Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!rutgers!ucsd!ames!killer!jolnet!scottc From: scottc@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US (Scott Craig) Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm Subject: Utilities Unlimited Inc. Keywords: Companies, Fraud?, software, distributor, submissions Message-ID: <814@jolnet.ORPK.IL.US> Date: 18 Sep 88 03:19:25 GMT Reply-To: scottc@jolnet.UUCP (Scott Craig) Organization: jolnet, Public Access UNIX, Joliet, IL Lines: 114 Has anyone ever heard of "Utilites Unlimited Inc."? Let me help you. They advertise a lot in RUN magazine. Here's there address: Utilities Unlimited Inc. 12305 N.E. 152nd Street Brush Prairie, Washington 98606 Their office hours are only 10am - 4pm weekdays. But I've always had trouble reaching the right people to talk to about my software submission after they've received it. Once in a while... I would. Mainly in the beginning such as March or April of this year when I started dealing with them. From there I've been thrown around a lot. I do know they deliver you exactly what you order, so as far as buying anything from them they're fine. In fact, they have a lot of utilities people may be looking for. They advertise they're looking for software submissions. Well... I sent one in. I heard they rarely accept them. But they had accepted mine. In fact they claimed they were impressed. I had taken precautions such as sending myself the program with documentation by registered mail to myself before sending them any copies. I would send it to them certified mail with receipt even. Well.. they liked the first copy which was a program to run on the C-128 in 128 mode 40 or 80 columns. They wanted me to write up documentation for the program. I did... about 10 printed pages of detailed information to use the program. Then they wanted a C64 version of it which I did without too many changes. They liked that to. I was then promised a check. Before I sent it I asked: "Once you receive this and you like it, when will I get my check?" A: "I see no reason why not right away after that." After they received it and liked it: Q: "When will I get my money?" A: "I'll put it in the processing tomorrow right away." Q: "How long before I get it in my hands?" previous anser: "As quick as the mail can send it." now : "it takes about a month to process." Then I got the run around about the company being owned by a new owner and the current owner always out of the office, taking the day off, or calling me back. Never called me back. NEVER. Once right after he recvd the first copy he called me back within 5 mins because he said he couldn't get it to work. The problem was a faulty disk so I sent another copy and it worked. Well... after all of that hassle, he ended up remaining in the ownership and having a new partner. Not even the guy who was suppose to buy. All along after my complaining about not receiving my check after a month and a half, I was told that summer was there slow months and that was why they were holding back giving me money. Well... they did promise me money. Then.. they claimed they didn't have enough funds to buy it from me. Then I complained some more... and even threatened the power of Usenet news which they knew nothing about. Well... then they remember promising me. Here are some facts: 1) They claimed to spend around $10,000 a month on advertising 2) A contract was made up on their terms, which I typed with a few basic things, ich I signed and sent to them. I never got a copy with their signatures on it. 3) This deal was made for $1400 to be sent to me. $1400 is nothing. 4) They were going to sell the program for about $15 in a package with some others once it was out. The previous copy of a simliar program sold about 4 yrs ago was done in BASIC, never compiled, short, hardly any options and sold for $29.95 for a long time. Claimed to make around $30,000+ on it. I don't remember specifics on that. I was only getting $1400! I was going to list more but can't remember right now. Anyway... I was promised the money again... and just this past week they told me they'd have to forget about it again and to call back in a month in case they get more money. Oh yeah... more facts: 5) They don't even have an 80 col monitor to test the program in 80 col mode 6) They just got a 1200 baud modem to test things on in May or June Why can they still advertise Program Submissions wanted if they can't afford to buy? Why do they spend $10,000 a month on advertising, and can't afford to give me $1400 in order for them to make good money. The program itself I wrote, could be a little controversial on legal terms in case it was misused. Many of there programs could be. There was a disclaimer in it about certain laws in different areas. If you have anything to help me out with, or are more curious, send me net mail since I won't always be able to check this newsgroup. Oh yeah, there phone # is 206-254-6530 I have doubts about getting my money. And I feel this issue should be heard! They've never been nasty to me though. In fact they've been really nice when I can reach the right people or even just the person who answers the phone. The 2 partners who make decisions are: Reggie (the past owner also) John I don't know their last names, but could find out without any trouble. You can also reach me through netmail as "scottc@jolnet.UUCP" probably.