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Have I been duped?

 
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preciousaire

posts: 7

Dec 19, 2007 6:19 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I went to Invent-tech nearly 2 years ago, paid them almost $8,000

and all I`ve done is mail out flyers.

I am afraid I`ve been duped, is there any way to recoup my losses? Should I

continue to mail out the flyers? Is there a way I can get my flyers noticed

by the manufactoring companies??? HELP!



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If you think you can, you can!!
nevadascul

posts: 651

Dec 19, 2007 7:10 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi,`
I looked Invent-tech up on the internet and found numerous post from people that used their services at Rip-Offs Reports.  I arrived at the URL below by typing in "Invent tech" on my google search window.  Or, you can use the URL.
 
 
Here is the opening paragraph from one of those post:
 
I used to work at Invent-Tech. They are a bunch of thieves, there is absolutley no doubt about it. They`ve had over 50,000 clients and have only licensed a little over 180 products, they`re losers! That is less than a .5% (HALF OF ONE PERCENT) percent chance of getting your product licensed using this company. Roulette has, approximately, a 48% chance of winning. So, indeed, you would have much, much better odds of success at a Roullette table. Would you pay eight grand for a vehicle, for example, that only had a .5% chance of working?




(edited for formatting only, not content)
Joel12/27/2007 10:48 AM


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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.
stonesledge

posts: 1093

Dec 20, 2007 12:09 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I definatley think that you have been taken advantage of. I am certain that is you contact your attorney that you can have some kind of recourse. At the very least contact the Better Business Bureau, any associations that they may be involved in and there local chamber of commerce.Could you tell us a bit more about your product that you have?
 
Erin


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Our Goal Is Your Success!
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LiveWise

posts: 89

Dec 20, 2007 12:17 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I`m sorry you were taken advantage of.  There are a lot of companies that PREY upon the dreams of entreprenuers and new businesses.  They know that people are already sold on the business deal and that they need to get the word out there and advertise/promote.  I feel like these people are con artists, scammers, and/or theives.  I feel like their business is illegal and immoral.  I believe that they can`t have a conscience to continue to do what they do.
 
If I were you, I would call them and RECORD THE CONVERSATION.  Try to get Invent-tech to state what they said they would do and what actually happened.  You can tell them that you would like your money back.  It`s likely that they won`t agree.  I would then tell them you will be contacting the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General`s Office.  Check with your state law, but I don`t think you don`t have to tell them you are recording the call.  It could be very valuable to get a recording about  what they promised you to provide to anybody that would like to hear  (BBB or AG`s Office)
 
Definitely, contact and submit complaints with each of the following:   The Better Business Bureau, The Attorney General`s Office, and any Consumer protection/advocate groups.  It`s probably not worth hiring an attorney to get your money back.  I don`t know how far you`d get with small claims--there`s a cap on how much you can sue for.  I know you spent a lot of money.  There are so many loopholes in the legal system that the law doesn`t always favor the honest.  Invent-Tech can say that they did what you hired them to do and that it`s your fault that your business didn`t succeed.  I think you will be more powerful with an agency that can do an investigation (not at your expense) and be able to fine them, penalize them and/or shut them down.  The worst thing you can do is not to contact the agencies because Invent-Tech will continue their antics untouched.  Eventually, after enough complaints, the agencies have to do something.


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Natalie Berrett
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aither

posts: 266

Dec 20, 2007 12:32 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I would check into your state`s laws, but I believe that you may not record a phone conversation without the permission of the person on the other end.  That`s why police dispatchers` phones beep every 15 seconds - they`re recording the call and the beep lets you know that. 
CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 20, 2007 12:48 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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PatentAndTrademark had a topic on this, I think, regarding some sort of case law where there might be some recompense...lemme see if I can find it....

Okay, here`s 1 topic, about Invention Marketing Brokers Cautions

Here`s another one about scamming inventors.

And then this one, about deceptive practices.

CraigL2007-12-20 1:0:9
preciousaire

posts: 7

Dec 20, 2007 5:54 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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I was trying to understand the "legaleeze" in the regulations relating to deceptive practices and I`m sure I`ve been taken, I`m just not clear on which if any part of the law was actually broken.
 I released my idea to Invent-tech and gave them $750 to do a patent search which they naturally found to be `submittable` although they don`t get the patent for me until I have a manufacturer, then I sent them just over $7000 for a web address which I can send prospective manufacturers to (only after they sign a non-disclosure form which Invent-tech has) and a DVD of my invention on a computer graphics program plus 2 binders touting the wonders of my invention. I am under no further financial burden to them except that I pay for postage to send out these fliers once a month.
 This has been going on since May of 2006 and I have only been told to be patient that these things take time, then I found out during a phone call that my contract is up in May (2 years) and Invent-tech is under no further obligation.
 My invention enables infants to receive enough air to oxygenate them no matter what position they lay in. My study of SIDS tells me that since physicians have begun telling mothers to position their infants on their backs for sleep, incidences of SIDS have dropped 40%!!! That`s a huge number!!! and when my invention gets marketed that number should go even higher because infants begin to roll over in their sleep after about 3 months of age and they have not escaped the chance of SIDS until they are a year old.
 Scientists think that SIDS happens when a type of oxygen sensor in a child`s brain is underdeveloped and when the child sleeps on their stomach they cause an air pocket against their arm or a blanket or pillow, they re breathe that trapped air until all the oxygen is gone and they are only breathing the carbon dioxide they exhaled, finally they don`t have enough oxygen to sustain them and they die. They do not fight because that sensor in their brain doesn`t work correctly, `normal` children would turn their head or cry or something to increase the oxygen to their system.
 PreciousAire can prevent that from happening, it is lightweight and affordable by almost anyone. I have designed a model for home and for travel and I know that every mother, grandmother, auntie and friend would want to have one because peace of mind is priceless.
 


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If you think you can, you can!!
LiveWise

posts: 89

Dec 20, 2007 10:33 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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That sounds like a worthwhile invention.  It sounds as if you`ve done a lot of research and got something that could save lives.  Good luck with getting it to market.
 
Natalie


-------------------------

Natalie Berrett
Part of the largest and fastest growing bookstore franchises in the world!
100% Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee!
www.MyBookWise.com/LiveWise
FREE Preferred Customer Membership.
Save up to 42% on books, CDs, DVDs, and college textbooks. Video games are coming soon.
A portion of the profits goes towards helping abused kids and fighting illiteracy.
Dec 20, 2007 11:34 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
Points: 0   Vote
This does sound like an extremely wonderful product and it`s exciting that you have developed it.  It`s a shame that you had to go through this experience.  Believe it or not, I recently got an email from the BBB saying a complaint was made about my company, which I had no clue about nor the name of the person who filed it.  When I called my local BBB to clear my name and look into this further they said that the case number is not one they use.  It`s a scam.  So everyone`s looking to make a quick buck or tarnish a company anyway they can.  Be aware, be vigilant, ask questions and as some might say, get them back 10xs in comparison. 
 
Promise me that you will not let this go and that you will file complaints and bring it to the attention of those listed above by others.  This is a HUGE amount of money and while you may never see it again, sadly, you can close the book on this chapter knowing that you worked to save other entrepreneurs from the same fate. 
 
I`m looking forward to hearing more about your business and successes.  Keep moving forward!
 
Best,
Jennifer
MillsFootwear

posts: 12

Dec 23, 2007 12:48 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Wow, that Sucks!! Always look into a company before giving them your hard earned or borrowed money.
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