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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 17:08
Reply
Ripoffreport.com is a place for people to leave complaints.
They do not actually investigate companies.
"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!!"
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 18:55
Reply
Hello again,IMARKETER. Glad to see that you are still following.
When I go to rip off report and click on the paragraph at the top of the page in bold letters starting with the asterisk and then ' UPDATE....RIP OFF REPORT INVESTIGATION:...', it takes me to the actual report which says it is written by Ed Magedson: founder of rip off report. I am not sure how else to take that, except that Rip Off Report is endorsing them.
Are we looking at the same page?
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 4 Feb 2009 19:11
Reply
Here is the link to the page I saw.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/390/ripoff0390334.htm
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 08:15
Reply
used and abused,
You seem to be right.
I never saw the link to that page.
Did not know they did investigations. It does sound like someone was boughtoff.
I guess I'll have to rethink my belief in the legitimacy of ripoffreport.com.
But I still believe Thrive is a ripoff.
used and abused: Hello again,IMARKETER. Glad to see that you are still following. When I go to rip off report and click on the paragraph at the top of the page in bold letters starting with the asterisk and then ' UPDATE....RIP OFF REPORT INVESTIGATION:...', it takes me to the actual report which says it is written by Ed Magedson: founder of rip off report. I am not sure how else to take that, except that Rip Off Report is endorsing them. Are we looking at the same page?
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 09:25
Reply
on the ripoffreport site I read a posting which stated that TLI (Thrive Learning Institute) is actually a fictious name and they operate under JC Residual, LLC so I searched for them yesterday and found this:
www.veromi.com/BusinessDetailPg00001363.aspx
which lists JC Residual, LLC as operating under The Summit Group, LLC which is listed as their fictious name. Oh, and there are many more. MANY. In many different states under many different names. They are also listed as owning Sport Clips in Utah, a place to get your hair cut while watching a game, and a home sales company; Summit Cabin LLC who Im sure will sell you swamp land while claiming it to be a mountian full of gold.
Managing names on those companies are: Celia Garcia, Peter O. Garcia, and Steven Hillman with business addresses in Miami, FL.
And for a fee you can buy more info about this company which never lists the Thrive Learning Institute as its name but lists; at my last count 18+ different company names all listed as fictious and in all states minus IL.
Yes, ripoffreport does endorse TLI so you have to think.... who got to Ed.
Try onlineBusinessBureau.com. too
Oh and did anyone actually hear back from anyone who had any success from Thrive LI? I havent. I hear the employees pretending to be customers and leaving comments all over the place stating that their experiences are fantastic and I see the blogs and ads all over the web stating again how wonderful Thrive LI is and its the best global coaching company on the planet and all that crap. But has any one any proof at all.......a website to view? A bank statement? A doctored photoed? Just kidding but really anything? Anyone?
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 10:35
Reply
https://www.onlinebusinessbureau.com/Companyrating.cfm?Company_ID=1838234
address to file complaint with OlineBusinessBureau.com
Listed as : Thrive Learning LLC
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 10:54
Reply
Thrive Learning ads on current.com:
http://current.com/search/items/loc/false/q/thrive+learning/r/0/s/1/v/1/start/0.htm
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 11:29
Reply
I have seen lots of those ads everywhere.
But no surprise there that with the kind of money thrive is making, they can take out lots of ads.
I have had a couple of very odd things happen the last couple of times I tried to go to ripoff report that i wanted to mention in case anyone has any insight.
I had to double check my info after imarketer suggested i was wrong, lol....you never know...so i went back to the site.Three times my internet closed down....really odd but some fluke I figured.
So finally I get on there after trying several different routes and made sure my info was correct.That was yesterday.
Then today I got curious wondering how many complaints may have been filed since i originally checked them out months ago....and my internet shut down again, coincidence????
Again I found a roundabout route to get to their site. I can not find any complaints at all about thrive....can somebody else check this out and let me know what you find.
Also some insight about why my internet closes down when i go to their site.
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 13:07
Reply
I checked it out.........went to ripoffreport.com and found no complaints; not even the ones I wrote.
Heres the link:
http://ripoffreport.com/reports/0/390/ripoff0390334.htm
I have no idea why your PC would do that. I know I was having problems running explorer so I switch to firefox and got better security. Sorry I cant help you with that.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 13:08
Reply
I am still curious as to find out if anyone can still see the original complaints against thrive on ripoff reports, but I did find a couple of sites that remove bad reports from anywhere on the internet, including this forum and bury them so deep in the search engines that no one can find them....what will we do then???? Start another one, I guess just as thrive does.
These companies also will write professional looking ads to promote your site.
I assume rip off report does the same thing. So for a fee they have promoted thrive.
The names of 3 of these sites are:
Ripoff Report Removal.com
RepArmor.com
RemoveYourName.com
I definately think fillmore has a point about media attention to this subject, considering the internet and scams are not going to go away.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 13:10 · Edited by: used and abused
Reply
yes, I had to use firefox as well to get on their site.
Just wanted to add though that I have very good security and that is the only site I have ever gone to and had my internet close.....??
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 13:49
Reply
Ripoffreport has The Summit Group listed at the bottom of the page under Top Rip-off links; but lists Thrive Learning as a wonderful company involved with the business advocacy program. They are the same company......so which is it..........are they a rip-off or are they wonderful and go the distance to make it up to their dissatisfied consumers?
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 17:51
Reply
Had to check.
This link took me to the original complaints, listed after the rave review RR now gives Thrive.
LINK
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 17:57
Reply
This is what I want to know!
By now, someone should have had some sucess, if Thrive is legit??!!!
I do understand being embarrassed about getting ripped off and not wanting to advertise it.
Even the shills aren't coming back.
fillmore: Oh and did anyone actually hear back from anyone who had any success from Thrive LI? I havent. I hear the employees pretending to be customers and leaving comments all over the place stating that their experiences are fantastic and I see the blogs and ads all over the web stating again how wonderful Thrive LI is and its the best global coaching company on the planet and all that crap. But has any one any proof at all.......a website to view? A bank statement? A doctored photoed? Just kidding but really anything? Anyone?
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 18:05
Reply
Hey fillmore,
I was going to post a link to scam.com, but it looks like you already found it?
IMarketer
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 5 Feb 2009 18:50
Reply
Hi IMarketer. I did find it but thanks for thinking of me.
at this link:
http://utah.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=139&bbb=1166&firm=22219354
The BBB lists only 20 complaints filed; and resolved, in the past 36 months. I think they have the numbers backwards or some thing.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2009 08:52
Reply
I would strongly suggest you call phone busters as you are in canada, if you haven't already.
I believe anyone in the states can call them as well, but definately for any canadians, this is the route to go.
I spoke with a representative for an hour, giving her details, while she recorded them all and was very glad to get my phonecall.
They are very committed to getting the laws changed concerning these scam artists, so that they can actually be put behind bars.
She has already taken several complaints on them and gave me some very, very useful advice on exactly who to contact and how to proceed.
They are also working with the authorities here in canada and send all information to pertinent international authorities, though I cant recall all that she mentioned as I spent most of my time rifling through my evidence to give her the info she was looking for and didn't have time to jot down the names.
Suffice to say, I finally felt I was getting somewhere.
Though, I have my money back at present, I am staying aware and feel it is important to be prepared for anything when it comes to the scam artists that we are dealing with.
Also I feel strongly that if I walk away just because I got my money back, I will be doing nothing to stop this injustice. I wont elaborate on that as everyone on here feels the same, but I do encourage anyone to believe that every voice does count.
She stated that media attention may be very crucial in putting a stop to thrive and their associates.
She also recommended that I send a complaint letter to utah state attorney general, industry canada, my ombudsmen and mla.
I feel if I put as much effort into this cause as I did on my website, something positive will come out of this.
Also, thanks IM for the link to complaints on rip off report...I did miss that one, lol. But my complaint was not there. It seems that MANY aren't there, if the posts on here alone are any indication of the complaints that they have received.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2009 08:58
Reply
enoughalready: I have done all of the above here in Canada and I continue to do it until I get my money back.
Sorry....I forgot to add the quote
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fillmore
Member
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 6 Feb 2009 10:00
Reply
hey used and abused, I feel the same way......I got my money back but still get emails almost daily from people asking for advice on how to proceed. I dont feel like I can let this go either. The info you provided is wonderful and Im sure there are a lot of people that it will help so thank you.
I did a search for class action lawyers in Utah and got over 100 hits. None have Thrive listed in a case, though, they could be listed under another name but i doubt it.
Kudos
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enoughalready
Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2009 15:07 · Edited by: enoughalready
Reply
Hi used and abused. How did you go about getting your money back? Would like any bit of help or advice that you have. Thanks.
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wahl2008
Member
Joined: 14 Dec 2008
Posts: 125
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# Posted: 7 Feb 2009 15:41
Reply
Is there a minimum investment required for Thrive?
__________________
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2009 11:39
Reply
enoughalready: Hi used and abused. How did you go about getting your money back? Would like any bit of help or advice that you have. Thanks.
I disputed all thrive's charges on my credit card and then reported fraudulent charges and closed that account.
They sent me a new card immediately.
I have had no trouble yet, but i should mention that when i first reported the fraud, the lady i spoke with at my credit card company told me that i could close the account down at that point as a stolen credit card.
I couldn't at that moment because it was 4 days before xmas and I needed the card, lol.
I wouldn't get a new card for 7-10 business days.
So i called back immediately after the holidays and a very unfriendly person told me that even if i did that(close the account), thrive would be able to charge my new card because i had at some point given them authorization.
So i argued with her that this did not make sense and came to the conclusion that i would have to completely cancel my card with them and open one with a different credit card company.
She discouraged me on this as well telling me that it would take a month for the account to officially be closed and if thrive charged my account within that period of time, they would not be able to close my account.
So that could go on forever with no result.
I ended my conversation with her as i wasn't getting anywhere and she wasn't the friendliest of people.
I called back a week later as i was certain that the first woman i spoke to had given me different info.
The next person i spoke with reiterated the same information as the first woman i spoke with and assured me that thrive would no longer be able to charge my new account.
So far, i have not been charged back by them.
As i mentioned before you should also call phonebusters.
They also asked me what my credit card company was doing and said they had heard the same story from others about their credit card companies.
She suggested if my cc company did allow thrive to charge my new account, that i should then call my mla, ombudsman,etc and tell my cc company that i was going to go to the media.
I have not been charged back yet and on a positive note....I made a fairly large purchase on my card and they called me immediately asking if i had authorized the new charge
This gave me some hope that maybe i will have no further trouble.
Even though i have my money back, i feel compelled to stay up to date with this site.
And though i feel like an idiot sometimes for posting so much on here, i feel that most people who may have got their money back would just walk away from these sites and forget that this is a serious problem that isn't going to go away.
We can all say that we have learned our lesson.....but really, when you are an honest person it is in your nature to see the best in people and I bet this is not the first time for most of us on here to have been taken and probably not the last with the amount of scam artists on the internet now.
I believe fillmore feels like i do and eventually more of us will come together and find a break in this viscious circle.
I hope that you will post your results as well as i feel this will really help others.
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enoughalready
Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 8 Feb 2009 18:28
Reply
Thanks used and abused for your response. I am glad to see so many people taking the time to try and put a stop to this. Unfortunately, there are those who walk away and feel that there is nothing that can be done. I did send an email to phone busters and will also call them tomorrow when they are open. For anyone else out there, no matter where you live, this is what you need to do. Lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Utah, the RipOffReport, Federal Trade Commission of Consumer Protection and as you mentioned, to contact the phone busters. All of this can be done online. We need to shut them down!!
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myusernamehere
Member
Joined: 11 Feb 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 11 Feb 2009 09:08
Reply
I just want to do my part to warn people about this. They are not "mentors" and could care less if you ever make your money back. They have NO incentive for you to do so. For what ever reason I couldn't find enough of these forums when I was being contacted or there would be no way I would have even continued talking with them on the phone. I'm not a competitor of Thrive I'm just an honest guy trying to work hard to make an honest living. Everything about these guys and their hundreds of affiliated companies is shady at best. They will tell you everything you want to hear and you will think it sounds like a good idea. I'm telling you now you will regret it. If it isn't too late for you run the other way.
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 18
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# Posted: 11 Feb 2009 12:34
Reply
enoughalready: Hi used and abused. How did you go about getting your money back? Would like any bit of help or advice
I have a bit more information for you concerning disputing the charges on your credit card.
If your credit card is through the bank, contact your MP as they can make sure thrive is not allowed to chargeback to your account.
They apparently have some pull with the canadian banks on this matter.
If your card is not through the bank...you are just shxx out of luck as they say.
Thrive recharged my account today and as my card is not through a bank my only recourse is a class action lawsuit.
I am following up with that currently, but am trying to figure out how to get my contact info out there at the moment as I will need names..???
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enoughalready
Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 11 Feb 2009 19:11
Reply
There is a group of people working together on a class action lawsuit. This is the email to contact.
classactionsuiteagainstthrive [at] yahoo.com
Anyone who is interested in joining should also contact the above. They also need to lodge their complaint with the Better Business Bureau in Utah. In the meantime you need to cancel your visa and do a balance transfer to another card.
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