Complaint / Review
Startup Essentials, A-1 Leasing
Phony startup business rip off

I too have been ripped off by these companies. The initial sales call is coercive and indicates no money to be invested. "You can do anything you want to with our tools, and we'll be there to help." There is no help. Startup essentials representatives deceive consumers into signing up for nothing.

A-1 leasing is the leasing company that works with Startup essentials; however, when you contact either company they indicate that they are not affiliated with one another and that you do have the "option" to take the equipment, it is not required. Not so according to the representatives I spoke with.

Startup essentials representative Michael Harper connected me with a representative of A-1 Leasing to read and sign an electronic lease over the phone and internet. I questioned several portions of the contract while reading it and was informed "just initial and sign where indicated, we'll answer all your questions when we are done". At the end, I tried to go back to my questions and was told thank you, we are finished and they hung up.

Michael Harper was kind enough to provide me with all of his contact information in order to build my confidence in the concept that the company would be there. However, since that day, I have been completely unable to reach the man. No responses from email, or phone calls to any of his numbers.

I contacted A-1 Leasing to return the equipment and cancel the lease. A man named John Hastings informed me that my contract would be cancelled and I would be relieved from my contractual obligations if I returned the equipment. Therefore I returned the equipment, then I started receiving nasty letters from the company. Apparently there is no John Hastings working there and I was mistaken according to the collections department.

I made arrangements to resume payments and have the "equipment" returned to me. My prepaid legal service attempted to help me with this situation, but as the companies are located in different states (TX & MI) they were of little assistance.

Sadly, to avoid damage to my credit, I am still paying monthly for this service that I couldn't use if I had a use for it.By the time I am done I will have paid them several thousand dollars.

I would like my situation to be resolved, but more importantly, I would like other consumers to be aware of the scam that these companies are pulling.