Have you been scammed?

[hayley79]

Hello,

I am a journalism student doing an article on "Work-from-home" scams, and I was wondering if any of you would like to share your stories with me?

I came on here a while back asking about childcare accreditation, and I was overwhelmed with so many responses, so I need your help again!

In my investigation, I have found many have proven to be scams because you outlay so much money for very little in return, and it takes a great deal of products to sell in order to make a profit.. they promise you great riches with headings such as "earn between $500-$3000 per month".

Anyone out there hooked into one of these "work-from-home" scams & it failed/succeeded? Would love to hear from you, either by posting your story or emailing me hayleystansell@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Hayley

[Lunar]

My Mum applied for a work from home job, stuffing envelopes.
She had to send in $35 as an outlay to get the rest of the info and details of exactly what it involved.
Weel, when she did that she got a letter saying she had to put an add in the papers just like the one she read and replied to, then send out letters like she got asking for $35 and that is how she will make her money.

How wrong is that!

I am proud to say that my mum would NEVER do anything like that... that is ripping ppl off! How heartless would one have to be to do that?!?!?!!

Anyways, that's my story:o

[hayley79]

Yep that's exactly what tends to happen in these "work-from-home business opportunities"... spot on! Your poor mum..

[ticvb]

Hi Hayley.

We have just started a WFH Business Opportunity.

It cost $345 for us to join (and for this we received a kit).

We started in June, but did not really get into it until the last 8 weeks. We have now built a very nice business, and get weekly cheques sent to us.

We are very pleased, but would not just join any WFH Opportunity.

I investigated many opportunities, but there were very few that had a team commission system and a product that you manufacture and sell without needing the commission part.

Many WFH are nework marketing systems (some pyramids still exist like the envelopes!!) and this scares many people. The future will see many more companies sell or distribute products using cleverly disguised network marketing systems.

I think an item on this opic would be quite an interesting read.

Cheers,

ticvb

[FOURtunate]

I outlayed thousands toward products for a Party Plan company, but lost thousands in advertising, hostess gifts, transport and phone calls. Not to mention the cost of catalogues, stationery etc. In the end I had debt collectors calling all day, and a sherriff on my doorstep.

There was no way I could pay off my creditors (which were for advertising "my" business"), and had to borrow money to get out of the hole I was in. I was so embarrassed for being sucked in, and for believing the promises that were made.

I unfortunately made the mistake of not telling anyone, or asking for help. Not even my husband. He will only find out when we apply for credit....

This company refused to help me, and are still trying to get me back on board.

[ticvb]

that is shocking...

[hayley79]

Thanks for all your responses. Has anyone heard of a company called herbalife? Or 4 Life Research? I belive they are both pyramid selling schemes to some degree.. anyone got any stories on these?

[QTB]

One of my dads friends (well his wife) is trying soooo hard to get me into herbalife, she just wont take no for an answer! she cant see that shes being ripped off - but everyone else can. personally i would never outlay $ - if they reallly want me and think i will make $ from it then tyake the start up costs out of my first pay.... but of course they wont do that cos theb they wont make $$ off me!

[Barry]

Thanks for all your responses. Has anyone heard of a company called herbalife? Or 4 Life Research? I belive they are both pyramid selling schemes to some degree.. anyone got any stories on these?

Herbalife was legitimate for the first few hundred people, but when 17 people at a workplace are selling the same thing it's highly unlikely you'll be able to sell your start pack (which they make you pay for) and go on from there, plus like a pyramid scheme those above you get a cut of your sales. It's only classified a scam now that people sign up thinking it's possible to sell into a saturated market place.