Is Wake Up Now Club a scam?

[davidbatchelor]

WakeUpNow is really designed for the USA market only pretty much or so it appears.

[Cherissa]

Review

If your anywhere near Utah, visit our Corporate Office @ 5252 Edgewood Dr. Suite #300 Provo, UT 84604. WakeUpNow Inc. is a financial wellness Company founded in 2009 with one goal in mind, to help people save money, manage money and even make money if they'd be interested in the opportunity part. The Business opportunity with them is 100% optional and to correct some of you, It is FREE to become a Preferred Customer and you may upgrade to have much more additional perks if you choose to and it is also FREE for the opportunity part(Which will make you an Independent Business Owner through them) but when if you are interested in the income part, you must be qualified, and to become qualified you need 90PV (Personal Volume/Sales Volume)each month, after 90PV is where your income starts to grow. PV is earned through any purchases made, whether it be YOUR purchases or people that you have invited to become FREE or paid members. Okay, so instead of our I.B.O's worrying about not being qualified for each months commissions, most of them find it quite easier and rewarding to get started with the Platinum membership, not just because they get a huge value and save LOTS of money on things they need or want but because it's worth 90PV each month and they'll ALWAYS be qualified for the next commission-able month. If you actually USE the Hub and vacation club, you'll save MORE money than you ever put forth each month. And when and IF you refer JUST 3 members who also earn their 90PV each month (whether as a FREE member using the HUB to make purchases and save money OR if their a Platinum member)
(You + 3 people = 360GV cause your 90PV each which equals 360 Group Volume)
You would earn $100/mo. residual income (Platinum membership is FREE every month as long as you hold 360PV each month)then when they refer 3 or YOU put 3 people below them you'd earn $600/mo. residual income (EVERY MONTH)with just 12 People earning 90PV each + You = 1170GV (90PV X 13) which is $600/mo. every month residual. The residual income goes UP from their assuming your members still have their 90PV each month. Becoming a Platinum member eases the process but is 100% optional. And if you become an I.B.O FREE, you get to test everything for 30 days. WakeUpNow is NOT a scam, pyramid yes, scheme NO. A pyramid scheme is when someone buys into an opportunity that has no actual value, that has no actual product which BOTH WakeUpNow has.

[jdom07]

Benefits for members? Fine. Let people pay for "benefits".

But there's absolutely NO question: the money-making aspect is a pyramid scheme. Will it make money if you get in "early"? Possibly. Is it ethical? Probably not.

[CreativeBusyness]

An Outsider's Opinion On WUN

Hi all. I came looking for info on this scheme as some people in my family have just been approached with offers to join it. After looking around I quickly decided it sounds like one of those barely-legal pyramid schemes that only benefit the tiniest minority; in fact I believe it's illegal in my country (Australia), but we still got the offers from some kid in the USA. His site shows him posing with money in every single photo, even with a wad of notes in his mouth (clearly he doesn't have any idea how incredibly pathogen-laden the average banknote or coin is)... It set my 'scam-meter' off immediately so I started looking and wound up here.

I'm open minded enough about pyramid schemes - as long as I can see how I could stand a good chance of getting to the upper levels, which never seems to be anything more than a remote fluke of chance at best. Looks like if you didn't start it, or aren't one of the very first few "employees", don't bother joining it. I don't see how the majority ever make more than they spend on it. I don't doubt it works as claimed for some (the very few at the top of the pyramid), but for all the rest it can't, by its very nature, as the more experienced folks here have already detailed, and as the WUN members have also confirmed by omission or inference regardless of their intent otherwise.

Since I read that the purpose of this thread is to assist people to make the wisest choice regarding WUN, as contentious and distasteful as the subject is, I will add my two cent's worth.

I'm not affiliated with either this site nor the WUN crowd, so it's an opinion based on my own research, across a handful of sites. I have checked out both pro and anti stances on this matter and find WUN devoid of any semblance of respectability, partly because of their financial statements and statistics, and partly because of how they treat anyone disagreeing with them.

The folks who defend this WUN business all over the internet all use the same "debate" methods when disagreed with, including extremely childish name-calling, emotive terminology, derogatory phrasing, etc and they overuse colloquialisms like 'bro' and 'dude' and 'BOSS job!' etc as well as abbreviations, all things which tend to make most potential customers a little wary if they've got enough commonsense. Certainly it craps all over their business image.

Also, they fail to back up their claims. They keep referring to the perks, the perks, THE PERKS but I fail to see how these so-called perks are not just already available products/services repackaged and sold for a markup. As a person who's researching the necessities to start my own small business I've been doing the "legwork" on discounts etc and I don't see anything WUN offers that you can't find yourself without paying their fees. In fact I've found hundreds of sites where one can get greater value deals, and the ones cited by those who've used WUN were among those sites I mostly discarded as too low value.

I would like to enlighten WUN as to the non-viability of their form of argument, pedantic as it is. But I doubt they're able to come up with a better method of debate even if I point out the flaws in their current one. Not that a legitimately decent business would ever need to actually debate with the general public like WUN do. When I say "legitimately decent business", I mean one where ALL customers get REAL value for their money. WUN's debate methods may wash in some political circles but they would possibly get you thrown off the debate team in any decent High School, which is apt because most WUN employees appear to be very young and also appear to have skipped high school, regardless of their oft-repeated claims of higher education. Most of their defenses appear to involve information one could find after a short Google search, too. (No offense, my WUN bruz! Please get a real job before this unscrupulous business scheme financially destroys you and perhaps your family too, for really-realz).

I will use an earlier quote from one of the defenders of WUN as it's a word-perfect example of how they attempt to convince others and defend their scheme. I think perhaps they follow a formula, the same one most pyramid schemes follow to the letter, or perhaps they're all just the same few people getting around the web defending the scheme under different names. Their style of debate is plain trollish and in my view marks them as a "business" to never engage with in any fashion.

"So a fresh new company starts with the same format of business and you want to bash it. That's fine."

- This is a standard emotional tactic WUN uses, taking the victim stance and then trying to play the Bigger Man by making a statement of acceptance of martyrdom at the hands of small thinkers and bigots. High ground indeed! Some people unfortunately think this is spoken with honesty, because some people assume most business-people are honest, or all underdogs are honest, and they side with the poor-Bigger-Man-victim-of-the-Cynical/Embittered-Loser-(probably-with-vested-interests), as the roles are implied by such a statement. There were better examples of this tactic but that'll do.

"Opportunities like WakeUpNow or ones above are not for closed minded individual with all due respect.

- This is another low grade debate standard, directly implying that anyone who disagrees is some variety of intellectually impaired or lacking, and then attaching the weak qualifier that they are still accorded their rights of respect by the obviously Bigger Man, who thereby again proves their Bigness. "With all due respect, you're small minded"... Where's the respect in that?

"It takes an inner passion of freedom from the "normal life" to understand what's really happening here.

- Because, as this implies, you're clearly unimaginative, unoriginal, and have no fire in your belly if you don't agree; failure to agree also constitutes failure to understand/comprehend, so we're back to casting aspersions on people's intellectual capacities as a method to gain "votes". Also, that line WUN uses obviously implies that the truth is only found by those visionaries with courage, and those visionaries with courage are all with WUN, which proves they have vision and courage. Loopy.

How does it make you feel that Uncle Sam is really deep in your pockets after your hard earned work? Check out any of your pay stubs.

- This angle is easily deflected by the cold hard facts rendered in the process of checking out WUN's "pay stubs". There is NO defense against that.

Also, what respected/respectable business is staffed by and represented by people who talk to potential customers/colleagues like WUN's employees do? I know some have their personal pet trolls and attack dogs, and many try to cultivate an air of "the chosen ones" among their employees, but WUN takes it so far beyond that it's obviously not a decent business. One WUN employee's favorite riposte involved detailing sexual acts committed via imagination against the mothers of those who disagreed with them, and they couldn't even spell properly. That's exhibiting an ideal pyramid-scheme customer mentality, and makes me wonder if they're able to do the math on their scheme.

I find it mighty curious that they all argue just the same, use the same circular logic, and the same put-downs and derogatory names and slang terms... I found them on Youtube and on other sites, and everywhere I found them, they all sound just the same. Almost botlike.

This furthers my belief that pyramid schemes are rather cultist, requiring the servitude of all in support of the Few, always repeating supposedly enlightened mantras and catechisms and rhetoric, cultivating an aura of exclusivity, and feeling absurdly entitled to attack and denigrate any patently lower class beings that dare speak heresy. If one states interest in joining the WUN club or any other pyramid schemes, they will spam you with their catchphrases and try to convince you their way is the golden shining path, and all others are lies that lead to slavery. A legit business doesn't need to do that. I have inquired about an exceptionally well presented pyramid scheme before and found what they do is a concerted attempt at brainwashing, in my opinion. They prey on a certain type and are mostly populated by a certain type, especially in the lower levels. They are NOT respectable. There are forms of pyramid schemes that are far more helpful to their employees than WUN is; nothing they're doing gives an impression of actual value.

Apologies to the long standing forum members, I know my comment's not worth much if anything to any of you, but I just thought I would add my opinion on this topic for the general consumer public's sake since it's hit close to home with my less suspicious family members. WUN gets nothing from us and will die out soon enough by the looks of it.

@Nikki123:

Here's the kicker... I found out I never had to recruit a single person? I could just excite someone about the package? And that counted for commissions.

I KNEW it! lol. The guy spamming my family wouldn't be upfront with the business information, he wanted to be added on a social networking site and inboxed. I thought, why would he do that unless expressions of interest counted as commissions? Looks like I was right.

[hamchan]

In fact, many MLM schemes are VERY cult-like.

https://archive.org/details/MerchantsOfDeception

[CreativeBusyness]

So I see! Thanks for the link. I remain curious as to the reason for the rabid abuse WUN members seem to apply almost as a rule to others, but I guess that's another cultist trait showing.

[MARYCATE]

Simple

I feel like its simple, in way. The best way to earn money is have a skill in demand.


I read this thread. i have a friend who is avid about this WUN **** and i was curious about it.

I feel that in this world the Skill for value exchange is simple. I see no skill in this company just selling memberships. At least vemma has some sort of energy drink. i guess,, i know too many friends of mine thinking they are going to make millions and have their own business. Plenty of my friends try to get me to join their stuff. Question is, is it what it is?



BTW it has a BBB rating of C now.

[samuelwright]

WUN is a typical pyramid scheme.

[devonta121]

Is The Money I Get From Wake Up Now A Scam?

I been with this company for 2 months and i'm a f4 making almost 3k a month

[samuelwright]

I been with this company for 2 months and i'm a f4 making almost 3k a month

Lies.

[wakeuptoTheTRUTH]

This book needs way more exposure!

[QUOTE=hamchan;378714]In fact, many MLM schemes are VERY cult-like.



Wow. More people need to read this book! Thank you for posting it!

[Tabs]

I actually have an MBA so let me give you a real definition of a pyramid scheme.

This thread is old, but I just wanted to touch on this because of my own personal experiences.

I once had a co-worker-- an extremely nice and intelligent woman I want to add-- who also had an MBA, and she too was into a particular MLM that sold time shares (that they marketed as "real estate ventures"). She tried to recruit me, and I politely declined.

But it really boggled my mind that she would be into this sort of thing, despite all of her work experience and academic credentials. (However, I also believe that MBA was actually from one of those for-profit online schools like Phoenix Online.)

Suffice to say, there are indeed seemingly fairly intelligent people who are involved in MLMs. I think part of it is because you CAN have MLMs that are NOT scams. But the other part is because, even if it is shady, they understand an MLMs' ability to make a fast buck if you can get in early enough to milk it while they can.

That said though, I would not touch any MLMs with a ten-foot pole myself, and for that matter, I have actively protested against MLMs in the past. I haven't looked into this particular one, but in general, this just isn't an honest way to make a living.

Bottom line: Even an MBA can be questionable depending on source. And even then, even some seemingly intelligent people can be fooled, or be knowingly involved in shady cons.

Edit: Read some more of this thread, and some of the respondents does seem to exhibit that typical, abusive, cult-like personality. (Our MLM can do no wrong. You are wrong. You should shut up. You are ruining our dreams. You are a bad person.)

[lorraineb]

But the other part is because, even if it is shady, they understand an MLMs' ability to make a fast buck if you can get in early enough to milk it while they can.

That is the main issue with all MLMs -- people view it as an easy way to make a buck when the reality is, you will be making others money, but rarely will you be the one making it unless you are one of the first to join. By the time it appears on sites like this, that time is long over.

[EmzieAtInfinity]

Didn't read all of the post I just skimmed through them, but there seems to be a lot of misguided people here. Wake Up Now is actually a LEGIT affiliate marketing program. It DOES pay, although it is one of the "crappier" versions of affiliate marketing, there is many more affiliate marketing programs out there that are BETTER than Wake Up Now. I am personally involved with a affiliate marketing program that does pay, and I am all about affiliate marketing, I must say though, I do have friends who use Wake Up Now and they like it. I personally don't care much for their compensation plan because I think it's sorta weak compared to the better ones out there. I am a affiliate marketer, it's legit, but like I said, it's not not the best, or even close to one of the best. MLMs aren't always pyramid schemes, but trust me, pyramid schemes do exist.

-Emzie

[Aries11]

WUN not accredited

Well.... I am not sure how I feel about this MLM for those interested in joining the company. However, I would never be interested when others who are not financially stable or advisable on finances ask if I want to get rich quick. Also, you are not innovative or starting a company when you didn't create it yourself. Even if it is a legitimate MLM, the salesman or "team leaders" will take this company out because of their horrific sales pitches. Being angered when someone questions your company or your product usually means you yourself don't know what your marketing (or you question the legitimacy of your business). Finally, the company is NOT BBB approved, it says this as soon as you type in WAKEUPNOW BBB on any search forum and on the BBB website itself. This company will run its course and people...if you want to get "rich" quick, then you probably will never build sound wealth. Sound innovation for the consumer, along with foundational investments produce wealth. People who put down those who work 9-5 are just living in a fantasy when... we live in a country where those who are wealthy, generally break their backs to do so. Any innovator who has achieved monetary wealth(legally) in the United States most likely worked their ass off to get where they are(and stay where they are). If you truly feel that this is the get rich opportunity of a lifetime than go for it. But I can guarantee you will not keep that monetary flow because you are working in a company that relies on sales to other potential investors. This company alone has MAYBE 5% that achieve "wealth"? How are you supposed to achieve wealth if everyone around you, that you rely on to make sales, wont because they wont be as wealthy as you. A company cant work with the promise of getting wealthy to all its members, while all of the people want to get rich for themselves. That's ridiculous. But good luck to those involved, but to put down those who truly work hard, you know the 9-5 people (your relatives and friends im sure) and then want to sell them a get rich fallacy...I really worry for you. Don't make money your God, working hard and doing something you love is about helping others find their needs and expectations in life, not digging into their pockets constantly. Oh yeah I hear people talk about how NFL players and Soulja Boy are involved in WUN. Good for them Im sure Mike Tyson and MC Hammer are on their way to their website now. When Jay-Z, Leonardo Dicaprio, Justin Timberlake and other entertainers/ businessman get involved then let me know. WHEN IT FAILS AND YOU DO NEED A JOB IN MARKETING OR BUSINESS, PUT WAKEUPNOW TEAM LEADER ON YOUR RESUME. SEE WHO GETS THE JOB; YOU OR THE 9-5 "MORON"

For those who question the fact that WAKEUPNOW is not accredited, go onto the website of BBB it is in between the overview and the name of the company. BTW the fact that it is not accredited and has so many complaints doesn't look good for the future of the company.