Well, I almost fell for it! A couple of weeks ago, I heard Larry Goins speaking on another guru's podcast about HUD homes. I checked out Larry's HUD website and ordered the Free book with several "bonuses'" A few days later, I received the HUD book in the mail with a list of the "extras" you get just for ordering the book. Also, on the bottom of every page in the book is a notice to go to the website to "claim your bonuses." One of the bonuses listed on the front page of the website stated:
- FREE tickets for you and a guest to my Three Day Training Boot Camp event taught personally by my team and I.
Following this statement was a hyperlink to a Three Day Training Boot Camp in Austin, Texas on March 17 - 19.
Since I live in Texas, I decided to call Larry's Office to ask about the Austin event. I spoke to a representative who promptly told me that this bonus was "only for events at the headquarters in South Carolina." I didn't have the link in front of me that morning, so I waited until I got home to verify what I was seeing. So, the next morning, I called the representative again. He then changed his story to "that is a mistake on our website we have been trying to have changed for three months." So I mentioned that it was very misleading and he didn't have much to say.
Later, that same day, I called the office again and spoke to a "Manager" who gave me another run around and even tried to sell me tickets to the Austin event! I got home and looked at the site again and Lo, and Behold, it had been changed.
Points of interest:
1. If they are going to mislead, they need to be responsible for their advertising.
2. On pages 12 - 13 in the HUD Book Larry proudly points out their Mission Statement and Core Values. My experience with the Larry Goins Group contradicts several of the points in their Mission Statement and Core Values:
I take issue with the last line of the Mission Statement that reads:
"based on ethical, moral and biblical principles."
I also see contradiction with this situation and these Core Values:
1. We put people and principles before profits
4. We take ownership, are accountable and challenge ourselves
10. We are humble and do the right thing
The Larry Goins Group is no more honest than any of the others. I do not want anything special. I just want to find a company that will do what they say they will do. In this case, I almost fell for the infamous "bait and switch." We can all say we make mistakes, but we are accountable for them and should take the necessary steps to correct them.
I wonder how many people fell for the same thing? I think at least the Larry Goins Group owes me $394 for helping them find that mistake in their marketing campaign!
