INVESTIGATION: IPA commitment to 100% customer satisfaction, IPA - International Profit Associates implemented strategic changes to insure clients business success, focusing on finding ways to help small & medium size companies make improvements to both their short-term and longer-term profitability & creating a secure future. Buffalo Grove Illinois

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*UPDATE: Rip-off Report Investigation - International Profit Associates recognized by Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Program as a safe business service - IPA pledges to always resolve any issues, feel safe, confident & secure when doing business with IPA

Rip-off Report Investigation:

Editor's UPDATE: Positive Rating and Recognition has been given to IPA International Profit Associates for its Commitment to Excellence in customer service.

Rip-off Report's investigation of IPA uncovers an ongoing commitment to total client satisfaction. This means that clients can expect the company will always work towards finding a mutually satisfactory resolution to any complaints or concerns, more importantly IPA is concerned with the new growth and success of their clients business and, IPA is listening carefully to what its clients are saying. After all, when becoming creative to make things better, making changes for the benefit of the business sometimes comes hard like any good lesson.

One top executive of the company stated to Rip-off Report, that IPA's corporate philosophy is based on the premise that IPA will advance itself through first advancing its clients. Their process starts by identifying what clients want, then reinforcing and continuing with its work, which ultimately leads to Client Company Life Cycle Management - what clients needs as they grow from start-up to maturity continuing through exit strategy and retirement for the business owner.

Rip-off Report has confirmed that IPA's approach to business includes a total corporate quality assessment. The result of which, leads to continual dedication to quality operations, client and employee relations, and innovation management. Rip-off Report was pleased to learn that the company's past and current approach to business is focused on its pledge to total commitment towards client satisfaction.

It is our opinion that large and small business owners can feel confident in the fact that IPA has worked with thousands of businesses in Canada and the United States. They are a full business development company and innovators in their field and have successfully helped thousands of businesses by providing new and innovative ideas and solutions for almost every type of business imaginable.

IPA recognizes that complaints posted on Rip-off Report (true or not) are issues that need to be addressed and if handled correctly can be valuable learning opportunities. With the feedback generated by Rip-off Report's Investigation IPA has made organizational changes allowing their clients a more streamlined approach to problem resolution and a total overall commitment to customer experience.

In summary, after our investigation, which included discussions with IPA Senior Management, Rip-off Report is convinced that the company has been and is committed to quality delivery of services resulting in total client satisfaction.

Read more about IPA International Profit Associates Commitment to Excellence and Total Consumer Satisfaction and why consumers should feel safe, confident and secure when doing business with a member of Rip-off Report's Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program. ..yes, a long name for a program that does a lot for both consumers and businesses alike.

Read about Rip-off Report Corporate Advocacy Business Remediation & Customer Satisfaction Program,..A program that benefits the consumer, assures them of complete satisfaction and confidence when doing business with a member business. this program works.

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NOW TO THE ORIGINAL REPORT THAT WAS FILED
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International Profit Associates IPA A story to copy to your local paper - A warning to all Small Businesses Buffalo Grove Illinois

Local Trucking Company Taken for ride?

If you don't know what to say to your local paper, here is an example. This guy was not embarrassed to say he made a huge mistate and wanted to get the word out to all the other small businesses.
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Posted at http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=18175

Local Trucking Company Taken for ride?

By Ken Amaro
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- A day at J&J Truck Repair company is busy. The company, in six years, has grown from small to medium size and with that growth comes growing pains.

"We could use some help with our management," says Vice President John Patrick.

A few days ago, Patrick says he received a cold call from a consultant with International Profit Associates. IPA is a Illinois based company that boasts to help small and medium sized businesses.

"I used to be a salesman, so I listened to the guy," says Patrick. According to Patrick, the consultant offered to do an analysis for five hundred dollars. Patrick says he agreed, and shortly after he entered a contract with IPA for consulting services.

"They looked at our account payables and our account receivables." He added, "they told us what they were going to do."

Patrick says then he was hit with a bill for $30,000; $10,000 up front, then$10,000 for the next week, and finally two payments of $5000 each.

"I told him I can't pay that and he told me not to pay my vendors. I told him if I did that I would be out of business," says Patrick.

John Patrick says it created so much pressure for he and his wife Julia that they agreed to pay the consultant five thousand dollars.

"After he left, I took care of Julia (who was very upset) and called the bank and issued a stop payment." says Patrick. Patrick says he issued the stop payment because they did nothing.

Soon after he discovered that IPA was being investigated by the Illinois Attorney General's office.

"I wish I had thrown him out" says Patrick.

Ray Minkus is spokesperson for IPA. He says, "We were contracted for 96 hours of work. But After 34 hours, he (John Patrick) told IPA he was not going to continue."

Minkus says his client gave J&J Truck repair an invoice for only $9,968 not $30,000.

"We were willing to settle with the company...we took $5000 and would collect the rest later," says Minkus. He then added, "Now we have a right to pursue payment."

Patrick says he will most likely be sued by IPA, but he is not paying because they did nothing.

He knows IPA targets small and mid size companies. Patrick offered this advice to all small business owners: Buyer Beware.

As for the Illinois Attorney General's investigation, they told us they have more than one hundred complaints against IPA and they're still investigating them.


Created: 5/3/2004 6:55:41 PM

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Posted at http://wkow.madison.com/News/index.php?ID=9245

Deja Vu: Madison Businessman Fears Another Scam

In 2004, Advance Auto Body's Shawn Bierd complained to state consumer officials about the Illinois-based consultants he hired to boost business at his Madison shop.

Bierd said representatives of International Profit Associates, Inc. of Buffalo Grove billed him thousands after spending less than two days on-site and giving him seven pages of boiler-plate business advice.

Bierd believes IPA's intention all along was to scam him out of money. "They took a look at the size of my business," Bierd said. "They took a look at my revenue and they said, 'This guy's good for thirty grand. Let's take it all.' "

In a legal settlement of more than two dozen consumer complaints against IPA from Wisconsin business people, IPA affirmed to the Wisconsin Department of Justice it would discontinue any collection efforts against Advance Auto and four other companies.

The settlement also called for IPA to "use in its business a brochure entitled Business Analysis Q&A which addresses business survey agreements." The provision of a second brochure was also required of IPA to do business in Wisconsin.

Bierd called 27 News after an IPA account executive visited Advance Auto Body this month and attempted to sign him up for another consulting agreement, despite Bierd's previous, bad experience with the firm.

Bierd said he confronted the salesman about the required provision of the brochures and their explanations of what surveys and consulting should involve.

Bierd told 27 News the salesman pleaded ignorance. "(He said)'I don't know what you're talking about."

Bierd said one of the brochures eventually turned up. "It was buried in the bottom of his briefcase."

IPA spokesman Ray Minkus told 27 News the company's settlement with Wisconsin only requires the provision of these brochures after an agreement is struck between IPA and a Wisconsin customer. But the three page settlement document between the state and IPA does not include that qualification.

IPA attorney Myron Cherry and Assistant Attorney General Cynthia Hirsch, who signed the agreement, did not return phone calls from 27 News.

A spokesman for Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen told 27 News if a business owner believes a term of a settlement agreement has been violated, he should contact the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's consumer division.

Bierd told 27 News he wants to warn other Madison businesses who may receive cold calls from this firm to be careful. "They're very slick," Bierd said. "But they're certainly not living up to their agreement that they have with the Attorney General."

Other businesses who complained about IPA's practices in 2004 were based in cities including Racine, Chetek, Pardeeville, Spooner, Janesville and McFarland.

Business in other states have also complained about the consulting firm's practices.

Minkus said IPA has operated since 1991 and has hundreds of satisfied business customers. Past testimonials to the company have come from former Presidents Bush and Clinton.

Last year, then Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager and Governor Doyle returned campaign contributions to IPA executives after political rivals complained the contributions suggested a cozy relationship between Lautenschlager, Doyle and the firm. Lautenschlager and Doyle said they had been unaware of the contributions.


Updated: February 9, 2007, 9:19 am

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If you need more examples, post here and they will be supplied.

Many of us are scratching our heads as to why John Burgess is not in prison.

Read this from Inc. at http://www.inc.com/soundoff/reader_comment.html?cid=32225&sortBy=desc

Name: undercover ipa catcher
Posted: Tue Jan 16 2007 20:25 EST
Location: ipa hotspot "sunny florida"
Occupation: courthouse junkie

Has anyone found the connection of Nexpath and IPA? Did you know John Burgess was also dragged into a suit involving Nextpath and IPA? This case can be found in Massachusetts District Court. The counts were FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD, oh and FRAUD. There were several plaintiff's, the court ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs. Wow, one more thing to add to Burgess's rap sheet. So let me see, IPA and Nextpath were scamming people to buy their stocks so Burgess and his "buddies" could make campaign contributions to politicians and media to buy protection. Got it!! Stay tuned on this one, these Plaintiffs were awarded some serious cash according to the court documents. I will keep you guys posted on this publicy traded company the FCC was investigating, and so conviently forgot about. Money talks!!!!! Senator Obahma what is happening in Illinois? He never responded to the question, time to start writing him and informing him that his buddy "Hillary" is being supported heavily by IPA. People call Obahma today, every voice will be heard. Better yet, use e-mail and call. This was you will have a record of your call and e-mail. This will be proof that you did your due dilegence, the media loves this stuff.

And......

Read this from Inc. at http://www.inc.com/soundoff/reader_comment.html?cid=32261&sortBy=desc

Name: someone
Posted: Wed Jan 17 2007 12:55 EST
Location: somewhere
Occupation: none

IPA...oh I mean ex-analyst, love your comments. Are you calling the judicial system cry babies? I have the complaint from Nexpath right in front of me, lets see....Several counts here, IPA, John Ladd and Doug McClain, & John Burgess, convicted of Negligence, Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices,Breach of Contract,Conspracy,Common Law Fraud. These counts are only what IPA and Burgess were charged with, not to say there were more counts against their employees.
IPA has a history of conspiracy, fraud, etc., and non-performance, why the hell would anyone hire anyone like this? Oh because they did not know. Heck with all the strong arm sales tactics, unfair contract, and the lies, the crybabies are doing their homework.
Do your homework, read a good book and learn how to become a good person. Again, as stated before lets get some names of satisfied clients. Can't do it, they may find out you guys are a fake and they might get a little upset. On the 3 to 1 return how does a person file a claim of dissatisfaction? I know of several people who completed their projects, you guys never followed up, no calls, nothing. Please advise.

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With the Nexpath verdict of guilty, why isn't John in jail?

Much information is at http://www.inc.com/magazine/20000601/19115.html in case you still think IPA and company are the good guys - NOT!

While we are all waiting for the multi-plaintiff RICO lawsuit to work itself, each of us needs to do our part to STOP this scam and the company.

No sales, no analysis, no consulting, no money, and eventually no IPA - and no more ripped off small businesses.

Doing atonement thru information,

Ex-Employee

Sandy
Somewhere, Nebraska
U.S.A.