I began working for Southern Warranty, Inc. Dba Auensure Auto Warranty and Mr. Keith Durand in May as a telecommuting sales agent. Later in 2011 I was offered a position by Keith Durand as a sales manager and my duties included hiring, firing, training and monitoring sales agents, writing presentation scripts, handling customer service and negotiating better payment terms for perspective customers. I have worked in the auto warranty industry since 2003 and served as a sales manager and/or supervisor for at least half of those years.
I logged into work on Friday June 15 and received an email stating that we, the employees would not be receiving our payroll for the last pay period, commissions or any payables currently due from Auensure. Mr. Durand blamed his financial partner for the sudden end to company business. I did email Mr. Durand and asked for a detailed explanation of what happened and received a vague response about how hard it was for everyone and that he had just found out about this the previous day, June 14. That was the last communication I received from Keith Durand.
I find in very hard to believe that Keith Durand, the President of Auensure was unaware that his company was financially insolvent only one day prior to payroll and commissions being due. He left me holding the bag for over $1,050.00 in child support that had been withheld from my payroll for the two previous months and current pay period due, but had not paid those funds to North Carolina Social Services as of June 15.
Over the last few months before Auensure closed I began receiving complaints from customers who had cancelled their policies and had not received their refunds, which are due to them under the terms of the warranty/service contract. This was a concern to me and I asked Mr. Durand about it and was assured that everything was okay, the company was financially solvent and all refunds would be processed and paid.
In fact Mr. Durand told me that he wanted to expand business by opening a call center in North Carolina and enlisted my help to find a location and made preparations to hire staff. The complaints continued to grow and customers were not getting their refunds in the normal four to six week period if at all. I remember speaking with several customersthe last month I worked, who had been waiting twelve to sixteen weeks for their refunds and Mr. Durand would not return their phone calls.
I could continue giving details about Southern Warranty, Inc. Dba Auensure Auto Protection, but I wont bore the readers. Keith Durand the President of Southern Warranty, Inc. Dba Auensure Auto Protection, who saw the company bank balance and financials everyday, is claiming that he was unaware and had no foreknowledge that Auensure was insolvent or that his unnamed financial partner was suddenly going to pull their funding with no notice. Thats bovine scatology at its best! The fact is Mr. Durand and Auensure withheld over $1,000.00 in child support from my payroll and used those funds for something else. This is criminal! Additionally I believe he knowingly allowed his employees to continue working with no intent of paying them their wages or commissions.
I have contacted the Florida Department of Labor and was informed that they wont do anything because the business is no longer active. I also contacted the Florida Attorney Generals office and was referred to the Department of Labor. No one is willing to help because this is a minor financial issue and would cost the state more money to prosecute than it would be worth to them.
What Mr. Durand and Auensure have done is take advantage of the system and will most likely walk without any legal repercussions. Dont trust this man or any company he is affiliated with. If you are going to buy an extended warranty and want real financial stability, buy it from your auto manufacturer not a broker or third party company. It's the only way you can be sure.
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