Complaint Review: Stock Market Funding - Internet

I am going to make sure as many people know the truth about this place.  It is a scam and you want to go in for the 5 day trial and then leave.  Maybe if you go in during an options expiration you will get some advice to make a bit of money if that happens do not be tempted. The school is expensive and no one makes any money.   All of the staff are rude and unhelpful.  Just staying away is your best bet.   I was in the school and know first hand.

I recently took part in the 5 day free trial offered by Stockmarketfunding. I found it to be a great learning experience! I was able to interact with anyone of the participants, but did not do so too often, as many of them are focused, trying to trade the market. Mario was concerned that I was able to follow along, and regularly checked in with me as I observed the live trading. He exudes passion for what he does, and I would recommend this to anyone!

If you want to participate in their program after the free trial, it will cost. I have not participated in this portion of the program, due to my personal financial situation, however I hope to do so eventually. You get assistance from other members, and Mario himself! They even fund a trading account for you! You get to go live with this account once you are ready! This is amazing!

Overall my experience has been quite positive! My eyes have been opened to the manipulative practices market makers engage in, and if you are serious about trading, you'd better understand how they work. Mario is a great teacher, and I strongly disagree with the sentiment expressed by the previous person!

I am a ex-student.  Though, not kicked out, but had to leave because I couldn't afford the monthly payments.  

I have to refute the claim that Mr. Marciano "Designated" people to come into the free trial. That is absurd.   There is is no way to prove that claim and Mr. Marciano offered the full disclosure terms, as well as requiring people coming into the room to sign disclosures of which he/she fully understood the terms they were about to adhere to. 

Although the complaintant says that he has no 'foundation of which he is an expert on trading' It is understandable to question the instructors background and 'qualifications', that is why, during the 5 day trial, you were given the opportunity to explore said credentials. 

Due process is up to you, in the hopes that you make an independent decision as to what you perceive as legit.

"Mario Marciano is a control freak" I have to agree, but also, it is you that is in his 'territory', you consented to be in the room. Some people have difficulty with controlling people than others.  I do recall that there were trades where you did not announce to the group of which you were required to announce.  It was standard protocol to announce each trade.  

There were times where I made money, and there we times where I lost money. It is equivalent to my experience as an independent day trader. The MARKET is an unforgiving beast that swallows the unattentive investor who has high hopes while trades with a daydream.  It is not for everyone.  While I too have been frustrated by Mr. Marciano, I have taken responsibility for my losses. Additionally, you have read the contract(s) that say, NO REFUNDS, so while I agree that some of your $30,000 should be refunded, on a prorated basis on portions you were not in the room, you can not honestly expect money refunded for your losses.  

Steve, why dont you start addressing the specific issues you articulated all so well in the above trading plan prior to try to make erroneous deformational claims. We never told you to ride any of those trades down and you admitted it. You are stubborn, you dont use the system, and you think magic will happen, those are your words not ours.

  SMF Pro Traders Weakness #2: I seem to think that I know something no one else knows. I dont accept reality.

From: steve hakkarainen [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 3:55 PM
To: 
Subject: SMF and Mario Marciano defrauded me

2. His payment structure is unfair and dishonest. Why did I pay more than other people in the same program?
3. I paid a Risk Management Fee of 1225.00. It "is to watch all account utilizing capital when trading." Well no one ever watched my account. I asked Mario to get me out of a trade twice and he never did. The first time I asked he told me to do it myself. I had just begun and did not understand the trading platform well enough. "In times of panic, people freeze up", he said. The second time, I was overseas and had asked him to get me out of some call options I was holding. He never did. When I returned and asked him about it, he just yelled at me and tried to make me look like I was the one who was in the wrong. Actually, if he would have sold them like I had asked, I would not have lost as much money as I did. So, why did I pay for his services?
4. I also paid for his Managed Account Services Program $2500 per year. In order to get me to join his school, he said that he would make some trades for me. This was one of the biggest reasons I joined. Since I live overseas, I was not able to be at my trading desk. He was nice to offer a solution, but he never made a single trade for me. It was very deceptive of him to say that to me.
5. Some other deceptive tricks Mario uses are: "Someone offered me $200,000 to use this formula, but I said no." and "I wouldn't sell this platform for a million dollars because it is more valuable to you guys." "If someone wants to rent it, like a bank, they would have to pat 250,000." We never hear a person making these offers. Mario just says things like this to hype up the conversations. His talk of big money is not necessary. We are just trying to learn how to trade.
6. He designates certain people to talk to people on the trial lesson. Other people are told not to have any contact with them. I was never designated, so the only reason I figure he does this is because he has a specific agenda and also because other traders might tell the truth and scare away his would be customers.
7. 4 months into his school, he started making big changes. He started the MMT division and Apprenticeship Program. I was told I could remove the funds from my account and be in the apprenticeship program, so I did. Then, last week Mario and Scotty (an SMF trainee) told me that the contract states I cannot be in his school if I remove the funds from my trading account. 2 days later, Mario removed me from his trading school.

I am sure there are other things I want to add, so I will add later and post it elsewhere for others to read.

I paid over $30,000.00 USD into SMF and Mario's personal bank account. After that, I heard him bragging about his new car. I heard it's the best money can buy, Mario. $30,000 for a 12 month course and then he kicks me out of his school after only 8 months. That money was my family's future. We have a 2 year old and a baby on the way. We drive a tiny 15 year old car. My wife and I both work hard every day. She saves and I try to invest for our future. We'll continue, but Mario Marciano has left an imprint that will take years to heal.

Sendai, Japan
http://greenhakka.com

This is a rebuttal to this bogus report from a disgruntled former student who was removed from our school for several reasons. 

 #2 Steve proceeded to buy and long risky options positions without consent incurring massive losses without direction from SMF.