Ignite and Stream Energy - Is it a Scam?

[misslyn]

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

I have had experience with this utility company. they were ok until they started messing up on my bill which happened in 2008. they cutt off my electricity after i paid my bill and found out that they had terminated my account with out warning. also they charged me a outrageous cancelation fee of 500 bucks when it was their fault. now they are saying i owe them 2000 buck. they are horrible, thats why they go by ignite as well as stream. i would leave them alone. texas has been deregulated for 5 yrs and since then there have been so many new companies that are not good.

[ttranger]

The previous comment is bunk..... Stream is the #4 electric provider in TX. They are a great company. The fact that they get customers using direct selling has nothing to do with your power. The service comes from the local TDSP, such as Centerpoint or Oncor. Their rates are very competitive, and when I switched, I started saving about $70 per month versus the BIG company in Houston.

Now if you don't pay the bill, any company will cut you off. And once you pay it, you get your power back. So stay current, pay each month, and no problems.

As for Ignite, that is their way of getting customers.... Via relationship marketing. No advertising expense, saves the company millions!!! Amway is a good company too. It's called Direct Selling! Allows people to get paid by referring people to a cheaper service. Duh, no brainer! Don't confuse this with a pyramid scheme, as they both use multilevel compensation. The pyramid usually has no product or service. Ignite DOES. Stream is LICENSED in at least 4 states.... It's a valid choice for your power!

[lisaisbizness]

I read all the post and I was amazed and shocked at some of the responses about this company. I just met a representative from Ignite who offered the service to me. Of course like everyone else, I did some research and ended up here. I would like to say that many people have network marketing all wrong. Years ago, I did network marketing for another company and I made money. The company was reputable and it was not a scam (although people did the same thing they are doing to this company...calling them a scam). I do agree though that a company should let you market your business, especially if you pay a fee to start your own business. That was the reason I left the other company. My upline wanted to tell me how to run my "supposedly" own business. If I pay $329 to start my business then I want to run it the way I feel will be profitable. I don't want to work harder...only smarter and I would be able to do that using technology. That is the only downside. Other than that, to all the people who are questioning this network marketing business and any other business, you have to remember that you must work hard in everything if you plan on profiting from it. I am in college and I am working my brains out for my degree. The same concept applies here. When you start a business, you have to see a value in it and you have to stand by your product. Energy is not going anywhere no time soon, so there is definitely profit to be made here... especially since they are now expanding. On a final note, if you are a critic, skeptic, or negative person, you should not go out your way to make the company look bad unless you have actually had a bad experience with them. I saw where someone posted a negative comment about the price for the service and it actually appeared to be competitive to me. I would love to save money even if it is a penny. As a business student in the master's program...I actually would recommend it!

[kenkade]

Well I have been in Ignite for about a month in a half and have made about 1500 dollars and expecting a 300 dollar check next week. So if I don't make a penny more I think I made a good deal for only paying 299 dollars and 24.95 for the website which I don't have to have and can cancel at any time. I stay in Plano which is outside of Dallas which is where the company was founded. Our compensation plan and reputation is alot better out here and it will get better in the other states once they get use to the name. It's some people that are talking down on the business and the electricity service but most of them are from PA. Which I would expect for people to say bad things because it new out there but its been out here since 2005. Every company in the world has plenty of people that dislike the company for a number of personal reasons so I wouldn't make my decision based on comments people make on a blog site. But just to let people know some facts and you can find this out if you research the facts instead of opinions. Its the 14th largest Direct Selling Company in the world in 2010 and did that mostly out of Texas alone and make over 1 billion dollars in annual revenue. No other company in the world has done that in only 4 states within 5 years. The companies that are beating us are 3x or more older then us and are global. If Ignite is a scam then every company in the world is a scam. You can get your money back by simply getting two customers and signing up one person and they also get there two customers. If you can't do that then you should slap your self for even joining the company. You have to work hard in order to make enough money to quit your day job so I don't see how people says its for lazy people that don't want to work. I whether get paid a unlimited income based on my work ethic then get paid a small limited income based on what some millionaire owner tells me I'm worth at a regular 9 to 5 job. Not to mention that your job is sit up exactly like a pyramid which is why I don't understand why people say that about MLM companies. I worked for wal mart which is a multi billion dollar company and got paid 7.77 a hour and about 100 dollars took out my check for taxes now that's what I call a scam. Your job can fire you, go out of business, or get bought out by another company at anytime without warning so I don't see why people feel so secure with there jobs not to look into a way to make extra money. When is the last time you heard someone say they have work for there job for 20+ years now of days. Yes most people want become a millionaire in doing MLM but atleast I have a chance. I have no chance in the world working a regular job. Ignite is the best MLM I have seen because we don't have to convince someone to buy a product they don't need. We just offer a cheaper service that people have to have regardless. Electricity is the most important bill you pay so you don't have to worry if someone will pay for it month after month. Energy is a 500 billion dollar industry so you really can't compare ignite with other MLM's. It's all about sticking with the business no matter what and you will prosper in this business sooner or later with your residual income because most people stay with there electric companies for life. You can also pass your residual income down to generation to generation. An people don't close down electric companies so you can be insured that Stream Energy is here to stay. I don't know about you but I refuse to work a 9 to 5 for the rest of my life while the owner get rich and I keep making pretty much the same amount no matter how hard or long I work for them. Now that's a scam. Good luck to the people that still look down on MlM breaking there backs, working overtime, being a slave for a person you never even see. If I owned my own personal company I would have to spend thousands of dollars from the profit I make just to keep my business running. Atleast I can keep all my profit working for Ignite.

[kenkade]

The key is to stick with it. The reason why people don't prosper in Ignite or any MLM company is because they hit a slump and can't find anyone to join the business when they first start out and then they give up and stop working the business. If you don't plan to stick with the business no matter what happens then you should never sign up to join in the first place. You shouldn't only talk to people you know you should talk to everyone and sooner or later you will find atleast 3 good people to join the company. Me personally I wouldn't care if 1,000 people told me no or if it took me 3 years to find 3 good people its still worth it. For some reason people think you have to personally get tons of people in order to prosper in the business and in reality it just takes one person to make your business explode. Its a Doctor out here in Dallas and he has 9,400 people in his downline and only been in the business for 2 years. He sign up one lady to join the business and she got nearly 9,000 of his 9,400 associates from her downline. You never know who someone knows. The key is to try to get business minded people or people that's already successful to join the business because they are more liable to explode your business and not give up because they know what it takes to make it work. The reason they don't let you promote Stream Energy is because they don't want people putting false information out there that would get the company sued. Also we have millionaires and people that make 6 figures and they would be more able to make commercials and newspaper adds and make tons of flyers and get there own network marketing team to promote the business for them and it wouldn't be fair for the people that's not making big money. They want to give everyone a fair chance. An people really need to get educated on the meaning of pyramid scams. An most people on here are from PA and Ignite is very new out there so most of there upline are new at the business as well and don't know all the in and outs of the business yet but it will get better for yall. An people keep talking about how they are not making alot of money in the business as if someone promise them they would. Any profit that you make from this company should be good even if its just 100 dollars a month its a 100 more dollars that you wasn't getting. People get all so quick to call it a scam because they personally don't know anyone that made 6 figures or a million dollars in the business but yet they don't know anyone making that kind of money working a regular job either but they don't call the job a scam so what's the big deal.

[mowboy]

There are at least ten other suppliers offering a lower rate per KW.Why do you need stream energy?This pyramid chain works for the top sellers any consumer who does research can find a better deal for a electrical supplier.This is a sales venture that works for less than 2 per cent. Make your own choice but not for me and i would not want to sell to someone something I would not use myself.

[kenkade]

Could you name those 10 providers that has cheaper rates then Stream Energy. Also that's the whole point in why you should get family, friends, and co-workers, and people that are paying more for there electricity to switch. No one ever said Stream Energy has the lowest rates in the world. Also what do mean by the business only works for 2 percent of the people in this business. You shouldn't get in this business only to make 6 figures or a million dollars. You get in this business to make extra money while you keep your job you already have and to make residual income. Any extra money is good. I mean I don't understand why people wouldn't want to do this company because they don't believe they will make tons of money as if they make tons of money or residual income working as a slave at the job they already have.

[Joska]

We DO have products. (electricity, gas) We ARE making marketing headlines. (under 10% share in TX) We ARE expanding. (GA, PA, MD, NJ) We are making MONEY.

[mowboy]

Originally Posted by kenkade

Could you name those 10 providers that has cheaper rates then Stream Energy. Also that's the whole point in why you should get family, friends, and co-workers, and people that are paying more for there electricity to switch. No one ever said Stream Energy has the lowest rates in the world. Also what do mean by the business only works for 2 percent of the people in this business. You shouldn't get in this business only to make 6 figures or a million dollars. You get in this business to make extra money while you keep your job you already have and to make residual income. Any extra money is good. I mean I don't understand why people wouldn't want to do this company because they don't believe they will make tons of money as if they make tons of money or residual income working as a slave at the job they already have.

Check your mailbox or research the net and you can find listing of electric supplier KW rates which are lower Kw rate than stream and they do not carry a 150.00 cancellation fee.This company won't save you alot of $ . We are talking about one half of a cent per Kw?If your making money in this economy that is great but for the majority they put up 300.00 dollars try like crazy and end up with an extra 50.00 dollars at the end of the month and after 3 months no income because it can be very time consuming.My time is worth more than that. Hard work is the only way to make money ,sure a easy way comes around once in a while but this marketing of energy is not going to last and it is showing because there once again is too many options provided by other suppliers.Once again i could not sell something that i would not use my self ,that would not be profitable to me.

[mowboy]

Originally Posted by Joska

We DO have products. (electricity, gas) We ARE making marketing headlines. (under 10% share in TX) We ARE expanding. (GA, PA, MD, NJ) We are making MONEY.

You listen to too many sales pitches the only reason your company is expanding is due to the deregulation of those states period.Once deregulation reaches other states the company will be there to0, along with 20 other suppliers wanting a piece of the pie.Ignite will still be using this marketing plan and the corporate will we getting 99.9% profits and the bottom feeders will be happy with there 50 cent return.

[fakerolex]

Firstly, my background knowledge of pyramid schemes. while not extensive, my understanding of these schemes is that it is a "pay up the ladder" thing. you get people to pay you, who get people to pay them, who get people to pay them, and so on and so forth, where there is no real product for all intents and purposes. I am sure there are more elaborate schema and plots, but thats the basic jist of it, right?

so tonight i went to this Q and A session for a real estate investment that was totally unrelated. i saw someone i recognized and he started talking about energy deregulation and how it opens the door for tons of residual money to be made. after initially voicing my concern that this was in fact a pyramid scheme, he told me that it was. of course, his rationale was that all companies are in a sense pyramid schemes, and that when it came down to it, this company was actually selling a product to people.

there are so many warning signs i dont even know where to begin. from the 1 posters on this site to the referral and associate programs to the initial cost to the company to become an associate, everything reeks of scam. but when you get down to it, the people who sign up for this utility transfer are not paying you money. they are paying this energy company. do car salesmen pay up the ladder? no, they sell a product, and they get commission. its the same thing really.

i am not sold on it yet, so i can be clear on that. i am going to a meeting tomorrow night where there are 2 guest speakers: the top seller for the company and 6th top seller. numero uno makes, apparently, 250k a MONTH. 4th guy around the horn makes 160k a MONTH. since im not an idiot, the only thing going through my mind is, "look for the proof, look for the proof, look for the proof." i will post again tomorrow once i have experienced the meeting and let everyone know more.

[francis]

Ok, this is a MM scheme. Yes they will pass down some money but like any MM Marketing scheme you have to understand that it's the people at the top that benefit ultimately. Once you are locked into their contract. Oh well... tough cookies for you. Also, read the fine print. They can change the rules of the game to suit their profit levels at any time. I had one bud trying to get me to buy into this. He's always losing money or getting suckered by these get rich deals. I have tried to explain to him that the Multilevel model and how they work to no avail. Yes, you can make some money until the model reaches the peak size and cannot pay the actual energy costs based on the spread. It's simple math, just hope you dont get locked in when they decide to sell/crumble.

[Fraudeducation]

Have you seen Ignites Income Disclosure? It says it all!

[BlueleafMarket]

I actually have been involved with Ignite for about 4 months. I've made my initial one time fee back and have this business secondary to my initial business which is network marketing. I signed up for a friend and made some quick cash, but I do have some issues with how things are done. First and foremost, their ways of doing business are outdated. Chasing people around preaching to "show them an opportunity" and not disclosing what the opportunity is.. such as energy deregulation because that will "scare" your potentials away is crap. the 24.95 a month fee makes your business paperless, but face it you can own your own website for 10.00 a month. Also, the initial 299 and the 24.95 doesn't go to stream.. it stays and recycles with ignites quick start bonus. Your first bonus check does not come from the customers you recently acquired paying their bill for service because it takes up to one bill cycle, sometimes two to hit to their current electric account. This is simply something that can hinder this business in the long run because for the 299 fee.. there is no tangible product. Also, they have strict "rules" about using the internet to show your "opportunity." It has to be sent to corporate for approval and "THEY" tell you if you can post a link to the website or write an article or record a video. If the Jury is out on Ignite with all the articles, records broken yada yada.. what's the secret of allowing associates to use the power of the internet to build their business? Clueless there.
And actually since I've made some quick bucks, I've been doing a ton of research on the pricing and that. I had an associate in my downline try to sign his aunt up for service a week ago... she was already paying 8.29 kwh. Ignite and Stream currently is at 8.69 or 8.4 with 12 or 6 month contract. and Variable is 8.3. So... in the end we weren't saving her any money. This is where the whole cheerleader aspect comes in and telling assciates friends and family will just sign up because they trust and support you. Every single person I've signed up as a customer asked for the rate first.. It's like Ignite is ignorant to the fact PEOPLE WANT ACTUAL SAVINGS... and if you can't provide that? Why go with your company? There are actually energy companies out there that offer more than just rates to customers in the form of savings... paying six bill cycles on time gets them a credit. With Ignite, there's no other offering to a customer rather than rate and theres no other way to offer the opportunity without a recycled 299.00 fee for a quick start bonus.
I am actually doing more research after making money here and looking at other opportunities. There is actually a company that launched in 2010 that offers savings and reps don't get paid until the energy bill is paid every month. No Start up to recycle for quick start bonuses... which is why I've grown quite uneasy. Just some thoughts.

Have a great day.

[LGBTQ4U]

my parents are doing it here in PA.
and so far, its been really good.
We pay half of what we used to pay. i think its really good. but i dont really know much about it. just heard about it from my parents.

[delvin]

Reading through this long thread, it seems to me that all the regular members of this forum warn that Steam and Ignite energy is something that everyone should be very cautious about at best, or better stay away from. New members with only a few posts seem to be the most adamant that this is a great company. Can I assume that most of these are from people that just found this thread and want to promote their business? Should I give more credence to the long time members over the newer members?

[ExtraPnt]

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

Stream does not own Ignite. Ignite is the marketing arm for Stream energy. You're right, the Ignite compensation plan is set up much like AmWay, but with several differences. AmWay is not a scam (I built a Direct Distributorship, but kept getting deployed over-seas), and neither is Ignite. It is not a get rich scheme and does require work. The payoff can become substantial for both, but the problem with people is that they don't work the business long enough, nor duplicate the work to make the business grow. Hope this helps a little.

[Bortek02]

I understand about how the skeptics feel and I felt like that too. It's true when it's mentioned that you must do your research before joining the business and with respect that's towards the people that says MLMs are scams. You have to know where the money is originating from. I'm going to include another MLM business for example, Primerica. They follow the same word of mouth advertising blue print and that company has a track record of success since 1977. Why are they still in business if a pyramid scheme is illegal? Because its not a pyramid scheme in the first place. It looks like one, smells like one, but there is a subtle difference that makes it legit.
The illegal pyramid scheme is designed where if you were in business and if someone joined up under you, you would be payed an amount just for that person joining. In MLMs it doesn't work this way. In Ignite's case, you would pay the $299 fee to get started because no matter how you look at it there are fees to start a business. That $299 give you the supplies needed to get started in business in a box. It contains information on how to get your business started and how to get the best results. There is nobody getting compensated upon you joining the team. You and your "upline" only gets paid only if you put out result in sales through form of commissions.
Be mindful that electricity is a nessesity that we all use everyday whether we want it or not and that's a damn genius idea if you ask me. That's Ignite's origin for associates getting compensated.
This is the part where I say whos really being scammed. You went thru elementary school thru high school. Learned from your parents and teachers that in order to get a good job you need additional education. So you go to college whether you get an Associates, Bachelors, Masters or more. Your potentials of a good job depends on how experienced you are, if your resume, cover letter, and portfolio impressed any employers. And at the very end you probably spent well over $60,000 and stuck with students loans and high interest and so forth. How many people do you think are actually happy with the jobs they received after college? That sounds like a scam to me but you probably thought of it as the normal thing to do now did you? Did you really recieve that education or did you party it up, drank beer, got laid, and repeated those steps? .Thats called being conditioned for the average Joe life.
So you mean to tell me your on the "Internet" typing on a "computer" using "electricity" flaming about how Ignite is a scam when your the one probably the victim of paying more than what you should in educational costs. Yeah, ok. You got me there. Another thing. MLMs are not for the faint of heart because it will allow you so much more freedom than what we are conditionally use to. It's always going to be the hardest thing at first because of your efforts you need to put in. Another scam I need to mention is how traditional businesses keep people working forever until the age of average retirement age 65 or more. You tell me what's a scam now.

[stabwound]

I just wanted to thank you guys on your information about this. I try to be as cautious with my money as much as possible but don't want to completely shut out the oppurtunity to make money. I was very skeptical about this ignite business option asking the same questions that all you are. After doing lots of research and coming here to find out the same I have decided not to pursue this.


The main thing that really drives home is the fact that everyone keeps saying the same thing about how many posts people have or don't have. That the people that have only a couple of posts are preaching the great things about this but more importantly the people that have been a big part of the community and NONE of them have anything good to say about this.

Once again thanks for your insight and look forward to post here and reading in the future.

[DebKirk]

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

I have been Representing Stream energy for over 6 months now. The company has been fabulous to me & my family. There is NO SCAM, there is No "Catch". There is NOTHING To SELL. All you do is sign people up for a Lower electricity or Nat gas Rate-they save money and you make a permanent monthly residual income every time they pay their energy bill. Simple.The Federal Gov'nt has de regulated Utility companies: We can "choose" from 40 different phone Co, 10 different way to watch TV, Now We can now all "choose" who we buy our electricity from.Stream energy decided NOT to tele market or send out 'tacky' annoying multi mailings, Instead they come into a community & ask "us" to sign up our friends& Family, and we get Richly compensated-THEY give $ back to the communities where they offer their service.It gives normal-regular people an opportunity to Tap into a Wealthy opportunity that is usually ONLY offered to the very rich, bankers & financiers. I have been given Bonuses back for every single customer I have signed up & that customer is saving 10-20% every mo on an energy bill they would be paying anyway.Instead of paying $$$ dollar ad agency to GET customers-Stream gives their sales $ back to us.They set up the sign up fee to be reimbursed in the 1st 2 weeks of You Opening your "Ignite business" (marketing arm of Stream) It takes 2 customers: Your Own house bill + Your Mother = $200, that can be done in 24 hrs.Then 6 more customers (which I did in 4 days)or a friend who needs a plan B for their finances, coming along= $100 bonus. Your initial investment For opening a Real Business is paid back in full. Call me and i will show you my Bonus checks-no inventory NOTHING TO SELL, this is NOT Amway ! All you do is sign people up for a Lower electricity or Nat gas Rate-they save money and you make a permanent monthly residual income every time they pay their energy bill.