I have been (and still am)impressed by the work of John Assaraf as an online motivation/ coaching service.
I have not been impressed with his corporate practices, their charges and their inflexibility and their unwillingness to give refunds for businesses that have not produced an increase in income. On 7 March 2009, having had over one months 'courtship' with One Coach's Peter Luft, and having tried to get a low fee rate for my new small business I signed up for $765 a month's worth of coaching. I had received the following email apology from Mr Luft that a low rate could not be entertained. (Note he says that he 'disvussed with John" suggesting that John Assarraf was aware of my appeal for a lower rate. Notwithstanding and optimistic after all the courtship from Peter and John, I signed up.)
"I discussed with John and we cannot entertain a contingent type of structure. I wasnt aware of it but we get a ton of these types of requests and cannot set a precedent with any of our clients. As I previously mentioned, I suggest that you join the Business Growth Network (BGN) and take advantage of the many benefits it provides (see attached BGN brochure). I would also suggest a heavy coaching regimen with Giles Fabris who can help guide you through our system to help you package everything properly. This could be a small investment compared to the resulting return. This would all allow you the ability to use our resources in order to focus on the number one priority now (getting launched) and then focus on building and growing your brand along with expanding Harmonia Productions.
Also, as we discussed, I have attached for your review our Business Growth Network brochure. Please note that the items on the first page with a DOT beside them are all included with your Business Growth Network membership. The items with a DIAMOND beside them are ala carte and a few (O.N.E. events, Masterminding, Live workshops and the Mind, Marketing and Millions event) are only available in North America. I will outline below the various programs that we reviewed with their respective investment."
Quantity | Part Number: | Product | Ext. Price |
1 | R-100-200-04 | Business Growth Network & 4 Coach calls-OC-Monthly The Business Growth Network offers 24/7 access to the answers you need to grow the business you want. This monthly financing option includes Best Practices, Networking and Four 30-minute sessions per month of one-on-one coaching with a certified OneCoach professional business coach to help you build your business faster. | $765.0" |
In July after 5 months coaching , I was not seeing any increase in income and, still paying my coaching fees final total $3825, i was running out of cash. I stopped my coaching and in August I informed Onecoach that, because of my business cashflow shortage and lack of increased income, I wished to supend my coaching and requested a part or full refund of fees. Laura Harkin of Onecoach finance point blank refused any refund, referring me to the Terms and Conditions that I signed at the start of the coaching-see email below.
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 2:32 AM
show details 09/08/2009 |
The issue here is not the quality of John Assaraf's services generally. I still rate him as a great coach.
The issue is that in my particular case of coaching, the increased income for my business -the prime reason for me signing up to Onecoach in the first place-did not happen.Other aspects of my coaching-cameraderie, motivation, light-heartedness all worked fine so i remain not completely critical of Onecoach.
My last email to Peter Luft in December 2009, requesting a refund, was ignored.
I am still seeking at least a partial refund of fees.
I am disappointed that Onecoach do not operate a no questions money-back guarantee.I accept that I signed the Terms and Conditions of the contract, however unfair they may appear, in retrospect.
I note that other online business coaches-Mark Jxxxx and Stephen Pxxxx (((REDACTED))) are two high profile examples of such businesses - do.
Giles Fabris
Encinitas,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, March 05, 2013
While the last post may be accurate. It doesn't concern me. for ALL the customers that I coached as an independant contractor for Mr. Assaraf I delivered beyond what was expected.
Whether Assarf was a jerk isn't really fair to me...after his company closed I was left owed money that was never repaid-as you can imagine while I don't like this I just have to move on and take the loss-although this is something I'd never do to anyone. Ifd my company folded I'd pay back each and every one of the people who I owed money regardless of whether my business closed or not-as a matter of integrety.-But hey thats just me.
I agree that Income takes time to build and a business doesn't happen overnight. this is the point of my post the customer simply didn't follow through with practical tangible coaching.
notgonnatakeit
Auburn,#3General Comment
Mon, March 04, 2013
I interacted with a company who worked with Assaraf and he was a jerk to work with and does not conduct himself in a professional manner. He was very rude and aggressive, and wasn't flexible with the company. Based on what I've heard about Assaraf and his lack of professionalism, I would never buy any of his coaching products or services and I think the Secret is a big hoax - just another attempt to rip people off in the coaching arena. Income takes time to build and a business doesn't happen overnight. I'm all for positive thinking but if your intention is only focused on monetary then your intention is not coming from the right place. I'm not surprised that you haven't had success with Assaraf's coaching program.
Giles Fabris
Encinitas,#4UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, January 22, 2013
For the interests of accuracy:
I was hired by OneCoach to coach a customer through a program that was designed by OneCoach and was supposed to bring each customer affluence and business success (And I believe that Mr Assaraf/Onecoach did create a program in good faith)
I'm not a fan of OneCoach (The company hired me and went bankrupt owing me a considerable sum of money) all completely legal and sad to see the company "Go under".
I must point out though that the client did not commit to the OneCoach coaching program, I observed that he didn't compete his assignments and was unwilling to do what was needed (Either as a result of being unable or unwilling) I providd the customer with much more of my time than he purchased (I'm sure he'll agree with this fact) in my humble opinion he just didn't take action on the recommended action advised by OneCoach. Now one could argue that if he didn't have the skills to follow through that he wasn't an ideal customer to enter the program, but I'll leave that for another discussion.
ultimately to sign up for a coaching program and then ask for your money back when you don't get results but have failed to take the action that the program asks is easy to do, Its easy to write negative comments about anyone online, easy to place the blame on others when you fail.
I hope this comment comes across as a positive and accurate, the customer is a good man I believe
Regards.
Giles Fabris
Thomas Wind
Plano,#5Consumer Comment
Mon, December 06, 2010
Hey buddy,
Why slander John Assaraf's name when you are the one who is broke, bitter and pissed off you can't afford to pay on a contract you agreed to.
Why would John's company lower their cost for a struggling person, who is more likely to fail that those that see the value and pay the asking price.
I have found that if a person can't pay the asking price, asks for a lower price, or complains about the price... that person is most likely to BLAME the company for his failure.
You should be ashamed of yourself for using this forum to slander a very famous man who is full of integrity and his company's policies are written and clear for anyone to see.
Perhaps you should just get a real job and leave the entrepreneurship to people who can take responsibility for their actions.
T. Wind
Texas, USA
Mihail
Hove,#6Author of original report
Thu, March 04, 2010