What Ever Happened to Dave Del Dotto?
January 9th, 2008 by Paul Lucas
The early 1990s saw a proliferation of infomercials by real estate gurus peddling their get-rich-quick systems: Tom Vu, Carleton Sheets, Ed Beckley. Among those gurus fighting for the attention of late night TV viewers was one Dave Del Dotto.
Del Dotto’s infomercials were notable for taking place in outdoor, scenic settings, such as Hawaii and for having actor John Davidson (best known from the TV show “That’s Incredible!”) as host. Dave Del Dotto also had a penchant for hideously loud clothing. I particularly remember one infomercial where he came out wearing a blindingly bright canary-yellow blazer.
So what ever happened to Dave Del Dotto? It turns out that Mr. Del Dotto ran into legal trouble (surprise!). In 1995 the FTC filed a complaint in federal court alleging that Del Dotto “made false and unsubstantiated representations” and “misrepresented the guarantee accompanying a home business package sold at the seminars by failing to inform purchasers that there were conditions to receiving a refund,” among other things. As part of the settlement of these charges, Del Dotto paid a $200,000 fine and was “prohibited from making any representation about the performance, benefits, efficacy or success rate of any product or service…unless the representation is true and the defendants can substantiate the representation” (i.e. he had to stop telling lies on his real estate infomercials).
But like Tommy Vu and his poker playing success, Dave Del Dotto shows former real estate gurus everywhere that there is indeed life after hawking money-making schemes on late night TV. Del Dotto is now the proprietor of Del Dotto Vineyards in California’s Napa Valley. You can see the way Dave Del Dotto looks today in this video where he gives a tour of his “wine caves.”
I know this is vague, but there was another one whose name I can’t remember now. He was young, had this smug look on his face all the time and some sort of modified spiked hairdo… looked like a little twerp. That’s what we used to call him — little twerp, or, for some reason, Skippy. He was all over the late night real estate infomercial scene in the mid-90s. Haven’t seen him in a long time, and always wondered what happened to him, hoping that “prison time for a scam” was the answer.
Comment by Dan — January 31st, 2008 at 7:26 pm
You might be thinking of Don Lapre. He had an infomercial in the 1990s telling people that they could make big money with classified ads and 900 numbers. Later he did an infomercial for a vitamin.
Here is his picture: http://www.wholesaleronly.com/images/don99.jpg
Comment by Paul Lucas — February 1st, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Don Lapre, along with the 900 scammers, helped decimate a business that has been very successful all over the world except in the USA. We still do a lot of business in 900 numbers, but nearly what we used to. The reputation of the industry was ruined by the get rich quick scammers like LaPre.
Comment by Bob Bentz — April 8th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
del dotto filed for bankrupcy??? selling over 500,000 not down payment seminars at 300 bucks a pop?? add it up. he is hiding money somewhere
Comment by rick mann — January 5th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
DAVE DEL DOTTO IS NOW IN NAPPA VALLEY DOING HIS WINE BIZ VERY BIG AND OVER WEIGHT YOU CAN LOOK UP DAVE DEL DOTTO WINE
Comment by GARY — February 19th, 2010 at 2:27 am
I bought his package way back then and if I had listened to him and not taken the advice of someone who talked me out of it then I’d be a lot better off today. IMHO
Comment by nick — November 6th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I saw his late show and bought the package for $300.00 in the mid-80′s. I never did buy a house with nothing down but it motivated me to start investing in real estate. I’ve been investing for over twenty years now. Thanks Dave! Best 300 I ever spent.
Comment by Rick — November 15th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Dave so good to see you are still at it ,( can you really do that?)
looking forward to cking out some of your wine.
thank you so much.
Comment by gary fusari — February 22nd, 2011 at 10:28 pm
Dave made his goal. When I went to a seminar his plan was to have a wine vinyard. Way to go. I thought he was a good teacher.
Comment by jim h — May 18th, 2011 at 7:45 pm
I bought Dave’s guide to Real Estate riches in 1986 when I was 22 yrs old and living in the US. It taught me a lot and was a great inspiration in helping me build my own fortune in Golf Courses (I bought my first with no money down just like he said). I also own a small vineyard in France so am definately planning to visit Dave in Napa one day and personally thank him.
Comment by Max Isaac — September 18th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
I bought Dave’s package in 1988 for $300 and within 2 months bought my 1st no money down home. I bought my second in 94 and still live in it. My only regret is that I let my wife hinder me from making more deals. Dave well earned my money. Glad to see he’s still living the dream.
Comment by Darius — September 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 am
I don’t remember Dave’s infomercials, but I’ve been to Del Dotto Vineyards a number of times. It’s a great experience and the wine is over the top (and incredably pricey). Dave is still making a killing. Good for him.
Comment by Dan — September 28th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I remember Dave`s infomercials with the ocean in the background in Hawaii and Dave wearing the loud shirts. I, too, ordered his package and never regretted it. I used some of his methods to buy and sell real estate over the years and it worked out well for my wife and I. I wish him nothing but the best. It was the best $300. I have ever spent on educating myself on buying, selling, swapping,etc. in the real world of real estate. Dan Rinehart
Comment by Dan Rinehart — October 8th, 2011 at 10:52 am
I bought the seminar from Dave and never did much with it. then the govt changed some laws. I liked the idea of the auctions that he had and there was money to be made then. The internet made all that change. Winery. now that is interesting…
Comment by Chaplain Bob — January 8th, 2012 at 1:44 am
I bought Daves package in or about 1982 and it inspired me to buy multiable real estate properties and really changed and enhanced my life. Thank god i was watching late night tv that one night! Its good to see old Dave living his dream,making fine wine sure beats sheet rocking like in the early days right dave?
Comment by joseph ferenczidoubleagent — January 13th, 2012 at 2:09 am