In June of 2011 my wife (Joan) and I, invested ($35,000) to purchase and market an A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections (ABC) franchise.
We did so after reviewing the documentation supplied by the ABC Regional Owner, Mike Smith, who now resides in Shanty Bay, Oro-Medonte, Ontario Canada.
In the 12 months after the purchase, we gradually realized that the information provided in the original disclosure documentation, was misleading and false.
The documentation provided by Mike Smith did not disclose past, ongoing and pending lawsuits.
The documentation indicated that approximately 4 to 6% of franchises failed. In truth, the average failure rate was closer to 60%. The 5 year old franchise failure rate was over 95%.
Mike Smith personally signed our documentation declaring the information to be true and accurate.
The support “system” developed and promoted by corporate ABC was and is serverely lacking. The ABC advertising campaign is littered with false and exaggerated claims.
In May 2012, we consulted with several other franchisees, both existing and former and shared information. We were subsequently accused of slandering the company after questioning Mike Smith.
In July of 2012, we filed a Notice of Rescission (quit) to both Mike Smith and the CEO of ABC, Bill Redfern.
Mike Smith then re-sold our area, (Belleville) for what turned out to be the 3rd time in less than 4 yrs.
We published a website called “abuyerschoicethinktwice.com” to share information/blog between franchisees and forewarn those in the general public.
Our sevice provider eventually shut the site down due to, what we understood as threats/pressure of legal action.
In Nov 2012, Mike Smith sued us for Breach of Contract ($100,000). A defence and counterclaim was filed. In April 2013, Mike Smith & Bill Redfern sued us for defamation ($1.7 million).
To date (March 2015) the Plaintiffs have done nothing to proceed with their respective actions.
The Plaintiffs will not participate in arbitration and refused free mediation services offered by the CFA (Canadian Franchise Association).
Invitations to participate in discovery and examination of documents in the Toronto courts have been ignored.
A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspection franchises continue to be sold, primarily throughout Canada and the U.S. by what we consider fraudulent means. Little regard is shown for provincial and state franchise disclosure regulations and licencing.
CEO Bill Redfern has recently initiated a new franchising venture (icare), from his base in Pompano Beach, Florida. icare targets seniors. Icare markets itself as a franchised in-home service.
Over the past two and a half (2 1/2) years we have heard and shared many, many similar personal stories from ABC franchisees that have given up and walked away in despair. The number of Former Unit and Regional Franchisees that had been duped into the ABC franchising scam exceeded 150 by 2014. (Canada & U.S).
ABC uses the proceeds of franchise sales and royalties collected from franchisees to harass and finance legal costs fighting former franchisees.
We have an agenda to get our day in court. Our success will expose these individuals and benefit many others.
The campaign $ target is simply a figure.The campaign is meant to raise funds and awareness.
Funds contributed are for costs incurred to defend and pursue legal actions.
Will you help?
Sincerely,
Greg Kelly
*** Scheduled for Facebook and Twitter posting March 20th,2015
5TOTAL
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