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used and abused
Forums Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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#61 · Posted: 4 Dec 2008 18:33
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
Forums Member
Joined: 9 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
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#62 · Posted: 9 Dec 2008 17:33
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
Forums Member
Joined: 9 Dec 2008
Posts: 2
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#63 · Posted: 9 Dec 2008 17:38
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
Forums Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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#64 · Posted: 10 Dec 2008 12:09 · Edited by: used and abused
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
Forums Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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#65 · Posted: 11 Dec 2008 05:04
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
Forums Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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#66 · Posted: 11 Dec 2008 10:43
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
Forums Member
Joined: 1 Sep 2008
Posts: 11
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#67 · Posted: 12 Dec 2008 02:23
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
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Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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#68 · Posted: 12 Dec 2008 14:40
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
Forums Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 51
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#69 · Posted: 12 Dec 2008 18:29
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
Forums Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 51
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#70 · Posted: 12 Dec 2008 18:36
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
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Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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#71 · Posted: 13 Dec 2008 10:46
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
Forums Member
Joined: 15 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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#72 · Posted: 15 Dec 2008 22:31
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
Forums Member
Joined: 16 Dec 2008
Posts: 1
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#73 · Posted: 16 Dec 2008 11:16
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
Forums Member
Joined: 12 Jan 2009
Posts: 5
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#74 · Posted: 12 Jan 2009 18:47
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
Forums Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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#75 · Posted: 16 Jan 2009 13:30
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
Forums Member
Joined: 22 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
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#76 · Posted: 22 Jan 2009 15:05
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
Forums Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 1
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#77 · Posted: 25 Jan 2009 14:43
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
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Gordon Mason
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enoughalready
Forums Member
Joined: 25 Jan 2009
Posts: 8
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#78 · Posted: 25 Jan 2009 17:20
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
Forums Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 51
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#79 · Posted: 26 Jan 2009 06:30
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
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Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 4
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#80 · Posted: 26 Jan 2009 13:59
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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