blatantly appear on the A-1 website along with a link directly to Startup Essentials.
What I discovered is they are marketing credit card processing equipment and software, plain and simple, under the guise of "helping" you start a legitimate home based business.
To date, I have closed my old checking account, notified the companies they are not receiving another dime from me, kept the laptop, since I have more than already paid for it. I have recieved 2 letters from A-1 in the last 6 months, and nothing further after telling them I had contacted my attorney and that there is a class action lawsuit being filed against them and Startup Essentials.
So that is where we stand now.
Funniest thing was I got a call from another recruiter for Startup Essentials trying to "sell" me a WONDERFUL home business opportunity. EXACT same words ver batim as the first time!
What I discovered is they are marketing credit card processing equipment and software, plain and simple, under the guise of "helping" you start a legitimate home based business.
To date, I have closed my old checking account, notified the companies they are not receiving another dime from me, kept the laptop, since I have more than already paid for it. I have recieved 2 letters from A-1 in the last 6 months, and nothing further after telling them I had contacted my attorney and that there is a class action lawsuit being filed against them and Startup Essentials.
So that is where we stand now.
Funniest thing was I got a call from another recruiter for Startup Essentials trying to "sell" me a WONDERFUL home business opportunity. EXACT same words ver batim as the first time!
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What's this? 
