B.,
I agree with you.
Some people believe they get value out of Centerpointe's product ... and I believe they do.
I have no problem with people using sound technology to increase the benefits in their lives. If they want to continue to buy products that I consider overpriced, that is their business. If they truly believe they are worth the price, that is their judgement.
What bothers me so much are the marketing practices Centerpointe uses. They charge too much for their product and try to convince people who may not be getting benefits from their products at all that there is something wrong with them (blockages and what-not).
People with both concern and doubt have posted their feelings about the product, wondering whether it was doing anything or not.
Feeding someone a line that amounts to "it's working even though it's not" (how's that for a mind-screw) and trying to get more and more of their money when your product may, in reality, be doing nothing for them is both deception and theft. This is what I take issue with.
If these people really believed they had a great product and that it in fact did work for everyone and wanted to change the world, their approach would be different. They'd want to price it and make it available for as cheaply as possible. The quality of their marketing materials, the price of the product, and the way they've designed their system so that you keep giving them money over time ... in my estimation points to a pretty shady situation.
It makes me angry and indignant. I feel very strongly about it. This is why anytime I see anyone asking about it, I am going to give my opinion. In my mind it is the right thing to do.
I know other people have other experiences with it, and I am glad they post their points of view ... and not just so I can argue with them (which I thoroughly enjoy). I can understand why they would want me to shut up (because for them it works and I must be disgruntled or have some personal issue). In my point of view, the practices of Centerpointe are morally wrong ... and, honestly, I would feel I would be doing someone a disservice if he or she were wondering about Centerpointe and did not experience the opinions of someone with my experiences and point of view regarding the subject.
In my mind, telling someone, "watch out and trust your own experiences" when they are being bombarded with rhetoric, promises, and all sorts of unbalancing influences, is a correct and necessary thing to do. Especially when people go to these products to relieve very real pain and personal problems.
So, for the benefit of balance, I do acknowledge that the Centerpointe program works for some people. It may be a great number of people. I don't know. Many people find it worth the price. I don't feel these people are being ripped off, because they get results and have made a choice.
It would also be nice for them to admit that some people are, in fact, being suckered. That the materials simply don't work for some people. That these people are being fed line after line of BS, and they are being ripped off. You can get your money back guarantee, sure. But not before you're told you have blockages and all sorts of other nonsense. "Just give it a try." "Maybe you're simply ready for the next level." Etc. etc.
Just admit that the marketing material and philosophy Centerpointe espouses is designed to keep people in the program and purchasing more and more of their products.... I'd at least feel like I was being heard.
