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Russ Dalbey - Winning in the Cash Flow Business

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The Infomercial

Russ Dalbey

Russ Dalbey

Russ Dalbey and his "students" start the infomercial, discussing how many deals they've recently made, and how much they made from them. Celebrity host Gary Collins is introduced, and, as is infomercial-usual, he extols the "virtues" of how Russ' system can make you money. He introduces Kirsten Gum, who interviews Dalbey. More testimonials, more Gary, more Kirsten/Russ, the in-infomercial commercial, followed by more of the same.

Most of the infomercial appears to be shot a at a large coastal or Hawaiian home or hotel.

In the first part of the interview, Russ points out (with accompanying pictures), that he was a competitive cyclist, breaking records, competing in the Olympics, and winning a lot of trophies. As with Ray Reynolds (Ray's sport was kick-boxing), I wonder why this is even stated, except to show that this generally unassuming man was an athlete and competitive. I realize that some of the mentality, discipline, and competitiveness translate to a certain extent to business, but it's never explained how. Russ says he put the same three (3) secrets to success that he used in his cycling days to work with real estate. Again, not explained.

In some of Gary's sections, he says that all the people giving testimonials in the show are real, that he's met them and seen their checks! - This is repeated at least three (3) times. A couple of those times, pictures are shown of him meeting them, to prove the point.

Throughout the infomercial, Dalbey's mantra is repeated a number of times:

  1. "Find 'em" - cash-flow notes.
  2. "List 'em" - on Russ' free note listing service (America's Note Network)
  3. "Make Money" - Make money when someone makes a deal on the note.

In one of the Kirsten/Russ interview segments, Russ explains, "A cash-flow note is nothing more than an old-fashioned IOU." In another Kirsten asks how his system works. He asks, "Which would you rather have... $100 or $50?"Kirsten, "Gimme the $100." Russ then asks, "What if I said you could have the $50 now, but you'd have to wait seven (7) years for the $100." Kirsten, "Gimme the $50." [Duh!] And that should be all you need to know to make money.

Gary Collins

Gary Collins

From that, and without looking it up or buying Dalbey's system, I get that the idea is that you find (somewhere - one of Russ' students said that there were over 40 places to find notes in the system, and after looking through a couple, he found a couple to list) a contract between two people, where one is purchasing something (usually real estate) over time. The notes could be almost any type of loan. So, you've found one. Now you list it on Dalbey's listing service. Someone, somewhere, who invests in notes like this, looks them up and finds them on the service, and makes a deal on the note with the current owner. When the deal goes through, you will collect a "finder's fee." Depending on the size of the note and the deal, these apparently can be quite lucrative. One of Dalbey's "success stories" said he made over $700,000 on one deal.

A few of the testimonials appear to be the student talking to the producer just off camera, some inside and some outside. Most are outside with Russ sitting right by them. He also gathers a group together of successful students and some that seem to be new and questioning how it works.

Here are some of the quotes with a few paraphrases:

  • One lady states she can't sell anything. Russ or a student say, "You don't have to sell anything. You don't have to buy anything. Just find 'em, list 'em and ... " (everyone in the group) "... MAKE MONEY!"
  • Russ: "No overhead, no employees, no spending your own money."
  • Student: "Anybody can do it. If they can read, they can do it, and if they can't, have somebody read it to ya!"
  • Student: "If anybody can read, they can do this, it's that simple"
  • "Follow the "game-plan".
  • Russ says he wants everyone to spend "just 10 minutes a day ...That's all it takes."
  • Student: "In just a few minutes a day" that student made $17,000.
  • Student: "In my first deal, I made, $3500"
  • Student: "Only took me 10 days to find my first deal." Listed it and in 24 hours, he had $2000.
  • Russ' biggest success story - "Made $1,000,000 in less than 30 days." His largest deal - over $700,000 (see above)

From someone who listened to the CD:

... A lot of the recorded CD talks about how people don't know that they can sell their notes and tells you how to scalp to make a profit, i.e. you negotiate a low price with the seller and then get a higher price offered by the buyer (investor) whereas you keep the difference. Another thing you can offer is to accept a one month's note payment as your fee. ... For the average person though unless you are a great networker or have connections and some money to market with, it will be more effort than people brokering who need cashflow now can likely endure. There are a lot of backend products offered to help you grow your business but I don't know if they are all that effective. This is just my opinion as a double MBA in Marketing and Project Management.

[Source: TJ, 10/26/2006 at INFOMERCIAL SCAMS.COM - RUSS DALBEY - AMERICA'S NOTE NETWORK COMPLAINTS

In other words, it doesn't sound like it's just "Find 'em ... List 'em ... and MAKE MONEY!"

Be warned:

[N]otes are a security, like stocks and bonds, trading in them may require a license as a note broker, which is regulated by the SEC (Securities Exchange Commission). Furthermore, many notes are worthless, and most good notes are sold directly to investors - not through any 'note network'."

[Source: Intellibiz.comj - Russ Dalbey - Winning in the Cash Flow Business]

For example:

If you live or do business in Indiana, Maine, or Utah, you may need to be licensed as a securities broker-dealer to offer or sell notes on the website.

[Source: America's Note Network - List A Note]

Indiana, Maine and Utah Residents

Transactions that involve a note owned, sold, brokered or purchased by a person living or doing business in Maine, Indiana, or Utah may be subject to the securities laws of those states. Depending upon the circumstances of the transaction, those laws may require you to be licensed as a broker / dealer.

It is likely that no federal or state securities agency has registered the note or otherwise reviewed it or the terms of its sale. You must rely on your own examination of the terms of the note, including its merits and risks involved. Purchasing an unsecured note is risky and should not be undertaken unless you can afford to lose your investment.

[Source: America's Note Network - Indiana, Maine and Utah Residents popup]

For Searchers

Those of you too young to remember Gary Collins, just click on his name in this paragraph for more.

Those of you here searching for information on Kirsten Gum, here's some of her ... "resume:" (from various sites):

Kirsten Gum

Kirsten Gum
  • BS in Broadcast Journalism University of Washington
  • Local anchorwoman (WCCB-TV/DT, Charlotte, NC, 2000)
  • "Totally NASCAR" reporter (2001-2002)
  • Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and freelance journalist who's covered:
    • the Tour de France
    • X Games
    • Paris to Dakar road race
    • and many other sporting events for OLN and other networks
  • Competitor in several sprint and expedition adventure races (like Primal Quest)
  • Triathelete - Third place went to Kirsten Gum in the female division of the 21st running of the Block Island, RI triathlon that circumnavigates the island, on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004.
  • She's known for having numerous hair-styles and hair-colors

There doesn't appear to be a lot of pictures of her out there, and, sorry dudes... I didn't find ANY topless or nudes while looking. smiley - winky

Gary Collins

The Product

As per usual, the product is actual a kit containing a number of books, a CD or two, and a VHS Tape or DVD.

I saw, on the infomercial, that you can start for only $39.95 plus S&H, and Dalbey states a few times that he has a 30-day "100%, I'll prove it to you" money-back guarantee. (I understand they charge quite a bit for that S&H!) Then, apparently, if you decide to cancel your order, even within the week of order, it's usually already sent out. They say it will take 3-4 weeks (there goes that 30 days!) Once sent, you must receive it before you can call and get the "authorized return" number.

However, $39.95 plus S&H is not the only cost. The package, online, costs between $100-$120 (except at places like eBay). Then I'm sure there's a membership charge, and after your free subscriptions run out, there will be charges for that. (I couldn't find any information about these costs, though I've seen that coaching can cost $1000 and up. Russ, though, has also said that most of his mentoring (90%) is done "in-house", apparently trying to improve their quality of service. This appears to show that some infomercial gurus may have products of some quality, but the mentoring/coaching services they created/use may be the REAL crooks.

The Russ Dalbey Winning in the Cash Flow Business includes:

  • Manual One - Step 1 Find 'Em
    • 40 simple and proven ways to find cash flows everywhere
    • Step-by-step “Power Close Script” to make thousands on every deal.
    • One-page guide for complete financial success – fill it out and EARN!
    • My Top Five deal-finding pieces ready for YOUR use.
    • The Millionaires Tool Box – an iron-clad deal closing system
  • Manual Two - Step 2 List 'Em
    • “The Big Three” – My 3 favorite ways to find cash flows in just hours.
    • A five minute plan for making fast cash.
    • 30 easy questions that can make you rich.
    • Three easy steps to making more money by working LESS.
    • The KISS formula for making deals in less than an hour a day.
  • Manual Three - Make Money!
    • 10 Secrets Wealthy People DON'T Want You To Know
    • How to make 20 percent on EVERY investment.
    • “Complete Guide to Investments that Can't Lose.”
    • Your worry-free retirement plan made easy!
    • How to live like the rich without risking a dime.
  • Finding Notes Easy! - Audio CD ROM
    • Instant access to BILLIONS in Cash Flow Notes across the country
    • Government statistics for more than $100 Billion in Cash Flows.
    • Custom, easy-to-use software designed to find notes FOR YOU.
    • Exclusive 24/7 pass to cash flow stashes in your own home state.
    • Name and phone listings for MILLIONS of potential clients.
  • First Steps to Success - VHS or DVD
    • The “Backstage Pass” opens my office door to see how I close deals.
    • My Three Keys to Guaranteed Success in the cash flow business.
    • Step-by-step tutoring on my most updated cash-finding techniques.
    • My complete guide to easy note listing – get cash bids in MINUTES!
    • My proven “Marketing Magic” system lets you earn while you learn!
  • The "Smart Money" Audio Companion (CD)
    • Personal, page-by-page instruction from me so you CAN'T get lost.
    • My Earn-On-The-Go system lets you start earning from ANYWHERE!
    • Inside advice on the easiest, quickest ways to find cash flows.
    • A quick, fun alternative to the workbooks for anyone too busy to read!
  • Free Enrollment to The Dalbey Wealth Institute
    • One year of full “Student Admission” to my award-winning Institute.
    • 24/7 access to my personal online library of resources.
    • Private invitations to Wealth Institute workshops and online classes.
    • Networking opportunities to meet me, my staff and other students.
    • Executive Access to the world's largest network of cash flow buyers.
    • Free cash flow listing for THREE FULL YEARS
  • Bonuses:
    • Winning Real Estate Secrets Exposed
      ("What the Banks Don't Want You to Know")
    • One-Year Subscription for my ”Fast Cash Newsletter”
       
  • "Early Bird Bonuses" - Limited Edition (from site)
    • Your Personal Cash Flow Web Site
    • 250, pre-screened Cash Flow Leads
    • Insider's Secrets CD

Based on seeing the infomercial, there is a newsletter called America's Cash Flow Connection, but I could find absolutely NO information on it on the net.

There are numerous sites on the internet with free articles and information to help you start a business. There are MANY real-estate-specific sites out there. See my Shams/Infomercial Info Links - Real Estate section, and other links on that page, for some of these sites.

Professional Marketing International (PMI) "Coaching"

It appears (late 2006) that Russ Dalbey (I've seen it as "Russ Dalby") used Professional Marketing International (PMI) as a Mentoring or Coaching Service. As of late 2006, he may have sold his part in the company, since he now has the Dalbey Wealth Education Institute. If PMI calls, a couple of weeks after you receive your package, you will get a call from them, saying they are from Russ's company. They will ask numerous questions, and tell you that you need the information they give you to succeed with the system.

Please be sure to check out my Business Opportunity Coaching and Mentoring Services page.

I suggest that even if you decide to purchase Russ' system, DO NOT under any circumstances accede to PMI, and pay for "coaching".

Product Websites

Following are links to what appear to be "main" sites for the product.

From (Denver, CO) BBB Reliability Report - America's Note Network

America's Note Network sells informational manuals and offers training programs for buying and selling notes on web sites they host. The company uses nationwide infomercials to solicit interest in this business opportunity.

Consumers report to the BBB that there is a significant degree of time commitment to succeed with this business opportunity. Consumers also report the company offers additional training materials after the initial offer materials at a cost that is significantly higher than the price of the initial offer.

With this opportunity, you must be willing to spend a lot of concentration and work hard to achieve success. To assist, the company provides a list of sellers to participants.

Before the internet age, this buying and selling activity was usually conducted mainly by commercial banks or hybrid types of financial institutions as opposed to individuals conducting a business opportunity.

[My emphasis and highlight -BS]

Some points:

  • Notice that "CONSUMERS report ...", not the company.
  • Being tied with PMI, the "significantly higher" cost for MATERIALS (note that it doesn't say "COACHING") means THOUSANDS of dollars.
  • The "With this opportunity ..." paragraph may be from the BBB, itself.
  • It's nice that the company "provides a list of sellers"... Why didn't the COMPANY (in this case, Russ Dalbey) buy these properties, himself? Hmmm? (Of course, he'd say it's because he's got all the money he needs... What about his employees? Do they?)

Reviews and Warnings

This section lists the sites where I found "negative" comments about the people and company, and/or the product. Some of the terms "sham", "scam", "scams", "flim-flam", "complain", "complaints", "rip", "rip-off", "fraud", "warning", similar words, and maybe just "review" were used in searching for negative comments.

WARNING: Be aware that some of the following sites may be attempting to sell their own or lead you into buying another product. If you consider their (or others') offers, at least do as much research on them as you would in looking for a new house, car or doctor before buying anything. Also, be sure to read and understand any company's Privacy Policies and Terms/Conditions, too. A "$$" indicates these sites.

   

NOTE: It seems to me that Russ Dalbey MAY have one of the more honest (though still expensive) infomercials and companies around. He seems to be well-respected among his peers, and his articles seem to make sense. This could be one situation where a relatively honest company has been "pulled down" by what seems to be a dishonest one (maybe he signed a contract with PMI that he couldn't get out of ...) It appears he's trying to rebuild his reputation. The more I read, the more it seemed it wasn't Russ and his company where the problems occurred, but the fulfillment and mentoring companies. This doesn't mean to blindly trust Russ. Read the articles. Check out all the links on this site and others.

DO THE RESEARCH, THEN DECIDE YOURSELF IF IT WILL WORK FOR YOU. It isn't as easy as it sounds. (And, remember, ALL testimonials are "Unique... Your results will vary"

News Articles

Legal Problems

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