I purchased a Hydro Graphic Printing Machine from Robyn Kroell and Liquid print Inc. in Tyler Texas for $10,650.00 which I paid for with a Bank Wire. The reason I purchased this Machine from Liquid Print was there supposed training program, ongoing technical support and comment to the industry.
In December I requested an open training day between Christmas and sometime after the first of the year. I was denied. Not because of scheduling or the holidays but "policy". This "policy wasn't disclosed to me before I made my purchase nor was it in the Sales Brochure. When I purchased this machine it was with the understanding that I received 3 training days. What I requested was a training day before my machine came in. I also made it clear that I would retrain when my machine came in. That was against "policy" and when I pressed the issue Robyn told me it was "stupid".
In retrospect I should have told Robyn what I thought of her and her business. This was also the beginning of our business relationship going down hill.
The reason I wanted training before my machine come in was I know nothing about setting up a Hydro Graphics Shop or this process. This would have given me the opportunity to have not only been exposed to the Hydro Graphics Process but Shop Layout, Plumbing and Drainage Requirements, Offensive Odors, Display Area, ETC.
That seems more like common sense than "stupid" to me. Plus that's what I paid $10,650.00 for. I guess the Liquid Print way is loading a Tank on the back of your truck that you don't even know what sized plumbing fittings you need when you get home. If you do business with Liquid Print your paying about a $6,000.00 premium for that bit of forward thinking. Yea Robyn Kroell. Your an Effn Genius.
Another reason I wanted training before my tank came in was it was a time frame that a prospective part time employee was available outside his normal job. Plus this would have given me the opportunity to go through training TWICE before using this machine in addition to having my plumbing and drainage setup for when my tank arrived.
This is the level of training I was expecting when I purchased this machine and this is the training that I paid $10,650 for. Who would have guessed that receiving to much training was a disadvantage?
When the training was denied a few weeks later I requested dropping by and looking at their display area and maybe the shop area to get an idea about shop layout. I felt like I was getting the runaround and my coming was being strongly discouraged. I finally told Gene that I was in the area anyway and would probably stop by. Long story short, I feel like I had to buy $224.79 in paint on 1/3/2011 (invoice #1317) to look in the lobby and get anyone to talk to me.
This is not the level of service I was expecting when I paid Liquid Print $10,650.00.
On 1/10/2011 I sent Robyn an email requesting a hard pickup date on the hydro graphic machine which was ignored. On 1/12/2011 I called Robyn about the pickup on this Machine and she acted like she didn't know what I was talking about.
After several go-rounds about the delivery date on this tank I told Robyn that sometimes in business, relationships get broken and there is no putting them back together. I felt like we was there and wanted my money back.
She didn't think we was there so I reminded her about the training. I told her I was denied training. When I told her that I received three training dates she disagreed and said I only received ONE training date. I told her I was holding the book and would read it to her.
Actually it said I received a training date and two refresher courses at up to 3 people each time. It was more or less, see you only receive ONE training date!!! When I ask Robyn Kroell what a refresher course was she stated that I could come back at a later date or if I hired some new employees I could send them at a later date.
If you'll remember, I'm "stupid", so I ask Robyn Kroell how they refreshed a new employee of mine that had never been there before:) That's when she reluctantly admitted that the refresher courses was in fact "TRAINING". I paid $10,650.00 for the joy of that exercise in minutia by the way.
That would also be a good summery of my dealings with Robyn Kroell and Liquid Print and a window of what to expect AFTER you send them $10,650.00
Later that day Robyn send me an email offering me some extra supplies which I refused in an email the following day (1/13/2011). The reason I turned this offer down is this is a highly specialized piece of equipment and supplies are hard to find.
If other companies are like Liquid Print I would be paying a 30% increase for my supplies for using a competitors machine for the life of that machine.
On 1/14/2011 I had a letter process served on Robyn Kroell requesting my money back. Of course this letter was ignored also. All in all if you would like to be lied to and screwed, Liquid Print Inc. is a good place to do business in my opinion.
The good news is the experts think this will fall under wire fraud. I am in the process of putting my time line together with my phone records so I can meet with the prosecutor and show this all to him. I hope Robyn Kroell looks good in Stripes.
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