Email AKA Minion Mail
We post email only from those requesting such. Some say the site has mistakes, and we
gladly update when specific corrections are provided. Claims of income or of success have NOT been validated; believe at your own risk.
NOTE: We stopped trying to keep up with posting email. Be aware, many that wrote of the glory have since felt the pain of failure, and they just "chalk it up to experience," or they "gave it a shot." Those high in the pyramid thrive on the temporary enthusiasm they instill in the minions.
Those that failed want to forget, but it would be a great service to all if more would report their actual experience.
2006 Screen Name: Rick A. from Florida
I will add my voice to this mess. I do not know if it will make a difference but if I can help
even one person avoid what I went through with ACN it would be worth it!
First let me start off by saying there are several ethical and worth while home based business out
there not all are scams. I make my living working from home with an ethical and honorable
company. Unfortunately I had to spend 6 years with ACN before I found a real home based
business.
I was first introduced to ACN in March of 1995 by a very good friend.
At that time in my life I was looking for something. I had been running a successful
business in retail and manufacturing for 15 years and had accumulated a good sum of money
had no debits but was ready for a change.
6 years later I had alienated some of my closes friends almost got divorced and went into
debt to the tune of 200,000.00
Now before you jump to any conclusions let me explain how ACN lead me down this
disasters path.
1) I did achieve success with ACN. I earned the 2nd highest level with the company in less
the 18 months time and I had a few months where I made thousands of dollars.
But that was almost all bonuses. This article (web site) is 100% accurate about the residual income.
For 98% of those who join even those who work really, really hard even to the point
of achieving a higher status then 99% of the people that join THERE IS NO MONEY
on the residual side. Unless you have 10 of thousands of customers. You have
got to be honest with your self how may people can build a business of 100,000 or 200,000 customers??
I had at my peak 15,000 long distance customer many of them where even using internet
and energy services When I was getting paid my average residual check was 400.00
My friend who introduced me had almost 40,000 customers and his residual check was never more
then 1000.00. and both checks drop like a rock becuase so many customers would switch off the service..
Here is the point to why ACN is a scam and how someone like myself could end up loosing
hundred of thousands of dollars.
Here are the facts over 50% of the people who achieve the positions of RVP which takes
a huge human scarify and is promoted as a life changes position with the company because
of the income have left the company.. Think about that if RVP is such a gold mine why
over the last 12 years have more the 1/2 of the RVP'S left the company. Many of them recognized
as top money earners in the company. I will tell you the dirty little secret here it is
that even with tens of thousands of customers there is NO MONEY there!
Over 90% of the income even at that level for most of the reps comes from the bonuses
and that means no matter what level you are at you need to recruit, recruit and recruit and if
you ever stop recruiting bye-bye income!!
Here is another ugly truth when you go to the ACN conventions (and there are 4 a year I will share
more about these in a few!) the "co founders" claim ACN is a level playing field that anyone
who has the desire can be successful A LIE most of the top money earns in the company today
where PAID to come on board or given sweet heart deals which unless you are bringing
a huge group from another failed MLM company then good luck to you!
Since leaving the company (in 2002) I have been made aware of dozen of these deals which all they
did was enrich the owners of the company (ACN) and the one person getting all the perks
the rest of the folks get to be out 500.00!!! What a lie when they tell a single Mom of 3 that
she can become financially free at ACN and it is simply up to her desire to change her life.. I feel terrible about that one because I told thousands of people I spoke to across the USA and Canada
as I built my ACN buinsses. If I had only known that it was not a level playing field!
I could go on and on about the hype, the lies, the lawsuits but who has the time.
You may ask how did a successful business man loose so much money
in ACN. I guess many of you could say it was my own stupidity and I could not argue that
part of that maybe true but my real mistake was trusting people. I work directly with several
of the so called " top money earners" I worked with and was coached by some of the Co-
founders of ACN and they told me over and over again that I just need to work hard talk to more
people and I would be rich beyond my wildest dreams. SO when they said you need to quit your
job and focus on your ACN business. I did! (my bad!) When they told me that the only
way to make it to the top was to be at all the conventions because that is what all the top money
earns did ( I of coarse did not know at that time about all the sweet heart deals they give those people)
So i did I went 4 times a year.. Atlanta, Columbus, OH, Long Beach ,CA and the list
goes on and on and on each trip costing 900.00 or 1000.00 or more! Yes I did make
tons of good friends and boy did those pep rally really fire me up and make me feel good
only problem was while I was feeling so good and buying into all the hype I was going broke
because the harder I worked the less I earned. I guess many of you can ask why did I keep
doing it if it was not working. Call it pride, I believe what they told me , ego. Who knows all I know
is I am not alone. I left in 2002 as I have come in contact
with dozens of former ACN followers including my friend who introduced me I found out all of
us where in debit most had not lost any where near the kind of money I did but many only
now in 2006 have been able to pay off the debits incurred during their ACN experience.
I could go on but what is the point. I have moved on and am slowing building back my
savings and getting out of debit.
At this point all I can do is hope to save others from this nightmare!!!!
If you are in ACN or thinking about it ASK tons of questions.
You have a right to see peoples checks (do not buy into that garbage that reps can not show their checks that was another lie!)
Ask what happened to all the old RVP and Circle of Champions why did so many work so hard
to get to that positions just to leave the company.
Ask about the sweet heart deals.
Ask who really owns ACN?
Ask what the average income is for all ETT ( they will never tell you that one!)
Ask what the average income is for all the TC ( good luck!)
Ask what the average income is for all the RVP ( Not just the top 10 money earners!)
Ask why are so many RVP fall out of qualification and why have so many been deactivated
and last but not least when the company deactivates someone one and they have done
that to hundreds of people over the years what happens to the income that the position
that person spent years of their life building.. I will give you a hint it goes to ACN (or the 2 people who own 90% of the company...)
I made my biggest mistake in life with ACN .. I hope I helped save at least one person!
Some ACN people will say this is sour grapes I did not due the right activities long enough or
hard enough. If that where true why have so many of the "Big Money earned left"???
Try to see ACN for what it really is It is all about the owners becoming
richer and richer and richer..
Good Luck..
Rick
in Florida
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Screen Name: Anonymous
Recently, two friends have gotten into ACN. If the numbers on this page don't convince you that it sucks, here's another aspect. We HATE having either of them around anymore. They try to sell their stuff at parties, they call you and pretend to be your best friend when you only know them through other people. They are annoying. They are like little monsters trying to push you off a cliff.
One time, this girl was calling my roommates and I about Energy. She was throwing out some schpiel about Energy Monopolies. I was sceptical, but I told her I would think about it. Then she calls me one night when were are having a party and we are all drunk. She comes to my apartment and shows me the papers and says, "Don't worry, you don't have to fill out anything, just give me your birthdate, your SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(!!!), and your signature. I'll fill in the rest."
IF ANYBODY DOESN'T KNOW, THAT IS NOT INFORMATION YOU JUST THROW AROUND TO YOUR FRIENDS. Maybe I could have given her my drivers liscence and some credits cards too? If you're foolish enough to believe that "you'll make a boat load of cash, with hardly any work," then you are probably dumb enough to think that this is normal info to ask for.
Like I said, they are annoying, and we only want them around if they promise not to try to sell. You will lose all your friends when you become a Zombie.
Screen Name: Roni
I wish I could have found this site about 6 months ago. Damn!!! Anywhere, here
is an email I just sent to a consumer complaint site. I want this information to
permeate the internet so that no one else will lose $500 to ACN.
And hey Valerie and A.O.K. Let's see a copy of your commission checks.
Our Story:
My boyfriend got sucked into the (in my opinion) sham that is ACN. I told him
that I've heard of MLM's like ACN in the past and that it usually doesn't work
out, but he was defiant. Eventually I went to a meeting with him and was sucked
in as well, I admit.
To make a long story short, I have since discovered that:
1) When you become an ACN independent rep, you DON'T get paid on your customer's
phone bills unless you are promoted to an ETT position within a month. To become
an ETT you have to have 20 customer and 3 reps in a matter of a month - an
impossible feat for most first time sales reps.
2) Their electric service is not cheaper. They try to fool you by saying they
only charge a $2 or so customer charge, and you think that will replace the
customer charge your regular provider charges. No. ACN charges you that customer
charge, and other charges ON TOP of all the other charges from your original
electric provider.
3) When you sign up for any ACN service, they tell you "If you don't like it,
we'll switch you back for free!" In actuality, all they mean by this statement
is that THEY won't charge you anything to switch back. But Verizon, or whoever
else you're switching back to may charge you a reconnection fee, that ACN does
not cover.
4) When you become an ACN independent sales rep, you have to make an initial
payment of about $500. Then EVERY YEAR you have to keep paying $99 in order to
keep your status. They don't tell you that in their "sales meetings."
5) ACN has bad customer service and bad service period. I put in an order with
ACN for my phone service for a distinctive ring #. A month later I call back and
they still hadn't processed the order and had no idea why. I put an order in
again, and guess what? They still never processed the order, and still didn't
know why. I cancelled their service shortly thereafter.
Wondering about whether ACN is the kind of company you want to be associated
with? I was too. Don't do it!!! I just wish someone would have told me about
their bad business practices before me and my now ex-boyfriend would have
invested and lost $500.
Screen Name : F.B.
Wow! I have only just viewed your site and I commend you for your detailed analysis. I don't
know how accurate the figures are but you have certainly conveyed an accurate overview. I can
only talk about the UK and the false promises we have had here. Like many converts my wife
and I "bought the dream" and were sucked in. For over 4 years we worked hard, spent lots of
money on overseas conventions and were enticed into the Greg Provenzano "most people quit just
before they are successful" scenario. The mind manipulation is incredible. They
actually have a saying "ACN is in your heart" and you buy into that totally. Until
my blinkers were removed I would have been angry at your analysis. Now I see the company for what it
is. Funding their expansion going from country to country with people excited about being "one
of the first". They pay their money and then drop out. Not only don't they get their
money back, in many cases they they don't earn a single penny! ACN (and some top earners) are
the only winners.
I am not a dream stealer; I believe in MLM when it is done honestly and with integrity. I think
it is a good way of moving product and can provide some great personal development and supplemental
income. However ACN builds their business on false information and futurism "when we get
mobile"; "when we get energy"; "when the next country launches".
They are careful what they tell you. Ask to see some commission cheques. "Oh
we don't do that in ACN - it is a bit tacky". From my experience most people are not
in net profit even after 3 or 4 years. I estimate the drop out rate in the UK to be about 97%.
The ones who are left aren't necessarily making money - they are though addicted to the "feel
good" hype. I know - I WAS one of them. To anyone who reads this: ask probing
questions; ask to see actual commission cheques; find out about all the hidden charges. Ask
why they have pulled out of certain energy markets. Many people were left high and dry
because of that. Then make a decision.
Screen Name : Mikey
I just had to comment on your site, so I hope you show my note. Youre site has jokes
and seriousnes mixed. Seems to me anyone seeing themself as a minion would be offended,
but thats what it boils down to. These guys that wrote to you don't get it. even there notes are confused, they talk both sides
and don't see it. they think their selling acn but thats what happens after their bitten they say anything.
maybe they will see what they said someday when they get broke and look back. on the serious side though how does
anybody think they can make money from 2% where do they think the money is? they look into peoples eyes and lie and steal from them
they sign up. thats what Im talkn bout.
Screen Name : Homer
Found your website to be a very interesting story but it seems you tend to build your side
as well as some network marketers build their side!! Why don't you just compare what ACN has done
over the years to some of the other real scams out there. We all know working for a company for 10
- 40 years will never provide you with the type of time and lifestyle that we all want and because
someone other than you is in control you are just along for the ride. Just ask the 20,000 or so
people who use to work at Sprint. ACN has been around 12 years-if they were doing something so
terribly wrong how could they operate that long without some entity shutting them down? You are the
dream stealer!! Sure people get involved on emotion, sure some quit, some people decide to quit
living, but that is a personal decision. Network Marketing is about the only thing out there for
the little guy. Most people can't afford $10,000 plus for some franchise in hopes of making it on
their own. At least at ACN everyone has a chance. Not everyone will succeed but at least they have
the opportunity. I will tell people looking at our business, get educated so at least you can make an
educated decision. You might want to update your material since now ACN offers free long distance
calling to anyone who has ACN long distance or local service to anyone else who has ACN. FREE MEMBER TO MEMBER.
Try to find that at your local SBC,ATT,SPRINT,QWEST,VERIZION,OR BELL SOUTH.
Don't try to save the world. I would hate to think where I would be today if I let someone like you talk me out of taking advantage of this opportunity. It has changed my life as well as countless others because of my decision. HOMER PS I will be surprised if this response comes up on your website.......
Screen Name : Valerie
I no longer know which webpage I was looking at but I will go from
memory...forgive me if I make a mistake
Your opening line....at the top of the page about the money stopping when
your team stops getting customers....OF COURSE!!! This is what makes us NOT
a pyramid scam. And if you mean when they stop building a team, that's
insane. Residual is paid for the life of the customer
and then the comment that we have to do all the work over every
year....well, that's not true, but more importantly, can you work one year
on your job and retire forever? Hello! At least in ACN you can build
something towards your future. ACN does not claim to be a get rich scheme.
It is get rich slow. Very slow. Put if you are persistant....it will happen.
Let's talk about the closing ratios which is what's the most inaccurate.
10%?!!?? Where on earth do you get that from? Study the industry if you are
going to make claims. The average for recruiting is 1 in 3 and the average
for
acquiring a customer is 3 out of 4. And talk about the average of customers
changing their service every 2 years. THIS IS NOT THE AVERAGE IN ACN. ACN
has a retention rate which is FOUR TIMES the industry average because people
aren't trying our service for rates...they are trying our service to HELP
us. WE JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE GREAT RATES AS WELL. Now, to address your claim
about who is actually going to pay 4.9 cents when they can pay 2. Check out
10 random phone bills and tell me what these people are paying. We don't
claim to beat EVERYBODY, just the plans the majority of people are on. Look
in a garbage can beside the mailboxes in an apartment building. You know
what you'll see? STACKS of flyers for long distance companys (useless
advertising) now gone to waste. PEOPLE IN GENERAL DO NOT CARE ABOUT RATES.
We do not split the $500 with the company. Where did that come from? We do
NOT want people to fail. That would be insane! They better other people do,
the better WE do. If I help you make $3000 extra next month, do you have a
problem if I get paid $1000 for helping you? come on now.
and, yes, we do get paid bonuses for helping people get started AND
acquiring their first customers. If none are acquired, no one gets
paid.....pyramid scams pay anyway. And can you actually make money without
building a team? well, sure, some. But no one ever said you'd get rich like
that. We have the J Paul Ghetty philosophy (not sure if I spelled his name
correctly). We'd rather get paid on 1% of 100 people's efforts then 100% of
our own. Build a team. That is the point. I also believe you mentioned how
horrible that it is we get paid by having people on our team and anything
like that is a scam. Are you crazy? Look at the average persons job. CEO,
board of directors, upper management, middle management, lower management
and then all the little worker bees. That is a pyramid scam if you want to
call anything one. How quick can you get to the top of that pyramid? ACN
gives everyday people a CHANCE. For some, it's the first real chance in
their life. How dare you try to steal that from someone just because you
don't like MLM. ACN has completely changed my life. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE
COMPANY :O) I LOVE ACN!!!!!!!!
If you truly want to have an objective site, put this on. I know there are
things I have forgotten to address, but this is the majority. And as well,
pick up FORTUNE magazine, August 9th 2004 edition and read the article on
MLM.....and ACN. Now tell me. Would a highly respected business publication
speak so positively about ACN if it were a scam? C'mon now. You obviously
have a big heart if you put all this energy into trying to save people from
a scam, but please put that greatness in you to better use....save whales or
something. This is a chance for everyday people to change the quality of
their lives....stop trying to rob them of that.
Screen Name : A.O.K.
I have to agree with ET. I'm glad to see that you DID post thier email, and hopefully, you post mine too, because you are leaving out Tons of vital information, in order to get people to see things the way You see them.
I've been in ACN for 5 years now, and No, I'm not a millionaire. It does matter Who you know. Fact is, Not everybody is going to do all that they can to win. People quit stuff, just like people quit college, jobs, marriages, diet and excersize plans. ACN is no different. It is an Opportunity. All of the percentages, and information is Upfront.
We let people know that You're not gonna make lots of money on Personal Services, Unless you know people with Big Companies. We encourage people to Recruit. Because of "leverage" .. a very vital Wealth Principle, that, as ET explained.. allows people to get more done.
Just like that job with a CEO, and all their Vice Presidents, Regional VP's, Managers, and ect..
It's obvious that you dislike MLM's, and that's cool. I just hope you know of a better way to get Wealthy. Because if you don't, Then what's the point of trying to bring down opportunities that "at least" teach people HOW to become wealthy. I now have my own business, that I own outside of ACN. I'll never quit On ACN, but here's the thing.
The business that I started, gives me a chance to talk to more people about ACN, and who knows what that'll lead to.
Either way, I've learned tons of stuff from being apart of this company, that I would not have learned anywhere else. I've made friends in this company, that I would not have made anywhere else.
I've met great people & learned valuable information... and that's worth the $499. Oh, and I get paid just about every single month, on Services I got 5 years ago.
Is your job still paying you for work you did 5 years ago?
Good luck in life man
A.O.K.
CEO and SVP of Sales
Screen Name : ET
Comments :
I found your 'rage' on ACN interesting. I also found many mistakes
inlcuding their compensation plan dealing with residual income. By the
way, where is the average long distance phone plan for .02 per minute?
Yes, this type of MLM takes work, like anything else. Of course, people
can choose to pursue other ventures like, working for a company that has
a CEO, a couple of SR. V.P.'s under that. Then a few Regional or
Divsion V.P.'s, etc. Kind of shaped like a pyramid. Right? At the very
least, you could have told the 'whole' story behind ACN and what this
company has accomplished for people over the past ten plus years.
Perhaps you had a bad experience with an MLM business such as ACN. I
wonder if you will post my e-mail on your site. We'll see won't we.
Feel free to respond.
Thanks - ET
A few comments from a previous (discontinued) guest book:
Screen Name : Guybrush
Comments : Thanks! This was exactly the kind of information i needed. Though I actually have witnessed that it's a possible way to success, (I have a friend earning $6000 / month), I knew that this was like any other pyramidthingo. Glad I realized it before I signed
Screen Name : Martin
Comments : Excellent ACN information. I used it to get one of my friends out of the ACN pyramid scheme.
Screen Name : anonymous
Comments : Thanks for the informative site. Very useful in making educated decisions.
Screen Name : godysdiane
Comments : Thank you, thank you, thank you! A friend is currently embroiled in the ACN scam, and I have been invited to a recruiting meeting. I knew it was fishy from the start, but I wanted concrete information about this particular company and its mlm scheme.
Screen Name : wishfulthinkin
Comments : I attended an ACN "Super Saturday" and we all were made to believe this could work very well. Learned later that half the participants were ringers.
Screen Name : Nomore_shame
Comments : The greatest damage was to my personal reputation. Regaining my friends after MLM is a struggle, and they are glad to have me back.
