Hey. I ended up over at this post kind of randomly. Anyways, if you have issues like this in the future, feel free to drop a comment over at my blog. I'll gladly find a way to host whatever material is supposed to be taken down(free of charge of course). I'm a bit of a first amendment junkie, and hate seeing things like this play out as they appear to be.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the offer SlightlyShadySEO :) . I have never planned for this to escalate to such a controversy. I truly hope this is the end of it. Thanks for stopping by.
Trace
· 1 year ago
I just wrote about this .... the interesting part is that it looks like Eperks might be abandoned (based on traffic death spiral) as Ben moves to his new startup, Ihype.com that launches in a few days.... my name has a link to the article .....
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Trace,
Some how I missed this comment.... I have probably read your article 5 or 6 times by now. You addressed the issue from so many points, that I needed to read it that many time to appreciate the depth of research you have put into the article.
Even as I write this I still think that ePerks reputation is salvageable, and if they ever consider investing into a PR firm, your have provided an outstanding point of reference.
Vlad - I truly sorry to hear that Mr. Behrouzi is not allowing you to express your thoughts about his program for real estate agents.
I totally agree with other commenters that requesting you to contact other bloggers to remove their post about his company lacks "true grit" on his part. Why doesn't he contact them himself? Or make comments or rebuttals to defend his position?
It truly sad that so close to Memorial Day where we honor our veterans that have fought to defend our freedom - one of which is the freedom of speech - that someone would consider this type of action.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Glenn,
Thanks for stopping by as I have mentioned before as of now I have not been served any papers in connection to this threat. However, I have been receiving dozens e-mails daily from the real estate agents about this issue expressing their support and offering help. I am very humbled by that.
I can't answer your questions. But I do hope they would invest into a PR management firm and at least attempt to clean this mess.
My wife and I have been through enough. Thanks again for stopping by.
Jay Thompson
· 1 year ago
If Mr. Behrouzi wants me to delete the post I wrote about this on AgentGenius, he can ask me himself. Asking YOU to ask ME to delete a post is asinine.
So I welcome Mr. Behrouzi's request. While he's at he, he can ask me to delete the one I'll be writing on Phoenix Real Estate Guy too.
It'll be a waste of his time, but I welcome it.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Jay,
I think their behavior reminds me of that accident you had with young thugs when you defended the you lady. How is is your hand by the way?
As I wrote on Russell's post over at agentgenius.com , as of today I have not been served with the papers in connection to this latest threat. I am sure you need a few days to file a complaint, but I am beginning to suspect it is just another attempt to intimidate me. And from what I can tell it is firing back at them 100 times worse than that stupid cease and desist letter from their lawyers.
By the way Dennis Pease just wrote something interesting and shares a little from his experience with them over at Activerain:
While I'm no authority in law, I've had former clients in a court for various reasons. And from what you said in your original article, I fail to see on what grounds ePerks are bringing litigation against you.
This is a prime example of social media in action — if someone is offering a poor quality service, it's highly likely that service (such that it is) is going to be aired on-line for all to see, as is the case here.
Might I suggest ePerks save the money they were going to spend on legal action and instead think of investing to improve their service by way of some brand / reputation management?
Nick
· 1 year ago
Wayne sums this up pretty clearly. I really can't understand what grounds they are suing you for.
I, along with most people, would not trust a company who choose these actions over investing their time in fixing the real source of the problem, which is clearly ePerks. Good luck and keep us posted.
WayneSmallman
· 1 year ago
Hi Nick, I'm not the one being sued — Vlad is! :-)
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Wayne,
I think Nick realizes that I am the one :), I think he replied to your comment because there was no comment box at the bottom. I have to change to Disqus settings to show the comment box after the comments- this way there will be no confusion.
I am yet to be served the papers. This last threat was issued by ePerks on 21st. I am not sure how long does it take to file a suit in CA. But I keep every one update on the situation.
Thank you both for stopping by.
The Mexican
· 1 year ago
The Mexican
Ben Behrouzi is an idiot... his decision to sue just opened up a can of worms. This story is spreading pretty fast to other blog sites and he is damaging his company name more than you ever did.... what a moran.
Every dollar he spends on lawyers makes him a bigger idiot.... doesn't he have anything better to do?
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
I really would like to see what figures will they come up with after they "assess the damages".
At the time Mr. Behrouzi was interviewed by Inman News there were 2,700 agents participating. If some of the statistics correct since the website went live they were getting roughly 30,000 unique visitors per month - again these figures are based on what I seen at sitemeter.com before they turned off the public access to those statistics. The Inman News interviewed Mr. Behrouzi at the end of March so by that time their website had received about 240,000 unique visitors in total, which of course resulted in a whooping (I am being sarcastic) of 1.13% of conversions.
As of today my website received only 1,845 visitors who found my website when searching for "eperks". Half of those visitors where either from their own employees and his legal team who kept a "watchful eye" on me. So yes, I really did some serious damage there (again I am being sarcastic).
I absolutely agree that the damage the brought through these threats is much greater than I ever done. And this damage will continue, because I am planing to publish every page of any future cease and desist letter or any document associated with their legal actions.
Dennis_Pease
· 1 year ago
I can't stand any of these 3rd party lead generation companies that try to infiltrate the real estate sales business when there is no reason for them to exist but to be a parasite hanging on the coat tails of hard working real estate agents.
Now there are constantly agents and others that expose them for what they are, and one of the largest companies Trulia has hired a smooth nice guy to make comments on posts that are negative to Trulia and even though we all know the truth, Rudy is a good PR guy and does his best to make his employer Trulia look good. That is how any smart business would run their operation.
Then on the complete opposite of the spectrum is eperks. They do not understand the power of Blogging and how by filing a lawsuit against a Blogger for basically exposing them for what they are will put them out of business. Not that they have much of a business to begin with because the way they have treated agents has already sullied their name to the point it is all over the net.
I understand this owner is starting another similar company, probably because they already ruined this name. We as a group of nationwide Bloggers will be watching for that company as well.
We are all watching to see how this turns out Vlad. This company has made huge mistakes since its inception and it doesn’t seem like they have changed their ways.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Dennis,
Thanks for your support. You have been more than helpful in dealings with these faceless trolls on Stirredup.com
I think even as I write this, there is still room for ePerks to put a positive span on things. I am not sure they can find another "Rudy".
I think that today there is no way for a business to succeed without engaging their (some times enraged) audience.
Dennis, thanks again for stopping by.
Doug Quance
· 1 year ago
The path that ePerks continues to take assures us that they won't be around for long.
Just as well.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
I just hope some one jumps at idea and runs with it.
Thanks for stopping by Doug
The Harriman Team
· 1 year ago
Vlad, it looks like I'm not the only one who supports your position. Maybe this issue needs to be distributed to a larger audience. Most rational people, like me and the other posters here and on other blogs, would be outraged at this indiscriminate trampling of your right to your own opinion. There's nothing like a large group of angry people acting in controlled unison to effect change and ensure the little guy is just as important as the big guys. If I can be of any further help to you in this troubling time, please let me know.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Wayne,
I don't know how and if it worthed to go any further. I was handing them a golden opportunity to move past this issue. They are pissed that my blog is on the first page of Google for "ePerks" they claim they are loosing tens thousands of dollars because of that. I prepared to fight legally. So far I have not received anything. But it has been only two days, so maybe they need more time to actually file a suit.
I also think the company was "over-pimped" at the start up as multi million venture that will sweep every on away.
This issue can be put to rest. Every threat they issue will be published on my blog, and then probably republished on dozens of other blogs.
In today world of viral marketing and social media they have zero interaction with their audience. I hope they would finally wake up and opened their eyes. At least Mr. Berhouzi's former company (Reply.com) is interacting with their users via blog.
RobertaMurphy
· 1 year ago
Vlad,
I am enraged by this shoddy and slimy form of intimidation:
>all of your activities are being recorded by the watchful eyes of our legal team for use in assessing damages.<
Mr. Behrouzi is whizzing into the wind.
This will be making the rounds at about every real estate company meeting in the nation--and rightly so.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Roberta,
I think serious company would consider the criticism and go back to the drawing board and if necessary begin from scratch. The worst possible thing in todays world of viral marketing to bully some one. Word gets around quickly these days.
Thanks for stopping by.
anon
· 1 year ago
Hang in there, Vlad.
Perhaps others who see this will blog about their attitude and scam nature and/or will report them through the various social network ranking tools.
Brad Coy
· 1 year ago
It's terrible that you are being subjected to this type of bullying. Thanks for fighting the good fight for us all.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Brad, thanks for stopping by. And thanks for the support.
VickiMoore
· 1 year ago
I'm horrified that anyone would go to such lengths to defame another for making comments that are quite legal and appropriate given the situation.
I hope that there is a way to find the writer of the yahoo comment, then sue them for liable - although there is more expense, I know. Expense of money, time and heartache.
I am deeply concerned about this situation. Morally and ethically this is disgusting behavior. If nothing else we all get what's due us. Karma can be beautiful or not.
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Vicki,
I appreciate your support. Yes, it is going to be expensive to bring whoever is behind these posts to justice. Again I wish it never came to this point, but what choice do I have if not fight back and defend my reputation?
Thanks for stopping by.
VickiMoore
· 1 year ago
I have no idea what I would do in your position - probably cry a lot. I'm really sorry for the agony this must be creating in your life.
Vicki Moore / Realtor / RE/MAX Dolphin Real Estate san mateo real estate blog / agent genius T. 650.888.9268 / F. 650.355.2973
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Vicki,
The support for blogger like you means more to me than words can express. While Internet may be a save harbor to all these faceless cowards, it is also the place where the goodness of other people can shine brightly.
Most, no strike that... ALL of the bloggers who offered me their support have never met me, yet are willing to step forward when they see that injustice being done. For that I am grateful.
Daniel Martin
· 1 year ago
ePerks.com is apparently ran by the dumbest freaking morons ever born. Do they seriously think they can get away with this?! We support you!
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
Thank you Daniel. I can't even begin to describe how this entire thing has affected me and my wife.
Thanks for topping by.
LeadCritic
· 1 year ago
This guy thinks he can push people around for giving their opinions is simply Crazy and will cost him, apparent scam of a business. What a big p**** I am sorry for you Vlad that you ever talked with person and actually tried to help.
I am a blogger and am furious about this!
Vlad Zablotskyy
· 1 year ago
As I said, every one can call me stupid- I should have never considered talking to them. But as the say live and learn. This entire thing could have ended long time ago, I have never planned nor do I appreciate raking on search engines because of the keywords associated with this company.
Just saw the article made by Greg Swann over at Bloodhound Blog. Good luck with your efforts; we're all pulling for you.
Ki
· 1 year ago
It seems that most of the damage on Eperks was not caused by you but by the backlash in the real estate community to Eperks attempting to bully you. So maybe Eperks should consider sueing itself. Also now that Ben has shown his true colors we should all avoid any future companies he becomes a part of.
KevinKeller
· 1 year ago
I have been a real estate professional for over 30 years. I have been a trainer, practicioner, sales manager, owner, founder and investor. I thought I was the only broker being pursued by eperks. They totally overstated their services and the benefits when they signed me up - I received nothing in the way of leads- and I paid plenty. I terminated my agreement with them - but they say they never received it and they continured to bill me for months! They ignored my letters and calls. They have now sent me to collections - this company is a scam and I would encourage anyone reading this to warn their fellow agents against doing business with eperks.
Kevin Keller, ABR, GRI, CRS, CRB, SRES, CRP,
Mitchell
· 1 year ago
You should talk about alternatives to ePerks. Drive people to other sites. Of course realtors dont like to share where they get thier leads because they dont want the competition. On the flip side of ePerks I honestly dont know why anyone looking to buy a home would use ePerks. Where would they get leads from?
About Us. We cant promise leads. I dont believe anyone can but we know people get them from our sites.
It not a well known website and its barely a year old but its free. We only display areas we have listings for. If you dont see an area its because we dont have a listing for that area. We dont want dead ends its not fun.
Our Realtor search works by where you have a listing. If you have a home listed in Charlotte then your realtor information shows up under the realtor search for Charlotte. Just that simple. Essentially the more areas you list a home the more possiblities you will get exposure not only on the home but someone looking for a realtor.
If you dont trust us then use a made up yahoo e-mail address to sign up and see that you dont get spam to that e-mail address. We dont spam or sell peoples information were just learning to develop a website and how to work the search engines. We even have a link to post without signing up. We learn to program and you get Free advertising. The site isnt perfect but its a great learning experience for us.
All Comments
escalate to such a controversy. I truly hope this is the end of it. Thanks
for stopping by.
Some how I missed this comment.... I have probably read your article 5 or 6 times by now. You addressed the issue from so many points, that I needed to read it that many time to appreciate the depth of research you have put into the article.
Even as I write this I still think that ePerks reputation is salvageable, and if they ever consider investing into a PR firm, your have provided an outstanding point of reference.
However, it looks they are more interested in “whatever it takes attitude” of the "Sales Closers" rather than their reputation:
http://mendocino.craigslist.org/sls/652799950.html
I totally agree with other commenters that requesting you to contact other bloggers to remove their post about his company lacks "true grit" on his part. Why doesn't he contact them himself? Or make comments or rebuttals to defend his position?
It truly sad that so close to Memorial Day where we honor our veterans that have fought to defend our freedom - one of which is the freedom of speech - that someone would consider this type of action.
Thanks for stopping by as I have mentioned before as of now I have not been served any papers in connection to this threat. However, I have been receiving dozens e-mails daily from the real estate agents about this issue expressing their support and offering help. I am very humbled by that.
I can't answer your questions. But I do hope they would invest into a PR management firm and at least attempt to clean this mess.
My wife and I have been through enough. Thanks again for stopping by.
So I welcome Mr. Behrouzi's request. While he's at he, he can ask me to delete the one I'll be writing on Phoenix Real Estate Guy too.
It'll be a waste of his time, but I welcome it.
I think their behavior reminds me of that accident you had with young thugs when you defended the you lady. How is is your hand by the way?
As I wrote on Russell's post over at agentgenius.com , as of today I have not been served with the papers in connection to this latest threat. I am sure you need a few days to file a complaint, but I am beginning to suspect it is just another attempt to intimidate me. And from what I can tell it is firing back at them 100 times worse than that stupid cease and desist letter from their lawyers.
By the way Dennis Pease just wrote something interesting and shares a little from his experience with them over at Activerain:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/524339/ePerks-S...
This is a prime example of social media in action — if someone is offering a poor quality service, it's highly likely that service (such that it is) is going to be aired on-line for all to see, as is the case here.
Might I suggest ePerks save the money they were going to spend on legal action and instead think of investing to improve their service by way of some brand / reputation management?
I, along with most people, would not trust a company who choose these actions over investing their time in fixing the real source of the problem, which is clearly ePerks. Good luck and keep us posted.
I think Nick realizes that I am the one :), I think he replied to your comment because there was no comment box at the bottom. I have to change to Disqus settings to show the comment box after the comments- this way there will be no confusion.
I am yet to be served the papers. This last threat was issued by ePerks on 21st. I am not sure how long does it take to file a suit in CA. But I keep every one update on the situation.
Thank you both for stopping by.
Ben Behrouzi is an idiot... his decision to sue just opened up a can of worms. This story is spreading pretty fast to other blog sites and he is damaging his company name more than you ever did.... what a moran.
Every dollar he spends on lawyers makes him a bigger idiot.... doesn't he have anything better to do?
At the time Mr. Behrouzi was interviewed by Inman News there were 2,700 agents participating. If some of the statistics correct since the website went live they were getting roughly 30,000 unique visitors per month - again these figures are based on what I seen at sitemeter.com before they turned off the public access to those statistics. The Inman News interviewed Mr. Behrouzi at the end of March so by that time their website had received about 240,000 unique visitors in total, which of course resulted in a whooping (I am being sarcastic) of 1.13% of conversions.
As of today my website received only 1,845 visitors who found my website when searching for "eperks". Half of those visitors where either from their own employees and his legal team who kept a "watchful eye" on me. So yes, I really did some serious damage there (again I am being sarcastic).
I absolutely agree that the damage the brought through these threats is much greater than I ever done. And this damage will continue, because I am planing to publish every page of any future cease and desist letter or any document associated with their legal actions.
Now there are constantly agents and others that expose them for what they are, and one of the largest companies Trulia has hired a smooth nice guy to make comments on posts that are negative to Trulia and even though we all know the truth, Rudy is a good PR guy and does his best to make his employer Trulia look good. That is how any smart business would run their operation.
Then on the complete opposite of the spectrum is eperks. They do not understand the power of Blogging and how by filing a lawsuit against a Blogger for basically exposing them for what they are will put them out of business. Not that they have much of a business to begin with because the way they have treated agents has already sullied their name to the point it is all over the net.
I understand this owner is starting another similar company, probably because they already ruined this name. We as a group of nationwide Bloggers will be watching for that company as well.
We are all watching to see how this turns out Vlad. This company has made huge mistakes since its inception and it doesn’t seem like they have changed their ways.
Thanks for your support. You have been more than helpful in dealings with these faceless trolls on Stirredup.com
I think even as I write this, there is still room for ePerks to put a positive span on things. I am not sure they can find another "Rudy".
I think that today there is no way for a business to succeed without engaging their (some times enraged) audience.
Dennis, thanks again for stopping by.
Just as well.
Thanks for stopping by Doug
I don't know how and if it worthed to go any further. I was handing them a golden opportunity to move past this issue. They are pissed that my blog is on the first page of Google for "ePerks" they claim they are loosing tens thousands of dollars because of that. I prepared to fight legally. So far I have not received anything. But it has been only two days, so maybe they need more time to actually file a suit.
I also think the company was "over-pimped" at the start up as multi million venture that will sweep every on away.
This issue can be put to rest. Every threat they issue will be published on my blog, and then probably republished on dozens of other blogs.
In today world of viral marketing and social media they have zero interaction with their audience. I hope they would finally wake up and opened their eyes. At least Mr. Berhouzi's former company (Reply.com) is interacting with their users via blog.
I am enraged by this shoddy and slimy form of intimidation:
>all of your activities are being recorded by the watchful eyes of our legal team for use in assessing damages.<
Mr. Behrouzi is whizzing into the wind.
This will be making the rounds at about every real estate company meeting in the nation--and rightly so.
I think serious company would consider the criticism and go back to the drawing board and if necessary begin from scratch. The worst possible thing in todays world of viral marketing to bully some one. Word gets around quickly these days.
Thanks for stopping by.
Perhaps others who see this will blog about their attitude and scam nature and/or will report them through the various social network ranking tools.
I hope that there is a way to find the writer of the yahoo comment, then sue them for liable - although there is more expense, I know. Expense of money, time and heartache.
I am deeply concerned about this situation. Morally and ethically this is disgusting behavior. If nothing else we all get what's due us. Karma can be beautiful or not.
I appreciate your support. Yes, it is going to be expensive to bring whoever
is behind these posts to justice. Again I wish it never came to this point,
but what choice do I have if not fight back and defend my reputation?
Thanks for stopping by.
really sorry for the agony this must be creating in your life.
Vicki Moore / Realtor / RE/MAX Dolphin Real Estate
san mateo real estate blog / agent genius
T. 650.888.9268 / F. 650.355.2973
The support for blogger like you means more to me than words can express.
While Internet may be a save harbor to all these faceless cowards, it is
also the place where the goodness of other people can shine brightly.
Most, no strike that... ALL of the bloggers who offered me their support
have never met me, yet are willing to step forward when they see that
injustice being done. For that I am grateful.
Thanks for topping by.
What a big p****
I am sorry for you Vlad that you ever talked with person and actually tried to help.
I am a blogger and am furious about this!
talking to them. But as the say live and learn. This entire thing could have
ended long time ago, I have never planned nor do I appreciate raking on
search engines because of the keywords associated with this company.
take a look at the Digg example too
They have now sent me to collections - this company is a scam and I would encourage anyone reading this to warn their fellow agents against doing business with eperks.
Kevin Keller, ABR, GRI, CRS, CRB, SRES, CRP,
About Us. We cant promise leads. I dont believe anyone can but we know people get them from our sites.
Our main site
http://www.InteriorLiving.com
It not a well known website and its barely a year old but its free. We only display areas we have listings for. If you dont see an area its because we dont have a listing for that area. We dont want dead ends its not fun.
Our Realtor search works by where you have a listing. If you have a home listed in Charlotte then your realtor information shows up under the realtor search for Charlotte. Just that simple. Essentially the more areas you list a home the more possiblities you will get exposure not only on the home but someone looking for a realtor.
If you dont trust us then use a made up yahoo e-mail address to sign up and see that you dont get spam to that e-mail address. We dont spam or sell peoples information were just learning to develop a website and how to work the search engines. We even have a link to post without signing up. We learn to program and you get Free advertising. The site isnt perfect but its a great learning experience for us.
Mitchell