Smith's School of English in Japan

[Scotty]

Cool Ice,

Is it 'badmouthing' if you are typing exactly what happened to you without emotional misrepresentation or exaggeration of fact with backup of personal paperwork and witnesses?

What I have written, and pasted to this forum is accounts from Smiths School of English Japan.

I won't waste my time, and the time to type such accounts if it were not for my purpose. My purpose is to ensure that the information and intent of this company and it's owner are made publicly available to potential customers.

Even McDonalds now posts information about the calorie content of its products. People (including me) still eat and enjoy McDonalds. The most important thing is that they exercise their right to choose, based on having the information available to them.

McDonalds does not hide the fact that their food is high in saturated fats, sugars and salt. They put that information down on the table and let their customers decide whether or not they put their money over the counter for the meal.

With Mark Smith and Smith's School of English/ Japan-Investments, the ability to hide such information behind smoke and mirrors, while selling and bending the facts is something I have witnessed first-hand.

He has had closed down numerous threads about his operations, written by ex-customers who ran out of money, energy and time because they believed in him and his words.

He is responsible for putting at least two people (that I know of) into such a mental state that they never, ever even want to hear his name, or the name of his company again. They start to panic, get angry and irrational just upon hearing 'Mark Smiths' name. They lost a lot more than money.

Businesswise and ethically, if this wasn't Japan, he certainly wouldn't have got away with it up to now.



Personally I have been threatened (though not physically attacked) by members sent by him, the day after I quit.

While I have breath in my lungs, I will let the truth be known to those who need to know it.

[Scotty]

Tired of renting? Buy court auctioned property - Japan Forums


Thanks here to Bearcat and his vigilence to expose the lies and fraud about Smiths. Cut and paste from another site.

scheme ( P ) Pronunciation Key (skm)
n.

1. A systematic plan of action: “Did you ever carry out your scheme of writing a series of sonnets embodying all the great epochs of art?” (Edith Wharton).
2. A secret or devious plan; a plot. See Synonyms at plan.
3. An orderly combination of related parts: an irrigation scheme with dams, reservoirs, and channels.
4. A chart, diagram, or outline of a system or object.

Yes its a scheme.

The way he is investing in real estate is as an individual. What he does is ask other people if they would also like to invest, with him. Based on how much individuals would want to invest, when they have enough to either pay cash, or jointly get a loan, then they will go ahead. Presumably with some kind of partnership agreement.

His internet site on all this is misleading (big surprise of course ), it does not actually say they are a company.

As far as "disatisfied customers" are concerned. Remember Smith started his eikaiwa scheme years ago and though complaints may have come up it wasn't until 2003/4 that people really started to get that information out. He makes people think from the site's information that its been at this since March 2004, but the website wasn't put on the net until March of 2005. See.... typical smoke n mirrors and easy to see if you know this character's MO.

Of the non franchisees that make up his "investors" how many of them would invest if they knew the truth of Smith's past, long history of swindle?

With such a long history of doing so, what makes you think that all of the sudden, out of the blue, this scheme is 100% clean and pristine? That's naive. He also uses this scheme to try to funnel people to investing into franchising as well. Asking people to shell out 50,000 US too much? Oh well here's a smaller thing with more potential..... -hook-.

Typical of Smith to not make anyone thing he does untainted by the other. Convoluting like that is like is again a magician with smoke and mirrors.

Give it time. I promise you, more will be exposed on this for sure.
__________________
If its too good to be true, then be afraid... be very afraid.

[cool ice]

One thing I've learnt in life is that no matter how well a company tries to look after it's customers, there will ALWAYS be some that get a bad taste in their mouth. I'm thinking this is the same with you Scotty. You were obviously deeply affected by Smith and hence you feel justification in your rantings in this thread.

I'm sure I can easily find blacklists and scam reports on famous companies such as Sanyo, Toyota, Unilever and other huge companies out there.

In the end, feel free to present your info, but it wont really affect my decision. Sure I will be more cautious, but I will gather my own independent facts rather then listening to your biased information.

If you think you have such a strong case against Smith, why don't you take it to the courts? One can only wonder perhaps you wont win, hence you feel it's best to just let off your steam here.

My suggestion to you Scotty is to forget and move on in life. Wont do you much good ranting and raving here. We got the idea.

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by cool ice

One thing I've learnt in life is that no matter how well a company tries to look after it's customers, there will ALWAYS be some that get a bad taste in their mouth. I'm thinking this is the same with you Scotty. You were obviously deeply affected by Smith and hence you feel justification in your rantings in this thread.

Good point. If you check the other threads out there about the same company, you will find that there is more than one who has been left with a bad taste in their mouth about this company. Certainly a major educational experience, and a financial one to boot.

Originally Posted by cool ice

I'm sure I can easily find blacklists and scam reports on famous companies such as Sanyo, Toyota, Unilever and other huge companies out there.

I'm sure that you could. Obviously these companies have corporate dealings that none but the CEO and executives are privvy too. That's the normal function of such as Sanyo, Toyota etc.

Smiths is a totally different level, ethically and in terms of business stature. That is for certain.

Originally Posted by cool ice

In the end, feel free to present your info, but it wont really affect my decision. Sure I will be more cautious, but I will gather my own independent facts rather then listening to your biased information.

Definately gather as many facts as you can. I did before I invested my 1,000,000yen, however at that time there was no sources of information such as this. Only the company websites. I recommend that a discerning buyer/investor check both sides of the coin.

Originally Posted by cool ice

If you think you have such a strong case against Smith, why don't you take it to the courts? One can only wonder perhaps you wont win, hence you feel it's best to just let off your steam here.

Already checked that option. Though I have a strong case, I don't have the financial and time investment available to pursue a long, dragged out legal battle here in Japan. Mark knows that well enough.

Originally Posted by cool ice

My suggestion to you Scotty is to forget and move on in life. Wont do you much good ranting and raving here. We got the point.

Actually, I've moved on in life. I do also have a promise though to myself and others that I'll not stand by and willing watch a car accident happen. Not when I know there is something I can do to stop it.

Have a nice day,

SS

[gfell]

We have been contacted by Mark Smith to remove this thread in it's entirety. Now we find ourselves in a situation between pleasing a school, aka Smith's English School and pleasing our valued customers of these forums, aka the ESL community.

The whole idea of this Black List is to warn and provide factual information to the ESL community, so as they can better make decisions and avoid financial and emotional hardship. Heading to a new country, being emerged in a new culture etc. is hard enough. Being screwed by schools should not be on. On the other hand, teachers should not screw schools either.

We have 2 choices here:

• Remove Smiths thread and let down the ESL community.
• Maintain Smiths thread and open ourselves to lawsuits.

Tough decision. I know there are other websites out there such as Rip-off Report.com - badbusinessbureau.com which also make accusations towards other companies. So therefore, it is our duty to also provide a means for factual information within the ESL community.

I ask all posters on this thread to take a close look at their posts. Edit them where necessary and ensure there are no false accusations. We only want factual information and no personal attacks. Please ensure everthing you write is supported and can be proven.

If a lawsuit is actioned, I hope supporting information and participating members will provide proof for our lawyers to ensure a clear-cut decision.

Thank you.

[Scotty]

スミス英会話。

おめでとう。マークスミス

本当にあなたは一番だよ。

ずるい。。。。

Don't worry Mark, I'll continue to inform your potential customers 'victims' of the truth. I will stand in court in Osaka and tell the real story, if it ever comes to that.

ELT News Message Board - Smith English Language Schools

The TEFL Blacklist: Smith's School of English, Japan

#1: So Who Is Mark John Smith? (PART 5) :: Smith's School of English Watch :: Creating Awareness of SSE's Lies, Fraud, Scams, & Commercial Cult-Like Behavior

Let's Japan.org :: View topic - Smith's


January 2004. Kyobashi Head Office, Smith's School of English Japan.

At this time, I was working at the Head Office as (mentee/general manager/profit share teacher/flyers manager etc etc).

Mark came in early to work (1200ish, very rare) all excited.

He showed me a internet website (gaijin pot) which had recently started a thread on Smith's School of English, from a poster called 'Sidereal'.

He showed me (at the time only a few postings) and with one from a person named 'Traviss'. I asked him if he was Traviss, as it seemed pretty obvious to me that it was. He said yes.

The thread continued to grow, Mark pretending to be various characters, in order to clear the Smiths School of English name.

I was at that time in my major contemplation stage of what I was doing at Smith's School of English.

My business education was going nowhere, I was working from 700am to 10pm 5days a week and 1000am to 7pm on Saturdays.

Mark pointed at the computer screen at the time, and told me about Paul H and Smithwatch. He said they were inconsequential gaijins in the community 'out there' that were jealous of his success.

I thought, "Ok, but why would you need to jump on as 'Traviss' to try to alter the thread?". Mark guessed this was what I was thinking, and assured me that he was too famous to use his real name on such a small thread.

"Other posters are immature" Mark said.

Bit by bit, things started to get more stinky and uncomfortable for me. Right about this time, I met a few 'ex-franchisees' still in Osaka.

They assured me that I was becoming the public face, for what was a 'one man band snakeoil sales outfit'. I became embarrassed and angry at the same time.

Mark couldn't answer any of my questions properly. His stories always changed, and he even forgot sometimes which stories he told which people.

Where was my 1,000,000 yen education?

Where was my > 500,000 yen/month Kyobashi Profit Share Salary?

Why was I working such long hours?

Why was I selling for this company, when the owner hadn't even paid me (general manager, PST, of Smith's School of English)?

Why was I encouraged by Mark to not take potential customers anywhere near Shinsaibashi?

Why was I embarrassed to say to some people that I worked for Mark Smith?

Why was Mark using 'William Wiseman' 'Traviss' and numerous other names on the threads?

Why was Mark using the name 'William Wiseman' as a schoolbroker?

Why was Mark exceedingly reluctant to use the train?

Why did he lie to so many people as a business owner in Japan?

Why did he have me pretend to a Fukushima Private school owner that I knew 'William Wiseman'? (she became a 'friends of Smith' member).

This means, she needed VISA taken care of, she met 'William Wiseman' (MARK SMITH) on the net, and 'William' told her that "for some money, and a monthly fee, she could continue to operate as a private school".

She came to Smiths, met Yuka and myself (Mark was slinking around the lobby pretending to be busy, but listening and watching). She signed the contract, paid her money, kept her private school, and got her VISA.

From 'William Wiseman'....Mark Smith.

Funniest thing is, she even talked to 'William' on the phone. (Mark Smith). He met her in the foyer at Smiths, and he was in a mini-panic about whether or not she would recognise his voice.

She didn't, Mark got his money, she got her VISA, and kept her school, without becoming a franchisee.

Mark went on the roof to celebrate after she 'signed'. He couldn't believe that he'd pulled it off. He was so happy, like a kid with a new bike.

'William Wiseman'. Classic. Mark Smith sold a VISA, as a different person, using UGENGAISHASUMISUEIKAIWA.


Scott Spargo
ex mentee, ex general manager, ex customer of Smith's School of English Japan...(2,600,000yen owed, and certainly not the only one)

[cool ice]

Hi gfell,

You may be interested in the following at Defamation law and free speech

Basically it talks about defamation law and freedom of speech. It's an Australian site, so should relate to your business.

According to this site, there are 2 types of defamation:

1. Oral defamation -- called slander
2. Published defamation -- called libel. Your site would fall into this category.

As I see it, there is good defense for AAC and it's members.

If someone sues you because you made a defamatory statement, you can defend your speech or writing on various grounds. There are three main types of defence:

1. what you said was true;
2. you had a duty to provide information;
3. you were expressing an opinion.

Writers can learn simple steps to avoid triggering defamation threats and actions. The most important rule is to state the facts, not the conclusion. Let readers draw their own conclusions.

Eg: Instead of saying "The politician is corrupt," it is safer to say "The politician received a payment of $100,000 from the developer."

Good luck with things.

[gfell]

Scotty, please edit / remove your avatar depicting Mark Smith as a scammer. Furthermore, edit your posts to remove your labeling of Mark Smith as a scammer. This is only your opinion, and there is no room for opinion in this thread.

We are only after facts.

Thanks for your info cool ice!

[bearcat]

Smith will not take you to court. Doing so would expose him further and since he's in Japan as well, he has no intention of following through proceedings in another country. He will however attempt to go to your service provider to complain if you tell him no. He's pulled this stunt a few times and some sites caved without researching the facts and others have told Mark to take a flying leap. It is appreciated that you've mentioned that he's still playing this game though.

You say proof is required to support he is a scammer. Have you looked at the Smtihwatch site? I as well as Scott Spargo can give you contact information of more than one person that exited the group and indeed state that Smith is indeed ripping off people. If you have read what is on the Smithwatch website you'd know this to be the case already though. However again, if you wish further proof and other sources of information, contact me via pm here or you can also contact the admin of the Smithwatch website for further information.

[Scotty]

Ladies and Gentlemen and Mr Smith,



I think Mr Mark Smith is worried about this thread due to the fact it is ranked on the first page in Google for "Smith's School of English" and "Smiths School of English Japan"

I've been requested to edit to remove any not-verifiable content from my posts. I have. Mark..

He shouldn't be worried. He didn't pay and deceived myself and numerous others that I know of. (Not liable Mark, fact and I'll stand in court and say that).

I've the proof here Mark. And the testimony of J.C and D.R (who you know) that you wanted my 1,000,000yen purely for deposit on a flat on the Gold Coast.

With no intention to actually deliver the product.(Not liable Mark, fact and I'll stand in court and say that).