Espresso Italia - Robert Boots - Shadd Vickery Vile Scam Mongers Steal From Employees and Clients ripoff Boynton Beach Florida

Hello just happenned to run into this after such a long time.let's get to the point,i am that nice guy.i fixed customer service and reduced shipping expences for those two guys.it took them a while to realize what i could accomplish.
after what happenned the people fro EGM or something like that,it been a while,the one that bought out espresso italia,recruited me to run the new business but never got of the ground and to this day im owed $11K in salary.
I am the one that has the sources for imports from italy,all friends of mine but never got to do anything with it.i was merely an employee without enough funds to preceed on my own.
Many of the distributors recall h*e much i helped once i took over the customer service dept.i was truly there to help.
sincerely
Jon Baldassari

They started palm beach specialty coffees in west palm beach. You can't block your phone number to get through.

Rick, thank you for detailing the operation. As I have stated in a separate report, we now have to catagorize our specific actions against the company. As an example, I have:

1. filed a report (and referenced this site) to the FTC and the attorney gereral's office of NYS.

2. I have retained a firm with practice licenses in both NY and FL seeking reimbursement and punitive damages, and have filed a complaint with the Fl attorney general's office.

3. I plan to create an abstract for local media outlets (TV and Print) to garner media attention. Rip-off Report will put victims in touch with the media if ROR is contacted.

I ask all of us to refrain from using vulgarities and stick to facts that support your respective cases. The more hard, concrete and objective evidence gathered and reported by you creates the better case. As Rick stated above, the biggest fear that the principals have is our networking, collaboration and contacting our state's attorney general, the Florida Office of Consumer Complaints, the FTC and local media outlets.

Alright boys and girls... Let us first note that while Shaad Vickery, Patrick Albright, key EI management and the so called 'Compliance' officer are all 100% cognizant of the horrific complaints, they have yet to issue a formal statement or address questions; specifically mine which are absolutely key! While many distributors want to give EI the benefit of the doubt, you have to now know you have been ripped off.

Keep in mind, EI has probably grossed well over $10,000,000.00 over the last few years alone and Expresso Express, the company that proceeded EI generated a shitload of money too. They also have added far more than 1000 distributors under both companies.

If this was my company I'd be screaming at anyone who made false allegations and defending the s**t out of my company. They can't do this! I'm sure there attorney could at least make some sort of statement... He can't do this because of the severity of the scam and the now HUGE and QUICKLY GROWING number of people that have come together... Plus... I have a witness list from hell and they know this!

IF A RESPONSE DOES IN FACT POST HERE ON THIS FORUM FROM EI THEN ANSWER MY QUESTIONS [see above report, questions 1-9]


DO NOT feel stupid. Shaad and Patrick are extremely intelligent when it comes to defrauding people. They are also taking every precaution they can to hide money now and they are speaking with their attorney's. I know some of you may be thinking that I shouldn't say this however; it's a fact. They used to have a tremendous amount of real estate in Palm Beach County. According to Bob Ashcroft who was still friends with Peter Prestland, they sold it quick when the first FTC action happened. The only mistake these crooks made [playing devil's advocate]is they continued the scam too long.

As far as all of you who were literally defrauded... again... DO NOT feel stupid! In fact, after most employees or contractor's read their selling script to prospects, even they want to buy a distributorship. Hell, I did! I wanted my own distributorship. It took me approximately nine months to figure out their scam. There were only five people or 'business consultants' when I started. I gave them many ideas, after approximately one month of me starting with them they made me 'office manager' and we then brought it up to 24 people.

The scam is literally that good. Coffee as Shaad would tell me is 'sexy' and the only thing that matters is the 'story' you tell people. I have some of their past selling systems and we used to tell people that with a 40-account distributorship an EI operator should make $240,000.00 a year. The would tell people they overbooked their area and by law, could only take one deposit and you had to act now. They would build fake senses of urgency constantly. We would tell people we had distributors all around the world. We would do a 'take-away' that Shaad said every company does. This was all horseshit but when I came in, Schaad and Patrick won't tell you anything and all you see is Class 'A' office space and a professional business enviornment. Perception is extremely powerful. When I was there the game was this (I know their game has changed in many ways but I want to assist victims to recall):

As soon as a lead comes in from one of their advertisers they write the information down on an EI Lead sheet and it goes to the sales team.

They would then have a'consultant' call a prospect and read this horseshit script that sounds totally professional. At the end of the script, the Consultant would literally read something to the effect of:

'OOPs, oh my god! Mr Doe... I'm so sorry... I hope your not angry with me but I'm looking at my 'reservation' report and it's 24 hours old... I'm so sorry... I just don't know if that area is available... Things change daily here... Hold on... I'm really sorry. Just want to check with the 'territory' manager.

...And thus the game begins... Bob Ashcroft was the Territory Manager then. He would then try to slam you for a $500 deposit to 'hold' your market area. He would tell everyone... Everyone that there was only ONE available area and they were'nt going to put anyone else in that county. He would tell people, I just don't want you to be angry if you call and it's closed out. This was all bullshit but you must understand the psyhcology. The whole game DEPENDED on psychology and keeping up the sense of urgency. They know how to get you truly excited about making money and coffe.

Shaad would put 5 distributors in the same county as fast as he could to make money.

By the way... Just a note... So what happened to all the distributors of Expresso Express???????????????? How's that HUGE network doing you sold toaster box looking, literally s**t equipment to make s**t coffee? I laugh to myself how terribly you guys are because I just can't f**king believe it!

Anyway...

If you gave a deposit good luck getting it back if you didn't "book" to fly in. Shaad told me the retention rate at one time was approximately 50% but had dropped to only about 30%. They used to tell you that they'll refund your deposit and even send an email confirmation letter. You call for it back... "I'll check accounting" -You might here that four or five times and people just give up. Unless they got a nastygram from the bank they had zero intentions of giving you your deposit back. FREE MONEY. That means if they take 100 deposits of $500 they would bring in $50,000.00. Factor in the retention rate and guess what... Another revenue stream. They played the game every way they could. We took in over 37 deposits in one single month in 2001 and they did probably double or triple the business after I quit.

Shaad and Peter Prestland would teach people how to lie... Many people I hired were uncomfortable with this.. But Shaad had a serious way of explaining that it was ok. Plus he looks like the most innocent young man you ever saw but his intelligence is clearly obvious and again, they are just that good.


Then Peter Prestland, at the time would contact you to fly in. Then you hear more bullshit. Peter had a son named -Andrew I think. He was a 'distributor' you could speak to. His story was something linke... Yeah, I'm in college and I've added a bunch of accounts, I'm making money. What you want to hear...

When you would fly in they would close you. You see a first class office, go on the 1 Cent tour and bam! Your in a conference room. "Ready for some Coffee?" -which actually sucks by the way.

They definately violated FTC rules and regs. California especially. Some states protect their citizens more carefully than others and in addition to the FTC. 20/80 rules, cooling off periods, etc. 24 states have additional requirements -filings, bond requirements and registrations- so go to ftc.org and see what they are for you.

Now for the the aftermath...

Firstly, William Foley was the 'Support' Manager when I was there. After you bought he would help you... Right! He and Patrick were kept away from me and the sales reps... Why? Because ALL OF THE PROBLEMS! Patrick handled that side of the business and 'heat' as they called it. I would come in and find Williams desk literally filled with notes and messages from pissed off or truly concerned people... Equipment failures, breaks, Parts, leaks, etc... It was rare though for coffee re-orders.

As far as Patrick... You call in wondering why your not making a dime... Not aquiring accounts, having issues and what happens... They make you feel stupid and push you away or will call you later. The same thing happens like with deposits... You either give up, are made to feel stupid... Either way... They made money on everything... from the coffee, on additional leads, equipment, syrups, b.s. financial expansion program, deposits, etc. etc...

We had a guy forced in so hard that when he gave his cashiers check to Patrick, the same day and only an hour or two later he called and said he didn't want to do the deal. He was in Florida at his hotel. Said he would give patrick $1k but wanted the rest back. I thought all was well and we gave the money back. Two weeks later I called him wondering about this company... They kept all his money and the guy had nothing left. THEN... They screwed all managers and the sales rep. out of the commission.

I could literally go on and on... Just recalling these things makes me want to vomit.

This is one of the most orchestrated, intelligent, premeditated frauds I've ever seen. While I don't know exactly what their game is now I do know this... They're in trouble now! People need to continue taking action in every way and medium they can.

The last couple weeks there I knew I was going to quit but I wanted to continue finding information... When Shaad 'thought' he could trust me and during my very last week there he told me directly... The worst thing that could ever happen is for people to get together or network.

Hopefully the Justice Dept will agree. Shadd, you're a nice guy, but unfortunatley you're a crook or either extremley niave. Robert...reading most of what is said here, you're a complete dickhead. You also aren't half as bad as you think you are.

Espresso: A bunch of fly by night gypsies, and if I were you, I'd be going to church and praying for forgiveness every day for the majority of people you guys have screwed over. How do you sleep at night? Where is your soul?

Look at the money people lost. $40,000? $13,000? $35,000? You people deserve to go down.

I wish to express my appreciation to Mr. Rick Steinberg for his empassioned contribution to the Espresso Italia Scam Saga. Steinberg's description of his own experiences rings a few bells for me: He reports exactly the same pattern of heinous Espresso Italia corporate behavior that I have reported and that was reported by another former employee yesterday.

I am particularly grateful to Mr. Steinberg for this: Steinberg happens to mention a man named Chuck Ferris, who was denied commissions. Now, I have never, to my knowledge, met Mr. Steinberg. But I actually did meet Mr. Ferris once. It turns out we had a short conversation with him while I was visiting an aquaintance. In the course of our talk about telemarketing companies, Mr. Ferris told me about a scamming company that had denied him his commissions. I felt mildly badly for Mr. Ferris, but I confess that I did not give the matter much thought at the time. I now know, thanks to Mr. Steinberg, the identity of the company in question. Hey, boys and girls, it's time to ring that bell: Guess Who? Why it's -- Espresso Italia! What a coincidence: I suppose Mr. Ferris must have had a --- Bad Attitude --- right?

Furthermore Steinberg's description of the company's general atmosphere rings uncomfortably true, as well. For a good taste of the company's attitude since Steinberg's departure, I refer readers to the RipOff "defenses" offered by Robert Boots, whose willful stupidity and commitment to delusion serve gloriously well to incriminate both himself and, much more importantly, the Espresso Italia company management.

If I read Mr. Steinberg's report correctly, he implies that legal action -- in addition to $300,000 fine Espresso Italia was already forced to pay recently -- is currently under way against the company. I am sure that readers and local news outlets would like to hear more about this. Perhaps Mr. Steinberg can shed some light on this matter. I applaud his efforts to date.

Part of me is glad to know we (distributors) are not alone with our dissatisfaction with EI. Part of me is confused as to why the employees have put up with all of this for so long.

I recognize some of the names in Rick Steinberg's rebuttal. Is the William mentioned the same William that worked in shipping? If so, where is he now?

I signed up under Peter Presland. During my dealings with him, I got the impression he was a nice guy. He even related some personal details regarding his son. I trusted Peter. He was one of the big reasons I signed up to be a distributor. As time went on, I began to think Peter was just as much of a con artist as the rest of them. Peter, if you are reading this, what are you? An employee that just happens to work for a bunch of crooks or a crook who works for other crooks?

Also, I'm curious about Jon Baldassari. Jon also seemed to have our (distributors) interests at heart. He told me several times he was frustrated with the sad shape customer service was in. Jon, if you are
reading this, what are you? A crook or a nice guy?

If we could all do this over again, none of us would have been taken by these crooks. We can't do it over again. We can just try to make ends meet until this gets resolved - one way or another.

The responses sent by Robert Boots sound like the typical EI bull we have all come to expect. I for one would like to read Rick's notes and even get an opportunity to speak with Rachel, Valerie, Peter, Peter Presland, and William. Any suggestions as to how to do that?

I am a Espresso Italia Distributor, and I find EI wanting to help their distributors very hard to beleive. I would love to beleive it, I would love to make this thing work, however, I have been lied to so many times.

Just last week Richard Sciaachetano told me there were only 2 distributors in Alaska, replying to me finding one. Well, there are more than that, I have found 4 total. He also said he was unable to respond to the rip off report. Has anyone else been denied this?

Everytime I talked with that man, I get the run around or lies. Why should any of us beleive that you are going to suddenly help us, when not a sole can even be polite or return phone calls.

It is pretty sad when I call and I can always tell when it is your answereing service, because they are at least polite on the phone.
Everyone was extremly polite, until all of my money was received, then the entire attitude changed.

When do you plan to let us know your plan for re-organization, and what you are going to do.

Please let me know who is purchasing coffee. If you want to help distributors are you going to ask us how you can help us.

What kind of company re-organizes, moves offices, and the only way we know is from unhappy empolyees on a ripoff site.

Who is purchasing coffee?
I have personally spoke with over 100 distributors, one of them is selling 8 cases a month, the rest, little or none.

What is up with your phones right now?

Alright Patrick... Firstly, why don't you and Shaad answer the questions I asked your 'compliance' officer? Put it in writing now. Does Shaad stick keep a baseball bat under his desk incase someone comes by who bought one of your bullshit deals. Address the issues and specifically the questions I asked. How many people did you sell Espresso Express?

How's William doing these days. He'll be a great witness too. Rachel, Valerie, Peter, Peter Prestland---> I have so many names of people that worked for you guys who were owed money but were never paid and people who knew flat out that you lied. Peter Prestland told 12 sales reps in one meeting that the sale was a lie. Shaad flipped. Hey, did I hire Cheryl when I was there, name rings a bell? Remember when you and Shaad would lie to every single person on the initial sales script or 'pitch' by telling them there was only ONE area left? --> Then Bob would close them. How is that $500 refund policy where you only give it back if you get a letter or three from the credit card bank? You still doing that? How's the retention rate? Don't you make money on the coffee too? Isn't the financial expansion program just a huge revenue stream for you, seeing how the machines you buy from Comobar for a fraction of the price. Listen... Your assets are being checked and things are happening through legal and a lawful means. I'm only a witness and could care less about the money you owe me... Especially since it came from defrauding people. How's that handicapped gentleman doing you stole from and lied to? Is he selling coffee? Does he have all his equipment? You really put him in a sad state. You bastards are going to hell but listen, answer all the questions about all the poeple doing well. You told me personally it was a scham. Shaad did too. Don't act like there is some corporate reorginization. There are so many very intelligent people you've ripped off. Remember the Internal Affairs investigator from way back -Dallas? You ripped off his wife on a deal! Shoot, know of tons of people that are victims.

Secondly, remember how many times I'd had to fight with you and Shaad to pay contractors that you owed money to? Bounced checks? Remember you told me you always pulled money out of the one account and paid bills in the rears in case you ever were shut down. And if an employee left you'd definately steal their money. Like Chuck Ferris and so many others? Also, spoke to Bob Ashcroft a few times, another senior ex-manager. In fact, after looking through my notes and records, I found all sorts of witnesses. Bob will be great though... he'll fold in two seconds. Wake up player. By the way, went through all my notes when I was there.

I sure do have alot of notes... Think distribution may be in order.

Rick Steinberg,
Ex- Sales Rep.
Ex-Office Manager
Ex-General Manager -1 month -

To Clarify

First allow me to clarify when I filed my initial rebuttal, I indicated that the company had/has intention of honoring it's agreement with the existing distributors, and the information contained in the rebuttal was in fact based on what I knew to be on Thursday of last week. At that time, I was told by someone other than Patrick or Shadd, that they would not be soliciting any more new distributors, I WAS MIS-INFORMED, and my apologies to EIM for posting anything contrary to their intentions.

Jeff, we were all affected by the excising of that department and other administrative staff. However, it is business and not personal; the company has to do what is in the best interest of the company and that is to honor (as Patrick said) it's most valuable asset and that is the existing Distributors. The company is fully aware of it's contracual obligations, and that has to be their first priority. The decision they made did not come easy and impacted all of us. However, I am confident that EI will do the right thing by each and everyone that was an employee or independant contractor.

By the way, I was not a salaried employee. I too worked on a commission base with a draw. In fariness to EI and to further clarify I said I was not given a severance package or check. I did not say that I didn't receive my draw for the previous pay period; as the excising took place in a NEW pay period. Although this may infuriate others, the company only felt it fair, due to the number of hours that was required of my position. Any other renumeration due me is a matter between myself and EI, and shall not be duscussed any further.

Jeff, this is business; and sometimes in business thing happen that we don't necessarily agree with. We are not always going to agree with the way things are handled or done, especially when they impact us as individuals. Keep in mind that everyone has their own perception and ideals. The most important issue right now is not you and I, it isn't about the employees and Contractors, it's about the company doing what it needs to do to help those who really DO NEED the help in getting their business up and running. We did not invest our nest egg, or leverage against our assets to buy in as distributors, so this cannot be about us, it has to be about the company doing what it needs to do for those who bought in. You, the other contractors and myself will carry on, as some already have, to earn a living and we will get over this. So, what ever animosity there is between you, others, the company and I should really cease here on this thread. Leave this to what it initally began as; and that is a forum for the distributor(s). Thank you....

I wish to thank Patrick for confirming the central fact emphasized in both my original RipOff report and the subsquent report by Mr. Robert Boots: Espresso Italia laid off employees and ordered distributors out of its office without paying them money owed.

Mr. Boots -- a salaried employee, apparently, and not a salesperson on commission -- reported last week that Espresso Italia had laid him off without paying monies owed him. This is certainly consistent with every other story I have heard about the company. Based on Patrick's words, however, Mr. Boots and his family can now count on receiving a check from Espresso Italia by, say, the end of the current business week. I am sure we all look forward to a successful resolution of this issue. No, I have not changed my mind about Mr. Boot's management style; but he deserves to be paid the money he is owed. (I hope to see an updated report from Mr. Boots on this web site once Patrick pays him.)

As for Salespeople: Over the course of he last week, a number of Espresso Italia salespeople contacted me. They are unanimous in reporting that, "We were fired, and Espresso Italia didn't pay our commissions. I'll NEVER see that money." Should I hear that this state of affairs has changed, it will be my pleasure to inform RipOff web site readers.

In closing, I want to say that I certainly appreciate Patrick's clarification of my original report. In stating that Espresso Italia had closed its doors, I was referring to the fact that the doors had been closed to employees and salespeople: I have absolutely no doubt that loyal distributors will coninue to receive the unique brand of "attention" and "service" that have come to be associated with the Espresso Italia name.

I wish to thank Patrick for confirming the central fact emphasized in both my original RipOff report and the subsquent report by Mr. Robert Boots: Espresso Italia laid off employees and ordered distributors out of its office without paying them money owed.

Mr. Boots -- a salaried employee, apparently, and not a salesperson on commission -- reported last week that Espresso Italia had laid him off without paying monies owed him. This is certainly consistent with every other story I have heard about the company. Based on Patrick's words, however, Mr. Boots and his family can now count on receiving a check from Espresso Italia by, say, the end of the current business week. I am sure we all look forward to a successful resolution of this issue. No, I have not changed my mind about Mr. Boot's management style; but he deserves to be paid the money he is owed. (I hope to see an updated report from Mr. Boots on this web site once Patrick pays him.)

As for Salespeople: Over the course of he last week, a number of Espresso Italia salespeople contacted me. They are unanimous in reporting that, "We were fired, and Espresso Italia didn't pay our commissions. I'll NEVER see that money." Should I hear that this state of affairs has changed, it will be my pleasure to inform RipOff web site readers.

In closing, I want to say that I certainly appreciate Patrick's clarification of my original report. In stating that Espresso Italia had closed its doors, I was referring to the fact that the doors had been closed to employees and salespeople: I have absolutely no doubt that loyal distributors will coninue to receive the unique brand of "attention" and "service" that have come to be associated with the Espresso Italia name.

I wish to thank Patrick for confirming the central fact emphasized in both my original RipOff report and the subsquent report by Mr. Robert Boots: Espresso Italia laid off employees and ordered distributors out of its office without paying them money owed.

Mr. Boots -- a salaried employee, apparently, and not a salesperson on commission -- reported last week that Espresso Italia had laid him off without paying monies owed him. This is certainly consistent with every other story I have heard about the company. Based on Patrick's words, however, Mr. Boots and his family can now count on receiving a check from Espresso Italia by, say, the end of the current business week. I am sure we all look forward to a successful resolution of this issue. No, I have not changed my mind about Mr. Boot's management style; but he deserves to be paid the money he is owed. (I hope to see an updated report from Mr. Boots on this web site once Patrick pays him.)

As for Salespeople: Over the course of he last week, a number of Espresso Italia salespeople contacted me. They are unanimous in reporting that, "We were fired, and Espresso Italia didn't pay our commissions. I'll NEVER see that money." Should I hear that this state of affairs has changed, it will be my pleasure to inform RipOff web site readers.

In closing, I want to say that I certainly appreciate Patrick's clarification of my original report. In stating that Espresso Italia had closed its doors, I was referring to the fact that the doors had been closed to employees and salespeople: I have absolutely no doubt that loyal distributors will coninue to receive the unique brand of "attention" and "service" that have come to be associated with the Espresso Italia name.

I wish to thank Patrick for confirming the central fact emphasized in both my original RipOff report and the subsquent report by Mr. Robert Boots: Espresso Italia laid off employees and ordered distributors out of its office without paying them money owed.

Mr. Boots -- a salaried employee, apparently, and not a salesperson on commission -- reported last week that Espresso Italia had laid him off without paying monies owed him. This is certainly consistent with every other story I have heard about the company. Based on Patrick's words, however, Mr. Boots and his family can now count on receiving a check from Espresso Italia by, say, the end of the current business week. I am sure we all look forward to a successful resolution of this issue. No, I have not changed my mind about Mr. Boot's management style; but he deserves to be paid the money he is owed. (I hope to see an updated report from Mr. Boots on this web site once Patrick pays him.)

As for Salespeople: Over the course of he last week, a number of Espresso Italia salespeople contacted me. They are unanimous in reporting that, "We were fired, and Espresso Italia didn't pay our commissions. I'll NEVER see that money." Should I hear that this state of affairs has changed, it will be my pleasure to inform RipOff web site readers.

In closing, I want to say that I certainly appreciate Patrick's clarification of my original report. In stating that Espresso Italia had closed its doors, I was referring to the fact that the doors had been closed to employees and salespeople: I have absolutely no doubt that loyal distributors will coninue to receive the unique brand of "attention" and "service" that have come to be associated with the Espresso Italia name.

In NO MANNER, shape, or form has Espresso Italia Marketing CEASED OPERATIONS. We have, however, substantially reduced the scope of our business activity.

We have decided to solicit on a limited and selective basis only for distributors in areas where we have poor or no representation. And, we realized that we truly have to concentrate on our most valuable asset...OUR EXISTING DISTRIBUTORS.

To that end, we decided effective Fri, 18 Feb. to cease the aggresive marketiing of diributor- ships and concentrate on servicing the needs of our network of over 1,000 distributors.

We at Espresso Italia Marketing have worked very hard to establish this network and are deter-mined to try to meet everyone's needs and expecta-tions.

Jeff (of Delray),we are sorry to have had to excise this very large department, but find it necessary in order to continue to provide the needs of our network of distributors. And, as you well know, any funds received were a draw against commisions earned. Any commisions earned in excess of draw will unequivically be paid to whom-ever.

Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Albright, VP / Treas / COO

In NO MANNER, shape, or form has Espresso Italia Marketing CEASED OPERATIONS. We have, however, substantially reduced the scope of our business activity.

We have decided to solicit on a limited and selective basis only for distributors in areas where we have poor or no representation. And, we realized that we truly have to concentrate on our most valuable asset...OUR EXISTING DISTRIBUTORS.

To that end, we decided effective Fri, 18 Feb. to cease the aggresive marketiing of diributor- ships and concentrate on servicing the needs of our network of over 1,000 distributors.

We at Espresso Italia Marketing have worked very hard to establish this network and are deter-mined to try to meet everyone's needs and expecta-tions.

Jeff (of Delray),we are sorry to have had to excise this very large department, but find it necessary in order to continue to provide the needs of our network of distributors. And, as you well know, any funds received were a draw against commisions earned. Any commisions earned in excess of draw will unequivically be paid to whom-ever.

Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Albright, VP / Treas / COO

In NO MANNER, shape, or form has Espresso Italia Marketing CEASED OPERATIONS. We have, however, substantially reduced the scope of our business activity.

We have decided to solicit on a limited and selective basis only for distributors in areas where we have poor or no representation. And, we realized that we truly have to concentrate on our most valuable asset...OUR EXISTING DISTRIBUTORS.

To that end, we decided effective Fri, 18 Feb. to cease the aggresive marketiing of diributor- ships and concentrate on servicing the needs of our network of over 1,000 distributors.

We at Espresso Italia Marketing have worked very hard to establish this network and are deter-mined to try to meet everyone's needs and expecta-tions.

Jeff (of Delray),we are sorry to have had to excise this very large department, but find it necessary in order to continue to provide the needs of our network of distributors. And, as you well know, any funds received were a draw against commisions earned. Any commisions earned in excess of draw will unequivically be paid to whom-ever.

Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Albright, VP / Treas / COO

In NO MANNER, shape, or form has Espresso Italia Marketing CEASED OPERATIONS. We have, however, substantially reduced the scope of our business activity.

We have decided to solicit on a limited and selective basis only for distributors in areas where we have poor or no representation. And, we realized that we truly have to concentrate on our most valuable asset...OUR EXISTING DISTRIBUTORS.

To that end, we decided effective Fri, 18 Feb. to cease the aggresive marketiing of diributor- ships and concentrate on servicing the needs of our network of over 1,000 distributors.

We at Espresso Italia Marketing have worked very hard to establish this network and are deter-mined to try to meet everyone's needs and expecta-tions.

Jeff (of Delray),we are sorry to have had to excise this very large department, but find it necessary in order to continue to provide the needs of our network of distributors. And, as you well know, any funds received were a draw against commisions earned. Any commisions earned in excess of draw will unequivically be paid to whom-ever.

Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Albright, VP / Treas / COO

This response concerns the last two reports filed. Firstly, I will address the compliance officer and allow her to make her case here on this forum. I would first advise you Cheryl that you can be personally held liable but since you are the 'Compliance' Officer, then you know better! To do anything other than tell the truth will result in the negative...

Shaad used to tell me when I worked there that four out of five people preferred our coffee over Starbucks. A week later and two weeks before I quit, I asked who did the study. He told me five employees of EI. So when you say you are the compliance officer let us first qualify that. Please respond in writing only.

1. What experience do you have as a 'compliance' officer and what are your duties?
2. What is your formal working history?
3. What other companies have you held this 'compliance' officer role other than EI?
4. How many distributors recover their investment?
5. How many distributors make over $10,000 a year consistantly? ...Or ever? How many distributors make $5k their first year? Have you ever had a distributor make over $50k in one year? What percent of all distributors are active today as opposed to the HUGE number EI has brought on under Espresso Express and Espresso Italia?
6. How long have you been with the company?
7. How many complaints have you tracked and resolved and can you verify this?
8. How many distributors have you put in the same county as another? How many times have you put one distributor in the same county as another?
9. List the names and numbers of 3 distributors that have made over $40k since EI incorporated.

I've asked for these answers before and met with no results.

Bottom line is this... Patrick Albright personally told me when he 'thought' he could trust me that no one single person could or would ever make over $40k a year. He laughed out loud when I asked the question. You know the deal and trust me... Your day will come through legal and lawful means if you continue to be involved in this very orchestrated fraud. I worked for the company and I know the scam and I KNOW you do to. You should quit now and be a witness. Your only making things worse and trust me on this... You'll be a witness or a suspect down the road. Of course... Since you are the compliance officer you have nothing to hide right? Then answer the above questions in writing now. You know the numbers and you've tracked the compliants right?

My next issue is with Jeff. I will give you the benefit of the doubt however; I personally believe there is an 85%-95% chance that EI is open for business now and this is merely a tactic as the amount of angry VICTIMS continues to grow weekly and will continue to grow. Jeff, if you are a victim then please email me at soleholdings@hotmail.com. Send me your purchase order or let us get to know one another asap. I think Shadd would love nothing other than to encourage poeple to think they are closed. All there advertising is currently up now and trust me... They are open for scamming... Oopps, I mean business!

Jeff, are you an employee of Espresso Italia or an ex-employee of Espresso Italia? Where did you get your information on Espresso Italia? What kind of proof can you provide to certify what you are saying! Why should I or anybody else believe in what you are saying? As far as I am concerned there may be no validity to what you are saying at all. Why would two people get fired or quit for eating at their desk? That is petty of E.I. if they did do that. You left yourself open to a lot of questions.

Jeff,

I know who you are, and quite frankly your spin on what exactly took place does not surprise me. In my dealings with you and your blatant disregard for the policies and procedures of the company, you were less than rational; despite my attempts to work with you during your time of loss and bereavement. You treated your postion as it were a joke, and you yourself blatantly disregarded the policies that were laid forth in not just one meeting but two meetings.

In response to your allegations, first let me say that No one was verbally abused or needlessly attacked. The contractors you had mentioned blatantly violated, and attempted to undermine the policies and procedures that the company had in place, prior to my promotion to Manager and were left un-enforced by the previous manager. No professional corporation I know allows it's contractors to show up when they want and work when they feel like it, and then decide they are going to eat their breakfast, after they arrived late for their shift, and then start spreading contempt amongst other contractors and the company employees when they were reprimanded for doing so. This, especially when the corporation is paying a draw/loan to the individual(s) to render services outlined in the IC Agreement. The draw is not money due, it is not a salary or hourly wage, it is a loan or investment the company makes into the individual. Therefore, the company has every right to expect it's contractors to provide the services and produce to certain standards and conduct. It is a shame when grown adults, who claim to be professionals, don't want to be held to the same standard as everyone else, or be held accountable for their conduct.

As far as monies/commissions owed, the one individual ( who I will not name) was in fact paid the commissions earned, once any outstanding draw was deducted, and the check was in fact mailed. The other had their commissions applied to the outstanding draw and still has an outstanding draw owed to EI (which has now become a mute point). All of this is a matter of confidential record which EI possess.

As far as the characterization that was used in the Compliance Meeting with the Company Attorney... He made that comparison, not I. It certainly was not done or meant to be done in a derogatory sense, only to impart that I (in my compliance duties as a manager), was in fact very strict, and that there is/would be a zero tolerance for anyone who gave or affirmed any "Income Projection" given or asked by a prospective distributor. The attorney actually applauded the strictness I employed in ensuring that we did NOT give income projections, ROI's, or false information misleading the prospective distributor to believe anything outside of what Espresso Italia has/had every intention of doing.

As far as the opportunity and the services to have been rendered to the distributor, everything that was read in the outline/sales presentation, was in fact meant to happen and EI has and still has every intention of doing so. In the restructuring of the locations department and the customer service department any outstanding issues with the existing distributors were and are still going to be addressed, to the best of my knowledge.

And for whatever it is worth, I am no longer employed by EI, and had no prior knowledge of the company closing it's doors (per se). As a matter of fact, I only found out early yesterday afternoon, so imagine MY shock. However, the company still exists, and as of yesterday will not be taking any NEW distributors on board and will be working with only the existing distributors, and trying to help those who have a legitmate desire to make their business work.

In closing, as most mid level managers, I was merely an instrument of the company, and did not have any role in the decision of dismissing the contractors with or without any renumeration or compensation, or who does and who does not receive any commissions that may have been due them, it was however left to me to render the news to the sales force and close up the sales department. If that makes me the Bad guy, then so be it. Just keep in mind, I am also on the outside looking in, wondering what it is I am going to do for an imcome, I sure as hell didn't get a severance package or check.