REVIVE ENERGY MINTS Vending Franchise: What Happened?

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• I have a cell phone number for Richard Gates who called 3 of my friends for references on me. I don't know if this will help. [redacted]

• did you try calling it?

• I did try calling the number after but there was no answer.

• If you are a Revive Energy Mints franchisee or licensee and are interested in possibly being included in a group action complaint against Revive Franchising LLC, Sito Marketing, Rylo Products LLC and/or its principals, email your contact info confidentially to the site admin at the email address below. You will receive info on how best to proceed.

  Email: UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com

• Sito Marketing promised a full refund of $100,000.00 if I could not obtain an E2 visa to start their franchise in the USA. I am living in the UK.
  I entered into a business agreement on April 30 2009 with Sito Marketing from the UK. My intention was to leave UK and start a Revive Energy Mint business in Dearborn, Michigan. My investment amount was $100,000.00 When the business contract was prepared Sito Marketing were made aware of the strong possibility of my not gaining an E2 visa from the US Embassy here in London. For this reason the contract was worded to say that I would receive a full refund of my investment in no more than 5-10 business days, if this was the case(I can provide copies of the contract to prove this).

  For this investment amount ($100,000.00) I would get 250 vending machines(worth $87,500.00),50 000 Revive Energy Mints ($ 7,500.00) and ($5,000.00) for shipping to any US address.

  Since I had trouble obtaining all the money in one go, the process of investment took some time. The initial deposit was paid on 19 May 2009 and I was dealing with Jim Figg. Later I was asked to deal with somebody called Paul Haverstick while further installments continued until the whole amount of $100,000.00 was fully invested. An invoice to show this was issued on
  07 June 2010. Later on, Sito Marketing added a condition that I would only receive $95,000.00 of my money if the E2 visa was denied, due to this slow investment process. I agreed.

  On 14 September 2010 my E2 visa was denied. Sito Marketing were informed of this and that I was due a refund of $95,000.00 . I then started dealing with Mr Logan. He assured me I would be refunded, but since the company was not making much money, it would be done in installments. I argued about the contract, but he kept saying the company is not in a position to pay all the money in one go.
  On 27 January 2011 I received an email from Mr Logan. He said," I wanted to inform you I have resigned my position with Revive and Chris Robertson will be your new contact".

  So instead of the promise to refund my money in 5-10 days, it is now nearly 11 months on and I still don't have all my money. To date I have received $64,860.90
  I have argued with them that due to them breaking their own contract I should receive a full refund of $100,000.00 They have agreed to this.

  However the payments stopped in May 2011 and the total still owed to me is $35,139.10 I would also like them to pay me damages since this delay is unacceptable and has directly put me under immense strain.

• Just spoke to a man at T. Pico ( the co. That made the vending machines) he said they know the name of the company that made the mints and they are looking into being able to supply them for us and also looking into a product that will work for these machines also.You can purchase the different wheel for these machines that will vend candy, nuts, etc.

• T. Pico said Revive called them and said their done because they were not making enough money and could not stay in business !

• Danny, will the guy at T Pico give the name of the mint mfgr?

  I'd be very wary of T. Pico Internaional. Gary Mills is the owner and president. This Gary Mills:

  "the San Diego Superior Court in early April issued a permanent injunction against Utah's Independent Vending Concepts and The Financial Edge Inc., described as a foreign company. The judgment named Gary S. Mills and Rebecca W. Mills, IVC's officers, as the defendants. The company also was involved in a business opportunity offering vending machines that dispense energy chews.

  The permanent injunction prohibits IVC and its principals from selling any products, equipment, supplies or services related to a "seller assisted marketing plan" that requires an initial payment of more than $500 in California. It also restricts the use of testimonials and potential earnings data when representing a SAMP without substantiating those claims. IVC also was ordered to pay $100,000, which was evenly split between California's Unfair Competition Fund and the attorneys' fees for the plaintiffs."

  Issue Date: Vol. 50, No. 7, July 2010, Posted On: 6/21/2010
  U.S. Charges 5 With Fraud In 'Energy Chews' Vending Machine Swindle
  http://www.vendingtimes.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?nm=Vending+Features&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=56FCA202A3194695B068B31CBD35B47F

  Is this a swell industry or what?

• So, I'm assuming no word yet. Somebody did mention that you can possibly call your credit card company and have them look into getting your money back. Has anyone done this or inquired if it CAN be done? Yes, I would like to continue to sell the product, but if I can get some of my money back in the mean time, that would be great, since I have invested $15,000 to date.

• You signed a contract so credit card companes will not refund your money unless you lie to them. I am not suggesting this, but have herd of people lying and telling credit card companies they did not receive there entire order from the company. If they received 5 boxes with 10 items per case or 50 items total; they lied and said they received just 5 items- one per case and get refunded the 45 items. When companies send you product through the mail they have no proof they really did enclose the merchandise unless they paid for special confirmation. I have not done this and I am not suggesting lying to credit card companies. Have herd you have a year to do it.