Steve Sarnoff makes wild claims of "Turn $5000 into $1 million". Well, it's all hype, and I fell for it.
Here's the promo:
"Each week, I tell my readers to make just 1 investment buy. And since November of 2006, not one pick has lost value! It's no wonder our readers could have turned $5,000 into $1 million in just over 5 years! Now, we're quickly closing in on $2 million! Read on to find out how!"
- Steve Sarnoff, editor, Options Hotline
I've been seeing these promos for years, and decided to give it a shot. Everything in my following letter(s) is completely factual, unfortunately for me. Look these stocks up, Sarnoff was exactly wrong on each an every one.
Here is the newsletter he sends his subscribers. Please note the first 3 words of this one: "I've been wrong." Also note that each prediction is a loser, with "nominal value" another way of saying worthless.
OPTIONS HOTLINE
MIDWEEK OUTLOOK
808 St. Paul, Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: 800-436-1295 Fax 410/454-0407 2008
http://www.agorafinancial.com/THE_PUBS/OHL/index.html
January 9, 2008
I've been wrong. Bears began the year in growling fashion, breaking some support, and grabbing the short-term advantage. Recession talk and worries over corporate profits have many investors spooked. The pros are stepping in to buy up bargains. Today's action looks like the start of a snapback rally. Will it be enough to restore our calls to health? A challenge of newly created resistance, from the recent decline, will be
the key to whether or not buyers regain the edge.
Open Option Positions Review
The SPY January $150 call (SYHAT) closed at a nominal value. Shares closed at $140.37, looking to rally from the $138.00-$142.00 support area. Below that, support is at $134.00-$135.00. Resistance is now at: $144.50-$146, $148.00-$153.00, $156.50, and $160.00-$165.00.
The Disney January $35 call (DISAG) closed at a nominal value. Shares closed at $30.16, looking to turn up from $25-$30 support. Resistance is now at $32-$36 and $40.
The Amgen January $60 call (YAAAL) closed at a nominal value. Shares closed at $47.65. Support is at $45-$46.78. Resistance is at: $48-$53.12, $56-$57.35, $60-$62.85 and $65-$68.
The Starbucks January $25 call (SQXAE) closed at a nominal value. Shares closed at $19.46, with support at $18-$19. Resistance is at: $20-$21,$22-$23.87 and $25-$28.
The Wal-Mart March $50 call (WMTCJ) closed at $105. Shares closed at $46.90, finding support. Resistance is at $48-$50. Above that, resistance is at $55-$62. Support is at $44-$47 and $40-$42.
The Alcoa April $40 call (AA DH) closed at $55. Shares closed at $31.25, looking to bounce back after a sharp decline. Resistance is now at: $34-$35, $37-$40, $45-$48, and $50-$53. Support is at $30-$32.
The Intel April $25 call (INQDE) closed at $100. Shares closed at $22.75, looking to recover. Resistance is at $24-$28 and $30-$33. Support is at $20-$22.25.
Steven Sarnoff, Editor
To log in to the website, please visit
http://www.agorafinancial.com/THE_PUBS/OHL/index.html and click on the Log
In button on the right hand side. Below is your permanent username and password:
This is the letter sent to Steve Sarnoff on January 9, 2008:
Dear Steve,
Since joining you in October, 2007, here's my record with you so far, as of yesterday, January 8, 2008 on your open positions.
Bought SPY January $150 call on 12/27 for $172, now $4.
Bought DIS January $35 call on 12/24 for $20, now $3.
Bought AMGN January $60 call on 10/16 for $224, now $1.
Bought SBUX January $25 call on 11/19 for $75, now $0.
Bought WMT March $50 call on 12/17 for $154, now $8.
Bought AA April $40 call on 12/07 for $210, now $45.
Bought INTC April $25 call on 12/07 for $305, now $86.
I realize that I bought the Disney and Alcoa call options late, but still, they haven't worked out.
What has happened here? I subscribed after reading the promo literature that told me that you hadn't had a losing trade since 2002? I've lost thousands of dollars on these positions. Please advise. I came to you because you had so many winners, and have played each trade as you have instructed. I never expected each position to win, but all of our open January positions have lost and are losing. I anxiously await your reply.
Sincerely,
John
I received no response. Here is the letter I sent on January 13, 2008:
Dear Steve,
Please refund my money and cancel my subscription.
Since joining you on October 10, 2007, here's my record with you so far, as of January 8, 2008 on your open positions.
Bought SPY January $150 call on 12/27 for $172, now $4.
Bought DIS January $35 call on 12/24 for $20, now $3.
Bought AMGN January $60 call on 10/16 for $224, now $1.
Bought SBUX January $25 call on 11/19 for $75, now $0.
Bought WMT March $50 call on 12/17 for $154, now $8.
Bought AA April $40 call on 12/07 for $210, now $45.
Bought INTC April $25 call on 12/07 for $305, now $86.
I realize that I bought the Disney and Alcoa call options late, but still, they haven't worked out.
What has happened here? I subscribed after reading the promo literature that told me that you hadn't had a losing trade since 2002?
I've lost thousands of dollars on these positions. Please cancel my subscription and give me a refund. I came to you because you had so many winners, and have played each trade as you have instructed. I never expected each position to win, but all of our open January positions have lost. I anxiously await your reply. Please refund my money and cancel my subscription.
Sincerely,
John
Still no response. I called, asked for, and received a refund. No response from Steve Sarnoff, although he claims to read email.
John
Los Angeles, California
U.S.A.