This post is in response to the 53rd comment on my “Entrepreneurs” entry of December 15th, 2007. The comment made reference to a wireless company “My Wireless Rep”, and called it a scam.
I beg to differ.
There have been whole empires built on the quote, “There’s a sucker born every minute”. For Chinese companies that make iPod knockoffs that end up breaking after two months, the suckers are the cheap consumers that think they’re getting a deal. For companies like My Wireless Rep, Mona-Vie, Amway, YourTravelBiz and other companies, the suckers are the “representatives”.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s ways to make money in companies like those (obviously, someone up the line is), but if, to sell the product, you have to mention to the client that HE TOO can turn around and become a seller of this wonderful product, it’s probably because you’re pushing something that can’t stand on its own two legs. Take Mona-Vie, for example. A friend introduced me to this product… It’s made from the Brazilian Acai fruit, and supposedly works miracles for everything in your body (Makes you lose weight AND fights anorexia!). The thing is, it tastes HORRIBLE! The only way people will buy the 40 dollar bottle of nastiness is if they can somehow be convinced that they will be able to sell it to THEIR gullible friends.
The same thing goes for that wireless company– on their website, they take the number of total wireless customers in the WORLD (255 million), and tell you that if you can just snag 10,000 of them to sign up for your wireless plan, you’d be banking 24,000 dollars a month.
Sure, the math makes sense, but, honestly– how many people have you ever convinced to switch their wireless plan? One? Three at the most? The suckers are the representatives, and the head honchos bank the cash. In the end, these aren’t scams, just improbable business ideas that require insane amounts of effort to break a profit. Just remember: the bigger the rainbow they paint, the longer the walk is to the pot of gold.
By the way, I’m starting a company, it’s called EverMud. I’m selling bags of nutrient-rich mud from the pristine Everglades National Park– it does wonders for your skin! Rejuvinates, Restores and Revitalizes. PLUS, you get 5 percent of whatever you sell. Be your own boss! 5 oz bags are starting at $19.95. Want in?