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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 6 Aug 2009 13:05 · Edited by: Nothappy
Reply
I have heard several saying they are doing great with Thrive or its affiliates. No one can ever produce the bank statements to prove it. Anyone can say I am doing great, but without proof you are nothing more than a stoolie for Thrive. Someone on here showed a site that sold fake guns it wasn't even in the top 25 pages of Goggle and there were no sponsor links of that site ad. The company was listed in Utah. How you could be making any money is very questionable. If Thrive is so great of a company why is it unable to return the money to these people and satisfy their clients? Of course, they can pay to cover their tracks and protect their reputation. Everyday someone new shows up stating they were ripped off. Thrive can pay off ripoffrepot.com and even the BBB of Utah but they seem to have trouble paying back the money to the people who really matter the most their unhappy customers. So until someone shows the bank statements showing proof of just how much you are making each and every month for a year stay out of our way as you are nothing more than a lying scum!
Thanks to Bahvesh (remember him) and others for providing the ammo to fight this scum. He was silenced and probably rewarded handsomely for all his effort. Goodbye and Good luck buddy wherever life takes you. If you are reading, I am going to attempt to help at least five others. Those of you in the process of getting your refund don't forget to help others. Remember how lost and discouraged you felt when you had to start this fight.
Need help getting your money back!!
Contact me.
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workerbee
Member
Joined: 5 Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 6 Aug 2009 17:56
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Today I am trying to cancel my web hosting with Thrive and my merchant account with iMax bancard. I had to leave a message for someone named Courtney at Thrive to get my account cancelled. The last time I left a message for Courtney she never called back at all. We'll see what happens with that. I imagine when they try to process the next payment and it won't go through they will probably call me. I did get through to iMax and spoke to a gentleman named Chris. It seems like the cancellation fee for the merchant account can be whatever they want it to be. He first told me it was $295 and when I was upset about that he said he could bring it down to $150. I told him I couldn't pay $150 either and that I was going to the Attorney General about Thrive he said that they have a special rate for the elderly and physically handicapped that he would give me. That is $69.95. He is supposed to be sending me a form via e-mail that I need to fax back to get the account cancelled before the next billing cycle. I will have my bank stop paying that one too, since I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. So, what do I need to do next? How can I get any of my money back? Is there really a way?
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 46
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# Posted: 6 Aug 2009 19:39 · Edited by: IMarketer
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Didn't realize Bravesh had deleted his posts.
I wonder what happened?
Maybe he got a refund and they required it?
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2009 09:22
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Workerbee, I had the bank stop payment and placed the charges in dispute; They did a chargeback for only 60 days prior. Next I waited to receive a letter/bill from their collection dept. Then I wrote a letter with my complaint and disputed the charge asking them to wave the amount due and refund what I was charged for. I also wrote them a brief explanation of my negative experience with Thrive along with my complaint and attached a copy of the State of Illinois cease and desist order against Online Data Institute/Thrive Learning Institute. I faxed all this info yesterday at 2:15pm. I received a call from the collections department rep. around 3:15pm telling me they received the info; they will look it over and call me back tomorrow.
They spoke and listened to me as an equal. They were punctual about their actions. They took the time to look over and understand my problem. The next day (just as they said) at 9:45am they informed me that not only were they waving the amount due, but they are going to refund my money in full.
Cease and desist order against Thrive:
http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/securities/administrative_actions/2008/ october/onlinedata_o2cd.pdf
p.s. Don't forget to sign the Petition:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/27433.html
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workerbee
Member
Joined: 5 Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2009 10:31
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Nothappy, was your merchant account with iMax bancard? I hope so, since you seem to be having some success with this. I called the bank this morning and the only thing they would do is stop payment on any new $35 charges from iMax. That's a start. They told me to send a registered letter to iMax so that if they try to take any more money out of my account it will be bank fraud and Bank of America will go after them. Now, having gotten a good start on that, what do I do about Thrive themselves? Are people really getting their money back, and if so, how?
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2009 10:36 · Edited by: Nothappy
Reply
Workerbee, In my letter to the merchant account company I informed them I would wait 5 business days before sending information to consumer protection and writting about my experience with them in online forums. I also informed them I would include their name in my complaint reports about Thrive to goverment agencies.
You have to cancel your mechant account and refuse to pay to close it, since you did not activate or even use it.
contact me for more help
check profile
p.s. I can't tell you who my mechant account was with ,but don't worry you are on the right track
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workerbee
Member
Joined: 5 Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 7 Aug 2009 17:32
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Nothappy, sorry I don't know how to contact you. I'm new to this forum stuff.
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 8 Aug 2009 10:13
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Workerbee, Click "member" under my name to bring up my profile.You will find my email address.
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struggler
Member
Joined: 4 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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# Posted: 10 Aug 2009 05:23
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Hi Nothappy, I just sent you an email. Do you mind if I get a help from you? Thank you.
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shooterscenter
Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 10 Aug 2009 13:29
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Thrive learning is a rip off! You pay good money only to find they have coachs that can't answer questions and can only read scripts from an outdated knowledge base. There are some much cheaper programs that'll work better you must research before giving any of these companies money. I went thru thrive and found the coaches knew less than i already knew, they'll avoid answering questions and give you little to no help!
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MyChagrin
Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 12
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# Posted: 10 Aug 2009 21:23
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I can't believe I found this forum. I thought I was alone in this mess. I feel like there might be a way out of my Thrive induced debt situation. I started in December 2008 and I have my website up but no sales. When I call to get approval for my site I get a different person every time giving me conflicting advice. And the Benchmarks keep changing from when I started in December to now.
I would like to keep by website but I definitely want to transfer my domain and hosting and of course I will probably have to rebuild my entire site, but at least i can use up-to-date web builders. You can host your site at other places for as low as $6.00 a month and I 'm paying $40.00..what a rip off. I was told everything I needed would be included when I handed over my "chunk of change". But guess what? Not so. Anyway I am going to try and get my money back since one of my credit cards with the low interest now suddenly jumped to double digits. I am paying over $100 a month in interest charges on one card and that doesn't include any other charges! Wow. I sure did my self proud with this little deal. Any words of wisdom?
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ovlov1
Member
Joined: 12 Aug 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 12 Aug 2009 21:20
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Was anyone here sold the Thrive BS by the sales floor of 6 Figure Consulting? My story mirrors all the posters before me in spades. I'm trying to get my money back from the seller, 6 Figure. It's run by a Josh Lindsay, he has a history that's all bad from what I can uncover. I have filed complaints with the Utah BBB, FTC, my Senator and Congressman. The Utah BBB is receiving complaint's about them almost daily. I suggest you go on line and add yours. They have a form you fill out on line. I too am retired with the time and inclination to pursue them till I get my money back! I will be contacting an attorney soon to pursue that avenue as well.
__________________
Ronald
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MyChagrin
Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 12
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# Posted: 13 Aug 2009 00:40
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ovlov1: Yes, the name on my credit card bill was for 6 figure consulting. I was confused since they represented themselves as Thrive Learning Institute. I guess I should have gotten a clue right then. Hindsight is 20/$20,000.
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 13 Aug 2009 13:17
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Yes Imarketer! I feel the loss of Bhavesh here too! He has been at the forefront of helping all of us in the process of refunds! If not for him, I would not have taken the action required to get my refund-or not done so as quickly. I can only hope that he has deleted his posts because he has received a refund. But does that mean that his petition is no longer active? Bhavesh, if you are at least still reading this forum, Thank You for your hard work and dedication to helping all of us!
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MyChagrin
Member
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 12
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# Posted: 13 Aug 2009 23:06
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For those of us just finding this forum, could you share the information that Bhavesh has deleted with us? Or at least give us some direction or links to help us?
Thanks
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 14 Aug 2009 05:14
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MyChagrin,
I recommend you go back to page 7 of this forum thread and read all of what joeblow2009 and used and abused have to say. There is a lot of good advise there that is pretty much what Bhavesh recommended. If you read my past posts you will see that I was successful at having my cc charges reversed. That was something Bhavesh recommended that we all try. So go back and read some of my entries too. You will gain strength by reading over several of these pages as you see that we are all or have been in the same boat!
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 16 Aug 2009 11:53
Reply
MyChagrin, Let me help...contact me. KonaBean(the new publishers name on the petetion) also sent me some info...you can contact her as well.
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struggler
Member
Joined: 4 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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# Posted: 17 Aug 2009 18:49
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After doing intensive research on Thrive learning, I was furious what they have done to me and so many people who signed up for it. I've gathered enough information that they are nothing else but just a true scammer. I'm going to do the same process that Imanidiottoo has taken referring to Page 8 of this thread to get my refund for my down payment with thrive I had paid through my bank. After that I'm taking legal action referring to Page 7 on joeblow2009 has said and the article he's posted in order to reverse the contract. Thrive is non-legitimate company and reading all this post, looking through each post, and gathering information has proved it. It's time for me to take an action now that I have affirmed that I know what Thrive learning institute really is.
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Taken4aride
Member
Joined: 31 Jul 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2009 10:37
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Thrive told me a refund was not going to happen. I bet they have said that many times!! So if that isn't going to happen, why are they buying people's silence!! Why are people deleting the truth about Thrive dishonesty?
After all Thrive said they didn't lie to me. They didn't sell me the package. He just keep talking louder and louder. So loud he could be heard across the room at my house from the telephone.
Thrive claimed they did not call me to set up the Imax merchant account. That was Imax impersonating Thrive. What a den of thieves!! For what they have all received in monies, I guess they can lie about each other and still go the bank with our money!!
Anyone even thinking about joining up with Thrive - DON'T DO IT!!
[Post edited - Admin]
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workerbee
Member
Joined: 5 Aug 2009
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2009 09:47
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I just recently started trying to get my money back from Thrive. On Saturday I filed a complaint with the BBB and the State of Utah Division of Consumer Protection and I sent certified letter to Thrive and iMax canceling my accounts and requesting a refund. I had already called the credit card companies and gotten any future payments stopped. I already feel a million times better just having the monthly payments for the hosting and merchant accounts stopped, but I want my initial investment back too so I can pay off the credit cards.
I had been trying to get a response from someone (anyone!) at Thrive last week and when I left a voice mail asking for a refund I got a call right away. When that person called back he said that I should go ahead and send the certified letter as it says on the contract and he would have someone would get back to me to discuss the cancellation. I never heard back from anyone so I sent an e-mail and finally got a response to that and a call from Zach Bradshaw yesterday. After reading your post Taken4aride, I really didn't want a yelling match with this guy on the phone at work, so I was really calm and nice and he was really calm but said that he wouldn't give me a refund. He said that since I had purchased this to learn the marketing etc. and was unhappy with the site builder and only having the online library for education he could switch it to a 6 week program of "Proactive Coaching" with phone calls, e-mails and live chat, and then 6 more months of "Reactive Coaching" with just e-mails and live chat. Even though I have no interest in more bad service from them I told him that I would talk to my husband and call back and leave him a message with our answer. I did take the opportunity to give Mr. Bradshaw some suggestions about how to keep customers, like honesty, keeping promises, returning phone calls, good products, accurate information in their videos, that sort of thing. He just kept saying "uh huh" and I could tell he was really working to keep a lid on it. My husband is still in the cussing mad stage, so I called and left the message last night telling Thrive that I don't want their coaching and still want my refund. I have kind of a sick feeling about today, because I'm sure that I will be getting a much less "calm" phone call. I got my confirmation from the BBB this morning that they will be contacting Thrive about my complaint, so that should fuel it up nicely too. This whole situation has been incredibly stressful and I can't wait for it to come to an end!
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2009 13:29 · Edited by: Nothappy
Reply
Zach Bradshaw don't care . He is just stringing you along and offering to give you more of that lousy service. He wouln't even return my phone calls... even after leaving several messages.
Look at the new lower level Thrive is willing to stoop to;
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/thrive-learning-institute-c151700.html
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 19 Aug 2009 13:45
Reply
Sombodys' angry...
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struggler
Member
Joined: 4 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2009 15:37
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hey, did you guys check BBB? Thrive learning is now not accredited by BBB. I went there and saw No rating. I wonder what happened? Maybe something went down with them since there were mass complaints against them?
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2009 23:09
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It changes from time to time just like the name and address...look at this load of lies about Thrive LLC;
https://www.onlinebusinessbureau.com/Companyrating.cfm?Company_ID=1838234
How there can be so many signatures on the petition and no complaints?! What a load of s***! It really raises questions like, why there even is a BBB...
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struggler
Member
Joined: 4 Aug 2009
Posts: 19
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2009 02:03
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Wait, Not Happy. Don't get deceived by thrive. This is Online Business Bureau which is completely different from Better Business Bureau. If you look at
http://www.onlinebusinessbureau.com/index.cfm
they themselves say for themselves that they are not even related with Better Business Bureau in any way. You were probably provided this link by people of thrive when you talked to people of thrive, correct?
well, I'm wondering if online business bureau is legit itself or not. This is my guess but they might be a part of scammer that backs up for the true scammer for people to believe that they are legitimate. Try comparing it with Better Business Bureau.
http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/training-program-companies/thrive-learning-i n-orem-ut-22219354
Better Business Bureau are providing much information as possible about the company and listing of complaints. Yet there are no details provided of complaints or any other information regarding companies' behavior in Online Business Bureau's website. The way how they rate is weird as well for only having 3 different ratings. Ratings include such as Recommended (Green Mark) for being registered or not being registered (Yellow Mark) or having unresolved complaints (Red Mark). Their way of grading seems way too vague to the point that they are trying to hide the detail from us consumers as much as possible. From this, existence of ONLINE business bureau smells fishy.
Also, check the link above on ratings for Thrive on BETTER Business Bureau. I have been checking on bbb.org to see if their grading went down or not. It was "A-" for a while but now it's "NO RATING". The reason for this probably was that there were some Government Action taken against them. It could be possible that people's complaints became civil and they were banned from the BBB accreditation. Whichever it is, Thrive still has a lot of fishy part of them when you do more research about them and I believe that there would be more of government action going against them.
I want to believe that those scammers aren't lasting long.
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IMarketer
Member
Joined: 9 Apr 2008
Posts: 46
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2009 09:06
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Struggler is right.
Anyone can buy a domain name and start a membership site.
It doesn't mean the site has any official standing.
onlinebusinessbureau.com even states that the BBB is a private company, and then proves that it is too.
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2009 09:21
Reply
Yes, you are right I had the wrong link. I was given this by former customers of thrive. Yes, I have both of thier link pages...confusing aint it .They are completly diffrerent yet this is no help. Even more confusing was thrives A- rating(now "no Rating")and the summit groups D rating. They are together in this scam. It even states this in goverment actions. They should have the same "No Rating"...and be listed as "not a BBB Accredited Business". Any how Its nice to see some kind of action against them. Let's hope their in serious trouble. Send your complaint to Consumer protection if you havn't already done so.
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2009 12:47
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Yes you all! Hurry up and send in your complaint before the Thrive people and associates go totally under and have no money to return! I know Bhavesh told me before he disappeared that he was aware that there was serious investigation going on...
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stillwaiting
Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2009
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2009 14:42 · Edited by: stillwaiting
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Okay guys, I am one of those "suckers" who fell for the whole song and dance at Thrive Learning. I am in debt of over $10K and currently have a complaint in with the FTC and the BBB of Utah. Thrive struke back offering me....NO refund, but additional coaching, calls, etc. I am certainly not going to continue with this nightmare and hope that this company gets what is coming to them. I contacted my bank about this whole scam mess and they told me that they could not dispute the charges since there was a 3 day cancellation policy with the company. I am considering of going to a lawyer to get my money back. Any other insight/ info would be greatly appreciated. I have nothing good to say about this company. I only wish I had done my research and homework first.
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2009 17:45
Reply
Stillwaiting,
Are you saying that you charged the 10K on a credit card through your bank and then the bank won't dispute the charges based on the contract that you signed? My experience is that I had a cc through a bank that I didn't have any other accounts with. When I called to dispute the charges I had the signed contract, a form letter that I had sent around to the Consumer Protection div of Utah, ATG office in my state and Utah, and Utah governor's office. I was also disputing the charge way after the fact...the charge occurred on my cc back in early November of last year and I was disputing it last May! I also had copies of emails showing that I was getting conflicting advice from the Thrive "mentors", handwritten notes that I took from the original phone pitch that made several claims...I sent all this in to the dispute rep. Also, if you check on the Utah Consumer Protection Division website, they give a list of properly registered and licensed phone telemarketers. If the people who sold you the contract are not on that list, then the contract is no good. If you go back to around Page 7, 8, 9 of this forum and read up, there are lot's of helpful experiences and tips. As it turned out, the telemarketers that signed me up were NOT on the list of registered telemarketers. But even without knowing that I won my dispute just on what I told the dispute officer and what I showed him on paper. Plus, if you study your contract and it is like mine, you will notice how rinky dink it is! When I first was considering going up against Thrive I felt defeated because I had a signed contract. But once I joined this forum in particular, I saw everything differently. For instance, in one item of the contract it states that this is just an educational program and that there is no claim of business success...then the next item states that success is fully expected and that Thrive would work with me as long as it took to make a return on my investment. I pointed out to all parties concerned that this seemed like a blatant contradiction! There are lots of other things like that...like what is offered...a such and such website...which makes it appear that a website is provided...I made sure to point out that there was no website provided, but that I found after the fact that I actually had to build one myself.
Anyway, hope this helps.
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