American Entertainment Distributors rip-off! Hollywood Florida

First off, we are all in this boat together. No need to be calling people names, or getting pissy with each other. It's also true that we may not see much of our money. From what the Receiver from the FTC told me, she said that when someone is doing this at this extent, they usualy know how to hide any assets. That is why the FTC filed a court injunction to seize AED IMEDIATELY.

By law they are required at least a 24 hour notice to the company being seized so they can prepare. This was soooooo bad that the FTC filed an immediate injunction with the courts to seize any and all assets and freeze bank accounts.

Now, to Stacy, this board service takes out any email addresses put up by you or me. I'm going to try something here and see if it works, if not, we'll try to figure something else out hopefully. Here we go: DBLane at cox dot net.

I doubt very much that FTC or Mr. Walds office is going to tell anyone that kind of information. I suggest to call Mr. Walds office and hear it from the horse's mouth.

Stephen

I don't know who you think you are talking to. I didn't post ANYTHING on here that I wasn't told directly from Debbie. So don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. Obviously, I know more about what is transpiring than you do at this point.

You need to grow up and face reality. It doesn't matter if there are 2 millionaires on the list of defendants. AED knew they were commiting fraud and therefore will HIDE things such as MONEY, ASSETS, etc.

Please don't respond to this. I have neither the time Nor want to get into an argument with you over this.

I don't know where Jennifer from Illinois gets her information, but neither FTC nor Wald's office have released any information on AED assets.

If you don't know and confirm your facts Jennifer then shut the F*** up! This doesn't help. I happen to know that there are at least two millionaires on that list of defendants.

Stacy, We bought a machine and it was finally installed at the end of March'04 after 3 months of waiting. It was at the installation that we were told we needed a laptop etc. Our Italian machine constantly broke until permanent failure at the beginning of August. We had a few weeks where it seemed like it might work and go well but then...again it broke. They wouldn't refund of course but finally admitted it was done for and were waiting for us to give a go ahead for a replacement to be delivered. (It probably never would have come based on what I've read!) They sent someone to our site to take our machine without our knowledge or permission.
(Civil Theft as our lawyer calls it.) The techs were all very nice but yes they had caller ID , it was easy to tell they avoided our calls as well. What a joke that work place must have been with all of us calling constantly! I hope it drove them nuts while it lasted! Our machine cost 29,900. I feel for those of you who paid 40G but trust me we have over 40G in it with movies that were new releases(full price) that were old as well when we could get them in the machine. I wonder if anyone at Ingram entertainment knew of this bomb waiting to go off like Brett from Bankcard. Is there a chat room anywhere or somewhere where dialogue is going on about this? I see a Dateline report in our future!

The FTC and the US Postal Inspectors have been to federal court againast AED. What surprizes me is that during that time, since the FTC or Postal Insprectors have the records of all the distributors that were ripped off, that none have been contacted to give their statements. I
beleive that because of the serious charges against AED and our financial investment that we ought to have been at least notified of what the government is planning to do and how it is going to affect us. AED not contacting their distrubutors during the past four weeks is a clear indication to me that they do not care about us and that they were being scammed.

The FTC and the US Postal Inspectors have been to federal court againast AED. What surprizes me is that during that time, since the FTC or Postal Insprectors have the records of all the distributors that were ripped off, that none have been contacted to give their statements. I
beleive that because of the serious charges against AED and our financial investment that we ought to have been at least notified of what the government is planning to do and how it is going to affect us. AED not contacting their distrubutors during the past four weeks is a clear indication to me that they do not care about us and that they were being scammed.

The FTC and the US Postal Inspectors have been to federal court againast AED. What surprizes me is that during that time, since the FTC or Postal Insprectors have the records of all the distributors that were ripped off, that none have been contacted to give their statements. I
beleive that because of the serious charges against AED and our financial investment that we ought to have been at least notified of what the government is planning to do and how it is going to affect us. AED not contacting their distrubutors during the past four weeks is a clear indication to me that they do not care about us and that they were being scammed.

The FTC and the US Postal Inspectors have been to federal court againast AED. What surprizes me is that during that time, since the FTC or Postal Insprectors have the records of all the distributors that were ripped off, that none have been contacted to give their statements. I
beleive that because of the serious charges against AED and our financial investment that we ought to have been at least notified of what the government is planning to do and how it is going to affect us. AED not contacting their distrubutors during the past four weeks is a clear indication to me that they do not care about us and that they were being scammed.

My husband & I were one of the fortunate ones to actually receive a machine. But it was not without a tremendous amount of stress, demanding, threatening and acceptance of the Italian Riello machine. We were promised in our "purchase order" that our machine would be delivered in 45 days. They then "lost" our original "purchase order" and said we would have to sign another one. They Fed X'd it to us and I noticed on the back that it now stated "60 days". We refused and sent them a copy of the one they had returned signed with a route ID number assigned. We were given 5 or 6 different delivery dates. We were told that the American machine would take longer because of a shipping issue, improper packaging!We received our machine 4 months later. We had been purchasing DVD's for months based on the different dates we were given. We actually had an installer, not great, was here for two days, he showed up when he wanted to, took long lunches, took many phone calls from other techs and actually spent only about 5 hours with us. Fortunately for us, my husband is a computer tech by trade and actually set the machine up, installed and took care of IC Verify, the merchant account and everything. When we initially sent in our location "wish list" which was not even reviewed, they just pushed on and told us we found you an apartment complex that is excited about getting your machine and had contacted their marketing guy and sent them a contract with 10% of our earnings. We were told originally by our salesman, Eddie Gregorian, that we would be negotiating our own contract with whatever location "we" decided on. Our machine is up and running, but hardly paying for itself.

The gentleman that was our "locator" was supposedly fired because I think he told us things that he wasn't supposed to. Every time I called, which was at least twice a day for months, I was always given to someone different. After about a month of me hounding and calling, they started hanging up on me after a few rings, as if they had caller ID. When we did actually speak with someone, it was one lie after another. We would be told that someone else would get back with us and we were never contacted. My husband started calling from his office and we also used our cell phones, they had to talk to us or would put us on permanent hold. I would be very interested in an e-mail correspondence from David in Oklahoma City. I would be very interested in knowing who actually has machines, who doesn't, whose machines work and whose don't, we may be able to band together and figure something out with the one tech guy that seems to be interested in helping out. I agree with everyone but Ken, and I am terribly sorry for him and everyone who is still waiting, holding on to unfortunately....what? Nothing? I hope not! AED president McArthur and all salesmen of AED should be held responsible and be held liable and anyone else that can be proven to know what was going on. I truly believe if we had not threatened to bring our attorney into it and not taken the Riello machine, and become so obnoxious, that we would be in the same boat as many of you.

Update:



K, got a call from the office of Mr. Wald, the guy who is acting receiver for the FTC. I talked to his assistant. She told me that the FTC went into AED once it got it's federal injunction and forced everyone, employees and all, outside the building while they did a raid on them. 40 gun carrying agents went into the building and seized everything. They also changed all the locks on the building so no one could get back in. There were no tip offs and they (AED) had no time to file for bankruptcy or anything else. They said there is no way AED will be allowed to re-open, and then file bankruptcy. They also told me that all assets are to be sold off and then dispersed, along with any money that was seized in their accounts to all of us who have not received a machine. I don't know about those who received their machines. She also told me she is adding me to her email list so that I can receive updates. Hopefully we will get most of your investment back, but I wouldn't expect all of it. These people were advertising probably more than 10 times a day on the cable networks.

I spoke with Debbie from the FTC yesterday evening. Some of you may already know this but thought I would share anyways.



The FTC apparently cannot locate much in the way of assets. Of course, they are still looking for any and all accounts that they can find. But as she explained, if you're going to defraud people you already know how to hide things.



Also, should any machines come in that customers have been waiting for, they are now the property of the US gov. until this thing is settled. So I suppose I should call my customer and let her know not to expect anything anytime soon, if ever. By the way, my location is an apt complex. NOT the Naval base that we was promised by Alan Mogavera.



My fiancee and I wanted to back out of this awhile ago but according to the "contract" it wasn't possible unless they didn't deliver a machine within 60 working days. If you would like to contact us, you can write us at kjenentinc at aol dot com.



We're going to be married in less than a month. This whole mess is sickening. He has lost his life savings, I've lost part of an inheritance. While I know my money came from my father, it's extremely upsetting to know that what he left me is now gone with nothing to show in return.



This so called "company" has really hurt a lot of people. I feel terribly for everyone scammed by AED, Alan Mogavera, Lloyd Dobson, James MacArthur and even Brett at Bank Card USA who also proclaimed AED vendors were raking in thousands of dollars/month and that we were making a wise decision. What a joke.



Debbie also stated that we should not expect to get anything back fromt his whole deal. Thats how I'm looking at it right now anyways. Should we EVER receive part of our "investment" back, I will consider it a blessing. Of course, that could take years....

I spoke with Debbie from the FTC yesterday evening. Some of you may already know this but thought I would share anyways.



The FTC apparently cannot locate much in the way of assets. Of course, they are still looking for any and all accounts that they can find. But as she explained, if you're going to defraud people you already know how to hide things.



Also, should any machines come in that customers have been waiting for, they are now the property of the US gov. until this thing is settled. So I suppose I should call my customer and let her know not to expect anything anytime soon, if ever. By the way, my location is an apt complex. NOT the Naval base that we was promised by Alan Mogavera.



My fiancee and I wanted to back out of this awhile ago but according to the "contract" it wasn't possible unless they didn't deliver a machine within 60 working days. If you would like to contact us, you can write us at kjenentinc at aol dot com.



We're going to be married in less than a month. This whole mess is sickening. He has lost his life savings, I've lost part of an inheritance. While I know my money came from my father, it's extremely upsetting to know that what he left me is now gone with nothing to show in return.



This so called "company" has really hurt a lot of people. I feel terribly for everyone scammed by AED, Alan Mogavera, Lloyd Dobson, James MacArthur and even Brett at Bank Card USA who also proclaimed AED vendors were raking in thousands of dollars/month and that we were making a wise decision. What a joke.



Debbie also stated that we should not expect to get anything back fromt his whole deal. Thats how I'm looking at it right now anyways. Should we EVER receive part of our "investment" back, I will consider it a blessing. Of course, that could take years....

I am one of the fools who wanted to do something for myself besides 8 - 5 every day for some one else. This whole situation is a shame. My son is a junior in high school with aspirations for college. It will be very difficult to send him now. I filed a complaint with the FTC on October 8. I called today and the person I talked to said she had no information at all on the AED case? Acted as if it didn't exist? I also filed a complaint with the BBB of southeast FL. "A fool and his money is soon parted!" I guess it is time to find that 2nd job. Pay off my debt by working 2 jobs because some people will take advantage of other people who want to better themselves. I hope they all wind up in jail but most of all I hope we get a least some of our money back! Hey, does anyone need a $2400 lap top? Does any one know if this whole mess can be written off on taxes?

We were store #7 and purchased in Dec. 2003. We found our own location and never got the machine in place until the end of March 04. It constantly broke down and techs came several times to try to repair. We were promised a replacement (would not give a refund and we really didn't want it because we could tell that the machine was junk.) Aed sent someone to our location and took our broken down machine without our knowledge or permission. We got a lawyer who was working on the case when we realized the company was shut down. He's going to check a bit further but with little hope. I'd be happy to give names and details to anyone that would like to prosecute any of the employees. They all had to know money was being taken for junk and let it go on!I think we are all screwed!

We were store #7 and purchased in Dec. 2003. We found our own location and never got the machine in place until the end of March 04. It constantly broke down and techs came several times to try to repair. We were promised a replacement (would not give a refund and we really didn't want it because we could tell that the machine was junk.) Aed sent someone to our location and took our broken down machine without our knowledge or permission. We got a lawyer who was working on the case when we realized the company was shut down. He's going to check a bit further but with little hope. I'd be happy to give names and details to anyone that would like to prosecute any of the employees. They all had to know money was being taken for junk and let it go on!I think we are all screwed!

We were store #7 and purchased in Dec. 2003. We found our own location and never got the machine in place until the end of March 04. It constantly broke down and techs came several times to try to repair. We were promised a replacement (would not give a refund and we really didn't want it because we could tell that the machine was junk.) Aed sent someone to our location and took our broken down machine without our knowledge or permission. We got a lawyer who was working on the case when we realized the company was shut down. He's going to check a bit further but with little hope. I'd be happy to give names and details to anyone that would like to prosecute any of the employees. They all had to know money was being taken for junk and let it go on!I think we are all screwed!

We were store #7 and purchased in Dec. 2003. We found our own location and never got the machine in place until the end of March 04. It constantly broke down and techs came several times to try to repair. We were promised a replacement (would not give a refund and we really didn't want it because we could tell that the machine was junk.) Aed sent someone to our location and took our broken down machine without our knowledge or permission. We got a lawyer who was working on the case when we realized the company was shut down. He's going to check a bit further but with little hope. I'd be happy to give names and details to anyone that would like to prosecute any of the employees. They all had to know money was being taken for junk and let it go on!I think we are all screwed!

I don't know how many of you have filed reports with the FTC yet, but If you haven't please do so. I called the paralegal who is handleing this case and her assistant Michael Morah called me back. He informed me that this is a large scale scam. It involved 5 companies all tied in together by certain individuals. He also said he does not know if we will get our money back, part of our money, or how long this investigation will take. There are more people who did not get their machines than those who did. He also couldn't tell me if the people that AED used as references, who, by the way were being paid by AED to say good things about their business, were going to be prosecuted as well. I think they should be. They were misleading the public as well. He also said not only is there an FTC investigation, but believes there is also a seperate criminal investigation. He also told me it wouldn't do any good, for now, to hire lawyers. The case is tied up with the FTC right now, and there is no reason to spend more money than you have already. Now, please don't submit a rebuttal to tell me that I was talking to an employee of AED because he said a lawyer isn't necessary right now.

I am in the same shape, waiting for my delivery. Any ideas on where to turn now?

On Thursday 9/30/04, in the afternoon, approx. thiry US Postal Inspection Police and the FTC raided AED headquarters in Hollywood Fl. They brought with them moving vans and confiscated everything in the offices.



The US Postel Inspectors have criminal charges against AED for mail fraud and phone fraud. The FTC has civil charges against AED for the same reasons.



On 10/8/04 they were suppose to have a hearing in the Federal Court in Miami, Fl but some defendants didn't have properly legal representation. The court hearing was rescheduled for 10/13/04.



They are trying to decide if they have valid cause to shut down AED or if AED will reopen?

If they shut down AED then all the assets that were confiscated might go back to some of the distributors - it is up to the courts to decide.

I myself bought two machine - one was placed by AED in a great location but it isn't working, I desperately need tech support to get it up and running. The second machine, just like the rest of you I might me out $40,000.

Pleasepost any info below if you hear anything - so everyone will know.

This is an update for those of you looking for support for your Box Office Express machines. In my original report, I stated that a UTS rep contacted me and told me of the shut-down that we all are now experiencing. He told me he was thinking of starting his own company to do support work.



NOTICE - NOTICE - This person slipped by our monitors. Prime example as to why Rip-off Report does not allow consumers to post personal info. .. Inside information tells us this person who posted here was fired from the company American Entertainment Distributors because of complaints by their customers and now consumers have complained that this person does not do the right job for the victims of American Entertainment Distributors after sneaking his phone number past Rip-off Report monitors.



CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.

Ken, I'm worried because like you, I can't afford to through $40K down the toilet. What I know right now is that AED has my $40K and I have nothing!!! It might be a little differentl if I had the machine at least, but I haven't received it. I hope this wasn't a scam from the beginning, but if it was, these people should go to jail and we all should do everything to make that happen and to get as much of our money back as possible. If anyone has some new information to share, please do so below.

Ken, have you NOT been reading all these threads? The manufacturers (Reillo and V & L) have NOT been shipping these machines to AED for several months because of the complaints on AED from people like us. That means that AED is STILL taking anyone's money who sends it to them.

They are crooks. They may have started legitimately, but when faced with all the problems of the machines, they couldnt deal with it.



If they KNEW about the problems, they should have STOPPED promoting themselves, gave refunds, and then sought out a new manufacturer for their machines. The fact is, many people who purchased these machines are still waiting. Some of them since last April.



These complaints are not just because of a bad machine. These complaints are based on lies AED told us; not living up to contractural promises, lack of support for those who have machines, continuing to take our money, and they couldn't handle the service issues. God knows what else they have done. This didn't happen because of lemmon machines. THEY WERE ALL LEMMONS IF THAT WERE TRUE. If it were that, they would have done a recall of the machine, and fixed the problems they were having. They should have given refunds for those who wanted them, as long as you haven't already received your machine, but that wasn't being done. They absolutely REFUSED to refund our money. What does that tell you? A legitimate company would offer a refund. Don't fool yourself Ken. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. They have you fooled Ken and they are fooling you again. Most of those guys were nice, until you began to threaten them. Heck, Neal Isanuk was my representative. He sold me the machine. He was nice as he could be. CROOK. David Freid. Nice GUY! CROOK. Anyone who worked for that company were probably crooks, except for a handfull of the installers possibly. I'm starting to believe that even some of them were bad. Why would they leave after only an hour of showing the machine. I was told by OZ that these guys usualy spent two days setting up the machine depending on the installer. Oh, OZ, CROOK. They are all crooks. Don't even think for a minute that they were nice guys who were dealt a bad hand with these machines. They knew exactly what they were doing. Heck, if the FTC had not stepped in when they did, I would be willing to bet the owners were planning on shutting down their offices in a matter of months, not telling their employees, locking up their doors, and living in the Cayman Islands somewhere on our money.

I do not know how you delt with Lloyd Babatunde, as for myself, Lloyd called me on several ocassions, somethimes leaving messages on my voice mail applogision for bothering me, and my machine hasen't arrived yet, and truthfully i tell you these things no bull #J$t ok, i've got 40 grand tied up in all of this and i'm going to look out for my interestest as well. Additionally as for Lloyd is concerened he got me a great location, very nice appartment complex. every one there is great. allready in process of getting phone lines in and geting ready for the end of this month and all this $%$# started.



I'v also got something very important to say so look toward the head lines cause very shortly I'm filling a report and "EVERYBODY REALLY NEEDS TO READ THIS ABOUT AED". I and not saying this didn't happen to you, I don't know, I do know for myself that what lloyd did for me worked out great and all of you should realise that AED was just starting up, don't blaim AED for the faults of the machaine because of them. YOU ever think that AED could be a very real and valid company that got some mach. for everybody, and just like you get a lemmon from a car dealership that doesn't mean the dealship is bad. things people make in life arn't perfect. i have other things to say as well. Be looking for it. you all need to stop panicking over this. most of you are calling in the statements about forming a law suit to this and lets all get together and find out whats going on. WELL WHY THE H(( FILE A LAW SUITE WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHATS GOING ON. WHAT IF AED WOULD HAVE LIVED UP TO ALL THE THINGS YOU WERE PROMISSED. WHAT IF THEY HAD ONLY GOT THE QUALITY OF MACH. THEY WERE SUSPOSE TO GET AND EVERY THING WENT PERFECT. WELL LIFE'S NOT PERFECT AT ALL. JUST BECAUSE THE MACH AED RECEIVED WERE BAD DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE. WHAT IF AED GOT SO MANY BAD MACH FROM A COMPANY THAT "PROMISSED THEM EXECLENT TECH. IN THESE MACH." AND THE DEALERSHIP GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF BAD PRODUCTS THAT THEY JUST WERN'T PREPAIRED FOR BEING BAD AND IT ALL OVERWHELMED THE. THERE ONLY HUMAN. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THER BAD. WHEN I PUT THIS UP YOU ALL NEED TO BE SURE TO READ IT. ALL THIS PAIRINOIN. IT WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING. I'M A CONSTRUCTION WORKER. I RUN HEAVY EQUP. FOR 11.00 AND DA$ HOUR. IN DUST, FILTH, MUDE AND MORE MUCK THAN ANYOF YOU HAVE SEEN IN YOUR LIFE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOOSE 40 *(^*^*&))&*^%*&^))()& DOLLARS AT ALL. IT WILL RUIN ME. I COULDN'T GET THAT SAVINGS BACK WORKING 80 HOUR SHIFTS FOR THE NEXT 8-10 YEARS AND IM 41 ##$# YEARS OLD. ALL THIS IS OVER A BUNCH OF MISSGUIDED ACTIONS WHEN NOBODY KNOWS NOTHING AT ALL,. YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO WHAT IM SAYING OR EVERYONES GOING TO GET @@$$ ON. LOOK FOR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. BE UP SOON.

I purchased my machine from AED on June 3, 2004. I actually flew out there and visted there office. I met with Casear the sales person who sold the machine to me. A tech showed me how the machine work and software capabilities of the machine. I had problems finding a location initially. My location locators name is Lloyd Dobson and he was a nice guy however he never called me I always had to call him. He got me a location at a Gym and the owner of the Gym told me he knew nothing about this and said he did not want a Dvd rental machine in his gym. So I found a location on my own. Set up the merchant account got the Ic verify software from Brett who works with BankCards USA who is not returning my calls also. In August I recieved from the mail from AED that there would be a delay with the shipment of the machines. I did not sign the waiver. But I did not ask for my money back. They said they would have my machine shipped to me by August 29. So I hurried and got everything I needed done for when the machine arrives. No machine ever arrived. The hurricanes invaded Florida which did not help my cause.

The customer service representative who works with Universal Tech Support told me that I should recieve my machine on the week of Sept 27 now. His name is Ousler Darbouze. The last time I spoke with someone was Oz who spoke with me through email. I am convinced that he got laid off on Wednesday Sept 29 or Tuesday Sept 28. Because everytime I called UTS after that date they would just say he is with a customer or they would patch me through to his voice mail. I spoke with Ed Fawlor and he told me that my machine would be in a central holding location somewhere in Southern California. He said it would arrive on Oct 1. I asked him what company would be shipping my machine He told me North American Van Lines. When I asked him for a tracking # he said he did not have that information now.



I dont know what to believe did they really ship my machine or where they lying to me. How would I go about trying to find out if they really shipped my machine.

I also want to ask if someone can email me the report that the FTC has against AED.



I dont know what to believe now

Actualy the website www.aed1.com has been down for quite some time. The new address as of June was www.aed1.us. It was working up until the FTC shut down AED. You will no longer find that address working either.

Guy,



Any idea how I can contact those techs that can support my machine?