Comment from Janice Foxworth
Time: May 1, 2009, 9:00 pm

Hi Ian,

I appreciate your product reviews, and have come to realize they are truly “real” reviews. I know I can always count on you to tell both the positive and negative of the items.

I too received the same email from Russell Brunson, and realized it was not coming from some “newbie” as portrayed. I have always admired and appreciate the contributions Russell has made to the internet marketing world. However, of late, I have noticed him practicing some of the same tactics that I feel are a little on the “gray” side.

I do not like forced continuity either, and have seen sucked in by it a few times. Now I’m leery of so many things that come out, as you don’t know who to trust. I realize this is a great way to have a residual income, if you provide enough GREAT
content and products, but usually after a month or two, you realize you’re not getting what you thought you were. To me this is just another slam against the integrity of an internet business.

It seems like so many of the internet marketers are much like politicians, in that they start out being honest people, and really wanting to help, but soon get their hands “dirty”, by becoming so greedy.

Ian, I’m on your side, so keep up the great work.

Comment from Jan Tincher
Time: May 2, 2009, 12:18 am

Hi,
I realized after I sent for the products that I was signed up for more than I wanted. I was trying to find a way to get ahold of them when I searched Google and got this site. How can I cancel before the price is deducted for the monthly installments? Any ideas?

The reason I was so interested is that I have an old version of Dreamweaver on my old computer, but not on my new. So I’m looking for a replacement that doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars. I thought this would do it, but from your post it sounds like I have to pay the $97 sooner or later. That might be OK, but I don’t like the way it was put in there without being very specific that this version wasn’t going to work for all.

Thanks, Ian.
Jan

Comment from Shakuntala
Time: May 2, 2009, 3:51 pm

Dear Ian :

Hats off to your integrity and the courage to say it like it is. I signed up only for the free website.

Keep up the excellent work. More power to you.

Lots of love to you and Ruth and pray she gets fully well soon.God Bless.
Shakuntala
India

Comment from Justin Case
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:08 pm

Hi Ian,

Great post, always. Thanks for your integrity. I personally don’t have much to do with Russell and never have. I just have never felt comfortable dealing with him. I think this is a prime example of many marketers integrity or lack thereof. As someone said, greed seems to become their byline and it becomes a competition to see who can get the mostest the fastest instead of giving quality for fair price.

I learned long ago, a body’s word does not mean today what it did at one time.

Thankfully you are the exception. I appreciate you.

Justin

Comment from Andrew McGovern
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:18 pm

Hi Ian,
I received the email from Russell and I was happy to sign up for a free affiliate website but I am very wary now of products such as CD’s which are advertised as ‘free’ but require a credit card payment of some kind.
I have read your thoughts on forced continuity before this and I wholeheartedly agree with you on this subject.
Thanks for covering this topic on your blog and keep up the good work.

Andrew McGovern

Comment from TheNightOwl
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:22 pm

Good call, Ian.

I keep a VERY wide berth of ANYTHING even REMOTELY connected with Russell Brunson.

He has said many, many times that his entire business model is based on continuity programs. ANYTHING you sign up for with him is going to be connected in some way or another to a continuity and a way to get your physical email address so they can try to get you onto their print magalog customer list.

Now, before all the Russell Brunson fanboys get their knickers in a twist, there’s nothing intrinsically wrong with that model.

But the MANNER in which one executes said model is what makes all the difference in my opinion.

Transparency has just gotta be a bitch for conversions, now dunnit?

And the way that Brunson (and Filsaime, actually; He probably learnt it from Filsaime) does it leaves an extraordinarily bad taste in my mouth.

The guy thinks Vince James’s tactics were good for cryin’ out loud! Good at bagging tons of cash by hoodwinking people.

Brunson a good Mormon lad, eh? p–ttooey!

Good article, Ian.

Take care,
TheNightOwl

@Jan: Get Kompozer (for free) or pony up for CoffeeCup.

Comment from Barbara
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:24 pm

Dearest Ian,

I have communicated to you many times about “forced continuity” programs and you know I don’t like them.

I also received this email from Russell. I went to the sales page and immediately left. The video was so POOR I couldn’t even understand the offer.

Is it just me or do other people feel this as well?!?!?! Russell started out (and I was around) as a normal guy, trying, like everyone else, to make money online.

Then as they DO start to make money online, it’s like something happens to them. THEY GET GREEDY!

Everyone seems to market, and copy the “giant guru’s” (Mike Filsaime ring a bell?), marketing techniques.

They get trickier and trickier at hiddling “forced continuity”, hidden monthly fees and WHAT?!?!?!? using “newbies” to sell the newest, greatest product out there, for them?!?!

This makes me not want to open any emails I get from them because I know, somewhere, there is a catch and I just can’t be bothered anymore trying to find that “needle in the haystack” of a deal where, once again I feel cheated and used.

I have always counted on YOU to give me the real deal, and as always you come through!!!

Thank you Ian!

Sincerely,
Barbara

Comment from Norman Macey
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:36 pm

I knew at the back of my mind I knew sooner or later this ‘rear-end’ of a marketer would get his comeuppance.

Last year I was persuaded to part with $4999.00 by one of his glib tongued salesmen, by telephone, I signed the contract without reading properly, there was a clause stating ‘no refunds’.

I was told by the salesman because I already had some knowledge of marketing I could expect to earn my money back within 60 days, he also told me a way of financing the project using other peoples money.

I gave that a miss due to my age, after four months into the course I took the chief instuctor to task with regards to my progress, I was not satified with the outcome and asked for my money back.

That was when the clause in the contract was pointed out to me.

I only have a small list, Ian, but they will be getting a copy of your email, no names.

You, Ian, have made my Bank holiday week-end, I told that chief instructor I was coming after him, one way or another, now I have some ammunition.

I can’t thank you enough, my respects to your good lady.

Regards

Norman

Comment from Kenneth Ang
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:41 pm

Thanks Ian for the expose. I have often wondered if Internet Marketers such as Russell are truly making the kind of money they are promising newbies like myself.

Now I’m even more skeptical as a truly successful person would not resort to sneeky methods to make extra money. I’m surprised that Russell did not have the ethics to promote it as his own.

I’m glad though that other Internet Marketers like yourself have the guts and moral sense to bring such behavior into the open and prevent many unsuspecting newbies from being sucked into such “scams” and having their online dreams shakened by such an experience.

Thanks Ian. May God bless you in your endeavors.

Kenneth

Comment from Glen Osborne
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:47 pm

Hi Ian,
That was a lot of work to reveal all you did, above. I get the free email newsletters from the visible high priced “gurus”. I delete almost all of them. Yours, I read, as well as Marlon Sanders and that of Tinu.

These “top guys/gals” continue to need high profile type of products to keep their name and lifestyle. Technology moves at a certain pace with new discoveries. These people have to develop programs/software within technology. Is technology keeping up with their money demands?

Oh well, Let them hype amongst each other. As I usually do, I am going my own speed now & forgetting the hype stuff. There are good people who create good stuff like Josh Anderson and Dave Kaminski.

Good stuff, Ian

Glen

Comment from Linda
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:49 pm

Great review Ian and right on target. A number of years back I was a member of one of Russell’s memberships. But I dumped him long ago when I noticed his marketing tactics taking an “evil” turn. I hate the sneaky tactics and forced continuity that does nothing more than exploit people in the name of “greed”. I refuse to have anything to do with Russell and M.F. and others like them. They’re a disgrace to the internet marketing community as a result of their unethical marketing and give all honest hard working marketers a bad name. Reviews like this will help those new to the internet and even some of us old folks. Thanx for the great write up and courage to name names!

Comment from John (canwin2)
Time: May 2, 2009, 4:58 pm

Three Cheers For Ian,

Way to go Ian, you have done it again. Just when I thought you were an honest guy, you go above and beyond my gut feelings about yourself and come out with a daring and no punches pulled article like this. I KNOW you are the real thing.

I am just getting my feet wet in the game compared to you, but I do use you as an example of how I wish to be perceived by my followers in the future.

Thanks for all the good work you do and keep it up.

God Bless you and your wife.

Your Canadian friend,

John

P.S. “No, this was not written by Ian.”

Comment from AL
Time: May 2, 2009, 7:23 pm

Russell has been pushing this business modl for a very long time. I don’t like it.

Comment from Ian Traynor
Time: May 2, 2009, 8:48 pm

Hi folks

WOW! Quite strong feelings here, eh?

@Jan - yes, I echo “The NightOwl”s comments about getting KompoZer as a free web page editor. That’s the name that NVU’s software is now known as. It’s the same software except that the NVU team stopped updating it, and KompoZer have taken over the reigns.

I’ve got NVU, however, and, updated or not, it’s still a great bit of software.

And Jan, if you want to stop the “continuity” for payments, all I can suggest is that you use the site’s help desk at:

http://www.CustomerHelpDesk.org

Of course, I can’t guarantee success but that, and a US phone number (which are somewhere on the sales page) are the only contact details I have.

Other than that, you’ll have to get on to your credit card company.

Regards

Ian T

P.S. I’m pleased that so many people are putting in a website address. This counts as a one-way backlink to your site, so, hopefully it will help your SE rankings.

Of course, that’s what the blog spammers are aiming for! Fortunately I have a great WP plugin installed, which isolates the spammers. I’ve just deleted 436 spammy blog comments. And that’s in just two weeks. Without this plugin I’d be drowning in spam

Comment from Toni
Time: May 2, 2009, 10:57 pm

Hi Ian.
Good for you, and I quite agree with you. I not only go down the page to check prices ( from previous post you made) but also check for all these other little traps they are setting. Free CD’s and other things are not really free in the long run if one signs up for anything that is ‘free’ and then has a catch in it. And while I am at it, another thing I have noticed is that the postage and packaging when the ‘free’ product arrives is sometimes half of what has been asked for (international). Thanks so much for all your good advise coming, because we are not always as alert as we should be, and I rely on your expertese. Keep well, and your wife too. Toni

Comment from Phil
Time: May 2, 2009, 11:25 pm

Hi Ian,
Thanks Ian for the heads up on Mr Brunsons tactics. I for one will be blocking any further e-mails from him and Ms Hughes as I have with many of the so called Gurus.
Maybe we should all do the same as a message to him and anyone else employing the same tactics.
I admire your integrity and outspokeness and we should all take a leaf out of your book.
Regards to your goodlady and wish her a speedy recovery.
All the best.
Phil

Comment from Nadine
Time: May 3, 2009, 1:35 am

Hello Ian

I too, received the very same email.

But, I did NOT sign up for the freebie website as:

1. I had never heard of Chelsea
2. I have had similar experiences with Russell’s promos - they always seem to have hidden “catches”

I’m not at all surprised by your revelations.

But what a time waster for everyone - especially “newbies” which is what I DO think is GROSSLY unfair.

I am also puzzled as to why Russell does this??

Thanks for your honest appraisals

Kind Regards
Nadine Huegel

Comment from M. Wakefield
Time: May 3, 2009, 3:54 am

Greetings,
I see this more and more. If you have to fill in any payment info- It Ain’t Free. I don’t care which “guru” it is- anymore, the minute I see a credit card or paypal page for a “so-called” freebie, I DELETE.
Thanks for the honesty, Ian, everyone should remember “Caveat emptor “

Comment from Dennis Chew
Time: May 3, 2009, 5:00 am

Ian,

I did received the same email from Russell but didn’t act on it as I don’t like the sneaky way of making money.

Good that you put this out here. Russell is not the only one doing this. Mike F. is also another one that does all this sneaky way to offer free stuff but if you are not careful you are actually signing up for a monthly subscription to their newsletter which is not cheap. The maths are simple. These guys have hundreds of thousands members and you just need 1% to sign up blindly and you know how much money goes into their pockets.

Warm regards

Dennis Chew

Comment from GolfFitness
Time: May 3, 2009, 5:29 am

I recently bought MF’s BM2 package.
Unlike many other support sites, MF’s does not confirm receipt of a support request to one’s email address. So I have to keep logging in to see if my request has been answered.
I find this to be unprofessional- perhaps it is a tactic to discourage support requests.

Comment from Tracey
Time: May 3, 2009, 8:48 am

Ian, once again you’ve made me appreciate being on your list!

Apart from the good reviews, fab monthly gifts & interesting info, it’s rare (and so welcome) to find someone prepared to stand up to the “Big guys”, but in a factual and non-inflammatory way. Thanks for the heads up … and reading through all your readers comments, its interesting to see a common theme of who to be wary of BESIDES Mr. Brunson… this echoes my instincts and re-affirms my decisions to get off their mailing lists!

Wishing you & Ruth a lovely Bank holiday weekend!
Tracey

Comment from pjCheviot
Time: May 3, 2009, 10:04 am

Ian

Thanks for the heads-up.

Too many people (especially those new to the “game”) don’t take the time to read the “small print” now - and when confronted with the word “free” tend to think “nothing to pay”! It’s unfortunate that in some cases “free” now means - “we will get money from you later, by other means”. And you will jump through hoops to cancel!

Beware the hidden agenda

Thanks again, Ian

Kind regards
pj

Comment from Graham in UK
Time: May 3, 2009, 12:49 pm

Hi Ian
Full credit to you for once again ‘pulling no punches’ about the forced continuity that the so called ‘Gurus’ keep trying to ram down our throats!
I smiled when I saw your blog post- I’ve already told you how I got ripped off for $000’s of dollars previously, and the trouble I had trying to stop the monthly credit card payments.
Why did I smile?…….. because I jumped off Russell’s email list and Mike Filsaime’s a long time ago!
My own personal opinion - If someone offers you something for “free” but you need to ‘just pay for shipping’ i.e. get your credit card out ready for the O.T.O.
then run a mile!!!!!
Get off these email lists as soon as possible.
Go join someones list like Ian Traynors …. who offers lots of free advice without trying to sell you something every 5 minutes.
Well Done Ian for showing once again - how it SHOULD be done - with honesty and integrity and with the FULL support of your subscribers and community members.
regards
Graham in U.K.

Comment from Janice Foxworth
Time: May 3, 2009, 3:52 pm

Does anyone know what Russell Brunson charges for the web hosting for the so called free websites?

Ian, thanks for your integrity and courage to speak out on matters such as this.

Please know that many of us are praying for you and your wife and are asking that God’s peace will be yours during this difficult time.
May God bless you.

Comment from Jim DeSantis
Time: May 4, 2009, 2:35 am

Hi Ian.

Good stuff here, especially for newbies.

Anything with Russell B. attached, I run (not walk) the other way.

As a former investgative news reporter myself, I take the time to research guru’s online to get a feel for their intergrity or lack thereof. RB’s name is not held in high esteem across the web. Consequently he has never gotten a dime from me.

The Internet is the same as the “dirt world”, as you term it Ian, and there are fast-talking hucksters galore.

Do your own investigating folks! Don’t leave it to good guys like Ian.

Jim DeSantis

Comment from John
Time: May 4, 2009, 12:21 pm

To Jan Tincher:

“But you have to read the sales page very carefully. First, you get signed up for a 1-year course of video training (”Magic Traffic Secrets” which, after a 14-day trial period, you get billed for $14.97 per month. Of course, you can cancel any time - by phone or through a help desk!”

Maybe this will help.

Comment from Jan Tincher
Time: May 4, 2009, 12:28 pm

Hi Ian,
Thanks for the opportunity for great feedback. Thought I’d add some for John — Comment from John (canwin2). His site shows “Try Again” when you get a thumbprint of his site with mouseover.

And can you share with us your WP plugin you installed to take care of spammers?

Thanks.
Jan

Comment from Manford Wood
Time: May 4, 2009, 5:40 pm

Way to go Ian.
It shows the old saying that if it seems to good to be true it probbaly is .

God bless you for havving the courage to Stand for what is right and moral

Thanls
manford Wood

Comment from Scott
Time: May 4, 2009, 7:46 pm

Thanks for the report. More people need to publish this stuff when they find it. As a newbie myself I am tired of getting riped off. I’ve been taken for at least $300 from different sources in the last 6 months. From what I’ve heard that’s not a large amount compared to others. Do you mind if I post this link in other forum sites or just copy and paste the report? People need to know this stuff and shut people like this down.

Sincerely,
Scott

Comment from Terry
Time: May 5, 2009, 10:49 pm

I have given up on Mr. Brunson sometime ago. He started getting too hypie and to me it spells trouble. There are lots of marketers out there who use to have my attention but over the years their spots showed through. The majority are in it to line their pockets (nothing wrong with that) but the methods being used are in my opinion under handed.
If an ad or sales page says free than it should be free all the way. Ian, it has come to this, there are three marketers I trust, with you being in the top slot. Ther others, well buyer beware.

Thanks Ian for the tip off and the courage to name names. It maybe time these marketers were investigated and reported on. Hmmm sounds like a good thought for a website..

All the best mate to you and your wife. Tell Ruth she is a somewhat of a shadow celeb, known and cared about by many around the world. Praying for a complete and speedy recovery for her.

Comment from Jan Tincher
Time: May 6, 2009, 1:27 pm

Hi Ian,

I found Chelsea Hughes original email offer for the CDs. I replied to it, requesting that no more CDs be sent. That was last night. First thing this morning I received an email saying that my order was canceled.

Just thought I’d let you all know that I had no problem canceling it. This is the email addy I used — support@dotcomsecrets.com.

Jan

Comment from Jerry
Time: June 25, 2009, 3:37 pm

Hi Ian,

I was searching through in WarriorForum and Google for Micro Continuity. Found your site and glad I did.

Keep up the good work.

So who are the good guys, I mean the honest and sincere internet marketing “gurus” or “up and coming gurus” out there that really care to make sure you succeed you’ll recommend? Those free from hypes.

Looking from another angle about all these hypes and hidden force continuity to ponder: Even though we don’t like the continuous upsell before you reach the check out page. But hey!, this is marketing. What’s your take on this?

Jerry

Comment from Mike
Time: August 21, 2009, 3:37 am

Hi Ian,

I am new to your site and came across it after getting an email from Mike Koenigs referring the 90secondwebsite as a great deal. After going to the 90sec site I decided to google for a review. And BAM you popped up.

Your members seem very passionate about this subject. I too have been on RB’s list and singed up for a freebee at one point only to regret it.

Not to slam Mike Filsaime as well ( I noticed a few posts about MF) but he was in car sales before coming to the internet marketing world. I do not mean to disparage car salesmen, but my own experience has shown many of them to be less than forthright shall we say.

Thanks for your insight.

Mike

Comment from Ash Silva
Time: August 21, 2009, 4:23 pm

Looks like 90secondwebsites has reared its head again with Mike Stewart, Matt Bacak, Raymond Aaron and Tom Hua promoting it.

Is continuity really such a bad thing IF ( and thats the real question of value ) the product is of real value and more value than the forced continuity price??

Thanks for being an ‘integral’ eye on the web Ian, Ash

Comment from Laurie Lacey (Natural Healing Talk Newsletter)
Time: September 12, 2009, 7:07 pm

Hi Ian,

While forced continuity is a legit marketing method, a number of marketers place the details in fine print where it isn’t easily read. This is distasteful, to say the least.

I have no problem with the method, if the details are upfront where they are easily read.

However, having said that, I’d never use the method myself. I don’t like the model.

All the best,
Laurie

Comment from Russ
Time: September 17, 2009, 5:20 am

Firstly, kudos to you for being so forthright and having the tenacity to broadcast this well purposed and appropriate warning.
The fact that you’ve attracted so many interesting comments from people on this topic shows that there is a growing band of ex RB fans that are noticing somewhat of a gradual shift to the dark side.
I don’t have any problem either with “free” being the prelude to “upgrade” or the purchase something of higher value, but this forced continuity concept that is all conducted covertly under a veil of smoke and mirrors is where the whole thing starts to go off the rails.
Unforntunately, as more and more newbies come online this will just continue to create more cannon fodder for these IM “gurus” to amount more and more profit bearing victories. Blogs like yours shine the way forward and lift the veil of deception (which is plainly and simply what it is in my book).
keep up the great work!

Comment from Allen
Time: January 17, 2010, 2:12 pm

I don’t mind the tactic once it’s very clear and open for all to see. If you’re going to be billed later or signed up to a membership program then it has to be obvious.

Another failing is that I don’t mind them because I’ve learnt to look out for certain signs and trademarks (ie. a free DVD with S&H) and newbies won’t and get stung for not looking extra close and being blinded by the sales pitch.

Thanks for sharing. That connection between the two Russel and Chelsea seems very underhand (ie. like a false tesimonial underhand).