Bad News For Gold Buyers/Refiners

[smartgrowthsolutions]

Hello everyone,

Let me start by saying I am new to the forum and excited to be here. I have already seen some really great content and it's refreshing to see people helping each other. My name is Chase Gilbert and I have a number of businesses in various industries. My primary focus is on a business called Smart Growth Solutions, and what we do really boils down to finding 'pains' within various industries and working through ways to solve them with technology. When I went down the path of studying refining/buying precious metals for a friend's business in Nashville, I quickly realized I had never seen an industry that had such sophisticated operators, but yet very few had tapped into the power of technology to run/grow/manage their business at all. Essentially I saw these businesses fall into three categories:

1. No use of technology whatsoever. Old fashion pen and paper. The entire process was quite archaic, time consuming, disorganized, prone to error, etc.
2. Limited use of technology. Some operators created their own Excel worksheets for buys, or used online calculators (I believe there are some on this forum somewhere). Still very archaic, time consuming, disorganized, prone to error, etc.
3. Use of technology. The operators I spoke to in this category knew how powerful and important technology was to run their business (yet in most cases were not even taking full advantage of it). The overwhelming response I got on their frustration was that some felt they were being nickel and dimed and several wished their platform had certain functionality that it didn't.

Fast forward, I saw a big enough pain that I set out on a mission to build a better software or to find someone who had done it right and partner with them. I quickly found a software that I was pretty impressed with and the rest is history. I work with a company called Prediction Software and we sell a solution designed for this industry called The Gold Tracker.

If you are already using a software and you're happy then I would really love to set up a call to understand what you're using and what you like about it. I would really appreciate your time.

If you are not using a software at all (because you don't see the point or understand the value it would add), using Excel to get by, or your using a software that you can't stand, then I would sincerely like the opportunity to talk with you about our platform, all the functionality, etc. If you are fearful of the idea of migrating from your current system I can already tell you it's more simple than you think and our team helps with every step of the process (up and running in less than a day).

I don't want to take any more of your time writing this novel, but please reach out if you would like to learn more, pick my brain, or try out a trial version for free to see if it would help you. My business philosophy on software and any other business for that matter is that I want to create incredible value for my customers. I can say with 100% confidence that we have overwhelmingly happy customers (over 200 right now using the software). I can't stand when software businesses try to trap you or trick you so we definitely have no contracts, no required hardware (although some hardware can be quite useful depending on your operation), etc..

My goal is really to create solutions for this industry so if I can be of any help to anyone please do not hesitate to reach out.

All the best,
Chase Gilbert

 

[niteliteone]

So tell me exactly What you have learned here in the 1 hr. 11 minutes you were a member before your first post :shock:
Did you even take the time to understand what we do here :?:
Most of what we deal with here has been the same for thousands of years and no matter how specialized your software is, it won't cause one more grain of gold to precipitate from solution.

Get your hands away from my wallet and learn a reputable skill, spammers are losers.

PS. Your lack of depth in your post exposes exactly what you have READ here. :roll:

 

[Harold_V]

Chuckle!

I read his post a while ago, and decided to leave it to see the reactions it might bring. Apparently not too well received!

I'll run him off now.

EDIT:
He has now been re-instated. If anyone finds he should be banned again, please let a moderator know.

Harold

 

[butcher]

When I first read it spam came to mind, but then it was posted in the buyers and refiners section, I did not know if he had anything to help those in that business, so I left the post just in case it would be helpful, he claimed it was for gold buyers and refiners.

Being a first post, my gut feeling was it was spam trying to drum up some business.

 

[Lou]

Nothing wrong with that.

I'm not sure I have enough ideas as to what the software capabilities are, so perhaps hold off the dogs for a few days and let him get back to us all on what exactly the program can do.

 

[Westerngs]

I agree with most of what Chase posted.

Having worked at a refinery since the eighties, I have seen our accounting and recordkeeping system slowly transition from manual, to Lotus123 spreadsheets, to EXCEL spreadsheets, to modern accounting software. It has always been slow and painful. Even now, I feel our current system, which is supposed to be the most sophisticated, has a lot to be desired. I marvel almost daily that our IT to foundry worker ratio is around 1:1

However, his software would probably not be very useful to most forum users, only the medium to large refineries. I don't know what most refineries are using for software, probably a general commercial accounting software like we do and then they hire IT to customize it according to their needs. It is a very expensive process and many errors occur in the process.

In the past, Colt Refining had a proprietary software that was developed specifically for them, and they were offering it to other refineries. I don't know if they still do. We never tried it, but it would have been interesting to me to at least see a trial version.

 

[Harold_V]

I am more than willing to make second decisions when they are warranted.

Based on the comments, I'll return this guy's posting privileges, even though I'm not convinced he has anything to offer the typical reader of this board.

Let me know if he needs to be returned to the list of banned readers.

Harold

 

[4metals]

I am constantly asked by clients what software is available for the refining industry and I personally have never seen anything that can handle a real refiner. Sure there is the pretty much standard stuff for buyers who assay and sell but even those do not include small nuances of the industry like splitting limits or allow for umpire corrections.

A real refiner is best served, in my opinion, by well written spreadsheets tailored to each specific process. If you have ever tried to explain to an accountant how to account for a silver cell, they look at you like you're crazy. They grasp the impure silver in pure silver out concept but the silver recovered from the electrolyte which re-enters the system but can't be counted twice gets them every time. Then there's silver in the slimes, remelted anode stubs and all sorts of unique situations silver refiners come across that I have yet to see an off the shelf software package handle.

Possibly when the results of the individual spreadsheets are broken down to ounces by category, then an off the shelf software can help you, but to run a refinery, I'm still waiting.

With that said, if we have a new member who can help fill a void, I'm all ears! Welcome to the forum.

 

[Anonymous]

Please please may I respectfully ask that we don't start banning people just because we disagree with their opinions.

That's a hiding to nowhere. Fast.

Chase welcome to the forum.

Jon

 

[niteliteone]

You guy's do realize he hasn't even returned to the forum to read my first post yet :shock:

Not to mention the "Smart Growth Solutions" brings up Millions of hits which I have yet to find a single one that comes back to this person or PM related activities.

Add on the "LLC" and this is the only American based business that fits;
http://www.manta.com/c/mtb98b4/smart-growth-solutions-llc
Too bad it is located in Georgia and not where this scammer is from.
Almost every other search result related to Smart Growth Solutions (+/- LLC) leads to Agenda 21 type innovations for those that follow that stuff.

edit to add;
4Metals, here is the link to the site that sells the ""The Gold Tracker"" software, though I couldn't find any ties to the above poster/scammer who also claims to work with this company.
Caveat Emptor :shock:

 

[Harold_V]

It is (and was) my opinion that this guy isn't going to provide anything of substance for the average reader, and most likely not for anyone. I reversed my decision only because others seem to think he has something to offer. I don't. When everyone is comfortable that banning was in order, let me know and I'll do it again, although I'm pretty sure he'll never know the difference. They never do. They come, they spam, they leave, never to return, with rare exception.

Harold

 

[4metals]

This section, Refiners, Buyers, Assayers, etc., was made for those selling their wares and services. He did post in the proper section. What's the big deal? If he is selling a service he did comply and write a detailed post and put it in the proper section. I think including this guy or any other who reveals their intention and does it in this section under the broad classification of spammer is wrong, anyone selling goods or services that may interest our members and is refining related goods or services should be allowed to post here. Without fear of reprisal.

 

[etack]

This is his linkedin profile. http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=54145351&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=13B9&locale=en_US&srchid=2873440781389907281480&srchindex=3&srchtotal=10&trk=vsrp_people_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A2873440781389907281480%2CVSRPtargetId%3A54145351%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary

Eric

 

[Harold_V]

I think including this guy or any other who reveals their intention and does it in this section under the broad classification of spammer is wrong, anyone selling goods or services that may interest our members and is refining related goods or services should be allowed to post here. Without fear of reprisal.

True to a point. Problem is, some are nothing but con men. The problem is how to sort them. We must be somewhat vigilant in not allowing those who are here for the wrong reason to promote their wares. It's a tough call--and we're going to make some mistakes along the way.

In this particular instance, I got the distinct impression that there was an implication that no business could survive without what was being offered. Do you feel that is true? I don't. Using fear tactics to promote a product isn't my idea of allowing anyone to post on the board.

Harold

 

[niteliteone]

This is his linkedin profile. http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=54145351&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=13B9&locale=en_US&srchid=2873440781389907281480&srchindex=3&srchtotal=10&trk=vsrp_people_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A2873440781389907281480%2CVSRPtargetId%3A54145351%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary

Eric

Do you have a link where we don't have to join that site to read it :?:

 

[blk03001]

Here's the text from his LinkedIn if you're not a member there.


Summary




I enjoy helping people solve their business problems and helping to make them more successful. My strategy in doing so is surprisingly simple: listen, learn and collaborate. I try not to have any preconceived notions of what that might look like.

I attempt to offer disproportionate value to anyone I work with. I have had a unique range of entrepreneurial experience in a variety of industries (hospitality to technology and several things in between). Today I am more narrowly focused on B2B SaaS model technology businesses with rapidly scalable solutions. I add most value to the companies I am involved with through business development and sales/marketing strategy.

I am always looking to work with great people to grow their businesses or help to make them more successful in any way that I can.



Experience



Co-Founder

Smart Growth Solutions, LLC
November 2013 – Present (3 months)|Nashville, TN
My role at SGS is dedicated to solving problems that make our customers' lives easier, happier, and more profitable. I am heavily involved in business development and agonize over truly understanding the root problems our customers/partners are facing. The solutions we offer tend to be software related, and we aim to position ourselves as an integral extension of every customer's business. In essence, if we choose to work with you, we treat your business as if it were our own.





Partner, Investor

Taziki's Mediterranean Café
September 2011 – Present (2 years 5 months)|Nashville, TN
I jumped into the entrepreneurial world as an Owner/Operator of Taziki’s Mediterranean Café in Nashville (Taziki's is one of the fastest growing fast casual Mediterranean concepts in the country). I was part of an incredible team that brought Taziki's to Nashville and was able to help open three locations in an 18-month period. After 18 months working in the business, I replaced myself and took on an investor role in order to focus on other business opportunities.





FP&A Intern

Asurion
May 2010 – August 2010 (4 months)
Financial Planning & Analysis. I was actively involved in research of new products/services within Asurion including the launch of iPhone insurance app and expansion into Europe.





Intern

AIM Healthcare
May 2009 – August 2009 (4 months)
Research Analyst.



Financial Analyst Intern

Private Capital Group
June 2008 – August 2008 (3 months)
Research Analyst.

 

[butcher]

Looks like He joined the forum to make one post, to promote his business and has not returned since, I call that spamming the forum, and not being a member here to help others out with something gold reining related.

So now I suspect my first thought were correct it looks like spam.
It also looks like we have spent some time on this spam, we could have used somewhere else to help us in our business.

 

[Anonymous]

I have absolutely NO problem with banning spammers guys. I fully support your efforts on that.

I do think though that over the last few months we have frightened off some genuine people that we need not have frightened off. Would this be better brought up in the suggestions areas before I expand?

Jon

 

[butcher]

I would like to hear views on this topic, as long as the discussion itself does not become a problem for the forum, although everyone will not always agree with who should be banned and when, or why, our job is to try to keep the site running smooth and sometimes it is tough to make a decision, other times they make it real easy to decide, like failure to comply with the forum rules, or causing trouble.

I do believe all of the moderators take it very seriously about banning members, and so far I have seen no one banned without this careful consideration, I have seen a few members who were banned that I hated to see it happen, but I also understood why it did happen, and why it was best for the forum in the long run.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Butcher can I start a thread then later when I've settled in?

I can assure you it won't be obnoxious and will be constructive, whilst being "to the point, and frank."

Jon