A lady stopped my husband today and told him she made this $1200 check by referring people to shop through a new website called shoptoearn .net. I was hard pressed to believe her! She claimed she made that in ONE month!

SO I did a little research. The site looks good, BUT when it gets down to it, reading the fine print was difficult. They want you to call a long distance number to be guided through the process of how it works. I kept reading the word 'upline' which means to me, 'pyramid scheme.' Maybe I am wrong?

The site says that website owners can 'buy a portal' for their site for a little over $300! OR you could be a Rep (for about $100) and earn money also! You earn a percentage back when people (or yourself) shops through the site. You also earn money when you refer people to buy a portal also, or to be a rep for the company. They have big names on there, like Ace Hardware, and many others. You earn 'points' which you can redeem for what, I don't know. I couldn't find this out. But I was able to see on the site that this person, this lady, did in fact earn a $1257 check. It showed the check right there on the site when I punched in her referral link! BUT I also found out that she runs a store in town, and on her own website, she claimed she has been shopping through the shoptotearn site for her own store, buying her husband shoes, etc. On the last $607 she spent at Hotwire.com through the site, she has only earned $12.07! I don't get it! HOW can she have claimed to have made that huge $1,200 in only a month? I mean, I saw it for myself, and my husband actually saw the check earlier today when she showed it to him.

What I want to know is----do you guys think there is osmething fishy about this site? Could it be a type of pyrmid scheme? The site is only a couple of months old from what I can gather. I could not find a lot of into about the site online.

And why would anybody want to shop there, when we all know and love, and TRUST MyPoints? Who probably has better rates anyhow??

Anybody got any opinions on ShopToEarn.net??? Thanks so much!!!

Moving this to the "Let's Talk Shopping" Board - I need to do a little research, but right odd the bat...I'm leery. The First thing that is weird is you look at the shopping basket and there is a girl's info in there. That in its self is scary.

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Mary

Fraud. Google it to see; Here's one description.

More on why ShopToEarn sucks (and so do MyPowerMall and TeamNational)|Sequence Inc. Fraud Files Blog

Stay away.

Saturnfan, I found that site last night, bookmarked it and was coming here to share it, but you beat me to it! Yes, it's a pyramid scheme!

And you know what else? When you click on register, it won't let you register without providing the name of your referrerr! What kind of crap is that?!! Definitely one to stay away from! This company emailed me 3 times last night trying to do their best to talk me into it!!

I am a member.

I enjoy it. It's not a scam, Shop To Earn started over 2 years ago, March, 2006. If you google it, this is the reasons why bad press. The first few months they were sending out there cash back money via paper checks, mistyped addresses, postal mistakes, a number of things caused problems with payouts. Since then they have made all things right and I receive a direct deposit into a totally seperate account at my bank on the 21st of each month. The lady may have made $1200 in a short time. In my first few months since July, gotten $300 back from my own shopping, $400 from refering bonuses and $100 in residual shopping from my business. I have 4 direct referals and we do good things for different organizations. We use these different presentations to provide a year round fundraiser for schools, churches, temples, philanthropy. To get a better understanding, this is a short 13 slide power point presentation online that answers many questions.

School Fundraiser - SlideShare

I work with serious people in my business and we are not into only having an online connection with someone, so if you think this presentation would be easy for you to present and you shop online then contact me via email (leave phone number & good time to call) or phone me so we can talk.

Hope this helps,
John Moyer

I still have yet to find anything good said about this company online. Until then, you cannot convince me it is not a pyramid type of marketing. Just look at the pictures given in the presentation---if that is not a pyramid shape, then I'm a monkey's uncle!

Let your instincts guide you. It sounds like a classic scam.

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A deal is not always a deal - Some just make you pay in the end.

I understand you don't like scams. Me neither, but I can't let you tear apart something that you don't know about and don't want to know about especially when we have helped so many organizations. It's been a godsend to many. Here are some posts from actual members (not random people who may have a vendetta against this business model) and the organizations we have helped. The pyramid model you speak of is actually held by corporate america. The CEOs sit at the top and everyone else falls in below including the bottom employees who get laid off in tough times and when the pyramid crumbles the ones who get bailed out are the CEOs. In this self employeed business model I do just the same as any other sales person. Contact schools, churches, organizations and provide a fund raiser through online shopping which many of them are already doing. They simply shop online and get cash back. Period, nothing else! Their is a business side along with the shopping but there mandates to follow their guidelines. You just Shop and then you get paid. The presentation does not beat around the subject, it goes right in to what we offer and how it helps them.

Welcome to our Forum • Index page

Here is a short list:
Lantana Prepatory
Temple Beth Emet PTO
Temple Kol Ami PTO
Temple Beth Torah PTO
Saint Davids Mens Club
St. Ambrose School and Church
Police and Firemen Working Together
The JCC (Jewish Community Center) in Heron Bay, Parkland and Coral Springs
Center for Spiritual Living
Sand Creek PTO
St. Annes Episcopal Church
Village Elementary
Bay Harbour Elementary
Zion Lutheran Christian School
Soshan Meir Synagogue Delray
West Broward High School
Faith Assembly of God
Howard Drive ACT Program
Lake Forest Prep School
Temple Beth Am
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida
SOS Children's Village
Tri-Cities Christian School (5 Locations)
St. Marks School
Westlake Preparatory School
Relay4Life ("Kid's Cancer Crusaders" in memory of Casey Warner)
St. Ambrose Church and School
4 Autism Research
St. Edith School
Abundant Grace Church
Island Heights Grammar School
Warfield Athletic Booster Club
Desoto Central High Marching Band
Children's Development Services Class # 4005 (Ocala FL)
Our Fallen Friend (motorcycle accident victim donation site in memory of Wayne Horan)

Well, then if this is not a pyramid scheme, then maybe you could explain to me why one cannot even register at the site without a referral link? That right there is a huge big red waving flag! What kind of site requires that you have a referral link in order to just register?!! I've been researching rewards sites, and survey sites, and focus group sites, shopping for points (rewards) sites, paid-to click/read/whatever sites, for the last 11 years, so don't tell me I don't know anything about Shop2Earn. Belieeeeeeve me, I have put hours into researching the site. A woman who is a member is right down the street from me, and I spent plenty of time talking to her about how she felt about her experience with Shop2Earn. I was astounded to learn that she spent over $3,000 of her own money, for her business, just to earn less than $12 back! Come on, you have got to be kidding? She got her husband to sign up, to "earn a portal" and it cost $400, just so she could earn $100? GET REAL! This woman is crazy to spend money like this, and the stuff she bought she could have bought at walmart for much cheaper, a heck of a lot cheaper!! Or at Amazon! Or anywhere!!! This is like buying $20 lightbulbs just to earn a few cents back, when you could have bought them for $1 elsewhere and saved yourself a lot of money! You cannot convince me otherwise. SORRY!!!

Referal Link? It is a Multi Level Marketing business (Pyramid?) You are rewarded for sharing and communicating the business with others. Same as a headhunter/recruiter gets rewarded for filling a company position.

The lady that spent whatever to get whatever is crazy. And to purchase a 2nd website is even more crazy. People like that are out there. I know!

I don't want to argue and bicker but try to open your mind and read and comprehend.

You shop online (at the retailers normal website, no higher prices or tricks). You get cash back from 100's of different stores. The money is direct deoposited into an account of your choice on the 21st of every month. I even save more by using these coupons and more.

Personally, I do a lot of my sons diapers, wipes and stuff like that from drugstore.com. I get 10% back every time. NO SALES TAX (not a physical store and in Chicago that saves another 10%) & free shipping. I have been keeping a spreadsheet for the past 3 years. Since ShopToEarn in July, I have cut my spending from about $800/mo at Target for everything to about $650 not including the 10% cash back I get fro ShopToEarn.

You can call it a Pyramid all you want. I know the word scares people and I can not change that, but Multi Level Marketing is a business (for the confident enough to go into their own business) and accredited by many as a good business.
Most of us in the business just shop, save, and earn cash back (NO NEED TO BE ON THE BUSINESS END).

I assume you did not look at the short slide show, so I encourage you do to see what I mean and what 1000's of schools, churches, temples, victims have seen that has been so rewarding

I hope you find your right path in life and I wish you luck,
John

Check out John's info. He just joined 11/24 with a birth date of 11/30. This reminds me of another website whose members of this website all joined MC the same date and all had the same birth date and who praised their website to the nth degree. People did get paid in the beginning...and then poof!

If an MC member of longer standing than a few hours were to recommend this site, then I would feel better but this is not one of them.

I DID watch the video. It convinced me my opinion is solid!

I'd rather shop at MyPoints, where you do not need a referral link to join! (Anyone can join MyPoints!)

And if you think Multi Level Marketing is NOT pyramid marketing, ESPECIALLY when the referral is required, then I feel sorry for ya!!!

MyPoints allows you to refer friends, if you want to, whereas Shop2Earn FORCES you to use referrals. NOT NICE!

This is the last time I am posting to this thread. As far as I am concerned, End Of Discussion.

I did just join specifically to reply to the initial ? of ShopToEarn.

I wanted to defend the reputation of my business. And just to let you know, Mypoints is also a multi level marketing program where you can refer friends for a residual income (points) on their shopping. Yes you can join for free, and yes Shoptoearn charges a sign up fee but the difference is in the amount of cash you get back form yours and your referers shopping (the factors to decide is personal preference and how much online shopping you do). The difference in cash back is huge and that is the reason I joined ShopToEarn. As far as making money in the beginning; that is true for less organized and non product driven MLMs. STE does not sell juice or vitamins it uses online shopping as their product and the company makes money thru their partnerships with eco-friendly green stores to make a small profit and continue the longevity of the business. It really is a sound business plan and out of respect to everyone I have posted numerous times and never once gave my contact info or my website. I am not desperate for your business, my only intentions was to help with original ? and let the uninformed or negative minded know about and see all the different positive organizations, families, schools, people, churches, and many more that have benefited from simply shopping online and getting cash back.

My slideshow is not a video. You may have seen the company 7 minute video or the webinar, but my slideshow was personally developed for schools or organizations who need to raise funds.

In conclusion, I have not been demeaning in any way and I feel I have been upfront and honest. It does bother me when people who don't understand MLM business try to be confrontational with someone who benefits and understands their own business. After all Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and most importantly the 600+ retailers accept and partner with our business.

I would not call MyPoints multi-level marketing. You are not required to make any investment and you do not have to refer anyone. You don't build your take by adding people under you. You get the same points for shopping or surveys regardless of whether you have referred anyone to the program.

People here are apparently smarter than you thought. You might want to try a different business plan.

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A deal is not always a deal - Some just make you pay in the end.

If it looks like a duck (pyramid scheme). quacks like a duck (pyramid scheme) and smells like a duck (pyramid scheme), it is a duck (pyramid scheme).

MLM is almost always a very bad investment. As Jack Webb once explained in a vintage Dragnet show, the geometric progression logic involved in MLM makes it almost impossible for anyone except the first members to ever make a good profit.

I'd stay far away from any MLM deal.

Mypoints is a multi level marketing business. They are encouraging you to refer a friend and in return you will receive points for their shopping. This is marketing on different levels.
We do the same thing, but instead of the points only usable towards purchases our points add up to cash.
I know you all don't know me (I am googleable, John Moyer, Chicago) but I am a very honest and respectful person. Although I get very passionate and upset when people talk bad about something that many positive organizations as well as myself have found to be worthwhile and beneficial.
Revised Fundraiser proposal: http://www.slideshare.net/johnmoyer9...r-presentation
ShopToEarn like Mypoints does not force you to refer anyone. not mandatory to refer anyone. You do not have to build anyone below you. You get the same cash back whether you refer anyone or not. Like ToysRus 7%, Travelocity 2%, Target 7%, 1800 flowers 12%. And there is no minimum purchase required or maximums. This is why it is becoming so popular with schools (see slide show above). They don't have to sell anything, they don't have to refer anyone and cash back from stores is direct deposited into a bank account of their choice. I think most of you are thinking way too much about other businesses that are not like ours.
Yes, there is an investment. It covers the building of your website, the partnerships with the retailers and the zero account mangement. Again it is personal preference whether you want to get a small amount back or a large amount back.

Personally, I am happy with my choice, I get about $25-50 cash back per month. Howeber I have a small child with another on the way and I purchase diapers, wipes, food, and other essentials online. It is very good for people who already shop online. If you don't shop online it is not for you.

Take a look at this article, I know the source is not that credible but it does cover all the points:
http://www.dsam.org.my/pyramid.html

There is a major flaw with the internet blogs. Anyone can say anything without repercussions and those that read them actually believe, without questioning, what is said as long as it parrots what they are thinking, right or wrong.
STE has suffered, as has Disney, Amway (a 4.6billion international company), McDonalds, Herballife, Shaklee, Mary Kay, IBM, and every other company out there has been subject to negative blogs. Most of the posts I've seen here are guilty of Lack of Fact or anytime investigating the truth. It is so easy to just agree with false information.
Example is the black berry bunny. Ok, that person doesn't like the fact that a network marketing business, any of them, is based on a Pyramid structure. By the way, if you work, you are in a pyramid structure. The Business, just like real estate, auto, yacht or other sales organiztion is built by building your sales force, or downline. Most businesses, and I come from the computer industry, pays people referral fees for referring new employees to the company. No problem there. Substantial network marketing companies, or any sales company for that matter, follow the same legal requirements to exist. STE follows those rules and has a staff of lawyers, including the legal council that lead Amway for years, to make sure that they are at the level of companies that have been around for years. To automatically call something a scam (however you want to spell it) and not examine that term or qualification and then print it on the internet is, frankly, irresponsible. You may not like network marketing or MLM structures and that is fine, but to claim legal knowledge and falsely quote that legal knowledge is totally irresponsible. I will say, that I really like quoting a fictional TV character who became a comedic icon to the point that his shows could become a Rocky Horror Picture Show knockoff as being the guru of fact is, in itself, entertaining and shows the level of knowledge that they hold. By the way, did you know that the top money earners in STE earn more then the majority of the people above them (upline). That, right there desolves that theory that the first people in earn the most. Check the structure, check with the lawyers, accountants and people with Real knowledge and see that way that STE is set up, you have a choice in how you handle your business. If you want to sign up and earn, you can. If you sign up and not run your business, or any business, guess what... you go broke. If you are an 8-5 person and you are happy... good for you but leave those that want more out of their life alone to make their own choices. This business never guarantees that you will get rich. They keep it very real. What you do is up to you. How you do is up to you. Their zero tolerance policy is one proof that they have no patience for those that will misrepresent what they do.
Meanwhile, please, do some real research before commenting to find the facts. There are too many people out there that believe that the Sky is Falling, Chicken Little, just because some naturally unhappy people posted it in a blog.

Hi
I joined Shop To Earn a few months ago.
The first month was a learning process on how the business works etc.

It is a Great company to be associated with.

all the work i did during the existing month, I received my money the following month by the 21st on my CitiBank Visa Credit Card.
I could then take the money out of an ATM, Transfer the money into my bank account (ACH) or use it as a regular credit card.

I was able to make 1,310.69 the first 2 months and I am on my road to continue to profit from my new business.

Thank you SHOPTOEARN for allowing me to provide additioanl income for my family.

Shoptoearn is real. not a scam. not a pyramid....

All i can tell you that the pyramids you speak of only the cat on the top gets wealthy.

with shop to earn anyone no matter on when they joined can make more than the person above if they run their business successfully and attend to it. This is true for any business. if you open a clothing store and don't open it up and don't advertise and don't learn the business Guess what - you will fail.
ShoptoEarn is a business.
I have had much success and i truly shop online and have seen the benefits of getting cash back for the things I already buy on line.

it is like buyforcharity.com.
where the websites of over 800 stores - you get cash back on what you save & those cash back amounts turn into points.

I don't see how you can lose.
If you don't want to refer anyone you don't have to.
if you want to make more money you only need to refer 2.
it is that simple.
I have been successful with shoptoearn and have nothing but good feelings about it and look foward to continue to shop through my site at over 800 stores that we already shop on.

I encourage you to do research and talk to people who own a shoptoearn website.

if you don't shop online - or know of anyone who shops on line - then this is not for you.

but i have always received my money the following month for everything I have made during the previous month.

Good Luck. I am very happy for joining ShopToEarn. it has worked for me.

It took how many months for this thread to resurface? Are you people just trolling Google looking for extinct conversations to reanimate or what?

I heard Clark Howard go thumbs down on a portal plan like this when watching HLN this morning in the gym.

If you are asked for money upfront it IS a scam. No legitimate business/group etc will ask for money upfront. If they do it is a Pyramid scam and you will most likely lose your money and provide someone else a check to wave around to suck another unsuspecting person in.

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~My Goal In Life~

To be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.

If you are asked for money upfront it IS a scam. No legitimate business/group etc will ask for money upfront. If they do it is a Pyramid scam and you will most likely lose your money and provide someone else a check to wave around to suck another unsuspecting person in.

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~My Goal In Life~

To be as good of a person my dogs already think I am.