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Report: #299653

Complaint Review: American Home Fire Safety - Mt. Laurel New Jersey

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  • Reported By: Moorestown New Jersey
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  • American Home Fire Safety 560 Fellowship Road Mt. Laurel, New Jersey U.S.A.

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Several individuals appeared at precisely 1:30pm to be "interviewed" for a position making $23.16 per hour. Prior to attending, one was required to call a number to listen to instructions and to register, as space would be limited and numerous people were expected to show up. The number to call, as listed in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Courier Post on Sunday (January 6, 2008) was 856 866 3838. Thus, I registered.

Needless to say, there was only a small number of people in attendance, 5 to be exact. We were told that that "interview" would take approximately 4 hours. At that moment, I should have left, but curiosity forced me to stay. We were handed applications to fill out while waiting for the "interviewer," Mr. Mitchell R. Landau and each application was review by his assistant, known as "Jason." We were told to put our driver's license # on the application. Therefore, a lot of information on the applicant, little information on the company.

Finally Mr. Landau appeared and started to talk about everything he and his family has ever accomplished. He stated that the company is 25 years old and that he had sold it and recently re-started it after the purchaser "ran it into the ground." He talked about owning property all around the world, etc. He spoke in detail about the multi-million dollar neighborhood he resides in. He spoke about his relationship to a travel agency run by his mother and all the celebrities he knows and makes travel plans for. After a few hours, he spoke about the business at hand.

The job entails taking a training class for two days, amounting to a total of 13 hours, which the "interviewee" must pay $397.50 to attend. All of this money, or minimally $90.00 of it is expected to be paid prior to leaving the "interview." None of the $397.50 is refundable ... and this IS in writing.
Also, one must come to training with a tape recorder. After the training, one is supposed to complete 20, 1-hour training sessions with people the interviewee knows, and an additional 60, 1-hour training sessions with people (families, individuals) supplied by American Home Fire Safety. After completing all 80, "qualified" 1-hour training sessions, and proving that all have been completed (anticipated to take 8 weeks or less), the employee would receive the first monetary dispursement/pay in the amount of $1,852.80, as well as a "refund" of the training fee of $397.50.

Along the way, God was mentioned often as the impetus for the business and the hiring of "good" people. The room was full of good, innocent, sincerely in search of employment or something-to-do individuals. It is certain that at least two people in the room, out of three chosen, were serious about giving this a try, after being there in the "interview" for seven (7) hours. I felt I would have liked to verify some of the information provided at the meeting before giving any of my money to the company ... but the pressure was on to give up at least $90.00 on the spot, or risk not being accepted. Foolishly, I signed some forms and charged $90.00 to my VISA, as the only acceptable methods of payment are VISA, MC, AMEX, Discover, Money Orders, or Cash.

As a person with God in her life, I was awakened in the middle of the night, that night, and told that this was not something to pursue. I immediately did some research and found that much of what was said, was false ... regarding the neighborhood Mr. Landau currently resides in, regarding the different places he states he has resided, Better Business Bureau inquiries, etc. There were other disconnects too. My guard was now way up.

My plan was to appear at the training to try to get resolve on the many questions the research had produced, but a more important situation was making me late. Thus, I called to say I would be late and Mr. Landau, only after I had stated my name, proceeded to tell me how "God had told him I was not going to show up and how he knew he should not have accepted me, etc., etc." He ended stating that the "room was full" and that he "probably wouldn't have space for me anyway!" Mr. Landau was like a totally different person than the supposedely God-fearing one I had met only a few days prior. He went on, basically telling me off, for about three minutes, and before I could say anything else, hung up on me. All I had stated was my name. Amazing!

So, he got $90.00 from me and who knows how many others. Has anyone really successfully completed 80 sessions and received the pay promised and a full return of their training fee? Is this a reasonable request? How many have tried/attempted to fulfill the requirements of his agreement and failed? How many have worked 20, 40, 60, or even 75 hours and not received any pay?

Is this an opportunity or a scam? Only those willing to pay and work long hours for no short-term payoff would know. I would suppose, though, that many have and will lose minimally the $90.00 Training Reservation Deposit.

Duped
Moorestown, New Jersey
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 01/13/2008 02:07 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/american-home-fire-safety/mt-laurel-new-jersey-08054/american-home-fire-protection-mitchell-r-landau-ceo-opportunity-or-scam-all-under-the-299653. 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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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
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9Consumer
0Employee/Owner

#9 Consumer Comment

what a joke

AUTHOR: what a joke - (United States of America)

POSTED: Wednesday, November 03, 2010

correction in it is called First In Residential Education, and Mitch being sick (Nah he was suposely playing poker for 18 hours.

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#8 Consumer Comment

what a joke

AUTHOR: what a joke - (United States of America)

POSTED: Wednesday, November 03, 2010

                 Like everyone else on here I was curious about the fire safety consultant position, the company has a different name now it is called First In Home Education.  It seems the same stuff is still happening I showed up on the night the "tape recording told me too" and was met by Mitch's assistant Jason who told me that there was bad news and Mitch was sick and unable to make the interview.  I showed back up later in the week with one other person and the same chain of events happened, we were first presented with a BBB report to shows us an "A" report, then we watched 2 videos.  Mitch then talked for hours about his possessions, material things and God, he also talked about all these products he has invented for Coke, Pepsi, and other big name companies.  He then did the balckboard this with the 20 then 60 = 80 (no kidding).  At about midninght he took one of us to his office then it was my turn, he continues to tell me he wanted ME and in 3 months he wanted me to head up one of their divisions where I would get a $40,000 dollar car of my choosing and other perks. After some research about the company and Mitch I found that he and Jason signed a petition to take rip off reports off the internet. Mitch stated that he sold the compnay some years ago but found in the petiton in his comments that the company went under Jason also stated the same. 

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#7 UPDATE EX-employee responds

inside information

AUTHOR: Darkprince1751 - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

"Chris's" real name is Jason and he has made so much money for the company that for the past 4 years at least he has been living in Mitch Landau's house and the "ex-employee's" name is Javier and he might or might not have family in California, all I know is that for a person who supposedly lives in California he spents an aweful lot of time in New jersey.

I am a former employee of this so called company. The reason why there aren't any formar employees coming forth is because of the confidentiality contract they make people sign upon agreeing to "work for these people". Because of this I will not say what my position with teh company was, only that I saw first hand and have intimate knowledge of the level these people will stoop to in order to bamboozle good people out of their money.

If any Lawyer can contact me about the "legality" of this so called confidentiality agreement I will be more than happy to divurge everything I know about this company and it's owner and we can even go as far as making a class action lawsuit.

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#6 UPDATE EX-employee responds

To "dupped"

AUTHOR: Jim - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Saturday, June 28, 2008

I was an employee of Fire and Safety from 1985 to 1989 and worked as an entry level rep to District Manager running two offices generating good people along the way to run their own offices. The company is as only good as you are. If you are willing to put in the time and effort to be a success then you will succeed.
You laid your money down, had an appointment to show up at training and still couldn't keep the appointment on time and blamed Mitchell for that? C'mon, "dupped", own up to your own responsibility.
You are probably wondering why I no longer work with the company. I'll tell you. It's because of crybabies like you. I made good friends, lots of money and moved to California from Pennslyvania with Fire and Saftey. Then, when we were in California, people like you (who would not take responsibility for their own failure in character) starting crying to the DA bringing pressure on his re-election chances. So that "wonderful champion of the underdog" made it tough for us to operate in the county. Anywhere else in the U S we were fine. He made it so tough that we had to move back to PA dashing my (and many others with whom I worked) dreams. I have to admit, after that, I was so full of disappointment (not at the company but at people) I couldn't continue. The company stood by me and tried to get me to run two other offices during that time, but I was so so depressed I couldn't operate them correctly.
You want to "blame" someone? Look in the mirror!

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#5 Consumer Comment

Comment for Mr. Chris of AMERICAN HOME FIRE SAFETY of MT. Laurel (SCAM)

AUTHOR: Concerned16 - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Monday, March 31, 2008

Mr. Chris, (If that's your real name) thanks for your rebuttal. Your rebuttal has proven you not only a liar, but also a fraud further fueling speculation that American Home Fire Safety is indeed a SCAM! Are you that dumb to not realize that complaints listed here on Rip-off Report are available for all to see at once?

You state in your rebuttal for "Duped, Moorestown, NJ" in January of 08 that and I quote "As to my identity, my name's Chris I'm a manager trainee moving into my own location shortly. I've been with the company 6 months and have seen nothing out of the ordinary in ALL of my time here, other than it is unlike any other I have witnessed. The unethical and improper nature, you claim Coach Landau had in handling your call, I am inclined to disbelieve."

Now, a YEAR AGO you also posted a rebuttal for "Noemi in Willingboro" in which you stated "I will start by explaining who I am, my name is Chris and I have been with the company 6 months and will be opening my own location shortly. So evidently this opportunity is VERY real" How is that new location going? And why is someone so successful and busy as yourself worried about posts on rip-off report and not Mr. oh wait, "Coach" Landau concerned to post his own rebuttal.

Both posts explain Mr. Coach Landau spending hours talking about his celebrity aquaintances. Why? I'll tell you, because innocent and naive people who hear this will be more trusting of someone other than being himself and seeing the snake he really is. Pursue this legally? Yeah right, another joke. Go for it. What is not a joke is that I am going to personally take this to the proper authorities and file formal complaints.

Your so legit? We'll see how legit you are after I contact every firehouse within a 50 mile radius of you and see how they feel about your scam...I mean services!

Get ready........

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#4 UPDATE Employee

For 'dupped' from Moorestown

AUTHOR: Crypta-knight - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

First off, your letter lacks coherency. You start by stating that there were only 5 people, to a room full of people then it narrowed to 2/3 3 paragraphs later. I refuse to believe that you knew every person in the interview to know whether or not they were good people. Second, you state that the $397.50 fee isn't refundable in the 4th paragraph. Then a few sentences later contradict it by stating that, and I quote as well as a refund' of the training fee of $397.50. As far as the BBB goes, our reports are concerning refunds and exchanges. And even at that, its merely 7 all satisfactory I might add. Ms. Lee-Bilu, where on your letter do you state taking into possession from us: a kidsmart smoke detector and a fire extinguisher totaling over $280? If anything, we were the ones who were duped by you coming in for a job and leaving with over $280 in our equipment. Dollar for dollar, we come out on the losing end your alleged $90 against our $280 we have on paper, witnessed and on camera. At $90, I would be happy to buy that equipment back at that $90 and my company would be more than happy to have that equipment back as there are many people it could go to. We have paperwork IN YOUR WRITING, stating you wanted to trade $ for products if you chose not to pursue the opportunity' to put it loosely. Anyone can make blasphemous charges with little or no fact. Also one would hide their identity or hide behind a screen name to protect them from the facts, i.e. reviewing your track record with us and things written in your own words at the time of your interview. As you stated in your letter if you are indeed a person of GOD, then you would have already returned the products that you left here with and we would been more than happy to refund that $90 after their return. Many of our consultants would disagreethis is indeed an opportunity. Consultants have been paid $400 on merely teaching 2 lessons, somemuch more. As to my identity, my name's Chris I'm a manager trainee moving into my own location shortly. I've been with the company 6 months and have seen nothing out of the ordinary in ALL of my time here, other than it is unlike any other I have witnessed. The unethical and improper nature, you claim Coach Landau had in handling your call, I am inclined to disbelieve. I've spoken to Coach personally at many congested and inopportune times and he has handled my contacting of him with nothing more than class and common respect. I am also present during a large degree of his calls from/with new consultants and never have seen any behavior or handling any less than professional. On your letter you stated in regards to the 80 lessons, that 60 of them are supplied by the company. It's funny that you mention that, as I asked Jason' in my first two weeks if there were any supplied resources. We allow you to use our lead & referral program, that is what generates the 60 people and others as well. Nowhere in the training is supplying anything more than fire equipment discussed. Coach's babble' as you put it, is the education about the company and its owner. Information you say there was very little of in your letter. I would also like to state, I have been to this imaginary million-dollar complex and have shared in the hallucination of Coach's material possessions, as I have seen a good degree of them and they are indeed real. May I recommend coming in to another interview and actively listen to what is said this time around. I would also advise you to remove this report as we are going to pursue this legally, if not.

Thanks and enjoy,

Chris

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#3 UPDATE Employee

For 'dupped' from Moorestown

AUTHOR: Crypta-knight - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

First off, your letter lacks coherency. You start by stating that there were only 5 people, to a room full of people then it narrowed to 2/3 3 paragraphs later. I refuse to believe that you knew every person in the interview to know whether or not they were good people. Second, you state that the $397.50 fee isn't refundable in the 4th paragraph. Then a few sentences later contradict it by stating that, and I quote as well as a refund' of the training fee of $397.50. As far as the BBB goes, our reports are concerning refunds and exchanges. And even at that, its merely 7 all satisfactory I might add. Ms. Lee-Bilu, where on your letter do you state taking into possession from us: a kidsmart smoke detector and a fire extinguisher totaling over $280? If anything, we were the ones who were duped by you coming in for a job and leaving with over $280 in our equipment. Dollar for dollar, we come out on the losing end your alleged $90 against our $280 we have on paper, witnessed and on camera. At $90, I would be happy to buy that equipment back at that $90 and my company would be more than happy to have that equipment back as there are many people it could go to. We have paperwork IN YOUR WRITING, stating you wanted to trade $ for products if you chose not to pursue the opportunity' to put it loosely. Anyone can make blasphemous charges with little or no fact. Also one would hide their identity or hide behind a screen name to protect them from the facts, i.e. reviewing your track record with us and things written in your own words at the time of your interview. As you stated in your letter if you are indeed a person of GOD, then you would have already returned the products that you left here with and we would been more than happy to refund that $90 after their return. Many of our consultants would disagreethis is indeed an opportunity. Consultants have been paid $400 on merely teaching 2 lessons, somemuch more. As to my identity, my name's Chris I'm a manager trainee moving into my own location shortly. I've been with the company 6 months and have seen nothing out of the ordinary in ALL of my time here, other than it is unlike any other I have witnessed. The unethical and improper nature, you claim Coach Landau had in handling your call, I am inclined to disbelieve. I've spoken to Coach personally at many congested and inopportune times and he has handled my contacting of him with nothing more than class and common respect. I am also present during a large degree of his calls from/with new consultants and never have seen any behavior or handling any less than professional. On your letter you stated in regards to the 80 lessons, that 60 of them are supplied by the company. It's funny that you mention that, as I asked Jason' in my first two weeks if there were any supplied resources. We allow you to use our lead & referral program, that is what generates the 60 people and others as well. Nowhere in the training is supplying anything more than fire equipment discussed. Coach's babble' as you put it, is the education about the company and its owner. Information you say there was very little of in your letter. I would also like to state, I have been to this imaginary million-dollar complex and have shared in the hallucination of Coach's material possessions, as I have seen a good degree of them and they are indeed real. May I recommend coming in to another interview and actively listen to what is said this time around. I would also advise you to remove this report as we are going to pursue this legally, if not.

Thanks and enjoy,

Chris

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#2 UPDATE Employee

For 'dupped' from Moorestown

AUTHOR: Crypta-knight - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

First off, your letter lacks coherency. You start by stating that there were only 5 people, to a room full of people then it narrowed to 2/3 3 paragraphs later. I refuse to believe that you knew every person in the interview to know whether or not they were good people. Second, you state that the $397.50 fee isn't refundable in the 4th paragraph. Then a few sentences later contradict it by stating that, and I quote as well as a refund' of the training fee of $397.50. As far as the BBB goes, our reports are concerning refunds and exchanges. And even at that, its merely 7 all satisfactory I might add. Ms. Lee-Bilu, where on your letter do you state taking into possession from us: a kidsmart smoke detector and a fire extinguisher totaling over $280? If anything, we were the ones who were duped by you coming in for a job and leaving with over $280 in our equipment. Dollar for dollar, we come out on the losing end your alleged $90 against our $280 we have on paper, witnessed and on camera. At $90, I would be happy to buy that equipment back at that $90 and my company would be more than happy to have that equipment back as there are many people it could go to. We have paperwork IN YOUR WRITING, stating you wanted to trade $ for products if you chose not to pursue the opportunity' to put it loosely. Anyone can make blasphemous charges with little or no fact. Also one would hide their identity or hide behind a screen name to protect them from the facts, i.e. reviewing your track record with us and things written in your own words at the time of your interview. As you stated in your letter if you are indeed a person of GOD, then you would have already returned the products that you left here with and we would been more than happy to refund that $90 after their return. Many of our consultants would disagreethis is indeed an opportunity. Consultants have been paid $400 on merely teaching 2 lessons, somemuch more. As to my identity, my name's Chris I'm a manager trainee moving into my own location shortly. I've been with the company 6 months and have seen nothing out of the ordinary in ALL of my time here, other than it is unlike any other I have witnessed. The unethical and improper nature, you claim Coach Landau had in handling your call, I am inclined to disbelieve. I've spoken to Coach personally at many congested and inopportune times and he has handled my contacting of him with nothing more than class and common respect. I am also present during a large degree of his calls from/with new consultants and never have seen any behavior or handling any less than professional. On your letter you stated in regards to the 80 lessons, that 60 of them are supplied by the company. It's funny that you mention that, as I asked Jason' in my first two weeks if there were any supplied resources. We allow you to use our lead & referral program, that is what generates the 60 people and others as well. Nowhere in the training is supplying anything more than fire equipment discussed. Coach's babble' as you put it, is the education about the company and its owner. Information you say there was very little of in your letter. I would also like to state, I have been to this imaginary million-dollar complex and have shared in the hallucination of Coach's material possessions, as I have seen a good degree of them and they are indeed real. May I recommend coming in to another interview and actively listen to what is said this time around. I would also advise you to remove this report as we are going to pursue this legally, if not.

Thanks and enjoy,

Chris

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#1 UPDATE Employee

For 'dupped' from Moorestown

AUTHOR: Crypta-knight - (U.S.A.)

POSTED: Wednesday, March 26, 2008

First off, your letter lacks coherency. You start by stating that there were only 5 people, to a room full of people then it narrowed to 2/3 3 paragraphs later. I refuse to believe that you knew every person in the interview to know whether or not they were good people. Second, you state that the $397.50 fee isn't refundable in the 4th paragraph. Then a few sentences later contradict it by stating that, and I quote as well as a refund' of the training fee of $397.50. As far as the BBB goes, our reports are concerning refunds and exchanges. And even at that, its merely 7 all satisfactory I might add. Ms. Lee-Bilu, where on your letter do you state taking into possession from us: a kidsmart smoke detector and a fire extinguisher totaling over $280? If anything, we were the ones who were duped by you coming in for a job and leaving with over $280 in our equipment. Dollar for dollar, we come out on the losing end your alleged $90 against our $280 we have on paper, witnessed and on camera. At $90, I would be happy to buy that equipment back at that $90 and my company would be more than happy to have that equipment back as there are many people it could go to. We have paperwork IN YOUR WRITING, stating you wanted to trade $ for products if you chose not to pursue the opportunity' to put it loosely. Anyone can make blasphemous charges with little or no fact. Also one would hide their identity or hide behind a screen name to protect them from the facts, i.e. reviewing your track record with us and things written in your own words at the time of your interview. As you stated in your letter if you are indeed a person of GOD, then you would have already returned the products that you left here with and we would been more than happy to refund that $90 after their return. Many of our consultants would disagreethis is indeed an opportunity. Consultants have been paid $400 on merely teaching 2 lessons, somemuch more. As to my identity, my name's Chris I'm a manager trainee moving into my own location shortly. I've been with the company 6 months and have seen nothing out of the ordinary in ALL of my time here, other than it is unlike any other I have witnessed. The unethical and improper nature, you claim Coach Landau had in handling your call, I am inclined to disbelieve. I've spoken to Coach personally at many congested and inopportune times and he has handled my contacting of him with nothing more than class and common respect. I am also present during a large degree of his calls from/with new consultants and never have seen any behavior or handling any less than professional. On your letter you stated in regards to the 80 lessons, that 60 of them are supplied by the company. It's funny that you mention that, as I asked Jason' in my first two weeks if there were any supplied resources. We allow you to use our lead & referral program, that is what generates the 60 people and others as well. Nowhere in the training is supplying anything more than fire equipment discussed. Coach's babble' as you put it, is the education about the company and its owner. Information you say there was very little of in your letter. I would also like to state, I have been to this imaginary million-dollar complex and have shared in the hallucination of Coach's material possessions, as I have seen a good degree of them and they are indeed real. May I recommend coming in to another interview and actively listen to what is said this time around. I would also advise you to remove this report as we are going to pursue this legally, if not.

Thanks and enjoy,

Chris

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