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STRATUS BUILDING SOLUTIONS Franchise Complaints

(UnhappyFranchisee.com) Is the STRATUS BUILDING SOLUTIONS Franchise a scam?  At UnhappyFranchisee.com, we’ve received a number of Stratus Building Solutions franchise complaints.

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Strangely, Stratus Building Solutions is ranked #20 in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 (READ: Top 100 Franchise Opportunities 2011: Behind The Hype)

In fact, when Unhappy Franchisee asked for commercial cleaning franchise complaints, half of the negative comments were against Stratus Building Solutions franchise opportunity.

Why are some franchise owners calling Stratus Building Solutions franchise a big scam?  The complaints are the same as those levelled against Jani-King, Jan-Pro, Coverall, Cleannet USA and the other commercial cleaning franchise companies out there:  Underbidding accounts, fraudulently taking cleaning accounts from one franchisee to give to another, etc. etc.

The question remains:  Why are these janitorial franchise companies allowed to get away with these despicable practices?

Chris wrote:

Stratus Building Solutions, Especially the one is Pittsburgh is a big scam. Please do not go to Stratus.

“I bought a franchise and now they plan on taking the one and only account off of me. That leaves me with zero income. The way the contract is written is that they are able to take off of you any accounts they say. They tell you they have complaints about the cleaning you have been doing. They tell you ‘We warned you now the account is taken from you. We need to protect our intrest too.’

The contract favors them. I lost $13,700 Also even tho you think you own a franchise you really do not. They get you accounts that belong to them. so you can not sell your franchise. The only way you can sell it is to go door to door and get your own accounts. You could have started you own cleaning and keep all the cleaning money yourself. Please listen to me. The contract does not protect you at all. The contract benefits them.

Please help me stop Stratus of pittsburg and Stratus corporate from swindleing any one. The solution to me is to go clean places on your own. By the way, if you do get your own places to clean while you are with stratus, you still have to pay percentage.

Ale wrote:

stratus is all bull shiet !! its a fucking fraud!!!

Javier Santos on March 31st, 2011 7:27 pm wrote:

STRATUS is A Big Scam! Don’t let them ruin your dreams they take advantage of good people to fill up their pockets.

guest on May 14th, 2011 10:15 pm wrote:

Stratus Building Solutions Franchise has received a grade of “F” from the Better Business Bureau of Orange County

http://www.la.bbb.org/PublicComplaints.aspx?CompanyID=100103761

Stratus Building Solutions Franchise complaint 1:

“Posted 3/11/2011 Summary – Consumer alleges services were not rendered as agreed.

Complaint Description Consumer alleges services were not rendered as agreed. Consumer paid your company $1000.00 down for a franchise business opportunity on 7/19/10. She completed the classes needed to get certified on janitorial services on 8/24/10. Once the classes were completed she was going to start getting job sites were she had to provide janitorial services, using her own equipment and would receive a check for services rendered minus a 25% fee from your company. To date consumer has not received job sites. Every time she calls to get assistance she is given the run around. She requested to get her money back for the down payment on the franchise however you refused. Consumer wants a refund of her monies.”

Stratus Building Solutions Franchise complaint 2:

“Posted 4/15/2011 Summary – Consumer alleges services were misrepresented and no refund has been issued

Complaint Description Consumer alleges services were misrepresented and no refund has been issued. Consumer purchaser a franchise from your company on 7/14/09 and paid $22000.00. He was promised to have his own business, his own building to provide the janitorial service that will pay $120000.00 a year. To date he has made $17000.00 in one year. He is not running his own company, instead he is introduce to clients as if he was working for your company. He had to pay 25% fee from each check for insurance, processing fees etc. When consumer complains to your company and ask for a refund of the money he invested you refuse. Consumer wants a refund of the $22000.00 he paid because the franchise was not as represented.”

Stratus Building Solutions Franchise complaint 3:

“Posted 4/21/2011 Summary – Consumer states company failed to provide proper services.

Complaint Description Consumer states company failed to provide proper services. Consumer paid $14,500 to the company. The company stated they would assist her in getting contracts with franchises, to clean their facilities. A list of potential leads would be provided to her. The lists they provided are not valid. When she requested a refund, she only received the runaround.”

Rob on June 2nd, 2011 wrote:

Stratus Building Solutions Franchise in Philadelphia is a big SCAM, Please don’t made same mistake I did and do not Buy franchise from them, they take advantage of good people, You are actually paying 10′s of thousands of dollars to make between $8-$10hr. You can’t even hire people without taking a loss, the ONLY people making real money are the people selling the franchises.

anonymous on July 15th, 2011 3:22 pm (Edit)

What bothers me the most is that with all the cleaning companies out there, they all repeat the same deceptive, abusive, misleading and unethical practices. They prey on the average american who wants to legally make money and work hard doing it. Often people have invested their life savings into the hope of making a better way for their families. It is unbelievable how the state and federal government aren’t doing anything after years of complaints and law suits to protect people from these modern day ponzi schemes.

I invested my money into Stratus Building Solutions to later find out that im not a owner of my own business but merely a employee, i paid $11000 to work a job. The gross revenues arent guranteed, they underbid contracts just to build their portfolio. Some of the jobs break down to be less than minimum wage. A business is meant to grow, not keep you stuck in one place where you have to do all the work to get by. If you speak against their actions they totally cut you off, no contact, even when they still owe you money.

IS THE STRATUS BUILDING SOLUTIONS FRANCHISE A LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY OR A FRANCHISE SCAM?  SHARE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW.

Contact UnhappyFranchisee.com

166 thoughts on “STRATUS BUILDING SOLUTIONS Franchise Complaints

  • los desesperados de tampa

    mi gente de tampa conozcamonos para que jeff rextroay no nos siga estafando a todos se estan hacienda ricos por nosotros no permitamos eso,
    tenemos que parar con esto !!!

  • An Unhappy Franchisee

    Good morning.

    I am now told by the person I bought my franchise from that I am to expect to make $12.40 – $ 13.40 an hour.

    After four years of losing money I am told this. That is if I am lucky enough to make $ 12.40 – $ 13.40 an hour if I walk to my accounts. That I make $ 12.40 – $ 13.40 if I do not have to fix my vacuums (which break down). That is what I make if I do not have to pay anyone to help me.

    Funny they never mentioned it when I handed over $36,000.00.

    Stratus Building Solutions is an unethical company that makes false promises and preys on people trying to make an honest living. Everything I have read regarding the RICO suit I have experienced.

    Signed,
    An unhappy franchisee

  • tampa

    esto es desesperante en tampa jeff rextrao y jorgue Gonzales estan acabando con los latinos eso es discriminacion se estan quedando con su dinero y los estan amenazando, no se que hacer esto es terrible, he perdido los ahorros de mi vida y ahora no se ni como vivir

  • tampa

    ayuden a los latinos de tampa de stratus jeff y Jorge no permitan mas injusticias estan quedandose con nuestro dinero diganme que debo de ahace por favor

  • austin tx

    Stratus building solutions de Austin tx con Greg Fishman como dueño y al frente Christina q se encarga de envolver a nosotros los latinos con mentiras y falsas promesas y lo q hacen es robarnos nuestros ahorros con un contrato q sólo los beneficia a ellos, porfavor pongan sus quejas ante la Procuraduría genral en su estado yo aqui estoy trabajando en eso y mientras más quejas hallan más nos van a escuchar y van a tomar acciones legales en contra de estos estafadores con cuello blanco.

  • tampa scam

    is a piece of shit, jeff rextroat and Jorgue gonzlezle scam money to his mother, he takes account of stratus and runs hourly workers paid $ 7 and keeps the money, say passing bribes to peter for that reason the following peter cheating and freeze their actions is not interested, jeff strutus plans to take it to bankruptcy if they see the company from his father and the maid are full of demands that intend to do with stratus sucking their blood until it is dry, I bet when you finish jeff there will be more in tampa stratus through this area, the bad reputation of listening to jeff on the moon

    es un pedazo de mierda, jeff rextroat y jorgue gonzlezle estafa dinero hasta a su madre, toma cuentas de stratus y pone trabajadores por horas le paga a $ 7 y se queda con el dinero, dicen que pasa sobornos a peter por esa razon el sigue estafando y peter freeze no le interesa sus acciones, jeff planea llevar a strutus a bancarrota pues si ven la empresa de su papa y de el de limpieza estan llenas de demandas eso pretenden hacer con stratus chupar su sangre hasta dejarla seca, apuesto cuando jeff termine en tampa no habra mas stratus por esta zona, la mala reputacion de jeff se escucha hasta en la luna

  • Tampa Victim

    JEFF REXROAT, is at the head of a big SCAM in the Tampa area representing STRATUS BUILDING SOLUTIONS, which the only thing he does is to lye and made false promises about new accounts and taking accounts from you to give them to new franchisees. It’s a vicious circle where the only one making money is REXROAT. Report him with the Better Business Bureau, and please write to your local representative about this company and lets try to involve the media like UNIVISION TAMPA in this.

    JEFF REXROAT, esta a la cabeza de una gran estafa que esta sucediendo en el area de Tampa, representando STRATUS BUSINESS SLOUTIONS, cuando lo unico que sabe hacer es mentir y hacer falsas promesas acerca de nuevas cuentas y te quita las cuentas para darselas a nuevos franquiciados. Es un circulo vicioso en donde el unico que gana dinero es REXROAT. Denuncienlo con el Better Business Bureau y por favor escriban a su representante acerca de esta compania, E intententemos envolver a los medios de comunicacion como UNIVISON TAMPA.

  • Still optimistic

    Tampa Victim:

    It’s good to see that this particular blog is still being viewed by victims of Stratus Building Solutions. There was actually a recent dismissal of a class action lawsuit against Stratus from current and former Unit Franchisees from various states. Not sure where things stand at this point but I would definitely like to see this company closed because I too was a victim of their fraudulent practices.

  • Reasoned Source

    @Still Optimistic:

    The dismissal that you speak of was simply the fact that a Federal Court/Judge stated that the contract signed is enforceable in Arbitration. What that simply means that it will be a little more difficult for potential harmed unit franchises to get justice and certainly doesn’t mean impossible.

    Also, all that ruling and argument on behalf of Simpatico ( Master Franchise St. Louis owned by co-owner Pete Frese of Stratus Franchising) did was clearly through ALL Remaining Masters under the bus by stating for the record that Stratus Franchising has limited exposure and none of the blame for the unit franchise issues recorded throughout the various blogs by various unit franchises in various states.

    In other words, all Pete Frese and Dennis Jarrett did was to throw the remaining Masters “under the bus” and trying to “spin it” otherwise is simply foolish but normal operating practice for two fools in Dennis and Pete respectfully!

    On going court cases in Indiana and California have not been adjudicated at this point in time and the proposed lawsuit in Texas and North Carolina seems to be gaining traction.

    I have heard of a potential lawsuit coming against the “Validators” in Jeff Aibel, Ken Cassiri, Tom Weiss, John Coleman, Afshin C., Bill Blair, David Ferrall and Marvin Ashton.

    Just my guess, but I think Stratus Franchising, Pete, DJ, Bill, David, Marvin and others are just getting through the middle of things and actions yet to come!

  • Javier Cortez

    Stratus Tampa has been good to me. I have posted here before and the posts don’t seem to post. This website must be backed by the lawyer that is suing all of the franchise masters. I would recommend Jeff to any of my friends or family. Feel free to call the office there and ask for my info. I have owned a franchise for several years and they get me the work they promise.

  • Antonio Carmona

    Stratus Building Solutions es un fraude.
    No compren franquicias con esta franquiciadora, yo invertí $10,800 dólares, me convencieron con engaños de que iba a ser una buena inversión, que iba a ganar entre $25 a $35 dólares por hora limpiando oficinas, que entre 2 semanas y 2 meses iba a recibir las cuentas que completarían el plan que había escogido, que las cuentas iban a estar a menos de 15 minutos de mi casa, también me dijieron que si no me conseguían las cuentas en 60 días me debolvian mi dinero, etc. PERO NO OCURRIÓ NADA DE ESO! La primera cuenta que me dieron fue como a los dos meses de haber recibido la capacitación para limpiar oficinas. Esa cuenta me quedaba a 25 minutos de mi casa y otras dos que me dieron me quedaban a 45 minutos de mi casa y en ocasiones duraba una hora en llegar debido al tráfico. Mi ganancia ahí era de $8 a$10 dólares por hora, de ahí tenía que pagar mi gasolina y todo lo que un auto necesita ( mantenimiento, aseguranza, partes, llantas, stickers, químicos para limpiar, uniforme para trabajar, celular, etc). Cual era mi ganancia???
    Después de que firme el contrato sin leerlo bien, me empezaron a decir que había multas por no llevar los lentes puestos, por hacer cambios de cuentas, por no llevar el uniforme, por complaints, que un cliente se quejaba me quitarían la cuenta y la perdería, que si me ofrecían cuentas y las rechazaba ellos no se hacían responsables de completar mis cuentas y que NO eran 60 días para completar las cuentas, si no 90 DÍAS HÁBILES, QUE NO HABÍA MANERA DE REGRESARNOS NUESTRO DINERO.
    Lo que un día vi como una oportunidad para salir adelante se convirtió en una pesadilla, al darme cuenta de como manejan el negocio. Me quitaron una cuenta supuestamente por complaints, pero nunca me mostraron algo por escrito, después me dejaron de pagar cuando se dieron cuenta de que tenía una demanda en su contra, pasaron casi tres meses sin recibir pagos, enseguida recibí una carta de Stratus diciendo que les debía alrededor de $500 dólares por multas y abandono de cuentas, siendo que yo avise con anticipación que me cambiarán mis cuentas, ya que las cuentas que tenía no me estaban dejando ninguna ganancia. Después entregue las llaves de la última cuenta que tenía y ya habíamos iniciamos una demanda en su contra, pero hasta hoy no se ha ganado este caso.
    ESA GENTE SI QUE SON UNOS LADRONES, Y AÚN ASÍ ESTÁN ACREDITADOS POR LAS TRES BBB.

  • tampa victim

    hasta donde vamos a parar,somos latinos q llegamos a este pais a invertir lo poco q ganamos, y a la primera invercion nos encontramos con personas como Jeffrey rextroat q nos engana haciendonos firmar un contrato q al final es solo otro engano mas. Los q pagan por el servicio de nosotros firman un contrato con el y al final el no paga lo q realmente pagan por el servicio a pesar q quita el 21%, quita esto mas lo q a el se le antoje no lo q realmente dice el contrato. Tiene q haber algun lugar q se haga justicia por fabor diganlo

  • tampa victim

    Son unos mentirosos , les roban a latinos que quieren triunfar y vivir como personas tranquilas.Estas personas limpian toilets los mas asquerosos de tampa, muchos invierten pero para trabajar, y para inflarle el bolsillo a el y q se siente en sus bellos toilets de su casa q se compro valorada en casi 1.5 milllones de dolares

  • Unhappy stratus franchisee

    I have been with Stratus in the New Jersey and New York metro Area for 3 years. I have not made money in any of the three years. I have had to put more money in every year to stay in business . LOSER. LOSER, LOSER!!! The only people making money are the Local Franchisors and the home office. The workers who buy this franchise will slowly work themselves into poverty. Stay away. We need to join together to expose this fraud. If someone can develop a site or blog where we can plan and join together maybe we can stop other people from getting hurt.
    Signed,
    Unhappy and Broke

  • Reasoned Source

    @Unhappy stratus franchisee…..Sorry for what has happened to you, May I ask WHOM was the Master Franchisor that you had dealings with, by the area you are describing, it could actually be 1 of 3 different Masters.

    Also, the Good fight is already being fought throughout the Country against Stratus. Currently, there are multiple lawsuits in California, lawsuit with RICO implications in Missouri, Civil/Class Action lawsuit in Indiana. There are current investigations launched by the Attorney General of Texas, Secretary of State in Indiana and possible Attorney General Investigation looming in California and Florida.

    Finally, the actual owners of Stratus Franchising, LLC. have lost over 2/3 of their actual VALUE in the business as more than twenty former Masters have left the system completely, additional Masters that are currently still in the system are paying ZERO Royalty Fees and the balance of remaining Masters are paying 1/2 or less than what they were two (2) years ago….

    Pete Frese and Dennis Jarrett are failed leaders on multiple fronts, though I strongly doubt either one of them will spend a single day in Jail for their actions, though I doubt people like Marissa Lather, David Farrell, Marvin Ashton, Bill Blair and Bob Stapleton will spend a single day in Jail for their actions. Though I doubt Channen and Renee Smith, Afshin Cangarlu, Mark/Jayson Bashforth, Jeff (Anal) Aibel, Ken Cassiri, Tom Weiss, John Coleman will spend a single day in jail for their actions, I am quite confident that ALL of them will be eventually destroyed for their business/lack of moral/lack of integrity and down right dishonest actions both in conjunction with and side deals for Pete Frese and Dennis Jarrett.

    Hopefully, this gives HOPE to those of you that were wrongly Harmed by these people listed above and their direct and inexcusable actions. The fight is being fought on numerous fronts, numerous ways, by numerous people. There is still one or two more KEY things about to happen that will FINISH Pete Frese, Dennis Jarrett, Channen Smith, Afshin Cangarlu, Marvin Ashton once and for all in this business and industry………

  • nancy ferrazza

    Hello, Unhappy Stratus Franchisee (and all others…)

    My firm, Bridge Management Consulting, helps small business owners them who are struggling with overwhelming debt resulting from a failing or closed business.

    We’ve handled several franchisees who need to get out of their particular franchise hell, and we’ve successfully fought back on behalf of our clients. Don’t give into them!

    We’ve helped with unearned franchise fees, terminating franchise agreements, and non-compete clauses. We know how to work with collection agencies, prepare client’s PFS, and negotiate settlements that are acceptable to our clients.

    You can learn more about working out a franchise business at http://www.bridgemgt.com/working-out-a-franchine-business.

    Feel free to contact:

    Ryan Lineham, Director of Client Services
    401-390-3800
    ryan@bridgemgt.com

  • unhappy startus

    I think someday this unhappiness has to stop. We work very hard because the same people who invest in a franchise many times the work themselves in order to recover or have a little more money, you work hard to keep the money invested but ultimately looking for any excuse to scam. I read here many complaints and claims, we will someday justice? one day someone will put a stop to this nightmare? Perhaps jeffry retroax not think your scam affects families with children fighting for a better economy? I would like to see in our sole spending all this martyrdom

  • Reasoned Source

    @unhappy, I can assure you that this will stop….There are a large group of people making sure that the nightmares that you are having go away sooner vs. later. Master franchisors such as Jeff, Afshin Cangarlu, Mark Bashforth, Tom Weiss, John Coleman, Channen/Rene Smith and the heads of the snake: Pete Frese, Dennis Jarrett and the remaining/sole remaining Stooge in Marvin Ashton will be finished.

    Bankruptcy is a matter of days/weeks away…..They will be finished. Those of us that are REASONED SOURCE will insure this madness will stop. TOO MUCH harm has been done to TOO MANY!

    You have my word that WE will be Relentless until this is finished!

  • Frank Wiliamson

    I have just purchased from Stratus Tampa and on day 2 after my training and supply deliver I was offered over my package amount. I am not sure what this blog is talking about or if it is really just some kind of select few that have been failures at life and just bitter about their continued failures. I am now in my third month and have been noting but happy. Thanks.

  • Reasoned Source

    @Frank, Did you ask Jeff from WHERE did those accounts come from? Did they come from another Franchise Owner, Could it be BECAUSE of all of the Bad Publicity that THEY wanted you to post here and tout HOW WONDERFUL they are?

    Frank, Facts are Facts: You obviously DIDN’T do your homework prior to purchasing your franchise or you would have discovered the following:

    Class Action Lawsuits in Indiana, California, St. Louis
    Additional Lawsuits in California, St. Louis
    Over 1/2 of the previous High of 50 of MASTERS have left/closed in the last two (2) Years.
    HUNDREDS of stories of HARM, Churning, Ripping OFF of people from all walks, all stages financially in life.
    HUNDREDS of employees harmed and THEIR families due to the Lawsuits, closing of Masters, Trimming of Masters Payroll and the Loss of position and income.

    No Frank, It isn’t about a Handful of Bitter People that failed at their own hands….

    I wish you nothing but the best, but IF your accounts were CHURNED from another Franchisee, YOU should turn them down!

  • Cynthia Pinkey

    I was hired at Stratus as a phone appointment setter approximately 6/22/14 at $14.00 an hour, several days later I was told by Josh, and Alan that if I did not set 8 appointments by the weekend that my pay would be reduced to $9.00 per hour so I told them I would have 8 appointments set by Friday, but incidently I had to go to court so that process was delayed the following week, I was told if I did not set my appointments by Friday, I would be fired. So the following day I quit. When I went to get my check on 7/15/14 I was never paid 14.00 per hour I was only paid 9.00 per hour, and the Human Resource person along with Josh stood in my face and lied. I will take a polygraph, and sign this under the penalty of perjury. They shorted my check $165.00 and refuse to pay me. I filed a complaint with the Dept. of Labor, but now I want to sue. this is very wrong, the whole process. They fire people when they don’t set appointments for cold calls, that they have to invent themselves. The only people whom have permanent jobs are their friends.

  • Samy kleimy

    Hola yo compre una Franquisia me a Ido super mal me quitan las cuentas sin explicacion hace ya 8 messes que no Medan ninguna me dicen que espere el problema es que yo vivo en New Jersey sabe alguno de ustedes si alguien esta pasando lo mismo en este estado Por que Por sus comentarios Aqui es lo mismo que en Tampa Por favor si alguien sabe hagame lo saber grasias

  • Reasoned Source

    @Cynthia and Sammy, I am sorry for the issues that you described in your respective posts….Have faith in the knowledge that a group of committed individuals known as REASONED SOURCE will continue to be relentless in order to not only EXPOSE the wrongs done by Dennis Jarrett, Pete Frese, Afshin Cangarlu, Marvin Ashton, Foad Rekebi, Channen/Rene Smith, Bill Blair, Bob Stapleton, Marissa Lather, David Farrell, Carmen Garcia, Mark Bashforth and others. But we have REAL HOPE that the California Attorney General will finish their investigation and ACT against both Stratus Franchising and Afshin Cangarlu/Marvin Ashton and Foad Rekebi in the GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA!

    More coming soon on a case in Indiana that could be the Trigger that finally sets in motion the looming BK of Stratus Franchising, LLC.!

  • Confirmed Source

    Mr. Reasoned Source or should I call you Mr. Wenger or you prefer for us to be casual and just call you Jerry? But whichever you prefer, it is obvious that you’ve never built anything in your life. You’re just a sorry old loser with 25 years of bad janitorial experience who is trying to terrorize a lot of decent people who have worked very hard over the course of past several years and built up a nice small business helping themselves and a LOT of others as Unit franchisees who are successfully making an honest living. You may not remember me but we met in your hometown in Indiana at one of your accounts that you were so proud of but in just few months lost it to a competitor as a result of your weak management skills. As evident from your hundreds of postings on this site, you are obviously very bitter and have decided to partner up with some crooks to try and destroy people’s lives in hopes of either extortion and blackmail, or somehow finding an explanation for your failures in life. Unfortunately for you everyone will continue to successfully operate their businesses around you for many years to come in spite of your best efforts to the contrary. You do have a lot of extra time these days as you and your sorry partners are without work. It’s so easy to hide behind your little computer and write away but has that gotten you anywhere in the past three or four years? You are a just a bitter blogger, that’s all ….. Stay tuned my friends, more to come regarding Mr. “old ass, loser, bitter blogger” Wenger.

  • QUESTION FOR REASONED SOURCE:

    I’ve been reading this post about janitorial fraud and the lawsuit document with interest:
    http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/stratus-lawsuit-alleges-janitorial-franchise-fraud/

    This Master franchise was accused of violating all kinds of franchise laws. That lawsuit has lots of examples like this one:

    “Defendant Wenger signed the franchise agreement as “regional director” of Stratus.
    251. The document Alvarez and Leon signed, however, comprises only pages having the numbers 22, 27, 29 and 35, which appear to be the only pages that have blanks to be filled in when compared to Stratus’s sample contract provided to the Indiana Secretary of State.
    253. Stratus never provided Alvarez and Leon with a Franchise Disclosure Document.”

    This was a group called Shamrock Services with defendants named Spellacy, Wenger & Martins. If the allegations are true, this seems highly deceptive, illegal and pretty sleazy.

    Reasoned Source: Are these common practices among all Master franchises or is this Indianapolis master one of those “bad apples” you were talking about?

  • REASONED SOURCE:

    You are right about there being some bad bad masters who are very good at extracting money from people.

    http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/stratus-lawsuit-alleges-janitorial-franchise-fraud/

    What do you make of this? Franchisees paid:

    $10K franchise fee
    $1302 New account fee
    $900 starter kit
    $1000 fine (sounds bogus)
    $1425 in work Stratus refused to pay them for

    Then the franchisee got terminated without a clear or documented explanation.

    Is this legal? If true, this just sounds like straight-up thievery.

    What do you think, Reasoned Source??

    “”Or or about March 11, 2011, Plaintiff Alvarez and Leon paid Stratus a franchise fee of $10,000 in cash for an “SBS-36 Franchise plan,”… Defendant Wenger signed the franchise agreement as “regional director” of Stratus.

    252. Stratus represented it was capable of providing Alvarez and Leon with $3,000 per month income under the “SBS-36 Franchise plan.”

    254. About a month later, Stratus assigned Alvarez and Leon her first cleaning job: North Grove Elementary School (“North Grove”), which was to pay $3,650 per month.

    255. Stratus required Alvarez and Leon to sign an “account acquisition agreement” prior to beginning work at North Grove. The agreement stated that Alvarez and Leon owed Stratus a new account fee of $1,302.

    256. Stratus also required Alvarez and Leon to purchase a North Grove “starter kit,” which would be paid through three monthly deductions of $300 from their pay.

    257. At the end of May 2011, Alvarez and Leon received her first check from Stratus, which was for work at North Grove during the month of April. After Stratus made deductions for “royalty,” “administration fee,” “insurance,” the “account payment” of $217, the “starter kit” payment of $300 and other supplies that Stratus required, Stratus paid Alvarez and Leon only $2,284.76 for the month’s work.

    258. On August 11, 2011… a Stratus manager told her that her work had not been good enough, terminated her from the job and demanded that she return the keys.

    259. Alvarez and Leon was not permitted to take the $900 “starter kit” Stratus had required her to purchase with her. It was left at North Grove.

    260. Defendant Wenger later sent a letter to Alvarez and Leon, attempting to explain the termination. The letter also stated that “you will have $1,000.00 deducted from your July payment[,]” and “You will not receive any monies for the cleaning from 8/1/11 to 8/12/11 which totals $1,425.”

    261. When Alvarez received the final check for cleaning work at North Grove July 1 to August 12, 2011, Stratus only paid $1,587.27 after Stratus’s deductions, the $1,000 fine and another fine for “Items that were threw away at school.” Alvarez never received any explanation of what the “Items that were threw away at school” was.

    262. Stratus has not offered Alvarez any cleaning work or income since August 2011 and has refused to refund her franchise fee or additional account fee.”

  • Reasoned Source

    @Guest: It amazing to me that a couple of comments about you being an attorney and in much need of a Beer has sent you off the deep end again…..Of course, when you have the mentality of an attorney, it is really a short walk.

    As stated prior, anyone can accuse anyone of anything, proof however is a different matter. Per my understanding, that case hasn’t been heard yet. When it is heard and adjudicated MAYBE it will proven that you are correct, MAYBE it will be proven as is the case with most attorney’s that sensationalism is and the “Charge is more important than the Truth” holds true in this case.

    You never did answer about the Coverall California Case that I posted about in the other thread. What’s the matter, to hard to swallow your Beer after that?

  • Confirmed Source

    @Reasoned Source aka Jerry Wenger continues to lie and misinform the readers on this site. It is obvious Jerry Wenger is incredibly bitter, without work and a lot of free time that has been dedicated here to post lies. To make the matter worse Reasoned Source aka Jerry Wenger has decided to partner up with similar crooks like himself to try and destroy people’s lives in hopes of either extortion or blackmail. Jerry Wenger should have listened to his own family members Kimberly Wenger and Gladys Wenger when they publicly asked him to stop taking people’s money and find an honorable job. What they didn’t realize is that Jerry Wenger is not capable of having an honorable job. His work history speaks for itself.

    Let’s take a look at Jerry Wenger’s 20 years of miserable Janitorial track record. His job at Jan-Pro ended with a lawsuit. Too many complaints from customers and unit franchisees, fraudulent contracts, side deals with franchisees, taking cash in return for customer accounts, and the list goes on. At Stratus Indiana, as a result of his wrong doings as the Regional Director, they ended up with several lawsuits with Jerry Wenger’s name as the main responsible party. Jerry Wenger is one of the key players that has given this industry a bad name but conveniently he removes his name from his own list. If anything, Jerry Wenger should be the only name on the list. It is a joke that Jerry Wenger calls himself an “Honorable Man”!!!!

    Jerry Wagner is the fraud himself. His drumbeat of naming other masters, repeatedly listing Stratus cities and individuals involved is just a way for him to hide covering up the reality. Every posting that Jerry Wenger aka Reasoned Source aka Hefty Trash Bag puts up starts with some kind of disinformation such as “BK is around the corner”, “Major news to come out in two weeks”, etc., then lists every name and city repeatedly and then states “More to come ….”. You can go back two years and nothing has changed. Jerry Wenger continues with his strategy that hasn’t worked at all for him. Over 1000’s of Stratus unit franchisees continue to earn an honest living while Jerry Wenger persists with his terrorizing ways.

    More background information regarding Jerry Wenger and his character to come. Please stay tuned.

  • Reasoned Source

    @Confirmed Source, the following people are really loving you right now and for a variety of reasons:

    1) Jim Van Dyke as it has been exposed that it was his Lawsuit that caused Robert Posch to hire a PI to dig up dirt on not only himself but Channen Smith.

    2) Afshin Cangarlu/Foad Rekebi as it has been discussed openly about not only their problems with Unit Franchises, but their failed attempt to purchase Stratus Franchising, LLC., but their relationship with the Mosheydi’s, but their problems with Foad’s family finances.

    3) Channen/Rene Smith and his wardrobe malfunction issues repetitively with one of his own employee’s.

    4) Simpatico and its separation from Stratus Franchising, LLC.

    5) Why Stratus Franchising, LLC. needs as many Paying Masters to continue in the days leading up to BK filing.

    And yes, the facts of those that have been harmed, those that did the harm, those that left the system and the reasons why are all damaging and every time you post, it gives one of our members of REASONED SOURCE a reason to repost and dig some more!

  • Confirmed Source

    @Reasoned Source aka Jerry Wenger continues with his strategy to just list names and cities with the sole intention of terrorizing working people. But who is the real Jerry “trash bag” Wenger and his new partners in crime? Well I have firsthand experience with this so called “honorable man”. There are more lawsuits following Jerry Wenger than any person he has mentioned in his postings combined together. You may ask why? He is far from being an honorable man. He has a lawsuit for every position or company that he has been involved. You can check one of the lawsuits filed against him with over 100 unit franchisees. He is personally responsible for these blue color working class people losing their life savings. Jerry Wenger promised these individuals customer accounts and either never delivered them, or when he did he took more side money from these poor people. I sat in the court room where the judge was furious with Jerry Wagner’s work ethics and what was presented as evidence for his wrongdoings. In short time at Xcel Clean in Indiana he lost more accounts than the history of that company.

    More to come regarding…

    Jerry Wenger Fraudster
    Jerry Wenger Fraud Master
    Jerry Wenger Commercial Cleaning Scammer
    Jerry Wenger Janitorial Services Rip-off
    Jerry Wenger Area Developer Con Artist
    Jerry Wenger Fraudulent Regional Director
    Jerry Wenger Business Development Manager Failure
    Jerry Wenger Commercial Services Disaster
    Jerry Wenger Vice-President of Numerous Scam Operations

  • Reasoned Source

    @Viewers: As the appearance of Confirmed Source and Guest are being debated throughout the U.S. by members both in/out of REASONED SOURCE some of the following were discussed as to possibly WHO one or both of them are:

    “Guest” is more than likely an attorney as his style/structure suggest that he/she is attempting to lay out an oral argument in writing…..REASONED SOURCE has thwarted numerous attorneys in various ways over the past couple of years not to mention frustrated them beyond belief.

    “Confirmed Source” is almost 100% a current Master of Stratus Franchising, LLC. as if it were DJ or Pete the sentence structure would be different and “Mumbles” simply doesn’t speak that well and DJ well is still too intoxicated to speak much at all!

    Who could “Confirmed Source” be?

    1) Jim Van Dyke: Not likely, but possible, he certainly has caused problems for himself by the stupid activity by having Robert Posch involved in a Lawsuit and Robert’s subsequent PI revelations about Channen Smith and his zipper issue.

    2) Channen/Rene Smith: Possible, he does have a REASON to be upset, but his style is more “duck for cover” and “under the covers”!

    3) Afshin Cangarlu and/or Foad Rekebi: Very possible as previous postings have a direct “hint” of Proper English vs. American English. Got stung by REASONED SOURCE because of the Mosheydi’s being removed from financial help. Also, because of the reported issues and current uprisings in his Franchise Ranks.

    4) Marvin Ashton: Possible, he certainly would fit the general profile, though not a Master he is/has been a Key Employee of Stratus. He is the primary cause for the Attorney General taking such an interest in California as not only his dealings with Stratus are being looked at but with Bonus as well.

    5) Mark/Jayson Bashforth: Not likely. Jayson is simply a LOON and has no idea/concept of time and no desire or effort to do much of anything. Mark is possible, but he is simply trying to get out of Stratus as unscathed as possible. He recently (through his attorney) turned over numerous documents including a statement of fact that could be very harmful to Stratus Franchising, Dennis Jarrett and Pete Frese directly.

    Well there you have it….REASONED SOURCE’s Top five (5) list of WHO it could be…….

  • Confirmed Source

    [Duplicate comment deleted]

    Confirmed Source, Guest, Reasoned Source:

    Please just post each comment once to the most relevant post.

    Please stop putting duplicate comments on multiple pages.

    Thanks – ADMIN

  • Jeff rextroat and Leslie rextraa son tampa scam

    hola mi gente, les recomiendo k vean al abogado Jonathan Forman,314-522-2313 pregunten por cristina ella habla espanol, busquen su web site en internet, y unanse a la demanda, contra Stratus Building Solution,
    el ano pasado le ganaron una demanda a Jani King de 3 millones por estafa
    en la union esta la fuerza no tengan miedo, ellos son los que deberian de tener miedo por estafa y discriminacion contra los latinos,amenazandolos todo el tiempo
    stratus esta hecho para robar no importa como, lo inportante para ellos es roba
    ellos estan bajo demanda en Miami y en port myeyer

  • Jeff rextroat and Leslie rextraa son tampa scam

    ellos se burlan de los latinos y los amenazan para k sientan miedo,

  • FL Franchise Owner

    I am a franchise owner in FL. Stratus did not give me all of the disclosures-I noticed the list of franchisees that have failed was never given to me. Also-they didn’t let me wait two weeks to sign the contract and purchase. Then comes the threats of dissolving me. Constant name calling from the owner, Jeff RexRoat. They give me a three hour, same day notice to take an account and then when I refuse it, say it’s not their fault and that they can charge me $50 an hour because it’s outside of their business hours. Then comes the non payment issues. They claim that I must drive to Tampa to pick up my check, and that it’s a privilege for them to mail it to me…and then the check never comes. They are now saying that they can hold my last two checks and charge me $500 a day for “abandonment” because I don’t want to continue cleaning for FREE. Then comes the supply issue. They promised that they would order and keep on hand all of the paper supplies…but there are never any for me and therefore the client is mad. Then comes the log books they promised all of my customers, who never have received. They have set me up for failure and refuse to refund my money. I have tried numerous times working it out and all Jeff does is scream and threaten me. Isn’t there some way that I can break this contract without being indebted as “slave labor” because of the way the contract is written-which totally benefits them dismissing me-but excuses them if I want to dismiss them!? I am very very unhappy. I would like an attorney, but was told by Jeff that I can’t touch them. It is written in the contract that in good faith, I cannot take them to court? I think this is totally wrong. I would like others who are in FL to contact me for a class action lawsuit to end all of this.

  • Cleaning customer

    As a customer of Stratus I have heard from our Franchise Owner that they have not been paid for 2 months. How do I go about getting out of my contract? They do a great job and I would like to keep using them as a separate cleaning person but our contract says we can’t for 90 days. How is it fair for me to pay Stratus monthly and the people cleaning our facilities aren’t being paid?

    Any tips on getting out from our contract? We still have 8 months left.

  • sixto

    En san Diego pasa lo mismo con el cobarde de Juan Pablo . Hice UN deposito de catorcemil dollares el pasado ano. Se Han quedado co todo. Aun no me devielven mi dinero. Son ibas estas. Tengan cuidado. No compren. No vienen. Alejense de ellos. Vamos a juntarnos todos los defraudados en san Diego para tumbarlos de una vez. Y hacer una demanda grande. Solo asi Podemos ganarles

  • Reasoned Source

    @Viewers, I am constantly AMAZED at the people that are continuing working in the Stratus Franchising System….Tampa has issues, Houston has issues, Los Angeles has issues, Philadelphia has issues, Delaware has issues, St. Louis has issues and the list goes on and on.

    WHY are owner-operators simply not getting the accounts on their own and away from these Crooks?

    Sorry, but it has gone from wanting to feel sorry for various owner-operators to REALLY! WHY ARE YOU STILL THERE!

  • the big scam of jeff Tampa

    Haaa! today can,t pay me because the office in Tampa jeff don’t have money for paycheck I don’t know why he take 2 month of the work check if any way don’t have money for pay me on time without feess!!! the paycheck is in Oct 5 OMG is it big SCAM, Where is my money ????

    Haaa!! hoy no es el dia de pago en Stratus Tampa porque Jeff no tiene dinero para pagar asi k veremos si para el OCT 5 sera, me pregunto para que se quedan con 2 meses de mi salario si nunca tienen dinero para pagar cada mes.
    que horror!! hasta cuando un ladron va a estar suelto??

  • the scam

    it is true I was call several time asking for my check and jeff say my can’t pay me this month because don’t have enough money,
    This is a Franchise Stratus or it is a Gang?????
    help me please Jeff retrat is scam me what a need to do????

    es verdad yo acaba de llamar a stratus y me dicen k no tienen suficiente dinero para pagarme este mes,
    son ellos una franquicia o una ganga k estan hacienda con el dinero k trabaje todo este mes.

  • tampa Jeff Rat

    everyone knows that the money Jeff rat offers good money for the presidency of stratus for that reason they can steal the smile care of the above

  • ijole paisanos y yo q apenas pensaba invertir yo vivo en santa ana ca, si ay alguien de por aca aganlo saber atodos los latinoamericanos para no caer en la tranpota que pena por los afectados luchemos por las injusticias unamonos con nuestra voz este es mi correo yo los apoyare pasando la voz les dejo mi correo [redacted] gracias por darlo a saber buenas suerte!

  • Simply Jaimy

    Well….. I guess I did my homework well.. I was just thinking in investing money with Stratus because one of my friends did so and sounded just too good to be true. She was told basically what you are all describing in your comments.
    However, I always like to read reviews; whether is for a pair of shoes that I am buying or an investment that I am thinking of making.
    I have yet located a good comment about Stratus. I mean it all became very amusing once I started to read the feud between @reasoned source and @confirmed source BUT there are just TOO many of these horrible stories and comments—
    Sadly enough, my friend has been with Stratus for a year now in march 2015 and is starting to experience some of the things that I am reading about like accounts are being taken away with no explanations.
    which then leads me to believe that i would not be really owing any of the accounts if they can just be taken away for no reason ??? NO THANK YOU — no Stratus for me,,,

  • Simply Jaimy

    Sorry; meant to say OWNING

    which then leads me to believe that i would not be really “” owning “” any of the accounts if they can just be taken away for no reason ??? NO THANK YOU — no Stratus for me,,,

  • Simply Jaimy

    Sorry; meant to say OWNING

    which then leads me to believe that i would not be really “” owning “” any of the accounts if they can just be taken away for no reason ???

  • brian

    Stratus Cincinnati…scum ….get out of town

  • tampa scam

    rata Jeff sigue acabando con la gente y pidiendo dinero este mes no pudo pagar a nadie porque se compro una casa nueva

  • Carmelo Salazar

    Yo hice una cita con stratus en San Diego,me dieron la información también un libro de su información de ellos pero cuando quise llamar a las personas que ellos me daban como referencia de que las personas tenían franquicias con stratus nadie me contestó, numeros que no existen, números equivocadas o fuera de servicio
    Por lo tanto no creí que fuera algo real está es mi experiencia con ellos, no regreso otra vez.
    Antes que inviertan su dinero investiguen bien primero. No se vayan por las emisiones. Se mira tan bueno para que sea real.

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