You may notice that you are on a different list number. I've condensed the lists so they now contain 75 names. It will make mailing the list an easier task. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience for those who will be inconvenienced.
Dear Phonecard Industry Participants,
In late February I left HT Technologies and started Grapevine Telecards. I was joined by Edward Duniven early in March. Since our start-up, Grapevine has produced ten unique promotional phonecard editions available in part to collectors. We have moved into offices in downtown Sausalito (California) and opened a phonecard gallery store! We also recently established a new web site. You can find us at:
Our business is growing rapidly-thanks to the dealers, collectors and promotional customers who have purchased our cards. We have also gotten a lot of help from leading industry suppliers. Thanks also to the publications who have taken an interest in our efforts, including Moneycard Collector, the Phonecard Market Report, Telecard World, Collector’s Advantage and Intelecard News.
Almost since the day we opened our doors, the former employer of both Ed and myself (HT Technologies) has been making a series of outrageous allegations and claims against us. It and its officers have also been repeating and expanding those claims directly to many individuals in the telecard industry. Numerous people have asked us to respond publicly. I would like to take this opportunity to make the following statement about this situation:
First, the allegations are not true, and we have denied them in court. In addition to responding to their lawsuit, we have filed our own action against HT (based on things it’s doing aimed at putting us out of business).
As part of its suit, HT had asked the court to issue an injunction prohibiting us from operating our business. In its papers, it claimed that we stole its property, including confidential business information, and were using this information to illegally solicit business from its customers. It asked the court to enjoin us from soliciting business from its customers and potential customers. It even asked the court to prohibit us from competing at all in the phonecard business for two years.
The judge heard all the evidence, and then DENIED ALL of HT’s requests. He said HT hadn’t convinced him that we were doing anything illegal or improper. The judge also said HT hadn’t shown that it was likely to prevail on its claims in a full-blown trial. The court therefore refused to enjoin us from doing anything, including going about our business in the way we have been doing.
We are happy to be putting this legal business behind us and focusing on why we’re here-to make and sell great phonecards. We have some hot new issues you are sure to be interested in, so give us a call. You can reach Ed or I at:
Grapevine Telecards
http://www.grapevinetel.com
info@grapevinetel.com
or
grapetel@aol.com
751 Bridgeway
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-331-1298 voice
415-331-9259 fax
Sincerely,
Jeff Waltcher
President
HT Claims that 11 cards had inactive pins. With over 4.6 million cards issued, that is a ratio of .0002391%. They also stated that the cards sent to Moneycard were for samples only, and not intended to have an active pin.
Look for HT's reply in the letter to the editor section next month in Moneycard Collector.
1) All PINS will be exposed - You can use the phone time without worrying about the card being not mint. Since Classic Cards have expiration dates, this will let people use their cards. As many of you know, I have been very critical of Classic in the past. I applaud this move, and I hope it encourages people to use the cards. My complaint against classic was that they were producing a product that did not encourage use.
2) Prizes must be redeemed at the show. However, if you can not attend, you can mail to B&B within 30 days of the show. What will this do to the value of the product after the 30 days, when the big prizes can not be redeemed?
3) Each box has at least $117 worth of Classic Phone Time (This probably means about 2 hours) and costs only $80 if you purchase from B&B. You can call them at (800) 777-7610 for more information
That's it for now. Until Next week, Happy Collecting,
Alan
2) Direct e-mail. Send a message to: phoneline@cardmall.com
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