Does a house or car express success to you?

Scott Ames · 02-03-2009, 11:49 AM

Have you ever read about a marketer making big bucks then they blog about their house, or their car, and you get disappointed? What I mean is that some credibility seems to be lost when you see a million dollar marketer driving a Ford Taurus or living in a studio apartment.
They may not wish to have a Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes but can well afford them. They may prefer to travel or give lavishly to charity, but the perception of not having the trappings of wealth is that they are not as successful as they tout.
Brad Duke won the Powerball lottery in 2005 and got $85 million in cash after taxes. Still he didn't go out and buy expensive stuff. He paid off all his debt, gave some to his family, bought a 2002 used Jetta that he had his eye on, and invested the rest.
When you see million dollar incomes and average homes and cars, does it turn you off?

ryanman · 02-03-2009, 11:51 AM

Nope it doesn't really turn me off...It's the person's choice and what makes them feel comfortable. But then again...You never know what price the person paid for that kind of success.

Mike Hersh · 02-03-2009, 11:52 AM

No why it should turn me off?

If you know that you would buy such things when you'll get rich it doesn't need to turn you off

Sarah Johnson · 02-03-2009, 11:55 AM

Not at all.

Personally, I think not going out and buying everything you see (just because you can) keeps you grounded. That is not to say you can't have a nice house or luxury car, but some discretion is always refreshing to me.

~Sarah Johnson

YseUp · 02-03-2009, 12:05 PM

Since I'm not interested in a house or fancy cars it would't matter to me either.

Sarah Johnson · 02-03-2009, 12:06 PM

I just remembered a interesting thought that a friend of my husbands told us (He works for Lexus).

He said that the majority of the people that buy luxury cars can't really afford them...they are just leveraged to the max. And the people who could buy with cash usually get the less expensive ones.

Almost like they are not trying to prove anything.

~Sarah

jmidas · 02-03-2009, 12:08 PM

Personally, I think anyone who measures themselves or others by the car they drive or house they live in is a complete loser.

kristinecpa · 02-03-2009, 12:10 PM

It doesn't turn me off, but I'm definitely the 'millionaire next door' type (who no one realizes is a millionaire). I doubt I'd even move to a new house if I had a sudden windfall or if business started booming. Great thread...

Loren Woirhaye · 02-03-2009, 12:12 PM

Read "the Millionaire Next Door" - it's the flashy high-income
salesmen who drive the beautiful cars, wear the Rolexes,
and the $1500 suits who aren't getting wealthy - they spend
everything they make for the sake of appearances.

Many of the wealthiest people got to where they are by being
very pragmatic about money, investing is assets like rental
properties rather than in luxuries that depreciate in value
like sports cars.

Michel Fortin has an ebook - "Throw Away Your Goals" or something
like that where he really digs into the way we perceive
ourselves and success. It's no great revelation but he's
a good communicator. The thrust of it is that in many cases
people buy nice cars because they enjoy the feeling they
get from knowing other people are impressed... not from
actually enjoying the reward for it's own sake.

Here it is: http://www.michelfortin.com/drop-your-goals/

Ron Killian · 02-03-2009, 12:15 PM

Sad thing is, those ads work, otherwise they wouldn't be doing them. Of course, all plays to people's greed, powerful emotion. How many people want that fancy house or car, to impress people, or be some one important.

eniven · 02-03-2009, 01:21 PM

So many "rich" people drive old cars or live in modest houses. One of the primary ways to wealth is by spending less than one earns. For most people, this means living frugally.

I have more respect for these people than a person who makes a lot of money but has no savings.

taylordstuff · 02-03-2009, 01:27 PM

It does not turn me off. I actually respect others more who are able to take the money that they make and get out of debt rather than creating more debt.

operationivy · 02-03-2009, 01:32 PM

yeah but another thing to consider... those people with a crappy ford taurus or what have you, are they part of the growing percentage of people who fake great success to force a guru status upon themselves?

John Rowe · 02-03-2009, 01:32 PM

Interesting thread. Interesting responses so far too.

Here's a question...
From whom below would you rather buy your internet marketing education?

SH_Design · 02-03-2009, 01:41 PM

No, it wouldn't turn me off.

Most of the rich people I have met live modestly. You don't become rich by spending lots of money.
I've met millionaires who have been driving the same car for 20 years.

I think honesty would sell better that fancy cars, but I could be wrong, I don't waste my money on those gurus ebooks anyhow.

Doug English · 02-03-2009, 01:44 PM

Imho, real wealth is expressed by how much insurance one has.

I guess some pictures on a website of big insurance policies wouldn't be quite as flashy as a big house and fancy car.

CLT · 02-03-2009, 01:44 PM

A car I guess...

grumpyb · 02-03-2009, 01:55 PM

If you are really wealthy then you dont really give a s***T what anyone else thinks.
However be prepared for different treatment from others.
I was once (and I intend to be again) seriously wealthy and I found that the way you dress and show has a direct relationship with how peole treat you.
In one example i used to fly frequently all over Australia for business and i always wore a business uniform of immaculate tailor made suits.
I never had cause to complain about the check in service on First Class with the then Ansett Airways. i was always treated to exeptional service.
I did not fly for some months and then with my daughters turned up at the First class check in dressed in old shorts and my favorite but slightly worn hawain style shirt ( we were going on a holiday ) Well the contrast in the service was mirrored at every port of call on that trip, The differnce was so huge from instant almost sucking up service on the one hand to almost being ignored and looked at with disdain on the other.

The only time you need to dress up is IF YOU are the one wanting to make an Impression For Example if i am going to a business meeting where I want aresult I will have a haircut and dress accordingly. however if you are visiting me in my office then you may find me in shorts and a casual shirt.
At the end of the day if the way I dress or live is not up to some one elses perception of what it should be then "quite frankly my dear I dont give a dam"

In Australia people are sick of been shown some billionaire who lives a completely over the top lifestyle in a mega million dollar house only to find that when they go belly up you lost your life savings because you invested it in their company.

All successfull business people should show respect to others and wear Old Shorts and drive around in a second hand car.

IMChick · 02-03-2009, 02:09 PM

I think that quite a few people are having a materialistic lifestyle wakeup call with the shaky economy, and that there had better be something underneath the smoke and mirrors after the dust clears.

Loren's post is spot on with the book recommendation The Millionaire Next Door. BUT, here, in this field, the IM lifestyle is the sizzle that sells the steak, as John's picture comparison shows that it's worth more than 1000 words.

Personally, I ignore all that stuff because it seems like a doctored clickbank earnings statement to me...I try to evaluate the product on it's own merits and how it will help me add to my businesses.

Scott Ames · 02-03-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rowe

Interesting thread. Interesting responses so far too.

Here's a question...
From whom below would you rather buy your internet marketing education?

That was brilliant and it expresses my thoughts exactly.

PaulLivingston · 02-03-2009, 03:56 PM

John Rowe showed a good example of how I feel on this. No, I'm not impressed by lavish material wealth.

But if a person was trying to sell me a marketing tool, I'd probably be more likely to buy if he were standing in front of a mansion then if he were standing in front of the trailer down by the river.

glennpcarver · 02-03-2009, 04:10 PM

It doesn't turn me off at all. It doesn't "sell the dream", but says they are more frugal in their thinking. Warren Buffet has lived in the same home since 1976 and just gave $40B to the Gates Foundation. Just because someone doesn't flash the cash, doesn't mean they aren't banking!

Wakunahum · 02-03-2009, 04:14 PM

I could probably go on and on about some of this, but I'll hold my tongue.

I used to work at a bank and hardly ever saw a person with a nice car or who lived in an expensive house who ACTUALLY OWNED it. Most owed more to the bank than they had in it. So does getting credit mean success???? Not to me.

Scott Ames · 02-03-2009, 05:05 PM

There is the practical side. We all seem to grasp that just because someone has a fancy car, home, or office that it doesn't automatically mean success.

Still the "Winning Through Intimidation" by Robert J. Ringer is still valid. Companies by corporate jets to impress clients. Banks build marble lobbies to intimidate borrowers. Corporations build massive headquarters that help to sway clients that they are successful.

Being a typical frugal rich person the founder of a tech company was given a new luxury car by the Board of Directors because they didn't like the image he set driving a 10 year old car.

More toward internet marketing, how many of us are swayed just a little by a clean crisp and fancy landing page rather than a plan Jane landing page? How many are impressed by StomperNet's use of high quality video production rather than the standard "uh, ah " Camtasia video?

I'm trying to put my finger on it, but its something I think Ringling would understand.

ecoverartist · 02-03-2009, 05:08 PM

It's all about making a first impression. I'm sure some people who have that kind of money like to flash it around but it honestly doesn't affect me either way.

In fact, I'm probably more likely to buy marketing lessons from the guy with the broken down car since I'm betting he has more "real world" experience than some guy with a Porsche who cashed in on some "method" early in the IM days and still makes his living hawking the same old tired strategy.

tanya7zhou · 02-03-2009, 05:40 PM

What I see here is that everyone here has got an opinion because we are different people.

There is nothing wrong with driving a fancy car if you can afford it and haven't acquired it illegally. Just make sure, you are not treating other people bad and contribute to the community around you and to good causes.

Buy a mansion if you want. Buy Lambos if you want and buy a secondhand car if you want. Its your money you earned it.

If you want to stay in the same community, there is nothing wrong in doing so.

If you are doing business, I would encourage you to dress very well be smart.

pavondunbar · 02-03-2009, 05:51 PM

John Rowe's post is right on the money for me...

I would rather buy from the guy that has the fancy car and house than the one that has the beaten up car and trailer park home...

Why?

Because that person, to me, is doing something RIGHT to be living in that house and driving that car...

If you have the money and want to buy the $600,000 Ferrari, do it! If people get envious, move on. Don't worry about it. It comes with the territory.

What I don't like are the people that have the money and tell others, "You're poor and that's pathetic." or "You're a loser because I'm rich and I'm better than you"

There are no reasons to say that, but it does make for great ad copy, IMHO...(Look at Rich Jerk...)

Pavon

Kevin Riley · 02-03-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rowe

Interesting thread. Interesting responses so far too.

Here's a question...
From whom below would you rather buy your internet marketing education?

Neither, I'd buy from this guy:

Myself, we have no car (Just a hassle to have a car in Osaka) and we live in an apartment (Much more convenient than a house, and easier to close up when we travel. Travel and good food is where our money gets spent.

Big houses don't impress me. Usually the opposite.

Richard Tunnah · 02-03-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Ames

Have you ever read about a marketer making big bucks then they blog about their house, or their car, and you get disappointed? What I mean is that some credibility seems to be lost when you see a million dollar marketer driving a Ford Taurus or living in a studio apartment.
They may not wish to have a Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes but can well afford them. They may prefer to travel or give lavishly to charity, but the perception of not having the trappings of wealth is that they are not as successful as they tout.
Brad Duke won the Powerball lottery in 2005 and got $85 million in cash after taxes. Still he didn't go out and buy expensive stuff. He paid off all his debt, gave some to his family, bought a 2002 used Jetta that he had his eye on, and invested the rest.
When you see million dollar incomes and average homes and cars, does it turn you off?

Scott,
Great question. I think while many will try not to be influenced...many will be in one way or other. I read an article recently about James Kann - a very successful businessman who's worth in excess of $500m and features on UK dragons den. He set up an investment company after leaving the investment company he worked for. He intially worked from home but his business just wasn't working. So he rented a broom cupboard in building on one of the roads in central London. It was so small he couldn't open the door fully without banging his desk. When clients came to see him he'd make an excuse about the office being mad and aking them opposite to the coffee shop. After 10 years he sold his business for $400m.

Rich

RebeccaL · 02-03-2009, 06:03 PM

Not at all. Although I love a nice car, I doubt I would actually ever spend more than $30k on a car (even that would be pushing it!). Unless I won the $20 million lottery.. then I'd enjoy a Ferrari for a year.

But as far as spending my own earnings, I don't measure success in financial terms. As long as I have a roof over my head and food, I need nothing else.
Most of my money goes to look after my many pets, as well as assisting with local wildlife rescue.

My measure of success would be realising my dreams, and that is to build shelters and facilities to rescue and rehabilitate animals of all types.

Success for me is measured in how much I can give away rather than how much I can spend on myself.

Marhelper · 02-03-2009, 06:09 PM

I am not moved by those who claim to or actually do possess a bunch of "things." I tend to be impacted more by how they treat others and ultimately humility carries a lot of weight with me, good question BTW.

Johnathan · 02-03-2009, 06:12 PM

hahaha, very nice

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Rowe

Interesting thread. Interesting responses so far too.

Here's a question...
From whom below would you rather buy your internet marketing education?

JohnMcCabe · 02-03-2009, 06:26 PM

Pick me up at the airport in the Lambo and put me up for the weekend in the mansion, and you have a chance to impress me. Depends on how I observe you treating the help.

Put a picture of a car and a mansion on a salesletter, and I'm not impressed. I could get one of those pictures done in a day for under a hundred bucks, by renting the car, parking it in front of the house and ditching the For Sale sign long enough to click the shutter.

True story...

A few years ago, when Florida was still just a vacation spot for us, I struck up a conversation with a scruffy-looking character on the Naples fishing pier. I wasn't having much luck, and I was hoping for a few tips from a local.

This fellow apologized and said he was only in town to finalize his purchase of a new condominium. Making conversation, I asked him which unit he bought. He looked at me kind of funny, and said, "Which unit? All of them, of course.."

The look on my face must have been pretty good, because he burst out laughing...

shaddai · 02-03-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

.....when you see a million dollar marketer driving a Ford Taurus or living in a studio apartment....

Well, to me that would help explain why he's a $1mil marketer & not a $100,000 one. There are simply 2 sides to having money. How much you make...and how you spend it. The bigger gap between the two you can create, the more money you will have.

On the other hand the Aston Martin & the house are definitely appealing. It LOOKS like success & is an appetizing presentation for sure. But, after a little evaluation, common sense gets a hold of me & I realize there's the possibility that that house & car are the product of pure debt. So after a little thinking, I'm one of the guys who doesn't trust the advertiser any more.

It's possible the stuff's paid for, but would you risk your money trying to learn from someone who's $5,000,000 in the hole? I wouldn't.

Todd

steven90210 · 02-03-2009, 06:43 PM

No it doesn't!

A car or house is just a reflection of their massive success.
And since they worked their ass off for it, why can't they show it off?

Then again, it all boils down to personal perspective.
Some would rather help their community, some would spend millions on expensive toys, while some would try to strike for a balance.

It's a matter of individuality.

Sylvia Meier · 02-03-2009, 07:07 PM

I had a similiar conversation with Vegas Vince recently, and you know what, personally I would rather buy from the real life person than the "rich, guru" figure. You know why? Well, the rich one or the one with the rich photo doesn't connect with me, it's not who I am and not where I envision myself, even with money. It's all a play on how your perspective client or customer sees things. You think a single mom of 5 is more likely to buy from me, another mom to 5 or from the rich guru who just seems too unbelievable...It all really depends on your market and their comfort level. Selling to others who will dig into your hook is a better way to market then to market to ones who just won't get you. I mean look at the pen names issue, some niches you gotta have a female pen name or your sales bottom, others forget it, they are male dominated and will be dead before they buy from a female. You just gotta know your hook, know the market that will buy it and sink your teeth in.

Sylvia

Johnathan · 02-03-2009, 07:31 PM

I think you should purchase what makes you happy...

If you can afford a nice car, and you like nice cars, then get a nice car. If you can afford a nice house, and like nice houses, then get a nice house.

The reason some "rich" people don't buy fancy items is:
(a) In a 'round' about way they are being smug/snobbish -- they feel that buy "not" buying an expensive toy, they are showing others that they are "truly" wealthy (they actually do care about what other people think, and figure by doing that it makes them look even more wealthy)
(b) They are afraid of other people getting jealous, so don't want to show their wealth.
(c) They've gotten into some bad habits -- in that they forget the real reason they were trying to make money in the first place. Just because you are a miser and don't spend any money doesn't mean you are rich.

And... someone who simply squirrels away every penny they make into a bank account, and can brag about having 1 million dollars in the bank... But drives a beat up truck, and lives in a shack, and does so for a number of years... Are they any 'richer' than the poor person who lives under similar circumstances?

You need to remember why you are trying to make money, and you can't be afraid to spend it.

02-03-2009, 11:49 AM	#1
Scott Ames Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West of Rockies Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 363 Thanked 665 Times in 325 Posts	Does a house or car express success to you? Have you ever read about a marketer making big bucks then they blog about their house, or their car, and you get disappointed? What I mean is that some credibility seems to be lost when you see a million dollar marketer driving a Ford Taurus or living in a studio apartment. They may not wish to have a Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes but can well afford them. They may prefer to travel or give lavishly to charity, but the perception of not having the trappings of wealth is that they are not as successful as they tout. Brad Duke won the Powerball lottery in 2005 and got $85 million in cash after taxes. Still he didn't go out and buy expensive stuff. He paid off all his debt, gave some to his family, bought a 2002 used Jetta that he had his eye on, and invested the rest. When you see million dollar incomes and average homes and cars, does it turn you off?
	Action is the foundational key to all success. - Pablo Picasso

02-03-2009, 11:51 AM	#2
ryanman The Ultimate Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 922 Thanks: 18 Thanked 295 Times in 141 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Nope it doesn't really turn me off...It's the person's choice and what makes them feel comfortable. But then again...You never know what price the person paid for that kind of success.
	My WSO- 100% Commissions. This has never been done before. Trust Me! You Don't Want To Miss This... Jump On it Now!

02-03-2009, 11:52 AM	#3
Mike Hersh Copywriter War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Dark Basement Posts: 566 Thanks: 10 Thanked 59 Times in 42 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? No why it should turn me off? If you know that you would buy such things when you'll get rich it doesn't need to turn you off
	Sales Letter Copywriter - Dirt Cheap Sales Copy! More Than 650 Happy Warriors $297 For 4 Hours Of Work! SUPER EASY PAYPAL MONEY! Totally Outsource-able This Traffic Source Should Be Illegal! Made $140.28 In 72 Hours!

02-03-2009, 11:55 AM	#4
Sarah Johnson Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 94 Thanks: 5 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts Social Networking	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Not at all. Personally, I think not going out and buying everything you see (just because you can) keeps you grounded. That is not to say you can't have a nice house or luxury car, but some discretion is always refreshing to me. ~Sarah Johnson
	WSO: How YOU Can Benefit From My Family Tree - $6,000.00 Worth Of Copywriting Services For $## Copywriting, Internet Marketing - Sarah Johnson's Blog Follow me on Twitter - MrsSarahJohnson

02-03-2009, 12:05 PM	#5
YseUp HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 244 Thanks: 44 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Since I'm not interested in a house or fancy cars it would't matter to me either.

02-03-2009, 12:06 PM	#6
Sarah Johnson Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 94 Thanks: 5 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts Social Networking	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? I just remembered a interesting thought that a friend of my husbands told us (He works for Lexus). He said that the majority of the people that buy luxury cars can't really afford them...they are just leveraged to the max. And the people who could buy with cash usually get the less expensive ones. Almost like they are not trying to prove anything. ~Sarah
	WSO: How YOU Can Benefit From My Family Tree - $6,000.00 Worth Of Copywriting Services For $## Copywriting, Internet Marketing - Sarah Johnson's Blog Follow me on Twitter - MrsSarahJohnson

02-03-2009, 12:08 PM	#7
jmidas HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 339 Thanks: 41 Thanked 49 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Personally, I think anyone who measures themselves or others by the car they drive or house they live in is a complete loser.

02-03-2009, 12:10 PM	#8
kristinecpa HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Missouri, USA. Posts: 168 Blog Entries: 9 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? It doesn't turn me off, but I'm definitely the 'millionaire next door' type (who no one realizes is a millionaire). I doubt I'd even move to a new house if I had a sudden windfall or if business started booming. Great thread...
	Ebiz Tax Tips - Disclaimer: Any tax advice contained in this message is not intended to be used and cannot be used by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. It is strongly recommended that you get additional help from a (paid) tax professional who is familiar with your unique circumstances. In other words, don't take take advice from a forum ;)

02-03-2009, 12:12 PM	#9
Loren Woirhaye Who'm I kidding? War Room Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Easthampton, Massachusetts Posts: 4,542 Blog Entries: 15 Thanks: 117 Thanked 904 Times in 651 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Read "the Millionaire Next Door" - it's the flashy high-income salesmen who drive the beautiful cars, wear the Rolexes, and the $1500 suits who aren't getting wealthy - they spend everything they make for the sake of appearances. Many of the wealthiest people got to where they are by being very pragmatic about money, investing is assets like rental properties rather than in luxuries that depreciate in value like sports cars. Michel Fortin has an ebook - "Throw Away Your Goals" or something like that where he really digs into the way we perceive ourselves and success. It's no great revelation but he's a good communicator. The thrust of it is that in many cases people buy nice cars because they enjoy the feeling they get from knowing other people are impressed... not from actually enjoying the reward for it's own sake. Here it is: http://www.michelfortin.com/drop-your-goals/
	HOT! $25,000,000/yr Copywriter's Secret Book—FREE! \| The "Automated Free Traffic Formula" ArticleBot Secrets Revealed! Breakthrough Marketing Blog (+ goodies) CopyWriting Services

02-03-2009, 12:15 PM	#10
Ron Killian Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Arkansas, USA. Posts: 1,518 Blog Entries: 17 Thanks: 86 Thanked 124 Times in 98 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Sad thing is, those ads work, otherwise they wouldn't be doing them. Of course, all plays to people's greed, powerful emotion. How many people want that fancy house or car, to impress people, or be some one important.
	Largest Selection of PLR Articles on the Planet! Also Audio, PLR Ebooks, Graphics, PLR Video, Templates, PLR Websites and more with Private Label Rights. Discover Big Profits with the FREE PLR Newsletter!

02-03-2009, 01:21 PM	#11
eniven Warrior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , , . Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? So many "rich" people drive old cars or live in modest houses. One of the primary ways to wealth is by spending less than one earns. For most people, this means living frugally. I have more respect for these people than a person who makes a lot of money but has no savings.

02-03-2009, 01:27 PM	#12
taylordstuff Active Warrior Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 56 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? It does not turn me off. I actually respect others more who are able to take the money that they make and get out of debt rather than creating more debt.

02-03-2009, 01:32 PM	#13
operationivy Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 38 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? yeah but another thing to consider... those people with a crappy ford taurus or what have you, are they part of the growing percentage of people who fake great success to force a guru status upon themselves?

02-03-2009, 01:32 PM	#14
John Rowe YES, I'M RICH! War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 1,887 Thanks: 81 Thanked 77 Times in 52 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Interesting thread. Interesting responses so far too. Here's a question... From whom below would you rather buy your internet marketing education?

02-03-2009, 01:41 PM	#15
SH_Design Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 23 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? No, it wouldn't turn me off. Most of the rich people I have met live modestly. You don't become rich by spending lots of money. I've met millionaires who have been driving the same car for 20 years. I think honesty would sell better that fancy cars, but I could be wrong, I don't waste my money on those gurus ebooks anyhow.
	Quickly Make Money Online Learn how you can make a decent living from home.

02-03-2009, 01:44 PM	#16
Doug English HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida, USA. Posts: 220 Thanks: 18 Thanked 52 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Imho, real wealth is expressed by how much insurance one has. I guess some pictures on a website of big insurance policies wouldn't be quite as flashy as a big house and fancy car.

02-03-2009, 01:44 PM	#17
CLT Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? A car I guess...

02-03-2009, 01:55 PM	#18
grumpyb HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Newcastle NSW Australia Posts: 228 Thanks: 50 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? If you are really wealthy then you dont really give a s***T what anyone else thinks. However be prepared for different treatment from others. I was once (and I intend to be again) seriously wealthy and I found that the way you dress and show has a direct relationship with how peole treat you. In one example i used to fly frequently all over Australia for business and i always wore a business uniform of immaculate tailor made suits. I never had cause to complain about the check in service on First Class with the then Ansett Airways. i was always treated to exeptional service. I did not fly for some months and then with my daughters turned up at the First class check in dressed in old shorts and my favorite but slightly worn hawain style shirt ( we were going on a holiday ) Well the contrast in the service was mirrored at every port of call on that trip, The differnce was so huge from instant almost sucking up service on the one hand to almost being ignored and looked at with disdain on the other. The only time you need to dress up is IF YOU are the one wanting to make an Impression For Example if i am going to a business meeting where I want aresult I will have a haircut and dress accordingly. however if you are visiting me in my office then you may find me in shorts and a casual shirt. At the end of the day if the way I dress or live is not up to some one elses perception of what it should be then "quite frankly my dear I dont give a dam" In Australia people are sick of been shown some billionaire who lives a completely over the top lifestyle in a mega million dollar house only to find that when they go belly up you lost your life savings because you invested it in their company. All successfull business people should show respect to others and wear Old Shorts and drive around in a second hand car.
	we sell childrens tables and chairs and baby furniture and we offer garden furniture

02-03-2009, 02:09 PM	#19
IMChick Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 589 Thanks: 16 Thanked 65 Times in 48 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? I think that quite a few people are having a materialistic lifestyle wakeup call with the shaky economy, and that there had better be something underneath the smoke and mirrors after the dust clears. Loren's post is spot on with the book recommendation The Millionaire Next Door. BUT, here, in this field, the IM lifestyle is the sizzle that sells the steak, as John's picture comparison shows that it's worth more than 1000 words. Personally, I ignore all that stuff because it seems like a doctored clickbank earnings statement to me...I try to evaluate the product on it's own merits and how it will help me add to my businesses.

02-03-2009, 03:56 PM	#21
PaulLivingston FNG Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boardman Ohio Posts: 13 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? John Rowe showed a good example of how I feel on this. No, I'm not impressed by lavish material wealth. But if a person was trying to sell me a marketing tool, I'd probably be more likely to buy if he were standing in front of a mansion then if he were standing in front of the trailer down by the river.
	Paul H. Livingston The big secret of Internet Marketing Isn't What you know, it's who you know. Get a free copy of How to Make Friends with Influential People here: http://plivingston.com/likes/isosp

02-03-2009, 04:10 PM	#22
glennpcarver Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Social Networking	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? It doesn't turn me off at all. It doesn't "sell the dream", but says they are more frugal in their thinking. Warren Buffet has lived in the same home since 1976 and just gave $40B to the Gates Foundation. Just because someone doesn't flash the cash, doesn't mean they aren't banking!
	Sales Partners - Increase Your Cash Flow Today Sales Partners Blog

02-03-2009, 04:14 PM	#23
Wakunahum Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 647 Thanks: 6 Thanked 37 Times in 33 Posts Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? I could probably go on and on about some of this, but I'll hold my tongue. I used to work at a bank and hardly ever saw a person with a nice car or who lived in an expensive house who ACTUALLY OWNED it. Most owed more to the bank than they had in it. So does getting credit mean success???? Not to me.

02-03-2009, 05:05 PM	#24
Scott Ames Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: West of Rockies Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 363 Thanked 665 Times in 325 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? There is the practical side. We all seem to grasp that just because someone has a fancy car, home, or office that it doesn't automatically mean success. Still the "Winning Through Intimidation" by Robert J. Ringer is still valid. Companies by corporate jets to impress clients. Banks build marble lobbies to intimidate borrowers. Corporations build massive headquarters that help to sway clients that they are successful. Being a typical frugal rich person the founder of a tech company was given a new luxury car by the Board of Directors because they didn't like the image he set driving a 10 year old car. More toward internet marketing, how many of us are swayed just a little by a clean crisp and fancy landing page rather than a plan Jane landing page? How many are impressed by StomperNet's use of high quality video production rather than the standard "uh, ah " Camtasia video? I'm trying to put my finger on it, but its something I think Ringling would understand.
	Action is the foundational key to all success. - Pablo Picasso

02-03-2009, 05:08 PM	#25
ecoverartist You need to become a War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A cave with 47 computers and an internet feed Posts: 1,641 Thanks: 208 Thanked 156 Times in 72 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? It's all about making a first impression. I'm sure some people who have that kind of money like to flash it around but it honestly doesn't affect me either way. In fact, I'm probably more likely to buy marketing lessons from the guy with the broken down car since I'm betting he has more "real world" experience than some guy with a Porsche who cashed in on some "method" early in the IM days and still makes his living hawking the same old tired strategy.
	Sherice Jacob - Web Design & Graphics Pro eCover Design \| Web Design\| Follow Me on Twitter! Buy My Book from Amazon.com Get Niche Quick!

02-03-2009, 05:40 PM	#26
tanya7zhou Strategy Implementer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Great Britain Posts: 254 Thanks: 81 Thanked 41 Times in 27 Posts Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? What I see here is that everyone here has got an opinion because we are different people. There is nothing wrong with driving a fancy car if you can afford it and haven't acquired it illegally. Just make sure, you are not treating other people bad and contribute to the community around you and to good causes. Buy a mansion if you want. Buy Lambos if you want and buy a secondhand car if you want. Its your money you earned it. If you want to stay in the same community, there is nothing wrong in doing so. If you are doing business, I would encourage you to dress very well be smart.
	It's not over until it is Over!

02-03-2009, 05:51 PM	#27
pavondunbar Casino Extraordinaire! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 332 Thanks: 99 Thanked 48 Times in 39 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? John Rowe's post is right on the money for me... I would rather buy from the guy that has the fancy car and house than the one that has the beaten up car and trailer park home... Why? Because that person, to me, is doing something RIGHT to be living in that house and driving that car... If you have the money and want to buy the $600,000 Ferrari, do it! If people get envious, move on. Don't worry about it. It comes with the territory. What I don't like are the people that have the money and tell others, "You're poor and that's pathetic." or "You're a loser because I'm rich and I'm better than you" There are no reasons to say that, but it does make for great ad copy, IMHO...(Look at Rich Jerk...) Pavon
	$1,000,000+ wagered daily. 2,500+ games. 30+ prestigious online casinos. 1 site. Learn Kickass Poker Secrets and Beat The Online Casinos!

02-03-2009, 06:03 PM	#30
RebeccaL Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 2,981 Thanks: 166 Thanked 156 Times in 58 Posts Social Networking	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Not at all. Although I love a nice car, I doubt I would actually ever spend more than $30k on a car (even that would be pushing it!). Unless I won the $20 million lottery.. then I'd enjoy a Ferrari for a year. But as far as spending my own earnings, I don't measure success in financial terms. As long as I have a roof over my head and food, I need nothing else. Most of my money goes to look after my many pets, as well as assisting with local wildlife rescue. My measure of success would be realising my dreams, and that is to build shelters and facilities to rescue and rehabilitate animals of all types. Success for me is measured in how much I can give away rather than how much I can spend on myself.
	Reached my Goal of $500/day - Writing It Down Works My Blog

02-03-2009, 06:09 PM	#31
Marhelper Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 3,086 Thanks: 208 Thanked 211 Times in 169 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? I am not moved by those who claim to or actually do possess a bunch of "things." I tend to be impacted more by how they treat others and ultimately humility carries a lot of weight with me, good question BTW.
	Abortion Pros and Cons Pregnant Teens Causes of Teenage Pregnancy For Abortion

02-03-2009, 06:26 PM	#33
JohnMcCabe Happy Hooker War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North of the Peace River, Southwest Florida, USA. Posts: 7,626 Thanks: 2,687 Thanked 4,398 Times in 2,394 Posts Social Networking	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? Pick me up at the airport in the Lambo and put me up for the weekend in the mansion, and you have a chance to impress me. Depends on how I observe you treating the help. Put a picture of a car and a mansion on a salesletter, and I'm not impressed. I could get one of those pictures done in a day for under a hundred bucks, by renting the car, parking it in front of the house and ditching the For Sale sign long enough to click the shutter. True story... A few years ago, when Florida was still just a vacation spot for us, I struck up a conversation with a scruffy-looking character on the Naples fishing pier. I wasn't having much luck, and I was hoping for a few tips from a local. This fellow apologized and said he was only in town to finalize his purchase of a new condominium. Making conversation, I asked him which unit he bought. He looked at me kind of funny, and said, "Which unit? All of them, of course.." The look on my face must have been pretty good, because he burst out laughing...
	Salad is not food. Salad is what food eats... -- The REAL PETA, People for Eating Tasty Animals "I did not fight my way to the top of the food chain to eat tofu!"

02-03-2009, 06:43 PM	#35
steven90210 Banned War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Albany, New York Posts: 217 Thanks: 44 Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? No it doesn't! A car or house is just a reflection of their massive success. And since they worked their ass off for it, why can't they show it off? Then again, it all boils down to personal perspective. Some would rather help their community, some would spend millions on expensive toys, while some would try to strike for a balance. It's a matter of individuality.

02-03-2009, 07:07 PM	#36
Sylvia Meier Money Making Momma War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada. Posts: 1,599 Blog Entries: 60 Thanks: 462 Thanked 308 Times in 166 Posts Social Networking	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? I had a similiar conversation with Vegas Vince recently, and you know what, personally I would rather buy from the real life person than the "rich, guru" figure. You know why? Well, the rich one or the one with the rich photo doesn't connect with me, it's not who I am and not where I envision myself, even with money. It's all a play on how your perspective client or customer sees things. You think a single mom of 5 is more likely to buy from me, another mom to 5 or from the rich guru who just seems too unbelievable...It all really depends on your market and their comfort level. Selling to others who will dig into your hook is a better way to market then to market to ones who just won't get you. I mean look at the pen names issue, some niches you gotta have a female pen name or your sales bottom, others forget it, they are male dominated and will be dead before they buy from a female. You just gotta know your hook, know the market that will buy it and sink your teeth in. Sylvia
	Help A Family In Need --> Cancer Kills \| I Donated to KimW - give a sig link to Kim W \| I've Got A Lot To Be Grateful For... What About You?! \| I'm Back! Ready To Write More Great Content For You! \| My Bucket List \| OWN A SQUIDOO EMPIRE ALL YOUR OWN! CREATED FOR YOU!

02-03-2009, 07:31 PM	#37
Johnathan Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 822 Thanks: 257 Thanked 74 Times in 64 Posts	Re: Does a house or car express success to you? I think you should purchase what makes you happy... If you can afford a nice car, and you like nice cars, then get a nice car. If you can afford a nice house, and like nice houses, then get a nice house. The reason some "rich" people don't buy fancy items is: (a) In a 'round' about way they are being smug/snobbish -- they feel that buy "not" buying an expensive toy, they are showing others that they are "truly" wealthy (they actually do care about what other people think, and figure by doing that it makes them look even more wealthy) (b) They are afraid of other people getting jealous, so don't want to show their wealth. (c) They've gotten into some bad habits -- in that they forget the real reason they were trying to make money in the first place. Just because you are a miser and don't spend any money doesn't mean you are rich. And... someone who simply squirrels away every penny they make into a bank account, and can brag about having 1 million dollars in the bank... But drives a beat up truck, and lives in a shack, and does so for a number of years... Are they any 'richer' than the poor person who lives under similar circumstances? You need to remember why you are trying to make money, and you can't be afraid to spend it.