“Bad Customer” Makes $106,000 With “Borrowed” Information
I think this might be the strangest "testimonial" I've ever gotten. I asked the guy who sent it if I could include the "personal" stuff he wrote before and after... so here it is... unedited...
"Hi Eben,
I appreciate your time is precious to you...and, so you know, this'll probably take about 500 seconds to read through.
First - This is a case study for you to use and abuse as you see fit. This is a big success story - and a guilty confession. This message is the starting point to me rebalancing my 'Karma' and expressing my gratitude to you.
In summary - you've helped me increase my turnover by a conservative $100,000 in 2008. (year end is February - so this figure is likely to grow.) I know whole numbers aren't sexy - so it's working out at $106,320.
Who the hell am I? I'm quite well known in the field of NLP, Hypnosis & Coaching - as a Rapid Business Growth dude...and a Direct Response marketing specialist (for example - Jamie Smart, who you recently interviewed for your dating biz, is a client of mine) I've worked directly with Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Nightingale Conant and a bunch of other 'big names' - so I position myself as THE Rapid Business Growth Dude for the Personal Growth industry.
I'm based in the UK and have been doing what I'm doing 'properly' for 3 and a half years.
So here's the official 'story' Eben.
------------------------------
------------
"Eben, I've got to tell you - Get Altitude completely transformed my business and my life. In the past 9 months, using your strategies and IMPLEMENTING the principles and practices you teach, I have so far added over $106,000 to my bottom-line.
Let me tell you what that actually means to me, because it's easy to get 'numb to the numbers'...
...my 2 eldest kids get to enjoy a $1000 / month Steiner education in the heart of the English countryside.
My wife gets a top-of-the-range reflexology chair and massage table and the scope to better market her professional practice.
We get a new car that can fit all 5 of us - and get us around in comfort and a relative amount of style (for an mpv!)
All the tools and toys I want and require to run my business - are mine!
We get to go on holiday as a family...to create memories and moments that we'll never forget - and which my 5 year old son reminds me of every single day.
It means we can buy a 'luxury' $1200 PiMag water filter (no kidding! This thing takes the hormones out of water, magnetises it and makes me actually want to drink the stuff.)
Sure - we're not Millionaires yet...but we're home-bodies - the day to day financial maintenance of our lifestyle is no longer a stretch.
And business is growing faster than I can keep up with.
Now, having said all that -- here's the shameful truth...
...I "stole" it all!
Back in October 2007 I knew I needed to take my business to the next level. Of course - what that really meant was that I had to take MYSELF to a new level of awareness and understanding.
A good friend and mentor of mine sent me a timely email that directed me to an online business assessment 'Quiz'. All I had to do was answer the questions and I would be sent a personalised 5-page report deconstructing the health of my business...
...I was hooked.
When the Home study for Get Altitude was released I leapt on it without hesitation.
But here was the challenge - at the time it was a real stretch... in fact, if you'd asked for the money up-front at the time - there'd have been no way.
It took a while for the product to get to me, here in the UK. When it did arrive I was immersed in spending time with my 4-year old son - my 2-year old daughter and freshly pregnant wife!
I didn't have the time to digest all of the DVD's - in fact I only listened to the first 4. (I say listened - I had them playing loud in the office, whilst I attended to other stuff)
The first 4 DVD's - plus the first 2 TeleClasses were all that was necessary to create a radical paradigm shift for my business and the entire way I viewed commerce as a whole.
I suddenly 'got' what systematising my business really meant.
I suddenly 'got' what thinking as a customer really meant (not what I thought it meant)...and how it can literally reverse the ritual of swimming up stream professionally.
The material helped me be a better coach.
I now get more done in the 5 or 6 hours a week I dedicate to my business than I used to get done in 6 months - fact.
But more than that - the new perspective - the ALTITUDE, gave me the chance to filter and pass on the realisations and results to my clients in a way that quickly built my list and put money in my bank.
So - end of story right? Happy ending?
Well, not quite - you see the extra revenue didn't come straight away...and when the first payment was due for the Home Study course - I made a decision which has stayed with me ever since:
I sent the set back and got a refund.
I'd only listened to the first 4 DVD's but I still felt like a thief.
I promised myself that I would right the "wrong" that I felt inside.
This 'confession' is the first step to doing this.
See - I already thought I was a pretty good marketer...actually my ego would have me believe that I'm one of the best.
I cut my teeth in the home-shopping and infomercial business...moved to direct mail and internet marketing...working alongside some of the best on the planet - I'm not talking about the apparent "experts" either, I mean serious business builders who quietly make tens and hundreds of millions.
In spite of the education I've received my entire professional life - Eben Pagan's Get Altitude shook my world apart - for the better - FOREVER.
Since then - I've continued to shamelessly 'steal' from Eben and it's improved my business...
...please get this - like losing your virginity or smoking your first joint - you TRULY cannot know what it is like until you've experienced it.
You truly cannot know how much further and faster your business can grow until you've experienced GET ALTITUDE."
-------------------------------------------
If my story helps one more person make the decision to work with you then I may just have begun to repay the debt of gratitude I owe you Eben. Thanks man. If you ever want a telephone or video based testimonial - just say the word and it's yours.
And you know what? This isn't any kind of guru worship or anything like this...I mean it when I say I HAD TO WRITE THIS - and I hope you 'get' that.
That's it for now. Hopefully this is the most useful testimonial you've had from an 'almost customer'.
James Lavers"
"Hi Eben,
I appreciate your time is precious to you...and, so you know, this'll probably take about 500 seconds to read through.
First - This is a case study for you to use and abuse as you see fit. This is a big success story - and a guilty confession. This message is the starting point to me rebalancing my 'Karma' and expressing my gratitude to you.
In summary - you've helped me increase my turnover by a conservative $100,000 in 2008. (year end is February - so this figure is likely to grow.) I know whole numbers aren't sexy - so it's working out at $106,320.
Who the hell am I? I'm quite well known in the field of NLP, Hypnosis & Coaching - as a Rapid Business Growth dude...and a Direct Response marketing specialist (for example - Jamie Smart, who you recently interviewed for your dating biz, is a client of mine) I've worked directly with Tony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Nightingale Conant and a bunch of other 'big names' - so I position myself as THE Rapid Business Growth Dude for the Personal Growth industry.
I'm based in the UK and have been doing what I'm doing 'properly' for 3 and a half years.
So here's the official 'story' Eben.
------------------------------
------------
"Eben, I've got to tell you - Get Altitude completely transformed my business and my life. In the past 9 months, using your strategies and IMPLEMENTING the principles and practices you teach, I have so far added over $106,000 to my bottom-line.
Let me tell you what that actually means to me, because it's easy to get 'numb to the numbers'...
...my 2 eldest kids get to enjoy a $1000 / month Steiner education in the heart of the English countryside.
My wife gets a top-of-the-range reflexology chair and massage table and the scope to better market her professional practice.
We get a new car that can fit all 5 of us - and get us around in comfort and a relative amount of style (for an mpv!)
All the tools and toys I want and require to run my business - are mine!
We get to go on holiday as a family...to create memories and moments that we'll never forget - and which my 5 year old son reminds me of every single day.
It means we can buy a 'luxury' $1200 PiMag water filter (no kidding! This thing takes the hormones out of water, magnetises it and makes me actually want to drink the stuff.)
Sure - we're not Millionaires yet...but we're home-bodies - the day to day financial maintenance of our lifestyle is no longer a stretch.
And business is growing faster than I can keep up with.
Now, having said all that -- here's the shameful truth...
...I "stole" it all!
Back in October 2007 I knew I needed to take my business to the next level. Of course - what that really meant was that I had to take MYSELF to a new level of awareness and understanding.
A good friend and mentor of mine sent me a timely email that directed me to an online business assessment 'Quiz'. All I had to do was answer the questions and I would be sent a personalised 5-page report deconstructing the health of my business...
...I was hooked.
When the Home study for Get Altitude was released I leapt on it without hesitation.
But here was the challenge - at the time it was a real stretch... in fact, if you'd asked for the money up-front at the time - there'd have been no way.
It took a while for the product to get to me, here in the UK. When it did arrive I was immersed in spending time with my 4-year old son - my 2-year old daughter and freshly pregnant wife!
I didn't have the time to digest all of the DVD's - in fact I only listened to the first 4. (I say listened - I had them playing loud in the office, whilst I attended to other stuff)
The first 4 DVD's - plus the first 2 TeleClasses were all that was necessary to create a radical paradigm shift for my business and the entire way I viewed commerce as a whole.
I suddenly 'got' what systematising my business really meant.
I suddenly 'got' what thinking as a customer really meant (not what I thought it meant)...and how it can literally reverse the ritual of swimming up stream professionally.
The material helped me be a better coach.
I now get more done in the 5 or 6 hours a week I dedicate to my business than I used to get done in 6 months - fact.
But more than that - the new perspective - the ALTITUDE, gave me the chance to filter and pass on the realisations and results to my clients in a way that quickly built my list and put money in my bank.
So - end of story right? Happy ending?
Well, not quite - you see the extra revenue didn't come straight away...and when the first payment was due for the Home Study course - I made a decision which has stayed with me ever since:
I sent the set back and got a refund.
I'd only listened to the first 4 DVD's but I still felt like a thief.
I promised myself that I would right the "wrong" that I felt inside.
This 'confession' is the first step to doing this.
See - I already thought I was a pretty good marketer...actually my ego would have me believe that I'm one of the best.
I cut my teeth in the home-shopping and infomercial business...moved to direct mail and internet marketing...working alongside some of the best on the planet - I'm not talking about the apparent "experts" either, I mean serious business builders who quietly make tens and hundreds of millions.
In spite of the education I've received my entire professional life - Eben Pagan's Get Altitude shook my world apart - for the better - FOREVER.
Since then - I've continued to shamelessly 'steal' from Eben and it's improved my business...
...please get this - like losing your virginity or smoking your first joint - you TRULY cannot know what it is like until you've experienced it.
You truly cannot know how much further and faster your business can grow until you've experienced GET ALTITUDE."
-------------------------------------------
If my story helps one more person make the decision to work with you then I may just have begun to repay the debt of gratitude I owe you Eben. Thanks man. If you ever want a telephone or video based testimonial - just say the word and it's yours.
And you know what? This isn't any kind of guru worship or anything like this...I mean it when I say I HAD TO WRITE THIS - and I hope you 'get' that.
That's it for now. Hopefully this is the most useful testimonial you've had from an 'almost customer'.
James Lavers"
Comments
very cool letter!
i have felt like that over the free content you have given - all amazing stuff!
the free content you gave for GURU mastermind blew my mind and changed my life!
thanks for everything
kat
Posted by: Kat | 4:01 AM
Good stuff. Way to go implementing, not just learning for the sake of learning.
Posted by: Yavor Marichkov | 2:23 PM
Awesome stuff.
Posted by: sean | 2:29 PM
Wow,
Awesome story.
It could really be a sales letter.
I already have the get altitude DVDs, and I must say that they also changed the way I do business online, and I also earned thousands of dollars.
Franck
Posted by: Franck Silvestre | 2:39 PM
Hi Eben,
Wow! What an amazing letter. Yow know sometimes
we all do wrong deeds for the right reasons. It
was great that James confessed.
There are so many interesting points about his
story. One such point is that he didn't even
study the material in-depth and still received
such enormous value.
It's ironic that many people buy courses and end
up not even going through them far less applying
the material. Here is someone who stole your
material but at least put it to good use.
And so although, you didn't receive financial compensation
for your material this testimonial is priceless.
The Universe has its way of paying back each and
every time.
Best wishes
Nickolove
Posted by: Nickolove Lovemore | 2:42 PM
Hey James,
Why not take some of the money your making and invest in the entire course?
That's what I thought he was going to say. He does say he has more than enough money for courses and tools, yet he is still ripping off Eben?
Shamelessly no less...
Not sure I get that...
If Altitude changed your business by $106k, why not slice off $2,000 and send it to Eben and get the full course???
The question is, would you like someone shamelessly ripping off your product?
Just a thought...
-Al
http://www.mindforcesecrets.com
Posted by: Al | 2:45 PM
the beginning was a little confusing! but it all came together as the testimonial went on!
thanks for the great info Eban!
David
Posted by: David King | 2:45 PM
The truth is in the RESULTS !
Yes , Eben's material in Get Altitude is a must for understanding ( getting in the proper mindset ) and IMPLEMENTING if you really do aspire to succeed !
Eben is a true master , and he proves it by giving you something FREE that WORKS wonders (if implemented) .
Then , unlike others , when you get his ( Eben's ) program , it's more of the same ! Amazing ideas that create a REAL impact !
Eben's material from Get Altitude , is one of the few materials ( reference sources ) , I keep close at hand when working in my office !
The others can't seem to back up their "decorations" . "All bark and no bite" as they say .
Thanks a ton Eben !
Sincerely
Sandro
Posted by: Sandro Taurer von Gallenstein | 2:45 PM
That's what life is all about...doing the right thing at the right time! I completely empathize. Awesome testimonial.
Posted by: Paul Niggebrugge | 2:49 PM
So he still didn't pay for it? You have to admit, he got 'balls' LOL
Posted by: Trois | 2:58 PM
Have to admit I considered doing the same thing but my conscience wouldn't let me. After all the free information that you give away how can I steal from you? I'm sorry but I must have missed the part where James said that he is going to be a life long customer from now on. That would have been a nice touch to cure his karma.
Posted by: Christopher | 3:02 PM
Yeah. Eben is the real master of moving the freeline. That's one of the most powerfull things i learned from him. And I hope I will learn much more in the future!
Get Your 3 money making videos for free
Posted by: Ian Seth | 3:04 PM
Excellent letter and story. I have been seriously thinking about trying the new home study Get Altitude course too. The call yesterday was very inspiring. But, Like James I'm raising 3 daughters, but as a single dad. I am in huge debt myself. And, my current income doesn't nearly cover my monthly expenses. I've been working on a number of projects and taking every job that I can to try to get my head above water for a long time.
So, unfortunately, I feel that I have to get something steady coming in before I make this kind of commitment. I feel like don't want to have to return it because I didn't have the time to study and implement the program.
Thank you Eban for putting out so much inspiring and actionable content. And for influencing so many others to do the same.
A better 2009 to all!
J
Posted by: Jay | 3:14 PM
This James guy is pretty brave to come out and admit so publicly this shameful thing!
Riveting piece of writing though. Thanks for sharing.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Yaghi | 3:19 PM
I have lurked around many of the "gurus" over the past year quietly learning from the free content such as Eben's. What I find uplifting is the generosity not just of Eben but some of the top guys like him who are so willing to share. This internet marketing area can sometimes seem like a morass of self-serving snake oil salesmen but then the Eben's make it all ok. Thank-you.
Posted by: Lance | 3:26 PM
As everyone has stated, he's still not righteous until he pays the bill!
Nick
Posted by: Nick | 3:29 PM
Eben you are the greatest guy!
Thank you for all materials that you provide!
Really I need more time to study all your videos!
Posted by: Kirill, Barcelona | 3:34 PM
For those of us who have not completed Eben's course work & implemented his concepts, this is a wakeup call. To overcome the recession, we need to use this vital resource.
P. S. The above is especially true for those who paid in full, yet have not even opened the home study course!!!
Posted by: John | 3:37 PM
Cracking testimonial but like Al above I was expecting him to stump up the money for the course out of his ill gotten gains!!!! That would have sorted his karma out.
Posted by: Jon Lake (UK) | 4:09 PM
Hilarious dude ... that's one was of coming clean.
Love it,
Ryan
Posted by: Ryan Wade | 4:10 PM
remarkable testimonial
Posted by: tzu | 4:14 PM
Greeting Eban, Thomas Richmond here,Michael Cheney sent me an email about ( Vampires) in his most Cheney way lol, to learn from someone who is not smarter than you are is rediculas. Thank you Eban for all you do fo us. I think Michael would agree as well. Happy Holidys my friend, till next time..Peace :)
Posted by: tmobil8 | 4:28 PM
James abused your refund policy; however, he revealed the benefits he gained from the Altitude Program so that others can benefit by completing the entire program.
Despite the fact, that I have never officially registered in your programs I believe in your concepts, and the man that teaches Altitude. The reason why I believe in you is that you have practiced what you are teaching. You have proven that it works. Likewise, James, as he rightly stated that he is like a thief in the night who partially used your program and benefited from the program is just as good a recommendation of value and quality of your program and the man behind Altitude.
Keep up the good works Eben you are a man of wisdom and insight.
Posted by: Angela Best | 4:31 PM
Eben,
Thank you so much for your contribution in sharing so much and giving back in so many ways. I am new to your program but can already see what you are doing here. Your course I am sure is amazing and I will definately be purchasing when finances are better positioned again. I will be sending your links to quite a few of my business associates as not only a "thank you" for the free info you have givin but as a heartfelt hope they will take a look at your offerings. Oh, and I won't use the material should they purchase. This I want to buy for myself in the future.
GOD BLESS!
Rhonda G.
Posted by: Rhonda | 4:43 PM
nice story!
Posted by: steve "Yoga DVD" dude | 4:51 PM
Very moving real life testimonial,I feel the honesty.Its inspiring!
Posted by: Ruth | 5:05 PM
Wow, that's an amazing story, just goes to show that even a full "no questions" refund policy can create RAVING FANS!!
It's sounds like James Lavers had a solid track record before Altitude - Altitude must be rocket fuel man!!!
More power too you Eben.
Dave
Posted by: DaveD | 5:46 PM
Hi Eaben,i have not been interacting with you although
i never miss out any of your mails.I have seen the 47 minutes of priceless information on doing the business.Over the past six months,my outlook towards
doing business was very much negative that i quit from my Partnership firm of 9 years.As i was pondering over my next step,my friend introduced me to the new business of commodities which i find it interesting.Meanwhile the Mumbai terror attack made things pretty bad with some of my close associates perishing in the attack.When the chips were really down for me,your videos and other mails have helped me to regain my composure and move on.Belive me just before i started writing this mail,i got a confirmation of dollor remittance towards my efforts.
Eaben,you not only make a change in the business fortunes of individuals,but you also bring about changes in the individuals themselves as in the case of James.
Long live Eaben,and continue the great work.
Posted by: P.K.Ravindran | 7:05 PM
This is my first time hearing any of your vidios, all I can say is interesting, very interesting. Looking forward to hearing more, would love to enroll in your course, but unemployment has run out, so I'll have too catch you later. I couldn't do what this gentleman did, I guess it's just my work ecthics.
Posted by: Robert Wagner | 9:16 PM
Pay it forwards James! You know it makes sense.LOL.
Inspiring story, and it shows what can be achieved.
Posted by: Brian M* | 10:44 PM
Amazing testimonial.
I'm wondering about those who think he should still pay...
Eban GIVES stuff away, as do a squidillion others on the net& I betcha none of the folk criticizing James ever sends money to the authors or original donors for hints, tips & downright good content they receive for FREE!
Have another look at James' letter.
He said he felt like a thief, he did return the course because he couldn't pay for it...what is wrong with that?
He had the decency to actually return the full course.
A mind once opened can never return to it's previous state...so the info he absorbed from only the 1st 4 DVD's was the price of a sample, a normal business promo!
I think everyone judging James should seriously check themselves first, before they cast stones.
He abided by the rules & while some may not feel that was ethical according to their high standards, he carried his own burden of guilt & 'fessed up according to HIS conscience & who knows what he'll be led to do with Eban in the future.
I think it's a wonderful Xmas story, with Eban as Santa, with the no questions asked Clause!
Happy Xmas & New Year to all!
Mary from Australia
Posted by: Mary | 11:32 PM
Great story! Now he needs to PAY for the thing and create the REST of the story! This is truly a classic! Thank you Eben, for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Constance Gravestock | 3:05 AM
Hey Eban,
Thanks For Sharing Yet Again.
Great Story James and Congrats to You & Eban on your success.
James, your testimonial was so close to the Perfect Thank You Testimonial.
...and I Think You know Why.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Eban and you all.
Cheers KiwiKev
Auckland NZ
Posted by: Kevin Borg | 4:10 AM
Hi Eban
Sounds like you are changing lives! You area generous man by tone of email from "dude"...
Good luck with your enterprise ALTITUDE, great name.
I miss being in business for myself so I am just starting off in an online home based nutritional business. I need the funds to do courses like yours and I take my hat off to the person who has the power to impart knowledge about the ever changing global markets; the technological changes that we can get our hands on to reach far corners - wow! Grateful for your mail.
Best wishes for the festive season and New Year 2009. Helen.
Posted by: helen glen | 4:11 AM
I'm currently working on "Wake up Productive," and boy was I productive today! You've provided exactly the specific directions I've needed to change my habits and make new productive ones.
Look forward to charging forward with business and "getting altitude" the next time round.
The letter said it all... and certainly pays for itself!
Posted by: Betsy | 4:17 AM
The most beautiful thing about this letter is that the cat can actually write! Man, it's like a breath of fresh air. James - I love the fact that you mention your current earning levels - or at least what they're NOT :) - and make the case - implicitly at least - that it's not really about the cash. It's about the lifestyle opportunity, which is EVERYTHING as far as I'm concerned. The value of having your time be your own, rather than a corporation's or some other institution or agency or whatever, simply eclipses whatever worth or spending power you might achieve when you hit the big digits. I cannot say with enough enthusiasm just how damn wonderful it is to make each of my days what I want it to be. Now, I'm on the pike to larger dollars myself, and even though I'm not there yet, I sure am enjoying the ride. And no matter how wealthy I become monetarily, I don't ever want to forget that real wealth is time.
Anyway, cheers and thanks for the post, dudes.
Posted by: butter | 6:31 AM
Dear Eben,
Thank you for posting such a valuable information for free. I am very pleased listening to your lessons. I'd like to learn more from you in creating my own business and create a life that brings joy to myself and my family and my community.
Thank you and may God bless you more and always.
Vi Apigo-Ko
South Korea
Posted by: Vi | 7:00 AM
I found this information astoundingly useful to my psyche to push me ahead of things right now. I am very grateful to have read it...I hope to be another one to write to you like Lavers.
Pat Graeff from Henderson, Nevada
Posted by: Pat Graeff | 8:39 AM
Hi Eben
I've been perusing the internet as I'm looking to develop my own business. I currently don't have the finances to purchase from any sources but wanted to comment on the points raised here. Your clients seem very genuine and honest.
As a football coach we always borrow ideas from each other but give credit to those we have borrowed from, which is at least what James Lavers has done.
Hopefully, with his earnings he will repay with more than the conversational piece here.
Sparked an interest though, which is good.
I'll now go and watch your Free video which drew me here. Thank you for that gift.
Posted by: Roger Jones | 3:36 PM
Hi Eben
I got to say that the 30 Day Challenge introduced me to the web with my first Blog and Affilliate page this year. Not withstanding I have also been a follower of your work. If I can make some dough out of what I've done, I will undoubtedly contribute to your bank a/c in the process of building mine.
Thanks Eben
Posted by: Evert Harder | 3:39 AM
Eben: You have really awesome material, I appreciate the program and all the free stuff you offer that has helped as well! This guuy should really try to invest in your program though.
Posted by: Don | 8:46 AM
Hi, cool site, good writing ;)
Posted by: empodypeToumn | 4:26 AM
Hey Eben, This video was amazing. I learn more from your free videos then I learn for books and videos that sale for hundreds of dollar.
any My best wishes
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | 9:09 PM