Comments on: What is up with The Motley Fool? http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/ Personal finance blog for college students, recent graduates and everyone else -- including entrepreneurship -- for getting rich. Featured in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:46:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Li http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-102344 Li Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:06:02 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-102344 Motley Fools uses dishonest practice of getting rid of their services that are not performing well. I subscribed to their Pay Dirt service and set up a mock portfolio with their first 8 recommendations to track their earnings. Now the entire portfolio is down -48.01% when AAPL, which lost half of its value during the mortgage crisis, is back up to -25.51% during the same period. You won't see that bad score on their homepage. They have swept it under the rug and come up with new products that still "beats" the S&P500. What scammers. Motley Fools uses dishonest practice of getting rid of their services that are not performing well. I subscribed to their Pay Dirt service and set up a mock portfolio with their first 8 recommendations to track their earnings. Now the entire portfolio is down -48.01% when AAPL, which lost half of its value during the mortgage crisis, is back up to -25.51% during the same period. You won’t see that bad score on their homepage. They have swept it under the rug and come up with new products that still “beats” the S&P500. What scammers.

]]> By: David Modlesky http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-93555 David Modlesky Mon, 30 Mar 2009 02:32:35 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-93555 My problem with the FOOL came from a recent edition of my Sunday newspaper where they printed one of their "true" (false) letters from a reader who doesn't exist where they bashed annuities. They even went so far as to say variable annuities are completely useless. One of the biggest risks investors face as they get close to retirement and when they are retired is longevity risk. If you have your money in an IRA and are retired withdrawling 5% per year there is a strong possibility you will run out of money before you die especially if there is a drop in the market like we have witnessed. An annuity that guarantess income for life would protect against that case. Yeah, you will pay a little bit for that protection but would you rather having to go back to work part-time as a greeter for Wal-Mart? The "FOOL" needs to get their act straight and do their homework! It infuriates me when people pretend to know what they are talking about and they take advantage of investors who don't know any better and make money off them while the investor is losing their shirt. Someone needs to take them to task and limit the advice they can give before some unsuspecting investor gets hurt and loses their retirement or other money they can't afford to lose. My problem with the FOOL came from a recent edition of my Sunday newspaper where they printed one of their “true” (false) letters from a reader who doesn’t exist where they bashed annuities. They even went so far as to say variable annuities are completely useless. One of the biggest risks investors face as they get close to retirement and when they are retired is longevity risk. If you have your money in an IRA and are retired withdrawling 5% per year there is a strong possibility you will run out of money before you die especially if there is a drop in the market like we have witnessed. An annuity that guarantess income for life would protect against that case. Yeah, you will pay a little bit for that protection but would you rather having to go back to work part-time as a greeter for Wal-Mart? The “FOOL” needs to get their act straight and do their homework! It infuriates me when people pretend to know what they are talking about and they take advantage of investors who don’t know any better and make money off them while the investor is losing their shirt. Someone needs to take them to task and limit the advice they can give before some unsuspecting investor gets hurt and loses their retirement or other money they can’t afford to lose.

]]> By: Chris http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-93324 Chris Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:28:30 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-93324 I also just received the Motley Fool Pro advertisement. To be honest, Fool provides some really sound commentary out there in terms of analysis of macro factors, and as a subscriber to Hidden Gems, I was able to walk through their reasoning for their purchases - THAT was what I found most helpful, not just picking what they chose. In fact, I didn't invest in anything except for two of their pics. But they really do what they set out to do: teach; and I can apply their principles on my own. The whole idea of buying/selling what they buy/sell and this whole Motley Fool Pro thing (now it's 2000, or 1,500 if today act now) isn't my cup of tea in general, but I'm sure pro and the rest of MF still offers really great analysis. Look into gurufocus.com perhaps. I'm not sure what style of investor you are, but gurufocus has some good stuff from the value perspective. I also just received the Motley Fool Pro advertisement. To be honest, Fool provides some really sound commentary out there in terms of analysis of macro factors, and as a subscriber to Hidden Gems, I was able to walk through their reasoning for their purchases – THAT was what I found most helpful, not just picking what they chose. In fact, I didn’t invest in anything except for two of their pics. But they really do what they set out to do: teach; and I can apply their principles on my own. The whole idea of buying/selling what they buy/sell and this whole Motley Fool Pro thing (now it’s 2000, or 1,500 if today act now) isn’t my cup of tea in general, but I’m sure pro and the rest of MF still offers really great analysis.

Look into gurufocus.com perhaps. I’m not sure what style of investor you are, but gurufocus has some good stuff from the value perspective.

]]> By: Will D http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-93238 Will D Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:55:12 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-93238 I joined MF (the regular service) about 6 months ago. I have very little investment experience. I have not yet purchased any of the stocks that they've recommended through their newsletters. However, I created a couple of "watch lists" to see how their picks were doing. I can honestly say that they are not all bad. Also, I think it's an understatement to say that the overall market has not performed to our liking. I'm not going to blame MF for that. I guess my point is that, though I haven't yet invested in any of their picks, I feel that they are a competent service. I'll continue to watch their selections, do research on my own and invest only after I feel I have a true winner. I joined MF (the regular service) about 6 months ago. I have very little investment experience. I have not yet purchased any of the stocks that they’ve recommended through their newsletters. However, I created a couple of “watch lists” to see how their picks were doing. I can honestly say that they are not all bad. Also, I think it’s an understatement to say that the overall market has not performed to our liking. I’m not going to blame MF for that. I guess my point is that, though I haven’t yet invested in any of their picks, I feel that they are a competent service. I’ll continue to watch their selections, do research on my own and invest only after I feel I have a true winner.

]]> By: BT http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-92319 BT Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:29:59 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-92319 I agree that Motley Fool's marketing tactics are a bit excessive. However, many of you sound like a bunch of contrite whiners. First of all, I found this site because I'm trying to see if there are alternatives to MF. What I find instead are a bunch of complainers that offer no alternatives. If MF is so bad, what else is out there that's better? Second, even though the marketing tactics are annoying, you have to admit that $140 to $200 / year isn't bad if you consider what it costs to hand over your money to a financial adviser. If you don't want to manage your own investments, then maybe that's what you should do. However, paying for MF empowers you to manage your own portfolio and take the risks along with the rewards. Yes, it would be nice if it was a free service but that isn't realistic. Finally, some of you sound like a bunch of welfare recipients. The term entitlement comes to mind. It appears that you feel entitled to making it rich in a declining economy if you invest in the MF. I have used MF in the past and withdrew my money from the stock market before the economy tanked--the signs were there. I am responsible for my own money not MF. You have to use some common sense and do some homework if you're to be successful. If you honestly feel that there are better alternatives, what are they? I'm interested. I agree that Motley Fool’s marketing tactics are a bit excessive. However, many of you sound like a bunch of contrite whiners. First of all, I found this site because I’m trying to see if there are alternatives to MF. What I find instead are a bunch of complainers that offer no alternatives. If MF is so bad, what else is out there that’s better?

Second, even though the marketing tactics are annoying, you have to admit that $140 to $200 / year isn’t bad if you consider what it costs to hand over your money to a financial adviser. If you don’t want to manage your own investments, then maybe that’s what you should do. However, paying for MF empowers you to manage your own portfolio and take the risks along with the rewards. Yes, it would be nice if it was a free service but that isn’t realistic.

Finally, some of you sound like a bunch of welfare recipients. The term entitlement comes to mind. It appears that you feel entitled to making it rich in a declining economy if you invest in the MF. I have used MF in the past and withdrew my money from the stock market before the economy tanked–the signs were there. I am responsible for my own money not MF. You have to use some common sense and do some homework if you’re to be successful. If you honestly feel that there are better alternatives, what are they? I’m interested.

]]> By: Chris http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-91801 Chris Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:35:09 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-91801 The fact that we are in the worst economic recession in decades couldn't have anything to do with it.... The fact that we are in the worst economic recession in decades couldn’t have anything to do with it….

]]> By: Mark http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-91127 Mark Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:56:30 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-91127 I have a copy of The Motley Fool's book "Rule Breakers, Rule Makers," published in 1999. The book basically says you should buy America OnLine, Cisco, Coca Cola, Dell, Disney, Gap, Intel, KMart, Microsoft, Nike, Pfizer, Schering Plough. 10 years later, every single one of these stocks is down at least 30%. If you'd put equal dollars into each back then, you'd still be down 65% after 10 long years! How can these guys even have a career after publishing something like that? It's got to be the worst call since British prime minister Neville Chamberlain's 1938 claim that we'd have "peace for our time." It's like Cramer pumping internet stocks for five years and then having the chutzpah to publish a book called "You Got Screwed." As if it wasn't him doing the thrusting. Anyone who listens to these morons deserves to lose all their money. I have a copy of The Motley Fool’s book “Rule Breakers, Rule Makers,” published in 1999. The book basically says you should buy America OnLine, Cisco, Coca Cola, Dell, Disney, Gap, Intel, KMart, Microsoft, Nike, Pfizer, Schering Plough. 10 years later, every single one of these stocks is down at least 30%. If you’d put equal dollars into each back then, you’d still be down 65% after 10 long years! How can these guys even have a career after publishing something like that? It’s got to be the worst call since British prime minister Neville Chamberlain’s 1938 claim that we’d have “peace for our time.” It’s like Cramer pumping internet stocks for five years and then having the chutzpah to publish a book called “You Got Screwed.” As if it wasn’t him doing the thrusting.
Anyone who listens to these morons deserves to lose all their money.

]]> By: Bill http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-84804 Bill Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:46:33 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-84804 LOL, this seems to be the place to go on the web to gripe about MF! Anyhow, both of the original advisors for Hidden Gems have now officially bowed out. I guess they got bored and wanted to move on to bigger and better things. Either that, or now that HG is a sea of red numbers, they wanted to distance themselves from the performance of it. They used to make promises like how their picks would trounce the market in five years, but the advisors didn't even last long enough to find out. Hard to have long-term confidence in their picks when the advisors themselves are not long term. LOL, this seems to be the place to go on the web to gripe about MF!

Anyhow, both of the original advisors for Hidden Gems have now officially bowed out. I guess they got bored and wanted to move on to bigger and better things. Either that, or now that HG is a sea of red numbers, they wanted to distance themselves from the performance of it. They used to make promises like how their picks would trounce the market in five years, but the advisors didn’t even last long enough to find out. Hard to have long-term confidence in their picks when the advisors themselves are not long term.

]]> By: Coffeyshop http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-83541 Coffeyshop Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:50:37 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-83541 I agree that TMF hides their customer support number...that should be a red flag - both to the company and the consumer. I however found it quite easily despite their best efforts to hide by simply typing in their address to google maps. Once I called their Alexandria VA long distance number of (703) 838-3665‎, they "kindly" gave up their toll-free number of (888) 665-3665. I agree that TMF hides their customer support number…that should be a red flag – both to the company and the consumer. I however found it quite easily despite their best efforts to hide by simply typing in their address to google maps. Once I called their Alexandria VA long distance number of (703) 838-3665‎, they “kindly” gave up their toll-free number of (888) 665-3665.

]]> By: Fred http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool/#comment-79332 Fred Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:51:44 +0000 http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/what-is-up-with-the-motley-fool#comment-79332 If it sounds too good to be true....... If it sounds too good to be true…….

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