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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 4 Dec 2008 18:33
Reply
Can you tell me how far along you were into the course and how you got your money back?I would really appreciate any help you could give me on this matter.
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J D
Member
Joined: 9 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 9 Dec 2008 17:33
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I have first hand experience with thrive. To tell you the truth of it, they are not honest with you. They make it sound like all you have to do is 8 to 10 hours a week and make good money. That's not the whole story, not even close. They don't tell you that once you express interest in doing this, they are very elusive about how much it costs to join up, they then get your info and borrow all the money they can against your credit. All it buys you is so many weeks of "available" training. If your like most people, you have another life, you work at it when you can but there are only so many hours in the week. They dont bother to explain to you that you just bought this many weeks and better start figuring this out as fast as you can because when those weeks run out your going to have a hard time figureing the whole thing out because they won't talk to you on the phone any more, they only want you to ask questions via email. That really doesn't work very well, at best. Then after you spend all those weeks, going over all their recorded training and you start to try and find product, you find out that their web site is an old style and you can't upload products through a spreadsheet. It really takes a lot of work to load each one, most of the other web outfits I've talked with are very user friendly and work much better than the system offered by thrive.
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J D
Member
Joined: 9 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 9 Dec 2008 17:38
Reply
The differance is,,,they are going to borrow as much money against your credit as they can. They are selling you as many weeks of "available" training, weather you need them or not, they don't care. Let me tell you, there is more to it than you might think. I've been there, lol. What a joke. Then after going through all that recorded training, the web site they give you is very limited on how you can use it. If I had it to do all over again, I would NOT use thrive. Infusion Media is the same outfit, be careful.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 10 Dec 2008 12:09 · Edited by: used and abused
Reply
Hey JD, Thankyou for posting your comment.I have been through the whole thing already myself.After 3 months of roughly 86 hour weeks!!!! and a moth of fighting with them to complete it, my website was almost ready to go and they quit corresponding with me completely. If I had known even to begin with that I was signing up for a home school quicky course, I would have gone to a college near me. I could go on and on forever about all the rotten, dirty and underhanded things they are doing but I would be on here all day,lol. Nobody seems to be able to tell me how to get my money back. So I have complained on every related forum I can think of and complained to all the proper authorities including the RCMP.They are doing an investigation on them and have advised me, after seeing all my evidence(emails to thrive and my credit card statements) to have nothing more to do with thrive and to call my credit card company immediately. The state of illinois has a cease and desist order on them also. I will post more as I am updated and I hope this helps other people to realize that they ARE NOT bound by any written or verbal contract they may have with thrive. They are misleading about what they are selling you and that is the bottom line. Those types of selling practices are against the law. A contract such as that is not binding.
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somedude
Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2008 05:04
Reply
I actually know the owner(s) of this company seeing as though I've dealt and spoken with them directly. I have been in this industry (e-learning coach) for several years and I can say that the owner of Thrive is very dis-honest and uncaring.
I've coached clients to the best of my ability and have seen first-hand the corruption that this industry is involved in. It was hard to turn down a nice paycheck, but I knew that if I at least coached the best I could, it would be somewhat justifiable. This later led to a semi-serious mental breakdown on my end due to stress and my own concern for the clients I was assigned.
I would not recommend Thrive or any company like it (since I know just about every company around and many of their coaches - including several at Thrive). Many are in-experienced and read from a script or lesson manual. MY recommendation to you all is save yourselves the money and invest in your site, your marketing budget, and your knowledge. You can get absolutely GREAT information by reading Aaron Wall's book at www.seobook.com (I don't work for him or endorse him, it's where I started and he is an industry leader). You will spend much less through trial and error on your own, than wasting it on a coach that may only know slightly more than you (and that's because of the lesson manual).
I've learned that these companies make good money to make their sites look completely legit and professional. It's all just a front...don't believe it. They'll tell you you'll make your investment back within 30-90 days, when in fact they are just looking at keeping you busy long enough until your contracted time with them has run out and they are no longer responsible for you or your site.
Good luck to all of you...I have nothing to gain or lose from this email, so take it as you will. I hope it can help at least SOME stay away from this industry that has grown like a cancer.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2008 10:43
Reply
THANKYOU!!!THANKYOU!!!THANKYOU!!!
You're post is just what I needed to hear as well as many others who have been tormented about their decision to invest their hard earned money with these people. You have lifted an enormous burden from my shoulders and brought a smile to my face for the first time in months. I feel my decision to fight back was all worth it now. I feel badly for you, but I can tell you...I have never blamed the few coaches, who I could tell wre really trying to help me. I even emailed them, thanking them personally for trying to help throughout the frustration and not treating me like I was stupid because I was asking for help. At least you got out of it. You are a very decent person.
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bulldoza
Member
Joined: 1 Sep 2008
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2008 02:23
Reply
Has anyone here been able to get there money back from Thrive?? I also spent $2100 on this course but like most people said it's nothing more than alot of videos with information I feel I can get for alot less or for free online. If anyone was able to get a refund could you please let us know so I can also pursue the matter. Thanks...
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2008 14:40
Reply
bulldoza,
I have been on a few different sites and there are only 2 people saying they have got their money back. I am in canada and stand an excellent chance of winning against them in small claims court, but stand very little chance of actually getting my money back as the courts here cannot enforce the judgement against them as they are in Utah. The rcmp is doing an investigation into them and I'll see where that leads.
I filed a complaint with the utah BBB several days ago.Though thrive has not responded to me the BBB has already claimed that the complaint has been resolved. I am the 12th. They claimed that Thrive had resolved all 11 complaints before me through 3rd party arbitrarion, though obviously they sided with thrive as 10 of those resolved complaints have not been acknowledged by the people who have filed them. I find this quite one sided and suspicious. IMARKETER MEMBER claimed that you can pay a fee and become a member of the BBB. This is true of Equifax Canada and probably is true of the BBB. If this is the case, then at present the BBB would not be very helpful . Although if they received enough complaints they would eventually have to do something as their credibility would be compromised.
I would be interested in persuing a class action lawsuit if anyone is interested. Though I cannot travel to utah, I am sure something could be arranged in the form of an affidavit.As someone else suggested one person in court may not be able to fight them but there is power in numbers.
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2008 18:29
Reply
Thrive is one of 3 coaching companies over the years, all based in Utah, that have contacted me.
They are always fishing for info about your credit limit when you talk to them, as seen by the different amounts charge to the members on here.
I warned people to use caution in signing up with these companies and someone with one post praising Thrive, came on this thread an accused me of trying to sell something.
It is my belief that that person works for Thrive and is shilling for the company on this forum.
Please use caution when dealing with large amounts of money over the phone. You do not know who they really are and their references could be anyone.
It only cost me $5000.00 when first starting out on the internet, to learn this lesson.
IMarketer
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 12 Dec 2008 18:36
Reply
Just a P.S. here.
The people behind the company that stole my money have been convicted of fraud.
But at the time that they contacted me the attorney general of the state they were based in, had already frozen their assets and they just had the money sent to an associate in another state.
They filed for bankruptcy, but their filing was denied.
I still didn't get my money back as I was one of 1000 people who filed a complaint.
Again caution.
And good luck!
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 13 Dec 2008 10:46
Reply
IMARKETER,
I completely agree with you on all counts. I was approached a month into it by some guy trying to find out how much credit I had to market my website. I told him I had no money or credit left and assumed he would drop me like a hot potato.Ohhh,but noooo....."you should apply for a cedit card through eye on credit" he says. "they will pay off your credit card, raise your limit and lower your interest rate". So I told him I would think about it to get him off the phone(I should have just told him off) and he said he would call me back. He called back several times over the next month but I never answered the phone.
Thankyou for your advice and information. It all is helpful in knowing how far to persue this. I had suspicions about the bankruptcy 'back up plan'. It is a well known fact that alot of scam artists do this. They are usually up and running again in a few weeks.
I also totally agree with you about the guy who was giving you a hard time. My first thought was that he was some associate of thrive. They are bound to show up in places like this praising thrive to high heaven....after all they are the only ones cashing in here.
Again, I want to thank you for your comments on here, I am certain that they will prevent others from getting stung.
I can honestly say I have learned more from these posts than from thrive.This has been one of the greatest LIFE lessons I could have learned...So at least my $4000.00 wasn't completely wasted.
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Shar
Member
Joined: 15 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 15 Dec 2008 22:31
Reply
Well I just got off the phone to a guy from Thrive, it was the 3rd call today. First call was to tell me about the mentor program and to see if I qualify, went through all the credit card questions and asked what I wanted to do with my life, how much debt to I have etc etc. He didn't know which progam I had purchased. I am sure you all know the drill. He said he thought I was a good candidate and would see if the director could speak with me, he was busy but he would call me back in 10mins. 2nd call different guy told me about the program, talked alot about leveraging money on credit cards, thats how businesses start up, the banks use our money why shouldn't we use theirs and so on. I said I wasn't comfortable dealing over the phone, he said he had my credit card details and could have ripped me off already if he wanted to. I thought that was strange because I always use PayPal so he can't have my credit card details at all. I asked the name of the busineses and he eventually said Thrive Learning Insititue, I Googled it while he talked and luckily I found this thread. He directed me to another website which of course was their own. I said I wouldn't make a decision straight away so he called me back again in 30mins. I had read through this forum and decided to steer clear. When he called back I said no thanks and he then said I knew you would say that and then started to belittle me and say I would be further in debt in a couple of years and I wouldn't be able to achieve anything, I was a bit offended, but I knew it was all part of his ploy. I ended up saying I appreciated the offer but my answer is no and he hung up without even saying good bye.
I will be deleting any future emails I get from the company related to this call.
I haven't mentioned any names as I am not sure of the rules for posting here, but if you want them I can give them to you, also a contact number which is probably false.
I would say steer clear of them at all costs. Sure it might takes us newbies a little longer to learn the ropes but it sure won't cost us a fortune to do so
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bunny2008
Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 16 Dec 2008 11:16
Reply
I was interested in the Google Blog Tool....so I signed up for a free cd. Next thing I know, THRIVE Learning Institute calls me! The guy on the phone said his name was Jeremy and he was with "Google." Since I already have a relationship with Google because of my blog, I took the call. WHAT SCAMMERS! Thrive is NOT with Google. They claim to be part of several different companies so that they sound credible. Well, I fell for that part....
I must say that Jeremy was very nice and very professional. Most SALES PEOPLE are!! He said all the right things about making quick $$ on the internet, being your own boss, starting your own business, etc. I actually was very excited about what he was telling me....however, I KNEW that the the other shoe would drop eventually. After all, if it sounds to good to be true...it probably is. During the first phone conversation...the words THRIVE LEARNING INSTITUTE were NEVER mentioned. That is because they knew I would research them and then not give them the time of day. VERY SNEAKY! These people charge different amounts depending on what they think they can get out of you. They SCAM people. They are greedy. They are misleading! I was very uncomfortable when Jeremy asked me what my credit limits were on my two credit cards! Why is that HIS business?
While THRIVE may help some people...everything that they offer (from what I have learned through research and other people) can be found for free or in books. And by the way...the cost of the books would be WAY CHEAPER than what THRIVE will take from you,...oops, I mean charge you. I already have two websites and several blogs. I am not a beginner who needs THRIVE to teach me about link building, buying a domain name, or selling crap on Ebay. If you are starting from scratch and have a few thousand to spend...go for it. Personally, any company that operates by using several different names, claims to be Ebay or Google just to get your business, and has a shady return policy and sales force...I would suggest running for the hills. Also, they operate in UTAH which is the number 1 state for scam artists and shady companies. If you don't believe me...check it out for yourself. I'm sure that UTAH does not appreciate that remark but hey, just telling you what I have read in MANY articles, newspapers, etc. Also, just because they don't have a HORRIBLE rating with the BBB doesn't mean anything. There are ways around that as well (hence the differenct company names, different website addresses, etc). Trust me, there are easier and CHEAPER ways to learn how to build a website or sell stuff on Ebay. Save your hard earned $$. Remember...if someone CONTACTS YOU about making a lot of money on the internet...there is probably a catch. Good luck!
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darthpwnage13
Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 12 Jan 2009 18:47
Reply
THRIVE LEARNING INSTITUTE IS A SCAM!! DO NOT DO IT!
They stole my money and hid it in the contact that you have 3 days to cancel from the time you tell the salesman "yes" or there is never any way to ever get a dime back if you cancel! I also found out by research they use college students that do NOT do online business themselves to teach you!
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My Story
Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 16 Jan 2009 13:30
Reply
My bad experience with Vanuity / Thrive Learning Institute
This is my story and I leave you to draw your on conclusions -
I purchased the Kimberley Hoffman's Online Income System on the 18/6/2008.
On the 23/6 I received a call from Casey Pearce about a mentoring program with Thrive Learning Institute � This is my email to Thrive Learning Institute and their response.
Sent: 24 June 2008 10:57
I had a call last night from a gentleman called Casey Pearce. He said he represents Kimberly Hoffman from MyOnlineIncomeSystem.com. Basically he said they are looking for individuals that they can turn into success stories which would ultimately enhance their business. I understand by means of telephone interviews they will carefully select candidates to take forward to being a successful affiliate marketer with their one on one mentoring program. Casey told me to look at your website and he will call me again tonight.
Response
Sent: 24 June 2008 15:29
We at Thrive Learning are affiliated with Casey Pearce. We work with him in this way because we do not have the manpower to call everyone ourselves. We have enough on our plates. As far as the charges it depends on what experience you have and how aggressive a business you would like to set up. We have some clients that invest upwards of $20,000 USD to be involved in our mentoring program. Let me know if you have any further questions.
That evening I received another call from Casey Pearce �
He asked me why I considered internet marketing and he advised
that there was huge potential to make a lot of money through the internet using other peoples money to accomplish this.
I was advised that I would only have to put in 5 hrs a week and you are certainly left with the impression that you will recover your investment very quickly so you have nothing to loose.
He asked me what type of car would I like to buy, he went on to say what type of car, what colour, what year. If I wanted to buy a house I should imagine how many bedrooms and the location, how would I furnish it, what would my garden look like...that sort of thing. You really begin to believe that anything is possible.
At the end of this conversation I was amazed, so excited and completely grateful that they considered that I had the potential of becoming a success story. In my mind with the help with a one on one mentoring program, and someone to hold my hand guiding and teaching me I could make a real difference for my family.
I was then put onto the Director, who again reiterated the scope to make money. When I asked how much this was all going to cost. I was basically asked how much did I want to make, and that my investment should be 10% of that figure.
I told him that I could only afford �3000.00 on my credit card but I would need to think about it. He told me they needed people that could make a decision, not people that had to have time to think about it, or have to go and speak to their husband, or go away and pray about it. Afraid I was going to miss out on this opportunity I agreed.
I was told that I should email my experience/skills and interests so they could work around those.
I was given access and logged into the learning ground on the 30th June.
I soon encountered numerous problems and emailed Thrive Learning Institute on the 14 July 2008. I gave a detailed discription of the problems that I had experienced -
eg ... Coach calls that were arranged and never received (despite me cancelling travel arrangements in one instance). I experienced a number of other problems like training videos not playing to completion. I logged into the so called 'Live Chat' only to be left waiting for over half an hour after being asked how could they help me??? I asked for benchmarks and training grounds specific to affiliate marketing and was told they were revamping the affiliate benchmarks, and that is why they were not up on their site. etc etc.
I ended the letter by saying .... at the time of my telephone interview you asked me to please be open and honest with you at all times. I have given this a lot of thought and really believe that my goals and expectations of your mentoring programme might be different to what we discussed over the phone, as such I would like to terminate the contract at this early stage and would like to discuss your cancellation policy.
I did not receive any response despite faxing the same letter on the 17th July and I sent a follow up email on the 25th.
I eventually received a call from Zachary Bradshaw (Customer Relations Manager) where I reiterated why I had lost faith in the mentoring program and why I felt it would be fair to facilitate a cancellation in my case.
Our agreement clearly offers a guarantee to provide unsurpassed service and support. I
I was advised that a refund was not possible; however I was assured that everything would be done to try to re establish my trust, faith in the agreement and that I would be given the best mentor available to achieve this.
Despite this promise of improved service, this has not been the case and my request for a refund continues.
I have given this organisation every benefit of the doubt and every opportunity to facilitate me in their guarantee of unsurpassed service and support. I have appealed to Thrive Learning Institutes sense of ' Good Business Practice' and ' Fairness' by facilitating a full refund.
These are the questions that I ask myself.
� Was it fair and realistic to let me believe with an input of 5 hrs/week I could at the very least recoup my investment in a short period of time. Somehow a period of 3 months comes to mind.
� Was it fair that even when I could prove that I was not getting the guaranteed unsurpassed service and support to me through Vanuity's efforts, and the efforts of their affiliate companies my request for a refund was denied.
� Was it fair when I asked when could I expect to start making money as I was concerned about my credit card repayments � I was told I should look around the house for things to sell on ebay.
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bmbnow
Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 22 Jan 2009 15:05
Reply
I've been going through the same candidate process and have spent a significant amount of time on the phone trying to get a straight answer, which they cannot give me unless I get through the screening process. Okay. I think we can all read, so I will not bog this down with the same story. My point is that when the phone rings and the caller ID says "Six Figure Cons" (sure that is supposed to be short for Consulting, but cons seems more appropriate) assume that a little Divine Intervention has been done on your behalf by showing up that way and DO NOT ANSWER!
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gmason
Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2009 14:43
Reply
Hi-
I'm considering the Thrive business system and would like to speak with someone who has experience with this company. Would you be willing to talk with me today? I'd appreciate any insight you could give me about the validity of the company and the Thrive program. I can be reached at 570-575-2722. I'm in the Orlando, FL area.
Thanks for your help.
Gordon
__________________
Gordon Mason
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enoughalready
Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 25 Jan 2009 17:20
Reply
Hi. I am also in Canada and am on the same boat as everyone else it appears. What they have to offer may work if you are a US resident, but being in Canada brings with it a different set of rules, regulations and policies. All the information that we seem to have received, in my books would be considered advertisement represented as a service. I am all aboard with everyone who wants to go after them.
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2009 06:30
Reply
You've read through this thread and you are still considering Them?
gmason: Hi- I'm considering the Thrive business system and would like to speak with someone who has experience with this company. Would you be willing to talk with me today? I'd appreciate any insight you could give me about the validity of the company and the Thrive program. I can be reached at 570-575-2722 . I'm in the Orlando, FL area. Thanks for your help.
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My Story
Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 26 Jan 2009 13:59
Reply
It is also worth mentioning that the contract (Verification Agreement) that you will receive from Thrive Learning Institute is actually in the name of Vanuity LLC. The company that you will see on your credit card is Shanklin International.
You have 3 days to cancel the contract... however there is a 15% cancellation fee that is not mentioned anywhere on the contract.
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NY50something
Member
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 27 Jan 2009 12:14
Reply
I'm not an idiot but I fell for this one big-time, I whole-heartedly admit these hoodlums are very dangerous because they are very clever. I've not done a thing with them yet other than post charges to my credit cards and send off the verification/acceptance email and don't intend to either if I can help it.
How binding is that acceptance? Please advise!
I'm normally a very cautious individual, don't usually fall for something so easily, I wish to hell I had seen this online thread before the fact.
Now I'm pissed and if this had been an individual, I would have already taken a baseball bat to him/her!
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enoughalready
Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2009 01:24
Reply
It is now end of January. How have you made out as far as getting a refund? There are certainly a lot of us out there and I'm sure that there will be many more. They need to be stopped. Anyone who is in the same situation needs to put in a complaint with the BBB in Utah, the Federal Trades Commission, put a post on the complaints board, this board and also with Rip Off Report. With this company you send done an online form and they respond back to you within a couple of days. The more negative attention that is brought to the company, the better. I have done all of the above here in Canada and I continue to do it until I get my money back.
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My Story
Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2009 10:43
Reply
I have filed a Rip Off report and put a complaint in with BBB in Utah + have written many many emails showing Thrive Learning Institute how they have failed me in the contract thus given suffiecient cause for a refund. They told me that they will NOT issue a refund, however they are prepared to continue working with me until a period of one year is complete.
The thing is why would I want to continue working with a company who have not given me the guaranteed unsurpassed service.
It is really frightening that there are companies out there that seem to have this ability to rip people off with no repercussion.
Since I reside in the UK It is really difficult to know which authorities to approach and try and get this operation shut down.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 28 Jan 2009 17:59
Reply
I just wanted to give an update on where I am currently at with getting my money back and what I have been able to find out up to date. I was able to get my money put back on my credit card by disputing it.I was advised by the RCMP to do this. It has been exactly a month and they did not try to charge back, though they did charge me the monthly fee which I also disputed. I then cancelled my credit card for fraudulent charges. I was never sent a contract so there is nothing but my initial telephone conversation with them. I did request this from them as proof of how they had conned me....but have received nothing from them. This was in response to my complaint with the better business bureau of Utah, which by the way thrive is a member.
The RCMP did an investigation and told me that there is no question thrive is scamming people but they have covered their butts legally so that they cant be arrested for fraud and shut down. They encouraged me to go online and report thrive with phone busters and sites like this as this is the only means for the public to be aware of what thrive is all about.
You could also contact a lawyer like I did, but that would be costly. Small claims court would be another course of action and you would win by automatic default if the party you are suing does not show up....and very likely they wouldn't. But you would not be able to get your money back if you are in Canada because thrive is in the states and apparently THAT makes a difference on collecting.
I would also suggest calling a lawyer and finding out what can be done concerning a class action lawsuit.
There is a lawyer in Illinois who was able to find a loop hole in the law and filed a cease and desist order against thrive or any of their affiliates and associates selling to anyone in that state. He was interested in my story and I sent him an email. If anyone is interested, his email address is : [email protected]
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NY50something
Member
Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2009 13:22 · Edited by: NY50something
Reply
First of all, I apologize if I offended anyone in my 1st post to this board. I was angry, ranting and raving, etc. I work hard for a living and have built what I have with a lot of effort so I suppose this whole bloody thing just got to me more than usual. Whatever it is, I shouldn't have been talking about taking baseball bats to anyone, silly of me.
An update on my particular situation with Thrive: I did what "used and abused" had already mentioned, cancelled the charges to my CC by dispupting them. I've reported the events to my bank as fraud. I'm right now working on putting out complaints to BBB, phone busters, this site, ripoff.com, etc. and also to state/federal authorities. I'd agree that a class-action lawsuit is a good idea. For my own circumstances, I'm prepared to go to small claims should that be necessary. At this point, I'm getting somewhere 5-10 calls a day from Thrive to arrange a "coaching session". They call constantly and repeatedly but am ignoring them. I'm determined to put these jerks where they belong: BEHIND BARS. Got a certified mail of the email contract that we agreed to. "Used and abused", thanks for providing the details on the Illinois lawyer, I'm going to check with him and others as to just how binding such a contract is.
Another scam to watch out for is CBCS, check this link: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cbcs+collections+scam. Please be careful with that one as well. They will call you saying they are collecting on an account that supposedly you owe a debt on. Verizon, Comcast, etc. are favorites "clients" of theirs, always accounts that are so old you likely will not remember off-hand the circumstances involved. Best advice, read this: http://www.mcgath.com/cbcs.html. What I find most odd about the whole thing is that now they are also suddenly in contact following our incident with Thrive.
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My Story
Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 31 Jan 2009 14:01
Reply
NY50something: I'm right now working on putting out complaints to BBB, phone busters, this site, ripoff.com, etc. and also to state/federal authorities.
Would be grateful for the contact links of the state/federal authorities that you mention. At this point I believe I have exhausted all other avenues that I know of from the UK to try to get my money back to no avail. I will make it my mission to try and have Thrive Learning Institute stopped in robbing other people of their hard earned cash.
I entered the world of internet marketing to try and improve my families quality of life by supplementing our income... instead here I am with all this debt. I guess Thrive Learning Institute/Vanuity LLC/Shanklin International are laughing all the way to the bank.
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 08:31
Reply
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/securities/administrative_actions/2008/ october/onlinedata_o2cd.pdf
This address sends you to the Order to Cease and Desist from the state of Illinois.
It may take each state getting involved legally to get these guys. The bad news: they just moved into British Columbia taking out full page ads in the local news papers and hosting their greet and meets in large hotel ball rooms. (I wonder who's money they are using to pull that off?) HHMMMMMMMM
I think that there needs to be a national lawsuit for them to cease and desist. Unfortunately they just drop one name and headline under a new one. Even the company the contracts are written on has changed names since my experience with Thrive Learning; 9/08 to 12/08.
But, everyone needs to file a complaint at : www.ripoffreport.com, www.complaintsboard.com, www.bbb.org, www.ftc.gov.
Write a complaint to the BBB in Utah and let them know of your experience. The other address goes to the Federal Trade Commission.
But, overall, I truly believe that national media attention is what it is going to take before some one listens and state laws are changed and the loop holes these scumballs are sliding through are closed up and these bad business practices are halted.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 09:33
Reply
The document I read had contact information at the bottom. I contacted Mr. Schripsema by telephone and he gave me his email address which was what I posted. I clicked on the link you posted and that is not the original document I saw, so it would seem that he has put something new on there .
I did use the email address to send him my info.
I really wish there were laws in place to stop this kind of fraud, but as you mentioned, they seem to know what they are doing when it comes to outsmarting the legal system. A lawyer who is willing to take them on with a national lawsuit, seems to be the only recourse at the moment as I can see.
I have submitted my complaints to all sites that you have mentioned and none of them seem to really care one way or the other. The Federal Trades Commission told me I would have to wait months, possibly up to a year, for them to get back to me on my complaint....What good is that going to do???? The BBB has expressed to me that I must basically come to some sort of compromise with them or they close the case. If you check out the complaints against thrive , you will see that they have closed all but the most recent cases, making it look as though the cases were resolved. I contacted them about this via telephone and was met with a very rude representative .
Concerning rip off report....that one really got me going. There investigation into thrive only revealed thrive to be the one of the most upstanding companies around and there is an entire page praising thrive to a point I had to stop reading it as it turned my stomach....I am pretty certain there is some sort of association going on there as well!!
Has anyone besides me read this, by the way ??
I certainly am not saying to not complain on these sites. On the contrary. If thrive has them sitting in their back pockets they will only look stupid if they keep getting complaints as these sites have indicated to me already that they are of no help. This site, work at home forum, seems to be the only true indication of how deceitful thrive is. i am sure there may be others I dont know about , but the ones that have been mentioned continuously in these threads at present dont give me a whole lot of hope.
i am frustrated that they are getting away with this as everyone else is....but I only get more frustrated when I see no solutions in these threads. I liken thrive to the mafia organizations and at this point can only hope somebody much smarter than me will one day outwit them and post something positive.
But I do believe in carma and that thrive will one day reap what they have sown.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 09:52
Reply
Just a p.s. here,
I went back and checked out the links. The link Fillmore provides does take you to the actual document. I clicked only part of the link, which was on my email. That took me to an official site for the state. I apoligize if The email adress does not go directly to the lawyer, but I am quite certain that is the one he gave me. I spoke to him initially over the phone as I indicated in the last post. I got that number from the bottom of the cease and desist document and was directly connected to him. It may be worth the money to call as i did. Here is the number: 618-253-2007
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 17:04 · Edited by: IMarketer
Reply
The only positives about Thrive, I found on ripoffreport.com, were rebuttels made by a Thrive representative.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/370/RipOff0370882.htm
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