Mark if they’re asking for money upfront I would be very hesitant in dealing with them.

figure out how much money you can afford to throw away. Then figure out how long on average these people take to find a buyer. If they won’t tell you, or you can’t afford it, then pass. Personally, I don’t like throwing away any money. How much is L500?

Let’s see what’s in for them and for you in this scenario.

If they can’t land your a buyer: you continue pay them £500 a month. Good for them and not so good for you.

Then let’s see if you can answer this question.

Is there a way for you to know that whether they are trying hard to find you a buyer or just enjoy your £500 with beer and pizza.

Make sure its patentable by doing a prior art search via google patent, then wait for the appropriate retailer to come knocking here…

Just assume everything is a scam except EN :)

Hi Mark

There is a non profit web site call inventored.com that tracks submission marketing companies. They have a “Watch List” and an “Extreme Caution List”. I checked out Design Mind Group and didn’t see them on any of their list. They could be legitimate or very new and not on any ones radar yet.

I agree with others on this post if they ask for large sums of money up front be careful in going forward with them. Have you asked the standard questions like how successful they are with other inventors? Good luck.

$1,000 month? I say that’s nuts. If they benefit in any way on royalties, they should have that vested interest to get the deal done. As it is, them getting paid monthly gives them an incentive to NOT find a deal. I’m skeptical.

Hi Mark. I would go with the old “better safe than sorry” approach…… Their site is ridiculously vague, generic, and lacking of any real information; I have yet to see one reference, testimonial or success story. Also, I can’t find a single contact name! You would be crazy, in my opinion, to enter into such an agreement with this company. Please keep us posted as to how this all turns out. There are plenty of experienced inventors here willing to help – and they are not going to charge you monthly fees.

hi mark my name is carole 30yrs old from south wales . i too like you has had an idea to which i put to the same company whom sounded very intrested in helping me get my product on the market. they are now asking me to pay for a market review that they say would normally cost £600 but they can do it for £200 ?? did you have to do that? they then said that if the report came back positive then we move on to manufacturing this product i like you really dont know what to do ?? please help anyone ????

I personally don’t know anything about this company but it’s smelling more and more rotten by the minute. It sounds like they are the kind of company that will take your idea and charge you for all kinds of services with no guarantee of anything. By the time you realize they didn’t really do anything for you or your invention you will be out a ton of money.

You’d be better off investing in an engineer to help develop your product and or an attorney to get a provisional patent. You’ll then have a protected functioning prototype to approach companies with in hopes of getting a licensing deal.

From what I’ve heard here so far I’d steer clear of them.

Run!

“Living in Blighty”, I love English town names, they sound like afflictions.

Great advice, Phillip. I certainly hope they are protected with some kind of a patent or at least a really tight NDA.

Sadly I got involved with a similar company several years ago and the experience has taught me to doubt all invention submission companies.

1. They do a poor patent search as they do not want to find a similar invention.
2. They all appear to be scam companies who are only interested in selling you services.
3. If they want money for services then run away….
4. If they claim they are going to take a percentage for all they do for you, then tell them they should pay for the services, you know they won’t cause they are not even trying to find you a buyer.
5. Companies that do receive packets from these companies usually toss them directly into the trash.
6. No one is more passionate then the inventor, so why pay someone else to try to sell your idea and that is if they are even trying, but most likely they are to busy selling services to be bothered with pitching your invention.

Hi my names michele
I have just paid them £200 now im really worried, im not sure wot to do
can anybody help??????

You can’t do anything unless they act in a fraudulent way……..Best to do your research before you send anyone money……I been there and it sucks, the best you can do is just sever ties and refuse to pay anymore money, unless you are under contract to do so……..

I have an invention on no funds for knowledge of where to go next , the nice guy over at designmindgroup said he’d make out a preliminary assessent report for only £300 , tell me it usually costs £500 AND I get a money back guarantee . Thanks to everyone’s posting I am going to let this guy know I don’t have the money to loose .. I mean he’s just a voice on the phone and wants £300 . who does he think I am ? I can’t see anything decent in the UK to help , we still seem to be in the stone age nless you want to appear on dragon’s den

Hey Dave- Have you checked this place out? Maybe they can help steer you in the right direction for a local services you might need…

http://www.eastlondoninventorsclub.com/inventin...

Mark,when in doubt get the heck out.

I think you being from England, could check it out better then us here in the States, I mean after all, you are describing a place in Denmark, I think.

Wow I wish I had read this first. I have just signed up with these guys and given them 300 quid, I sure hope the pessimism on this forum is unjustified. I have plenty of emails from them, a guy called Rick Johnson has been calling me. I have their number and they answer as design mind group but he always seems to be busy. That having been said he has just called me whilst writing this post and he seems quite genuine. I hope all goes well.

Hi steve, i’m just at the stage where Rick Johnson wants £300. how did things work out with you? The guy has been calling me none stop. He seems really positive and when i eventually called him back he seemed genuine. What do you think?

What is the update on design mind group as I am about to pay £300 for a preliminary report with them.

It sounds like they are using high pressure tactics to get your business, this is always a RED FLAG!

Did anyone in touch with the Design Mind Group have any success? or did you find any real problems? There is a new EN’er who is being sold their package (or whatever you call it)… I just thought I’d bump this up for her to see if we could settle this topic…
Is this a scam or not?
thanks

Thanks again Jane, it would really help to see if anyone on here has gone any further than, about to pay, i noticed a couple of people have paid, so here’s hoping they are on the way to being inventors and not victims………

Can you get references on successful packages from other inventors. A company without references is just another company without references. I own a corporation, FYI, WE ALWAYS give references before they ask! This way, we are up front about our success and our happy customers are always happy to give us a reference. Do not pay them anymore without some references! Please, it’s not worth another dime of your hard earned money without some reassurance you are getting involved with the right company.

I realize they cannot give YOU specific guarantee’s, but they should be able to give you people they have worked hard for who are satisfied with some results…us inventor’s want soo badly to get OUR product to the market, believe me, but don’t throw out money on emotion, do your due diligence!

Most of those companies are making their money selling services, not getting you a deal with a company. Ask them “How many inventors made more money in royalties than paid them for their services?” Plus, what are you getting for your monethly fee? If they do nothing with your idea that month because they are waiting for responses do you pay them for that month?
As Zabber suggested ask them for a list of their successes so you can contact them.
I bet you will start getting hard pressure sales calls once you tell them you are not interested.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Ask them all those questions and get the list and make those calls and how can you be sure those are not fraudulent. How do you know the list is real? How do you know if that person on the phone is really a successful client of theirs?

My advice is: “Never Ever use an Invention company who wants to sell you services, because your money is just going down the drain! I don’t care how Good it seems!!!”

I been there and done that!!!!

Thank You Guys thanks a million, guess now all I need to do is avoid their calls, So can anyone one advise me where to go, it’s not an invention yet, it’s just an idea I had and I would love to here from someone genuine if it is a good idea and if there is anything like it on the market.
Thanks again.

Go to google patent… and put in as many descriptors as you can to see if it is already patented. Also, just go to amazon.com and shop around for something similar… just to see if you can find it. Check out QVC.com, other online stores— wherever your product would fit.

Take a look at the live product searches on here. Maybe you have something that will work and you could hang out and submit with us!

Good luck! Glad you decided against that other place.

Google search is more user friendly than the patent office website, but just rmember it is a couple of months behind the patent office.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

i had an idea about 2 years ago about a game like the nintendo wii boking but you coul have some way of useing your legs aswell and you could have karate lesons on disc like wii fit and manyh other things i thought it woulkd take the gameing experience to the next level so i to whent to design mind group and sumitted the idea they wanted some money upfrount and thought it was a scam just reasently i have lernt of a new product called kanectic for x box 360 which alows you to do that ferry thing do you think this is a bit funny and is there anything i coulkd do

Can anyone update me on design mind group? ive been searching the internet to see if there’s anything dodgy about them but cant find anything negative but cant find anything positve either!!

Absolutely Brilliant! From the very start Design Mind Group has been nothing but professional and completely dedicated to my project. I have worked very closely with them and to see my invention become a reality is a dream come true. They have done everything they said they would and more.

Alan.. I looked at their website but didn’t quite get all I needed from it. Do they promote an inventors idea to get licensing agreements and do they do any manufacturing of product? What was your invention and is it now on the shelves? I would be very interested in hearing more from you about the journey.

Alan.. I looked at their website but didn’t quite get all I needed from it. Do they promote an inventors idea to get licensing agreements and do they do any manufacturing of product? What was your invention and is it now on the shelves? I would be very interested in hearing more from you about the journey.as a PS.. My name is Roger Alan Jackson…

It is confirmed Roger, you stutter.

i think we all have to have a little faith to be honest. I have been working on an idea for over 10 years with no help from anyone in the uk. Design Mind Group have a great on line shop where they sell thousands of items in both the UK and USA. You cannot expect a company of any size to take risks with your ideas. They are not mind readers, they can only predict how well a new idea will be accepted in any market. yes i paid them £300 and got the information i would have paid £1200 for in England (i know i have looked) i will take a risk and pay what it takes to get my product out there. How else can i do it? it would cost me thousands and thousands to produce, market and patent it on my own. Come on guys have some faith. We have become a race that trusts nobody. i will let you know how i get on. Good luck

I think everyone was hoping to hear someone report positive results. The questions kept coming without anyone with experience chiming in with answers.

Hi, i have googled the address they give on the web and they do exist at that address. Try it, it makes you feel better to know they are where they say they are. Design mind group have done all the work on my patent. it only cost me £70. when i first patented (pending) my idea 10 years ago it cost me nearly £2000 cos i had to use a patent attouney in Manchester. I tried to keep it up for a further two years without the help of the attouney but couldnt get the wording right and lost it. I trust these guys

hi guys…any further news on designmind? i notice that the only positives were from jackie donnelly and alan jackson, who i have tried to message to ask how he has gone on? however he hasn t replied albeit it it was only just over a week ago.

i am concerned as, i paid the 300 got the report and now the contact has rang me and told me he is excited about the project and that there is a definite niche in the market. he is going to ring me on friday after he has got his directors backing.

I have asked for referencences and case studies already, and told him all i see on your website are testimonials which only report back positives about the prelim report and that they will proceed with them…..but no testimonials afterwards of any successful launches etc?

i know they exist and where their premises are but i am sceptical like the guy at the top of this page. i am not prepared to pay anything monthly as i think if they are so positive about the idea then a percentage deal on completion would be the correct way forward???

or am i cutting off my nose to spite my face and should i take a chance?

Have you asked them the question " How many people have made more money in royalties than paid them for their services?"
If you have what was their response?

http://www.rogerbrown.net

haven t yet roger, but will do when they phone me tomorrow. I half mentioned it last week and asked for testimonials to support. he replied that they have to respect the confidentiality of their clients blah blah blah..but i sure as hell will want proof up front.

thanks for your input sir.

Robert take a look at this thread I started on the Inventor’s Protection Act of 1999 http://www.edisonnation.com/forums/everyday-edi... Let Designmind group they are required by law to give that information.

Here is an example of what Davison had to post on their website to meet the law requirement. If you have a email address for Designmind Group copy and send them this and ask for the same info.

http://www.davison54.com/disclosure.php

In 1997, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, captioned F.T.C. v. Davison, 97-1278. As a result of the judge’s decision in the case, the judge has ordered us to make the following disclosures to you regarding our track record over the last five years in successfully marketing our clients’ products. You should read all of this information carefully before proceeding.
The total number of consumers who submitted new product ideas to Davison during the past five years is two hundred twenty nine thousand seven hundred thirty eight (229,738). Davison does not provide evaluation of commercial potential; thus, it has provided no positive or negative evaluation of this or any other product idea in the last five years. The total number of consumers who were offered a Pre-Inventegration? agreement (or similar contract for research services) is one hundred fifty seven thousand one hundred twenty two (157,122). The total number of consumers who were offered a Contingency Agreement (or other contract for licensing representation) is one hundred fifty seven thousand one hundred twenty two (157,122). The total number of consumers who purchased a Pre-Inventegration? Agreement or similar contract for research services is thirty five thousand one hundred forty three (35,143). The total number of consumers who signed a Contingency Agreement or other licensing representation agreement is thirty five thousand one hundred forty three (35,143). The total number of consumers who were offered a Product Sample Presentation Agreement (or any other contract for design services for a virtual or a product sample) is twenty five thousand one hundred thirty five (25,135). The number of consumers who signed a Product Sample Presentation Agreement or similar agreement is nine thousand eight hundred ninety five (9,895). The number of consumers who obtained a written license with a company that is not affiliated with Davison is one hundred ninety eight (198). The total number of consumers in the last five years who made more money in royalties than they paid, in total, under any and all agreements with Davison, is seven (7). The percentage of Davison’s income that came from royalties paid on licenses of consumers’ products is .001%.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

Hi All

To add my two pennies to the conversation

I have been going through the process with DMG for the last two months, have had my initial report and have just had the go ahead from the “director” for my product to be taken on. I was told they only work with about 5% of people that propose ideas…after reading this I am not sure if this statistic is true.

Anyway I have just been sent an outline proposal but with this a bill for over £5,500 to be paid now!

Has anyone else been through this where they have paid this money and how have things worked out. I am extremely hesitant to pay this sort of money upfront to somebody I have never even met ( I am from the UK).

I would welcome the chance to hear from anyone that has paid thousands of pounds to DMG for a project. If we move forward we will look to license my invention.

Many thanks

Marc

Please do not give them your money. You will regret it. They are asking for ridiculous amounts of money for something they claim to believe in.

Marc, have you read my two posts above yours and asked them the question I posted? Also send them the section on davsion54 and ask if they have a break down of the same statistics they can send you.

http://www.rogerbrown.net

marc

i had the same proposal put to me on august 31. i listened to rogers advice and sent back a reply asking for both proof of success stories and of royalties vs investment information. i then recieved a phone call from rick johnson who seemed very genuine and very interested in my product and told me that he had been given the green light by his director and that he would have to push my request higher than his pay grade…..i ve heard nothing since i m afraid.

i also told him straight that i m based in the uk, i ve researched their company and found this blog/ website with many questioning their integrity…he said he was unaware of this, i sent him the link….asked him would he part with his money in the circumstances? he said no and would look into it as it could havge an impact on their fellow web shop business.

i ll keep you posted.

We have also applied to design mind group, and now they are asking for 5,480 I just wanted to ask if anyone has been contacted by anyone other than Rick Johnson? It seems strange for such a successful company there is only one “genuine” guy that seems to ring every one who has an invention and yet whenever you leave a message there’s no one there to answer. I feel there is something “fishy”. Can anyone let me know if they have passed this stage and seen any support or feedback? Has anyone paid that amount? Or even spoken to Ricks so called superior.

I have been working with Mr. Johnson for several months and most of the above posts are clearly written by people who have not done business with DMG. From the very begining stages i have been absolutely impressed with their work. We have received alot of interest from several organizations and hopefully it will result in a deal. I wouldnt think twice about using them in the future on some of my other projects.

edward

hey i hope it works out for you..

did you part with any money up front? how much has this cost you so far? i am believe it or not looking for positives about them but as you see from their website the testimonials are , by rick johnsons words, out of date. therefore there is nothing wrong with asking for solid references from them direct than positives on a blog, would you agree?

rob