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My friend and I heard an ad on the radio to attend a free class on learning how to flip house from the guys who are on the A&E show Flip This House. I talked it over with my friend and we decided to register. During the class the speaker talked very little about flipping houses and more about their upcoming 3 day summit which would cost $1,197.00 per person but if we purchased the summit that evening it would be $197.00 for two people. He also mentioned that there was a chance to qualify for the mastery program which would be taught by experienced real estate investors. We decided to go for it since this has been an interest of mine for several years. When we signed up we were given a booklet (for homework) and also encouraged to purchase a book called the E-Myth (which I dont regret). The summit consisted of a full weekend. Friday and Saturday 9:00 - 7:30 and Sunday 9:00 - 5:00.
Friday was spent hearing in depth about the booklet and how we needed to apply for the mastery program with no guarantee that you will be accepted. Thus began the talking about the FortuneBuilders Advanced Training Programs (the mastery program). At the end of the day we filled out a card in order to be given the opportunity to fill in an application. The application was rather standard until you flipped to the last page where they began to ask very personal information such as credit score, how much money was in savings and/or retirement, and what type of credit limit you have on credit cards. I personally didnt feel comfortable answering some of the questions.
Saturday morning the application was due. Once submitted you were eligible for an interview. Then we were told that too many folks had applied for the mastery program (what a surprise) and that they would be going over the program and the cost after lunch. The rest of the morning was spent talking about information listed in the booklet. After lunch we were handed a worksheet to fill out with information on the different levels of the mastery program. I dont want to go into that other than to say it would be the price of a nice new car for the platinum level with no payment option. Money was all due up front. At this point we were given a break and told that we could choose not to go forth with the interview process. After talking it over my friend we decided to withdraw, disappointed with having to do so.
We decided to attend Sunday to find out additional information on things such as rehab and internet marketing. I received a follow up call from someone with the program a few days later reciting the same information that was given to me by email prior to the program about exciting news. I was busy at the time and they told me they would call back. Surprise, surprise they have never called back.
I guess my true complaint is this: I could have learned just as much in a shorter amount of time. I also feel that we should have been given the mastery program costs during the first, free class so that we could have decided if the summit was worth the time. I work a job with a varied schedule and had to request additional time off to attend (not cool). I learned some new things but truthfully I took more knowledge from reading the E-Myth book then I didnt from the three day class. Bottom line, the class is not worth the time spent to learn just how much a mastery program can cost.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Nana M
Raleigh,North Carolina,
To Grandma M
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, August 11, 2014
I just recently attened the 3 day seminar in Raleigh, NC. I went with an open mind to learn about flipping houses, knowing there was a catch. It was like an infomercial most of the time for Fortune Builders, which I expected. The speaker, Gerald Martin, was very good.. although, very cocky at times, in my personal opinion.
At registration and on the first day, most of the people were so nice and friendly. As time went on, and Fortune Builders began to interview people for thier Mastery program, you could see them gravitate towards the ones that said "yes," and continued to work on the ones that had the money that were on the fence. If you did not have the money, most of them, not all, did not spend time mingling with the other people in the crowd. They did not want to give any advice or answer any questions. I do not know if they get a commission or not, but if you did not have the money, they were not spending much time with those people. Some of them, you could just see the disgust on their face, that they had to interview another wanna be real estate investor who has no money, no cash, no desire, no credit, or wants to be rich tomorrow. Some were categorized before they ever got to the interview table. Who are they to prejudge anyone?
In talking with various people there, some came with hopes and dreams of a seed or a nibble to help them in this economy. To crush people's dreams is not a nice thing to do. People could not be accepted into your Mastery Program because they did not have the means to buy the business cards to get started. It is called VistaPrint or make your own. Oh, but those cards are not good enough, because they did not come from Fortune Builders Marketing program. Yes, you are a brand and you are creating a brand, as Fortune Builders says. How does Fortune Builders know that these people are not creative and artist? You see, it is all about the money with them, not the person. Fortune Builders states a person must be coachable and trainable. How do they know these people they turned down are not trainable and coachable? All FB knows is...they do not have the $$$$, so they are out and not a candidate.
Their program is .....yes....the price of a new car. They have 3 levels: $34K, 25K, (these include 6 months of coaching) and $20K. They are some expensive backpacks!! Folks, there is no payment plan! What are the other hidden costs after the six months? Is there a monthly fee for the website, etc. No one wanted to answer those questions about their program. If people have it and want to spend it, then bless them and go for it. However, for the ones that did not have it, to sit there and encourage people to max out credit cards, etc is just wrong. However, in Fortune Builders defense, the people did have a choice. In the seminar, it was stated several times that Fortune Builders says, "People First!" Was that putting people first???? I don't think so. It was putting someone elses' greed, first...whether it be Fortune Builders or that person doing the recruiting (which made me think he//she could have been getting a comission). I cannot say for sure, but shame on Fortune Builders for having someone like this working their events and representing you!