By use of threatening means, Turk Akbay of Distinctive Results is attempting to extort payment for services that were not rendered.
I signed up for intensive coaching for a 2 month period at $1500 per month with follow up of 6 months at $250 per month.
After about 3 weeks into the relationship, it was evident that I was not getting the hoped for benefits from the coaching and tried to withdraw. The coach talked to my wife and said that we should at least give it another month as it takes time and reminded me in a subtle threatening manner, that I had signed a contract. She told him that she didn't see why he would want to work with someone who was not showing results as he had made it clear that his reputation was built on getting positive results from his coaching clients. However, he convinced her that I should hang in there for another month.
I attended 3 more sessions and again attempted to withdraw. (The fees for the 2 months of October and November, were paid in advance; $3000)
About the 3rd week of December we received a collections letter demanding $1500 and threatening a lawsuit. We contacted the Turk and reminded him that according to the guidelines on his website, a relationship could be discontinued with notice. Although there was not an official written notice, it was made very clear many times that it wasn't working and that we did not wish to continue the relationship as well as via emails and conversations between my wife and Turk.
Furthermore, the $1500 he was demanding would be the fees for an entire 6 months of a follow up relationship and I was perplexed as to how he could be demanding $1500 after only 3 or so weeks into the first month - and no services had been rendered!
I have tried to reason with the man but we continue to get threatening letters. I really don't think this is an effective way to build a business or enhance the reputation of Coaching in general. Not only does Turk's website indicate that a relationship/contract could be terminated, but in addition, the website of the organization to which Turk belongs (International Association of Coaching) espouses the same. The following is from their Code of Ethics:
3.06 Terminating the Coaching Relationship.
Coaches agree to terminate a coaching relationship when it becomes clear
that the client is no longer gaining benefit (or is being harmed) from
the coaching relationship.in terminating the relationship, coaches will
suggest alternatives or provide referrals to coaches or other
professional services when appropriate.
Greg
fort mill, South Carolina
U.S.A.
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