I was contacted to be interviewed for a "Treasures of Minneapolis" book. I should have trusted my instincts, but the promise of exposure for my business led be to loose over $500. I called regularly to check on production and delivery and was consistently reassured everything was great and the book was being "shipped soon".
I did receive a print out of the picture and partnering article about my business. A few months ago I received a generic post card that I almost threw out which said the cost of printing was too high and that I could choose to appear on the website instead of in the book. I called for clarification to the local writer and Morgan and Chase and was once again reassured all was well. To make a long painful story longer, below is the e-mail I received from the local writer informing me that Morgan and Chase was going out of busisness, I had been ripped off. (I have noticed that since the supposed financial difficulties, Morgan and Chase have unveiled a new web-site)
Message sent to me about Morgan and Chase:
"It is with a heavy heart that I sit down to compose this email. I do believe this is one of the toughest things I have had to do in my career life. I just found out yesterday from the owner of Morgan & Chase
Publishing that they have closed their doors. The owner called me in tears and said that they financially can no longer operate.investors have personally lost tons of money due the the economy and, as we all know, banks are not easily lending money right now. A business that
does stories about small businesses (who themselves are struggling to make it right now) and sees books in this economy is not a risk they are willing to take on. Therefore, they had to liquidate. The owner is
heartbroken.
This business did well for several years, and had 39
coffee table books published.in addition, there were about a half dozen in various stages of the printing process, some very close to shipping.
He told me that I did not have to do anything since I was simply an independent contractor who was contracted to interview and write, that the attorneys would
be sending out a letter to everyone and if there is any money left after the attorneys figure out everything, they would try to refund what deposits they could. I don't know any of the process. However, I feel
personally attached to every one of you that I sat down with and interviewed for your story. You put your trust in me and in the company and I feel that you need to hear this from the person you sat with, rather rather than just a letter from an attorney. Please know that no
one planned on this happening.
As you can see from the books on Amazon and the Treasuresof website, the company was acting in good faith, as was I. I know from previous books publishing and the publishing business that books sometimes take quite a bit longer than anticipated so none of us expected any scheduled books not to come out.in fact,
Community Treasures was very close to finally shipping.
When I selected
you to interview I was excited to be doing a good thing for your company. The owner believes so much in small businesses and put his heart and soul into this business. How I wish I could have known that
this would happen! As I am sure the owner does, too. They meant to honor you and do a nice thing for you, as did I.
Many of you are personal friends and/or business contacts I have either made from previous career positions or through personal business dealings by my husband and/or myself. I am so very, very sorry that
this did not turn out.
I know "I am sorry" does not get your money back. All I can say is, I feel your pain plus mine. I also an owed money, a large sum of it. I know the company did not rip me off. They treated me very well for the two years I worked for them. They are just one of many victims of this unsettled economy and I am afraid we will be seeing many more businesses fail in the upcoming months. I hope that is not true, but signs do not look good. This hurts me in the heart emotionally and I am very scared
about our financial standing.
I now am forced to find a new career in this economy and I am the major bread winner between my husband and I,
as he is legally blind. He works full time and I am so very, very proud of him but the majority of bills are paid by me and after facing a major illness a few years ago we were just getting back on our feet. I know
that noes not matter in regard to you losing your deposit, but I want you to know that I empathize.
I was going to personally call each of you and after making several calls yesterday I know I could not possibly take the time to call over 400 people (some of you were to be in Community Treasures of Minnesota
which was getting ready to ship soon and some of you were to be in the Twin Cities Treasures that I was currently working on) so I will email to everyone I have an email for. I need to spend my time updating my
resume and find a position where I can bring in income and hold on to our home.
Please forgive me. I know I did nothing wrong, but I feel like 400 friends have been hurt and disappointed. It is never easy for a company to close it's doors and this the first time I have been involved in a
situation like this. It is so very, very hard. I am embarrassed, hurt, scared... All the things I shouldn't be because it is not my fault, but I still feel those emotions. I wonder if my eyes will ever stop hurting
from all the crying I am doing.
If you know of anyone who needs someone with over 18 years of sales/marketing experience, 2 years of interviewing and writing, and 8 year of large apartment property management experience will you please
call me with the contact name? I have excelled in both of those fields and the sooner I get back in the work force the sooner I can support your businesses again! I believe in independent businesses and I believe in you. If you don't see for awhile it is because I am getting
back on my feet. As soon as i can, many of you will see me return as your customer. I hope I will still be welcome.
Please don't call me with any questions regarding what is going to happen, or for contact numbers because I have none. I have shared all that I know with you and the attorneys are supposed to be sending out letters. I did not own this company nor was I am employee. I did not
have the ability to cash your checks had I even wanted to nor did I make any of their business decisions, other than who would be in the book. I simply wanted to personally let you know what hastranspired.
Now I am left with money owed because of their business having to close and no employment to make money! I know you will be disappointed and angry. I ask for your empathy, too, in not calling me in anger as I try to get
back on myfeet. We have all been hurt from this and I wrote this as a courtesy because I wanted to "face" you in some way to let you know I did not take this impersonally. However, calling me in anger will not
solve the issue or get any of us money. Please treat me respectfully as I am treating you.
In addition, because of my 18 years of sales in the
area, I know many, many people. I will surely try to refer people to your various businesses as needs and desires for services or items come up in conversation. I always have tried to do that anyway.
Thanks for your time and your understanding."
I will gladly share any names and information I have to help bring about some fair resolution to this disaster.
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