New partners plan to bail out Tom Gordon’s internet service business, make refunds and hook up customers
By James P. Gannon
Tom Gordon’s troubled internet broadband service has been taken over by two new business partners and investors who vow to solve its problems, including making cash refunds to customers who want their money back and getting broadband service connected to those who still want the service.
As RappVoice reported on May 15, Gordon’s e-Office Experts internet service was being pursued by angry customers who had paid $795 in advance for wireless internet service, but had never been hooked up and had been unable to get refunds. Numerous Rappahannock County customers of Gordon complained to the Sheriff’s Office and at least three filed civil suits against Gordon, seeking refunds, in Rappahannock County District Court.
At the time, Gordon said he was encountering “cash flow problems” and “business difficulties,” and denied any intent to defraud customers.
Now two outside investors have formed a three-way business partnership with Gordon to solve his business problems, refund deposits and install service for those who still want it, according to Rich Shoemaker, a Fauquier County businessman who is the lead partner in the new arrangement.
Piedmont Broadband Company is the new name of the business with Shoemaker as its largest shareholder, Gordon as its technical expert and minority shareholder, and an unnamed third investor, Shoemaker said in an interview Monday.
“We are going to pay back anybody who wants a refund and get service installed soon to those who want service,” Shoemaker said. “We are taking certified checks to the Sheriff’s Office” for those wanting refunds, he said, and have begun installing service to some waiting customers. “We hooked up five customers last week, and hope to get more this week,” he added.
Sheriff Connie Compton Smith on Tuesday confirmed that her office has distributed full refund checks to the 13 persons who had complained about paying Gordon without getting their internet installations. All were pleased at getting the refunds, she said.
Gordon confirmed Shoemaker’s account of the restructuring of his internet business and said he will stay on as the “chief techology officer” while Shoemaker manages the business, including customer service and handling of money. “I couldn’t be happier with this new arrangement,” Gordon said.
Gordon said all the assets and liabilities of his internet business have been taken over by the newly formed Piedmont Broadband. He has entered a three-year agreement with his new partners “to be the main tech guy” of the enterprise. Gordon said about a dozen customers want refunds of their deposit and the rest of his “backlog” of unserviced customers still want installation.
Shoemaker said he is arranging installations for waiting customers and expects that all who have made prepayments should be connected by mid-July. “We will come up with a new marketing program so that people won’t have to put up as much money upfront to get the service,” he said. “We have about 35 customers who have paid money and still want the service,” he added.
“Our goal is to get everyone who has paid hooked up. We want to make it right and get the service stabilized,” Shoemaker said.
Shoemaker owns and manages his own landscaping and lawn-care business in Fauquier County and said he’s had extensive experience managing small businesses. He has leased a property in Rappahannock County and eventually hopes to move his home here, he said. The unnamed silent partner is primarily an investor but also brings expertise in marketing and advertising, Shoemaker said.
Gordon, who earlier said he was seeking new investors or partners, said the arrangement grew out of a relationship with a Warrenton-area client who was happy with his internet service and saw a promising business opportunity in it.
Customers who wish to contact the new company about refunds or installation may call (540) 937-7303, and leave a message for him, Shoemaker said. He said that is a temporary number until the new company sets up an office with a new phone line.
-- James P. GannonComments
Comment from realneil
Time: June 23, 2008, 4:34 pm
It’s good to see this matter being resolved. This kind of Internet service, if properly managed can be a real benefit to some Broadband Internet starved areas of Rappahannock County. Those that have this service in and running say that they like it.
It’s good to see that those who long ago paid for this service and equipment are finally getting resolution as well.
–Neil Mathieson
Comment from wonka13
Time: June 25, 2008, 10:47 pm
This development reinforces my belief that a good idea backed with decent, competent people can prevail. I’m delighted to learn that Tom has attracted some ‘venture capital’ and business expertise to match his can-do, polite and honest style. This service is desperately needed in both Rappahanock and northern Fauquier counties. With this rough patch behind him I’m convinced that Tom and his new partners will thrive!!
Thanks to Rappvoice for staying with this story………….
Bill Earle
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