The Truth Behind GRIP and Gary

[Jon D B]

As a former employee of GRIP, I could not agree more with what most of you are saying about him.

I started there back in 2006 and always thought he was a strange character. He had a bullshit story for everything and didn't work very much. However, he was the one signing paychecks and everything was operating legitimately to my knowledge, so I kept on doing my best and didn't question him.

As time went by Gary came to work less and less each week and it got to the point where he would only show up once a week and work crazy hours (like come in at 10pm and work until 4am). He obviously has serious personal problems (don't know if drugs were involved or not, but it is not normal to work the hours he did) and let his business slip more and more.

Everyone at GRIP besides him worked really hard to keep everything flowing smoothly, but as Gary began coming to work less and less, he began falling behind on payments to our vendors (he was the only one who could cut checks). Eventually it got to the point where ALL of our vendors had our account on hold.

During my time there, I can assure all of you that nothing was ever intentionally stolen from anyone and all mailings that were paid for went out. Of course, near the end of my tenure there, the time between signoff and mailing out became longer and longer.

We started not getting our paychecks on time and some of them bounced.

I knew it was a sinking ship and did not want to be a part of anything that might take place in the future there, as I felt Gary would do whatever it would take to keep food on his table, so I quit.

Having the class that Gary does and never willing to admit to his failure, he apparently tried blaming the downfall on me, which anyone that worked their or any of our vendors will tell you is complete bull!#*%.

After I left, one-by-one, all of the other employees realized there was no hope with the GRIP and followed my lead and quit. None of us received our last paycheck or our vacation time, so I promise you that we all hate him as much as you do.

To my knowledge, everyone working there has quit and the doors at the office have been bolted shut.

If any of you are looking for a top quality, honest, direct mail company to replace GRIP check out SPAM REMOVED. The staff is really friendly, the turnaround time is excellent, and the service is 2nd to none.

Good luck to those pursuing money from Gary...I hope you get it. He owes me about $2500 but I am opting not to try and collect as it is worth that much to me to not have to speak to him or look at his ugly face again.

Jon

[MR.TANLINES]

John when asked about where you were , his exact words were" John is a pathelogical liar, he was behind Ultimate Tans F up, he stole from Grip, took money from customers and never entered it in the system."

[Alan @ TanToday]

Why does this industry have so many slimey, shady characters? Has anyone asked theirselves that simple question before?

I have done things in various fields before and never have I seen the sorta scumbag mentality be so rampant as with this indoor tanning industry. It's almost like its an accepted part of how it should be.

People steal money and people are like, "you should have expected it eventully".

It's crazy!

[frankie]

Now we know. OMG This is a sad story because Gary (or the people who worked there) did great work. I hate it for the people who are left hanging and the people who will never get their money back. I feel now I was one of the lucky ones.

[solarmeter®]

... or look at his ugly face again

... Jon is a pathelogical liar

I don't know whether to cry or laugh.

Weird!

[Alan @ TanToday]

For someone in a look good industry, he was the scarecrow, thats for damn sure. I could stand to lose 15-20 pounds myself but at least my face doesnt look like someone hit me wih a chisel a couple thousand times.

I had the "pleasure" of meeting him 2 years ago at the ITA Show and remember, after hearing how all his clients who complain about him are out of business within a year, thinking to myself that this guy is clueless. He surely joins the ranks of Tim S from 3 Biaches or should I say Tim joins the ranks of Grip Gary. I bet a few of you want to Grip on Gary's neck right now.

[Jon D B]

Yes, I have heard he has tried using me as his scapegoat. I walked out because I was sick of him running the place into the ground and constantly screwing everyone over. I was not willing to sacrifice my morals and ethics in order to keep Gary happy. I have numerous witnesses of my resignation and me walking out on Gary.

I had fought to keep the company above the ground while he was busy not working and not paying vendors, so when I left that meant he had to either a) start working, or b) go out of business. Obviously, that upset him since he could no longer enjoy his lifestyle of doing nothing and paying himself hundreds of thousands of dollars on the companys tab, so he started spreading rumors to try to hurt my reputation.

I thought about leaving well enough alone and not confronting the false accusations Gary has made of me, but after thinking about it I realized everyone needs to know the truth. If any of you have any doubt of who is speaking the truth (which there should be no doubt given Gary's history), feel free to contact anyone that worked with me at Grip or any of Grip's vendors and they will tell you the same thing I am.

[WendyJo]

Originally Posted by MR.TANLINES

John when asked about where you were , his exact words were" John is a pathelogical liar, he was behind Ultimate Tans F up, he stole from Grip, took money from customers and never entered it in the system."

And you would take Gary's word for it?

I don't know John, but I've dealt with Gary and I think he's slime. I wouldn't believe a word that came out of his mouth!

[Iamthatguy]

I think we should go after Gary's source of funds. Evidently Gary's dad has a house in Atlanta and helped him start the company. I have his email, phone and address if you feel like wasting time chasing him.

[Matthew]

Gary was spotted at the Los Olivos Café.
It looked like he was fighting over a copy of the ubiquitous Sideways map with a 80 year old Japanese tourist .

[Smiley]

Iamthatguy, I think we should go after it. I'm sick and tired of sleeze balls getting away with this stuff because nobody feels like spending the time to get their money back. Makes me think maybe we deserve to get f over. Well I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!

[Jon D B]

From what I have heard and seen, Gary has a very poor relationship with his father, so I don't think he would back him up if it came down to it.

All of Gary's stories about his furniture business and all the success he had are false. The furniture company was a family business of the Margols, so they let Gary in. Shortly thereafter, he started screwing everything up (as usual), so his own family had to buy him out.

This is where he got his money from - being such a poor businessman his own family had to buy him out...not quality hard work and personal success that he likes to tell everyone.

[Michelle]

Can we say DRAMA?!?!