Last year, a telemarketer called me from "US Merchant Services" in Grover Beach, CA asking me to partake in a free rate comparison from "Visa & MC". She told me that I would save lots of money and that her manager would give me the best deal ever!
I was interested in saving money as my store could use any possible savings as I do not earn a lot of money. So, a rep Stefan Worth, came to my store and presented me with a 20% savings and a "free" new terminal. Being in business for over 20 years, I know that nothing is free. Stefan did not let up and kept asking me to sign. I did not trust him and my gut told me he was just a "sales person" and not to do business with someone like him.
He pushed the papers to sign in front of me and continued to promise a savings. So, with much hesitation, I signed under the premise of saving large amounts of money. He left with my information and it was over 2 weeks before his office called me. The secretary (I think her name was Liz) told me that he would be out to give me my free terminal in a few days. He came 2 weeks later and installed the new machine.
A month later I got a deduction on my bank statement saying I owed for a lease. Apparantly, there is a fee for the machine and Stefan did not disclose this to me. I am paying over $3,000.00 for a machine that costs $600 on the internet. I have called him many times only to speak to his assistant.
I called the District Attorney's office and filed a complaint with the police station for fraud. I have also spoken to an attorney regarding the matter. To my dismay, I was shocked to hear that he has lied to other local merchants as well.
We are all getting together to fight him and his deceptive sales tactics. DO NOT let him get away with this! Below are other business he has "sold".
Anacapa Dive Center (They are in Santa Barbara according to the DA)
Hundai of Santa Maria - Santa Maria
Anamations Classic - Morro Bay
Pacific Coast Kitchen - San Luis Obispo
We are all upset and willing to fight this in court. We are powerful in numbers. If you have been misrepresented by him or lied to you must call the District Attorney's office in SLO County and file a police report. These are kept on file and can be used against him in court.
Whatever you do, DO NOT use his company. Oh, I also found out that he is the owner of this company who uses "US Merchant Servcies" as a type of franchise (the corp. Headquarters are in Ventura County). When I called them, they told me that lost of merchants complain about him and told me to go back to my old company! Can you believe this!!! I also called the leasing company he uses and they said that they are investigating his office for fraud!
This gives the term "salesman" a new level of disgust for me! Watch out - Stefan is the worst salesman you will ever meet!
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