Money back from a guru?

Question

Just curious if anybody has had any luck getting their money back from a guru? I signed up for Rich Dad training over a year ago and have taken 2 of the 4 classes we paid for. We were at a point in our lives when things we difficult and took the plunge. Fell for their trap, hook, line and sinker. We have taken the wholesaling and lease options class and ran into some snags when we attempted to apply what we learned. We have 2 more classes to take but if there is any chace we'd much rather get our money back. I know it's a long shot but I thought it was worth asking.

Heather

Heather Pelletier · Answer

It's nice to know I'm not the only sucker out there.  We had 3 days to cancel, I actually did call for a refund but the man who answered the phone was so kind...He talked me through my fears and said he understood how I was feeling.  He felt the same way when he signed up for the program.  He said it paid for itself time and time again.  I believed him.  LOL.  Lesson learned, but boy was it expensive!

Paul Kestenbaum · Answer

To:  ACP
What specifically can you tell us about Brad Wozny's course?   What do you mean by "straight by the book"?

Anne Pratt · Answer

I've received money back from several courses or programs over the years, always politely and smoothly.  Not Six Figure Empire (often called 8 Figure Empire) - Brad Wozny.  Despite my concern about losing my job, it's straight by-the-book.

Sheila O'Shea · Answer

I got suckered into one of those '30-day-trial' thingies with Tim Mai and when I tried to cancel before the thirty days were up, I came up against emails that were not answered, phone lines that never picked up and chat requests that just hung in limbo.  I sent a request in writing certified mail and it was signed for . . . suspiciously late.
            
            However, I took it up with my credit card company, printed out the initial email request and a copy of the letter I'd sent and faxed it to the disputed charges department.  When I finally got the option to cancel (a few days after the charge, hmmmm) I went through all the "are you really sure?" pages and made my way to the big red cancel button.
            
            To their credit, I was refunded in full, so I'm okay as far as that goes, but man, they didn't make it easy.  Lesson learned.
            
            I recommend reading the fine print when you sign up and find out how you get out, if you can get out, before you put down the cash for it.

Fran Fagen · Answer

Joshua:  I am really enjoying Bigger Pockets,  and am finding that I am getting more information and education (for free!!) than I got after forking out thousands and thousands of dollars to an unethical "guru" who is now pursing me for even more money that I don't have.

I am still hopeful that I will be able to rectify my situation, and save my credit, although I must admit, I'm pretty down in the dumps.  Not just spending on the guru, but following their advice on my real estate "deals" that went sour.  But I will keep on following Bigger Pockets.  Thanks for creating a great site.  Fran

Fran Fagen · Answer

I filed a complaint with Better Business Bureau, and am looking at Attorney General's site. The Rip-Off report site is chock full of stories just like mine. I can't believe I was so foolish.  one of the kind readers/investors out there might have some information for me, so I'm waiting for that.  thanks
Fran

Fran Fagen · Answer

thank you Shana--- appreciate it
I am going to keep trying-- tough, but I'm going to try to stay optimistic
Fran

Shana Gray · Answer

sell it on Ebay for half price?

I take courses from time to time and read loads of books, and yes I have definitely gotten refunds on a few, but others have been priceless to me.  I'm pretty clear on what I want and what I think will work for me personally.

If you have a decent reason (personal or financial or just not satisfied with product), call and ask for someone who is actually in charge where you bought it, explain your situation clearly, don't be too nice or rude, just be respectful, honest and clear. If you have a good reason and you are smart about it and persistent, it is likely you will get a refund unless it clearly states no refunds in the agreement. Don't get stuck talking to operators or salespeople or secretaries, donâ€™t send letters or emails, call someone who is in charge in person, usually they are decent people, and if its in reasonable time, and you have a good reason, chances are you will get a refund.

I had to get a refund once when my friend was deployed in the military (no time to take the course, and lost interest in it). Another because I found a course the same day I liked better. Once I misplaced my passport and couldnâ€™t attend.  Another I resold on ebay (when I was really new I couldnâ€™t afford it), I think I bought that one on Ebay too. Iâ€™ve also gotten refunds on memberships but sometimes had to pay for the time that had lapsed. Donâ€™t get me wrong though - I buy a lot of courses/books, and refunds are the exception. But they do happen sometimes. Iâ€™ve probably learned more from reading books and taking courses as an adult than I ever did in any public school system, excepting private business schools which were excellent too.

The most expensive course I ever took was the $5k Robert Allen protege course and frankly the best I ever took. Itâ€™s a perfect fit for me but I donâ€™t think it is for everyone. Real estate investing carries risk and people need to acknowledge that, also if you are a true entrepreneur at heart you will find a way to succeed, not everyone will try as hard as you, and most will probably give up because they donâ€™t have the heart to see the vision through. Iâ€™m an artist before anything else and that is why I took that course because it is the perfect business model for me. Even U2 owns real estate and has multiple streams of income. But not everyone has my personality type and my drive, and if itâ€™s not for you, donâ€™t buy it. Almost always you can step away and decide later, even when people say you canâ€™t. As for getting a refund, it may be possible, or it may be a deal is a deal, and unless you ask, you wonâ€™t know.

Fran Fagen · Answer

do you have any advice as to what I can do to 1) get my money back  and/or  2) not get sued and ruin my credit by "Robert Allen's collection agency Conrad Acceptance"
I wrote a letter to them asking for a refund, they referred it to their attorneys who said they would not give a refund, and now sent it to collections. I am so upset!

and as a coincidence, I just met a gentleman who leads African Safari's, and he told me he just took a very famous person, Robert Allen on a Safari. I thought I was going to barf.   any suggestions?

Rich Weese · Answer

If it is any consolation, I lived in neighborhood with Robert Allen in his early days. His No Money Down got him and a lot of people in trouble. We used to argue about that. Later , he moved to CA and declared(check public records  to finish this sentence) and then started doing it again. What goes around sometimes goes around. 
P.S. At the time I knew him, he live on the Osmond Lane in Provo, Utah.