Do you remember the Channel 7 incident from a year ago? Obviously I do, since I still get email from people who got contacted by Channel 7. Where a “Tony” wants to visit the next day and make a contract.
Remember, that I was contacted by Channel 7’s Linda James, General Manager, and later John Spencer, Global Business Department after my original post. They assured me that the proceedings I described are not the norm, will not be tolerated and that Tony McGuinness would be terminated. That was that I thought, feeling kind of iffy about the fact that my complaint led to a person losing his job.
Fast forward through emails, phone calls regarding my story to last week when Slovak dentist Tomas Panek contacted me via Facebook, explaining the same story, same dodgy guy, now called Tony Wright, same gold ring, bad teeth, excuse why he was late to the meeting etc.
So it seems, nothing much has changed on Channel 7’s side regarding procedure.
The same goes for a German company who contacted my when Tony visited. They were not utterly convinced by the presentation but went along, although Channel 7 did not provide references on a bogus excuse. The “respected company with 25 years experience” could not handle credit cards for payment although they pressed so hard on quick sale. Anyway, said German company did get a profile produced, but has not heard a peep since. Not business requests, not even a single email on their designated email-address.
I deleted the comments on the original post after the email exchange with Channel 7 but the current development makes me think this is a two person company. One salesman and a secretary…
Here are the original comments, more stories:
1. Had today a call from Amy too. In this case it was Security Service in Warsaw which was demanded. In contrast to you I was not sceptical and was very impressed by the story she presented and especially the way she did it. I wish I had her sales skills, building so quick a relation via a cold call. So I was ready to meet them but she made the “mistake” to inform me about the 3000 GBP membership deal. I blocked then because we generally don’t pay to be listed in Business directory. Looking at the website later on I came to me that the whole thing is a stunt.—–2. They also call web design companies from Berlin. Same story. I can’t recommend that kind of service. Why should someone pay that much money without any REAL “secure” information on which things you’ll get out of that contract. I told them that we’d be willing to work with a commission based system (e.g. 15% for a real assignment). Of course they didn’t like that.—–3. I was approached today by a guy called Alan, he said he was from C7 (Channel7) and that they where looking for a company to repair cars. I was so sold on the idea i was ready to give them a blank cheque. Then I though I’ll inquire about a few things before I hand over any money. I thought the company might look amazing but this Alan guy might be a con artist. Anyway I was amazed with what I found out, and I caution anyone to do extensive research on any company they are about to do business with.1) First I called their head office to find out if Alan works for them and indeed he does.2) I looked on the internet and found nothing of C7, not much on Google, they didn’t even rank in the top 5 pages when i searched for “Channel7″. You might argue that they have to compete with many real channels that broadcast in many countries under then name “Channel7″ but a company of their calibur should at least have been 5 or 6th in the google ranks.3) They wouldn’t do easy payment options even though they said that they look for the best partners in the business and we should trust them. This surprised me greatly, they said they deal with wealthy people and businesses and only the best will do for them but even though we are the best repair shop in the country they weren’t even willing to give us a free trial of 3-6 months, they wanted the money there and then.4) He showed me some news papers with full page ads in them that they could have easily edited themselves, i noticed the newspapers where stapled so you couldn’t check the connecting page and make sure it was authentic.5) He kept insisting that he couldn’t tell me other companies they work for as that would constitute some type of advertising. I kept asking for the name of a single company they done business with and he told me the lamest thing. That telling me would break the data protection act. OMG, i actually believed him then I thought about how anyone can get this information in a “referral” for free just by contacting them. But it seams that they couldn’t give me a single name of a company they work for for legal reasons. But they are a directory that gives out these business names on a daily basis to anyone! Just not me, a guy who is about to pay them £2000 GBP.The whole thing sounds dodgy to me. Alan said that he couldn’t tell me the name of a single company they’ve done business with. I then told him that even windows sales-men in the UK take you to houses installed windows in. He then got defensive and said that they don’t sell windows and I should shut up and respect him or something. VERY RUDE! He kept trying to shut me up so i would loose my train of though and acted like he missed the point of what I was trying to tell him.DO NOT TRUST Channel7. They are a bullshit scam company and you could so easily fall for their crap. Why ask someone to pay £2000 for something like a referral system.
66 Comments
Ilze Berzina
I just got contacted by Steve Brown who asked for a meeting with Tony Wright tomorrow. I initially agreed, although I was a little bit hesitant. I own a small (really small) accounting company and they asked whether we could help companies who want to relocate to Riga from London. Obviously we can 🙂
However I have worked in some big international companies and I know that serious business is simply not done this way.
They should change their “membership fee” to some smaller amount than 3000 GBP during these hard times 🙂
As soon as I heard the amount I naturally understood that I am not really their target group, but the guy working the phone IS good. I cannot decide whether I want to experience a meeting with Tony or not. Probably not.
Sebastian
You could take the meeting just to be able to tell the world. And maybe take a picture so I can see for sure if Tony McGuiness is Tony Wright…
Channel 7: nothing beats a referral!
[…] Update 3: I wrote another article. […]
Nils
Hi, i just got a call from Channel 7, too. 🙂
“Wey have problems to find an ad company in Berlin” – YES, in Berlin!!!! *lol
They should renew their story….
Fortunately, i found this blog post. Very informativ, thanks Sebastian!
Sebastian
Are you going to meet them still? If so, try to get that picture… 😉
Nils
No! But theit call-center seems to be a little bit confuse. They called again 5 Minutes ago – it was the same woman who was calling and she didn´t even noticed that had blocked them before…
Nils
By the way: they negotiated to send a mail with their offer… May be they don´t like to givee you written words that can be used by a lawyer??
Maarjamelissa
I got a call today. Donna Wood was calling. Edward Butler from Administration Department sent me a confirming E-mail:
“Following your telephone conversation with Ms. Donna Wood a few moments ago, please accept this e-mail as confirmation that Mr Tony Wright will meet you in your office at 02:00 PM on Wednesday, 30th June 2010, to discuss the opportunity and suitability of membership for your company joining the Channel 7 Business Referral Service.
Please be kind enough to e-mail back confirmation the names of who Mr Tony Wright will be meeting, along with your full address and local directions to help him locate you.
Thank you for your time so far and I hope the meeting goes well for you and your company.
Kind regards,
Mr Edward Butler
Administration Department”
Thank god I found your blog!
I replied:
“Dear Edward Butler and Donna Wood,
Thank you for trying! 🙂
How stupid you think we are? Honestly?
We are not interested in meeting Mr Tony Wright.
There is no chance you will get money from us.
So PLEASE STOP CALLING AND BOTHERING US!
Good luck with other fools!”
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Daniel Seiler
Tony is visiting Basel this week 🙂
Sebastian Keil
If you do meet him, take a picture, please 😉
Daniel Seiler
I told to the secretary that Tony should call me directly and we could talk about business… So most possible, will not hear again and if so, would send him to the local police office 🙂
Another Victim
Donna Wood called today … This is getting exciting! 😉
Gatis
Thanks, Sebastian,
dear ”Edward” is going to send dear ”Tony” to Riga this weekend for some harvesting. We have got a nice travel company here and received their call; of course, I passed these news to our Travel agent association. Well, they do have good talking skills, might employ them for telesales:)
Gatis | Mundus Travels
Renovation Budapest
Thanks for the info, very useful!
They contacted our company in budapest also, and from what I hear, what a sales call.
Maybe we will ask them to fly over and visit us 🙂 – only difference is we will provide them an adress that will drive them somwhere, nowhere..
If anyone managed to take that picture of them I would appreciate it.
One more try
I wish I have checked your blog earlier – I would have made picture of Tony (now his name is Philip Crabtree – or maybe he is Tony’s partner) seeking for a lawyer in Tallinn.a
I was contacted by Steve Jones from the head office, and Mr Crabtree visited our joyful town just to meet me. What an honour 🙂 Well, Mr Jones started the conversation as arrangement of the meeting with their client, that is why I agreed to meet him, but when he dropped that I would actually meet his boss just to arrange our co-operation and that membership would cost 3000 GBP, it became clear. I was too polite to cancel the meeting since we had already set the time, and besides it was psychologically interesting to know how these people do their “business”. You have to be aware – Tony-Philip as well as Steve were really good. British native speakers always look trustworthy to foreigners (though, I heard some strange words from Philip like “Russia” pronounced as “Rusha”, not “Rasha”), and they both are good speakers, and Philip has excellent eye contact which almost makes you believe him. And then, Philip has made several serious mistakes. Like pronouncing my name “the way he pronounces it” (my name is quite complicated for British, but if you are trying to sell your product, you have to be pleasant to a person you are talking to). Or, in the end, getting really nervous when I told I had to talk to my partner before making decision. He called somebody named Peter and asked him to call him back (is it normal for a company that spends 500 000 EUR per months for marketing and particularly 90 000 GBP for a one-week advertisment in NY Times, as he claimed?). When Peter called back, he asked what should he do in a situation like this when I was very interested (I pretended to be) and the other partner had to decide yet. He mentioned Peter’s name in a conversation too many times in the most unnecessary places. Is there some kind of psychological maneuvre, I wonder? Then he told that should we have any questions, we must contact Peter from London office. Does Peter have a second name, I asked. I know him for ages, and I never knew his second name – Philip answered 🙂 Then he told me passionately, that I HAVE to believe – lawyers do REALLY big money using Channel7. It sounded a bit desperate for me, but maybe I am just too critical?Should I call him and ask for a second meeting – to discuss the stuff that maybe remained unclear? As a blond I can afford being stupid, I guess 🙂 He kindly left me copy of the contract to sign -of course he was expecting my signature at a time, saying that it’s just general terms and conditions, nothing special. My darling, you are talking to a lawyer, for God’s sake! Of course i have not signed it. And of course he could not know that I did not even have a proxy to sign 🙂
One more try
Oh, you wish to know how Philip looks like? Well, a man in his 50-ies, I guess, about 190 cm tall, quite slim. Dark hair about 3 cm long, starting to get thin and spread with gel. Grey eyes. Wearing glasses for the far-sighted – rectangular in shape, if I remember correctly. His teeth might be whitened, but still not perfect – and he mentioned his dentist in Vilnius several times. London guy having dentist in Vilnius? No offense to Lithuanian doctors, but excuse me. A bit too far to go for an Air-flow, don’t you think so? Has a firm handshake, and, as i mentioned, very good (a bit too good actually) eye-contact. And of course he is trying to get personal to you – talking about his daughter’s BD, and his female colleagues who add him as a friend in FB (in order to follow him!), and so on.
Or maybe I am just too suspicious? 🙂
Vilnius, Lithuania
Fresh news: Tony Wright is in Vilnius, Lithuania! 🙂 BE AWARE AND CAREFUL TO NOT BE HOOKED!!!
Someone, named Sean Parker called our office yesterday, June 21, 2011, and said they are looking for Architecture offices in Vilnius to offer their clients to contact us directly with any jobs in Vilnius.
I said OK, sounds good, and he said – his boss, Mr. Tony Wright is actually now in Vilnius and will come over to our office to meet us and discuss the conditions… blah-blah-blah… etc… long and good sales call speach… and finally in the telephone conversation thay said: “we don’t charge our clients anything, but for you, to be member of our refferal service will cost arround 3000 pounds…”.
At this point I finally understood they are SCAM’ers, like those who even don’t bother to make visits and just hook the silly victims by getting signed the EU Business Register, or simmilar kind of SCAM “services” (see more at http://www.stopecg.org/eu_company_directory.htm)…
Actually I was both – too polite to cancel the agreed meeting at that point, and also – too curious to actually meet those SCAM’ers live to see how they do look like, and how they do their job.
I asked to send more details on the generic email of our office regarding the meeting and promissed to reply with all my contact information for the meeting. They send me polite letter (see below), and I replied confirming the meeting with me, marketing officer, but not mentioned anything about our CEO.
But what a shame, when I answered their mail, they called immediatelly back and asked if CEO will attend meeting. I said – may be, not sure, if he will have time (I was going to tell them that Mr. Tony Wright will be given 5 minutes to convince why we should spend 3000 pounds for strange refferal service, and if he will fail, we say good bye, if succeed – I will call my CEO to attend the meeting, although we never even thought to sighn any contract or pay any money from the first meeting, before checking thoroughly that company and their service). So, Sean started getting nervous and pushing to ensure that CEO will be in the meeting as his boss Tony Wright is very high level executive and don’t want to speak with just some manager… So at the end of the call we agreed mutually not to waste each other’s time and… it ended…
Unfortunatelly. I wanted to see them to know how real criminals look like…
And later that day I googled about Channel 7 and found this blog – it just confirmed my suspicion and made me to post this comment.
Where the World is falling? I am spending now quite significant time to defend our company from this kind of cheaters… PEOPLE, BE CAREFULL BEFORE SIGNING ANY PAPERS (not even think open your pocket)!!!
____________________________________
From: nicky.white@channel7-referralservice.com [mailto:nicky.white@channel7-referralservice.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 12:15 PMTo: OfficeSubject: Meeting with Mr Tony Wright
Dear Mr ,Following your telephone conversation with Mr. Sean Parker a few moments ago, please accept this e-mail as confirmation that Mr Tony Wright will meet you in your office at 11:00 AM on Thursday, 23rd June 2011, to discuss the opportunity and suitability of membership for your company joining the Channel 7 Business Referral Service.Please be kind enough to e-mail back confirmation the names of who Mr Tony Wright will be meeting, along with your full address and local directions to help him locate you. Thank you for your time so far and I hope the meeting goes well for you and your company.Kind regards,Miss Sara Ward Administration Department–
Channel 7 (UK) LtdCentral House142 Central StreetLondon, EC1V 8AREngland
T: +44 (0) 20 3324 3920F: +44 (0) 20 3324 3921E: info@channel7-referralservice.com
Vilnius, Lithuania
UPDATE: the text below the comment wasn’t meant to be a signature of mine – it was a copy of letter from Channel 7 , which I wanted to show as example !!!