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Update:1/2/21
I just reread this post for the first time in several years, and wanted to make this quick note at the beginning. I wrote this over 7 years ago, before I knew what an MLM was, and now that I do know, I feel like a lot of this post is not well written. If I were to write it again today, I could be much more articulate about the issues inherent in MLM companies, debunk their favorite spiels, and better explain why they are pyramid schemes and scams. Because yes, I do fully stand by my prior statement that WorldVentures and other MLMs, yes, ALL MLMs, are scams and pyramid schemes. And I won't explain that here & now, because there's an entire YouTube community dedicated to exposing them, and they've explained it much better than I ever could.
Side note, if you Google WorldVentures MLM now, you'll see all kinds of discussions about them being a pyramid scheme, which definitely feels good after seeing all the old hunbot comments on this post trying to claim I'm an idiot with no idea what I'm talking about (I mean, I kinda was, but also I was RIGHT).
Nonetheless, the post below is my own personal experience with a WorldVentures rep & I would urge you to check out MLM content on YouTube if you'd like to learn more about why MLMs, on the whole, are pyramid schemes and should be illegal (and in some places, the law has done its due diligence and done just that!).
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I'm posting this to at least 2 of my blogs, because I really want to get this one out there, to make sure no one falls into this well-hidden trap. Please share this so that everyone can learn more about this, and will know everything about it if the situation is presented to them. I want everyone to know that this scheme should be avoided at all costs. Please don't fall victim to it. So, let me share my story of WorldVentures/ Dream Trips with you.
A few days ago, I got a message on Facebook from a girl I hadn't seen in a few years. The odd thing was that I'd never been close with this girl. We had one class together in 10th grade (which is *almost* four years ago for me) and even then, we didn't really talk. If we had to work together on a project, we did, but the only thing we really had in common was that one of my closest friends was friends with her. One of us added the other on Facebook (at this point, I have no idea which it was) and once the class ended, we went our separate ways and haven't seen each other or spoken since.
That is, until a few days ago. Out of the blue, she messaged me on Facebook. I thought it was a little odd that someone I barely knew was talking to me for the first time in 3ish years, but I figured that she might just have seen a post of mine and wanted to know me better, or maybe even that she was soon going to ask me "hey, where do I know you from?" But neither of these turned out to be the case.
We talked a bit about what was going on in our lives, where we were going to school now, and everything seemed to be pretty normal. My first uneasy feeling came when, instead of just responding to a message, she sent me a picture. I won't share the actual picture for privacy reasons, but it's not unlike this one I found online:
But then she asked if she could call. I really hate calling, so I just replied that I'd prefer to text, because I was busy and didn't have time for a phone conversation. When she responded that she wanted to play some sort of audio for me, I got extremely suspicious. I really didn't want to listen to whatever audio she wanted to play, but I didn't want to be rude and just blow her off. So, I decided to find out a little bit about it myself.
When I googled it, I discovered that the sign was kinda a marketing tool for WorldVentures' DreamTrips. At this point, I realized that this 'friend' was probably trying to get me to join/buy something, but I didn't know anything else until I came across an article saying it was a pyramid scheme, so I continued my search by trying to find out information about the pyramid scheme.
One very helpful website that I found was this:
http://natewienert.com/dreamtrips-aka-worldventures-pyramid-scheme-scam
This is where I learned most of my information about the pyramid scheme. Basically, this company claims to offer some extremely low rates on travel for their members. The membership is about $200 to join, with fees around $50 per month. Here's the catch that makes it a very cleverly hidden pyramid scheme. A member who joins is able to waive their membership fee by getting 6 friends to join as well. Now, according to what I've seen, the scam part is that the membership really doesn't save you money. Their prices aren't really better than other sites. I can't verify this for sure, because I haven't looked into it. But it certainly doesn't seem to be worth the trouble you have to go through to actually get 6 friends to join. And obviously, it isn't even guaranteed that you'll find 6 who will buy into it.
Now, after gaining this information, I was almost positive that this girl was just trying to get me to buy a membership. But, I didn't want to be blunt yet, so I simply told her I looked into the sign a bit, and asked if she had a membership with the company. Her response was that she should really give me the information herself rather than me reading online, but that yes, she was a member. This was all I was really looking for. I simply let her know (as nicely, yet bluntly as possible) that I was aware of what she was trying to do and that I wasn't interested. I also suggested that she get out of the membership, because it was pretty much just a scam. This has gone unanswered which just shows that I ended up being correct.
I'm saying all this to show not only what this company and membership is, but to also give a different perspective from the blog I got information from. He was approached in person, while I was approached via the internet. Obviously, I had a bit of an advantage over him, because I was not face-to-face with this girl and could freely search for as long as I wanted, and therefore could get all the info I needed.
I think one key thing that both of our experiences share is that we were both approached by someone we were not in contact with for a while beforehand. While he was approached by a friend he hadn't seen in years, I was approached by an acquaintance I hadn't talked to in a few years. I hate to say that this is a red flag, but it might be something to look for. This is probably someone you either haven't talked to in a while, or don't know extremely well. If someone like this contacts you, and you talk for a while without getting any explanation from them as to WHY they randomly contacted you, it's definitely a good idea to ask (although I feel like most people would do this anyway just out of curiosity). I think that asking for your number is also one that you should watch out for, because you already have a means of communication that is working (of course, they could simply prefer texting or calling, or be stepping away from the computer for a while and don't have a smartphone). These different "red flags" clearly pale in comparison to any mention of the company, Dream Trips, or the you should be here sign. This could also be followed, as was done with me, by the person wanting you to listen to some sort of audio recording about the sign or the company. At first mention of anything related to this company, I would suggest trying to establish whether or not they have a membership in the company. Even if they mention some audio they want you to hear, but don't mention the company, I'd ask further before giving it any of your time. If they do admit to having a membership with WorldVentures, it's probably best to be upfront about what you know, so that they don't waste time on you, and you don't have to listen to them trying to sell you anything. Along with this, I would suggest that you let the person know that they too should probably avoid the situation, and that they aren't going to be helped by being a part of this. ( I think this part works for any pyramid scheme, not just this one) This shows them that you're not trying to be rude, and could possibly show them that they aren't in a good spot.
I hope this has helped you out a bit, and even if you haven't been approached by someone about this, I hope I've given you some good info in case you're approached by someone about the membership. If you thought this was helpful, please share, because I don't want anyone to fall into this trap.
The following was posted as a comment at the beginning of December, but I'm putting it on the main post so it's more visible.
Hi Everyone,
As you all can see, I have stopped responding to comments, both positive and negative. I honestly just don't have the time to go through each and every comment and give feedback. To those of you who have voiced your opinions in a polite and respectful manner, thank you! I sincerely appreciate feedback, even if you disagree with me. However, if your sole intent is to be rude, to bash me, or to make me look stupid, don't waste your time typing out a hateful comment. It only serves to make you look brainwashed and desperate to save a company that you're too tightly woven into to recognize a single flaw. Honestly, I find it funny that half of the people who try to insult my intelligence can't even manage to put together a single grammatically correct sentence. This blog post is based upon my experiences, and the experiences of others. I have never claimed that anything I learned about the company could be considered "research." Those who aim to bash me have used that term, but I literally just googled it in search of other people's experiences. I have never claimed to be a business expert. I have simply stated my experience with a member, and have discussed concerns that others have had. The vast number of unhappy members/former members and the many people who have been approached in the same way as I was should ALL be signs of a failing business model, scam or no scam (although I do still stand by my "scam" belief). If you can't see that, then I fail to see how I'm the ignorant and illogical person in this situation.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thing happen to me and it's funny I never talked to my so called "friend" in school either. She even went as far to say to me hey you like hockey right? clearly all she had to do is look at my pictures and figure that one out. Not like she took the time to be my friend when we were in school together. I've done a lot of research on this and it's a TOTAL SCAM like you said. I've even seen a article in the NY Times saying the people who started this were ex-cons.
Delete99% of the 'members' of this organization fail to make a $1000 or less 'making a living at living'. This percentage holds true for all mlm's. People get roped into this with grandiose dreams of riches and the easy life, get fired up by a presentation, hit all their friends and family up, then realize that it is the worst 'job' in the world because because they are always having to sell the lie.
DeleteIt depends how much time you put into it, people that join and wait are going to get ripped off, never go on trips , find friends to join, and have to pay the fees. My friend works here all the time, goes on free trips, and makes money. So it depends. And the fact that the only source you used is the ONLY other blog post out on google that talks about this "scheme" isnt really good support. Just my opinion.
DeleteHey Jasmin, go choke on a banana you porch monkey. This is a shady scheme you stupid goof
Deletethanks not very nice
DeleteI see that none of you guy's really have your facts straight, and obviously haven't done any research on the company. This is a completely biased article. This woman has no idea what she is talking about, if you don't believe me research the company further. It isn't a scam or a scheme. It is a legitimate business. The only thing about the company that it can't guaranteed is whether or not you are going to be successful at selling their product and be highly successful at it. This isn't a pyramid scheme, because the company does sell legitimate products at modest prices. Do a price check sometime between Worldventures and another travel company and compare prices. Odds are you are always going to get a better deal using Worldventures and booking through Rovia then you would otherwise. Last but not least worldventures is network marketing not a pyramid scheme. I dare you to look up the definition of pyramid scheme and realize that this company is not. Your best bet if you are considering this company from a business side is not to quite your day job, if you're still in college stay in school too, so you have something to fall backon. There is a small chance that the payout will be susubstantial doing this as a living, but it is possible to make a modest living. Just do more research for yourself, don't always take things for a grain of salt. Keep an open mind.
Deletelol do you even know what a pyramid scheme is. This is not a pyramid scheme. I try not to just read articles on the net from people that couldnt make it in the company. do your own research as I have. It is a multi level marketing company so you are also able to earn more than the person you join under. Unlike a banker where he/she cannot, now that sounds more like a pyramid scheme, even if you draw out the ranks of an investment bank it would look like a pyramid. Try and be more open minded guys....
DeleteWorldVentures is being SHUT DOWN in Norway because it is stamped as a pyramid scheme!
DeleteEnglish link:
http://www.businessforhome.org/2014/02/worldventures-closed-down-in-norway-as-pyramid-game/
Norwegian Link:
https://lottstift.no/blog/2014/02/24/lotteritilsynet-vil-stoppe-ulovleg-pyramide/
WorldVentures is stamped as a Pyramid in Norway and been asked to close down within 2 weeks from today.
Below is a Google translation of the Norwegian report:
Published: 24 February 2014
Pyramid Gaming Board has concluded that the company WorldVentures drives an illegal pyramid in Norway. The company has been given two weeks to discontinue all sales activities in the country.
World Ventures company membership in a travel club that will provide discounts on vacation residence in the world. Holiday will be sold through the company Rovia.
Commissions and bonuses
World Ventures also offers sales representatives. The company’s sales representatives receive commissions and bonuses when the company membership. In addition, the commissions of memberships sold by other sales representatives on the level below in a pyramid structure.
At the end of May 2013 had WorldVentures 3,654 members in Norway. About 95 percent of the members were also sales representatives.
A review of the case shows that it costs approx . 6,200 Norwegian Kroner to be both sales representative and member first year. Over the next few years cost the same approx . 4,000 Norwegian Kroner respectively. Figures from World Ventures shows that the average was sold for about 500 Norwegian Kroner per membership in 2012.
Gaming Board concludes that World Venture ‘s activities in Norway is an illegal pyramid game because revenues almost exclusively come from recruiting members and not the sale of travel residence. The Authority considers therefore activities are a violation of § 16 of the Lottery Act which prohibits creating, conducting, participating in or spreading pyramid game or similar system.
Tips from the public
WorldVentures is an American company that has been established in Norway since October 2010.
Gaming Authority opened the supervision of the World Ventures in 2013. The reason was that the Gaming Board received a number of tips and questions from the audience about the company where among other things, was questioned by signs on the sale of travel was the real source of income of the company.
World Ventures has received a notice to cease sales activities in the country within two weeks. If not what happens, the Gaming Board decide on suspension injunction.
This is crazy! I was contacted by someone I had just meet and told me he wanted to "talk"and catch up. So I agreed and meet up next thing you know he pulls out his ipad and says "you need to watch this is so cool and i hope you like it". Next thing you know it's like I'm in a seminar. The thing that was weird to me is thati guess the girl that was helping this guy out calls as the video ended and they start talking about the trip there gana take. And then she decides to talk to me wich was weird as well cause i don't even know the girl. She goes on about how cool it is and that is something that i should join. When I left that place me and the guy didn't talk about how he was doing or how i was doing once doing wich we were there to do in the beginning andi told him I'll think about it. He also have me a did to show my friends.... . He bug me for a couple of days till i told him i want interested and I haven't heard from him again I txt him to see if he wanted to hang out once and he said he was going on a "trip" so he couldn't well I found out that wasa lie cause he tried to talk to some guy i know into it as well when he was suppose to be on the trip and he told me the same thing happen he watch the video then a girl called right after.
DeleteIf anyone want to throw your hard earned money away go ahead and join this BS,they will be laughing at you,
DeleteThis is a SCAM. I got scammed here in Charleston by a person I haven't talked to in forever. They take money from your bank account monthly.
Deleteit is you are worry. and dont need to worry about 4 people join each stay and wont per month no more. is way smart. thank you and need to trust that is number 1 best.
Deleteit is you worry
DeleteIt seems like the girl who talked to you didn't really understand what she was doing. She was probably just excited because World Ventures is such an incredible opportunity. I get it. We all make mistakes, just like you made the mistake of posting an ignorant blog about something you googled. You have no real information about World Ventures. If you really cared, you would do a little more investigating. World Ventures was praised by Ernst & Young, a prestigious business audit firm.
DeleteTake some responsibility and think for yourself before you blog.
You really need to get your facts straight. My family has been on 17 vacations in 19 months. We have two paid for BMWs in the family as well as a monthly automatic check that will be bigger and bigger each month and come no matter what. This is the greatest opportunity of a lifetime. You know why so few people succeed? Because its not "the chosen few" who become successful. It's the rare few who choose to treat this like a business and dedicate themselves to success, that make it work. You don't know what you don't know. And you will really be regretting not taking the opportunity. Have fun at work this week. And next week. And the week after. And so on and so forth. I'll be on the beach because we said yes.
DeleteI keep reading and realize that people r only stuck on one thing! There is alot more to worldventures! To the blogger, how can u go off of what people say?! Did u ever tried it, did u become a member n experience it your self?! Do u have sam's club?! Like ever one takes chances, if u jump out of a plain r u guaranteed the parachute will open? U kinda don't, u just trust that stranger to know what he is doing! I saw everything, I thought it was too good to be true, but u know what I will never know unless I go! Not only that, there helping other people out of the u.s, giving them clean water, have u went and helped those in need, no, u just sat there typing on a white screen. U have the technology that they dont!! Y should the people show us constantly on infomercial what they r going thur, aren't there "richer people" out here! Y r worldventures members seem to be the only business I c doing that? Listen I'm just saying don't throw stones if u have a glass house baby girl!: family n friends r forming, I'm not going to bump what u do, this is your job, and those people choose to do this, it's not a job? Do u know what j.o.b stands 4 Journey of broke! They just choose a life that doesn't have a boss, and there making earned money, like any other job! I wish people can stop with this b/s, cause just like everybody else, "I went to the review others in worldventures" honey, U ALSO HAVE BAD REVIEWS! so I sit n think should I take your advice knowing u have bad reviews, someone who never been a member, someone that never went on a trip?! Point of it all! U google, 99% of the time your going to get bad reviews about everything u google! TripAdvisor, doctors, lawyers, schools, airports, bloggers, phone, cloths, cars, cable companies, the list goes on and on and on..... don't judge people leave that to god! 💋
DeletePeople keep saying pyramid scheme! Seriously everyone we know is living in one! We all work, we all have a boss, is that boss going to even know who u are, or come to you on a one on one with you to teach you how to make more money than them! Hell no! NEVER, this business I call worldventures, u have a one on one, the people that are high can come and see you and there teaching you how to make more money than them! STOP WITH THIS PYRAMID SCHEME! Oh my lord!!! Has anyone ever spend money for something that you aren't even using right now?! Have u spent money on just stupid things period! We all have! Thanks for the shared info! I'm going to keep an open mind, expecially if I see a avon, or Mary k book, with someone's name on it who I don't nothing about!
DeleteWORLD VENTURES changes the LIVES...that wants to BE CHANGED....THANKS YOU WORLD VENTURES!!!!
DeleteI say to those who are on the outside looking in I dare you to take a dream trip with a member and see for yourself. We give limited amount of information to non-members. With that being said we as human beings tend to spread rumors that we don't know about because something smells bad to you. Stop judging worldventures for your unknown and try it for yourself! ! I'm LaTrice Cooper and can be followed on Facebook see our growth. I willing to show you the truth I'm a proud member and not scared to say so. My daughter is 6 and there is no where she can say I want to go there and I don't take her without hesitation of that's to much.. we got the deals! ! Thank You.. World Ventures!! I double dare you to take a dream trip with a member and see for yourself on the inside out of a great opportunity. LaTrice1.Cooper1@gmail. Com
DeleteI dare you to take a dream trip with a member and see for yourself on the inside out of a great opportunity. I'm proud to be a part of the greatest club every. There is not a vacation my daughter can say I want to go there and I don't take her without hesitation of that's to much! We got the deals!! and I dare you to see for yourself Facebook me latrice_cooper@hotmail.com stop judging us because you listening to other non-members who don't know or has never taken a dream trip.
DeleteAnonymous you are an idiot...every time i am approached about this i am lied to about meeting up with me and i end up in a meeting and when i say no they never speak again...it is a pryimid and i just booked a trip cheaper then any of them and i did not have to pay anything to this dumb company? i love the i am retired thing...they are not retired...most of the kids are still on their parents insurance,,,,live at home or an apartment and own no homes...so my next question do you pay taxes and make sure you pay on the plain Jane BMW's?
DeleteThanks so much for this post ! A friend of mine that I haven't talked to in many years contacted me , telling me she was leaving for a trip...she told me about how much fun she was going to have an what she was going to do then randomly asked if I was near a computer ...i see her #ysbh hash tags on if all the time so I decided to research I'm almost positive she was trying to make me join! Well now I know how to respond ! I'd rather work my hourly job an take a paid vacation then join this crazy scheme ! I've been set up like this before as well a friend telling me to fill out a job for Starbucks ...i show up at Starbucks for my "interview" only to find out it wasn't for Starbucks but for a fat burning supplement that you can sell an like this they also pay more if you cab get 12 ppl to join ! & on top of that they want you to pay $459 up front ! "for training" they say . I think NOT ! & to think id never get experience something like that again. ...sheesh.
DeleteHow is this a scam? Clearly you don't want to save by traveling. You can choose not to sell anything and join just to save. We have to pay taxes just like everyone else in the world, so before you call it scam please look that word up! we are here to help others save money on doing the things they love. not to mention, for those who actually would listen, if you find cheaper price on a vacation that you found with us then we reimburse you and pay for the vacation! people really need to be open minded about things. I did it works, arbonne, avon, mary kay etc.......all of those focus on specific markets about beauty and losing weight, but everyone likes to save on vacation, and..........not only that you save shopping online with us and get money back. Ive been yall before and skeptical about things like this, but im a mother of 3 all under the age of 7 and I can tell you, my part time job will not pay for their future which is the most important thing for me, so yep, I am giving it a try, even got a great deal on a hotel in a big city in florida in a 4+ star hotel for under $75, so yes im a big believer. yea this is my opinion, just like yours. I hope that your day to day job will one day pay for your kids education or your dream vacation one day, if not we can talk ;)
DeleteWARNING::::U.S. News and World Report has an article warning people that WorldVentures is a thinly disguised PYRAMID SCHEME! Check the #4 bullet point on the article about WorldVentures:
Deletehttp://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/mutual-funds/articles/2014/10/23/beware-of-these-10-scary-investments
Angela: There is no need to attack me. I'm just stating what I have seen from my experience and research on the product. I have the right to tell people what I've experienced, so that they can avoid something that I believe is a scam. And please, if you're going to attack me, do it with good grammar. You're and your are not interchangeable. I'm not the one making myself look uneducated by attacking someone and their honest opinions about an experience.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that the company does not actually send people on trips. Clearly, it does. I'm saying that it's a pyramid scheme and that people need to be aware of how it works. When people approach others about Avon and Pampered Chef, people know that they are buying products. People with Avon are sales people, and are upfront about what they are selling. From my experiences and experiences of other people, the people with DreamTrips are very sneaky and try to get people talking to them on the idea that they "just want to catch up," and then hit them with a sales pitch. And again, from my experience, and other people's experiences, they withhold information.
And if you're trying to say that Starbucks is a scam, you've completely changed courses into a realm that isn't even relevant. While it's totally great that you're talking about all these different things that you've done to help kids, that's completely beside the point. We aren't talking about charity work. We're talking about the customer. Like I said, I cannot verify the savings claim personally. But, I do know that people have joined and realized that they were not at all saving money on trips. The girl who tried to recruit me even wrote a post on Facebook saying that she didn't know how she was going to pay for her next trip and that she should be smarter with her money. That should be a wake up call. You're coming from the standpoint of an insider, who wants people to see the business that they're a part of as a great, charitable business that is a good investment. I'm coming from the point of an outsider who has no stock in how well the company does, and who sees a scam and doesn't want anyone to be sucked into a scam.
How come no one calls being an employee a pyramid scam they will always be on the bottom with a Ceo on top, they will never get ahead, but like yourself they are ignorant, and conditioned to think the way that they do. So your associate from high school wanted to show u a cheaper way to travel and u write a blog about something you have not thoroughly researched. Pyramids are illegal, they take money without offering a product. World ventures offer a product to their members, its called Dreamtrips. I have been on several dreamtrips, you find a trip to Cancun for 399 per person and kids on cheap tickets I bet you can't. Our company is no different from herbalife, Avon, pampered chef, Mary kay, pre paid etc. Its a network marketing company, this industry is now being looked at as the business of.the furure, people like Warren Buffett has just bought pampered chef so he can research how Mlm is so successful. One little girl gets.approached finds it odd and does a blog about something shes clueless about. How come you didnt research the amount of schools in Guatemala our company has built or the clean drinking wells we built in South Africa, or the dream courts we built in New York, Texas and other cities. We were the finalists in 2010 for Ernst and Young, so people lets leave the research to the companies who do it for a living not a scared closed minded girl who was simply fearful from the jump. This blog lacks research and.substance as my professor would say. If you wAnt to.travel cheaper and create affordable memories with your children this company is the vehicle to.do.so. if you share how u are able to travel for.less with your friends and.they join, they pay u a commission. Sprint is doing the same thing,.no.one.calls.them a pyramid scheme. We need.to get educated before we try to knock something that has transformed so many lives, including mine. I went on.two.disney dream trips in.floridA, and.one.in las vegas, the savings from.the hotel rooms were ridiculous, I Will never.use another company in the future because I.compared it apples to.apples and I.win.everytime.
DeleteHey there, you talk about the charity work WorldVentures does...the mafia did charity work too, LOL!
DeleteYou have memorized the chant/mantra and have been trained to try and squash the "naysayers". Please read on and educate yourself.
You mentioned WorldVentures is no different from HerbaLife...do you realize what kind of trouble HerbaLife is in right now and that they are being investigated as a pyramid scheme??? This is HUGE... Didn't you see this? Do your research kiddo.
http://www.herbalifepyramidscheme.com/
To those still contemplating whether to join WorldVentures or not....
BEFORE YOU JOIN WORLDVENTURES...PLEASE LOOK AT THIS INFORMATION:
1) Click here to see how MLM companies like WorldVentures may deceive you and entice you. How many of these "statements/claims" were used on you by a WorldVentures rep??? http://www.mlmwatch.org/01General/misrepresentations.html
2) EXCELLENT VIDEO! This video EXPOSES mlm and network companies... and what they do to manipulate people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QtH07n-Lns
Does WorldVentures do any of these things???
3) This is a FUNNY - BUT SAD MOVIE about MLM & Networking Marketing. This movie is full of laughs,but also shows how deceptive and manipulative the mlm business can be. If you have ever been at a WorldVentures presentation or approached by a rep about the DreamTrips vacation membership, you will thoroughly enjoy this!!!
The MLM parody/mockumentary/comedy is called "BELIEVE". It's very entertaining and is a must-see for anyone thinking on getting involved in WorldVentures.
This is the trailer so you can get a little taste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgWNNJSlrx8
FULL MOVIE:
You can watch the movie for FREE on Hulu…and get ready to laugh (and cry because it shows how desperate people are taken advantage of by greedy MLM snakes).
Here is the Free movie link:
http://www.ovguide.com/believe-9202a8c04000641f8000000005584f90
Just FYI, if you were to Google Avon and Pampered Chef, you will find hundreds of bloggers claiming this is a "Scam" as well. WV's product is traveling, and that's what customers are getting for their money. Avon is no different from WV, a woman signing up as a "rep" throwing parties for all their friends and family selling Avon products and telling them how they can be "reps" for Avon as well and make the big bucks...
DeleteAs a member of WorldVentures, I can tell you it is not a scam. Obviously, the goal is to invite 4 people so your fees are waved but I know a lot of people that join for the discounted travel. There are $70 cruises. How can you say that is comparable to other sites? Nobody has to join the business side but you get out of it what you put into it. It's like how costco buys everything in bulk to lower prices. Do your research.
DeleteFor those WorldVentures reps who keep citing that WorldVentures founders, Wayne Nugent & Mike Azcue were nominated as finalists in the Ernst & Young "Enterepreneur of the Year" awards, you need to call Ernst & Young because there seems to be a problem. It is now being reported that Ernst & Young are NOT recognizing Wayne Nugent and Mike Azcue as Entrepreneurs of the Year finalists. Go ahead and give them a call and see what they tell you. I am wondering if there was some sort of investigation that caused Ernst & Young to not even want to acknowledge them anymore. Very interesting....
DeleteThanks Angela, it's so sad that people actually take the time to blog about something they have done no true research on , and honestly what is a pyramid scheme or scam anyway? World Ventures is simply becoming the Mary Kay of the travel industry, and changing lives continuously, research it because to anyone reading this dreamtrips are real and World Ventures is growing by thousands daily and quickly becoming number one in the travel industry
ReplyDeleteIf you care to check it out, I wrote another post about World Ventures that might explain my thinking more thoroughly.
Deletehttp://fromkristensbrain.blogspot.com/2013/08/about-my-post-on-world-ventures.html
Hello MusicisLife, I would suggest you get your terminology correct before blasting out into the blog universe. While their marketing model is MLM or Multi Level Marketing, that is not a pyramid scheme. Avon and Nutrametics, and many others, are very successful MLM companies that provide a very solid business base for small entrepreneurs to make a desired income. A pyramid scheme is getting people to pay in money at the bottom tier that is siphoned off at the top levels and collapses - leaving everyone broke. MLM is a multi layer commission model that spreads profit between the team that created the sale. They are nothing alike.
DeleteIf you had done your research you would see that WorldVentures has been going for over 7 years now and has yearly growth and expansion. I would suggest you do some business and economics study before you start flaming the success stories. I am not a member, but I just did some of my own reasearch, and there is little to no evens that I would rate this enterprise as an economic scam. I do feel you need to do you own research, and that does not just mean rehashing what others have done and have never been a member. Quote facts - Quote disgruntled ex-members who have spilled the bands. In this case, there are not first-hand accounts of bad outcome. I am stead I must rate your bog entry as more of a scam than I would the company you choose to flame.
Deletei totally support Beverley Villarreal comments and whoever supports WV company. WV rocks and it will never be taken away from the true believers :)
DeleteMusicisLife: I think your not capable to blog this until you know the real meaning of a pyramid:) and what WV means to us. You think you know everything but if i put you in the spot infront of millions of believers, would you have the guts to tell them is a scam instead of writing a blog here?(blind leading the blind) # YSBH# making a living living
Your use of hashtags and incorrect grammar are not helping your case. I completely stand behind my post.
DeleteMusicIsLife...is an idiot! The future shall reveal the truth. In the meantime, keep living your everyday life retail and overpaying lol. I bet your music sucks as much as your opinion does.
DeleteEverybody is entitled to their own opinion
DeleteJudgement is when you assume that you
know why a person is doing what they are doing
Why do the victims post anonymously? It's very sad when ppl are so desperate that they not only allow themselves to be taken advantage of but they pay for the abuse. Very sad. Didn't know so many gullible ppl existed.
DeleteBeverly you are 100% correct!
Deletebut your trips are not cheaper...you lie
DeleteBy the way, a pyramid scheme "look it up" is the exchange of moneys with no product or service and receiving more money in return. Travel is definitely a product/service. So clearly your notions are erroneous. In terms of savings, you would know if you had taken the time to ask instead of taking the advise of idiots on google whose information is even more limited than your, that Worldventures actually encourages members to seek out lower rates and even rewards you if you are able to locate them. But I digress, Mr Google-researcher. Carry on
ReplyDeleteI actually just posted an update, explanation post about the same topic, if you would care to check it out.
Deletehttp://fromkristensbrain.blogspot.com/2013/08/about-my-post-on-world-ventures.html
This is just a variation of another scam TVI Express (Travel Ventures International), this started in india and the people who started it have been prosecuted in several countries. Also I think anon needs to look up pyramid scheme, several mlm style companies have been prosecuted, Amway has products and was ordered to pay 150 million for running a distribution pyramid scheme, go ahead google it. BTW I like you blog and ur writing style, and consider you a truther, keep it up! Maybe like a Woodrow and Bernstein again use google so u kno what Im talking about its a complement.
DeleteI agree with Angela...you truely should'nt blog about anything that you don't know about regardless how you are approached about it.And when you have a true understanding, it makes a big difference. Did this lady actually become a member to take advantage of this awesome concept that is blessing many of us or just babble blog about how she was approached as she so ignorantly overlooked the greatness of the concept? Give me a break!!#jointhemovement#it'sjustdifferent#makealivingliving#andgiving
ReplyDeleteIf you care to check it out, I wrote another post about World Ventures that might explain my thinking more thoroughly.
Deletehttp://fromkristensbrain.blogspot.com/2013/08/about-my-post-on-world-ventures.html
Also, even if I did see it as a business worth people's time and money, it's not something I would be interested in partaking in, simply because I have little to no time for vacations. And I'm not sure how me explaining my experience is "babble blogging," as I did learn quite a bit about this company in the process of attaining information to write this post.
Lol at you .... how can someone with No time for travel say a "Travel Club is a SCAM? ... YOUR CREDIBILITY IS NON EXISTENT !
DeleteNot that I really had to chime in because the company stands on its own merit.
ReplyDeleteIs there anything wrong with showing people how to travel for less?
Is there anything wrong with showing people a way to create memories for their families?
Based on your "research," its all from opinions of others. However, here are some facts.
WorldVentures Founders were nominated for the Ernst And Young, Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Don't think a Ernst and Young would have nominated a company for this award if it were a scam or scheme.
Rovia, our booking engine, Named ‘World’s Leading Travel Booking Website’ at 2012 World Travel Awards. Winning this award is like winning the Academy Award in the Travel industry. Elite travel industry awards program recognizes Rovia’s innovative technology.
The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards honors the best in travel and salutes the outstanding travel professionals behind it all. This is winning the Oscars in the travel industry. We have numerous Magellan awards.
Our CEO was named Director of Big Brother Big Sisters International. We pay it forward and change lives through our foundation globally.
Don"t think any of this happens if a company is, what you call a scam. I don't believe the growing relationships and certifications would be maintained if that were the case.
The business model of direct sales is being taught in college and being offered as a 4 year degree.
Quite frankly the industry is not for you anyway because you are not looking to get back your time, money , or your freedom based on what you have said. I should also add that you should start considering taking vacation time for your health.
More facts to add: Studies have shown that not taking vacations is linked to health problems. And if people skip vacations, there's a chance that they may die younger than those who don't. If saving your life isn't enough of a reason to take a few vacations, here is another: People who take annual vacations are more productive. Do more research why vacations are important.
Here's one of perhaps thousands of articles related to vacationing and health.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glenn-d-braunstein-md/taking-vacation_b_1688148.html
Bottom line, you don't know what you don't know....
If you haven't checked out my update post, I would strongly urge you to, because I think it talks about some of your concerns.
Deletehttp://fromkristensbrain.blogspot.com/2013/08/about-my-post-on-world-ventures.html
Also, you say my "research" (Not sure why everyone feels the need to call it research) is based on opinion. It's not. It's based on factual experiences. Someone's feelings about an experience can be subjective, but the actual events are factual.
Once again, everyone seems to focus on all these big things that major people in the company are doing. That's not what I'm focused on. I'm focused on the customer, and if what they're putting in is worth what they're getting out of it. And I don't believe it is.
Musicislife..i totally agree with you that this is a pyramid scam. I know a girl thats in this that has'nt worked a job in a few years and now shes wrapped up in this..They tend to prey on people that are looking for some kind of quick overnight success. As for the trips i have read somewhere by a girl that got out of it that their not all they're cracked up to be ..For example, they have one monthly stationed cruise that they all go on as a team for a low fee and when they get to their destination they get one day off..the rest of the vaca is spent trying to recruit members...Also alot of them don't even make that much money..the girl said she made more money working 40 hrs a week in a retail store and for much less hassle..not to mention she lost a couple of friends after recruiting them to this nonsense and having them pay $200 out of pocket..i smell bullshit...P.S. Nick.
DeleteThey clearly have a problem when someone goes to the trouble of joining and recruiting people, and their "vacation" is just work. It's so sad that so many people get wrapped up into this and legitimately believe they're gaining something. I just hope people start to realize that this is something to avoid.
Delete"More facts to add: Studies have shown that not taking vacations is linked to health problems. And if people skip vacations, there's a chance that they may die younger than those who don't. If saving your life isn't enough of a reason to take a few vacations, here is another: People who take annual vacations are more productive. Do more research why vacations are important."
DeleteSo, join or die... That's your pitch?
Once again, I think my comment about vacation has been misconstrued. I meant that I don't vacation enough for WorldVentures to be worth it.
DeleteDid you figure out yet why everyone is calling it "research"? It's because YOU referred to it as research. Read your blog again...
DeleteThank you music this is truly a scam. I had a friend at work try to rope me in. I don't know about joining a company who's founders are tax frauds. Beware people. Stay away!
Deleteexactly...tax frauds...makes me wonder if everyone in it pays taxes...
DeleteThe way I see it is if I have to get 6 people to join, the company just made $800 off each of those 6 people ($200 membership plus $50/month for one year). So World Ventures just made $4800 off my efforts to recruit members.. I did that by holding a blue sign along with a bunch of other people I didn't know before I paid World Ventures and joined their pyramid scheme to be an affiliated marketer. My question to self - 'Did I get $4800 worth of 'free' travel value in one year for the free revenue/time/effort I brought to World Ventures.' I think NOT. Nor would I want to stand around during my travel with one of those ridiculous blue signs.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about it that way, but that's actually a really interesting way to think about it! Although, correct me if I'm wrong, I believe they still actually have to pay for their trips. I don't think they're free, even after getting membership fees waived. So that makes it even worse for the people involved!
DeleteU ain't never lied..that's crazy
DeleteYou still have don't know what your talking about. You "believe" they pay for trips. But yet your information is factual. Clearly an opinion. Poor credibility here.
DeleteThey DO pay for trips. It's a fact. It's a discount club, not a "travel for free" club. Look at the web site.
DeletePlease delete your blog. I joined the company for a year already and see many lives changing. You know nothing about it. You never even join. If you love doing some research. Please research from trustable site not google it. The co-founder were nominated by Ernst & young to be entrepreneur of the year. Do you trust Ernst&Yong or just trust some sort that they not even dare to put their real name. My English is not as good as you because I am Asia. But I got Ph.D and I can speak not only English.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I'm not going to delete my blog just because I have some naysayers who feel like they have to defend the company. All I am doing is sharing my experience, and I have the right to do so. My post is my experience in dealing with someone who was trying to sell me a membership, and if people with the company see a problem with that, then maybe it's simply time to re-evaluate the DreamTrips business plan.
DeletePlease delete your career!!
DeleteThat was stupid
DeleteWow! Thanks for sharing your experience with us MusicIsLife. This weekend a colleague invited me to what he called 'something that will change your life and make you money' that was the first alarm as he didn't tell me what the business was about however I agreed to meet him. Upon arrival, the 2 ladies who pitched the dreamtrips idea to us played a video that tells us about the business and the benefit of joining. The most insane part about this whole this is when I asked the ladies a few questions...they seemed very uneasy and tried to block me off so I don't influence other people who where attending. When all was done they (the ladies) asked who was ready to sign up?! I always like to gather information before concluding on anything, I was definitely not going to sign up for this! something just screamed RED FLAG! it must be a Scam!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience. I graduated high school over 30 yrs ago.. and a couple of years ago a lady I went to high school contacted me via FB. Ok, one of her kids moved to my town, etc. We chatted a bit and I even had dinner with them one night... then comes the pitch. They couldn't "talk" about the business -- they "had" to show the video presentation. Out comes the computer. Shows super sad and depressed people working and super happy, giddy people on vacation. really?
ReplyDeleteWas I ready to sign up. Hell no! I've blocked her and her family from FB now, all they post is pictures of those obnoxious blue signs.... makes me wanna barf
wow, Obnoxious because people are out having fun...
DeleteHey Musicislife, Are you really trying to warn people about this, or are you just bitter because you never took a vacation? I'm just curious.
ReplyDeleteWarning, of course. I think my comment about vacation has been misconstrued. I meant that I don't vacation enough for WorldVentures to be worth it.
DeleteI've got a guy that works for me that pitches this to coworkers. He's become the joke of the office. Always asking to talk to us about something real important, and meeting us off site. "What would you do if you had so much money you didn't have to work anymore?" "How would it feel to be an entrepreneur but let everyone else do the leg work?" "What if I told you that you could drive a silver BMW just by going on vacations" He uses all of these terms, yet still needs a job from me. All of the other people in the office laugh at him, because he asks them what they would do if they have more free time and didn't have to work. Yet, here he is, still working 40 hours a week.
ReplyDeleteNow, I think it's great people trying to get ahead in life, but these people involved in these SCAMS are being brainwashed to think that this is truly helping people. Trust me, I've now sat through 3 meetings with him, and 2 of his "coworkers" simply to give him a chance. If it was a good business opportunity, I'd be in. It's not. It's people thinking they can make money quick, and are ok by doing it by sucking their friends into it.
I've made my own money, given him the time, and respectfully had to say no to him. Why? Do a quick search on Amway, Herbalife, or Avon. If these people would simply put their work ethic and brain into creating their own business, they could be so much further ahead. So do me a favor, drop your Dreamtrips membership, take those hours in the week that you try to recruit, and do something you're passionate about. Don't make the person sitting atop the pyramid more money than he knows what to do with! (Also, anyone that comes onto MusicIsLife's blog and says things such as "Delete this blog, or get informed before you write about this" is extremely ignorant. How come when we ask the people of Dreamtrips exactly why they want to meet, they can't just tell us, instead of making us going to a different location and trying to get us to sign up for things. I'm sure half of your recruits are making impulsive decisions, and you preyed on your own friends' unwillingness to just shut you down because they are too nice)
Something can only be a scam if you're not provided what is being sold. If you're wanting discounted travel and the opportunity to try a new way of travel, it's not a scam. If your friend is trying to sell you on making a lot of money, let's see the proof. I have friends that joined and did, in fact, get their bimmers. If you want any more proof, I've documented a bunch of my research on joinWVtoday.com. I only joined for the core purpose of discount travel. I saved thousands on a 5-week trip in Australia; well worth the $300.
ReplyDeleteSo, I ask you, what is it that you're wanting out of WorldVentures? If you're in it for the money, you better ask yourself if you're willing to treat it like a business, work 40-weeks, like a REAL JOB. If someone is trying to tell you it's easy money, it's a lie. Only you know how excited you'll be about the product that you're selling. You have to believe in what you're doing first. The pursuit of money is that of an empty man. If you love to travel, meet new people, be part of something bigger, yet be your own, then you should look into it. If it's not for you, don't sweat it. Just find a way to get out of being an employee and being self-employeed for under $400.
I was approached today. I am a small business owner in NC and I was approached by another small business owner. I like it. it actually is a service that you sell and that is not a pyrimid scheme. Joey thank you! you just sealed it for me.
Deletei love reading these blogs about ANY MLM company being a scam or pyramid scheme. however, i've seen how these companies have changed many lives. i'm glad that some people were actually able to find financial freedom. i've seen people create other companies because of joining an MLM. in fact i would recommend it because most of the people that tell someone it doesn't work, NEVER EVER EVER give an alternative to MLM. everyone has so much to say but when asked "can you help me" or "what else could/should i do" all of a sudden they "can't tell you what to do" or "i don't know what you should/could do" or "maybe just maybe you could get another one or two jobs and go back to school". but what really grinds my gears is no-one says anything about how much these BIG companies charge everyday for housing, food, clothing, etc. which are basic necessities people are having difficulty affording.
ReplyDeleteI'm not here to tell anyone how to make money. That's not the goal of my blog. I'm simply telling them about something that I believe to be an extremely flawed business. This post is about one company and one company alone. I didn't find too many informative posts about what the company was actually about, and that's why this was written. It's not my job to know everything else you could do to make money. I'm just trying to help people know what NOT to do. I'm not here to talk about big companies charging a lot of money for necessities. It's totally unrelated and beside the point.
Deletethis is for musiclife im a member of wv and i know a lot about wv. first off you wants you get 6 people to join you dont ever have to pay a monthly fee anymore. and if you where to watch the video if explains that wv is not for everyone. if you like to travel and make some income on the side you can, or if you just want to travel and not be a rep you can. how much money u make in wv will depend on how hard you work. i know people who are rich and have won free bmv after getting 20 people to join and are go getters who are very successful, and a no some people who did not get anyone to join and are broke like i said its not for everyone if u are a people person and out going with good communication skills then i would say deff go for it. if like to travel and love taking vacays then wv travel club would be great for u. so thats why she wanted u to understand it better. on the video it covers everything. so its better to know about wv befor u call it a scam cause it is not and your giving the company a bad name. like i said its not for every one so if u dont want to join thats coo too i wish u the best but dont mess it up for others who would love to join thanks
DeleteThis blog is great! Don't change a thing.
ReplyDeleteAnything that requires you to get 6 other people "involved" in some way to be successful is a scam. It doesn't have to fit the definition of a pyramid scheme to still have the stench of pyramid schemes all over it. These aren't real jobs. They aren't real savings. They are ways for you to dupe friends and family into paying for your advancement in an organization's hierarchy. I have a silver BMW and I paid cash for it by working hard, not by conning people into anything.
Yeah me too. They are easily affordable used and it's hard to go upside down on a well taken care of bimmer.
DeleteI don't think it is a scam per say but just like other pyramids only the top tiers make any money... I got in very early back in 2005 on the Monavie acai berry drink and made out like a bandit. Not enough to quit working forever but high 5 figures was a great chunk of change. A few years later I got in late on the next energetic coffee bean and made nothing. So I think pyramids can work...with that being said I think this one here in question has run dry for people making real money... The trips well I have seen cheaper but nicer trips and you don't have to work while you are there.... and before someone tries to attack me, yes I know a few people who work for the company.
ReplyDeleteHey MusicIsLife you must have hit some truth out of this and that is why people are getting so angry on here lol
I'll throw in my 2 cents just to help clarify some things.
ReplyDeleteJust like any Network Marketing company, you can buy the product or service (with World Ventures, it's a Membership to save money-like Costco and Sam's Club) & you don't have to be involved in the business.
The part that seems to make the most sense as I began to do my research is, every dollar you spend on the membership can go towards one of their Rewards DreamTrips. So in essence, it doesn't seem like you can lose any money. As I looked closer at the membership I also noticed they have a Price Pledge Guarantee. Basically say's if you book one of their Dreamtrips and find the same trip for less within 7 days, World Ventures will refund you your money and send you on the trip for Free. That's pretty powerful.
As for sharing the membership (which is optional) to become Free, you only need 4 personals to buy the membership, not 6, and they no longer charge you any monthly fees.
Regardless of whether you ever share the video/membership with other people, every dollar you ever spend goes towards a Rewards Dreamtrip, so you really can't lose. If you like to travel and even take 1 vacation a year, it appears to be a no brainer. If you don't travel, don't join. It's pretty cut and dry.
It's like Costco and Sam's Club, you either want to be a member and save money or you don't.
As for the lady above trying to be sneaky with her friends, I totally agree, I wouldn't do that at all. Be right up front with your friends and ask them, do you ever travel and/or do you like to make money. If yes, have them watch the video. If they say no, it' all cool, just don't show them the video.
Keep life simple & don't get you panties in a wad. Lol
That's my 2 cents for what it's worth.
Thank you Sean Sturrock for stating the facts!! No bashing or calling anyone idiots required. It is either for you or not for you!! My view was exactly that which you stated and to me it was a no brainer as we like to travel at least once a year and we love the excursions as well. My family decided to get involved and we are having a blast sharing and looking forward to travelling together and possibly with some of our friends :)
DeleteSean Sturrock must be a member, because I just went to a session last night, and lo and behold, they use the whole Costco and Sams club reference LOL
DeleteYou're either in or you're out right? Either way you're running with it? With or without us? lol
Honesty is the best policy, and nothing about the members or their practices are honest. Especially their tactic to get people to these meetings, and never asking if anyone has any questions at any point during their "presentation", hmm..wonder why.
Speaking from personal experience, it's a scam. I've done avon and other things like that. You have to put in sooo much work trying to sucker people into it but you actually see a dime as well sell the product. And how is this DISCOUNTED prices if your PAYING a membership FEE. Does anybody see how that made nooooo sense? Yeaaa...
ReplyDeleteMusicIsLife, I don't know why you are responding to some of these people. Knowing a bit about things like this, they get people to scour the internet and attack/debunk any negative blog/review they find attacking their scheme. When you search "You Should Be Here scheme" on google this is the top result so please know that DreamWorks will continue to have these users attack and debunk your blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty hilarious to me. Pyramid schemes make me laugh. I enjoyed this write up! Good job.
Signed,
A guy who was just sent a random "You Should Be Here" picture text
http://directsellingnews.com/index.php/view/the_difference_between_legitimatedirect_sellingcompanies_andillegal_pyramid#.Uis1o6PzzFo.
ReplyDeleteWorld Ventures doesn't fall into any of the categories of pyramid schemes. That's real research if you take the time to read the article from a legitimate source that's not Google. Want more? Look up your states statutes on what is considered a pyramid scheme. You'll see that WV doesn't fall into any of those categories either. It seems to me that the issue here is not WV but the way you were shown the information. As you stated your "experience". There is a lot of misrepresentation and inaccurate information in this article but nobody should be surprised. That's what bloggers do. Find something to blog about to create some popularity. It's another form of the internet's popularity contest.
Wow this same thing just happened to me. I was at work and this random "friend" that I have not talked to since 2005 sent me a message on Facebook. Made some small talk and then wanted to share something with me. Same picture and audio. Thanks to your blog I decided to kindly say NO THANK YOU.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info!!!
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDelete*Thanks* for your post. I just received a text from a friend asking me to research this travel business "opportunity." I can't wait to tell him that it's a pyramid scheme; I only hope it's not too late.
Ignore the haters; don't feed the trolls at the bottom of this particular pyramid. The nasty responders are only trying to maintain their tenuous position in this scheme.
Again, thank you!
MusicIsLife,
ReplyDeleteA few months ago I received a message on Facebook from a previous manager of mine (who was fired) about WV. I thought it was weird that he was messaging me to begin with, but he then persistently and furthermore obnoxiously kept invite me to "life changing events." I ofcourse would not attend them, or ever imply that I would be there, and then he began messaging me upset that I didn't want to attend them. He started asking me if I liked vacations and if we could meet up and talk about 'something he had to tell me." I looked on his Facebook page and saw the blue sign, and a thorough internet search later showed me that he was simply trying to scam me. I asked him if he was with WV (knowing he was) and after he said yes in a very round about way, I told him I was absolutely not interested at all, and to stop attempting to contact me. I found out later he has gone to many people we previously worked with and also tried to recruit them as members, all denying him as well (I had told them it was a waste of money.) Point is, these people are trying to get rich quick and would rather not work like the rest of us have to. It's both upsetting, and rude that they are doing this to people! Don't fall for it!!!
That is too funny, I attended one of these meetings under false pretenses and they actually do pay people for recruiting more "members". If you hit X amount ( I think it was 40 total 20 on one the left side 20 on the right side, i don't really remember) you get a certain dollar amount, and if you reach a certain amount you qualify for a silver BMW (they are attempting to do the whole Mary Kay Pink Cadillac thing). I rather just save the $200 (start up fee)+ $600 ( monthly membership fees for a year) and use those $800 towards a trip with people I actually want to go on. I see these people criticizing and fussing, but its obvious your post struck a nerve. Simply put, sometimes the truth hurts.
ReplyDeleteMusicislife, you've obviously angered them, 2 months of replies from dedicated members. I recently turned down a membership pitch, just didn't sound right.
ReplyDeleteOh girl you just sound like a complete ignorant idiot. You have no clue what a pyramid scheme is. Worldventures is real it is amazing and most importantly its not a scam. Do some real research and look at the good along with the bad. You say you haven't really looked into other sites for vacation prices yet you're quick to say the dreamtrips don't readily offer any discounts. The reason you probably don't vacation is because you're either too broke, too busy blogging about things you know nothing about or you can't afford to take time off of your sucky job to take a vacation. You are exactly the type of person we want to help but not with that negative attitude and closed mind. You must be really happy with where you are in your life to turn away a chance to be your own boss. And make a living LIVING!
ReplyDelete"make a living LIVING" is that your cult's mantra? LOL
DeleteI'm travelling for free now thanks to Worldventures!! Thank you scam company!!!! ;) whiners never succeed in life because they are too skeptical to try anything 'new' or 'different'.Good luck and keep whining!! To many of your whiny blog posts...
ReplyDeleteIf all people are making money, who is going to pay ?? you enjoy in the luxury trip, but who is paying all this ?? Is ur under-line people… who pay $50 every month !! or new bird paying $200 ONE TIME.
DeleteWorld Ventures is a f*#$ ing joke! The people that are members should just admit when certain people see through the bullshit and move on to the next sad case. I feel bad for ANYONE sucked into this pyramid scheme. The losers trying to defend World Ventures are a waste of life and should crawl under a rock in shame.
ReplyDeleteGood day Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI am having the same "date" by an old friend of mine from high school last week to attend one of their "Motivation" course. The thing I notice is this WV thingy is nothing different then those "Pyramid Quick Money Scheme" where they brain wash potential prey and take their money away and expect them to take money from someone else and it goes on and on. Moreover, I did check on quite a few forums from different country, BBS Forum from Singapore, CARI Forum of Malaysia, and ComplaintBoard where I found out that most people fail to get the 6 person to join their group and keep paying for the monthly member fees. At the end of the day, majority of the members fail to earn any profit where else those so called leaders and getting richer and richer. Not to say that this MLM thing cant actually earn money but only the founder and his cronies will get the fish and most of you out there will actually become the fish in the net. Every blogger tries to warn people about this WV thingy gets harsh replies by those who are being brain washed, So Kirsten, dont be discourage by these people, their just poor stupid fish who are stuck in the net and cant seems to understand that their in being used.
Cyrus
Good Evening Kristen,'
ReplyDeleteI have a friend(s) who are always trying to get me to join these silly memberships. I work in finance and I conduct market and business research. This is all a big scam, so you're correct and stand with your opinion. Nothing in this world comes free and if it is too good to be true, then it probably is.
You may look at my blog if you wish: pecuniaryreport.tumblr.com, and we can chat more on this, and other employment scams out there.
Dear Kristen,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. I'm Hulon and I conduct market and business research often and this MLM thing is nearly just a hyped scam. If it really makes people money, do you think people would be so eager to share? No; the richest people in the world will never share how they got wealthy, and they didn't do it by forcing their friends into pyramid schemes.
If it sounds too good to be true, then it is. The only way to make money is investing it and leaving it alone, gamble, or starting your own profitable business, and WorldVentures is NOT profitable by any means.
Nice blog BTW. We can talk about other employment scams and bait and switch companies if you have time. My blog is pecuniaryreport.tumblr.com and my website is hbproper.com
I appreciate the post!
- Hulon
I went for one of these....what a joke !!!!
ReplyDeleteA mate got me to visit him for no reason and like a dummy...I went !!!! hahahaha
When I arrived I saw a laptop and a projector, this already gave me a few signals that I was attending a pyramid scheme.
I must admit that the pitch was brilliant, they even had guys in the audience that pretended to attend as guests as well and these guys were shouting, "Wow, great deal" and " That's cheap".
The downfall was that I knew everyone else in the room besides the morons screaming "That's cheap" so I know they actors.
Anyways, out of the room of 50 fools that attended only 1 complete fool joined and the host quit after 3 more months because no-one wanted to join this scheme...join in early as they say to really cash in...oh yes, another line from one of the guys... "Would you buy Microsoft or Nike shares if they just started, imagine if you had that chance...well now you do."
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. I went to a WV meeting yesterday and I could smell a scam from a mile away. I walked away and said "No thank you". People in this business rarely make money, unless you are at the top of the pyramid. I feel sorry for the people who are so deep into this business model. Don't listen to what anyone has to say, I totally agree with you. On just about every blog post that's against WV its members are attacking the blogger for "bad mouthing" the company. It's clear that these people have something to hide.
You actually still have to pay for your vacations and it DOES NOT include airfare. It only includes accommodation. Furthermore, it seems like the only way you can achieve a discount is if you travel in a big group, which may not be possible all of the time. Then their training sessions can cost more than $500, which is silly. These are things that they do not tell you! If I pay the monthly fee, I am paying about $660 per year! With that kind of money, I can buy a plane ticket, hotel room for 4 nights and still have enough money left for shopping. This thing is a scam! apparently, one of WV partners has even been the subject of many lawsuits for schemes similar to this. People please be careful!
Complete scam that makes money from other people's hard earned cash. Almost like these idiots are brainwashed and sounds pretty cultish from my experience. They see the leaders as gods and rather pathetic
ReplyDeleteI was a member and had close to 200 under me...and found out that the guys running it were total scammers...I got out quick and was even interviewed by several States AG's, they are going down bigtime!
ReplyDeleteI've read enough to say that I've had enough. SKIP IT!!
ReplyDeleteSounds kinda cultish to me. I got burned when I was 18, 26 years ago, on water filtration systems. You get burned once..that's more than enough. Music is life...good job, girl!
ReplyDeleteAfter the experience of a WV presentation and much independent research, I have come to this conclusion NOT FOR ME! Great Profits for those who joined WV at initial startup. One cannot argue that the recruiting tactics of the business does in fact have a pyramidal design–regardless of what definition WV does or does not meet. Or consider this, maybe this business design is more like the phone company MCI [ friends and family] . The presentation I witnessed only discussed strengths, opportunities, God, and more opportunity –Oh yea and silver BMW’s. As a clinical therapist [ non-business major] even I know that there are strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats to any new business venture and/or opportunity. The WV presenter only covered two. I had to find weaknesses and threats on my own. The presenter even discouraged his audience from personal research, his explanation was because the company is too new despite him telling us that WV has appeared on “Oprah”. Like most pyramid schemes the base [new recruits] of WV supports the highest stones [all the way up to the Founders]. Like the MCI network, one has to recruit, recruit, recruit for the benefits. Our life is what our thoughts make it. If you believe money and constant vacationing will bring you happiness and you are willing to buy into the opportunity World Ventures is marketing then GOOOOOO World Ventures! Before you do, consider this. Notice ea. blog post here by a World Venture supporter or affiliate….did they sound happy? Better yet , where did they find the time to post on this blog? Should they NOT be on vacation? Purchasing a new home? Driving a BMW…or out recruiting? Last the thing….The WV Presenter/ Recruiter I experienced still has his day job. If you join the WV team I advise that you keep your day job too! Last I leave you with this little did you know fact: The renowned pyramids of Egypt were built by slaves.
ReplyDeleteIf it's not for you, that's fine. But to imply that if someone is not on vacation or buying a house this must be a scam is crazy...
DeleteHi MusicIsLife,
ReplyDeleteI just got in this and in three days I've noticed a lot of weird stuff. I became a member and a representative. First, you have to have 6 people below you in order to be membership fee free, they offer you extra money if you add 18 people in 30 days ($3,000) plus cash for your car and if you have 60 direct below you they pay up to $3,000 in mortgage. This sounded fantastic! Now that I'm in, I noticed that you only can use the points for Dreamtrips, (trips at a certain date, certain place) you cannot apply those points to trips you book through their search engine Rovia. So if I want to take my baby to Disney I have to wait for a Disney Dreamtrip in order to use the points. There's more, Expedia has better prices, I booked a business trip for my dad and I was more expensive through Dreamtrips, I did it anyways because of the points, the ones I can only use for Dreamtrips. There's more! When I booked my dad's trip, through Rovia, I paid and everything. One of the flights was not available after purchasing. That never has happened to me. I'm an expedia user, and when you book a flight you have your seat waiting for you instantly. It seems that they charge you but it takes almost 24hours until they actually book the flight through the airline. If the flight is suddenly full, you're out, and they don't notify you. I found out the day after the booking because I'm very thorough. If you don't use or "book" your Dreamtrips within 2 years, your points expire.
The thing is I got in this because they sold me a dream, a way to earn money, being a new mom and all, things are tight. I generate some income and help out with the bills. But the reality is that it is very difficult to find 6 people to sign, and they sell you a half-truth. If you are willing to travel only through the pre-planned Dreamtrips, go ahead. But, if you don't like what they are offering then you don't travel, I mean what's the point?!
I don't regret getting in, cause now I know how it works and I will not recommend it anymore. Tomorrow I'm out of Dreamtrips for good, getting back my money, since I'm within the 3 days of signing up.
Forget what other people are writing, I'm in the inside and I'm telling you, it is not what they sell.
I'm on the inside too and for all you people that believe this is a scam or a pyramid scheme, what is your job? J.O.B. = Just Over Broke. Your job is a pyramid scheme because 98% of employees will never make it to be a CEO. Think about it. WV is what you make of it. As with any business, if you are lazy and don't put in any effort, you will not be successful. The lazy people who expect this to be a "get rich quick" deal are the ones complaining and criticizing. I was told from the start that this is not going to make me rich overnight and I'm fine with that. I'd rather be rich in a few years with constant progress.Yes, I still work my lovely 40-hour a week job. I will keep doing so until my income from WV allows me to be done with it. It is definitely possible. Sure, a lot of people say no because they're scared to try something new. Once people see the benefits and see my progress then they start coming around. As far as the company being taken down because of fraud - that is a bunch of BS. No chance. Also, you do not have to get 6 people in to be monthly fee free, it's 4 in a month. Not hard, you just have to put your pride aside and when somebody isn't interested, you move on to the next. I have not cut off any friends that weren't interested, I just know that they're watching to see how I do. It's not about judging anyone, some will get it and some won't. Also, there is nothing about having to get 18 people in to get $3,000. Again, this person got their information mixed up. All in all, I think this company is amazing and we will be as well-known as Nike or Coca Cola. You don't like our blue signs now, you're sure gonna hate them when you see them EVERYWHERE!!! We aren't going away so get used to it!
DeleteThe "anonymous" person above who is in WorldVentures is an example of the brainwashing that takes place and making people really believe that if they work hard in WorldVentures, they will get rich.
DeleteIt isn't going to happen!
Here is why...
http://worldventuresscamnews.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/worldventures-is-a-ponzi-and-pyramid-wrapped-into-one/
And your just a simple example of people that cant keep an open mind and can only think inside the box. If you "research" something, most likely you will find out what you are looking for. Apparently you have no clue because you take others peoples opinions and agree with them right off the bat. Keep looking for your research, your opinion wont matter to us. We are already enjoying and swimming, you are barely even looking at the water
DeleteWe personally know a top ND for WV and have seen his presentations. We know he is broke (because he has borrowed money from us many times - old friend - long story).
DeleteThe point is he LIES in the presentation: He exaggerates his income for WV and exaggerates his former experiences, "business ownerships." He directly lies about how quickly he made money with WV - saying it took 6 months to make 5K a month, when we know this was the time he was borrowing money from us, on a verge of a divorce - because his wife was fed up with him doing these types of "ventures."
Also, we have seen him target the most naive at these meetings and the ones that are the most vulnerable - ones that are uneducated or very young, broke. He talks about the "discount" travel , and promises "money back guarantees" or "free trips," if you find a cheaper deal.
The travel discount is just a front, as a means of recruiting more and more people. We have looked at the "discounted" travel ourselves and know that it is not truly discounted - as mentioned - only a few trips a year are truly discounted, and they sell out in a few hours.
He is constantly doing presentations for recruiting to maintain some level of income.
BTW it really is a shame because he is a VERY talented, and capable person that deserves better. We keep crossing our fingers that a LEGITIMATE company offers him the position that he deserves and pays him what he is worth. OR, that he starts a real business that actually does produce the residue income that he desires.
My husband started his own legitimate business over 10 years ago. In 2006 our friend tried to get us to join WV, promising us that we would retire in a few short years from the residue income, and that we could get in on the ground level, because the company was just starting out. Well, it's 2014, and he is definitely not retired - as mentioned above - and he is not living a life of freedom. He continues to try to build his "network" that continues to collapse over and over. Had he followed our advice and gone our direction he would be living the real dream. Now we are living off real residue income and a real client base with little to no complaints and we are respected by friends and family, trusted by our clients and we are living "the dream," traveling worldwide and in want of nothing - our friend (based on the level of back-breaking work he has endured for WV for the past 7-8 years) should be living the same financially-secure life that we live. NO ONE has worked harder than our friend, NO ONE. He works is ASS off. We are disgusted by WV and what they have done to our friend, and we keep praying that he asks us for help in getting out, so that we can help him build the future he so deserves. Stay away from WV --- RUN, RUN, RUN. There are PLENTY of WONDERFUL companies that sell legitimate products that you can stand behind. IF you can SELL, if you can INFLUENCE - you can make money. You don't need WV to do it.
Side Note: Here's a Red Flag for those that are not familiar with starting a new business: ANYONE that tells you that starting a business is easy and you will make money quickly is LYING. It takes 3-5 years to build a profitable LEGITIMATE business. It's hard, hard back breaking work and you will EARN every penny)
the inherent problem with this firm's structure is not its lack of product, but the idea that its "sales reps" seem to be primarily paid based on the number of "sales reps" they recruit (i say this because the people i know involved in the company/the people i see on this blog seem to be hell bent on recruiting anyone they can to join "the movement"). the striking similarity to pyramid schemes is a direct result of this in conjunction with the fact that WV earns money off of each "sales rep" recruited. also, this company has been involved in many lawsuits, most, if not all, of which are red flags.
ReplyDeletePeople talk about what they don't know all the time, when they aren't apart of it. As far as this blog, you should very well get your facts straight. In no way shape or form is WV a scheme or scam. If your a traveler and happen to enjoy money then its for you, if your not let it go. Different strokes for different folks. While the rest of us with our BLUE signs are off having awesome vacations, the rest of you are sitting around talking about whats real and fake. Must be fun lol. You should have been there.
ReplyDeleteLOL! "Different strokes for different folks... But eff you if you're not with us" got some unexamined insecurities about your little travel membership.
DeleteI was contacted today...thanks for this blog. It's a very good piece of information...to make my decision
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. So maybe you have your textbook definition wrong of what a scheme/scam/pyramid is, but either way, WV is a multi-level-marketing (MLM) company, and people should know what they're getting into. Many of these MLM programs drift into unethical territory - the way they disguise the "true cost" of membership or the hoops that you have to jump through to receive the "benefits." And also certainly in their recruitment tactics.
ReplyDeleteCase in point: I recently responded to an ad for a "job" on craigslist which, long story short, turned out to be nothing but a pitch from a WV member I didn't know on the other side of the state. After finding this blog post and doing some research, I've found ads similar to the one I responded to, for WV and other travel-related MLMs, on other cities' craigslist. These are not jobs, people! I'm guessing people are resorting to this kind of phishing because none of their other friends or relatives want to hear it anymore.
Buyer beware.
I stopped reading when you said you didn't try it you just assumed, you should bash a company with FACT not personal opinion.
ReplyDeleteyeah, i saw a lot people talking about it too~
ReplyDeleteThis blog is funny. It doesnt work for some people, and they blame it on the company. You have to lock into the system. There are absolutely no promises of getting rich over night. I have already known people who DO make a living doing this. They have gotten their BMW bonus, house bonus, and literally make a living off of this. Its not a scam. People are entitled to their own opinions. I have met people that literally had nothing, no money, no house, no car, and now have everything they could possibly want. I have also met people who have retired at their twenties. But it didnt happen over night. They put in some hard work and effort. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but if people accept your opinion, they accept your lifestyle. Your "research" should be considered more of an opinion and facts.
ReplyDeleteHow old are some of these people that have posted such harsh things, and do they have a life? I just wanted to say thank you for the post. There are a lot of others out there saying the same thing! I work hard for my money, and I would be very frustrated to find out I was just throwing it all away. Haters are going to hate, just keep doing what you do! :)
ReplyDeleteAnyone googled "World Ventures Better Business Bureau" recently? The company has been given an "F" rating due to the number of complaints.
ReplyDeleteTheir BBB rating is now at an "F".
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteAs you all can see, I have stopped responding to comments, both positive and negative. I honestly just don't have the time to go through each and every comment and give feedback. To those of you who have voiced your opinions in a polite and respectful manner, thank you! I sincerely appreciate feedback, even if you disagree with me. However, if your sole intent is to be rude, to bash me, or to make me look stupid, don't waste your time typing out a hateful comment. It only serves to make you look brainwashed and desperate to save a company that you're too tightly woven into to recognize a single flaw. Honestly, I find it funny that half of the people who try to insult my intelligence can't even manage to put together a single grammatically correct sentence. This blog post is based upon my experiences, and the experiences of others. I have never claimed that anything I learned about the company could be considered "research." Those who aim to bash me have used that term, but I literally just googled it in search of other people's experiences. I have never claimed to be a business expert. I have simply stated my experience with a member, and have discussed concerns that others have had. The vast number of unhappy members/former members and the many people who have been approached in the same way as I was should ALL be signs of a failing business model, scam or no scam (although I do still stand by my "scam" belief). If you can't see that, then I fail to see how I'm the ignorant and illogical person in this situation.
Clearly don't waste your time on this blog because it's not worth your time. Those that know the industry understand that direct sales does work. It's the same business model as real estate. Do you think real estate is a scam? You have a broker and you have agents that work at the agency. The Broker leverages from the agents who work as independent's. They all work together to have a successful agency so everyone benefits. Some will be more successful than other's. The direct selling industry has company's like Mary Kay, Amway and countless other that prove you wrong in calling it a scam. Personally I don't see anything wrong in showing a family how to take better and affordable vacations. All it will take is one trip and they will tell other people. It's a natural reaction. I don't see anything wrong in showing people how they can make a little extra money. Depending on your efforts, who know's a person may be blessed. If you have not personally made an effort, yourself, to see what this company is all about, I question your credibility. I don't blame you, most people will be skeptical about things they don't understand. Being an award winning company in the Travel industry speaks for itself. Ernst and Young took three years to study the company and WV was announced as a runner up for Entrepreneur's of The Year.. Again not blaming you for writing this blog. But I don't think you are as qualified as Ernst and Young. My best to you and those who follow the path of never finding out things for yourself and base life on other's opinions. Please by all means stay on the side and pay more for your travel, more on taxes. You don't know what you don't know... But if I may leave this with you, find some kind of home based business for tax purpose alone. Get this book Lower Your Taxes Big Time 2013-2014 by Sandy Botkin. This is not an opinion, it is a fact. Sandy explains "Why You Would Be Brain Dead Not To Start a Home Based Business." Bottom Line, as far as WV is concerned, the person that shared WV thought enough of you to join them as a partner and a friend. So to laugh at someone who has a sincere vision, tells a lot about your character and will never get it anyway. Continued blessings to whomever took the time to read this.
ReplyDeletewhy should i take your word for anything do you have a masters in anything are you a convicted felon do you have any proof about who you are i think your the scam
ReplyDeleteeven if she had a master or was a convicted felon you would find other means to bash her wouldn't you because she isn't on board with you "be super duper rich schemes" :)
Deleteand btw , its *you're ;)
The two people who started this company are accused of tax fraud.
DeleteTotally off topic but some people here still hasn't fully understood the difference between your and you're.
ReplyDeleteBack to the topic , i do believe that MLM companies are undercover 'scams' , BUT it doesn't mean you can't make money. and before the loyal followers say anything, in order to make money you need to get people to join, if you are unable to get people to join you will be paying for the monthly fee until you do. In actual fact, it doesn't work for most people as these "pyramid schemes" are design for most to fail so the company is actually making money off of you. How do you think these "cheap vacations" are paid for ? I know so many friends who joined but end up with nothing after countless of meetings and training, and those who did make money out of it cash out their e-wallet and leave as soon as possible.
Most of the loyal followers would say its a team business etc and how they want to 'help' their friends or family earn extra income etc but in actual fact its just to benefit yourself. More people who join under you = more income.
I was recently approached by someone and i listen out of respect but when i asked questions such as "what are the downside if i join" or "how does the company make their money", things like that, i wasn't given a proper answer just redirected to how it can benefit me, people who made thousands and thousands every month etc.
To those who are actually successful because of WV, congratulations on your commitment and effort but no need to bash those who disagree with this system. :)
I am a new rep of WV and I agree that when people have questions, they should get real answers. Some of my friends have wanted to know things and if I didn't know the answer, I made sure to get it. I feel that many people who are exposed to the deal are not exposed the right way and people turn away from it. I doubt you joined the WV family but I do hope you got the answers to your question. I hope you have a great day!
DeleteI bought a membership in August, just for the discounts. Someone above me signed up another representative and placed them under me (it's a binary model) and they then signed up some others and so forth and I now have 36 people on my team leg. I have not actively worked this business, but apparently I should! I have used Rovia booking engine to make hotel and car rental reservations for a 5 day trip and saved $240 over Travelocity.
ReplyDeleteI had better be careful, though because it's a scam, after all, according to the naysayers and haters.
Do the math, you joined in August ($200), You've paid monthly fees for four months--assuming August was convered in your $200-- ( $50 x 4 = $200). By my simple calculations, you just paid $160 more than Travelocity. Not to mention the soft costs of alienating your friends and family. Nice work!
DeleteWell fortunately for him that $200 he paid he got to use it immediately to go on his dream trips. So losing money. No not really. And not to mention the $50 a month will be place right back in his spending piggy bank for more dream trips on his 1 year anniversary. And I have signed up 2 of my friends and they're not alienated they're exacting to join us on our $69 cruise next month. Wow. Where else can you find a cruise with all that 5 star vip treatment. Can you beat that ??? If you can then it's free. And with signing 2 people up I've already have my commission for that!!! So actually we have gained so much more and if you research the correct websites and not "Google" because is a reliable search engine.
DeleteHey Everyone,
ReplyDeleteThis blog was so much longer in comments than it was in content lol. Now while I'm not a member of Worldventures, I am involved in the Network Marketing industry. This comment doesn't necessarily warrant a response. I strictly wanted to voice my opinion as a network marketing professional.
A legitimate business will have their compensation plan available online to be viewed, so while I did google Worldventures - I also googled Worldventures Compensation plan and I did find it available online. What it said in it's entirety is neither here nor there but the thing I did find is that you will not be paid strictly for recruiting more representatives into the company (that would have been a real unlawful red flag!)
Also, the term pyramid scheme, by definition does not provide a product or service but is usually referred to as a business model where the people at the top of the pyramid shape make the most money. This is not true for Worldventures (source, compensation plan 2013) nor the MLM that I am involved in. There is a binary system (two sides) that is designed to allow each representative equal opportunity to earn as much income as possible without putting a larger income in their sponsors pocket. This system exists in most MLMs created within the past 10-15 years. This my friends, is the reason I joined network marketing.
The difference between a network marketer and a sales person isn't much - the main difference is that as a network marketer you can continue to get paid regardless of additional sales made (earning a passive income). But like a sales person, you are required to sell a product or service initially (not recruit representatives) in order to obtain an income.
While I do not agree with the way you were approached, I do think that you should have at least given your acquaintance the courtesy of listening to their pitch, even if it were just to provide feedback as to what they should work on. As network marketers, once we hear that you are not interested, the pitch is meant to cease - which I would imagine is why you did not hear back from them (much better than them being pushy and attempting to keep selling you, wouldn't you agree?). They do need to work on their approach but one thing I think that you should consider is viewing a Worldventures presentation (google worldventures presentation). I watched one given by Matt Morris (that name probably means nothing to you but I read his book a little while back so his name rang a bell and that is why I chose to watch his presentation).
My reasoning for suggesting that you watch the presentation isn't for you to go join worldventures (it may not be for you), but to understand what their members see in the product. When debating, it's good to understand both sides rather than to do our own research and think that it will give us all of the answers (there were trip examples included on that presentation - you once mentioned that you were looking for those)
Side Note - People often degrade network marketing but it takes a certain mind to understand it, not everyone will. Just as not everyone will like a place where they will never make more money than their boss or CEO (that income is only guaranteed until we no longer have that position). This criticism may seem absurd to most, that's alright. Criticism of network marketing baffles me everyday.
I do wish you the best in your future blogging!
Am I supposed to believe you dont "work" for WV? This is clearly another [poorly] deceptive marketing tactic for your cause. Using the same evidence based claims of a legitiamate company that has been used by your other anonymous minions doesnt make the information accurate. I guess Time Magazine was accurate when they made Hitler "Man of The Year" in 1938. The truth is you'll never make good money, and you'll never be accepted for a successful business person. By the way, why are none of your partners VC's? Is it because this is an clandestine and unsustainable business model?
DeleteWhat you are is a victum of false hope, and the new face of Stockholm Syndrome.
I have sat through a presentation of WV--unbeknownst of what I was actaully there for (another tactic)-- it was clear what this actually was. So you're saying that I have to pay to "work" for your company, unless of course I recruit others, and then pay for the seminar it to which I trick my friends, family and collegues into attending? But in return I get a discount on my vacations....wait...all this time and money only equals a couple hundred dollars in discounts? But I've already paid you $1000, and my 4 idiot friends did as well! Oh well, I do love cheap cruises!
Good Luck on your job hunt with a resume peppered with WV, Cutco, and MaryKay. Enjoy your timeshare and make sure you read the sign, NO SOLICTING!
"It might not be for you" is the classic line from World Ventures. All of their reps say this. I don't believe you don't work for them.
Delete20% of people will make money and 80% will go broke. The rules aplies in every aspect of life. Same goes to WV MLM and other scheme. Day job seems similar.....you earn 20% for doing good job while the owner gain 80% by ensuring you doing a good job for them.
ReplyDeleteIts not for everyone but the 20% gainer do need the 80% provider to survive.......what a fair world.
I agree hitting you up right out of the gate about world ventures was not a good thing at all. people should always ask for permission not hit you up. as far as world ventures it's not about the MLM it's about the product: that's why there's an option is just to be a member only.. and there is a substantial savings better than any other website on the net. I got my return on investment on my very first trip. vacation to Mexico for $600 and through the resort website was 1600 dollars. with only $200 to be a member I definitely got my return on investment...
ReplyDeleteI love the WV circular logic:
ReplyDeleteif you aren't successful in WV (as 99% aren't)....you aren't working hard enough (lazy)
if you're not interested in WV...you must love working a 9-5 while they make a living living! (stupid)
how quickly it flip flops.
If you had "invested" as much time and energy in this business opportunity as you apparently have in this obviously uninformed blog, you would have a silver BMW in your driveway. This is a real company, with corporate headquarters located in Dallas Texas. The member who demonstrated for our group lives in the next town over, and before he and his wife retired from their jobs to pursue this opportunity, he and I worked some of the same jobsites (he was a union welder). He now earns more money at 15 hours per week than when he was working 40+ on the job, and traveling great distances from his new family. Here's a shock...I do not intend on profiting from this venture at all! My fee for joining + monthly dues allows me to take one or two vacations per year and to save real money with no recruitment of members at all. If I were to add four signee's under myself, there would be no monthly dues to pay at all. Sam's Club and Costco are built on the same business model...increase buyers leverage and purchase power through sheer numbers, and pass savings to members. If you don't wish to join, that's fine...just do some actual research before knocking something that lot's of people make work for them. Like most things in life, you get from this what you put into it, some effort and aspiration will allow you to profit from it, or just relax and reap some benefit from the alliance.
ReplyDeleteCostco should sue these folks for intentionally trying to coast off the Costco brand. When Isigned up for Costco no one tried to lure me to a meeting under false pretenses, the person who signed me up was a good salary and benefits to do so and did not receive any personal benefit from my joining, Costco didn't need to dangle BMWs to get me to join. There were no fake actors in the audience whipping up fake enthusiasm...
ReplyDeleteEveryone is talking about the business. I am not interested in that. I am thinking about just getting the membership to get great rates on trips for my family. Does anyone have information about that? Are the trips pricing legit? Have any of you been on these trips?
ReplyDeleteI am a member of WV and joined for the trips. My first trip was to the Wisconsin Dells for three days and two nights. Our Villa had a stove, frig, and dishwasher with all the cooking untensils if you wanted to cook. Our deck looked over the golf course and we free passes into the water parks. Had a blast and the four of us stayed there for $69 dollars for the weekend.
DeleteI am not interested in the business. I am interested in the membership. Has anyone on here just purchased the membership and gone on a trip?
ReplyDeleteNorway has decided that WV is a pyramid scheme...
ReplyDeleteHi, i just like to say something in fairness. To me any business like this whether be it MLM or just starting a normal business has all this in common; Your social circle.
ReplyDeleteI being through many types of businesses and honestly is not easy.
Lets take two person for example A and B, both sign up for dreamtrips at the same time. However, here is a big major difference
Person A comes from the poor family, whose total gross income is less than $2000, when your family is poor naturally the relatives are not as well off.
Person B has rich parents, gross income is in term of thousands of dollars, same application for relative case, naturally they are rich as well
when comes to doing business, we need supports from family, there is what we call our inner social circle.
When applying this factor who do you think will do better? Naturally Person B, he can ask his parents to "subscribe" to him etc, and honestly a member fee of $200 plus monthly subscription of $50? Peanuts to the rich parents and relatives.
How about Person A, does he have the luxury to do so?
I being through this, I know. When starting a business first thing first is, you always ask for help from family cause there are the kin to you.
Unless you are charismatic enough to convince friends to join (Do you think they will just anyhow cough up $200?), and even random strangers (will they cough up this amount of money)
Now so will this be fair?
Which is also a reason why there is a wording below "results may vary"
Now I cannot comment on whether Dream trips is a scam or not cause there are many success stories behind it, and without a doubt among these successful person they felt they should share this. Nothing wrong about it.
pls dun be an anon
ReplyDeleteI recently went to this presentation about World Ventures. When I got there, I noticed people had on these shirts about what 'team' they were on. The minute I took a seat to listen to the presentation, I felt out of place. I guess they do not really gauge who their audience is. I have an education higher than a high school diploma or GED. And I started to analyze the presenter and the team that was present at the meeting.
ReplyDeleteLets discuss the presentation/slideshow. The presentation is something that my son can create for fun. Everything is stole from other websites. All cut and paste unprofessionally. My 'presenter' went through the slides mighty face. Lucky for me that I have a semi photographic memory.
Then the sell of this product begins. My 'presenter' continued to make a statement that if I cannot invest $1 in myself then I must have issues. I chuckled and allowed her to continue with her wonderful product. I am not the type of individual who will hound my family or friends for $370 for a product I don't even believe in. Sorry, I would rather work hard for my living instead of investing that type of money in this type of scheme. If you ever attend one of the presentations, I attempted to do the math of how much you will make, it just does NOT add up. And to top things off, you can get a BMW, a silver one at that. This BMW comes at the cost of this company 'giving' you a car allowance. Another red flag. So what if my allowance stops, how will I continue to pay for this car? Currently, I have a vehicle that was paid off years ago, why would I want to invest in car payment. Sorry World Ventures, I am investing that $1 you told me I did not have into my savings. And if you want to convince me to join, please, just 'rent' a silver BMW and drive it to your presentation, it would at least make your presentation more believable in my opinion.
So where is the money? If you ask ANY team member involved with this company where the money is, their motto to me was, "I get paid every friday". So if that was true, why didn't they bring just a small copy of these earnings to the meeting? Another thing the presenters should put on their to do list.
Why are people still working their full time jobs? If this is such the next best thing since Amway (lol) why are you still working a full time job? Show me this is legit, quit your job and do this full time.
This program in my opinion is targeting low income people of ANY race. This company has done research because most low income people would like anyway to get rich quick, and these false promises of instant income appeals to anyone.
Sorry this was lengthy.
After spending the morning reading ALL comments, I have decided that I do not want to go for the meeting. I want to buy the membership only. I live in the UK. Could anyone tell me where to go for that?
ReplyDeleteYES. I KNOW. I KNOW. My English is good because it is not my first language
You have to find a sponsor for world ventures which I am one, @kiciagata you can email me if you want, I can point you in the right direction :)
ReplyDeleteFYI You have to want something better for yourself only you will/can make that difference its not a great rich quick thing and you should of been told that before but like every job you have to put effort into it if you are not willing to do that it isn't going to work for you!!! Go to the training's you will hit success, most people that say world ventures didn't work have quit... quitting doesn't give you success. Pyramid scams are illegal, you think your friend would do it if its illegal....
kiciagata
ReplyDeleteyou can email me clipaj@yahoo.com if you are interested!!!!
I know someone that has been involved for a couple of years. He makes enough money at his regular job (yes, still has a job) that he can afford to travel and go to all of the training/meetings. So here is where I have a real problem with things like this. He defends WV by stating that it's all about "travel" (and not about making money). So how does someone justify "sharing" this opportunity with someone who is barely making it paycheck to paycheck? Clearly they can't afford to travel, so a person must be "sharing" the business side of WV. And how does someone who is barely getting by pay the fees to attend training/meetings? And how does "travel" really apply to that person's life? It doesn't. And If someone is barely making their house payment and/or feeding their kids, there is no way in good conscious, that I could "encourage" them to spend money for a "travel" membership. Really?? Is this a person that can pack up their family and head off to some vacation spot?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I would be doing what I thought was good for ME, and not necessarily good for THEM. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
Now, if someone has the means to travel and enjoys being part of a "travel club", more power to them. I have no issue with that. My issue is taking advantage of desperate people by suggesting to them that they can make money getting involved with something that clearly doesn't fit their immediate needs.
Basically what people fail to understand is that this program is about luxury travel. Being able to afford a trip like this without breaking the bank. A dream trip that is considered to have a five star rating and an all inclusive stay. When someone compares prices he/she must keep in mind that this is not a mediocre vacation. The price of the membership goes towards your own trip so you never lose it. The fact that someone can actually make money from this is just a plus and very importantly optional. There are other benefits to being a member of WV, but it all comes down to really wanting to experience a real dream trip and saving big bucks while doing so. Btw, they even have a price promise which sends you on the trip for free if you were to actually find something at a lower rate. The system is also set up to continuously search for better deals even after booking and in the case that it finds something less expensive it will let you know that the price has been reduced. This is not intended to selling WV memberships. Everybody does not have what it takes to go out and sell this but everybody can use a dream trip. If it so happens that want to share this program with 6 people of your choice you can save yourself the monthly fees. People who fail at this do not put any effort in this and most like have a bad experience from something else they half did..... just saying
ReplyDeleteIt is a scam. My friend took me and my girl friend to a meet but I didn't know that we where going there it was in a bar and I thought that we was going to go and watch the bulls game and eat some wings and drink but it was to hear about this crap. Then they all talk about that world ventures change there life but they are still in school and still working a full time job but almost all of them didn't have a car and they dress like bums and my friend had made it seem like he is making money but he didn't even have money to buy him a beer and some wings so I bought him some and then another guy walk up to me and ask me who did I come with and I told him and he was like that my friend was doing it he's about to blow up so if he was about to blow up why is he broke all the damn time and last but not least he was like that I better join now because my friend got some other ppl that he was going to show on the same but that was bullshit he is my neighbor and he was coming back home to smoke 2 blunt with my girl and drink some Remy martin so I know that its sum bs. He was even trying to give me a gift card for a free trip to Cancun... Its all a scam don't waste your $$$$$$. Then they have these meetings in bars and buy you alcohol so you are drunk and not knowing what your buying into . smh they need to close this dwn in every country. All 26 of them. Mom's didn't raise no fool..
ReplyDeleteWhat a naive blog post, Ive been in WV for 3 months and have made more here in two months than what i did in my previous job, on top of that after my second month i went on my 1st dreamtrip to Miami. Being a South African this has always been my dream and guess what ?? Worldventures made that possible.. How can you judge something from the outside, its like someone trying to describe what it feels like to swim but your standing on the edge.. The fact is that even in traditional business 80% of new start ups fail.. If you fail its not because you were in a scheme, its because you had no vision and persistance, keep bashing this amazing company and complaining cause thats not gonna make you rich or happy.. and by the way what is $360 most of us blow that on junk we dont even need. Get real
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely tell who on this thread works for WV. First of all, I think it's insulting when someone who hasn't talked to me in 3 years feigns interest in my life, just to get me to listen to their spiel. Don't act like you care. It's insulting. Also, every sales pitch is exactly the same. Listen to everyone's story. It's all the same. Also, I think it's shady when the reps flat out refuse to give you any information because you "have to see it for yourself". True, it's not a Pyramid Scheme, but it is an MLM which borders the line. There's no way the average person is going to benefit from a travel club membership. But, whatever. A fool and his money are soon parted. I feel like the majority of people are defending the company because they shelled out 200 bucks plus 50 a month and are trying to lick their wounds and cover the embarrassment. Have fun on your trips, suckers.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your article and agree wholesale after being invited to a sales session for 2 solid hours. I couldn't get over the tubes filled with colour balls at the start of the presentation.to explain how popular travel has become. Who are they trying to target with a nursery school explanation!!! I was not in the least bit interested and how many people in their lives book into a 4/5 star hotel especial in the US with our poor currency. The PA they talk about could come home and do the housework for me!!! I could tell right from the very start it was a pyramid scheme so it was a painful experience. I sure this could be an investigation for Carte Blanc loved reading your article and agree wholesale after being invited to a sales session for 2 solid hours. I couldn't get over the tubes filled with colour balls at the start of the presentation.to explain how popular travel has become. Who are they trying to target with a nursery school explanation!!! I was not in the least bit interested and how many people in their lives book into a 4/5 star hotel especial in the US with our poor currency? The PA they talk about could come home and do the housework for me!!! I could tell right from the very start it was a pyramid scheme so it was a painful experience. I sure this could be an investigation for Carte Blanche. I hate to see unsuspecting people caught in their web. Keep up the good work.
DeleteI joined 12 days ago. My husband and I were told about this opportunity by my brother and his wife. We were excited because we do enjoy vacations and wanted the opportunity to take a “luxury” vacation at a heavily discounted rate. Once I got access to their vacation packages, I began comparison shopping with other sites – apples to apples – same hotels and even added the “special inclusive perks” that comes with WV packages. What I discovered was very disappointing because we really wanted to share something of value with our friends and family. There was not much of a difference in pricing. In fact many of the packages offered by other sites were several hundred dollars cheaper and if the WV package came out lower it was because of the points (that we paid for) were deducted from the total costs. Also, we were told by many of the reps that when we took vacations, it would be a tax write-off since we were in the business of selling this product. I’m not sure if that is true and we have posed this question to our CPA. We’re waiting to hear back. If that is true, then it might have some value. But if not, I don’t see any reason to keep paying towards monthly payments. I heard there was a 14 day window to get a refund.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that one would have to have lots of free time to go on all these vacations. The person who approached me with this scheme hasn't held a job for more than a couple of months before becoming disillusioned and quitting. Guess she has a lot of free time to travel. Made me question whether a person like this has the intelligence to realize she's in a pyramid scheme. It's so easy to detect! All the typical signs are there: Splashy marketing, secretive and cryptic FB posts, trying to get people interested without telling anything about what they're doing, then when you ask they say "Can I call you?" That clinched it. It's a pyramid scheme.
ReplyDeleteI had the same thing happen to me and was approached by someone I have spoken too in a while. It is a very pushy pyramid scheme and not unlike the dozens of others out there.
ReplyDeleteReally? I am so much better now I'm in world ventures. I make money, have great family and friends in it and have been able to reconnect with old friends. Btw we were investigated:) we passed with flying colors. You think we really be able to sneak one passed the top investigators if we were legit. I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteYou only have to get 4 persons to get free monthley membership, after that you get 50 dollars month from World Ventures.
ReplyDeleteYou can travel for the 200 dollar 'startcost' and the monthley 50 dollars if you want that!!
Also you get a very good bookingsite, 'prisepledge' on booked flytrips, a lots of other VIP-functions that I like.
I do this instead of playing on horses an lottery! Here can use, not lose my Money!
And if you don`t want to enjoy the training etc, you don`t need to do that!!!! Sooo, what`s the problem?
MLM = PYRAMID SCHEME
ReplyDeleteJust a fancier word being used. The point is if you cant even sell a piece of candy, don't do it. You have to sell and be really convincing, in this world where no one trust anyone anymore. I wont be able to do it & hate when people try to tell things like you going to make so much money. People can't sell anymore.
WorldVentures is the hottest travel club to hit the network marketing field. Before you know it the whole world will know about it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE WORLD VENTURES :D and everybody in it!
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteMy fiancée and I live in Durban, South Africa. We own a successful factory, which provides a very good life for our family. We are both respected members of our business community, and always strive to be ethical, generous and mindful of others. We are also extremely careful with our money, yet at the same time are open-minded and always keen to investigate additional options in terms of income streams.
A few months ago we heard about WorldVentures but didn't attend a presentation, as the relative who told us about his involvement thought that we would be negative about it, and was too nervous to show us the presentation.
So 15 days ago my best friend from primary school called me and told me about a business that she is involved with. When I asked what it was, she gave me a basic rundown over the phone. I soon realised it was the same business that our relative had briefly mentioned. It sounded interesting, but perhaps too good to be true. But, seeing as it was my best friend who was asking me to consider it, I agreed to have a look. Although I didn't love the video with the myriad blue signs, I did like the presentation that followed. I also liked the Rovia and DreamTrips offerings, as we would love to travel more often. The system made sense, and I signed up there and then, with my partner signing up the day after. (No, I don’t work for WorldVentures.)
15 days later, I have earned $570 and qualified for a $400 car bonus.
My fiancée has earned $570, and has almost qualified for his $300 car bonus.
Hmmmm... what did you say about it not working?
Here's the thing. Network marketing/MLM has a bad reputation the world over and, in my humble opinion, for good reason. The problem isn't MLM itself... the problem is the people who misrepresent it.
I’m a researcher and writer by profession, so the first thing I did was to Google WorldVentures, specifically looking for the negative. As expected, the search dug up some really strong opinions. Some network marketing companies are legit, some aren't. I joined Amway 10 years ago; loved the products but not the hype, the system or the members (who were strongly ‘encouraged’ to personally use $200 worth of products every month, so as to help their upline achieve their quota and retain their level). Two years ago, I joined again, hoping things had changed. They hadn’t (though I still liked the products). Not all MLM companies are created equal. There are some shady operators out there, hiding behind the mask of once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But there are also some MLMs that are good, and I believe that WV is one of them.
ReplyDeleteThere is an intense mistrust of the network/MLM system in general, and I don’t understand why. Yes, the guys at the top make a load of cash. So does Bill Gates. So does the CEO of any major operation. Human beings are creatures of habit, and the majority of the population seemingly can’t get their heads around buying a great product from another member of the public rather than buying a great product from a retail store. To my mind, there is no difference. The CEO still gets rich, as does the manufacturer. The retailer is left out of the loop, and is replaced by a network of individual business owners (distributors), thus giving the man on the street the opportunity to build a business of their own. Is that such a bad thing? Some distributors/agents will make more money than others, as in any other sales-related occupation. Skipping the retailer certainly doesn’t point to flawed integrity on the part of the company, and anyone who thinks it does needs to take their Omega 3s.
Back to people ruining MLM opportunities.
While there are many good, ethical people involved in direct selling, there are many more unscrupulous, ignorant people ruining it for the decent ones.
A shortened list of things they do that ruin it for their fellow members and the consumer alike:
- They invite their prospects really badly, usually misleading them as to what the call is about
- They prey on strangers
- They have no people skills in general
- They use too many buzz words and company catch phrases
- They spout inaccurate, morphed ‘facts’ about the company they represent
- They post irritating statuses and photographs on facebook
- They send far too many motivational text messages to their downlines
- They make up celebrity endorsements and misquote others in general
- They tell you that direct selling doesn’t take time
- They promise unrealistic results
- They offer prospects their help prior to sign up and don’t deliver on this promise
- They whoop and clap too much during meetings
- They flatter prospects
- They lie about their rank, earnings and exaggerate the benefits of the products
- They bow to their uplines like slaves to kings
- They get caught up in the hype and try to infect blissfully unaware members of the public who have no idea what they’re on about, and who end up avoiding them (or making plans to get them booked in for psychological assessment if they’re a family member)
- They are fanatical about their product and dismiss all competitors’ offerings as inferior to theirs
- The list goes on
I would like to mention at this point that some of the above behaviour is strictly warned against in the Rules of Conduct of most of the MLMs. These rules are very hard to enforce, seeing as the uplines are the very people encouraging the above behaviour in their groups.
There is a lot of negativity on the internet about WorldVentures, amongst other MLMs. Most of this is based on opinion rather than fact, and many blogs foolishly use other blogs as references. This negativity in most cases kills any enthusiasm a new member might have, and effectively squashes the hope that they have allowed themselves to feel upon deciding to join. That’s sad. All I know is that my partner and I are already in profit with WorldVentures after two weeks, and our teams grow exponentially every day.
Here are some facts:
ReplyDelete- No, Rovia isn’t always cheaper than other travel search engines. That’s fine: they have a price pledge so you’ll still get the cheapest price, and earn points on accommodation as a bonus
- DreamTrips aren’t for everyone, but those that go on them love them. The blue sign is pathetic, but there are those that love them too. Let them.
- The company has a great social outreach program for those that enjoy that kind of thing. Kindness is good, right? Even if it IS a marketing exercise (which I don’t believe anyway)
- The business structure and compensation plan is fair and ensures that everyone pulls their weight, while also helping both those below and above them. It’s really an ingenious system
- The back office that each member has access to is well-structured, professional and user-friendly. Each and every transaction and sign-up is tracked and recorded immediately
- You get paid on time, every time
- What else is there to know?
We’ve weighed up the positives vs the negatives, and we’ve decided that we are going to run with this. But on our terms.
New members are told to be teachable and duplicate everything that their uplines do. That makes no sense, because if they were doing everything right, blogs like this wouldn’t exist.
For those of you who have been patient enough to have got to this point of this lengthy essay, this is how we plan to run our WorldVentures team:
- Don’t prospect people that you hardly know or hardly remember.
- Don’t prey on people who truly can’t afford the fees. There are millions of people out there who can. You just need 6.
- When calling a prospect to offer them the opportunity, tell them it’s network marketing and that it involves travel
- Conduct yourself professionally
- Don’t lie or exaggerate. The product speaks for itself
- Keep the whoops for sports matches
- Support your downlines
- Don’t bombard facebook with WorldVentures related hype. People really hate it
- Make presentations informative, concise and accurate. If you can’t back it up with documentation, don’t say it
- Present the product offering, don’t try to convince anyone of anything. They join or they don’t
- Don’t flatter or suck up. At all. To anybody. It’s embarrassing and unnecessary
- Be honest about your achievements so far in WV
- Support your downline. They trusted you
- Believe in the product you’re selling without shouting it from the mountaintops, and represent the company as best you can
- Teach your six to do all the above, and show them how to teach their six the same, and so on. This ethos will help build a strong foundation and will result in swift and sustainable growth, while managing to avoid alienating your friends and family
With close attention to the above, maybe we can make a small difference to the way network marketing is perceived. Well, no point in not trying anyhow.
So to the sceptics out there: Please don’t knock what you haven’t experienced yourself. It’s pointless.
I just had a pitch from someone I know. He gave me a card a few days ago and I did a little research and found this was a pyramid scheme. Call it what you want, pyramid or try to legitimize it by calling a MLM..they are one in the same. I am a business guy and have seen these though out my life and have seen people get taken. The only thing that makes this "legal" is there is a product...travel!. other than that its all BS. I listened to the pitch and told him a needed to talk to my wife and I did telling her I couldn't believe people we still getting bamboozled into these things. I wanted to be polite and the next day told him this wasn't something for me at the moment but knowing full well I would never get involved in something like this. I feel bad for those that do as they truly are looking to other means to supplement their income and end up loosing more money...Bottom line, its a sham and I am saavy enough to know...those of you can tell me I don't know what I am talking about but I DO and wont get hoodwinked into this racket...if fact you naysayers are exactly as someone else put it...ones that got sucked into this and are defensive about it since they are loosing money....let the slams begin since I am sure I struck a nerve in many that have been taken.
ReplyDeleteAmen haha I agree
DeleteWV is an award winning global company that will never have to defend what the company has accomplished. It's tough to fool the someone for 91/2 years and continue to win global awards in the travel industry. I'm sure that all of the major billion dollar travel organization have more research capability and higher paid attorney's than those who claim to do their research on this blog. I will trust Ernest and Young, Carnaval Cruise Line, and many other's in the industry before some one claming to do their research on the internet and be never experiencing the products. Oh by the way, I am a french model.. Lol Don't believe everything you read on the internet... Bottomline, you don't know what you don't know.
ReplyDeleteThis is a blog not an article in the Wall Street Journal ppl. Its her opinion and if you guys dont like it or disagree then write your own blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is a company that is consistently under federal investigation. If I were a consumer I would stay very far away from their offerings and I would tell anyone who is involved with this exploitation to get far far away.
ReplyDeletei am from south africa and i wanna say something, Worldventures is real and happening . if your lazy and think you can make t forget it its for the driven and energetic people. if u think its a scam i am still getting paid keep on talking. its either you join if not i am still getting paid, so i dont care.
DeleteSome explorable links here as well Kristen:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.prod.facebook.com/kelly.truth/posts/10152726050056768
https://www.facebook.com/kelly.truth/posts/10152843056881768
Cheers!
I recently canceled my membership with world ventures and very much wish I never would have wasted my time. As the owner of 2 small businesses I should have known better than to be persuaded by the higher up people in the company that came down 2 my friends house to present their pitch and video to us. In hind sight I now realize that these few people that have hit high levels and receive residual income from WV go from town to town selling people on these lofty ideas of making money from traveling when really all they want is to get as many people as they can in each community they visit then move on to the next. They get paid for every single person and for the first 3 months they came around and presented the company to everyone we could get to sit down with them. They receive commissions for your work while you alienate your friends and family by constantly annoying them about this great opportunity they just have to see. This company is built off of a few charismatic used car salesmen passing off their lemons as gold and using your friendships and family bonds as the ammo to make you let your guard down and think that since your close personal friend or relative is doing this that it must be ok when really they were duped the same way your were. I waited a full year to cancel out of guilt for the 3 people I personally referred to this company because I felt wrong about canceling something I got them involved in. The product is not cheaper, I found any trip I wanted to go on apples to apples for cheaper using other websites. If any trip was cheaper with WV it was because of the reward points that were my money dollar for dollar anyways. The $69 cruises do not include port fees and taxes of $189 per person or airfare to LA or Miami or San Diego which is where those cruises embark from, nor do they include your passport application fee for those who don't already have one. They make a great dream seem so very attainable when in reality the very few who do succeed, less than 20% even earn a penny, and for those that do the median income is $40, all they do is use people just like the pyramid schemes of old. My only hope is that new federal regulations will be written to banish these crappy companies who take advantage of so many people who cannot afford to take the financial hit that this or any MLM company incurs. In closing I hope that my story will dissuade at least one person from joining such a dishonest company
ReplyDeleteGood site.
ReplyDeleteI would like to say that even though I am not part of this company with the little blue sign, I do believe in having a personal business with a residual income. If you guys are screaming about a "Pyramid scheme," I would like to ask you to look at your paycheck. How many hours do you work? How much retirement will you be getting when the time comes? How many different countries/ states/ cities have you travelled to in your lifetime? Will you be financially free by the time you are 35 as statistics say people are supposed to be? We live in a day when we should have abundance, happiness, and time with family. Is a 40 hour a week job with hourly pay going to do that? Not for our lifestyles. Going back to the pyramid, after you look at your paycheck, think about the people who get paid the big bucks in your company as a result of your hard work. So, at the bottom of the pyramid are the people making $7.25 per hour or maybe $25 per hour, but they don't get paid unless they are working. At the top (of the pyramid), the CEO or whomever, gets a check because of what??? Maybe because the employees are working hard to get their little $300 per week and the people above them are getting paid for their hard work... Think about it. So, in order to be financially free we have to have our own business with an ongoing residual income. It doesn't matter if you agree with companies who help the American public do this or not. What matters is many of us are actually financially free because we help the people above and below to make a residual check resulting in us having a residual income as well. I think it makes great sense to take advantage of awesome opportunities that allow people to follow their dreams. I may have not impacted a single person on this site, and that's okay... But, if I did impact anyone to take advantage of awesome opportunities that help us live a happier more abundant life, then I will see YOU on the beaches of the world!!!
ReplyDeleteWV has a cult like mentality. If you don't fall into the their BS you are no longer worthy of their friendship. Lol guess I wasn't a good enough friend. But when this person still has nothing and I'm buying my new house we will see who's on top hahaha
ReplyDeleteSounds like Kristen has a strong opinion about something she knows nothing about. Glad I always look into companies without a contaiminated point of view. World Ventures has made me financial free. I am retired at 45. So happy.
ReplyDeleteYES Worldventures is a Pyramid Scheme (I won't say a scam because they tell you the truth in between all of the big money and lavish trips talk.) 73.7 percent of reps fail to earn a commission and only .1% earn a yearly income above the poverty level. The average rep earns $325 in a year. That doesn’t account for the price of joining or the cost of training events. That should be enough to raise an eyebrow...but I will continue.
ReplyDeleteI was already making 6 figures on my day job so I wasn't in a desperate position when I joined. I was recruited by a friend at work who was familiar with my schedule and knew that the promise of being able to travel and spend time with my family would get my attention. After watching the first video I had made up my mind that WV was a pyramid scheme and wouldn't be a long-term solution for me but I had joined with another co-worker and wanted to at least give it a shot before I quit. I immediately went to the website to see what "deals" were offered and how they compared to other leading deal-sites. I was not convinced, I couldn't justify my paying $59.99 a month (the initial fee of $200 was a write-off) all to save money on a vacation. Having never been a salesman I could not bring myself to invite my friends and family to this "opportunity" if I did not believe it myself. I was close friends with a regional marketing director and he flat out told me that the real money/business is in recruiting people to join the network. We're both smart individuals so I answered back, I don't feel comfortable selling someone the opportunity to buy in (which was the first red flag) to a business where they would have to sell that same opportunity down the line.
Recently my cousin in the military sent me a text message to check out his "business website" and as soon as I saw the worldventures in the site link I called him up and gave him the skinny so he could get out immediately. I don't publicize that this is a pyramid scheme to my friends and family but if I have the slightest idea that one of them are involved I step in. There is so much more than what meets the eye so I'll summarize what I can:
1. The "paid for" BMW is a joke and I'm tired of seeing pictures of people standing next to theirs. At the most the company makes monthly payments for qualified members and I'm pretty sure it has worked out reasonably cheap monthly rates (not sure if it is a lease or finance). However, ask yourself what would happen if all of a sudden the people who qualified you to receive those monthly lease payments decided to quit the program?
2. The company makes a TON of money on their frequent national events. Recruiters flock to these events, often in low income cities (my guess is that they receive favorable pricing at these low income area venues) and pay hundreds to receive knowledge they could have received in a book or webinar.
3. If you know anyone who is actually doing well in this business (meaning they earn above the poverty level), follow them on facebook and you'll notice how they are working harder than most traveling, not to beaches and European cities, but to random basements and coffee shops hosting "travel parties". I won't tell you what they are because I want you to research it yourself.
4. Making six figures is not impossible! Find a career that you are passionate about and excel at it. Then if you want to become an entrepreneur figure out how you can venture out on your own using the experience you have gained.
5. Ok, lastly and please remember this...73.7 percent of reps fail to earn a commission and only .1% earn a yearly income above the poverty level.
WV is a complete joke! Another scam targeted to young college students and/or people who are struggling and looking for a easy come up! Over 80% of reps do NOT make a dime and the ones that do, make a annual $400. Who can LIVE off that? As for the 'freeMW' once you 'qualify' you are left with a monthly bill that you HOPE the company pays for if YOU can maintain your certain quota EVERY month. (Don't forget about the fast drop out rate they never tell you about) And if you can't, YOU are responsible for the payments now on! Omg, how awesome.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS! YOU ARE WORKING FOR WV!
You do all the work, while they sit back & collect your hard earned coins( which is really your families and friends hard earned money since 'You don't work' haha all you do is 'SELL DREAMS')
The CEO will forever be the CEO, you CANNOT work up to their position & they WILL NEVER let that happen.
I hope people do their research & really think about this! It's immoral and wrong.
Just get a job or build up to your OWN dream career.
PS- Still not convinced? Well, google WakeUpNow, another MLM very similar to WV. Take a look at their concept and goals. They will look VERY similar. As of Feb. 2015, they are now COMPLETELY shut down. As yes they HAD a product, which included travel (well look at that, hmmm).
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSTOP BEING STUPID ALL OF YOU !
ReplyDeleteBefore blogging, commenting and bullshitting get some information !
You can read my OPINION about this subject :
http://youngnentrepreneur.weebly.com/blog/networking-pyramid-scheme-mlm-companies
I just joined on 8/13/2015, and I was told about this 6 months ago I did my research and decided to try World Ventures for myself, since they do offer your money back.
DeleteThis is what I found: I had a trip booked to a resort months ago. I logged into my website on WV and found a better resort for $80 less total. was that small depends on you.
But they do have other features and you can join for only $25 a month, they have coupons 10% off here and there, flight, hotel, restaurant and the money you spend you get points back to your account to spend on future trip be it a cruise or vacation.
I see it as a piggy bank for vacations, it is not a scam, you get what you pay for, don't believe me, try it I did..
Let me know I can show you my savings with screen shots of my reservation!
This post was copied from the WV Facebook page:
ReplyDeleteBig Concern...Ernst & Young is NOT acknowledging or confirming that the founders of WorldVentures were nominated as finalists in the 2010 "Entrepreneurs of the Year" awards! This is VERY SUSPICIOUS and is raising a red flag with prospects who are doing their due diligence and want to confirm the claims WorldVentures is making. Ernst & Young WILL NOT elaborate on the reasons why they are NOT acknowledging WorldVentures.
WHAT IS GOING ON??? Is there some sort of investigation that took place and caused Ernst & Young to decide not to acknowledge Wayne Nugent and Mike Azcue???? If anyone can get more info, please share....The contact number to the department for Ernst & Young- Entrepreneur of the Year awards is Wendy: PH: 612-371-6703.
..OR, Go to Ernst & Young website http://www.ey.com go to the bottom of the page to see “about us” contact points
Its because they are in the archives from over 5 years ago as it was in 2010. Contact Direct Selling News global as they have done stories on them in the past.
Deletei seriously do not advise the youngsters to join WV travelling is not for people who do not have a stable income already and the cost for sustaining it will be too high. But for adults who are earning a stable income and would like to travel can consider joining world ventures. Just make sure you feel that joining world ventures has sufficient benefits to be worth paying such a high starting fee. I found someone that actually had posted some examples comparing prices might be helpful to making the decision. Cheers. http://emailmisterq.wix.com/misterq
ReplyDeleteYou know; this beautiful worldventures travel VIP club is not for misers for people who just sit waiting for dollars-rain over their heads. You have to work actually! Do you know that? Can you imagine? But yes! It does offer fun, freedom and fullfilment! They say when you are out of this travel club you can say any nonsense you want. But not inside the club I am in for months now and I have been enjoyin the benefits. My network is in my country and out of my country too and you know its so special when dollars are added by Australia or Singapore etc etc. So, you stay in your misery and let other people enjoy life! This great thing is NOT for everyone!!
ReplyDeleteLet me first state that I am not a member, I do not plan on becoming a member, and I have been approached by someone who wanted me to join.
ReplyDeleteSo you're telling me that you wrote a whole blog about bashing a company you didn't even try? Sure, it's a pyramid scheme, but does that automatically make it this terrible thing you've described? I feel as if this would be much more useful if you actually had experience with the company.
It's funny to see people saying how successful they were at this but cannot spell or complete a grammatically correct sentence. Did any of you finish school. Obvious pyramid scheme
ReplyDeleteIf it were a legit business, you could simply purchase the product. Legit business don't have all of these monthly fees/recruit 6 other people/sign up fees, etc etc etc. Don't you fools see that this is how World Ventures makes its money? Dumbasses like you who hand over their bank account info are basically paying World Ventures so that you can work for them and get your "free" trips. How stupid can you be?
ReplyDeleteIf you knew anything about business, you'd be aware of network marketing or direct sales. Sams Club and Costco do it all the time. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about - like James Brown says "just talking loud, ain't saying nothin'".
DeleteI like the WV supporters, all of them using the same WV speak and are easily spotted. Met some reps from WV and they are not the brightest bunch now. If you can't see through the scheme I have no sympathy for ya.
ReplyDeleteOn Sunday I was sitting at my local which also so happens to be my old work. All my former workmates were telling me about this very attractive lady there, and then she approached me and asked if I wanted to meet for coffee... Boy! was I excited... Little did I know she was gonna try and sell me on this... But me being the skeptic that I am, have been sitting on my laptop reading reviews, blogs and watching vlogs... I'm glad that I did this...
ReplyDeleteWhat is multilevel marketing?
ReplyDeleteMultilevel marketing companies employ a network of independent salespeople who sell products directly to people in their community. These salespeople earn income based on their personal sales, as well as the sales of people they recruit to work for the company.
While critics accuse multilevel marketing companies of being pyramid schemes, the Federal Trade Commission says that a company only qualifies as a pyramid scheme if its salespeople are paid primarily on the basis of recruitment, as opposed to the sale of a retail product or service.
The Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission warns, "It’s best not to get involved in plans where the money you make is based primarily on the number of distributors you recruit and your sales to them, rather than on your sales to people outside the plan who intend to use the products."[13] It states that research is your best tool and gives eight steps to follow:
1. Find—and study—the company’s track record.
2. Learn about the product.
3. Ask questions.
4. Understand any restrictions.
5. Talk to other distributors. Beware of shills.
6. Consider using a friend or adviser as a neutral sounding board, or for a gut check.
7. Take your time.
8. Think about whether this plan suits your talents and goals.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme
FindLaw
Multi-Level Marketing Businesses Are Not Pyramid Schemes Pyramid schemes are still popular today. Many reasonable people still fall for them because they sound so similar to a type of legitimate business model called multi-level marketing (MLM). An MLM business involves a central corporation that creates a product, and then convinces other people to pay a fee in exchange for the right to sell its product. Unlike a pyramid scheme, MLM businesses make their money by selling products such as cosmetics, cooking implements, and fashion accessories; they don’t rely on an unsustainable stream of new recruits to make their money. - See more at: http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/pyramid-schemes.html#sthash.5tDXyJCB.dpuf
While most of you are arguing about pyramid schemes and so on, has anyone considered about getting tax advice from experts in home-business tax law?
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 allows taxpayers to elect to deduct up to $5,000 in new-business Start-Up Costs AND $5,000 in Organizational Expenditures in the tax year in which their business begins. This is a huge new benefit for small and home-based businesses.
Start-up costs are those expenses which you incur before actually offering goods or services for sale. Organizational costs are expenses for business license or setting up a business entity such as an LLC or Corporation. Page 36
Source: Home Business Tax Savings MADE EASY! ™ The MORE You KNOW, the LESS You PAY™
2009 by Dr. Ronald R. Mueller
The ONLY Plain English Step-by-Step Guide to Home-Business Tax Breaks Authorized by Congress™
Library of Congress Control Number 2005900318
ISBN 978-0-9707538-9-2
WorldVentures is a legit MLM business!
WOW this is a great and very information review. I also found this World Ventures review helpful: http://www.nathanargenta.com/world-ventures/
ReplyDeleteOut of interest, do you follow any SEO
ReplyDeletebloggers? I can't find useful assistance which I can action
You are now part of my reading list, keep up the good work
How is it a scheme if you cannot possibly lose anything? Unless you don't travel on your free time there is nothing wrong with buying memberships seeking them. It doesn't hurt anyone and no one is forcing anyone to do it and you have no reason to call it a scheme when people are just buying and selling memberships for a company that sells traveling plans that are obviously good since they sell out quick. Don't be quick to judge when you haven't even tried anything.
ReplyDeleteIs Avon a scheme too?
ReplyDelete