Nathan Silvus, Knoxville, Tennessee
$2,550 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Hello,
I am not only the host of this website, I am also a victim of STEVE TODD LANNI. He had a business that sold hot tubs to customers on e-bay called Factory Direct Spas. Back in August I wired him $2,550 for a hot tub which he never delivered. He made numerous empty promises and finally told me in no uncertain terms that he was not going to deliver my hot tub and he was not going to refund my money.
I have tried many different agencies and no one will take any action against him. At least with this website, anyone who Google's him will find out quickly that he is a lying unethical person and cannot be trusted.
I promised STEVE TODD LANNI that I would hound him until the end of time or until he refunds my money. And I meant it.
Gary Potter, Salt Lake
$4,600 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I, like many, purchased a spa from him on ebay, I wired the funds and that is when the I started receiving all of his excuses about no product from Florida, I never did receive the color of hot tub that I requested and he also did not include all the options that I had ordered. The spa was built very sloppy and even my electrician told me what a cheap product it was.
I paid over $4000 for the spa and demanded refund at least 10 times before he finally did send a spa, but was not the spa I ordered. I should return the spa but then I would not have anything. He even promised me that he would pay for shipping after I had waited over 4 months for my spa. Yet I ended up paying over $600 when it arrived.
I did receive a spa but he has yet to fulfill all of his many promises and extras. I have reported him to every law enforcement agency I could. I might add that the only way in which I was able to get him to send a spa out was to tell him that I had the potential to broker approximately 800 additional spas from him. After hearing this, he then slapped together a very cheap and poor quality tub and had it delivered.
I however still fill that I have been defrauded and would gladly return the spa if I thought I could get my money back. I am a former police officer and still have many connections that I have spoke to and would be glad to forward this information to whom ever requests it.
John W. Cooper, Greenwood, SC
$5,000 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I had the misfortune of winning a auction on Ebay for a spa from Factory Direct Spas in late Sept. Steve Todd Lanni, so called owner, of Factory Direct has stolen $5000 from me. I have been in direct contact with him since early December. Every conversation centers around how hurricanes, acrylic shortages and other nonsense has caused his inabilty to produce spas. He is a liar and scam artist who has no intention of producing my spa. I have asked him for a refund and his reply is "I can't do that". He deserves to be behind bars.
Eric Bengson
$3,949 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
On 05/27 I wired Steve Lanni $3,949.00. I bought the spa on ebay. Since then, I have talked to him at least twenty times, and every time he has had a new excuse. From the hurricane to not having pillows for the spa. I am very interested in getting a large group together to prosecute him. Keep me updated on everything.
Melanie True
$4,600 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I also had the misfortune of a winning bid on ebay in August
for a Titanium Elite Spa. Payment in full $4600 was wired to him on September 2 and I have not received my spa or my refund which was requested and it is 6 months later! All I have received is false promises and numerous excuses - hurricanes, acrylic supplier problems, etc.
I have been in contact with another customer (Eric Bauer, Reno,
NV) who actually did receive his spa, however the morning after he filled it, he checked it and it was empty - 500 gallons of water had drained from the spa!
This guy needs to be locked up and I want my money back! Let's
all get it together and git 'er done!
Rodney Tumbleston
$3,995 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I concur with the other posts. I sent him $3995.00 back in August 05. Got the same excuses. I did contact the acrylic manufacturers and they said no shortage. I've filed complaints with FTC, FBI, and the DA in Harris County and will share this site with others who have contacted me. Great idea. Thanks
V. BARTOLOTTA
$3,800 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I too was scammed, $3,800 gone, same excuses everyone has heard. Seems to me like ebay should take some responsibility in the matter. To give some credibility to their site, it would be nice if ebay provided attorneys for this insect. State of Texas officials should do something about this guy before someone really unhappy takes matter into their own hands!
FRAN LOWBRIDGE
? 2250.00 ($3,885) stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
We purchased a Hot Tub from Steve Lanni off Ebay in the UK. We paid by Bank Transfer? 2250.00 including? 600 shipping cost - (he didn't accept Mastercard as a method of payment, otherwise we may have been able to reclaim some of the monies back), this was back in Sept05. We sympathised about the hurricane in Nov05, and was at that thime hopefully of a shipment. I telephoned, emailed, faxed and even managed to get hold of his cell phone number to chase delivery, when I did manage to talk to him, countless promises were made - obviously not fulfilled. The last time we had any communication was at the end of Jan06, when again, he promised to 'shoot me an email' about my shipping date. On 9th March I have sent a Harris County Complaints Form. I have also completed an online FBI, Internet Fraud Form, too.
As we were not covered by making a Bank Transfer/Wire there is
probably no hope that we will ever see our money again, but it really grieves us to think that he can con people this way, and get away with it!
I occasionally search for Steve T Lanni on the internet, and have found a few links concerning deeds to property lot 5, unit 1, Water Ford, $900,000
ERIC BAUR, RENO, NEVADA
$4,844 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I was the successful bidder on ebay of a Titanium Hot Tub.including accessories, I wired $4,844.00 to Steve. The 4-8 week shipping date was only off by an additional 20 weeks. Received a tub that was the wrong color, leaked from every fitting and did not include the accessories I paid for. The threat of legal action did not phase him at all. He promised to assign service tech's to fix the problems. Two different tub companies sent tech's to look at the tub and both refused to work on it for fear of additional problems. He should sell used cars.
HANS SMARIUS
$5,071 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Hi,
In July I purchased via Ebay from a company called Factory Direct Spas a deluxe hot tub for $5071.00.
We have had numerous telephone conversations, each time promising quick and timely delivery of a product which was nearly finished. Finally, in January, I cancelled the order and requested restitution. Mr. Lanni refused and informed me that there are no provisions for late delivery and claimed "force majeure". Then, he hung up on me.
I would very much like to participate in the litigation against Factory Direct Spa for fraud, breach of contract; additionally, a criminal case to the fraudelous conduct of Mr. Lanni should be investigated and hopefully initiated. Additionally, we should request why Ebay would support such behaviour on their website; don't they screen sellers for fraudulous conduct?
Let's keep America clean of such "try-to-get-rich-quick" frauds.
BRIAN STAUDINGER
$3,900 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
We had purchased a hot tub on eday from Steve Lanni for $3900.00 in July and still have not received it. We wired the money and were also made a lot of promises. We were actually going to drive down to Texas to pick up the hot tub and come to find out that it was not finished.
He also gave excuses like the hurricane shut us down, shortages, electrical problems, motors aren't working, etc... We have also tried to contact the BBB of Houston and were told all we can do is keep trying to reach him. We hope Steve is prosecuted to the fullest extent!!!
EDWARD FLAVIN
$2,600 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I thought I got the deal of the century when I won the ebay auction for a Titanium Elite Spa from Factory Direct Spas for $2600 at the end of November. It was supposed to be a Christmas present for my wife. I had been watching their auctions for months and was impressed with all the positive feedback for what seemed to be incredible deals.
On December 2 I wired $2899 for the purchase of the spa and
the ozone unit in order to get the free mood FX light. I anxiously waited the eight weeks and called the first week of February to check on status. Steve told me that they had stopped selling spas on ebay so they could catch up on back orders. He explained about the acrylic shortage during the last months of 2005 and assured me that they were now cranking out the spas. I didn't hear any more and tried to call many times around the beginning of March. About March 2, I finally got hold of Rachel who talked to Steve and told me my spa was "in production". After reading all of the other stories, I guess I will be really surprised if anything shows up. I know a person who is facing jail time for passing bad checks. I certainly think Steve deserves no less.
CHRISTINE UMPLEBY
$4,444 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
We also have been victims of Steve Lanni. We won our hot tub on ebay, gee-thanks ebay. He took us for $4,444.00. We wired our funds to his account directly so that he could start on our hot tub that same day. What an experience. I don't know how ebay is not liable either? Further, why is our fraud investigation taken forever?
We have an open case with the Houston police department, the contact for our fraud case is Sgt. Riehl at 281-584-4760, and have contacted and filed a complaint with the attorney general; Gary Abbott. Steve Lanni is still trying to solicite business. Does anybody live in Houston? Is his address legitiment? 1127 Eldrige pkwy?
NICOLE D'AMBROSIO
$3,520 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Another scammed victim; same exact story as the rest, natural
disasters, acrylic shortages, etc. To shine some light on Rachel, she was the original ebay seller ID for Steve Lanni's ebay account when I paid for the elusive hot tub. If you check seller ID history in ebay, it shows his account has changed names multiple times in the past 4 years, all originating with Rachel Yoder. Unfortunately, I learned to check this long after my money was gone. I would like to participate in any and all legal proceedings against this scam artist.
Total purchase was about $3,520. Paid by Discover. When disputed through Discover, Steve Lanni told Discover he had shipped the spa, which he had not. The Discover dispute has been reopened.
Michel de Breyne
$3,506 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Purchased a spa through eBay in August. After several promises of delivery but always getting delays, I started asking him for a refund in November. He always said he would send me the money but never did. Every time I manage to reach him, he always says it's on the way but he never actually sends it.
Have you looked to see if it's possible to file a class action suit against him?
Steve Anderson
$2,365 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Dear betazulu,
We hope you enjoy your purchase. Your payment has been received for the following item:
Item title: NEW "GOLD ELITE" HOT TUB SPA 58JETS NR!
Web Address:
http://cgi. Ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI. Dll? ViewItem&item=4430073168
Item number: 4430073168
Buyer User ID: betazulu
Seller User ID: factory_direct_spas
Your total: $2,365.00
Thank you very much. Your business is much appreciated.
Vladimir Pieter
$4,788 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Our company (*hotel at Harrachov, Czech Republic, Europe) was win in auction on eBay, and 10/14/06 we was pay $4.788 for The Titanium Elite - Hot Tub with ozone. 10/18/06 was a transaction remarked as payable on eBay.
This is a last contacts to STL:
615-534-0110 line in Houston
888-577-9566 toll free number
713-513-5338 fax
713-589-4462 domestic direct fax
I will write a police form and post it.
Thank you for you work.
Regards,
Vladimir Pieter
John Malouf
$4,100 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
I have also been a victim of Steve Lanni. I was the winning bid on ebay back in June of 05. After the 8 weeks and no delivery I started hounding Steve. I filed a square trade mediation to try and get my money back. This went nowhere. Square trade is a joke with there seal program, they are just there to make ebay money. After contacting the DA in Huston Steve did send me a spa, this is not what I wanted as I had been demanding a refund for 12 weeks. When the spa arrived it was the wrong color. It also did not fit into the custom deck that I had made on Steve's measurements. This has been my worst ebay experience in my life. If Steve is talking, he's lying. I warn anyone to not do business with Steve Lanni.
Sandie James
$3,745 stolen in fraudulent hot tub deal
Add my name to the list of trusting people who expected their titanium hot tub from Steve, after winning the bid on e-bay. I wired him $3745 on 12/19/05 after winning the bid on 12/17/05. Did get 1 call from him to clarify the order (after I called him). He also reported to ebay that I had not paid for the spa. Several emails and no contact from him, and now I find it hard to contact ebay to report this fraud. At least 8 to 10 people have been ripped off by this guy from ebay. Why won't they act to get us our money back? I too will never use ebay again. I have a crime report to fill out and will hope (against hope) that I can get my money back.
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