Customers: Internet firm took money, didn’t deliver

WASHINGTON, Va. — Melissa Estremara of Amissville wanted high-speed broadband Internet service at her home and paid $795 in advance to have it installed, but after waiting weeks for installation, she fears she has become a victim of a scam.

Estremara paid Tom Gordon, who operates an Internet service company called e-Office Experts, for promised equipment and installation of wireless, high-speed Internet service, but she has received nothing in return for her $795. She has been unable to reach Gordon despite leaving repeated phone messages. She finally reached someone at Gordon’s number, who promised a full refund in 30 days, but that didn’t show up either, she said.

Estremara is not alone as a disgruntled customer of Gordon. She said six people in her neighborhood signed up and paid for Internet service that hasn’t materialized.

Three civil suits against Gordon have been filed in Rappahannock District Court by customers who paid Gordon $795 or more in deposits but never got their Internet service installed.

In a suit filed last Nov. 9, Cory L. Koral of Huntly sought return of $1,707.15, representing two deposit payments to Gordon. In a letter to Gordon dated Oct. 30, 2007, Koral complained that he had paid $850.97 deposits twice, but had gotten “nothing but excuses” in return. “I have written you twice asking for a refund and have received no response,” he wrote.

Gordon has failed to appear in court for scheduled hearings on the three suits, court records show. In Koral’s case and in two others — suits filed in March by L.D. Savage of Castleton and John Wyatt Colvin of Amissville — Judge Charles Foley entered judgments against Gordon ordering him to repay the amounts of the deposits, plus interest.

Gordon, who started a computer-service business in Washington, Va., a couple of years ago and began installing wireless broadband service to homes and businesses in Rappahannock last July, admits that he’s fallen far behind in promised service installations but insists he will deliver on his promises or make refunds.

“It is not a scam or a fraud, it’s just business difficulties,” he said in a telephone interview Tuesday. “I am certain I can turn this around and take care of everybody I have promised service to, or promised a refund.”

Gordon said he has completed about 40 broadband Internet connections since last July and has “40 pleased customers.” But he adds, “I have some customers who are very angry with me and need to hear from me.” He said about another 40 customers have made advance payments–usually $795 for equipment and installation–for service not yet installed.

A combination of business and personal problems appears to have turned what was a respectable business operation into the subject of lawsuits, sheriff’s inquiries and charges of fraud in recent months. “It’s been a very difficult period for the past three months or so,” Gordon admitted.

Gordon is vague and declines to go into details on his business problems. “I am working on some capitalization issues,” he said. “Under-capitalization is one of the biggest causes of business failure,” he added, but he is working on his money issues and is confident he can solve them soon. “I am very close to a solution,” he said, declining to elaborate.

Gordon said it was accurate to say he is overextended in promised services and undercapitalized to deliver on promised installations.

Formerly based in Washington, he moved to the Warrenton area a few months ago and has been difficult to reach. He said he was contacted by the Sheriff’s office on Monday and expects to meet with a deputy soon.

The Sheriff’s office did not respond to calls for comment.

Gordon’s Web site, virginia.wireless.eoffice.com, advertises wireless Internet service in a coverage area that includes much of Rappahannock County and western parts of Fauquier County. It offers the service at monthly fees of $59.95 to $69.95 a month.

James P. Gannon can be reached at .