Smith's School of English in Japan

[bearcat]

Smith's School of English, also known as sse-franchise.com, is full of lies and a ripoff at best and potentially a commercial cult at worst.

For detailed information about this group, there is a website that details things such as the owner, Mark John Smith, falsifies his biography, attempts to charge thousands of dollars for a curriculum of around 80 pages of worthless text.. some of which is plagarized from reputable sources, and when such information has been brought forth to expose him and the group, members of said group have resorted in death threats against contributors to bringing the information to the public.

Here is the site: Smith's School of English Watch :: Creating Awareness of SSE's Lies, Fraud, Scams, & Commercial Cult-Like Behavior

If you value you money and your piece of mind, avoid this con at all costs.

<< EDIT: gfell / Administrator >>

We are sorry to report that several posters in this thread have made multiple false statements against Smith's School of English. Please see the last post in this thread for further details.

[Scotty]

Smith's was the company to which I paid 1,000,000 yen in Jun 2003.

I worked there doing flyers and teaching. Then management, teaching and flyers.

I became Mark's Mentee as part of a 'Business Mentorship Program'. In this course, he 'claimed' he would teach x, y , z to wannabee businessmen and women in Japan.

He didn't teach it. I worked 70-80hour/week for 10months for him at Smith's School of English Japan.

I spent lots of time with this 'Businessman'. I studied how and why he operates his company. How he deals with people.

Then I found out his real history, and what he really does to people with whom he deals.

Mark Smith is ethically and principally below the level of 99% of the human beings on this planet. He does know this, but he has developed a multi-layered onion ring style protection around his real personality and intent to serve purely to make money for him.

Whatever the cost to others.

As a gaijin in Japan, you have to think very, very carefully about giving money to someone like Mark John Smith.

He will talk as smooth as honey. But ask him questions about his past, and watch the real "Mark Smith" come out.

Scotty Spargo

[Scotty]

Mark John Smith is the founder, owner, president, ceo and any other title he likes to adorn himself with of Smith's School of English.

Please check out his own personal biography that he wrote himself on the "Team Smith" page of his very own website:

Smiths School of English Head Office Team

The following is a copy paste of this very biography with my comments in bold. Pay close attention as I will systematically show you the history of his lies and fraud.

Born in 1957 in Germany to an English father and Scottish mother, Mark John Smith was bound for an adventurous, internationally flavored life from the very beginning. Moving shortly thereafter to Hong Kong and finally to Australia, Mark was a seasoned traveler by the tender age of six. After having served three years in the Australian Armed Forces, Mark moved on to pursue his post graduate studies in Business Management at Wollongong University, New South Wales, Australia.

Mark Smith is the son of missionaries. He began his history by selling out a local choir for weddings unbeknownst to the minister there of and still brags about that to this day.

Concerning Mark Smith's persuit of post graduate studies, this is a lie. Mark Smith has never graduated from any University at any level.

1. Mark Smith fails to mention anything about an undergraduate course of study. Again because he never did so.

2. The correct name of the university is The University of Wollongong not Wollongong University.

3. There is no listing what so ever for a post graduate diploma or degree in Business Management at said University. Business? yes. Management? Yes. Business Management? NO!

4. In truth Smith quit School at age 15.

Contact the University of Wollongong and they can confirm they have never had a person by his name and age matriculate or even apply for matriculation at their institution.

His experiences in the international business world since then have proven that he is the epitome of what makes a successful entrepreneur in any country.

Smith's main experience with learning how to "do business" someone comes from a 3 yr stint with Amway. His Amway career was very successful, and (according to Mark) he rose rapidly through the ranks.

Before turning 30, Mark was operating at an executive level, having had extensive and varied management experience within the international nonferrous metal markets. Characterized by his analytical, disciplined nature, Mark is also a powerhouse of energy, traits which gave him the advantage he needed in playing a a leading role in moving his business forward. Such talents were noticed by others, and Mark was recruited into a Japanese trading house in 1989, where he went on to become a well known and respected figure in the international textile market, specifically industrial embroidery.

Smith married a Japanese lady and moved to Japan. From there he worked on her family's farm for a while until they helped arrange for him to work stacking inventory and boxes in the back of said embroidery firm. From there the story is unclear as to how he managed to move up but he moved into the sales department of their company.

After 4 years running between the EC and Japan, Mark was appointed CEO of a Japanese-owned startup company called Elcom International. Based in Chicago, USA, the company was set up as an international marketing venture with one aim in mind: to take a little known Greek embroidery software company called Compucon and position it on the world stage.

This is entirely false. Mark John Smith has never been the CEO of Elcom International. Please refer to this page of Elcom International's website and the following snippet from said page:

Elcom International, Inc. - Management Team

Robert J Crowell
Chief Executive Officer
Robert Crowell has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its inception in 1992.

As you can see, there's only been one CEO of Elcom International. Mark Smith doesn't even have the correct city or State of the HQ of Elcom International: Norwood, Mass.

Launched in 1991 in the midst of a competitive field dominated by well established industry giants, Elcom managed to beat the odds. By 1995, Compucon's product had been succcessfully launched in 18 countries, and Elcom's job was done. In March 2002, Compucon was listed on the Greek stock exchange.

As you can see from the above website's information, Mark Smith can't even get the dates correct. Why? Because Smith never did any of the things mentioned.

What did happen was that Mark was skimming money off the top of sales contracts he set up with various international clients (Marks Smiths words to me) and he was using his Japanese secretary to keep this a secret, but eventually many of Smith's lies, he couldn't keep them straight and was caught.... not only for the skimming, but for as well having an affair with said secretary (old habits die hard). Thus he was fired and took his secretary with him whom he later went onto marrying.

In 1996, looking for new challenges, Mark decided to apply his talents to the ESL market in Japan. He is the founder and present Chairman of Smith's School of English and founder and CEO of SSE-Franchises. His vision remains still clear today: to wrestle ownership and control of the English teaching industry from corporate Japan and put it where it belongs, in the hands of the teacher. His past experiences of turning underdogs into champions shows that it can, and will, be done.

Yes, I imagine he met with alot of challenges in 1996 due to the above. He created the group and has been continuing to xxx and xxxxx people ever since.

This right here should set off alarm bells by the dozens that there is confirmable proof that this guy is willing to claim these things falsely about himself to mislead others who mistake him to be something he isn't. People have trusted that information in the past to mean he was an upfront businessman. Instead he's just a snake oil salesman.

[Scotty]

Dear Readers

Just some People Who Have Dealt With Smith's


This is a simple list and simple description of people etc who were/are affiliated with the issues of Smith, either directly or indirectly. Use this as needed as a reference for information mentioned in previous entries and those to come. Email contacts for these people can be requested by sending email to me to avoid spammers picking up their addresses.



Larry King

Former member of Smith. Bought a master franchise scheme from Smith in the Tokyo area (meaning he could sell rights to franchises to others in that area) and started with Smith around the same time as Scott Spargo (Late Spring/early summer). Followed litigation against Smith for breaches of the agreements made with Smith (involving Smith taking sales and sales leads from him). Awarded approximately $50,000 dollars. Larry now runs his own school in Tokyo called Larry King's School of English.

Larry King
Odyssey International, LLC
81-042-253-7882
(EMAIL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)

__________________________________________________ __________________________


Scott Spargo:

Ex manager of Smith who lasted just shy of a year with Smith. Has a plethora of information about Smith for him time with Smith. Was a member of Smith's mentoree program called "Friends of Smith" and one of the few members who were not a franchisee. Even after years of being out from Smith's he is still trying to collect from Smith the money lost while with him. Ask him about what Smith did to him around the time of his exiting the group. His testimony of that occurence may appear on here as an entry at a later date. Scott helped to confirm aspects of Smith's past covered in the Who is Mark John Smith entry.

Scott also has posted frequently on many forums and thread that readers will be able to see at a later date on here.


__________________________________________________ _______________________

Paul Hackshaw:

Paul is a teacher at a University in the Kyoto area and is currently working on his Phd in Linguistics through the University of Birmingham, England. He is a member of JALT and known on many EFL forums in Japan as Paulh.

Paul has been a staunch supporter and go between for many people who were involved with the group (Paul linked me and Scott for example). Paul is also a moderator on ELT News. He was one of the first to expose Smith about his curriculum. Paul has actually met Smith many many years ago and can vouch for the depths of Smith's snake oil salesmanship. Paul has also contributed to explanations of the poor quality of Smith's curriculum and laughable training.

http://www.teachinginjapan.com/paul.html

http://www.eltnews.com/community/?ac...username=paulh



__________________________________________________ ________________________

Miles Zonkin:

Ex partner/member of Smith's group. Even still Smith owes him money. Makes no bones about telling someone his feelings or history concerning Smith and can detail about the time Smith was put in the hospital by some guys he bilked and refused to pay. He can also tell you about other aspects of Smith's early days. Miles also helped to contribute information concerning Mark Smith's past in the Who is Mark John Smith entry.



__________________________________________________ ________________________

Donovan Reimer:

The right hand man of Smith for many years up until his leaving and Scott's taking over of the same in the summer of 2004. Don knows a tremendous amount of information about Smith, but is selective about who he gives it to. He too was exploited and used by Mark Smith and has lost money to him. Don is also working with Larry's Lawyer Jiri. Don, unlike other managers, was given the title of CEO for a time with Smith and as well was one of Smith's "school brokers".

Don was usually sent to handle "issues" of franchisees or run schools that were abandoned or wouldn't sell. Ebie School was one such example in Osaka. Personally, I do not like Donovan and I keep my correspondence with him to a minimum. Scott is more friendly and communicative with him than I am. My reason for this is that during Don's time with Smith, he was just as guilty as Smith for some of the abuses and exploitation and coersion of others visited upon people. He as well still tries to maintain a small line of communication directly with Smith and for this I do not entrust him 100% with some information(such as that of people who have contacted me under promises that Smith will not know that they are communicating with me for the purposes of this blog and getting information out to the public. Some of those people I've not mentioned with Scott either. Exiting Smith has a way of making folks less trustworthy of others as I hope readers will come to understand.




__________________________________________________ ________________________

Mark McBennet:

Essentially, he runs ELT New's Forums etc. One of the few moderators to have let stand (with editing and a locking) a thread inwhich he cites Smith having threatened him over a forum thread concerning him and his group. Evidence of the threat can as well be seen in said thread.
(EMAIL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)

Thread in question:
http://www.eltnews.com/community/?bo...num=1097972222


__________________________________________________ ________________________

Ben Pittman:

A member of Smith's from 06/02 to 01/04. Now an ex member. Can tell you his negativer dealings with Smith as well.

(EMAIL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)
__________________________________________________ _________________________

Clint Wilson:

He and his wife were looking into buying a Smith's School that was for sale (November 2004). They contacted me after seeing information shown in the net about Smith on a forum. After getting a small amount of what is shown on this blog, and knowing the right questions to ask Mark Smith, they realized they had almost wasted alot of money. I have their email correspondences from Smith (theirs and Smiths). They of course can tell you how Smith easily takes people on while playing on their ignorance and trust of what Mark says to them.

[Scotty]

Blogs Mark Smith had deleted. Back on the net.


The people speaking poorly of Mark Smith have all been burned by him. I assume they are taking it to a personal level, because for them it was personal. He took their money.

At the same time a little bit of research could have saved a lot of heartache. the people sharing their experiences here and on other sites are doing so to protect others from making similar mistakes.

This site does not come across as a personal attack on Mark Smith, but rather as a warning and a chance to research something before you sink your savings into what can only be described as a dodgy enterprise.

interested - 11/6/2005 6:14:54 AM - 165.76.121.187


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Finally. Good job Smithwatch.

Scott Spargo - 11/6/2005 2:04:23 PM - 221.190.191.215


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Well... I'm not anyone other than who I say I am. I guess I just don't have any beef with Mark or the school or whatever. Aloha to Don and Scott though!

Ty Borders - 11/9/2005 8:03:02 AM - 70.95.13.48


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There are numerous disillusioned and disenfranchised people that have paid money in exchange for product to Smith's School of English.

Many bought schools from him. You can see around 50 schools currently cross linked to his main site for Smith's School of English Japan.

All of these people have paid good money, what you don't see are those that were forced to give up or quit as his customers and go home. Many of their stories and experiences (as well as donations to Marks Real Estate portfolio) are gone.

Easily over 100 have passed through the sales doors of Smiths School of English, parting with their money, receiving their VISA and then paying their franchise fee. Many have returned home, tired, angry, burnt out and basically out of time, money and knowledge about legal retribution with the company. Until Larry King finally won in court, and Smiths School of English had to pay him 50,000 USD...

The 50 represented who are currently paying for their VISA support and secretarial service are PURELY as stable as franchisees within this system as the man Mark Smith himself.

For example, if the company was supposedly taking money for "Courses" which it offered as a product, then suppling a VISA (of course after payment, and at no company cost)...This would be very illegal and difficult to prove, would it not?

If this company cannot
a. submit sponsorship for Foreign VISA's
b. operate with numerous bank accounts in various countries, not necessarily linked to the companys' official Japanese bank account. Paying money (as I did) into an ANZ personal australian bank account of Mark John Smith (I have the proof) would be illegal, wouldn't it? I know that Mr Smith went off with the money he got from me to buy a property post-haste.

The dissappointment being that he even had the arrogance to tell others within his system at the time that he had no intent to supply the promised product. JUST GET THE MONEY>>>>>>

Anyway, the health and wealth of Mark John Smith is the only guarantee that the VISA support, and any resale value of these franchise schools will continue into the future.

I know he already has planned to cut and run, with his 3 different company names, numerous international bank accounts and Real Estate portfolio in Australia.... Currently however, he is enjoying his 1.5million yen a month income from his English School Franchise System in Japan. He will never give it up, until he is finally bought to legal justice on a large scale.

Difficult to do however, with his current niche market.
Customers are gaijin, contracts are in English, and gaijin don't know our rights in Japan.

Scott Spargo - 11/11/2005 12:47:17 PM - 221.190.191.215


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Can't speak for all that's written here but different things he has told me regarding his past certainly did not match up.

About how many franchisees have quit or been forced out? Anyone know that?

We have all heard so many horror stories. How many are just stories?

Are Mark and Yuka making any money? Because I am not and others I know aren't either.

Somthing isn't right.

Speak out!

Unhappy - 11/18/2005 10:10:32 AM - 61.205.126.143


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Dear Unhappy,

In answer to your questions.

About how many franchisees have quit or been forced out.

During the 10months that I was there, there was about 8 franchisees that left the system. Some of them left for "mysterious reasons". Three of them (just the ones that I met) were very angry and dissappointed.

They were a lot poorer than when they came to start business. They were going home to recover themselves emotionally and fiscally.

Ben Pittman who used to own Momodani School was very dissappointed about his situation. I believe that you may be aquainted with him.

None of them sold their school at a profit. The information about that is blatently misleading. The website claim about a customer who made a 668% profit on his investment is so quintessential Smith.

Reading it in retrospect makes me angry, but hey, I'm not the only one.

Smith's School of English Website still contains, (as Bearcat described with this site) unprovable and misleading information designed purely to get 15,000USD and 50,000 yen per month per person from Gaijin when they get their VISA through Smith's School of English Japan.

That's what we are trying to do with this Site. Inform openly and honestly about the situation...

I know of a few franchisees that are still within the system and looking for a good, clean way out. (They are good people, who understood what they were in better after a few months)

Please elaborate on your situation (as much as you comfortably can)..

Scotty Spargo - 11/22/2005 1:27:57 PM - 220.98.177.169


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Mark Smith = a yearning from childhood to get rich erasing memories of his father and his failures in life.

Through small and grand lies and manipulation of the foriegn community in Japan in the name of capitalism.

Rich Dad Poor Dad / The Cashflow Quadrant. These are his favorite books. This is his level.

Don't be fooled by the year round suntan and silver Mercedes. The tattoo removal scar on his lower arm and his speech when he lowers his gaurd or gets tired as a meeting or seminar stretch on give away his true background and social class.

Look and listen to him knowing he is after your money. There are reasons for this from his past........

I am another victim.
David.

David - 11/30/2005 2:41:04 AM - 210.196.186.10



Once most people get in they are trapped financially. Their visa is with the company and this is intimidating. Their school / house or both are registered with the company. They have signed a contract. They are scared then to make any kind of move. Mark has them trapped and begins to put pressure on non-performers.

Taking a company to court in Japan is entirely different to most English speaking countries. The courts side with the company in most cases so it is difficult to get a case off the ground. Also the costs involved are bigger.

Most of the school owners get so busy, they can't tell right from wrong. They are stuck almost as soon as they get it. Sad isn't it?

Does a franchise still make money though? you ask...... Do the math and come back with your answers "curious". Base it on 20 / 40 / 60 / 80 students and see what 4 answers you come up with. Let's discuss this!

David - 11/30/2005 7:43:29 AM - 221.250.87.50


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Caution To All



curious in japan IS MARK SMITH



As sure as the day is long. You have given yourself away. We are unanimous within our camp of discontented franchise owners.

For anyone unconvinced, take time to read through his sites. You can see the same person at work as in 'curious in Japan' above, which was reasonably well camouflaged with errors and mixed comments but not well enough (again).

Smiths School of English Teaching Franchises

School Brokers - Education Franchise Sales Careers

Real Estate Investments in Japan

You have hurt too many people in Japan Mark. You have lied and tricked and continued to do so over and over again until in so many cases, bleeding people dry. This is our chance to communicate together in public without you controlling us.

If we come and talk to you openly your pattern of reponse is self serving and familiar by now: 1) Others are doing fine / I don't hear others complaining like you 2) yes, some people have it rough at the start 3) Why can't you be successful within this successful company? 4) You're a loser 5) Do more flyers 6) Don't listen to cynics / Don't spread anything negative 7) Get out of our head school until you have some positive things to say 8) Do more flyers 9) sacrifice 10) Don't mess with me! 11) Do more flyers 12) Hey, maybe you are not a loser after all?

It's like listening to a first year psychology student. You are good but not good enough to operate a company without constantly tricking everyone to do work while you play on the Internet setting up websites designed to get more people to give you more money.

You can't escape your past. It follows you for life. From Australia to all over Europe to America and here in Japan. We know a lot more about you than you realize for sure.

Either all of us are wrong and you are a good, honest businessman. Or there is at least a slither of truth in what all of us are saying. Some people have been speaking ill of you for years.

It's way too much work to even contribute like this if it's not true and what would be sufficient motivation if it were not? There are too many of us .

The overall message from inside and outside the company is clear: Mark Smith is dishonest and an opportunist, operating above the law. We want to help others. We mean well. Our message is positive. Stay clear of Mark Smith or get out and stay clear of Mark Smith.

discontented - 12/1/2005 4:42:00 AM - 60.47.112.186


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I concurr with the assumption that Curious in Japan is Mark Smith or at the very least one of his "Friends of Smith" group.

Mark in his personna as the poster traviss on gaijinpot.com years ago pulled the same modus operendi. The google/alexa bs gives him away and it is an ad hominem arguement: Google Rank has nothing to do with the credibility of the organization.

With Smith using not 3 websites but 4 websites to corral people to his main site, his constant spamming of advertisements with links to anyone of the above mentioned 5 total sites on websites from debt consolidation, geneology sites, and even blogs about karate with multiple spams per day.... you get the picture.

Curious in Japan skips the fact that he has had to deal with lawyers and pay a settlement to Larry King. And Smith is duly aware that there are few laws on the books to protect people in the type of activities that he engages in. He plays on the ignorance of foreigners in Japan or that come to Japan and assume the ability to sue or seek justice from the authorities is the same as their home countries. The lawyer listed on the contacts page of the blog can detail more of ex members actions against Smith.

As far as its business cult activities, its pretty easy to see from just the pages up on the blog for now but I'll put up the line by line BITE Model comparrison that goes out to the people who've sent emails for details on a new page in the next week or so along with information about Smith's advertising practices.

Smithwatch - 12/1/2005 6:39:37 AM - 216.204.20.170


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How many people have taken him to court?
How does he operate with impunity?
How does the company continue if it`s such a scam in Japan? surely the authorities would have it shut down for some reason.....

Ladies and Gentlemen of the thread.

I have asked these questions openly and fairly...Can none of you `experts` answer?

Once most people get in they are trapped financially. Their visa is with the company and this is intimidating. Their school / house or both are registered with the company. They have signed a contract. They are scared then to make any kind of move. Mark has them trapped and begins to put pressure on non-performers.

This is crazy...how can a company `intimidate` so many people at one time?

Do you actually know of anyone willing to put their name to such outlandish claims?

I bet no-one will say anything..


Surely they are grown up enough to know what they are getting into when they buy a franchise...

Also you should be careful what you write on this site...It should be shut-down for your unsubstantiated and personal claims against this business...
I`m sure it`s just a matter of time, before this site follows the others before it to the `erased` pile

Sounds like bored people with nothing better to do than wave their `qualifications` around in the air at decent, hardworking businesspeople.. like that Paul H character from Gaijin Pot....

bit of a touch of jealousy thrown in there too, I shouldn:t wonder....

No proof, no story, go back to your lives.....

curious in japan - 12/2/2005 3:07:32 AM - 125.173.47.22


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[Scotty]

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?

[Scotty]

English School Franchise Japan--there are better English School Franchises to buy in Japan than a Smith's School of English School Franchise.

There are a number of different companies offering the same 'Service' for a different price. Shop around. Ask current franchisees(not those recommended by head office only).

Ask the Franchise Company Owner about legal history of the company. You as a customer have a right to know, because you are investing your time and money in this persons system...

Check your Visa rights, it's critical in this country. You don't have to pay for a VISA. It's illegal to do so.

[Scotty]

From the Site:

A Selection of Staff Beliefs

We have been taught to value the integrity and freedom that come from working together for our mutual benefit. To us, team means: T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More).

(means that everyone and everything within the system makes money for Mark, at least possible expense)

We have come to understand that although coaching and support is always available from the company senior staff, it is far wiser for us to prepare at least two possible solutions before carrying up a problem. Our boss says, "To try is to grow."

To try is to grow. mmmm. In reality, Smith's School of English means "Mark waves a carrot in front of our face about what we can get. ALL we have to do is pay more money, more money, more money etc..


You get used to Mark and his forward thinking. And you'll never believe the sense of pride we felt standing with a group of franchisees at our last party. There were so many of us, we couldn't fit into any of our usual party venues.

Forward thinking. Yes, he's always thinking about the next buck for him, and how to get it out of his customer. He has forward thinking up the gazoo.

Sense of pride standing in the group? Mark wrote that one!!

[Scotty]

Smiths School of English--http://www.sse-franchise.comhttp://www.sse-franchise.com

Some Corporate advice about some of Mark's Tactics..

Spotting the Liar

By: Willow Lawson
Summary: Tone of voice can be a giveaway. Liars sound tense and their voices are high pitched.

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Q: Do people tend to avert their gaze when they lie?

A: One of the biggest myths about body language is the belief that eye contact, or lack of it, exposes a liar, says Michael Wheeler, a professor at Harvard Business School and an expert on negotiation tactics.

Even when presented with psychological evidence to the contrary, many of us still suspect that liars out themselves by averting their eyes. Says Wheeler, "It's very hard to surrender the belief that eye contact is a test of character."

Far more reliable than eye contact is tone of voice. With the exception of sociopaths, who are expert liars, most people sound tense, their voices highly pitched, when they fib.

However, don't confuse voice tone with verbal fumbling. People who are telling the truth tend to stumble over their words and have more imperfections in their speech. That comes from spontaneity, not nervous deceit. Studies show that liars tell less compelling accounts with fewer gestures than those who are telling the truth.

My hints:
1. Ask questions about the corporate legal history of the company. (always get visual proof, do not accept Verbal proof ever)

2. Ask to speak to customers not introduced directly by the company.

3. Ask about the original business partners Peter Stanford, Donovan Reimer and the Japanese partner who invested considerable time and money. Ask WHERE they are now, and WHY?

The contract should be written in your conditions for your money to be passed on.

[Scotty]

Smith's School of English Franchises Japan--http://www.sse-franchise.com

The way to business success in Japan. Mark Smith's system is designed by the blood, sweat, time and tears of others. The result is a very rich and Real Estate portfolio thick Mark Smith.

The customers? Well, they are hard-working, decent 'franchisees' (though the Visa does not say 'Business Investor' it says something very different).

They pay their money, thinking that they are buying a 'Buy, Build, Sell' business.

When they realise that they can't 'Buy, Build, Sell' quite as easily as Mark indicated to them, they approach Mark to see the real 'Mark Smith'.

There is a relatively safe way to ensure the safety of your Investment and time with Smith's School of English Japan.

I will continue to inform those out there of the truth of this operation. It's imperative that more people are not misled and lose their time, sweat and money..


Scotty