View Full Version : Consumer Affairs Reported on Me...
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 01:30 AM
So it would seem, that you all or at least one of you have targeted me now by contacting Consumer Affairs in Tennessee where I reside. I'm not remotely amused by this. And really that action was uncalled for, cause I was at the end of this month after my Birthday was going to close down my sites and refund the customers money. Not because of anything you all are doing but because I am making no money with the sites, especially since there are now around 300 sites out there and the competition is to much. So as some know, I have deviated from my matrix sites, and am now I am offering my banner making as a way of making money, as well as 2 other non-matrix sites I have that I am promoting. Also, when I refund my customers I will refund 105% of the money they paid. As a way of saying sorry for the site closing early and for their inconvenience. Of course now it will look to the suspicious people here that I am doing this because of the consumer affairs letter I received, but it is not. This plan was already in the works. Of course by refunding my customers money, I will go into debt somewhat, but that is my choice to do. Also as somewhat proof that I was giving up my matrix sites, I haven't updated them in awhile and most people on the Voting sites will attest that I have not been promoting my sites. This was because of my plans to end it early. So now that I am closing my sites, and taking a hit to my wallet since I will be paying back more than I have (obviously because I did have cyclers), now I have to fight the State of Tennessee over being fined....Then somehow I have to find a way of making payments on my Mothers home in Georgia, since she can not make the payments herself. But I know nobody really cares here anyways, and I always take responsibility for my actions...
Also just because I am closing my sites, in no way means that I won't still stop by here and discuss with you all why I believe that a Matrix site is different than a Pyramid or Ponzi Scheme. I have enjoyed most of the debates and some of the heated discussions........
Also I would report who it was that visits this site or is a member of this site that reported me to Consumer Affairs but out of respect I will not do so.........unless he comes forward and says so...
Matrix-Support
August 8th, 2003, 01:37 AM
Sorry to hear that. What did Consumer Affairs tell you and why are they after you? Matrix sites are not illegal.:confused:
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 01:49 AM
They told me that under Tennessee law, Pyramid Schemes are illegal, and that it was brought to their attention by a concerned citizen from California who is in a lawsuit right now with others over Matrix/Pyramid schemes. That I will be charged with a misdemeaner, and there are different types, depending on the amount of money taken in.
Matrix-Support
August 8th, 2003, 01:53 AM
We can all guess who it was..:mad: :(
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 01:55 AM
It seems that this comes at a very pivotal time, and it is pity that you will have to undergo grief outside of the present problem with the house. It is a shame because if you would have had the opportunity to close earlier then this may not have happened. Perhaps if you hadn't even opened at all and stuck to the banner business then you would not even be here in the first place.
I feel for your situation. But here is my opinion.. tcb, we warned you way ahead of time about the liability of a matrix site. We told you to stop running those matrix sites, and we gave you reasons why. Now, you have a government organization on your back, and worse yet, the different offices tend to talk about things like this if they have similar reports. Once the legal momentum picks up from the lawsuits and the various amounts of reports that have been filed by several people in the several states, it will be even worse for the site owners. Why? Because they are running a scam, and I don't care who runs the best one. If you have payments to make on mom's house, then invest your time in something legitimate. You should not have been placing those payments at risk by depending on such a legal liability. Expecially since you had an opportunity to read the lawsuit's detail on the problems associated with these sites. Now, your banner design idea is a good business. However, if you are leaving matrix land because of "too many sites", then you may face the same problem with the banner-site project.
It is likely that you will lose your battle against the consumer-affairs office. But, tcb, if I could talk to you man to man... Take a step back and think... Think about what is happening to you... You are under investigation... This is serious business... So, when you make a statement like...
"Also just because I am closing my sites, in no way means that I won't still stop by here and discuss with you all why I believe that a Matrix site is different than a Pyramid or Ponzi Scheme"
...I really get worried. This situation has come to you in order to teach you a lesson. Please do not replicate this whole process all over again by finding another way to make a quick buck off people. Do not go to bed at night with the thought that you have been mis-judged by the government and associated with an internet-pyramid scam.
I commend the way that you want to take responsibility for your actions and I hope that you do. At least you are even considering a refund of your customer's money. I would recommend informing your processor about this and see what they say. If you need our help at all, then please feel free to ask. I am glad that you will continue to stay with us here at the site. It has been enjoyable conversing and debating with you, and I believe that many people feel the same way.
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 01:56 AM
Originally posted by tcb1969a
They told me that under Tennessee law, Pyramid Schemes are illegal, and that it was brought to their attention by a concerned citizen from California who is in a lawsuit right now with others over Matrix/Pyramid schemes. That I will be charged with a misdemeaner, and there are different types, depending on the amount of money taken in.
I don't believe that I filed such a report.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 02:08 AM
Nope, it wasn't you Watch Dog that reported me.
But yes you all warned me and for the past couple months I stopped promoting my site and such. Also I did not have the money to pay everyone back before the end of this month. That is why I waited. Once the sites close I wanted to get the money out as soon as possible. Also, I am not getting into these type of things again, and like I told you when I got into the Matrix Business I had no idea that there would be such backlash on the community. Of course I will take responsibilty for my actions, but when I state that I will still be on here debating, it is because I believe people have a right to do with their money what they want to do with it. That is why I will be still debating. Now, Consumer Affairs will probably ruin me, but I am not concerned about that, as long as I can get my mothers loan paid off, that is all that matters.
I only wish I could have closed my sites sooner, but it was not feasible at the time. Plus my car broke down, and money went there, so that is the reason my I set up August 31, 2003 would be my last day as a Matrix Sites owner.
Also I still respect your alls position on the matter of Matrix sites.....So I don't hold any hard feelings towards you all.
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 02:13 AM
No hard feelings or ill will here either tcb. This has never been anything personal. I'm glad you have the maturity to stay with us.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 02:40 AM
Yes, well hopefully when I talk to consumer affairs tomorrow they will be lenient so that I don't have to pawn everything to pay any fines they might impose on me......
northstar5757
August 8th, 2003, 02:57 AM
This is exactly why I've been telling matrix owners to shut down their sites. Like I said everyone knows its a ponzi scheme, a little technicality will not help you (bait and switch only works for so long). I still don't understand how any lawyer would recommend that their client take part in such a thing.
No idea who mentioned your site to them (I'm not in the lawsuit never spent a penny on matrixes). But I've been telling you guys to get out for months now. It's only a matter of time. Looks like the only smart one was Damian.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:04 AM
Originally posted by northstar5757
This is exactly why I've been telling matrix owners to shut down their sites. Like I said everyone knows its a ponzi scheme, a little technicality will not help you (bait and switch only works for so long). I still don't understand how any lawyer would recommend that their client take part in such a thing.
No idea who mentioned your site to them (I'm not in the lawsuit never spent a penny on matrixes). But I've been telling you guys to get out for months now. It's only a matter of time. Looks like the only smart one was Damian.
Yes well, like I said, I just didn't have the money to pay all my customers back if I shut the site down, so I was waiting until the end of August to do so....But it matters not, I will pay the price for it, so don't worry about......
northstar5757
August 8th, 2003, 03:07 AM
Tcb on another one of your posts a few eeks ago you mentioned how you were planning to have your matrix sites last a few years. when did you change your mind?
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:25 AM
Originally posted by northstar5757
Tcb on another one of your posts a few eeks ago you mentioned how you were planning to have your matrix sites last a few years. when did you change your mind?
I don't remember making that statement but if I did then that was an oversight. I probably worded it incorrectly. I was intending that my site last for years as any business owner usually does. Of course I could not let the cat out of the bag on my plans, so that customers of mine would not get frantic about there money. As you all know when a Matrix site shuts down, it tends to make people a little uneasy on whether they are getting their refunds or not. So I wanted the amount of time that refunds to be handed out and the time my sites shut down to be a short time period.....
Anyways, I surely hope you are not implying that I am lying.....
Matrix-Support
August 8th, 2003, 03:36 AM
I surely hope you are not implying that I am lying
tcb, I hear you, I don't think your lying.
So can you go to jail for this?
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:58 AM
Originally posted by Matrix-Support
tcb, I hear you, I don't think your lying.
So can you go to jail for this?
Well, they didn't quite explain it in the letter just stated it was a misdemeaner....So I will find out Friday before I go to a funeral....
Matrix-Support
August 8th, 2003, 04:11 AM
A misdemeaner is not that bad, So I don't think so.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:19 AM
Yes....your right, I just hate stress....This whole thing is stressful. What I am most concerned with is a fine. This refunding the customers is already going to hurt me, and then if they decide to fine me, well.....you might see me someday on the corner with my hand held out.....Such is life I suppose....
uwantme
August 8th, 2003, 04:21 AM
Here tcb- this is what I could find for you:
What are the penalties if I am convicted or plead guilty?
Misdemeanors are divided into three categories: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. Class 1 misdemeanors are the most serious and Class 3 are the least serious. The maximum penalties are:
Class 1 misdemeanor: up to $2,500.00 fine and six months in jail;
Class 2 misdemeanor: up to $750.00 fine and four months in jail;
Class 3 misdemeanor: up to $500.00 fine and 30 days in jail.
Does this mean that people convicted of misdemeanors go to jail?
No. The penalties set out above are only the maximum penalties. If it is the first time (or even the second time) you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, it is extremely unlikely that you will be sentenced to any jail time. (The exception is DUI, which carries a mandatory jail sentence.) Nor is it likely will you have to pay the maximum fine. For example, if you are convicted of possession of marijuana (which is actually classified as a Class 6 felony, but is usually treated as a Class 1 misdemeanor), you might be fined $400 and sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation.
What if I don't have the money to pay the fine?
Many people convicted of misdemeanors do not have the money to pay the fine immediately. The courts will set up a payment plan, which includes a small extra charge to cover their administration costs.
This can vary by state...
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:25 AM
Thank you uwantme......Well, I guess I will find out Friday, what they are going to do.......Any donations? Just kidding.....
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 04:30 AM
Originally posted by tcb1969a
Of course I could not let the cat out of the bag on my plans, so that customers of mine would not get frantic about their money. As you all know when a Matrix site shuts down, it tends to make people a little uneasy on whether they are getting their refunds or not. So I wanted the amount of time that refunds to be handed out and the time my sites shut down to be a short time period.....
I think that this is one of the most insightful things you have brought to these forums yet. What you demonstrate here is proof of a theory that I have been mentioning for three months now. Site owners have disbursement dates, the date that their processor releases all of the funds for the past month or so (depending on the processor). All of the pay companies do this and that disbursement date is usually around the last day or first day of the month (28th-2nd). If you notice, a HUGE amount of sites close shortly after that time period. However, before that disbursement date, there are often promotions, contests, new lists, and all sorts of things to make the customers think that everything is okay. This way, no customers feel the need to complain the the pay company, and the site owners get their money near the end/beginning of the month without the penalties that come from chargebacks and customer complaints. The site then closes down and the owner is unreachable. The money? Well, the pay company already gave it to the site owner, and this creates a liability situation for the pay companies.
Tcb, I respectfully disagree with the spin you have placed on your impending closure. You are giving the people here, many of whom may be your customers, the opinion that you will be around after your site closes, and that you intend to give out 105% refunds. I find this hard to believe. Especially with the way you say how many bills you have to pay. And then you talk about your Mom's house, and funerals, and car expenses in order to make people pity you and not question what you are really doing. It is no different than the owner of matrixcom fabricating a story about her "attack" in order to avoid complaints to the pay companies that serviced her site. And when did she release that story and close up her site? It was 8/1/2003, right after a disbursement date, how coincidental. You dish out this "105%" story so that the customers believe that they will get more if they just wait until the money is in your hands. In my opinion, that is the worst place to have their money. They need to call your pay company and tell them what is happening to you so that their money can be held and go back to them. This is what my lawsuit provided for the customers who purchased through Ginix. If you truly had their interests in mind you would not even suggest that they let YOU withdraw the money. Instead, you would tell them to go through the pay company to get their money refunded back to their accounts.
Tcb, you are dedicated member here, but you are still a person who continued to operate a matrix-scam site in the face of several reasons not to. Three months worth of reasons. You repeatedly ignored logically-coherant arguments in order to continue your quick-money scheme. Now, all of a sudden, when you are confronted with the reality of Federal intervention and punishment, you get all soft and fluffy, trying to make your customers believe that you will not spend that money on your interests before theirs. I don't buy it, and neither should anyone else.
If I am not mistaken, are these your sites?
- Matrix--one.com
- Abstract-Wallpaper.com
If so, then I would recommend that your customers contact Xcompte, PayPal, PayByCredits, and PayRequest, letting these companies know that you are under investigation and that you plan to close down soon. You probably have the most activity going through PayRequest, so they should start there. If you close down and take off with the money, those pay companies will have to bear the burden.
amagic2u
August 8th, 2003, 04:59 AM
I had the idea it was ematrixusa as I did file a complaint at them and ezexpo and if more then one person does this its a fine per each complant and if you cannot pay they do have community service and a fine and jail time all rolled up into one big happy package. Too bad and I do have to go with you big dog tcb is being a little too fluffy even by a bunnies ear YA KNOW
uwantme
August 8th, 2003, 05:02 AM
Originally posted by watchdog
It is no different than the owner of matrixcom fabricating a story about her "attack" in order to avoid complaints to the pay companies that serviced her site. And when did she release that story and close up her site? It was 8/1/2003, right after a disbursement date, how coincidental.
Watchdog you can move this thread if you want because i dont really want to go off topic, but you have no proof that the woman made up the story, just as much as we have no proof she didnt. SO I think you should take back that comment annoucing that she is lying as if you have proof of that.. Also as I have stated before which is evident she refunded almost all of her members before she made the post with her story in it and only had a few left to refund who had made small investments into her site when she did post the story. And I have yet to see any proof that she doesnt plan on refunding any that are left.....
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 05:05 AM
Well, your theory is a little off, at least when it is me....I withdrew the money from the payment processors about a couple months ago. And I have been working at my hotel on overtime to make up some of the money so I could pay the customers back. You don't have to believe me Watch Dog. That is your perogative. But the fact of the matter is I will be giving the money back com the end of August or sooner. I respect your point of view, but I had no ill intentions. I'm sorry that you don't believe, and like I said at the beginning of this you all will think it has to do with the letter I received today, but that is not the case, and like I said you wouldn't believe me anyways. Most of us site owners are not as bad as you think. I have no place to run to, and further that would be stupid....I respect your comments though they are off base. And you know, even when I do refund my customers there money, you still won't believe I gave them 105% back.....And that's a shame.....
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 05:08 AM
Just out of curiosity, Watch Dog....What kind of proof would you like to see, in order to believe that I am telling the truth?
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 05:12 AM
Originally posted by tcb1969a
Just out of curiosity, Watch Dog....What kind of proof would you like to see, in order to believe that I am telling the truth?
All I can hope for is that the strong words that I spoke to you will hold you accountable before all who read this thread that you will indeed give those customers what is owed them. You should begin the refund process right now, while this issue is still fresh in our minds to hold you to it.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 05:14 AM
Oh....yes and those other 2 sites you mentioned are mine.....
As far as the funeral goes, that is not something I have to pay for, my friend's mother passed on so I will be attending it at around 12:00pm......
As far as me being fluffy, would you rather me be cussing everyone out here.....Like I said I respect your alls position, so that would not serve any purpose....And the damage is already done to me, so being fluffy here would not matter one way or the other.....
amagic2u
August 8th, 2003, 05:14 AM
uwantme I think what big dog is saying the overall tone of tcb post is just a little hard to swallow this is a post that almost sounds like a joke aa my car broke down my moms house has to be payed for after I come back from a funeral if Im not locked up my goodness at least you have a car, a house, etc etc dont you think its a BIG change in the overall texture of all other post from tcb no harm no foul just lol seems well fluffy
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 05:16 AM
amagic2u,
I can prove everything I say, and believe me it is not a joke.....
uwantme
August 8th, 2003, 05:58 AM
I understand amagic2u, I saw it as that too, but others might not and think that the womans story was false even though it has yet to be proven either way and I just didnt want that to happen... As far as the list of problems go I dont really think Tcb is making them up, I mean we all have problems- right now I have several bills that need to be paid, I need new tires on my SUV, house payment is due, car payment is due in a week, the gutter on my house is coming off on one side and that needs to be replaced, we need a new mailbox mine is falling over, both are my parents are very old and retired Im usually taking care of them half the time. Thats all I can think of off the top of my head and sure most of you can beat that. My point is we all have problems, and issues, I think site owners bring them up not just so we will feel sorry for them, I am soure that it is some of it, but I think they also mention them just because they are stressed and want others to know that its not all peaches and cream for them as most might think. But this is just my take on it. I try to believe that people are basically good until they show me reason to think otherwise..
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 06:02 AM
Yes....I usually don't mention my problems, though I don't handle stress very well, and tend to babble. It was my mistake to mention my problems....Sorry....
poorme
August 8th, 2003, 03:17 PM
TB, Could you tell us what is the name of your site?
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 03:21 PM
sorry to interrupt, but I know that there are several lawsuit out there that have not been sent to me yet. Please tell any plaintiffs you know to send the lawsuit to my email address so that I can post them in our Downloads section. Thanks. And, who is TB? What does ematrixusa have to do with this discussion?
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:22 PM
Not that it matters anymore, but sure.....
www.million-dollar-matrix.com
www.matrix--one.com
www.abstract-wallpaper.com
Take care,
Jerry
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 03:31 PM
Jerry,
You are doing something very sneaky. On each of those links you tell your customers:
"Also the Payment Processors I do business with do not have any funds in my account, so there is no need to contact them for a refund since that would not be possible. I will send out refund checks via mail to your mailing address"
Then you say they will start receiving checks AFTER October first. October first is one day after your processor releases your funds to you, which means you DO have funds in your account. You are not telling your customers the full truth here, and I do not believe that you will withdraw that money and refund your customers. You need to tell your customers to get their refunds through the pay processor like they should. The processor will credit the payments to their CC accounts. Send out an email to your customers and tell them to do it this way.
And you are not planning to refund EVERYONE as you said since you declare:
"Also since we have closed down within a year of opening, we are granting refunds to those who request it. "
To those who request it? Something strange is going on here.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:41 PM
Watch Dog, read the page again......
I will send out all refunds by October 1st, 2003 not After......
Also if you would like I will send you a copy of my PayPal account as well as others showing it empty......
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:47 PM
Not one to wait for a reply, I am attaching one of my payment processors picture of the empty account......
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 03:51 PM
Tcb,
I research matrix sites for a living. You can't fool me with a PayPal statement. Both you and I know that on July 10th you discontinued your services with PayPal, and you began disconecting your services with PayByCredits. You announced this on all your sites. To your own admission you are waiting for a disbursement of funds from a pay company. The only two accounts you have left are XCompte and PayRequest.
Here is your choice: Either tell your customers to obtain their money through the pay companies, or I will. I do not trust you with all of that money in your hands, and neither should the pay companies. If you take off with it, then they are left holding the liability. Contact your pay company, let them know what has happened, and see if they can work something out with you.
This is the way eBanana is going about it, and this is why I invited them here--- To be an example to site owners like you. I believe they are doing it the right way. If you need their advice, then post a question in their sub-forum.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 03:55 PM
I do not remember making a statement that I was waiting on funds from a processor, that was one of your assumptions. But if you like, I will send you the pics to PayRequest, Xcompte....As well.......there is about $7 in Pay Request, and not much in Xcompte....Since most of my business was thru PayPal. Also when I stopped using PayPal was my attempt to limit the amount of business, in preperation for my sites shutting down......
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:00 PM
Here is PayRequest.....
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:01 PM
And Xcompte, which I forgot has around $70 in it....since I never use it, it still sits there.....
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 04:06 PM
Then why do you say...
Originally posted by tcb1969a
Yes well, like I said, I just didn't have the money to pay all my customers back if I shut the site down, so I was waiting until the end of August to do so....But it matters not, I will pay the price for it, so don't worry about......
...if you were not planning to make revenue from your matrix sites? Why would you continue to operate your matrix sites knowing that you were going to close them and have to refund the customers anyway. Where did all of the customer's money go already? All I am saying is that something fishy is going on here, and I don't want to get a flood of your customers in here at the end of the month wondering where you are.
northstar5757
August 8th, 2003, 04:12 PM
http://www.matrixwatch.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205&perpage=10&highlight=tcb1969a&pagenumber=11
that was the post I was reffering to. you didn't give a time frame but you did say you had planned to keep your sites open for a long time.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:12 PM
Ok.....maybe this doesn't make since, but this was my train of thought at the time. I knew by the end of August I would have the money to almost pay everyone back within a month. So if I closed it early, the customers might get impatient. So I drug it out just a little bit so when I closed the site at the end of August, I would be able to get the refunds out to the customers within a month. So that the customers would not feel uneasy thinking I ran off with the money.
Now perhaps you would not have done it like that but that is why. Also my domain renewal was coming up at the end of August thru Homestead, so I was not paying for another year, and it made sense to me to have it all happen at once......
If you are unsure about something all you have to do is ask, and I will be more than happy to explain myself......I do respect your alls position and do understand your scepticism......
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:14 PM
Originally posted by northstar5757
http://www.matrixwatch.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=205&perpage=10&highlight=tcb1969a&pagenumber=11
that was the post I was reffering to. you didn't give a time frame but you did say you had planned to keep your sites open for a long time.
You are right I HAD planned to keep my sites open for a long time, that was my intention, but there are nearly 300 sites out there and I just don't have the time nor energy to compete with all of those sites......
MatrixWatch
August 8th, 2003, 04:31 PM
But you made that statement on July 10th, 2003 at 10:07 PM. That was only a month ago.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 04:57 PM
Originally posted by watchdog
But you made that statement on July 10th, 2003 at 10:07 PM. That was only a month ago.
Yes you are right, but when I made that statement, I was speaking in the past tense.....I didn't realize I had to spell it out competely then for you to believe me now. I said "HAD" which I was saying that "was" in past tense my plan.....
Matters not, if you wish to play grammer games with me or not, still the fact of the matter was I had plans of leaving it open. That is why I said had.....instead of "My sites WILL be open for a long time"
Gee, can someone tell me why I am repeating the "Had" in past tense thing......
northstar5757
August 8th, 2003, 05:30 PM
ok so you knew you would be closing soon a month ago and you kept taking new customers?Surely you must have known that there would be no way they would cycle and that by taking them on you would just lose more money in refunds. I'm somewhat confused.
tcb1969a
August 8th, 2003, 11:24 PM
Originally posted by northstar5757
ok so you knew you would be closing soon a month ago and you kept taking new customers?Surely you must have known that there would be no way they would cycle and that by taking them on you would just lose more money in refunds. I'm somewhat confused.
I only took 1 new customer......
uwantme
August 9th, 2003, 05:12 AM
Originally posted by tcb1969a
They told me that under Tennessee law, Pyramid Schemes are illegal, and that it was brought to their attention by a concerned citizen from California who is in a lawsuit right now with others over Matrix/Pyramid schemes. That I will be charged with a misdemeaner, and there are different types, depending on the amount of money taken in.
I was just thinking about your post and had a few questions. How did they contact you? By email, telephone, or person? And I didnt know they had the right to charge you, I though a police official would have to do that. Where you actually served any papers and did you sign for them? Its also odd that they actually told you that someone in CA reported you. I didnt know they were allowed to release details like that to you. Just please answer my questions and then I will post a further response depending on your replies...
tcb1969a
August 9th, 2003, 05:36 AM
Yes you are right, a police official would charge me with a misdemeanor, but the Consumer Affairs office would be the one filing the charge. It was a letter they sent to me, telling me that they received a complaint that I was running an illegal pyramid scheme. They also attached the documentation of the complaint letter that was sent into their office. In the letter it specifically says that this gentleman is involved in a California lawsuit against a similar company as mine, and that he wanted to warn the Consumer Affairs office of my site....
Please let me know if you have any other questions....
MatrixWatch
August 9th, 2003, 05:42 AM
So, it is likely one of the other plaintiffs in CA then, since you say it was not me. Just to let you know, there are other lawsuits besides mine and the Varietymatrix lawsuit in California. I am still waiting on the documentation for a couple more.
tcb1969a
August 9th, 2003, 05:45 AM
Yes, I know, but the gentleman also informed them to take a look at your site that explains everything about Matrix sites...
No hard feelings to you or your supporters.....I have understood your concerns, just have a different point of view than you do....
uwantme
August 9th, 2003, 05:51 AM
So you have yet to be actually charged with anything though right?
tcb1969a
August 9th, 2003, 05:58 AM
Yes...that is right, uwantme, I talked to them Friday morning, and they said that I need to write a letter to them explaining my company's position, and they will review it and if they still think it is a Pyramid Scheme they will file a charge against me....That I have 10 days to file the statement against the Consumer Complaint.....
tcb1969a
August 9th, 2003, 05:59 AM
Also Consumer Affairs explained to me that there is a fine line between MLM and Pyramid Schemes, and that it is easy to stray into the Pyramid Scheme without realizing it. Then they mentioned how Avon of all things was borderline, but still considered MLM......
northstar5757
August 9th, 2003, 01:43 PM
So is this the first cite to receive such allegations from authorities? I figured EZexpo would have received a letter before tcb site.
FightingBack
August 9th, 2003, 10:23 PM
It does kind of suck. To bad you didn't get out ealier. I'm glad to hear you are offering refunds. Also shows what this is coming down to. Best wishes~
tcb1969a
August 9th, 2003, 10:26 PM
Well, I guess I was to late in getting out, I was ending it at the end of August, but it just wasn't soon enough....
tcb1969a
August 11th, 2003, 11:25 AM
Well.....I just got back from a lawyer.....spoke to 2 different ones....Spoke to one on Friday and Monday.....Anyone care to know what they said about Matrix sites.....?
Agent|Star
August 11th, 2003, 01:45 PM
Originally posted by tcb1969a
Well.....I just got back from a lawyer.....spoke to 2 different ones....Spoke to one on Friday and Monday.....Anyone care to know what they said about Matrix sites.....?
Open a new thread and Tell us!!!!
uwantme
August 11th, 2003, 05:08 PM
Of course we would like to know!
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