Comments on: LocalAdLink in Charlotte, NC http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:19:57 -0500 hourly 1 By: JR http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-147 JR Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:49:03 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-147 The "scam" portion of MLM has nothing to do with the products, per se....it is the premise of most MLM companies that is illegal or a scam - whatever you want to call it. First, most are illegal because the FTC has established a regulation that at least 50-70% of the product or service must be sold the GENERAL public, not to distributors. So, for instance with YTB, virtually no travel sales were made to the general public. Also, what ends up happening with most MLM's is that the very people looking to make extra money in the MLM business end up being the ones to fund the gross revenues through sign-up fees, being "required" to purchase products (i.e. this is typical of Herbalife), buying marketing materials at sales/distributor meetings, etc. Again, I will use YTB as an example because that is a recently exposed illegal pyramid scheme. With YTB virtually all of their gross revenues came from the initial set up fee charged to the distributor, as well as the ongoing monthly charge to "maintain" the website of the distributor. Thus, once again the very people looking to MAKE extra money end up being the ones to fund the business and ended up making no money or losing money. Then those at the "top" take the money...and then the pyramid scheme either gets shut down or those at the top just shut it down when it loses momentum. The bottom line, this is not my opinion and I do not get emotional about it either - it is just a fact that this is how many (mb not all) MLM's operate. If you want to keep doing it, hey, knock yourself out. What is that expression - Buyer Beware. I can almost guarantee you this - you will make no money in LAL or will lose money. And, the fact is 98-99% of those involved in MLM end up making no money or losing money: http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/psamain/news/MythofIncomeReport.html The “scam” portion of MLM has nothing to do with the products, per se….it is the premise of most MLM companies that is illegal or a scam – whatever you want to call it. First, most are illegal because the FTC has established a regulation that at least 50-70% of the product or service must be sold the GENERAL public, not to distributors. So, for instance with YTB, virtually no travel sales were made to the general public.

Also, what ends up happening with most MLM’s is that the very people looking to make extra money in the MLM business end up being the ones to fund the gross revenues through sign-up fees, being “required” to purchase products (i.e. this is typical of Herbalife), buying marketing materials at sales/distributor meetings, etc. Again, I will use YTB as an example because that is a recently exposed illegal pyramid scheme. With YTB virtually all of their gross revenues came from the initial set up fee charged to the distributor, as well as the ongoing monthly charge to “maintain” the website of the distributor. Thus, once again the very people looking to MAKE extra money end up being the ones to fund the business and ended up making no money or losing money. Then those at the “top” take the money…and then the pyramid scheme either gets shut down or those at the top just shut it down when it loses momentum.

The bottom line, this is not my opinion and I do not get emotional about it either – it is just a fact that this is how many (mb not all) MLM’s operate. If you want to keep doing it, hey, knock yourself out. What is that expression – Buyer Beware. I can almost guarantee you this – you will make no money in LAL or will lose money. And, the fact is 98-99% of those involved in MLM end up making no money or losing money:

http://www.pyramidschemealert.org/psamain/news/MythofIncomeReport.html

]]> By: Chico http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-146 Chico Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:10:06 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-146 Hi everyone. I agree and disagree with both sides of the story. I just signed up as an Account Executive and like an old believer in the "power" of MLMs, I don't understand much. So I wont pretend. Keith, your work in exposing the gray areas of LAL is great. To a certain extent all of us MLM believers need to be greatful to you for that. In my case opens my eyes to ask tougher ? before I start selling the program. My dissagreement is based on the fact that if a small business tries out the program for three months, it will be enough to see wether LAL works or not. I know such amount may be a lot for some. But after seening some of my friends lose 100s of thusands in pyramids, and myself loosing also 100s of thousands in pyramid-based real estate deals I consider $1500.00 nothing. Now this is my personal opinion. Please don't quote me saying it shouldn't be for a small business owner. I know my chiropractor pays more than $1000.00/month in advertisement. I asked him to test LAL and he agreed. The only thing that matters is: can LAL deliver more customers, or at the very least, the same he's getting now? If I sign ten and none get better value, then LAL is a scam. I'll quit and join you and the others in exposing it. Now the other issue on which I dissagree with you and many posters is concerning the legitimacy of MLM. In my opinion legality is irrelevant. Legitimacy in my opinion is based, again, in giving value to the customer. There are many MLMs which are legal but when analyzed with a "business eye" (which I don't have), should not be consider legitimate. The only reason they grow is because people "believe" in the product. It's hard for me, though, to agree that if I share a product with somebody and this person finds the product not only of high quality, but also more affordable than any competing product, and comes back for more, it is a scam. Specially if I don't talk to this person for more than a year. I just don't understand how this could be labeled a "SCAM". So to say every MLM is a scam, I feel is misleading and inaccurate. And you being a professional, should not allow it, or participate in it because it isn't true. As I said before, I don't understand much. But why should this stop me from getting involved? I've already lost a lot by getting involved in the wrong things. I've matured and now check everything I get involved into, throughrouly. The reason I'm greatful to you is simply for offering a plataform for people to voice their opinions. Instead of arguining with you, I see it as an oportunity to fix whatever is wrong. This is the nature of business. Hi everyone.
I agree and disagree with both sides of the story. I just signed up as an Account Executive and like an old believer in the “power” of MLMs, I don’t understand much. So I wont pretend.
Keith, your work in exposing the gray areas of LAL is great. To a certain extent all of us MLM believers need to be greatful to you for that. In my case opens my eyes to ask tougher ? before I start selling the program.
My dissagreement is based on the fact that if a small business tries out the program for three months, it will be enough to see wether LAL works or not. I know such amount may be a lot for some. But after seening some of my friends lose 100s of thusands in pyramids, and myself loosing also 100s of thousands in pyramid-based real estate deals I consider $1500.00 nothing. Now this is my personal opinion. Please don’t quote me saying it shouldn’t be for a small business owner.
I know my chiropractor pays more than $1000.00/month in advertisement. I asked him to test LAL and he agreed.
The only thing that matters is: can LAL deliver more customers, or at the very least, the same he’s getting now? If I sign ten and none get better value, then LAL is a scam. I’ll quit and join you and the others in exposing it.
Now the other issue on which I dissagree with you and many posters is concerning the legitimacy of MLM. In my opinion legality is irrelevant. Legitimacy in my opinion is based, again, in giving value to the customer. There are many MLMs which are legal but when analyzed with a “business eye” (which I don’t have), should not be consider legitimate. The only reason they grow is because people “believe” in the product. It’s hard for me, though, to agree that if I share a product with somebody and this person finds the product not only of high quality, but also more affordable than any competing product, and comes back for more, it is a scam. Specially if I don’t talk to this person for more than a year. I just don’t understand how this could be labeled a “SCAM”.
So to say every MLM is a scam, I feel is misleading and inaccurate. And you being a professional, should not allow it, or participate in it because it isn’t true.
As I said before, I don’t understand much. But why should this stop me from getting involved?
I’ve already lost a lot by getting involved in the wrong things. I’ve matured and now check everything I get involved into, throughrouly.
The reason I’m greatful to you is simply for offering a plataform for people to voice their opinions. Instead of arguining with you, I see it as an oportunity to fix whatever is wrong. This is the nature of business.

]]> By: Keith Schilling http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-145 Keith Schilling Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:46:09 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-145 I'd going to have to dig a little deeper on this IP address from Tony. I'm sure Metals USA woudn't be thrilled you're spending 14 hours on my site. I'm betting theres a link with Metals USA and Localadlink somewhere. I’d going to have to dig a little deeper on this IP address from Tony. I’m sure Metals USA woudn’t be thrilled you’re spending 14 hours on my site. I’m betting theres a link with Metals USA and Localadlink somewhere.

]]> By: JR http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-144 JR Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:55:38 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-144 Tony - nice try there.....do you work for the PR Department for LAL? How could you possibly know his supposed ulterior motives. The bottom line is that I (and I believe Keith too) just do not like to see people scammed in a company that makes ludicrous claims and does not deliver much of anything....LAL delivers next to nothing and charges struggling business owneers for this. They also make false promises of riches, which based on THEIR own financial statements (i.e. see above post), cannot be true. Par for the course for the MLM scam industry. Tony, get a life. I can't wait for LAL to fold. What will be next then? Trump?? LOL, LOL. The bottom line, I think our postings reflect our dissatisfaction with how many, many people (especially in MLM)conduct business. Tony – nice try there…..do you work for the PR Department for LAL? How could you possibly know his supposed ulterior motives. The bottom line is that I (and I believe Keith too) just do not like to see people scammed in a company that makes ludicrous claims and does not deliver much of anything….LAL delivers next to nothing and charges struggling business owneers for this. They also make false promises of riches, which based on THEIR own financial statements (i.e. see above post), cannot be true. Par for the course for the MLM scam industry. Tony, get a life. I can’t wait for LAL to fold. What will be next then? Trump?? LOL, LOL. The bottom line, I think our postings reflect our dissatisfaction with how many, many people (especially in MLM)conduct business.

]]> By: Keith Schilling http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-143 Keith Schilling Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:41:20 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-143 Yet another 'brandbuilder' who searches the internet looking to fix localadlinks reputation: <img src="http://www.ontopresultsllc.com/news/postpics/bb.png" alt="brandbuilder troller" /> One thing is for sure "Mr.' Tony, you sure love conducting searches like "localadlink scam" then making LAL seem rosy huh? By the way, did you read the post or are you making random stops at various blogs today? Regarding being adamant, <a href="http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-64" rel="nofollow">CLICK HERE</a> to find out why I love doing it. <-again, it shows me you didn't bother reading. If you had a lick of intelligence with how internet marketing goes, what works and what doesn't, you'd address the post rather than 'trolling' a blog. LAL doesn't benefit a biz owner by restricting them to only x amount of keyphrases and x amount of zip codes. You'll figure it out Tony. Yet another ‘brandbuilder’ who searches the internet looking to fix localadlinks reputation:

brandbuilder troller

One thing is for sure “Mr.’ Tony, you sure love conducting searches like “localadlink scam” then making LAL seem rosy huh? By the way, did you read the post or are you making random stops at various blogs today? Regarding being adamant, CLICK HERE to find out why I love doing it. <-again, it shows me you didn't bother reading.

If you had a lick of intelligence with how internet marketing goes, what works and what doesn't, you'd address the post rather than 'trolling' a blog. LAL doesn't benefit a biz owner by restricting them to only x amount of keyphrases and x amount of zip codes. You'll figure it out Tony.

]]> By: Tony http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-142 Tony Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:23:29 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-142 One thing is for sure, Mr. Schilling just loves trying to discredit companies like LocalAdLink. LAL is and has been 100% upfront with their offerings and results. I have looked into them myself and found them to be accurate. All businesses go through growing pains, it's actually a good thing because the business is GROWING. When I hear someone like Mr. Schilling being so adamant about attacking a company in particular, I have to ask myself why one would put so much effort into creating so much negative sentiment. Well, the most obvious answer is that Mr. Schilling is trying to slander LAL and presumably other businesses in an attempt to draw people to his business. This is his way of recruiting. Its shady, unethical and weak. I suggest he focus on growing his business in a legitimate way, rather than trying to steal thunder from LAL. LocalAdLink is as strong as ever and growing every day. One thing is for sure, Mr. Schilling just loves trying to discredit companies like LocalAdLink. LAL is and has been 100% upfront with their offerings and results. I have looked into them myself and found them to be accurate. All businesses go through growing pains, it’s actually a good thing because the business is GROWING. When I hear someone like Mr. Schilling being so adamant about attacking a company in particular, I have to ask myself why one would put so much effort into creating so much negative sentiment. Well, the most obvious answer is that Mr. Schilling is trying to slander LAL and presumably other businesses in an attempt to draw people to his business. This is his way of recruiting. Its shady, unethical and weak. I suggest he focus on growing his business in a legitimate way, rather than trying to steal thunder from LAL. LocalAdLink is as strong as ever and growing every day.

]]> By: JR http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-141 JR Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:15:10 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-141 "Our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $9,443,091 at June 30, 2009 and negative cash flow from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $3,403,485. Included in current liabilities is deferred revenue of $3,010,849 and notes payable of $5,350,391. These factors, and our inability to meet our obligations from current operations, and the need to raise additional capital to accomplish our objectives, create considerable doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern." The rest here: http://biz.yahoo.com/e/090814/byoc.ob10-q.html “Our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by $9,443,091 at June 30, 2009 and negative cash flow from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $3,403,485. Included in current liabilities is deferred revenue of $3,010,849 and notes payable of $5,350,391. These factors, and our inability to meet our obligations from current operations, and the need to raise additional capital to accomplish our objectives, create considerable doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.”

The rest here:

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/090814/byoc.ob10-q.html

]]> By: How To Start A Home Business For $200 Or Less « Wicked Blogging http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-140 How To Start A Home Business For $200 Or Less « Wicked Blogging Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:48:26 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-140 [...] LocalAdLink Scam in Charlotte NC – Is it a Scam? LocalAdLink News … [...] [...] LocalAdLink Scam in Charlotte NC – Is it a Scam? LocalAdLink News … [...]

]]> By: JR http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-139 JR Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:22:29 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-139 http://news.localadlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/localadlink_-complaint.PDF http://news.localadlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/localadlink_-complaint.PDF

]]> By: Tammy http://www.ontopresults.com/2009/03/06/localadlink-in-charlotte-nc/#comment-138 Tammy Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:15:28 +0000 http://ontopresultsllc.com/news/?p=3#comment-138 Keith, You're right LAL is a scam. I unfortunately wasted my time trying to work with them. I started out for free Thank God! I started as an Account Rep. Never invested $1, becaue I look before I leap. So, for the last month and a half I've been doing the training and getting support from my up line and then one day decided to Google LAL and all this negative stuff came about. At first it upset me and I had to rebuttal on a blog or two and then I found one that talked about Rob Deboer, the former football player who was involved with Burncity pyramid scheme.I thought I know that name, yeah he's a big dog at LAL. Then I researched them at BBB.org and found that they go by Boomj.com aka LocalAdLink. they're rated w/a D-. Also, their business title is Discount/Department Stores. Then I called my sponsor and told her I was very distraught over this and she says to me" I can't tell you what to do Tammy, it's your choice to believ what you want." That to me was another red flag. If it was a true business and not a scam, she would have assured me, with something to back it, not to say what she said to me. Also I researched them on mlm.com/it's a directory and it shows everyones business number but theirs. Also, to the side it says DSA/no. DSA: Direct Selling Association/The cornerstone of the Direct Selling Association's (DSA) commitment to ethical business practices and consumer service is its Code of Ethics. Every member company pledges to abide by the code's standards and procedures as a condition of admission and continuing membership in DSA. The DSA Code of Ethics speaks to both the consumer and the seller. It ensures that member companies will make no statements or promises that might mislead either consumers or prospective sales people. Pyramid schemes are illegal and companies operating pyramids are not permitted to be members of the DSA. The DSA Code of Ethics is enforced by an independent code administrator who is not connected with any member company. The code administrator will do everything possible to resolve any complaints to the satisfaction of everyone involved, and has the power to decide on remedies. All member companies have agreed to honor the administrator's decisions. Of course they don't belong to this because they are a scam. They are not a accredited business with the BBB because they are a scam. They don't have a phone number because they are a scam. I have a friend in Vegas that went to their address listed and took pictures of the place. Also they claim to be partnered with HGTV.com. Well, they should be careful what they say, because my cousin is one of the Producers of HGTV and I found out different. I filed a complaint the the FTC and I'm gonna file one with the BBB. See, they think they're invisible. My friend that took the pictures even went inside and they are not legit. It says Boomj outside of the building, but when they answer the phone they say Beyond Commerce. They should of at least figured with all the math they did to do this scam that someone out there was alot amarter thatn them and they wouldn't make it too far past the gate. So, with all that said, I ama stay at home mom looking for a true opportunity to work for a Great Company, with a Great Reputation. I would like to work at home. So, if you have any suggestions, let me know. I back you on whatever you have to say about LAL. People who don't believe just choose to not do research and don't care who they scam. Just remember, you are selling ads in your city or town you live in and when it all crashes down, you will not be able to show your face anywhere. You will have to move. People will always know you as the person who sold them a lie. I feel sorry for you, all of you Brand Builders and hope you get some wit about you and really check out who you are working for. Keith,
You’re right LAL is a scam. I unfortunately wasted my time trying to work with them. I started out for free Thank God! I started as an Account Rep. Never invested $1, becaue I look before I leap. So, for the last month and a half I’ve been doing the training and getting support from my up line and then one day decided to Google LAL and all this negative stuff came about. At first it upset me and I had to rebuttal on a blog or two and then I found one that talked about Rob Deboer, the former football player who was involved with Burncity pyramid scheme.I thought I know that name, yeah he’s a big dog at LAL. Then I researched them at BBB.org and found that they go by Boomj.com aka LocalAdLink. they’re rated w/a D-. Also, their business title is Discount/Department Stores. Then I called my sponsor and told her I was very distraught over this and she says to me” I can’t tell you what to do Tammy, it’s your choice to believ what you want.” That to me was another red flag. If it was a true business and not a scam, she would have assured me, with something to back it, not to say what she said to me. Also I researched them on mlm.com/it’s a directory and it shows everyones business number but theirs. Also, to the side it says DSA/no. DSA: Direct Selling Association/The cornerstone of the Direct Selling Association’s (DSA) commitment to ethical business practices and consumer service is its Code of Ethics. Every member company pledges to abide by the code’s standards and procedures as a condition of admission and continuing membership in DSA.

The DSA Code of Ethics speaks to both the consumer and the seller. It ensures that member companies will make no statements or promises that might mislead either consumers or prospective sales people. Pyramid schemes are illegal and companies operating pyramids are not permitted to be members of the DSA.

The DSA Code of Ethics is enforced by an independent code administrator who is not connected with any member company. The code administrator will do everything possible to resolve any complaints to the satisfaction of everyone involved, and has the power to decide on remedies. All member companies have agreed to honor the administrator’s decisions.

Of course they don’t belong to this because they are a scam. They are not a accredited business with the BBB because they are a scam. They don’t have a phone number because they are a scam. I have a friend in Vegas that went to their address listed and took pictures of the place. Also they claim to be partnered with HGTV.com. Well, they should be careful what they say, because my cousin is one of the Producers of HGTV and I found out different. I filed a complaint the the FTC and I’m gonna file one with the BBB. See, they think they’re invisible. My friend that took the pictures even went inside and they are not legit. It says Boomj outside of the building, but when they answer the phone they say Beyond Commerce. They should of at least figured with all the math they did to do this scam that someone out there was alot amarter thatn them and they wouldn’t make it too far past the gate.
So, with all that said, I ama stay at home mom looking for a true opportunity to work for a Great Company, with a Great Reputation. I would like to work at home. So, if you have any suggestions, let me know.
I back you on whatever you have to say about LAL. People who don’t believe just choose to not do research and don’t care who they scam. Just remember, you are selling ads in your city or town you live in and when it all crashes down, you will not be able to show your face anywhere. You will have to move. People will always know you as the person who sold them a lie. I feel sorry for you, all of you Brand Builders and hope you get some wit about you and really check out who you are working for.

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