I recently bought a single page website from a company called myproductcenter.com. Once I'd bought the site, there was also a 'coaching' button on their site, which I clicked and filled in some details about myself. A day or so later I received a phone call from a Mr. Justin Hickman, asking me how motivated I was and that I should write down a wish-list of ten things, how much money I'd like to earn in 6 months, in a year etc., and that a 'coach' would call me later.
I was contacted by a Ms Lara Maxinoski who asked similar questions, but also wanted to know if I'd heard of the concept of using other people's money, which turned out to be a suggestion that I fund website marketing via my credit card, and what my level of commitment was i. E how much I would like to spend on my credit card, and if I had any debts. The 'investment' levels were $4680, $5880 & $6880, described respectively as "Conservative, Moderate & Aggressive".
I'd asked her if she could put down in writing her proposals, amount of investment required (for website marketing) rate of return expected, what work was expected of me, progress review plans, etc. But she said a written statement would only be issued once payment was received, for reasons I can't quite remember now.
This set warning bells off, as it's no way I've ever done business in the past. So, I said my credit cards were in my wife's car and she was in town, and besides I felt uncomfortable at giveing $6k to a complete stranger. Shed replied that she understood and that she would call back after the weekend to continue the conversation.
On Monday 11th Aug. Evening (UK time) I received a call fom an un-named woman who said she was from myproductcenter.com and she would like to help me promote my website. When I asked how much it would cost, she expressed surprise, saying it was free. When I, in turn, expressed my surprise and told her that's not what Lara Maxinoski, from Ivy Capital, had told me, she asked me to wait a moment. The phone went on hold and then a minute later, cut off. And that's the last I've heard from them.
So, while I haven't personally been scammed by Ivy Capital, I can see how less cautious people could be sucked in by their pseudo motivational-speak, which is all good stuff legitimte businesses use to get people focussed on their dreams and goals, thus making them better motivated to achieve success.in this case, I feel it was designed to throw a cloak of respectability over the proceedings and to create an atmosphere of trust.
Their offer to work for free with me, if they hadn't shown me how to recoup my investment in 6 months, initially sounded excellent, until I wondered exactly just how cast-iron was their reputation to honour their guarantee. I don't think they are quite in the same league as Coca Cola or Panasonic! Again, just a little something extra to make the package attractive.
I don't want to imply that myproductcenter.com are colluding with Ivy Capital, and therefore, in light of the many dissatisfied people who have had less than satisfactory dealings with Ivy Capital, I would welcome a statement from them and whether they will continue to use Ivy Capital to mentor their customers; this cannot be doing their reputation much good.
Ivy Capital are basically taking money up-front and then putting their feet up on the desk. If anyone tries to take them to court, their defence will be that they 'have given instructions and consignments to the client, but hey, I suppose they didn't do the necessary work'. Very hard to prove otherwise. That excuse works in the model agency business and it works here too. Whenever people have dreams of changing their lives for the better, they seem to take leave of their common sense and will believe anyone who promises to show them the road to riches and a better life, leaving them vulnerable to being ripped of by the sharks out there.
MichaelAylsham
United Kingdom
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