Complaint / Review
Continental Gourment Coffee
Took my money and ran

I responded to an ad in the local newspaper for a 'recession-proof' business opportunity as a coffee distributor. I was contacted by a Dan Goodall of 'Continental Gourmet Coffee' who sent me (airborne express) a professional looking folder with brochures, info, and coffee sample.

I was later contacted by Dan via telephone to try and get me to participate. He had an email sent to me with more info: company press release from Jan Dunn & Bradstreet Report, BBB Certificate, list of 4 references (existing distributors), and contracts for their 'gold' and 'platinum' level distributorships.

I was next contacted by Jack McShea from Roosevelt Marketing & Placement, in Oregon. He stated that their company was contracted to help set up my displays in locations approved by Continental Gourmet.

I called each of the references (existing distributors) and left messages for them. I received return calls from 3 of them: Dave Jakovich (Poughkeepsie, NY), Harold Baer (Seattle, WA), Mike Hughes Springfield, Il All 3 had positive experiences with the company.

I wanted to participate at the 'gold' level which cost $24,900 and included 15 coffee displays with enough coffee to stock the displays. The money was due in 2 halves ($12450 each) and was payable through wire transfer only to their bank HSBC.

Dan left the company shortly after the 1st half of the money was received. I was then contacted by Jennifer Kyle who said she was Dana's replacement. I have received the displays and initial order of coffee. I was then contacted by Jack McShea who said we would rollout the displays on July 14. I have been unable to contact anyone since. I visited their office in Denver on July 8 and was told that they had moved in June with no forwarding address.

I have been unable to contact or receive call-backs from any other people whom I spoke to in the past.

I have read a recent BBB warning for this company. DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MONEY!

If anyone else has experience with this company, please report it. We can quickly form a class-action lawsuit and recover our money from this elaborate scam.