10/27/08

Attention Devin Willis:

I am writing you in regards to the home study course I was sold back in February of 2008 by Joe Ferrazzano. The course is Prosper Learning Center’s, Ecommerce Success System.
When the system was explained to me by Mr. Ferrazzano, I had explained to him that I did not have much time to work each week due to my full time job and I also had no computer experience. Following this statement I was assured that I would need no computer experience and only ten to fifteen hours a week to work the course successfully.

I feel that the course was not properly presented to me in the fact that when I had started my coaching sessions I had to come up with a niche business concept. I have done custom boat canvas for the last 22 years and know nothing about anything else! Now by the time a student finds this out, they are already fully committed to the cost of the course as the three day grace period to cancel is long gone! This eventually led to having to be a blogger, which I have never been any good at writing nor have enough knowledge in any one subject to write about. Again, could have used this information up front! I was given the php list program by my coach, when I asked if I had troubles learning it if I would be able to turn to the success center for help, I was told that they don’t know that program. Having to figure out computer programs given to me by my coach, out on my own, was not part of the deal. I have spent up to fifteen hours in a week just trying to understand and have not begun to understand how to use it or what it does. Not to mention reading site html codes.

I would spend 7or 8 hours developing my front pages and another 3 or 4 hours trying to add a submit form to them given to me by my coach, in a format that would not plug into the pages html. I then had to put all the front pages in another format with a whole different submit form. What a waste of time and 2 coaching sessions!

At times I had my brother in law, who is a programmer for Comcast cable, over trying to help me and he agrees that I should have had been told I needed computer experience. The President of our local little league, who is the nation wide programmer for Bank of America, agrees that I should have been told I need computer experience.

I really did try to work the course and was excited to start it, I’m sure my coach would back that up. That quickly led to processes am not capable of understanding, which has led to depression and frustration.

If ANY of this was explained to me by Mr. Ferrazzano I would never have even thought about a contract for $100.00 let alone close to $8, 000.00. As I understand this is a Robert Allen course, and it is my opinion that it should have been explained in its entirety, meaning that all aspects should be given at the time sale so people can make a rational decision based on their skills. Especially when someone like me was trying to express that they might have trouble trying to understand certain things that the course might involve. With Robert Allen’s reputation I would expect a little more than a lack of information.
If I am the only one who was deceived by this type of sales tactic, maybe I deserve to have to pay the money for the course, but I have a feeling that I am not the only one who has had this problem.

In light of this information I am asking to be relieved of my financial obligation as I was told by Mr. Ferrazzano there was a money back guarantee. I am willing to ship all materials sent to me back to the proper address. I also need to know how I can go about getting the refund processed.

Now I believe that I have the right and obligation to tell my story as it has happened, without deception, exaggeration, or slander to Prosper Inc., to any media or public forum. People should be warned that this type of sales tactic is being used and they are not receiving enough information to make a rational or INFORMED decision when dealing with the Prosper learning center’s sales personnel. This might even be a good subject and story to learn to blog with. I do not want to have to go to such lengths, but will if pushed!

If I remember correctly my sales conversation with Mr. Ferrazzano was being recorded for quality control. I am requesting a copy of that recording for my records. I would hope that if you are sincerely trying to be of better service to your students as the article in rip-off claims this request should be no problem.