Today's blog post is about a "new" scam called "Digital Genius Lab". This post may look eerily familiar to a previous post about "Team Phoenix Marketing", and their leader Brandon Odom, especially since some of the members are the same. The new leaders of this group are the "Original Power Couple", Sean Malone and his wife Melissa, as well as Chris Baden. Together, these three have created a platform called "Digital Genius Lab", which is designed to do "90% of the work" when starting your "Affiliate Marketing" business. Let me be clear, this isn't real affiliate marketing, which you can learn about here, but rather a clever ruse to get people to purchase monthly training to advertise their MLM product. These hucksters, similar to Brandon, all seemed to have started from a group called "Global Affiliate Zone" (GAZ), and have splintered into separate factions to try and create their own method for selling training and water ionizing machines. They have learned, due to their vast time in "GAZ" and other MLMs, that the money is not made by selling the MLM product, but rather coming up with a clever way to get people to want to join.
"Digital Genius Lab" seems to have risen from the ashes of "Team Phoenix Marketing", which apparently has dissipated, and has transferred some of the members to the new scam. One of the members, Ashley Krooks, is the person that originally tried to get me into "Team Phoenix Marketing", and has now become a high-ranking member of the new scam. Not only is Ashley featured in their introductory "webinar", but she has now become a "mentor". I was originally introduced to "Digital Genius Lab" through Ashley's website, which conveniently didn't change at all from her "Team Phoenix Marketing" website, and was immediately signed up for the free "webinar" and an e-mail list.
The e-mails are nearly identical to Brandon's, which spam messages as often as three times a day, and are addressed from a pseudonym "Genie", who is the wife of "Digit". These two people of mystery, that are allegedly not the "original power couple", have one sole purpose, get people to click on the "webinar" link. They use anecdotal stories, emoji's, and buzz words, such as "dreams", "9-5", "Rat race", "become your own boss", yet fail to disclose what the actual "business opportunity" is or how people will become successful. The e-mails are very similar to a robot voice calling your phone. They are written into an automated e-mailing system and eventually will repeat themselves if you stay on the e-mail list long enough.
The introductory "webinar" is also nearly identical to the "Team Phoenix Marketing" "webinar". It is an hour long video that talks about dreams, Sean Malone's struggles, how this allegedly is not another MLM, some nonsense about being involved with a non-profit in Africa, how their program is "90%" complete (same number as "Team Phoenix Marketing"), the $99.00 per month cost for their "training" (Also the same number as "Team Phoenix Marketing"), and some anecdotal rags to riches stories from some of their highest ranking members. Once again, much like the "Team Phoenix Marketing" "webinar", this "webinar" did not detail how the program was going to make you money, what the "big ticket item" is (Same terminology as "Team Phoenix Marketing"), or the role a new prospect was recruited to do. That hidden knowledge was only available after you pay the $99.00 fee.
Interestingly, reviews for "Digital Genius Lab" are already popping up online, and they are much more accurate than anything I had read from other "Team Phoenix Marketing" reviews. I'm not sure why "Team Phoenix Marketing" was able to fly under the radar, but I'm glad to see people are already investigating this fraud, which can be deemed a third generation attempt to hawk "Enagic" water ionizing machines. In fact one reviewer, Jack Cao, actually signed up for the service and went through the process of becoming a "Digital Genius Lab" member. His detailed review expressly shows the two levels of the fraud ("Digital Genius Lab" and "Enagic"), and how they use deceit to lure unsuspecting consumers into an unwanted and very expensive purchase.
"Digital Genius Lab", much like "Team Phoenix Marketing", much like "Global Affiliate Zone", are all copycat scams involving fake training and the purchase of an overpriced and unscientific water ionizing machine from "Enagic". Not only are these programs unoriginal versions of the tools scams from MLMs like "Amway", but "Enagic" is also an unoriginal version of an MLM like "Amway". These amateur charlatans are using the lessons they learned from original frauds to create new frauds with different methods of chicanery. Instead of using lecture halls, they are using YouTube. Instead of recruiting in person at Starbucks, they are using Facebook advertisements. One of the most prolific fraudster's, Robert Kiyosaki, wrote a book titled, "Businesses of the 21st Century", which couldn't be a more apt way to describe these versions of the MLM fraud.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Sources:
https://barenakedscam.com/digital-genius-lab-review
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate_marketing
"Digital Genius Lab" seems to have risen from the ashes of "Team Phoenix Marketing", which apparently has dissipated, and has transferred some of the members to the new scam. One of the members, Ashley Krooks, is the person that originally tried to get me into "Team Phoenix Marketing", and has now become a high-ranking member of the new scam. Not only is Ashley featured in their introductory "webinar", but she has now become a "mentor". I was originally introduced to "Digital Genius Lab" through Ashley's website, which conveniently didn't change at all from her "Team Phoenix Marketing" website, and was immediately signed up for the free "webinar" and an e-mail list.
The e-mails are nearly identical to Brandon's, which spam messages as often as three times a day, and are addressed from a pseudonym "Genie", who is the wife of "Digit". These two people of mystery, that are allegedly not the "original power couple", have one sole purpose, get people to click on the "webinar" link. They use anecdotal stories, emoji's, and buzz words, such as "dreams", "9-5", "Rat race", "become your own boss", yet fail to disclose what the actual "business opportunity" is or how people will become successful. The e-mails are very similar to a robot voice calling your phone. They are written into an automated e-mailing system and eventually will repeat themselves if you stay on the e-mail list long enough.
The introductory "webinar" is also nearly identical to the "Team Phoenix Marketing" "webinar". It is an hour long video that talks about dreams, Sean Malone's struggles, how this allegedly is not another MLM, some nonsense about being involved with a non-profit in Africa, how their program is "90%" complete (same number as "Team Phoenix Marketing"), the $99.00 per month cost for their "training" (Also the same number as "Team Phoenix Marketing"), and some anecdotal rags to riches stories from some of their highest ranking members. Once again, much like the "Team Phoenix Marketing" "webinar", this "webinar" did not detail how the program was going to make you money, what the "big ticket item" is (Same terminology as "Team Phoenix Marketing"), or the role a new prospect was recruited to do. That hidden knowledge was only available after you pay the $99.00 fee.
Interestingly, reviews for "Digital Genius Lab" are already popping up online, and they are much more accurate than anything I had read from other "Team Phoenix Marketing" reviews. I'm not sure why "Team Phoenix Marketing" was able to fly under the radar, but I'm glad to see people are already investigating this fraud, which can be deemed a third generation attempt to hawk "Enagic" water ionizing machines. In fact one reviewer, Jack Cao, actually signed up for the service and went through the process of becoming a "Digital Genius Lab" member. His detailed review expressly shows the two levels of the fraud ("Digital Genius Lab" and "Enagic"), and how they use deceit to lure unsuspecting consumers into an unwanted and very expensive purchase.
"Digital Genius Lab", much like "Team Phoenix Marketing", much like "Global Affiliate Zone", are all copycat scams involving fake training and the purchase of an overpriced and unscientific water ionizing machine from "Enagic". Not only are these programs unoriginal versions of the tools scams from MLMs like "Amway", but "Enagic" is also an unoriginal version of an MLM like "Amway". These amateur charlatans are using the lessons they learned from original frauds to create new frauds with different methods of chicanery. Instead of using lecture halls, they are using YouTube. Instead of recruiting in person at Starbucks, they are using Facebook advertisements. One of the most prolific fraudster's, Robert Kiyosaki, wrote a book titled, "Businesses of the 21st Century", which couldn't be a more apt way to describe these versions of the MLM fraud.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Sources:
https://barenakedscam.com/digital-genius-lab-review
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affiliate_marketing
What the devil is a "water ionizing machine"? The name itself reeks of phoniness and fraud.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous --
DeleteI didn't really like my explanation. It's better if you just read about it here: https://www.lazymanandmoney.com/kangen-water-scam/
Well "Anonymous" if you didn't do your homework like you obviously lead us to believe then maybe we should put it in simpler terms for you. Would you rather drink sewer water or water that's not only clean but also healthy for your body?
DeleteIt's obviously not a fake. Have you ever had Kangen Water? To Anonymous, let me put this in more simpler terms for you. One can either choose to drink sewer water or drink water that's not only clean but healthy for you as well. I'm not going to go into the ionizing and osmosis process of water with you but you need to do your research on this particular machine and the health benefits before you start implying that the way you perceive the name of the machine just "reeks of phoniness and fraud". I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't be complaining if you were making thousands of dollars a day marketing a high ticket item and just letting the commission flow into your account while you were sleeping. Something to think about.
DeleteMamagunda said, "To Anonymous, let me put this in more simpler terms for you. One can either choose to drink sewer water or drink water that's not only clean but healthy for you as well."
DeleteI don't think anyone is electing to drink "sewer water". This comparison of all water that is not "Kangen Water" is bad for you is inane. We have some of the cleanest water in history right now. Also, there has never been any clinical trial that suggests ionizing water has any health benefit. This sounds like an illegal claim.
Mamagunda said, "I'm not going to go into the ionizing and osmosis process of water with you but you need to do your research on this particular machine and the health benefits before you start implying that the way you perceive the name of the machine just "reeks of phoniness and fraud"."
Well, if you are going to claim that it has a health benefit, then you probably should go into detail about how the machine works. To sit there and say it works, and then not explain how, is going to make taking you seriously very difficult.
Mamagunda said, "I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't be complaining if you were making thousands of dollars a day marketing a high ticket item and just letting the commission flow into your account while you were sleeping."
So many issues with this statement. First, making money with this device does not mean it works. Second, the way in which you make money has nothing to do with the device, but rather the endless recruitment attached to the "business opportunity". Third, there isn't "commission flow into your account while you were sleeping". For the vast majority, they never see a dime, but rather lose thousands.
There's a lot to "think about" in regards to "Enagic" and "Digital Genius Lab" being scams.
To "Mamagunda"-
DeleteYou can pull that MLM jargon on your recruiting prospects, but you can't pull it here.
You seem to think that there are only two varieties of water in the world -- sewer water, and your Kangen water. Are you really that simple-minded and binary in your thinking? There are literally thousands of types of excellent potable water available all over the world, you idiot!
You refuse to explain why "Kangen" water is better than anything else. If you actually want to sell something, you'll have to be lot more forthcoming that that. Are you afraid to answer questions? You won't make a lot of sales that way, I assure you.
But ultimately, the real question isn't "Kangen" water and its alleged benefits. The question is the MLM racket that is trying to push these Enagic water machines as part of a disguised pyramid scheme.
And "Mamagunda" -- if you think the "commissions are going to flow into your account while you're sleeping," you really are a naive fool.
You don't address a major issue -- why should prospects buy into this "Digital Genius Lab" racket when anyone who wants the water ionizing machine can get it more cheaply directly from Enagic?
This looks like nothing more than what Team Phoenix used to be, now with more expensive fees and a fresh coat of paint. Once again, a professional looking first impression gives a false sense of security that its something legitimate.
ReplyDeleteI have to give Jack Cao props for being honest and level headed about what he is seeing there. But I do believe that what Enagic is doing is a pyramid scheme, it ticks all the boxes for me. Overpriced and lower quality product compared to competitors, business model encourages you to put people below you and they have to do the same. Questionable marketing strategies and claims, no scientific evidence or clinical trials to prove the product works. Just like before, these guys sound like snakes and are willing to lie to lure people into their scam.
Good question, did Brandon go online in the webinar and give a sob story on how he was scammed by an MLM / Ponzi scheme?
Anonymous --
DeleteI like your description of a "fresh coat of paint". That is exactly what this feels like, and as far as I can tell it is exactly the same as "Team Phoenix Marketing". The amount of overlap, and all around laziness, suggests these guys are even less creative than Brandon.
I really enjoyed Jack's review. The previous reviews I had seen for "Team Phoenix Marketing" didn't grasp the salient aspects of the fraud(s), where as Jack was able to identify the two different frauds and then articulate how they work. He was the first I've seen, outside of the known anti-MLMers to do this level of investigating, and I think he was both thorough and accurate.
I also believe "Enagic", like the rest of MLMs, is a pyramid scheme. I think your check list is good, but there may be some parts that should be fine-tuned.
1. "Enagic", is worse than an overpriced low quality item. "Enagic" uses pseudoscience to make health claims that don't exist, and therefore have a product that nobody needs at a price nobody should have to pay.
2. I wouldn't label "Enagic's" marketing strategies as questionable, they are fraudulent. Suggesting they have health benefits is fraudulent, saying they have the ability to create residual income is fraudulent, luring people in through the promise of fortunes, mansions, and sports cars is fraudulent. Even if "Enagic" tried to make the claim that they can't control their distributors, which is a piss poor excuse, they don't take action against the distributors, which is the same as saying they support the false claims.
Brandon made videos and a document telling people about his bad experiences with MLM. I linked it in a previous post I titled, "MLM and 'Team Phoenix' the Halloween Special with a Scary Character Known as Brandon Odom".
Amazingly, as I was writing this, I clicked the link and it has magically transformed from "Team Phoenix Marketing" to, "The Ace Initiative". This piece of excrement has decided to polish his turd, or as you mentioned, "fresh coat of paint", on his scam. It looks like there may be a new post in the near future.
Here is the link to Brandon Odom's "Ace Initiative":
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fteamphoenixmarketing.com%2Fthe-dream-life-blueprint&h=ATN90PejeyMxqJ010PxWQO_UcEmBNVDXaCixt8i5frfZ3UeDA1Zw-PEq5JeDUyyZJFm7hHI_q0Ftn-vY9693T-uMO30n1j-Q_QgIbodx4a8kCnFwuKWzyKCW-TISvDhX6woZjWAHhg&s=1&enc=AZNhYIdEzgA-gN2QtKbWkgb7iEIYr_2NWZM-wGciLzk-UHb1zbZR-IXQxRTLpLE4NzeKIxqWdzM3vEU98tOxkHfR.
Brandon is at it again, under a new business name? Jeez, these people SIMPLY WON'T STOP!
DeleteWe keep recidivist criminals locked up for life. Can't we do the same with MLMers?
Anonymous --
DeleteI wish I could say this surprises me, but it doesn't. These charlatans will continue to cheat and lie until they are caught, and the idea that they will someday find a "Jesus moment" seems unlikely.
Unfortunately, MLM isn't considered a crime, but hopefully it will be one day. When it does become a crime, the Brandon Odom's of the world will either go to jail or find a new scam.
Original Anon, yes I agree what you are saying now there. What I was mentioning about low quality and overpriced was compared to competing machines, (whether they work or not), I find it hillarious that’s Enagic claims to be the best in the business when they have the worst warranty for their products compared to others.
DeleteI agree though that the marketing is fraudulent (enagic’s website is very sparse regarding claims), my assumptions are to cover their butts from overhyped marketing. Many of these people pedaling these things are desperate (remember they cost 4-$5,000) to make that money back.
It really is sad, this kind of “business practice” should be outlawed.
Anonymous --
DeleteI'm not familiar with all of the inner-workings of "Enagic", but after I read an article about the creator and the "science", I was particularly wary of anything they try to do. Most MLMs have a product that has some value or service, but "Enagic" is an especially bad fraud. That's why I wanted to be extra clear about this.
I believe you are accurate about "Enagic" trying to not make claims directly, but their excuse that they can't control "distributors" is not acceptable. They are representing their "business", and if you went to any other business they would not allow their representatives to make false and or illegal claims. This refusal to accept responsibility for their representatives is both bizarre and ridiculous.
Hopefully it will be outlawed. Until then, I will continue to try and spread any information I can.
You are definitly right there, its like Enagic themselvess thinks that they are their own thing, (oh one of those guys said this water cures cancer? Nope we dont claim that). I agree thats unacceptable, usually companies with multiple locations maintain some degree of control over what they are selling, and the marketing involved.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s even more ridiculous is the shear number of sites pedaling this stuff that it actually works, (I cant make this up). Trying to sort truth from fiction can be difficult to the average person that knows nothing about these things.
Once again, thank you for making this, I am sure your work has made people think twice.
Anonymous --
DeleteThis line, "Trying to sort truth from fiction can be difficult to the average person that knows nothing about these things.", is the reason I started this blog. I was one of the people that fell for the MLM pitch as well, so I wanted to make sure I could provide an outlet for people that need more information.
Thank you for the kind words. The only compensation I receive for this is comments, so you are the fuel that keeps this train running. I hope you have great success in your future.
This is hilarious. I'm not involved, but I know a few friends that are, and I have seen the inside of this company. It is real, and it's far from a scam. It is a legit business opportunity. A digital franchise per say. in the business world, if you want To make big cash, you need to invest big cash. I own another franchise that I won't name, so this isnt't for me at this time. But, I will tell you compared to the costs I've invested in my own franchise business, this business along with their training is a steal. If I ever sell my current franchise, I will definitely be looking further into this and starting this business.
ReplyDeleteI do believe digital business opportunities are our future. Get our of the employee way of thinking. Start thinking like a business owner, an entrepreneur and you will see the value in their program, along with other affiliate, franchise, and entrepreneurial opportunities out there. Keep a small mindset, and you'll never have the success you long for .
Anonymous --
DeleteThank you for your comment. I think you have a couple of valuable points, but there are also some flaws to your opinions.
You said, "I'm not involved, but I know a few friends that are, and I have seen the inside of this company. It is real, and it's far from a scam. It is a legit business opportunity. A digital franchise per say."
Friends being involved in the "business opportunity" does not make the "business opportunity" legitimate. This type of anecdotal evidence has nothing to do with the FTC's rules and regulations. If I were to tell you my horse manure face mask worked to remove my pimples, would you consider that valuable evidence as proof my product is legitimate?
You said, "in the business world, if you want To make big cash, you need to invest big cash."
A couple of problems with this. First, what is considered "big cash"? Some people may think that $100.00 is "big cash", and some may think it is $100,000.00. You need to define this. Second, people don't make investments that strictly focus on dollars spent. There are many dimensions to this, some of which includes, amount of time before profit is realized, how much direct effort will be needed (your own time and effort), and how big of a stake in the investment you will have. Your statement is far too generic, and usually savvy investors focus much more on percentages than specific numbers.
You said, "I own another franchise that I won't name, so this isnt't for me at this time."
What relevance does this have to the post? Also, is your "franchise" a different MLM? Furthermore, it seems odd that you would take the time to read this post, and then comment, if you aren't directly involved with this "business opportunity" and you have no intention to join. Something stinks here.
You said, "But, I will tell you compared to the costs I've invested in my own franchise business, this business along with their training is a steal."
Again, comparing dollars isn't relevant. This statement is far too simplistic. It is much better to invest in an opportunity that costs $100.00 and returns $200.00 than an opportunity that costs $100,000.00 and returns $101,000.00. You don't appear to have a deep enough understanding of business investing, and I am finding it hard to believe that you have invested "big money" into a "franchise".
You said, "If I ever sell my current franchise, I will definitely be looking further into this and starting this business."
DeleteIt's already hard to believe that you have no stake in "Digital Genius Lab", but to suggest that you have a "franchise", and are willing to sell it to start this, screams something is wrong.
You said, "I do believe digital business opportunities are our future."
First, MLM is not a "digital business opportunity". Second, "Digital Genius Lab" also is not a "digital business opportunity". The only way to make money with "Digital Genius Lab" is to recruit people into "Enagic" and get them to buy a water ionizing machine. Your statement is completely misleading given the context of this post.
You said, "Get our of the employee way of thinking. Start thinking like a business owner, an entrepreneur and you will see the value in their program, along with other affiliate, franchise, and entrepreneurial opportunities out there. Keep a small mindset, and you'll never have the success you long for."
This is almost a direct quote from Robert Kiyosaki, the well-known fraudster that wrote the book "Businesses of the 21st Century". This line says everything about who you are and what you would consider a "franchise". You are clearly an MLMer, since Robert Kiyosaki's book was written as a propaganda tool for MLMs.
There are many problems with this statement. First, being in MLM is not entrepreneurial. Second, this isn't affiliate marketing (which I already explained in the post). Third, this isn't a franchise. Fourth, what is a "small mindset"? Fifth, success is subjective. Some people don't determine success based on material possessions.
The only thing hilarious here is your attempt to lie about your involvement with MLM. It is very clear, based on this comment, that you are currently involved with MLM and are probably already involved with "Digital Genius Lab". Your line about "friends" being associated with the "business opportunity" has been seen before. Your line, "I own another franchise that I won't name", has been said before. Your last line from the MLM propaganda literature has been said many times before. You are clearly another one of these folks, and you appear to be too embarrassed to admit it.
Dear Dr. Doe --
ReplyDeleteAnonymous at 8:13 AM is just a shill for the entire MLM racket. He wouldn't be here unless somebody told him that the "Ace Initiative" (or MLMs in general) were being criticized.
Everything he says smells of Kiyosaki bullshit, and he refuses to give any specific facts at all about his "franchise," or why he wants to sell it and join "Digital Genius Lab." His entire modus operandi is that of a slick-talking con-man.
"I'm not involved but I know a few friends who are..." How many hundreds of times have we heard that tired line from MLM apologists? You'd think they would realize that it's a pretty lame lie by now.
Anonymous --
DeleteI agree. I also believe this anonymous may be the same as the previous one that went on the comment warpath a few days ago. I checked stat counter and noticed that other "Anonymous" has been making many visits, even after they stopped leaving comments.
I have never, in the history of ever, seen people outside of MLM claim to own "franchise(s)" without stating their name. It is a near certainty that this person's "franchise" is actually a distributorship with an MLM. Any real business owner/franchise owner would never be concerned about sharing the name, unless there was something unscrupulous happening.
The "I have friends involved" line has become quite the cliche at this point. I think these MLMers actually believe this is a novel lie, and that it actually does fool us into believing they are an unbiased observer. Since you and I are experienced with these MLM lies, we can see firsthand how well the programming works on these noncritical thinkers.
Well, I AM in this community and like "Anonymous" said this is a solid legit business with an amazing community of people helping coach, train and support everyone involved. I have never seen such a genuine group of people. Plus the Value you get for $99 a month is nothing compared to the trash you put in your mind for free everyday! Nothing is free. It takes money to make money, nothing is get rich quick, it takes time and effort so when people see dollar signs they immediately think scam! "Free" is the scam people! With risk comes reward but it is not for lazy negative people. Let me ask you? How much did you invest in your own businesses and education. Enough said!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said, "Well, I AM in this community and like "Anonymous" said this is a solid legit business with an amazing community of people helping coach, train and support everyone involved."
DeleteI would take this more seriously if it wasn't anecdotal. Also, you have a financial incentive to say the "training" is useful since you are trying to get new people to join. The fact remains there is no evidence to support the "training" is effective, the people have actual business acumen, or that the cost is substantiated by the value. Therefore, we cannot presumably take your word in good faith.
Anonymous said, "Plus the Value you get for $99 a month is nothing compared to the trash you put in your mind for free everyday!"
First, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by the "trash you put in your mind for free everyday!". It sounds like you are trying to suggest that anything other than this program would be considered "trash", because we are constantly having to use our brains to function. Not only does that not make sense, but there is no verifiable evidence that the "$99.00 a month" is going toward something that isn't "trash". Arguably there is more evidence to suggest the "training" is the actual trash, and whatever you consider "trash you put in your mind for free" is actually useful.
Anonymous said, "Nothing is free."
Except the "trash" right? It's hard to take you seriously when you can't even remember what you wrote in your last sentence.
Anonymous said, "It takes money to make money, nothing is get rich quick, it takes time and effort so when people see dollar signs they immediately think scam! "
The first part of this statement is incredibly vague, but the bottom line is this. If you spend more money than you make you will go broke, and if you spend less money than you make, then you have a chance at being successful. Simply saying, "it takes money to make money" is too vague.
There are plenty of things that can get you "rich quick". You could rob a bank, you could cheat in the stock market, you could run a fake training program for $99.00 a month.
I don't think anyone has ever seen "dollar signs" and thought scam. People don't go to their jobs and think it is a scam, unless they have listened to your rhetoric.
Anonymous said, "'Free' is the scam people!"
So far, "trash" is free, nothing is "free", and "free" is a scam. You are all over the place. I don't think you even realize how brainwashed you are from all of this mindless rhetoric.
Anonymous said, "With risk comes reward but it is not for lazy negative people."
Let's spin more cliches to fit your narrative. I don't think the "with risk comes reward" line had anything to do with "lazy negative people".
Anonymous said, "Let me ask you? How much did you invest in your own businesses and education. Enough said!"
Ah, the old appeal to accomplishment fallacy. My success is not indicative of whether this is a scam, and to suggest my business and education do not give me authority to speak on this is highly erroneous.
How is it "amazing"? Why does it cost $99 per month? How can you "coach, train, and support" people to sell an overpriced water machine? And are prospective buyers told that they can buy the same machine cheaper directly from Enagic?
ReplyDeleteGet your head out of your ass and start thinking clearly. If you're good at selling, you don't
need to be a part of this "Ace Initiative" racket. And if you're NOT good at selling, the whole thing will be a financial disaster for you.
Anonymous --
DeleteGood points! This guy hasn't explained any of this, and his best argument is anecdotal. These guys think it is good enough to say, "it works!" (pun intended), without actually substantiating the claim. It's as though they have never had to defend their position intelligently on any subject in their lives.
It costs $99 a month because a lot of work you would be doing in a traditional MLM is done for you. Why are people so quick to label things a scam when there is nothing scam about it. It's a business model that works for people. A scam takes your money and you get nothing out of it. A lot of work was put into creating this system for people to jump on board who don't necessarily have a lot of free time on their hands and can make some money. What's the point of shitting all over it clearly has worked for many people. Do you even know the definition of a scam?
DeleteAnonymous said, "It costs $99 a month because a lot of work you would be doing in a traditional MLM is done for you."
DeleteNo, the work is not done for you. They have put together a worthless pitch for "Enagic", and then told you to spend more money paying for advertising on Facebook. The whole point of MLM is to go out and recruit people to join the MLM, which is what they want you to do as well. The only difference is, they want you to pay them as well as the MLM.
Anonymous said, "Why are people so quick to label things a scam when there is nothing scam about it."
There wasn't anything quick about this post. Instead of saying it was a quick judgment, you may have wanted to say you didn't like my opinion based on the research I have conducted.
Anonymous said, "It's a business model that works for people."
According to this logic nothing would be considered a scam. Martin Shkreli just went to jail for a very long time because he violated the SEC's regulations, yet his business model worked for many people. Bernie Madoff made many people very rich, but his Ponzi was also a scam. The idea that a business model isn't a scam because it "works for people" is flawed.
Anonymous said, "A scam takes your money and you get nothing out of it."
This isn't the entirety of how scams work, but I'll agree that scams take some people's money and they get nothing in return. Scams, by nature, are devious tactics to take something from someone and give it to themselves. The way in which they do this is through misleading transactions, such as the promise of fame and fortune for a nominal fee. MLMs fall into this category as they promise an income stream that doesn't exist for 99% of people that join, and the way in which they profit is through the dollars spent by people that get recruited. It doesn't get to be more of a scam than that.
Anonymous said, "A lot of work was put into creating this system for people to jump on board who don't necessarily have a lot of free time on their hands and can make some money."
The only thing that is correct about this is the amount of work that was put into the "system". The "system" was devised to trick the people that purchase the "system" so that it can be sold to future recruits. The "system" is the scam because it offers nothing except deception when recruiting new people to purchase the "system".
Think of it this way. Let's say you needed a car. The car costs $5,000.00, but you only have to pay $500.00 for a "system" that is used to find people that also need a car. Every time a person you find joins the "system", you get $250.00 of the $500.00 enrollment fee, and then they also get the opportunity to find people that need cars. After you find 20 people, you get $5,000.00 to buy your car, but those 20 people then have to find 20 people each to earn their cars. Eventually, there won't be any people left, and there will be a massive amount of people that paid $500.00 for nothing.
Anonymous said, "What's the point of shitting all over it clearly has worked for many people. Do you even know the definition of a scam?"
Again, scams work for a small group of people. If they didn't work, then people wouldn't scam others. I don't think anyone has ever argued that scams aren't profitable.
Here is the definition of scam, since you asked: "A dishonest scheme; a fraud." It is also referred to as a "swindle".
Here's an announcement to anyone foolish enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a "water ionization" machine:
ReplyDeleteYOU CAN BUY ONE DIRECTLY FROM THE COMPANY (ENAGIC) WITHOUT SPENDING EXTRA THROUGH "DIGITAL GENIUS LAB."
This "Digital Genius Lab" is nothing but an MLM racket, designed to hook silly people into a fake business.
Aside from all the BS in this post.... I'm laughing so hard at the author! Just to be clear on some factual points.
ReplyDelete1) You cannot purchase products directly from Enagic. They are a direct sales company and you need to purchase through a Global Distributor.
2) Products are NOT lower in cost to buy direct even as a Distributor. so investing in Enagic through a Distributor who markets themselves online does NOT cost more
3) Enagic is NOT a "scam" or illegal business. Seriously? They have been manufacturing their product line for OVER 43 yrs and have expanded on a global scale. Their products are certified by medical associations, follow ISO standards and FTC regulations. All this can be found directly on their website... yes... I did my research from the source.
4) Enagic does not make health claims! In fact it is a strict rule NOT to make such claims or a Distributor could lose their right to sell their products.
5) Their products have been used in dozens of hospitals across the globe and mainly in China. If they were a "scam" then you are now pointing fingers at the Government itself....who wait.... actually passes these laws.
*facepalm*
Clearly you have ZERO education on what a legal MLM or DS company is. In fact, most Governments (I'll speak for Canada & USA) support these types of business. But like any other business (Brick & Mortar or other), they have laws & regulations to follow. If these are followed, there is NO CRIME.
Your allegations are completely unfounded.
PS: I'm not here supporting or promoting DGL. I'm not a part of their organization. I am quite familiar with all 3 industries as I have been an Entrepreneur in various companies for 20 yrs. and yes, all legal.
I earn a great income, file my taxes like any business owner and have yet had the CRA knock down my door for any businesses I own.
In fact, some people I work with are Government employees, police officers, doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers....highly educated professionals where their credibility matters.
I highly doubt they all didn't fall victim to such big scams or failed to conduct any research of their own.
Clearly this type of business model isn't for YOU, and it isn't for everyone.... Just like owning a restaurant in my lifetime just wasn't for me.
But I didn't go posting on the internet that restaurants are a scam because they expect to pay for the food they serve.
It's quite simple to grasp... market a product, make a commission from that transaction. Pretty basic stuff.
Have you ever walked into a car dealership or furniture store where employees are paid commission and told them it was a scam because they earned a commission for selling you a car or sofa???
Exact same way people get paid through network marketing and direct sales companies.
"Scam" mean you pay money and receive no product or service.
Yet you clearly stated that members receive BOTH by joining DGL..... they pay a membership to have access to online learning resources that people before them took the time to learn, apply and teach. Then coupled with sharing a product like that pays well to promote, where people get an actual physical product in return.
Hmmmm... sounds pretty legit.
Just because YOU yourself do not have the stomach to be an Online Marketer doesn't mean it's a scam.... just means you do not posses the skills to succeed, or the will to learn how.
Sounds like a YOU PROBLEM really.
But thanks for venting your weaknesses.... was quite entertaining. :-)
Anonymous --
DeleteYou have a lot of interesting points in this comment. Most of your comment I disagree with, but still appreciate you taking so much time to post.
You said, "You cannot purchase products directly from Enagic. They are a direct sales company and you need to purchase through a Global Distributor."
Do you realize how ridiculous this sounds? A "direct sales" company that doesn't sell "directly"? Even you can't be that oblivious to the failure in this logic. Also, you can purchase "directly" from Enagic. I can literally go their website, fill out their forms, and pay with a credit card. I'm guessing you never tried to verify this for yourself.
You said, "Products are NOT lower in cost to buy direct even as a Distributor. so investing in Enagic through a Distributor who markets themselves online does NOT cost more"
I don't remember anyone saying anything about the cost of the machines? The only cost I mentioned was the $99.00 a month nonsensical "teachings" charge that is completely irrelevant to the "business opportunity".
You said, "Enagic is NOT a "scam" or illegal business. Seriously? They have been manufacturing their product line for OVER 43 yrs and have expanded on a global scale. Their products are certified by medical associations, follow ISO standards and FTC regulations. All this can be found directly on their website... yes... I did my research from the source."
Lots of issues here. First, yes they seriously are a scam. Second, time doesn't determine legitimacy. Bernie Madoff ran a ponzi for decades, it wasn't legitimate when he was running it, and it wasn't legitimate after he got caught. Third, what "medical associations" promote this? Fourth, the "ISO" is completely irrelevant, and they have nothing to do with this industry. Fifth, they continuously violate FTC marketing practices. Your "research" is clearly flawed, and if you had actually gone to their website, then you would know that you can purchase the items directly from "Enagic". Again, I think you didn't do any research, but rather listened to your "upline" and their lies.
You said, "Enagic does not make health claims! In fact it is a strict rule NOT to make such claims or a Distributor could lose their right to sell their products."
Distributors "could lose their right", but they never do. People are routinely making bad health claims, including "Dr. Travis Fox" (not a real doctor) from "The Ace Initiative" suggesting this water helps with Alzheimer's. You are completely full of crap if you think "Enagic" holds their distributors accountable, and "Enagic" distributors are an extension of "Enagic", therefore "Enagic" is held responsible for the claims.
You said, "Their products have been used in dozens of hospitals across the globe and mainly in China. If they were a "scam" then you are now pointing fingers at the Government itself....who wait.... actually passes these laws."
There are no references for this claim, and it appears to be baseless. There is no science to support a health benefit for "Enagic", you said they do not make "health claims", and yet a hospital in China is allegedly using the product. Do you realize how ridiculous this sounds?
You said, "Clearly you have ZERO education on what a legal MLM or DS company is."
ReplyDeleteActually, I do have an "education" on this, because I have read the FTC's rules and regulations in regards to MLM. As stated here, "Not all multilevel marketing plans are legitimate. If the money you make is based on your sales to the public, it may be a legitimate multilevel marketing plan. If the money you make is based on the number of people you recruit and your sales to them, it’s probably not. It could be a pyramid scheme. Pyramid schemes are illegal, and the vast majority of participants lose money."
To date, not one MLM has ever won a court case, and not one MLM has ever proved that the majority of their sales come from voluntary transactions with the public for the good or service instead of recruitment into the "business opportunity".
You said, "In fact, most Governments (I'll speak for Canada & USA) support these types of business. But like any other business (Brick & Mortar or other), they have laws & regulations to follow. If these are followed, there is NO CRIME."
ReplyDeleteThis, quite plainly, is not true at all. The government has continuously prosecuted MLMs for decades with success, and if litigation has been brought against an MLM, they have always been shut down or been forced to pay an exorbitant fine. The last major MLM to face justice was Herbalife, in which they were forced to pay $200 million dollars and restructure their compensation plan in North America. It sounds like the U.S. government wasn't a fan of their "business".
You said, "I'm not here supporting or promoting DGL. I'm not a part of their organization. I am quite familiar with all 3 industries as I have been an Entrepreneur in various companies for 20 yrs. and yes, all legal."
Sure you aren't. That's why you spent all of this time writing to me making baseless claims.
You said, "In fact, some people I work with are Government employees, police officers, doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers....highly educated professionals where their credibility matters."
You know what all of these people have in common? None of them are savvy business persons. None of these professionals have had training in running a business, therefore their qualifications are not relevant.
You said, "I highly doubt they all didn't fall victim to such big scams or failed to conduct any research of their own."
Sure they can, especially since you are picking these people from your network. Smart people are not exempt from doing dumb things from time to time.
You said, "Clearly this type of business model isn't for YOU, and it isn't for everyone.... Just like owning a restaurant in my lifetime just wasn't for me."
You are correct. I agree with everything you said in this statement.
You said, "It's quite simple to grasp... market a product, make a commission from that transaction. Pretty basic stuff."
That isn't how MLM works, and you are deliberately trying to obfuscate the reality of the "business opportunity".
You said, "Have you ever walked into a car dealership or furniture store where employees are paid commission and told them it was a scam because they earned a commission for selling you a car or sofa???"
No, because that is a single level commission sales position. That is the complete opposite of MLM. If that was an MLM, the salesperson would be offering you a sales position below them, instead of focusing on the actual product. Then the original sales person would be paid a commission every time a new sales person joined, or any one of their sales people they recruited got a new person to join.
ReplyDeleteYou said, "Scam" mean you pay money and receive no product or service."
That is a form of a scam, but there are many other types of scams as well. A psychic being paid to read your palm is a scam, but you still received a service for your payment. A snake oil salesman was a scammer that sold a product. Your definition of scam is incomplete.
You said, "Yet you clearly stated that members receive BOTH by joining DGL..... they pay a membership to have access to online learning resources that people before them took the time to learn, apply and teach. Then coupled with sharing a product like that pays well to promote, where people get an actual physical product in return."
First of all, the membership does not help with the "business opportunity". The membership is a monthly fee to pay for the opportunity to advertise the opportunity. That's it. The side cost is purchasing a water-ionizing machine, which you can do anyway, and then become part of the team and earn commissions when new people join the team and pay for a machine. The machine is not the product, but rather a pay-to-play fee for the real product, which is the "business opportunity".
You said, "Just because YOU yourself do not have the stomach to be an Online Marketer doesn't mean it's a scam...."
I agree. The reason it is a scam is due to the fact that it is an endless recruiting fraud.
You said, "But thanks for venting your weaknesses.... was quite entertaining. :-)"
Translation: One of my recruits found your page, didn't join, and now I'm venting my frustration.
Dear Dr. Doe --
ReplyDeleteHow interesting that this guy proclaims that he's NOT involved in the Enagic scheme (DGL).
Nevertheless, he spouts all kinds of details about the organization, talks about his visits to their website, and confidently gives chapter and verse on what a great deal all of it is. And he's also visiting us here, at a blog that is specifically addressing the false claims of MLMs and the DGL racket in particular.
Is this plausible? Did he come here just by pure chance? Is he a passionate defender of these rackets simply out of a disinterested love of the truth?
This sort of fakery happens regularly at every anti-MLM blog. Somebody shows up to defend a racket, but piously claims that he's not in it.
Bollocks, as the British say. This guy is in the Enagic water-machine scam, and is infuriated because we've wrecked his recruitment and retail possibilities.
Anonymous --
DeleteI too have found it impossible to believe that people would come here with such conviction, even though they allegedly have nothing to do with MLM, or in this case this particular MLM.
As you mentioned, they have all of the MLM rhetoric memorized, and they continue to use the same fallacious argument I have already written about.
This person was particularly interesting due to his lack of research. Anyone could take a moment and Google "Enagic's" website and purchase a machine directly from the source. This person clearly didn't bother to do basic fact-checking from their upline.
I believe you are correct about the effect this blog has had on these groups, "DGL", "Team Phoenix", and "The Ace Initiative". Not only are those the most popular articles people have read, but I have had a person come here and admit this blog made them lose a prospect. They have openly admitted this blog is doing its intended purpose, and it is a beautiful thing to see.
I know who Brandon is. There are actual explanations and this is absolutely not a scam. Enagic themselves had Brandon on their headlines recently. Unfortunately you are missing pieces of the puzzle to come to these conclusions.
ReplyDeleteUnknown --
DeleteThis is a weird choice of articles for your comment defending Brandon. I'm also not sure why you would say I'm "missing pieces of the puzzle", and then not say what those are or what that means. Your comment is worthless without further explanation.
It actually makes me sick that people like Ashley Krooks call themselves digital marketers. She is a scam artist, luring people in with false promises. It’s totally unethical. She’s a CROOK.
ReplyDelete