Million Dollar Portfolio

Before going on vacation for 4 days last week, I had ordered a product online at John Chow’s recommendation, partly because I wanted to help him out for the Affiliate Challenge he was doing with other bloggers like Thor Schrock and also because they sounded like good products.

I got one delivered via a download link in email and those ended up being quite useful PDF files. The other product though, cost $4.95 for shipping (actually, it’s $49.90 i’ll explain in a minute) and took 3-5 days. I just got back from my trip today and it was on my doorstep. The package was thin and sent via usps priority mail.

Upon opening this package, I find a color folder with “Online Business Systems” (ill abbreviate as OBS from here on) printed on the front. The day before I left for my trip, however I did recieve a call stating my kit for “making money with google” was on its way.

So, is this to make money with google or is it something else? A quick google search turns up OBS as a company that is somehow affiliated with “Herbalife”. Whoa, hold the phone. I have no interest in selling vitamins online! Now, I guess I could have looked deeper into this before I decided to purchase it, but when someone you trust recommends something saying it’s a great product, you tend to believe them.

I wouldn’t have a problem with this as the shipping cost was supposed to be $4.95 and indeed on the package I see the price it cost to ship it. What I have a problem with is my credit card (actually Visa check card) was charged the full $49.90 for this information package. The following was in my email from the sales rep:

Note our refund option — if you decide NOT to enjoy the many rewards being in business for yourself can bring, simply return your Kit to us in its original condition within 15 days and your card will not be charged the additional $39.95 to cover the full cost of the material included in your Kit.

First of all, I know they are profiting on this material because I know how affiliate marketing works. You buy said material for let’s say $20, it costs you $4.95 to ship it, but you charge $49.90 so your profit in the end is $24.95 each time someone requests this package because you charge them the full amount. After all, a lot of people won’t read the fine print and will just toss it aside. Then there are some that will request more information at which point will be spending more money to get involved with the actual program where the seller will profit even more. It’s brilliant for the seller, not so great for the curious. Now I have to send this thing back, have them action a refund and in the meantime I’m out nearly $50 for trying to help someone win a contest he ended up getting booted from anyway.

Ah well, what can you do. Of course, I could just sell it for $49.90 to one of you readers if you are interested. The difference between me and some of these other online marketers is i’m up front about what I’m selling/representing. So any takers? Be prepared to spend potentially thousands…

And if you are interested in a similar business that involves getting people to shop at your online store affiliated with Amway, I can tell you everything you want to know. You’ve probably even seen the commercials on TV for Amway Global/Quixtar. I’m an IBO and always looking for more people interested in supplemental incomes online or off. This is probably the oldest and most legitimate business in the MLM world and one I still regularly shop with. I hate going to stores for toiletries and consumables. I get it all delivered for way cheaper than even a trip to Costco especially with gas prices the way they are.

The best thing you can do to avoid scams in the future is to thoroughly research them…do as I say not as I do right? Someone has to be the ginnea pig.

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Blow away your Google competition
Internet+12 months=Millionaire