Someone had called my store wanted to do an article about my business and some advertising. I'm always open to listening to local businesses. After all, supporting local business is a way to stimulate the economy.
The next day Don Chase came into my store. Walked in like one of those bad 60's photographers that put their hands up like looking through a lens talking about how great pictures my store would make. It should have been a red flag.
He explained how he has been printing a magazine in Montana for many years and showed me past issues. Said they like promoting local businesses, that we need to all stick together. He said they were doing a magazine in idaho falls now and he pulled out the first idaho falls issue with the bank of commerce on the cover. He said they printed thousands of them. I had never seen one but then again, I don't pay too much attention to the magazine racks in breezeways.
He showed me the older magazines and talked about how much people loved the magazine. The magazine was a member of the local chambers (I checked).
I was shown a few page spread and photos and was told that they had professional writers and photographers on staff that would come and interview me and take pictures. I balked when he gave me the cost, and told him I wasn't sure, it was a lot of money to a small business like myself. He stared at me for a few minutes and told me he didn't want to chase other businesses like mine, that there would only be one business like mine in the magazine. Then he dropped the price. It was still high. I told him that was a lot of money. And he asked if I could get a cash advance on a credit card. It should have been a red flag. I should have seen right through it, but I told him no, I could not do that. Then he dropped the price again. And made it too good of a deal to pass up. I had to get some things fixed in the store, but I could put it off for advertising's sake.
He pulled out a contract, and kind of waved over it. Gave it to me and encouraged me to read it. Saying they have always "gotten the magazine out" and I would get a stack of magazines and they would be all over the city. The contract said they they would put out 4 magazines a year, it would be in color unless the printer broke down and would be out within 120 days. He said that people would feel like they knew me. Then he wanted a check up front. I asked why? And he said they had to pay employees, and just like me, he was a small business. I wrote the check and asked him to hold it for a few days. He gave me some form to fill out that asked questions about my business, and I asked him about the writers coming. He said "oh yes, but this will give us a place to start". I had his email, fax, cell and office numbers, so I knew he wasn't trying to hide. I was wrong. It was like he got the check and ran to the bank. My check was cashed immediately, and when I called, no one answered.
He handed me a piece of paper to send back some information, and I sent it back immediately. It said I had 10 days to do it. I never heard from them again. I have sent countless emails, phone calls, faxes, called his cell. Nothing. No professional writer, no photographer. He took me for a sucker. And I suppose i was, but I hope other people don't fall into the same trap. I did some research and found this a few days ago. And wanted to tell my story.
I have also contacted the paper in my area and hope they warn others, and I hope others know what they can do to keep this crook from operating again.
I found their address and phone number. It's like they are hiding. BBB has an f rating for them. I'm not surprised.
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