Japan-Bore: Is This A Scam?

[bork]

My wife is interested in buying a set of motivational CDs/DVDs from http://www.commercejungle.com/mindsetcd/index.html.  Does anyone know anything about "Mindset" and Kazuaki Iso?   Concerned it's some bullshit scam.

[brob]

"Mindset is truly the base of any lasting success. Kaz did a great job putting together 134 positive messages onto 8 CD's as Mindset CD product to help you transform your life and results. When he shared with me his product overview, and translated some of the messages in the CD's, I instantly sensed this CD will transform lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Japan, and in the world! Enjoy listening this Mindset CD's, and discovering how to have more personal power than ever before.”

- John Assaraf
New York Times Bestselling Author, "The Answer" and "Having It All"
Seen on Larry King Live, CNN, Ellen Degeneres and Anderson Cooper 360'
Featured in the Blockbuster Movie, "The Secret"


how could this possibly be a scam

[bork]

Unfortunately for me, she really wants it.     Refuses to believe it's garbage.  I got her to wait until after the new year to think about it, at least.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Unfortunately for me, she really wants it.     Refuses to believe it's garbage.  I got her to wait until after the new year to think about it, at least.

I remember when I was seeing a Japanese girl who was SUPER excited about a MLM vitamin selling scam ... she would not believe or understand it was a scam to save her life. she was SO EXCITED she was going to become a MILLIONAIRE selling vitamins

[Human Snorenado]

Bork is married to Bebpo???

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Unfortunately for me, she really wants it.     Refuses to believe it's garbage.  I got her to wait until after the new year to think about it, at least.

I remember when I was seeing a Japanese girl who was SUPER excited about a MLM vitamin selling scam ... she would not believe or understand it was a scam to save her life. she was SO EXCITED she was going to become a MILLIONAIRE selling vitamins

one of my best japanese friends refuses to hear anything to the effect of his q-ray ionizing wrist bracelet not being scientifically sound.

oh I had a teacher who wore one of those

[demi]

Why does she want this? TBH from all your stories it sounds like your wife really does not like it there at all.

[DCharlieJP]

i am only interested in the Vita Melts vitamins because... that advert... holy crap. PANT TENSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++===

once again

NSFPants

[bork]

Bork is married to Bebpo???

Why does she want this? TBH from all your stories it sounds like your wife really does not like it there at all.

She's fine here...maybe you're confusing her with my friend's wife whom I've posted about.  She ended up going back to Japan and leaving him here.  Poor guy pretty much gave up everything he'd done here to go over there with her and can't find any decent work.  :/

My wife's problems are pretty much with work.  She stresses out about it too much.  It's either because she's bored there and wants to work more or thinks her female co-workers are "sneaky bitches."    She thinks this CD/DVD set will help her relax. 

This has become a problem in the last few days because she's home on vacation and has been sitting here, stewing over it.  Would have been the perfect time for a trip, and that woudl have made her forget about this, but I still have to work.

I told her it sounded like a scam and she got upset because I spent money on other 'bullshit' like a tablet and the PS4 stuff I bought.  I've explained that it's not the money that's a concern to me, but rather what the money she wants to spend is for.  Was hoping maybe replies in this thread might help convince her this is a waste of money, but in the end I'd rather let her blow the $300 on this and learn a lesson than let her get all upset about it.  It's a good sign that I was at least able to get her to hold off on it for another week or so.

[Human Snorenado]

I'd look at this way if the money isn't an issue- sure it's a "waste" strictly speaking, but it will probably occupy her time for a couple of weeks, maybe months, right? That's worth something, and if you're lucky at the end of it she will have learned something. People learn by fucking up, at least I have, and I've learned a lot...

[bork]

I'd look at this way if the money isn't an issue- sure it's a "waste" strictly speaking, but it will probably occupy her time for a couple of weeks, maybe months, right? That's worth something, and if you're lucky at the end of it she will have learned something. People learn by fucking up, at least I have, and I've learned a lot...

Pretty much my thinking at this point, yeah- she got a small holiday bonus that would cover most of the price, plus I have a big bonus coming next week and just got a promotion, so it doesn't bother me in the financial sense.   She seems to be upset because I've been buying a lot of stuff recently and then I'm telling her "no" to buying this. I have never told her she couldn't buy anything and have simply stated that I think it's a bad idea because it sounds like a scam.  The funny thing is that I found out yesterday that she didn't know what the word "scam" means and was just saying no anyway.     But now that she knows the word she still thinks otherwise. 

[Human Snorenado]

Heh. Yeah, if it were me I'd just politely explain my position, request she sleep on it a day or whatever, then let her do it and after it fails have a post-mortem "so what did we learn here" moment, but you seem to be of the same mind.

[Akala]

Pretty much my thinking at this point, yeah- she got a small holiday bonus that would cover most of the price, plus I have a big bonus coming next week and just got a promotion, so it doesn't bother me in the financial sense.  She seems to be upset because I've been buying a lot of stuff recently and then I'm telling her "no" to buying this. I have never told her she couldn't buy anything and have simply stated that I think it's a bad idea because it sounds like a scam.  The funny thing is that I found out yesterday that she didn't know what the word "scam" means and was just saying no anyway.     But now that she knows the word she still thinks otherwise.

Her position is understandable. Looking at my spending from my wife's POV I waste a fuckton of money. Just don't let her get carried away if it's scammy...no way to pirate it? lol

[Rufus]

...no way to pirate it? lol

This is a really good idea, provided you can find that shit.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

actually, I would suggest she research how people who bought it feel about it afterwards

often with these sorts of scammy CD sets you can find lots of reviews of "wtf did I spend $300 on" in between all the Kool-Aid

if she still feels like buying it after finding out what other people thought, well, okay

[bork]

She seems to be upset because I've been buying a lot of stuff recently and then I'm telling her "no" to buying this

Her position is understandable. Looking at my spending from my wife's POV I waste a fuckton of money. Just don't let her get carried away if it's scammy...no way to pirate it? lol

Well sure, but it's because the moment she showed me this, the rip-off radar started going off.    

She hasn't mentioned a word about it today- so far, so good.  She started looking at buying some new exercise equipment/clothes instead, and I was all for it- also made sure to show her how many free videos are on Youtube, too.

...no way to pirate it? lol

This is a really good idea, provided you can find that shit.

I checked but didn't see a torrent for this up, unsurprisingly.  Maybe it's on Win MX or whatever the hell people use now.

actually, I would suggest she research how people who bought it feel about it afterwards

often with these sorts of scammy CD sets you can find lots of reviews of "wtf did I spend $300 on" in between all the Kool-Aid

if she still feels like buying it after finding out what other people thought, well, okay

I brought that up before, too- she showed me a page of positive comments, but I'm pretty sure it was from the same commerce jungle site.     The guy also has a Facebook page but with no real activity or comments from what I saw.

[chronovore]

(snip)
I brought that up before, too- she showed me a page of positive comments, but I'm pretty sure it was from the same commerce jungle site.     The guy also has a Facebook page but with no real activity or comments from what I saw.

With no visible activity or comments. The company likely has to prune that bad boy more frequently than an Italian pornstar's bush.

[bork]

Fuck-- it's her birthday and guess what she wants to order for herself as a present?   

[bork]

She ordered it. 

I wonder if I can contact the credit card company and tell them this is an unauthorized transaction?   

[Rufus]

Sure, if you want even more trouble...

[Human Snorenado]

oops, wrong thread.

[Van Cruncheon]

let her have it. either placebo effect kicks in and its all okay, or you get a teachable moment.

[Positive Touch]

dude no offence but you buy every version of every cross-platform release as soon as its available. its just some shit she wants; its for her, not you. why make a big deal when you can just get it and make her happy?

[Van Cruncheon]

yeah, this ain't no better or worse than some d-list beatoff jappy fighter

[Madrun Badrun]

Ya you think that until you get to the seventh CD when the messages start taking about the glory of the empire of Japan and manifest destiny over Manchuria. 

[Human Snorenado]

Ya you think that until you get to the seventh CD when the messages start taking about the glory of the empire of Japan and manifest destiny over Manchuria.

...how the fuck did you type that without any typos?

[Madrun Badrun]

I've started hiring prostitutes to type for me.  Your mom can go 50 words a minute.

[Reb]

Gotta love a good old fashioned "your mom is a whore" slam.

[Positive Touch]

Ya you think that until you get to the seventh CD when the messages start taking about the glory of the empire of Japan and manifest destiny over Manchuria.

...how the fuck did you type that without any typos?

  read it again

[Madrun Badrun]

Ya WTF.  Creepy tell your mom she should start looking for another job. 

[Human Snorenado]

Guess I should have said any "yaere is th" level typos

[bork]

let her have it. either placebo effect kicks in and its all okay, or you get a teachable moment.

Oh, I am- all that I did was again state my case for this being a scam.  But she wants it so that's that.

why make a big deal when you can just get it and make her happy?

Because I don't like paying money -several hundred dollars in this case- to a scam artist.  For all the money I waste on video games, I get enjoyment out of them and they have resale value.  If my wife actually does get something out of this, then great.  I'll shut up.  Family members have given me the same response as Van Cruncheon.

My hope is that this package is a bunch of crap, she learns her lesson, and that I might be able to get some help getting the money back from AMEX.

Ya you think that until you get to the seventh CD when the messages start taking about the glory of the empire of Japan and manifest destiny over Manchuria.

[Van Cruncheon]

you DO realize what she's telling you, right? that she's stressed -- BAD -- and you aren't helping (or she thinks you won't be any help), so she's turning to the internets for advice? real talk, you need to really sit down with her, let her talk through her shit, and just listen -- don't offer advice or anything. then schedule a weekend getaway together. if you can't listen without rolling your eyes, then you need to have a long hard conversation with YOURSELF.

not trying to be a dick, but these are sometimes the most critical moments in a relationship.

[Madrun Badrun]

OR -- or you ignore the issue and let her fly a Zero into China someday.

but what do I know; I'm watching Law and Order while eating turkey hotdogs with a spoon.

[chronovore]

you DO realize what she's telling you, right? that she's stressed -- BAD -- and you aren't helping (or she thinks you won't be any help), so she's turning to the internets for advice? real talk, you need to really sit down with her, let her talk through her shit, and just listen -- don't offer advice or anything. then schedule a weekend getaway together. if you can't listen without rolling your eyes, then you need to have a long hard conversation with YOURSELF.

not trying to be a dick, but these are sometimes the most critical moments in a relationship.

Yeah, and I've found that when my wife is stressed, as much as I'd like to turtle and just get through it, my life is always better served by my attempts at being present and attentive.It's harder in the short term, but for the long term it is critical.

[bork]

you DO realize what she's telling you, right? that she's stressed -- BAD -- and you aren't helping (or she thinks you won't be any help), so she's turning to the internets for advice? real talk, you need to really sit down with her, let her talk through her shit, and just listen -- don't offer advice or anything. then schedule a weekend getaway together. if you can't listen without rolling your eyes, then you need to have a long hard conversation with YOURSELF.

not trying to be a dick, but these are sometimes the most critical moments in a relationship.

She is stressed mainly because of work and her lack of English proficiency.  Unfortunately there is nothing that I can do regarding the former other than comfort her and suggest she look for a new job.  It's not the job itself that's the problem, however- it's her co-workers.  She hates all of them.  The problem here is that this happens with EVERY job and is just one big cycle of her quitting, finding a new job, getting stressed out/pissed off at everyone, and repeating it.  Before she didn't feel like she had enough to do, which didn't help, but recently her boss gave her more stuff to do, which she likes.  Things are fine at home.  She's actually learning a lot more English too.  And having a dog takes her mind off of other stuff.

She wants this CD set to reinforce positive thinking.  My suggestion to her was to either go talk to someone actually qualified for this instead of buying some random CDs and/or to spend that money on English classes or learning materials.  She also needs a hobby badly.  She was messing around with web design, but that has kind of trailed off.

I'll take you guys' advice and will just STFU and nod my head next time.

BTW, she really doesn't ask for too much.  We'll go and get some take-out (she likes to be at home with the dog) and watch a movie or TV show, and she'll tell me how happy she is and that she loves doing this.  This past weekend, I got her some really nice eats on Friday night and Saturday night and did everything she wanted to, which ended up being just taking a long walk at the local nature trail with the parents.  Tonight we're going to meet my brother and his wife and go out again. 

The CD thing came up again out of nowhere.  She hadn't mentioned it since before the new year.

[bork]

The other elephant in the room is kids.  She wants to have two kids...the problem is that financially that's just not going to work with our income.  I've been busting my ass at work and have gotten two promotions in the past six months or so -earning a good eight grand a year now more than I was before- but the problem is that said pay raise is pretty much going towards the increased costs of living around here.  We're being forced to move into a smaller, but more expensive, apartment next month and she's not happy about it.  Neither am I, but there's nothing we can do about it. All of the places around here are cost about the same.  Moving further out is not an option.

Definitely think we need to take a little trip somewhere.  Last time we went anywhere was summer 2013 and she absolutely loved it.

[Positive Touch]

I'll take you guys' advice and will just STFU and nod my head next time.

9.9 times out of 10 its the best thing to do!

[chronovore]

Actually, actively listening is always a better bet. Repeating the speaker's comments back at them as questions can help them get a better grip on what's bothering them.

[chronovore]

Also true.

Another giveaway: Using "uh-huh" repeatedly.