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Thrive review: Scammed by Thrive & Internet Sales Institute 13

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10:05 am EST
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I was scammed by Thrive and their marketing company, Internet Sales Institute (ISI), in October 2009. I was stupid for not checking the complaints board and the BBB of Utah (Thrive) & Idaho (ISI) before signing on. Luckily I found these sites and learned about the complaints. Check out the BBB of Utah for Thrive and read the whole complaint. In September 2009, the government entered into an agreement with Thrive that there is a 3-day right of recission, along with other demands for the consumer. I called my sales rep with 3 business days that I wanted my money back because I had read all the complaints. I never heard from him, but was contacted by another person who tried to talk me into staying. He manipulated me, but I stood my ground and told him where I found all the complaints and sent him a detailed email stating all the details from my signing on. After many conversations, he finally sent me a document to sign stating that I will get a full refund listing the $ amount and that I would get my money back in 30 days (though the BBB in Utah said 15 days). I then filed a dispute with my credit card company. They said they would credit my account for the full price plus the internet hosting of $39.99 each month. The woman told me she had many complaints from people that she had to credit their accounts. She also told me that the most important company to file a complaint with is the FTC. If there are enough complaints, they will shut both companies down. My account has been credited by my cc company as Thrive and ISI didn't credit my account with 30 days as they promised. Good luck to all of you who where scammed by these companies. Work with your cc company and file complaints with the FTC and both BBB's.

Update by Annie
Apr 28, 2010 6:22 pm EDT

I GOT ALL MY MONEY BACK FROM THRIVE AND INTERNET SALES AFTER FIGHTING HARD FOR IT!

Dear Skookie,

I am sincerely sorry you had to file bankruptcy. Please contact the FTC about Thrive, Sterling and Strategic. Make sure you got a contract(s) from whichever company signed you up. If not, by law they owe you one.

Mr. Yawn Man,

Thrive Institute has a number of firms that market for them as you can surmise from complaints by Skookie, others, and myself.

And, yes, the woman who helped me with my credit card issues said that it was Thrive who she saw had many complaints about, quite possibly from them using different marketing firms. That goes to show you there are probably more complaints than you think. Bernie "Made-Off" is not the person you can compare this to. Like you said, something may have triggered her memory about Thrive because she may have had an onslot of them around the same time.

You mentioned this board should be lit up with complaints about Thrive and it's marketers. There are many people who complain about Thrive's marketers so there are probably many complaints about other companies on this board that you don't correlate with Thrive. Other people go to the BBB while other's don't know what to do. I Thrive/Internet Sales promised to cut a deal with me saying not to contact the BBB or if I did file a complaint, to make sure it was resolved. I didn't file a complaint because I did get my money back.

Don't worry about the woman getting sued, and she doesn't need to be a lawyer to know that there have/are many complaints against Thrive and its marketers.

Manipulated...okay, he attempted to manipulate me, and make me feel guilty by saying I should still have to pay about $1, 500 because they set up my account, blah, blah, blah, in a number of conversations, but I "stood my ground." I knew what he was up to.

The refund was to be in the form of a check, not to my cc account like I wanted. If they needed my cc number, they new where to find me in a timely manner so there would have been no excuse for them to not get it credited in plenty of time.

Contract? What contract? Guess what? They didn't send me one. Unfortunately I didn't realize I should have received one. It wasn't until the cc company started working with me and that is when Internet Sales sent me the contract. Ya see, they had screwed up and I caught them because I checked out both Thrive and Internet Sales on the BBB and put 2 and 2 together. Internet Sales didn't have many complaints, probably because most people looked at Thrive as being the scammer and not Internet Sales along with them.

I put together all kinds of ammo I could find between the BBB, the lack of information I got, and finally getting contract the contract they should have sent by law. In the end, I got all my money back thanks to the cc company and legal advice (free).

Hi Bill,

You are right. Internet Sales Institute and Thrive are two different businesses. Internet Sales markets Thrive's products, so they do work hand-in-hand. Neither of them are legite. The fact that they are in different states leads to confusion since Internet Sales says they do not follow the rules that Thrive has to in Utah. Well, I showed them differently based I what I read about Thrive on the Utah BBB.

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13 comments
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csparky
Edmonton, CA
Jun 13, 2011 4:42 pm EDT

Everyone's experience is different Theresa! When the coaches are continually second guessing their advice to you and you're given other people's websites to build, only to find out that you need to start all over because one coach doesn't know what he/she is doing ( plus several other blunders), you soon get the idea that this is a scam and you're just being strung along until they use up your 6 weeks of pro-active coaching. (I was originally told it was 9 weeks - another lie). To say the least, my experience was horrible with Thrive Learning Institute and my husband and I were lied to several times by Internet Sales Institute (Jacob/Clancy). They even told me that my fees were tax deductible, only to find out from Canada Revenue Agency that they are not even registered and I couldn't even claim the tuition fees as a tax deduction. I sent the information from RCA to Internet Sales Institute to no avail. THEY ARE NOT LEGIT! They definitely need to leave Canadians alone and stay in the US with their Scam!

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Teresa Masson
Taylorsville, US
Jan 23, 2011 7:13 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have to agree with Internet Sales on their position with the service they provide. I also paid a large amount of money for what I consider education for an online business. I also put that on a credit card. I have made about 500.00 in 6 months. The past 2 months I haven't even talked to a coach ! My personal decision, because life happens . The first thing they told me was that it would take a lot of hard work and to follow their teaching guidelines. They provide an extensive library of information and a video library for those who find it easier to follow them. They provide a coach/mentor/cheerleader for you. How many learning institutions will refund your tuition because you changed your mind ? I am going to dig in this month. It will not be easy and if I fail, bankruptcy looms, but the knowledge I have gained will always be with me to utilize when I need it. I also believe Internet Sales Institute should " STRESS" the amount of work and time it will take and the cost of " tools" you will need to grow your business down the road, things people sometimes don't consider when making a big decision like this . That being said, I can only stress that you must know yourself, what you want and ask yourself if you're willing to climb the mountain on the days that you miss the free ride...

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ISI
boise, US
Jan 18, 2011 5:52 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

In reference to the complaint. Internet Sales Institute stands behind its services. We provide one one help on a number of different levels.The problem when people start any new venture is they expect immediate results. At Internet Sales Institute we gaurantee to work with every client until they recover their full initial investment. There are no such things as get rich quick schemes. We communicate to all students that it does take time and effort to build a business. We work diligently with every client to accomplish their goals and lay a solid foundation for their online ventures. There will be frustration at times but giving up on a program within one week, no one would ever succeed. We do business with people all over the world by phone. If the sale was so high pressured then why did you remain on the phone with the consultant? We stand behind our gaurantee and all services we provide to clients. We are ready and willing to address any concerns that any past, present or future clients may have! WE STAND BEHIND OUR SERVICES AND GUARANTEE OF SERVICE! P.S._We fully disclosed all of our terms in conditions in writing upfront. We also verbally communicated them to you. If you wish to cancel. IT CLEARLY STATED YOU HAVE 3-days to provide WRITTEN cancellation notice to us. If you are 65 years and older you have up to 5 business days to cancel the transaction. We are a very honorable company and stick to our word and agreements. It is not our fault if a client does not follow the guidelines that were communicated to them when we enrolled them into the program. Please feel free to contact us anytime to discuss any past, present or current issues @ [protected]

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k.jones
elm city, US
Jan 17, 2011 3:52 pm EST

You do not stand behind your words of lies on the phone. Then email different words then told/sold on the phone. You do not follow through on your promises, they are all dead promises. I was out right with the so called scam man who took my money and I will fight till I am there in person picketing the building where they scam us old, disabled, people who tell them they can not go out and do this or do that. Or they do not know people who need there help. AND they PROMISED the 3 day Right of Recission and I filed it with in the first 24hrs. and I am still fighting as I have not gotten a dime. I will take this as far as this computer and the LEGAL sysum will allow me. I want my money back.
This company appears on my charge cards so the are responsable as they are the ones who spent my money. I have a book on all I have done and am doing. By the time this is over I will write a book to the WORLD on what to watch for when the company would NOT allow me to even look them up, less than 5 min. after taking my card number I told them I changed my mind, they laughed and said too bad we already got your card number. OH then the main so called man had to step away and my call was dropped.
This is all a scam, not that one does not try hard enough. When a company sends and TELLS you, you will recieve a payment before your first card payment is due and it is almost a year now, and not a dime. But adding close to 60.00 a month just in interest on this loan. By the time this is paid off, it will cost more than I owe on my home. I call this a scam. Other companies that are true, do repay and cancell an account. Dishonest ones want to fight and keep your money like you have kept mine.

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internetsalesinstitute
boise, US
Dec 10, 2010 6:20 pm EST

In reference to the complaint. Internet Sales Institute stands behind its services. We offered this client over 50 percent of her money back. The client made the decision to move forward on her own merit. We will go to any extent to make our clients happy. We provide one one help on a number of different levels. Our coaching sessions are at least 30 minutes long. Clients also have unlimited help from 8:00 am mst-8pm mst to get help via phone, e-mail and live chat. The problem when people start any new venture is they expect immediate results. At Internet Sales Institute we gaurantee to work with every client until they recover their full initial investment. There are no such things as get rich quick schemes. Sometimes when clients sign up and realize they do have to put time and effort in they start to second guess their decision. We communicate to all students that it does take time and effort to build a business. We work diligently with every client to accomplish their goals and lay a solid foundation for their online ventures. There will be frustration at times but giving up on a program within one week, no one would ever succeed. Growing pains happen for all new start up businesses. We do business with people all over the world by phone. We stand behind our gaurantee and all services we provide to clients. We are ready and willing to address any concerns that any past, present or future clients may have! WE STAND BEHIND OUR GUARANTEE!

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k.jones
elm city, US
Oct 06, 2010 6:48 pm EDT

I too have been taken by internet sales instude. They have a drop shipper call me tonight after many months of trying to get throught to this company.
It is a scam along with many others.
I have been taken by one company for 4700.00. And I am not done fighting. My credit card company is but I am not. Off to the Trade commission and the BBB. I have even tried to get the local TV involved, they told be bring in more against these companies and they will consider to warn.
They took avantage of a disabled person and a fixed income..NOW I AM FIXED on making payments and lost my credit card from the company doing this to me.
Watch out. Don't order NOTHING online. Unless it is a big name company like a book company in your local town that you can not get to.
I have learned my lesson and then some...and they stick the no return in after you sign up for something. This systum they allow these companies to post online but won't back up what they sell.
I have more phone numbers for a company called Focus than I do in all of whom I know, and I am not young. But still no answers and no one knows who to contact.

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Anne P
Cortez, US
Aug 02, 2010 9:33 am EDT

Help! who and how do I go about trying to get my 13000 back from thrive! They messed up the other day and sent emails out to ALL of us to register for our webinars...so I replied to all and asked it any one else was making any money or had terrible feeling in their gut! I have heard from about 40 people, even after Thrive did a damage control call and said to ignore me and delete my email.I have even heard from one of the "coaches" that is getting out! Of course I also a week later got a email saying to cease contacting these people, which they are emailing me! Please help us!

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froggiefred
Long Beach, US
Aug 02, 2010 1:58 am EDT

internet sales institue gives you 3 business days to cancel ... they put you on the phone with a guy who tries to talk you out of canceling but if you just say no i need to cancel then they legally MUST let you. be very careful when dealing with these people...if you want to call them "people". and yes...they make millions by maxing out people's credit cards claiming you will receive "training"...it's a ridiculous approach.

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Alan2010
Kennewick, US
Jun 29, 2010 1:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I wish I'd read your posting in advance.
I am in the process of trying to get my money back from Internet Sales Institute.

It happened just the same as the complain stated. I was stupid enough to sign on last Friday.

Realizing I made a foolish mistake, I tried to cancel it on Monday. I am still fighting with this ISI.

Any helps?

Alan

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CynB
Signal Hill, US
Jun 01, 2010 8:24 pm EDT

I just got called by Internet Sales today, trying to get me to sign up with them. I told them I needed to do my research first and that I would call them back tomorrow morning. Once I got online I found this forum, and I'm glad I did! Doesn't look like I will be calling them back any time soon!

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Bill Rogers
detroit, US
Feb 28, 2010 9:15 pm EST

Actually Internet sales Institute in Utah and Idaho are 2 entirely different companies. Look at the owners and other details. Make sure you understand the difference between the two. One is legitimate the other is not. Just a word to the wise. Good online businesses can be tough to find know days. There are still a few that actually back up what they say they will do!

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scookie12
Monroe, US
Jan 25, 2010 9:31 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I too was scammed by Thrive. I was contacted in June 2009 by Sterling Fianancial Group. I spoke to a Mr. Davis. He started out by asking how much money we had. I told him that I could barely pay our bills. I had one credit card left that I had no charges on. He told me that if I used that card, I would get 1/2 my money back in 30 days and the other 1/2 in 60 days. So I would not have to pay interest. He told me a company named Thrive learning center would walk us step by step on setting up a web store. I told him that I work 60+ hours a week and my husband worked 40-50 hours a week. So we could only put 10+ hours a week on it. He assured me that was plenty of time. He also said that Thrive had a BBB rating of A-. I checked the bbb and it said the company had no rating at this time because the company was under review. So I trusted him and I paid them lots of money and we did all the work. I put mzany more hours than the 10 +. I stayed up past midnight every night. They also will tell you that this is the only money that you need to invest. Then they told me that Strategic Financial would need to set up my comapny. When I told Thrive that this was not mentioned earlier, they said that I did not have to do it, but if I expected my business to do good I really should or I might not do good. So I paid Sterling and Strategic and Thrive was the middle man. Thrive was terrible. Whenever I would contact them. They would tell me "just keep working on it, you're doing good." Different coaches would tell you different things. In September, we still did not have our site up. I tried to file a bbb compalint against Thrive, but the bbb said that since Sterling was the company to charge me I had to file against them. So it is now January, I filed a dispute in September with my credit card company and Sterling Fianancial is still fighting it. I have been forced to file bankruptsy.I waited too long to file a despute against Strategic. Trust me. Make sure you fully check out a company, before investing this kind of money. They prey on your dreams. Even though I told them I could barely pay what I have they told me that I would make money and get out of debt. I will be more carefull next time.

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OpInYAWNman
Boise, US
Dec 20, 2009 7:48 am EST

While I know not all businesses out there are above board, I had some questions to your statement of:
"The woman told me she had many complaints from people that she had to credit their accounts."

1. I find it hard to believe the woman (from your credit card company?) would have been able to speak about other accounts from this business (thrive or Internet institute) just due to the shear volume of calls that the credit card companies deal with on a daily basis for disputes. She may have been speaking on a broader topic like internet scams, but, as for her hearing about one business and remembering them, 2 variables would need to be in play:
a.) it would need to be a bigger business (one that would make the news [think Bernie Madoff] nationally]), since the average customer service rep takes approx. 100-120 calls a day. [nearly impossible unless some other memory trigger is present]
which leads me to:
b.) if it were that big of a corporation, why is this site not ABSOLUTELY LIT with complaints.
2.) If the woman (remembering all the service complaints) was speaking poorly of a singular business, then that small business would be very funded due to the lawsuit for defamation. The customer service rep at your credit card company would also need to have a law degree to speak upon such topics (from which you would receive the "NO Comment!" comment from her).

While I am not saying you do not have a grievance with this company, we, as your readers, are not getting all the facts. Your statement of "He manipulated me" implies that you were victimized a second time; but, your trailing comment of "BUT I STOOD MY GROUND" says that you were not a victim of the second person. I think you have stirred emotion into the reading of your agreement of the company and should most likely check your credit card statement for the charge as being suspended. You might also be wise to notice that the "30 days notice" might be from a stand-point that the company has 30 days to take action on starting the credit refund (i.e. talking with the credit card company to have it reversed) since they do not have your credit card (physically) to reverse the charge on a card reader, like at your local convenience store.

What I AM saying is you (as all of us) should RTFM (read the manual, contract, fine print, etc...), with out the "I am too busy for that stuff" hat on your head. Take the responsibility, YOUR responsibility, to manage YOUR business affairs.

Chalk it up to opinion, me being stupid for not agreeing with you, but, I don't think we have been given all the information in your "case".

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