Epixtar

[spidervein]

has anybody heard of this company? better yet, does anybody from PEx work there? any info/feedback as to company culture, pay, etc. will be appreciated.

[* tinny gUrL *]

my sweetie works there... :love:

[ahrjhey]

hmmm, i heard they do mostly sales... with strict quota.
they once occupied buendia center along gil puyat and is now located in alabang.
currently, i think they're handling kenny rogers for inbound.

[Johnston]

i guess they're planning to move their office in eastwood soon..

[* tinny gUrL *]

yup, i believe they do mostly sales nga ata...:p i've heard din about eastwood, but i'm not sure if they are really moving, i think it will just be another office... so magiging 2 operation centers na... :)

[beefeater]

from what I know it bought out another call center that's why it's based in Alabang. And that they'll establish base as well in eastwood.

This CC is into telemarketing.

[TiNyCuTiE]

excuse me..yan ba yung i-call dati?

[* tinny gUrL *]

Originally posted by TiNyCuTiE
excuse me..yan ba yung i-call dati?

hindi ata... :nope:

[beefeater]

Originally posted by * tinny gUrL *
hindi ata... :nope:

Yes. they bought I-Call. release:

======================

Epixxtar to Acquire Philippine Call Center
Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 9:41 am ET
http://www.epixtar.com/release09232003.asp

Acquisition To Add Up To 1,000 More Seats In The Philippines

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2003--Epixtar Corp. (OTCBB:EPXR - News) - today announced that it has executed a Memorandum of Agreement with I-Call Global Services Corp. subject to conditions to acquire the physical assets of its Manila, Philippines-based call center. The Company plans to establish its own call center and expand the facility to 1,000 seats. The acquisition, when completed, will represent Epixtar's second Philippine call center.

The center, located in an upscale Manila suburb called Alabang, provides access to additional workforce in the Carmona and Santa Rosa communities. The Alabang facility will complement Epixtar's facilities under management in Bombay, India and recently opened in Eastwood City - Manila, Philippines.

Epixtar, by separate arrangement, assumed responsibility from present ownership for day-to-day management of the call center where the assets are located on September 8, 2003. The Company said it has begun utilizing the center's existing capacity to market services on behalf of its enterprise clientele.

This brings the total number of call-center seats currently under development to 3,500. The Company has plans to develop additional capacity in Calcutta, India in FY 2004 and Capetown, South Africa. The Company said it has a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of West Bengal relating to Calcutta and is exploring various options in Capetown.

"This acquisition will provide additional capacity to support our sales and marketing efforts," said Gerald Dunne, executive vice president and head of sales for Epixtar Corp. "This also provides us access to the considerable human capital residing in communities surrounding Manila. Our ability to continually attract quality personnel has been particularly essential to our growth and development and has kept us in the forefront of the surging paradigm shift to offshore business process outsourcing."

About Epixtar Corp.
Epixtar is a provider of marketing services - aggregating contact center capacity and robust infrastructure to deliver comprehensive, turnkey solutions. From campaign design through ongoing management, Epixtar delivers value-driven, creative solutions for telesales initiatives. Epixtar combines global capacity with innovative performance-based compensation and proven methodology to deliver highly successful marketing campaigns. Leading companies use Epixtar's marketing expertise and contact center capacity to acquire, support, and enhance the customer experience, reduce costs and generate top-line revenue. Based in Miami, Florida, Epixtar conducts operations in India, the Philippines, and the Caribbean.

Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains statements about expected future events and financial results that are forward looking. These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could be affected by a downturn in the economy, new competitive products, slower rate of growth in member base, higher than anticipated cancellations, unforeseen expenses, or technical failure related to self generating web site development or inability to scale server capacity to meet demand. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking statements also include those preceded or followed by the wrds: "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "hopes" or similar expressions. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

[* tinny gUrL *]

aww... ok! :) tnx for the info! :D

[ambertookme]

TL friend ko diyan.

[iratootsie]

hehehehe

GOOD LUCK sa mga taong magttrabaho dito!

:bleh:

[beefeater]

Originally posted by iratootsie
hehehehe

GOOD LUCK sa mga taong magttrabaho dito!

:bleh:

Hahahaha. Bakit mo nasabi yan? Dahil sa US Federal DNC at yung attitude ng Americans toward outbound telemarketing?

[Apolpay]

I think magtagat tagal pa eh sisikat ang Epixtar.

ok kse **, Big Income na maganda pa policy.

:)

[iratootsie]

EPIXTAR? hahaha good luck lang talaga.

hindi dahil sa DNC sa states. ;)

kung siguro di ka rep tapos napasok ka dito.. aba maganda diba...

pero kung rep ka? hahahaha nevermind! :bleh:

[spidervein]

hahaha, iratootsie what's the chismis? share naman...

[beefeater]

Alleged phone crammer sued by FTC (http://www.msnbc.com/news/987118.asp?cp1=1)
Epixtar was Wall Street darling earlier this year

By Bob Sullivan
MSNBC

Oct. 30 — A small Florida company that has repeatedly been accused of cramming extra charges on consumer phone bills around the country was sued by the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday. The firm was the subject of an investigation by MSNBC.com in April, after a former employee detailed the firms alleged aggressive telemarketing tactics. At one point earlier this year, Epixtar was the top performing stock on Wall Street — and shares in the firm soared more than 400 percent in the weeks after the MSNBC.com investigation.

IN THE WAKE of the announcement, shares in Epixtar plummeted nearly 40 percent.

Epixtar Corp., also known by its subsidiary names Liberty Online Services and National Online Services, announced Thursday that it had been sued and served with a temporary restraining order by the FTC. The firm’s assets were also frozen, pending a Nov. 13 hearing. Company officer William Rhodes was also sued by the FTC.

Epixtar and its subsidiaries “vigorously deny any wrongdoing and believe that their business practices are in compliance with all applicable laws. They intend to vigorously defend the action,” the firm said in a press release.

Epixtar’s chief executive officer, Martin Miller, confirmed that his firm received the temporary restraining order at its offices Thursday morning, and that the firm had temporarily stopped conducting business.

“We are shocked by this action,” he said. “We consider it a complete violation of anybody’s due-process rights.”

Telephone cramming, along with phone bill slamming, has become an increasing nuisance for consumers. With the Telecommunications Act of 1996, third-party firms earned the right to offer consumers additional telephone services such as voice mail, with charges for those services included on home or business telephone bills. Some unscrupulous operators manage to trick consumers into adding services, or in some cases, simply add the services without permission, and charge monthly fees — a process called cramming. Confused consumers usually complain to their local telephone provider, which did not initiate the charge and often cannot immediately remove it. Phone slamming victims find they have been tricked into switching long-distance providers.

Earlier this year, Epixtar was accused of cramming by Missouri and Iowa state officials.

In January, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon won an injunction against the firm after alleging that it tricked consumers into agreeing to pay for unnecessary telephone services such as Internet yellow page listings. Nixon also said that consumers who tried to contact the company for refunds have had “misrepresentiations made to them, including altered recordings of telemarketing calls.” The attorney general’s office said it had received 69 complaints about National Online Services, one of the brand names that Epixtar uses.

The Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate also filed a complaint about Epixtar earlier this year, including claims “that the company’s verification agent spoke far too rapidly to be understood by the consumer.”

Epixtar’s Miller said that seven states in all had opened inquiries into his company’s practices; the firm has settled some of those cases, he said.

Miller said his initial reading of the FTC lawsuit did not indicate that his firm was accused of cramming.

“We sell ISP services to small business, and we do it on free trial basis with ‘convert to pay.’ They are saying we converted them to pay without their knowledge, which we categorically deny.”

According to its Web site, Epixtar provides marketing services, and has operations in Florida, India, the Philippines and the Caribbean. Subsidiaries provide Internet service, long-distance calling cards and other telecommunications services.

The business had been expanding, and earlier this year had filed applications to sell telecommunications services with state regulators in Ohio, California, North Dakota and Mississippi. In a September press release, the firm said it had executed a Memorandum of Agreement with I-Call Global Services Corp. to acquire a Manila, Philippines-based call center, with plans to expand it to 1,000 seats.

Investors had rewarded the company during the span — it rose from a 52-week low of 36 cents to a high of $9.20 in May.

But in April, the former employee, who requested anonymity, alleged that the firm had used fast-talking techniques to grow the business. It signed up 600,000 customers during the past year to monthly services that cost about $30 per month, he said. To bolster his claims of deceptive practices, the employee, who requested anonymity, shared copies of the recorded telephone calls made by company representatives.

On one call, the Epixtar operator says she is verifying the business name and address. Then, after she gets the consumer into the rhythm of giving “yes” answers, she establishes that he has the right to make changes to the phone bill. But that key question, read at lightning-quick speed, is slipped in behind another simple “yes” answer.

“You are authorized to make changes and incur charges on your business phone bill and are over the age of 18. I also have your main telephone number as 202 ... Is that all correct?” the operator is heard asking. The consumer replies “yes.”

“Basically, we get one yes for four questions. Sometimes people don’t notice,” the former employee said.

Such alleged fast-talking has gotten the company into trouble with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, which says in one case “that the company’s verification agent spoke far too rapidly to be understood by the consumer.”

The former Epixtar employee said that the $29.95-a-month service is quickly mentioned at the end of a conversation.

“At this time we will begin your no obligation 30-day free trial. Should you decide to continue after 30 days your company’s Web and Internet service is only $29.95 monthly and will be included in your local phone bill appearing under the heading online services ...,” the operator says.

The flummoxed consumer replies hesitatingly, “Yes ....” The former employee claimed that the tape was neatly cut after the word “yes.”

The Missouri attorney general accused Epixtar of that quick-ending tactic. An affidavit signed by a consumer submitted by the attorney general to the court alleges that when the consumer listened to the recording of his solicitation, “the recording ended prior to me saying that if I had to call to cancel the service, I did not want it.”

Miller denied that his firm uses quick-talking tactics or digitally edits phone calls.

“We record all our telephone calls. ... We have a voice record of the acceptance of our services,” he said. “We bend over backwards to comply with regulations.”

[otakusenshi]

oic... so thats epixtar.. hehe... oi heard that they have the same account as with globalstride... sabi ng friend ko lang ha...

[iratootsie]

yep that's epixtar! hehehehe funny article.. kasi IT IS ALL TRUE!

hahahah! kaya good luck sa mga magaapply jan ha. ako naglinis na ako ng konsensya ko.

wala na sa globalstride ang epixtar. shempre lumipat na sa kabilang building.. isang buong building epixtar lang? hhehehe tulad ng lagi kong sinasabi

GOOD LUCK :bleh:

[amPOGIko]

hahaha..tama..scammers..good luck pag nademanda big time yan..shems damay damay na yan..

[dongski]

ngeeee!!!!! isa lang ang masasabi ko SCAM... pero try nyo baka nagustohan nyo dun. hehehe

[* tinny gUrL *]

scam talaga! :lol:

[iratootsie]

:lol:

mapera yan!

:evilgrin:

[dongski]

on the brighter side, madami namang write-up sa states ang epixtar eh so kilala sila, kilala silang scammers! dont really know how ppl could actually work for such a company. Sadyang ganyan na ba talaga tayong pilipino? desirado.....??? :(

[EVIL CLOWN]

Originally posted by beefeater

Such alleged fast-talking has gotten the company into trouble with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, which says in one case “that the company’s verification agent spoke far too rapidly to be understood by the consumer.”




is speaking fast one of the requirements? hehe i could work there!

[observer]

nabasa nyo ba yung ad nila sa Phil star? magkakaroon pa pala sila ng job fair sometime this november! may mga seminars pang kasama para daw sa mga applicants! kawawa naman yung mga pupunta...

[golfer_guy]

is it really not a good company? any pexers working here?

[iratootsie]

actually i dunno about the company, pero the accounts they handle are really... uhm... scams? :lol: they might sue me because of this. hehehehe

i duno with you guys, but since i used to handle one of their accounts... kahit 20 thou a month pa bigay nila.. WAG NALANG.

hehehehe try and see.. ;)

[* tinny gUrL *]

recently natalo *** 1 nilang account... scam nga kasi... dat's why my sweetie was transferred to another account... :)

[dongski]

ah naku nothing really new to me, at lagi naman yatang may sue ang companyang i yan sa states. anyway evil clown try mong mag-aapply sa kanila there is nothing to lose anyway, malay mo magustohan mo ang work mo dun. But personally i would not dare to go back there as in sinusumpa ko *** sobrang scam sila and they are not even telling or better yet admitting sa work force nila na talagang scam sila (really sorry for those who are currently working for them :( ). Basta pips kung kaya nyong mangloko ng tao well go, pero im sure na kakukunsenya din kayo tulad ko na huli na nang malaman na ganon pala ang trabaho na ginawa ako and i really regret na naging part ako ng company nila! darn!!!!

[golfer_guy]

pano yun? i was hired lang kanina..any suggestions?

[dongski]

Originally posted by golfer_guy
pano yun? i was hired lang kanina..any suggestions?

hmmmm golfer_guy try mo lang for a few months sayang naman ang oras na pinunta mo sa office nilang kay layo-layo for the interview and stuff. Well Good luck na lang if ever di mo magustuhan (most likely), marami naman call center na nagkalat dyan na maganda ang palakad and sweldo lipat ka na lang...:D
I'll se you around Bro.

[* tinny gUrL *]

onga golfer_guy... try mo lang... don't be easily discouraged by the posts here (i know i don't sound convincing! :glee: )... u won't lose anything naman eh (except time, i guess) and baka magustuhan mo rin yung work mo dyan... wala rin namang bond dyan kaya madali *** din makaalis if ever di mo na kayang maging scammer! :lol: gud luck!

[dongski]

I so agree with you tinny gurl, anyway golfer_guy kamusta mo na lang ako sa mga tao dyan sa epixtar. And tanong mo na agad ang mga in's and out's ng company and accounts nila para makapagdecide ka agad if it is gud to acually stay there or not (but i guess not). as told by tinny gurl dont be to discourage by the post here, it is only time and experiece that will tell you the truth.:) gud luck again and "START CALLING"

[golfer_guy]

thanks dongski and tinny gurl! buti nga di masyado ako napagod kasi sa Alabang naman sila eh..im from pque naman..i'll try your suggestions, i'll get to know the company muna then pag akoyo na, out na..hehe, tutal wala namang bond eh..(accdg. to tinny gurl), yung "sweetie" mo tinny gurl, he's working pa rin sa epixtar? how much starting salary sa kanila? kasama na yung ++,
Thank you! :)

[nwebediseotso]

i wasnt able to attend their company talk ysterday at yun... can i still apply ***?! walk-in pwede?

[dongski]

Originally posted by nwebediseotso
i wasnt able to attend their company talk ysterday at yun... can i still apply ***?! walk-in pwede?

Aba at meron pa clang company talk... ano yan parang seminar?. makaka-apply ka pa rin ***** kc di naman siguro ganon ka-importante ang talk na yan.:) walk in? hmmm i suggest na mag-apply ka online kc di ka na gagastos sa pagpunta mo sa office nilang kay layo (Alabang). and ang process ng sa walk-in and online ay pareho lang naman (Minsan mas-mabilis pa sa Online):) try your luck nwebediseotso and gudluck.:D

[dongski]

Originally posted by golfer_guy
thanks dongski and tinny gurl! buti nga di masyado ako napagod kasi sa Alabang naman sila eh..im from pque naman..i'll try your suggestions, i'll get to know the company muna then pag akoyo na, out na..hehe, tutal wala namang bond eh..(accdg. to tinny gurl), yung "sweetie" mo tinny gurl, he's working pa rin sa epixtar? how much starting salary sa kanila? kasama na yung ++,
Thank you! :)


Glad to be of help to you golfer_guy!!! balitaan mo ako pag nag-start ka na and kung ano ang tingin mo sa mga account nila and company. Gudluck :) :D (balitaan mo rin ako kung nagresign ka na!)

[golfer_guy]

who are their clients ba?

[yummy lita]

epixtar!!!!!!!!!! goodluck!!!!!!!!!!

[yummy lita]

Originally posted by dongski
Aba at meron pa clang company talk... ano yan parang seminar?. makaka-apply ka pa rin ***** kc di naman siguro ganon ka-importante ang talk na yan.:) walk in? hmmm i suggest na mag-apply ka online kc di ka na gagastos sa pagpunta mo sa office nilang kay layo (Alabang). and ang process ng sa walk-in and online ay pareho lang naman (Minsan mas-mabilis pa sa Online):) try your luck nwebediseotso and gudluck.:D

[yummy lita]

Originally posted by dongski
Aba at meron pa clang company talk... ano yan parang seminar?. makaka-apply ka pa rin ***** kc di naman siguro ganon ka-importante ang talk na yan.:) walk in? hmmm i suggest na mag-apply ka online kc di ka na gagastos sa pagpunta mo sa office nilang kay layo (Alabang). and ang process ng sa walk-in and online ay pareho lang naman (Minsan mas-mabilis pa sa Online):) try your luck nwebediseotso and gudluck.:D

dongski!!! don't u miss NOL? its a free listing ma'm..... its a freeeeeeeeeee listing!!! bwahahahaha scam ba kamo? hinde naman, wala lang dapat tape alterations :shy: hahaha dahil dun mejo malake den ang comish ko!!! buti na lang STOP calling na tayu!

[dongski]

Originally posted by golfer_guy
who are their clients ba?

As far as i know may account clang AT&T but most ng mga account nila ay company owned. Also outbound ang mga account nila and sales yung lang po. :~(

[* tinny gUrL *]

Originally posted by golfer_guy
thanks dongski and tinny gurl! buti nga di masyado ako napagod kasi sa Alabang naman sila eh..im from pque naman..i'll try your suggestions, i'll get to know the company muna then pag akoyo na, out na..hehe, tutal wala namang bond eh..(accdg. to tinny gurl), yung "sweetie" mo tinny gurl, he's working pa rin sa epixtar? how much starting salary sa kanila? kasama na yung ++,
Thank you! :)

yup he's still there... he started out as a sales exec but now he's an account manager na... ayaw nya kasi *** ginagawa *** un *** naging motivation nya to move to another position... :) i'm not sure about the salary though but i heard it's good kasi american company... training palang nila nun tpos ok na *** pay eh what more kung maregularize na diba? ;)

[* tinny gUrL *]

Originally posted by dongski
Glad to be of help to you golfer_guy!!! balitaan mo ako pag nag-start ka na and kung ano ang tingin mo sa mga account nila and company. Gudluck :) :D (balitaan mo rin ako kung nagresign ka na!)

ako rin golfer_guy balitaan mo! ;) gud luck!

[dongski]

Originally posted by yummy lita
dongski!!! don't u miss NOL? its a free listing ma'm..... its a freeeeeeeeeee listing!!! bwahahahaha scam ba kamo? hinde naman, wala lang dapat tape alterations :shy: hahaha dahil dun mejo malake den ang comish ko!!! buti na lang STOP calling na tayu!

hay naku noh! Salamat at na sira ang dialler (buti na lang talaga) really happy na wala na ako sa account na yan at tapos na ang maliligayang araw ng mga kumita sa NOL dahil di ako kumita :~( anyways medyo miss ko rin... never the less im happy that im out! :D

[iratootsie]

yup i second the motion.

HAPPY THAT IM OUT! :D

[golfer_guy]

thanks for all the suggestions..im trying rin nga sa ibang call center sa alabang eh..at least i know na legit naman yun :)

[beefeater]

By the way, ndi lang pala Globalstride ang me account na ganun. Even that contact center which still call themselves "number one" HAD that account and apektado rin ng TRO na yun sa States that's why its agents which comprise the majority of the outbound population were transplanted into the other programs of that center! That contact center even had this yada-yada that that program/account was one of their biggest revenue-earners!

[dongski]

Just want to inform every one na wala ng account ang expixtar sa Global like 2 months na ata so im very happy na wala ng connection ang global with expixtar!!!! :D

[dongski]

Hey guy meron lang akong nalaman this weekend na magsasara na raw ang epixtar (Heard it from some of my friends in inbound, allegedly dahil daw sa scam sila and dami ng kaso sa state at ayaw ng phil gov. ng ganon syemps galing sa boss nila ang chismis na di epmpleyado ng aking Company ngayon.). Well tignan na lang natin in a few months kung totoo ang mga Chismis na yan or another plot lang para siraan ang Expixtar (kung meron pang sisirain). Till next tym! :D

[golfer_guy]

dongski, is that true?

[dongski]

ewan ko yun lang ang sabi ng mga friends ko from inbound well sabi ko nga sa post ko tignan na lang natin in a few months. Malas lang nga kung totoo. :)

[amPOGIko]

galit na galit ka mashado e kung di dahil jan wala kang account dati..hahaha

[dongski]

Originally posted by amPOGIko
galit na galit ka mashado e kung di dahil jan wala kang account dati..hahaha

Hehehe honga noh! well di naman *** ang employer ko eh. And di ako galit sa kanila personally. Kapag naririnig ko lang ang name nila marami akong na aalalang memories. :D

[summer_angel]

Hi there... my best friend works at Epixtar and she said that its doing well and hiring a lot of people that might start late Dec to Jan.2004 coz of the construction of the buildings para may space *** to work....

[Ice Burn]

i got a call for a managerial position but I need to contact them via email because I am temporarily in the US. The email address I got was a do-not reply type and merely asked me to show up. Unfortunately I won't be back until a few more weeks. Does anyone here know the HR email address or phone number of EPixtar? Thanks...

[Ellheym]

hello! wow.. nabasa ko lahat ng posts niyo about epixtar so medyo nabigla ako at the same time natakot na baka nga mali ang pinasok ko... well i'm one of the newbies in this company, pero siguro wala namang mawawala kung try ko din at tingnan ang sistema nila. FYI, wala na ang NOL sa epixtar, i'm into AT&T account and it's not selling.. we are more on surveys. if you want to know the basic salary well.. 13500 to be exact

iceburn: kyabut@epixtar.com try this email add. tel. no. 7711081

[dongski]

thanks for that info Ellheym, salamat kayo at di nyo mararanasan ang mga hirap sa NOL. But as far as i know kanila pa rin naman ang account na yun dahil it a company brand, sa ibang call center lang nila siguro nilagay for the moment pero Im pretty damn sure na magkakaroon din *** ng ganoong account pag-operational na ang iba nilang location. till then hope all of you do well. :D

[golfer_guy]

do you guys have an idea kung when start ng 2nd batch of training? as far as i know, 1st batch will start this monday

[golfer_guy]

do you guys have an idea kung when start ng 2nd batch of training? as far as i know, 1st batch will start this monday

[cHeNeLyNKeMbOt]

hi. is aldrin grecia still working there?

[Wong_Mo_Gei]

Epixtar Reaches Agreement With FTC
Friday November 21, 2:59 pm ET
Company to Resume Normal Operations

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/031121/215430_1.html

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2003--Epixtar Corp. (OTCBB:EPXR - News) announced today that it entered a stipulated preliminary injunction with the Federal Trade Commission allowing the Company to resume normal operations. The Company has agreed to enact certain controls and disclosures in the offering of its ISP services to its customers as it relates to free-to-pay conversion or negative-option sales. The agreement allows the Company to immediately resume marketing.
The Company expressly denies all of the material allegations set forth in the complaint and the stipulated preliminary injunction expressly provides that it "shall not be interpreted to constitute an admission by Defendants that they have engaged in violations of any law or regulations, including the Federal Trade Commission Act." Further, a spokesman for the Company stated, "neither the agreement nor the initial action relates in any way to the national do-not-call registry."

Previously the Company announced it had been sued by the FTC and subject to an asset freeze and appointment of a temporary receiver on October 30, 2003, in an action pertaining to the marketing practices of the Company's ISP subsidiaries. The mutually agreed upon injunction removes the asset freeze and returns operational control of the entire company to management. The temporary receiver has been discharged and the Company and the FTC have further agreed to the placement of a court-appointed interim monitor to have auditing and compliance powers over the Company's ISP subsidiaries and their future sales and marketing practices.

Additionally, the Company has agreed to the establishment of an escrow account in part to provide additional reserves for refunds and adjustments in the event a prior customer "reasonably claims to have been billed without authorizing the service or without having been informed that they would be billed unless they contacted the company to cancel". As of September 30, 2003, the Company's reserve balances at LEC's and billing companies was over $6.3 million.

"Thanks to the professionalism of counsel for both Epixtar and the FTC, a reasonable preliminary injunction was agreed upon by the parties, and we will work to resolve the entire litigation as soon as possible," said Martin Miller, chairman and CEO of Epixtar. "The Company will now resume operations, particularly our call center development plans in India and the Philippines."

[Wong_Mo_Gei]

hmm... interesting....

Global Stride Employees dongski and yummy lita doing a demolition campaign against Epixtar...

tsk tsk tsk.... rumor mongering pa... :rolleyes:

[contactagent]

may account ata yung scam contact world na kinuha na ng epixtar kasi sila na daw ang mang i scam hahahaha
sabi ng ex ko.

[* tinny gUrL *]

kawawa naman epixtar dito! :lol:

la na nga *** NOL sabi ng friend ko... na-transfer na nga daw sila sa AT&T... and accdg to Ellheym na it's more on surveys... so is it a lot easier now? shifting pa rin ba kayo or permanent na 9pm-6am/10pm-7am *** shift?

[sbydef]

What's the email address of Epixtar's HR department??

[summer_angel]

Try their contact emails: kdy@yahoo.com & kyabut@epixtar.com


It seems people here are very disappointed w/epixtar. Did you guys had a bad experience w/them or you guys weren't hired... They called me last week to let me know that they don't have a definite training date due to the construction of the sites..Atleast they are professional enough to call applicants(future employees) that the training was moved...

[ambertookme]

i heard that today's the 1st trng day of batch 1.

[dongski]

Originally posted by Wong_Mo_Gei
hmm... interesting....

Global Stride Employees dongski and yummy lita doing a demolition campaign against Epixtar...

tsk tsk tsk.... rumor mongering pa... :rolleyes:


Well im only talking about experience and what ive gone thru the NOL program. No offence to those who are currently working in epixtar, if you would just read the write ups and news about epixtar they are just supporting our post and confirming what we are saying all along. Take note that we are not the one who post news letters about expixtar's problem with the Federal Court ( again supporting our claims about epixtar ). Im not angry im just reacting about the so called " demolition campaign and umor mongering" because all we are saying here is true and a fact. :p

[amPOGIko]

Originally posted by summer_angel
Try their contact emails: kdy@yahoo.com & kyabut@epixtar.com


It seems people here are very disappointed w/epixtar. Did you guys had a bad experience w/them or you guys weren't hired... They called me last week to let me know that they don't have a definite training date due to the construction of the sites..Atleast they are professional enough to call applicants(future employees) that the training was moved...

if you reread the posts of the ppl here, they are speaking from experience so hindi sa hindi sila nahire. Dang, if they had a choice im sure di naman nila tatanggapin yun NOL na yan e. and yeah professional nga sila to tell future employees na training has been moved, pero lahat naman diba? unless siguro sa mga walang kwentang company ka nagwowork. and yung mga sinasabi dito hindi naman rumor e. totoo lang..besides, opinion nila (namen) yun. kung hindi na scam ang epixtar edi well and good diba. basta, good luck sa inyo. money isn't everything. dunno kung maatim ng konsensha mo na kumikita ka dahil nanloloko ka ng mga tao (minsan pari, madre, matandang matanda).

[iratootsie]

nyeks, we are all speaking from personal experience. as for me, it is my choice why i am not making plans of transferring to that call center. No offense to those inside the company, but with my experience with their accounts, well, NO THANKS. They do pay a lot, pero ako naglilinis na ako ng konsesha. if they do not have the NOL account anymore, then GOOD FOR THEM. kahit madaming pera napapasok nun, madaming tao ang niloloko nila.

these are not rumors. the article posted at the the beginning of the thread is actually true. i can attest to that. kahit irecord pa nila akong sinasabi ko ito, wala akong pake kasi totoo naman.


good luck to the people in epixtar. :D

[Jareth]

Originally posted by summer_angel
Try their contact emails: kdy@yahoo.com & kyabut@epixtar.com


It seems people here are very disappointed w/epixtar. Did you guys had a bad experience w/them or you guys weren't hired... They called me last week to let me know that they don't have a definite training date due to the construction of the sites..Atleast they are professional enough to call applicants(future employees) that the training was moved...

miss summer_angel,

it is obvious that you are a mindless drone of Epixtar trying to brainwash others into your "spiel"

you attempts are feeble and pathetic...

i may surmise that you might even be a member of the recruitment team, indulging of what seems to be an attempt at damage control.

and your self congratulatory comment of:

"At least they are professional enough to call applicants (future employees) that the training was moved"

is so obvious.

you're so brainless :rolleyes:

[iratootsie]

hahahahahahahaha.. good one there jareth

[dongski]

wow! that said it all

[amPOGIko]

:D well said dude!

[olechflakez]

i have a friend na team leader dito ah. actually, majority of my bosses before with my previous call center is working here na din. true ba 'to?

[Apolpay]

next year kelangan ng EPIXTAR gng 1 thousand agents
for Libis :) kaya di po totoo na magsasara na ang Epixtar :)

next year ang saya saya marami silang kelangang agents

yeeeehhhheeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyy

:)

[ahrjhey]

will they soon move out from insular life tower in alabang to that building in libis?

[golfer_guy]

nope

[Ellheym]

wow! sobrang depress kami kasi alam niyo out of 25 na nagtraining ay 10 lang daw ang kukunin nila.. of course hindi namin gusto ang ganong situation.. nag walk out kami at wala kaming pakialam. masyadong feeling ang epixtar na iyan.. sana hindi nalang sila nag hired ng 25 tapos 10 lang pala ang kailangan.. napakabobo ng sistema... sasabihin nila na mataas daw standard nila.. sana hindi nalang nila pinasa kung ganon din naman pala ang gagawin nila. doon sa naghihintay ng training.. goodluck sa inyo.. kasi sobrang bobo ang mga trainers, kung hindi ka nila feel, tanggal ka.. kahit pa magaling ka in terms of products and communications skills, ang gusto nila yong mga tao na kaya nila pasunurin na parang robot.

13500 basic nila.. allowance during training ay 400/day (taxable) hindi pa sure kung ano ang mga benefits.... wala pa silang plano mag dagdag ng benefits. iyong sa libis nde pa sure kung kelan ang operation kasi kahit nga sa alabang hindi pa rin ok.

[dongski]

saan golfer_guy?

[dongski]

ohh well ang panget ng system nila kung ganon! tama ang ginawa nyo na magwalk-out, dapat yung mga hindi papasa sa training yun lang ang tatanggalin di ba??? tama ba and does it make sense???

[ahrjhey]

I applied at epixtar yesterday and got hired on-the-spot. I mean, I'm scheduled for a training come January. But I don't think I'll work there... No offense to those concerned... I simply don't like the atmosphere of epixtar. The interviewer kept committing mispronunciations... :)

[iratootsie]

hahahahahaha! tsk tsk...

good luck sa mga tao jan.

[dongski]

Originally posted by ahrjhey
I applied at epixtar yesterday and got hired on-the-spot. I mean, I'm scheduled for a training come January. But I don't think I'll work there... No offense to those concerned... I simply don't like the atmosphere of epixtar. The interviewer kept committing mispronunciations... :)


talaga! kakahina naman yan, call center yan ha! tapos ganyan ang mga HR nila! hehehehe :D

[amPOGIko]

wow.nice image.hehehe.i must admit though, malaki ang offer nila.dapat lang.kailangan ng pambayad ng attorney just in case.hehehe.

[Ellheym]

:)

[* tinny gUrL *]

tsk tsk tsk... :nope:

[StArBuXs]

I just got this in my inbox and it just downright sucks. I'm supposed to be part of the 1st batch of trainees in Epixtar and they kept pushing the training date because the facilities were not done yet. I had my supposedly "final interview" wherein the HR personnel also congratulated for making the so-called team (take note this was almost 3 months ago when they told me that I made it and just wait for the training sched.) and then I receive this email. They claim that they have this new program and moving to a different direction and they want the previous applicants especially those who have been "hired already" and just waiting for the training to start to go to another interview (final na daw... na naman) and another screening process since I think they finally realized that their previous screening process was flawed. I'm glad I did not wait for Epixtar anymore and I'm now in another call center since I got tired and pissed of waiting (take note after this email they still want some understading and patience from the applicant). This only proves the weakness of their HR and the hiring process itself. Although I am employed in a differeny company already, you can just imagine how offended the hired applicant in waiting would be after receiving the email below. Here is the email:

December 17, 2003



Dear Applicants:


We enjoyed meeting you and would like to thank you for giving us the
opportunity to examine your credentials and interview you. Due to some
changes in our company’s business requirements, we are moving towards a
more sales focused culture. Our new strategy is one of “Earn More, Learn
More & Be More” and we are hoping to develop a sales environment of
hard work with strong, measurable rewards.

As such, if you believe this would suit your skills and you wish to
learn about our new approach, we are inviting you to come for a final
interview using the new selection and screening requirements.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and we look forward to
meeting you again.

Please come at oor Alabang office by during the following days/hours:

Dec. 18, 2003 (Thursday), 9:30AM – 5:00 PM
Dec. 19, 2003(Friday), 9:30 AM – 2: 30 PM
Dec. 22, 2003(Monday), 9:30 AM – 5: 00 PM
Dec. 23, 2003(Tuesday), 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Dec. 29, 2003(Monday), 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Dec. 30, 2003(Tuesday), 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Jan. 5-9, 2004 (M-F), 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Our address is 8th Floor Tower 2 Insular Life Corporate Center Commerce
Avenue cor. Corporate Avenue Filinvest, Alabang. For further
inquiries, contact us at 7711081.

Sincerely,

Epixtar Recruitment Team

[StArBuXs]

POSTSCRIPT:
The first batch of trainees for Epixtar was suppose to start Oct. 24 and then it got bumped to January. Sucks doesn't it?

[golfer_guy]

ey Starbuxs, I received that email too, unfair right? In my supposedly "final" interview, they told me "Congratulations, consider yourself hired, just wait for our call regarding the training"and then i received the same e-mail stating that I should have another "final" interview (when will this end?)..sobrang unfair at madaya talaga yang epixtar na yan, shame on them, pano yung ibang applicants na naghintay for the training? little did they know na they are going to be interviewed again..sana naka-hanap na sila ng work before Christmas.
good thing i didn't wait for them and I was accepted in another call center which I can say that I will enjoy my stay there come January, bait talaga ni Lord, He provided me with another job :)

[StArBuXs]

Hahaha golfer_guy! Same here! I start working by January in a different call center in Ortigas. Medyo malayo sa akin pero at least sigurado ako na may trabaho na ako not like Epixtar na forever. I just signed up with the call center in Ortigas and called me up that may orientation na. So, I'm happy din that I got out of Epixtar. So, mabait din si Lord . Sana dun sa umaasa sa Epixtar maghanap muna ng ibang trabaho. Hehehe!

[iratootsie]

hahahahahahaah! ewan ko ba... nasan na yung mga supporters ng epixtar? hehehe

[dongski]

Good decision on your part guyz! Its not worth to wait that long.... Im happy for you :D. Anyway hanap ko rin ang mga supporters ng Epixtar eh.

[* tinny gUrL *]

onga... asan na yung defenders ng epixtar:?: :glee: looks like they also ran out of good things to say about the company... haaay... :nope:

sa mga nagwowork pa rin sa epixtar... gud luck! hope you're happy... :glee:

[amPOGIko]

pati ba naman mga prospect nilang applicants e sina scam na nila? :laugh:

[dongski]

Originally posted by amPOGIko
pati ba naman mga prospect nilang applicants e sina scam na nila? :laugh:

hahahaha:lol:

[ahrjhey]

too bad, i like their bldg pa naman... but their office absolutely sucks! ;)

[StArBuXs]

Yes, I definitely liked their building specially the elevators. The office is really the old I-Call call center which Epixtar bought from I-Call itself and absorbed the former employees of the defunct call center. I saw the blueprints of the supposedly Epixtar Call Center. It's definitely nice pero it's taking too long. Probably, they aren't really making too much profit. I have a friend who works there pero nahihirapan daw sila ngayon sa project. I think a lot of the people there don't really know the news about the lawsuit filed against Epixtar sa US which concerns about NOL or National Online Service project that they used to handle. Sabi ng friend ko bare pa rin daw yung mga floors na dapat i-occupy talaga ng Epixtar sa Alabang kaya duda pa rin ako kung may plano pa talaga sila mag-umpisa ng training anytime soon.

[Ellheym]

nagpunta ako kanina sa epixtar to get my last pay and 13th month for that 3 weeks.. well sabi nila nasa shortlist daw kami.. at tatawagan daw nila kami sa january. Sabi ko hindi na kailangan pang tawagan ako dahil hindi na ako interested. nadatnan ko kanina na may mga applicants pa don, sabi nga nila nakapasa na sila before tapos meron na naman daw "final interview" well... sabi ko nalang sa kanila "goodluck"!

PS. sobrang bobo ang mga trainers.. from ambergris daw sila eh..

[dongski]

hahahahahahahahahahaha! Tama yun Gudluck talaga sa kanila. Well advance merry christmas sa inyo lahat and a happy new year! :D

[ahrjhey]

I got to talk to an applicant for the trainer position. Heck, he doesn't deserve to be one. All he did was took out his 7650 then chatted away with God knows who, for the entire time we were waiting at the lobby. And guess what? He couldn't even speak a sentence in straight English. So does that sound jologs, or what? ;)
I won't be surprised if epixtar hired him!!! Ehehehe, just kidding. :)

[olechflakez]

oh my...how about the bosses? yun floor managers nila? yun iba kse coming from the call center I worked with before...in bad terms kami hehe, di ba may american boss din diyan?

[StArBuXs]

olechflakez- yes, my american bosses din sila sa Epixtar but I have friends na TL na ngayon sa Epixtar and they are complaining about the agents na galing I-Call kasi sablay na nga raw kapal pa raw ng mukha makipag-away. I'm not saying all the agents. Yun mga baguhan daw na iba puwede pa nila pagtiyagaan, pero yung mga dating I-Call, na lumaki ang ulo kasi naabsorb ng Epixtar, sakit daw sa ulo.

[olechflakez]

well ganito kase yun, the call center I've worked with before eh closed na, wala lang, i don't want to say na its karma (though i can't help sometimes), pero hanggang nadiyan sa epixtar yun mga taong yun, nothing will happen..sablay strategies nila eh, they don't know how to take care of their people- no system.

[Ellheym]

korek ka diyan!

[Pin@tubo]

I thought they didn't absorb people from I-Call kasi nga sablay mga tao dun. oh well. sino sa recruitment team nag interview sa inyo? good thing i was not immediately available for employment when i applied for their recruitment team, kundi baka isa ako sa inaapi nyo, hehe.

off topic, since this is in alabang narin, what's ur feedback on APAC? wala ata silang thread. baka lang may alam kayo sa call center nato. it's located in northgate cyberzone.

[dongski]

Merry Christmas sa lahat and pati na rin sa mga supporters ng EPIXTAR!

[wishiwashi]

Join http://pinoycallcenter.proboards24.com/

[belliecute]

hi any one here that are team leaders from epixtar,or any one who have friends there working as a TL, share naman kayo. magulo ba?pleeeeease.tnx

[driven]

from what i know almost all of the TL's are resigning from Epixtar. They're moving out of the company. Go figure.

[c0Rinthian]

time to talk people ;)

[driven]

Nag lay-off na sila ng empleyado! Oh wait sabi pala sa kanila they're just temporarily laid-off and they'll give them a call after 6 months! Hahaha!!!!! Whatta scam company this is.

[dongski]

Meron bang ganon.

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

Originally posted by olechflakez
well ganito kase yun, the call center I've worked with before eh closed na, wala lang, i don't want to say na its karma (though i can't help sometimes), pero hanggang nadiyan sa epixtar yun mga taong yun, nothing will happen..sablay strategies nila eh, they don't know how to take care of their people- no system.

ay nakow- kilala ko yung mga yun!

si JT (sa HR) at si TC (sa ops)

iyakan nga yung mga dating I-call nang nalaman nila na HR Manager na si JT

kung sa I-call dati palpak sila- dito pa kaya sa epix?

di ako magtataka kung ma labor case yang mga yan

la eh- sobrang elibs yung mga puti sa kanila eh

tapos- sa Q2 pa daw magbubukas yung opis nila sa libis

hanubayan!- ala sigurong pumapasok na pera :lol:

[driven]

Originally posted by dongski
Meron bang ganon.

Mayroon...Sa EPIXTAR! Hahaha! Grabe ang mga tao rito. Minsan daw wala silang aircon tapos yung mga floors na ni-rent nila wala pa ring laman. Di pa naayos hanggang ngayon. They're all stuck in one floor. Feeling ng mga tao dyan parang nasa deathrow sila dahil anu mang araw daw puwede silang mawalan ng trabaho.

[lanibabe]

I heard dissolved na daw ang epixtar? Is this true? And yun mga

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

FTC Opens Hotline for Epixtar Victims

January 15, 2004

The Federal Trade Commission is setting up a hotline for consumers who believe they were victims of an alleged Web “cramming” scam operated by National Online Services, Inc., Liberty Online Services, Inc., B2B Advantage formerly known as SBA Online, Inc., and Ameripages, Inc. a/k/a Amerilinc, Inc.

The FTC’s hotline, which will open shortly at 202-326-2998, will advise consumers on what steps to take if they receive a notice from the defendants, and what they should do to obtain a refund.

In October 2003, the FTC sued the defendants and their parent company, Epixtar Corporation, alleging that they deceptively marketed a free, 30-day trial of Internet services to small businesses and non-profit organizations. The FTC’s complaint alleged that the defendants “crammed” a charge of $29.95 per month on the telephone bills of those businesses that did not cancel the service during the trial period, without obtaining consumers’ permission to bill them. The FTC then obtained a temporary restraining order that froze the defendants’ assets.

In November 2003, the FTC and the defendants agreed to the terms of a preliminary injunction that (1) prohibited the defendants from making further misrepresentations; (2) required them to notify current customers that they were being billed for a Web service; and (3) required them to permit these consumers to cancel if they never authorized service.

The preliminary injunction also stipulated that some of the frozen funds would be used for refunds for consumers who claimed that the unauthorized charges had been added to their telephone bills. The case is ongoing – the injunction will be in effect until the court issues a final ruling on the FTC’s allegations.

The FTC advises consumers who have received notices from any of these defendants, stating that they currently are being billed for Internet services, to determine whether they authorized the charges. If not, the FTC recommends that they call the toll-free number listed on the notice and cancel the service. As the case progresses, further refund information will become available.

****************

Tsk... smell like a scam

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

FTC: Epixtar charged

The Federal Trade Commission has charged a Miami-based online company with billing small business owners for free Internet services, but failing to disclose terms of the sales agreements and billing some companies that had turned down the offer, the U.S. Small Business Administration said. The company has contended it did no wrong.


The administration said its objections to the site's use of its trademark and complaints from consumers prompted the FTC investigation.

The FTC has alleged Epixtar Corp. (OTC BB: EPXR) and its subsidiaries - including one named SBA Online - violated federal law by deceptively marketing a free trial of Internet services and then unfairly billing consumer telephone accounts without their express informed consent and without their knowledge.

In October, Epixtar said the FTC had brought action against it in this case, but said it and its subsidiaries vigorously deny any wrongdoing and believe their business practices are in compliance with all applicable laws.

The FTC complaint names Epixtar Corp., Liberty Online Services, National Online Services, B2B Advantage (formerly known as SBA Online), and William Douglas Rhodes, president of the companies.

The SBA said it had warned small businesses across the country in March about a company calling itself SBA Online after receiving complaints.

"The public should also note that the SBA neither solicits membership fees nor contacts businesses to obtain sensitive information about small businesses or individuals unless it is part of a particular matter pending before the agency, such as a loan application," the government agency said.

At the FTC's request, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has entered a temporary restraining order prohibiting the defendants from making any further misrepresentations and freezing their assets. SBA said.

Epixtar has said it plans to vigorously defend the FTC action. In fact, Epixtar said Friday the FTC had allowed it to resume normal operations.

Shares in the Miami company closed down 2 cents to $5.13. No 52-week high/low information was available.

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

EPIXTAR : ANATOMY OF A SCAM

Telemarketers from the Philippines and India call unsuspecting businesses (mainly in middle America) and offer a free listing in the Yellow Pages. Once this people confirm their name and the free listing…KABOOM….$30.00 a month is added to their phone bill. This is called CRAMMING. This is illegal. Liberty Online is the subsidiary of Epixtar that is responsible for the majority of their revenues.

THE RIP OFF REPORT
In the past month, there have been more complaints against Liberty Online, a division of Epixtar, then there have been against AT&T, MCI, and Sprint…COMBINED. THE PLAYERS (and their former companies)

Epixtar is committing fraud everyday on consumers around the country. We believe that they will be shut down by the FCC and forced to repay those unsuspecting victims. There are too many customer complaints to let this go unnoticed. The Attorney General of Missouri and Iowa will put an end to this and hopefully so will the securities regulators.

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Imagine a company, a public company, built on what the National Fraud Information Center so eloquently describes as a scam called cramming and who explains “to cram unauthorized charges onto your phone bill, all the crook needs is your business name and phone number.” Well, now you don’t need to imagine. We have one for you, called Epixtar.


EPIXTAR is a company whose business is built on defrauding the small business owner. Epixtar calls small business owners nationwide selling services like Internet yellow pages, which show up as additions to the customers’ business’ telephone bill. Many times, unauthorized charges on the consumers’ phone bill go unnoticed. Even when the victim does notice the charges, they have to fight to get even partial credit back. The unauthorized charges are known as “cramming.”

Example:
The phone rings in the middle of a busy day. “I just want to verify some information for your yellow page listing,” says a voice on the other end of the line. It’s your business, so you agree to the chat. Name. Address. Phone number. You reply with a simple “yes” to eight or nine rapid-fire questions. A month later, there’s a $29.95 charge on your phone bill for a service you don’t remember ordering. You’ve been crammed, another victim of fast-talking telemarketers who are skirting the edges of telecommunications law to create a multimillion industry.

TACKED-ON TELEPHONE charges — called “crammed” charges — might seem like a minor modern-day nuisance. But tiny Epixtar Corp., a publicly traded firm in Miami, is proof to the contrary.

The company, which uses a variety of telemarketing tactics, reported $26 million in revenues last year and briefly rode to Wall Street fame when its shares soared 775 percent between November and February.

But its celebrity has not been without controversy. Epixtar is facing legal action in two states on cramming allegations.

Peter Nasca, a spokesman for the company, said Epixtar is addressing those legal concerns and has “not engaged in any inappropriate conduct.”

“The company feels it operates ethically and has not done anything wrong,” Nasca said.

TELEMARKETING TACTICS REVEALED

But a former Epixtar employee, who approached MSNBC.com, paints a different picture of the company’s telemarketing tactics.

Using a variety of brand names, Epixtar calls small business owners nationwide selling services like Internet yellow page listings.

The charges for those yellow page listings, and the other services Epixtar sells, show up as additions to the consumers’ phone bills.

Surprised consumers often complain when they find an unexplained $30 charge on their bill, the former employee, who requested anonymity, said. Epixtar then produces phone recordings proving that the charges were authorized.

Nasca said those recordings, which are made with consumers’ consent, are routinely kept by the company to verify that charges were authorized.

But the former employee, who was laid off by the company several weeks ago, alleges that Epixtar’s telemarketers use a variety of techniques — including altering taped telephone calls — to prove that customers agreed to charges.

The Missouri Attorney General’s office made similar allegations in a Jan. 23 press release announcing that it had obtained an injunction against Epixtar. Attorney General Jay Nixon said that consumers who tried to contact the company for refunds have had “misrepresentiations made to them, including altered recordings of telemarketing calls.” The attorney general’s office said it had received 69 complaints about National Online Services, one of the brand names that Epixtar uses.

HOW IT WORKS

A recording of a phone call that the former employee posted on the Internet before he left the company shows how an Epixtar telemarketer convinced a consumer to agree to purchase a service. An audio recording of the phone call appears at the top of this story.

While it is not possible to verify if the call had been altered, the consumer who received the call said the substance of the recording is accurate.

The small business involved in the telemarketing call confirmed to MSNBC.com that it was authentic. The business owner said his company was charged by Epixtar for services he did not want. He didn’t remember how many months of service his business had been billed for, and he believes his company received a full refund.


Nasca said he couldn’t comment on that specific phone call.

On the call, the Epixtar operator says she is verifying the business name and address. Then, after she gets the consumer into the rhythm of giving “yes” answers, she establishes that he has the right to make changes to the phone bill. But that key question, read at lightning-quick speed, is slipped in behind another simple “yes” answer.

“You are authorized to make changes and incur charges on your business phone bill and are over the age of 18. I also have your main telephone number as 202 ... Is that all correct?” the operator asks. The consumer replies “yes.”

“Basically, we get one yes for four questions. Sometimes people don’t notice,” the former employee said.

Such alleged fast-talking has gotten the company into trouble with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, which alleges in one case “that the company’s verification agent spoke far too rapidly to be understood by the consumer.” Spokesperson Craig F. Graziano said his office is seeking civil penalties against Epixtar for alleged cramming.

The former Epixtar employee says that the $29.95-a-month service is quickly mentioned at the end of a conversation.

“At this time we will begin your no obligation 30-day free trial. Should you decide to continue after 30 days your company’s Web and Internet service is only $29.95 monthly and will be included in your local phone bill appearing under the heading online services ...,” the operator says.

The flummoxed consumer replies hesitatingly, “Yes ....” The former employee claims the tape was neatly cut after the word “yes.”

The Missouri attorney general accuses Expitar of that quick-ending tactic. An affidavit signed by a consumer submitted by the attorney general to the court alleges that when the consumer listened to the recording of his solicitation, “the recording ended prior to me saying that if I had to call to cancel the service, I did not want it.”

The technique often works like a charm, the former employee said. He claims Epixtar signed up some 600,000 accounts this way in the past year. The company didn’t verify that number.

REFUND FRUSTATIONS

Some of Epixtar’s customers had three or four phone lines, and found they were paying charges for multiple accounts, the former employee said.

“I had people crying on the phone, telling me they didn’t even have a computer,” when the firm was charging them for Internet service, he said.

While there is mention of potential refunds in the initial phone call, and a 1-800 number is given to cancel the service, the former employee says the refund process is frustrating, and the company frequently makes only partial refunds. Managing refunds for the firm was his job, he said.

“If you call in and want your money back, I would give credits. But if you call in with eight months, I would give you four months,” he said, noting that many people don’t check their bills carefully. “I would play you the vox file (the recorded conversation) and say, ‘Well sir, you authorized the service.”

One consumer who sought a refund, recalls the ex-employee, had 13 months worth of charges totaling nearly $400. She was given a two month refund. Another had been charged for two years, but only had phone bills for the past two months, so he only got a two-month refund.

The Missouri attorney general said complaints to the company were often met with “promises of credits that have never been issued on the consumers’ telephone bills.”

Nasca denied that the company makes it difficult for customers to receive refunds.

“We offer our products on a trial basis and evaluate each claim. If a client is entitled to a refund, they receive one,” he said.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS STRATEGY

Despite the questions about the firm’s business practices, investors, until recently, had rewarded Epixtar’s performance. They sent shares soaring from about 50 cents in November to over $4 in mid-February.

Epixtar’s stock pulled back in mid-March to around $2 after its latest earnings announcement, which did not mention legal troubles facing the firm in Missouri and Iowa.

But apparently the firm is still hoping to expand. Current applications to sell telecommunications services have been filed in recent months with state regulators in Ohio, California, North Dakota, and Mississippi, according to public documents. Such an application was granted by the state of Nevada on March 17.

About 40 people work in the firm’s Miami office, the former employee said — but all are engaged in “escalation,” or dealing with consumers who call to complain. The actual telemarketing is farmed out to overseas call centers, where telemarketers work almost entirely on commission, he said. The only way to avoid trouble, the former telemarketer said, is for consumers to simply hang up when solicitors call.

“I tell everybody now just to hang up and call the local phone company right away and find out if you have any new charges coming on your account.”

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

Spell SCAM...

E-P-I-X-T-A-R

Small businesses in Pittsburgh and nationwide are being warned to check their phone bills for unauthorized charges for Internet services following more than 1,000 complaints tied to a group of companies based in Miami.

The Federal Trade Commission sued the Florida companies in late October, charging them with "cramming," which refers to the practice of loading up local phone bills with unauthorized charges.

The companies include Epixtar Corp., Liberty Online Services Inc., National Online Services Inc. and B2B Advantage Inc., formerly known as SBA Online.

The companies have denied any wrongdoing.

Complaints about the companies' practices were forwarded to the FTC from state attorneys general across the country, including in Pennsylvania, FTC senior attorney Carole Paynter said.

The commission's complaint accuses Epixtar and its affiliates of fraudulently marketing Internet services, such as Web site design, hosting and Internet access, to small businesses and nonprofits, and billing them without their informed consent.

The FTC claims the companies use various tactics to trick businesses into accepting a 30-day "free trial," or simply impose the offer, then fail to adequately disclose that the customer must cancel the service after the trial or automatically be billed $29.95 a month.

Some customers don't notice the charges, or see them only after many months, Paynter said.

When a customer calls to complain, typically the service is canceled but no refunds are issued, she said.

The FTC recently reached a temporary settlement with the companies, establishing a fund of about $800,000 for making customer refunds.

More money probably will be needed, Paynter said.

"We'll be watching and assessing whether the company changed its policies," she said.

In the meantime, the lawsuit remains in the preliminary stages, she said.

Unauthorized charges started making their way onto phone bills after deregulation began allowing telephone companies to do billing for other companies, Paynter said.

The bogus charges usually are made through a third-party billing partner that submits bills to phone companies from thousands of companies, she said.

At least one phone company, Southwestern Bell, received so many complaints about two of the target companies -- National Online and Liberty Online -- that it has stopped handling their billing, Paynter said.

Businesses that believe they have been victimized or are owed a refund should call the FTC in New York at 1-212-607-2829.

Paynter said small businesses often are targets of cramming because telemarketing sales rules are looser than those that apply to consumers.

The FTC estimates 3.3 million small businesses nationwide have been hit with cramming.

Businesses can take steps to protect themselves. Tips are available by visiting the FTC's Web site at

www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/webalrt.htm.

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

Call to Recoup Funds from Bogus Web Scam

On January 4 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched a consumer hotline to assist alleged victims of a Web cramming scam operated by Miami-based Epixtar Corporation and several of its subsidiaries, including one formerly known as "SBA Online." To date the FTC hotline has received about two-dozen inquiries from small businesses owners.

Cramming refers to the practice of billing businesses for services that were never authorized and have little value. The bogus charges usually appear on businesses' telephone bills.

The FTC hotline was established as a result of a lawsuit the federal agency filed against Epixtar and its subsidiaries. Epixtar allegedly violated federal law by deceptively marketing a free trial of its Internet services, only to bill their customers' telephone accounts without their expressed informed consent and without their knowledge.

The FTC investigation was prompted in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration's objections to the unauthorized use of its trademark name. Complaints were coming into the SBA from small businesses, but the federal agency had no association with Epixtar and its associates online services or Web hosting programs.

The SBA had warned small businesses across the country in March 2003 about a company calling itself "SBA Online." The SBA cautioned small businesses to be wary of telephone callers who implied that they are connected with the agency. The SBA advised that any requests for privileged financial and personal data or solicitations for membership fees should be reported to local authorities.

The agency received a number of complaints from small businesses stating that representatives of a private entity identifying itself as "SBA" or "SBA Online" and "Small Business Advantage" had contacted their businesses seeking to interest them in purchasing certain commercial services allegedly offered by their organization, or in paying to become members of "SBA."

In some instances, the callers attempted to obtain specific financial or employee data relating to the contacted business, sometimes asking the business to confirm information the caller already had. In some cases, callers requested specific personal data, such as a social security number or mother's maiden name.

The U.S. Small Business Administration neither solicits membership fees nor contacts businesses to obtain sensitive information about the businesses or individuals unless it is part of a particular matter pending before the agency — such as a loan application.

After receiving a number of complaints from small businesses, the SBA pressed the matter with the Federal Trade Commission. Last November, the FTC and the defendants agreed to an injunction that prohibited the companies from continuing the practice of "cramming." The FTC required that the defendants notify customers that they are being billed for Web services, and also to permit customers to cancel any unauthorized services.

The FTC's complaint alleged that the defendants "crammed" a charge of $29.95 per month on to the telephone bills of unsuspecting businesses that did not cancel the service during the so-called free trial period.

The FTC is advising small businesses who believe they have been victims of the scam to call the hotline for advice on how to proceed. The hotline number is (202) 326-2998. Representatives are available to advise small businesses about how to obtain a refund from Epixtar and its associated companies.

[Jareth]

uh...

did some research on this company people- and it's not good

epixtar = bad news

heard from the grapevine:

1) The expat VP stationed here is an illegal alien (here on a tourist- as opposed to a working visa)- he is currently being tracked down by the NBI

2) Most of the senior management came from the now defunct i-call (unfortunatel- epixtar rehired the idiots who mismanaged i-call).

3) Their funds are currently frozen by the US FTC- the only thing keeping them alive are illegally stashed funds here in the Philippines (courtesy of our lax banking laws).

4) Their India operations have just shut down

5) Their has been an exodus from the middle management to other call centers (rats abandoning a sinking ship?)

6) Recently- they have "temporarily suspended" (read- fired) some of their people due to lack of business.

THIS COMPANY IS BAD NEWS!!!

apply at your own risk.

still not convinced?

do a web search (epixtar +scam) and see what i mean

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

just bumping this thread up- para ala nang maloko ang kumpanya na ito

[Jareth]

hello EpixtarExPat

hey, as the saying goes- when there's smoke- there's bound to be a fire

Do a web search, with the key word "epixtar"

and about half would have negative feedback about Epixtar

The remaining half would just be press releases- or releases from the Epixtar site

hey, i can't blame you for airing your opinion- love your own is it? ;)

well, best of luck on whatever scam you're operating :p

the public has been warned- and there's nothing you can do about it

[Jareth]

hello EpixtarExPat

Nice of you to reply :)

Well, one man's meat may be another's poison

Ok- on the scam thing:

1) Why do your agents have to introduce themselves as people from the "True Yellow Pages" instead of from Epixtar or NOL?

2) Why is the the FTC so intent on pursuing it's case against Epixtar?

3) Why do you only target small to medium businesses for you campaigns?

4) Why are your subsidiaries (Liberty Online, NOL, Mercury) the subject of close scrutiny due to complaints?

5) Is it true that the reason for the delay in the construction of the Epixtar House- is that the Epixtar funds are still frozen by the FTC?

Well, hope that you can reply back :)

[Jareth]

Thanks for your replies EpixtarExpat

a couple more questions- if you don't mind

1) Is it true that your India operations have closed down?

2) Why did the new management team resign? and why were they replaced by I-Call personnel?

3) Why was there a "temporary suspension" (as per an earlier post) of employees last month?

4) With NOL frozen and under close scrutiny- what will keep Epixtar afloat? What other businesses do you have aside from Experian, MCI, and AT and T?

anyway- I really appreciate your replies- this clears up a lot of things- it's nice to hear the two sides of the story

[Jareth]

Hello again EpixtarExpat (this is becoming to be a habit)

Hey- fair's fair :)

My info came from a couple of close buds who were (let's say) "pirated" by Epixtar sometime last November- and their experience and feedback about Epixtar were not that good.

Hey- they were uprooted from their old careers, and transferred to Epixtar on the hopes that they could get a better deal.

Some were hired as trainers- the rest were hired as Sales Executives.

Well, their main goat with Epixtar is that they were handled unfairly.

Those who did not pass the training were of course very bitter (given the fact that they yhought they did well).

And the rest were... let's say "temporarily suspended" due to lack of operations (hey- what's the use of a trainer without trainees).

There were even some terminations (or induced resinations) of former I-call employees-, due to certain conflicts with the former I-call bosses that were absorbed by the management.

The rest of the info was gleaned via PMs to some of the posters here- and via the Internet.

Via my "contacts"- I also got your identity "J" ;) aka EpixtarExpat - since you can't be "S" since "S" resigned a while back (S = the bald guy with the goatee and gold hoop earrings).

Well, in fairness- I have no firsthand experience with you guys- so I think I had no right in dissing you guys a couple of posts back.

Anyway, information is power- and I'm glad that we could hear both sides of the story.

Hmmm... the "other" side seems to be quiet as of late- so I guess we'll have to wait for their reactions.

Thanks for the feedback EpixtarExpat

See you around :)

[deepSubmerge]

buti pala umalis na ako sa call center. parang natakot na ako tuloy sa mga call center.

[Jareth]

Former employees to file charges against Epixtar
Posted: 10:16 PM (Manila Time) | Mar. 09, 2004
By Alexander F. Villafania, Contributor
INQ7.net

Allegations

FORMER employees of call center firm Epixtar are accusing the company of unfair labor practices and have alleged that Epixtar is continuing its operation of "illegally" selling Internet services to US clients.

The group said they will soon be filing charges against the company for their illegal dismissal.


Epixtar officials vehemently denied the allegations.

In an interview, several former employees of the company said about 50 employees were forcibly removed from their Alabang office on February 4 after receiving a notice of temporary lay-off.

They said they were not given an early warning nor were given enough reasons about their removal.

A spokesperson, who did not want to be named, narrated that immediately after receiving their notice of lay-off during their lunch break on February 4, Epixtar country manager Jonathan Smith asked them not to go to work until further notice. When the employees asked why, Smith was said to have warned the employees to leave the premises immediately or be forcibly removed.

"It was such a surprise that we weren't even able to get our things out of the office. Until now, we're actually banned from getting inside the facility," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that most of the remaining employees were from I-Call, another call center recently acquired by Epixtar.

"We're wondering what was the basis for our removal. Many of those laid-off have already worked for Epixtar since it started out in September last year," the spokesperson said.

Aside from the alleged unfair labor practices, the ex-employees also warned that Epixtar has resumed selling Internet services that were being questioned by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

"Epixtar merely renamed some of their services," one of the former employees said.

According to the group, many of the employees were aware that they were scamming US customers. They alleged that one modus operandi included offering "free" Internet services to potential customers, then billing them without their knowledge.

They also claimed that many customers were not able to cancel the billing because Epixtar's customer service lines were either cut or were constantly busy.

"We knew we were scamming a lot of people and many of the former employees left because it was illegal," one former employee said.

In November last year, the FTC charged Epixtar of "web cramming," a term for billing non-customers of Internet services without their authorization. The FTC has since frozen some of the assets of Epixtar in the US.

Furthermore, the FTC opened a hotline (202-326-2998) last January 15 for so-called "victims" of Epixtar's offering.


Vehement denial

Epixtar has vehemently denied all of these allegations.

In a separate interview, Sneharthi Roy, the company's senior vice president for call center development, emphatically stated that they were unaware of these employees' complaints.


"If there were any complaints, why weren't these forwarded to us immediately so we could respond to them? These accusations are baseless and harsh," Roy said.

Roy also believed that these former employees might have been removed after their performance review.

"It may be that they were removed because they didn't have the specific qualities we needed. It's only but natural for any company to cull employees who did not perform as expected," Roy said.

Nonetheless, Roy guaranteed that their legal office would immediately look into any employee complaints.

Regarding the resumption of their Internet services, Harry Fozzard, Epixtar vice president and chief marketing officer, noted that the company and the FTC came to an agreement in late November.

A preliminary injunction was released by the FTC allowing the company to resume business but with certain billing prohibitions.

"We've followed all of FTC's requirements, that is why we're still in operation now. The FTC was just doing what it was mandated to do and the hotline is part of it," Fozzard said, referring to the FTC's Epixtar hotline.

On the other hand, Fozzard did not disclose any more details regarding its recent talks with the FTC, citing conditions under the Sarbanes-Oxley Law in the US, which requires stringent accounting practices for public corporations.

[driven]

Paano ba naman kasi magrereklamo yung natanggal eh halos ipagtabuyan palabas yung mga empleyado nilang "temporarily laid-off". Kulang na nga lang kaladkarin palabas ang mga nawalan ng trabaho sa Epixtar.

[_S_H_I_N_M_A_]

Well- I hope the masterminds of the "temporary lay-off" get their day in court.

I'm referring to Jenny Tan and Titos Castro- the inept managers of the former I-call

and by the way- you might wanna add: Jonathan Smith- the VP based here in the Philippines is an illegal alien.

:p

[driven]

I'm sure magrereact na naman si EpixtarExPat. The lap dog of Epixtar.

[yuga]

I have a friend who works as an HR Officer there. She was illegally layed-off last December and has filed a case against Epixtar with DOLE.

[dongski]

Naku, We all give a warning about this company..... and still nagsipasukan pa rin sila. Meron nga pala ako dyang mga co-workers dati dalawa sila and matataas ang posistion sa company and parehas ding na layed-off din, I feel for them kasi kawawa naman sila. :(

[dongski]

Hilo na yata ako...malili ang grammar ko tagalog na nga.....hahahahahaha. Epekto ng Epixtar dati. :))

[manila]

Dearest Jareth, _S_H_I_N_M_A_ and other BITTER dwellers,

I will get to my point. There is no sugar coating in my statement.

It's very apparent that all of you that speak so poorly of Epixtar, are simply BITTER that you are no longer with the company (most likely due to your lack of performance). Does everyone, while reading your article, realize that you are bitter because you are no longer with the company? Yes, they do. The replies you submit are merely sad attempts of expressing your anger because you were FIRED. To be honest I would probably turn to anyone willing to listen to hear my cries too once I realized that I was not cut out for such a company. Is it upsetting to you that you no longer are employed with a soon-to-be Empire of the call center industry? Yes, it is. Are you angry? Yes, you are. Are you desperate by writing numerous articles hoping someone might hear your story? Yes, you are. Will any of your stupidity hold you back from going on with your career in life? Yes, it will. That's the sad part.

Also, to any other ignorant people who have stated that Epixtar has ILLEGALLY laid-off employees, you are showing your intelligence based off that statement. A company can not illegally fire anyone. That is like saying you received a bad grade in college for "NO REASON". There is always a reason. People that are fired from companies have not lived up to the expectations of his/her employer; therefore, removing themselves from his/her position.

I leave the crew with a final thought that I suggest you take into immediate consideration.

*Everyone that comes here to read of Epixtar is utterly and fully aware on your feelings towards the company. We got it. Don't you think it's time you move on with your life? Honestly, have you all nothing better to do that submit a reply every day on how much you hate Epixtar? Move on.... Are you rebelling due to mere determination that you think you can make a difference of the companies success? Move on.... Have you no strength to lift yourself up, and need the degrading support of others? Move on.... Just as, the soon-to-be Empire of the call center industry, Epixtar, will continue to due for many years to come.

*Jareth, once your able to run a multi millionaire company that's publicy traded with several locations, please reply. Until then, you are merely a seat... an id... a number that fills call center seats. It's sad you have this company figured out entirely wrong.

[driven]

manila makes me laugh. excuse me, but I'm not bitter about Epixtar since I was never fired by your pathetic, scam-ridden company. I'm just speaking on behalf of my friends who were top performers of your company and were according to your office "temporarily laid-off". They had better jobs and lives before they went to Epixtar. After all the brouhaha in your lousy company, at least my friends and your other employees have moved on to better places and currently working in better call centers and won't worry anytime soon of being temporarily laid-off. By the way, I'm currently working for one of the top call centers in the Philippines, so I don't have a reason to be bitter. I also have a boss and another friend who were part of your management team before. They just both say the same thing, your company is lousy, pathetic, and a complete waste of time. Baka sabihin mo na naman na fired sila from your company. Actually, they R-E-S-I-G-N-E-D! Saka, Hello, usap-usapan na yang Epixtar sa call center industry. Hahaha!!! What a l-o-s-e-r! Ilang tao pa ba ang bobolahin niyo at bibiktimahin niyo? Magsara na lang kayo.

[driven]

PS

Yung mga dati niyong empleyado wala nang interest bumalik sa inyo mga ilusyunado. Hahahaha!!!

[dongski]

Good Job Driven.... Manila = EPIXTAR = SCAM. Epixtar soon-to-be Empire of the call center industry..... the thought makes me laugh!!! FYI Manila, I was never employed by epixtar. I handled their account in a different call center and I was one of the top performer so IM NOT BITTER, only sharing the experience that I have with them!!!!!

[chuva10]

:lol:

[SaintLuci]

We have a lot of former employees who were pirated by epixtar, because they were supporting the epixtar campaign. Most of them agents that were offered supervisor positions. BTW, Epixtar is our client. They transfered because the offer of epixtar was really better.

Three months after, they were begging us that we take them back even if they have to go back to probationary status.

I am not isinuating anything. It may/may not be a scam. But certainly our former employees never liked what they saw after their three-month epixtar experience.

be the judge...

[manila]

Driven,

You say you have former management staff that works w/ you now... you say that this person resigned.. I know who you are talking about and that person was fired. When ANYONE is fired from a company, does he/she tell other that they were fired or that he/she resigned.. come on, be real.

The only thing one will have to say about a prior company, once fired, is only bad things. That is the fact of life... it's caled...ummmmmmm being BITTER.

[manila]

Driven,

Lousy??? LOL. A company that provides thousands of jobs to pinoys at almost the best pay in the philippines for call centers?? Come on! Many of the people working in call center industry would not have jobs if it weren't for companies like Epixtar.

[oriental_femme]

if you think that the company is violating any of the Philippine Labor rules, there is no other way but to contact Department of Labor... For sure walang makakalusot dyan. That is if totoo nga ang mga post na they were fired or temporarily laid off . Sayang.

[driven]

Originally posted by manila
Driven,

You say you have former management staff that works w/ you now... you say that this person resigned.. I know who you are talking about and that person was fired. When ANYONE is fired from a company, does he/she tell other that they were fired or that he/she resigned.. come on, be real.

The only thing one will have to say about a prior company, once fired, is only bad things. That is the fact of life... it's caled...ummmmmmm being BITTER.

Assuming ka na naman.... ni hindi mo nga ako kilala....hahaha!!!

[Jareth]

uh.. to the delusionary manila

WTF are you talking about?



FYI, i've never been employed by your sucky company- i've been warned in advance of your unscupulous tactics and practices

second, EpixtarExpat said that the people were "temporarily suspended"- you said they were fired- what gives? classic doublespeak?

And why all the anger? can't keep an intelligent conversation like EpixtarExpat?

Don't like what you hear? Your illusion of what Epixtar is- being riddled by the barbs of the truth and reality?

Can't handle the truth? Or you just can't believe you're in such a disgusting company.

You can crow and rave all you want about Epixtar, and we'll just sink your boat :D

Man.. people like you give Epixtar a bad reputation- at least EpixtarExpat was more polite- and light years smarter than you- and he also has better a better grasp of the English language :p

If you find it hard to write in English- it's ok to write in Filipino ;)
Originally posted by manila
Dearest Jareth, _S_H_I_N_M_A_ and other BITTER dwellers,

I will get to my point. There is no sugar coating in my statement.

It's very apparent that all of you that speak so poorly of Epixtar, are simply BITTER that you are no longer with the company (most likely due to your lack of performance). Does everyone, while reading your article, realize that you are bitter because you are no longer with the company? Yes, they do. The replies you submit are merely sad attempts of expressing your anger because you were FIRED. To be honest I would probably turn to anyone willing to listen to hear my cries too once I realized that I was not cut out for such a company. Is it upsetting to you that you no longer are employed with a soon-to-be Empire of the call center industry? Yes, it is. Are you angry? Yes, you are. Are you desperate by writing numerous articles hoping someone might hear your story? Yes, you are. Will any of your stupidity hold you back from going on with your career in life? Yes, it will. That's the sad part.

Also, to any other ignorant people who have stated that Epixtar has ILLEGALLY laid-off employees, you are showing your intelligence based off that statement. A company can not illegally fire anyone. That is like saying you received a bad grade in college for "NO REASON". There is always a reason. People that are fired from companies have not lived up to the expectations of his/her employer; therefore, removing themselves from his/her position.

I leave the crew with a final thought that I suggest you take into immediate consideration.

*Everyone that comes here to read of Epixtar is utterly and fully aware on your feelings towards the company. We got it. Don't you think it's time you move on with your life? Honestly, have you all nothing better to do that submit a reply every day on how much you hate Epixtar? Move on.... Are you rebelling due to mere determination that you think you can make a difference of the companies success? Move on.... Have you no strength to lift yourself up, and need the degrading support of others? Move on.... Just as, the soon-to-be Empire of the call center industry, Epixtar, will continue to due for many years to come.

*Jareth, once your able to run a multi millionaire company that's publicy traded with several locations, please reply. Until then, you are merely a seat... an id... a number that fills call center seats. It's sad you have this company figured out entirely wrong.

[Jareth]

Originally posted by oriental_femme
if you think that the company is violating any of the Philippine Labor rules, there is no other way but to contact Department of Labor... For sure walang makakalusot dyan. That is if totoo nga ang mga post na they were fired or temporarily laid off . Sayang.

no prob miss o_f

i think as of this moment- a complaint has already been filed by some of the victims ;)

that should make the management of this sucky company shake in their boots :lol:

[Jareth]

man... your English really sucks :p

and you really are delusionary (empire- empire of scam I say).

Thousands? uh- you laid off people- remember?

The best? sez who? your press releases?

fact #1 : You company sucks- everyone knows about your little "scam"- and the people that you "temporarily suspended" has aleady spread the work to other call center agents- so... the only people you'll get now are those desperate enough to settle for Epixtar

fact #2 : Heads up :p the DOLE has already been alerted :p expect a summons soon- suckers!

fact #3 : Best pay? yeah riiiiight- at P13,500/month +night diff, and "commissions" - in theory.

from what I've heard- you haven't paid a single cent of commissions yet, and with business flagging- I doubt it if you get get enough money to support your slaves' salaries in the near future

and with the slew of holidays- and the trend towards DNC's- it's bye bye baby to your cramming biz :p

fact #4 : Epixtar = I-Call, in terms of management, that is- I-call's fate will also be Epixtar's fate (why do you think the new upper management people resigned?

Originally posted by manila
Driven,

Lousy??? LOL. A company that provides thousands of jobs to pinoys at almost the best pay in the philippines for call centers?? Come on! Many of the people working in call center industry would not have jobs if it weren't for companies like Epixtar.

[manila]

shake in our boots?.? LOL

have you even seen the Eastwood center?.?

know who our lawyers are??? LOL FIND OUT!!!!!!!!!!!! that should make anyone scared...

do you have ANY IDEA of who the investors/management staff is????

i feel bad for you... honest

there is no reason for me to be nice... you will all see what this company does very soon....

the funniest part is that you think you actually can bring epixtar down..... LOL LOL LOL

stick w/ the pinoy companies.... your not ready to run w/ the big boys...

[dongski]

Hiring the best layers......Now that really make sense to me....

[Jareth]

hahah, manila, you're all talk :p

you rave about how good epixtar is- without giving a shred of fact to support your wild claims :lol:

you're like a mangey mutt and toothless mutt, barking like there's no tomorrow

leave the talking to EpixtarExpat- at least he/she has brains, unlike you - the epitome of mindless bluster :p

look- we're trying to hold an intelligent discussion here]manila- something that you obviously don't qualify in :lol:

[driven]

The best lawyers to protect their scam ridden company. That's nothing new in the Philippines. Hahahaha!!!

[dongski]

Yes the best lawyers to hide the bad smelling business that epixtar has!......

[driven]

lalo na kung mahilig mang-agrabyado ng mga empleyado...hahaha!!

Possible Epixtar Employment Script:
I'm sorry you're temporarily laid-off and we're gonna call you back but actually what we're saying is you're fired.

This company is like a Dilbert comic strip. Hahaha!

[Jareth]

hehehe- last ditch efforts to save your company's reputation eh manila? :lol:

too late :p

no matter how nice the facilities, or how good your PR firm is- manure- even though packaged nicely- is still manure :lol:

[yuga]

Originally posted by manila
Also, to any other ignorant people who have stated that Epixtar has ILLEGALLY laid-off employees, you are showing your intelligence based off that statement. A company can not illegally fire anyone. That is like saying you received a bad grade in college for "NO REASON". There is always a reason. People that are fired from companies have not lived up to the expectations of his/her employer; therefore, removing themselves from his/her position.

My friend who filed a case against Epixtar with DOLE for illegal termination WON the arbitration case. After 5 hearings where Epixtar did not send any lawyer to represent them, they finally came on the 6th hearing and offered a settlement.

Why would they offer a settlement and pay my friend backwages if they did not ILLEGALLY fired her?

[Jareth]

hey lookee- an Epixtar Press release :lol:

Epixtar recalls call center employees who were laid off
2004-03-19 03:31:00(LA) / 2004-03-19 19:31:00(Manila)

CALL CENTER operator Epixtar Philippines has recalled about half of some 54 people it laid off in early February, rehired employees who earlier accused the company of unfair labor practices.

At the same time, Epixtar executives said they do not hold any grudge against these employees, while some of them seem to have lost their animosity toward Epixtar after being rehired. :rolleyes:

Jonathan Smith, Philippine country manager for Epixtar, said there was no point in arguing with the disgruntled former employees. Smith said they were hiring new call center agents for their new office in Eastwood Cybercity, Libis that would be opened in mid-April. This was where some of the said employees were supposed to be transferred from the Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang. Epixtar's Alabang office was only able to accommodate a limited number of employees, thus forcing them to temporarily let go of about 54 people.

"We'd want to give priority to those whom we issued letters of temporary cessation of their duties before we recruit any new employees. But some of those we called up said they already had jobs somewhere else," Smith said.

About 54 employees at the Alabang site were given the notice of "temporary work cessation," according to Smith. Of these people, about half have already been contacted by Epixtar and are set to continue working for the company at the Eastwood site come April.

Asked if all the laid-off employees were contacted, Smith said they would try to get in touch with all of them before this weekend, or before a job vacancy advertisement from Epixtar comes out.

Epixtar's recall was later confirmed by some of the former employees who said the company recently called them up to resume working.

Smith was identified by former employees as the one who allegedly forced them out of Epixtar's Alabang office after receiving notices of temporary lay off. The former employees said they were forced to take a bus contracted by Epixtar to take them out of Alabang.

Smith admitted that a bus was contracted to take some of the employees who wanted to go home early, as a form of employee shuttle service. He denied forcing anyone out or forcing anyone to board the bus.

Smith also denied that he banned the employees from entering their Alabang site, though he said he did not want the remaining employees from being disturbed while at work.

He also narrated that on the day the notice of "temporary cessation" of work was given to some employees, he told them in a letter that they did not have to report to work starting February 9 pending further notice and the completion of the Eastwood facility.

The public relations company of Epixtar provided INQ7.net a copy of the "Notice of temporary lay off." (INQ7)

[dongski]

hehehe making up for the employees that they laid-off, one of my former TL (Know a manager at expixtar) is also recalled and was rehired by epixtar just this week.

[Jareth]

so...

anything new? :p

[dongski]

Nothing from manila.....

[manila]

no need to say anything... A LOT is new...you just don't know it.

[JediKnight]

nag-ooperate na ba yung epixtar sa eastwood?!

[one_shot]

Originally posted by Jareth
so...

anything new? :p
Well, this company's definitely getting media attention... try this:
http://www.inq7.net/inf/2004/mar/10/inf_1-1.htm

Even JobsDB used this article to inform job applicants who browse their site.

[Jareth]

:lol:

Yeah- I saw the link at JobsDB- it goes like this:

"FLASH REPORT: For call center personnel and applicants, please be advised about this important news bulletin. Click here."

then you are redirected to the INQ7 article about Epixtar

weird :p

[dongski]

After reading the article would you still apply.....

[Jareth]

:glee: napadaan ako sa isang job fair- sinilip ko booth nang epixtar

kawawa naman- nilalangaw :lol:

ang masakit pa dun- yung katabi nilang booth (DAKSH) dinudumog :glee:

[one_shot]

hi all... pa-commercial lang huh? theres a PEx thread with an article concerning us guys working in call centers. React naman kayo dyan by clicking here (http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=164402) ;)

[dongski]

Job Fair sa Eastwood.... oo nga eh nilangaw ang booth nila. :)

[Jareth]

di ba ang ebs nilalangaw? :glee:

[Jareth]

*ehem*

may nakalap akong balita sa aking mga bubwit ;)

antaas pala magpasahod dito sa epixtar- as in grabe!!!

that is... kung sip-sip ka, at mahilig kang mamulitika :p

Biruin mo- yung VP ng Finance nila, rakes in P300 K/mo- whereas yung kabit niyang AVP Admin P150 K/mo - mga dating I-call pa sila mga friends :glee:

[Jareth]

NEWS FLASH

Expat Recruitment Manager of Epixtar RESIGNS!!!

tsk tsk tsk tsk...

going..... going........

[anne_373]

haha! karma yan eh!!!! ICALL wasnt good enough!!! they used their employees!

all of a sudden inalis *** mga nw employed duh!!! new employed nga top grossers nyo noh from hsbc account! aminin nyo!!!

now its epixtar. scam naman daw. though they pay good pero outbound and ang call center na dadalawa ang account! hehehe!


maganda sana- the building the ambiance kaso.. mga bosing na pinoy-- dam* ma isusumpa mo talaga!!!!! right bestfriend titus!??! hehe! dapat yan paimbestigador!!

[Jareth]

surprisingly- hiring pa rin sila :o

grabeh!

may mauuto pa kaya sila? :glee:

[Jareth]

Originally posted by SaintLuci
We have a lot of former employees who were pirated by epixtar, because they were supporting the epixtar campaign. Most of them agents that were offered supervisor positions. BTW, Epixtar is our client. They transfered because the offer of epixtar was really better.

Three months after, they were begging us that we take them back even if they have to go back to probationary status.

I am not isinuating anything. It may/may not be a scam. But certainly our former employees never liked what they saw after their three-month epixtar experience.

be the judge...

la lang.... just wanted to quote this :p

[chuva10]

Originally posted by Jareth
surprisingly- hiring pa rin sila :o

grabeh!

may mauuto pa kaya sila? :glee:


*** mga hindi nagbabasa ng dyaryo at netong thread na to..hehe:D

[anne_373]

lakas ng loob nilang tawagan ulit *** mga tinaboy nila! duh!!!! lahat ng tinapon nila successful na *****! hahaha!

[anne_373]

lakas ng loob nilang tawagan ulit *** mga tinaboy nila! duh!!!! lahat ng tinapon nila successful na *****! hahaha!

[anne_373]

lakas ng loob nilang tawagan ulit *** mga tinaboy nila! duh!!!! lahat ng tinapon nila successful na *****! hahaha!

[Jareth]

Uy- management re-org... hehehehe

atchaka outsourcing na sila ngayon... interesting....

Epixtar Corp. announced the appointments of David Srour as chief executive officer and Norman DePalantino as chief operating officer to take effect prior to April 21, 2004.

Srour replaces Martin Miller as CEO. Miller became non-executive chairman and continues to advise the Company on strategic issues such as merges, acquisition and financing. DePalantino replaces Mr. Srour as COO.

Srour, previously Epixtar's chief operating officer, has been with the Company since November 2001 and has served as President since June 2003.


"David Srour has the experience and know-how to provide Epixtar with practiced leadership and a steady hand. His choice of Norm DePalantino as COO, ratified by the board, provides Epixtar with a new level of expertise in the call center business," said Martin Miller, Epixtar's chairman. "The balance of his international executive team is well-rounded and includes former executives of HCL Infosystems of India, Sitel and American Express of Australia, as well as extremely competent local executives in the Philippines. The Company is in good hands."

"As the paradigm shift to offshore outsourcing gains momentum, Epixtar is poised to be a formidable competitor in the international call center space," said DePalantino, the Company's new COO. "The Philippines offers not only advantageous pricing for our clients, but even more importantly, a significant increase in quality as measured in sales results and caller satisfaction surveys.

Epixtar, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Epixtar BPO Services Corp., currently has two call centers in Manila and is considering several other sites in the Philippines for future expansion. Presently, the Company is providing telemarketing and other call center services on behalf of its enterprise clientele, including a tier-one telecommunications carrier and a Fortune 500 business information company, among others.

[Jareth]

recap lang po :)


Epixtar, accused of some really sleazy phone scam, where they would call up businesses to offer them a "free internet yellow pages listing" (The True Yellow Pages), and would ask a bunch of basic questions to get people into the habit of saying "yes". Then, they would cram a bunch of questions into a single question, with the last one being an obvious yes.

The example given is:

"You are authorized to make changes and incur charges on your business phone bill and are over the age of 18. I also have your main telephone number as 202 ... Is that all correct?"

All of this would be said incredibly quickly, so that it was impossible to understand.

They would say this proves that the recipient knew they were authorizing charges on the phone bill.

The company is also accused of slipping in the fees at the very end of the call in a matter-of-fact way and then altering recordings of the calls if someone complained, to pretend that the person had approved the charges.

After all of that, it still took the FTC some time, but they've now been sued by the FTC and had all of their assets frozen.

The company, of course, denies it did anything wrong, saying they provide unnamed "internet services" that companies ask for.

[anne_373]

BUT EPIXTAR STILL HAVE SCAM! HEHEHEHE!

AND IVE HEARD ALL THE BEST PEOPLE AY UMALIS NA RIN DAW... AND NOW A TRAINOR IN CONVERGIES AND MGA SUPERVISORS SA IBANG CALL CENTER- OHA! ISNT THAT GREAT!

[Jareth]

may mauuto pa kaya sila?...

abangan and susunod na mga kabanata :glee:

:p

[Jareth]

o ano?

magtatapos na April- nilalangaw pa din yung Eastwood HQ nila :glee:

pati si manila nilangaw na din :lol:

[anne_373]

haha jareth eh sa insular life nga lang eh.. their promise 3 floors daw ang bubuksan.. gagawing malaking pantry *** isang floor.. hanggang ***** 1 floor parin sila eh.. tsktsktsk!

[Jareth]

tsk.... ala na sila talaga :glee:

puro boladas lang :p

[Jareth]

anyway, sa mga gustong magpaloko (o gustong umiwas)- ito ang kanilang address:

Epixtar
8th floor Tower 2 Insular Life Corporate Center
Commerce corner Corporate Avenue
Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa


(to open January 2005) :glee:
Epixtar House
Eastwood City
Libis, Quezon City

[anne_373]

haha! hey bro check ur email.. may invite me!!!

[Jareth]

^_^ sure thing dudette ;)

hehehehehehe

so- ala pa rin bang updates?

grabe pa rin silang mag ad ah...

wa epek naman :p

[Jareth]

*ehem*

BREAKING NEWS

Beware of any company who goes by the name of Technion Communications

Why?

Since sobra nang mabafo ang pangalan nang Epixtar- they changed their name :p

wahahahahahah!!!

PATHETIC!!! :lol:

[lechon 2000]

Were they acquired? How come it's not in the news?

There is a company which goes by the name of Technion Communications (http://www.technion.com/) with headquarters in Tamarac, Florida. They have been in existence since 1994. How can Epixtar change its name to that of a company which already exists?

[Jareth]

not YET in the news ;)

just wait and see lechon 2000

[c0Rinthian]

compare:

Epixtar Corp.
Symbol: EPXR
Business Summary: Markets Internet access and e-mail service as well as other Internet services to small businesses; also operates TrueYellowPages.net, an Internet portal which includes a Yellow Page directory of businesses; and has developed a direct-dial product for the payphone industry.

Address
11900 Biscayne Boulevard
Suite 262
Miami , FL 33181


Technion Communications Corporation
Technion Communications Corporation is a software services provider in the fields of teleservices, database marketing, and customer relationship marketing.

Contact Information
Address: 1360 N. University Dr., Ste. 100
Plantation, FL 33322-4734




Domicile: Florida

[manila]

Epixtar has not changed it's name, nor does it intend to.

Once you enter Eastwood, it is Epixtarville.

Epixtar house will open within a few weeks.

There has been no xpat recruitment officer that has resigned from Epixtar.

The article you are referring is a great change for Epixtar.. Just try looking Martin Miller up on the internet... you will see why Epixtar forced his resignation...

There is not just one floor in Alabang.

Jareth,

Wow... this company really upset you huh I'm sorry to break the bad news, but Epixtar doesn't rehire employee's that were terminated.

Tell us your real reason as to why you have so much "beef" with this company.........

You are "out to get" this company for some reason... it's not going to work...

Epixtar will be around for MANY years... you need to get use to that... :bleh:

[manila]

Epixtar House

13 Floors

1 Client Entertainment Floor

1 Floor dedicated to Oxygen Bars, Restaurants, Game rooms, Gym, Movie Theater room, Sleeping rooms, Coffee Bars

1 Floor Auditorium

1 Floor Cafeteria

1 Training Floor

LOTS of agent floors

Epixtar House will be the nicest call center in the entire country...

:D

[manila]

The entire building belongs to Epixtar

[driven]

eto na naman si miss terminated my ***. dapat dito i-terminate na eh. feeling ever. hahaha!

[manila]

some of you might have a problem w/ Epixtar, but all the investors waiting to throw down millions of US dollars don't mind...

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ MONEY TALKS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[beefeater]

So manila admits that everything is all in the name of money...and nothing else :lol:

And with all the vermin that manila (how come the good name of the city is being denigrated) is spewing here in the forums, he/she is beginning to be like angelviper6 -- the same Pexer's counterpart in Clientlogic (former Contactworld/Servicezone) in the sense that both these personalities are actually doing everything to put flowery wors to their institutions which really, really suck as worse as hell :p :lol:

[Jareth]

a brief history of Epixtar:

Epixtar was established in 1994 under the name Pasta Bella to act as a holding company to acquire other businesses.

The name was changed twice, first in 1997 to Global AssetHoldings, Inc. and again in 2002 to Epixtar Corporation.

In November 2000, theCompany bought a majority stake (80%) in SavOnCalling.com. SavOnCalling marketed and sold telecommunications services on a resale basis.

In March 2001, the Company acquired National Online Services, a provider of Internet related services for smallbusiness subscribers.

This subsidiary uses independent telemarketers for its business marketing efforts.

[Jareth]

manila = all talk, no hard facts :lol:

in short... all hot air!!! :glee:

ni di nga kayo makalipat lipat sa Epixtar House (kuno) na yan as scheduled eh :p

wahahahah- millions of $$$$ daw o :p

saan? ill-gotten web cramming scam money is more like it :lol:

[manila]

first off Jereth, you didn't answer ANY of my questions.

regardless, please make your postings facts and do not assume.

and yes, MILLIONS of dollars.

web cramming? no. just submitting charges to people who completely accept services. it's sad that people agree to something on the phone, yet forget about it 30 days.

if found guilty for doing as you say, "cram and scam", then why was Epixtar not shut down? why was Epixtar allowed to presume all business operations???

no scam @ Epixtar... just a call center bringing business to people like you.

so jareth, what was the reason again as to why you are so bitter w/ Epixtar???

it wouldn't be that you were terminated would it????? :lol:

all jokes aside.. you need to give it up.. honest. you have it out for this company... WE GET IT. i'm sure everyone would agree that your time and anger would be best spent in more productive issues other than Epixtar. not to be rude, but it's sad that you work for a call center and you come in here every day to say something nasty about another call center... WHY?

do you think your company (convergis) had a smooth into this industry??? NO, they didn't.

again, i am not being rude, nor do i mean to offend you... just want to know why your so hostle towards this company??? i just don't think it's cool the things you say...

from what i have read, your friend worked here and was suspended... but even before that you had it out for Epixtar...

hoping you see the other side. just trying to defend a great company.. maybe not in your eyes, but in my own.

regards,

curious in manila

[luckyenriquez]

parang tumahimik ang pexers dito a

[anne_373]

sarado na daw kasi epixtar.

[cupcake]

iba na daw ang pangalan ng epixtar

[cupcake]

Technion Communications sabi ni Jareth

[mac_bolan00]

they have an opening for investment banking analyst. kaso, they're based in alabang.

[pinayraine]

Mukhang si manila eh pinagtatanggol ang bulok na epixtar ah... I think she's/he’s one of the VPs or Managers out there... Oh, I guess this person is hopeless. Epixtar has no name anymore. Try visiting inquirer.net often to see if there's something new about the company or it would be better if you try visiting nbi or dole/nlrc just to ask or investigate if there are really some people who filed labor cases against this company. hahahah! I know I should not apply here. Its getting hot in here! :))

[pinayraine]

Originally posted by anne_373
sarado na daw kasi epixtar.

hahahah! sana nga magsara na lang sila para wala ng maaapi.

[pinayraine]

Originally posted by Jareth
manila = all talk, no hard facts :lol:

in short... all hot air!!! :glee:

ni di nga kayo makalipat lipat sa Epixtar House (kuno) na yan as scheduled eh :p

wahahahah- millions of $$$$ daw o :p

saan? ill-gotten web cramming scam money is more like it :lol:


Go Jareth! Go Jareth! manila has a flowery mouth. Millions of dollars daw. Nungka! ang kapal ng mukha. Epixtar is a place where monkeys grow oh I mean a place where people grow as *******! :D There are only few angels working there the rest are all evil. :P

[Jareth]

Ingat lang po...

www.epixtar.com = www.callcentercareer.com.

[anne_373]

Originally posted by pinayraine
hahahah! sana nga magsara na lang sila para wala ng maaapi.

haha im nice.. and ima be a good girl now. did u work there?

[cupcake]

Originally posted by Jareth
Ingat lang po...

www.epixtar.com = www.callcentercareer.com.

oo nga noh?

e anlaki pala ng sakop ng company na to eh......anu2x pa ba?

[pinayraine]

yep! epixtar was occupying 2 floors in alabang (Insular Life Bldg.). Epixtar QC (laking bldg di ba?)- not yet operating...

When kaya mag ooperate sa QC? where are the big bucks $$$$$? Na frozen ba account sa US? harharhar EPIXTAR BULOK!

[Jareth]

oooooooooooo comic relief muna tayo :glee:

from: http://www.mb.com.ph/TECH200405118708.html

Cool in Purple and Green
by Peachy Limpin


There’s only word to describe the work environment Epixtar wants to establish in the country: COOL.


So what makes Epixtar cool?

First, they have their own building. While they lease two floors in their Alabang office, they have built a 12-storey center in Libis. Though not yet complete, I got a virtual tour of the building and had a peek at what's inside. Sneharti Roy, Vice-President for International Contact Center Development, readily obliged me with the virtual tour showing me how the center would look like when construction is done. The building is nowhere near drab, which brings me to my second point.

The building was designed in such a way that visitors or applicants would want to work there. The reception area on the ground floor would have flat screen TVs showing what the company is all about. An applicant can watch this audio-visual presentation while taking a free snack and a cup of coffee laid out on a corner counter. If after the presentation the applicant has some questions in mind, an information officer will be at hand to answer the queries. For Epixtar, first impression is important.

Having been introduced to the company, if the applicant still wants to pursue his application, he will be led into a cubicle where he will be asked to fill up an application form, not using pen and paper but online. They'd like to go paperless and help the environment. Once the form is filled-up, a recruitment officer will be on hand to conduct an interview in one of several rooms built specifically for this purpose.

Epixtar values their agents as much as their clients that they have allocated two levels for recreation. Joan Hizon, HR Director, says they'd want their agents not to feel homesick given the ungodly work hours. There will be a food court, a lounge that rivals a hip joint in the metro where agents can watch TV, socialize, or just kill time while waiting for their shift, a game room, and a penthouse for office parties and outdoor barbecues. Not to forget that they would want their agents to be physically fit, too, so they made provisions for this offsite. Company executives flying in from the States can stay in one of the suites, with walk-in closets to boot.

Harry Fozzard, Chief Marketing Officer, looking very excited on the day of the interview, took me to where all the action will take place. Although there was nothing much to see but cubicles upon cubicles of computers with flat screen monitors, I could just imagine the place humming with activity.

Third case in point is security. Employees will be using a different entry and exit points from visitors, and agents who forget their IDs need not worry about access to their areas because all they need is their thumb not to make a thumbs-up sign to the guard on duty but to use it for the thumb scanner.

And last but not the least is the employee incentive. I have to take Joan's word for it since she herself has experienced first hand what its like to work at Epixtar and according to her Epixtar is true to its being an equal opportunity employer and compensates its employees a lot better than other call centers. Though she did give me an estimate of how much an agent gets, I'd rather keep it to myself. But just to give you a hint, I would need a post-grad degree to get what they offer on top of commissions. She promises there will be no dull moments at Epixtar.

Oh, and the corporate colors, definitely funky - purple and neon green -from sofas to carpets to cubicle linings. Harry intends to line the streets of East Wood with purple and green banners. This man really wants to make Epixtar's presence felt.

The company maintains two websites: www.epixtar.com and www.callcentercareer.com.


(For feedback, suggestions, or questions you want answered because you don't have the time to search the Web, e-mail Peachy LImpin at eunico@mb.com.ph. Don't have e-mail, then spare a few pesos and drop me a line at Opening Page c/o Technews Section, Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp, Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila)

***************************************************

note: tsk... did you notice how shrewdly they intentionally failed to mention the nature of business that they have in the article?

that these "facilities" (as of the moment- virtual pa lang lahat) are the product of their cramming scam?

and bakit hanggang ngayon, di pa rin operational yung eastwood office nila?

(hint- frozen pa rin ba assets nila by the FTC?) :p

Epixtar Corporation is very aggressive in hiring and expanding here in the Philippines. Of course, their promising want ads don’t mention what they actually do in the US.

[manila]

Jareth,

Although we have a great difference of opinion in this company, it seems you have pasted your first positive article, of course, with your own opinion at the end. Thanks for being just a little open minded. It's okay you feel this company has failed you, the past is past and the future will be full of Epixtar.

Suprised in Aww,

Manila

[manila]

FYI

Just where you know Jareth, all business that will occupy Epixtar's centers, are all fortune 500 companies.

And yes, millions of dollars. You can even do research on how much money our company has made, and currently has.

HINT: It's a lot. When outsourcing our business through different call centers in the Philippines (which THEY are to blame for the mishandling of our account that let to trouble), it acquired more than $60 Million dollars last year.

[eegelsI]

Manila, i beg to disagree with what you're trying to insinuate about other call center mishandling Epixtar's account. FYI, your people are the ones who train agents for any account being outsourced. I was a part of the pioneering team that rolled-out NOL in one call center. We were trained by your team. They even stayed on for a couple of weeks just to make sure everything is done according to their specifications. We only learned to do things the Epixtar way.

There's no point dragging other call centers down just to lift Epixtar up. I understand you trying to defend the company who's supporting you now for a living. But then, you can't deny that facts abound about the negative things about Epixtar. If the company intends to save itself from utter destruction, then by all means go ahead. No one's hindering them from doing so. But one thing's for sure though, they have to change their values to succeed. I mean, money is good. But what's the use of having a lot of money if acquired in a negative way.

[pinayraine]

eegels1, nice advise for manila. Actually, one of the major problems of epixtar is how are they gonna show good conduct! By all means, they do not have this ethical treatment among their employees. I have been observing people's posts from diff websites about epixtar but all where kinda' nasty. One more thing, Filipino managers there are worst than americans and indians. Some of them came from icall global services which I think shutdown not due to economic crisis but due to professional reasons. Managers there are not good leaders... THey came from THeory X...What they think is $$$$$$$$ and nothing more but $$$$$... right Albertito De la Rosa Castro and Marie Jeanette Luisa B. Tan?... Yeah, I got your complete name from various resources. Your ex-call center agents are now in good hands... Good thing they did not waste their damn good time with epxitar! :P

[pinayraine]

Originally posted by anne_373
haha im nice.. and ima be a good girl now. did u work there?

hi anne_373, let's say my friends worked there... So many sales exec, TLS etc...I knew everything about Icall and Epixtar.

[anne_373]

pinay raine-- yeh im glad marlo left epixtar already. they even tried not to give the sep pay of those undeserved peeps they kicked! buti na lang those peeps are smart- threat them that theyma call imbestigador and file a case! hahaha ayun natakot din!!! tsk tsk. im glad that i left icall(EPIXTAR)---- and proud to be in one of the great call centers! sorry kayo TITUS- u kicked people and now theyre doin great- some are tls and supervisors, and some are working in great call centers like me-- tsktsk oh btw epix called me and tryin to win me back-- the h*** sorry sila i wont try to have that kind of nightmare again!!!!

[pinayraine]

Originally posted by anne_373
pinay raine-- yeh im glad marlo left epixtar already. they even tried not to give the sep pay of those undeserved peeps they kicked! buti na lang those peeps are smart- threat them that theyma call imbestigador and file a case! hahaha ayun natakot din!!! tsk tsk. im glad that i left icall(EPIXTAR)---- and proud to be in one of the great call centers! sorry kayo TITUS- u kicked people and now theyre doin great- some are tls and supervisors, and some are working in great call centers like me-- tsktsk oh btw epix called me and tryin to win me back-- the h*** sorry sila i wont try to have that kind of nightmare again!!!!


hahahah! buti na lang you made the right decision not to come back at epixtar. I agree na maraming tagal iCAll ang nasa mabuti ng kalagayan. Agree ako na si Marlo eh talagang marunong... umalis na agad ng epixtar para di sumakit ang ulo nya. Isa sya sa mga angels ng company. Super bait talaga nya unlike Titus and Jenny. hehehehhehh!

[pinayraine]

Originally posted by anne_373
pinay raine-- yeh im glad marlo left epixtar already. they even tried not to give the sep pay of those undeserved peeps they kicked! buti na lang those peeps are smart- threat them that theyma call imbestigador and file a case! hahaha ayun natakot din!!! tsk tsk. im glad that i left icall(EPIXTAR)---- and proud to be in one of the great call centers! sorry kayo TITUS- u kicked people and now theyre doin great- some are tls and supervisors, and some are working in great call centers like me-- tsktsk oh btw epix called me and tryin to win me back-- the h*** sorry sila i wont try to have that kind of nightmare again!!!!


hahahah! buti na lang you made the right decision not to come back at epixtar. I agree na maraming taga iCAll ang nasa mabuti ng kalagayan. Agree ako na si Marlo eh talagang marunong... umalis na agad ng epixtar para di sumakit ang ulo nya. Isa sya sa mga angels ng company. Super bait talaga nya unlike Titus and Jenny. hehehehhehh!

[anne_373]

and cutie pa.. hehe peace.

[trinaix]

great rebuttals. dude m just wondering what other websites andun ang epixtar? wana read up on all the juicy nasty details of this scum . share it pinayraine.

[Jareth]

Remember Genta Ogami?

The Japanese racketeer, na grabe ang ads niya sa TV and billboards- promoting G Cosmos?

Well, go to Eastwood- Epixtar Country na doon :eek:

Flashy billboards, flags, flyers all over the place

Too bad... they failed to mention what line of business they're in :rolleyes:

If anyone inquires... they just say it's a "call center job" :eek_tongue:

:deal: Epixtar Corporation is very aggressive in hiring and expanding here in the Philippines. And is conducting a very intensive PR and advertising campaign.

Of course, their promising want ads still don’t mention what they actually do in the US. :rolleyes:

[pinayraine]

Originally posted by Jareth
Remember Genta Ogami?

The Japanese racketeer, na grabe ang ads niya sa TV and billboards- promoting G Cosmos?

Well, go to Eastwood- Epixtar Country na doon :eek:

Flashy billboards, flags, flyers all over the place

Too bad... they failed to mention what line of business they're in :rolleyes:

If anyone inquires... they just say it's a "call center job" :eek_tongue:

:deal: Epixtar Corporation is very aggressive in hiring and expanding here in the Philippines. And is conducting a very intensive PR and advertising campaign.

Of course, their promising want ads still don’t mention what they actually do in the US. :rolleyes:

Jareth, they still don't want to mention what they actually do in the US bec. they are still planning everything on how they could bring back customer's trust. See, SCAM is all over Epixtar! Issue about this scam is not yet over. They could not retain their accounts. Where is NOL and At&T... do you think this company will survive by 2005? uhhhmmm ... i dont think so. :rolleyes:

NO ADS can make EPIXTAR grow! They will hunger much for prestige and credibility. Oh... Sorry, EpIXTAR is too popular pala! Popular sa kasamaan!tsk...tsk...tsk...

[dongski]

This sucks! Hope that Epixtar would clean up the ads that they put up here in Eastwood. Di lang kayo ang call center dito at isa pa na kakairita ang mga ads nyo no!!! Clean up the mess, remove all the ads and magsara na kayo!!!!

[stroker]

They just turned on the purple neon lights in fron of their building. What an eye sore... Parang malaking mosquito killer! bzzzt! bzzzt!

I've worked with Epixtar before as well, no need to detail in what capacity. I share the same sentiment as eegelsI re the way they train people. Unless things have changed, we were taught the art of sales and scamming epixtar style. It came to a point were our sales reps questioned the ethical implications of this, let alone the legal. Sales really is a tough business and each sales person has various techniques and strategies available. Some will take the down and dirty path of scamming people, while others will really execute selling style the right way. Each person has the same end goal, more sales productions means more compensation, and will just have various ways of getting there.

I personally hope that this company's act has been cleaned up. With all the advertising dollars, buildout dollars, investment dollars they've been pouring into the economy, it can only be a good thing. They've got long term leases on housing for their American staff that are practically based here. This company can't be so naive that they'd risk all of this effort for an unsustainable or illegal business.

[manila]

nicely said stroker. you are 100% CORRECT.

[manila]

now it's just getting others to see that exact point.. it will take time, but everyone will see.

i have worked in the call center industry for over 7 years and i believe in Epixtar more than i have ever with any other company...

[manila]

FYI, Epixtar no longer runs a campaign of web services... Epixtar's management and executive staff is the best among the world. Most of the well known call centers established here (Etel and so on) has seeked the help of all our Exec staff.

Epixtar is one of the best call centers to work for. Earn More, Learn More, Be More. Only two other centers in the country pay more than Epixtar.

Epixtar will soon be one of the most well known call centers in the country. Check out the website...

www.epixtar.com

only fortune 500 company campaigns here.. only the best quality from here on out...

if you want to earn more and love coming to work, Epixtar is the place for you. check out our facilities on our website... NO OTHER CALL CENTER WILL COMPARE FOR PROVIDING YOU COMFORT AT WORK THE WAY WE DO!!! :)

[Jareth]

dont forget to read the fine print:

Forward-looking Statements

This Web Site may contain "forward-looking statements" regarding EPIXTAR's business, customers, partners, future products and services, estimates of future business prospects or financial results, statements regarding EPIXTAR'S objectives, expectations, intentions, beliefs or strategies, or statements containing words such as "believe," "project," "expect," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "plans," "seeks," or similar expressions. It is important to note that EPIXTAR's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Among the important factors that could cause such actual results to differ materially are (i) the timing of significant orders for EPIXTAR's products and services, (ii) variations in the terms and the elements of services offered under EPIXTAR's standardized contract for future service offerings, (iii) changes in applicable accounting principles, (iv) difficulties or delays in implementing EPIXTAR's service offerings, (v) failure to achieve sales, marketing and other objectives, (vi) construction delays of new call centers, (vii) delays in EPIXTAR's ability to develop new products and services and market acceptance of new products and services, (viii) rapid technological change, (ix) loss of significant customers, (x) risks inherent in conducting business abroad, (xi) currency fluctuations, (xii) fluctuations in business conditions and the economy, (xiii) EPIXTAR's ability to attract and retain key management personnel, (xiv) the marketplace's continued acceptance of EPIXTAR's service offerings, (xv) EPIXTAR's ability to continue the growth of its support service revenues through additional technical and customer service centers, (xvi) EPIXTAR's ability to further penetrate into vertically integrated markets, (xvii) EPIXTAR's ability to expand its global presence through strategic alliances and selective acquisitions, (xviii) EPIXTAR's ability to continue to establish a competitive advantage through sophisticated technological capabilities, (xix) the ultimate outcome of certain regulatory actions, (xx) EPIXTAR's ability to recognize deferred revenue through delivery of products or satisfactory performance of services; and (xxi) EPIXTAR's continued ability to attract and obtain adequate financing (xxii) other risk factors listed from time to time in EPIXTAR's registration statements and reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements which may be contained in this Press Release are made as of the date that such statements are originally published or made, and EPIXTAR undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Disclaimer

Epixtar Corp. provides services subject to the following notices, terms and conditions. When you use Epixtar Corp. services, you are subject to all applicable rules, guidelines, policies, terms and conditions.

This site is provided by Epixtar Corp. on an "as is" basis. Epixtar Corp. makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the site or the information, content, materials, or products included on this site. The entire risk as to the operations of the site, the materials or products obtained or accessed through the site is assumed by you. Epixtar is not responsible for the accuracy of the services or for the materials or products obtained through or associated with this site or for any omissions therein. To the full extent permissible by applicable law, Epixtar Corp. disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Epixtar Corp. will not be liable for any losses, claims or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use of this site, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and consequential damages.

in short... caveat emptor :glee:

[tifosi_1]

what's their phone nuber?

[manila]

Jareth, every business has to abreast inverstors and public of risks involved....

Foward-Looking Statements from CONVEGYS:
We wish to caution you that these statements are only projections and that actual events or results may differ materially.

Disclosure: Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the Materials may contain projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial or technical performance of Convergys. We wish to caution you that these statements are only projections and that actual events or results may differ materially. The Material are subject to and qualified by the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements including, among others, substantial capital requirements; development of effective internal processes and systems; the ability to attract and retain high quality employees; changes in the overall economy; technology; the number and size of competitors in its markets; law and regulatory policy; and the mix of products and services offered in the company's target markets and circumstances of force majeure, including acts of war or acts of terrorism. We have no current intention of updating any projections or forward-looking statements that may be contained in the Materials.

[manila]

Epixtar
Earn More. Learn More. Be More.

Epixtar, The Future.

[kitten27]

Hi everyone!!

I'm new here and been reading past discussions.. I just heard that EPIXTAR HOUSE is already operational is already ramping up this coming week. They are currently conducting interviews in Eastwood City.....

Manila, can u confirm this?

So does this mean that Epixtar is doing well?

[Jareth]

hmmmmmm..... investment banking services....

i pity your clients...

[feeline]

prettty funny forum, i read this from the start.. so much anger against this company and so much "know it all" regarding its wrong doings, I dont work there but I say they are a good company scam or not.. but what the hell, if you cant take out your frustrations out in the open then tama nga scream in here where your voice could be of importance (i think).. and I think everyone should know that Icall didnt "close" they were bought... and it wasnt anyones fault, the management that you guys speak of did what they needed... might have been wrong? might have been correct? i dont think anyone here "knows" the real deal of what was going on? jareth, i think once youve reached an upper management level you would understand... but hell, its your life, stay angry if you like, what ever your reasons are goodluck, i just think someday you need to get over it, upto you though.

[driven]

more alipores are coming in hahaha. hayaan mo na jareth. malamang nai-sangla na nila ang mga kaluluwa nila sa mga demonyo. mahirap kalabanin ang mga sugo ng kadiliman. kawawa naman ang mga pinoy. mahilig gamitin ng kung sinu-sinong tao para lang sa sarili nilang kapakinabangan at magkalat ng kapalpakan sa mundo.

[Pin@tubo]

we make ourselves kawawa. try reading the LAFI forum for a few minutes and you’ll see my point. we are screwed, with or without Epixtar.

this thread (highlighted by jareth’s litany) gives me comic relief. for once i thought he’s a disgruntled (if not terminated) ex-employee of Epixtar. that'd be really hilarious. hahaha! peace! :D

[woulfe27]

i don't know anybody from Epixstar, but based on the info that I got from the web, this company sucks. it exploits both its employees and clients alike. bakit binigyan ng permit mag-operate dito yan? :(

[manila]

kitten27,

Yes, Epixtar House is operational and we are hiring. Yes, Epixtar is doing well.

[manila]

You just assume Epixtar sucks due to inaccurate information posted by others. Expoits clients????? Care to explain??

[woulfe27]

manila, i wouldn't call information posted on the FTC website inaccurate. oooops, do you even know what FTC stands for? It's Federal Trade Commission, an agency of the US government. Now you know :D

just go to the following links so you'll know more about the world, ok. in this way you won't be a sucker for anything. and remember not everything is in abante or remate.

but come to think of it, common sense isn't really that common...

kitten, be wary of trojan horses :)


http://www.ftc.gov/os/caselist/0323124/0323124.htm

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2003/11/epixtar.htm

http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2003/12/08/daily34.html

http://www.stocklemon.com/articles/03_14_03.html

[Jareth]

kitten27, feeline, and manila are epixtar stooges :p (obvious ba?)

attemping to do some sort of "damage control"

don't mind them so much :glee:

[Jareth]

from: http://www.our-street.com/EXPRsec.htm

IMPORTANT NOTICE: THIS COMPLAINT WAS PREPARED BY OUR-STREET.COM AND SUBMITTED TO THE SEC

THIS IS ONLY A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE SEC.

THE SEC WILL REVIEW THIS COMPLAINT BUT THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THE SEC WILL TAKE ANY ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS COMPLAINT

ANYONE CAN FILE COMPLAINTS WITH THE SEC BY SENDING THEM TO enforcement@sec.gov OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE AT http://www.sec.gov/complaint/cf942sec9570.htm

COMPLAINT

Complainant reports that Epixtar Corp (OTC-BB EPXR) has issued false and/or misleading press releases and failed to disclose material subsequent events in SEC filings thereby violating Section 10(b)-5 and Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

SUMMARY

1. This complaint arises out of materially false and/or misleading public statements and omissions made by Epixtar Corp. (Epixtar) and Epixtar’s failure to disclose certain legal actions which have been implemented against the company by Missouri’s Attorney General and Iowa’s Office of the Consumer Advocate which if successful will materially effect the earning of the company and could threaten the ability of the company to continue executing its business plan.

2. The company is the subject of legal action in Iowa and Missouri and the subject of numerous complaints for an illegal practice known as “slamming” or “cramming”. As such, the revenues as reported by the company may be the result of an ongoing criminal enterprise.

3. By engaging in the conduct alleged herein, the defendants appear to have violated the antifraud and periodic reporting requirements of the federal securities laws. Unless enjoined, the defendants are likely to do so in the future.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

4. It is requested that the Commission bring an action pursuant to Section 20(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") [15 U.S.C. § 77t(b)], and Sections 21(d) and 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") [15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d) and 78u(e)] to permanently restrain and enjoin Epixtar from engaging in the acts, practices, and transactions stated herein.

5. The Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to Section 22(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77v(a)], and Sections 21(d), 21(e), and 27 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. §§ 78u(d), 78u(e), and 78aa]. Venue lies in the Court pursuant to Section 20(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t], and Section 27 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78aa].

6. Epixtar, directly or indirectly, has made use of the means and instrumentalities of interstate commerce or the mails, or of the means or instrumentalities of transportation or communication in interstate commerce, or of the facilities of a national securities exchange, in connection with the acts, practices, and transactions alleged herein, certain of which occurred within the many, most or all of the 50 United States.

THE ACCUSED

7. Epixtar Corp, is a Florida corporation (fka: Global Asset Holdings, Inc.) with its office and
principal place of business 11900 Biscayne Blvd. Suite 262 Miami, Florida 33181. Epixtar was
organized as a Florida corporation in June 1994 under the name Pasta Bella, Inc. In 1997, they
changed the name to Global Asset Holdings, Inc. The Company is listed on the Over-the-Counter
Bulletin Board and traded under the ticker symbol EPXR. Epixtar, through its subsidiaries claims
that, “The acquisition of National Online Services Inc. ("National Online") was completed on
March 31, 2001, and on June 1, 2001 a new company, One World Public Communications Corp.
("One World") was incorporated. Its purpose is to provide international and domestic long distance
services to Payphone companies. Currently, One World is not one of the Company's significant
operations. Liberty Online Service Inc., incorporated on December 12, 2001, provides subscription
based small business internet solutions similar to National Online's business. Combined these entities
also do business as MyOneNation.com and nationwide-yellowpages.com.”

8. National Online Services Inc, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Epixtar and does business out of
the Epixtar corporate headquarters. According to SEC filings, National claims its business is as follows:
“National Online acquires customers via direct contact through (outsourced) telemarketing. Each
prospect is offered a 30-day free trial of the service which begins upon receipt of their welcome kit.
The value proposition of the low cost directory listing, web page and entire Internet access features
is described through a sales script that is presented to potential customers by the agents of the call
centers. Lists of potential clients are provided to the call centers by National Online. National Online
purchases these lists at a cost of approximately five cents per name after filtering out businesses
that are a) not appropriate demographically, b) not in an Internet service area, c) not billable through
one of our third party billing houses, or d) on a state no-call list.To qualify for the free-trial offer, the
respondent provides advance consent for billing should he choose to remain a customer after the
free-trial period ends. The authorization for billing is digitally recorded for compliance purposes. A
charge of $29.95 is submitted to the customer's phone company for billing and collection every month
thereafter on the anniversary of the conclusion of the free-trail period. Sales Results - From an initial
launch of May 9, 2001 to April 12, 2002 National Online has obtained a total of 141,403 trial members
and of those, 70,669 remain active and billable (27,131 of which remain in the 30-day trial period).
Also, National Online has obtained nearly as many trial members in the first quarter of FY 2002
(64,392) than in all of in the entire eight months of operations in FY 2001 (64,428). Trials that result
in sales run at a monthly average of approximately 80%. Of those 90% result in revenue generating
billings. The dilution occurs from submitted bills that for some reason cannot be processed (i.e. credit
blocks, pre-paid local service or disconnected accounts). Additionally National Online enjoys an 80%
month-to-month "stick-rate" (20% average monthly attrition).

9. Liberty Online Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Epixtar and is headquartered at its
own office located at Flamingo Commons, 12555 Orange Drive, Suite 205, Davie, Florida 333309.
According to SEC filings, Liberty offers “a bundle of small business communication solutions, which
will include Internet access, web-site design and hosting, email service and long distance
telecommunications. The services offered by Liberty Online are substantially similar to the services
offered by National Online except the customer also has long distance access provided by the
Company's subsidiary, One World. It is Liberty Online's intention to obtain customers by direct
customer contact by independent telemarketing firms. It will bill and collect for its service through
the customer's local telephone bill. These marketing and collection practices are identical to National
Online's marketing and collection practices.”

10. Irving Greenman is the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Epixtar Corp.

11. William D. Rhodes Jr. is a Director of Epixtar and has served as the President of Epixtar since
January 2002 as well as the president and founder of National Online Services, Inc.

12. Martin Miller is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive officer of Epixtar.
FACTS

A. Background

13. Epixtar was organized for the purpose of acquiring other entities or businesses. Prior to
November, 2000, it had attempted to acquire several businesses; however, none of those acquisitions
were completed. The Company experienced a significant change in operations due to the acquisition
of SavonCalling.Com ("Savon") in November, 2000 but has since abandoned this company.

14. The acquisition of National Online Services Inc. ("National Online") was completed on March 31,
2001, and on June 1, 2001 a new company, One World Public Communications Corp. ("One World")
was incorporated. Its purpose is to provide international and domestic long distance services to Payphone
companies. Currently, One World is not one of the Company's significant operations. Liberty
Online Service Inc., incorporated on December 12, 2001, provides subscription based small business
internet solutions similar to National Online's business.

15. The revenue for the first nine months of 2002 was primarily derived from National Online and Liberty
Online services Inc. Therefore, a quarterly comparison of financial information for the same period in
2002 and 2001 may not be useful to an understanding of the Company's current financial condition.
16a. According to the Attorney General of Missouri Jay Nixon, on January 23, 2003 he had just “obtained a court order to stop a group of Miami, Fla., telemarketers from putting charges for unwanted and unordered services such as Internet access, e-mail addresses, Web sites and listings on search engines on the telephone bills of Missouri consumers and small businesses. Placing unauthorized charges on telephone bills is an illegal practice known as cramming.”

16b. Greene County Circuit Judge Don E. Burrell Jr. signed a preliminary injunction barring defendants National Online Services, Liberty Online Services and Epixtar Corp. from placing charges on the phone bills of Missourians without their express verifiable authorization or otherwise misrepresenting facts to consumers. Nixon is seeking a permanent injunction that would include restitution for Missouri victims.

16c. "These illegal billings were particularly brazen because many of the victims specifically told the telemarketers they did not want the services being offered, and other victims were never contacted before the charges appeared on the bills," Nixon said. "The success of scams of this nature often depend on how closely the victims examine their telephone bills, but the defendants took this one step farther by lying to consumers who complained and avoiding consumers’ attempts to contact them."

16d. Nixon said his office had received 69 complaints from Missourians about the billing practices of the Florida telemarketers but that it was almost certain there were other Missouri victims of the scam. Victims, who often owned small businesses, typically found unauthorized charges for $30.85 on behalf of National Online Services on their local telephone bills. Some of the charges appeared after the victim received a telemarketing call from the defendants soliciting various Internet-related services; others appeared without a prior telemarketing call.

16e. Consumers who tried to contact National either have been unsuccessful, Nixon said, or have had additional misrepresentations made to them, including altered recordings of telemarketing calls or promises of credits that have never been issued on the consumers’ telephone bills.

16f. Nixon said consumers who had not yet contacted his office with complaints about National Online Services or the other defendants should call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or submit a complaint form."

17. According to a civil complaint filed by Iowa’s Office of the Consumer Advocate on January 28, 2003, filed a Petition for Proceeding to Impose Civil Penalty against Liberty Online Services for illegally billing at least one customer despite repeated assurances that the services being discussed were free. This cramming violates Iowa Code 476.103.

18. According to ripoffreport.com, a consumer watchdog web site, 44 consumers from 21 states have posted complaints about unauthorized charges being placed on their phone bills as well as great difficulty getting any adjustments when complaining.

19. According to www.ripoffreport.com, a consumer watchdog web site, 2 consumers from 2 separate states have posted complaints on the website detailing unapproved charges being added to their phone bill and finding great difficulty to obtain and adjustment.

20. According to the numerous posted complaints on ripoffreport.com, victims of Liberty Online Services and National Online Services are contacted by aggressive telemarketers and promised there is no charge for various telecommunications services and listings. Regardless of the victim’s response, charges are then attached to the victim’s phone bill and. Victims also had bills attached to their phone bill without ever being called by a telemarketer.

B. False or Misleading Statements and Omissions by the Company or its officers or directors

21a. On March 13, 2003 the Epixtar published a statement declaring that “Epixtar Corp. (OTCBB:EPXR), formerly Global Asset Holdings Inc. (OTCBB:GAHI), announced preliminary operating results for the 4th quarter and the year ending December 31, 2002.

4th Qtr Twelve Months
Ending 12/31/02 Ending 12/31/02
Revenue $13,116,000 $26,251,000
Operating Income (loss) $1,564,000 $(2,411,000)
Net Operating Income (loss)
Per Share 0.15 (0.23)
21b. The above results are preliminary and may be subject to new adjustments. It also reflects a change in accounting policy previously announced. The first three quarters in 2002 were restated resulting from the change.

21c. The above is not necessarily indicative of final income (loss) results for the year"

22. The above statement failed to include the basic Safe Harbor statement and also failed to disclose the existence of at least two actions by regulatory agencies, the Missouri Attorney General’s office and Iowa’s Office of the Consumer Advocate despite the fact that these actions could have a material effect on the published income figures.

23. Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes knew, or were reckless in not knowing, that the statements and particularly the omissions in the March 13, 2003 press release were materially false and/or misleading.

C. False or Material Statements or Omissions in filings with the SEC

24a. On March 13, 2003 Epixtar filed an amended Form 10K for the year ending December 31, 2001
and amended 10Q’s for each of the first three quarters of 2003. The most recent amended 10Q filed
on March 13, 2003 was for the third quarter ending September 30, 2002. In that amended report, the
company claimed, “The revenue derived from the Company's operating subsidiaries for the third
quarter of 2002 was $7,974,025 as compared to the revenue derived for the third quarter of
2001 in the amount of $307,830. This resulted in an increase of $7,666,195. The revenue for
the nine months in 2002 was $13,134,896 as compared to $1,276,464 in 2001 reflecting an
increase of $11,858,432. The prior year's revenue included income from Savon which has
terminated operations, and the revenue of National Online for only a portion of the year. This
year's results include nine months of National Online operations and Liberty Online operations
for the third quarter only.”

24b. On March 13, 2003 Epixtar filed an amended Form 10K for the year ending December 31, 2001 and
disclosed that "National Online has received 95 complaints and/or inquiries from regulatory agencies
and 27 inquiries form the Better Business Bureau resulting from its 136,911 trial and monthly
members as of April 8, 2002."

25. On March 13, 2003 Miller, Greenman and Rhodes filed in conjunction and in compliance with the Sarbanes
Oxley act statements of accountability which declared that, “I have reviewed this quarterly report on
Form 10-Q of Global Asset Holdings, Inc.; c. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were
made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; d. Based on
my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly
report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;
e. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and
we have: 1) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to
the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; 2) evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days
prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and 3) presented in this quarterly
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our
evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; f. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed,
based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's
board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): 1) all significant deficiencies in the
design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any
material weaknesses in internal controls; and 2) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and
g. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not
there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect
internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions
with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.”

26. These statements were materially false and/or misleading based upon the following facts.

27a. On January 23, 2003, the Attorney General of Missouri Jay Nixon announced that he had just “obtained a court order to stop a group of Miami, Fla., telemarketers from putting charges for unwanted and unordered services such as Internet access, e-mail addresses, Web sites and listings on search engines on the telephone bills of Missouri consumers and small businesses. Placing unauthorized charges on telephone bills is an illegal practice known as cramming.”

27b. Greene County Circuit Judge Don E. Burrell Jr. signed a preliminary injunction barring defendants National Online Services, Liberty Online Services and Epixtar Corp. from placing charges on the phone bills of Missourians without their express verifiable authorization or otherwise misrepresenting facts to consumers. Nixon is seeking a permanent injunction that would include restitution for Missouri victims.

27c. "These illegal billings were particularly brazen because many of the victims specifically told the telemarketers they did not want the services being offered, and other victims were never contacted before the charges appeared on the bills," Nixon said. "The success of scams of this nature often depend on how closely the victims examine their telephone bills, but the defendants took this one step farther by lying to consumers who complained and avoiding consumers’ attempts to contact them."

27d. Nixon said his office had received 69 complaints from Missourians about the billing practices of the Florida telemarketers but that it was almost certain there were other Missouri victims of the scam. Victims, who often owned small businesses, typically found unauthorized charges for $30.85 on behalf of National Online Services on their local telephone bills. Some of the charges appeared after the victim received a telemarketing call from the defendants soliciting various Internet-related services; others appeared without a prior telemarketing call.

27e. Consumers who tried to contact National either have been unsuccessful, Nixon said, or have had additional misrepresentations made to them, including altered recordings of telemarketing calls or promises of credits that have never been issued on the consumers’ telephone bills.

27f. Nixon said consumers who had not yet contacted his office with complaints about National Online Services or the other defendants should call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or submit a complaint form.

28. On January 28, 2003, Iowa’s Office of the Consumer Advocate filed a Petition for Proceeding to Impose Civil Penalty against Liberty Online Services for illegally billing at least one customer despite repeated assurances that the services being discussed were free. This cramming violates Iowa Code 476.103.

29. Expitar omitted material subsequent events beyond April 2002 including the existence of legal actions by at least two law enforcement agencies with the attached inference that at least one such action was subject to expansion is a material event and relates directly to both the validity of the financial statements and to the potential future business activities of the company. Further there was no disclosure whatsoever of these actions in the 10's filed for the first, second and third quarter of 2002.

30. Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes knew or were reckless in not knowing
that the filings and attests contained material omissions which rendered them false
and/or misleading.
FIRST CLAIM

Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes Violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5

(Making Materially False and Misleading Statements and Omissions in Connection with the Purchase or Sale of Securities)

31. Paragraphs 1 through 30 above are re-alleged and incorporated herein by reference.

32. Epixtar Corp has published press releases and filed financial statements while omitting material facts about actions by law enforcement agencies which suggest that a material amount of those revenues may have been obtained by illegal or criminal activities. By omitting disclosures detailing these legal actions, Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes published false and or misleading statements that did not accurately reflect the financial status of the company.

33. Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes knew or were reckless in not knowing that these material omissions made the statements and filings false and or misleading.

34. By reason of the foregoing, we believe Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes have, directly or indirectly, singly or in concert, violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5 [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5].

SECOND CLAIM

Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes Violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act
(Making Materially False and Misleading Statements and Failing to Disclose Material Facts in the Offer or Sale of Securities)

35. Paragraphs 1 through 29 above are re-alleged and incorporated herein by reference.

36. Epixtar Corp has published press releases and filed financial statements while omitting material facts about actions by law enforcement agencies which suggest that a material amount of those revenues may have been obtained by illegal or criminal activities. By omitting disclosures detailing these legal actions, Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes published false and or misleading statements that did not accurately reflect the financial status of the company.

37. Epixtar used interstate commerce and the internet to generate the revenues that are subject to legal action and to promote their stock by publishing revenue figures without also disclosing the existence of legal actions by state law enforcement agencies against the company.

38. Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes knew or were reckless in not knowing that these material omissions made the statements and filings false and or misleading.

39. By reason of the foregoing, we believe Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. §78q(a)]

THIRD CLAIM

Epixtar Violated Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Rules 13a-1, 13a-13, and 12b-20

(Materially False and Misleading Statements and Omissions of Material Fact, in Filings with the Commission)

40. Paragraphs 1 through 29 above are re-alleged and incorporated herein by reference.

41. Epixtar Corp has filed financial statements with the SEC while omitting material facts about actions by law enforcement agencies against the company which suggest that a material amount of those revenues may have been obtained by illegal or criminal activities. By omitting disclosures detailing these legal actions, Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes published false and or misleading statements that did not accurately reflect the financial status of the company.

42. Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes knew or were reckless in not knowing that these material omissions made filings false and or misleading.

43. Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. §78m(a)] and Exchange Act Rules 13a-1, 13a-13, and 12b-20, [17 C.F.R. §§ 240.13a-1, 240.13a-13, and 240.12b-20] require that quarterly, annual and other reports and statements filed by issuers with the Commission not contain untrue statements of material facts or omissions of material facts.

44. By reason of the foregoing, we believe Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes violated Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78m(a)] and Exchange Act Rules 13a-1, 13a-13, and 12b-20 [17 C.F.R. §§ 240.13a-1, 240.13a-13, and 240.12b-20].

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, the complainant respectfully requests that the SEC halt trading of Epixtar Corp pursuant Section 12(k) of the Exchange act and to file a civil action against Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes seeking relief from the court as follows:

I.

Issue a Final Judgment of Permanent Injunction and Other Relief restraining and enjoining Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes from, directly or indirectly, violating Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5 [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5]; Section 17(a) of the Securities Act

[15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]; and Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78m(a)] and Exchange Act Rules 12b-20, 13a-1, and 13a-13 [17 C.F.R. §§ 240.12b-20, 240.13a-1, and 240.13a-13].

II.

Issue an Order of Permanent Injunction restraining and enjoining Epixtar, Miller, Greenman and Rhodes from, directly or indirectly, violating Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5 [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5]; Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]; and Sections 5(a) and 5(c) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77e]; and from aiding and abetting violations of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78m(a)] and Exchange Act Rules 12b-20, 13a-1, and 13a-13 [17 C.F.R. §§ 240.12b-20, 240.13a-1, and 240.13a-13].

III.

Issue an Order of Permanent Injunction restraining and enjoining Vincent from, directly or indirectly, violating Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78j(b)] and Exchange Act Rule 10b-5 [17 C.F.R. § 240.10b-5]; Section 17(a) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)]; and from aiding and abetting violations of Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78m(a)] and Exchange Act Rules 12b-20, 13a-1, and 13a-13 [17 C.F.R. §§ 240.12b-20, 240.13a-1, and 240.13a-13].

IV.

Issue an Order pursuant to Section 20(e) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(e)] and Section 21(d)(2) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(2)] permanently barring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes from acting as an officer or director of any issuer that has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78l] or that is required to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78o(d)].

V.

Issue an Order pursuant to the Court's equitable powers permanently barring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes from acting as an officer or director of any issuer that is required to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78o(d).

VI.

Issue an Order, pursuant to Section 603 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 [Public Law No. 107 - 204, 116 Stat. 745 (July 30, 2002)], Section 21(d)(6) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(6)] and Section 20(g) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(g)], and pursuant to the Court's equitable powers, permanently barring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes from participating in an offering of penny stock.

VII.

Issue an Order requiring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes to prepare an accurate accounting of all stock sales and trading profits from the sale of Epixtar stock by him in accounts that he controlled or exercised influence over during the period January 1, 2002, through March 19, 2003.

VIII.

Issue an Order requiring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes to disgorge (i) all ill-gotten gains from sales of Epixtar securities in accounts that he controlled or exercised influence over between January 1, 2002 and March 19, 2003 plus prejudgment interest; and (ii) all ill-gotten gains from violations of the federal securities laws, plus prejudgment interest.

IX.

Issue an Order requiring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes to pay civil money penalties pursuant to Section 20(d) of the Securities Act [15 U.S.C. § 77t(d)] and an Order requiring Miller, Greenman and Rhodes to pay civil money penalties pursuant to Section 21(d)(3) of the Exchange Act [15 U.S.C. § 78u(d)(3)].

X.

Retain jurisdiction of this action in accordance with the principles of equity and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in order to implement and carry out the terms of all Orders and Decrees that may be entered, or to entertain any suitable application or motion for additional relief; and

XI.

Grant such other and further relief as this Court may deem necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.

[Jareth]

Epixtar: the Lowdown

Larger competitors
The Company is competing against larger companies that may attract the top tier of the labor pool and have better access to capital (main competitors: Convergys Corporation, Sitel Corporation (SWW/NYSE),TeleTech Holdings Inc. (TTEC/OTC) and West Corporation (WSTC/OTC).

Cramming complaints
During the past 12 months, the Company has established itself as a highly effective sales training company. However, in 3Q 2002, Epixtar temporary suspended marketing of one of its five brands, One Nation Calling Plan,since some of its outsource calling centers India used improper methods to obtaincustomers. Epixtar quickly implemented a quality assurance program, an internal investigation, and began using independent monitors to examine sales records. There have been investigations by five states (yet to be resolved in three states) regarding Epixtar’s business practices. Our-Street.com allegedly filed complaints in March 2003 against Epixtar with the FTC and the SEC on behalf of consumersnationwide and shareholders of the Company. The complaints assert unfair or deceptive acts and practices in or affecting commerce. According to the grievances,the Company participated in “cramming,” the practice of billing people through local telephone companies for services that were said to be free, or that the victim had rejected. The complaint also asserts that in recent SEC filings, the Company failed to disclose these lawsuits and the income generated through the illegal practices. Epixtar has taken measures to address the cramming issues. The Company has a policy of refunding customers’ money if charges are disputed, and voice files of the sale in question are distributed to all those that inquire.

FTC regulation initiatives
The FTC has proposed additional regulation regarding“do not call” lists that apply mainly to residential customers. Epixtar’s keycustomers are small businesses, but the Company makes an effort to screen everycall to help ensure that no potential customers are on such a list.

Stock volatility
The stock is thinly traded, has exhibited price volatility, and is a bulletin board stock subjecting broker-dealers to additional sales practice and disclosure requirements. The shares are appropriate only for risk-oriented investors.