Getting Paid For Your Cell Phone Service!

[MeDeFe]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

[Woodruff]

oh gawd why are your panties always up in a bunch? Take a friggin break dude

Excuse you? Is this where you complain about me chasing you around the fora?

[KoolBak]

I hope the thousands of members here don't start posting about every service they use or (especially) multi level marketing schemes.....really.....there goes 2 minutes of my life

[Woodruff]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

Maybe things have changed, but I could have sworn that user advertisements were required to go in a specific place (like a specific thread, I thought).

[Rockness]

Yeah, it's growing rapidly.

cancer grows rapidly

Is this cancer?

I'm part of God's army too, so I can say it's not cancer

[Funkyterrance]

Ok, Rockness. We're Listening

[Symmetry]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

A pyramid scheme is a scam. It's a business model that is ultimately unsustainable, and that scams people who buy into it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on this but it appears to be "buy into this illegal scheme quickly, before it collapses on those at the bottom of the pyramid".

That ain't ok.

[saxitoxin]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

A pyramid scheme is a scam. It's a business model that is ultimately unsustainable, and that scams people who buy into it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on this but it appears to be "buy into this illegal scheme quickly, before it collapses on those at the bottom of the pyramid".

It's illegal, now? Within three pages you went from experiencing minor annoyance to declaring an international crime was being perpetrated.

Symmetry doesn't play the games here anymore, he now does his wargaming in the forums ...

[Symmetry]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

A pyramid scheme is a scam. It's a business model that is ultimately unsustainable, and that scams people who buy into it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on this but it appears to be "buy into this illegal scheme quickly, before it collapses on those at the bottom of the pyramid".

It's illegal, now? Within three pages you went from experiencing minor annoyance to declaring an international crime was being perpetrated.

Symmetry doesn't play the games here anymore, he now does his wargaming in the forums ...

I said nothing about an international crime, but as you brought it up:

Franchise fraud (or 'franchise churning') is defined by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation as a pyramid scheme. The FBI website states:

pyramid schemes :—also referred to as franchise fraud or chain referral schemes—are marketing and investment frauds in which an individual is offered a distributorship or franchise to market a particular product. The real profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships. Emphasis on selling franchises rather than the product eventually leads to a point where the supply of potential investors is exhausted and the pyramid collapses.[17]

Link

Which would indicate that the FBI considers the kind of scheme the mods have acknowledged as a pyramid scheme is serious fraud.

[saxitoxin]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

A pyramid scheme is a scam. It's a business model that is ultimately unsustainable, and that scams people who buy into it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on this but it appears to be "buy into this illegal scheme quickly, before it collapses on those at the bottom of the pyramid".

It's illegal, now? Within three pages you went from experiencing minor annoyance to declaring an international crime was being perpetrated.

Symmetry doesn't play the games here anymore, he now does his wargaming in the forums ...

I said nothing about an international crime, but as you brought it up:

Franchise fraud (or 'franchise churning') is defined by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation as a pyramid scheme. The FBI website states:

pyramid schemes :—also referred to as franchise fraud or chain referral schemes—are marketing and investment frauds in which an individual is offered a distributorship or franchise to market a particular product. The real profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships. Emphasis on selling franchises rather than the product eventually leads to a point where the supply of potential investors is exhausted and the pyramid collapses.[17]

Link

Which would indicate that the FBI considers the kind of scheme the mods have acknowledged as a pyramid scheme is serious fraud.

Oh goodness!

[Symmetry]

Oh goodness!

My inclination is that you might have been something less than serious with regards to that comment,

[2dimes]

I like turtles!

[Rockness]

LOL!!! I did not expect all this, you guys are cracking me up!

[Symmetry]

LOL!!! I did not expect all this, you guys are cracking me up!

No problem, how much are are you getting paid for this, and what sort of share can we can expect from the pyramid scheme?

[Dukasaur]

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme.

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

A pyramid scheme is a scam. It's a business model that is ultimately unsustainable, and that scams people who buy into it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on this but it appears to be "buy into this illegal scheme quickly, before it collapses on those at the bottom of the pyramid".

It's illegal, now? Within three pages you went from experiencing minor annoyance to declaring an international crime was being perpetrated.

Symmetry doesn't play the games here anymore, he now does his wargaming in the forums ...

I said nothing about an international crime, but as you brought it up:

Franchise fraud (or 'franchise churning') is defined by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation as a pyramid scheme. The FBI website states:

pyramid schemes :—also referred to as franchise fraud or chain referral schemes—are marketing and investment frauds in which an individual is offered a distributorship or franchise to market a particular product. The real profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships. Emphasis on selling franchises rather than the product eventually leads to a point where the supply of potential investors is exhausted and the pyramid collapses.[17]

Link

Which would indicate that the FBI considers the kind of scheme the mods have acknowledged as a pyramid scheme is serious fraud.

Pretty much the same law most places, including here in Canada.

However, the authorities generally take a "wait and see" attitude with schemes that ride the fine line between pyramid schemes and legitimate business. After all, there's nothing inherently wrong with rewarding your existing customers for bringing in new customers. It only becomes a "pyramid scheme" if, as your quote says, "eal profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships." With many borderline cases, it takes months or years to see which side of the line they will fall on.

[Symmetry]

Wait, what? And you're ok with CC users being subjected to that sort of business advertising?

So essentially you're saying that you think this is a scam, and a pyramid scheme, but you're ok with it being sold to CC users?

I'm not sure if it can be called a "scam" if it is as open as it is about being a pyramid scheme. And while I'm not at all happy with it personally, I didn't see a rule against it. It's true that we ban adbots as soon as we notice them, but regular users are allowed to do some limited advertising.

A pyramid scheme is a scam. It's a business model that is ultimately unsustainable, and that scams people who buy into it. I'm not sure what your thinking is on this but it appears to be "buy into this illegal scheme quickly, before it collapses on those at the bottom of the pyramid".

It's illegal, now? Within three pages you went from experiencing minor annoyance to declaring an international crime was being perpetrated.

Symmetry doesn't play the games here anymore, he now does his wargaming in the forums ...

I said nothing about an international crime, but as you brought it up:

Franchise fraud (or 'franchise churning') is defined by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation as a pyramid scheme. The FBI website states:

pyramid schemes :—also referred to as franchise fraud or chain referral schemes—are marketing and investment frauds in which an individual is offered a distributorship or franchise to market a particular product. The real profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships. Emphasis on selling franchises rather than the product eventually leads to a point where the supply of potential investors is exhausted and the pyramid collapses.[17]

Link

Which would indicate that the FBI considers the kind of scheme the mods have acknowledged as a pyramid scheme is serious fraud.

Pretty much the same law most places, including here in Canada.

However, the authorities generally take a "wait and see" attitude with schemes that ride the fine line between pyramid schemes and legitimate business. After all, there's nothing inherently wrong with rewarding your existing customers for bringing in new customers. It only becomes a "pyramid scheme" if, as your quote says, "eal profit is earned, not by the sale of the product, but by the sale of new distributorships." With many borderline cases, it takes months or years to see which side of the line they will fall on.[/quote]

To be fair, I wasn't the only one calling this a pyramid scheme- MeDeFe, and Blakebowling made the call too:

While it does look like a scam, this thread appears to be within the Community Guidelines. However, you should feel free to request a second opinion if you disagree.

I concur with your opinion, the post is within the guidelines.

The company appears to be legit AND to work exactly like a pyramid scheme. They'll most probably provide whatever services they offer and pay out the money they tempt people with. Most of the money will be going to a very small group of people at the top of the pyramid who have to do next to nothing however. Germany has two insurance resellers that function by the same principle, you get a percentage of whatever people you have recruited earn, as well as a percentage of what people they have recruited earn and so on.

Or they'll milk as much money as they can out of this and then file for bankruptcy.

That's two mods and the FBI saying this stuff is wrong.

[MeDeFe]

Me calling it a "pyramid scheme" doesn't change the fact that two insurance resellers in Germany are allowed to operate and have been doing so for years. My opinion is not legally binding in any way. The company offers a cell phone service for 49$/month, so far so good, it also rewards customers for getting the company new customers, that's also ok.
I call it a "pyramid scheme" because you have to recruit several new customers to break even yourself. Since people are a finite resource the "base" of the pyramid will always end up paying money, but they'll still be getting their cell phone service for it.

[Dukasaur]

Me calling it a "pyramid scheme" doesn't change the fact that two insurance resellers in Germany are allowed to operate and have been doing so for years. My opinion is not legally binding in any way. The company offers a cell phone service for 49$/month, so far so good, it also rewards customers for getting the company new customers, that's also ok.
I call it a "pyramid scheme" because you have to recruit several new customers to break even yourself. Since people are a finite resource the "base" of the pyramid will always end up paying money, but they'll still be getting their cell phone service for it.

If their real income is from the product, then it's just multi-level marketting. Annoying, but not fraudulent.

[Rockness]

You guys do realize that a pyramid scheme is a system where money moves, people profit but no service or goods are exchanged. Most Network Marketing and Multi Level Marketing companies are totally legal. Research has shown that Network Marketing businesses is the best way for average Joes like us to become financially independent.

[BigBallinStalin]

Solavei is the reason why I'm BigBallin and not just Stalin.

With Solavei, anything is possible.

[KoolBak]

You guys do realize that a pyramid scheme is a system where money moves, people profit but no service or goods are exchanged. Most Network Marketing and Multi Level Marketing companies are totally legal. Research has shown that Network Marketing businesses is the best way for average Joes like us to become financially independent.

Best way for average joes to piss off friends and family, brother.

[Rockness]

LOL

[Timminz]

Research has shown that Network Marketing businesses is the best way for average Joes like us to become financially independent.

Now, I don't mean to sound cynical (it just happens naturally), but was that research done by the same people who were trying to convince you to join their pyramid?

[Rockness]

Research has shown that Network Marketing businesses is the best way for average Joes like us to become financially independent.

Now, I don't mean to sound cynical (it just happens naturally), but was that research done by the same people who were trying to convince you to join their pyramid?

Actually this is old news that's been around for at least 15 years. Financially successful individuals such as Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump have spoken about the benefits of Network Marketing and Multi Level Marketing for years. The Owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team was one of the founders of Amway. There has been plenty of articles and books written about the benefits of Network Marketing and Multi Level Marketing. For the last 50 years or so, it has been one of the best avenues for creating self made millionaires.

[VampireM]

Just out of curiosity i looked at the mobile network coverage across north America, it is really lacking the canada coverage.. for that alone im out