July 2013 by Lew S.
Would I do business with First Supply LLC? Read on... In 2002 I took a job as general manager for a fire apparatus manufacturer. Part of my duties included obtaining vendors, credit, and ordering parts. Because of my position I signed a credit contract with First Supply (a vendor) stating that I would personally be responsible for $1,000.00 (maximum) worth of credit. This seemed to work out fine while I was working for the company as our bills were always paid. When the company was bought, and the name changed, I was hired by the new owners for the position of general manager. I didn't care for the way they conducted business and after six months I was terminated. I took a job as an engineer with another fire apparatus manufacturer (where I still am today), a direct competitor. The salesman for First Supply (the vendor I signed the credit contract with) called on us from time to time over the course of several years, myself and the person I worked with began hearing rumors that the company I had worked for were not paying their bills and they were in financial trouble, we related this to the First Supply salesman on several occasions, he shrugged it off as rumors and said he wasn't worried. Eventually the financially troubled company went out of business owing employees, vendors, government, and fire departments. Surprisingly no one could collect anything from the owners. Around August 10, 2007, four years later, I was served with a subpoena stating because I signed a credit contact years before at a company that was bought out and no longer in existence, I was responsible for the $32,741.28 plus fees the new company and the new owners still owed First Supply (the vendor). First Supply's attorney threatened to take my house, property, and garnishee my wages; this became a real nightmare that wouldn't have to have happen had the First Supply salesman been upfront and honest. Eventually First Supply said they would settle for $3,010.35 (it might as well had been a million dollars) that I had to pay. I hired a "wonderful" attorney for $600.00 and his advice was to pay it, which I reluctantly did. I told First Supply's attorney and the company president that I had been ill and had medical bills, and I was living pay check to pay check. They didn't care. I feel wronged by all parties involved, the First Supply salesman should have been held accountable for this debt as he was warned on several different occasions that the company was not on the up and up. This is a classic example of a multimillion dollar corporation bulling the little guy into submission. I would just like to recover my $3610.35 loss someday. My recommendation for First Supply - STAY FAR AWAY...