Who is Shop to Earn?
Image by RaeA via Flickr
Shop to Earn is a new network marketing scheme that makes very little economic sense.
A number of commentators, Tracy Coenen at Fraudfiles, Techdirct, and Every Day Finance have written about Shop to Earn.
No doubt many individuals think that they can make $4100 in 30 days, based on the slide show at the Shop to Earn website.
This is a foolish earnings claim, which no doubt would attract attention from the FTC once their new Business Opportunity Rule is passed.
As far as I can see, the business model looks either Skybiz or Burnlounge - all of them pyramid failures.
So who is Shop to Earn?
Well, Patrick Welsh is said to be the founder. A review at Sunbiz Utility confirms that Welsh is indeed a director of something called Shop 2 Earn Inc. (Put "Welsh, Patrick" in the search box.)
When we try to look try to look up the address, we are directed to this address for Pat Welsh: 174 HARBORSIDE CIRCLE, JUPITER FL 33477 US.
No such address appears to be known to Google.
We are also given an unhelpful post office box address:
PO BOX 33131, PALM BEACH GARDENS FL 33420.
Similar searches of Welsh's previous companies are equally unhelpful.
The principal address of the Shop 2 Earn corporation, which was changed a year ago is:
3441 S EASTERN AVE, LAS VEGAS NV 89109
Sure enough Shop to Earn LLC is registered in Nevada.
And just who is at the Las Vegas Address?
So who are these guys?
Comments
I was on the upper end of a MLM start up w/ Pat Welsh called The Big Jungle. Same concept. I made money, but only by hurting & manipulating others. Pat is now selling his training seminars for $200 a person to make money. Of course the training is for his MLM.
I had a lot of fun, until my friends, family & church members became angry that they weren't making money. It destroyed several relationships. I ended up paying people back their start up & lost all I had made.
Posted by: former MLM-er | June 2, 2009 7:45 PM
You can sell a lot of hope in these bad times, shame on you for doing so.
Posted by: admin
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April 1, 2009 6:50 PM
Joe;
Please try to be serious. "The same business plan as Google" ... is the first thing any scammer says.
Posted by: admin
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April 1, 2009 6:48 PM
My comment is regarding the post about earning $4100 in 30 days. I did it in 10 days through http://www.shoptofundraise.org/
while using their application,video presentation and business model.They have an unlimited market share not to mention offering Brokers other opportunities with their professional athletes who are involved in Shop To Fundraise.
Where else can you do that in today's economy?
Posted by: majsharps | April 1, 2009 5:59 PM
"Shop to Earn is a new network marketing scheme that makes very little economic sense."
This same business plan helped Google become a successful Billion Dollar Company! Gee, I wonder if this is a good business model??
Posted by: Joe Raats | April 1, 2009 5:36 PM
Keith writes: "I joined STE in September and received everything promised- the $4100 for 10 referrals. My business is doing well and I am very happy"
Keith what business do you think that you are in? You are providing nothing of economic value. The only reason people buy your line of nonsense is that they hope to convince others of the same nonsense. It is called "deceit"
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December 8, 2008 10:39 PM
I joined STE in September and received everything promised- the $4100 for 10 referrals. My business is doing well and I am very happy. I actually met Pat Welsh last Saturday 11-29-08 in Glenn Dale, Maryland. He seems official to me and my direct deposits have been right on time. Not to mention my friend who joined in June who has made over $120,000 YTD. So, STE haters- get over yourself and join the fun!
Posted by: Keith | December 5, 2008 10:13 AM
Thanks Robert.
Makes you wonder about what Welsh was up to with those other 6 flops.
Posted by: admin
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November 28, 2008 3:47 PM
I researched Patrick Welsh at the Palm Bch Property Appraiser's public search site.
The person with this name owns two properties.
791 HIBISCUS AVE, Juno Beach. Parcel #: 28-43-41-28-10-008-0042 and was purchased Dec 2005 for $$950,000.00.
174 HARBOURSIDE CIR, Jupiter. Parcel#: 30-43-41-17-02-000-1027. Purchased Jan 2003 for $655,000.00.
A check at the Florida Dept of State site shows that this person had at least six corporation admistratively disolved because of failure to submit an annual report.
Posted by: Robert Bennett | November 23, 2008 11:05 AM
Shop to earn is the continew of Light Year
a Communication company with the same scheme. I have a friend that after having 20 people on his legs he never a penny.
Posted by: armando campana | November 14, 2008 9:03 PM
Welsh, Patrick use to be vice of ligth year
a communication company with the same scheme of shop to earm
Posted by: Armando Campana | November 14, 2008 8:53 PM
Peggy, the amount of money needed to maintain membership in Shop to Earn is not well explained. Frankly, I have serious doubts about the viability of the business model.
Posted by: admin
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October 25, 2008 2:05 AM
Jay, the concern that I have is that information about the realistic nature of earnings claims being made by Shop to Earn is not public.
You say that people ought to research the facts - but where are those facts which ground the earnings claims?
Posted by: admin
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October 25, 2008 2:02 AM
In response to Donna Nappi's remark about her "losing alot of money" with Equinox...sorry to hear that. With Shop To Earn, the most anyone can "lose" is their initial investment of $448.00 which can easily be made back within 30 days. The risk is small compared to the opportunity provided. This is not rocket science here guys and doesn't require huge investments like other MLMs I've heard of. It's fun, easy, provides a benefit to consumers and is a viable and legal internet business.....aren't there more important pressing issues to spend your blogging hours on?
Posted by: Peggy Hornick | October 23, 2008 1:16 PM
In response to all the negative feadback towards Shop To Earn I think people are very misinformed. i have been involved since Sep 4 I made the 4100 in my first 26 days that is mentioned in the presentation slides. I have told everyone that is under me this business isnt for everyone and then I explain what its going to take to be successfulso if they can do it I dont even want them on my team. I find that most of the negative feadback is from people that didnt try or arent even members. So I suggest people people reasearch more facts before commenting.
Posted by: Jay G | October 21, 2008 11:39 PM
Shenia, thanks for your remarks.
The policy and practice here is to remove advertisements which aren't adding to the customer's experience.
I ask people to tell me what ads are scammy and I remove them using Adsense ad review center.
Not all direct sales distributorships are scams: but if you find an ad that you think is a scam, please let me know. I will remove it.
Posted by: admin
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October 7, 2008 9:59 PM
I think it is interesting....that you are so down on Shop to Earn yet you are advertising links to sites for MLM leads as well as a MLM opportunity. Yes you must be using this blog to make you money for your advertisements!!!!
Posted by: Shenia | October 7, 2008 7:53 PM
Who is this reporter?????? I've seen high school reporters that verify information better then this person!!
Posted by: captain Steve | October 1, 2008 1:02 PM
Thank-you, I will check that out.
Posted by: admin
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September 29, 2008 11:46 PM
Robert, one of this issues here is whether Shop to Earn has filed the necessary regulatory information in order to be in this business. I haven't seen it, which doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. But I would very much like to see their regulatory filings, if they have them.
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September 29, 2008 11:45 PM
Thanks Dona for this.
It is helpful to know what people have done in the past - something about tigers, spots and the inability to change.
Posted by: admin
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September 29, 2008 11:42 PM
Peggy, the issue is whether Shop to Earn has made the necessary regulatory filings, both in Florida and elsewhere.
I have not been able to locate the filings, which doesn't mean that they don't exist. But, it would be very helpful if someone from Shop to Earn actually posted the regulatory filings.
Posted by: admin
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September 29, 2008 11:40 PM
Ponzi scams and illegal pyramid schemes are just that....illegal. ShopToEarn is NOT an illegal organization. Do you think major retailers would agree to be associated with an illegal corporation or one that is not in the best interest for their corporate image? Come on, use your brains, here. I also find it peculiar how most bloggers who love to dog business opportunities pick and choose which posts will be added....never allowing positive responses to be added. What is your true motive?
Posted by: PeggyH | September 28, 2008 4:20 PM
As soon as I saw the video on AOL with Pat Welsh, I knew he was the same Pat Welsh that was involved in another MLM I got involved in back in 1995. He was a top player in Equinox, which was eventually shut down in 1999. Coincidently, there corporate address was in Las Vegas. Hmmm...I wonder if there is a secret backer involved...one Bill Gouldd who started Equinox, and has since been banned,
is helping to fund this venture??
I'm not sure, but I am certainly not going to get involved with Shop to Earn, since I lost a lot of $$ with Equinox.
Posted by: Dona Nappi | September 25, 2008 8:11 AM
Be side the number of individuals that may not obtain the financial rewards promissed by shop2earn, are they or have they broken any laws in any state? Has Welsh had any other business that was in place and recruted new members and then close?
Posted by: Robert | September 24, 2008 12:04 AM
You're spelling the address wrong, its Harbourside according to Mapquest. Apparently, you cant see that your information is incorrect.
Posted by: EK | September 21, 2008 10:39 PM
Phil, I found the address easily enough. But Google shows an empty lot. Do you have a picture of the house that you can share?
Posted by: admin
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August 14, 2008 11:47 AM
I don't know where the author searched to determine taht Mr. Welsh doesn't have or live at the Jupiter address because he does.
I did a search on realquest which is a real estate search engine and I found the info. Mr Welsh's home is in Jupiter at the aforementioned address on the Intracoastal waterway.
Posted by: Phil Zeman | August 14, 2008 10:13 AM
Ok, Louis. Are you denying that the WexTrust scam targeted orthodox jews? Or do you object to the term? Why would you?
Posted by: Michael Webster | August 13, 2008 9:00 AM
Your website has published the following under a tab for a typical Ponzi Scheme.
In a typical Ponzi scheme, we need to have several factors working together.
1. "It is our turn now", there has to be some group cohesion first for the social proof to work. In this case, apparently the frauds were among a close knit group of Jews.
I am of the Jewish Faith. My name is Louis Fisher. You sound like Adolph Hitler. This will never get posted but here goes.
Why is it that you are not asking why our country always helps out the third world countries, when there is sooo much trouble in the USA. When the Twin Towers were bombed what did you contribute??
What did Tracy Coenen contribute?
My father left his body parts on the shores of Normandy in World War II so that you can have the freedom to express yourself.
The least you can do to honor his memory and sacrifice is to publish the truth and accurate facts in your articles and stop publishing the word "JEWS" in a negative context.
Millons of people lost their lives in Europe and in the South Pacific so that you can have the freeedom to express your opinions. Those opinions should be based on facts.
Posted by: Louis Fisher | August 12, 2008 6:27 PM