Is This Business A Scam?
Online Business Scams vs. Real Opportunity
I’m sick of it. Online business scams are at an all time high.
Worse yet, the ‘scam-bags’ promoting these opportunities are raking in the money from people who truly can’t afford to throw money away. And the scoundrels are laughing all the way to the bank.
You’ll likely never read an article this personal from me on a web page (I keep my personal rants and upsets on my marketing news blog, but since this area of my site gets so much traffic and since this message is vital to anyone seeking opportunities online I had to write it here for you.
“A fool and his money…You’ve heard it before. In a world wide web of opportunity here’s how to protect yourself from online business scams…”
Friends, family members, and strangers who email and phone me – from Canada and the United States, a few from the Philippines and even more from Germany and other parts of Europe – have been sucked in and over-extended their available credit by a multitude of opportunists and ‘proven’ online business training (i.e. scams).
As a person who has been working online since 1995, working first for others and now solely for myself, I’ve seen them all. And I’m about to blow the lid off most of them here in an effort to save you from financial ruin.
- Every day there is a new ‘get rich quick’ scam popping up on the Internet.
- Every day there is a new ‘sign up with us and we’ll help you grow your business’.
- Every day there is a training product launched promising, ‘even my 6 year old can do this – it’s that simple…’
And all any of this is doing is distracting you from learning how to build a real business online while it sucks money out of your savings account or mad money.
The only ones who make money on these online business scams are the scammers!
They sign you up, take your money, and are off to their Bahamas playground long before you realize you’ve been had, long before you realize it’s not simple enough for a 6 year old, long before you realize that thousands of other people just like you were taken for a ride.
To be clear here, I have written about products and systems and tools on other pages and said things like “it’s dead easy” or “my 9 year old daughter has done it” – and that’s the truth in every sense – but only about that particular system or aspect of online business. It’s never been about an entire business model or a path to ‘untold riches’.
What To Do If You’ve Fallen Into An Online Business Scam
It’s important that you don’t beat yourself up for falling into the online scam trap. These opportunists are very slick and prey upon people’s momentary weaknesses and your desire to believe in the internet lifestyle dream.
The internet lifestyle is real – I know, I’m living it – it’s just not in the same light they portray it, nor is it by buying into their system, tools and ‘network’.
Hopefully you paid by credit card and no more than 30 days have passed. If so, phone your credit card company right away – explain that the online business opportunity product you purchased was not as promised and they will remove the charge from your account (if any extra steps are involved they will walk you through the remainder of the process to retrieve your money from the scam business).
An Antidote to Opportunity Scams
The best way to fight back (after getting your money back) and to really take charge of your online business future is to educate yourself.
- Educate yourself about what it really takes to own, run and succeed at an online business.
- Educate yourself about what opportunities to run screaming from.
- Educate yourself enough to spot them a mile away and avoid them.
Here are some of the ways I investigate potential opportunity scams before I even read their sales pitch:
- Research them on google – type their business name or personal name into the search box and see what comes up – spend 5 minutes following and reviewing every link you can. Now try it with quotes around their name followed by the words review, then scam, then money – and spend 5 minutes following and reading those results. These 10 minutes could save you thousands of dollars and hours of following some scammer’s business advice.
- Email them – See if they reply to your request for more information personally. To be fair here many legitimate internet marketers get thousands of emails every day and often we miss some of our personal mail as we sift through thousands of spam, joint venture requests, review requests, etc. For this reason you might want to try emailing again in a few days and by all means ensure you use a brilliant subject line to your email (I can’t tell you how many people email me with generic subject lines that I might have missed like "Is this for real" or "Please respond". Subject lines like that are seen too often in our spam folders without our even knowing. The ones that work? "Laura, it’s Bob from Chicago and I was…"
- Phone them – Every real business has a real phone number with someone on the other end to answer your call. You’ll find mine on my contact page and the legitimate reasons why I’m not always available to take your call – I am, after all, not trying to take thousands of dollars from you for an online opportunity and as such do not promise to answer all questions free of charge. If I was, you can bet I’d spend more time at my phone or have an assistant to do so.
Red Flags On Online Scams
There are a few tell-tale signs that an opportunity might be a scam.
Here are a few I consistently run from:
- You pay, they give you a website to promote, on their server. Your ‘website’ looks something like this: www.scams.com/~yournamehere – which, I’m sorry, is not ‘your’ website by any means. It is a cookie cutter, cookie-setting version of their primary pages and chances are you are paying them to find more suckers for their scam opportunity. Not to mention the fact that hundreds, thousands maybe even tens of thousands of people are also promoting the same opportunity scam. Not a fun way to compete for an income online.
- You pay to sell their products either by purchasing an expensive ‘starter’ kit or pay to be an elite product reseller of a consumable. If any online business says you can sell their product and they will pay you a commission from each sale, chances are it’s a scam. Reputable and profitable commission-based opportunities are free to sign up for.
The Best Ways to Stay Safe from Online Business Scams
Use your business sense. Use your common sense. Trust your instincts.
If you’ve never had a home business or had any business training then I do understand you are at a disadvantage.
You’re also at a disadvantage – like thousands of us – in that finding these online scams you’re often alone. Sitting at your computer alone, reading that sales pitch alone, making that decision alone. I know this – I was a single mom living in a new community down a dirt road (it’s really true!) when I started working online. There was no one to turn to for business advice.
That opportunity you just read about, the one that might be a scam, will be there tomorrow. In the meantime, perform your online scam research (as above), email me for advice, ask your spouse, parent or
trusted business-minded friend, and sleep on it.
My hope is that this saves
you from losing money with online business scams. If it saves just a few people,
I will have done my job.
we want to know if smartz way is a scam or not be4 we join up to it many thanks bryan and jo
Dear Laura
Please let me know if you know anything about an online business called “elite business systems” by a guy called conrad van staden ??
Thanks
Izelle
Hi Izelle,
I believe that I might know the scam artist you are referring to and would very much like to find out more about your experiences in your dealings with Mr van Staden.
Laura / Izelle – How do I make contact with you to talk in more detail ?
Regards, J
hi there i would just like to know if it is a scam too…as I am strongly considering it.
Hi,
This Elite business systems has people in South Africa..and the contact person there is Etienne Cronje.
Is this people busy with a scam? Please reply…
Odd. There are a pile of people every month landing here looking for some information on whether “Elite Business Systems” is a scam or not. Izelle you are not alone!
For the record I have never heard of Elite Business Systems and although I did try to research this further for you, I found a number of reputable companies with that name (in New Zealand, Africa and the United States). However…I’m guessing that if you’re here wondering about online scams none of the businesses coming up in Google are about the Elite Business you are investigating.
If someone could fill me in on the opportunity or the company that they are researching I might be able to dig deeper for you. I have been working online for over 13 years now and have never heard of this system. I have been making money online without a ‘system’ of sorts, for that matter. I have a few treasured marketers I trust and respect – plus I do a lot of reading and testing about how to sell online, what to sell online, etc. — this helps me steer clear of losing my shirt and ensures I get those bills paid every month.
Until I hear more from some of my readers about their concerns over Elite Business Systems I’m afraid I’m not much help to all you new visitors.
Cheers, Laura
eliteworkfromhomegroup .com
here are their website. They ask you more than R200 and then they only send you a cd. Lol what a scam
I’m trying to know too..
I did some research and found nothing.. but it really sounds like scam..
Hi, I live in South Africa and I also came across this. Why it peaked my interest is because it was targeted to ppl in South Africa. The founders of Elite Business System-SA is Shawn & Cemon Lewis. I googled their names together and separately.
I got to their testimonial and the story sounded like something I had heard before. Then I remembered, I had heard it at a herbalife meeting 3 years back. I did some more digging and confirmed that they are linked to herbalife. I confirmed this by googling the names of the other testimonials and found a site where they say how happy they are with the herbalife product.
I hope that gives you some more clarity
Hi Fie,
I’m in South Africa too, and am on the verge of getting that starter pack from EBS. Tell me about the Herbal Life meeting you were at, I have attended a webinar, but can’t really afford the R1000 starter pack right now. Have you gone with Herbal Life?
Has anyone bought the Elite Business Systems starter pack??
i have previously been scammed but i was really stupid i must admit i had deposited R180 into someones account promising an online job opportunity however that was not the case. This is the reason y i am currently investigating the legitimacy of elite business system . ive googled these people and even searched fb to check profiles. however i have not yet come to the conclusion that it is a scam. Anybody with information please drop me a line it will be appreciated.
Hi!
Are there any online sites that are legit to make money and that you can recommend?
Your assistance will be much appreciated
Mant thanks
Dear Laura
I found your site whole trying to research Elite Business Systems, which operate out of South Africa in this particular case, though they claim to be active in other parts of the world as well. I has already sent an email to “my” contact person, a certain Anna Meyer with the following contact details:
Anna Meyer
Tel-0125656222
Cell-0848121873
Fax-0125656222
PS if you prefer to fax us your order please use attached form
461 Jack Hindon Street , Pretoria North 0182 , 4170 South Africa, Elite Work From Home Group-SA
Cancel your subscription by clicking this link or copy and paste it into your browser:
http://e.quicktellpro.com/unsubscribe/1455_5486_587115
I received this after responding to the following:
eliteworkfromhomegroup.com/annaorder?responder=Anna-SPWheel&email=npd.sonya@gmail.com
Please let me know if that address works (or doesn’t), so I can then send you another from the ad which I responded to.
Laura, I really appreciate that you are willing to assist strangers like us, who are probably desperate (I know that I am) and are now cautious, since I’ve already been scammed by an American company, where I had to pay in dollars, which at the time was about 8.60 South African Rand to the dollar, taking our exchange rate into account.
I would also like to know whether you have any job offering or opportunity that an unemployed person, with very little knowledge of computing can get involved in please. I have to find something soon or will probably lose my house, which will leave myself and my daughter homeless and destitute.
Thanking you in anticipation.
Bright blessings and kind regards,
Sonya Gorvalla
I have an URL for the Elite Business Systems if you would like to find out more> eliteworkfromhomegroup.com/kimorder
You have to buy a starterpack and that is fishy to begin with – seems like you just sell starter packs for a business. Look for more suckers
This is Laura. I just want to warn everyone – especially those new to doing business online – never, ever, ever enter your credit card information into a form online that does not start with https: (the S means secure). I would also add that everyone should do their due diligence before handing over any pertinent credit card or personal information online. As the economy gets worse and more families grow hungry, even good people can turn into scam artists and theives. Watch your back – the world is full of unhappy, unethical types…
( bizstudio .com/ebs )
I think this was the site Izelle was reffering to, after i stumbled on it i google the name with the word scam? and found your site so that might give you a lead. cheers
This is the same site. Thanks Dries. I checked it out and will give it a miss… Same Old, same old !
Hi Laura & All
I’m from South Africa and did similar research to “Fie” above.
Shawn & Cemon Lewis – Founders, Elite Business Systems-SA are affiliated with Herbalife.
So for everyone else out there, its not a scam but its the Herbalife system.
My problem with 90% of these people is that the refuse to be straight up with you and inform you its the Herbalife system.
I know of people that have made good money using this, its just not something I’m interested in personally, so I find it very annoying that the people involved will try and “pull” into findinf out more when I could have told them in 5 minutes, sorry been to your presentation, not interested.
Instead you have buy a CD first, see its Herbalife then send the CD back and get refunded.
Way too much trouble for something I know I don’t like in my honest opinion.
Are you saying you think Herbalife is a scam as although I have never done it I believed it to be a legitimate business opportunity. I have family in the US who have done Herbalife full time for about 10 years and earn a comfortable living?
Where the scam lies is not in the sale of herbalife, its the rip-off starter pack that keeps the pyramid scheme going.
Hi everybody,Shawn Lewis here founder of Elite Business Systems.First off to put you all at ease EBS is a 100% legitimate business,I personally use this system to make over R80 000pm. We have different business models depending on your income goal ,the time you have available and whether you want to work on the Internet or offline. The Starter Pack information Cd available on our website will cover all the details and information you need to decide if we have something that you are looking for and comes with a lifetime unconditional 100% money back guarantee,no questions asked. The CD-Rom is sent via registered mail and takes 3-5 days.
PS: Selling CD’s is NOT the business and is not how we make money, it’s simply a way for you to get all the info about our different business models and give a chance to make an educated decision.
I fully agree with Shawn and this system, I am part time with Elite Business Systems, and was looking for an extra R2000 pm to supplement my income, and last month I earned over R12 000 part time. Thank you Shawn and Cemon!
can l buy this starterpack directly from you because l know
that you are here in parow and lam also here in parow.
Ahh Shawn.. just admit it… you’re selling Herbal Life! You use EBS site because you are not allowed to source reps using the Herbal Life name or trademark / site etc.
We know its not the starter pack CD you make money from, no of course not, that just enables you to hook the poor, unsuspecting victims into buying Herbal Life products which they then are made to believe they can sell making up and over R80 000.00 a month! Ja right! The products are imported from the USA so you’re paying US dollar prices in SA rands. Over priced and over rated big con, pyramid scheme is all it is…total waste of time and money!
Hi Shawn
Would like to know if i can use the starter park without a computer.
And if you can send me more information please
It just doesn’t make sense to pay first for a cd that has info that could alter your decision. I mean why not have a video tutorial on your site explaining essential info so as to really make an informed decision?
Answer me this Shawn
You are the founder of EBS right?
How come there is another site http://www.homebusinessrsa.com/ which is selling the exact EBS system and there is a touching story of how you lost your house and found the EBS starter kit under your bed and used the system?
Hmmmmmm interesting…….
There’s wonderful photos of how you the newbie using this amazing program allowed you and your missus to go overseas.
I see where this scam is going you teach people how to set up the same website as you, put some bogus testimonials on and try pull in some unsuspecting folks and charge them R217 for this.
Not a bad idea if you nab 10 people a day that’s R2170 a day and R65100 a month.
But its all about ethics do you sleep well a night knowing that you might have taken a person last R217 that they needed for food for their children??????
Hi Seth
Thanks for the comments I see how easy it is to make that assumption,but we have a 100% ANYTIME money back guarantee on the starter pack, because that’s not our business,in fact when people return the Starter Pack it cost us R20 because that’s what we pay to send it registered mail. I know its hard to believe because we are taught that “if it sounds to good to be true it usually is” but all our testimonials are real. I hope you find what you are looking for
Seth you hit the nail on the head. I read the same article….so how could Shawn Lewis be the founder of Elite Business Systems when he himself “found” the cd under the bed? This really is just another Pyramid scheme and obviously they have no ethics!
Shaun if you are so confident is your system then why charge for the cd. You say it cost you R20 to send cd, but in actual fact it cost R13 to send item via registered post. It probably cost R1.50 for cd plus printing on cd.
So where does extra R280 go?
I went through your entire site and still have no idea what you are marketing!
How wil I be making all this money?
What wil I be doing?
I might be marketing or promoting porn-websites. Lol
If you so confident in your system then make it free to all or make charges to cover delivery.
Thanks
I also received the same email from Anna Meyer
Tel-0125656222
Cell-0848121873
Fax-0125656222
I can say its attempting to do it but i’m worried that they will produce
what they are promising please if you are working online for EBS
i just wanna know does it work?
You are just as evading as your website. IS IT HERBALIFE OR NOT? IF IT IS…YES YOU ARE MAKING MORE MONEY FROM SELLING CD’S THAN THE ACTUAL PRODUCT. AND THAT TO ME IS A SCAM.
I agree with Johan & a few others.
@ SHAWN : You are very evasive Shawn.
@ Shawn & others- MY EXPERIENCE:
I also got The link via an invite on Face Book.
When I replied to your initial email… asking if it was anything like….other MLM concepts – you said it was not… You are correct There…. the ones I have had experience with In the past have never asked for money up front before seeing the concept!! 2nd Point – Why when I mentioned that your address is near where I stay & that I would prefer to meet in person before Parting with money, did you resend Your First Email…. Like I was stupid… I understood it the first time – your persistant evasiveness & the fact That the introduction is so long winded,but tells one nothing about the business….If it is herbalife- There is no Secret- nearly everyone on this planet has heard of them & They use the same MLM stratergies as many others. I then after not getting direct answers relating to my questions, asked why if it’s a Legit concern, do you not furnish one or even have a contact Telephone number visible on your site & or your emails. You said many work the business part time & can’t be inundated with calls…. I pose this question- If the business is so lucritive & even If you are a part timer….. you would still take the calls or return them if you were busy, why…… BECAUSE THIS IS HOW YOUR BUSINESS WOULD GROW…. But this is not how you operate is it??? I wonder Why?Hmmmmm yeh right…
Oh & yes I am still waiting for the company registration number & your head office contact…. you failed to send.
It’s been such a wild goose chase just to get simple answers that even If you had to supply the info I requested…. I WOULD NOT EVEN JOIN!!! Your tactics come across as devious… First Impressions count….. Thats all I have to say.
Damn … I am so happy that I stumbled onto this website when looking for more info on Elite Business Systems … I am sick of listening to people pushing Amway and Herbalife down my throat and when they use methods like this to get R217 out of you without being honest about who they are – it makes me mad and shows me that if they were as proud of their product as they claim to be – they would be more than happy to tell you what product they expect you to sell. When people are on these sites looking to make extra money – its because they need it !!! And the photo’s of all the people with their personal success stories – makes it an easy trap for someone who is really desparate. Thank you for your valuable input one and all – for me its not about the R217 – its more about the time that I would have wasted.
The Elite Business Systems R217 package is just an alternative to a live seminar, it’s merely to give you info about what you’ll be doing, I’d advise you to try n get to a live seminar, because I wouldn’t count on a refund for that CD thing. I’ve been to a live seminar, EBS is about selling Herbal Life products for a profit. That is all. When I have enough cash (R1000) I’ll be getting myself the starter package, which includes a months’ supply of Herbal Life products for you to try, to make it better for you to know what you’re selling, whether it works etc. I could stand to lose a few, so I may as well try it, and I may as well try my hand at selling their stuff, since I can’t see any easier way at the moment. That business may not be tasteful for many, since it basically is selling stuff, but I’m going to give it a try.
To Hans, I get what you’re saying, and I don’t mind MLM, as long as I’m selling the client a product, and not just having money change hands with no product at all, see?
I’ll keep everyone updated as to my success (I’m counting on it!) or my failure. Wish me luck everyone:)
Hi Cleo,great look forward to welcoming you to the team.
PS we are very strict with ensuring Starter Pack Refunds are done promptly.Some people don’t like the hype of a live seminar hence the success of our system giving people a chance to view the information in the comfort of their home,with no pressure
Cleo
the problem is exactly that there are hundreds of people every month who say, well I might lose a few so what? that is how these guys make their money.
Good luck to you, but I am out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have to agree…..I’ve had a few encounters over the past 10+ years with people coming to me and telling me about this “Product” and they never get around to saying that it is “Amway” or “Herbalife” They will go on and on for hours trying to convince you to join forces with them and all the while, doesn’t matter how many times you ask them what this “Product” is, they just refuse to tell you straight. I absolutely HATE that. WHY NOT TELL THE TRUTH TO BEGIN WITH?
The best part…especially with Herbalife, is that they want to lead you to believe that it is best for your health do drink shakes all day for the rest of your life….what a load of nonsense. We’ve even had people inviting us over for dinner under the impression that they want to be friends with us. How low can you go?
HiDebi.. I can understand your frustration. However would just like to let you know that Amway does not target unsuspecting p people with Tactics such as the ones experienced above. It Is actually sad that Shawn & a few Others have chosen this tactic… because I know others who do sell & participate in the Herbalife MLM Business by way of weight loss challenges etc… & they have never used This tactic.
Hi Debi
I agree. you know the idea behind amway and herbalife is actually not a bad one. if one were to start something that is not run by greedy nuts, using the same principle of profit sharing amongst the consumers, instead of giving the profit to an organisation. I think it could be a brilliant thing. but these guys at the top make all the money and the rest just fight to make them richer
Another red flag is if they mention high yield and no risk in the same sentence. These two just don’t fit together – either the thing is risky (but potentially highly profitable) or less risky but with limited potential profit. Think about it – if it was THAT safe and profitable, everybody would be doing it.
They don’t say it for nothing, that if something seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.
Hey guys, I have just bought the starter pack and in the verge of buying the 1000 pack, plz anyone who is already doing the business inform us what the system really wants you to do, because 2 me it doesn’t seem like a scam otherwise you’ll get views when you type the name of the company and scam at the end and Google. I just want 2 know how the profit is made. Do you sell the products or market them as simple as that. Please people help me make a sound decision by providing me with the info I need.
Hi Dee
If you got the EBS Starter pack you would also have a PDF book attached in your email. That explains how the system works to build a customer base,but yes you will have access to our training website that will guide you step by step,who is your coach?
Dear Shawn
I have visited your site and have read all the comments listed above and below. My question is this, I was an amway distributor and did really well, was in the “business” for 4 weeks and hit 9%. However, i nearly killed myself doing it. Having to show “the plan” to everyone, took me away from home far too much with results that where not pleasing at all. Is this 100% on-line or does it require one on one interaction with prospective “recruits”(for lack of a better word)
Many thanks
Claire
Hi Shawn
I am from South Africa .I stumbled across the EBS site whilst researching .I could not get your Alan Stimpson to return my calls, nor to reply to my emails .Now that I stumbled this site where EBSis being checked out , tell me two things:Why dont you tell that you sell hebarlife products and the cost of participating in this whole thing is R217 ( for video + R1000.00 for products you are going to sell .It seem a bit dishonest not to disclose these facts. If I know that I would not have R1000 for a starter pack , why should i even go to an extent of putting together R217 for a cd? Being unemployed , chances of putting together R1000 is no childs play. Be open.
I would like to know why do you need to give all that info about your card?? They can give account details and one will just eft the the money?????
Interesting bunch of opinions here. I wonder how many of the people making negative comments about Network Marketing or MLM have actually considered the alternative cost of setting up your own business … and bear in mind that something like 80% of all new start up busineses fail. The cost of getting involved in MWM will vary but it will be a whole lot less than starting out on your own. MWM/MLM is simply a business system and it is imperative to check out whatever ‘make more money’ plan with due dilligence. It has to be something that you will enjoy doing. It has been said that Ignorance is Bliss … just don’t let your ignorance be someone else’s bliss.
@ Hans yes dear…. SOME OF US KNOW ALL ABOUT MLM. The point of this matter I think – Is about the APPROACH being used _ if you can call It an approach not the system…… Ignorance is bliss Yes!!!! Especially when you don’t get The answers to the questions one has posed to another….. (the saying goes too: if you dont know ……. YOU DON’T KNOW! P.S You come across as quite condesending!
Hi Hans
I’m from South Africa – really looking for a part time option I can do from home, I’m actually preapred to work for it
Can anyone help me with a few options that are NOT SCAMS?????
Thanks
Hi Guys
I am doing Herbalife now for almost ten years. And I am very happy. I also do have a website where people can leave their info and can find some more info for themselves, but if anyone wants to know what is my business name or what am I doing, I told them rightaway it’s Herbalife and that I am proud to be a distributor. I had a great result on the product and quit my dressmaking and design business to do Herbalife fulltime. You can contact me any time to ask me questions. Not all the people and companies out there is a scam,. but take a look at the persons who told you to keep away. Do they earn the money?
Hans, don’t be a chop.
The idea with all these scams is literally to create an endless cycle of Scamming people into paying for instructions on how to scam OTHER people into paying for the same…
LITERALLY, pay for ME to tell YOU to find OTHER people who will pay for YOU to tell THEM to find people of their own etc etc etc.
You’re clearly demonstrating the dangers of blissful ignorance…
hi Shawn
can you please tell me exacly what kind of product are you working with couse i have been sending emails to Abrahams but the no one is repying to my messeges.
Hi Mapule
Thanks for your comments,we use an exclusive online system called Elite Business Systems (EBS) to market the Herbalife products and business opportunity. The system allows you to follow our step by step training to learn how to advertise to get people to come to you instead of you chasing family and friends. The Starter Pack available on our website consists of online videos, PDF manual and a CD rom, sent via registered mail, that explains in detail how our system works,its 100% refundable ANYTIME and is NOT how we make money,all the best
HI Shawn,
I’ve just ordered the starter pack. And I’m keen to get started, but the suspense is killing me here! Why cant you guys come strait out and say what the business is all about? I’ll definitely be comfortable with online marketing of a health product(as I’ve realized from the above correspondence). I think once someone has shown interest you must just tell them what its about straight out. I was beginning to lose hope that there was money to be made here!
I’ve read all your comments and found no reason why I shouldnt take the risk. I’m going on it with full force.
The best one so far I have come across is Forever Living. Starter pack available, but no requirement to join. Real marketable products.
All training and product info for free, a profitable bonus system.
Anyway, I am not adding this to recrute, but rather to show that not all these companies are scams.
Thank you very much for the Elite Business Scam. 12 months ago I was in financial problems and started with EBS. I do it part time and last month earned R24 000. Thanks Shawn & Cemon. For things to change you have to change. 90% of decisions are made of opinion and that R217 starter pack gave me the facts to go ahead.
Indeed its easy to stand on the “other” side of the fence and be sceptical.
After all we’re just looking out for whats ours.
As for scams, pyramids etc etc….
None of that here at EBS.
I started up in December made a whopping R4500 and R6500 in January 2011.
Not by selling cds or coaxing/trapping anyone but rather by helping as many people as I could and were willing to step out of the infamous “comfort zone”.
If you’re after change, willing to step out from the comfort zone…Let any 1 of us know.
Thank you Shawn & Cemon.
Big Thanks to Yaasir for my starter pack.
Herballife…
I bought this CD about 5 years ago and it lies somewhere in a box. My parents actually sold this “Herballife” product about 10 years ago. The Elite Business System is hiding the term for Herballife to get you to purchase the CD, they are only interested in you money…
The product is really Good, but not the system >>> We are talking about a pyramid system. You must sell it and your customers must buy and sell it and so on and on it goes…
For you to make money you must sell to people that will sell it to people.
The product is rather expensive and people with money will buy this product and I did not know a lot of people with money.
The CD of R217 just introduces you to Herballife and then you need to decide if you want to purchase a starter pack of products of around R1000, I think it was samples, I can’t remember exactly…
There is a whole chain reaction here. The guy that sent you the CD will “introduce” you to Herballife and also sell you the product afterwards. He makes money out of you and you need to go and do the same or you will make nothing. Like I said, A pyramid scheme…
Thank you Mr Conrad van Staden for not being Honest from the beginning (Why do I say this?)
If he mentioned the word Herballife, he will not be on the top of the pyramid. It is easy to do research on the word Herbalife.
You can make money with this product, if you are driven to sell it as well, but these guys are not honest from the beginning as simple as that. I started my own website design business called GC Web Design Studio and see these type of scams on a regular basis. I was caught many times… shame on me!
Do proper research, before you buy anything online. There is very little people that is honest online.
Just a Tip
Have a nice day.
Shawn,
Why didn’t you just put the information “to market the Herbalife products and business opportunity” on your website so that people know EXACTLY what your “ELITE” idea is. Personally, I don’t think it’s that elite – just a bloody waste of time!
All these multi-level marketing companies NEVER tell you what it is they ACTUALLY sell. It ALWAYS involves money-down in order to get started, with NO clue of what you’re heading into. EVERY job I’ve had has paid ME!!! And even when I work through an AGENCY, they only deduct their commission at the END of each month.
Toodles!
is there any online business that is legit
Iam just OVERJOYED that I stumbled across this website and just as happy to see this convo…I found the EBS website and I immediately got an email…Few minutes later,I received another email from someone that would;I assume; be my mentor. I am strongly considering it as I would like to bring in some money as my bf is the only one working(i got sick)and would like to do something that I can stay at home,bring in money,and take care of things as my bf is almost never here.We live fine on what he makes but its never too late to start building a nest egg etc…
I feel more optimistic about this.
Thanks
Thanks guys, you have just saved me R217 and a lot of hassle. As much as I wish to have income working from home, I have no interest selling Herbalive.
It’s facinating to read all the comments,some of the people commenting are probabley the people marketing their product under an alias to tell you no this is no scam try this etc. Herbal life is a very good product but what people want to hear is not some wool over the eyes advert – my responce to the ads have been Why don’t you just say we are looking for people to market Herbalife instead you have tons of adverts that never get to the point. Only when you pay for info then out it comes HERBAL LIFE BUY YOUR STARTER PACK –PAY PAY PAY – Hopefully the consumer protection act in SA will ban such adverts and there will be mor transarancy
I paid this R217 for the ‘elite business systems’ wanting to know more. On receiving this I found out it was herbalife and they wanted a further R1000 to get started. I then requested a refund as I want to make money, not spend it. I posted it back via fast mail and am still waiting for a response or refund. Scam!!!
6 days later and stil waiting….
Hi everyone! Herbalife is a LEGITIMATE Business Opportunity and I’ll be joining at the end of the month. All you’ll be doing is selling health products (supplements, shakes, soaps, creams etc) and you make a profit. If you want to join, go on Herbalife’s website for more info.
The problem with sites like EBS is that you pay them R297 for an unnecessary CD and they’ll make more money through you if you join the Herbalife programme through them. Cut out the middle-man, contact Herbalife directly.
Cheers!
Hi, I am deeply dissapointed in the EBS scheme. If I new it was herbalife 1st off I would have considered it, but the way things were presented via face book and after reading all these comments, I am not interested in EBS or herbalife anymore as it sounds dodgy and as if herbalife are battling to sell their product.
When i was 17 herbalife was around. the product does work. problem is you spend most of your money just to make the money by having to drive around to see the potentials out there. it is a waste of time. my entire family did this thing and lost money instead of making money. all my parents friends at the time were also involved and not one person made anything close to what was said they would make even after selling literally hundreds of products a month. this is nothing but a pyramid scheme intended on taking your money. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND ANYONE NOT DO THIS!!!!!
The starter pack for Elite Business Systems is now R297 I was about to buy it until I came across your site and read all the comments. It appeared to me that in some way it was a way of making some money from Google AD WORDS which is a legit business. But clearly it’s Herbal Life by their own admission. My so called contact in Cape Town gives his details as
Tel 0218139590
Cell 0793791954
Fax 0867643924
Bruce Davidson
Thank you Laura and everyone else This site is like a Public Protector service
Geoff
Hi all
Thanks to everyone for posting their opinions. I don’t know about these opinions,what I do know is the facts. Herbalife has been around for 31 years [FACT] (you can fool some of the people some of the time but not all the people all the time) its trading in 79 countries [FACT] (i.e approved by 79 goverments, products and business plan), has 60 Million satisfied daily consumers of their products [FACT] (Hmm wonder if the products work) is listed on the New York Stock exchange [FACT] and in 2010 sold $4.8Billion dollars worth of product [FACT] and gives 73% of that back to the distributors doing the work.[FACT]
My wife and I founded the EBS system, which is simply an online business model to market the Herbalife business opportunity and the products online without having to rely on family and friends. We are the fastest growing organisation in South Africa [FACT]. I having been building this business for 7 years so please don’t think it’s going to be an overnight success but last month Herbalife paid us R189 000 [FACT] in passive income alone. Were will you be in 7 years if you keep doing what your doing?
The only questions now is, do you believe the facts and start your journey to changing your life by following successful people and using our exclusive tools,only available to our team, or do you believe other peoples opinions. Whatever you choose I wish you the best of luck, remember it takes commitment,dedication and sacrifice to make a massive success in your life, no matter what you do,there is NO Free lunch. All the best Shawn Lewis.