Robert Allen Institute, Creating Wealth With Real Estate almost hooked me, master manipulators, Scammers, Decitful, ripoff, scam, fraud, dishonest, lying, Orlando Florida
Yesterday (June 26th, 2007) I attended a free 2 hour workshop with the Robert Allen Institute for Creating Wealth with Real Estate in Surrrey (Vancouver), BC. The speaker, Chuck was very well spoken and knowledgeable about real estate. He was reeling in everyone including myself. Their presentation is very convincing, and soon had everyone seeing dollar signs in their eyes.
They closed the session strong by emphasizing their money back guarantees. One says that they will refund your money back after the first day of the training, the other guarantee says that you will make your money back from the course within one year or your money back. After reading all the horror stories about all the people who have tried to get their money back after disappointing experiences I realized that this was a scam.
The first red light for me was when the free workshop ended. Chuck would not answer questions in front of the group. This said to me that he had something to hide. Chuck said he would only answer questions at the back of the room one on one. This location was chosen strategicaly because this is where they are selling the training.
The second red light was when I asked one of the assistants, Terry where the training was being held (only the dates were mentioned in the workshop) he said he did not know. I was very surprised because this was the third free workshop of six being offered (What?! no one had asked at the previous two workshops) and the date of the training was to begin in less than two weeks (July 7, 2007). What further surprised me was that he made no attempt to find out where the training was to be held.
The third oddity I noticed was that Chuck had said that if you buy the three day training course tonight it would cost $3495 (no PST and GST hilarious!) instead of the $4995 that was originally stated. I asked Terry about this after the workshop and he informed me that the offer was actually good until Wednesday morning (June, 27, 2007). This told me that Chuck was employing a classic high pressure marketing strategy.
My advice to everyone is to do your research on a company before even thinking about giving them money for a product or service. Many of these opperations are very organized, smooth and calculated. A great deal of research is done to figure out how to lure you in. They almost had me if I had not done my research after the workshop!
*Also NEVER give any company your emial, address, or phone number unless you like to be spammed, junk mailed, or telemarketed. If after careful research of a company you decide to utalized their product or service it is easy to find them again using a quick internet search.
REMEMBER LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Michael
Surrey, British Columbia
Canada
3 Updates & Rebuttals
303andrewp
Denver,Colorado,
U.S.A.
Robert Allen is a fraud
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, November 27, 2008
"Robert Allen" is an alias. The gentleman who has taken this name has served time in both Utah State prision system and the Federal Bureau of Prisons for fraud and theft.
Ugly
Menlo Park,California,
U.S.A.
I agree with this report - dangerous scam
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, August 11, 2008
I called a toll free number assuming the company was offering a free training.
They switched me to another employee who could have sold anyone anything.
The person was a VERY slick salesperson..........the best I've ever heard.
I put over 3,000.00 that I did not have and could not afford on a never used
credit card. When I realized what I had done, I called and tried to cancel.
They would NOT let me cancel and I finally went to a federal agency and
to my credit card company. I was then let off. They have a very slick
scam, supposedly to make you a milliionaire by using other people's credit.
This is a very dangerous rip off. Do NOT fall for it.
Pete
Orlando,Florida,
U.S.A.
misinformed, misunderstood
#4UPDATE Employee
Wed, June 27, 2007
A few points to consider:
1. Keep in mind you are reading biased reports with partial facts that represent only one side of the coin. Surely youre aware that many situations occur outside of contractual agreements in which part or all of the consumer side of the agreement was not met. This part is often left out by disgruntled consumers who write their report based on negative emotions.
2. In addition to the above, have you ever researched Pepsi, Ford, Sony, General Electric, etc? Almost every major company that you have ever bought anything from has at one time had negative reports written on it. Clearly it does not necessarily mean that the company is a bad one. Otherwise they wouldnt stil be in business. So for someone to base their decision on the preceeding, would constitute neglegence in research, ignorance, and/or close-mindedness.
3. The guarantee has always and will always be honored. Had it not, governments of certain states, provinces, and countries would not allow us to operate.
4. The reason that the speaker answers questions on an individual basis is for the benefit of the attendees. Many attendees approach with questions that involve personal information that would be considered inappropriate to violate the privacy of. It is not uncommon. (ie: financial situations, personal forclosures, etc)
5. If a representative had told you they did not know where the training was, it is obvious that there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication, since during the orientation following enrollment, that information is mentioned. It is also located in the folder that is given out to new students upon enrolling. Not giving that information out would not benefit the company or rep in any shape or form.
6. GST is included in the price that is given out. Robert Allen absorbs that for you :-) . PST is not necessary because it falls under education/training as per provincial law.
7. You are more than welcome to pay full price on the internet at any time, but attending a free workshop allows you to take advantage of a $1000 discount. Part of the reason that the guarantee is offered is so that your decision is NOT a high pressure decision. Coupons for store merchandise expire. Are they high pressure also?
8. If these are your only concerns, any representative for the company would have been happy to answer these, so that you may have had a chance to see both sides of the coin.
My sincere apologies for any misunderstanding you may have had. I hope that you will find it within yourself to compile any additional question and approach the company (in a positive manner) so that you may be able to see the true benefits of the program. I have truely and honestly seen far too many people succeed with this program to feel otherwise.