In early 2003 I opened an internet account with Reda Sports out of West Easton, Pennsylvania. After downloading the majority of their products to my website (Otter Creek Outback), I was denied access to their online catalogue. A representative from Reda told me that Blackwater Sports was now building and maintaining the websites that they would be supplying. I was told that I would have to make arrangements through Chuck Anderson of Blackwater Sports in Denver, Colorado.
Chuck told me that there would be a $500.00 yearly charge for building the site and maintaining inventory for Reda Sports on my site. I completed an agreement with Blackwater Sports and made a charge for the fee to our AT&T credit card to: Tri-State MSLB Inc. 845-355-6950.
Our site was built and seemed to mirror the inventory contained in Reda's Catalogue. Despite the fact that the site was getting many visitors, I was not making any sales.in checking the site more closely, I found that when an item was ordered it would show that item to be out of stock. Over 75% of the items that I checked were out of stock and some categories had nothing at all in stock.
On November 12, I sent Chuck an e-mail complaint about stock issues and explained that I needed a commitment for having the site stocked. Chuck responded by saying that he had no control over Reda's inventory, but that he had forwarded my complaint and that Reda had responded by saying that they were working on new inventory.
Another complaint about site deadlines was issued to Blackwater Sports on December 11 to which Chuck replied by saying that my site would be updated the following day and reassured me that my fee ($500.00) would not start until everything was working.
On January 4 I sent an e-mail to Blackwater Sports explaining that I had noticed that the Reda website had changed to Blackwater Sports and that there was a statement to the effect that Reda was no longer involved in the venture (in short Reda Sports had unexpectedly closed their doors). My correspondence was an inquiry as to where all this was going. I received an e-mail reply on the same date explaining that new sites would have to be built and new suppliers signed.
On January 10 a new store was loaded onto my website. I noticed from the start that the site was a template of the Blackwater website, the MVPSports website, SOS Sports website, and the MSBL Sports website. At the beginning I noticed that the prices on all these sites (including mine) were the same. At a later date I noticed that the prices on my site had been increased but that the prices on the other sites had remained the same. Suspecting a violation of anti-trust laws I contacted Blackwater Sports by e-mail on February 8.
In an e-mail reply (February 8) Chuck claimed that he didn't own those sites and never did, but went on to say that they were owned by a man who grew up with the owners of the supplier. I now know that that other man was Steve McCarthy, and that their supplier was Anaconda Sports.
All through February and into March I had made complaints by e-mail and telephone concerning the site. As I recall most had to do with the availability of product.
On April 7 I called Blackwater with another complaint. Chuck put me on hold and did not return to our call. I was not able to contact them by phone again. I would either get a message that no one was available to take the call or I would leave a message that was not returned.
By April 9 I had not been able to access my pages for three days. I could not reach Blackwater Sports by phone so I sent an e-mail to Chuck informing him of that and requesting a reply as to what was going on. I got no reply.
On April 14 I sent another e-mail message to Chuck requesting the return of my $500.00 fee and telling him that I was removing my links to Blackwater Sports and gave the following reasons:
1. The contract originally made was never met.
2. My site was never completed and that we were into another spring without many of the popular sports represented.
3. Every time a new store was promised it was either late or never happened.
4. Since the prices had been changed on my site I could do better affiliating with a different sports outlet.
5. My phone calls and e-mails had not been answered.
6. I had not received one cent from the three sales that I had made from my site.
On January 18 I reached Chuck Anderson at Blackwater Sports 720-941-4987 at Denver, Colorado. He admitted that my site had never been completed and was taken off line. He also told me that he and his partner Steve McCarthy of Tri-State MSBL had split up and that my fee along with any commissions had been paid to Steve's (MSBL) account. He recommended that I call their supplier Anaconda Sports for verification. I called but was not given any information except that Anaconda was no longer a supplier of MSBL or Blackwater. Chuck also recommended that I reverse charges on the credit card which I have done.
Since all my transactions were with Chuck Anderson and Blackwater Sports either over the phone or through the net I feel Chuck has an obligation to return my fee and commissions. If Chuck has a problem with Steve McCarthy or Anaconda he should take it up with them.
In January of this year I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau for the Denver, Colorado area. At the same time I requested that AT&T reverse charges for the $500.00 dollars that I had paid for services by Blackwater Sports.
On February 8, I received a reply From AT&T saying that due to the amount of time that has passed since the charge was billed to your account, we are no longer able to assist you in this matter.
I have not as yet received a reply from the Better Business Bureau serving the Denver area.
Between the agencies that can't do anything (AT&T Universal Card, and apparently the Better Business Bureau serving the Denver, Colorado area), companies that won't do anything including giving me information about who received commissions for the sales that my site had made (Anaconda Sports), and people admitting that I am owed the $500.00 but pointing fingers at others (Chuck Anderson, Blackwater Sports, Denver, Colorado), I am taking the entire loss for services never rendered.
Where are the law enforcement agencies that can take action against this internet fraud?
Thanks and keep up the good work!!!
I applaud usacomplaints.com for giving people an opportunity to expose these deadbeats. It's apparent that it may be the only justice some of us see.
David
Wheeler, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
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