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Willprospector
Anonymous
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2009 19:56
Reply
Can you still stay as a Gold Ambassador with Shaklee but not
be in the Streamline Funnel System?
I will call Shaklee to ask them. I want to buy Shaklee products that are tremendous and can't be found anywhere else, such as Vivix
and Nutriferon and sell these but just not ave to pay for SFS.
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FreeCashMan
Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 266
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2009 20:03
Reply
U sure can. The business are not related or directly connected at all.
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docthom
Member
Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 24 Oct 2009 14:00
Reply
OK Everyone, Honestly if you want to get involved in make a little money on the internet like a hobby where d you go! I could careless about making millions. Can someone give me a little lead?
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Greg
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birddog
Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 26 Oct 2009 17:48
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First of all, you can count on most any program run by Paul Birdsall and Joel Broughton to turn out to be a scam. I have read the post in this thread and figured out that you guys are just going about it all wrong. The first few years that I started out online, I must have spent several thousand bucks.
And Yes Warrantiesforless, Most of all of theese systems are scams. Even though some people make good money, 90% of them don't.
I finally met a guy that took me in the right direction and I haven't touched one of your systems since.
On the subject of Joint Ventures, yes they work well. But I can build a list of 5,000 people over the weekend, so I don't do it very often.
I just found this work at home forum, and hopefully I can help a lot of people out here in the near future.
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birddog
Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 26 Oct 2009 17:57
Reply
I did some digging for you in my mastermind group. And here is some info for you. Hope this helps.
Dear Birddog,
My name is Karl Airey.
I am the EX designer of My Partners In Profit
and Streamline Funnel System, and now, just
another poor shmuck who got taken for a ride.
The owner of SFS decided I was making too much
'noise' I guess.
You see... I KNEW there was a major secret here.
I KNEW something wasn't right.
I KNEW people were being lied to and hurt.
When I voiced these concerns, they retaliated.
To find out more about this disgraceful company
log in to SFS, or please click on the link below:
http://www.karlairey.com
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Simon
Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 26 Oct 2009 20:57
Reply
You people whining about paying $40 instead of $9.95 need to get real.
You'll need to invest a LOT more than that in a business before you become successful. Want to make money? Find an opportunity that your $40 brings you $45, then spend $4000 a DAY on it.
That's how you succeed in the lead buying biz.
Simon
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Willprospector
Anonymous
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# Posted: 27 Oct 2009 00:35
Reply
The SFS is down for maintenance tonight.I have developed an alternative because I love Shaklee's products. Can I put a link in
this post or will I be thrown out of the forum for spamming or something? I wanted to show you the optin page I wrote:
you have 3 choices.
Also,everyone who is stil in should write and tell Paul that they want the names and emails of the people in their downline like any oher honest program would give you and that if he doesn't give the names and emails of the people in yopur downline there are a group of people who will pursue a multi-million dollar class actin suit against him.
Next, has everyone read this:
from
http://www.thelazymarketer.com/blog/2009/10/09/the-sky-is-not-falling-but-this-is-def initely-a-game-changer/
The Sky Is Not Falling - But This Is Definitely a "Game Changer"...
October 9th, 2009 · 111 Comments
Note: I'm not a lawyer, I don't play one on TV, and this ain't legal advice. But every jackass out there has an unsubstantiated opinion based on anything but expertise or qualification, and this happens to mine...
As many of you have probably heard, the FTC recently enacted some new advertising standards that directly affect internet marketing in general - across the whole board...
And this will impact basically every offer, presell and affiliate "review" you create from this point forward.
Namely, it deals with:
* Compensation Disclosure, and
* Honesty about Average Results
In summary, the new guidelines state that 1) you have to clearly disclose that you are either being compensated or have a vested interest (commissions) in the products, services or otherwise "stuff" you feature in ANY of your content, and 2) whenever you make claims about an offer - or publish testimonials - you have to either clarify or verify what the actual, average results are for an average user of the product.
This means that if you're promoting, say, some sort of Forex trading offer or whatever and you're telling your visitors that they can make "$10,000 a week!" or whatever the case may be - you actually have to back that up with verifiable proof that making 10 G's a week is what the AVERAGE USER can expect.
And the same goes for using testimonials. You can no longer "hide behind" a blanket disclaimer at the bottom of the page that effectively sweeps responsibility under the rug.
From what I can interpret from the FTC guidelines (and it's pretty vague), you can still use your showpiece testimonials that are NOT average, but instead of just saying "results not typical" or "results may vary" - you have to outright provide the *actual* average results in very close proximity to the testimonial.
Something like: "This user experienced substantially above-average results with this product. The average user can expect ___________"
(You can read a more in-depth take on the testimonial issue on Frank Kern's blog, by the way...)
To be safe, I would honestly avoid using "crazy" testimonials that make huge claims - or list specific figures. I've never really used testimonials that much anyway, and sales have certainly been okay without them. Maybe there'd be a slight increase if I did include them, but not if I'm at risk of dealing with the Feds.
What it boils down to is that you've got to be authentic and realistic with your marketing. Even if your "average result" is far less than what's possible if people actually TRY or WORK, you need to convey that clearly. What I would be inclined to do as a vendor is to survey the different "levels" of my customers and showcase those as well.
So it would be something like:
* Average Result of Using Widget Overall = 2
* Average Results of People Who Buy This and Do Nothing = 0, Which Comprises 70% of All Customers (or whatever)
* Average Results of People Who Exerted a Medium Effort With Widget For Less Than 2 Weeks = 5, 20% of Customers
* Average Results of People Who Properly Applied Widget & Persevered Long Enough to See its Effects = 50, 10% of Customers
Now, I don't know if that's legal or not, or if you can only show overall average results - but in the interest of total transparency, I don't see how "laying it out" like that would really hurt your sales that much. It may detract some of the dreamers, but those usually turn into sob-stories or refunders anyway.
The customers you really want to work with and sell to are motivated, serious, honest and discerning - and they are drawn to sales copy that is conveyed as such (honest, discerning, straight-up).
So in some ways, I see this as a *potentially* positive change, although any time the Government interferes with the free market, it's usually the equivalent of asking a retarded Gorrilla to fix a swiss watch (as in, I'm sure the impending "federal carpet bombing" that's about to take place will do exponentially more harm than good).
For example, when it comes to marketing information products - there truly is NO "average" result, since the results are entirely dependent on the individual, their own capabilities and confidence-levels, and their situation. This presents what some are calling a catastrophe in the making. (See Michel Fortin's recent post for details).
The FTC says that it's all going to be evaluated on a "case by case" basis... but all I can think about is a retarded Gorilla smashing a Rolex into the ground. Case by case or not, I'd hardly rely on the objectivity and logic of FTC employees (or crooked politicians looking for a public flogging to help their latest "campaign").
All the more reason to stay conservative - and stay on top of the FTC's inevitable clarifications to their emphatically vague guidelines.
So what does this all mean for US?
And what about strategies like "The Conduit Method"?
This is my take on it - and you can ask your lawyer to clarify/correct this for you, because this sure as hell is NOT legal advice or anything near it...
Basically, as an affiliate who is simply promoting a product, you need to do two things:
1. Clearly disclose your relationship with the merchant(s). Let your visitors know that you stand to profit if they buy through your site. You should have a message stating this on every page of your site, and I'd suggest placing it by the offer links as well. Don't just "tuck it away" in your TOS.
This includes your blog posts, your "tweets", your forum signatures, your review sites - everything. Call a spade a spade. Like I mentioned above, the only people this should detract are customers that you - or your vendors - probably wouldn't wanna touch with a ten-foot caddle prod anyway. (There's a good article on TechCrunch that explains more about the specifics of what is required for social media in particular...)
2. Be Factual, Honest & Conservative. Especially when it comes to using "snippets" from other reviewers, forum posts, and otherwise user comments. Clearly specify that the user comments cited or compiled are in no way indicative of any kind of verifiable results - and that all visitors are strongly cautioned to conduct their own due-diligence prior to making a purchase of any product you profile on your sites.
Also make it clear that you are simply a product researcher who is simply going off of what other users have posted around the web - which may well be completely inaccurate.
State this clearly. Again, it shouldn't do anything except add credibility to your sites, anyway.
When it comes to making recommendations or using "strong" marketing verbage, I would be very careful about that unless you can back stuff up from your own experience with the product (and have verifiable proof to do so). Even so, you'll need to make it clear that average user results are more than likely much less than what you experienced.
Beyond that, I really don't know what to tell you.
I think this will weed out a LOT of marketers who've been using "fake comments", false testimonials and stuff like that to create artificial social proof.
I also think that, in the long run, this is GOOD for people who offer value (ie. affiliates with authentic content), and BAD for people who look for shortcuts and easy money.
It may also be cause to seriously look at the offers you're promoting and ask yourself... does it really work as stated?
So maybe this is a shake-up that's long overdue.
No, the sky is not falling and this is far from being the end of affiliate marketing - but play it safe.
You really don't want a big, retarded, over-eager Gorrilla kicking down your door.
-Chris
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FreeCashMan
Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 266
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# Posted: 27 Oct 2009 20:33 · Edited by: FreeCashMan
Reply
Well it may be time to call the credit card company and ask for a refund of all the charges from SFS, as there is clearly some serious deceptive things happening with SFS:
See http://www.karlairey.com
He apparently had access to the entire SFS list and has emailed all that are or were involved.
Karl states "Streamline Funnel System has been taken down by the owners. They will probably come up with a new system of BS... Stay away from AutomatedOnlineProfits.com"
They definitely were continuing to charge people that had quit (It happen to me). And support was extremely weak.
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WARRANTIES4LESS
Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
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# Posted: 28 Oct 2009 12:39
Reply
Interesting,
Looks like this has defined more clearly what is going on behind closed doors as the dirty laundry is now aired for all to decide who is truthful and who is not.
I gave it a good run, had patience, was hopeful given there was so many issues to start, but at this point, having supposedly seen my rotation checked off, and having been running for about 7 weeks now, nothing, zip, nada, not a single new prospect which says it all to me.
Hey, I research all of them, and the ones which demonstrate any potential, I will beta test it, and in this case, it was from June, but it took until August to get put into rotation. I did have one Shaklee member placed under me, but they quit after first month, so technically, I only saw $50. from phase II to date, so if this is what we are to expect, it is all but over.
With two major issues in just the first four months, hey, I understand these issues, but come on, having server down just does not compute. lol Even if someone is supposedly manipulating data who had access, come on, owner or whoever is paying for servers should be able to gain back control of passwords without bringing sites down, so sorry folks, it does not compute.
Success to all,
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Whoot
Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 30 Oct 2009 08:28
Reply
Hes a scum bag, being investigated by authorities in Canada, I will cheer when Paul B and his cronies are all talking to each other through the bars in their cells. Roll on that time, woohooo!
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Willprospector
Anonymous
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# Posted: 30 Oct 2009 14:00
Reply
I was just off the phone with Shaklee and they do know about the problems that Paul Birdsall has caused and their legal department is working on it.
The Streamline Funnel System is up again and working again and I went into my account and found I had 500 less members in my downline from when I last checked: 1252-500=752 !!! So he has been ripping people off that way,too.
When I went to support to try to cancel my account, Support came up with an error page that I have recorded. You don't need to see the details.
Now for the GOOD NEWS for people who like Shaklee, if you joined through the SFS as a Streamline Green Ambassador and bought te $299 package, you are signed up as a Global Ambassador with Shaklee. They did not rip you off there. At least I completed the right Shaklee paperwork and I am a Global Ambassador. That means you do NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE 100PV
a month to remain a Global Ambassador, you just wil not receive Bonuses if you do not purchase 100 PV per month. So I signed up
for Autoship for VitaGold with VitaminD that only cost $25.90 or
something like that.
This is what Shaklee's email said:
"Thank you for contacting Shaklee Support. Shaklee has nothing to do with Streamline .However we do have the global ambassador program. There is no renewal in regards to your distributorship.The only renewal is for the global ambassador program.
Global Ambassador Program Renewal
The Shaklee Global Ambassador Program is renewable annually, for a fee of US $49 per year.
The annual renewal fee is payable after the first year of Global Ambassadorship has elapsed, on the first day of the month that follows the initial registration date.
Good news! There are a number of ways to have your renewal fee waived:
1) If the US is your home country, your renewal fee will be waived if you sponsor 3 new GOLD Ambassadors in your personal group (1 of them personal) anytime during the 12 months prior to the last day of your anniversary month. OR
2) Sponsor 1 new person from a Foreign Market in which Shaklee is present in the 12 months prior to the last day of your anniversary month.
If the renewal fee is not paid on the due date (and no waivers apply), Global Ambassador privileges (including global bonuses and GOLD bonuses) will cease, effective the PV month that renewal fee was due.
Please contact us with any future questions or concerns."
I hope that helps anyone who is still interested in being a
Shaklee distributor. Now I wil have to call the credit card company.
I will post this to Scam.com and Complaints.com at some time in the future.
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FreeCashMan
Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 266
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# Posted: 3 Nov 2009 10:57
Reply
Proceed with caution, the "new" SFS appears to be:
http://www.automaticonlineprofits.com
Sounds just like it with the same approach as a marketing system.
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Aprilviolet
Member
Joined: 5 Nov 2009
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2009 00:35
Reply
As it costs me nothing to be in it; I think it's quite cheap.
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Aprilviolet <a href="http://www.BigticketDepot.com/aff/aw.aspx?B=30&A=211004&Task=Click" Target="_Top">2 Affiliate Programs in One-BTD/BVD</a><img border="0" src="http://www.BigticketDepot.com/aff/aw.aspx?B=30&A=211004&Task=Get" width="1" height="1"> |
