CS Mentoring Program...what an insult! - Posted by LeAnne

import · April 18, 2001, 10:45pm

Posted by Todd (MO) on April 24, 2001 at 11:47:17:

That’s fine…the premise of CS coaching is to get as many people signed up as possible. The people that call are salespeople, not real estate investors. I have talked to many people who say that they essentially just receive a glorified pep talk once a week.

You mentioned phone coaching, that too can be beneficial if done right. If you use a coach you need to find one that will come to your location to show you how to work your market.

Much more effective. Guess I just think different. lol

Todd

import · April 18, 2001, 10:45pm

CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by LeAnne

Posted by LeAnne on April 18, 2001 at 22:45:33:

I am so mad at myself for letting this salesperson waste my time on this ridiculously priced mentoring program offer (I could have been calling sellers or looking at properties!). I didn’t order the original No Money Down course just to be told I need to spend another $2500 for it to work. I am confident that the techniques will work without getting a mentor, and I find it insulting to be told I will most likely offer too much for my first properties without their help. If I do offer too much it will at least be MY offer and not the mentor’s. If nothing else, the mentoring offer has prompted me to really get going to succeed. However, I am sad to say it’s made me have less respect for CS in general.

Thanks… I feel better now getting that off my chest

PS - Does anyone have any experience with the chat room associated w/ this site? I haven’t been able to get it to work.

import · April 26, 2001, 10:22am

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by John Swope (KCMO)

Posted by John Swope (KCMO) on April 26, 2001 at 10:22:00:

I just wanted to add that I am currently participating in the coaching program. I chose to do so for a number of reasons (obviously specific to my needs):

(1) I hate wasting time; I get the information I need when I need it, because the program allows you to actually speak to the “coach on duty” between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every weekday through the toll-free Resource Line. Also, I can ask “stupid” questions without feeling embarrassed - you know, those questions that would let any realtor and/or seller know that you don’t know jack about real estate.

(2) I can alleviate many potential mistakes by reviewing a situation with my coach first. We talk about some possible creative financing techniques, then structure an offer. Then, when I present the “well thought out” offer to a seller, I appear as a professional investor.

(3) I recognize that I personally need guidance and assurance to excel; with a coach, I have outside motivation to finish the tasks necessary to succeed.

(4) As was said in another followup, you will probably end up spending at least the same amount of money in trial and error, not to mention wasting a lot of time (which, for those of us who work a regular daytime job, can take away from the little family time we have to begin with). Also, particularly in real estate, the legal ramifications of a mistake can be costly!

(5) The coaches are the professionals who do REI for a living, and are proof of success. Since they’ve already made the mistakes, why not let them help you avoid them? This also helps you avoid reinventing the wheel in many cases.

(6) Though it may seem expensive, the cost should be recovered within a few months (possibly sooner, if you find a good deal and/or flip your first property).

(7) I personally must understand the “inner workings” of anything I do (as I’m a very analytical person) - I won’t feel comfortable/confident with what I’m asked to do unless I understand why I’m doing it and how to do it properly and efficiently. Coaching is, in my belief, the fastest and most cost effective way of achieving the goals I’ve set for REI.

Sorry to be so long-winded, but that’s my $2495 worth of input. Feel free to e-mail me with questions or comments, and I’ll be happy to share my experience. Also, if you’re interested in having discussions over the phone, let me know via e-mail - my cell phone service is toll free and unlimited nights and weekends, and I’d enjoy speaking with others who are involved in the CS program.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

import · April 23, 2001, 11:57pm

Is it just me or … - Posted by Todd (MO)

Posted by Todd (MO) on April 23, 2001 at 23:57:05:

…does everyone just have an aversion to learning?

True, there are some bad “coaching” programs out there, but not all are bad. Coaching is not just for those that “need their hand held.” I have worked with people who have already been in the business and wanted to go to the next level . . . and got there.

I guess I just believe in what I do . . . I help people achieve success. With the right coach anyone can achieve more success faster than on their own. I know, I do it all the time.

The right coach can be much more than just a “pump-up” and someone to assign tasks to you. They can get you to where you want to go. And if they are worth their salt, they will back-up their efforts. I for instance, give a money-back guarantee on my coaching. There are lots of empty promises out there - what you need is to find those that back up their claims. Coaching should be performance based. If the coach doesn’t get you fantastic results financially, then they should give you a refund.

Don’t underestimate the benefits of coaching. You can see my take on it in the archives at:

http://www.creonline.com/wwwboard2/messages/17188.html

Continued Success,

Todd

import · April 21, 2001, 5:20pm

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by Zach Griffith

Posted by Zach Griffith on April 21, 2001 at 17:20:19:

Coaching is one of the best ways to go if you don’t know what you’re doing. As far as the money, get over it, you will be on the line for a lot more than that during your investing career. How much is your budget for education per year anyway? I’ve done the program, it works and I’m still doing it today. Good Luck!

import · April 20, 2001, 12:59pm

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by Russ Whitney Group

Posted by Russ Whitney Group on April 20, 2001 at 12:59:41:

LeAnne,

You probably saw this coming but, we beg to differ. True, there are alot of people who can go to a book store, buy a book or two on real estate, come to these forums, and have a very successful career in real estate investing. We see it happen, but not that often.

Then there is the other 99% of the world who need guidance, and a proven plan so they can succeed.

Just keep this in mind as you invest. You’re going to pay for your education one way or another. By trial and error, or having a mentor guiding you over the phone, in a classroom, or at your house. These boards are a great resource, but they can’t do it for you.

You can decide on your own. Good luck to you.

Russ Whitney Real Estate Consulting Dept.
Whitney Education Group, Inc.

import · April 19, 2001, 7:19pm

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by DONNA

Posted by DONNA on April 19, 2001 at 19:19:27:

WELL LEANN,
I took the coaching course for $1300 some years back. I am still kicking myself! It was not really worth anywhere near the money. It was all phone based at that time, 30 minutes every two weeks. I write feature articles for the Georgia Real Estate Investors Assoc now, and I can tell you that I do not recommend anyones coaching courses, and virtually none of the stuff everyone sells. I have had the opportunity to use and review numerous courses on foreclosures, lease options, flipping, rehabbing, etc. Very few come anywhere near covering all essential details, and none are capable of addressing the legalities of a particular state, so they have to be more or less generic. As long as you understand that they will be helpful but not problem solvers, there is no harm done, if you can afford the money. I personally believe that it is best to use classes or courses taught by local real estate investors who work in your particular area. These national courses are usually written and administered by companies who put these courses together and have little to do with the investor who is selling it. The Sheets coaching was done by a call center. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I prefer that personal contact with someone in my area. A local mentor is best if you can get one.

import · April 19, 2001, 9:20am

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by Jonas

Posted by Jonas on April 19, 2001 at 09:20:43:

Mentoring or Coaching is not for everyone.Many people NEED a coach to get them going, a professional coach only guides and keeps one on track,but you must run the race. Many people, and this holds true in any field, hire a coach- from professionals like executives to sales staff. People as a whole like to have their hand held, just for the comfort level.I know of a business in Seattle that are Trainers and Coaches (and investers in RE),they do many different types of coaching in an office and class type setting, they also do it for CS people since that is how they started. They do all aspects of coaching all over the country and won the mayors small business award for business excellence in 2000. They are Seattle Training Specialists,Inc. I think their email is stslakota@aol.com, good luck!

import · April 19, 2001, 1:04am

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by suzy

Posted by suzy on April 19, 2001 at 01:04:00:

LeAnne-
Oh gosh im so sorry this happened to you. You know its funny but i havent ordered a course yet due to i cant make up my mind and also money is so tight right now that it squeaks. LOLOl Anyway, a few years back i ordered McCorkels package only to be told the same thing and you really couldnt even do anything with his basic package i felt. I was so discouraged that i put it away and forgot about real estate. Well i didnt forget, but was so afraid of being scammed again and i live pretty close to paycheck to paycheck. So i found this board and they have more info here and more mentors here and a wealth of knowledge that is tremendous. Dont get discouraged, just keep posting here and on the main group and you’ll go far. Im new also but i have so much confidence from these people that i cant fail!! Hope this helps, suzy

import · April 26, 2001, 5:11pm

Re: CS Coaching - Posted by Lori Samson

Posted by Lori Samson on April 26, 2001 at 17:11:50:

I too bought my first course with him and did the coaching program.

Now as a successful investor I can tell you it wasn’t from the results of the coaching. I tried it for a few months and found so many times that if my coach wasn’t there and I had to talk to someone else I would get conflicting advice. I ended up with a local partner who mentored me and we were curious to see just how experienced they were on the other end of that phone. We called one day with a question and I called back three different times and got three different answers. The reason we happen to discover this was because I told my partner something that my coach had said and he, being a broker checked into it and found they were wrong. I felt unsure about the reliability of the coaching advice and decided to call back several more times just to see if I would get different advice. I did. Then my personal coach called me and he didn’t know the answer but at least was honest enough to tell me. I called a few more times and that was it. A waste of a lot of money.

Do you really think CS can pay a successful investor to man the phones and answer newbee questions all day. You are talking to people who are getting paid by the hour! If they are good at real estate and are making money then how can they waste time on the phones working for CS? They wouldn’t make money very long if they neglected their own REI to worlk for CS.

If you get coached by anyone make sure it’s the Guru himself! Don’t let a hired person do the mentoring!

Lori

import · April 24, 2001, 10:47am

Maybe I didn’t express myself well… - Posted by LeAnne

Posted by LeAnne on April 24, 2001 at 10:47:02:

I was angry and a little embarrassed I guess. I had gotten a letter re: what I thought was a seminar of some sort. I was very interested and excited to tell you the truth. When I called the # on the letter someone had to call me back. He never alluded to what he was actually selling until the very end. And, yes, I understand that is a successful form of selling. When I realized what it was, I was somewhat interested but it still sounded…well I don’t know – uncomfortable. It seemed kind of restrictive. Anyway, when he told me the price, I knew it wasn’t for me. When I realized he had prequalified me in the beginning stating that “Carlton like for participants to have access to at least $3K in credit cards”, I felt duped (and I guess I was).

I’m sure there are many people who have benefited from the coaching programs. Maybe I would, too. I would rather pay for telephone-based advice as I use it. That would be more my speed. Anyway…I’m over it!

import · April 26, 2001, 5:18pm

Re: I too agree, but… - Posted by Lori Samson

Posted by Lori Samson on April 26, 2001 at 17:18:59:

Who is doing the coaching? If it’s not the Guru you are likely to get hired help and not benefit.

I have paid out the wazoo for coaching and mentoring myself. The ones who took me over the top were the ones who personally did the mentoring themselves. Some are just too big to do their own mentoring and those are the ones I wish I could get my money back on. Some had great course amterials and seminars but the coaching stunk!

Lori

import · April 30, 2001, 8:54am

Re: CS Mentoring Program!-Whitney Guidance - Posted by Willie

Posted by Willie on April 30, 2001 at 08:54:38:

Ask jjonkman@aol.com for Whitney package for comments on their mentoring and guidance.

import · September 20, 2003, 12:48am

Re: CS Mentoring Program…what an insult! - Posted by glen

Posted by glen on September 20, 2003 at 24:48:59:

I am a total and complete fraud.