SuddenValues.com US Online Beware a company that craps in its own nest. Wenatchee, Washington

Please note that I did not say wrongful termination, I used the adjective capricious. Because the number of former dealers with whom I have spoken who were summarily terminated by Steve Klock registered owner of U.S.Online.com and Sudden Values.com offer various claims by Mr. Klock for the reason given for termination. The reason Klock gave for my termination was failure to meet quota requirements. Of course what makes this reason capricious is that, for example, the Inland Empire Foothills SuddenValues.com site host fewer than 40 advertisers, far fewer than the four per month required by the "dealer agreement" between U.S. Online and tdealers.

When Klock sends put the monthly dealer report, the vast majority of dealers are reported by Klock to have zero sales. A stipulation in an employment agreement that is not applied equally and fairly to all parties to that agreement is not by law a valid agreement. I would like to sue Steve Klock and U.S. Online for $ 500,000.00 for taking my business, a business for which I paid SuddenValues nearly $6000.00 in direct purchase fees and on going monthly fees over a period of 9 months. My termination came about because I expressed my concern about certain features of Suddenblitz.com not because I was not performing well as an independent contractor.

My humble opinion is, and I am not a lawyer, that Steve Klock is running a pyramid scheme and an illegal franchise. Again this is just my opinion and I await full explanation from the Attorney General of the State of Colorado before I file an official complaint.

A pyramid scheme is one that relies on generating revenue from constant recruiting whereby the recruits are required to pay both initial fees and in this monthly fees and training fees and for which the recruit receives only a token of product or service. In other words money for nothing.

After U.S. Online was consistently late in paying my commission ( the checks come from U.S. Online ) Klock himself called me to explain that because " recruiting had been going slowly and he just didn't have the money to pay me on time.

"Dinky" from Claremont might not have joined SuddenValues under the same dealer agreement and therefor may not have depended on U.S. Online to pay commissions. There are more than one dealer agreements under which current dealers operate. The common denominator is that Klock can with a keystroke take away this "business opportunity". Well I happen to be an old hillbilly, I never did an internship with Microsoft, I am just a feet in the streets salesman who deeply believes that it is wron to trifle with a person's liveliehood.

"I've been slandered, I've been liable and I've Heard Words They Never Used in the Bible" from Steve Klock and if this old hillbilly can find a way I will make him pay. ( please note I use my real name and would love to represent the several former SuddenValues.com dealers on Rip Off Report T.V.).

I am a dealer and proud of it.  Sounds like a load of sour grapes to me. The only time a territory is removed is because the dealer was not suited for this type of work or is one of those sales people that thinks the sale is going to come to them if they sit on their rear ends.  As is the case with most sales jobs, you have to work!!  I have been really successful even in this economy.

Sounds to me as if you are one of those who is not very good at what they do.  Had you been any good, you would still be doing this.  What gives you the right to bad mouth a company because you are not successful?  Any company has to protect its clients when a dealer is just not around.  I know of people personally that have to give up, not because of the reasons you give, but becaue of personal problems.  Did you even bother to find out from the people you are referencing or is this just a case of 'I never made the grade so lets spew filth online and see what damage I can do'? There are those also who have been kicked out because of their illegal business pratices.  Also what about the company that has an investment in its dealers?  They also have to take care of customers that have paid in full to the dealer who is long gone with the money.  Now you really have me thinking........which one are you?

Have the grace and humility to accept defeat.   Given, it is not for everyone but is that a good reason to do what you have done.  There are hundreds of us out there being very successful and enjoying what we do.  SuddenValues to my mind, and indeed to all the dealers I know, is one of the most forward thinking and fair companies we have worked with.  In my 45 years of sales, I have never spewed filth about the places where the job just didn't fit me. 

I just could not let this one go.  You are damaging the reputation of my dealership with this ridicuous accusation.  Grow up!! 

I am a dealer and proud of it.  Sounds like a load of sour grapes to me. The only time a territory is removed is because the dealer was not suited for this type of work or is one of those sales people that thinks the sale is going to come to them if they sit on their rear ends.  As is the case with most sales jobs, you have to work!!  I have been really successful even in this economy.

Sounds to me as if you are one of those who is not very good at what they do.  Had you been any good, you would still be doing this.  What gives you the right to bad mouth a company because you are not successful?  Any company has to protect its clients when a dealer is just not around.  I know of people personally that have to give up, not because of the reasons you give, but becaue of personal problems.  Did you even bother to find out from the people you are referencing or is this just a case of 'I never made the grade so lets spew filth online and see what damage I can do'? There are those also who have been kicked out because of their illegal business pratices.  Also what about the company that has an investment in its dealers?  They also have to take care of customers that have paid in full to the dealer who is long gone with the money.  Now you really have me thinking........which one are you?

Have the grace and humility to accept defeat.   Given, it is not for everyone but is that a good reason to do what you have done.  There are hundreds of us out there being very successful and enjoying what we do.  SuddenValues to my mind, and indeed to all the dealers I know, is one of the most forward thinking and fair companies we have worked with.  In my 45 years of sales, I have never spewed filth about the places where the job just didn't fit me. 

I just could not let this one go.  You are damaging the reputation of my dealership with this ridicuous accusation.  Grow up!! 

SuddenValues corporate does not employ sufficient staff to make good on its promises of two campaigns per month for each participating merchant. Do the math and you'll find that each member of its overworked staff has to churn out something like 100 campaigns a day, which is humanly impossible. The product itself is shoddy ... one that no self-respecting businessperson would want to buy. As a result the sales tactics consist of bait and switch. There is a slick PowerPoint Presentation showing beautiful campaigns. What the merchants actually get are as unprofessional as anything you've ever seen. If this company is even around in two years, it will be a big surprise. They don't give a d**n about their dealers. Just ask the ones who are jumping ship or got thrown overboard last month without notice.

SuddenValues corporate does not employ sufficient staff to make good on its promises of two campaigns per month for each participating merchant. Do the math and you'll find that each member of its overworked staff has to churn out something like 100 campaigns a day, which is humanly impossible. The product itself is shoddy ... one that no self-respecting businessperson would want to buy. As a result the sales tactics consist of bait and switch. There is a slick PowerPoint Presentation showing beautiful campaigns. What the merchants actually get are as unprofessional as anything you've ever seen. If this company is even around in two years, it will be a big surprise. They don't give a d**n about their dealers. Just ask the ones who are jumping ship or got thrown overboard last month without notice.

As with any business venture there are potential roadblocks that can hinder success. Sometimes those roadblocks are external the economy or aggressive competition come to mind. A major plant closure in a city of 100,000 can cause a massive ripple effect across the local business landscape. You can have the best new marketing program available but if the business community is to shell shocked to partner with you, you will struggle and might fail. This situation is not the fault of the parent company. And some roadblocks are internal. When you work in the corporate world you punch a clock and they make significant demands on your time and constantly gauge your performance. When you are self employed, as are the SuddenValues dealers, if you dont go to work, pound pavement to build your customer base and then do those things promised to your clients, you will fail. If you try to take shortcuts, like undercharging for your time and service, you will eventually become frustrated and fail. And when one fails, that person, as a rule, looks around to find someone or something to blame. If you worked hard, charged a fair price for your service and did what you promised, your failure could very well be attributed to the economic or competitive environment or both. But, if you didnt do what was necessary to succeed, then your failure is on you. SuddenValues provides the training and tools necessary to succeed in most cases. The problem that I sense with some dealers is that they look at this business as something they can do on the side. It is not. Because the economy is soft, many will sell their services for a fraction of what is worth and then quit because they are not making the money they think they should. This complaint is obviously not from someone who ever went into business for himself. Most new business start-ups dont make a true profit the first two years. Most, if they lease a shop, can have monthly expenses into the thousands of dollars just to put the key in the door. SuddenValues has one of the lowest start-up costs I have ever seen. And while I am not where I had hope I would be at this point during my first year, I do have some residual income and can see opportunity coming my way due to persistent effort to get past the competition and educate the small business owners during these tough economic times. The writer of this complaint failed because he failed. The onus is on him.