Blogs deleted by Mark Smith II..continued from above
Yeah of course curious in Japan is Mark Smith. nobrainer. I have a school of Smith's too and I feel like I am just one of his teachers and street advertisers. If I can get out too what are my options for a new visa if I can keep my school? someone got good advice on this for me? Please leave us alone Mark. you have hurt me enough
Good advice? - 12/2/2005 4:22:33 AM - 61.205.14.19
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Curious aka Mark,
You've been asked by Henry(Webhost) to substantiate your threats to shut down the site. This was weeks ago.
Contributors to this webblog were sent emails and responded to Henry and gave more information than is listed on the site (for now) substantiated even more than already the proof listed.
We're still up....
ELT News thread still on their site...
A few threads with information about you and your group are still up on Dave's, GP, JREF, and still others...
When are you planning to explain how you can be the CEO of Elcom International when the current CEO (as mentioned on the other page here) has been the CEO ever since the inception of the company?
How can you explain away the comments even by current franchisees about the malarky you peddle? How do you explain away Donovan, Scott, Miles, and many others that you owe money to?
How do you explain away the $50,000 you were required to pay to Larry King?
Those people have put their name to their claims. Paul Hackshaw has put his name to critiques of your over priced and paltry curriculum.
That should be "grown up" enough for you, Mark. I know you resent Paul for actually having gone to schools you are unable to attend and exposing you on the GP threads (that I have copies of and can post for all to see if need be), and you failed to defend your position(as you have here as well).
You are unable to see that this site is not about those you swindled. It is about exposing what you do to others and to prevent such from happening to those you would try to exploit in the future.
There's no jealousy in what people have posted in comments on in the pages of the blog.
Just lots of proof, lots of personal accounts, and lots of lives that are being prevented from being harmed by you and your "system".
Smithwatch - 12/2/2005 6:56:10 AM - 216.204.20.170
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WOW, I have a daughter who is currently teaching English in Korea. (Home is Wellington, New Zealand) She is contemplating moving to Japan so I've been looking around on her behalf. This Smith guy, despite his 'glossy website/s' (which have the air of a used car salesman) sounds like a Florida Pimp. What a hoot, well done guys. I think that you'll be saving many potential 'victims' from heartache and financial ruin. More power to you. Regards, Jeff.
Watching from afar. - 12/2/2005 10:16:18 AM - 218.101.51.40
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Smithwatch,
This proof of which you speak, where is it exactly?
Who are you in the grand plan of things? Are you some kind of vigilante, or some anonymous do-gooder out there to bring down McDonalds, KFC, Lawson and any other successful business that continues to operate despite your clandestine whingings?
And unhappy and other posters***
Why dont you have the fourtitude to put your names and real stories etc on this site? Or are you being `controlled` by the scam even now? What a bunch of housewifes laundry.....
This all adds up to this website being unsubstantiated, emotional and misleading information directed by anonymous personas at a publicly, full and honestly disclosed company operating in japan, selling English School Franchises to happy, satisfied clients.
This is a free country, and anyone feeling `scammed` ripped off or any other emotional language has the right to go to court, newpapers, protest through public and honest open channels.
NOT bitching with anonymous names on a tiny, inconsequential website like this....
Get a life, job `real name` and some proof.
GO to TV, or anything else which will take you socalled true story to the `innocent` people getting `scammed and ripoofed` in Japan...
Curious in Japan - 12/2/2005 10:20:05 AM - 125.173.47.22
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Methinks "curious" doth protest too much!
interested - 12/2/2005 10:42:14 AM - 165.76.121.8
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Hey interested,
you and everyone else out there in cyber world are proving nothing at all to the casual readers of this website.
The English School Franchise business in Japan is a growing one, kids. Why dont you check the number of people now versus 10 or 5 years ago who buy and enjoy a franchise school in japan.
There is many, the only difference is that they work hard to get their franchises off the ground and go through their tunnel of darkness to the success that they dream of...
Those that are airing their dirtly laundry here, I`m guessing are basically losers and those that cannot get a real job, or have the will to make a business work..
go and whinge somewhere else, or as I said before, put up the proof, names and stories.....
pack of girls, really Methinks....
Curious in Japan - 12/2/2005 11:42:44 AM - 125.173.47.22
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Curious aka Mark,
You've been asked by Henry(Webhost) to substantiate your threats to shut down the site. This was weeks ago.
Contributors to this webblog were sent emails and responded to Henry and gave more information than is listed on the site (for now) substantiated even more than already the proof listed.
IT WILL BE CLOSED, JUST like the rest..
just a matter of time,
tick, tick tick....
Curious in Japan - 12/2/2005 11:45:15 AM - 125.173.47.22
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The English School Franchise business in Japan is a growing one, kids. Why dont you check the number of people now versus 10 or 5 years ago who buy and enjoy a franchise school in japan.
Mark, why are you so interested in pushing the franchise Mark Smith Barrow if you are not Mark Smith. Only idiots rave on about companies they do not have a financial interest in.
Whats your interest in the franchise business Mark (no need to answer that one, i already know the answer)
There is many, the only difference is that they work hard to get their franchises off the ground and go through their tunnel of darkness to the success that they dream of...
I want to barf, cliche heaven. Sounds like a Bush March to Victory speech.
Those that are airing their dirtly laundry here, I`m guessing are basically losers and those that cannot get a real job, or have the will to make a business work..
I have a real job (full time university, 2 graduate degrees). No need to spend $15,000 to buy myself a job. Im sure you know where to find me.
go and whinge somewhere else, or as I said before, put up the proof, names and stories.....
Spud - 12/2/2005 12:54:06 PM - 218.123.68.18
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There are a lot LESS who are investing now in franchises becuase of what they now know about Smiths school of English.
Those who find you also find out about me and others, and learn about the 'dark side' of your operation, and man, it aint pretty. Roadkill.
Spud - 12/2/2005 1:27:01 PM - 218.123.68.18
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I am yet another Smith franchisee and I have wanted to get out somehow for a long time. This site has been a breath of fresh air for me. Please stay!
Mark has embarrassed himself here and is now trying to spin this out of control. Don't anyone over react. Watch what you say here. Stay honest. Stay positive. Stay polite.
The only other real English school franchise system from the Osaka region is:
Simon Moran
Modern English
Tel +81 (0)72-835-5259
Fax +81 (0)72-835-5288
info@modernenglish.net www.ModernEnglish.net
Simon created this under the tutorledge of Mark Smith. Modern English IS Mark Smith and when Simon falls under his own weight Mark will scoop up his schools and push on. He has actually said this to be his plan. Simon is a good guy and far from stupid but completely under Mark's spell.
English school franchises in Japan = Mark Smith. This what he has created with his and a lot of other peoples money.
To whomever is SMITHWATCH. If this does get taken down. Put it all up someplace else and continue this public forum. It is long overdue and a lifesaver to this Smith franchisee.
Thank you SMITHWATCH.
Smith Franchisee - 12/2/2005 1:33:12 PM - 210.196.186.10
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Repeating an earlier question from 'Good advice?':
How do we continue our schools and renew our visa?
How do we use the franchise contract to cleanly get out?
What will Mark Smith try to do if I try to seperate from the company?
What else should I or we know?
If you're not confident speaking out here (some of us franchisees are rather young), it's okay to stay quiet and watch. Or better still, email SMITHWATCH directly - his intentions seem to be positive.
Smith Franchisee - 12/2/2005 1:45:13 PM - 210.196.186.10
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To everyone participating or watching:
Save or record the email of SMITHWATCH.
Smith Franchisee - 12/2/2005 1:56:17 PM - 210.196.186.10
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Mark Smith wrote:
[No proof, no story, go back to your lives.....]
Mark, these are our lives. That's why we are communicating here.
Sorry about the four posts in a row everyone.
Thank you SMITHWATCH.
Smith Franchisee - 12/2/2005 2:03:27 PM - 210.196.186.10
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There is very little chance of this forum being taken down as the server is not in Japan and as such is untouchable by Mark Smith. To answer your questions. As long as you have a franchise you will be under Mark Smiths thumb. Smithwatch was a former franchisee who successfully got out of the business at some personal and financial cost. It can be done but it will require a degree of personal courage "balls" (if you have them and are of the male persuasion) and dont let Mark get inside your head.
How do we continue our schools and renew our visa?
Only way is to be independent and no rely on him for a visa. If its a franchise you should be independent business owners and not relying on him for your stay in Japan. Sponsor yourself if you have sufficient PT income, get married and get a spouse visa or get another sponsor.
How do we use the franchise contract to cleanly get out?
What will Mark Smith try to do if I try to seperate from the company?
he will probably try to charge an arm and a leg and keep most of the money you paid up front or refuse to pay you anything. penalty charges, fines. Refuse to send you students. It could get ugly. If you are so-called independent operators i really dont see how he can stop you. He makes his franchisees psychologically dependent on him for EVERYTHING.
Students belong to Mark Smith, not to you.
What else should I or we know?
How much are you prepared to want to learn?