American Entertainment Distributors ripoff misrepresentation of estimated income lack of locatioin support lack of timely delivery Hollywood Florida

Yes, I was taken to the cleaners like so many others. To the tune of $34,500. I paid for my machine in advance with a wire transfer on 6/4/2004.

This was a very well thought out scam by these people. An internet presence, with referrals from online franchise sites, (not their fault). Lots of promo materials with legit address and phone numbers. I even had a friend drive by and see the space to ensure it was not someone running this out of their house. Everything was made to look very much legal and straight forward, with offers to fly me down to see machine, references given to call, which now it seems were part of the scam, and quality flyers, forms and paperwork to match up with everything that I was told. I did my research long and hard before making the decision, even meeting with business experts to get their opinion.

However, a bell should have gone off in my head when I found typos in the paperwork. Real companies would have found this before sending the stuff out.
I received a welcome aboard package about a week after wiring the money, which contained all of the necessary info and forms to get going. I sent in my wish lists for location preferences, and did not receive calls from my "locator". After calling him and discussing possible locations, everything seemed to be going fine. Then I looked at the installation checklist for the Riello, Italian machine, (I wanted the American machine originally, but agreed to the Italian), and noticed that it needed two phone lines, not one, a laptop computer and a flash drive to transfer trailers. Not told of any of this, great! More expense!

I then proceeded with the process of getting the company set up and legal, of course, more expense.
Fortunately, I had not gotten to the expense of merchant services, i.e. setting up to take charge cards, or purchasing of product. The only expense I was told about ahead of purchase was the account for the product and one phone line. I realize that a merchant account is needed to run a business. OK fine.

I received a letter, dated July 22nd, from their so called legal department, stating that there was a delay in shipping the product from Italy. Due to an August 5th shut down for a week for Italian holidays, the planned shipping dates had been pushed back, and they wanted me to sign a waiver form releasing AED from refunds due to untimely delivery. I did not sign it.

I called them and they refused to give my money back because the contract wording, etc., etc. But they said I would have the machine by the end of September.
Now past the end of September and I am in the same boat as all.

So far, I have read everyone's comments and contacts, and I appreciate it. It's unfortunate that the site cannot publish the other info that we need. To that end I will TRY and put up a personal site with all the info gathered. No promises, but will let you know.
I want my money back! Let's get these ___________! (insert word)

Regards,

William
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
U.S.A.