The Reverse Funnel System, RFS for short, is in my opinion, a highly effective and devious program for sucking unaware people in.
How they operate, is to use the credibility of companies like Global Resort Network, McDonald's and unsuspecting "sucked" in Joint Venture partners, to cover their true modus operandi.
I feel a bit ashamed that I allowed myself to be conned. It does give me a bit of comfort though, that other respected people have been conned too.
These guys are good.
It is with great reluctance and as a last resort that I published this blog.
I did not want my name to be linked to this debacle, so I left my last name out on purpose
However, I feel the public that are searching for online opportunity to make money, deserves to know. I also do not feel it is right, that honorable people like Al Morales from Global Resort Network and other joint venture partners, are unaware of what is really going on. Everyone that is searching for an online opportunity to make passive money on the internet, also need to be aware what they are letting themselves in for if they decide to join this outfit.
It is only when you have spent $3000 for the GRN holiday package (Which is a good product)$100 for a merchant account, $50 to be "approved" by Ty, and $299 per month for his membership, that the real truth emerges.
Here is the letter of complaint I wrote to Ty Coughlin.
April 29, 2008
Attention: Ty D Coughlin
President Reverse Funnel System
11811 N Tatum Blvd 3653 Diamond Head Cir
Phoenix, AZ 85003 Honolulu HI 96815
Phone 602-953-7615 602-953-7696 602-9537702
Fax 8502221260
1785 East Sahara Avenue
Suite 490
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
Dear Ty,
I am writing to you because I am exceedingly frustrated and disappointed with the way your business has treated me. I have made numerous requests for your business to rectify the situation I will describe below.
On 2-29-2008 I joined your business, mainly because of the reputation of my sponsor and the amazing track record of Al Morales from GRN.
Your website www.thereversefunnelsystem.com, is full of promises that anyone can make money within hours.
Quote from your site; Andrew Carnegie “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do”
That was good advice.
Your actions have proven to be fraudulent, misleading and different from your words right from the beginning.
Here is an example;
Quote “Check this out, I spent $71 on an advertisement and made back $3256”
You are going to take my 65% conversion ads and with the assistance of our marketing department, a team on REAL internet marketing gurus…..
You will simply place ADS where you are directed to place them”
1. Implement my 'Reverse Funnel System™'
2. Place the ads where you are directed to place them
I've made this so stupid simple at this point, that you can only win in this scenario
you just plug in my System, place advertisements where we tell you to and collect your commissions
End of quote
Once I spent over $3450 to get into your membership page, the rude awakening started. In utter disbelieve and confusion, I saw that you gave over 8000 websites and places to advertise on.
Nowhere even a hint about the place or places you spent $71 to get $3256 back.
This is NOT what you promised above.
In spite of this shocking evidence, I soldiered on.
I could not believe that a person like Al Morales would give you his backing, without you having convinced him of your integrity.
I still trusted you.
Because I already spent over $3000, I was motivated to persevere.
I was still convinced that the 45 times return you gave as an example of your success, is what I could duplicate.
The first place you recommend we advertise on is Yahoo
When I typed in some of your recommended keywords, I saw they charge one dollar or more per click.
That is a very fast way to blow $1000+ per day.
I did not want to loose $1000 without proven results.
I picked 3 companies from the internet that guaranteed a huge amount of traffic, and spent $517.
Results? – Zero.
Your guaranteed Support System.
On 3/14/2008 I posted this ticket to your help center
Hi,
I have spent $517 so far on advertising, with zero sales. Where do you advertise to get the sales?
I also set out to find out the truth form you personally as the President.
On 3/15/2008 I wrote this support ticket;
Personal message to Ty Coughlin
“Dear Ty,
I ordered your products, because of the advert of $350K per month
Questions;
1. Do I need to set up a membership site like you and get 1000+ members at $299 a pop to achieve the same?
2. Do you have anyone that is earning 350K per month just selling GRN memberships, or is your advert just a marketing ploy?
I have just over $1000 left of the $5000 you said I needed to get started, with no profit.
3. Where exactly "Simon"(To qualify to join, I had to answer if I can play Simon says, Simon do), do you instruct me to spend this $1000? (You have over 5000 advertising places. To tell a Mcdonald franchise holder - "here are 5000 suppliers of hamburger patties - make your choice", is hardly a franchise) All the tools are very fancy, but I need clear and precise "simon says" instructions, not the vague stuff about advertising that I have listened to. I need 10, or the most 20 places to advertise, with exact instructions, like banners, e-mail ext. I want to work, and have much more than $1000 available for advertising, but I am not blowing more money without exact instructions
Respectfully,
John
P.S. It is my intent to publish your response, and the results.
When you totally ignored my support ticket for 5 days, I wrote this request on 3/20/2008
Look Ty,
This is getting worse. It has been 5 days, and still no reply. For $10 a day, I expect far better service If you cannot supply me with exact places to advertise, how much to spend to get which results, then you have done fraudulent advertising You either give me what you promised, or give me back the money I spent, and we part friends, no problem
If you do not respond within 48 hours, you acknowledge that you intentionally misled me in your advert.
You also did not state, that GRN will take 21 days to activate my membership. That in itself is very disappointing. With this kind of service, I am getting more reluctant to refer anyone to you, because I do not want them to be misled. Please help me believe that you are not a con man.
This is a friendly request.
Respectfully,
John
On 3/22/2008 - 8 days after my initial request for help, I received a very confrontational and rude phone call from Steve, your manager, at 4am in the morning.
His first question after saying his name was;
“What’s your problem?”
He obviously did not read my request for help, neither bothered to check the time differences between Arizona and Saipan.
I repeated my request for places to advertise that will work.
He advised me to type “online opportunities” into Google, and advertise on any site I found and liked.
His advise was undeniably the advice of an amateur, not an “internet GURU” like you advertised would help me.
He furthermore advised me to find a joint venture partner, call him and offer him half of the commission from sales coming from his list of subscribers.
He said when this person I called visits the reverse funnel website, he will buy into the opportunity himself, and there I have my first sale.
Another QUOTE - you will never again have to cold call prospects, follow up with prospects, or even close sales with prospects... my 'Reverse Funnel System™' does it all for you! You don't call anyone
the only way you can fail is if you pay the $50 dollars and then disappear from the face of the earth!
End of Quote
First of all, you clearly state in big bold red letters on your site – NO PHONE CALLS Steve, your support man, instructed me to make phone calls!
Why was Steve’s advise diametrically 100% opposed to what you have written I won’t have to do?!
Secondly, he actually advised me to phone a joint venture partner under false pretences.
The promise of half of the commission was not the real reason for the call, but predominantly a deceitful way to suck the person in.
His instructions for me to go and deceive the unsuspecting public actually nauseated me physically.
Lastly, - I am still on the face of the earth and I have failed.
Even though your manager clearly has proven he is a con man by his instructions, and have instructed me to con the public to get sales, I still could not get myself to believe that you are deliberate fraudsters.
On 3/27/2008 I tried your “live” online help.
I requested your mailing address in case I had to send you correspondence.
At first she questioned me why I wanted it. When I explained, she wrote she did not have it, she will have to ask! The online lady asked me for my e-mail address which I typed in, so she can have it on record. She promised to send it to me that day.
I clean my spam mail every day, so it would be impossible to miss her response.
As of today date, - ZERO RESPONSE.
Either your “live online” lady does not know where she works, or even worse, you have given her instructions not to supply your mailing address.
I had to pay an online service to get you address
Even in your very first email to me, you gave an address in Las Vegas, and not from where you operate in Arizona.
On 4-3-2008, I submitted a support ticket with the following request;
Dear Ty,
It is now 18 days since I submitted the above request for information
Sadly your lack of response, has now become documented proof, that you and your organization are not what you said you are.
With this kind of lack of support and response, there is no way that I can see my way clear or feel comfortable, to bring anyone else into this business, or link my name to it.
I now request that you give me a refund of the following monies I spent in following your instructions
1. $50 for approval process
2. $299 for membership
3. $512 for advertising your business
4. $100 for merchant account
5. $2999 for GRN membership
Total $3960
(The GRN membership is a good product, but I do not need it now. I need a passive income from the internet and not holidays, which is why I followed your instructions)
You have until 4-5-2008 to give me a refund of the above monies, and we part as friends.
If you choose to ignore or refuse my request, I will take the next step, and draw up documents that will very strongly motivate you to give me the refund, or suffer the consequences of massive negative publicity
As these document will take considerable time and effort to draw up, I will then have to ask you double the total above which will amount to $7920, to compensate me for my time, effort and expenses.
Just to help you understand the seriousness of this matter, you need to understand that I have received a very fast refund from Jimmy D Brown, Jim Fleck and Shawn M Casey among others, after I took the next step.
They chose to ignore and refused my initial request for a refund
I do not wish to make money from you, only to get back the money I spent believing your fraudulent advertising and promises.
I respectfully request that you do the right and honorable thing, and refund me the money by 4-7-2008 5Pm Pacific time
Please understand that time has now run out on this matter.
The choice is up to you.
Looking forward to your favorable response.
Yours truly,
John
On Fri Apr 4 2008 I was relieved to see and e-mail from your company, because I was expecting communication about the refund.
When I clicked on the e-mail message, this appeared;
RFS Billing
Just a quick note to inform you that we have successfully charged your credit card in the amount of $265.00 for GRN Biz Builder Reverse Funnel System
If you feel this is in error, please contact us at: support@grnbizbuilder.com
Thank you
GRN Biz Builder Support
I immediately objected in writing, and once again asked you for a refund on the same day
Three days later on 4-7-2008, when I still have heard nothing from you, I sent you the following message
Dear Ty,
Consistent with your past performance, you have chosen to blatantly ignore my correspondence again
I have given this matter a lot of thought over the weekend.
When I complete the next step, you will give me the refund, but in all likelihood, you will just brush me off as a nuisance or a crazy guy.
I realized, you probably have done this with a lot of other people, and this small refund will not encourage you enough to change and correct your fraudulent advertising.
The public needs to be protected.
I will still give you one last opportunity to settle this matter
A refund of $8450 will stop me taking the next step
I will start the process tomorrow, and it will probably take a few days to complete
The only difference, is that my fee for helping you clean up your act, and fair compensation for all the trauma and waste of time your deceit has cost me, will then be $100,000.00
You will probably ignore this email again, but at least you will never be able to say I have not given you fair chance and fair warning.
Until you receive my next correspondence,
Yours truly,
John
Two days later, when there still was no response, in total frustration I sent this message on Wed, 9 Apr 2008
To whoever reads this email
Dear Sir/Madam,
If the following charges are not reversed by 5pm Pacific time today, I will dispute the following charges with my credit card company for your breach of contract
1. $50
2. $299
3. $265
Total $614
I leave the choice to you, I am happy with whatever you decide
Sincerely,
John
I did not reverse the cc charges from the $3000 GRN membership as did not wish their reputation to be damaged just because of your deplorable lack of integrity.
At 7.30 am the next morning, I received a very polite phone call from Jason
Ah, I thought, even though it is 24 days since my request for help, communication at last!
Jason said he wanted to heal the relationship, and even got you on the phone.
That resonated with me, as during my career as a Holistic Doctor I have enjoyed wonderful success.
You said that your support staff has had no or very little experience in selling GRN memberships themselves and it is hard to get good staff.
When I asked Jason about the $350K advert, he did not even know you had it!
And he is head of your staff!
Jason promised me he will give me a very experienced and successful marketer to help me personally. To protect my recruits from the same mistakes I experienced, he would also help all the people I bring in.
In spite of all that has happened, you and Jason allayed my concerns. Just like on your site, you sounded very convincing on the phone. I allowed myself to be talked into giving your business another full out effort.
I really wanted to believe that what you have written and said was true, and was again committed to make it work with the promised support. I was very keen to get started, because I have already wasted more than a month of my time.
The next morning, I received a phone call from your organization.
I was really excited. This would be Jason wanting to introduce me to the personal mentor. Great, I thought, I could get going at last!
Instead, it was Sarah from your billing department.
She asked me why I wanted to cancel my membership.
That was the final straw.
You had now proven beyond any shadow of doubt, that you have conned me again.
I explained about your fraudulent advertising, and asked for a refund. She said she is not authorized to do that, but she promised that she will talk to Jason
As of today’s date, still no word from Jason about the”Experienced” marketer or the refund.
Consistent with my experience with you and your company, you and Jason plain and simple lied to prevent me from taking action on the credit card reversal.
Comparison to McDonalds
Quote - “For example… take a look at the Golden Arches, you see them everywhere you go. We both know they do not have the best food.
In fact, it’s most likely some of the worst food you’ve ever eaten. So why does everyone eat there? And why does that business continue to grow by billions and billions of dollars every year? Because people fail 80% of the time and a system always wins.”
End of quote
I am very confidant that Ray Kroc did not give his franchise holders hamburger patties, lettuce, onions and buns, and then instructed them;
“Here are 8000 different ways to make hamburgers and create menus. Try three of them every day, and if that is not enough, search on Google for more recipes and menus. Also, here are some bricks, tables, frying machines, children’s toys, signs and mortar that have made me a billionaire.
Here are 8000 different locations.
Try three different locations every day until you find one that works. If that does not work, just type “suburbs” or “property for sale” into Google, and pick anyone you like”
You obviously believe yourself to be like Ray Kroc, and that is admirable, but currently your actions don’t match your words. If you want to compare yourself to a McDonald’s franchise and ride on their reputation, you have to be like a McDonald’s franchise.
Anything other than that is plain and simple fraud.
YOUR WAY OF GIVING REFUNDS;
Quote from your Reverse Funnel website;
“Iron-clad, Bullet-Proof, Triple Your Money Back Guarentee!”
You profit or pay nothing - End of Quote
I have asked you for a refund no less than 5 times in writing and one time verbally
As of today’s date, ZERO REFUND - not one cent. Your actions have once again become indisputable and irrefutable proof, that you promise one thing, but do another..
FINAL CONCLUSION
You wrote in big bold letters;
“My secret, well-guarded system, which has been developed to an exact science, illuminates the failure mechanisms most people run into out of the equation... meaning it takes YOU out of the "Even if you haven't really made money in any biz opp before it doesn't matter... equation, you can't mess it up. YOU ARE BYING INTO A REAL BUSINESS- AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE ONE I USE RIGHT NOW TO CREATE “MY” INCOME”
End of Quote.
From what you wrote, I expected that you will show me exactly, without any guesswork, how I can also make $237000 per month.
During my business career before I became a Doctor, I have trebled the profits or seven different companies. Five of them were my own, and the other 2 were multi million dollar companies that I have personally helped.
Questions that requires answers;
1. Why did I fail in yours?
2. Why is it that NONE – NOT EVEN ONE of the people that have joined you, replicate even HALF of the $237000.00 you claimed you have earned in one month?
My only logical answer from my experience-
The main reason I joined you, was that a person that sold me a good product before, recommended you, and I trusted him. I also trusted Al Morales from GRN and the track record of McDonalds
I did not join your organization the first time I saw it. Something did not feel right, but the reputation of the above mentioned, persuaded me to trust you.
Now it is obvious, that you are riding on the integrity and tremendous reputation of Al Morales from GRN, McDonalds and other Joint Venture partners that your system have sucked in, because your actions prove you don’t have integrity yourself. You yourself said to me joint ventures are “hot”. That is the main way you can get away with your fraudulent activities and sell GRN memberships.
Summary of fraud and lack of integrity;
Your website is fraught with false promises and deceit as proven from my experience. Steve instructed me to deceive the unsuspecting public. Your support system is shocking to say the least. You do not give refunds as you promised. You ignore complaints.
“The way we do anything, is the way we do everything” Harv T Ecker
I can’t help to wonder how many people have suffered needless loss of money, time and reputation, because they believed your smooth promises and lies.
I can’t help to wonder if Al Morales of Global Resorts Network, really know how you operate
Needless to say, this is not satisfactory at all.
Sincerely,
John
Latest news.
After submitting the above document to them, and giving them a choice between giving me a refund and compensate me for lost time and stress, or massive negative publicity, I received a call from Dan Glanville on May 29 2008.
While talking, he said that I must go for joint venture partners, banners and other adverts don't work.
At long last his explained to me why I wasted my advertising money - right from their Chief Trainer' mouth. His statement also explained in part why they did not respond to my support tickets. They could not answer my questions, because they knew their adverts don't work for themselves or anybody else. It also confirms beyond any shadow of doubt, that they are intently defrauding the unsuspecting public and their own members.
Why else do they recommend banners and other adverts right in the members area?! Why else do they shamelessly recommend their members to spend money on something that they know does not work?!
He offered me a $1000, plus 3 months free membership and personal assistance from his top joint venture recruiter.
I told Don there was no way that I could feel comfortable to have other people sucked into the same deception, and told him so.
I said I need time to think about it, and will call him back.
Thirty minutes later, I was ready to phone him back and accept his offer. I just wanted to forget them and get on with my life. Before I could phone, I received this amazing caring e-mail.
Dear John,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer Sylvester. I am the Executive Assistant at RFS.
Thank you for speaking with Mr. Don Glanville today! Don appreciated the time you spent with him as well as the conversation you and Don shared.
Don has given me your wire transfer instructions. Unfortunately, I received the instructions too late in order to get the transfer to the bank in time for today’s transactions. Therefore, we are queuing your wire transfer to occur tomorrow.
Again, Don enjoyed the conversation earlier. He is looking forward to speaking with you in the near future. Don’s cell phone number is (480) 201-8668.
Thank you again for contacting us! If there is anything I may do to assist you, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Sylvester
Executive Assistant
Dynamic Marketing Alliance, LLC
11811 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 3031
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Ph: 602-953-7615
Fx: 602-953-7662
Was I perhaps wrong about them? What I really wanted, was to be treated with the respect any human being deserves, and for them to stop their fraudulent advertising.
This is how I responded.
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you for kind letter.
Congratulations on your wise decision.
I like Don too.
As soon as the transfer is completed, would you please be so kind as to ask Don to call me.
I believe he is sincere in wanting to help people, and I would like to help you recoup the money as fast as possible and increase your profits
I would be happy to provide him with exact instructions for no extra charge on the following;
1. Solving your number one current Major business flaw simply and easily. Just by recognizing and understanding it, you can double your results.
2. Solving your recruiting problem with staff by asking one simple question, and making two quick phone calls.
3. Exact details on how to automatically channel new business owners to the media most suitable to them for fast success.
4. Website details of where you can get unlimited qualified opp seeker's details, within minutes of them submitting request for info
5. Simple changes to make, to insure you never again get a document like mine.
6. A simple but very powerful strategy to implement to get people off to a very quick start.
7. The most powerful info I have uncovered in 30 years of research, to develop an abundance mindset. This is very new. The simple instructions can be given to every new person as a bonus for improving their finances, as well as peace of mind and vibrant health.
The call will take approximately 20 minutes. Please ask him to either record the call, or have a pen and paper handy for notes.
He might not want to call me, but from past experience with other companies, your company will later send me a thank you note, if you implement even just one of the suggestions.
Wishing you all of the best in happiness and profit.
John
As of today's date, no response
MY TRUTH;
Had they shown the slightest bit of respect or willingness to correct their fraudulent advertising and shocking support system, I would have accepted the $1000, and helped them for free.
Even though some part of me still don't want to believe the evidence, I can't ignore their consistent lies, deception and disregard for myself and the public.
If you read this far, you deserve a bonus. Global Resort Network is a good product, I can vouch for that. If you want to check it out, Google it. There are three other companies that I have seen that sells GRN memberships. They look a lot more professional and honest, with membership fees starting at $30 per month. You can get 10 month's worth of support, for the price of one month lack of support at RFS.
http://www.globalprobuilder.com/index.php?p=gpb_salespage
http://www.grnsystem.com
https://www.grnbizbuilder.com/join.php?s=1 which is upgradeable
I have not joined them so I can't vouch for them, but I'm sure they are a safer bet.
