"Business Opportunity"

[kork13]

I just got off the phone with a very close friend of mine who was pitching a business plan for essentially eliminating "middle men" with large companies (Dell, Circuit City, B&N, etc.) which then share profits with you. I would go to a meeting with somebody actually just up the road from me, who would give more information. He said the general expectation after about 18mo or so is an extra $3k-$4k/mo in income.

So I'm a rather level-headed individual, and when I see something like this, I'm admittedly a bit skeptical. I was just curious about what everyone's thoughts were on this. Am I being too cautious in not jumping at this, or should I be trying to warn my friend off of it himself? I don't think he's gotten into it much himself yet, more just looking for others to join in with him on it.

EDIT: okay, i realized the general website doesn't work as I expected... this is it specifically for my friend. relatively un-informative website (password "guest", then put in name/email). Not sure what happens with the info, but i haven't gotten any email from the system. If you prefer, a fako name/email works.

[jeffrey]

Sounds like a classic scam to me. Unless they can show you exactly how the money is generated, what you need to do to earn it and how it comes back to you, then stay far, far away. Generalities usually means any money that leaves your wallet never comes back. The fact that there is a recruiting aspect to it really should send the sirens off.

[michaelo]

Hi kork13,

It sounds exactly like a pitch to get you into a big name multi-level marketing company. Run the other way.

The reason they use this pitch is that if you knew the name of the parent company, then you wouldn't be interested.

Ask your friend what company it is (remind them that they are obligated to tell you, by law). When the answer, ask a follow up question.

"Who actually sends you the check?"

If you do go to the meeting, pay close attention to how evasive they are in revealing the name of the company. Also, take note of how much they push the next meeting.

Why? Wouldn't a company that's interested in helping people make money spend more time explianing sales techinques of the product, as opposed to pushing the next meeting?

~michaelo

[boosami]

LTD (name is in the URL) is a pyramid scheme. They'll want you to "buy" training materials and attend seminars, and you'll probably not make any money unless you recruit others. Stay away, and tell your friend to stay away.

[gamecock43]

I think its a scam. Ask to see the books and records of the person who sold him on it. Bet the books show a different story than a 3k a month income.

[poundwise]

Run Forrest Run!

[Broken Arrow]

LOL @ Poundwise.

I think it's a scam too, although there used to be a time when they would buy you dinner at a local eatery just for listening to them. I don't know they do that anymore or if yours will. If they do, then it's probably worth it just for a free meal on their tab.

Yeah, I remember once when I was at a local diner, and I wasn't in this party, but this one guy was with another guy and his wife, was "entertaining" ten potential suckers er I mean "business partners" about the highlights of his organization.

You can tell he was selling it hard too. He was energetic if not hyper, trying to get the crowd enthused beyond their dinner entree, high-fiving guys everywhere. It was... almost... sad. To see someone trying to pull a Steve Ballmer in the middle of a diner selling what I knew was basically web site services that they don't need.

I almost felt bad for him when everyone has finally left and he is sitting there, kind of zoning out, looking exhausted, with his wife sighing and shaking her head as she looks over the bill they have to pay.

[boosami]

If it sounds too good to be true...

[Ima saver]

I would certainly stay away from this!

[KatieNK]

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is........

[kork13]

thanks for all of your input.... I was sort of thinking the same, but it's reassuring to hear what you have to say on it.... I'll see what I can do to keep my friend from doing something he'll regret....

[ithaca]

I had a friend that I hadn't seen since college call me and ask if I'd like to get together to talk about a business opportunity. She knows that I build websites, databases, etc so I thought "sure, you never know what this could lead to". Well it lead directly to her trying to hook me into a pyramid scheme. Kind of sad.

[rooskers]

My favorite is the comercials late at night that pitch this stuff. I like it when some guy comes on the screen and says I make $4000 a month working part time. Then the next one comes on and says I make $10,000 a month working part time. Then the kicker for me is when you get the couple who $50,000 in one day and we didn't even have to do anything.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by rooskers

My favorite is the comercials late at night that pitch this stuff. I like it when some guy comes on the screen and says I make $4000 a month working part time. Then the next one comes on and says I make $10,000 a month working part time. Then the kicker for me is when you get the couple who $50,000 in one day and we didn't even have to do anything.

What I find really sad is how many people fall for these pitches and send in their hard-earned money only to never see it again. The only reason all of these scams continue is because people continue to be gullible. People want to believe that there is some foolproof method of making gobs of money without doing any substantial work and that the millions of us who grind away every day are suckers because we haven't discovered this unique opportunity.

[boosami]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

People want to believe that there is some foolproof method of making gobs of money without doing any substantial work.

Hello, that's the American way, Steve. We're entitled to it! Also, I'm convinced I can drop 50 pounds in 3 weeks without diet or exercise.

That way, I can sit back and do absolutely nothing while I: a) make tons of money, b) get washboard abs, and c) become a celebrity like I see on TV.

[jamestseng]

Hey Kork13, I've seen this before and actually joined the "business opportunity", because a good friend of mine was in it and I trusted him. It is a multi level marketing scheme run by Quixtar. You can make money if you work really hard on recruiting people (they train you on that and sell you think positive materials) and some luck. Otherwise, you just left wondering why it doesn't work out and waste time/money. I think I was doing for a year, probably spent $5000 on products and seminars. Obviously I left, with some thoughtful experience.