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Stay away from Lighthouse Catholic Media
Some time ago I responded to an email offer to bloggers from a group called Lighthouse Catholic Media. They sell CDs containing talks from noted Catholic speakers and to expand their business they were offering a portion of sales to bloggers who placed LCM ads on their blogs. I did so because I thought it would be a win-win: readers get good Catholic content and I get financial support for the blog. Unfortunately, that financial support never materialized—I don’t think I got a single affiliate payment—and then the other side of LCM became apparent.
Lighthouse Catholic Media operates like a multi-level marketing scheme that just won’t let go. They send a constant stream of emails with strategies for selling and how to increase sales and how to market to all your friends and neighbors and fellow parishioners and pastor, etc. There are constant invitations to regional call-in sales meetings and state call-in sales meetings and local call-in sales meetings. It’s like “Glen Garry Glen Ross” without the cursing.
And no matter how many times I’ve asked them to stop emailing me, how many times I’ve politely informed them that I no longer wish to take part, no matter how many times I’ve firmly ordered them to stop or I will report them to their Internet Service Provider as a spammer, they. Won’t. Stop. Emailing. Me!
So they’ve asked for it. I’m now exposing them as the slimy Internet spammers they are who seem to be more interested in the number of sales they can make and how much money they can earn over the content of their “Catholic” CDs. Their attitude clearly shows they could just as easily be peddling real estate CDs or little cans of SPAM for all their attention they give to, you know, the Gospel.
My advice: Stay away from Lighthouse “Catholic” Media. they are a sleazy outfit I would not trust with my credit card and would not enrich in any way.
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COMMENTS
“My advice: Stay away from Lighthouse “Catholic” Media. they are a sleazy outfit I would trust with my credit card and would not enrich in any way.“
I think you meant to say “would NOT trust with my credit card.“
Posted by
on 08/2/08 at 11:23 AM Thanks. My battle with the “not omission” typo continues.
I’m sorry to hear that. After hearing a Michael Kelly talk on Catholic radio, I was thrilled to get his CD from Lighthouse. The price was right. The service was fine. I bought the CD months ago and have recevied no solicitations. The website seemed to be a work in progress, but I was willing to cut them some slack in that area.
Posted by
on 08/8/08 at 11:24 AM You’d think they’d at least give you a set of steak knives. (heh!)
Dear Domenico, I am very sorry to hear about your experience with Lighthouse. I have only experienced really great things from Lighthouse, and even better people and a real love for the Catholic Faith and a desire to spread the Gospel. I was impressed enough that I recently left another job to work for Lighthouse as the Vice President of Marketing and Development. On behalf of Lighthouse (and this comes from speaking with its president and others as well) we are truly sorry about the persisent emails and the confusion regarding the commission policy. I have made extensive efforts to make certain you don’t get additional emails (please let me know if you get another one and forward it to me). Also, CadeOne is correct in that there is a minimum amount of commission that needs to be earned before a payout is triggered, and if that is not reached, payouts are made at year end. Again, my sincere apologies if that was not clearly conveyed. We are reviewing this policy based on your feedback. We did try to make payment for what is due to you but it seems that your address and phone number have changed. I would appreciate it if you would contact me with your current address so that we can promptly send you a check. Thank you for your service to Christ and His Church in making better known the treasures of our Catholic Faith. Please feel free to call me at 630.246.2217. Christ’s blessings and Mary’s prayers, Tim Truckenbrod.
Posted by
on 08/19/08 at 05:41 AM Tim: I’ve emailed you separately, but as I said in my email I’m sorry that it took a public rant on my blog to get results, especially after I kept emailing your people to stop.
I’ve also sent you my new address, however, I will point out that you did have my email address and never actually emailed me to ask for my new address (where I’ve lived for the past year).
I will appreciate receiving whatever I earned by running your ads. Perhaps if there comes a time where a blogger can participate by running an ad and without getting involved in the hard sales approach—and assuming that the trust once lost can be re-earned—I’d be happy to change my mind about Lighthouse because I would like to be able to recommend a source for good Catholic media.
Comments are being moderated. After you submit your comment it could take up to a couple hours, but usually only a few minutes, before it will appear. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, you may contact Domenico Bettinelli.
