Postby Chimera » December 3rd, 2014, 8:39 am
We attended a free seminar on 6/15/13 where the introduction was performed by Doug Clark, the bigger, balder half of TV's "Flip Men." The main speaker was named Lynn Alder. Long story short, they were very convincing and we signed up for a three-day seminar the next weekend to the tune of $1997. We were told we were going to learn all about flips, rehabs, and other real estate deals, and that we'd be ready to run right out and start doing them after the seminar.
I'll state up front that the seminar did provide some information. Unfortunately, it was incomplete, sometimes inaccurate, and ultimately designed to get you to spend from $19000 to $40000 for "further education." (These were presented as huge discounts from their "normal" prices, but only if you signed up right then, of course.) The main presenter for the three days was Brock Madsen. His lackeys were named Les, Mike, and Travis, none of whose last names we ever learned.
Pretty much the first thing they told us was how great it was that we were associating ourselves with Doug Clark and Dean Graziosi. That was the first time in my life I have ever heard of Graziosi, though they seemed to believe he is famous. Well, I've sure heard of him now, and had his name been disclosed up front I would have been seeking a refund the moment I got home and googled him. That nondisclosure was just the beginning.
They repeatedly disclaimed their spiel by saying "we don't offer a business opportunity or any legal, real estate, or tax advice," while doing exactly that with a big literal wink. They employed every high-pressure tactic in the book, and I've got to say they are really good at it -- probably the most polished machine I've ever seen. We were actually pretty taken in by the whole thing until I came to my senses and started doing some basic due diligence. That was when I started learning about Graziosi, Insider's Financial, Insider's Edge, Insider's Cash, Veil Corporation, etc, and why all these entities are based in Utah.
I do have to hand it to them. They are very very good at prying open wallets. From a free seminar of about 60 people, they managed to get 16 to pony up about $1000 a head for their 3-day seminar. From that group, they managed to get two sign-ups for $40000. That's nearly $100K, and I'm convinced the fleecing isn't anywhere near over for those folks who signed up. I feel bad for them, as they seemed desperate and the sort of people who could least afford it. We were all pressured to call up our credit card companies to increase our credit limits, as well as apply for new cards, and as stupid as it sounds, it actually seemed sort of reasonable at the time. In retrospect, it's obvious that they were just increasing their own odds of getting paid.
I could go into much more detail, but that's the gist of it. I wasn't really upset when we left yesterday, but the more I've thought about it, these people are scum, preying upon the weak and desperate. I have a special message for Doug Clark: if I ever see you again, I'm going to kick you right in the balls, and I don't care how much bigger you are. Your in-person appearance and ubiquitous likeness lends a veneer of respectability to these slimeballs. I hope you die in a house collapse on your TV show. The first check you cashed from these scam artists made you as worthless a worm as they. Enjoy it, you bald charlatan.
lmfao
