So many Permaculture Design Courses (PDC) are nothing but money making ventures for opportunists.   Because of this, I didn't care for permaculture until I discovered Geoff Lawton at http://www.permaculturenews.org/.
Geoff's video GREENING THE DESERT instantly turned me into a permie. I know good people when I see their work.
I also know SPAMMERS when I see their SPAM.
On 11/26/12 philipjhonson553 spammed my Yahoo group with an ad for Permaculture Design Training. I posted to the group several questions about this OVERPRICED course containing FALSE advertising.
Instead of answers, I got another SPAM from Permaculture Design Training for a free ebook.
I tried to get the book at their site, they got my email address and I got nothing. Their SPAMS and my followup post with questions about their false advertising are posted in their entirety below.
The SPAMMER's profile http://profile.yahoo.com/y/pulse/philipjhonson553 did not exist when I checked today — typical for SPAMMERS.
Today I received this email from Vladislav Davidzon :

Christine,
Please understand that we will definitely respond to such posting with a lawsuit given the nature of the libelous claims you're making.
Please consider this e-mail a formal demand for $10,000 in damages for the previous claims made. We are prepared to settle this matter in full if you agree not to make any further statements against our corporation and retract all claims made previously. If this matter is not settled by 5pm next Wednesday, we intend to file suit against you in Multnomah County Circuit Court in Oregon, where we are headquartered.
We will not allow our good name to be dragged through the mud. You may want to think hard about whether this is worth it to you — because we are absolutely certain we will prevail in court — and demand all legal fees we incur.
With gratitude,
Vladislav

Regenerative Leadership Institute
The nation's sustainable living and permaculture design school
A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.
1-800-376-3775 // www.permaculturedesigntraining.com
14525 SW Millikan Way, Suite 17760, Beaverton, OR 97005
Like us on Facebook: http://permaculturedesigntraining.com/facebook
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing
model obsolete.” ¡ª Richard Buckminster Fuller
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is
that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness
that most frightens us.” — M. Williamson

Typical for any greedy corporation, he threatens with a LAWSUIT when their scummy and illegal advertising practices are exposed. Vladislav Davidzon is definitely not the smartest cookie in the jar. His signature screams “I'm a MORON!”
Not only did they SPAM my group TWICE, but they falsely claimed that they have “scholarships” for their overpriced course:

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Thanks to a generous sponsor, we are able to offer TWENTY (yes, we've just been able to add ten more!) scholarships which lower the tuition by almost seventy percent to just $1250 (regular tuition is $3000!). We're able to make ONLY TWENTY need-based scholarships available — ten are left as of time of this e-mail.

1) There are NO “need-based” scholarships, as evidenced by this offer:

Use code SCHOLARSHIP to sign up online ($1250 tuition – regular rate is $3000)

Absolutely NO proof for a “need” was required, so that's FALSE ADVERTISING with the intent to DECEIVE! SPAM and SCAM go hand in hand …
2) The tuition is not “almost seventy percent” lower.

70% off $3000 would make it $900.  $1,250 is not even 60% off.  Did they go to school?
Vladislav, I really WANT you to sue me and I will accept waiver of service by email so that you don't have to incur the cost of serving me. PLEASE email me your complaint and summons as I'm ready to expose you IN COURT for what you and your Permaculture Design Training / Regenerative Leadership Institute really are.
I hate SPAMMERS and SCAMMERS and I rarely pass up an opportunity to educate my readers and expose their false and misleading advertisements.
I wouldn't attend the Permaculture Design Training / Regenerative Leadership Institute PDC if it was free.   My time has value and I won't waste it on a course taught by unidentified instructors.
If you're looking for a GREAT permaculture design course and you're anywhere near Phoenix, please check out the Valley Permaculture PDC.
Here's the schedule:
http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/page/pdc-schedule
And here are their instructors:
http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/page/instructor-bios
Incredibly qualified instructors and it was only $800 WITHOUT any FAKE scholarship. You can also attend individual classes if you don't have the time/money/interest in everything.
It's sad to see deception, false advertising and SPAM in the permaculture scene.
RESEARCH the instructors, the class size and what all is included in the tuition BEFORE you sign up!

Here are the entire SPAMS at my Yahoo group:

11/29/12 SPAM # 1:

Hello friends,
Join an incredible regenerative leadership and permaculture design
certification retreat in the San Francisco Bay Area, February 16-24th, and
go beyond sustainability towards a wildly fulfilling life and a truly
regenerative culture. We offer a no-nonsense, deeply pragmatic, mainstream
approach to permaculture. No ideologies, only functional design and
solutions that truly work.
-> Read more @ http://www.permaculturedesigntraining.com
Go beyond sustainability towards a truly regenerative culture. Imagine
waking up each day with the knowledge that your whole life, including your
career, is completely aligned with your deepest passions, desires,
principles and values. The experiential permaculture design certification
course is your path towards a career in regenerative permaculture design
and a truly thriving life, deeply rooted in the patterns of nature and a
larger vision of regenerative community and regenerative culture.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE: Thanks to a generous sponsor, we are able to offer
TWENTY (yes, we've just been able to add ten more!) scholarships which lower the tuition by almost seventy percent to just $1250 (regular tuition
is $3000!). We're able to make ONLY TWENTY need-based scholarships
available — ten are left as of time of this e-mail.
Come get inspired by learning pragmatic permaculture design and
regenerative leadership skills for your life, career, business, and
community from the world's leading sustainability experts; and earn your
internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate. The skills
offered in this course are applicable to every aspect of your life, far
beyond the garden – you will learn to design nature-inspired, resilient,
regenerative systems – composting toilets, water-catchment system,
natural green buildings, eco-villages and much more.
“This course was the BEST time I have had in the past 6 years” — Lana T
While many people think of permaculture as gardening, that's a lot like
thinking of math as being about building bridges. Permaculture is a
sustainable design science rooted in observation of natural patterns. For
example, the same branching pattern of a tree is present in every river, as
well as in our own bodies — the pattern maximizes edge, increases
diversity, and serves at least a dozen other functions. The very concepts
of diversity increasing stability of natural living systems and edge
increasing diversity are core permaculture teachings.
-> Read more @ http://www.permaculturedesigntraining.com
-> San Francisco Bay Area – February 16-24
-> Use code SCHOLARSHIP to sign up online ($1250 tuition – regular rate is
$3000)
-> Call 1-800-376-3775
Consistently ranked as the single most powerful and transformational
experience of participants' entire lives, the experiential intensive
inspires real vision and personal regenerative leadership through practical
solutions of natural pattern observation and biomimicry design for a truly
regenerative culture.
Want to know why you should join the program? Check out just some of the
many testimonials from past participants
(http://permaculturedesigntraining.com/reviews):
“I really enjoyed the experience, I can feel my permaculture mind
continuing to grow as things settle in from the course.” — Jaye M
“Thank you for the experience I had – it was wonderful. Best wishes and
continued growth.” — Susan L
“My experience in the course was invaluable. I find myself with a new
permaculture lens that I can put on at will, and see the world around me in
a way that I feel leads to making more conscious decisions and living
better in harmony with the earth.” – Deborah F.
Join an unforgettable program in leadership, permaculture and sustainable
design with the world'smost renowned instructors and change your life, your
community and your planet. Not only do Regenerative Leadership Institute
courses offer the most complete curriculum of any similar program, but the
people who come to the programs make this the most powerful training
offered anywhere. Gain cutting-edge skills in nature-inspired sustainable
design that's applicable virtually anywhere design is used — from green
businesses to your own back yard.
-> Read more @ http://www.permaculturedesigntraining.com
-> Use code SCHOLARSHIP to sign up online ($1250 tuition – regular rate is
$3000)
-> Call 1-800-376-3775
The Regenerative Leadership Institute is the nation's ecological design and
sustainable living school; our instructors are key leaders in sustainable
living and permaculture design.
We hope you will be able to join us for this incredible, life-changing
experiential course!

Regenerative Leadership Institute
The Nation's Sustainable Living and Permaculture Design School
A+ Rated by the Better Business Bureau
1-800-376-3775 // www.permaculturedesigntraining.com
14525 SW Millikan Way, Suite 17760, Beaverton, OR 97005
Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/regenerativeleader
My response:

I think the “scholarship” enticement is very misleading, why not just call it a discount?
I looked at the website but couldn't find who the instructors are, the curriculum, etc. I ended up at an FAQ about cycling. ???
So does the $1,250 include room and board? What all is included?
I just looked at the Valley Permaculture PDC, here's the schedule:
http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/page/pdc-schedule
And here are the instructors:
http://www.phoenixpermaculture.org/page/instructor-bios
Some very cool people!
While I'd love to visit SF again, I don't think it would be nearly as useful as the DRYLAND PDC.
I'd love to attend the Valley Permaculture PDC and it's “only” $800. Unfortunately we're 250 miles away.
Anyway, instead of writing about “scholarships” and engaging in bankster type advertising, you really should focus on the WHAT, WHERE, HOW and WHO the instructors are. You're coming off like you're advertising a scam,
Christine


I received NO reply!

Instead, I got SPAM #2:

FREE E-BOOK: Introduction to Permaculture Design and Sustainable Living
Thu Dec 6, 2012 6:31 pm
Hello friends,
We're thrilled to announce the availability of our FREE e-book,
Introduction to Sustainable Living and Permaculture Design!
For a limited time, you can download the e-book FREE online:
–> http://www.permaculturedesigntraining.com/ebook/
The Regenerative Leadership Institute is committed to taking the wisdom of permaculture mainstream, and we're thrilled to be able to offer this e-book freely to the larger community.
We hope you enjoy and look forward to offering more materials in the months and years to come.

Regenerative Leadership Institute
The Nation's Sustainable Living and Permaculture Design School
A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau
1-800-376-3775 // www.permaculturedesigntraining.com
14525 SW Millikan Way, Suite 17760, Beaverton, OR 97005

I went to their website, had to enter my email address, got NOTHING.
The URL to this post emailed to Vladislav Davidzon .  I will update with the response, if any.