READ THIS POST BEFORE READING OR POSTING ARTICLES IN THE FORUM
20 Replies
Joshua Dorkin
BiggerPockets Founder from Denver, CO
posted almost 12 years ago
WARNING: When reading the Guru Review threads, take note that in many cases, the gurus will send their friends to shill on their behalf. These people are typically easy to pick out, as they usually have only a handful of posts, all of which are used to defend the guru. They never participate elsewhere on the forum, and rarely are capable of detailing how the person/material in question helped them in a deal, as the often have never done a deal.
Please be aware that this happens here and on every other website. While we do our best to call these folks out here, sometimes we miss them.
There are many of these "experts" who are quite capable, but we wanted to make you aware of these unscrupulous techniques.
In some occasions, we've busted the gurus themselves pretending to be someone else, hyping up their courses.
BE AWARE, BE SKEPTICAL, BE CAREFUL
GURU RINGS
I also wanted everyone to be aware that many of the real estate gurus work together to promote one another. This is a common tactic used for the benefit of all of them.
Before taking the word of one guru about another, be certain that they are not working together for the benefit of one another. Be sure they can vouch for the other "expert" because they have taken a course, seminar, etc from that person, not just because they hang together.
The real estate education business is BIG business, and these guys are pros at selling you! If you know what to look out for, you can make a more informed decision about who to spend your time/money with, and who to trust.
Note to the Gurus:
Impersonating someone or creating a fake account to pump your own material is grounds for removal from the site. Additionally, we will call you out to our community and all of our readers.
Additionally, please do not email or PM us requesting we remove a thread because it is critical of your seminars, courses, or other materials. That is part of the game. If you put yourself out there, people are going to critique you.
We encourage you to jump in and participate, and to engage in a dialogue with our members.
Here's a great article that might help you determine when and how to respond to reviews of you or your material here and elsewhere:
How Companies Should Respond To Negative Reviews
Note to posters:
We certainly encourage you to honestly review any guru, seminar, course, etc., however, please note that you and you are responsible for your words. You are certainly welcome to your opinions - positive and negative - but you are not welcome to libel anyone, to lie, or to make false allegations. BiggerPockets is not responsible for your posts - you are!
Thanks to everyone for the understanding.
Stella Chan
Accountant from Sunnyvale, California
replied over 9 years ago
Hi Joshua,
Thank you for your advice! It's very important for newbies to recognize who should trust and learn from!
Great website!
J Scott
(Moderator) -
Developer from Sarasota, FL
replied over 9 years ago
Does anyone know who this Joshua Dorkin guy is? I hear he has a website with some real estate information and stuff...any reviews?
James Vermillion
from Lexington, Kentucky
replied over 9 years ago
Originally posted by J Scott:
Does anyone know who this Joshua Dorkin guy is? I hear he has a website with some real estate information and stuff...any reviews?
I have been to his website and have made eleventy billion dollars just this week...the best part is no money down, you dont have to work, and you dont need to know anything...amazing! :mrgreen:
George P.
Property Manager from Livonia, MI
replied over 9 years ago
lol
Maite Curtis
from Hyattsville, Maryland
replied over 6 years ago
Hello Josh,
I am glad I read this post, I have to reply to a guru. Now, I know exactly what to say to him.
Thanks Josh
Karl Krentzel
Real Estate Broker from Tucson, AZ
replied over 6 years ago
Eleventy billion??? wow!! LOL
Renee La-Viscount
Independent Consultant from Marietta, Georgia
replied about 6 years ago
Josh,
Thank you very much for posting this. As for the rest of you......I love your sense of humor. ????
Ned Carey
(Moderator) -
Investor from Baltimore, MD
replied about 6 years ago
Originally posted by @J Scott:
Does anyone know who this Joshua Dorkin guy is? I hear he has a website with some real estate information and stuff...any reviews?
I wanna report this guy as a shill. I know he and this Joshua Dorkin guy worked together on a book deal and made Eleventy Billion.
Jeremy Tillotson
Investor from Fort Wayne, Indiana
replied about 6 years ago
@James Vermillion you forgot it magically appears in your bank account will you sleep, and when you wake up your phone just rings without ever posting your number with people begging to give you money!