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justintime
Member
Joined: 14 May 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 14 May 2009 11:44
Reply
Hi All,
I am really glad I found this forum...the other day I clicked on a Google link to earn extra dollars working for Google entering links on websites? read all the cooments from all the others who joined and it sounded quite interesting... I could set this up for my daughter to do a few hours a week and make anywhere from a couple of hundred to a few thoudand dollars a month! GREAT
I quickly filled out the form and gave my credit card number to bill $1.87 for the CD that they will send me over the next three weeks.
Yesterday I received a call from Wes who works at the Thrive Institute of Learning, I asked him how he got my information and said that their partner "blazingkeywords.com" recomended me as someone Thrive might be able to use as a success story! Wes then proceeded to sell me, he made it sound very easy to make upwards of 200 to 300 thousand dollars a years for joining them and learning from their "coaches" on how I could make all this money, but only if he approved me and had to go over some questions to qualify me and then he would pass me over to his Director for finalizing... but I had to be able to make a decision on the spot..... hmmm "red flag"
The fact that Wes was unable to or willing to give me any information at all as to what the business was about or what it entailed set a big red flag for me... the clincher having to make a decision on the spot hmmm bigger red flag, unable to give me any websites and or contact information of anybody else already doing this business! another red flag...
After 20 minutes or so Wes informs me that he had to speak to his Director and would come back on the phone asap, so I told Wes "you know it is almost 6pm and I need to help my wife feed and bring in the horses to the barn and had no more time to spare but that they could call me back"
Wes was a little reluctant but agreed to call me back tomorrow which is today... this gave me time to do some reading and research on Thrive Learning Institute.
I can tell you that after reading this forum, it reassures me that old tale "if it sounds too good to be true IT IS" and if anyone ever forces you into having to make a decision on the spot, there is usually something wrong, " great wealth comes with great effort"
I want to thank everybody on this forum for having shed some truth on yet another scam on the internet and hope that those who have been burned get back everything they have lost plus some for what they had to go through.
just in time
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New to me
Member
Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 19 May 2009 13:23
Reply
Used and abused,
Hi I,m from Canada also and bought into Thrive through a company called Accelerated Business Solutions Marketing and Personal Coaching Program. I am very worried about this company after reading some of the comments here, I've been in it for about 1 week now and would be interested in a little more information on how you were able to get a refund out of them, was it from Thrive or from the cover company that signed you up? The company that signed me up never mentioned anything about a 3 day refund period I didn't think there was one because it was from the US. Accelerated Bussiness Solutions (ABS) sent a contract with a "Double your money back guarantee" If after 12 months of the start of your new bussiness your total revenue is not at least double your initial tuition amount, we will continue to work with you for free until it is, or we will refund you the entire tuition amount. I thought with a guarentee like that what do I have to lose. Their contract made it seem like ABC was going to do the coaching and they were the ones who made the guarantee not Thrive, although I'm sure they are the same people invoved in all of these companies. Please let me know how I can get a refund as I now have absolutly no trust in this company anymore.
Thanks New to me
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Trebor
Member
Joined: 16 Apr 2009
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 20 May 2009 22:05
Reply
Here's an ebook which contains tons of data on how Thrive Learning operates and exact steps to take - who to contact, etc. on getting a refund from their scams. http://www.scribd.com/doc/15672916/Internet-Scam-Capitol-USA
It's free download from Scribd and has tons of links and useful research.
Hope this helps.
__________________
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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# Posted: 21 May 2009 08:00
Reply
New to me,
In your complaint to the AG of Utah and the Division of Consumer Protection in Utah, you will have to mention both Thrive and Accelerated Business Solutions.
Your refund will come from ABS, but the division of Consumer Protection will be the ones to force them to pay you back.
You should cancel everything immediately and send a letter to ABS, asking for a refund on the premises that by law they have to disclose a refund policy.
Before you do this, you should see if they even have a lisence to sell as well, the more laws that they have broken is all the better for you. There is a list to check this on the consumer protection website.
http://consumerprotection.utah.gov/lists/telemarketers.pdf
You can be certain ABS will refuse to give you a refund, but you still must send them your request.
I am sorry to say that once you have signed on with any of these companies, you are in for a fight. There is no easy button to push here. You will have to be patient and persistent and NOT LET UP!
I sent several emails to Momentum Marketing demanding a refund. I also sent complaints to every government agency I could think of that has authority over them.
If you are in Canada, you need to contact your RCMP, your member of parliament in Ottawa, and Phone Busters as well as your consumer protection agency. Phone busters has a phone number to call and are very interested in hearing your full story. They want all names and any information you can provide.
Please make sure to go back and read my post on the steps you need to take to get your refund, as well as JOEBLOW'S posts, BHAVESH'S and TREBOR'S posts. The links they provide are very important as well as the information they give.
I know all this can be confusing at first, especially when you are upset, so just remember that it will all work out if you follow those steps and be patient. Read all the information in the City Weekly article and check out this website -
http://stop-telemarketers.midwestjournalpress.com/
I have one last piece of advice that may be really helpful to you as a Canadian.....
If you purchased their program with a credit card, it might be really easy to get your money back!
If your credit card is through a bank and you contact Greg Thompson's office in Ottawa, they will put a call in to the head of your bank and tell them to reverse the charges on your credit card.
I deal with capital One and I am in the process of cancelling my service with them and transferring to another credit card....through a bank....as capital one is independant and in the US, my MP could not just make a phone call for me.
Here is the # for Greg Thompson's office: 1-888-350-4734 or 1-800-387-1193.
I am not sure which is the correct one, but either place will put your call through to Greg Thompson's office. You will need to speak with his assistant, Francis. She knows all the information on Thrive and will know what you are talking about.
Here is Phone Busters' #- 1-888-495-8501
I hope this helps. If you would like to call me, please go to the lawsuit site and send an email there with your personal information. You can trust the administrator of this site and I can give you my personal email info., if you prefer, through there as well.
classactionsuiteagainstthrive@yahoo.com
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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# Posted: 21 May 2009 09:51
Reply
As most memebers on here already know about trying to do a chargeback on their credit cards, I felt this information may be useful.
If you have already tried to do a chargeback, or have contacted Thrive or any of their associated companies, you have probably been told, as I was, that the credit card company "WILL NEVER SIDE WITH YOU".
This is what Momentum Marketing told me with absolute certainty.
Well.....if you are dealing with Capital One, this is probably the only TRUE statement they will ever make.
I have been fighting with Capital One over this and still am even though I have my refund as I am pxxxed that they continue to allow these fraudulent companies to rip people off. After all WE are their clients.
The Midwest Journal site really explains why the credit card companies endorse these criminals.
I also found out just yesterday that Capital One's dispute division is located in...guess where???...SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.
I guess I don't have to wonder any more about why they were defending Thrive's honor to the death.
Not all is lost here though. Capital One does have SOMEONE to answer to. There is a division in the US AG's office that investigates and controls the practices of credit card companies.
They are the Permanent Subcommitte on Investigation 1-202-224-9505
I have contacted them and they were very interested in this information and took several notes on the information I had.
I feel this is very important as Thrive and their associates will no longer be able to operate without access to merchant accounts.
This will hurt them where it counts.....their pocket book.
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Imanidiottoo
Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 21 May 2009 09:57
Reply
Hi everyone,
I have some good news -- as of yesterday, my credit card company (in Australia) has reversed the Thrive charge of $2050.
Three weeks ago I forwarded a hefty volume of paperwork to them that included:
-all correspondence between myself and Thrive during the subsequent 3 weeks from signing on to the program on 25 Feb 09;
-the article posted on this forum by JoeBlow2009 re "Called into Question";
-excerpts of posts by other people on this forum and their experiences with Thrive (no names mentioned);
-a link from the 'Complaints Board' USA, re an article about a couple who lost $10,000 to Thrive LI/Infusion Media entitled 'Services Not As Promised';
-a link from to 'Duties of a Telemarker: Zack Bradshaw, Internet Scammer?';
-a fax and email to Thrive of a letter from my GP stating that I have "developed increasing anxiety, agitation, fatigue, and related symptons of stress-induced mood disorder" ... and that in my GP's opinion, "the primary causative factor of the acute exacerbation of the mood disorder has been her involvement in this marketing scheme, and I advise her to cease all involvement".
-a copy of the 3-page contract from Unity Marketing and highlighted the refund conditions in Section 1 on Page 1, ie "Refunds will only be issued due to health enabling you to not work the program or loss of life".
I'm not sure if any or all of the above had an influence on the
decision of the my credit card company to reverse the charge.
I do believe that those of you who are still waiting to receive a refund from Thrive and their affiliates are most probably experiencing similar health side effects as I have.
I urge you to use the above refund condition -- It's legitimate! It's in black and white. And you're not dead!
And if you are suffering emotionally because of this experience, go
to your doctor for advise and help.
In all, it has been a harrowing 3-month process for me and a hard lesson learned. Hopefully I'm a wiser idiot now!
__________________
Pamela
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used and abused
Member
Joined: 4 Dec 2008
Posts: 45
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# Posted: 21 May 2009 10:16
Reply
Hi-ImAnIdiotToo....lol, love your aka,
You are not an idiot though as I have seen through making connections with some extremely BRILLIANT people on here who were also taken. It just goes to show you how dangerous these companies are!!!! Ans call me crazy, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if ther was some subliminal messages going on within their sales' pitches!
I am so glad to hear you got your refund...it just goes to show that there are several avenues that can be taken....I too, let it be known in my complaints that the stress from this had caused me extreme health related problems, including extreme back pain from hours at the computer as well as carpel tunnel and the obvious, extreme stress causing nervous disorders.....all true.
I am very glad you pointed this out as I hadn't thought it relative in getting my refund, but maybe it was!!!
Thank you for posting this info!
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 22 May 2009 15:55
Reply
Ok everybody! Today I am in the process of faxing my letter concerning Thrive and Platinum Training Solutions along with emails and other documents to my credit card company. I already talked to a rep there on the phone who seemed to think I had a good case for not having received services...I have not actually talked to anybody at thrive to try to get my money back, but PTS has been contacted thru my state Attorney General office and Thrive has been contacted through Utah BBB...not a peep out of thrive or PTS so far of course. Let's see what happens with my credit card company!
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Trekking
Member
Joined: 22 May 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 22 May 2009 22:15
Reply
I don't recommend Thrive Learning Inst.. I feel as though I paid them over $6,000 so that I could build my own web site? NOT!!. They completely misrepresented themselves, saying they would be working along with me, and made it sound as though they would be doing the technical work. I am not a web expert. It became completely overwhelming , frustrating, and just generally causing a lot of stress. They have people on a team helping you for a few weeks that you can talk live to, then they turn you over to a, supposedly "tech" team, who you cannot talk live to. You can only "chat" with them. You don't get much accomplished. The web sites they show you that are successful (so they say) are web site created by kids who live there in Utah. Their fathers probably own the business.
I have learned that for $6,000. I can have a web site created by a reputable company who does all the hard work for me, including marketing. The web site is user-friendly, and I can input my products and prices. I believe that Thrive Learning Inst. is a SCAM.
__________________
Sharon Greenspan
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mountainmom5
Joined: 30 Aug 2007
Posts: 2057
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# Posted: 22 May 2009 23:17
Reply
justintime: this gave me time to do some reading and research on Thrive Learning Institute.
That window is probably what saved you. I have learned that it is ALWAYS okay to ask for a call back. If they are legit, they will understand that you need some time to do research and make sure of your decision... If they are hesitant and keep lowering the price if you buy today, it is a huge red flag!
Thanks for sharing on here and welcome to the forum, by the way.
__________________
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 29 May 2009 12:35
Reply
Hey folks! I called my credit card company to check the status of my dispute against Platinum Training Solutions and found out from the automated system that the charge has been reversed and I should be receiving a letter soon! Imagine my shock when I first learned through the automated system that my balance was suddenly almost nothing! This was through Chase. I know Used and Abused was talking about how bad Capitol One is with helping in disputes and I also have had that kind of experience with that company in the past. So imagine the thrill of the way the rep at Chase handled talking with me over the phone about the matter and within the same week that I faxed him all the materials about PTS and Thrive that I had sent around to all the other authorities, he had those charges reversed! I had just yesterday responded to the "response" from PTS to the complaint I had made to the BBB of Utah. Because of all the help and support I have received, particularly through this forum, I easily saw that their rebuttal was weak and lame and informed them and the BBB of how things really are!
So those of you who are still reeling from the pain of having invested in this group of Utah thugs, just get your story together and follow the advice of all the great folks that have offered advice about how to reclaim your losses. For me, it turned out to be pretty easy! I guess it was because the way has already been paved! Again, a Huge Thank You to Bhavesh, Used and Abused, JoeBlow2009, and all the others who have been contributing on this forum in this matter of Thrive Learning Institute!
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 29 May 2009 21:28
Reply
Dear Trekking,
When I read your entry here it was as though I was talking about how I experienced Thrive! You can see that I got my credit card company to reverse charges and I had a signed contract with Platinum training solutions and everything! So don't give up! At least try disputing charges with your credit card company, though Used and Abused has a great point about dealing with Capitol ONe! In times past I was their customer and any time I diputed a charge, they treated it like a big hassle that they couldn't help with. But dealing with Chase was a whole other story! It really could be as easy as that.
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 14:43 · Edited by: Nothappy
Reply
Thank you to all the people who have given the ammunition to fight these scumbags. I am yet another victim of Thrive. I also was misled by the sales floor, who completly misrerepresnted themselves. Thrive and thier associates knowenly sucked me into this scam and now I'm mad as h*** . Can anyone tell me why my e-mail won't go through to classactionlawsuiteagainstthrive.com. I have tried several times and the messages come back undelivered. Again thanks to everyone that wrote in on this topic . I now have some hope.
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2009 21:51
Reply
Obviously I had the old wrong email address. As I read on I found the right one . Thanks again to Blahvesh, joeblow2009,usedand abused and c a future.I am signing up for the class action law suite against Thrive and I am going to try to get my money back!
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Critternurse
Member
Joined: 3 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2009 13:14
Reply
I too have become a Victim of THrive...Anyone have some advice for me..
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simplyg
Member
Joined: 3 Jun 2009
Posts: 41
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# Posted: 3 Jun 2009 14:43
Reply
I joined Thrive last year and no longer use their service.
They have a great deal to offer, but if you're new to internet marketing and business, it's really overwhelming. And, it's true that you can get a ton of information online free or for little cost.
I spent 3K+ with Thrive, and for me personally, I think it was a mistake.
I'm currently working on affiliate marketing and I've only invested about $50. I'm much happier with what I've got now.
__________________
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2009 20:07
Reply
Critternurse,
If you read through even the last few pages of this forum thread, you will get a lot of good information on what to do. So go to it!
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2009 20:11
Reply
So Simplyg,
If you feel that Thrive was a mistake why not try to get a refund for yourself? Or perhaps you don't feel, as many of us here do, that you were grossly misled about what the program was all about and what you could hope to achieve within a given frame of time? Anyway, there's lot's of info here as I said to Critternurse, so at least you know you are not alone in feeling that being in the Thrive program was a mistake.
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2009 11:36
Reply
Blavesh has sent me a ton of info and options . Critternurse ,I f you want to do something, ask for his help at classactionsuiteagainsttrive.com . Lets all help eachother to nail these guys!
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2009 11:38
Reply
... and stop this from happening in the future to decent people
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2009 11:45
Reply
Just an FYI. His name is Bhavesh, not Blavesh.
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Nothappy
Member
Joined: 1 Jun 2009
Posts: 22
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2009 14:30
Reply
c a future
Thanks for the correction
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signgal
Member
Joined: 8 Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2009 15:53
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Let me ad myself to the list of people that were ripped off. After a great deal of struggle, I managed to set up my website myself. The only help they gave me was to tell me to watch these videos that were vague and lacking in detail. I got 2 phone calls. The second I had to chase them down for. After that, they took 2-3 days to reply and if you couldn't do the call when they called you, too bad.
There is a perception that more money equaled more service. Not true. I paid the full $15,100 and all I got was access to their videos like everyone else. I may have received a couple websites that gave me research information. Other than that, I got the same service as the rest that have been filing complaints. My site was up for 5 months and I could never find it even going back 15 pages on google. I had an expert look into it and he couldn't find it either. I paid Visible.net to map and but again, nothing. And Visible is part of Thrive. I found that out when I had a billing issue with Thrive, then canceled with Visible and spoke with the same person in billing. OOPS. They tell you they are not related.
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Critternurse
Member
Joined: 3 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2009 10:55
Reply
WOW, Folks You have all been invaluable to me And I am grateful. I am angry, and incredibly pi@@* that these companies exist. I could copy and paste literally all of these experiences and merely sign my name. My nightmare began over three months ago, seeking guidance for starting my online business these predators seemed to come out of the woodwork..They found me through the Affiliates Den.
Promises of hundreds of thousands of dollars would come my way if I would invest with them and that insider secret would be shared with me, I would have to sign a Non-disclosure contract that because these secrets were so carefully guarded my hind end!!!!
Like all of you, the only secret came in the form of video's and frustration at there lack of this superior Unsurpassed coaching and knowledge that I was to gain from them.
I am not one to take anything lying down..I became there worst nightmare...TRUST me...May emails were fired their direction on my dissatisfaction of their service and smoke was blown so far up my hind parts I am still smoking.
At one point I was called uncooperative and difficult and was TOLD that I MUST apologize for my actions toward the coaches, for my untoward behavior. Honestly these people really had me in a tailspin thinking that I was responsible for the lack of traffic and NOT A SINGLE sale from my site, and was given a lesson in email etiquette. DID you know that when typing if writing something in all caps you are in essence YELLING at the recipients? INDEED..
Still, I continued to give these individuals the benefit of the doubt...I am in it for 21,000 all charged to credit cards, personal credit in the toilet...
I placed a call this morning DEMANDING my money back.
PLEASE, anyone reading this...please do NOT fall victim to these people. They prey on individuals with little experience and truly take advantage of those who hang dreams on this. If My experience can save but one person the anguish and financial ruin that these scavengers will create in your life..I will feel better.
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misled
Member
Joined: 9 Jun 2009
Posts: 6
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2009 23:50
Reply
[Post deleted on user request - Admin]
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joeblow2009
Member
Joined: 27 Feb 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2009 00:14
Reply
Anyone interested in getting your money back, email me at jblow2009@yahoo.com
I have insider secrets that will help you get a refund. No charge for my help. My motivation comes from helping, and I've helped several people on this message board obtain refunds.
Just email me, I'll screen you to make sure you are an actual customer (not a Thrive or sales floor employee/owner) and we'll go from there.
I feel very bad for everyone on this board because I know you've spent big money ($2500-$25k) on this horrible coaching, and I know you guys have not been serviced. Thrive's business model and operation is a joke. They promise the world, but can't even come close to delivering. They prey on the innocent and naive and they sell people on emotion and dreams. There program is all sizzle and no steak. Thrive is ripping people off, and they need to stop hurting people.
Please email me, and I'll help you.
Joe Blow
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AllieKLong
Member
Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Posts: 20
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2009 03:18
Reply
It doesn't really matter if you buy an eBook as long as you make sure the book is [u]not a scam[/u]. Before you buy a product, do your homework. Research on the internet. But keep in mind that there are tons of greedy affiliates out there just looking to make money & are paid to say good stuff about a product even if it is bad.
__________________
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Critternurse
Member
Joined: 3 Jun 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2009 09:08
Reply
Dear Mislead
Verbatim is exactly my story, My phone calls and insistance at a refund have been for not...
I am getting nowhere, and I am furious.
They are pure scavengers..
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c a future
Member
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 16
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2009 12:10
Reply
Wow! It continues to blow me away the way people are getting scammed like me and yet I feel "lucky" because I was ONLY charged $4,540.00! But I hope you all take JoeBlow2009 up on his offer because he can truly help you with this! I never tried talking with the Thrive people or the Platinum Training Solutions people that were the affiliates that got me into the Thrive program in order to demand my money back. I just followed the advice given here on the Forum and found JoeBlow's advice some of the most helpful and informative! You MUST believe that these people that have scammed you don't have a leg to stand on because they truly don't! It took me a few months after I realized what a rinky dink operation this all was to feel as though I might be able to get my money back because I had been thinking that, after all, I DID sign a contract and wasn't that legally binding??? But, just claiming to help you get your initial investment recovered within a specific period of time (usually they tell you within 2 to 4 months or inside of 6 months) has proven for all of us to be an unrealistic claim and believe me, by now the Consumer Protection Division of Utah is well aware of the unrealistic claims that Thrive and affiliates make...I made it clear in a letter I sent to them and others along with hand-written notes I had taken when I was originally pitched by my smooth-talker that sold me the package, that he made specific claims about recovering my initial investment. If you look at your written contracts, if you have one, you can see that they are pretty rinky dink in the way they are written. In one place they will tell you that they are making no claims of success because after all, they are just an educational program. But that alone is a lie if they told you from the start that you should see a full return on your investment within a specified amount of time...when I disputed this with my cc company, I sent the same letter and sales pitch notes along with emails showing that these people in the "educational" program were giving me conflicting advice about what to do...and my dispute rep had the charge reversed on my credit card so fast I couldn't even believe it! So get over the shock of what damage these scammers have caused you and get busy! Compose a letter, look over your contracts, by all means CONTACT JOEBLOW2009! You can get some positive results from all of this! Best of luck to you all!
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avoidedthescam
Member
Joined: 17 Jun 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 17 Jun 2009 10:23
Reply
so glad my husband and I found this forum!! All of you have saved us from paying 'stupid tax'. We're to talk to someone from thrive tonight.
My concern is they're going to hound us and won't take no for an answer. Any ideas of how to get the message across to them?
Boy, they sound so convincing! I can't imagine the stress and termoil you each must be living daily.
Reminds me of the old saying if it looks and smells fishy, it's probably fish!
Keep up the good work!!
All the best to each of you in your class action suit to get your money back.
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