Manipulative Liars/Con-Artists!!!!! (With Only 1 Or 2 Exceptions...Update:NOT Saying REI Is A "Scam," Just Response)
*** Google "Response Real Estate Utah FTC" *** I wound up allowing myself to be duped & conned by Response when I saw a Y.T. ad featuring a prominent star of HGTV fix/flip speak directly to residents of my city, he said "...a lotta ppl thought their lives would be..different, here's your chance to attend a FREE training event for building wealth (primarily focusing on REI)..." The "FREE" was an up-sell for $1,197.0 training they SWORE us would have us totally on our way as successful investors (so long as we "work the program"), we'd have $1 million in funding per deal for deals which they'd provide us newbs cuz they'd profit even more from us & get a cut (which they say to dispel your doubt about why they'd teach ppl their investing "secrets").Response created a brilliant (tbh) FACADE of a training program...ITS ALL FAKE GLITTER,DON'T LET THEM FOOL YOU!!) Months after "FREE" turned $1197.0, incredibly charismatic & likable "coach" (con-man) named Greg Downing is the star of the event the FREE event ppl SWORE would teach us all we needed to learn. He & his Response comrades use every single "Dark Psychology" tactic in the book.In Group/Out Group,Appeal's To Ego,Fear Of Loss &/or of Missing Out,portraying anyone with complaints about Response as a "lazy/butt-hurt loser who just let their limiting beliefs get the best of them,who didn't work the program/take the necessary actions." You name it! Response is GOOD,they put themselves in the shoes of audience (especially of skeptics) & created a presentation/sales pitch to demonize trusting your gut. At $1197.0,they did present some BASIC yet valuable info,but it was all an emotionally manipulative con up-sell at a nice hotel.They told us we were getting "business credit cards," which they convinced us (re-assuring us so long as we work their program we'll make it back in no time, "we gotcha! Welcome home to the family")we have to PAY A FIRM TO OBTAIN.I was charged something like ALMOST $3,000 by Seed Capital (some Response partner) to apply for credit cards I unknowingly could've applied for myself.Sure, they did do research+work for cards w/promotional periods & the paperwork does say "credit cards," yet they still verbally represent what you're doing like we were getting business loans in form of credit cards (rather than regular credit cards we could apply to ourselves,which was the truth); she deliberately distorted what they were doing/why.Thb,the lady who "consulted" w/me about receiving the credit cards was very pleasant. My specific Response "consultant" who was to create "customized recommendations for how (I) would get started as an REI,based upon my unique situation,right away...",advice that was same for everyone, Steven Ahlander ghosted me after charging my credit cards,immediately & permanent.He & Greg ASSURED,RE-ASSURED, PROMISED, PROMISED, PROMISED so long as we reach out to them for help & take actions they recommend,we will not fail as Investors. Gregory Downing assured us that we would be "fully reimbursed" by the IRS for our "education expenses" if we bought the "Diamond Tour Suite," so long as we keep documentation of our efforts as newb investors (pending to see if its true,Response sure as heck won't refund much less care about you,once they get your $ & you make it clear you're holding off spending any additional $,even when you have ZERO positive results). All of the "coaches" at $1k event gave us their email & phone #'s & promised to make themselves available if we had any difficulties after the in-person training..lies! Pumped up yet also nervous after the 3rd & last day of training,I began calling the "Advisory" line for how to do all in my power to find & close a deal.As others have noted, the Response advisers are VERY inconsistent. One advises u to do one thing,u nervously go apply it,& the next uses a tone of voice like you're a pathetic loser acting like you're nuts when you report what REI actions you're taking (which is advice from their co-adviser). Knowing I NEEDED a deal immediately,they told me to sit back to wait for the Boots on Ground.TDLR, BOG was at a CHEAP dirty hotel, apathetic coach cut class early to go drink. I've reached out to all of those $1k "coaches" over the months 4 help,& they all ghosted me.They knew I was in a desperate circumstance doing something (signing up for something like this) I'd never normally do. They pump u up & tbh that's not all bad imo,IF they weren't con artists who abandon you after they get your $ & IF they'd stick around teaching you up to date REI strategies (which'd never happen,imo) IF they did,I think most students would succeed,it is possible with continued healthy/positive circumstances conducive to your self-improvement.Surveys r collected b4 we leave,while we're pumpd.