Shop To Earn
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Suppose I wrote "Shop to Earn" is biz op fraud.
What would you do when their attorney writes you demanding that you retract this opinion?
Generally, I respond to the demand letter asking the attorney to comply with the law regarding libel and slander - they have to point out the exact words in my post which they disagree with and explain why they were libelous.
But, Tracy Coenen, writing at her blog the Fraud Files has a different approach.
She has asked for support for a blogger and herself who have written about Shop to Earn's business model.
Tracy summarizes the problem with Shop to Earn in the following way:
"I am going to look into this company more and write up some of my thoughts. I will say that this has some common red flags of fraud: It seems to have an overcomplicated pay plan. It relies on an endless chain of recruiting of new members. It seems to only offer a substantial benefit to early adopters."
For her efforts, Tracy received a letter from a Mr. G. Nehra
"I represent ShopToEarn and advise them on direct selling legal matters.
You are on notice to CEASE & DESIST your disparaging and potential libelous references to ShopToEarn and the unapproved use of the ShopToEarn logo on your website.
The ShopToEarn program is legally and economically sound, and the company will take all steps necessary to protect its' rights.
Gerald Nehra Attroney for ShopToEarn"
Uh, ignoring the "Attroney", this email makes no sense.
Well, at least in Canada. As I have said, to serve a notice of libel and slander, one has to point out the offending words and usually the notice is served with a demand for a retraction.
How on earth is Tracy or anyone to know what words Shop to Earn is complaining about?
How could anyone draft an apology, even assuming that they were wrong, given this notice?
I haven't even looked at this biz op, but you can bet that Nehra has put in on my radar now, with this poorly drafted notice.
What are these boys really up to, I wonder? How is this business model any different than all of the failed "internet mall" scams?
Comments
It is a scam all legitimate affiliate selling programs don't require you to pay anything.
I would advise anyone to institute a chargeback for any monies paid through a credit card to STE.
Posted by: admin
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May 26, 2009 7:55 AM
Why is it a scam? Because you need to recruit people under you to make any money whatsoever, and you need to spend more money ($100/month on products you likely don't need) in order to actually get it - if ever. And what exactly are you paying the company $448 for? A site porthole you can start up on your own and make the same commissions from for about $10? Go to FatWallet.com and get cash back from there!
My very intelligent mom just got suckered into this by a distant cousin. The presentation was quite the brain-washing, in part because it was held at a stunning 12,000 sf waterfront home. She called me afterward and was absolutely taken - hook, line and sinker. Signed up right away. Good thing I found a lot on the web to persuade her this isn’t the “big opportunity” she thought it was. It’s within the first 14 days, so hopefully she can get all her money back. I’m skeptical, but we’ll call Amex and do a chargeback if they don’t refund it. I logged into her account to find out how to cancel, in case anyone else wants to do the same.
Also - be aware that a lot of these people defending STE are likely paid by the company to do as such. People claiming to make 80K off this (yeah, right) are hardly going to be trolling the web for complaints about STE and then taking the time to write responses about it - what, to invite would-be competitors to sign up? c’mon.
Anyway, here are the cancellation instructions for those who got stuck with an STE site (it must be within 14 days, though):
A. If you wish to cancel, follow these instructions to request a refund:
1. Go to your website
2. Log into YOUR Virtual Office
3. Click on the Support Tickets tab in the second row (note: it’s close to the top of the page - not in the box that comes up)
4. Choose Open a New Support Ticket
5. Select the Department by clicking on the radio button for ShopToEarn
6. Choose a Category by selecting Cancellation
7. Choose Topic Cancel Account
8. Please state, “Please cancel my account and issue a refund”
9. Click on Enter Ticket
10. Please keep your support ticket “OPEN” as once you “Close” it, it is taken out of STE Support’s open ticket queue. If you need to exit a ticket, please click on “Exit”.
Get out while you can!!
Posted by: Jen | May 23, 2009 9:17 PM
Julia,
It is very simple. Shop to Earn requires you to pay $400, and monthly purchases, to belong to an an affiliate program.
All legitimate affiliate programs are free to join, and there are no monthly purchases.
But, to make money you have to drive traffic to your affiliate landing page - the same thing you need to do with Shop to Earn.
Oh, and I am a Canadian. Not allowed the 5th as legal protection.
Shop to Earn has no economic value, except for the owners.
Posted by: admin
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March 31, 2009 11:47 PM
I would like you to email me at wjuliasouth@aol.com and explain to me how Shop To Earn is a scam! Because I'd like to copy and paste that in here. How exactly is shopping on-line and receiving cash back a scam when the company actally does what is says it will do. How is that a scam??? Are you the same ones that said Amway and Avon were scams?? You prey on people who are sceptical and you hide behind the 5th ammendment to take advantage of people and their fears. Social marketing is extremely successful and would be more so if hater blogs and hater people weren't around. Not everyone is afraid to take an opportunity, a chance in life. Blogs like this is what makes me not like people like you use the 5th ammendment to gain control of your own agenda buy using others fears. I choose to lift people up and use their desires to improve their lives. And I don't need the Constitution to do it!
Posted by: Julia W | March 30, 2009 8:19 PM
I have lots of positive information.
Just not for scammers.
Posted by: admin
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March 27, 2009 8:40 PM
Do you have anything positive to say that might move America forward? It appears
that you dwell in the negative. We have
entirely too much"it
won't work" conversation nowadays.Get a life!
Posted by: DON YONCE | March 26, 2009 4:32 PM
SHOP to EARN is among
several very rational
concepts which offer a person the oppty to prevail in this
unstable economy. If you don't like it,don't do it but let others make their own choices.
Posted by: DON YONCE | February 21, 2009 9:30 PM
Depends which state you are located in. Email me and I will give the appropriate contacts.
Posted by: admin
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December 15, 2008 8:57 PM
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.
Posted by: Raphael Machin | December 15, 2008 11:15 AM
Martiza;
Did you get your money back, yet?
Posted by: admin
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November 28, 2008 3:46 PM
i sign in and paid 448.00 for shop to earn a friend reffer me, and after 7 days decided that i no longer want it to be a member, so i did what was expected to cancel and almost a month i still havent receive any money back. as for my so call friend i no longer speak to her or family because of this matter. i hope i get my money back .
Posted by: maritza sandoval | November 25, 2008 7:22 PM
Monica, my point is very simple - Shop to Earn is either a franchise or business opportunity seller under state or federal laws. As such, it has to provide a disclosure document to the purchaser prior to the sale, which in part would detail the basis of its earnings claims.
I have not seen such a disclosure document, nor have many of the supporters of this scheme indicated they received such a document.
As such, Shop to Earn may be in violation of the numerous business opportunity fraud laws.
Important information to know.
Posted by: admin
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October 2, 2008 10:20 AM
I am not sure what you are referring to overcomplicated pay plan, have you even become a broker with SHOP TO EARN, have you educated yourself on how this actually works? Please, before you go on to discourage potential independent business owners, do the research. Perhaps your intelligence level limits you to understand what is actually a great "payment plan". I have already met normal people who joined SHOP TO EARN and whom with ease, set you straight and perhaps even educate you. Better said, when they are done educating you, you will buy in without thinking twice! All of the brokers that I have met through SHOP TO EARN are doing phenomenal as well as those who they referred to the business. Yes I agree, you should stop your negative unsupported comments and join! You may learn a thing or two! Oh.....and then you will blog your apology on how you were mistaken.
Posted by: Monica | October 2, 2008 10:16 AM