Pyramid Schemes

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I already mentioned the schemes that frighten me and want to add the travel companies that make everyday people into travel agents particular for international vacations. Argh!

Friends I know booked their HONEYMOON through one of those "travel agents." They will never do that again. It was a mess for them (incorrect reservations, sketchy tour companies that repuatable agents would never recommend, you name it).

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I could have sworn I posted in this thread before....

I've had acquaintances and family members who were involved in Amway and Primerica.

NOW I have two people in my life who have degrees from pretty good schools (one of them has a masters) and they are involved in this thing called 5 l!nks. I am intentionally misspelling it because I think they flood the internet with lies about their business to make it seem legitimate and I don't want to "invite" them to GC.

Does anybody know anything about this group? I can't put my finger on it, but it actually frightens me a little.

Any company that charges you when you sign up to work for them is a scam. Or, even if it's possible for a hypothetical someone to make money doing it, very few will.
Some legit links, as I noticed there are a lot of sponsored reviews online:
Scam
Scam

But in general anything that makes you pay start up costs, doesn't hire you but expects you to not just to be a contractor but actually makes you start your own corporation.. not a successful business plan for you on the bottom of the pyramid.


My big sells Mary Kay. Similarly it requires a bit of a monetary outlay, although more like $100, but if she never sells anything ever again, she's fine. Training was free, and since she uses the products she breaks even without trying. And although her recruiter gets a bonus for her, it doesn't change my friend's income. Pyramid-esque? Yes. Scammy? I don't think so.

[lovespink88]

This thread just made me think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzl1cIgLz3A

[carynie13]

Vector has been very prevalent in my area. They sent several letters to both myself and friends, as we were young, college students. Also, the movie theater was a prime target for them to leave their little cards under your wiper blade. It was so annoying and this summer they seem to have definitely cut back on their promotional, annoying garbage. Also, this past year during college we had a "recent graduate from the university" come into several lecture classes and collect names of those interested in internships. I, being a silly freshman, filled out a slip and was called that night by the guy. He invited me to an information session, though I had to choose a specific time as I assume they took attendance. Then, he made sure I took down all the information he had rattled off by asking me to repeat the information back to him. Needless to say, I realized at once what kind of mess it would be and did not attend the meeting. I was never contacted again, except a former high school classmate, who was also working her way up in the company, would tell my boyfriend and I just how awesome and rewarding it was. All during the year, in the Student Union, these scammers would sit "interviewing" potential interns and overhearing the conversations I could tell just how uncomfortable the college students were. Seriously, the group of guys running the show who were all under 30, were in the Union everyday talking about their door-to-door book sales company. I'm not sure how many people they wrangled in, but from the looks of the meetings at the end of the year, it looked like the same few, mainly males, who were still going through the training process. I know they'll be back again next year and will warn all of our new members and other freshman to stay away from those scheisty young men.

[PeppyGPhiB]

My grandmother has sold Shaklee products since the '60s. Now 99 and in excellent health, she swears by their vitamins and other natural products. That, plus the quality of their other natural home cleaning products, has inspired me to become a distributor for Shaklee. However, I'm doing it for the discount - with Shaklee you don't have to buy a whole inventory to sell from...people would just order from my catalog if they want anything, and I get a very small cut. I've sworn to my friends that I'm not going to host any parties or anything, since I HATE it when "friends" do that to other "friends."

[pirate00]

Stay away from Amway, and Motor Club of America!

[pirate00]

Info on American Communications Network (ACN) Mulit-level Marketing program:

The structure of ACN has led some to think that ACN is a pyramid scheme, however despite being litigated in various countries, courts have consistently held that ACN is not a pyramid scheme. In August, 2010 the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen (D) announced the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order and Notice of Proposed Agency Action against ACN, Inc. and several of its founders for allegedly operating a "pyramid scheme." [28] However, by September, 2010 the Commissioner moved to vacate the Cease and Desist Order, which was unopposed.[29] In the course of the Commissioner's investigation, the Commissioner determined that the actions giving rise to the initial concerns were not part of the ACN business model, but instead were isolated instances taking place by certain ACN's independent representatives in Montana. The Commissioner and ACN agreed that ACN will implement additional training with its independent representatives to assist them in better understanding their responsibilities as ACN independent representatives, and that ACN would contact its Montana video phone customers to assist them with installation of their service. The Better Business Bureau reported that "Both the Commissioner and ACN are pleased with this positive outcome, and the Commissioner's efforts to protect Montana residents." [30]
On June 13, 2002, ACN settled a case with the Bureau of Consumer Services in Pennsylvania wherein it was alleged that a small number of IBOs were "slamming", or switching consumer services without authorization. The exact details of the settlement are under court seal. However, the suit alleged that approximately 135 informal complaints were filed with the Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) between June 2000 and November 2001. According to the representations made in the informal complaints, 22 consumers alleged that ACN Energy switched their generation service without authorization ("slamming"), 81 instances of overcharging ("cramming") were alleged, and 32 complaints with allegations of various violations of the Commission's regulations contained in Chapter 54, 56, and 57 of Title 52 of the Pennsylvania Code.[31]

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[Sister Havana]

A lot of people I know from high school are now involved with Body by Vi - I see the posts all over my Facebook newsfeed. Not for me, thank you!

[33girl]

Body By Vi? That sounds like aerobics taught by someone Betty White's age.

[amIblue?]

I've seen those Body by Vi ads. That deal has scam written all over it. Weight loss shakes, right? Girl, please.

[PeppyGPhiB]

A couple of my hs friends are doing Shakeology, and I feel like it's all they write about on Facebook.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

A couple of my hs friends are doing Shakeology, and I feel like it's all they write about on Facebook.

That sounds like the sequel to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib01_vWRpx0

[Smile_Awhile]

Herbalife has taken over my Facebook... Just another weight loss scam, if you ask me.

[IrishLake]

It Works! has taken over my FB feed. I tried Body by Vi (my mom bought it for me, I would never buy that for myself). It messed with my breastmilk production, so I stopped. It tasted nasty anyway.

I also see a lot of posts from FB friends who sell ACE (another miracle weight loss pill), and BeachBody challenge.