I know you might be thinking I am trying to recruit you into my business. Actually, I am advising against this company. Before I start, I am putting my opinion out there to let people know the information I received. The company may be okay for some.
Anyway, I joined a this network marketing company about 8 months, ago. I believed in the product, because it was about self development. I am all into personal growth, so I thought this business was the business for me.
Let me tell you a little bit about this company. You pay $1000 to join, initiation fee. You pay $150 dues every month. The $150 was for cd’s and a book each month. Well they decided to put the audio and audio on the website to download. You also could go to conferences free of charge.
Well the only book I remember even seeing on the website was “The Law of Success In Sixteen Lessons” by Napoleon Hill. The audios were Kevin Trudeau and others. Some of the ones by Kevin Trudeau was the he did back when he was in a network marketing company back in the seventies. Don’t get me wrong the material was very informative, but I don’t know if it was worth that much money. You could get past conferences in audio format, too.
One other thing I really didn’t like about the company is for my wife to be able to go to the conferences, we had to pay and extra $50 a month. To add a family member, you have to pay extra a month for them to be a part of the business. I know some network marketing companies let you sign up your spouse if you want but that is your decision. My wife and I wanted to build it together, but that was not going to happen.
I could never go to the conferences, because I couldn’t leave our store for a whole weekend. I am sure they would have been fun.
I have read many of books on personal development. Some of the books, Kevin Trudeau recommends reading. I have already. Yes, Kevin Trudeau is the one of the founders, developers whatever you want to call him. Some of the audios were good, some not so good.
I did a lot of soul searching for a couple of months. I asked for guidance in making some decisions. One was to show me if this business was for me. I dreamed that night about going down another path. I could tell you my whole dream, but it would sound crazy. I know what it meant. So, I decided to cancel my membership with the Global Information Network.
When I went to the website, click to cancel. It said you will be sent to a cancellation form page. I clicked on it and below is what I copied from that page:
Account Cancellation
I understand that cancelling my membership in the Global Information Network is final. If I ever to choose to apply for membership in GIN again, my membership application will most likely be denied. If my new membership application is approved, I will be required to pay a new initiation fee of $250,000 USD. I also understand that all information about GIN, it’s website contents, other member identities, and any and all data I have learned or obtained from GIN shall never be revealed to anyone for any reason.
We are an informational organization. We are a “member sharing with other members” private association. We do not provide financial planning, tax, legal, investment, or medical advice. Consultation with independent expert advisors is strongly recommended. We are not a business opportunity.
I was blown away. $250,000 dollars. You got to be kidding me.
I wanted to put this out there. Please, check out the company you are interested in before you spend that kind of money. I know GIN is probably a good company for some. I just think that everything that you get from GIN you can get on your own for a fraction of the cost. I know the conferences are probably great to hang out with other entrepreneurs, but you can hang out with entrepreneurs with other companies, too.
If you are in GIN and reading this, this is just my opinion. I am not going to say I feel ripped off, be, because I know everything happens for a reason. I learned a lesson, and now it is time to move on. I realize now that I need to figure out my passion and follow it. I need to be me and then find the right company.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Jaden, that’s a lot of money!!! There are a lot of good MLM companies out there, one’s that won’t rip you off! Take you’re time to find the right one for you and most importantly find the right mentor for you. If you have the right mentor willing to teach you the right thing’s to do, MLM becomes a lot easier!
Fun stuff, huh? We’ve all been disillusioned in business and it super-sucks. We embrace it like a ‘marriage’, we’ve romanced it, but when the divorce comes, the dream of what could’ve been hurts.= Total let down! Well, you’ve had a dream…the dream you have is still valid…only a different vehicle will be used.
Re-Minder:
“Failure is not an option!”
Your friend, Kim
Thanks for sharing Jaden
Wow, what an experience! I’ve spent a bit more money than I would have liked on internet training that kind of went nowhere. After a while, I just got the feeling that all these MLM people, affiliate marketers, etc., where just marketing to each other. It’s often difficult to know what is good and what’s not. Good article.