Multi-Level Marketing Company Threatens Blogger Who Writes Critical Post

from the just-because-you-don't-like-it,-doesn't-mean-it's-illegal dept

Over and over and over again, we hear stories of companies that simply dislike what others are saying about them online, and send over threatening legal letters with no legal basis. These cease-and-desist letters are mostly designed to scare users into giving in, because there's no law against someone criticizing you or saying something bad about you (assuming it's not untrue). The latest, sent in by Davis Freeberg involves the Everyday Finance blog. The blogger there was approached by a company called "Shop to Earn," which offers a multi-level marketing (MLM) system. The blogger wrote a post about it, which Davis Freeberg describes as "well balanced," though the blogger explained the weaknesses of the system and why he chose not to participate.

So what happens? Yes, of course, Shop to Earn got upset and sent Everyday Finance a legal nasty-gram demanding the posts get taken down. As Everyday Finance notes, it's likely this had something to do with the fact that the posts had made it up the Google search results list. The blogger at Everyday Finance tried to adjust the post, taking out things like the phrase "fatal flaw," but Shop to Earn said that wasn't good enough and Everyday Finance needed to take down the entire site. This is, quite clearly, bullying through cease-and-desist. It's about trying to shut up a negative review of their business model because they didn't like what it said.

And, it appears that Shop to Earn isn't just focused on the blogger at Everyday Finance. The company has also sent cease-and-desist letters to other blogs, which were also extremely critical of Shop to Earn's program (though, that link is also quite well-balanced, pointing out the key flaws to Shop to Earn's program). Apparently, Shop to Earn seems to think that any review of its program that is negative is somehow libelous, and will threaten bloggers with legal action. What it may quickly learn is that (a) someone giving you a negative review and pointing out the obvious flaws of your program is not defamation and (b) trying to threaten bloggers into taking down their site will simply call much more attention to all of those negative reviews.
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Filed Under: cease and desist, defamation, everyday finance, mlm, multi-level marketing, streisand effect
Companies: shop to earn


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  1. icon
    Brent J. Craig (profile), 16 Jul 2008 @ 2:37pm

    Those were NOT cease and desist letters - they were cease and desist EMAILS.

    Why do people give these emails any sort of credibility at all? Email, besides being a completely insecure medium, is also very easy to forge.

    I have my server configured to respond to legal-looking emails with a message that email is not an appropriate way to deliver legal notices, that the message has been deleted without being read by a human, and that they are welcome to send a certified letter to my registered address if they are certain that their request is lawful and appropriate.

    Make the slappers at least do some real work if they want to terrorize you!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Reader, 16 Jul 2008 @ 3:45pm

    "Make the slappers at least do some real work if they want to terrorize you!"

    I like the way you think!!!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Shop To Earn is a Scam?, 16 Jul 2008 @ 3:51pm

    Is Shop to Earn a scam?

    Sorry but I just have to add that subject line since a google search shows that to be the biggest propaganda phrase.

    I heard Shop to Earn is a scam Who knows but they suck as a company if they can't take some simple criticism without legal threats.

    Someone might say that Shop to Earn is a scam and they could possibly, however minuscule the chance, be wrong, or Shop to Earn might just have a "fatal flaw" that they can't compete without an attorney.

    How's that do you guys at STE? Them google ratings are gonna catch up to bite you in the ass as will the Streisand Effect.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Jul 2008 @ 5:50pm

    Shop to Earn is a scam

    Sue me!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 16 Jul 2008 @ 6:35pm

    They could just not open the emails like the Bush Administration.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Tracy Coenen, 16 Jul 2008 @ 6:53pm

    Thanks for your support!

    Thank you for writing about this issue, and for those who responded to it in favor of the original blogger, Everyday Finance.

    I agree that email isn't really the "right" way to send a legal notice, but it was a threat and I do believe the emails really came from Gerald Nehra (who does represent STE).

    Nehra's point was clear: Use the easiest possible method to bully bloggers to get the desired outcome. And for many bloggers, this tactic works. That's why I think it's so important to stand up to it.

    Hopefully, lawyers will think twice before doing things like this in the future. And if they still do it, I hope that bloggers will read our posts and learn that they don't have to give in to these scare tactics.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    FiveAcres, 16 Jul 2008 @ 6:54pm

    Article at Pink Truth site

    Pink Truth, an expose site for the Mary Kay Cosmetics MLM plan, has an article on this scam.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Everyday Finance, 16 Jul 2008 @ 7:43pm

    Thanks for the Support from Everyday Finance!

    I'm really grateful for the outpouring of support that has begun as a result of this ridiculous chain of events. I contacted Tracy at Fraud Files (commented above) and she really used some innovative and gutsy measures to highlight this issue while taking on STE on her site as well.

    The silencing of critics via these tactics could have a severe impact on the consumer experience in America, as many Google search results land you on a biased sales-pitch related site. It's important to have balanced/critical reviews out there.

    So, thanks for your support and please forward, bookmark, post about this; do whatever you can to raise the awareness of this issue.

    Dan at EverydayFinance

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Continuously Variable Transmission, 16 Jul 2008 @ 8:48pm

    Your always going to have critics. The best thing you can do is take the critisism from a "non-customer" and use it to make your company better.

    Going around banging the a Lawsuit Gong just makes you into a bully, and no one likes to do business with a bully.

    This all reminds me of the Al Yankcovic song "I'm gonna sue ya!"

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    Franssu, 17 Jul 2008 @ 8:21am

    How is multilevel marketing still legal ? It's just a nice name for Ponzi-style pyramid scams.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Danny, 17 Jul 2008 @ 9:33am

    cause and effect

    AC: "Shop to Earn is a scam"

    Shop-to-Earn, meet Barbara Streisand;
    Babs, let them know what to expect.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 17 Jul 2008 @ 12:05pm

    Re: MLM being legal

    There are (or at least used to be) a few legitimate MLM schemes--where most of the income comes from actual sales to customers, and the compensation for recruiting people to work under you is relatively incidental. Those are legal. It's when most of a participant's income comes from recruiting other suckers that it turns into an illegal pyramid scheme.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    Rod Cook, 22 Jul 2008 @ 2:03am

    The Oldest Blog Attacking Scams - How To

    To any blogger attacking any company in this Litigious society they can expect to be sued. That is also the right of the offended. Here is how I have look at it despite LLC's, trusts and every other legal block.. A serious blogger trying to get the truth out has to have a plan. I suggest a budget of: 1. $30,000 to move the case to Federal Court 2. $30,000 to file a counter suit (I control those depositions) 3. $100,000 to for depo's (above) calling witness (airfare), expert witnesses (we are going to do jury trial... so this is economy. As the http://mlmwatchdog.com (started in print magazine I published starting in 1993 and web blogg in 1998. That works. Also the Equinox Scam (on 20/20 triggered FTC Hit) we attacked not only attracted a lawsuit but some bullets. Also Attacking the Global Prosperity Scam got bullet holes in the back of my Mercedes convertible whilst driving down the Interstate. All of these scams have NUT CASES attached to them so I also (no kidding) recommend a concealed carry permit for at least a 15 shot stainless 9mm and 2 extra magazines. In my office I have an interesting arms collection.. all loaded. If you read the MLM Watchdog you will see why. If you think I am B.s.ing you subscribe to my news letter my 600 reporters come up with some goodies! And yes there are a lot of good MLM's. Oh yes that leads me to http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/MLM_DUE_DILIGENCE.html and I will shut up! Sorry I got on a rant... Rod Cook MLM WatchDog

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. identicon
    perfect4U and One-Vision, 27 Jul 2008 @ 8:34am

    Legal bullshit

    Perfect4U and One-Vision is the worst pyramid scam out there!

    They love to bluster about suing anyone who is critical to them.

    These threats are as good as their product: - ALL HOT AIR

    Even their company lawyers recently abandoned them anyway!

    So if ever Mr Robert Fitzpatrick of Perfect4U rants about suing anyone - just say "Bring it on Buddy"

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    Purely Conscious, 12 Aug 2008 @ 2:20pm

    Banned from Post

    Folks...Last week I posted on a Blog site posting info and rebuttal on this company, Shop to Earn. Having no this which way or not, for or against Shop to Earn specifically, I merely shared some insight about making choices. I considered my post harmless to either party, just merely stated how people's choice to make decisions, (just as the host's claims defending free speech) is EXACTLY that! Being 'informed' is definitely beneficial, but not ALWAYS from those who have not had the life experience.

    Words don't teach, life experience does. However, I also can 'accept' someone else's 'opinion' without having to agree or berate someone else. My choices are my choices and just because it either didn't work for someone else, or someone else even had a bad experience, you know what to look for and they educated you further. But the choice remains your own. (If you can effectively think independently)

    I've witnessed comebacks on behalf of the Blog hosts display nothing but crude and prejudicial remarks on whether the poster spells 'correctly' or 'guestimates' their level of education, which to me, amplifies the prejudicial exclusion of more than half the human race. Not being great at typing is hardly a reason for crucifixion. (did I spell that right?)

    In any event, without going off topic... Yes blog hosts can choose which information is appearing on their site, which to me indicates a 'scam ' in itself, as they are refusing the one thing they indeed clarify their reason for their words justified. (Free Speech) As far as this attorney goes, he did simply what is recommended to do to simply interrupt unwanted behavior. You must put it in writing, and that, he did. And according to our US government, it is legal and binding proof of communication. An actual threat? Hardly. Simply documentation of conversation.

    Simply stated, when this blog host deleted my post and posts on questions why it was deleted, they essentially exercised the same thing. If a blog is supposed to 'inform' people, it should present both sides and not be prejudice to the other. Can this be an ego issue?.

    Those that wish to participate in blogs where the host's purpose and mission is to 'inform', they should stick to the facts. Those that throw knives and cut things up without ever having had the 'taste test', can rarely have credibility with what they are talking about. There are many blogs out there that serve different purposes...this one clearly does not offer the chance for 'everyone's' comments, other than the host themselves. It should simply state: "Comments from those I choose"

    For those that are interested...read my post that was deleted. And make up your own minds. (fancy that!) Either way, I appreciate criticisms as well as agreement. There is inherent value in both. If not, that's ok too...I won't lose any sleep over it. My intentions get out there everyday without the help of others.

    Perception is everything...but don't take my word for it.

    MY POST:

    >Hi there...

    I came upon your site because I Googled shoptoearn to find a friend's STE site. I think it was the word 'sucks' in the title of this blog that caught my attention. Quite good psychological advertising on the part of the blog host! Naturally, as most, we are conditioned to fix on the negative.
    So I'd just like to share some insight. There are a lot of opinions and perspectives here, both for and against STE and MLMs in general. I don't judge either way. Such as the world turns. Without the duality and diversity, we would cease to be. Its just the way contrast serves us all.

    Without the negative, there could be no birth of the positive. But what I have experienced in reading these posts and being an 'informed' Universal Law Expert, (goes beyond MLMs I'm afraid, but inclusive), is that some people here are attracting exactly what they are focused on. If you look for the negative in something, you will no doubt find it. Same goes for the positive.

    And whatever direction you are focused, expands. That's why I find sites like these and statistics so amusing, yet useful. You get exactly what you are looking for. If you think about it, typical decision making is taking pros and cons, weighing them out and hopefully, choosing the right direction. Trouble is, most of us spend our time still focused on the negative, even when we find something positive. We start to scrutinize every little detail until we've lost the bigger picture.

    Our biggest detriment to ourselves is how we most often rely on the opinions of others, taking away from our own natural guidance. The most important part is that it should come from yourself, not a consensus of what everyone thinks. So many of us live our lives thinking we have to live up to some set of rules or standards outside ourselves. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have an internal guidance system of our own that can steer our own direction, if we only listened to it.

    So much time spent looking for more validation for each cause. So much judgment thrashing about. If we could just take a moment, take a breath and realize the energy expended on being righteous, wanting to be right, reacting, judging and defending could be far more useful if we'd just pay attention to where we want to go. If you just followed your own voice, you'd all be much happier in your experiences. Realize that there is tremendous value in diversity, but another's point of view is irrelevant if you focus in the direction you, yourself want to go.

    Some think it is their duty to warn people of the dangers and all the things that could go wrong. (Much like our western medicine, mass media, education, politics, etc.), and their intentions can be well meaning and in some cases it serves us well. But to remain there is in one's own insecurity that fosters the negativity, while they try to get others to join them. But what they don't realize is that in focusing in all that negativity, they'll remain there.

    Some seem like they have thumbs down, then turn them up and down again because a negative thought has infiltrated them from something they heard from somewhere else., but still look for validation because they find it difficult to listen and trust themselves to do anything without some outside validation. Give me a reason this, give me a reason that....until eventually, they talk themselves out of something they truly wanted or wanted to experience. Yes, it is all part of the learning process. But words and opinions don't teach. Its life experience that teaches. And each life is free to choose its direction.

    Others move ahead and find all the positives they can reach for, despite the seeming obstacles that lay in front of them. Who is more powerful? The ones that feel good while doing what they do. Because nothing matters more than the way they feel.

    I have been in several MLMs over the past 30 years; each of them held tremendous value for me and others. Both the good and the bad. No one could judge those experiences other than ourselves having lived through them. I appreciate every step I took and every fall I had. The positives far outweighed the negatives just in the experiences I lived...and sometimes I made decent money, other times not. But I received far more than that, I learned a lot, enjoyed my life and was surrounded by people that enjoyed theirs.

    So, If you choose to join an MLM or join a corporate structure, do so because you are aligned with what makes you feel good. If others think what you do is not a good thing, it is their problem, not yours. You were not born to serve them, nor them to serve you. If something doesn't feel right to you, make sure it is you that is feeling it, and not someone else that put it there.

    Each of us has an inherent gifted talent and it is up to no one but each of us to decide to use it. No one is holding you accountable for using it or not . You're inner being won't join you in one negative thought, what makes you think that you were put here to prove anything to anyone?

    Nothing stays the same forever, so live your lives the way you intend. Jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride, if you so wish to live your lives to the fullest, OR stay stagnant in the negativity that will bring you down each and every time. Its Universal Law.

    And for you positive folks out there...this site serves its purpose and is valuable. Negativity can only make you stronger in your positivity because the minute you touch it, you've created a stronger, better reason to breed more positivity. And it will serve you to breed more and live it.

    Tracy - if you love what you do, continue...there will always be an audience you are serving and attracting for wherever people choose to be. Everyone else, realize no one can deter you from where you are determined to go. Prosperity has many different meanings for many different people. But there is more than enough to go around for everyone.

    In closing, I want to say I appreciated reading these posts and have expanded as a human being just by being here in the moment with you folks.

    Thank you each and every one of you.

    P.S. I wanted to check out STE for my cousin who has had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 5. He is now 32 and nearly crippled. But he is looking for an opportunity to help others...help them focus on their strengths and talents to be the best they can be, and to excel and live prosperous lives. He loves talking to people and using the computer. He's on the right track and suffers not. But like each one of us, he wants to make a difference. One known benefit about STE; They will not judge him based on his condition or seeming limitations. I would never tell him STE wasn't the way to go. He is focused on what he wants, he will look for alignment there, find it, or not. But I assure you, he will make up his own mind. That's the best gift anyone could have given me.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    J. Noe, 12 Aug 2008 @ 7:34pm

    Shop To Earn

    You write that it's wrong for STE to go after blogs that say negative things about the company. Well, why is it any different when you write a paragraph defending the format of the company and it mysteriously gets deleted in 5 minutes. That is what happened to me. Many of the facts are twisted on some of these sites or even outright false. Either you have to allow both sides of the argument or none at all.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    Ron, 15 Aug 2008 @ 11:37am

    Great FREE Alternative that is easy to do

    A good FREE alternative to all of this is Big Crumbs at http://www.bigcrumbs.com/crumbs/frontpage.jsp?r=moneyforschool

    Big Crumbs is a free service that pays you the highest overall cash back available at eBay and 277 popular retailers. You can earn even more cash with their powerful FREE referral program.

    Here's a little more detail:

    Just take a minute to join. It's secure, fast and free.
    Use their links to visit featured merchants and shop as usual.
    You earn cash on each purchase! They keep track and you can check your account online. Each month, they send you a Paypal payment for your accumulated cash back.

    That's all there is to saving with BigCrumbs. They don't need your credit cards, bank accounts etc. Go ahead and try it. It's FREE. This is also a great painless way for organizations to raise money from their membership by shopping.
    Please visit:
    http://www.bigcrumbs.com/crumbs/frontpage.jsp?r=moneyforschool to join.

    Their members have already earned cash back on millions of dollars in purchases.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    KLFL, 19 Aug 2008 @ 10:44pm

    www.Perfect4u.com and www.one-vision.com

    I know the conmen behind these scam companies and they love threatening to sue people.

    This from criminals who have no respect for the law, both Fitzpatrick and Singh are banned from running companies in England for 12 years.

    Singh is also banned from entering the US. (go figure it out for yourself)

    It is true that their lawyers in Gibraltar recently gave up on them - This will not stop them using their name in threatening legal action though.

    Like many of the big names they claim to have associated with their business. It is all false...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. identicon
    S J P, 19 Sep 2008 @ 12:47pm

    Perfect4U.com and One-Vision.com ponzi fraud

    Wow, I was researching http://www.perfect4u.com and http://www.one-vision.com (plus all the other names they used) for my business law degree and they are truly awful.

    Have the leaders finally been indited? They will be facing long terms for:

    Not correctly registered as a company internationally.

    Operating illegally, without licence, when banned from Gibraltar.

    Using proceeds of crimes (previous failed companies) to set up these companies.

    Not declearing their true business model when opening up in various states. (there are 26 US states that would not allow them anyway) but bet they have been daft enough.

    Money laundering charges, both in the past and currently.

    Fraudulant advertising claims.

    Mr Fitzpatrick and Mr Singh, both in violation of their disqualified directorship bans in the UK.

    No business address on the websites.

    Plus numerous vilaltions of pyramid selling laws, despite how they try to dress it up (deceipt)

    Finally our government seems to be acting strongly against pyramid / ponzi scams and other white collar crime in general.

    Were they arrested in UK? Should not be a problem with current extradition treaties.

    I will try to find out more, we have spoken to many victims worldwide and there are many more, but most are too embarressed to admit they were brainwashed and conned.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. identicon
    Ava Drake, 24 Sep 2008 @ 5:27pm

    lol

    I'm on the "tour" phone call right now! A co-worker dragged me onto this and it's all I can do not to laugh out loud at this guy from the company. Politeness to my co-worker will have me finish the call.....and I'm sorry to all those who were desperate or stupid enough to fall for this line of sale but if anyone reading this is curious, by all means listen to the tour, within two minutes if you don't realise it's a scheme you have my deepest sympathies.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. identicon
    Mario Ramos, 26 Sep 2008 @ 11:27am

    www.One-Vision.com ponzi fraud

    A recent history of this scheme, that potential victims need to be aware about...

    June 08 Closed down on the internet (Perfect4ucashback site)....
    http://www.perfect4ucashback.com/

    May 08 Closed down in Gibraltar...
    http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/columnists/article.html?in_article_id=440837&in_page_id=19&a mp;in_author_id=5

    April 08 Closed down in the UK... http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/news/columnists/article.html?in_article_id=440571&in_page_id=19& ;in_author_id=5

    Dec 07 Closed down in Ghana and Nigeria.....(Vision marketing)...
    http://offshorecashcard.com/visionmarketingafrica/

    Oct 07 Closed down in Sweden...
    (Fitzpatrick and Singh steal money from the accounts, more info to follow)

    Sept 07 Closed down in Botswana...
    http://www.sundaystandard.info/search/search_item.php?NewsID=1969

    May 07 Closed down in South Africa...
    http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=79&art_id=vn20060715080339293C972830&set_ id=1

    The list goes back on back to the mid 1990s.....

    and now

    Now closing down in North America....

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. identicon
    Anonymous Coward #2, 6 Oct 2008 @ 10:18am

    Yeah!!!! sue me too

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. identicon
    Dustin Jones, 21 Oct 2008 @ 8:45am

    LOL LAWYERS

    LOL look at all these people pretending to be lawyers.

    MY PERSONAL OPINION IS ALL MLM IS A SCAM!

    Shop to earn is no different.

    If you have business savvy, you might succeed. ..but then again you would at many other money making opportunities.

    STE has a SHORT term payment structure. Passive income long term is really not what it's made for but can be achieved.

    How about this LAWYERS ...ill take my $30,000 ...smile on it and you can have it over my dead body when your MLM pyramid crumbles!

    They're all the same, 90%+ will never make it happen, a few % of people will. The guy who made it, the fake posters on this form and others who "promote" STE are all making money so don't let them bully is.

    These are all my PERSONAL opinions, but I think STE is interesting, but MOST OF YOU WILL FAIL!!!! The ones who wont are usually already successful or have that business savvy that it takes and VERY FEW ...let me say again ..>VERY FEW ...who comes from the pits make it to the top or even make enough to pay their bills.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. identicon
    Love my MLMs, 7 Nov 2008 @ 6:01pm

    Not everyone can be successful at everything

    I have read with interest the many posts and I felt compelled to jump in...

    It always strikes me as odd when people ask if something is a "Get Rich Quick Scheme" but then complain when they don't get rich! I think it is a great program taken at face value to SAVE and EARN.

    The reason it is so upsetting when you trash a company is because your opinion is often read as fact by others and that makes it harder for them to weigh FACTS.

    I have been involved with an MLM for ten years. I have a team of over 400 people all over the country. More than 1500 have passed through over the years. Some have been enormously successful - others not at all.

    What I have found is that the level of your success is directly related to your efforts. I quickly replaced my full time salary working outside my home in an MLM only one day per week. Yes! I worked hours and hours at home! BUT...I was able to stay home with my children and work the hours I chose.

    Those who were unsuccessful had MANY excuses...I have learned that some people make money and others make excuses. The people who succeeded often had two jobs and lots of kids or another story of some kind but they managed to succeed anyway. When asked about their experience with the company, they say "OH...THAT DOESN'T WORK"

    I have seen MLM change MANY people's lives for the better, including mine! I bought a vacation home for my family and had lots of disposable income for the fun extras we enjoyed.

    To just discount MLM because YOU cannot succeed at it is ridiculous! I couldn't be a doctor because I'm not trained to do it! I couldn't do a lot of other jobs because my personality is not suited to it!

    Those who understand e-commerce and mult-level marketing see very clearly why this business model is successful. It is not that complicated. I've been involved with STE for only 6 weeks and already have over 50 enjoying the benefits. I have saved a couple hundred dollars on products I was buying in the stores anyway! Many people have already thanked me for getting them involved because they too have begun to SAVE money and EARN money!

    Again....MLM has many benefits besides the financial - including lifelong friendships, increased self-confidence among others.

    Just my two cents.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. Shop to Earn, Shop to Earth - Shop until you Drop

    There's a quick way to see ALL the participating retailers on Shop to Earn's web site: http://www.shoptoearn.net/cgi-bin/genesis.exe/Retailers.html

    I have a friend who joined and tried to get me to join, but one reason I didn't was because of an old story I remembered about the guy who invented checkers and presented it to a king. The king loved the game so much he wanted to reward the guy who "only" asked him to put one penny on the first square, two pennies on the second square, four pennies on the third square... which the king immediately agreed to... that is, until the court treasurer tried to fulfill the task and found that the kings treasure was gone before reaching the 64th square.

    This Shop to Earn relies upon each person finding two legs - people signed up underneath him, and in turn, those two must find two each, signed up underneath them - all the way down the line. In the end a whole LOT of people are going to be rather unhappy.

    When I found that link to all the retailers it was in hopes I could at least do some buying to help my friend meet his monthly $100 buying quota that he must meet each month. Unfortunately there is not much amongst those 52 pages of merchants that I want to buy. Coffee Cup Software? I own almost all of their products already. Auditions dance shoes? I don't dance. Becker Surfboards? Sorry. Chocolate Sauce? ...actually, lots of the sites would probably appeal to a young, upwardly mobile crowd with still lots to buy and good earnings.

    Those who are members with sites and who have sold sites are known as "brokers" - but that means that they also have to find people willing to buy from their sites and so do the people they have sold sites to (the sites aren't really sites, just referral links to the portion of Shop to Earn's main site that they have signed up under to do referral sales). But there just isn't that much I need, and most of the companies featured aren't known to me. Recent college grads are being paid $8.50 an hour and still have to pay off student loans while credit is tight. I'm originally from NYC and while there may be a lot of money makers there and in the "other" big cities willing to try and buy from these vendors online - NYC's streets are already packed with a multitude of conveniently located shops already selling most of the same stuff. With a structure like this there are bound to be millions who will be hurt by it at the lower levels, and whether it's compared to AmWay or any other type of MLM scheme - what busy professional really has time to take time away from his or her business to set up recruiting meetings and make hard sell sales referral calls? Dynamic, extroverted, popular sales oriented personalities are needed all the way down the line to keep this moving - but face it, in the real world the majority of us just aren't that kind of people. Once the go-getters have only lame, agreeable couch potatoes to sell web site subscriptions to the whole thing collapses because the lamers won't get off their butts and sell, and they have no influence because they're virtual unknowns sitting in front of their TV sets all day doing nothing.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. Re: Cease and Desist Emails

    I like this line added by a lawyer to all of his emails just below his signature:

    PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 21 OF THE CPLR, SENDER DOES NOT CONSENT, AND HEREBY RESCINDS ANY CONSENT GIVEN OR IMPLIED, TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OR PAPERS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. identicon
    dawn, 14 Dec 2008 @ 10:25pm

    MLM LEADERS WANTED NOW!

    Highest Paying Binary Worldwide is changing people’s lives daily. Huge Expansion happening currently. So what are you waiting for? Get started now and Invest in your future today!
    Email: dawnfd@live.com
    Skpye ID: dawnfd
    Phone: +441494670806
    SMS: +447860952974

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. identicon
    Raphael Machin, 15 Dec 2008 @ 8:09am

    ShoptoEarn cancel policy!!!

    Problem History: 12/15/2008 10:33:00 AM / CUS I want to know if I can received a complete refund or part of it from canceled my account, I tried several times to find somebody to join my business and I find none. Let me know how you can help me. Thanks. This is the respond of ShoptoEarn customer service: 12/15/2008 10:38:58 AM / JCJ Raphael- Per the Terms & Policies agreed to upon enrollment in ShopToEarn, there is a 14-day cancellation/refund policy. “I am entitled to cancel this Agreement at any time and for any reason with written notice to the Company. The Company agrees to refund in full from a resigning or terminating Business Builder(Independent Contractor) the Business Builder website purchased by the Business Builder(Independent Contractor) from the Company within 14 days, which is also known as the 14 day Right to Cancel.” You enrolled and agreed to these terms on 10/19/08 thus creating an opt-out deadline of 11/2/08. Since you are past the 14-day deadline, and we have posted the $100 Training/Referral bonus and 200 points up-line, we are unable to refund your account at this time. Please inform us if you still wish to have your website turned off. This kind of business is good for some people, but for me was a waste of money, be very careful or you can lose your money in the same way I did. From this point I don't recommend this business to anyone. By the way I'm a real affiliate, my ID is REMACH and I have have 3 months in the company. I'm going to copy this info in all the blog I find about this company. Thanks, STE Support.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. identicon
    Scamming Bitch, 17 Dec 2008 @ 12:36pm

    Dawn,

    What happened to Perfect4u or One-Vision or what ever your calling it now - is this the same scam, just another name used like b4?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. identicon
    Marc, 19 Dec 2008 @ 2:12pm

    Good for you

    These BOZO lawyers don't have a leg to stand on. You don't have to take anything down or even revise anything unlessitis not true. You can even post your story on badbusinessalert.com for free. It will stay there for ever!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    Not a fan of Shop To Scam, 27 Dec 2008 @ 11:24pm

    Shop to Earn

    Shop to Earn is a blatant pyramid and bogus "business."

    Someone please help me if I hear another cheesy STE sales pitch or ridiculous, factless justification of its practices from those who have swigged the KoolAid!

    Kudos to the posts that have pointed out what's wrong and and fraudulent about STE and the lowbrow antics of their lawyer and leaders (aka:everything).

    Being sucked into something like ShopToEarn is dependent on a pawn’s utter lack of critical thinking and common sense. The disinterest in truth that is required to waste one’s time and squander one’s principles for the sake of a pyramid scheme like Shop To Earn is both baffling and dangerous. Oh, and obviously, sleazy, too.

    The best thing to do, IMO, is to avoid STE like you would exposing yourself to an oozing, pussy STD.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 27 Dec 2008 @ 11:31pm

    shop to earn

    Shop to Earn is a blatant pyramid and bogus "business."

    Someone please help me if I hear another cheesy STE sales pitch or ridiculous, factless justification of its practices from those who have swigged the KoolAid!

    Kudos to the posts that have pointed out what's wrong and and fraudulent about STE and the lowbrow antics of their lawyer and leaders (aka:everything).

    Being sucked into something like ShopToEarn is dependent on a pawn’s utter lack of critical thinking and common sense. The disinterest in truth that is required to waste one’s time and squander one’s principles for the sake of a pyramid scheme like Shop To Earn is both baffling and dangerous. Oh, and obviously, sleazy, too.

    The best thing to do, IMO, is to avoid STE like you would exposing yourself to an oozing STD.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. identicon
    Lm, 30 Dec 2008 @ 11:44am

    Re: Banned from Post

    Thank you. What a breath of fresh air. Finally someone with a positive,uplifting point of view.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    Pat Martin, 31 Dec 2008 @ 4:26am

    MLM Genealogy Leads

    Thanks for posting such a useful and informative
    article. It is surely gonna benefit
    a lot of people.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. identicon
    jennifer, 19 Jan 2009 @ 4:19am

    shop to earn

    The reason he was going to be sued is because he was giving false information about the company. We've been in this company for several months now and our left side just "exploded" making it seem impossible for the right to ever catch up with the 1/3 of points we needed to be balanced. The truth is that they don't have to be balanced but rather just have some from each side. So if I have 8200 points on one side and 200 on my other...I'd receive $50.00 and then they subtract points so that I now have 7800 on one side and 0 on the other and then you start accumulating again. That was his supposed FLAW with the business but it simply just isn't so.

    Best of luck, Jennifer

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. identicon
    Michael, 29 Jan 2009 @ 12:04am

    My experiences...

    I have been involved with STE for a little less than two months. I can't speak for long term success but I can speak of my status so far. I made my investment back within 3 weeks and have profited quite a bit more since then. If you ask me, the time and efforts I've put into the company have paid off grandly. I think people need to stop arguing over the he said she said crap and research the company's platform for yourself. I've gotten the opportunity to meet Pat Welsh and the others running the company and can say my experience was positive and extremely genuine. What many bloggers don't realize is by defaming the company they are hurting each and every employee's credibility. STE is only looking after their employees and those unaware of their platform; so those non credible, inaccurate posts don't become obstacles to opportunities. I really hope after reading this you all will think twice about believing everything you see and hear - acculturation can be detrimental.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. identicon
    Lost a friend, 30 Jan 2009 @ 2:56pm

    Re: Shop to Earn

    Sorry Anonymous Coward but could not figure out to leave a comment other than replying to others. Yours fits great for my complaint.

    A friend I have know for over 30 years just killed himself because of the Shop to Earn scam. He was an intelligent man just trying to make ends meet after he lost over $1 million in real estate investments.

    Try to sue me because STE killed my friend. Assholes

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. identicon
    Hussein Assaad, 7 Feb 2009 @ 10:54am

    Difference Between "MLM Scheme" And "Custom MLM"

    hey all
    multi level marketing is a pyramid scheme
    but it can be true without any schemes
    when multi level marketing considered as a pyramid with unlimited persons so, the pyramid system will fail
    for ex: 2 make 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024 .....etc the number of persones will reach all the persons in the world
    by another side when multi level marketing considered as a pyramid with limited person and imited level so, the system success
    for ex: 2 make 4 8 16 32 64 128 256 512 1024 and then the tree will stop i mean all the persons after 1024 (Level 10) the person he had make 1024 didn't take commission on the persons 1025 1026 1027 etc
    so, he take commissions from (level 0) to (level 10) and here is the detais:
    you Level 0
    2 persons Level 1
    4 persons Level 2
    8 persons Level 3
    16 persons Level 4
    32 persons Level 5
    64 persons Level 6
    128 persons Level 7
    256 persons Level 8
    512 persons Level 9
    1024 Persons Level 10
    ---------------------------------
    2048 Persons Level 11

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. identicon
    Steve, 8 Feb 2009 @ 5:59pm

    Shop to Earth Scam

    Shop to Earth is Scam. Plain and Simple. Lets see how long they last in these tough economic times.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. identicon
    Hank Underhill, 25 Feb 2010 @ 10:43am

    be careful

    The guy who runs shop to earn loves to lie adn take people's money. He's run a bunch of pyramid schemes, but he must be smart cause he's never been arrested. Buyer beware

    link to this | view in thread ]


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