I want a refund of 29.99 back into my account
Complaint
Pamela Forster
Country: United States
Supposedly I had a postcard I called on. They claimed I would be sent a package to read over and try out. I read over and I did not like it, I did not go on line. I tried calling several times within the period and I could not get thru until today. A person named Lynne called me and went thru a speel that was never given to me and said she would cancel my order and she said no refunds. Well, I am now finding out this was a scam, once again and I would like to have my money refunded back to my account. That is all I want from this company. I am not in business or have any intentions of doing business. Please refund my money
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P2vYIgPdKg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6JE8s1-w-Y
http://www.psychologicalharassment.com/psychological_manipulation.htm
Personally, I would love to believe that the world is a beautiful place, with people who can all be trusted and loved. I would like to see the best in every person and embrace him as he is, but reality has forced me to reconsider my approach, at times. I understand that selfishness is a natural human trait and personally, I don't claim to be a saint, but a look at the depths of treachery, manipulation and deceit that people are capable has forced me to change my mind about dealing with people. I am not pushing you into paranoia, but you need to be careful in your dealing with people who can take you for a ride for their selfish interests. Here are the subtle and not-so-subtle emotional manipulation methods, that one needs to watch out for.
Web of Lies
This is one of the perennial manipulation methods of con artists. They create a web of lies laid around so thick, that it warps reality for you and makes you fall victim to their manipulation. The only way of saving yourself is to check for inconsistencies and recognize bluff. Be slow in trusting is my rule. Till you know a person closely enough, avoid sharing personal and financial information. Be wary of any offers, business proposals that are just too good to be true. On a more deeper level, avoid basing your decisions on flimsy bits of information. It is always best to verify sources of information and test the validity of statements before basing your judgment on them. Again, taking your time and thinking things through is always the best defense mechanism against getting sucked into a vortex of lies. Resist impulsive decisions and you should be fine.
Taking Advantage Of Your Emotional Investment
This is the worst kind of manipulation that anybody could be subjected to. Many are forced into doing something that they would never do, as the thing that they are emotionally invested in, is threatened. People with psychopathic tendencies tend to do this with other people. The way to save yourself in such a situation is preventing it from occurring. Do not be too vocal about what your emotional investments are, to strangers. Don't expose your weaknesses unnecessarily. There may be people around bent on taking advantage of it. Open your heart only to a trusted few.
Challenging Your Ego Through Provocation & Contempt
One of the greatest manipulation methods in politics, sports and just about every field of human endeavor is provocation and contempt. A man is forced into doing something silly through provocation, contempt or public humiliation. A hurt ego can be a dangerous thing which can be easily manipulated. When you are provoked in such a way to do something stupid, think about whether it is really worth it. It is easy to let your hurt ego drive you mad. Wait and pause it all, think it out before doing something silly. Provocation always has a purpose and don't react unless you get the purpose behind it. Otherwise, you blindly walk into a trap.
Blinding Out of Logic Through Temptations
The age-old nemesis that forces people into ruining their life is momentary temptation and greed. When you like something to the point where you are addicted to it, it becomes your weakness. Be wary of temptations, as they are manipulative traps waiting to be sprung on you. Instead of looking for short term gains, evaluate the long term implications of falling for a tempting offer. By knowing and feeding your temptations or needs, someone might take control of your life and dictate terms. In effect, you lose your freedom. Any kind of addiction, like dependence on drugs, booze, sex or money, can be your undoing. By freeing yourself from dependence on material things and obsessive desire, you deny any control to the manipulators, over your life!
Plain Old Brainwashing
This is one of the manipulation tactics used by marketing or advertising companies, as well as fundamentalists. You repeat and repeat a thing so many times in front of a person or a mass of people, that it overrides their reasoning. The only way to save yourself from such manipulative people is to pass things that you listen to, through a filter of reason. Don't accept things because somebody said them. Verify and investigate on your own before believing. Think on your own, is the best advice anybody could give you.
Subtle Emotional Blackmail
Subtle emotional violence is often inflicted in relationships. This is one of the manipulation techniques in relationships, that often goes unnoticed. You care about a person and he uses your feelings about him as leverage to have his/her way. This often happens in relationships and can only continue till the victim between the two decides that he or she has had enough. Sometimes, we let people ruin our lives and let them take advantage of our emotional involvement in them. Know where to draw the line. Self-sacrifice, beyond a point, is really not worth it. Think about yourself!
Deprivation
Deprivation is another class of emotional manipulation that forces people to do things against their will. This kind of manipulative psychology is rampant in family and social life. Deprivation is used to force a person into compliance. This one is a really tough one to beat! Being independent and creating your own source of income is the only way to beat this manipulative trap.
Caressing the Ego - Vanity
One of the most rampant emotional manipulation methods, that can tear relationships apart is ego caressing. You are fed lies and your ego is caressed until it is so big that the manipulator can turn you into a puppet anytime. In short, vanity can be your bane. This one can only be avoided by down right humility and being a fair judge of people!
Some manipulations come in such subtle and seemingly innocent forms. My list here is only a partial list of so many variations of manipulations. . .
1. Pointing out potential problems
Example:
“You want to start your own business that resonates more with who you are? Oh, that is wonderful. I wish you luck. So many startup businesses fail within five years, the statistics says, though. . .”
Does he really know what the stats mean? Is he with you to better the chances? Or is he just afraid himself, and wants you to be afraid, too?
This manipulation often utilizes statistics or failure stories they heard somewhere. It sounds realistic, practical – and uninspiring.
A variation of this approach is to point out the negative side effects. They may admit that the change you are trying to implement is positive, but also point out the potential negative effects.
Example:
“ You want to start your own business? Are you aware how many hours self-employed people have to work a day?”
Some even imply you might lose your relationship. . .
And they often add this line,
“I just don’t want you to get into trouble.”
2. Direct put-down disguised as a joke
Example:
“It should be illegal for non-MBA’s to start businesses – what the heck do they know, lol, look at the failure rate (add demeaning body language here)! Hey, I didn’t mean you! Cheer up.”
It’s supposed to be unsociable not to understand jokes, and they utilize this social conditioning. They say something really un-nice, and when your feeling is hurt, they treat you as naïve.
Here is my acid test for jokes: Does it make you feel light and warm or does it leave you a nasty taste in the mouth? This test works for all kinds of jokes, whether it is aimed at yourself or others. Watch out the fake jokes.
3. “Count the blessings” you already have
Example:
“We are happy as we are. We should be. Look at what you’ve earned – and there are lots of less fortunate people out there, you know. . .”
This is a twisted logic. Of course, we, each one of us, are blessed as we are. But it doesn’t mean we should stagnate where we are. Don’t feel guilty for seeking more.
4. “What is the point?” apathy
Example:
“Well, you know it takes so much work to be successful in business. . . Do you really want to do that? You are ten years from comfortable retirement. . .”
From their perspective, the glass is always half empty, no matter what you do. They don’t even point out potential problems. They don’t pretend to be content. They are, in effect, half dead and want you to be the same.
5. Acting out
Example:
You talk with your family about your decision to go back to school. Everyone seems happy. So you start the application process. Suddenly, out of the blue, there is a surprise in the family – some kind of crisis – like your spouse’s car breaks down and you need a chunk of money to buy a new car. Then you find out your brother is checked in for rehab and he and his family really need some moral support. And . . .
I don’t mean they cause the crisis on purpose. It just happens – one after the other – until you are completely distracted from your aspiration, or you figure out “It’s just not the right time.”
How to cope with manipulation
You don’t. Coping only encourages more manipulation. Dodge them, and just do what you have to do.
Just do it.
I took the extreme route and moved myself across the Pacific Ocean. This was not just to dodge manipulation from my family but was in line with my dream to complete college education and build a new life. Nevertheless, it ended most of the subtle and not-so-subtle manipulations. Prior to my migration, they tried to change my mind by counting the blessings of the comfortable life in my home country. They even tried to bribe me. . . “Do you want a new dress? We can dine out at nice restaurants if you stay around. Are you aware you will be financially stressed if you go to America?” They also threatened me that I’d be robbed and murdered in America – very realistic-sounding potential, but somehow I have happily survived for 13 years – and counting. Oh, and they tried to dampen my dream. “Why do you need to complete your education in the US? What would you get for the time and money you invest?. . .”
I’m not recommending you to move thousands of miles to dodge manipulation. But do know action – the action toward your aspiration — is the antidote to manipulation. I don’t think talking back or reasoning things out work really. Nor reactions to manipulation.
“The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them. ” Albert Einstein
Is manipulation from your family and friends an issue for your personal growth? How do you deal with it?
I do notice that most of the complainers on this site are probably not suited to do this, as literacy is part of communication with the client.
I agree that you will throw a lot of letters in the mail before you get a positive reply. I recently was contacted by a Tracer who had located an insurance refund due to me that was owed since 1988.I signed the Contract and received a check from the Treasurer of Massachusetts in an amount that was more than the Tracer had quoted. I paid a fee of 10%.
I imagine that the biggest draw back to doing this and making money is, most people will just contact HUD themselves and not pay a 25% commission. I just happen to be too busy and hate dealing with government employees. Especially from Boston.
I have decided to give this three months of devoted work, before I make a decision to continue.
To post that this is a scam is to say the least, unjustified. It is apparent that the complainers don't want to devote any time to do the research to trace the clients down. I have changed addresses ten times and three states since 1988. It's obvious that someone put n the time time to find me.
It will take time and expertise to do this work and it's very apparent by the way some of these postings are written that many aren't suited or competent and obviously smart enough to succeed.
BTW if a company is not registered with the BBB they automatically have an F rating. Some companies just don't want to pay the fees associated with registering with the BBB. So the BBB uses the F rating to motivate companies to join. DUH!
I'll report back in three months. Until then, I'll check back here to see who has learned to spell, use Google Earth, and form a logical sentence.
Cicelyj707@gmail.com
Racheln3346@gmail.com
Its a numbers game. If you want to make the money you have to send out hundreds of letters. I am trying to send out 25 per day and see what happens. I'll update you all in a month to let you know if its working for me.
Cicely
cicelyj707@gmail.com
My e-mail address is fbetts7@yahoo.com.