Ignite and Stream Energy - Is it a Scam?

[rnbevgigi]

ignite not a scam

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]

Honest Response To This Post And All Mlm / Ignite Inquiries!!!

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]

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]

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...

[kaliq13]

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.

You said it in a nutshell. I FRIGGIN LOVE IGNITE!!!!

[kaliq13]

I keep it absolutely 100....

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

Hello,

I'm in Atlanta. I work for IGNITE. We don't have electricity here as they do in TX; only gas is deregulated in GA. Needless to say I am making mulah doing this, plain and simple. Looking at a check from them on my coffee table right now. Love it. Unfortunately I can't post my Ignite website here until I have posted in this blog 15 times.

Also, my mother used to use Scana Energy (GA gas provider) and when she switched to Stream she saved about 15% on her gas bill. (Can't post exact amount - company policy - rates vary from state to state..) And I made a $1**. Scheme? Heck no. Lucrative without doing much? Abso-friggin-lutely..

I worked for Amway and Primerica and Prepaid legal. MLM's all are pretty much the same, however, Ignite pays you differently.. LOVE my company..

[rvg210]

You are confused

The network marketing industry is a 150 billion dollar market. Proven Fact. The term "Pyramid Schemes" is a cop out since this person obviously doesn't know the difference between what is and what isn't a "pyramid scheme". Simply put it is products and value. Pyramid schemes either have no product or service (and no customers), OR there is no value in the products being sold (i.e. they are selling something that is extremely overpriced that wont move because no one will buy it at the rates they are asking). Ignite is paying it's people to be the marketing arm of the company instead of paying an advertising firm to send out fliers and buy billboards etc. The person who wrote the article probably either didn't try it, or did try it and wasn't successful OR they read the information and built an opinion based on hearsay or conjecture. Don't be negative it just makes you look stupid. Know your facts. There are legitimate network marketing companies out there. Amway fought the US government in the 70's and won, showing both a customer base and value in it's products. It's possible, it works, and I have the checks to prove it and I made myself a big wig by duplicating the system. If you are not successful at it, it's because either the support wasn't there or you didn't look at it as a business. Network marketing in general with companies like stream energy are work that pays back. My buy in was minimal compared to opening a sandwich shop or retail market. And I made my money back. The reason no network marketing companies are "free" is based on one simple fact. If you are ready to run your business then you need to put some skin in the game. Everyone uses electricity, EVERYONE. You get a small dividend on all your customers, but you bet paid on all the customers in the down line. Remember what I said. CUSTOMERS CREATE POSITIVE CASH FLOW LIKE EVERY BUSINESS OUT THERE. And the rates are competitive creating VALUE. It's a legitimate company, but if you don't understand that... don't get involved. I will still need someone to wash my car.

Thank you.

[meemee]

Read This

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In a feature report, a major metropolitan newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, examined the MLM

scheme, Stream Energy/Ignite, focusing on the question of whether the company is operating a disguised

pyramid scheme. Stream is a reseller of utility services, gas and electricity, and operates in several states.

Ignite is the multi-level marketing sales division. The company uses a pyramid pay plan to enroll

salespeople, each of which pays several hundred dollars to join the plan and then an additional monthly

charge to participate. The newspaper asked Pyramid Scheme Alert president, Robert FitzPatrick, to analyze

the company’s payout disclosure. The analysis revealed that less than 2% of Ignite salespeople make any

profit. Stream Energy/Ignite is the subject of a class action lawsuit brought by consumers claiming the

company operates a pyramid scheme.

Stream officials told the newspaper that it has 400,000 customers and 172,000 salespeople, an apparent

ratio of less than two retail customers per salesperson. The company did not divulge exactly how many of

the salespeople are also “customers”. To gain commissions from “downline” purchases and sales each

salesperson is required under the pay plan to have four customers, (called Energy Accounts). However, in

order to qualify for rewards, the plan allows the new recruits to count their own personal purchases as two

retail sales. Personal purchases, therefore, become an additional investment made by new recruits to get

in on the recruitment-related rewards. The analysis also showed that less than 2% at the top of the

Stream/Ignite sales pyramid received 55% of all commissions. The article noted that the Governor’s Office

of Consumer Protection… “will investigate the matter again, due to issues raised by the AJC (Atlanta Journal-

Constitution).”

[myrdale]

Normally I only post if I think I have something constructive to add to the discussion. However my head literally exploded after the 3rd page of this post.

What I found most amazing about this thread was I counted in the range of 105 first time posters. Either that is some record, or someone has way to much time on their hands.

[GEM638]

I save with Stream!!!!

I am a Stream Energy customer and not a rep of the company. When I first started with Stream my kwh was .08 which was a 2 years ago and now its at .09 kwh. It took 2 yrs to get to that point. My bill is usually 30 to 40 dollars a month. I usually pay 100.00 when I do get a bill and that carries me for 2 to 3 months. Its a great company easy to pay my bill online and customer service is easy to deal with when I have to deal with them. They also send me reminder emails to renew my contract to keep the same rate or get a discount for .08 (kwh). So as far providing a good product at a great rate I would say give them a try. The only problem with Ignite/Stream I see as far as being a rep is that they only have one product. I just recently joined a company called 5Links they sell electricity along with Satellite, Internet, Phone, and Home Security along with many other telecommunications products. Whenever I cannot sell electricity to one of my clients most likely because they are under contract you better believe that I still save a product that I can help them save money on and earn residual from it as well. I'm looking for people who want help customers save on a variety products including electricity. I just recently got a bonus just for selling products which is really simple to do. If anyone is interested in team building and earning residual income from many products that people use everyday reply to this comment and I will make contact with you.

[chucksgirl]

I am curious to know how well you may, or may not, be doing today? Seeing as it's been a few years now. Could you please advise as to if this was worth your time and money? Thanks so much!

alright. I'm an ignite independent associate for ~3weeks. here is my take and take from it what you will.

I joined primarily because the risk/reward was low. it cost me $329 to join which included support, manual, and some other stuff. Then an optional $20/month for a website that allows me to sign up customers and agents.

In 1 week I paid $329 + $20, yet they were running a bonus where I could make $200 if I found 2 people to switch the electricity in 7 days to stream energy. That was easy. If I hired an agent and they also did the 2 switches in 7 days I would pocket another $200 and they would pocket $200.

Math: $400 - ($329 + $20)= ~$51 ( there was a $3 processing check fee i think).

Not bad considering everyone on the net was crying out loud that mlms were bad since they suck the money out of you but instead I made ~$50 in 1 week? I'm not sure what all the fuss is about but I MADE money.

Then the next hurdle was how fast could I earn $20/month so my business was free? I'm on pace to get promoted to MD in ~ 6weeks. The avg is 8 months. I just found a good agent that had good connections.

The $/kw rate isn't the best but it's currently $.1199 1yr contract @1000kw and that's way better then txu/reliant. I don't force people to join me or switch. I just try and share why I did it and how I'm saving money now. My electricity bill saved me $72 last month since switching from my high reliant month to month rate.

all you need is 3 agents and 8 electricity customers. after that you just manage your downline and wait to get promoted unless your a go getter and want to find more to accelerate your promotion. I'm on pace to make $55/month residual (doesn't include hiring agent bonuses).

monthly payout: $55-$20 = $35/month.

That isn't bad since I wasn't making that before. And for every person in my down line that hires another agent I get another $75 each.

all in all not bad. Maybe I got a good game plan in how I built it up.

I welcome any new associate who is interested to hit me up and just ask me what I think. I'm not some professional salesman as I'm just a regular guy who wants to share their experience as this is my first business and mlm gig I've done.

[kittyraskel]

I actually see this as one of the benefits of deregulation...I have not joined yet and have done some research...I don't view this as a scam at all!! I'm confused as to how people view it that way. I feel it's people helping people save and make money. In my eyes, the company would rather pay real people to advertise than spend a ton to marketing firms. Also, of course they aren't going to allow for reps to advertise on their own link....legal liabilities allowing people to do so!

Like any job, there is actual "work" involved to get a good ROI so if you are not a sales person, it may seem uncomfortable. it's not really any different than any other company like tupperware or pampered chef! Except you don't have to carry merchandise around!!!!

I agree with you I just recieved my Ignite package. I feel it was worth the small investment I have no ideal if this is going to work. It looks like a wonderful oportunity. I will keep everyone posted on how I am doing. So, enough said here we go Ignite I pray your everything I think your going to be to help me be successful.

[gotgbus]

Ignite is not a scam

Been in ignite for about 3 years and so far I can't complain
This buissness is so simple and all it takes is to talk to people you know....from there they will talk to people they know and so on and so forth.... Yea u have an initial pay but u will get it back and some....and the best part is the residual!!! Money that you get without doing anything!!!
I mean who doesn't want free money???

This is not a pyramid scheme cause there isn't a top dog....I can make more than the CEO of the company if I really try in this buissness.


Amway is a scam with no dought...cause I seen it with my own eyes....less pay and no support..just do the math

The people that say ignite is a scam never seen how the buissness works....it only takes about 30 min of your time to see how amazing this opportunity is...if you don't like it, you don't have to do it...

This is so simple that anyone can do it!!!!!!

Just give it chance

[Joe_724]

Ignite/Stream Energy

You can find something wrong with anything. Just want to say I live in Pa and am a Ignite associate, it's working fine, my power is still on and we are making a good deal of money doing it.
It's not a scam, just a way to help people save on there energy bills and make a nice retirement for yourself.

Joe