posted June 09, 2003 01:49 PM
Well, at the risk of sounding like a smart butt...I avoided the whole scam thing all together by starting a biz with my own products. I knew that was the only way to be safe and truely be my own boss.
Unfortunately, not everyone has that advantage. I think each individual has to research the heck out of any potential opportunity. Find out info on the company, get references, talk to other reps, etc. NEVER jump on anything without doing your homework. If it sounds too good to be true...it just might be.
------------------ Jenn in PA AbundaScents
Wonderfully scented candles, soaps and bath goodies to fill your life with fragrance!
Offering affordable retail and wholesale pricing programs as well as fundraising opportunities.
Join my mailing list and be entered to win a FREE candle!
posted June 11, 2003 07:18 AM
I was nearly scammed by an eBay auction last month. I usually know better but their description was misleading and their feedback was great. I won the auction and paid for it and THEN received the email that "better explains" the deal I had just purchased.
I fired back a request for refund and told them I felt they were misleading and that it was a terrible scam. They refunded my money immediately, so I count myself blessed!
I learned my lesson. Don't just rely on feedback, ASK Questions until you fully understand what something is before you bid or buy. I could have lost $20 if the person had been a diehard scammer. I think he was more concerned about his feedback than my $20, thank God!
Kelly
------------------ Kelly http://www.thenewsiewriter.com http://www.usawahm.com
posted June 11, 2003 10:44 AM
Great question and a lesson I had to learn the hard way. My response is from the standpoint of responding to a "biz opp" ad. Nothing original here, but worth repeating.
As others mentioned, ask questions and not just of the person who's ad caught your eye. Any reputable biz person can put you in touch with their upline, sponsor, whatever term is used, as well as a corp customer service rep. If they are unwilling to take the time to fully address your concerns, run. May just be a bad sponsor, but often indicates the "opp" won't hold up under scrutiny.
If told that you'll make money without having to work, RUN.
Look for posts about the company on the boards, but filter extreme opinions, pro and con. Many legitimate companies have disgruntled ex-associates who malign them.
Check the company out with the BBB and state Attorney General's offices (where they are based and your's). No complaints may just mean they haven't surfaced on legal radar yet. Having a complaint is not necessarily bad, it being resolved to the consumer's satisfaction is the important factor.
Repeat these often while reading the ads, (as Jenn also said) "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" and "Never pay for a business opportunity"
The only exception to paying for anything is for a business kit. That would include company policy manual, necessary paperwork, training manual or maybe a selection of their products.
Look for a company that encourages you to have customers, not just distributors enrolling others to buy their monthly "auto-ship" purchase. No business will thrive without customers who would buy the products without a biz opp.
Most importantly , ask here...represented on these boards are years of experience, so if you are unsure, check out the boards, the archives and ask.
Deb
------------------ Request your Gift of Health: www.requestyourfreebz.com
posted June 11, 2003 10:53 AM
To make money on a biz opp, you have to sell products and/or services. If it looks like you are selling the biz opp then run!
Check on forums related to that business. ASK others what they think of the company.
Find out who is unhappy with the bus and WHY. It could happen to you.
quote:Originally posted by enjoyusana: I used the criteria below from articles I read and compiled from entrpreneur.com to make an informed decision before I picked a company. Hope it is helpful.
Wow! Excellent response - thanks very much for taking time to post it, enjoyusana.
My own answer is so much simpler, really, but the one thing above all others that has kept me out of trouble is -- a healthy skepticism. I read the "fine print" -- several times. And I save a copy, and re-read/compare it at regular intervals to look for changes. That way, it's easy to flag questions or concerns early on.
See? Told ya it was waaaay simple -- LOL, I'm almost ashamed to post after enjoyusana's terrific list of ideas!
p.s. this site just keeps on getting more helpful all the time to a lonely little WAHM -- thanks heaps!
[This message has been edited by farmwife (edited June 19, 2003).]
posted November 05, 2003 02:51 PM
The best way I've found to (initially) check out a business is to simply type the name into a search engine like Yahoo or Google. You'll get their website, of course, but you'll also get TONS of related articles from people who are on a forum such as this, on their own website, or whatever. Sometimes you'll even get news reports and stuff. Every company has at least 1 dissatisfied customer or disgruntal employee, but if you find more negative than positive, run!
posted November 23, 2003 06:25 AM
I use common sense. The company must be offering real products or services and they must at least have a real physical address and phone number that is actually answered when called. I avoid most of the mlm type businesses with no real products. There are far too many good opportunities from well established companies to bother about any new scams.
posted January 06, 2004 07:58 PM
If they ask for money, well you know the rest. I was ripped off by one of the best scams I have ever seen and even though I knew it was a scam I just had to see for myself, expensive lesson. I am still trying to get my money back. I talked to people, I still have the e-mail addresses the bricks and mortar address, the telephone numbers for every shill that they used and their names.
I turned them into the BBB in the city that they are operating out of and my case worker Evelyn informed me that since they are not responding to any of the calls that they made they would not be helping me again but they would be adding my complaint to a file.
I found a website that may or may not help someone that has been scammed, supposedly the fbi is running this for the sole purpose of stopping internet fraud. The website is http://www.ifccfbi.gov.
posted January 08, 2004 12:22 AM
I always recommend speaking to references. If it's an outside company that you want to become a rep for, ask to speak to a few people within the company and then do a Google search yourself.
And, make sure you have a good idea who you are speaking with. Ask the person what steps they took to build the business, etc. There's nothing worse than someone who signs up for a legitimate company thinking they are buying a lottery ticket. They do nothing and then quit saying "It's a scam!"
Go with your gut instinct and NEVER sign up for something that costs you without first having a conversation with the person promoting it.
Beware of websites with no REAL names or live phone numbers.
There are MANY great opportunities out there, so don't be afraid to research until you find your fit!
Please note: Any work at home or home business advice as well as the opinions expressed within WAHM.com forums and mailing lists are not necessarily those of WAHM.com. Any advice given by forum or mailing list participants is not endorsed by WAHM.com. By participating in these discussions, you agree to allow WAHM.com and its parent company Maricle Media, Inc. and its affiliates to use, reproduce, display and distribute your contributions, in any medium now existing or hereafter developed. Your personal information will not be sold or used by WAHM.com. Use of email addresses posted on these boards for the purpose of sending unsolicited email is prohibited.
posted June 09, 2003 10:46 AM
Kelly