Is America Importing Another Franchise Scam?

Or is Hand-In-Hand a legitimate mail-order bride service that meets the need for women “unspoiled by feminism”?

Recently, the International Franchise Expo in Washington, D.C., European matchmaker and franchisor Joe Weiner debuted the newest franchise to grace our entrepreneurial shores:  Hand-In-Hand, “Eastern Europe’s premier introductory service.”

The show’s exhibitor directory provides this description of this hot new London-based franchise opportunity:

Hand-In-Hand                Booth #1139

Joseph Weiner, Managing Director

P.O. Box 8634

London, SW66ZB United Kingdom

Email:  handnhand@dial.pipex.com

Website:  www.eastern-european-women.com

Work from home making over $200K per year in the Marriage and Dating industry, one of the fastest growing businesses in the world.  We have a Unique Service wherein men can meet Beautiful, reasonably younger educated women, all speaking good English, who would be non-Feminist and devoted to them.

Investment range:               $16,000 – $24,999

Minimum Capital Required: $20,000

Franchising since:                1999

Corporate Owned Stores:     2

Franchised Outlets:              14

At least one Franchise Pick reader questions (to put it mildly) whether Mr. Joseph Weiner is, in fact, an honorable man bringing a lucrative business opportunity to the New World.  In comments left on an earlier post, reader “Joe” points to negative customer comments and warnings listed on two websites (Russian Detectives, Agency Scams).  Here are a few representative excerpts:

…this guy Joe Weiner is nothing more than a crook.

Whoever enters a franchise with him will get their money swindled.

…another owner… shouts at and insults clients when the clients ask about or complain about the services that were promised and never delivered

…Paid a lot of money for a “dream” girl. I had asked to meet ladies between 35 and 40. I meet 7 women in two days. One woman was under 40 and she was 5 ft 7 in and weighed at least 160-170…

…I met two women who told me they never intended to leave their country but were told by Joe Weiner that they would have a nice dinner if they went out with me…

…I found out that Joe Weiner told all the women that I was a rich American from New York. I am not from New York and have never lived in New York. I found out from the agency manager that Weiner told his manager tell all the ladies that all the Americans are rich and from New York.

…Photos appeared to be cut out of magazines and periodicals.

…The pictures looked as if they were cut from comic strip pages, some had coffee stains on them…

…I tried contacting the women but they were non existent… Joe Weiner did respond to one email and said I was to fat for any of his women…

Since all of the people who have dealt with Joe Weiner have not had such a good experience, I am sure it would not be a good idea to open a franchise with him. He will definitely swindle you out of your money.

However, on the positive side, their website points out that as a Hand-In-Hand franchise owner, you will have the only franchise that provides “mail order brides” guaranteed to be “unspoiled by feminism.”  So before we dismiss the Hand-In-Hand franchise opportunity, we have invited Joseph Weiner to tell us his side of the story, and to respond to these outrageous and possibly personal attacks.  Check back to hear what Joseph Weiner and Hand-In-Hand have to say.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.  LEAVE A COMMENT.

Related Links:

Mail Order Bride Franchise Offers Women “Unspoiled By Feminism”

Hand-In-Hand Corporate Website

It’s Just Lunch… Or Just a Franchise Scam?

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