Ignite and Stream Energy - Is it a Scam?

[bbmamita]

I find this blog very interesting and found this site by doing a google search on Ignite and Stream energy. I have read just a couple of post from some people and am amazed at the lack of education and ignorance of some people. First off, Ignite or Stream are not going to turn your electric off, you still recieve your electric from your local company. Your local company does not change, if you correctly read your electric bill there is a delivery charge that will still remain, Ignite, Stream have no control if the lights go out, this is still handled by your local electric or gas company. Deregulation allows for people to make a choice of the price they pay for there utilities, a CHOICE, its FREE, and it is a very reputable company. Some people should really research before they bad mouth a company or even better look at there website. Ignorance is again our own worse enemy!!!!!

[PMMM]

I find it hard to believe that this thread is still going. Actually I guess I don't. These guys are always looking for new suckers. Pretty amazing.

I'll keep my money in my pocket thank you.

[ttranger]

Originally Posted by PMMM

I find it hard to believe that this thread is still going. Actually I guess I don't. These guys are always looking for new suckers. Pretty amazing.

I'll keep my money in my pocket thank you.

REALLY dude ??? Suckers, huh... I've been in the business for over 4 years !!! And it has changed my life ! NO ONE would lose money if you see it as a "business", instead of a SCAM !... it's NOT a SCAM ! people like you who refuse to "open" your eyes... just don't see it ! 14th Largest DIRECT SELLING COMPANY in the WORLD ! in only 5 states, and only 7 years old.... $5 BILLION in revenues... and DEBT FREE ! I suppose you would have told Bill Gates that WINDOWS is a scam too... whatever !

[mjh5014]

I got asked to Join Ignite/Stream by a friend about a month ago. As soon as I heard the speech I immediately thought Pyramid Scheme. I did research on the companies and found several articles about class action suits against the company in two of the three markets they have entered (GA and TX.) This set off alarm bells so I started asking other people about what they have heard about the company. 1.First in all of my general research about MLM's is in most cases very few make money off of MLM's and mostly only those that get in on the bottom floor. I also have read that most if not all MLM's in the last 25 years have failed and the some executives have done Jail time. 3. Specifically about Ignite I heard it is hard to get information about the trickle down effect and most people that make any money off of this get in and make the initial pay out level (if they Can) and get out. 3. Even according to Ignite and Steams own umbers only 2 Percent of the people that participate in the MLM make Money. Also the ration of Customers to sales force is only 4-1 IE 400,000 customers and 100,000 sales people and obviously off those 400,000 100,000 are the sales people them selves. Do the Math and do the research it is much more difficult to make an MLM work then the Confidence men posting on this site want you to think. 2. I have heard despite what ignite will tell you that the energy company does take longer to turn your power back on or fix a problem. I don't know if it was a coincidence or just fact but that is what I have been told.

[Reo]

Paul are you an associate

[Reo]

From day one you make residuals. As for fee no one gets paid because you join. The only way anyone get pay is the new person is paid

[Reo]

Company made over 4billion in 6 years 100% debt free Y would they close shop. Rico, I would love to share the facts with you. 100% of the information is important.

Originally Posted by Rico2000

Muscle,

What happens when the company closes shop????? What are you going to do then, with all of your hard work and time put into this? You were making such a "good" living, then the company closed shop and all their clients went to a "new" company that is owned by the same people. Then all you "SMART" people are left on the corner with nothing. Have you checked into this?

[BlueleafMarket]

First and foremost, Direct Selling, MLM, Network Marketing is in fact an industry. There are legit companies all over the world producing astounding numbers. If you put in work, you will be rewarded. Period. Now, I am not a rep or customer of Ignite or Stream Energy. I am doing my research to find other opportunities to build my primary business with in the Energy realm. Why? Well if you take a look at Ignite's overall business plan, it is mildly flawed. You see I was pitched the opportunity.. looked into it for about a good month and just didn't like what I picked apart. "Switch yourself and get one other customer." You make 200 dollars. Ok... well I will spend $329 to join and yes it is $329 because if you don't take the website package you don't get those "2 free accounts" the company gives you. So I'm still out $129. Now you're told not to worry about customers anymore and just find business partners. Well that means.. you do not get paid again until someone puts up $329 dollars to be on your team. You see, if you really want to break it down... there should be fast start bonuses for going out and getting customers. If you get say 10 customers in 30 days to just switch to the service.. you should get a bonus. You do not make residuals from day one because it actually takes a month or two billing cycles for the switch to happen. You do not sign up your customer and then next month get .25 or .50 cents. And with the model of just finding business partners and not customers.. your residuals build rather very slow.

Also, the $329 to sign up to become qualified to even make a dime seems odd. If Ignite is the marketing arm of actually Stream Energy, how are other new reps making their quick start bonus. Well when someone pays $329 to join your team for Ignite.. that money isn't going to Stream, but being recycled through the "marketing arm," Ignite to someone else first bonus check. Energy companies make money when CUSTOMERS use their service. Not from getting 2 customers and trying to recruit everyone you talk to for $329. There is actually one company out there now that is making leaps and bounds towards dominating the competition where in order to earn income, you simply become a customer and begin referring. Plus their Wind product is available nationwide not just in the states that are in the footprint for that company. Not saying Ignite is a scam, that's just an overall review I picked apart when presented with the opportunity.

[bbmamita]

Originally Posted by Rico2000

To the previous poster "Muscle". What happens when the company closes shop????? What are you going to do then, with all of your hard work and time put into this? You were making such a "good" living, then the company closed shop and all their clients went to a "new" company, that is owned by the same people. Then all you "SMART" people are left on the corner with nothing. Have you checked into this?

What disturbs me about what you are saying is have you looked into Ignite, I have researched this company in all of the different states and the company is growing, debt free. Why would they close shop??? A statement like this really makes no sense, any business that any person starts has a bigger risk of failing because of today's economy. Us "SMART" persons who put our time and efforts into this company have gotten in on this amazing opportunity and take advantage of all the rewards it has to offer, so who is the smart one now ?????

[bbmamita]

Originally Posted by mjh5014

I got asked to Join Ignite/Stream by a friend about a month ago. As soon as I heard the speech I immediately thought Pyramid Scheme. I did research on the companies and found several articles about class action suits against the company in two of the three markets they have entered (GA and TX.) This set off alarm bells so I started asking other people about what they have heard about the company. 1.First in all of my general research about MLM's is in most cases very few make money off of MLM's and mostly only those that get in on the bottom floor. I also have read that most if not all MLM's in the last 25 years have failed and the some executives have done Jail time. 3. Specifically about Ignite I heard it is hard to get information about the trickle down effect and most people that make any money off of this get in and make the initial pay out level (if they Can) and get out. 3. Even according to Ignite and Steams own umbers only 2 Percent of the people that participate in the MLM make Money. Also the ration of Customers to sales force is only 4-1 IE 400,000 customers and 100,000 sales people and obviously off those 400,000 100,000 are the sales people them selves. Do the Math and do the research it is much more difficult to make an MLM work then the Confidence men posting on this site want you to think. 2. I have heard despite what ignite will tell you that the energy company does take longer to turn your power back on or fix a problem. I don't know if it was a coincidence or just fact but that is what I have been told.

Again, I would like to know where everyone is getting there facts about Ignite and Stream Energy, I see opinions, I do not see facts. When you Google the company you come up with sites just like this and no one is stating facts. Ignite was featured in the Wall Street Journal, would that newspaper publish something that is a scam. Again do the research, wake up people, really??? While you are bad mouthing and speaking opinions, I will continue to help people make money and save money

[captchaos]

OK I have read a lot of posts and I wanted to chime in and give my view on all of this. I am in sales and have been for 15 years. Once you get into sales long enough you become cynical. I can read through the BS.

Here are my thoughts...

Is this a good service? Absolutely. I am not with Ignite but I did deregulate my electric bill several months ago and I am saving money. I will be switching to Ignite cause my sister in law is getting involved with the business and asked me to come to a meeting next Saturday. I won't go but I will switch my meter for her. I did view a webinar I was invited to months ago. The truth is most people probably won't make much money and will may not even recoup the money they shelled out so the big guys get the $329 and then the monthly fee. Some people however will work the system and make some money.

It is a totally legit business and if everyone involved can get people to switch their meter and join the company and those people can get people to do the same then everyone is a happy camper. The problem is it usually doesn't work so smoothly for everyone.

I don't think it's fair to knock everyone who got involved with the company. I think if everyone joined and they had a gun to their head and were told "you need to get X amount of people to join and you need X amount of meters within a certain n umber of days" I guarantee most people would accomplish this goal. It all depends on the perosn.

Do they prey on the weak so to speak? Of course they do. Their big meetings are geared to get people amped up and excited. Every salesman stresses the positives and not the negatives. It's up to the individual to see through the BS and unfortunately a lot don't. They think it's gonna be easier and they think they will make more money than they will. The truth eventually comes out.

With that said can you make some money? Sure you can. It's all what you put into it. As long as you have realistic goals and the money you are making is worth your time keep doing it. I have a hard time hearing the people who say "it's a total scam. You can't make any money with it." It's like anything else in life... you get out what you put in but the key is having realistic goals and I think tis is where Ignite strerches the truth and tries to tell everyone or most that you will be making big money sooner than you think.

Am I going to do it? No. Why? Because I am in the mortgage industry and I work off of 100% commission and the time I would be devoting to Ignite can be time I can use to sell loans and I will make a lot more money seelling those loans plain and simple.

That's my 2 cents!

[javierfit1]

Originally Posted by 10can

Here in Texas there is an energy company called Stream Energy that also owns its marketing business called Ignite that uses Multi Level Marketing to sell its energy.

It is set up like Amway and I do not trust it and wanted to see if any of you guys have had any experience with them that you can tell me about.

Thanks

yes it is a scam i scamed me im in reading and they told me a bunch of lies they are taking advantage of people on disability and ssi

[ITisNOTforEVERYone]

Some things may not be for you. That’s a simple fact. Not everyone that enters Medical School finishes as a Doctor and not everyone that enters any MLM is successful. If success was based on the number of people that attempted it, there would be more than 2% of the nation that makes all the money. Everyone, including me, have been programmed to go to work, punch in, work, clock out and get your pay check. That has been that way for as long as anyone can remember. MLM is just like anything else- you get what you work for - if you don't have a reason "WHY" to do something, then you aren't going to do it. Pyramid schemes are highly illegal and watched very closely by the government. If a company is doing 5 billion dollars a year - I think that government would see that as somewhat a threat and would put it to sleep.

Just because you have no desire to do something or at that anything more than punch a clock- best of luck to you and good luck with that thing called Social Secretary- which by the way we all pay into and no one will ever see. Talk about a pyramid scheme. If you want to better your self find a reason why you would do more than you already do and pursue it. If you don't want to don't... but don't bash something you know nothing about because you have watch Chris Hanson on T.V. and now you know everything about life. Get real

[Bubslunker]

Originally Posted by 10can

Here in Texas there is an energy company called Stream Energy that also owns its marketing business called Ignite that uses Multi Level Marketing to sell its energy.

It is set up like Amway and I do not trust it and wanted to see if any of you guys have had any experience with them that you can tell me about.

Thanks

Ignite has made it very helpful to make good spendable money. Rite now you get yourself 3 reps and the 10 customer service accounts, which you can count yourself as 3 accounts. Ignite will pay you $1500.00. Do the math it only costs $329 to get started. I You can jump on this train while it's on the ground floor. Or wait and I'll make your share of the profit. With the way the economy looks rite now everyone needs a plan B. And Lord willing it can turn into your plan A. Best part is you can't stock a kilowatt in a closet. Like all your always products.

[captchaos]

According to the Ignite website they have an Income Disclosure. I have it in front of me. Here is the breakdown...

Director - Starting level and 85.17% of the employees are at this position

Managing Diorector - 2nd level and 11.95% of the employees are at this position

Senior Director - 3rd level and 2.73% of employees are at this position

Executive Director - 4th level and .16% of the employees are at this position

Now heer is the Average income per level per YEAR:

Director - $155.91

Managing Director - $1,453.95

Senior Director - $7,365.53

Executive Director - $109,435.30

So basically less than 3% of the Ignite employees make more than (on average) $1,453/Per Year!!!

97% of the employees (on average) make less than $1,453.95/PER YEAR

Of course that is the average so your incoem could vary. Rememnber they get $300 bucks every time they sign someone up as rep. I am sure there are thousands of people who do this and this turmns into big bucks. Basically some peopel hit it hard and some don't initially but most fade out after a few months. That's what the Ra Ra meetings toi do you. They get you all warm and fuzzy vbut then you come back down to earth. This applioes to most people.

I do know people that make good money with this but not many!

[rnbevgigi]

I thought the same thing to since we have seen so many MlM s come and go. If you work it you will do well. My friend was not so into it and her husband was he went ahead and signed her up under him and grew her and his buisness, once she saw the checks comming in she became involved so much so, she quit her job. Look its a free market for energy now in many states you can choose who you want your supplier to get the energy from. Most co's encourage it at least here in NJ PSEG and Atlantic Electric. You don't have to join the buisness but if a friend or family member did at least sign up with streamline it will actually save you a few bucks at the end of the month and help them along the way.

[kaliq13]

ATTENTION ALL!!!

Ignite is FAR from a scam. Or a pyramid scheme or an MLM scheme or whatever you want to call it. I work for them and I make money. Not chump change either; DECENT MONEY and I currently work for them part time (for now.. Oh yeah and I am as skeptical as they come, and I am a very honest and scam-free individual. I live strictly by Jerry Mcgwire rules - SHOW ME THE MONEY!! And that they did..

Now I will tell you this - Ignite is most definitely an MLM situation, and it is a pyramid, but what company, technically, is NOT a pyramid? Think about that for a sec... Most every company has a CEO, Executives, etc., Sales Reps, etc. etc. That's a pyramid, is it not?! This company has no scheme in place. AT ALL. The difference between a "pyramid" and a "pyramid SCHEME" is that in a "scheme" it takes what seems like forever to make back your initial investment, and or it is extremely difficult to be prosperous at all. This thing here at Ignite is the real deal. Put it like this - Almost my entire family works for Ignite now and to say the least, we are excited MOST EVERY DAY because we are part of a solid, legitimate, caring, PROSPEROUS organization, with a simple business module. Follow it, and you WILL make money without having to chat up a million people.. Try to reinvent the wheel and divert from the way you are trained, and you will more than likely fail. That's as real as it gets. If you have a good head on your shoulders, like helping people, are comfortable in your own skin, can see vision and longevity over an I-want-a-million-dollars-overnight mentality, and want to control your own destiny, than this is the company for you. I have worked for a few MLM's before (No names but... I sold MLM - life insurance, home products, legal help; You know who they all are) and when I was presented with the Ignite opportunity I was sold most IMMEDIATELY. I am not high up the ladder yet, but I am making enough that I will NEVER quit; it's just that lucrative and EASY.

Also to comment on some other posts on here, DO NOT MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO FEAR OR AVOID MLM's AS A WHOLE. That's silly. That's like telling people don't open a small business or to avoid buying from small businesses. An MLM is just that; a small business. Some MLM's are good. Some are bad. Just like any traditional company. Essentially the difference between a good MLM set-up and a bad one is how hard it is to make back your initial investment and how hard it is to make good money selling there products. So instead of being fearful, and ridiculousand writing EVERY MLM company off, be sure to CONDUCT PLENTY OF THOROUGH RESEARCH BEFORE YOU JUMP INTO ANY BUSINESS VENTURE; I think that's much better advice to give. Shoot, pull a couple random rep's to the side and ask them to level with you. Trust me. you will know who is full of crap and who is not...

This is MY take on MLM's:

** If you can't make back your initial investment within 60 days, AS WELL AS A PROFIT FROM WHAT YOU ARE DOING (VERY IMPORTANT), without stressing out and practically killing yourself to do so, THAN THAT BUSINESS IS A LOAD OF HORSE POO AND I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO LOOK ELSEWHERE.**

Also, for those of you out there that don't fully understand how an MLM works, let me explain it to you in simple terms. An MLM company operates EXACTLY like a traditional business except individual representatives are the marketers, NOT the company, which is why you rarely (if ever) see commercials for these establishments. Also, with traditional companies, you get paid regularly whether you produce or not, and with an MLM company, if you don't produce, you get nothing. Some people hear that and get fearful or doubtful because they think they may never get their initial investment back. Some people see pass that and see the opportunity instead. Sometimes there is true opportunity, and sometimes there isn't one. In any small business, or personally ran business YOU WILL INVEST SOMETHING, and struggle briefly before you turn a profit, that just comes with the territory. So it all depends on the type of person that you are and what you want out of life. MLM's and personal businesses are not for everybody!!! Ignite pretty much follows a basic MLM model except there is a twist. A GOOD twist, which is why I work for them over many others. Unfortunately because of company policy I am unable to explain what that twist is (They are VERY strict about this) on a blog or any public forum. Good luck everyone!!!

[kaliq13]

Originally Posted by rnbevgigi

I thought the same thing to since we have seen so many MlM s come and go. If you work it you will do well. My friend was not so into it and her husband was he went ahead and signed her up under him and grew her and his buisness, once she saw the checks comming in she became involved so much so, she quit her job. Look its a free market for energy now in many states you can choose who you want your supplier to get the energy from. Most co's encourage it at least here in NJ PSEG and Atlantic Electric. You don't have to join the buisness but if a friend or family member did at least sign up with streamline it will actually save you a few bucks at the end of the month and help them along the way.

I work for them and I make good $. It's friggin awesome..

[kaliq13]

Originally Posted by captchaos

According to the Ignite website they have an Income Disclosure. I have it in front of me. Here is the breakdown...

Director - Starting level and 85.17% of the employees are at this position

Managing Diorector - 2nd level and 11.95% of the employees are at this position

Senior Director - 3rd level and 2.73% of employees are at this position

Executive Director - 4th level and .16% of the employees are at this position

Now heer is the Average income per level per YEAR:

Director - $155.91

Managing Director - $1,453.95

Senior Director - $7,365.53

Executive Director - $109,435.30

So basically less than 3% of the Ignite employees make more than (on average) $1,453/Per Year!!!

97% of the employees (on average) make less than $1,453.95/PER YEAR

Of course that is the average so your incoem could vary. Rememnber they get $300 bucks every time they sign someone up as rep. I am sure there are thousands of people who do this and this turmns into big bucks. Basically some peopel hit it hard and some don't initially but most fade out after a few months. That's what the Ra Ra meetings toi do you. They get you all warm and fuzzy vbut then you come back down to earth. This applioes to most people.

I do know people that make good money with this but not many!

Yeah I work for them and the problem with people today is that they want to be rich overnight. To that I say get real. You can make a lot of money doing this but it's smarter to not quit your day job (in the beginning) and just work it until it works itself. And it will if you stay on it..

[kaliq13]

By the way who wouldn't want to earn an EXTRA 1,500 a year? I surely do. I did that in 2 months...