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| Utah |
At this point I am keeping things on an anonymous level...
My ideal preference.
As many of you will realize that know me personally and also online, I have thought it a good idea to pursue a multi-career, or at least a two career path option in life. In other words, I should not just depend on potential work based on my BA, MTS, MPhil, PhD degrees in Religious Studies and Philosophy, and sure enough after 400+ CVs sent out, that is a very reasonable thought.
I have been willing to assist with any family networking marketing endeavours. I have taken internet courses on copywriting, E-book writing and recently internet marketing. I completed 19-20% of the internet marketing course. I reason the material is basically sound and good, but I am not going to attempt to pay for it with outrageous, unreasonable levels of credit. Not with persons calling almost weekly looking for new four figure investments that are virtually mandatory with services not provided under my initial investment. I originally signed with a two figure offer. I then received a couple of phone calls including one from a Vice-President inquiring about training me and the cost originally was going to be a number I rejected and so we agreed on a much lesser amount. I was informed that would be the last major financial investment needed by me. They stated that my word of mouth testimony of success would make up the difference.
Now remember, although I do not have a business background, per say, I do have PhD in Theology/Philosophy and psychological use of words, or lack of use of words, is key in life. In academia and in business. What I was not told initially was that they have business partners that provide services, not provided under my initials fees, that I would need to pay for, in order for the business to work. Doubtless, there is benefit the parent company receives from them receiving new clients, which in itself I do not have a problem with, but I think the parent company should be more up-front with information. So there was calls from an associated company in regard to establishing a Nevada LLC for protection from bankruptcy if sued, a Tax Agreement, as in IRS tax counsellors, and another associated New York City company in regard to a Business Plan. But once the phone call came to the concept of Drop Shipping, I had had enough. If I had been told this business was really a $10, 000-$40, 000 potential start-up venture I would have declined. But instead the company psychologically starts with a two figure promotion to sign a student up, then a reasonable deal on websites is offered from a business partner, then a call from a Vice-President is provided a few days later for potential training which I negotiated down substantially. I actually negotiated with everyone that called. I specifically asked if any further investment would be requirement and the Vice-President stated, ‘No’ and also stated that a certain income level was guaranteed or my money back, of course I am claiming this at this point in writing.
Now, of course this financial claim of his is a technicality, as more than likely his company, the parent company, receives a commission, kick-back, portion, amount, of the payment that a student pays to the other companies, when the parent company weekly has these companies call students informing them services are basically required. I am not arguing that they are not good services, as when explained to me such as LLC, Tax Guidance and a Business Plan they all makes sense. And once one has a firm business plan finding Drop Shippers, or learning EBay, if one is not experienced, it would almost always pay to have professional companies to work on behalf of a new business, finding suppliers.
The problem is on several levels, but I will mention two. There is lack of transparency by the parent company up-front, and likely lack of available credit from many of those involved in such a venture. Basically, a philosophical and psychological tactic is to commit someone to the program with financial investment as if the only reasonable way out will be to go all the way, maximize out one’s credit card as if ‘failure is not an option’ and find a way to make it in that business. But, a bank and credit card company can always intervene and credit is limited. As well, I think more than just student coaching should be covered by the initial financial investment. The company I dealt with has only been online since 2011 and has mainly good reviews and good control over them online but I reason these tactics are dangerous public relations on their part. They are very much risking their reputation and those of their business partners. I emailed them all after an initial phone call to the Vice President was not returned.
After the initial post I actually received a very late night offer via email from someone on the 'Team' to give me for free three figures worth of product to 'compensate' me. When I replied this obviously in context would not work, she went ahead with the refund. Now she stated it will take 48 hours to process. I will wait and see whether it is the standard two figure refund or the full negotiated figure for teaching...
