I need to speak out to stop my fellow artists/writers from being slaughtered on the alter of Marketing sorcerers promising them all kind of success. Blackcard books, or Blackcard Bulk, or Blackcard Publishing sees you as a cash cow to extract thousands and thousands of dollars from you, without results.
Today I was excited about attending an event I had been invited to. It was a Mastermind weekend meeting with the publishing group "Blackcard". I had been contacted last year by Gerry Roberts Blackcard book and publishing group, a marketing driven book machine, a Costco of publishing. I attended a three day workshop in Burbank in June 2017, it was advertised on Facebook. I ran into several women who had attended my writers workshops. As an author I came to learn. I had been in the beginning stages of a contract with a publisher. I attended Friday for three hours, and Saturday I stayed until 1pm. Two different men gave testimony that somewhat resembled the presentation you see at a timeshare. It goes like this;
"I was broke, didn't know what to do with my life, these people helped me to write my book and published it and now my life is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! I have spoken on stages with Tony Robbins, and I've become incredible successful and I have lots and lots of money!!!"I'm very sensitive to hype and recognizing it is a no brainer. It's what I expect, but they really lacked ethics, a characteristic usually missing in marketing specialists. The meeting presenters spoke about the marketing aspect of producing your book, how they know how to use certain colors, words and magical formulas to attract the buyer to your book. They spoke of how if you had a book inside you they know how to write it for you, produce it and market it. Heck! If you have enough money they can even put you on the stage with Tony Robbins and make you a star!
I'm not hating on them, but writers are writers because they write, not because they have "an idea." My dog can have an idea, but he will never write a book, guaranteed. So what you have in BlackCard are people who will supposedly write your book for you, determine your cover artwork according to how the book can look to seduce people to buy it, and create a speaking platform for you, hooking you up with some frontline people In other words, they promise to "make you a star". Hey, that's not so bad for no talent people, who have no imagination but have romantic to grandiose ideas of being a writer. Oh, I digress, the punchline was that you should GIVE your book away, because it is basically a business card? Hungh? This is the tell tale sign that these are not people with a love for the unique product writers push out. You my friend are their intended means to an end. While we as artists don't value ourselves or our gift by it's monetary value, we certainly should be the first one in line to benefit from it, not greedy publishers.
The second day of that meeting in Burbank I exchanged numbers with a few people. After lunch the speaker said, "I know that we have some competitors in the room, we always do. I want you to know that I will embarrass you, I won't have you fishing in my pond." He stated that we, the attendees, were not to given out any business cards or to exchange telephone or contact information with other attendees. It was his belief that since they had paid for the room they had the right to set the boundaries the set. His eyes then roamed over to me, as if to advise all of the attendees that he was talking about me. I smiled and ignored it, I knew that didn't apply to me. For well over five years I"ve been very curious about the publishing process, since I self published two books and didn't like the results.
I left the meeting before it ended Saturday, but that evening I received a call from one of my friends. We played a "guess how much" game, and my guess was they wanted $18,000 to put your book out there. She laughed and informed me it was closer to $30,000. We both laughed and agreed, "who do they think has that kind of money?" On Sunday I sought out a member of their team to ask about them publishing my book. Since the publishing of my book was a joint venture, and I had a very minimal financial commitment, I told their associate how much it was. She said, "oh, I can't imagine how they can do it for that little, I think you don't have a good contract." That was because they charge people upwards of $40,000 to produce a book.
Now I've got my book in my hands, and I wasn't scammed by Blackcard. Following the June 2017 seminar I refused to answer multiple e-mails from their publishing company (Dorance Publishing). Then I began to receive calls. I thought, "why are these people pursuing me if they think I'm some competition to them?" I posed this question to my husband. His answer was, "Babe, they think that you've got a book published and they still want to try to benefit from your work." If his opinion was truth, how terrible is that. To paint me as an ogre in their meetings, but secretly try to squeeze whatever money or benefit they can out of me! Scandalous. I didn't responded to their continued e-mails, or their publishing company requested to read my book. I knew they were from Blackcard, regardless to the business name they used. I decided to answer one of their e-mails with these simple words; "does your publishing require the author to pay you?" It took four days before another e-mail appeared from them. It stated that yes, there was a fee to the author. My response was "Like I thought. Thanks so much!"
Another two months passed, holidays came and went, and their ads began to appear on my Facebook page, where I have a lot of author friends, so I blocked them. Then I received an invite to a Mastermind held at the Ritz Carlton hotel downtown Los Angeles. And today was that day. I'm not one who is easy to maneuver and manipulate, and for that reason I have no idea of why they continued to pursue me." Somebody needs to tell about who these scamming people are, as sophisticated as they are.
I asked my husband to drive me then pick me up, which he did. Before he left he asked should he wait, I told him no, I'm certain it was the right place. I got out and he pulled off, and I made my way upstairs to the third floor where their breakfast was underway. It's a two day meeting of special attendees, pre-screened with a half hour written questionierre and a follow up phone call with a very polite team member named Amy. Three days ago I received a call from Amy, one of their team members who called to follow up on a detailed questioner I received and completed.
I arrived and found my way to the registration table. There was a lady named Anna sitting there, and I remember her from the weekend I attended in June in Burbank. She was sweet, that is until the team began operating from their point of mis-information that I was a spy in the room. At the Ritz Carlton this morning Anna greeted me with, "Good Morning, you're Kaye, aren't you?" I answered, "yes, I am." (I didn't really know how she knew who I was). She replied, "I left you a message, I cannot permit you in the room... you are a publisher, and you are our direct competition. I cannot permit you in the room." I asked her where did she get that information from, I don't have a publishers website, I am an author and I've taken a great deal of care in creating my blog, book page and other informational spaces to promote my book. I asked her what website was she relying on for that information. With her computer in front of her she was unable to locate any website from which she drew her assertion that I am a book publisher. She stated, "we took it from your questionierre." I told her I had never referred to myself as a book publisher, I stated I do already have a book I have written that is in print. "I am not a publisher." She continued to insist on her robotic script "you are a publisher... you are our direct competition and I cannot permit you in the room."
I turned to leave and walked through a narrow hallway where there was coffee and breakfast rolls. I stopped and topped off the cup of coffee I was carrying. As I stood there Anna came around the corner and stood there with her arms folded to be sure I completely left. I was stunned but not angry. My last words to her at her table were, "you people completely misunderstand me, I am not a publisher."
If they were going to dis-invite me, wouldn't it be best to do it before the meeting began? Here is the transcription of the voicemail Blackcard (Anna) left on my cell phone, which I didn't receive until I had left the hotel.
"Hi, Good Morning Kaye, this is Anna calling from Blackcard Bulk. Ah, you were registered to participate in our event here at the Ritz Carlton, and uh, in Los Angeles this weekend. Um, we're actually going over everybody's profile, and we are seeing that, um, you are our direct competition. We're publishers and it looks like you are, ah, um, or it looks like you will be a publisher. That's what your website says, so unfortunately we, um, cannot have anybody who's our competition in the room. I hope you understand, it's all business. So I will... that's why I'm call you you to...was making the phone call to let you know, um, unfortunately we will not be able to let you into the room. So that's what I'm calling for, um... I hope that you haven't left yet already. If you haven't left already. I will follow up with an e-mail, and um, wish you the best."
Somebody needs to tell who these scamming people are. They dangle in peoples faces the possibility of writing a book. They are looking for anyone whose 401k, or savings can be tapped... or best of all those lotto winners or "real estate investment" people who actually made some money and don't know what to do with it. This isn't about the honorable business of publishing at all.
They give a free seminar at which time I agreed to go with their program -if they formatted the book like my previous book which I showed them. I was very very clear that they had to agree to this! The apparently had no intentions of doing this and the main individual in charge was later fired.
During the key part of preparing my book Gerry apparently decided to stop all production for over 2 months at which time my manager was fired---so the special addendum to the contract was never sent to me---so apparently those 2 months were never promised back to me. The whole operation is in the Philippines and so one has to wait often 60 hours or longer if you try to communicate at business time on friday. Finally in January when they started up I was told that I was now in the back of the Q and over 3 months later they informed me that it would have to go with their format and would therefore have to pay another $3000 since my book was 80 pages longer than the contract allowed!!
So, I sent it to be edited here in Dallas with the same format that I was orginally promised and it came back as almost the exact contract amount of 119 pages. Yes, their format added those 80 pages...since they also require blank pages for ads. I told them that I did not want ads. You are also advised to put your pic on the cover of the book - this is the ego game.
The whole process has been a ego gamemanship for Gerry who promises everyone a big payback as he baits them for more charges...when I went for their VIP meeting expecting special classes in marketing etc. all it was ---was Gerry teaching us how he bambozzled us into giving up all that money--Yes it was crazy he shared all the psychology and techniques to pull people in- he bragged how he by raising prices so high he would actually work to increase perceived value--even though as a vanity press it really did not exist.
They do nothing to help you with the main cost of publishing (if you want to increase the length or size of book) and with marketing. Chris Dyson is not an educated agent or publiscist - he is just an author employed by Gerry. And many of those who run those free seminars have been let go (probably because of guilty concience since many who want to sign up have little money). You think that they are going to help you but this special VIP meeting is just another ego driven ploy to get another $17,000 from those attending---amazingly half the group fell for it!!!
They have now excluded me from the IAP writers program which prevents me from using their software and data accumulated. They banned me from communication and meetings which I was guaranteed.....and they will not return any of the money even though Gerry has made millions (he bragged about his 50 million) and even though more than half of my contracted time was not used ---especially when you add the extra 2 months. They still hold their seminars here in Dallas and elsewhere. Note that he feels immune since he is in Canada and has millions at his disposal...and he has control of the BBB in Canada. His contract that we sign does not even have a number. Beware!
Part of the seminar is educational, but only go if you can come up with 5 K minimum and are a good sale person to start with so you can get other people involved in making your dream a reality.
The other option is to enjoy some of the educational presentations and be very strong in saying no to a pushy sale program that may bankrupt many of you.
Nevertheless if you plan on writing and publishing a book, research your options before so at least you can compare what is offered here :)
Went to an advertised seminar in which we were supposed to learn about publising a book. Was offered VIP status for $100 - to receive an 8 inch tablet with all of the information discussed at this seminar. Was told we would receive the tablet at the end of the seminar so we had to be there through the end of the seminar in order to receive it. At the end, it was a pushy sell. They tried to sell us their program for $40,000 - a today price only. Afterwards, it would cost $46,000. They pushed and pushed and each of the presenters talked to us individually, to try and get us to pay them - sign up for their program. We said no. Eventually, they lowered the price to $38,000. We insisted it was a no. We asked for the tablet. Was told they would mail it to us. We never received it. We let them know and was again told they would send it to us. They never sent it. It was a BS fraud, a scam. Haven't felt that pressured since Scientology. They don't like to take no for an answer. I don't think they had any intention of giving us a tablet for the $100 we paid for it. Otherwise, they would have given it to us at the end of the seminar, when it was promised. The seminar was hard push sell of their program. It was a waste of time and money and a huge disappointment.
The event is NOT about the books, they tryed to sell coaching program with content "how to sell coaching programs that sells coaching programs" (read: "pay me 17 thousands bucks, I will f*** you up, and then you will try to f*** up other folks").
Again: NOTHING about the books at the bottom line.
They used rude and agressive manipulating NLP etc technics leaving people emotionally stressed afterwards.
They pressed people to go and empty their retirement funds!! - to buy the coaching. -
- Absolutely disgusting and illegal.
They must be prosecuted for the criminal activity.
Not for everyone - Do NOT jump in head first. You will lose $$$$$$$!
Blackcard Books
You will more or less be tranced and hyped up to part with your hard earned money (or credit on your card(s).
My advice - Do NOT commit unless you have properly planned for the commitment both in time and money. And can afford to lose the money.
They do NOT tell you about the thousands of scammed people that start but do not finish.
Your financial commitment is NON-REFUNDABLE UNDER ANY and ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
The "Mr Nice Guy" image you see at the seminar is NOT what you get when it comes to meeting the payment plans you set out.
I lost over $5,000.
Money I really couldn't afford to part with at the time as shortly afterwards, I went through family bereavement and also my wife had been diagnosed with cancer.
Blackcard referred me to the small print. "No refunds under any circumstances."
The real issue is that Black Card books publishing is NOT for everyone. In fact I would confidently say that only a very small percentage of those that sign up will ever follow through.
This is how they make their money and the "scam" of it all.
By the time you realise it is not for you, you've forked out a large amount of non refundable money.
And, you've not really read the small print because you trusted Gerry.
This is nothing about book writing on this event. The main purpose is selling their shady marketing scheme, how to trick other customers.
I would not recommend it for folks with weak character. Some idiots signed off the allowance to empty their credit cards with up to 20 thousands swiss franks.
All the reviews above say it all. The lingo and sales rep are so well nuanced and the testimonials and charity lean heavy on the emotional, when in effect there are no stats available. If you want to watch a very talented man who is grossly addicted to making money show off his latest dream and masterfully bridge to an audience who has never even written a single sentence or even dared to consider themselves an author, go. It is pathetic inspite of how well he puts this together...which serves only one purpose - to fill his wallet.
Dealt a fellow named Corey, one of the most arrogant human beings ive ever met not sure if he knows the difference between a turd and an chocolate bar. Unfortunately with a title that he has this place will never get better with him leading anything. Unprofessional, arrogant, rude, and head in the clouds.
He must know someone or blew his way up to get to where he is any reputable company, would escort him to the curb and let the wolves sort him out. I could have done more research, Better Business Bureau has some great aspects to how they operate, as well as here. Corey needs to grow up and be professional. Clearly someone who has been spoon fed his entire life and has no clue what work is or how to present himself as a man. My guess is he is more concerned with the latest video game or whatever personal ego boosting he needs to hide the man he is.
This company has got great speakers who can convince you that water is metal; couple of them, specially; but they are just for the sake of speaking only and practically they are not as organized and specialized as they told you they are.
For instance, their "editorial board" is stationed in some other oversea countries, like Philippines, in my case. I paid a decent amount of money for the service that I was promised I would get. But at first, telling the workshop attendees (me part of it) that they have the best editors, mentors proofreader and teams etc., but what you will find is absolutely the opposite, and they are not up to their promises. Many of their team members are not better than an average English language speaker, for that matter.
The very first time I heard the voice of the person who would train me “publish speech” skills; my moral and energy goes to almost zero. Even if I continue to work with whatever I was facing, the team do not respond on time and that time is counting against your advantage, as you should be completing the writing within specific time, you don’t finish your job with in the time frame, you lost your money, I did lost a decent amount of money.
1) When I first signup for their services, I was very euthanistic and energetic, but when I started working with the “team” the very first thing I noticed was that they hire very unqualified people. Honestly speaking, as a part of the package I signed up to get a “public speaking” skills and what I encountered on my very first and the consecutive correspondences with couple of their trainers is that they are not even better that the person they are supposed to train.
2) Honestly speaking, I have had a lot of back and forth with their designer group for more than 20 to 30 times, with all copies of the corrections that I want them to make; unfortunately, it took them to much time, and weren’t able to do it the way I wanted it, although I clearly communicated with their designers. And I have to hire an independent designer (which they agreed, …. I suspect the do outsource that job to some other designer too) to get it done; even if I managed to get it done as my desire, unfortunately, it took too much back and forth to get the preface/introduction part alone and the time already is over and I lost all my money.
I want anyone who wants to make business with this company think twice before signing up their service. They are not up to their words and promises. Beware!
Black Card Books Reviews
I need to speak out to stop my fellow artists/writers from being slaughtered on the alter of Marketing sorcerers promising them all kind of success. Blackcard books, or Blackcard Bulk, or Blackcard Publishing sees you as a cash cow to extract thousands and thousands of dollars from you, without results.
Today I was excited about attending an event I had been invited to. It was a Mastermind weekend meeting with the publishing group "Blackcard". I had been contacted last year by Gerry Roberts Blackcard book and publishing group, a marketing driven book machine, a Costco of publishing. I attended a three day workshop in Burbank in June 2017, it was advertised on Facebook. I ran into several women who had attended my writers workshops. As an author I came to learn. I had been in the beginning stages of a contract with a publisher. I attended Friday for three hours, and Saturday I stayed until 1pm. Two different men gave testimony that somewhat resembled the presentation you see at a timeshare. It goes like this;
"I was broke, didn't know what to do with my life, these people helped me to write my book and published it and now my life is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! I have spoken on stages with Tony Robbins, and I've become incredible successful and I have lots and lots of money!!!"I'm very sensitive to hype and recognizing it is a no brainer. It's what I expect, but they really lacked ethics, a characteristic usually missing in marketing specialists. The meeting presenters spoke about the marketing aspect of producing your book, how they know how to use certain colors, words and magical formulas to attract the buyer to your book. They spoke of how if you had a book inside you they know how to write it for you, produce it and market it. Heck! If you have enough money they can even put you on the stage with Tony Robbins and make you a star!
I'm not hating on them, but writers are writers because they write, not because they have "an idea." My dog can have an idea, but he will never write a book, guaranteed. So what you have in BlackCard are people who will supposedly write your book for you, determine your cover artwork according to how the book can look to seduce people to buy it, and create a speaking platform for you, hooking you up with some frontline people In other words, they promise to "make you a star". Hey, that's not so bad for no talent people, who have no imagination but have romantic to grandiose ideas of being a writer. Oh, I digress, the punchline was that you should GIVE your book away, because it is basically a business card? Hungh? This is the tell tale sign that these are not people with a love for the unique product writers push out. You my friend are their intended means to an end. While we as artists don't value ourselves or our gift by it's monetary value, we certainly should be the first one in line to benefit from it, not greedy publishers.
The second day of that meeting in Burbank I exchanged numbers with a few people. After lunch the speaker said, "I know that we have some competitors in the room, we always do. I want you to know that I will embarrass you, I won't have you fishing in my pond." He stated that we, the attendees, were not to given out any business cards or to exchange telephone or contact information with other attendees. It was his belief that since they had paid for the room they had the right to set the boundaries the set. His eyes then roamed over to me, as if to advise all of the attendees that he was talking about me. I smiled and ignored it, I knew that didn't apply to me. For well over five years I"ve been very curious about the publishing process, since I self published two books and didn't like the results.
I left the meeting before it ended Saturday, but that evening I received a call from one of my friends. We played a "guess how much" game, and my guess was they wanted $18,000 to put your book out there. She laughed and informed me it was closer to $30,000. We both laughed and agreed, "who do they think has that kind of money?" On Sunday I sought out a member of their team to ask about them publishing my book. Since the publishing of my book was a joint venture, and I had a very minimal financial commitment, I told their associate how much it was. She said, "oh, I can't imagine how they can do it for that little, I think you don't have a good contract." That was because they charge people upwards of $40,000 to produce a book.
Now I've got my book in my hands, and I wasn't scammed by Blackcard. Following the June 2017 seminar I refused to answer multiple e-mails from their publishing company (Dorance Publishing). Then I began to receive calls. I thought, "why are these people pursuing me if they think I'm some competition to them?" I posed this question to my husband. His answer was, "Babe, they think that you've got a book published and they still want to try to benefit from your work." If his opinion was truth, how terrible is that. To paint me as an ogre in their meetings, but secretly try to squeeze whatever money or benefit they can out of me! Scandalous. I didn't responded to their continued e-mails, or their publishing company requested to read my book. I knew they were from Blackcard, regardless to the business name they used. I decided to answer one of their e-mails with these simple words; "does your publishing require the author to pay you?" It took four days before another e-mail appeared from them. It stated that yes, there was a fee to the author. My response was "Like I thought. Thanks so much!"
Another two months passed, holidays came and went, and their ads began to appear on my Facebook page, where I have a lot of author friends, so I blocked them. Then I received an invite to a Mastermind held at the Ritz Carlton hotel downtown Los Angeles. And today was that day. I'm not one who is easy to maneuver and manipulate, and for that reason I have no idea of why they continued to pursue me." Somebody needs to tell about who these scamming people are, as sophisticated as they are.
I asked my husband to drive me then pick me up, which he did. Before he left he asked should he wait, I told him no, I'm certain it was the right place. I got out and he pulled off, and I made my way upstairs to the third floor where their breakfast was underway. It's a two day meeting of special attendees, pre-screened with a half hour written questionierre and a follow up phone call with a very polite team member named Amy. Three days ago I received a call from Amy, one of their team members who called to follow up on a detailed questioner I received and completed.
I arrived and found my way to the registration table. There was a lady named Anna sitting there, and I remember her from the weekend I attended in June in Burbank. She was sweet, that is until the team began operating from their point of mis-information that I was a spy in the room. At the Ritz Carlton this morning Anna greeted me with, "Good Morning, you're Kaye, aren't you?" I answered, "yes, I am." (I didn't really know how she knew who I was). She replied, "I left you a message, I cannot permit you in the room... you are a publisher, and you are our direct competition. I cannot permit you in the room." I asked her where did she get that information from, I don't have a publishers website, I am an author and I've taken a great deal of care in creating my blog, book page and other informational spaces to promote my book. I asked her what website was she relying on for that information. With her computer in front of her she was unable to locate any website from which she drew her assertion that I am a book publisher. She stated, "we took it from your questionierre." I told her I had never referred to myself as a book publisher, I stated I do already have a book I have written that is in print. "I am not a publisher." She continued to insist on her robotic script "you are a publisher... you are our direct competition and I cannot permit you in the room."
I turned to leave and walked through a narrow hallway where there was coffee and breakfast rolls. I stopped and topped off the cup of coffee I was carrying. As I stood there Anna came around the corner and stood there with her arms folded to be sure I completely left. I was stunned but not angry. My last words to her at her table were, "you people completely misunderstand me, I am not a publisher."
If they were going to dis-invite me, wouldn't it be best to do it before the meeting began? Here is the transcription of the voicemail Blackcard (Anna) left on my cell phone, which I didn't receive until I had left the hotel.
"Hi, Good Morning Kaye, this is Anna calling from Blackcard Bulk. Ah, you were registered to participate in our event here at the Ritz Carlton, and uh, in Los Angeles this weekend. Um, we're actually going over everybody's profile, and we are seeing that, um, you are our direct competition. We're publishers and it looks like you are, ah, um, or it looks like you will be a publisher. That's what your website says, so unfortunately we, um, cannot have anybody who's our competition in the room. I hope you understand, it's all business. So I will... that's why I'm call you you to...was making the phone call to let you know, um, unfortunately we will not be able to let you into the room. So that's what I'm calling for, um... I hope that you haven't left yet already. If you haven't left already. I will follow up with an e-mail, and um, wish you the best."
Somebody needs to tell who these scamming people are. They dangle in peoples faces the possibility of writing a book. They are looking for anyone whose 401k, or savings can be tapped... or best of all those lotto winners or "real estate investment" people who actually made some money and don't know what to do with it. This isn't about the honorable business of publishing at all.
They give a free seminar at which time I agreed to go with their program -if they formatted the book like my previous book which I showed them. I was very very clear that they had to agree to this! The apparently had no intentions of doing this and the main individual in charge was later fired.
During the key part of preparing my book Gerry apparently decided to stop all production for over 2 months at which time my manager was fired---so the special addendum to the contract was never sent to me---so apparently those 2 months were never promised back to me. The whole operation is in the Philippines and so one has to wait often 60 hours or longer if you try to communicate at business time on friday. Finally in January when they started up I was told that I was now in the back of the Q and over 3 months later they informed me that it would have to go with their format and would therefore have to pay another $3000 since my book was 80 pages longer than the contract allowed!!
So, I sent it to be edited here in Dallas with the same format that I was orginally promised and it came back as almost the exact contract amount of 119 pages. Yes, their format added those 80 pages...since they also require blank pages for ads. I told them that I did not want ads. You are also advised to put your pic on the cover of the book - this is the ego game.
The whole process has been a ego gamemanship for Gerry who promises everyone a big payback as he baits them for more charges...when I went for their VIP meeting expecting special classes in marketing etc. all it was ---was Gerry teaching us how he bambozzled us into giving up all that money--Yes it was crazy he shared all the psychology and techniques to pull people in- he bragged how he by raising prices so high he would actually work to increase perceived value--even though as a vanity press it really did not exist.
They do nothing to help you with the main cost of publishing (if you want to increase the length or size of book) and with marketing. Chris Dyson is not an educated agent or publiscist - he is just an author employed by Gerry. And many of those who run those free seminars have been let go (probably because of guilty concience since many who want to sign up have little money). You think that they are going to help you but this special VIP meeting is just another ego driven ploy to get another $17,000 from those attending---amazingly half the group fell for it!!!
They have now excluded me from the IAP writers program which prevents me from using their software and data accumulated. They banned me from communication and meetings which I was guaranteed.....and they will not return any of the money even though Gerry has made millions (he bragged about his 50 million) and even though more than half of my contracted time was not used ---especially when you add the extra 2 months. They still hold their seminars here in Dallas and elsewhere. Note that he feels immune since he is in Canada and has millions at his disposal...and he has control of the BBB in Canada. His contract that we sign does not even have a number. Beware!
Seminar meant to sell you an expensive product
Part of the seminar is educational, but only go if you can come up with 5 K minimum and are a good sale person to start with so you can get other people involved in making your dream a reality.
The other option is to enjoy some of the educational presentations and be very strong in saying no to a pushy sale program that may bankrupt many of you.
Nevertheless if you plan on writing and publishing a book, research your options before so at least you can compare what is offered here :)
Went to an advertised seminar in which we were supposed to learn about publising a book. Was offered VIP status for $100 - to receive an 8 inch tablet with all of the information discussed at this seminar. Was told we would receive the tablet at the end of the seminar so we had to be there through the end of the seminar in order to receive it. At the end, it was a pushy sell. They tried to sell us their program for $40,000 - a today price only. Afterwards, it would cost $46,000. They pushed and pushed and each of the presenters talked to us individually, to try and get us to pay them - sign up for their program. We said no. Eventually, they lowered the price to $38,000. We insisted it was a no. We asked for the tablet. Was told they would mail it to us. We never received it. We let them know and was again told they would send it to us. They never sent it. It was a BS fraud, a scam. Haven't felt that pressured since Scientology. They don't like to take no for an answer. I don't think they had any intention of giving us a tablet for the $100 we paid for it. Otherwise, they would have given it to us at the end of the seminar, when it was promised. The seminar was hard push sell of their program. It was a waste of time and money and a huge disappointment.
Dangerous. Beware.
Nothing good to say.
The event is NOT about the books, they tryed to sell coaching program with content "how to sell coaching programs that sells coaching programs" (read: "pay me 17 thousands bucks, I will f*** you up, and then you will try to f*** up other folks").
Again: NOTHING about the books at the bottom line.
They used rude and agressive manipulating NLP etc technics leaving people emotionally stressed afterwards.
They pressed people to go and empty their retirement funds!! - to buy the coaching. -
- Absolutely disgusting and illegal.
They must be prosecuted for the criminal activity.
Not for everyone - Do NOT jump in head first. You will lose $$$$$$$!
Blackcard Books
You will more or less be tranced and hyped up to part with your hard earned money (or credit on your card(s).
My advice - Do NOT commit unless you have properly planned for the commitment both in time and money. And can afford to lose the money.
They do NOT tell you about the thousands of scammed people that start but do not finish.
Your financial commitment is NON-REFUNDABLE UNDER ANY and ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
The "Mr Nice Guy" image you see at the seminar is NOT what you get when it comes to meeting the payment plans you set out.
I lost over $5,000.
Money I really couldn't afford to part with at the time as shortly afterwards, I went through family bereavement and also my wife had been diagnosed with cancer.
Blackcard referred me to the small print. "No refunds under any circumstances."
The real issue is that Black Card books publishing is NOT for everyone. In fact I would confidently say that only a very small percentage of those that sign up will ever follow through.
This is how they make their money and the "scam" of it all.
By the time you realise it is not for you, you've forked out a large amount of non refundable money.
And, you've not really read the small print because you trusted Gerry.
Beware of falling into this trap.
Attendee at 2019 Blackcard Books Event in London
Dangerous. Beware.
This is nothing about book writing on this event. The main purpose is selling their shady marketing scheme, how to trick other customers.
I would not recommend it for folks with weak character. Some idiots signed off the allowance to empty their credit cards with up to 20 thousands swiss franks.
Be smarter and stay away.
Beware Beware
All the reviews above say it all. The lingo and sales rep are so well nuanced and the testimonials and charity lean heavy on the emotional, when in effect there are no stats available. If you want to watch a very talented man who is grossly addicted to making money show off his latest dream and masterfully bridge to an audience who has never even written a single sentence or even dared to consider themselves an author, go. It is pathetic inspite of how well he puts this together...which serves only one purpose - to fill his wallet.
Not Great
Dealt a fellow named Corey, one of the most arrogant human beings ive ever met not sure if he knows the difference between a turd and an chocolate bar. Unfortunately with a title that he has this place will never get better with him leading anything. Unprofessional, arrogant, rude, and head in the clouds.
He must know someone or blew his way up to get to where he is any reputable company, would escort him to the curb and let the wolves sort him out. I could have done more research, Better Business Bureau has some great aspects to how they operate, as well as here. Corey needs to grow up and be professional. Clearly someone who has been spoon fed his entire life and has no clue what work is or how to present himself as a man. My guess is he is more concerned with the latest video game or whatever personal ego boosting he needs to hide the man he is.
This company has got great speakers who can convince you that water is metal; couple of them, specially; but they are just for the sake of speaking only and practically they are not as organized and specialized as they told you they are.
For instance, their "editorial board" is stationed in some other oversea countries, like Philippines, in my case. I paid a decent amount of money for the service that I was promised I would get. But at first, telling the workshop attendees (me part of it) that they have the best editors, mentors proofreader and teams etc., but what you will find is absolutely the opposite, and they are not up to their promises. Many of their team members are not better than an average English language speaker, for that matter.
The very first time I heard the voice of the person who would train me “publish speech” skills; my moral and energy goes to almost zero. Even if I continue to work with whatever I was facing, the team do not respond on time and that time is counting against your advantage, as you should be completing the writing within specific time, you don’t finish your job with in the time frame, you lost your money, I did lost a decent amount of money.
1) When I first signup for their services, I was very euthanistic and energetic, but when I started working with the “team” the very first thing I noticed was that they hire very unqualified people. Honestly speaking, as a part of the package I signed up to get a “public speaking” skills and what I encountered on my very first and the consecutive correspondences with couple of their trainers is that they are not even better that the person they are supposed to train.
2) Honestly speaking, I have had a lot of back and forth with their designer group for more than 20 to 30 times, with all copies of the corrections that I want them to make; unfortunately, it took them to much time, and weren’t able to do it the way I wanted it, although I clearly communicated with their designers. And I have to hire an independent designer (which they agreed, …. I suspect the do outsource that job to some other designer too) to get it done; even if I managed to get it done as my desire, unfortunately, it took too much back and forth to get the preface/introduction part alone and the time already is over and I lost all my money.
I want anyone who wants to make business with this company think twice before signing up their service. They are not up to their words and promises. Beware!