- Report: #66272
Complaint Review: Teleking Communications - Miami Florida
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Teleking Communications
11900 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 620 Miami, 33181 Florida, U.S.A.
Phone:
305-8910511
Web:
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Teleking Communications ripoff phone cards, not activated, extremely overpriced display cases, phone numbers disconnected Miami Florida
Looking for a way to make some honest extra money, I too was a naive victim of the Teleking scam and am left sitting on 9 display cases and about $3000 of phone cards that don't work.
I originally invested $16,449 thinking this was an easy way to make some money since there are a good many phone cards out there for consumers to buy. At first things went well, I did get support from Teleking in finding locations, but, like others, I would often get to the location many miles from home and no one knew who I was and they had no interest in selling phone cards, although my "locator" had told me they were expecting me.
The locations I did set up sold some cards and everybody happily made a few dollars. However, as reported by others, some loacation owners or managers were irate because customers complained that their cards were not activated. The 1/2 cent to 1 cents a minute sounds great, but the reality is that there is a hefty connection fee on every call, whether or not it goes through. There are other fees involved in small print on the card as well. Embarrassingly, I had to work things out with some angry vendors with whom I had established trust and make apologies which in no way I should have been put into the awkward position of having to make. All in all, things did not go anywhere as smoothly as promised in the Teleking infomercials.
To make a long story short, I had to take a hiatus from my phone card business for several months and was just getting back into it again over the last few days. I tried to call Teleking to discuss my business status, etc. and found that all their numbers had been disconnected. So now I sit here, with a lot of basically worthless merchandise and extemely overpriced display cases.
I'm wondering how many others are out there like me and also if any legal action has been taken. Does anyone have any knowledge of this or where one might turn for help in this matter? Sure, I'm aware that it's a buyer beware world, but there must be some recourse for the thousands duped by these bandits.
I appreciate in advance any information anybody might pass along.
Herbert
Fairfield, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
I originally invested $16,449 thinking this was an easy way to make some money since there are a good many phone cards out there for consumers to buy. At first things went well, I did get support from Teleking in finding locations, but, like others, I would often get to the location many miles from home and no one knew who I was and they had no interest in selling phone cards, although my "locator" had told me they were expecting me.
The locations I did set up sold some cards and everybody happily made a few dollars. However, as reported by others, some loacation owners or managers were irate because customers complained that their cards were not activated. The 1/2 cent to 1 cents a minute sounds great, but the reality is that there is a hefty connection fee on every call, whether or not it goes through. There are other fees involved in small print on the card as well. Embarrassingly, I had to work things out with some angry vendors with whom I had established trust and make apologies which in no way I should have been put into the awkward position of having to make. All in all, things did not go anywhere as smoothly as promised in the Teleking infomercials.
To make a long story short, I had to take a hiatus from my phone card business for several months and was just getting back into it again over the last few days. I tried to call Teleking to discuss my business status, etc. and found that all their numbers had been disconnected. So now I sit here, with a lot of basically worthless merchandise and extemely overpriced display cases.
I'm wondering how many others are out there like me and also if any legal action has been taken. Does anyone have any knowledge of this or where one might turn for help in this matter? Sure, I'm aware that it's a buyer beware world, but there must be some recourse for the thousands duped by these bandits.
I appreciate in advance any information anybody might pass along.
Herbert
Fairfield, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Jacqueline
Hammond,Indiana,
U.S.A.
It doesn't look good...: (
#2Consumer Suggestion
Mon, September 01, 2003
This company has a bad reputation among their customers/distributors for "unfulfilled contracts and dissatisfaction with the product received." Government Action Taken--"On April 1, 2003, the State of California Attorney General filed a consumer protection lawsuit against defendants TeleKing Communications, its president Frank Shreiber, Richard Goodman, Barry Goodman, Joyce Heath, Carol Krugly for unlawful and deceptive sales of business opportunity plans for prepaid long distance phone cards. The lawsuit seeks restitution for bilked consumers and civil penalties of at least $1 million, asks the court to bar TeleKing and its employees from committing the alleged deceptive advertising and unlawful business practices, and from selling business opportunity plans in the future. Consumers typically paid TeleKing between $12,000 and $30,000 for prepaid phone cards, display racks, and marketing materials.... The complaint also states TeleKing violated State law by not providing in contract consumers Right to cancel within three days. The Case is pending". http://bbbsoutheasflorida.org I've typed this information directly from the Unsatisfactory Report. You can call BBB of Southeast Florida at 1-561-842-1918 to see if they have more information. Sometimes in cases like this, not everything appears in the Report and you have to call. I also suggest you access www.ftc.gov the website for the Federal Trade Commission. I wouldn't be surprised if there are Class Action Lawsuits or charges pressed by other State Attorneys, and the Federal Trade Commission as well. They might be able to steer you in the right direction for options to sue, collect a refund or whatever other options are available, within the confines of the law. Now I want to give you the last paragraph from the same Report, just in case you have a problem accessing their site or are pressed for time. "On April 9, 2003 the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced they have filed and emergency legal action against TeleKing Communications Corporation, that sells phone card distributorships, shutting down the company for allegedly defrauding at least 19 consumers out of more than $262,000. The emergency suspension and administrative complaint alleges the company missrepresented the quality and quantity of the products, equipment and supplies promised, and overstated the earning potential of its distributors. The case is pending." This is the Report as of August 31, 2003. I wish I had better news. Consulting an Attorney may not help with the nature of these alleged violations, because different State governements are already responding, along with Federal. The choice is yours. I would suggest checking different areas of www.ftc.gov to see if there are Class Action Lawsuits you might be able to join. Here is the Federal Trade Commissions Helpline: 1-877-382-4357. Well, I hope everything works out. Get back to us if you have complications networking through FTC, but there shouldn't be a problem. Consumer Advocate Volunteer
