| Author |
Message |
carlstru
Forums Member
Joined: 21 Sep 2009
Posts: 3
|
#81 · Posted: 8 Oct 2009 09:54
so how many people have do you know have success with this system, i am on the trial, do u think it is worth it ? especially for newbies to internet marketing?
__________________
|
FreeCashMan
Forums Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 451
|
#82 · Posted: 8 Oct 2009 10:46
Carlstru, your biggest challenge will likely not be SFS as much as the thought that you are going to jump on the internet and join a business and make money fast and quit your job.
Success is NOT an event, but a process!
__________________
|
WARRANTIES4LESS
Forums Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
|
#83 · Posted: 8 Oct 2009 21:05
Update:
Well, I am now in the rotation and my lead packs have been checked as being processed. I can say I see rotator working as I have gotten several emails from system, so I know they are going out as I checked and ID's were different each time.
I have only seen one new person to date, so I cannot say it is worth it if you are not promoting it personally along with rotation or lead package. The whole reason I joined is to have an automated system as I work several online businesses and it is all about time management, so I will let it run and see what develops since I am up a few hundred after expenses to date even with start up issues.
Is it worth it, so far yes, will it be worth it for everyone, this I cannot answer, but the system does appear to be working for many, some better than others which I am sure relates to when they joined and how much longer system has been working for them. Time will tell, and I am willing to be patient for a few more months to further evaluate results for not only myself, but others I know who are in ahead of me.
Success to all,
__________________
|
Whoot
Forums Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
|
#84 · Posted: 13 Oct 2009 05:23 · Edited by: Whoot
The leads dont work and are most certainly not double opt in.
I stayed in until now because i wanted to see if the leads work like they said they will, they dont and i can report a 0% conversation rate on the leads.
This program wont work because people see pauls name on the site and lead emails and run, imagine mike dillard or someone with this program it would be awesome and very successful, reputation goes a long way on the internet and unfortunately pauls stinks!
Im out, 3 months with no results is all i can take, nothing but false hope and false promises, paul has a new reason each month as to why we should hold on a little longer to see results.
he only cares for shaklee and this was what it was all about.
Hes a horrible character and i will never work with him again and will warn as many people in the future if i see one of his scams floating about the internet (im sure hes got his new one planned from the millions he has made from us sfs suckers already)
|
Whoot
Forums Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
|
#85 · Posted: 13 Oct 2009 05:34
I have to say a was worried when they started censoring the forum, i knew this was a very bad sign that nobody had anything positive to post, but the thing that made me think enough is enough is when i found out they are reading members PM's!
Can you believe that?!!!
|
WARRANTIES4LESS
Forums Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
|
#86 · Posted: 13 Oct 2009 07:18 · Edited by: WARRANTIES4LESS
Three months, thanks for your update, I am one who will give it a little longer given the merchant account issues and refunds only delaying everything a couple months as I see it. So technically, this is going into my second month, so given my personal results have more than covered me up until now, and probably a few more months, I will hang in there out of curiosity if nothing else.
Sorry it had not produced for you yet, but I understand, most will not give anything more than three months, that is just a fact with everything in this industry. What I can say about email marketing having tried it all, it is horrible, so weighing this factor into it, I am using SFS as my final test of email marketing to see if it is even worth it anymore. I suspect it isn't, opt in or not, no matter which company or opt in list I use, I get near zero results? lol
It all comes down to one thing, with spam filters as they are, I know most emails I send out never reach a person, never mind the slim odds of having your email read, we are in a transition period, what use to work, no longer does, that is what I have learned over this past year, so how many others are fed up with all these guru's pumping and hyping to bear the band?
As part of my research, I am collecting ID numbers to see the results, or lack of for my database of failures and successes. If you could give me a rough idea of what your ID number was, just range is fine, I am collecting results and failures by user ID range to try to better analyze situation to report to others who are about to quit.
Again, sorry to hear you are not happy, and I may feel the same way in another few months, but I tend to stay the course for a minimum of six months before deciding what to do for future. I could name a dozen guru deals which have not worked, as I am sure many others here could. The era of believing all the guru hype and BS is about to end along with PPC, CPA, email marketing, predictive call dialer systems, link exchanges, banner exchanges, web site traffic exchanges, fax blasts, direct mail, post cards, I have used it all over the years, and like each marketing method, they all stop working over time.
Success to all,
__________________
|
wealthsolutions
Forums Member
Joined: 13 Oct 2009
Posts: 1
|
#87 · Posted: 13 Oct 2009 16:05
I joined SFS early July. It was marketed as an automated system, which is why I joined.
After being charged for 3 monthly subscriptions, and I also purchased 2- $99./10,000 lead pkgs. I have had 1 sign up and made $15.00.
My only sign up has now quit.
My 1st $99./10,000 lead pkg. has been active with emails going out now for 1 month. My 2nd $99./10,000 lead pkg. for almost as long. My monthly subscription pkgs. have NOT had any emails sent yet.
You can argue lead quality all day.
Bottom line is if a campaign doesn't result in at least 1/2 of 1% it's basically useless. That would be 50 signups for my 10,000. Hummm, not even sure what percent - 1 signup is.
Their are so many more red flags with this company, I can't believe I trusted them.
The lack of communication is horrible. No new Vlogs. I have 2 support questions pending for 1 & 1 1/2 months.
The forum is useless as you can't ask any questions.
Sure stay in if you can do your own marketing and recruiting or you have the money to keep spending with little results. Neither option fits my situation.
The entire Shaklee upgrade was missleading as well. Yes, I fell for that also. $300. later I have zero signups. I have been in that for 1 and 1/2 months. Can't afford their products, they are very expensive. The presentation to lure you into Shaklee talked about benefiting from you SFS downline - the thousands that came in after you. That would only happen if someone behind you in SFS who signed up for Shaklee rolled up to you because everyone between you and them did NOT sign up for Shaklee.... very unlikely.
Number don't Lie.
Look at how slow the total SFS numbers have increased behind you. If everyone just got 1 they would be much higher.
It's a sinking ship.
__________________
|
FreeCashMan
Forums Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 451
|
#88 · Posted: 16 Oct 2009 18:33
Anyone else have problems canceling.
I canceled 2 months ago. Sent a support ticket they acknowledge the canceling of the account but then they charged me anyway. Then after disputing the charge with my CC, got my funds back, these fools tried to charge the same card again and sent an auto email saying my payment didn't go thru. REALLY!
I wonder with all the apparent past fortune Paul has had, is he spiraling down, because this type of behavior is not conducive for establishing long term business relationships, which he should know better. Seems to be a lot of deception in play.
__________________
|
Willprospector
Guest
Joined:
Posts:
|
#89 · Posted: 19 Oct 2009 19:56
Can you still stay as a Gold Ambassador with Shaklee but not
be in the Streamline Funnel System?
I will call Shaklee to ask them. I want to buy Shaklee products that are tremendous and can't be found anywhere else, such as Vivix
and Nutriferon and sell these but just not ave to pay for SFS.
|
FreeCashMan
Forums Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 451
|
#90 · Posted: 19 Oct 2009 20:03
U sure can. The business are not related or directly connected at all.
__________________
|
docthom
Forums Member
Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 1
|
#91 · Posted: 24 Oct 2009 14:00
OK Everyone, Honestly if you want to get involved in make a little money on the internet like a hobby where d you go! I could careless about making millions. Can someone give me a little lead?
__________________
Greg
|
birddog
Forums Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 6
|
#92 · Posted: 26 Oct 2009 17:48
First of all, you can count on most any program run by Paul Birdsall and Joel Broughton to turn out to be a scam. I have read the post in this thread and figured out that you guys are just going about it all wrong. The first few years that I started out online, I must have spent several thousand bucks.
And Yes Warrantiesforless, Most of all of theese systems are scams. Even though some people make good money, 90% of them don't.
I finally met a guy that took me in the right direction and I haven't touched one of your systems since.
On the subject of Joint Ventures, yes they work well. But I can build a list of 5,000 people over the weekend, so I don't do it very often.
I just found this work at home forum, and hopefully I can help a lot of people out here in the near future.
__________________
|
birddog
Forums Member
Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 6
|
#93 · Posted: 26 Oct 2009 17:57
I did some digging for you in my mastermind group. And here is some info for you. Hope this helps.
Dear Birddog,
My name is Karl Airey.
I am the EX designer of My Partners In Profit
and Streamline Funnel System, and now, just
another poor shmuck who got taken for a ride.
The owner of SFS decided I was making too much
'noise' I guess.
You see... I KNEW there was a major secret here.
I KNEW something wasn't right.
I KNEW people were being lied to and hurt.
When I voiced these concerns, they retaliated.
To find out more about this disgraceful company
log in to SFS, or please click on the link below:
http://www.karlairey.com
__________________
|
Simon
Forums Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 3
|
#94 · Posted: 26 Oct 2009 20:57
You people whining about paying $40 instead of $9.95 need to get real.
You'll need to invest a LOT more than that in a business before you become successful. Want to make money? Find an opportunity that your $40 brings you $45, then spend $4000 a DAY on it.
That's how you succeed in the lead buying biz.
Simon
|
Willprospector
Guest
Joined:
Posts:
|
#95 · Posted: 27 Oct 2009 00:35
The SFS is down for maintenance tonight.I have developed an alternative because I love Shaklee's products. Can I put a link in
this post or will I be thrown out of the forum for spamming or something? I wanted to show you the optin page I wrote:
you have 3 choices.
Also,everyone who is stil in should write and tell Paul that they want the names and emails of the people in their downline like any oher honest program would give you and that if he doesn't give the names and emails of the people in yopur downline there are a group of people who will pursue a multi-million dollar class actin suit against him.
Next, has everyone read this:
from
http://www.thelazymarketer.com/blog/2009/10/09/the-sky-is-not-falling-but-this-is-def initely-a-game-changer/
The Sky Is Not Falling - But This Is Definitely a "Game Changer"...
October 9th, 2009 � 111 Comments
Note: I'm not a lawyer, I don't play one on TV, and this ain't legal advice. But every jackass out there has an unsubstantiated opinion based on anything but expertise or qualification, and this happens to mine...
As many of you have probably heard, the FTC recently enacted some new advertising standards that directly affect internet marketing in general - across the whole board...
And this will impact basically every offer, presell and affiliate "review" you create from this point forward.
Namely, it deals with:
* Compensation Disclosure, and
* Honesty about Average Results
In summary, the new guidelines state that 1) you have to clearly disclose that you are either being compensated or have a vested interest (commissions) in the products, services or otherwise "stuff" you feature in ANY of your content, and 2) whenever you make claims about an offer - or publish testimonials - you have to either clarify or verify what the actual, average results are for an average user of the product.
This means that if you're promoting, say, some sort of Forex trading offer or whatever and you're telling your visitors that they can make "$10,000 a week!" or whatever the case may be - you actually have to back that up with verifiable proof that making 10 G's a week is what the AVERAGE USER can expect.
And the same goes for using testimonials. You can no longer "hide behind" a blanket disclaimer at the bottom of the page that effectively sweeps responsibility under the rug.
From what I can interpret from the FTC guidelines (and it's pretty vague), you can still use your showpiece testimonials that are NOT average, but instead of just saying "results not typical" or "results may vary" - you have to outright provide the *actual* average results in very close proximity to the testimonial.
Something like: "This user experienced substantially above-average results with this product. The average user can expect ___________"
(You can read a more in-depth take on the testimonial issue on Frank Kern's blog, by the way...)
To be safe, I would honestly avoid using "crazy" testimonials that make huge claims - or list specific figures. I've never really used testimonials that much anyway, and sales have certainly been okay without them. Maybe there'd be a slight increase if I did include them, but not if I'm at risk of dealing with the Feds.
What it boils down to is that you've got to be authentic and realistic with your marketing. Even if your "average result" is far less than what's possible if people actually TRY or WORK, you need to convey that clearly. What I would be inclined to do as a vendor is to survey the different "levels" of my customers and showcase those as well.
So it would be something like:
* Average Result of Using Widget Overall = 2
* Average Results of People Who Buy This and Do Nothing = 0, Which Comprises 70% of All Customers (or whatever)
* Average Results of People Who Exerted a Medium Effort With Widget For Less Than 2 Weeks = 5, 20% of Customers
* Average Results of People Who Properly Applied Widget & Persevered Long Enough to See its Effects = 50, 10% of Customers
Now, I don't know if that's legal or not, or if you can only show overall average results - but in the interest of total transparency, I don't see how "laying it out" like that would really hurt your sales that much. It may detract some of the dreamers, but those usually turn into sob-stories or refunders anyway.
The customers you really want to work with and sell to are motivated, serious, honest and discerning - and they are drawn to sales copy that is conveyed as such (honest, discerning, straight-up).
So in some ways, I see this as a *potentially* positive change, although any time the Government interferes with the free market, it's usually the equivalent of asking a retarded Gorrilla to fix a swiss watch (as in, I'm sure the impending "federal carpet bombing" that's about to take place will do exponentially more harm than good).
For example, when it comes to marketing information products - there truly is NO "average" result, since the results are entirely dependent on the individual, their own capabilities and confidence-levels, and their situation. This presents what some are calling a catastrophe in the making. (See Michel Fortin's recent post for details).
The FTC says that it's all going to be evaluated on a "case by case" basis... but all I can think about is a retarded Gorilla smashing a Rolex into the ground. Case by case or not, I'd hardly rely on the objectivity and logic of FTC employees (or crooked politicians looking for a public flogging to help their latest "campaign").
All the more reason to stay conservative - and stay on top of the FTC's inevitable clarifications to their emphatically vague guidelines.
So what does this all mean for US?
And what about strategies like "The Conduit Method"?
This is my take on it - and you can ask your lawyer to clarify/correct this for you, because this sure as hell is NOT legal advice or anything near it...
Basically, as an affiliate who is simply promoting a product, you need to do two things:
1. Clearly disclose your relationship with the merchant(s). Let your visitors know that you stand to profit if they buy through your site. You should have a message stating this on every page of your site, and I'd suggest placing it by the offer links as well. Don't just "tuck it away" in your TOS.
This includes your blog posts, your "tweets", your forum signatures, your review sites - everything. Call a spade a spade. Like I mentioned above, the only people this should detract are customers that you - or your vendors - probably wouldn't wanna touch with a ten-foot caddle prod anyway. (There's a good article on TechCrunch that explains more about the specifics of what is required for social media in particular...)
2. Be Factual, Honest & Conservative. Especially when it comes to using "snippets" from other reviewers, forum posts, and otherwise user comments. Clearly specify that the user comments cited or compiled are in no way indicative of any kind of verifiable results - and that all visitors are strongly cautioned to conduct their own due-diligence prior to making a purchase of any product you profile on your sites.
Also make it clear that you are simply a product researcher who is simply going off of what other users have posted around the web - which may well be completely inaccurate.
State this clearly. Again, it shouldn't do anything except add credibility to your sites, anyway.
When it comes to making recommendations or using "strong" marketing verbage, I would be very careful about that unless you can back stuff up from your own experience with the product (and have verifiable proof to do so). Even so, you'll need to make it clear that average user results are more than likely much less than what you experienced.
Beyond that, I really don't know what to tell you.
I think this will weed out a LOT of marketers who've been using "fake comments", false testimonials and stuff like that to create artificial social proof.
I also think that, in the long run, this is GOOD for people who offer value (ie. affiliates with authentic content), and BAD for people who look for shortcuts and easy money.
It may also be cause to seriously look at the offers you're promoting and ask yourself... does it really work as stated?
So maybe this is a shake-up that's long overdue.
No, the sky is not falling and this is far from being the end of affiliate marketing - but play it safe.
You really don't want a big, retarded, over-eager Gorrilla kicking down your door.
-Chris
|
FreeCashMan
Forums Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 451
|
#96 · Posted: 27 Oct 2009 20:33 · Edited by: FreeCashMan
Well it may be time to call the credit card company and ask for a refund of all the charges from SFS, as there is clearly some serious deceptive things happening with SFS:
See http://www.karlairey.com
He apparently had access to the entire SFS list and has emailed all that are or were involved.
Karl states "Streamline Funnel System has been taken down by the owners. They will probably come up with a new system of BS... Stay away from AutomatedOnlineProfits.com"
They definitely were continuing to charge people that had quit (It happen to me). And support was extremely weak.
__________________
|
WARRANTIES4LESS
Forums Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2008
Posts: 351
|
#97 · Posted: 28 Oct 2009 12:39
Interesting,
Looks like this has defined more clearly what is going on behind closed doors as the dirty laundry is now aired for all to decide who is truthful and who is not.
I gave it a good run, had patience, was hopeful given there was so many issues to start, but at this point, having supposedly seen my rotation checked off, and having been running for about 7 weeks now, nothing, zip, nada, not a single new prospect which says it all to me.
Hey, I research all of them, and the ones which demonstrate any potential, I will beta test it, and in this case, it was from June, but it took until August to get put into rotation. I did have one Shaklee member placed under me, but they quit after first month, so technically, I only saw $50. from phase II to date, so if this is what we are to expect, it is all but over.
With two major issues in just the first four months, hey, I understand these issues, but come on, having server down just does not compute. lol Even if someone is supposedly manipulating data who had access, come on, owner or whoever is paying for servers should be able to gain back control of passwords without bringing sites down, so sorry folks, it does not compute.
Success to all,
__________________
|
Whoot
Forums Member
Joined: 16 Sep 2009
Posts: 4
|
#98 · Posted: 30 Oct 2009 08:28
Hes a scum bag, being investigated by authorities in Canada, I will cheer when Paul B and his cronies are all talking to each other through the bars in their cells. Roll on that time, woohooo!
|
Willprospector
Guest
Joined:
Posts:
|
#99 · Posted: 30 Oct 2009 14:00
I was just off the phone with Shaklee and they do know about the problems that Paul Birdsall has caused and their legal department is working on it.
The Streamline Funnel System is up again and working again and I went into my account and found I had 500 less members in my downline from when I last checked: 1252-500=752 !!! So he has been ripping people off that way,too.
When I went to support to try to cancel my account, Support came up with an error page that I have recorded. You don't need to see the details.
Now for the GOOD NEWS for people who like Shaklee, if you joined through the SFS as a Streamline Green Ambassador and bought te $299 package, you are signed up as a Global Ambassador with Shaklee. They did not rip you off there. At least I completed the right Shaklee paperwork and I am a Global Ambassador. That means you do NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE 100PV
a month to remain a Global Ambassador, you just wil not receive Bonuses if you do not purchase 100 PV per month. So I signed up
for Autoship for VitaGold with VitaminD that only cost $25.90 or
something like that.
This is what Shaklee's email said:
"Thank you for contacting Shaklee Support. Shaklee has nothing to do with Streamline .However we do have the global ambassador program. There is no renewal in regards to your distributorship.The only renewal is for the global ambassador program.
Global Ambassador Program Renewal
The Shaklee Global Ambassador Program is renewable annually, for a fee of US $49 per year.
The annual renewal fee is payable after the first year of Global Ambassadorship has elapsed, on the first day of the month that follows the initial registration date.
Good news! There are a number of ways to have your renewal fee waived:
1) If the US is your home country, your renewal fee will be waived if you sponsor 3 new GOLD Ambassadors in your personal group (1 of them personal) anytime during the 12 months prior to the last day of your anniversary month. OR
2) Sponsor 1 new person from a Foreign Market in which Shaklee is present in the 12 months prior to the last day of your anniversary month.
If the renewal fee is not paid on the due date (and no waivers apply), Global Ambassador privileges (including global bonuses and GOLD bonuses) will cease, effective the PV month that renewal fee was due.
Please contact us with any future questions or concerns."
I hope that helps anyone who is still interested in being a
Shaklee distributor. Now I wil have to call the credit card company.
I will post this to Scam.com and Complaints.com at some time in the future.
|
FreeCashMan
Forums Member
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 451
|
#100 · Posted: 3 Nov 2009 10:57
Proceed with caution, the "new" SFS appears to be:
http://www.automaticonlineprofits.com
Sounds just like it with the same approach as a marketing system.
__________________
|
Page 5 of 6: «« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »»