Harvey Lieberman of Darn Good Sock Repair has ruined my life. I am a disabled paraplegic. I am in financial ruins die to this scoundrel and scam artist Mr. Harvey Lieberman. I will be evicted from my apartment on Monday, April 2, due to the fact that I am completely broke.

My dealings with Mr. Lieberman started in October of 2006. An uncle of mine died and left me a small inheritance of $50,000. Since I am disabled and living on social security, I wanted to purchase a franchise business that I thought would guarantee me a safe and sound financial future. I purchased a copy of Entrepenuer magazine and scanned the various franchises that were available in my price range. It is there that I saw an ad for a franchise called 'Darn Good Sock Repair'. It really interested me because so I called the number and spoke to Mr. Lieberman.

Mr. Lierbernan was very polite, informative and knowledgeable. He explained to me that the sock repair market was wide open, that were no other sock repair franchises or sock repair businesses anywhere. He told me that many people focused on the shoe repair market, and overlooked the sock repair potential. He told me that his market research indicated that the average consumer would pay betwee $20-$25 to repair a hole in their sock. I was impressed with this. I asked him what I could expect to make per year, and he told me that he had to be honest, that I would probably only make 3-5 million dollars the first year, but most likely 10-12 million in subsequent years.

I then asked him how much the franchise would cost and he asked me what I was willing to spend. I told him I would be willing to spend 200K, but I only had 50K. He told me he would see if his boss was willing to be a little flexible since I was going to be their first customer. He came back a few minutes later and told me he had great news. His boss could do 100K, and they could get me financing with their lender at 19.99% for the balance. I was elated.

So, I signed all the papers for the franchise and the financing and received my franchise. My franchise consisted of the following:
-A staple gun that was the sock repair machine. It used ordinary paper staples. Mr. Lieberman explained at my training that this was their patented sock repair method, and that the socks would never have to be repaired again.
-Marketing materials consisted of flyers that they suggested I put on car windshields at the grocery store, mall, etc.

To date, I have not gotten one order. I was only given 50 flyers and ran out quickly. I have printed tens of thousands of additional flyers at my expense and cold called hundreds of people from my local phone book. Still no orders.

I have repeatedly tried to reach Mr Lieberman, but he's nowhere to be found. I can no longer pay the 50K I borrowed and my rent, so I'll be evicted on Monday, and I'll be homeless.

Can someone please give me some advice?

Mike
Lawrence, Massachusetts
U.S.A.