Advance Placement Services, Jay T. Baird, Stephen F. Baird, Zach Matthews, "GARRET?" Advance Placement Services C/O Jay T. Baird is a DECEPTIVE COMPANY, BEWARE!!! Chicago Illinois

Advance Placement Services/Jay T. Baird, Zach Matthews, Stephen F. Baird,GARRET?

After buying several vending machines, Advance Placement Services was one of the recommended businesses to use as a locating service by the company I bought 33 machines from. I called around and spoke with each company eventually deciding that Jay T. Baird and his company, Advance Placement Services, would best meet my needs. HUGE mistake. At first, Jay was extremely accommodating, tending to my every question, always taking time to speak with me. I was confident and felt good about where this venture was headed. This was short lived.

They sent me the contract; I signed it and returned it with my check. I was told to wait for the locator, Zach Matthews, to call to confirm arrangements and discuss specifics. Several days later he calls, just as expected, and we discussed the areas around me that I was interested in having my machines placed. The National Children's Cancer Society is the charity we decided to contract, this was covered as well. Mimicking Jay's salesmanship, he verified that he knew exactly what I was looking for in placements and assured me that he could do the job.

The day arrives when the locator, Zach Matthews, is to place the machines. He called around 9 am to verify he was in town and starting to secure locations. During this conversation he asked if I would go with him to secure each location. I declined because I have other responsibilities that prevent me from placing the machines, which is the ENTIRE reason I hired a company to secure the locations for me, because I don't have the time. If I did, I wouldn't have ever hired anybody and simply placed them myself. We agree that I'll meet him at the end of the day and tour the locations he was able to secure.

Around 4:30 he calls ready to meet. Wearing a National Children's Cancer Society t-shirt, he informs me that he has gotten all 33 locations and I was very surprised. He gets in my car and we begin to tour each location. Upon arriving at the first location, I park and get ready to get out when he states that we do not need to go into any of the locations. Some of them are closed as it's now after 5 and since he's the professional hired to do the job, although weird, I assume that this is business as usual and follow his lead. He assures me that he has secured them and written all the contact information on the business cards he collected throughout the day, not to worry if I had any problems, I could call him and after all they were guaranteed locations.

We finished the day viewing each location. He was very personable throughout the tours and did his best to redirect some of my concerns. He had given me 5 additional locations to use in case several didn't work out, I thought this was odd. All of his secured locations were within a two mile radius, which at first seems nice, but if you were to see the locations you would understand why I have a problem with this. Voicing my concern, he assures me it's a good thing.Overwhelmed, I signed the touring sheet and we each went on our way. Another huge mistake.

The following day I prepare my machines and begin placing them. I immediately run into problems and realize why the extra locations were needed. He knew this all along. I call Zach Matthews and can't reach him. To no avail, I called the office to speak with Jay T. Baird or someone who could help. I get Stephen F. Baird instead who won't let me speak with Jay but manages to get Zach Matthews to call me back. He admits to some of his mistakes and says he'll fix it.

A short time later, he calls back having telemarketed 4 additional locations. 3 of the 4 refuse the machine because he lied to the business owners/managers and told them he was with The National Children's Cancer Society, so of course when I try to put the machine in the location, they do not want it. The remaining location was obtained through an employee who did not have permission to make those types of decisions, so after explaining the situation to the manager, he finally decided to let the machine in for a trial run.

In another location, the police had to be called when a machine went missing and the contact information Zach Matthews supplied me with was wrong. Needless to say I still have several machines that aren't placed because businesses refused to allow me to place them in their secured locations.

Both my wife and I tried to get through to Jay T. Baird to explain the situation and attempt a resolution. We were met with Stephen F. Baird, Jay's brother, and GARRET? who were incredibly rude and consistently refused to let either one of us speak to Jay T. Baird after almost daily calls and several direct emails for more than a week. Their behavior was truly unbelievable. I've never dealt with such immature and irresponsible people in my life. They even said that Zach Matthews was putting HIS foot down and did not want to place any more of our machines. Who's running the company? The sub-contractor?!?

They tried to deflect responsibility by stating they weren't held accountable for anything Zach Matthews did. Then turned around and tried to hide behind the sub-contracted employee. Talk about throwing your employees under the bus. He, as well as others, might actually face SERIOUS penalties under law. Stephen F. Baird tried to settle stating that I could use my warranty to replace some of the locations, further voiding out my warranty and closing my account, conveniently allowing their company to escape liability. The original contract was never met. This is not an acceptable solution. Alerted to extremely suspicious behavior from the employees and Jay, I called my lawyer. He began researching Advance Placement Services and Jay T. Baird.

I continued to try to call and resolve this, under my lawyers advice, giving them an opportunity to fulfill the contract. The information extracted on this company and its owner, Jay T. Baird, were so disturbing that I was instructed to call SEVERAL agencies regarding the business practices of this company. When I did, THEY WERE ALREADY AWARE OF HIM!!

In addition, turns out the company who I bought the machines from, who has been recommending Advance Placement Services for over 6 years, was indicted and required by the FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION to pay enormous fines for various charges. You can imagine the FTC's interest in the business connections.

When contacted, they recommended calling the Attorney General's Office and the FBI, among other agencies. This has turned into a nightmare much bigger than I ever imagined, setting off a chain reaction that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I just want my money back!!!

Adamant about not taking responsibility, I sent a certified letter hoping for a response. To no surprise, is has yet to come. After accepting the profound mistake I made, should have done more homework on the company, I'm tired of trying to resolve it myself and am handing it over to my lawyer. In hindsight I see that Jay T. Baird has done this to countless people for many years, given the clearly recorded evidence I have, I was hopeful to try to resolve this without having to go to court. No such luck.

Jay T. Baird and his company Advance Placement Services are deceptive. Be EXTREMELY careful if you decide to hire this company. They have a proven track record of using corrupt business methods.

I have also contacted The National Children's Cancer Society to alert them to the practices conducted by Advance Placement Services and their locator, Zach Matthews. As expected, they were very concerned and today I am awaiting the proper official's call to divulge the appropriate information.

HELP?!
Jason
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
U.S.A.