Since you’re probably not glued your computer watching the financial news 24/7, you most likely didn’t notice that Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad Poor Dad fame had a little problem with one of his companies going bankrupt. Yep, bankrupt, as in out of business, finito. Since the internet delights in the misfortunes of others, the circumstances have been widely reported. Essentially what happened was Kiyosaki’s company, Rich Global, LLC. had an agreement with the Learning Annex to promote Kiyosaki’s books and games. The Learning Annex did their part, but when it came time to pay, Kiyosaki stiffed them. In response the Learning Annex sued and got a judgement to the tune of 23.7 million dollars. Since Rich Global didn’t have the cash and because Kiyosaki didn’t want to backstop his company with his personal fortune, Rich Global went belly up (1) while Kiyosaki keeps his personal fortune.
The only thing is…its not the first time that Kiyosaki has run into legal issues. Several other problems have cropped up in recent years.
Back in 2008 he was he was sued by his former business partner, Sharon Lechter. Lechter was co-author on earlier editions of Rich Dad Poor Dad, but the two had a falling out over the direction of the Rich Dad company. In her suit, Lechter made several allegations as part of the split. She indicated that Kiyosaki and his wife were looting the company by taking a disproportionate share of the company’s profits. Lechter also said that Kiyosaki created a hostile work environment by being verbally abusive and by having an explosive temper (2).
In 2011 Kiyosaki’s real estate seminars were subject to a Federal class action lawsuit (here) and appear to be getting plenty of complaints (3,4). In fact, someone has been so dissatisfied with Kiyosaki’s products that they even built a website to share their frustration (clicky). Kiyosaki has also been the subject of two negative TV specials in recent years, both in Australia as well as in Canada, both of which have been critical of his seminar series alleging high pressure sales tactics and ineffective educational content.
In terms if my own personal experience with Kiyosaki’s operations. I signed up for his “Conspiracy of the Rich” website a while back. I was supposed to get an email confirmation to access the free content on the web. I still haven’t gotten the email and never got access to the content.
So, in a nutshell, Kiyosaki and his companies are starting to develop a track record of legal problems and dissatisfied customers. While it is certainly true that Kiyosaki has prospered in recent years, one wonders if the numerous lawsuits and complaints aren’t indicative of larger issues. Obviously, some people will never be satisfied regardless of whatever you do, but a class action lawsuit and several nationally prominent legal actions against you suggests something isn’t quite right with either your ethics or your business practices.
I’ve watched his programs on PBS, and he doesn’t say anything of value what so ever. He’s a snake oil salesman.
Wow. Wonder whose palm he had to crease to get airtime on PBS? Supposedly public cultural television for the education of the masses. I know PBS always says they run in the red so he must have bestowed a chunk of change on them. Is there now a PBS Robert Kyosaki Endowment for the Arts? PBS you are a Trollop!
Miz,
Thanks for the note. I liked Rich Dad Poor Dad, its good for inspiration, but for other things, Kiyosaki should be taken with a grain of salt.
James
RK is a beast. In the big money game shit happens, period. He’s the greatest educator of our time………….he is my RICH DAD!
Nathan – well…you might consider checking out a couple of other authors before you call RK the “greatest educator of our time”.
Warren Buffet frankly has made a lot more money – and there is just as much written about him. If you have the time you might also consider checking out Felix’s Denni’s “How To Get Rich” – both of those guys have done significantly better than RK.
I signed for one of his recorded seminars back during 2007/8 collapse and was surprised to see the real Kiyosaki.. abusive, self centered and the worst thing is that he continually swearing, attacking his dead father, fair enough I don’t like my own old man myself but out of decency I won’t swear at him in the public. The whole video really puts me off. He’s head has swollen over the years and it’s sad.
Hey Dniel,
Great comment man. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for giving your input.
James
My first Turtle Beach gaming headset had been the old wired Ear Power
X1’s, and so they value me $70.
RK is the best but yes he’s a saleman and he sells his products. So what?! I got great values out of this programs but yes his real estate training is not the best and unreasonablely pricey. You can use the tuition money as down payment to buy a house.
If you don’t have the courage to stretch yourself, stretch your mind, expand what you truly believe is possible, then you have no valid points to make until you do. All I see here, aside from one honest individual, are excuses and cowards, born of fear and a lack of financial education. Life itself isn’t a guarantee; why should we think ANYTHING else is any different? The truth is, if we truly want something, we won’t stop until we get it, and we’ll take each failure along the way, learn from it, and allow it to make us stronger. Walk the proverbial mile, ladies and gentlemen, THEN come back and make your cases, though I suspect it will be more of the same fear-laden drivel.