PSI Seminars cult-like, high pressure sales scheme, ripoff Las Vegas Nevada
I attended Basic, PSI 7 and PLD seminars over the course of 1999 through 2000. I even staffed several Basics. When I got involved I was going through a very difficult emotionally and physically trying time. I needed a support group and PSI appeared to offer it.
The programs were intense, fun, informative, exhilarating and demanding. I got caught up in the whirlwind of high-pitched emotion and peer pressure comraderie along with thousands of others. Many good people attend these seminars. However, the entire corporate management team is very intelligent, very sophisticated, very pushy, top drawer sales pros.
When the dust settles at the end of the day all they care about is money. It is more than a profitable business; it is a racket. Everthing we did was supposed to be kept secret - so as not to blow the element of surprise for future seminarees.
There was constant, constant, constant pressure to "give back what we received" and sign up new recruits. Only thing is I paid for what I received. In fact, cost me around $7,000 with air fare and such. Also, and this grated me from day one, if I am going to sell your product I expect to get paid a commission. I mean, do you work for free? This attitude was not tolerated one bit.
But this is only half the problem. I was pressured into paying $2,650 for Men's Leadership, the next level seminar. Several months later I realized that I had had enough of PSI and couldn't afford to take another 10 days off; in fact, I was deep in debt. So I tried to cancel and get my money back. No way! My credit card company wouldn't charge back either because it had been past 90 days. So to this day I have paid all this money for nothing. Legally, the only way I could attempt to force a refund, since I never received any value for my dollar, would be to sue and hope to win. I want my money back. Period.
I would never recommend to anyone to get involved with PSI Seminars. They will drain you dry of money and time if you allow them to.
However, if you are in the same boat as I, then please contact me by using the rebuttal box below if you are interested in a class action suit.
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Steve
Las Vegas, Nevada
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Consumer
Doesn't Matter,California,
U.S.A.
Steve's Info
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, November 01, 2009
Steve, I would like to contact you and there may be others like me. Please post your info.
Rudy
Whittier,California,
U.S.A.
I too was pressured into taking the psi leadership seminar in Northern California.
#8Consumer Suggestion
Mon, June 16, 2008
I am in agreement with you that the people behind the "Psi" seminar groups are predators who use people and profit from their personal struggles. My girlfriend at the time convinced me to take the basic course of which she paid. After the intense four day seminar, I was bombarded with pitches of why I needed to sign up for the leadership course which was a deeper and more fruitful course of which I had just taken. To my error I allowed myself to be coerced, and had Psi personnel charge over $3,000 for a 1 week seminar North of San Francisco, of which I never went and requested to have my money back, but was refused time after time. After facing so many difficult situations in my life at the time, I decided to forego, any claims and focused on getting my self back on track. However, after reading your comment, I think it is important for me to share my experiences with you and others so that other people would not have to go through the deception, and unethical business practices that are central to
Rusty
Whittier, CA. 90603.
Jamest
Beckenham,Europe,
United Kingdom
Do you want to discuss possible action? WHat is your experience?
#8Consumer Suggestion
Tue, May 20, 2008
Hi there
JUst read your response.
I would really like to discuss where you're at. It may be too late for you, but was wondering if you had any suggestions.
Can you contact me via this website?
Thanks
James
Anonymous
Las Vegas Nv.,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Vegas has lots of vulnerable people - PSI takes advantage and preys on that.
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, May 11, 2008
Steve - I agree 100% on your report of PSI. Attempting to turn their followers into
kool-aid drinkers. Oh, and if you complain about their company, they use their brainwashing technique of "Don't be a victim".
This organization is bad news, and they have no statistics over time to prove their worth. Nothing but a bunch of criminals preying on the weak.
Organized thought is a dangerous thing - especially religion and self help seminars.
Jamest
Beckenham,Europe,
United Kingdom
I am experiencing similar difficulties
#8Consumer Suggestion
Fri, May 09, 2008
I am glad to read about people who have been through what I'm going through. i.e. it's not just me.
Steve, please contact me if you have any advice, can suggest a good lawyer, or would like to start a joint lawsuit.
YOur case is almost identical to mine.
Except my time limit to use my tuition or have it transferred is nearly expired but not yet. Soon however, and I need to do something asap.
My problem with PSI is simply the administration side. I had by no means had enough of PSI, but it was not the right time for me to attend the MLS course.
Yes you sign a tuition refund form, stating that you have 1yr to use the tuition and it can be transferred only once to other PSI products. Yes I felt pressured to sign up for the MLS at the PSI course.
But what really bothers me is that they don't clearly explain the actual knightmare of a procedure to sell the d**n thing to someone else. I found someone from another city who would have bought it from me for the same or a little less than what I paid for it. They told me (by phone) that I had to sell it to someone from my own city, and that it had to be for the same type of course i.e. MLS or WLS. Also I had to get a notorised form mailed over. A fax was not acceptable.
So I then tried to work my way up the chain of command to understand why they had these rules in place, and what they meant, since the contact I had in Denver was not providing me any answers.
Surprise surprise the director of Denver basically told me that they operate like any other business. He compared it to an airline, who would not refund fees. He also didn't deny it when I said I wanted to sell it to someone who had attended their basic from another state and had been told it wasn't possible. And he didn't explain the rules.
It was a hard pill to swallow since they very much don't give you this business-customer relationship feeling when you attend the courses. It's a lot more personal and friendly, giving you the impression that all they care about is making people see their own truth and improve their lives.
I think the material in the courses is excellent infact, and people do need to take some personal responsibility for things that happen.
But after I swallowed the pill, I was directed back to the original person who could not answer my questions, who gave me the same blerb.
When I spoke with that person again, I was told that I could infact sell it to someone from my own city, and could fax the form over!!! Three months had passed, and a lot of money, time and stress trying to e-mail or phone to get some explanation on these stupid rules, and now they denied they ever told me that in the first place. Of course I have no proof.
By this time I had lost the chance with the individual who was going to buy it from me.
However, I am still pursuing the option of selling it to someone who wants to do a different course with them. What friggin difference it makes to them I can't figure out, and they won't tell me. It's hardly unfair. I understand they are a business for sure, and they shouldn't make a loss. But they're charging $100 to make a transfer, and it's not like they're losing money. They're getting all the other persons money and then some, which is more than they had from me. Also, that person may never have attended a further PSI course, had I not offered a lower price for the credit I was offering them.
It's really awful, because I do want to do further courses with them in the future, but they are really putting me off. They're trying to sell it someone for me from a basic seminar, but I'm basically going to lose $1000 or more to sell it. It's like they're going to auction it off for the lowest price they can get! I really need the money right now, and have told them that for the last 3 months.
I've asked them to cut me some slack, but to no avail.
I'm sorry to say. I do beleive in self help, and self improvement work, and most of what PSI does is great. But bottom line is for sure, this company only cares about money.
I am so fed up with it, I am tempted just to sell the d**n thing and make a big loss. But I don't like the way they've treated me.
James
England
Rene
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
A Letter From An Attorney Can Help
#8Consumer Suggestion
Mon, January 10, 2005
I have attended all of their seminars and enjoyed them. However, many people do not. Having been around this company quite a bit, I know that you can get a full refund by having an attorney write them a letter threatening to sue. If you were pressured, or feel scammed, you should begin a lawsuit or at least appear to begin one. They will issue you a refund. Teresa is the Area Director and in charge of the Las Vegas office. 702-364-1777. The next best thing is to mingle with the graduates and they will find someone who will buy your seat.
Krista
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Possible Solution
#8Consumer Comment
Sat, June 12, 2004
Hi,
I also attended PSI in Las Vegas, courtesy of a very good friend of mine. He had paid for a one of their seminars, couldn't go, and transfered it to me. Why don't you go and reaudit, get a name of the sign up list for the other courses, and start trying to sell your space, maybe give the buyer a slight discount, and then go transfer the paperwork...at least you wouldn't be totally out all your money.....
anyways, just a thought....