In March I was contacted via e-mail by a company called Shop America network. I was told by the con artist/salesman Bob Kopp, in New Product Development, that he had a great proposal for me.
He said the company he worked for, Shop America Network, was very interested in having my products on their network. He said that with an initial investment of only $13,900 dollars I would have a commercial created for me and have my line of T shirts marketed throughout the United States on their network.
I was told that after the initial airing that if the product did well that I would be used in other commercials and not have to pay any more. Bob said that most commericals sold at least fifty products per airing amounting to over $ 250,000.00 dollars in sales over the proposed three month roll out/trial of my product. We had just gotten our products on the internet. I know that is how they found us. The proposal seemed great and just what I had been looking for to promote my products nation wide.
They had me talk to Jon Diamond who was very convincing and he also gave me a story about what the wonderful sales possiblilites of Shop America could be. He asked me if my company could produce the product for the vast number of sales he expected we would make. We said we could. Bob also said that my commercial would air 70 percent in prime plus one hour. He said he would pray for me that I would get on Shop America.in hindsite that was a very effective touch to the scam. They told us about Tiger Eye Productions who would be creating the commercial and we did do research on them and found many links to very credible companies including PAX TV.
Before sending in my money I checked with the better business burear in Mirimar Florida and found no claims against Shop America Network. I sent in my check on March 28 with the signed contract. I received a listing of stations that I later tried to call and could not reach. I do not know if they even exist. I also tried to get Shop America to give me their phone numbers and they would not do so.
Before going to Florida I was contacted by Lisa M. Jones, Executive Producer for Shop America Network regarding the segment and payment. Her number is 954-237-0156. I went to Florida and shot the commerical on Thursday May 30 at 8:30 A.M. After the taping I also purchased several copies of the tape in different formats amounting to over three hundred dollars.
On Monday, July first I received a fax from Mike Bilello, Manager Client Services, stating that my segment was on the air. He attached an insertion schedule including stations call letters, spot allocation, and days of the week that it would be running. He said affidavits would be sent to verify that these shots had indeed run. I did receive affidavits, but have no way of knowing if they are valid. Mike Bilello's later left the company. Maybe he could not stand the fraud.
Our commerical supposededly aired beginning in June and when we did not receive any orders for two weeks we started to worry.By July we were really worried and kept in touch with Shop America Network.By then I knew I had been scammed, but did not know what to do.By August I was calling the supposed stations and getting no response. Some places I called had not ever heard of the stations. I was, by this time, really feeling stupid and knowing that I had been a victim. At that time I began to start hearing from other victims and to this date have tried to get my money back.
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