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Chet Holmes and Tony Robbins

Chet Holmes and Tony Robbins review: False Advertising 25

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2:07 pm EDT
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After hearing a Chet Holmes & Tony Robbins radio spot many times on CNBC, I phoned the company. As directed in the radio spot, I could leave my name and e-mail address for a free 5-point information packet which was to be e-mailed for my review; the topic was something like "5 Steps to Increasing Your Business". Firstly, when I phoned, midway through the recorded message a representative picked up the phone and gave me his sales pitch. I explained that I would like to receive the materials first so I could review the concept. I was told that he would send the materials to me by e-mail that day and would follow up with a telephone call to go over any questions. I never received the e-mail or telephone call so, the next time I heard the radio spot, I phoned again. The same thing happened in my second conversation as the first with nothing e-mailed to me and no follow-up phone call. I have since phoned back 3 times, all with the same results. I do not understand why they are falsely advertising something that they do not provide to callers. Additionally, I am a business person and was initially interested in what they were advertising. Now I feel that is it a scam and would never want to do business with either Chet Holmes International or Tony Robbins.

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Scenetwenty6
US
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Aug 30, 2010 4:46 pm EDT

They sent me the material, and followed up with a phone call. Seems legit to me.

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West Coast Business Owner
US
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Sep 07, 2010 11:32 am EDT

I've had the exact experience as the first poster. I received two sales calls from "David", who said he works 2 hours per day because he believes so stronly in the product. I agreed to take the webinar, but never received anything via email prior to my scheduled date. After a quick search on the internet, I discovered that this was a scam. In order to avoid being scammed, I canceled my credit card to abvoid the $229 payment. (There wasn't any other way to cancel.)
West Coast Business Owner

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Cal Ag Co.
La Quinta, US
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Nov 22, 2010 10:02 pm EST

I too was very disappointed when I called. I am very familiar with Both Tony and Chet. They are both excellent & probably the best in their fields. I do take issue however with the way they gave me a "High Pressure" sales pitch. I told the rep that I was calling to request the product info as offered on the radio ad. He was obnoxious and relentless with his sales pitch insisting that I buy & schedule the webinar right then. I told him that I wouldn't commit to buying their product while driving and without reviewing it in print first. He still would not take no for an answer and I practically had to hang up on him to get him to stop. He then said that he would email the info. I never received anything and 2 weeks later he called me to see if he could sell me the webinar again. I told him that he never sent the info. He played dumb & finally did. Bottom line, after reviewing the info, I can see that they have a great product to offer. I would have bought it from them for sure, however due to all the hoopla and high pressure, I am unsure now. I cannot stand high pressure sales tactics & have been scammed in the past by these tactics. Tony & Chet should be confident in how great their product is and not present them in a "Scam Like Fashion"... Great Product, Lousy Presentation... Surprising, considering it is coming from the best sales tactition out there...

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hlbookit
Overland Park, US
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Nov 22, 2010 11:54 pm EST

I called today and asked for the free information via e-mail and received the same relentless pressure to pony up $229 for their webinar. I explained to their representative the $229 was not an issue. However I wanted to review the free information before making a commitment. Their representative would not stop and when he finally figured out I wasn’t going to buy the seminar before getting the free information he started into this guilt trip about me not taking action. Chet and Anthony are applying their trade secrets to every caller that asks for their informational product. $229 is just the beginning for these guys, once they get into your wallet they are going to keep coming back for more. As of now I still have not received the free information and could care less if I do..

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mikeminnc
apex, US
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Feb 02, 2011 12:32 pm EST

I had the same experience as the first poster - called many times, always getting a high pressure pitch and never receiving any email of info. The radio ad explicitly says "call and leave your email on voicemail and we will send you the report" and then you call and get connected with a high pressure salesperson and never receive any email report. I am flabbergasted as to why Tony Robbins or Chet Holmes would continue to support this approach, it has totally changed my perception of them both.

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Billme2
US
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Feb 10, 2011 3:04 pm EST

I left my name and email address. I was very clear and repeated it twice. Never heard from them for two weeks. Then I received a phone with a big sales pitch. When I said I want my email package she read me some totally wrong email address. When I told her it was wrong and gave her it again using call words (alfa, tango) and so on. She went back to her sales pitch. I told her that I wouldn't do anything until I receive my email package. At that point she said that she didn't call me to argue and hung up. It's a scam.

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serendipitymp
Fort Washington, US
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Feb 16, 2011 12:31 am EST

I worked with this organization as a "Client Relations Manager" very briefly. I gave it up when I realized that it was high pressure bait and switch sales for an over priced seminar that goes over some pretty elementary business concepts ALL of which are explained in DETAIL in his Ultimate Sales book which ANYONE can get on Amazon for less than $20.00.

As part of the training the phone sales rep has to sit in on one of the $199 webinars. I thought the webinar was okay, but then when I got the book and saw that every single thing in the webinar was also in the book, I really started to question the value of what they were offering. However, it's a genius marketing strategy... they're making $199 a seat for information that's easily available to anyone with a $20 bill!

I do believe the seminar has SOME value. But it's likely that more sophisticated execs/owners will not be overly impressed by the information. I'm a business school grad only 2.5 years out of college, and I wasn't THAT impressed with the book OR the seminar. And although the book had some good ideas, I thought the book was one of the more poorly written business books I've read.

They train their phone staff to not take no for an answer. They give you a script of about 10-15 different responses to give when someone says no. For example, when someone says "I'm driving so I can't give you my credit card", they tell you to say, "I can wait until you pull over...or why don't you pull over now?"

They also explicitly tell the phone sales staff to not even mention the free reports advertised on the radio. They offer 2 contradictory responses in their script for how to respond to this. One response is, "And those are definitely on the way, but look, half of everyone who reads the reports signs up for the web seminar anyway so I'm just trying to save you some time and get you into something you're gonna want anyway after reviewing the reports." The other response is, "And those are on the way, but I know that if you don't do this now you'll probably never do this."

There is some merit to their "always assume the sale approach". But I think they take it too far and that's why I decided to walk away. It's important to establish TRUST in the sales process and you can't establish trust if you break a promise right from the start. People call for a free report and you immediately try to push them into something else without even mentioning what they called for! That doesn't seem like a tenable strategy over the long term...

And when I quit, there were some issues among the sales people about the amount of people who were dropping out of the webinars without paying the $199. And of course the telephone sales staff doesn't get paid unless the person attends the webinar AND chooses to pay the $199 at the end.

So they are definitely going to have to make some changes in order to keep this gig going...

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DIX32
Carleton, US
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Feb 16, 2011 6:15 pm EST

Dido. I can't say its a scam since I didn't pay anything but the high pressure sales pitch pushed me over the edge. I was genuinely interested at first but after the pushy approach to sell me a seminar before sending me some basic information has me wondering what they are up to...and doesn't support the wonderful things they are suggesting!

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Yoshik
Gonzales, US
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Mar 24, 2011 2:50 am EDT

It is a great program! IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! One idea has been worth easily $100, 000, If you flow through the process instead of being so cynical you may find they have a very well oiled machine. I believe their results speak for themselves. I mean they are quite successful. Anyone heard of you?Clearly you responded because you have a need. Maybe if you paid attention...

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Euqirne Roines
Fort Lauderdale, US
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Mar 28, 2011 8:01 pm EDT

I attended a seminar by Tony Robbins last weeekend in Fort Lauderdale, it was very entretening and like a high energy aroebics class, definitely the man has carismatic atributes and they could be of guidence to individuals being able to talk or hear him in person. I really dought anyone can experience the same fron a video. He talks about things which are the c ommon denominator to todays problesm and situations the greater population are living and maybe he has been able to apply a method and answer for himself and a few after great brain washing, Most people attending are desperate for change and we as humans elect officials and paths in life which are probably not the best for ourselves. I was given the oportunity to listen to Tony as they call him and if I had to chose again after what i saw and experience, I would never pay that kind of money to go to the seminar, you may get the same result from a relaxing vacation that would make you re-evaluate your life and your next step as they call it. Everyone has a choice and if they have the will power they can manage their faith they will be able to correct and rout their lifes the best way. many others need help with the smallest decision and this is why people like Tony and Ched are succesfull. It just bothers that they acchive their success by the use of false advertising, pressure sales and abuse of the emotional state of mind of individuals at a given point in their lifes when they maybe lost and experiecne weakness. Since I was there and was placed with the oportunity to find out about the actual product I approached one of his Coaches, trained by him that sale Mastery University product or programs and I told her a bit about what I maybe looking for to do with my life and new business, and asked how the program could help me, I got no answer and was sent back into the seminar because I was going to miss on the most important part or message of the whole weekend. She was a bit rude to beging with and it did not make sense to mis on the oportunity I gave her to sale me a Vacation at Namale Fiji, the resort owned by Tony where programs of the Mastery University are held. I woul not go to another lecture but I may experiement with the idea of going to Fiji to this resort and hear what could have help in improving my life style. Instead I was ignored and discouraged, I guess is because the concentration is on the sale of a product and not the actual help that someone could get?

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hcaitraining.ca
Hamilton, CA
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Apr 04, 2011 4:19 pm EDT

I purchased the program. I believe the program is very very useful information. It is worth 1, 000.00. They charge 4, 000.00. I think this company has perfected how to charge a maximal amount of money for any given product. Now, that is practicing what they preach... as they do show you how to maximize your income... so thumbs up on the content, thumbs down on the price. The biggest problem though, is that chet holmes is basically making you pay for his advertising... his webinar is a sales pitch for the cd programme, (4k) which is a sales pitch for his, "web development - 20k to build a site, or go to homestead.com and do it for free", "core storey - they advertise 4 figures, when you call it's 5 figures, 19, 500". In total, i think he promotes like 9 different companies. So rather than give you everything you need for 4k.. he is just giving you a teaser and if you want more, you end up paying around 20k for each service. They are not about building your company with strategy.. they are about giving you strategy that leads to your buying their service. In closing, someone needs to put the information on the net on one of those free sites and then they can benefit from the actual service they are selling.. rather than 4229.00 to hear the sales pitch. In closing, the program is very very good... similar to a product that y2marketing.com sells for 1k. The idea is educate your client and be an expert rather than give a sales pitch... Then they tell you to sell your education so you get paid for the advertising... it is what they do.. and it does work. But as mentioned above, if you use them to design your website, optomize your website, hire your staff, do a core storey or anything else... expect to pay 20k or more... and if you shop around... same services are much less... (especially websites). citymax.com, homestead.com, y2webbuilder.com... these are resources to build a website in one night and it will look very professional! I just don't understand why they can't share that information? So... good information, but over priced and under delivered. Try to get the cd's for free if you can, or go in on it with a group of people.. it is definately worth 1k. But i don't think 4k. and definately, not 20k for a simple website... total nonsense.

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tylrwb
44070, US
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Apr 12, 2011 6:15 pm EDT
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Look, lead by example. Do as they do. they are successful your not. Chet did not get rich off of selling his technique he got rich from companies hiring him to grow there business. therefor there is a lesson to learn here - Nothing in life is free, he could charge whatever he wants. So many people go and inquire about this and then do not want to pay the money for the help. As long as it doesn't cost very much or if it is free everyone is on board. I have been dealing with this kind of person for years and believe me there are alot of you out there. Everyone thinks that you owe them something. If i put something free out on my website everyone grabs it and raves about it. If i take the same product and charge for it, it suddenly looses value and is not as good as it was before. It costs to much, its not worth the money i spent. I hate to tell you folks this but you are the exact reason your business is failing. No open mind. Anyway I came I saw I bought and it is worth every penny. What i paid for this i have paid 3 times as much in the past years with my business. Take care people - you don't know what your missing!

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MN biz
Hugo, US
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Apr 30, 2011 4:25 pm EDT
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Anyone defending high-pressure, bait-and-switch marketing tactics is a fool. It's the lowest form of business. You act as though you're better than the people complaining - at least they have brains enough to know when they're getting fleeced. Talk about easily sold. Sheesh, good luck you.

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Sell This
Tampa, US
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May 10, 2011 11:18 pm EDT

Chet Holmes / Anthony Robbins These 2 should be brought up on charges and jailed
Yep, they got me too. When i called the number to leave my email... yep you quessed it they picked up the phone and it was a low down sales pitch to joint the webinar and yep that was another pitch to buy the books and DVDs was a waste for 129.99 and 2 hours of my time. If you want to do something fun call the number and count how many times they get you to say YES I have not seen sales tactics like that since the 70's. You basicly pay for a infomercial..You will not learn a thing and the books and dvd program will cost you about 1300.00.. All the radio stations should stop running there ads it is a real SCAM. If you need help in selling go to your book store or public library you will find all kinds of info and most likly for free. Just stay away from these ### there crooks selling a cure all in a time where most buisness are having hard times but these two jokers can not help your bottom line. The dont know how to sell the know how to mess with every bodys head, thats not selling thats scaming..### selling. These 2 should be brought up on charges or we need to get together and file a lawsuit and stop them..IM IN!

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Likes to be fair
US
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May 13, 2011 5:02 pm EDT

It worked for me. They gave me a sales pitch but i asked to receive the free material first. They sent me a 30 min training audio that had 5 great ideas in it. I haven’t gone back for the longer version but I'm a little cheep like that.

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tpaulco
Winston-Salem, US
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May 18, 2011 6:33 pm EDT

Contrary to most info on the internet (complaintsboard.com, etc) this is NOT a scam. However, it is simply a disorganized, overfilled PowerPoint presentation of various and sundry business concepts available from most commonly read business books. Even within the presentation it does not practice what it preaches. For example the pitch idea is that the presentation will help the business owner "do the one important thing, not the four-thousand things." The delivery is such a hodgepodge, and out of sync with the downloaded materials that it leads to the perceived need of writing down and doing five-thousand things. I cannot blame the company for the following, but the process seems set up from the get-go to constantly up-sell the participant. Yes we need consulting and coaching, to help us achieve the results we desire, and to overcome obstacles but it is doubtful from the mid-cost:low value presentation that Business Breakthrough is the company to do it. Listeners need to be careful not to get sucked into to very shrewd NLP-based sales tactics. Hang up at the end of the main part of the call. I did, then went to work on other things, but left the presentation running and came back a half-hour later to find they were very deep into some egregious dollar figures and intrusive consulting offers.
A note about the author: six years post graduate study, including an MBA. Lead companies ranging from startups to $50mm. Signed up for one of these out of curiosity. Called the toll-free number and saleman picked up half-way through. I called them on that, but continued the process.

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Solfeo
US
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May 25, 2011 8:11 pm EDT

Just talked to a lady for 10 minutes.
She sent my email as we were talking and politely hang up once I said I appreciated her help but I was not going to agree to buying anything today.
I told her I would say yes to anything she asked because I really like Tony Robbins but I will say no to spending any money on the phone.
I told her I would review my email materials and get back to her.
I don't think that what they are doing is illegal.
They do not force you to do anything and you can always hang up... what a concept!

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mccsd81
San Jose, US
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Aug 24, 2011 5:01 pm EDT

Tony Robbins is a Scam Artist! Who is Chet Holmes? They Lie and they Cheat! Tony Robbins should NOT feel good about himself because he stold money from my desperate grandma. good job Tony Robbins...you disgusting criminal!

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mccsd81
San Jose, US
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Aug 24, 2011 5:04 pm EDT

Tony Robbins is disgusting. Please die Tony Robbbins...our grand parents don't need you to steal their money!

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Rymor
Los Angeles, US
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Aug 29, 2011 12:34 am EDT

Their stuff has worked well for me and my organization. No matter how good you are there are always going to be negative crybabies. It's okay though. Negative crybabies are never successful...so it leaves more for the rest of us.

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takenote
Astatula, US
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Oct 12, 2011 7:37 pm EDT

Tony Robbins & Chet Holmes 4 Ways To Double Sales In 12 Months SCAM ALERT...
They have been on the radio telling everyone to call and leave your email address and you will recieve a free program...dont call they will in most cases answer the phone and pound you to set you up in a on line webinar only to poound you and set you up to spend 1300.00 on tapes and videos and books and ect... only to set you up for even more money to spend it will not end...They will teach you how to sell using old school ways that you can go to a book store for 10.00...Dont waste your time but if you want to do something fun call them and see how many times they get you to say yes...you old schoolers out there know that one right ? Its simple have a great product at a great price and belive in what you do and talk about it. All they will show you is mind games and tricks and the only one that will win is Tony Robbins & Chet Holmes collecting you hard earned money.

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energy4me
Mpls, US
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Mar 21, 2012 10:46 am EDT

Most people need 'some kind' of motivation to do the right thing, take the next step ect. I don't care what program you use if the motivation works for you, and you get value for what ever total $$$$ you spend then it works. Don't know Tony Robbins but I do know Chet Holmes. He is an AMAZING person. He is also in the fight of his life with cancer. Say a prayer if you please.

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TonyG317
Cicero, US
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Jan 08, 2013 1:18 pm EST

They do not tell you on the website or commercials Chet Holmes is dead

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montebrit
Sherman Oaks, US
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Jan 25, 2013 4:09 am EST

Chet holmes was a thief, a phony a liar and a tax cheat of gargantuan proportions. He is very dead, and they pretend he's not because they are still milking his name for any penny that it might be worth. His "business" is a total fraud, do not be scammed by these scam artists and their proxies and apologists on here. Just look at what his former employees say on here. If Tony Robbins has thrown in with Holmes in "Business Breakthroughs International" then he is a villain as well, because he must know that Holmes guy was a complete fraud. Every semi-decent person who ever worked there has quit by now.

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achetfan
Walkill, US
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Nov 02, 2013 2:52 pm EDT

to the poster, above: I am amazed that anyone would have the audacity to defame someone who is no longer here to defend himself. Chet was one of the most honest people I have ever met and it is clear by your post that you are a disgruntled former employee. Chet had high standards and clearly you did not make the cut ! As for this company continuing to promote his product, of course they do, ,
many founders of companies large and small continue past the death of their founders.. Have you noticed that Apple is still in business even though Steve Jobs has passed or that the Atkins diet plan is still promoted long after the death of the doctor who developed it ? I guess people as successful as Chet was will draw a few critics and a few nuts like you.

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