Here's what you've all been waiting for..
Well, this is certainly a sight to see today.
Let me make an itemized list of commentary.
But before I start, let me just make this comment. I noticed a "calling out" of us hiding about this. The person who ultimately runs this blog, is not anonymous, I just haven't plastered my name all over the place. I don't need to and I don't have to. You know why? Because it doesn't matter who we are or who I am. You will notice I mark what is speculation on my part and what of mine is my remarks as a first hand witness. This blog is for the people, those who can stand up and say something happened to them or even those people who can't speak up and have to use anonymous.
There's nothing wrong with being anonymous. In fact, some people have to because some of those who came out about their testimonials are now being bullied and harassed for having an opinion. If you people would stop making it seem like we're just doing it because we're angry/disgruntled in the insinuation that it's all made up, you'd see this blog and the testimonials within as actual accounts from people who should matter to the business in question.
If you still want to support Ooples and ignore what's being said, then by all means go ahead, no is going to force you to hold an opinion against your will. But don't go telling people to just ignore the problem or just "go shop somewhere else" because there are serious grievances, and you can't just close your eyes and all of a sudden the problem is gone.
Don't do that. You're instilling the idea of avoidance. Which is how children get abducted in broad daylight in a crowd and no one even stops them. This whole "it's not my problem"/"just ignore it" mentality is disturbing. Let us fight for what we believe in. Because if we don't stand up, everyone will remain in silence thinking it's okay for those things to happen and they should be quiet about it. We will not be quiet. That is the last thing you should be asking us to do.
Now, on to the points I'd like to address..
Franklin leaving the shop:
I'm sorry to say that that's not good enough. I don't think Ooples realizes what we mean by subtracting Franklin from the business. We mean, he is absolutely not involved. There should be proof that his personal bank account is separate from the business account and his name shouldn't be anywhere near that business. He's had years to "figure it out" and he still hasn't proved himself as even a sub par manager/owner. He doesn't know what he's doing and thus is unfit to tun a business.
Franklin's abuse of the Co-Owner:
You see, I'd rule that this is a personal matter to be handled in the discretion of Franklin and the Co-owner. But it stopped being a private issue when it occurs in the store during business hours in front of customers and employees. Though I cannot personally validate the claim that Franklin has struck her, I can validate his appalling speech towards her. Her claim that "he can be overly harsh with his words but that can extend to anyone" is denial of the truth if I ever saw it. Downplaying the things he's been heard saying is just depressing. I've heard him call her an idiot, lazy, worthless, stupid and other things to her face and worse behind her back. He also yells at her in a demeaning tone a lot. This is a proven fact as many people have been witness to this for years.
However, I know that people are concerned for her and want her to get help, but if she does not want it, you can't make her. I'm sure she knows what people think of her situation, she doesn't need to be constantly reminded. In fact, she may feel threatened and insulted by the idea. It's ultimately her decision to make that call, and forcing it down her throat will not help or expedite her decision. You can only offer to be there for her when she needs it, any more is crossing into grey territory of looking like the bad guy.
I'd like to say that Ooples story is pretty validated, as when I worked there, I witnessed first hand the paying into the San Japan website with Franklin's paypal. After this was completely, a paper receipt was issued with confirmation numbers written right on it and signed by an employee. That much I can validate. Whether this was the practice for every single ticket, whether they may have been a malfunction, or whether this was this practice was still used after I left is still invalidated and speculation. But from what I can tell, I don't believe there was intentional ill harm in the proposed incident.
I cannot validate this story and thus have not made specific commentation about it besides posting testimonials about it. I only heard of this through here say on the matter a while ago. The only things I am able to validate myself is that it is documented that Franklin founded ACES and was the President of some sort for that club. It used to be called SAAS but had a name change do to someone else taking the name. And that some members of ACES dislike Franklin for some reason/incident I don't have all the details about.
California/Manga Purchases:
I will not comment on those events since I was not involved nor do I have any documented facts of my own about this. (This is more the area of ooplesapparel and shoeofallcosmos to commentate on.)
Franklin's right to do what he wants:
While I'd love to agree that Franklin is the owner and his job is what he wants it to be, he has an unwritten duty to his customers to treat them with respect and address their concerns. I know he can't be forced to uphold that, but if you want to thrive as a business, your customers have to come first. Their concerns, their safety, and the respect and attention they deserve.
It's also his unwritten duty as an owner to not treat his employees with such an unprofessional attitude. Berating, lying, deceiving, and slave-driving among other things. If you want your business to function properly, there needs to be respect. Your employees have a stake in the business and thus have a desire to work towards the business' better interest. Don't ignore them.
Also I would to say that Franklin can do what he wants because he's making all the business decisions and handling important phone calls, but most of the time, he's not. He actively avoids the work and puts it off on other people. I've seen him pawn off work onto volunteers so he can avoid doing it himself and play video games instead of watching the store.
Minimum Wage- There is no proof to confirm or deny the employee that was reportedly paid $2.09/hour was paid more. If that person steps forward to say so, that would really help this claim. As it stands, Hillary says there is proof, but I personally have none and know nothing about this employee or their wages.
Overtime- "Employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek of at least one and one-half times their regular rates of pay." Taken straight from United States Department of Labor. So denying them overtime pay is illegal. Not only that, it's immoral to not tell you're employees until after the fact that you're not going to pay them for their time. Also, still illegal.
Scheduling- I personally had no problems with being tricked into working off the clock all to much, almost once because Franklin claimed that me being called in early to pack up items and load the truck was volunteer and we argued about that. But at the time I worked, there was a punch-in system and so I knew if I was getting paid for work I did. So when I was asked to do things, I'd ask if I should punch in. If he said no, I wouldn't do it. Again, the only time I willingly did things for him off the clock was grab things from the back because I didn't want him tearing up the place and making a mess of things. (Which he'd inevitably leave for me to clean up later.)
Displaying obscene material:
I don't know anything about that. So no comment at this time.
Attempted sale of illegal merchandise:
I've never personally witnessed Franklin sell any illegal merchandise. In fact, this was the one thing he seemed good about. He'd have to. He would constantly claim other anime businesses had bootleg merchandise, and he couldn't have that turn into hypocrisy if he was caught selling illegal merchandise as well. The only questionable merchandise is hand-crafted items and some of the old t-shirt designs. But I'm not expert in fair use and copyright infringements so I won't comment any further on this.
My question is Did the workers know they were contracted employees? Because I sure as heck didn't. And I'm pretty sure the others that worked around the time I did didn't either. I, however, knew that taxes weren't being taken out, since I pay attention to every penny I make, so I prepared for paying taxes during taxes time. But interestingly enough, multiple employees haven't been reported because wages were still not taxed. At least from my speculation, it certainly looks like people weren't reported to have worked there.
I don't know much about this but proof would seem to dictate that forgery was a thing that happened.
Gross negligence leading to physical harm:
I don't about any incidents leading to physical harm, but I do not the work environment is unsafe. For a long while there were steel girders that had been cut from the walls laying about in the backroom that workers could have cut themselves on easily. I know that the store is a mess and has exposed wires that never gets addressed. I know that improperly stored food was served to people. There is negligence there. Just can't validate the leading to physical harm just yet.
EDIT: The only harm I've seen is Franklin pushing people to work until they are completely exhausted and gets angry when they stop to take a breather or get water because they are literally exhausted. I've seen that multiple times myself.
Things that weren't adressed:
Franklin's ignoring of customers.
Franklin's horrendous treatment of employees and volunteers.
All those legitimate reviews were deleted from Facebook.
People banned for just speaking their mind about your business.
Franklin allowing customers to demean employees.
Franklin's stance on Anime Odyssey (ownership/money situation).
Franklin slandering other businesses.
Selling damaged merchandise.
Blaming customers when they have a problem with your service.