Complaint Review: Merchants Barter Exchange - Mt. Pocono Pennsylvania
- Merchants Barter Exchange 4 Fork Street Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
- Phone: 973-476-1159
- Web:
- Category: Small Business Services
Merchants Barter Exchange Merchants Barter Exchange bounced Payroll Check, refuse to pay, hostile environment, harrassment Mt. Pocono Pennsylvania
*Consumer Comment: the battel is over i won the war
*General Comment: Let's be objective and precise... MBE is a scam!
*UPDATE Employee: MBE is a great place to be employed
*Author of original report: If you need help
*Consumer Comment: o pleases
*Author of original report: Employees who shill these forums
*UPDATE Employee: Whatever Do You Mean? MBE Rocks!
*Author of original report: Facts are facts my friend
*UPDATE Employee: Let's Get Our Facts Straight
*Consumer Comment: Roo is spot on
*Author of original report: The Truth is in the above statement
*Author of original report: The Truth is in the above statement
*Author of original report: The Truth is in the above statement
*REBUTTAL Individual responds: Anthony Donnelly's Response
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I am a former employee of Merchants Barter Exchange, and say that it was a hostile work environment is an understatement. Threatened daily with termination, cursed at. When it came time to pay me, it was a fight to get my first paycheck, more recently the paycheck bounced, and they refuse to pay. I am only stating the facts (which I have documented proof of). The owner Steve Bolles has sent many harassing text messages to my cell phone accusing me of drugs, insulting my children, etc (again Can be documented). Please be aware of all this in making a determination of taking a sales position there.
I received threats of a lawsuit if I file a wage complaint (which I did), and am currently in talks with an attorney for damages. Please be aware of Steve Bolles and Anthony Donnelly of Merchants Barter Exchange and their managerial approach. If anyone else has had problems getting paid please post your comments here.
Roo
Blakeslee, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 11/04/2008 11:22 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/merchants-barter-exchange/mt-pocono-pennsylvania/merchants-barter-exchange-merchants-barter-exchange-bounced-payroll-check-refuse-to-pay-387879. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#14 Consumer Comment
the battel is over i won the war
AUTHOR: The wife - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, September 29, 2010
roo i have won the war and all my little battles he stated he does not work for them anymore and without anyway to support himself, of corse he states its all my fault and Im glade to accept it. for all the hurt he has caused me and the children for MBE left us to go make millions and wounded up without a penny. threw away the best thing he will ever have. see what happens when your greedy and when something for nothing is presented to anyone be aware. when you try to get over on the world it woes turn its back on you espically when you think you too good for it as ant did

#13 General Comment
Let's be objective and precise... MBE is a scam!
AUTHOR: Scam Patrol - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, September 17, 2010
Whether MBE employees are paid or stiffed matters little at this point. What matters most is that people and prospective victims know that Merchants Barter Exchange is a scam - nothing more than a front for an identity theft ring that has been duping their marks since 2005. Anyone with an ounce of gray matter between their ears only needs to do a Google search on Merchants Barter Exchange and Steve Bolles and add keys words like "investigation", "litigation", "fraud", "Scam", and "FTC", and within a minute you will know more than you ever want to about these predators. Here are some indisputable facts:
1) MBE has never been a member of any trade or barter association like NATE, IRTA, or NABA.
2) Steve Bolles, was arrested, prosecuted, and convicted of franchise fraud in 2006 by the federal government and lost his appeal in 2008. (Tommy Roberts Vs. Merchants Barter Exchange) See this link for details:
http://antifraudintl.org/showthread.php?t=42332
3) Another victim was Jack Niggeman who can be contacted at 610-608-0765 and he can tell you his story personally.
4) More than 29 victims tell their stories of identity theft and franchise fraud all over the internet, and if anyone still wants to shill by proxy for MBE, I suggest you go to scam dotcom and all the online scam reporting sites before you make a bigger fool out of yourself.
We give Steve Bolles and his gang 5 stars for his skill level as a sophisticated con artist who makes great use of bogus press releases, a fancy web site, and the 30 minute "radio talk shows" that are nothing more than scripted advertorials that cost him $30,000 each - a mere fraction of the $200,000 he pockets every week defrauding gullible citizens desperate to make or save a few bucks.
But after reading posts of how Bolles and his sharks troll for victims posing as born-again Christians, I must say that he is equally as repulsive as a pedophile.
Without a permanent office and nothing legally owned in his name, Bolles may be able to evade the law, but mark my words, one of his many victims will track him down and Steve Bolles will finally meet Justice, which is not always found in a court room.
MBE carnage has been piling up since 2005, and I urge all their victims to come forward and expos all the other frauds he may now be operating. In the past, he has been associated with mortgage fraud, insurance frauds, check frauds, and bank fraud. But franchise fraud and identity theft seems to have become their new niche market.
Anyone who doubts this is invited to spend only 15 minutes doing the above Google searches. Prepare to become angry and nauseated friends. What you read will infuriate and frustrate you at the same time.
All we can at this point is warn others with chain emails and fraud alerts to our family and friends. If anyone has a recent photo of Steve Bolles please forward it to us at ScamPatrol@hotmail.com and we will do our part to warn America. We urge everyone to the same as well.

#12 UPDATE Employee
MBE is a great place to be employed
AUTHOR: Auj - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, September 16, 2010
MBE is a wonderful place to work with direct support from corporate. Some people expect to get paid without doing their job. That's not how the world turns. Just look at some of the above grammar. Its fairly obvious to determine what caliber of individual filed this nonsensical report. I am a pleased employee and think anyone who has a strong drive for success would agree that MBE is a fair employer offering a work environment that most people would only dream about. I've previously worked in a B2B sales office for Staples and my experience with MBE has been a godsend after having to deal with such a corrupt sales office.

#11 Author of original report
If you need help
AUTHOR: Roo - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, September 11, 2010
I am not in Canada, I am here in NJ. Also I invite you to go do a google search for Merchants barter exchange scam and you will see new complaints of theft and if they come back to NJ, they will be arrested. If I can help in anyway please let me know

#10 Consumer Comment
o pleases
AUTHOR: The wife - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I must say roo. Anthony has asked me to stop but I really cant. Children are concerned. I have been told that you are some kind of sneeky person who blogs from over the Canadian border lol. and eventhough they blog you. Absolute no one not even Anthony can blog back to me lol They couldent even dream of rebutting me. but Im here and Im staying. I wish there were more sights I could blog about Anthony if you know of some I would be intrested? I fight for my kids. I am the best attack dog and I dare him to take me to court (he would get arrested on the spot) I beg for it and let all the authorities like checking his visa status.
thanks roo Ill keep going

#9 Author of original report
Employees who shill these forums
AUTHOR: Roo - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Believe me if I didn't have the proof of what I stated I wouldn't have written, if it wasn't true wouldn't MBE have tried to come after me for slander? They have not because I have proof of everything I stated, and will continue to do so long as they are in business. If you really want to know the character of Mr. Anthony Donnelly, look up his ex wife and ask her about this man, google his name and you will see posts from Maureen his ex about his failure to pay support for his own child. I can't make this stuff up, just google it for yourself.
I love all the shilling done to try and save face for MBE. People aren't stupid and no matter what you write an educated person will look this stuff and see for themselves. I have no doubt that the owner and his pals are the ones shilling these boards.

#8 UPDATE Employee
Whatever Do You Mean? MBE Rocks!
AUTHOR: Alex - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 01, 2010
I am a current employee of Merchants Barter Exchange, and I am VERY happy here! I am always paid on time (but then, I do actually WORK! lol) and I am treated extremely well. I'm posting this, because this Ripoff Report allowed some sniveler to post something stupid about Merchants Barter Exchange, and I really love the company, and it's simply not true. My advice is to approach them for a job, if they're hiring in your area.

#7 Author of original report
Facts are facts my friend
AUTHOR: Roo - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, December 06, 2009
Facts are facts my friend and i have all the proof of not being paid, I even have text messages from Mr. Bolles himself stating he would not pay me, as a matter of fact he took the money out of his account the paycheck could not clear. As far as Mr. Donnelly goes, well all I have to say is look at the posts from his estranged wife. They are all over compaint boards. Its ok because there are several businesses that are going forward with suits against them for deception and what not. Also I have several statements from people who have dealt with the company and Donnelly and they will swear by te harsh treatment as well as the lies told to them. I have been a successful sales person at every endeavor and have worked on 100% commission and have done well, so believe me when I tell you that working for Merchants Barter Exchange is a sham. You will work not get paid and because its 1099 you cant file a wage complaint, so u will quit and they will hire a bunch of new people. That is how they work and I can back up what I am saying 100% with documented proof. Born again--Yeah right they lie and cheat people like professional con men, dont get suckered in by there ads promising 6 figures and what not

#6 UPDATE Employee
Let's Get Our Facts Straight
AUTHOR: Eric Wood - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, December 01, 2009
I've been working with Merchants Barter for a little over a year, first as a member, and now as a territory "owner". The above people seem to think that all you gotta do is show up to work and you're magically provided a pay check.
Merchants Barter sales force works the same as most major sales type organizations. They pay their sales people well (over 50% commission in most cases), but only when that sales person actually makes a sale.
All sales reps that I hire are told the deal, and actually sign an agreement acknowledging such understanding.
This is a time honored way of doing business, and works for sales reps of most major companies in America. That said, I'd like the original poster to show that they actually produced a sale which was not compensated.
Personally knowing Anthony, I can't see him not paying on a valid sale. I actually know two other employees of his, both of which I would consider friends, and both of which would state quite emphatically that they have been paid each and every single time they made a sale.
As far as contacting Merchants Barter. There have been many times that I have attempted to call and not gotten through, however, in each instance, I've been emailed the answer to my question, or had a return call placed to me if I did not provide enough information in my requests.

#5 Consumer Comment
Roo is spot on
AUTHOR: Eddie - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, April 25, 2009
I dealt with these guys in 2008. They are going around selling a license to use their system and name, but the have no office or support. They are just a shell operating off of cell phones ripping eager investors off. They claimed that the territory I was interested in had never been purchased/occupied, which was a lie. They sell territories to anyone willing to buy knowing that you will fail since there is no support or system to begin with. Try calling the office and see if you get anybody from any of the extensions to answer a call. They post adds on franchise opportunity boards claiming a 6 figure income from a 75k investment, which they will lock you into a contract where you make payments to them for a business that doesn't even exist. They claimed to be operative in mulitple states, but are operative in none, maybe only their hometown New Jersey.

#4 Author of original report
The Truth is in the above statement
AUTHOR: Roo - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I would be more concerned with the fraud committed. I have heard from at least 3 individuals regarding barter scam and Merchants Barter Exchange. These guys are your typical sales company, hire people not pay them, they quit and hire a new batch and repeat the process. It's disgraceful.It doesn't really matter in the end though, we all have to answer for the wrongs that we have done. The rip off report is completely true if anyone wants proof, I have it all documented and saved for just such an occasion, actually not getting paid was a blessing in disguise as it voided the non compete so thanks

#3 Author of original report
The Truth is in the above statement
AUTHOR: Roo - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I would be more concerned with the fraud committed. I have heard from at least 3 individuals regarding barter scam and Merchants Barter Exchange. These guys are your typical sales company, hire people not pay them, they quit and hire a new batch and repeat the process. It's disgraceful.It doesn't really matter in the end though, we all have to answer for the wrongs that we have done. The rip off report is completely true if anyone wants proof, I have it all documented and saved for just such an occasion, actually not getting paid was a blessing in disguise as it voided the non compete so thanks

#2 Author of original report
The Truth is in the above statement
AUTHOR: Roo - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I would be more concerned with the fraud committed. I have heard from at least 3 individuals regarding barter scam and Merchants Barter Exchange. These guys are your typical sales company, hire people not pay them, they quit and hire a new batch and repeat the process. It's disgraceful.It doesn't really matter in the end though, we all have to answer for the wrongs that we have done. The rip off report is completely true if anyone wants proof, I have it all documented and saved for just such an occasion, actually not getting paid was a blessing in disguise as it voided the non compete so thanks

#1 REBUTTAL Individual responds
Anthony Donnelly's Response
AUTHOR: Anthonydonnelly - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, February 04, 2009
As with all things, there are two sides to every story. I have neither the time, nor patience to type a long report negating the above fairytale, however, should anybody reading this wish to know the truth, I am always available.
It is a disgusting fact of the internet that anybody can post anything at any time and not have it questioned or policed. Again, please feel free to contact me, should you wish.
Anthony Donnelly


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