On September 28, I used my life savings (I was a college student at the time) to purchase 10 Royal Vending Machines from Creative Concepts of America, authorized representative of Red Bull Vending North America. The machines had to be authorized by Red Bull because they have the Red Bull logo all over them. And by the way, I was given the Red Bull logo by Creative Concepts of America to use to create stationery to try to secure locations! (I would have to assume that they were given these logos by Red Bull since they were an authorized rep). Since I was sold a "territory" and I still have a machine on location, I will continue to keep this logo to use as I deem necessary in my "protected territory". Anyway, after much distress and waiting, I finally received my machines in December. I was promised the machines by October 15. During the period I was waiting to receive my machines I came upon a machine exactly like the ones I was purchasing in my "protected territory". I immediately called Creative Concepts and was told there was nothing they could do... It was probably purchased on EBAY according to Ron Armstrong, Customer Service Representative who apparently was paid to give lip service to all the disgruntled vendors who had been scammed. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my nightmare. After dealing with several location companies all recommended by Creative Concepts, I soon learned that the placement of my machines would too be a nightmare. Michael Biggs, the sales rep at CCA who sold me my machines, assured me that I would be able to place them at college and universities, warehouses, carwashes, stores, etc. Not only would I be able to place them in such wonderful places, but he also assured me that I would vend at least 27-28 can per day per machine. He also gave me references to call who assured me this would happen - - I'm sure these people were planted by CCA. (By the way, once I sent my money for the machines, I could never get in touch with Mr. Biggs again... He would not return my phone calls or answer his cell phone which he gave to me in case I ever needed him for anything)! After using two location companies who were "highly recommended" by CCA we came to realize that these people were no better than the ones we were dealing with at CCA. And after losing more money, we had to start trying to place the machines ourselves. We called Red Bull North America but would soon learn that all their ties with CCA had been severed... I wonder why??? Red Bull surely realized they had made a big mistake and that alot of people like myself had been bilked out of a whole bunch of money. Of course CCA went bankrupt leaving us with machines with no product and no help from the big boys at Red Bull except an offer to buy back machines at half the cost only if they were in brand new condition. Imagine a company as big and as wealthy as Red Bull North America associating themselves with a company like Creative Concepts of America and allowing these kind of shady business practices to hurt so many people. Red Bull North America needs to step up to the plate and right this terrible wrong.in the meantime, we refuse to sit idle and not let everyone know about this awful injustice. Any media who would like to present the story, feel free to contact me... I think this would be a great story for 60 Minutes... I know of many, many who would love to be interviewed.
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