Evaluate

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0428dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B><U>     </U></B><A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home"><U><B><U>home</U></B></U></A><B><U>   </U></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>                                                <IMG SRC="10c61280.jpg" border=0 width="353" height="40" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0428dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I><B>                         Ev</B></I><I><B>aluate</B></I><I><B> any opportunity                            </B></I></div> <div> Daves' method of Evaluating Any Opportunity                                          </div> <bR> <div> This is only one of the many things I have learned from</div> <div> reading "Net Riches" ezine. </div> <bR> <div> Readers Write</div> <div> ===============</div> <bR> <div> Hello Dave,</div> <bR> <bR> <div> You have mentioned that you investigate biz opps </div> <div> before getting involved. Will you tell us what red</div> <div> flags you look for, to know it is a scam or will just</div> <div> not work.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Thank You</div> <bR> <div> Mark Kypfer</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Hi Mark,</div> <bR> <div> GREAT Question! And like I said in my email </div> <div> to you...I can't believe I didn't think of it myself!</div> <div> Something so blatantly obvious to talk about here and</div> <div> we never have before! I really appreciate not only </div> <div> your input but everyone elses as well! Sometimes as</div> <div> that old saying goes....You can't see the forest for</div> <div> the trees! ;-D</div> <bR> <div> Ok....the very first thing I do of course is read</div> <div> EVERYTHING on the site. Alot of times...just good ol'</div> <div> plain intuition will tell me whether this is possibly </div> <div> a good program or not. But even then..until I have </div> <div> read the terms of agreement...then and only then will </div> <div> I begin a thorough investigation.</div> <bR> <div> Alot of times by reading the terms of agreement you</div> <div> don't have to investigate any further. For example. I</div> <div> just reviewed a company for one of our readers who</div> <div> didn't want my results published...site looked good..</div> <div> nothing earth shattering or new...and on the surface </div> <div> it looked great. They didn't just tell you, you were</div> <div>       going to make money...they GUARANTEED IT! All over </div> <div> the site they guaranteed you would make money! But nowhere </div> <div> could you find the 'specifics' of this guarantee...so I clicked on the order </div> <div> now button...this is usually where alot of companies 'hide' the terms of agreement. </div> <div> And right there in black and white it stated...Said company does NOT </div> <div> guarantee you will make money. This will be dependent on your own efforts!</div> <bR> <div> Some of the other things I look for. The product</div> <div> itself! Is it something I personally would buy? There</div> <div> are ALOT of so called business opportunities out there</div> <div> that are nothing more than a collection of things that</div> <div> you can get FREE online! They just pile them up on one</div> <div> site and charge you anywhere for $29.95 to $249.95 to</div> <div> access them in the 'members' area. No thanks..I like</div> <div> FREE and will go get these myself.</div> <bR> <div> After I look at the product...and if I decide that I</div> <div> would personally buy it...I go and look at the comp</div> <div> plan. Now there are a ton of things to watch out for </div> <div> in the various comp plans. If it's an affiliate</div> <div> program...I generally won't join unless it's a minimum</div> <div> of two-tiers. That is you get paid for your sales, as</div> <div> well as the sales of those who signup under you. Also </div> <div> I generally look for programs that pay a minimum of </div> <div> 50% to me for my efforts. Although I have made some</div> <div> exceptions. I also look at how often you get paid. Is</div> <div> it monthly...with no minimum before they send a check.</div> <div> Or do you have to make somany sales before they send a</div> <div> check. Now these types of pay plans are ok...if the</div> <div> limit is reasonable. There are some pay plans that </div> <div> only pay quarterly...I generally will stay away from</div> <div> these. I feel that after the sale...that money is </div> <div> mine! I dont want you holding my money for any great</div> <div> length of time!</div> <bR> <div> Now...network marketing comp plans are an entirely</div> <div> different story. This is where some really substanial</div> <div> income can be generated...IF...you choose wisely. </div> <bR> <div> There are a couple of things to watch out for. One is</div> <div> the vertical downline comp plan. You've seen the</div> <div> ads...join now and EVERYONE who joins after you will </div> <div> be placed beneath you! There has NEVER been a network</div> <div> marketing company that has survived for any length of</div> <div> time using this method of compensation!! Now having</div> <div> said that, there are two companies that I am watching</div> <div> closely right now who have combined this comp plan </div> <div> with the more conventional type of matrix structure on</div> <div> the back end. I will let you know if I come to any</div> <div> concrete decision about these companies.</div> <bR> <div> You also need to watch with more conventional comp</div> <div> plans the exact details. Do they allow you through </div> <div> your own efforts to earn more than your sponsor? This</div> <div> is the key question asked and investigated by the FTC</div> <div> and other regulatory agencies. If the answer is</div> <div> no...then you can bet this company will be fined or</div> <div> shut down by the FTC or indicted by various state</div> <div> Attorney Generals.</div> <bR> <div> You also need to see EXACTLY what % of revenues is</div> <div> being paid out to their distributors. As a general </div> <div> rule of thumb...if the company is paying LESS that 50%</div> <div> of revenue out to distributors....RUN don't walk away</div> <div> from this company. </div> <bR> <div> Also you need to look at product here as well. For</div> <div> example, if you decide you want to get involved with a</div> <div> neutraceutical type network marketing you definitely</div> <div> want to check out the products. If they sell Vitamin C</div> <div> for instance for $40 per bottle..and you can buy it </div> <div> for $5 per bottle at Wally World you're in for tough</div> <div> sledding. Maybe the reason the comp plan looks so good</div> <div> is because the prices are so high on their products! </div> <div> It doesn't matter how good the comp plan is if you</div> <div> can't sell the products!!!</div> <bR> <div> Ok...now we've found a company that we like the</div> <div> product, and would buy ourselves...there are no hidden</div> <div> loopholes in the terms and agreements...the comp plan</div> <div> looks sound, the price seems reasonable...what next? </div> <div> We investigate the company AND it's principals!</div> <bR> <div> Here's how we do this...hopefully they have some info</div> <div> about the folks running this company right there on</div> <div> site. If not...while this is not always a red flag...</div> <div> it does generally make all the hairs on my neck stand</div> <div> up! Although as always there are exceptions. But here</div> <div> is where I start looking up info on the company and</div> <div> it's principals.</div> <bR> <div> First stop is the Better Business Bureau Online. I'm</div> <div> not positive this is the url but I think it's</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.BBBOnline.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.BBBOnline.com"target="newpage"><U><U>www.BBBOnline.com</U></U></A></div> <div> The reason is I bookmarked my search results from Ask Jeeves *L* If that's not the</div> <div> url just go to your favorite search engine and type in</div> <div> Better Business Bureau Online.</div> <bR> <div> Next one of my favorite places to check out that </div> <div> latest scams online, and to find out if the company I</div> <div> am investigating is listed is</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.worldwidescam.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.worldwidescam.com"target="new"><U><U>www.worldwidescam.com </U></U></A></div> <div> The guy that owns this</div> <div> site is very outspoken and tells you what is on his</div> <div> mind. And if he's made a mistake...he will admit</div> <div> it...which I like. But he pulls no punches so be</div> <div> forewarned when you go for a visit.</div> <bR> <div> Another place I go is to</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.scambusters.org"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.scambusters.org"target="newpa"><U><U>www.scambusters.org</U></U></A></div> <div> This site is owned by Audri and Jim Lanford and they</div> <div> put their heart and soul into this great resource </div> <div> site! Another no holds barred type of site with alot</div> <div> of great tools, tips, and techniques to keep from</div> <div> getting scammed, and also what to do if you feel you</div> <div> have been scammed! They also put out a great </div> <div> newsletter that I look forward to reading everytime it</div> <div> hits my inbox!</div> <bR> <div> Usually I will use our government resources last. The</div> <div> main reason is they're just slow! Comprehensive lists</div> <div> of previous actions taken against companies and</div> <div> idividuals are listed here however. The best place to</div> <div> start is the Federal Trade Commission </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ftc.gov"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ftc.gov"target="newpage"><U><U>www.ftc.gov</U></U></A></div> <div> Now I know this is getting rather lengthy, but I will</div> <div> close with this. Sometimes when you're doing your due</div> <div> diligence....you run into a brick wall. You can't find</div> <div> out anything good or bad about a company or person. Or</div> <div> you can't find out exactly who is behind a company.</div> <div> Here are some resources for you to check out. </div> <bR> <div> Telephone Databases</div> <div> This includes reverse telephone directories.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.theultimates.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.theultimates.com"target="newp"><U><U>www.theultimates.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.people.yahoo.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.people.yahoo.com"target="newp"><U><U>people.yahoo.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.anywho.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.anywho.com"target="newpage"><U><U>www.anywho.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.infospace.com/people1.htm"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.infospace.com/people1.htm"tar"><U><U>www.infospace.com/people1.htm</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.tollfree.att.net/tf.html"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.tollfree.att.net/tf.html"targ"><U><U>www.tollfree.att.net/tf.html </U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> E-mail Databases</div> <div> This includes reverse e-mail searches.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.theultimates.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.theultimates.com"target="newp"><U><U>www.theultimates.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.people.yahoo.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.people.yahoo.com"target="newp"><U><U>people.yahoo.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.infospace.com/email1.htm"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.infospace.com/email1.htm"targ"><U><U>www.infospace.com/email1.htm</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Internet Domain Databases</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.networksolutions.com"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.networksolutions.com"target=""><U><U>www.networksolutions.com</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/"><U><U>www.networksolutions.com/cgi-bin/whois/whois</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.websense.com/locator.cfm"target="newpage" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.websense.com/locator.cfm"targ"><U><U>www.websense.com/locator.cfm</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> While I no doubt have not covered every avenue of what</div> <div> I do when I investigate a company...this should give</div> <div> you a good idea and also hopefully some good</div> <div> information for you, so you can now do your own</div> <div> investigating. </div> <bR> <div> The mainpiece of advice I can give everyone when</div> <div> deciding whether or not to join a program/opportunity</div> <div> is this....DO NOT let emotions rule you! Emotions are</div> <div> going to be the very first thing that will happen to</div> <div> you as you read ad copy. That's the entire point of </div> <div> the copy! Just do yourself a favor...and when you get</div> <div> overly excited and find yourself ready to just JUMP</div> <div> inwith both feet...take a step back..go for a walk..</div> <div> and then come back and USE YOUR BRAIN!! DO your due</div> <div> diligence, and then make the logical decision!</div> <bR> <div> Thanks again Mark for your question! It was a great</div> <div> one! And thank you as well for being a subscriber!</div> <div> Have a Great Day!</div> <bR> <div> Onward and Upward in 2000</div> <bR> <div> Dave</div> <div> Dave Reno</div> <div> International Internet Marketing Trainer</div> <div> Presidential Founding Member of My Success Center</div> <div> Leader and Trainer for Core Club and Aspire Group</div> <div> http://www.msc4u.com/</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="4" CELLPADDING="4" CELLSPACING="2" WIDTH="443" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#990066" BORDERCOLORDARK="#0099CC" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#DDDDDD > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 27 WIDTH="421"><div> <A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home"><U><I><B><U>Home</U></B></I></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 27 WIDTH="421"><div> <A HREF="hagd.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have A GREAT Day"><U><I><B><U>Have A GREAT Day</U></B></I></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 27 WIDTH="421"><div> <A HREF="funfree.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fun N Free"><U><I><B><U>Fun - N - Free</U></B></I></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 27 WIDTH="421"><div> <A HREF="gettoknowus.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get to Know Us"><U><I><B>Get to Know Us</B></I></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 139 WIDTH="421"><div> Would you like to leave a comment regarding this site, or just let me know you've visited?</div> <div> You can sign my Guest Book</div> <div> <I><U>  <table border="0"><tr><td bgcolor="" NOWRAP> <P align="center"> <A href="http://www.e-guestbooks.com/sign/patsygoins"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS,Arial,Verdana" size="3" color="#0033FF"><B>[Sign My Guestbook]</B></font></A> <A href="http://www.e-guestbooks.com/view/patsygoins"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS,Arial,Verdana" size="3" color="#0033FF"><B>[View My Guestbook]</B></font></A> <BR> <FONT face="Comic Sans MS,Arial,Verdana" size="1" color="#0033FF"> Powered by </FONT><A href="http://www.e-guestbooks.com/"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS,Arial,Verdana" size="3" color="#0033FF">E-Guestbooks Server</A>. </FONT></P></td></tr></table>   </U></I></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 108 WIDTH="421"><div> I  have a strict privacy policy and will not misuse nor share your email address</div> <div> <I><B><U> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertPanel.js?panelId=5ca793bd-7df4-4705-bd49-99c10f0fb829"></script><noscript>Get great free widgets at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com">Widgetbox</a>!</noscript><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border="0" width="0" height="0" src="http://runtime.widgetbox.com/syndication/track/5ca793bd-7df4-4705-bd49-99c10f0fb829.gif" />  </U></B></I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> I  have a strict<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#3300FF" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="privacy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Privacy Policy"><U><U> privacy policy</U></U></A></FONT> and will not misuse nor share your email address</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Patsy Goins</div> <div> P J Marketing</div> <div> P. 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