Ignite and Stream Energy - Is it a Scam?

[Bpcontra]

First off, your comment that 87% don't make any money is simply wrong. The figure is actually that 87% of Ignite Associates are at the Director level (1st level) and that on average, the director income is $129 with the low end of the distribution being $10 and the high end being $8,960. If we take the 4000 associates from PA and make 87% of them directors (first level), then we are left with 3480 directors. Thus we are stating that so far, 520 associates out of the 4000 are higher than the first level and we can assume that they are making money. Now, of those 3480, lets assume only the top 20% of first level directors earned more than $325. That total is 696 directors who have earned more money than they put in. Thus if we add it up, 1216 out of 4000 associates, or 30%, actually earn more money than they put in. Thus...if you're telling me I have a 1 in 3 chance of having a successful, profitable business where my initial investment is $300 and my monthly operating costs are $25...yeah, I'll take that gamble any day.

But wait...they're making all that money off us suckers through the "crappy" website! Well guess what...the website is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. You can have a fully functional, operating Ignite business WITHOUT the website. That's right...I have absolutely NO OBLIGATION to pay the $25/month. Why do I do it? Because it's a useful tool to help grow the business.

As for a processing fee...Are you really going to complain about that? Have you ever used EBay, PayPal, etc.???? Everyone has processing fees. Now you're just nitpicking. The fact of the matter is that, like any job or new business, people are going to be better at it than others. This is a capitalist society...people are out to make money and those who run their business better than their peers are going to make more money.

Not having pension, medical, 401k, etc. is exactly the reason why they tell you to keep your day job. Nobody's asking you to sell your soul here...it's $300. I've entered poker games with more than that and had less chance of success. This isn't a get rich quick scheme and anyone who thinks it is, quite frankly, will fall into that bottom 70% who never make their money back.

[endurance5000]

...but clearly we are uneducated so what do we know...

[DelValPC]

But I guess everyone needs to feel good about rackets they pull on other people don't they? The tough part is that you are one of the Kool-Aid drinkers who is being laughed at by the people at the top of the whole pyramid. Don't you wonder why the starters of these companies jump from scheme to scheme, changing the company name and "product" every time? But it isn't my job to convince those who choose to participate that they are merely snake-oil sales people. I'm sorry you don't have enough money at 45 to feed your retirement fund and have to resort to this.

These schemes were made for people who have no skill, little experience and low IQs. Certainly, there are plenty of those in America.

You are attacking something you know absolutlly nothing about. And quite frankly you are beginning to bore me. You are calling something a scheme that is clearly not one. People are saving money and people are making money. No one promises a damn thing. You are going to have people that sign up and hear what they want to hear. I actually went to two meetings before I signed up . After the second meeting, I went home and looked up as much as I could about both sides of the company. I saw scam remarks and threads abnout the court case. Nothing I read that was bad was any more than someone on a soapbox crying pyramid.Their marketing method works. You do realize that they are number 16 on the top 100 direct sales companies world wide right? There are quite a few MLMs on that list. If you break it down to U.S. based companies, they are number 10. Not too shabby for being around for 6 years. The remarks you are making are purely uninformed and ignorant. I sleep well at night.

[happytobeamom]

Thanks for the help

Hi-
I like many others found this site while googling the companies name after a friend asked my family if we would switch to this electric provider to help him get his 4 people. Another great and trusted friend is a part Ignite/Stream and is so far doing well I guess.
I wanted to look into because, as a stay at home mom, even a few extra dollars that I could contribute a month would be a blessing to my family.
This site has been very helpful in pointing out all aspects and helping me come to a conclusion as to whether or not I should do this.
I am not a "seller"- when we have a yard sale, I give things a way. Right now, switching to Stream energy would save us $2 and change a month on our electric bill. Will that fluctuate- almost certainly. And that is the compounding reason that this site helped me realize why I personally should not be involved- I would feel absolutely horrible if people I asked to switch electric companies were no longer saving money. I know that's the business world, but that is just who I am.
Thanks for all of the insight- this has been a tremendous blessing!
K

[DelValPC]

Hi-
I like many others found this site while googling the companies name after a friend asked my family if we would switch to this electric provider to help him get his 4 people. Another great and trusted friend is a part Ignite/Stream and is so far doing well I guess.
I wanted to look into because, as a stay at home mom, even a few extra dollars that I could contribute a month would be a blessing to my family.
This site has been very helpful in pointing out all aspects and helping me come to a conclusion as to whether or not I should do this.
I am not a "seller"- when we have a yard sale, I give things a way. Right now, switching to Stream energy would save us $2 and change a month on our electric bill. Will that fluctuate- almost certainly. And that is the compounding reason that this site helped me realize why I personally should not be involved- I would feel absolutely horrible if people I asked to switch electric companies were no longer saving money. I know that's the business world, but that is just who I am.
Thanks for all of the insight- this has been a tremendous blessing!
K

Your savings is about what my father in law would save, savings are going to be there but they wont be as high in the winter because unless you have electric heat , your useing more oil or gas than electric. I am saving close to 7.00 in the winter and I will save about 30 when I start useing my central air. There is definitly on thing I want to point out. No matter what you do, you really should change to one of the other companies for your power. You are definitly going to save money . The Peco rates are going to go up a few times during the year. The pa utilities commisioner has been on TV telling people that they should change. Changing should really be a no-brainer. Whoever you change to is up to you, but if you stay on Peco, you are only going to pay more. Peco has already submitted a request to raise the delievery rate and that will go towards everyones bill no matter if you stay or not.I am not trying to point you on who to change to, but you really need to change it. It is just that simple.

[DelValPC]

also just to add to this. If you are worried about rate fluctuation, go with a company that has fixed rates. This way your rate is locked for a year. When the year is about up, you can shop again or just renew. If you would only be saving 2 dollars and you go with a fixed rate, Wouldnt your freind be worth supporting no matter what the savings were as long as you save. WEouldnt your freind be worth it even if it was the same price. It takes 2 minutes to switch online and the confirmation call takes 5 minutes with no hold time whatsoever. If your freind isnt worth that, then what kind of freind are you.? The business end is one thing , some people cant do it and some people can. But everyone can save. period. The problem is that everyone is so used to getting screwed that they just expect it to happen with everything.

[NancyZ]

do not appreciate being told that I know nothing about this company because I am not buying into their mantra. My boyfriend got involved in this in December and he can ill afford to waste his time and money on something that does not pay well. I work for NY lawyers and showed my boss Ignite’s website and various documents; Rules and Procedures, Income Disclosure, Power Plan, and he has determined that it will be very hard to make substantial money on this. I have also looked at Ignite’s Compensation Plan and their main motivational speaker’s spiel (Randy, the Cowboy) on YouTube. I have listened to their audio tape as my boyfriend plays it constantly in his car. He took a picture of the audience at one of these meetings trying to impress me with the turnout. What I noticed was the majority of the people looked like they could ill afford to shell out $300 to make money. Ignite feeds on this. To liken Ebay or PayPal’s fees to this is just silly. You are paying people money to work for them! I’m old fashioned I guess, I want to be paid for working.

Randy said that, while the website isn’t mandatory, he strongly suggests they get it. Please already. That’s a steady $25 a month from thousands of people. Do the math and understand the math.

All the reps and speakers my boyfriend talks to at those meeting are “millionaires”. They actually told him how much their income is monthly, what type of cars they have, the square feet of their homes. Yes, in time, he too can be making that type of money, wink, wink. He says they are all great people. A female speaker named Jennifer actually acted inappropriately with him. One rep called him a selling machine. He had all of 4 energy customers, no downliners after two months.

Well, I have had enough of trying to reason with people who do not want it. If I steered just one person away from this “business”, then I am happy. Good luck to those who want to become millionaires working for Ignite. Just remember to keep your day jobs lol.

[endurance5000]

My boyfriend got involved in this in December and he can ill afford to waste his time and money on something that does not pay well. He took a picture of the audience at one of these meetings trying to impress me with the turnout.

Sounds like you have some resentment build in there that someone in your life close to you is trying to enrich their lives a little bit. God forbid someone takes a chance to make themselves and those in their life a bit more comfortable. In this case your boyfriend is clearly investing some time and energy. I'm sorry you can't stomach it and be a bit more supportive, if even just for his sake.

I work for NY lawyers and showed my boss Ignite’s website and various documents; Rules and Procedures, Income Disclosure, Power Plan, and he has determined that it will be very hard to make substantial money on this.

I'm glad you got these big lawyers to do this for you when every one of us has been saying this all along.

He took a picture of the audience at one of these meetings trying to impress me with the turnout. What I noticed was the majority of the people looked like they could ill afford to shell out $300 to make money. Ignite feeds on this.

Tell me...what do THESE people look like. I manage a very successful running store. I've seen a myriad of professional people looking to take advantage of a great business opportunity. So again...what do THESE people look like?

Randy said that, while the website isn’t mandatory, he strongly suggests they get it. Please already. That’s a steady $25 a month from thousands of people. Do the math and understand the math.

The website is a tool that is very important one at that. Yes it costs money but it makes my job significantly easier. I can cancel it at ANY TIME!

Good luck to those who want to become millionaires working for Ignite.

Thank you. Good luck to you and your positive attitude.

[NancyZ]

Dear Endurance 5000: Glad you know all about me and my boyfriend. Are you aware that he had no job at the time and had been out of work for some time prior to joining? That he barely gets by on day jobs? That he is 46 years old? Are you also aware that he has three children to support? That he doesn't have hundreds of friends and contacts to enlist? Are you aware that he borrows money from his father and me? Bet you didn't know any of this, or that he has been involved in numerous "get rich quick" schemes and, obviously none panned out. So, I shouldn't look into this and have my boss (a big lawyer) look into this? My friend is now devoting most of his time with this. I have been nothing but supportive, but cannot sit back and see him wasting his time on a futile venture.

Again I must state, there are no background checks, reference requests, or job history requests to become an Independent Associate. I do not know of any reputable business that has no desire to learn about the people they are letting push their business. Saying you work for yourself is a crock. Associates have to mention Ignite and Stream Energy. They are only targeting family and friends. My friend told me that he was told you can go to a diner (and such) and start chatting up someone and hey then mention your business. So Ignite/Stream doesn't care who is using their name it appears. All you need is $300 and you too can have the privilege of being an Independent Associate no matter what you did or who you are. Like Randy says, you don't have to be bright.

My boyfriend told me I am a "slave to my job". One of the "cute" things they say at these meetings. I have a very positive attitude towards people who work hard and want to be productive. The notion of, after a few years, you will be sitting on a beach while others have to work, insults my not only my intelligence but the work ethic I have had for forty years now.

Endurance5000 I still wish you luck even though you were very wrong about my situation, but hey, you could be the CEO of Ignite.

[endurance5000]

Dear Endurance 5000: Glad you know all about me and my boyfriend. Are you aware that he had no job at the time and had been out of work for some time prior to joining? That he barely gets by on day jobs? That he is 46 years old? Are you also aware that he has three children to support? That he doesn't have hundreds of friends and contacts to enlist? Are you aware that he borrows money from his father and me? Bet you didn't know any of this, or that he has been involved in numerous "get rich quick" schemes and, obviously none panned out. So, I shouldn't look into this and have my boss (a big lawyer) look into this? My friend is now devoting most of his time with this. I have been nothing but supportive, but cannot sit back and see him wasting his time on a futile venture.

Again I must state, there are no background checks, reference requests, or job history requests to become an Independent Associate. I do not know of any reputable business that has no desire to learn about the people they are letting push their business. Saying you work for yourself is a crock. Associates have to mention Ignite and Stream Energy. They are only targeting family and friends. My friend told me that he was told you can go to a diner (and such) and start chatting up someone and hey then mention your business. So Ignite/Stream doesn't care who is using their name it appears. All you need is $300 and you too can have the privilege of being an Independent Associate no matter what you did or who you are. Like Randy says, you don't have to be bright.

My boyfriend told me I am a "slave to my job". One of the "cute" things they say at these meetings. I have a very positive attitude towards people who work hard and want to be productive. The notion of, after a few years, you will be sitting on a beach while others have to work, insults my not only my intelligence but the work ethic I have had for forty years now.

Endurance5000 I still wish you luck even though you were very wrong about my situation, but hey, you could be the CEO of Ignite.

Listen...I don't know you and your boyfriend more than I know two strangers walking down the street OTHER than what you say on here. So if you don't want presumptions made about your relationship, don't use him as an example. You sure didn't do much justice in making your support of him sound much better with your reply. I frankly believe he would think it is downright crappy if he knew you were throwing him under the bus like this.

I don't know why you don't think he can work hard and be productive with this. The results aren't instant but many have proved that it can be profitable. Better be careful...I will say that Ignite encourages people to have positive people in their life and push out the negative. I love how you keep giving these examples of how Ignite gives you this image of living large and never working again. Out of all the meetings I have never once been told this. If you see smiling faces and people having a good time on their website that makes sense to me. Would you rather see painful expressions, high stress, and misfortunes. Yeah....that's a great idea!

So don't sit back--do what you are doing. Take control of the reigns and keep breaking down his/people's drive, hope, and determination. I think we can agree to disagree on this. You choose to take an active stance against this, and I am here to defend it. So be it...

At the end of the day, I don't wish bad upon anyone and I hope that your boyfriend finds his way whether it is through Ignite or another company. I hope too that you stop discouraging people from an opportunity that may just help them out.

[NancyZ]

You still don’t get my personal situation and there is no point in going into it any further since it is obvious you will attack whatever I say because you are still on the Ignite bandwagon.

You said that “Ignite encourages people to have positive people in their life and push out the negative”. This scares me and should scare those who are at their meetings. Don’t cult leaders say that to get their followers to disconnect then from their loved ones who don’t buy into their beliefs? So, according to Ignite, if loved ones are not on their bandwagon, they should be cut from your life? If you don’t buy into what they are selling, you are negative? What bull****!

All I know is that I did enough research on Ignite to see that very, very few will make a good living on this. You have done nothing to sway me otherwise. The Income Disclosure really does spell it out if one is capable of understanding numbers.

You have no right to tell me that I should “stop discouraging people from an opportunity that may just help them out”. That is what these forums are for. Differing viewpoints and people can chose which one they believe in. We are in the United States. I have that freedom. So do you.

[endurance5000]

Endurance5000 I still wish you luck even though you were very wrong about my situation, but hey, you could be the CEO of Ignite.

You want to make a mockery out of me and everyone involved in Ignite and expect me not to respond back?

Just as you have the right to respond with your viewpoints, I am entitled to respond back with my own--even if that includes hoping you will stop discouraging people.

A little bit about me: You don't need to remind me where we are. I spent two years in Iraq and not a day goes by that I don't recognize the opportunities and rights we are blessed with in this great country.

By bringing up the topic of positive people in your life...it has nothing to do with whether you are on "the bandwagon" or not. It simply means surrounding yourself with positive people in life will naturally lead to you being a more positive person yourself. The opposite effect is the case when you surround yourself with negative people. This applies to life in general and not just some company.

All in all Nancy, I think we have exhausted each others debate so I suggest we leave it at that--a disagreement on a topic. I wish you luck.

[Bpcontra]

Some points to consider:

1) It seems as though the main problem most people have with Ignite is the initial $299 fee and then the $25/month optional website. I don't necessarily understand this logic. You can't start a business without investing any money. It just doesn't happen like that regardless of what industry you are in. Even if you're a street dancer, you had to go out and buy a hat for people to throw money into. The old adage "You need to spend money to make money" is pretty much true across the board.

If you invest in stock in a company like Google, you are "paying" to get a piece of that business and you are relying on the actions of other people (ie..it's employees) to grow the business and help you make money. Does Google do a background check on you when you buy stock? No. If you thought the stock was going to do really well, would you tell your friends to buy in? I personally would. Do people "at the top" benefit from you and others buying into their company and purchasing stock? Yes. Do you have a chance to benefit as well? Absolutely.

In Ignite, you simply rely on yourself to grow the business. Is it easy? No. Is any personal money making endeavor easy? No. Ignite is NOT A GET RICH QUICK BUSINESS.

2) How different is Ignite from Groupon? Everyone loves Groupon. However, how does Groupon work? Sure they do some advertising, had a Super Bowl ad, etc....but how did they truly grow? They grew through word of mouth advertising. When you see a deal and it needs 2 more people to complete the deal and there's only one hour left on the deal, what do you do? You email it to your friends telling them to join in on the deal. The difference is that Groupon doesn't pay you every time you convince someone to save some money on a great deal....Ignite does. Ignite encourages you to tell people about a way to save money and they pay you for everyone who chooses to join up and save money.

I'm not really sure how spending $300 to invest in a business somehow makes Ignite/Stream Energy an evil empire out to screw everyone. Any business you start is going to cost money. As I said before, for $300 initial investment and $25 operating costs per month, that's a very cheap business to start with a potential to make good money. Of course, like any new business, it comes down to personal effort and the occasional luck.

[Bpcontra]

One other thing:

People often say, "Well you pay $300 and you say it's 'your business', but it's not really your business, it's Ignite and Stream Energy's business...all you're doing is getting duped into paying $300 to push their products"

The simple answer is found in any retail store. Would it make sense if I went to an owner of a retail store and told him that he doesn't really have a business because all he's doing is "paying money" to sell other people's products. No...that's just silly. He's selling other company's products and making money off them from the end consumer. Similarly, I am "paying" for the ability to sell energy for Stream Energy and make money off the end consumer.

Getting more associates under me can simply be considered franchising. I have my business, other people wish to invest in the business. When they make money, I get a portion of that money. The more franchises that open, the more money I get. Will some franchises fail? Absolutely. Others however will succeed and we'll all reap the benefits.

That's how I look at this business.

[endurance5000]

Some points to consider:

1) It seems as though the main problem most people have with Ignite is the initial $299 fee and then the $25/month optional website. I don't necessarily understand this logic. You can't start a business without investing any money. It just doesn't happen like that regardless of what industry you are in. Even if you're a street dancer, you had to go out and buy a hat for people to throw money into. The old adage "You need to spend money to make money" is pretty much true across the board.

If you invest in stock in a company like Google, you are "paying" to get a piece of that business and you are relying on the actions of other people (ie..it's employees) to grow the business and help you make money. Does Google do a background check on you when you buy stock? No. If you thought the stock was going to do really well, would you tell your friends to buy in? I personally would. Do people "at the top" benefit from you and others buying into their company and purchasing stock? Yes. Do you have a chance to benefit as well? Absolutely.

In Ignite, you simply rely on yourself to grow the business. Is it easy? No. Is any personal money making endeavor easy? No. Ignite is NOT A GET RICH QUICK BUSINESS.

2) How different is Ignite from Groupon? Everyone loves Groupon. However, how does Groupon work? Sure they do some advertising, had a Super Bowl ad, etc....but how did they truly grow? They grew through word of mouth advertising. When you see a deal and it needs 2 more people to complete the deal and there's only one hour left on the deal, what do you do? You email it to your friends telling them to join in on the deal. The difference is that Groupon doesn't pay you every time you convince someone to save some money on a great deal....Ignite does. Ignite encourages you to tell people about a way to save money and they pay you for everyone who chooses to join up and save money.

I'm not really sure how spending $300 to invest in a business somehow makes Ignite/Stream Energy an evil empire out to screw everyone. Any business you start is going to cost money. As I said before, for $300 initial investment and $25 operating costs per month, that's a very cheap business to start with a potential to make good money. Of course, like any new business, it comes down to personal effort and the occasional luck.

Some of the best points I have heard yet.