If you looking for more of the stats on some of these companies look at this thread http://www.edisonnation.com/forums/other/topics...

Thanks Mark, I think it’s wise for everyone who is entering unfamiliar territory to get a critical review by non-vested critics OR people that are willing to put skin in the game. I didn’t know that about UIA or PIESIII, so thank you. There are so So SO many unethical people and businesses in this that my trust has become much harder to earn. Actually, no one earns it. I give it freely. But I do investigate what they have done in the past before I give my trust. No matter what they say they will do for me, I want to see what they have done for others that they make promises to.

Ron K once posted that Media Corp had just come across the next best thing to the snuggie. They landed a new product and it turns out that perhaps Media Corp got lucky with an ASOTV product. It had nothing to do with MC though, they continually put out B quality video and that is giving them too much credit. If it’s successful (in the real world) then that inventor would do much better by hiring a real marketting firm now. From first hand experience with MC and what they do… anyone with a handheld video camcorder can do, and do it a lot better. MC will take one success and ride the coattails of the inventor for 10 years. I do believe that Invent Help markets the exact same way and they are much more successful. So, I would go with IH over MC any day of the week, but I won’t work with either of them today. Why? because they do not put skin in the game.

Actually there are two such trustworthy reviewers that I know of, Scott. One is the UIA and another is the PIESIII evaluation given by a Missouri College. I think they might both use the same process. Most importantly, evaluation is the ONLY thing they do with your invention. They do not do promotion, development, or production. For this reason they have no incentive not to be brutally honest. And the price is reasonable, roughly $200-$300. They research the market, the competition, your products manufacturability, and many other areas. The result is a comprehensive report with lots of useful information.

At least they post it….the bigger question is where is it on the other sites. The law requires that these figures be given to an inventor prior to a representation contract being signed. Not just InventHelp but ALL invention submission companies.

So in the end, the numbers are what they are, but at least they followed the spirit of the law and didn’t try to hide it.

You want to know another scary statistic? Only about 30 percent of the patents that are approved ever make it to market. Is this because the attorneys are willing to take our money and provide a service, or are they actively encouraging us to spend our money while knowing that the invention, although unique, will never go anywhere?

Ask E/N to publish their numbers of people who spend even their modest fee to get near the table. I would guess their "client list tops the one you are quoting. I personally think their approach is more ethical, and that is why I am here and not there.

My advice would be all the old “saws”. Buyer be ware, if it seems to good to be true it probably is. You are in a big, big business world now, not Kansas. It is what it is.

Ryan,

Roger usually posts on this and other product promoters, marketers, etc. so it’s well known among the regulars here. One thing that should be understood though, these guys will take anybody’s money. It is ultimately the responsibility of the inventor to have a decent idea to begin with. Most don’t. If they (not just InventHelp) actually gave the inventor an honest review prior to spending any resources, like what happens here, then most of these inventors, if they accepted that review, might let go of their dream. I bet that if InventHelp, gave a review first, on products they were willing to get behind, their success rate would sky rocket. They’ld turn away 90-95% of their customers first though.

I’ve talked with these guys (Invent Help), most of us have or will someday. They said that if I can sell 10,000 units first, then they will take it on a contingency basis. I’m thinkin to myself that if I can sell 10,000 units, I’m in business for real and don’t need their help. So far I’ve sold about 2,000 units. Not bad, and in my mind, I’ve proven the market, especially since I just make it and don’t “sell” it. I give people the chance to purchase is all.

A lot of these marketers make a living off charging for reviews, if there was one that did it, that I trusted, I would refer them to every inventor I know. EN doesn’t really make a living off giving reviews, but you do give them the IP and have to trust they will work a good deal for you. I’m still on the fence about the EN fund. How any of it works is still a mystery. I’ve been reading details on it. But it is extremely vague as to how anything will work.

Yup!!! I have a $700+ scar for a video game controller They were helping me with.