This new MLM, MPBToday, is all over the internet, Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Safelists, Swom, Peoplestring, YourNight, AdlandPro, Direct Matches, spam emails, you name it, everybody seems to be talking about it. Is it a SCAM?
Yes, there is an economic crunch going on and, yes, people are losing their jobs, homes, cars, and yes sometimes it’s even a choice between groceries or other needs. So while it’s a great concept and would definitely fill a need, there are some components of this program that seem to be missing…..
If you are a fan and subscribe to Rod Cook’s, MLMWatchdog.com newsletters, you are already aware that Rod has tagged this program in what I could call, a not so positive light with GOOD reason —- He knows what he’s talking about. In his article titled MPB Grocery Scam, Rod explains the 2×2 matrix….
I don’t do this normally since I am not a prospect for another business opportunity, but at a real good friend’s request, I listened to one of their recorded conference calls. By the way, I was pretty impressed with the fact that it was not one of those ‘blow your skirt up” HYPED out ‘hoorah’ presentations I’ve grown to hate, and I also liked the fact that the speaker said – this is a WORK program. You have to WORK and if anyone says you can do nothing and earn – RUN !
First – Here’s what I took away from the call.
1. You buy in for $210 – for that fee you get a $200 voucher from the company and $10 goes to paying for your website for a year. $10 a year for a replicated website – that’s certainly fair and reasonable unlike some companies who charge in excess of $20 a month for a replicated website.
Now you don’t cash in the voucher until you cycle unless you want to pay for shipping, so keep this in mind while we go through everything else because this is a pretty dumb reason not to convert your voucher after you join.
I do like that fact that she mentioned – to be legal you MUST have a product. (I’ll get back to that a bit later too)
The speaker went on to say something about by sharing the opportunity to get free groceries, you get a small referral fee. I don’t see that anywhere on the site… that is… in the manner she was implying.
2. You get 2, you’re qualified for commissions but you don’t get paid on them, in fact you don’t get paid until you fill 4 more positions. If I understand what she was saying on the call, at 6, you cycle. KACHING !
3. She made it quite clear that no matter what anyone was saying… neither MPB Groceries nor the ‘mother’ company Southeastern Delivery LLC., are in Partnership with Wal-Mart. Let me repeat this. They are NOT in partnership with Wal-mart.
4. The Company, either MPB or Southeastern, buys the Wal-mart cards and evidently they buy the groceries too if someone decides they want to order the groceries instead of just requesting a card for Wal-Mart. There’s no indication that they purchase these items at any different price than you or I would. At one point she said the groceries were the Wal-Mart brand but in another instance she said ‘name brand’ which is not the same, but that’s a pretty mute point.
Let’s cover the obvious MAJOR RED FLAGS………..
1. There is no written Comp plan
2. There are no Terms of Service
3. There are no Policies & Procedures
4. Unless there is a question about delivery, there is no phone number- have a question or problem? Email is the only option.
It’s hard to imagine that a seasoned Network Marketer with over 30 years experience in the field would be willing to stake her reputation on this by being the master distributor, especially when not all the T’s have been crossed and all the I’s have been dotted as in Terms of Service, written Comp Plan, Policies & Procedures. The Master Distributor may have a legal binding contract with the ‘mother’ company, but I’d find it totally unacceptable to launch without ensuring the distributors knew their rights, too.
Nothing in writing should be deal breakers right there if you have ANY experience in Network Marketing, or at least deal waiting until there are some legal written documents provided.
Of all the people who have spammed me with this deal on Facebook – NO ONE has told me anything different than this to the question of….
WHERE’s the commission money coming from, cause I sure don’t see it
Here is what I have been told and it seems to be the pat answer to the question….
On completion of Level 2, MPB collects $800
$200 covers cost of reentry in new matrix
$300 is paid in Alert Pay, Paypal, Check or Debit Card. (I didn’t hear anything about Debit card on the call. What I did hear was that they were looking into that option.)
$200 pays for the convertible voucher
$100 is retained by MPB Today for overhead and profit
So, let’s see…. there are a total of 6 people in the matrix – 2 I brought in and then 4 more on level 2, for a total of 6 + me. Now if I do my math correctly and everyone paid $200 (can’t count the $10 website fee), the company actually collected a total of $1400.00 – NOT $800. So, where did the additional $600 go that I paid and the first 2 I got in paid? Does that other $600 go directly into the pocket of the ‘mother’ company as profit they don’t want to mention?
Here’s the biggest problem. No matter how you dice or slice it, You are NOT being paid on the sale of groceries. You, my friend are NOT selling groceries, you are selling a business opportunity, an income earning opportunity. You are not being paid a percentage based on what the customer purchases. Commissions are strictly coming from that fee you paid to join.
About that voucher I told you to remember. You are encouraged to hold on to it until you cycle…. then cash it in for your Wal-Mart card or groceries you order from the company. Now this part does not make sense. Who in their right mind is going to have groceries SHIPPED to them when they could go down to Wal-Mart and buy ANYTHING they wanted with their card… so why are you encouraged to ‘not cash in the voucher’ until you cycle?
If you never cycle… that’s money in the company’s pocket….and an email sitting in your inbox that says you have a voucher. Print that email out and now you’ve got a piece of paper with ink on it.
Think about this – if you and those other 6 people joined and cashed in their voucher for their $200 Wal-Mart card – BEFORE they cycled… that pay-out distribution up above would already be spent… wouldn’t it? hmmmmm……Golly, I think the company would have paid out $1400 in Wal-Mart cards since there were actually 7 in the matrix. Where’s the $800 going to come from to pay out those commissions?
Would a logical, critical thinking person pay $200 to MPBToday for a Wal-mart card unless there was a business opportunity attached? – NO ! We’d all go to Wal-mart and get our own $200 card.
Unless MPBToday changes how and where they pay from, it’s not a matter of WILL this blow up, but more like WHEN. And it could change tomorrow since there’s nothing in writing of any real significance…… yet.
It took TVI (another voucher game) around 18 months to blow up and people are actually going to jail. If everyone who joined MPB Today cashed in their vouchers after they received their voucher notification, this thing would fall pretty fast, but they are banking on our not being that smart. Bottom line, cash out before you cycle – but then there will be no money to pay commissions.
~Jennifer Fisher
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July 22nd, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Interesting, Gee I Bought this Biz a week ago! I have seen several times when there was a business that was labeled scam when it wasn’t, and the other way around!? Will see ?
July 22nd, 2010 at 8:18 pm
This program is going to confuse a lot of people. There is a lot of stress on the fact that there is a “Product” (groceries) and that the program is legal.
But you are not getting paid a percentage on the actual amount of groceries someone purchases, you are ONLY getting paid on the sign up fee of those you bring in….. it is confusing.
Ask yourself this question. Can I make money by selling the groceries without having to sponsor someone into the business? The answer is NO!
There is a great article written by Gerald P. Nehra who is an MLM Specialist Private Practice Attorney. He is one of only a few attorneys nationwide whose practice is devoted exclusively to direct selling and multi-level marketing issues. Please read the whole article.
http://www.hhnlive.com/article.....ality-test
Among all the other important information, in that article Attorney Nehra states:
“If the proposed income opportunity consists ONLY of buying for personal use and sponsoring more representatives, with no provision for sales to customers, it is flawed.”
And the last paragraph:
“Look at the plan design, and look at the way the plan is being implemented by the prospective sponsor and associates. If the ONLY WAY to make money is by sponsoring, STAY AWAY, the plan is fatally flawed.”
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
The “sign up fee” and a grocery purchase amounts to the same thing because people are able to get groceries. If you go to a grocery store and pay for your groceries, did the store scam you, or is that illegal? No, yet they just pocket your money and you get nothing but groceries. What exactly is wrong with basically doing the same thing but giving you something extra? If you were to just buy the voucher and redeem it for groceries, you can do just that. You could even get into the habit of ordering your groceries that way all the time. No, you would not make money, but you would get groceries for the money, not nothing or things you don’t need. You seem to be overly concerned about the idea that this could be technically illegal in some way but the fact is that nobody loses money. If anybody waits or tries to recruit, that’s entirely their choice, they could have just redeemed their voucher for groceries earlier.
July 22nd, 2010 at 11:48 pm
When you buy groceries and, naturally, the store is not giving you anything but the groceries, is that a scam? You can use MPB as your grocery store with delivery service by buying groceries from them, although you must first buy that voucher and then redeem it. You can buy again but don’t have to, you get the groceries for your money and you can decide not to get involved in any referral program. There is no entry fee, or it amounts to the same thing as buying groceries because for the “fee”, one actually gets the voucher to be redeemed for groceries. There is no scam because nobody loses money, they can get their groceries any time even without recruiting. Anybody who would wait before redeeming the voucher or who would try to recruit is doing so by choice. Maybe if there was a requirement to buy every month like some companies have, then I can understand your concern and why that may be illegal in some cases. But here, there is no loss of money and no victim, so I don’t see why you are talking of scams or prison.
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:29 am
All valid points Monica… And if you wanted to join just for the $200 Wal-Mart card, why not just go to Wal-Mart and buy one and save yourself the extra $10 for the replicated website?
The big difference is this – If you go to Wal-Mart and buy a $200 card, there is no expectation of earning income from suggesting others buy a Wal-Mart card.
The problem is NOT about the card… the problem is where the money comes from to pay those who join to earn an income.
We can all justify, rationalize the decisions we make, but the fact remains to earn income in the pay plan as designed right now, you must sponsor others into the program.
As Attorney Gerald P. Nehra states in his article on the MLM Legality Test… http://www.hhnlive.com/article.....ality-test
“If the ONLY WAY to make money is by sponsoring, STAY AWAY, the plan is fatally flawed.”
July 23rd, 2010 at 11:47 am
The WalMart card is just a way to replace the groceries for those who prefer the card for some reason (maybe they live outside the current delivery area, would have trouble being home when the deliveries arrive, etc.). Incidentally, some grocery stores do sell gift stores for other stores including WalMart. Mine does. But for those who refer, there is not just the card or the groceries, there is also a $300 payment. Still, the payment plus the card/groceries amount to $500 and together, the individual plus the 6 referred people pay $1400 (not counting the hosting fee). I don’t see why paying $500 out of $1400 would be unreasonable. Forget about that lawyer, he’s just explaining that buying for personal use is not the same thing as an income opportunity or being in business. So what? No matter how this is supposed to be called from a legal standpoint, good things are happening for those who were customers just once, if they subsequently refer other customers, while, on the other hand, people are free to just get their groceries and not get involved in anything else.
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:10 pm
Monica I love your persistence and blind belief.
I’m not sure where the ‘good thing’ is/was for the customer who only bought in one time for $210 and then received $200 voucher for groceries or a Wal-mart card. I am missing the advantage that would have been… but that’s ok…please, no need to explain. I’ve heard the presentation.
You said:
“Forget about that lawyer, he’s just explaining that buying for personal use is not the same thing as an income opportunity or being in business. So what? No matter how this is supposed to be called from a legal standpoint, good things are happening ”
Were you to have any concern for whether something is within the law or not, I’d recommend you go back and read Attorney Nehra’s article. What you have summarized is not what he said… but that’s ok too, we only see what we want to see to justify what we want to do.
We live in a country where we are free to make choices. There will be those who understand Network Marketing compensation plans a bit better, who will go out and do their own research, and then make a decision based on facts not emotion and there will be others like you who don’t care… if it sounds good, they’re doing it.. no matter what. It’s all about choices, isn’t it?
Monica, I wish you the greatest of success. I hope things go well for you. I have to agree with Charles, when he says let’s see…
July 24th, 2010 at 2:52 am
If anyone actually checked into this company they would see that yes there are terms and conditions. It really seems the real problem might be that there are those that simply do not like this 2×2 matrix and they don’t like it that an opportunity exists that does not require selling pills and potions. And for clarification… this is a 2×2 matrix, it cycles at 6 people including you so the total money brought in is $1200.00 not $1400. Of that $300 is paid out in the form of a check (not a debit card or paypal), $200 enters that person back into the next matrix, and $200 is taken either in groceries (selected by you not the company) or you may select to have a $200 Wal-Mart gift card. Does the company get part of that 1200? Of course! No company can survive any other way. If they did’nt get something you would see it fold and fold fast just like these insane MLM’s out here that claim to be paying out 80%! Is this for everyone? No, nothing ever is. Is it risk free? NO, again few things ever are. If, you get in and do not sponsor 2 people before your matrix cycles, the company banks that for you and when you do sponsor in 2 people, you will then earn the money & gift cards for those banked cycles. Worst case scenario? You spend the 200 plus the 10 for the website, never sponsor anyone and decide to take your 200 in groceries. You might be out a little for shipping but when you are looking at network marketing opportunities…. we see tons of the that ask for $50 or more up front to get started and then ask you to continue spending every month and sadly many folks do this and never have anything to show for it. So, in reality…. with this, you at least will have something for you money. Is it for those that do not plan on doing anything with it? No, if you have no intention of working a business why would you get involved in one in the first place?
Bottom line, this is a very different company. No doubt about that. But we needn’t go off trying to bash it simply to keep your potential prospects from joining it. We live in a big world…. there are plenty of prospects and plenty of opportunities for everyone.
July 24th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Thank you Vickie, for dropping by to offer your input and clarification.
On your first point-it’s not a matter of whether someone likes a 2×2 matrix. When my friend asked me to look at it became a matter of ‘get her the facts’ so she can decide.
$1200 vs $1400 – I’d agree if you aren’t counting what you paid. You paid $200 just like everyone else. You plus 6 people in your matrix still adds up to $1400.
Terms of Service and Policies & Procedures- as of July 22, the only thing posted for anyone to see BEFORE they sign up is a FAQ. Yesterday I was told by another friend on Facebook that the TOS and P&P’s were there, so I went looking to verify so that I could amend those facts.. Some companies may HIDE the P&P’s until you join but they don’t hide the Terms of Service. If there are indeed TOS and P&P’s you don’t get the right to review your legal binding contract with this company UNTIL after you join.
I totally agree, NO company can guarantee anyone’s success. It is up to the individual and their own efforts in further recommending products or services to an end user/consumer and by building a team IF they chose. However this program is not providing a service or a consumable product that can be purchased outside of joining.
That’s a problem! I can’t make clear enough or state any better than Attorney Nehra states:
“If the proposed income opportunity consists ONLY of buying for personal use and sponsoring more representatives, with no provision for sales to customers, it is flawed.”
Vickie, I also totally agree with your statement “Is it for those that do not plan on doing anything with it? No, if you have no intention of working a business why would you get involved in one in the first place?”
As far as bashing this to promote another company? You are incorrect. Not once have I suggested anyone join anything else. What has been provided here are FACTS!
Having the facts and then making your own decision if an opportunity is right for you is ALL that matters. As or should the facts change, I’ll be glad to amend whatever has been pointed out as FACT so far.
Here are the Facts again.
1. There is no product/service that can be sold to a consumer.
2. All products being purchased are for personal use.
And…
3. There is no way to earn income outside of sponsoring others into the program.
When a State Attorney General’s office or the FTC start looking at a company to determine whether or not it’s legit, they are NOT going to come to this site and make a decision based on what ANYONE has said… they too, are going to base their decisions on FACT! Not FEELING! NOT what a great concept this is.
If and When those facts change, it will be a whole different ball game.
July 24th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Vicki,
Per your comment “If anyone actually checked into this company they would see that yes there are terms and conditions”
Just ‘checking’ into MPBToday makes it sound like the documents are there, you just didn’t look…..
A more accurate statement would be – AFTER you join, then you you can see Terms Of Service and Policies & Procedures. Someone just “checking into” will not find them publicly displayed.
However, I do amend my statement on there not being TOS & P&P’s. Pay your $210.00 to join and then you can find out what your legal contract is with the company.
Thank you Scott for clearing this up.
It’s interesting… were this a traditional business being sold, perspective owners would go over everything with a fine tooth comb and possibly even confer with an attorney before signing on the dotted line to make sure they were protected. After talking to more and more people about this opportunity, it seems the majority of the ones who join could care less about making sure they are protected, contracts, legalities, lawyers.
July 25th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Can you explain more clearly why, in your view, the plan would (or would not) fail on the basis of the actual figures alone even if it was, in fact, perfectly legal or could be made that way? After all, many MLM companies require an initial payment and monthly purchases just to remain in the program, yet they stay in business and the Attorney General’s office or the FTC won’t shut them down even though the monthly autoship is probably for personal consumption or useless. I do want to base my decisions on facts, but it’s the financial facts that interest me the most, and I’m still not convinced that, from a purely financial perspective, this cannot work.
July 26th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I did not make the rules. It’s not about my view or perspective, and it’s not about convincing you either, Monica.
Let’s look at this again:
“If the proposed income opportunity consists ONLY of buying for personal use and sponsoring more representatives, with no provision for sales to customers, it is flawed.”
There is a 70/30 rule. This basically states there is a percentage we can use for personal use and the balance is for re-sell.
Each MLM company addresses the ‘patroling’, if you will, of this rule when we are talking about consumables. In your Policies and Procedures, MPB would be addressing this rule IF the business was actually selling groceries. But it’s not.
What is the actual business?
On the front page of the website, as of today, July 26, 2010, “Front of Trend”, the business is Grocery Delivery Service.
I do not see anywhere on the site where they are actually paying you a commission on the real business of grocery delivery.
Your commissions are being paid by bringing people into the matrix. That’s a no-no. There is no product I can just go to your website and buy without entering the matrix. That’s a no-no. The products you are buying with your $200 card are not designed to be resold to another end consumer. Yes, there’s nothing stopping you from going to Wal-mart, buying whatever and then setting up a table outside to resell what you bought, but who is going to do that? And that’s not why you joined is it?
Monica, there is no advantage for anyone to join MPBToday unless they are interested in the compensation plan. That is a problem.
Whether the company collects $1400 from 7 people (me and 6 others) and then pays out $800 is not the issue.
Here are a couple of things an Attorney General’s office looks at
1. Would someone buy this product or service at this price if there was not a business opportunity attached?
First we’d have to figure out what the REAL product is and since the company is not actually selling groceries and does not even have to get involved in delivery service.
2. Does the money stop when the recruiting stops?
July 26th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Yes, someone would buy this product or service at this price if there was not a business opportunity attached. Everybody buys food and the groceries are sold at good prices, and this could be the little technicality that will save the business if it gets investigated. And you have now admitted that whether the company collects $1400 from 7 people (me and 6 others) and then pays out $800 is not the issue. Thus, if there was not for pesky little rules that you admittedly have not invented, there would be no problem whatsover. It looks like this is, in fact, a very good plan except that there is a risk of trouble from some busybody authorities. Mind you, nothing may happen, as all kinds of MLM companies have been in business for years, but you are not doing anybody a service by rocking the boat, since financially, the plan is, in fact, viable by your own admission.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
My goodness Monica, I should have stopped wasting my breath back when you misinterpreted and then suggested others blow off what a highly respected attorney who strictly works in the MLM Industry says.
My statement:
“Whether the company collects $1400 from 7 people (me and 6 others) and then pays out $800 is not the issue”.
Is in NO way a statement that this is a viable, sustainable business model, not by any stretch of the imagination. I’m not sure how you came up with that interpretation. It has from the beginning and still is a matter of WHERE the money is coming from to pay commissions … NOT the amount.
You said “as all kinds of MLM companies have been in business for years” …..Monica, they are still in existence because they abide by those pesky little rules made by those busybody authorities that you chose to blow off as insignificant. None of those companies who have been around for years has a business model of this design…. and by the way, it’s not because this is some new innovative compensation plan.
Again, it all boils down to choices, doesn’t it? You have no concern for laws, rules, proper business models, but you do have an interesting way of interpreting what I’ve tried to explain to justify and rationalize your decision that this is a great opportunity.
As of today, July 26, 2010, the facts still remain the same.
1. There is no product/service that can be sold to a consumer
without entering the matrix.
2. All products being purchased are for personal use.
And…
3. There is no way to earn income outside of placing others into the matrix.
For those who do care…I’ll repeat….. There is a great article written by Gerald P. Nehra who is an MLM Specialist Private Practice Attorney. He is one of only a few attorneys nationwide whose practice is devoted exclusively to direct selling and multi-level marketing issues. Please read the whole article and measure ANY home based income opportunity against the guidelines.
http://www.hhnlive.com/article.....ality-test
If the opportunity you are looking at does not pass the test,
then you’d be safer to keep looking regardless of how great it
sounds. If it sounds too good to be true, that may just be the case.
Monica, I have never censored anyone from expressing their opinions on this site, but if you want to keep this up, please understand, the facts are here. I am not going to keep trying to explain to you something you have no real interest in knowing or understanding.
July 30th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Hi Jennifer, can you please tell me how is it that money rolls down from the top? The lady that’s trying to get me on keeps saying that if I wanted to join and stop at two people I can because the "people on the top" will see that I need more people and give some to me. But wonder if they have their picks, they may deliberately not add to my matrix because they see that I’m not doing anything. I mean wonder if my two people don’t get 2 people-ever…then what? I mean do the company have money like that to be able to spill over to people who decides to only stop at 2 people (since they’re already convinced they’re going to get paid forever regardless.
I mean…is this worth a try…I trust the lady I know, but not the system.
July 30th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Hi Tiffany,
You bring up some good points and have some very good questions.
1. Money Rolling down
Actually money does not roll down in this plan, it only rolls up. I join and start my matrix (my money just rolled up), you and your friend join under me (your money just rolled up above me), 4 friends join under you and your friend.. those 4- all the money rolls up to me … not down to you.
You could call this an Aussie 2-up because you do not get paid on the first 2 you bring in, but it’s being called a 2×2 Matrix for other reasons.
2. People at the top passing others down to fill other Matrix(s).
The first couple of companies I joined back in 2003-2004 guaranteed spillover. Spill over usually equals out to others who do not do anything either. Back in January of this year, I wrote an article on the “Spill over Myth”
http://gotojenniferfisher.com/.....spillover/
I do not remember if I mentioned this or not in that particular article, but Tiffany, not everyone who joins a spill over program comes in with a Welfare mentality. Some come in with all good intentions of sponsoring others, but then after a few friends or family tell us we are nuts, it’s a pyramid thing, we give up because… truthfully no one likes rejection and ridicule. That’s when the hope of spillover keeps us hanging on and hanging on and hanging on…
Sometime early this week, someone spammed me with this deal touting that 10,000 others were already in and making tons of money. Whether this is true or not, does not tell you where you are in the Matrix(s). … and unfortunately there is no way of telling whether you will receive any ‘spillover’ or not.
3. What happens if I never get two more people?
Tiffany, it happens. I was in several different companies and never sponsored anyone. However, when you join a company and pay your fee, you SHOULD be getting something back of equal or greater value at the time you join….NOT a piece of paper which amounts to an “IOU”.
If you join and never get two under you, you don’t exactly lose your $200, unless you eventually say ‘well, it was only $200′ and walk away, but it’s going to cost you so much more to redeem that “IOU” (just in shipping) than if you had just stayed out of it and gone about buying your groceries like you normally would.
These type pay plans are designed with the law of averages working FOR the company, not against the company. They count on a certain number of participants to never fill their matrix, but to stay in the plan hoping for that spillover so they will not lose their investment. It’s just extra money for the company that they never have to pay out.
4. Trusting Friends- Tiffany, this happens all the time. In most ALL cases we trust our friends so much we expect they did all their homework before they jumped in, so without looking like you are, we LEAP! Sometimes that leap is a good move, sometimes not so good. It’s the not so good leaps and then who blames who for not doing their homework that can ruin great friendships.
There are several things that you are not allowed to look over before you join. These sometimes become the extra ‘hoops and loops’ that are most often included in the Policies and Procedures. If this is something you really want to do, then ask your friend to go to her back office and provide you these three documents. They should be in pdf format or .doc format… if neither then she may need to cut and paste into a file.
You need:
1. The written compensation Plan
2. The written Terms of Service
3. The written Policies and Procedures
If these cannot be provided, then anything goes. Used to be a person’s word was good enough. When it comes to business in this age…. ANY business, be it traditional or online.. that word or handshake is NOT enough. If there’s not a written contract that tells you what the company’s rights are and what your rights are…. walk away and keep buying your groceries just like you always have.
If there is a written contract and you don’t understand it, let me know you are sending it to me first and then I’ll tell you the best email address to send it to… I’ll look over it and let you know where all the ‘gotcha’s’ are.
If you have more questions, let me know. You’re a smart cookie, Tiffany, to ask questions. Unfortunately this program sounds sooo good that many who have never been in Network Marketing before are making this first their experience and only time will tell if it’s going to really be a good one or just another bad one like most all programs have been based on this business model.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I can not for the life of me believe some of the comments on this article. For Monica to simply blow off what a lawyer says, "Forget about that lawyer, he’s just explaining that buying for personal use is not the same thing as an income opportunity or being in business. So what? No matter how this is supposed to be called from a legal standpoint, good things are happening for those who were customers just once,"
I have to agree with Jennifer that Monica has a unique way of interpreting all of this.
For those who stay connected to what goes on in MLM, TVI Express was a great opportunity too (So many thought). Guess what…there are some fellow network marketers who were caught in this illegal scam. They are now faced with big legal turmoil now and facing jail time. Some are now looking out through the cell bars. Go ahead check out MLMWatchDog.com
Someone had better start paying attention to laws, and "those pesky little rules made by those busybody authorities" that you chose to blow off as insignificant.
MLM Law states…it is illegal to promote a MLM company if the only goal is to earn profits from sign up bonuses of new recruits, regardless of the usefulness of the service or product. There must be a product that goes to an end consumer.
1. There is no product/service that can be sold to a consumer
without entering the matrix.- Illegal
2. All products being purchased are for personal use. A NO, NO
And…
3. There is no way to earn income outside of placing others into the matrix.
In my opinion for this to be legal there has to be a product that I could purchase without having to be recruited into the opportunity. Commissions have to be made on product sales not on recruiting.
Would any rational person join an opportunity such as this if there were not compensation plan attached? Questions that the states Attorney General will be asking.
I suggest that someone try to go cash in their voucher before cycling through your matrix. That may tell another story as well.
Thank you for your article Jennifer. It is unfortunate that so many chose to blindly enter into an opportunity and knowing what laws do govern network marketing.
Darlene
August 1st, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Actually, there is a product that you could purchase without having to be recruited into the opportunity. In the back office, there is now a separate “Become a customer” tab, different from the “Become an affiliate” tab. You can sign up as a customer and buy groceries to be delivered. One may wonder why anybody who is willing to pay would stick to being a customer when they might as well become affiliates, but this option is now available, even directly, not only in the sense that affiliates can redeem their vouchers. Now, I’m sure you are going to say that for those who wish to become affiliates, the nature of the compensation plan has not really changed, but the fact is that the opportunity to just be a customer without being an affiliate is available.
August 1st, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Hello again, Monica,
Actually, I do not see any need in beating a dead horse about how affiliates are paid. I think we’ve done that dance more than once.
Having a ‘customer’ only option is a good thing and a step in the right direction. So let’s address that change.
My next questions are:
1. Why do I have to spend a minimum of $200 as a customer?
2. What is the separate commission percent paid to the affiliate for those who only want to be a customer and are willing to buy a minimum of $200 worth of groceries at one time and then either have them delivered for a fee (if in the delivery area) or pay for shipping outside the delivery area.
Basically, what’s the single level commission based on customer sales?
Thanks,
~Jennifer
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:41 am
Perhaps as a customer I only wish to purchase $50.00 groceries this week. After all as already established by Monica we are in an economic crunch right now. So I will still have to choose between buying my $200.00 worth of groceries and the prescriptions for my child’s diabetes.
Too many restrictions if you ask me.
It is like buying furnace oil, do I purchase it from the delivery service and be locked in to purchase $800.00 of oil every two weeks when he arrives or do I go to the local business in my area and purchase what I KNOW I can afford today and deliver it myself?
In my opinion if someone is looking to purchase groceries in this manner, they would search for a company that would be less restrictive with the amount I HAVE to purchase.
Your second question is also very valid Jennifer. If you are looking at this opportunity as an affiliate,??
“2. What is the separate commission percent paid to the affiliate for those who only want to be a customer and are willing to buy a minimum of $200 worth of groceries at one time and then either have them delivered for a fee (if in the delivery area) or pay for shipping outside the delivery area.”
I don’t see where there is going to be any commission paid to anyone who brings in a “customer only” recruit?
After all residual income IS based on commissions paid on the “Sale” of products not on the bonus paid to recruit. That is a one time payment only.
Again Jennifer thank you for your article. I think you are getting some kind of dialogue going here. I hope that some will see the value in your blog and begin to think with a more open mind regarding this topic.
Time will tell, but as we have seen on Rod Cook’s site, business models such as this do not last long. BUT TIME WILL TELL! Who knows?
~ Darlene
August 2nd, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Hello Darlene,
Please forgive my rudeness in not thanking you for dropping by the first time. You have provide very good points in both your visits.
Obviously you’ve also heard the presentation and the emational lure of the families that have to chose between groceries and medications.
As just a customer – If I am so strapped that I have to chose between groceries and medications or some other necessitity, where is the convience or even logic in advance paying a delivery service $200 to supply me with dry good groceries – and then have that money tied up in their hands until I have picked out $200 worth.
This brings up another question- thought. In the presenation I heard, and in spam messsages I’ve received on social sites, it’s always pointed out how convient this would be for people who lived in rural areas and could not get to the store. How were they getting their groceries before this opportunity came along?
I can’t imagine the cost to have Fed-ex, UPS or even the Post Office send me $200 worth of dry goods – laundry soap, paper towels, canned beans, spices, flour, canned soup… or whatever a ‘customer’ is going to make as selections.
I’ll be interested in hearing what the commission earned is for straight customer sales. 5%, 10%, 15% ? Because as you have wisely pointed out,
“After all residual income IS based on commissions paid on the “Sale” of products not on the bonus paid to recruit. That is a one time payment only.”
Thank you Darlene for dropping by and sharing your input and knowledge of the Network Marketing Industry.
August 2nd, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Since you brought up poverty, if it comes to that, it could also work the other way around. The customer would buy lots of food to make sure that there is at least something and that some staple foods will not have to be included in the grocery budget during lean times because they have been bought in advance. Also, unlike money, food already in the pantry is not normally taken into consideration for reasons such as means testing for those who apply for some kind of financial assistance, neither will creditors come and get it if the individual is in debt. If there is any other way for the customer to lose money, it just won’t happen, if the money is not there any more.
I did that kind of thing myself (I mean, buying lots of food to “ensure my food security”), especially when I was making little money but then some money came my way. It is a fact: within the limits of shelf time, buying more could work even for the poor unless there is simply no way to ever get hold of $200 at once. Besides, the company says that their prices are lower. In that case, if it is possible to get the $200 after all, it could be worth it.
August 2nd, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Monica,
They ought to be making you the company closer. You certainly have a justification for everything even if it goes beyond common sense and logical critical thinking…
So now you have established that some people might send money in advance to a “delivery company” and then add to their list until they spend $200 to stockpile groceries. You didn’t rationalize out WHY they would be willing to pay shipping instead of just going about their shopping as they always had before.
I’m not even going to go into your statement “Besides, the company says that their prices are lower. In that case, if it is possible to get the $200 after all, it could be worth it.”. The rest of your justification would have to make more sense before this would become an issue.
You did not answer my BIGGEST question and the most important one of all….
“2. What is the separate commission percentage paid to the affiliate for those who only want to be a customer and are willing to buy a minimum of $200 worth of groceries at one time and then either have them delivered for a fee (if in the delivery area) or pay for shipping outside the delivery area.”
Or as Darlene put it… “commissions paid on the “Sale” of products not on the bonus paid to recruit. That is a one time payment only.”
Or let’s put it another way – the legal way, even though you do not care about that…
What is the SINGLE-LEVEL, (that is, without sponsoring another income opportunity seeker) commission you get paid if all you bring in is one or two ‘customers’?
August 2nd, 2010 at 8:51 pm
They may want to pay for delivery because it is convenient and it saves time. It may also save money due to lower prices. There are people who find that the time they would otherwise have spent grocery shoping in a real store and bringing the groceries home, possibly in multiple trips, is worth the delivery fees. If they do not have a car, this involves carrying heavy bags (or not so heavy but then they would have to go to the store more frequently). If they have a car, they would pay for gas. Whether actually cheaper or not than the alternative, delivery could be the better choice for some people. This could also help people with limited mobility (no car, physical handicap, far from stores, etc.) even though it is true that even before, they still managed somehow.
Regarding the commission percentage, I just don’t know the answer yet, but the company seems to be working on various improvements, so I’m pretty sure the details will eventually be ironed out. The company said that “this is only the beginning of what will be a transition to a very professional website with “Madison Avenue” imaging and functionality”.
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Hello Monica,
Various improvements, “this is only the beginning of what will be a transition to a very professional website with “Madison Avenue” imaging and functionality”, getting the details ironed ….
Commissions plan is the first thing that should have been ironed out before they even launched… having a commission structure for ‘customers only’ is NOT something you think about and categorize as an improvement 2 months down the road.
I’ll tell you where those customers are going and why there is no commission currently set up for Single level ‘product sales’…
Call them what you like, affiliate, customer… they are ALL entering the matrix.. the recruiting side.
Currently you have no compensation plan that pays you strictly for customers – flawed business model.
Currently you only get paid for bringing people into the matrix – fatally flawed.
Monica, at this point I have to believe this is your first time in Network Marketing.
I do wish you well.
Jennifer Fisher
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:10 pm
Actually, I have been a Nutronix distributor. I have also participated in their Berry Tree program. Compared to their monthly autoship requirements just to stay in the programs, before any advertising expenses, MPB is a great improvement, since I only had to pay once and other than that it is up to me to keep advertising within budget. Or, I’m still working on paying off credit card balances due to my previous endeavours. It would not have been better if I did not get into MPB because I miss the opportunity to spend money and I like having my home business or trying to do so, so this keeps me busy and calm rather than frustrated because I can’t spend and play businesswoman. Incidentally, I’m still convinced that by no longer buying from Nutronix, I’m depriving myself of the health benefits of their vitamins and supplements.
Just today, MPB announced that inactive people will no longer have the ability to refer other affiliates but “however, their ability to create customers remains since this does not affect the matrix”. They specified that “an inactive person is a person who has not done $200 personal sales volume either through purchase or sell”. Thus, it looks like it is, in fact, possible to become an affiliate by selling to others instead of buying.
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Monica, when you were in Nutronix, your compensation plan stated what percentage you would be paid on the sale to end users. And you also had a percentage that was paid on business parnters and or/preferred customer sales.
I guess it doesn’t bother you, Monica, that you have no idea what your commission is for creating ‘customers’? Maybe it is because you are not seeking customers, just affiliates.
By what you said was just announced, the way to lose is beginning to reveal itself.
Thanks for your input Monica, and for your diligence in keeping everyone updated. I’ll be interested in knowing when they release the percentages paid on just ‘customer sales’.
Until then, regardless of what they are telling everyone… there is no SINGLE LEVEL way to earn income and the only way to create any income is through recruiting into the matrix.
~Jennifer Fisher
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:56 pm
In Nutronix, I never even considered selling to end users, so whether that was even possible did not interest me. I just considered that opportunity a good thing to have for legal protection (to make the company look legitimate) and possibly for other people who may want to try.
But what exactly did you mean by “By what you said was just announced, the way to lose is beginning to reveal itself.”? I understand that you still don’t think that the plan is good, but I don’t understand that sentence.
August 4th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Monica,
The longer we talk this through, the more I understand why you can’t see the forest for the trees.
Each time you have asked me to clarify something for you, I spent quite a while trying to explain the fundamentals of Network Marketing to you… at which point you came back with something sort of “who cares? – Laws???? Who cares! Rules? Who cares! I don’t!”
So, let’s do it this way this time. Put yourself in the shoes of the “inactive” person. Play it out and then come back and tell me the results. No cheating, extraneous or outrageous, logically inconceivable exceptions allowed.
Let me know what you come up with.
~Jennifer Fisher
August 4th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I don’t quite understand what you mean. All right. Option one: never becoming active. Case closed. Option two: willingly becoming an affiliate. Already discussed. Option three: buying groceries. Option 4: not buying groceries but finding other paying customers (less likely to happen because the inactive person is not likely to take the trouble but then yes, they can). Option 5: a combination of personal purchases and finding other paying customers. Now, because the company said that it is possible to become active by a combination of personal purchases and sales, options three, four and five may still somehow open up the possibility of becoming an affiliate, but I really don’t know how automatic that is or is not and how exactly that happens or if I did not misunderstand and this is not possible. For instance, affiliates also have to pay $10 per year for their affiliate site and some people may just not do it. Some may agree if there is indeed a way to become affiliates at that point because once they spent or sold for $200, they might as well. But it’s not necessarily automatic and frankly, at this point, it is just not clear what would happen.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Ok Monica,
I work for Canada Post, the equivalent to your USPS. There is NO WAY, did I say NO WAY that having these groceries shipped to the customer will be cheaper than the customer driving 15 miles to go pick up the darn groceries themselves. $200.00 worth of groceries is a lot of weight and volume to be calculated. Just for curiosity sake I loaded up a box of groceries and took it to the post office. Weight was 32 lbs while the dimensions were 27"L x 20"H x 20"W I plugged these dimensions into USPS online…The shipping is $68.95 for the next day delivery to the door or for "Hold for pick-up".
I think someone needs to start rationalizing this whole thing an open mind.
Next, Monica you said this…"I understand that you still don’t think that the plan is good, but I don’t understand that sentence."
I have done a bit of digging around on the internet to see what the outcome is of any 2×2 matrix. According to the MLM Watch Dog at this site http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/MLM_matrix_scam.html gives you a bit of insight into the 2×2 matrix. I know you don’t seem to care about the legalities of MLM right at this moment, but you may one day change your mind. Give this a read. HAS A 2X2 MATRIX CYCLER EVER BEEN LEGAL?
A 2×2 Matrix works and makes money for the company simply because the majority of those that jump in can’t sign up 6 people. The average 2×2 Matrix Cycler pays out about 14%. The Scam Company ends up FAT, Rich and Happy…NOT YOU.
Next you mentioned that "In Nutronix, I never even considered selling to end users, so whether that was even possible did not interest me. I just considered that opportunity a good thing to have for legal protection (to make the company look legitimate) and possibly for other people who may want to try."
Why were you concerned about "legal protection" with this opportunity? The FTC says that any MLM company can not base their business solely on recruiting, that is illegal. You have to have sales as well to the "end consumer". LAW!!!
So I will leave you with this info found at http://www.mlmconsultant.com/mlm_law.htm
"CASE HISTORY NEW (BURN LOUNGE) TO OLDER CASES
The U.S. FTC has been moving steadily toward measuring the amount of Sales to Distributors compared to the dollar amount generated by sales to end consumers (Customers that do not belong to the pay plan). If there aren’t enough Customers, the MLM Company is considered a Pyramid Scheme. Regulators have found that pure pyramid schemes don’t have any end consumer customers. The definition of a Customer is a person that only buys product or services and doesn’t belong to the compensation plan and has no expectation of making money. The FTC Consumer Affairs people said in public speeches (not written rules) that MLM – Network Marketing Companies need to have a minimum of 50% Customers (that do not belong to the pay plan) to prove they are not a pyramid scheme."
August 4th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
I think MPB is delivering, which explains why the delivery area is limited. They wrote “Check out the new Southeastern Delivery vehicle design… we have been working on the design for our delivery vehicles and I am thrilled with the results… pic attached.” and the picture of a van was attached. So far for the weight. The information about MLM and the FTC worries me in case the company gets shut down but if MPB Today does not sell enough to customers, maybe that “Southeastern Delivery” company does, or will. Hey, somebody is actually in the grocery delivery business and has delivery vans and groceries.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Hi Darlene,
Nice to see you back and thanks for all the great information.
You said you work for Canada Post. That’s really pretty interesting because #2 in the FAQ says there is no delivery in Canada at this time, but the company is working on it.
Maybe you can shed some light on the possibility of Canada ever allowing dry good groceries to be shipped from US to Canada…. and since you are here and volunteered your location, I hope you won’t mind me using you as just one ‘no win’ possibility.
I do realize you understand that this opportunity as it is will not fly based on what is required by law, so let’s just pretend that’s not an issue to you either.
Obviously you join primarily for the income opportunity, hopefully you read the FAQ that said you won’t be ab;e to order and have groceries delivered to you. So let’s say you pay up your $200 and get your IOU voucher, and I suppose you are going to need the website too so you can market to us here in the U.S. — so that’s another $10.
Now you are in the matrix and start advertising online but can’t get enough people to join as an affiliate or even as a customer. According to Monica, at some point you become ‘inactive’ and are disqualified as an affiliate. What value will you ever get back for that $200 you paid besides an IOU voucher if you can’t ever fill your matrix?
~Jennifer Fisher
August 4th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Monica, if MPB is delivering the groceries, they have not updated their FAQ. Have you ever read that? As of today, Aug 03, 2010, the FAQ still states that MPB is the marketing affiliate to the delivery company Southeastern Delivery.
Southeastern Delivery does NOT sell groceries. They are a delivery company. Since they do NOT sell groceries, you can not hope that their grocery volume will change anything.
They may have vans and most likely they are using some of the profits they are making from the MLM deal for a new design, but Monica they are a delivery company – they do NOT stock or sell groceries. You order, they go pick up and then deliver to you.
Monica, I am not sure whether the light is coming on for you yet or not. It’s all there on the front page of the website. You just have to get past the smoke and mirrors and critically analyze WHAT is really being said.
I think we are back to square one. I DO want to come back and further discuss this announcement of ‘inactive’ affiliates.
Monica, since you do not know about the commissions paid on just the ‘sale’, is there an upline you can ask?
~Jennifer Fisher
August 4th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Hey Jennifer, to answer and shed some light on “Maybe you can shed some light on the possibility of Canada ever allowing dry good groceries to be shipped from US to Canada…. and since you are here and volunteered your location, I hope you won’t mind me using you as just one ‘no win’ possibility.”
First I don’t mind you using me as an example. So here it goes. There is NO CHANCE, NONE WHATSOEVER, that our great Canadian border patrol will be allowing now or in the near future any “dry” good groceries to come across our great border that separates us from our wonderful neighbors and friends to the south.
These dry goods are all very readily available in our Canadian grocery stores. So if a Canadian customer or an affiliate of the MPB program wants to buy Oreo Cookies or Heinz Ketchup, Cottonelle bathroom tissues, flour or and other marketed good this will not be coming across the border. The only goods that are shipped back and forth freely are “Home-made” products such as home made jams, cookies, preserves, quilts. This sort of thing.
Look this is the most bogus “opportunity” I have come across in recent months.
Your question Jennifer, “What value will you ever get back for that $200 you paid besides an IOU voucher if you can’t ever fill your matrix?” There s nothing of value coming “down” to you. And another thing as you may or may not know; not all American checks and Canadian Checks are cashable in the respective counties banks. What makes anyone think that this “IOU Voucher” will be accepted here in Canada once it comes across our border? It IS NOT happening my friends who are drooling over this lame excuse for a network marketing op.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for the info on what can cross the border and what can’t. I did know that some countries will not allow certain nutritional products to come across. I hadn’t thought about the check issue though.
Now I did hear on the presentation call I listened to that they were looking at debit cards, so that would eliminate the check issue, but it’s going to cost you a fee to use a debit card. I’m not sure that fee is going to be significant to most, but it reminds me of companies who charge their distributors a fee when the company cuts them a commission check.
The Voucher being accepted? You get that in an email when you join, but until you can redeem it by cycling or grocery order plus shipping, it’s just an email that can be printed on a piece of paper. Since Canadians cannot cash out towards grocery orders, I have to presume if you never cycle, you’ve lost your $200.00 investment?
~Jennifer Fisher
August 5th, 2010 at 8:12 am
I was not even thinking of getting groceries delivered. I actually prefer not to cycle until another form of payment becomes available. WalMart cards are just fine and there is WalMart in Canada. If I lose the money, I can afford it. It’s better than recovering it by wasting lots of money on advertising. There would be fees anyway if any bank is accepting their checks after all, so I’m not concerned about the fees, although I would have preferred AlertPay.
And I do wonder about delivery becomeing available. After all, groceries don’t appear magically on the shelves in Canada. There must be a way to deliver them legally. That may not necessarily involve delivering them across the border in their little van, I was not even thinking of that. But what about setting up operations in Canada, even on a small scale, or associating with some company or companies already established in Canada? Or getting gift cards that can be used in grocey stores in Canada, at Loblaw’s and Provigo, for example?
August 8th, 2010 at 9:11 am
You tickle me, thus far you have not cared whether the MPBToday program is legally designed, but you do have concern for getting groceries across the border in a legal fashion. The grocery delivery issue, I suspect that’s never going to come for Canada, at least not with MPBToday. It would surprise me if they were really even considering that.
Monica, it is also nice that you can afford to lose your money on this deal. What about others who may not be as financially solid as you?
By the way, I’m not sure why you are wasting even more money on paid advertising. It’s been proven that paid advertising on the internet does not work any better than free advertising.
Still waiting to hear what the ‘single level’ commission is if you just sell the deal to customers.
Thanks again Monica, for your contribution.
~Jennifer Fisher
August 8th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
If anybody attempted to try to get groceries across the border illegally, that would be a more serious problem and less likely to work, at least in the long run, than simply staying under the radar for alleged MLM irregularities on the Internet. But the only reason I even mentioned the possibility of arranging for delivery is that others talked about it. That was never an option for me and never interested me. For those who are in the States, the delivery area is, in fact, fairly limited for now and the rest would still have the problem of getting USPS and UPS delivery or having to give up this option. “Southeastern delivers groceries in geographic areas from Pensacola spreading outward into Alabama across Florida panhandle. However, they ship groceries into every state in the U.S. that has postal & UPS delivery address.” There are no updates on “single-level commissions” yet.
Whoever cannot afford to lose money should probably not spend it, but it is not up to me to make that decision for them or find out (how, anyway?) what their financial situation is. Also, I have a winning attitude. I’m thinking in terms of leveraging one’s modest resources, if possible after all, to get into a better financial position, not in terms of whining and worrying about possibly losing one’s little money when the way to prevent that if it would be such a problem is not to spend it in the first place. If you think I should be more concerned, why would I? I have no control over those people’s financial situation.
Being employed, I don’t have time to be everywhere, so spending some money could be a better solution for me, at least if I want some spare time or I’m busy doing overtime at my real job. Some mega solo ads are particularly effective, or at least the number of clicks is very high, so paying a few dollars per ad once in a while is worth it. However, in some cases, what you see as paid advertising could have been free advertising for me in reality. For instance, some text ad exchanges allow Joint Venture members (who, admittedly, paid something at first for such membership) to earn Mega Solo ads, which are sent to several sites at once, by clicking on ads. Other members can’t know whether I earned them or paid for them. Some sites just give a certain number of supersolo ads per month to upgraded members without having to click.
August 13th, 2010 at 6:06 am
I curious about something..
the way MPB today works is.. simular to avon which I am in..
with avon I either am selling products and make a small commission
and then of course with all buisness the more you sell the more you make.. now the incentive is to get more people to sell avon…
that is when I will make more money.. I am restricted on how I advertise… and if I am starting out and not selling anyting well I still have to put money out for books ect. cost of doing business.
now you take mpbtoday.. yes you can use your voucher.. but just as avon encourages you get people under you so does mptoday…
so the real money is to get others to get into this business
now you still only put out 200.00 investment… just as you would have with avon…investment…
now when you get 2 under you and THEY get 2 under them well then you get to turn in your voucher card…
when you sell avon or get people under you and THEY sell products you get something commission…
you also are getting paid a finders fee of sorts
300.00 cash and 200.00 that puts you in the 2nd cycle…
the way I see it is I get 300.00 commission…
now just like avon, amway, shaklee, herbalife..ect..we have a investment , we encourage people to be under us.. and we get paid for doing so..
the thng I like about this is … no auto shipping so if I have invested 200.00 then I do not pay monthly…fee
the website is not monthly but yearly.. I know those others are charging monthly..
man when I first started avon I was dishing a whole lot more than what MPBtoday has asked me to dish out..
SO NO I DO NOT SEE IT AS A SCAM AT LEAST NOT ANY MORE OF A SCAM THEN ANYTHING ELSE OUT THERE… look this is a business opportunity… I have had friends that have put out soo much more in other MLM tha this is nothing..
and yes I know a lot people who are cycling I know of at least 11 times.. that is not so bad for a 200.00 investment.. and whether you like it or not the groceries are the product being sold here…
you know not every avon campaign has wonderful things in them you wait to buy something you realy want.. it is called business…
Now you might not keep this published because I have pointed out some good points and that is ok I will understand.. but This is not a bad company… it is sad you can not see it because you think your soooo smart… oh when you join you will see terms and policys ect… so you don’t even know it all… yes you spoke well and tried to investigate but You did not even know … and you were CONCERNED>..
August 13th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Hi Cherie,
It’s not whether someone agrees with me or not. It’s a matter of discovering the truth based on verifiable facts.
It’s not a matter of being “smarter” that someone else either, Cherie, it is a matter of getting educated about the industry of your chosen profession. Network Marketing is my chosen profession so I have taken the time to learn about the Industry. I’m not a dabbler or opportunity seeker, I’m a business minded entrepreneur.
This is by no means a reflection on you personally Cherie, but an entrepreneur seeks the facts, which includes reading the ‘contractual agreement, in this case Terms of Service and Policies & Procedures, BEFORE they go into business. Business opportunists, opportunity seekers, just sign up and if it doesn’t work out, they are off looking for another opportunity. Legal contracts are typically ignored as being ‘standard fair’.
I have asked several times and will continue to ask… What is the single level commission you get paid if I just order a can of beans or a 10 pack of paper towels? Single level commissions come from ‘sale’ of goods or products – outside of the ‘finders fee’ for bringing other affiliates into the program.
This is not similar to Avon. Avon has designed its business model to stay within the laws of the land. With Avon, as a customer, I can order a single product and you should be receiving a small commission on the sale of that product. If you look at Avon, you get paid differently for customers than you do for affiliates. That’s “single level” vs “affiliate”.
There will never be an argument on whether people are being paid. It’s where the money comes from that is and will remain the legal issue.
We all have a right to our own opinions, but The facts and truth still remain today that:
#1 There is no single level commission paid on just the sale of product(s).
#2 You can call them customers, you can call them affiliates. They are all still forced to pay the same amount. Commissions are paid ONLY through entering the matrix.
As it stands today – this is a flawed business model. Unless changes are made, it will not stand the test of time.
“The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.” Winston Churchill
Best wishes to you Cherie and thanks again for coming by and expressing your opinion.
~Jennifer Fisher
August 15th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I was a successful Avon Representative from my very first campaign until I resigned. I was top rep in my area for 12 years. I never missed a campaign where I did not make President’s Club. Now the terms may be different today, but back in the late 80′s and early 90′s “President’s Club” was the top you could be.
I saw Avon as a business. I did not dabble, I worked it.
I find it very funny that anyone would compare Avon in the same category as MPBToday. As the business woman that I have been for 20+ years now it is very easy to see that, in my opinion MPBToday is a scam. I would never group these two very different opportunities in the same category. What a disgrace to even mention them in the same breathe. As I mentioned I am no longer with Avon, so this is not a plug for Avon; but come on. With the blinders OFF and some critical thinking applied Avon is a legit business.
As a professional business woman I would NEVER look sideways at MPBToday. Neither should anyone else.
August 16th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Hi Darlene,
Thanks for dropping back by. I can see where someone who understands business models, as obviously you do, would not appreciate someone else comparing Avon to MPBToday.
If MPBToday were to re-structure their currently flawed business model, this opportunity would NOT be the hot ‘ticket’ that it is. However, since they don’t really sell groceries, (they do not have a product(s) they pay ‘single level’ commissions on- the whole business revolves around a delivery company), there’s no way to ‘fix’ it.
Thanks again, Darlene, for dropping back by and sharing your story.
~Jennifer Fisher
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:16 am
I came across your site while looking for Gmailpro and appreciated your comments while looking over your site which I found both Interesting and Helpful. I noticed the reference to MBT today as some one approached me on it and I looked over the site and found that that the prices charged on 90% of the Items are full priced IE: 12 pk coke 4.98 in store sales 3 for 11.00and many other items the same at basically “list Price ” there fore the only benefit that would be valued in my opinion, is for those people that are Home bound and they can order on site and have it delivered .( and there are many helpful associations that do that for the Home bound.
Thank you for all the info you provide and your patience with some of those that refuse to do their “Due Diligence” before they get involved in many of these wildly promoted promises of the good life ,
looking only at the candy coated poison Pill;
August 22nd, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Richard, thank you for stopping by and sharing your input on MPBToday.
You’ve brought up some very valid points… ie … the cost of the products being offered and the home bound situation.
You can’t buy groceries at a discount when a delivery company is buying them from the same places at the same prices. MPBToday has never been and most likely will not ever be in ‘partnership’ with a grocery chain or chains..
The home bound issue – you are absolutely correct. Those who are home bound HAVE associations or friends to assist them. I had a gentleman arguing that point with me and using his friends – friends-2nd cousin (we’ll call this guy Al) as an example.
The story was something like: This has been a great benefit to Al. He’s been home bound for 10 years. Now Al can get his groceries shipped right to his door. My question was, “how did Al get his groceries for the last 10 years? And however he got them before, was he required to order in $200 quantities before someone got him his groceries?”
There’s another issue that bothers me, which is really irrelevant to your comments, but I’ll throw it in here anyway because it really bugs me.
The website has all these beautiful pictures of grocery items as examples of what can be ordered, but if you look at the pictures, not a single one of those items are available for the ‘delivery’ program.
This is emotional marketing at it’s best. What’s more appealing to the eye, a picture of beautiful garden fresh vegetables (which cannot be delivered) or a store shelf stocked with canned beans, toilet paper and a six pack of coke.
Taking that back to Al, who is seeing great benefit from home delivery through MPBToday – what about the perishable groceries, milk, bread, fruits, vegetables, meats? Someone still has to help him out with those items… unless of course he stopped using those type items when he became home bound. Not likely.
Thank you again Richard and I do apologize for going off on a different thought.
Wishing you the greatest success.
~Jennifer
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:28 am
I don’t see the issue with “emotional marketing”. That’s how marketing generally works. And you can have perishable groceries available at WalMart once you get the WalMart card. It is true that the thought of having to rely on the limited selection of grocery items available at WalMart may not seem particularly appealing. But it’s not a total lie, you can get groceries at WalMart.
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Yes, Monica, you are correct. Emotional marketing is used all the time. It only makes sense when all our decisions are emotionally based.
But I think you missed the point. I was talking about home delivery… not getting a Wal-mart card when I said:
“The website has all these beautiful pictures of grocery items as examples of what can be ordered, but if you look at the pictures, not a single one of those items are available for the ‘delivery’ program.”
August 24th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
If you want to be that picky, let me point out that the pictures on the site do not necessarily show groceries that are delivered. They may be purchased at WalMart (it is not clear whether the aisle is at WalMart or not) or, if they are purchased in a grocery store, they may be purchased with money from the $300 check. The FAQ clearly state the following: “We ship ONLY non-perishable dry-goods only.”
August 25th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Hello again, Monica,
Yes, it is ‘picky’ to want a little truth in advertising, but since the pictures that bugged me have been removed since I made that statement … it’s a pretty moot point.
You have a great day Monica, and thanks for stopping by again.
~Jennifer
August 29th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Jennifer; God bless you for your site! Recently a friend of my husband’s who is also a pastor, took us to a MPBToday meeting with a millionaire and his wife. They have made a lot of money doing this, and my husband signed me up. I was getting irritated at the presentation, which started with an emotional video(call to action)about foreclosures, unemployment, etc., and the way I did not get my questions answered; like, “How can you think 200 x 7 = 1200?” I am unemployed, and my husband pays child support, so it kills me that he forked over his last $210 to these people. I asked Mrs. Millionaire what to do; she said,”Just bring people to me, I’ll sign them up; don’t worry about the particulars, you’re new. I can explain it better to them.” I was beginning to think there was something wrong with my attitude, but I feel as if I have joined a cult. Thank you for helping me shake the cobwebs off my brain cells. From now on, I will trust my instincts. Keep up the good work. God Bless You
August 30th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Lorrie, if you are in the States, then there is no problem (I’m in Canada). If I were you, I would work hard on getting referrals as soon as possible. Then, you would cash your check and go use your WalMart card (delivery of actual groceries may not be practical where you live). You would break even and actually make a profit. So far for losing your money. Your husband is right: he thinks like an entrepreneur who is leveraging his modest resources to make money rather than like a very poor person who’s afraid of losing his last penny. If the program eventually fails, at least you would have recovered your money.
Jennifer is just explaining what the potential problems may be. A large part of that is just the real but relatively remote possibility that one day, it will be shut down by some authorities because the only way to make money is by recruiting others and there are no sales to retail customers. That may not actually happen or it may happen long after you would have recovered your money and made some more.
August 30th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Hi Lorrie,
Thank you for visiting this post and sharing your thoughts.
You mentioned a Pastor brought this opportunity your way. I can’t help but think of Tiffany’s statement up above
“I trust the lady I know, but not the system.”
We trust the people we know and respect as being of character and integrity, sometimes to the point of blind faith. But who is responsible for providing and understanding the facts rather than just getting carried away with the emotion?
As you’ve pointed out, the video IS extremely emotionally driven and I am sure, as are you, your husband thought he was doing a good thing for you, especially since the Pastor was involved and recommending it.
There’s nothing wrong with your attitude though. Your question was logical and reasonable. No one has answered that question for me either. When did 7x$200=1200?
Instinct tells me if you can’t answer the question, say so, but do not avoid answering the question by detouring the conversation.
Thank you again Lorrie for sharing your thoughts.
Wishing you the best…
~Jennifer
August 30th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Hello again Monica,
I have no problem with your taking up residency on this post, Monica, however; please do NOT put your words in my mouth. Nowhere have I said “but relatively remote possibility that one day, it will be shut down by some authorities…….. “.
That MAY be your interpretation or hope; however, there is nothing relatively remote about it. Unless the entire comp plan is restructured … there is no maybe, there is no relatively remote…. and those ‘some authorities’ are: The FTC and the Attorney General.
On the other hand, you are correct in restating:
“only way to make money is by recruiting others and there are no sales to retail customers.”
As of today, August 30, 2010, those are still Fact! And those two facts are what makes this program fatally flawed.
Monica, I think what you fail to understand is that there are some people who DO prefer to work within the confines of the laws and regulations… you, by your own admission more than once, do not fall into that group.
~Jennifer Fisher
August 30th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Lorrie, it is unfortunate that you didn’t find JenniferF’s blog BEFORE you & your husband met with Mr. & Mrs. Millionaire. People get “sucked” into these types of opportunities by their “friends” (in your case – the Pastor) or family & how can you say “No!” to them???? People who have the belief that the company is legitimate, and try to “push” it on their friends are so blinded by the emotional marketing (Monica, Charles, Vickie, & Cherie). I would be hard pressed to sign up for an opportunity without doing some research first and maybe sleeping on it over night…that is why the person doing the presentation pushes you to “buy in” NOW! They don’t want you to think about it…because they fear you will decide you don’t want to accept the opportunity. Remember the old adage – Act in haste, repent at leisure.
Monica, when you buy something with a warranty such as a car, do you have to wait until you buy the item to know what the warranty is? Why would you want to put your money into a business before you know what is expected of you or what you can expect from them? Have you asked your friends and family to participate in this opportunity? Your responses to JenniferF’s questions have been dismissive, repetitive, & extremely difficult to understand (you talk in circles…and sometimes don’t come back to the starting point). How could you even ask if stores selling groceries is a scam??? Is losing money in a business the only thing that indicates a scam? You have indicated that you have no regard for lawyers, rules, regulations, or abiding by the law…unless it comes to sending groceries to Canada… why is that???
I am just curious as to why you continue to respond to this blog. I have been thoroughly amused by the whole thing until Darlene was offended. I don’t know which I find more amusing, Monica: your tenaciousness or continued blindness where this company is involved. You repeatedly refuse to understand what JenniferF & Darlene have tried to get across to you about this particular company (and others like it). Most reasonable people can tell you that if something sounds too good to be true, it almost always is. Also, I can tell you that if you are going to get a credit card from Wal-Mart, you better check the fine print because they will start charging interest on that card if you don’t spend it within a certain amount of time.
What is the definition of Multi-Level Marketing? According to Wikipedia – “Multi-level marketing (MLM) (also called network marketing, direct selling, & referral marketing) is a term that describes a marketing structure used by some companies as part of their overall marketing strategy. The structure is designed to create a marketing and sales force by compensating promoters of company products not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of other promoters they introduce to the company, creating a down-line of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation.”
To continue from Wikipedia – “MLM businesses operate in the United States in all 50 states and in more than 100 other countries, and new businesses may use terms like “affiliate marketing” or “home-based business franchising.” However, many pyramid schemes try to present themselves as legitimate MLM business. The FTC states “Steer clear of multilevel marketing plans that pay commissions for recruiting new distributors. They’re actually illegal pyramid schemes. Why is pyramiding dangerous? Because plans that pay commissions for recruiting new distributors inevitably collapse when no new distributors can be recruited. And when a plan collapses, most people – except perhaps those at the very top of the pyramid end up empty handed.”
Continuing from Wikipedia – “The FTC warns “Not all multilevel marketing plans are legitimate. Some are pyramid schemes. It’s best not to get involved in plans where the money you make is based primarily on the number of distributors you recruit and your sales to them, rather than on your sales to people outside the plan who intend to use the products.” and states that research is your best tool, giving eight steps to follow:
• 1 ) Find — and study — the company’s track record.
• 2 ) Learn about the product.
• 3 ) Ask questions.
• 4 ) Understand any restrictions.
• 5 ) Talk to other distributors (beware shills – [my interpretation – the person giving the presentation.])
• 6 ) Consider using a friend or adviser as a neutral sounding board or for a gut check (my intrepretation – no emotional marketing).
• 7 ) Take your time.
• 8 ) Think about whether this plan suits your talents and goals.
However, there are people who hold that ALL MLMs are nothing more than pyramid schemes even if they are legal, rendering the whole issue of a particular MLM being legal moot.”
If I really thought you were willing to do more research, I would refer you to the Wikipedia article on Multi-Level Marketing. There is much more than what I have quoted here – Setups of MLM’s, Income Levels, Legality & legitimacy, Criticism of MLMs (including information on minimum sales requirements), plus additional text links). Any entrepreneural businesswoman worth her salt would want to improve her knowledge of the business she was in or do you believe you should stop learning when you leave school? I am including the link just in case you decide to read the entire article – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-level_marketing
You said that the delivery of the groceries is handled by Southeastern Delivery company and that they have created new designs for their vans. Where is the money coming from that they are spending on these new designs?? The company has real estate, administrative staff, and vans, plus they buy the groceries. If this company collapses, all they stand to lose is the building they use to store the vans, the vans themselves, any real estate, & their investment (a lot of it from people like you who just took them at their word that you would make money). They depend on people like you to help them make money & if they have to, they will leave you with the empty bag or egg on your face, in other words – NOTHING. If SE Delivery is based in the Florida panhandle area, how are they going to deliver groceries to someone in Wyoming or Colorado or New York??? You named two very specific Canadian grocery stores (I presume they are since you indicated in your last post that you are Canadian) – Loblaw’s & Provigo. Because you are Canadian, is that why you don’t feel obligated to observe those pesky U.S. laws. So it is better to “stay under the radar for alleged MLM irregularities on the internet” than to try to illegally slip groceries across the Canadian border? I am amazed that you explicitly stated that you “played the system” at some point by “buying lots of food to ‘ensure my food security’.” Is that a way around those pesky laws you abhor?
You stated that JenniferF is not doing anybody “a service by rocking the boat;” I certainly hope you are wearing a life preserver. Nowhere did JenniferF at any time indicate that “…financially, the plan is, in fact viable by [her] own admision.”. I think you put your words in her mouth.
You indicated that there is now a “Become a customer” tab in the back office. Reading through this blog, I get the impression that MPBToday is already making changes to try to make this opportunity appear more legitimate – adding this tab, changing the pictures on the website (to not show perishable items) & some other things that Jennifer reported on early on in this blog. If the opportunity was really legitimate, why would they be constantly evolving? To me, it shows a real lack of investigation on the part of the people who created the opportunity!
I am not sure that I am through with Monica’s feedback yet, but I would really like to know how Charles Lipshay, Vickie, & Cherie are doing with their own matrices. Have they cycled yet? I am not sure that I really have a good understanding of this 2×2 matrix especially after it cycles, but it would be interesting for an update on how they are doing….but unlike Monica & Cherie, I don’t always believe everything I read or hear. In order to make themselves not look like a fool or an idiot, people will tell you what they think you want to know instead of telling the truth & that is how scams proliferate.
Opportunities would be better served if they were stripped of their “emotional marketing” – playing to people’s greed or fears. How many opportunities try to recruit you by showing you what you can buy with your “new income” – just watch late night television to see the obsene things (large houses, cars, motorcycles, lavish vacations, yachts, jewelry, etc). Personally, nothing turns me “off” quicker than someone trying to play to my emotions. Don’t misunderstand, I have emotions just like all of you – but I would rather see where these people selling opportunities give to charity. The old adage – it is better to give than receive – is still true today. We have become a “greedy” society in this day & age – which is a real shame because there are so many people who are hurting & just need a helping hand. What happened to helping our neighbors when they need it – it appears we would rather shut the door in their face & just ignore their plight. But I digress.
Vickie, when was the last time you paid shipping for $200 worth of non-perishable items? Your “something for you money” is groceries, not stored with the company, but bought at another store. The company does not own the groceries it provides. I have NEVER read where JenniferF was trying to push her own business opportunity by trying to prejudice her potential prospects from joining MPBToday and for you to attack her for doing so is utterly groundless. “..there are plenty of prospects and plenty of opportunities for everyone.”…makes me feel that you see prospects as lost & hungry puppies…willing to follow you anywhere and for whom you have a real disdain. I thought JenniferF’s initial reason for the blog was to inform anyone who was willing to do their “due diligence” on the opportunity to be aware of the things she posted. If they didn’t apply to you…what difference does it make to you. Are you afraid that some one you want to recruit might read it and discover the facts about this company?
Cherie, I fail to see how anything you said added to the discussion. You trash Avon who is operating within the marketing guidelines of the FTC or else they would have been out of business a long time ago. Did it just not work out for you? It appears to me, you are looking for “something for nothing” by not having to sell anything to anyone – you are making money by bringing other people to the opportunity. Groceries are NOT the product being SOLD – they are being BOUGHT (at a local store who stores the goods) and delivered (in some areas but not Canada!). In fact, there is NO product being sold by Southeastern Delivery only delivered (because the $200 they spend on the groceries is MY money and the groceries come from another company). You must be drinking the same kool-aid that Monica & Vickie are drinking. You seemed to think JenniferF would delete your post because you gave her negative feedback. Why would she delete just yours and not any of Monica’s or Vickie’s? Or do you think there are other posts which have been deleted? Obviously, JenniferF is not into skewing the conversation only her way…but willing to discuss the facts (over & over & over again) with you all. No one can own the facts…they just are! If you have been to other sites and had your feedback deleted, welcome to the wonderful world of “biases dialog.” I have given feedback or asked questions only to have them answered or blown off and then deleted because it did not look good on the site (asked thought provoking questions or for more detail).
Richard, your comments were a welcome relief to the comedic posts especially as pertains to your comments about home-bound citizens. You did raise some very legitimate thoughts – critical thinking…not taking someone else’s words and using them as your own.
I know of NO company in the world who is in the business of LOSING $$$$$. And, unfortunately some of them don’t care about anyone but themselves.
JenniferF, you & Darlene obviously know your stuff…I appreciate all the time & effort you have put into the responses to the questions & comments. It is hard to get someone to open their eyes & ears when their mouths are open (or their fingers are clicking).
I found the following at http://www.skepdic.com/mlm.html and thought you might find it interesting. I am not saying that it pertains to any specific MLM companies but is a generality about MLM companies.
From the Skeptic’s Dictionary © 1994-2009 Robert T. Carroll
“This is not to say there is no benefit to MLM membership. You get certain tax write-offs. You get to buy products, some of which you will be happy with. You get to go to inspirational meetings, some of which will make you feel good. You may meet new friends and you may even make a few bucks. But more than likely you will end up alienating some family and friends. You will probably end up buying more stuff than you sell. And you will learn a lot about deceiving yourself and others. You won’t be allowed to tell anyone how you are really doing, for example. You will always have to think positive, even if that means lying. You will have to tell anyone who asks that you are doing great, that business is wonderful, that you’ve never seen anything go so fast and bring you income so quickly, even if it isn’t true.”
I guess I better bring this comment to a close, in case JenniferF decides I have taken up more than my share of the space. JenniferF, I appreciate the help that you are trying to provide those who are willing to do their due diligence before subscribing to MLMs. Unfortunately, many people do NOT do any research before and only find out the trouble they are in AFTER they join. Keep up the good work! Thanks for allowing me to speak my mind. -DebD
August 30th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
It’s a good thing I “took up residence” here, because the compensation plan is about to be restructured. I’ll let you know what happens. I’m not sure that will involve the kind of changes you would like to see, since there was talk of leadership bonuses, but that remains to be seen.
Since the very nature of our economic system is based on having winners or losers, or various degrees of success, I see no problem with being on the winning side, such as among those people who recovered their money or made a profit even though there may be others who never do. By the way, staying away from something because of one’s gut feelings is not less emotional than signing up because of emotional marketing. Gut feelings are emotions, too.
Regarding rules and regulations, it is a matter of cultural and personal experiences. I have been in Canada for 21 years but grew up under a rather oppressive regime. One would say that it is here, not there, that the regime must be oppressive, as in North America, for some odd reason, people actually believe that they have to follow the rules. In my experience, it is precisely by breaking the rules when the authorities are not looking that people were able to get a semblance of quality of life. After all these years, I’m still surprised that in a supposedly free country, people would actually give up opportunities that exist in reality in case they would break some minor rule. In my experience, the smart thing to do is grab the opportunity and run before the powers that be take it away and get more serious about the rules.
In response to DebD: border crossing rules are probably enforced better than the rules about MLM and similar businesses. And no, I did not skirt any rules by storing food, as I was not on any kind of means-based financial assistance but then if somebody is and must declare assets like money and cars while existing stores of food are not counted, I don’t see anything wrong with first buying food and then declaring that the money is not there. And I didn’t say that selling groceries is illegal, but I pointed out that if buying groceries outright rather than through this opportunity, the money is still gone. I would have said a little more in response to DebD but I talked enough as it is. I may say a little more next time.
August 30th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Hello DebD,
You’ve certainly supplied a lot of worthy food for thought. You’ve made some great points and obviously are one of those who does her due diligence.
Thank you for sharing the Wikipedia information and the Skeptic’s Dictionary information. I’m passionate about the Network Marketing Industry and yet in the past I have been involved with companies who promote some of what you have shared from the Skeptic’s site. I’d talk more about some of those issues, but I would be taking the post too far off topic.
Though there is nothing I can add to what you have said, I am sure my resident poster, Monica, will have a thought or two.
Thank you again for offering your input. No matter how long or short, I value ALL the input and thank you for your time, effort and contribution.
The best to you,
~Jennifer
August 30th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Good evening Monica,
I see you are on top of things. I barely got DebD’s comment approved before you came along again to respond.
You said:
“It’s a good thing I “took up residence” here, because the compensation plan is about to be restructured. I’ll let you know what happens. I’m not sure that will involve the kind of changes you would like to see, since there was talk of leadership bonuses, but that remains to be seen.”
What I would like to see, Monica, is irrelevant to the facts as they stand today. For the sake of those involved, I hope the changes reflect a single level commission point for sale of goods to an end user separate from the matrix. Unless MBP is going to start ‘selling’ groceries, I am not sure how they will be able fix that.
Mention of up coming ‘leadership bonuses’ has been posted on the MPB site for several weeks now. However, leadership bonuses are NOT a step toward fixing the flaws.
“Regarding rules and regulations, it is a matter of cultural and personal experiences.”
Philosophy is not something I am going to debate with you. I believe it best to leave it to the individual as to whether they abide by the law or feel it is ok to ‘break’ the law. My purpose is still to provide the facts and let others make their decisions based on facts.
As always, Monica, thank you for your input.
~Jennifer
August 31st, 2010 at 12:22 pm
The video say, “When you reach $1200 in team sales volume within the first 2 levels of your team and $400 in personal sales volume(notice that the first 2 people under the one at the top are highlighted), you receive $300 plus another $200 in groceries(or WalMart Gift Card).”
I kept asking “What are qualifying sales?” I was told: 1. Bringing in 2 people was qualifying sales. 2. Getting people to buy groceries from the company and have them delivered was qualifying sales.
I then wanted to know “What people? Do I need to buy groceries to help my friend qualify for commissions? Do I use the $200 I put in or do I spend an additional $200? At one point I heard someone say, “You just leave your $200 you paid alone; it will be used to get the gift card when you cycle.”
I understand this is not a get rich quick scheme; I understand it takes time and effort, which I put forth every day. I understand simple business concepts. But I am having trouble deciphering this.
Now, first I was told $1200(even though it’s $1400). Then, when I dissect the video and look at the 15 page policies and procedures, (which I never saw before signing up) I must certify on each product form that Team Members have sold or consumed at least 70% of all product previously purchased. We bought “groceries”. Okay; 70% of $1400 is $980. 70% of $1200 is $840. How do I do that? Just “say” it?
Since I live in Orlando, whoever gets stuck with the bill gets to pay UPS for shipping. And it has to be $400 in sales(Whose, I don’t know).
It just keeps getting better and better. But I have learned a lot!
August 31st, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Hi Lorrie,
Not all Network Marketing Companies are this confusing to figure out. It’s usually limited to the ones using the biggest smoke screens. There is enough ‘jargon’ to make it seem real, but no substance behind the words.
First let’s talk about the Policies and Procedures. I think DebD put it well. You might say you bought a car and then afterward were allowed to look at the warranty. Don’t like the terms of the warranty, too bad because you have passed the point of being able to return it. The car is now yours.
Who buys a business without knowing up front what the terms are? Only those of us in Network Marketing who do not know any better…. we learn and then we know better the next time.
Ok, let’s clear up a bit of the $200 / $1200 confusion and the 70/30 rule.
In a legally designed Network Marketing Company there is a fee you typically pay to come into the business. In your case it is $200.00. In exchange for that fee you should be getting something of equal or greater value. When you join MPB, you receive a $200 voucher via email. Where’s the $$ value in an email? None, HOWEVER, waving my magic wand, and throwing in a few “IF’s” and “When’s”, I can convince you that the email voucher has value by telling you at some point in the future you can cash it in and receive the real value for the $200 you invested in the form of groceries.
So bottom line, that $200 after the if’s and when’s – is the consumable ‘product’ MPB claims they are selling… groceries.
The Kudos that have been given about the fact that no one has to ‘buy’ product every month makes the 70/30 rule seem a bit ridiculous. Companies who actually have a retail product – pay a commission on the sale of that product to end users. The rule was put into place to keep people from stock piling products just to earn a commission. In your case, if you were to follow the Policies to the letter, it would mean…. of the $200 worth of groceries you purchase, “the supposed product”, you may purchase a percentage for your personal use, but the other percentage must be sold to someone outside the plan.
Realistically, are you going to buy $200 worth of groceries, consume a portion and the re-sell the remaining. Not likely. And that is an issue no one wants to address.
“If the proposed income opportunity consists ONLY of buying for personal use and sponsoring more representatives, with no provision for sales to customers, it is flawed.”
But Lorrie, you may be the ONLY person who has joined and read the contract. Since the statement is in there and you have forms you are supposed to fill out, I suppose you are going to have to [Just "say" it?] But if what you ‘say’ is to be truthful…. then you are going to have to sell a percentage of what you buy.
To keep the appearance of being legally designed, there must be customers… in your case with this opportunity, it’s just a term that means very little. No matter whether they sign up as a customer or a business partner… all the money goes into the same pot….. the ‘commissions paying pot’ … That pot where they either collected $1400, $1200 or the $800 they pay back out from.
I’d be interested to hear the answer to the question of “how do I fill out this 70/30 form?” Did you realize you were going to be responsible for the actions of your team too? How on earth can you be expected to monitor whether your team only consumed the allowable percentage of what they purchased? Since the groceries are being purchased for personal consumption, you are going to have to lie on the form – OR – have your team mates sell part of what they buy – OR – just ignore the Policies and Procedures like most others are doing…. which is ok until the company decides to look for ways to increase their revenue… that’s when they start looking at ways to terminate distributors.
If they pull this particular clause to terminate distributors, they’ve got you coming and going. If you lied – you’re in violation. If you ignored the clause – you’re in violation.
Lorrie, again, this is NOT typical of what real Network Marketing is about, but it is going to give you the education of a lifetime.
If I’ve muddied the water instead of clearing it up as far as the 70/30 rule goes (it does not apply to what you paid, but what you bought- the ‘product’), let me know and we’ll address it in a different way.
~Jennifer
August 31st, 2010 at 9:50 pm
By the way Lorrie,
You aren’t supposed to be asking so many questions. You’re just supposed to be getting people to sign up and spend $200.00.
That’s why the Millionaire wife told you
“Just bring people to me, I’ll sign them up; don’t worry about the particulars,….”
She’s learned how to deflect those pesky questions you are asking.
~Jennifer
September 8th, 2010 at 11:31 am
Hi all,
I am an accountant and was approached by one of my clients about this scheme. The poor lady had been duped numerous times in the past and wanted me to check out yet another scheme that she had joined. I visited the website, listened to the phone call then went to about 40 MPB Today websites that were geared solely to tell you how great the company was. They have done their homework, even the sites marked “scam” or “fact or fiction” were written by MPB Today personnel. I had to switch to legal writs and looking at past 2×2 schemes to really get a good idea. I had already warned my client that her new venture would be dead in the water within 1 or 2 years tops when I found your site. It was refreshing to see someone take the time to inform the general public the truth about this scheme even though you are relegated to the 10th page on a google search.
It is also clear that Monica is another company employee who is paid to debunk sites such as yours and keep as many people interested as possible. Having talked one person out of following this scheme any further I doubt seriously that someone can be as naive as she (he?) acts in the face of so many facts. I also noticed the discrepancy in her stories, such as 1 posting claiming she is self employed, working from home and another that she has a full time job. This scheme will fail. The math doesn’t lie. I hold engineering and accounting degrees and the algorithms just don’t support a long life. I realize that the longer it stays around the more money Monica and her company makes so I get her reasoning, but all else should stay away. Even without the threat of legal issues this is just a headache that you really don’t need.
September 10th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your diligence in searching out this post and for sharing your insights.
You stated:
“This scheme will fail. The math doesn’t lie. I hold engineering and accounting degrees and the algorithms just don’t support a long life.”
Your assessment of 1-2 years is about as long as these things go unless the FTC and AG come in first and just shut it down. Whether it will collapse on itself before it’s forced to shut down is hard to tell at this point.
It’s good that your client has you to help her sort out the facts. It’s a shame she did not come to you before she jumped in instead of after, but hopefully you saved her from sucking more of her friends into it.
Many thanks for stopping by and taking the time to offer your expert analysis.
~Jennifer
September 10th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Hello all
It still amazes me that some making comments here do not mind telling “little white lies” and promoting that others look past those pesky rules. Whether in the US or Canada there are rules to be followed, in place to protect the very souls that Monica and others are pushing into this opportunity. At some point someone will not be making any money. Can anyone say Pyramid Scheme! So I guess it will be alright if the groceries end up being delivered to a jail cell?
It is a known fact that owners of illegal companies will turn over their distributor data base to make a better deal for themselves while distributors who think they are safe are in fact not. Courts do not view ignorance of the law as an excuse. Some may find themselves paying back more than they ever invested and profited from this opportunity.
~ Darlene
September 10th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Very good point, Darlene, I’ve already seen this happen with several companies who got busted in the last few years.
Thank you for continuing to share your insights.
~Jennifer
September 11th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Check out the new site and leadership bonuses. I don’t think they change much, though, because it’s hard to qualify.
I’m flattered that Steve thinks I’m a company employee, because I am not. But I don’t think there is any discrepancy in my stories. I am working full time in a totally unrelated business that I am keeping out of this because that’s what’s paying my bills. Naturally, my involvement or former involvement with companies like Nutronix or MPB Today can probably be qualified as home business or self-employment, and I may have referred to it as such. Having a real job does not mean that I cannot attempt to have some kind of side business or home business of my own and be self-employed in those endeavours, although I am not self-employed at my real job.
September 14th, 2010 at 9:44 am
Hello Monica,
The leadership bonuses come from ‘breakage’, just as it says on the site.
In network marketing companies there is front end breakage and there’s back end breakage, typically considered compensation plan breakage.
MPBToday does not have a backend, which is one of the major flaws of the program (no real product on the back where business partners would receive commissions for retail to consumers) so there can be no breakage on that side…
The frontend breakage in MPBToday is coming strictly from those who joined and then become ‘inactive’, never cycling.
I’m not sure though, Monica, why I continue to feel compelled to explain how Network Marketing works to you since your only concern is getting the money, not whether it’s legal by design.
~Jennifer
September 30th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
OMG!!! The convos going on here are so interesting. Anyways, Jennifer I just wanna thank you for posting this article. I’d been searching for days now for a thorough and unbias explanation of MPBToday from a non-affiliate. I have 3 friends of the same local Asian community recruiting me and I know the outcome of this–all of us in the community will eventually join, and since the money only comes from recruiting, then what will happen if the sponsoring stops? That was the question that bugged me for days. But all I get from these people are “Oh I’m having so much fun!”
Anyways, this post clarifies everything and if I’m interested in having a TRUE residual income … not like MPBToday that could suddenly stop when recruiting stops.
September 30th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Hi Michelle,
I am glad you have found the clarification you were looking for.
One thing we do not consider when presenting others with our opportunity is that our reputation and credibility also go hand in hand with that recommendation.
Regaining our reputation and credibility is not much fun.
Wishing you great success, Michelle, in whatever you chose to do.
~Jennifer Fisher
October 21st, 2010 at 5:04 pm
I’m sorry Jennifer but you don’t know what you are talking about.
October 21st, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Hi Bob,
Thank you for dropping by and expressing your opinion… but unless the facts have changed since last I looked.. the facts still remain.
Telling me I do not know what I am talking about doesn’t change the facts – it doesn’t change the math and it doesn’t change where the money comes from to pay commissions.
Wishing you great success, Bob.
~Jennifer Fisher
November 17th, 2010 at 1:25 am
Hi Jennifer,
This is Michelle again. I commented about 3 friends talking to me about joining MPBToday. Well, they still haven’t stopped convincing me about how MPBToday is legal, etc. etc. This time the husband of one of my friends, wrote a really long explanation. I wanna share it with you here. Maybe you can help me help them understand what my concern is. I’m frustrated that they are not seeing what I am seeing. Anyways, below is the email I received tonight:
——————————————————————
The first thing to be aware of when considering the 2X2 matrix, being implemented by MPB, is that no commissions are paid from signup fees. When someone signs up with MPB they pay $200 for a grocery credit, and a $10 annual fee for the replicated company website. You can go to the MPB website at any time and order your $200 worth of groceries, and have them delivered to your home. The catch is, if you have not cycled yet, you will need to pay the shipping. If you wait to cycle, on the other hand, MPB will pay for the shipping. Since MPB is located in Pensacola Florida, and shipping groceries from Florida to Utah is not very practical, they allow you to opt to receive a Wal-Mart gift card instead. They will also send you a $300 commission check, and enter you in a new matrix. It is important to note that the $210 you spend when you signed up all went toward goods and services rendered. You really have lost nothing. The worst case scenario is that you are unable to sign anyone up and would then purchase your $200 worth of groceries and pay the shipping. In other words having to pay the shipping on your $200 worth of groceries is the absolute worst thing that can happen to you with this company. Now weigh the risk against the potential of cycling many times. Just cycling once will earn you $500, that’s 250% of your initial investment, and you are not obligated to pay anything else, except a fee to maintain you website.
Probably the most important thing to note is that the 2X2 matrix is only phase one. MPB is, and always has been, about home delivery groceries. This is an industry that is truly in its infancy, and MPB wants to position themselves to be a leader. Since this industry has thus far been untapped, there is enormous growth potential here. To really do this right MPB needs to build distribution hubs all across the United States. This is where the real money is to be made. Those who are smart will use phase one to build their team so when phase three is finally implemented they will be in a position where the money they have made in phase one will be dwarfed by the residual income they will be make from the sale of groceries. This is a golden opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an MLM that is just getting started.
If you wait until MPB has proven themselves and completed phase three, you will be too late. I am reminded of when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computer in Jobs garage, and then presented it to HP. Wozniak worked for HP, so they needed HP to release the rights to it before they could sell it. They were also interested in maybe even selling it to HP. If I remember the story correctly the person at HP said something like “ why would anyone want a computer in their home”? I can’t imagine the first prototype of a home computer Built in a garage by a couple of college students looked like much. Few people could have foreseen the enormous potential, and the person at HP clearly did not. HP missed a golden opportunity. They could have bought the rights to that computer for an song, and made Billions from it. When Apple Computers went public many people where made millionaires overnight. What would you give to be able to go back in time and find a way to join Apple Computers when it was just getting started. I believe MPB is in this stage at this moment. There is no way to know for sure where MPB will be in 1, 2, or even 3 years from now, but the potential is huge. Compare the potential with the risk of having to pay for shipping on your $200 worth of groceries, and you should find that this is not a difficult decision to make…..
—————————————————————
Thanks for this great blog site.
November 17th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Hi Michelle,
I am really sorry to hear that your friends continue to press you to join any opportunity that does not fit you – for whatever reason.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you or even I could say that would make a difference to them…. and though the friend’s husband wrote a very ‘convincing’ email to you, it does not hold water. He makes the statement that the commission is not paid from sign up fees, but never ever addresses where it DOES come from.
If the commissions are not being paid from the $200 sign up fee – and the $200 is all you ever pay – then where does he think the money is coming from? Obviously you can see it, but your friends are too emotionally attached to see the truth.
I’ve done the ‘try to convince’ thing – it doesn’t work – and it doesn’t matter which side of the opinion we are sitting on – for or against… This is what I would do if it were me.
I would send this person an email saying “thank you for the email, but I will pass.”
OR you can come back and ask – “If the commission is not being paid from sign up fees, then where is it coming from, because you only pay a one time $200…. ” however ….
Asking where the commission fee comes from opens the conversation for more argument… saying “I will pass” or “no thank you” won’t end it for them… but it should end it for you (though you may have to say it more than one time before they finally leave you alone.)
As long as we are willing to argue a point, then the conversation is still left open, but We can’t speak reason to those who do not want to hear it either.
I’d like to share this story with you, Michelle – called – When your friends quit calling. http://gotojenniferfisher.com/.....prospects/ Most of the time we end up doing what Sally did and the friendship fades away. It takes a certain amount of courage to step up and say “I value your friendship very much and if you value mine too, please stop pushing this on me. I am not interested.”
Unfortunately your friends are putting you in a bad spot… I hope it turns out well for them because I think you are a friend they should not lose. Please keep me posted… and if you don’t want the comment posted, just let me know.
Wishing you the best,
~Jennifer Fisher
November 27th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I think it’s better to ask where the commission is coming from than to simply say “I’ll pass”. Whether they’ll insist or not, the fact is that to someone who is convinced that the opportunity is legitimate, refusing with no explanation may just sound unreasonable and short-sighted. Maybe it wouldn’t matter if these people were total strangers, but that’s not the case. This is so whether the opportunity itself is good or not. I’m not even talking about that right now.
November 28th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Hi Monica, long time no hear. I believe Michelle already went the route of explaining her concerns…. at some point we are just beating a dead horse (so to speak).
~Jennifer Fisher
November 30th, 2010 at 7:47 am
The company has announced changes to the compensation plan in the Wave 2 Video, PDF and Flip Chart. See http://www.mpbtoday.com/wave2.
December 6th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Thank you for the link Monica, and thanks for the update, but that still doesn’t fix the problem. All of the monies paid in are still going into the same pot.
Though the site talks more and more about customers, there still is no single level commission being paid on just the sale of grocery items. All the monies being paid out are from the single $200 being paid in.
Not a good thing Monica.
Here is a snippet from an article posted on the FTC site.
“What is a Pyramid Scheme and What is Legitimate Marketing?
Pyramid schemes now come in so many forms that they may be difficult to recognize immediately. However, they all share one overriding characteristic. They promise consumers or investors large profits based primarily on recruiting others to join their program, not based on profits from any real investment or real sale of goods to the public. Some schemes may purport to sell a product, but they often simply use the product to hide their pyramid structure. …….”
Here is the complete article for those who wish to read it… http://ftc.gov/speeches/other/dvimf16.shtm
~Jennifer
December 21st, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Hi Jennifer,
People should really talk to somebody
that understands this company and what
is really going on before they jump
to false conclusions.
I understand that the phenominal growth
of MPB has many “leaders” concerned
as they lose chunks of their downline
every month to unique program.
It is hard to compete with the grocery
delivery industry that is projected to
grow from 1 Billion to 85 Billion in
the next 10 years. Not to mention
ONE TIME Investment and NO AUTO SHIP!
MPB offered to do an interview with
Rod Cook prior to his mis-informed
article, he refused. Of course we all
know now that Rod was getting ready to
throw his support behind the new skin
care deal.
I totally understand the skepticism that
some people have, I was one of them, but
I thought, what if this is really true,so
I got clear on what was really going on.
Historically 2×2 comp plans have been tied
to worthless digital products companies.
This is the first time a company has had the
GUTS to take this concept mainstream, just
like someone had to do with binary comp
plans 15 years ago. (By the way at least
3 other companies I am aware of have launched
with this 2X2 comp plan since MPB and there will
be many more in the future)
The bottom line is simply this……
In 2011 South Eastern Del. will be rolling out
grocery delivery hubs in several major cities other
than Pensacola where they have been delivering groceries
for over a year.
When that happens …. mark my words …the skeptics
will join this program at a level this industry
has never seen before.
IT IS COMMON SENSE!
Network Marketing can never be better than
BUYING THE SAME EXACT NAME BRAND PRODUCTS with
THE SAME MONEY you are already spending and
getting paid!!
Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.
As evident by the explosive growth of this company it
is more than obvious that the market place
is responding to Free Gas and Groceries, no
auto ship, and on and on.
By the way MPB is featured in the January 2011
issue of the Network Marketing Business Journal.
This program brought me out of retirement. I
have not built a team in over 10 years. I made
millions of dollars in the past by being in the
right place at the right time, working hard and
helping people create true wealth.
I am thankful for skeptics. By the time this
program becomes obvious to the masses many
people on our team will have already set their
families up for the rest of their lives.
Jenifer, yes the company is different, unique,
and the business model has never been taken
mainstream before. Many people who have been
around the industry a long time are trying to
wrap their brain about what is going on and
assume it is something it is not. Mean while
mom and pops who have never done this industry
are embracing this program sharing it, and
making a profit from their first week or so
on! If you want to discuss what is really
going on, feel free to call me 859-684-7894.
I am the top recruiter and one
of 3 or 4 Diamonds in the company.
Respectfully,
Dale Calvert
PS People sit in traditional companies for 8 months
with no guidance or support while their credit card
is dinged 100 bucks or so a month. With MPB…worst
case scenario, a person invest $210 1 time, orders
$200 worth of groceries immediately and never gets
plugged in. 8 months down the road they are out
S&H and 10 bucks. With most network marketing
companies that have 8 months worth of products they
may or may not want or need, and $800 credit card
bill plus whatever monthly fee the company charges
for their website!
December 21st, 2010 at 2:37 pm
ONE MORE THOUGHT.
In any network marketing organization if products
are not purchased ……. no one gets paid.
The $200 is a GROCERY PURCHASE!
People can join MPB FREE if they choose
NO PURCHASE IS REQUIRED!
10 years down the road when there are 5 Million MPB
Members and 25 Million grocery customers, the distributor
to customer ratio will be higher than any company in
history has ever had.
December 21st, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Thank you for your input Mr. Calvert. I think you hit on an interesting word, Mr. Calvert, “unique”.
If indeed it is the Grocery Delivery Industry you are building, why are you not paid on ‘delivery’?
February 22nd, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Hi Jennifer,
I’m back to tell you that somehow my very successful “MPBToday” friends kinda slowed down on their campaigns via FB, email, & personal calls. So I wondered if they’re still doing great or not. Anyways, I searched online for newer information on MPBToday and interestingly enough, Fox News Investigation made their own investigation. I don’t know if you’ve seen this already or not, but here is the link to the video, [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI5LGaMRJGg[/url] … and to the article, [url]http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/investigates/110214-company-claims-great-income-free-groceries[/url]
February 24th, 2011 at 7:21 am
Very spirited discussion going on here. how come you guys havent kicked it up in awhile? its 2011 everyone!
Anyway I’m in agreement with Dale Calvert. I’m not the big cheese he is but i’ve built large organizations in networking before and I must say Mpb is like a super cool fresh breeze when you really need it.
That being said, you know the unfortunate thing with MOST multi level “deals” is that the majority dont do anything with the opportunity, thats just a fact of life i guess. I do feel good about Mpb because the person who chooses not to do anything (and free will is their God given gift!) 200 for stuff they can actually eat (minus shipping and the 10 website for the year) not boxes and boxes (or bottles and bottles) of autoship juice. Sorry, thats unfair, i love juice!
Anyhow i just wanted to answer your question Jenn,
Mpbtoday/Southeasterndelivery DOES have a referral plan in place if grocery delivery (not shipping) is offered in your area its 5% of total groceries delivered.
Any and all questions you might have are welcome Jenn (or anyone curious)
Aloha!
March 2nd, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Michelle, thank you so much for posting the articles. I’m really amazed that they haven;t dug down deeper yet… there’s still info to come out.
River… I have no questions, but thanks for offering and making your contribution.
~Jennifer
April 29th, 2011 at 4:23 am
Hi JenniferF,
I see a lot of my fellow MPB Today consultants have posted their comments here. I notice you said that
“I do not see anywhere on the site where they are actually paying you a commission on the real business of grocery delivery.”
If you go to MPB Today and look for the tab “Become A Customer” and then notice, “You have chosen to signup as a CUSTOMER with the sponsorship of:”
This sponsor will indeed be paid a commission on the grocery purchase of a customer that signs up to have their groceries delivered.
Now we all understand that at the present time, groceries are only being delivered from Southeastern delivery in the Pensacola FL area. (The actual delivery service.) And has been delivering groceries for over a year in Pensacola and surrounding area.(I don’t count the shipping of groceries as part of the delivery service.)it is taking place but the plan is to open delivery hubs all across the country.
Phase three is operational and new delivery hubs are planned to be online and able to deliver groceries within the next 60 days, from what I understand.
I live in Panama city Fl. During the gulf oil spill I worked in Pensacola, an Southeastern was delivering groceries to many of us working the oil spill.
I won’t give the percentages we receive from grocery purchases, but I will say that we do have a payment plan for grocery orders.
I do hope you stay in touch with what MPB Today is doing and be able to report on the delivery hubs as they come operational across our nation.
A note on Walmart: Have you noticed on their website that they are now beta testing for a home delivery service? This is a real market, and when you see the Big hitters getting in on it, there must be a reason. $$$
I personally, for years have thought about how great it would be if I could get groceries delivered, I mean, look at pizza and Chinese food delivery, why not groceries? Have you ever heard of Swans? they deliver meats, but many people I have talked with said they can’t wait till they can order online and either stop by and pick up their groceries on their way home or get them at their front door.
Thank you for your time and efforts
William Kayser
April 29th, 2011 at 6:53 am
Jennifer,
Actually, once you join, in your back office, the $200 investment is recorded their and you can at anytime choose to make a grocery purchase right from the back office. I do not remember receiving any e-mail with a voucher.
April 29th, 2011 at 7:15 am
I may get myself in trouble here but it is 4% commissions on customer purchase for personal sponsored customers ( those that come to my affiliate website) and to my understanding there is a percentage that will be payed to me from my downline from their customers as well.
I myself am new to MLM and have much to learn, in fact I have started the process of getting free mentoring from the company I believe you are associated with, I do see exactly what you have been speaking about.
I understand what the company hopes to do in this market. I do see a great potential here, I will feel much better when more delivery hubs begin delivering in other cities, I have heard that Mobile Al. and Crestview Fl. are being looked at for the next delivery area.
I am looking forward to promoting the delivery end of the business, lets face it cycling can only go on for so long and after that if you have not built up a customer base that is receiving groceries the money will stop!
April 29th, 2011 at 7:40 am
Jennifer,
Did you ever think this thread would gain this much attention…
I have been reading through the posts and many good points have been brought up, however we seem to be only seeing things from one side.
I will do my best to explain what I see: At this present time their is a grocery delivery service working in Pensacola Fl. for 12.50 they deliver you groceries that you order online, you can pick them up for free at their brand new delivery hub/warehouse.
If on the other hand you live outside of this delivery area you can only get dry goods delivered via usps ups fed ex and so on.
So yes if you wanted to have groceries delivered in Texas it would not be cost effective at this present time, however the plan is to have delivery hubs across the nation and I know they have been speaking with wholesale grocery companies so they plan on having the groceries at each hub not going to some grocery store for you and shopping in your place and then delivering them to you.
They will have the groceries purchased wholesale like any other grocery store and sell them at retail prices. I know it is not perfect and there are questions, but I do see the company ie Southeastern and MPB Today doing what they said they would, and that is putting in place the system that can be duplicated and set up all across the country.
As has been said time will tell.
May 3rd, 2011 at 11:38 am
Hi William,
Not sure why all of your comments went into the spam folder, which I don’t check very often…. but thanks for your contribution to this blog post.
And further, their paying a commission on the sale of ‘customer’ purchases is a step in the right direction. Thanks for visiting.
Wishing you great success.
~Jennifer
July 6th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Jennifer,Darlene,
Well, I guess most of you don’t see the big picture in the network marketing business. The selling point here is mainly grocery delivery.
However, if you you look at the presentation and listen you will realized the value of the $200.00 + $10.00 worth of investment in the long run. That $200.00 is not lost, it is yours to use, like depositing in a credit account. You are using that money to shop anyway. It does not necessarily for groceries alone, it’s everything inside Walmart. Don’t opt to the delivery services, opt for $200.00 Walmart Card instead which I did. Now my Walmart shopping is FREE plus cash. Someone did not explain the details. Would you want me to show HOW. Great potential, for that amount, you are part of the biggest retail business in USA.
July 6th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
I have been with MPB since June 12 of LAST YEAR and do not have ONE single complaint. This program is unlike anything out there and has been a HUGE blessing to me and my wife. We have been receiving FREE groceries and gasoline now since June 21, 2010!! It really doesn’t get any better then helping people to help people!! Call me with any questions or comments you may have at [removed]
July 7th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Hi Scott, thank you for dropping by and sharing your experience.
Wishing you continued success.
~Jennifer
July 7th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Network Marketing is another means of getting product to the end user, Cesar. I appreciate your offer to show me HOW, but believe it or not, I do already understand.
It’s what you’re claiming to be the product and the method of compensation that has always been in controversy here. If the selling point is ‘grocery delivery’, as you say, do you get a commission based on the cost of the delivery?
~Jennifer
August 12th, 2011 at 8:57 am
You Talk about the Terms of Service, Policies and Procedures, and Comp. Plan as missing. Interesting…. Because I read all three before I decided to sign up…..
August 14th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
I’m glad to hear that Paul. It’s nice to know that now all those things are available BEFORE someone joins…. instead of non-existent or hidden.
Wishing you great success.
~Jennifer