Something to Know About the "ABIA"

To all mechanics and installers:

Some of you may have already done the research into the "ABIA" and found out about some of their questionable business practices. For those of you who haven't, please be aware of this...

As most of you know, they have their "pooltablemovers_____(insert city here).com" or "______pooltablemovers.com" websites for just about every major city across the country. What many might not know, is that all of these sites are showing LOCAL addresses as their places of business. In my area, they are using the address, "2025 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans, LA 70130" on both their site and on their Facebook page. This address belongs to a convenience store! After calling that location, they state that they've never heard of "pooltablemoversneworleans.com".

On Angie's List, they have their address as "1515 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA". There is NOTHING at that location. However, the Brunswick dealer's address is "1525 Airline Drive".

They are also using (what appears to be) voice-over IP phone lines with local numbers in an attempt to lure customers by making them think they're dealing with a local business.

I have contacted the FTC regarding this as well as my state's Attorney General, Sec. of State, the New Orleans Attorney General, and the IRS. What he's doing is CLEARLY unethical and may, in fact, be illegal.

If the "ABIA" has these websites in your area, I would encourage you to do the same.

I called his "local" (Vo-IP) phone number to get a quote to move a 4-1/2 x 9 just to see what he's quoting. Local to local move, no stairs, reusing the existing cloth.

His quote.... $825.00!!!

I figured out exactly who he's using around here, then called them. Their quote... $350.00!

So, Jeff is making a $475.00 PROFIT for doing nothing more than giving a local guy the customer's information.

As I said earlier, I would encourage every mechanic and installer to call their federal, state, and local authorities about this. If he does not have a physical location in a state and isn't registered to conduct business within a state, then he shouldn't be putting in his advertisements that he has locations there. Most of the addresses are fictitious anyway. This is deceptive business at best. At worst, it's fraud and the authorities need to know about this.

obe1 said:

Minneapolis Pool Table Movers Minneapolis Pool Table Movers Website
Phone (877) 225-1914


Jeff Black (@Jeffmovesit) | Twitter
https://twitter.com/jeffmovesit
... latest Tweets from Jeff Black (@Jeffmovesit). I move #billiard tables! A LOT of pool tables, everywhere! Seattle to Miami. Moving? I'm your man. 877-225-1914.

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This is why I said "most" of his websites have fictitious addresses.

Check out the following:
https://charlottepooltableservice.com/pool-table-installations/
https://pooltablemoversdenver.com/
https://chicagopooltablemovers.net/
https://batonrougepooltablemovers.com/
https://phoenixpooltablemovers.net/
https://myrtlebeachpooltablemovers.com/
https://kansascitypooltablemovers.net/

I could go on. But, theses are just the first few cities that popped into my head.

obe1 said:

Minneapolis Pool Table Movers Minneapolis Pool Table Movers Website
Phone (877) 225-1914


Jeff Black (@Jeffmovesit) | Twitter
https://twitter.com/jeffmovesit
... latest Tweets from Jeff Black (@Jeffmovesit). I move #billiard tables! A LOT of pool tables, everywhere! Seattle to Miami. Moving? I'm your man. 877-225-1914.

Click to expand...

https://pooltablemoversminneapolis.com/

I just pulled up his Minneapolis site. It shows a physical address of:
3784 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55406

Google street view:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/3...5e188b!8m2!3d44.9342967!4d-93.2240089!6m1!1e1

I guess Jeff is operating out of the American Legion building there in Minneapolis.

obe1 said:

Would be nice to have this info get posted in the az mech list ...

Click to expand...

I'm a new member here. I've got absolutely ZERO pull to have that done.

realkingcobra said:

This is pretty much all old news to most of us older members, i called his BS out years ago as a con.

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I know you did. I read through all of the threads about him. However, I'm both trying to inform others (that don't know) and plea to those that do know his tactics and antics to contact the authorities about this.

If I call, I'm just one voice. They don't care to hear from me. They'd take it a whole lot more seriously if they start getting calls from all over the country from others in the business. Your local authorities should know about this too. But, again, I don't live in your area. He isn't taking work away from ME in YOUR area.

I see a few points of concern here.

1) Our industry has suffered over the years because of people who are less than honest. I know a lot of us have done everything we can to reverse that image. A lot of progress has been made. But, when Jeff comes along with his "ABIA" (that doesn't mean a thing) and cons the customer, WE ALL SUFFER.

2) Customers have no clue that his "ABIA" is a sham. They don't know the difference between the ABIA, BCA, AMA (American Medical Association), APA, or any other acronym. If we lie complacent, aren't we just as guilty of enabling the ruse?

3) Jeff is making GOBS of money off the backs of unsuspecting installers. Now, I realize that this isn't entirely his fault. It's mainly the responsibility of the installer/mechanic to not let himself get taken advantage of. Plus, what he's doing is unethical. He's intentionally deceiving the customer by making them think they're dealing with local businesses.

I have no problem with any company that wants to make a living off "finder's fees". But, this takes it to a whole new level. If nothing else, it needs to be investigated. That won't happen without cooperation and effort by those of us effected.

realkingcobra said:

Robin, it wouldn't do any good, it's a total waste of time even dealing with them. They'll go away soon enough, this isn't their first go around.

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This may not be their first go around. But, first of all, they HAVE been around since at least 2009 (that's about the time frame where I first see their name being mentioned). That's 8 years at least! They aren't going anywhere as long as the customers think (from start to finish of the job) that they're dealing with a local company.

This is CLEARLY unethical. Also, as I mentioned above, it could very well be illegal. It certainly borders on internet fraud. I'm sure that if the federal authorities started getting an influx of complaints from all across the country, they'd look into them. I'm also sure that your state governments wouldn't be too pleased that someone is claiming to be doing business within their state, not collecting sales taxes, and not paying income taxes to that state. I'm also sure that local governments would feel the same. YOU DON'T GET TO LIE TO PEOPLE AND THERE BE NO CONSEQUENCES!

The whole "ABIA" that only exists to add credibility to their other shady business is reminiscent of BERNIE MADOFF!

What baffles me is that there aren't more installers and mechanics absolutely outraged by this. Is it just me or is everyone apathetic about this?

Personally, I don't care if they know nothing about tables. I don't care if they know everything. I don't even care that they make money off "finder's fees". What I do care about is the overwhelming amount of deception that they engage in. I do care about them lying about where they're located in all of these cities. I do care about them making up a "certification" that means nothing and making customers believe that the "certification" actually means something. I also care about the message this sends to customers about OUR industry. We know! And the customer doesn't! We should be crying out in every forum informing customers, ahead of time, that these people are engaged in tactics that we don't condone.