BS: ACN Pyramid scheme?

Subject: RE: BS: ANC Pyramid scheme?
From: GUEST,almstsckdin
Date: 10 Mar 09 - 02:09 AM

I went to one of these high sleek presentations tonight. They are all honest trustworthy souls who u really want to believe. But it is my feeling that they are in way over thier heads, the hi end sales pitch made me realize that I don't want to work as hard as they are to make the money thy spoke of. With the only real marketing tool of a video phone that u pay $100 dollars for and $30 a month. I believe Ichat came free w my mac computer. I only have 3 words for this pyramid ...
Scam scam scam

Subject: RE: BS: ANC Pyramid scheme?
From: Alice
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 10:52 AM

When I was working with people who were coming out of cults, it also opened my eyes to all the other types of "cultic" groups out there that use some form of deception (hyping up the money you may make) and control (getting you so emotionally involved you can't see the business objectively), and found that there are many, many claims against Amway and other types of multi-level or so called networking schemes.

Here is a good basic page on multi-level or network marketing and what is wrong with it.
What's Wrong With Multi-Level Marketing?

Subject: RE: BS: ANC Pyramid scheme?
From: artbrooks
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 09:13 AM

The telephone and internet company, right?

This from 419legal.org:

ACN is a telecommunications company that provides services such as internet, long distance and local phone calls, and digital phone services. There doesn't seem to be anything substantially wrong with their products, but the company structure is designed as multi level marketing organization; or in other words, a legalized pyramid scheme.

As an ACN representative one is encouraged to recruit family and friends over cold calling or selling, which is a marketing scheme unlike other businesses. Additionally one is required to pay a renewal fee every year, and $10+ per month in other fees, as well as a fee for the marketing kit and the payment of any bills that aren't paid by customers that they've signed up.

Businesses like this are designed to make more money from their employees than actual customers. It isn't illegal, but it's a ethically questionable and an unsound business decision for would-be sales representatives.

I worked for a guy once who had a Shaklee distributorship, which is much the same kind of marketing. He was very upfront that one couldn't make money with it unless, as Spaw says, you get sup-contractors who have sub-contractors...etc. His pitch was that being a distributor got you good discounts.

Subject: RE: BS: ANC Pyramid scheme?
From: s&r
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 07:47 AM

Thanks Spaw - must say that I feel the same. Just spoke to her with my reservations, but she doesn't think there's a problem.

You can't stop them doing daft things once they're adult. I did give her a list of questions to ask...

Could some Mudelf change the title to ACN please

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: ANC Pyramid scheme?
From: catspaw49
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 06:31 AM

The company is ACN ...... (;<))

Sorry Stu, but while I have no direct knowledge, just like you I spent a few minutes on the net. This is a scam. Sorry......But it is just a classic kind of pyramid and even their "product" is outdated. They have all the classic lines about selling to friends, no cold calls, and building your own network team. Even a quick look at the payment/commission structure will show that you need to get 7 or 8 layers deep before you make anything!!! No one entering the program will get anywhere close to that.......if they make a third paying level it would be a miracle.......and STILL NO MONEY RETURN.

I don't know the laws there but see if she can contact a local agency dealing in these scams. She's probably out her money but she can take a piece out of their ass and make it better for the next young and naive person to come along.

Spaw

Subject: BS: ANC Pyramid scheme?
From: s&r
Date: 10 Jan 09 - 04:59 AM

My daughter in Ireland has just paid £400.00 to become a representative for this company. The stuff on the Web about them doesn't fill me with hope. Anyone got any knowledge of this?

Stu