Thoughts on Doug Clark Real Estate Training
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad · Member since 2016 · 6 posts · 1 vote
Thoughts on Doug Clark Real Estate Training
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Rental Property Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2016 · 60 posts · 30 votes
9yHey @Austin Pilarski-
This thread only popped up in my email because I have Minneapolis as a keyword. Nonetheless, I'd take a step back and think about what else you could do with $30k. Although the market here is very competitive, you could still get into a nice duplex that you owner-occupy and use that money as the downpayment (assuming you would qualify for a first-time home buyer financing program).
My wife and I have found out through our first deal that the best way to learn is to take a chance and actually do something, aka buy a property. You still have to be careful and not make a stupid purchase where you're going to lose money on it, but your first deal doesn't have to make you much money at all for it to be the best deal you'll ever do. The idea is to get out there and do it.
You may be able to learn a ton from this guy, but just beware of the opportunity cost. And get some references that have taken the class that you can actually talk to.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do!
17 Replies
- Tampa, FL · Member since 2016 · 21 posts · 14 votes10y
Dear John,
My pops and i went to a similar program with a company called Affluence Edu. Lucky for him i did some research on the company before the workshop and seen that they had a lot of one star reviews but the funny thing is, is that they had a lot of 5 star reviews also and no 2-3-4 reviews, crazy. But to answer your question, i suggest you file a complaint with BBB and then call the corporate office of the company and let them know that you feel they was misleading and you want your money back and that you have filed a complaint.
When i did my research on the one we went to, it was like ten people who got some or all of there money back.
My pops paid them $1000 cash and they got him finance for up to $100,000 worth of credit card and when the cards come he is supposed to call them and give them the numbers of a few so he could pay the rest of the $24,000. That was last week. So I think they're going to be waiting on that call for some time.
- Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 2 votes9y
Anyone have any updates on this guy? I attended his 3 day training seminar in Minneapolis over the weekend (cost $997 or so). Sounded like a lot of really cool and awesome information. I am very new to real estate however, and am not sure on all the logistics or legalities of what was said there. I never trust high pressure sales situations though, and the entire 3 day course is basically building you to be incredibly hungry to want more. He claimed you can only get this "confidential information" through the advanced training (costing roughly 30-40k) even though Doug said "I have nothing else to sell you, you're already here," in my opinion, it was a great and very well executed sales pitch for their advanced training program. I'm not in a position to say this is wonderful or awful, because it seems like he has some people having real results, but I don't know anyone personally and can't find any claims online of people with changed lives from this. I will say it's very interesting though. There's not much info on the internet about it that I can find about the seminars or advanced training, so I will elaborate a bit more on my experience for those searching...
At the seminar, each day Doug told us cooler and cooler ways of making INSANE amounts of money on properties. It was like a drumroll that kept getting louder and louder. I could barely keep up taking notes on it, with all the quick talking, big numbers and crazy high ROIs. All the information was absolutely mind blowing. They had us sign up for CreditNav, which to my understanding basically sends them a copy of your credit report. I am someone who doesn't have 40k sitting around at the moment, so they offered SeedCapital to me. I've read up on them a bit, and you're basically paying SeedCapital a fee of $3k for every $50k in credit they can get you. I've also read that all SeedCapital is doing is signing you up for a bunch of a credit cards. I have about $9k of debt that I am working on paying off, but they wanted me to pay down my cards by 1/3, and then they could get me 40k-50k. I am not comfortable what-so-ever with this personally, but I am 23 and still very new to things like this. Although I wasn't willing to purchase the advanced training, many people there did. I hope they get everything they were promised and attain great assets, I will be doing this the long way of studying hard and making mistakes though. I hope this answers some questions others reading will have.
Best of luck to all!
- Rental Property Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2016 · 60 posts · 30 votes9y
Hey @Austin Pilarski-
This thread only popped up in my email because I have Minneapolis as a keyword. Nonetheless, I'd take a step back and think about what else you could do with $30k. Although the market here is very competitive, you could still get into a nice duplex that you owner-occupy and use that money as the downpayment (assuming you would qualify for a first-time home buyer financing program).
My wife and I have found out through our first deal that the best way to learn is to take a chance and actually do something, aka buy a property. You still have to be careful and not make a stupid purchase where you're going to lose money on it, but your first deal doesn't have to make you much money at all for it to be the best deal you'll ever do. The idea is to get out there and do it.
You may be able to learn a ton from this guy, but just beware of the opportunity cost. And get some references that have taken the class that you can actually talk to.
Good luck with whatever you choose to do!
- Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2016 · 4 posts · 4 votes9y
I agree. A friend of mine has paid well over 55k for a similar course. I have been to a few of these seminars in the past. One of the subjects they cover is raising money by using your credit cards. If a person cannot afford to pay the 30-60 thousand dollar fee. They help you raise the money by asking your credit card companies for an increase. I am not saying that the information that they offer is not valuable or useful but 30-50 k is a down payment on a property in many places. If a person does not sign up or does not qualify for the higher priced programs they still try to sell you on other things via e-mail. I almost signed up but I was told by someone in the business that I would be better off reading some books and going on BiggerPockets, which is how I discovered BP.
- Investor · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2015 · 252 posts · 263 votes9y
AGH. Grow up. This people are selling you a dream and make their money on selling you a dream. Real estate, penny stocks, fortune tellers - take your pick. Want to learn? Start with bigger pockets podcasts. Read. If you want to pay money to learn - pay to to Harvard. It is a rip off in it's own right, but at least it is a best in the world. Good luck.
- Redmond, WA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes9y
similar to the first poster,
I attended a free workshop in seattle, Washington.
the 3 day workshop will be next week.
after my friend paid $1,000 to be in the training, there is no response to
any question for the support line / leave a message or to the email.
this is * not * a good start. what type of support or non support are we
going to get * after * the workshop ?
thinking of just cancelling.
- Investor · Kansas City, KS · Member since 2013 · 5 posts · 1 vote9y
My husband and I attended a Doug Clark freebie last night. We have already paid our dues, but sometimes we can pick up nuggets at these things. Lots of hype, fantastic numbers that you will not see in our market, and lots of name dropping of celebrities for those that are impressed by that. I kept wondering how they made money lending to their people at 1.65% + $395 per loan. After reading this blog this morning I now see where they make their money. A great many people actually got excited and went for it. I wonder what they will feel when they find out they can't really get what they want unless they pay another $30-40K? They were doing several events in our area, so I'm sure they will get plenty of people to swallow the whole package.
- Fayetteville, NC · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 3 votes8y
I can't tell you how angry I get, to see people spending 30 $40,000 on these types of weekend programs. all they're doing is selling you their high-priced weekend getaways. That is the whole point of getting you in for the initial visit. You spend a few hundred dollars to later on spend tens of thousands of dollars. That's their business they're not in the real estate investing business there in the selling you how to real estate invest business. Thank God we did it the old-fashioned way. My advice, find a local real estate entrepreneur in your area and pay him or her whatever their monthly fee is to take you by the hand and walk with you. Start slow,learn as fast as you can and be realistic. This business is not for everyone it is not a get-rich-quick scheme it takes time and money. Good luck
- Member since 2018 · 1 post · 3 votes8y
I attended the Josh Altman real estate seminar on March 30,2018 in Dearborn, Michigan. I paid the $1,147 to take the 3 day workshop on April 13,14, and 15 at the Southfield Westin in Southfield, Michigan.
First of all, at the seminar when I informed them I’d only be able to attend 2 of the 3 days of the workshop, they said it was no problem and that there would be material and webinars provided to me to catch up on the one missed day. When I attended the Day 2 of the workshop - I was greeted by a lady named Brooke, who clearly thought it was wrong that I was mislead like this, and even told me “you should raise hell” for being told it was ok to miss a portion of the workshop. When I asked her about the webinars I was told I’d be provided with to catch up on any missed portion of the workshop - Brooke said she had no access to any webinars to provide me with. She said it happens all the time that people are being mislead and told they don’t have to attend all 3 days. She also said I could reschedule but she herself had no idea when the next workshop is.
Firstly, that alone was misleading, and clearly just a way for them at the initial Josh Altman seminar to lock me into paying the $1,147 and lying to me by stating it was ok if I couldn’t make the whole 3 days of the workshop.
The main issue and complaint is below:
There was absolutely NO indication at the Josh Altman seminar that this workshop would also lead me to have to take ANOTHER “Advanced Training” workshop in order to be successfully equipped to do real estate investing. The only thing mentioned, and that was pushed, was the initial 3 day workshop. The speaker at the free seminar claimed we would have mentoring and all of the tools provided, research done for us, by attending this workshop. Then, lo and behold, I attend the workshop (presented by Doug Clark) only to learn that the workshop alone will NOT give us a mentor, all of the tools provided, and research done for us. I’d have to pay an additional $24,000+ for the mentorship!
When a gentleman attending the workshop asked Doug Clark about the success rate of students who do not complete the Advanced Training, and only use the information provided by the 3 day workshop - Doug Clark stated the 3 day workshop would not provide you with the mentorship and the success rate with the mentorship! He was stressing the purchase of the Advanced Training as the only way to get all of the tools and help needed to succeed in real estate investing.
At lunch time, I then went to Brooke (the lady who initially greeted me), and complained to her that I was mislead by being informed that the 3 day seminar would be enough, and not being informed that I’d have to pay the $24,000 in addition to the $1,147 I’d already paid, to have the tools necessary. She then became irritated with me (she even rudely said “first of all I don’t even know your name.” Even though less than an hour before that we exchanged names) for questioning the workshop, and hastily told me to speak to Doug. I went to Doug who then told me to talk to a man named Rick. I went back to Brooke who then hastily and in a hurried manner coaxed me into registering onto “CreditNav.com” to have a credit report that is part of the workshop. NO questions of mine were answered about why I was mislead to have to pay an additional $24,000. I was given the run around and no real answers.
I have a receipt from a “Benjamin Wilson” and an email to him with this same complaint sent back to him requesting a refund. My email to request a refund was sent back to me stating the message cannot be delivered due to spam URL content. Hmm.
I am also contacting the BBB and filing a complaint against this misleading scam.Do NOT participate in any of these scam seminars being represented by Josh Altman or Doug Clark. I empathize with anyone who paid for, and was mislead by any of these workshops/seminars.
- Sacramento, CA · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 1 vote8y
Please read this:
"The Simple Man Guide To Real Estate" by Bill Vaughn - I found after I too participated in the free workshop by Doug Clark that was suppose to included a fancy dinner. When our dinner arrived it was a box lunch, not the elaborate dinner that they made it out to be. Like many of you, I also signed up for the three day seminar but as I walked away, I got that "feeling" that just wouldn't leave me alone. I turned back and managed to get an almost immediate refund after making some immediate phone calls.
As time has gone on and I have come across posts like this ... it makes me angry to hear about those that are trying to create a better future for themselves and those that just happen to be starting out in life at 23 years old, as Austin P (above ) and has that much debt. While they weren't trying teach him or any of us how to successfully achieve our dreams of financial success through real estate investing but instead they were assisting many of us in creating even more debt!!! When it comes down to it, they are "selling" their classes, seminars, and boot camps!! They are great salesmen and have an incredible ability to motivate so many people, only to continue lining their own pockets and supposedly living the lifestyle that we all dream of having!!!
When we all started with a free invitation, and that "free invitation" eventually takes a turn & starts to cost upwards of $20,000, if not more, they are simply no longer "Teaching" they are "Selling" ... With that in mind, I started wondering if I could learn what they were supposedly teaching for a fraction of their cost and that's when I found the course "The Simple Man's Guide To Real Estate" by Bill Vaughn - it's not perfect, its not all hyped up, there is basically no fluffy bunny that is going to come and hold your hand and motivate you but if you want to learn, check it out for yourself!!!
No matter what you choose to do, I wish you the best in your endeavors & great success in your financial future!
See you at the top =)
I took the three-day seminar with Clark last weekend...and my feelings are similar to those above. It's all about getting you signed up for the "Boots On The Ground" advanced training for $27K. Yes, he does share some amazing strategies, and he did demo their new real estate software, which is beyond belief...but you have shell out $27K for the advance training to learn more. He shares just enough info to get your blood boiling with greed, leaving key gaps in the information. When his team senses you are not going to buy the training, you are ostracized, condescending looks and all.
- Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 5 posts · 1 vote8y
I just attended Doug Clark's three day training and sales pitch for Diamond 360.. I paid $997 for it, which was good for two people.
How I got here: I was at a Tony Robbins seminar and one of the early speakers was a wholesale guy, talking about this program. There are a million of these programs - the glorious thing about wholesaling is one deal can make you the $997 back quickly. I've been wholesaling for some time and often sign up for these just to learn any new techniques or best practices. So I signed up and paid the $997 for me and a "partner".
The seminar: 3 days at Tysons corner with my partner - lunch not included and Doug Clark declined my dinner invites lol. There were 6 "consultants" - people who worked for the program which are former students.Day 1 - Intro to the concept and he also breaks down foreclosure and the power of time stamp and lien order. He went into various scenarios that make for awesome stories - i.e. the time "a student" was bid up to double the starting price but still won the bid on a house at auction, but she met the actual owner at the auction so she had the owner sign a quitclaim deed and called the bank and paid in full the loan thus saving the home from foreclosure auction thus getting the house at half price she almost paid at the auction. Amazing story that got a small applause upon conclusions of how she let the family stay in the house for free for 3 months after the deed transfer. Really pulled on the heart strings. I dont know what state it was in but I can tell you that wouldn't work in Maryland.
Day 2 - Doug briefly covered liens and a few more scenarios that made for great stories. He then covered super liens. then the grand finale! He has a system that can get money bank from banks after foreclosure! He finales with telling you "you wont be able to sleep tonight!" The great news is you will have access to mentors who can teach you all of these techniques for the low low price of $38K... but if you sign up this program, he will also give you his super lien and top secret get money back from banks strategies included "for free".
Day 3 - generic info about the importance of LLC to protect your assets, a short video from veil corporate about how amazing they are, then an elaborate story about how Tony Robbins doesnt look at reviews online unless he needs a good laugh so why should you believe reviews online, right?? Go with your gut! $for only $38K Then you meet with your assigned consultant. They'll allow cash credit and partials.... a nonrefundable deposit fromm $1000 -10000 I discovered once I spoke with other people in the class.... a small discount of 3% if paid in full within the week. A "not so diamond package" which was only $25K which has everything except the "1 on 1 training" and doug sprinkles.... or something smaller for $20K..... etc etc
I did not sign up for any package but i was intrigued by Doug's stuff. If only there was a way to only get Doug's mentorship exclusively.... - Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 4 votes7y
I see this is an old post, but I also attended the $997 3 day course that was promoted in, of all places, a Tony Robbins event.
They try to get you hooked on "the dream". Ask you to get ready to give millions in donations to your favorite charity, because of the multimillionaire status you'll soon be living. All you have to do is pay $39k... and yes, they'll help get you the credit card power to pay for it.
Aside from all of this, we were falsely instructed that Florida, where I reside, is a Super Lien state, where HOA Foreclosures trump First Mortgages as well all inferior liens to the first.
Later when trying to get more information on this, we are told that we needed to be taught by Doug himself, again at the $39k rate, to learn these tips.
Real Estate Attorneys that I have spoken to down here have all said this was false, and that only a Tax Foreclosure would trump a first mortgage.
Any who, I've learned more on my own, trying to get to the bottom of Doug's claims, than I would've by paying 39k
- 7yJay HinrichsBusiness MemberReal Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
@Krystle Housley your day one is a total fairy tale LOL as you suspected. and only a feel good story.
real estate is highly regional what works in one market does not work in another.
Like here in Oregon its totally illegal to wholesale the way these guys teach it. you will get in troubled with a nice big fat fine and have to hire an attorney.
- 7yJay HinrichsBusiness MemberReal Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
@Krystle Housley Also as an FYI all of these guys from Tony Robbins on down are all affiliated.. they are all run by a seminar and marketing company that does all the logistics and puts the scripts together etc etc.
these are based out of UTAH and they are very big business's the one that runs these guys has over 400 employees
- Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2019 · 10 posts · 4 votes6y
Is there anyone out there who actually made the 30k investment and used the software the software?
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