UPDATE ON TRUMP NETWORK
UP DATE–Trump Network Compared To Other MLM Programs
UPDATE
THE BLACK HAT SIDE OF THE TRUMP NETWORK
Remember the old Black Hat Amway tactics. Remember the great of Amway and the great shows that they put on with groups like the Goads. The big pitch was that you could not succeed in Amway without attending their functions. The functions were several hundred dollars that included hotel, food, and meeting tickets. I spent a lot of money on these things and never made any money. The curdling event happened one time when I heard a couple of the “Amway great” discussing the “marks” and “sucker” referring to their audience and downline. This stimulated some thinking.
Investigation of their actual Amway sales and commissions revealed that they could not be making the kind of money that they claimed from product sales. The most of their money was coming from the “BLACK HAT” activities. The mandatory functions, tapes and motivational materials. Some of this was good but the majority was junk.
Why is this important to a discussion of the Trump Network. When you sign up for the Trump Network the first email that you get is—you guessed– is an invitation to attend a function. Good marketing if you are selling functions and plan to make the majority of your money selling hype. This appears to be the plan of the Trump Network. One thing is sure the Trump Network is going to put a lot of money in Donald’s pocket. (It will remove this money from the majority of those that sign up for it.
The latest hot item on internet marketing is the Trump Network. How does the Trump Network compare to other network marketing programs. The following areas were evaluated to compare two of the most popular internet network marketing programs:
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Commission Schedule
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Products
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Consumer involvement
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What is included in entry kit
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Annual fees.
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Projected annual household income of customer.
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World wide shipping arrangements.
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Cost of tools and training.
The two Multilevel Marketing Programs (MLM) that will be compared are Strong Future International (SFI) and the Trump Network (TN). The internet is alive with the pre-launch hype for the Trump Network while SFI has been around since 1998. Both of these networks have the goal to allow folks to make money online.
Commission Schedule
The Trump Network appears to be heavily load to produce large income for the higher levels of the upline and the lower tiers are the pawns to the upper levels. SFI has a more balance approach but levels for earnings are higher. Both will be very profitable for the person that make an effort and realizes the limitations of the individual program.
Products
Trump Network at this time has release information on only one product. It is a updated version of the old Amway Vitamin line. The hype is that this one is individually tailored to meet your needs. I take this with reservations. It is an expensive product costing about $60 per individual per month.
SFI has a large and diversified product line. This company provides some product that anyone can get excited about. They even have a sales site in the Triple Clicks line that allows you to sell items in much the same way as eBay. They offer the MaxMall line that has over 170 stores to chose products from.
What Is Included In Kit
The SFI entry kit is basically a web site access that has the only cost of being your email address. This give you access to their affiliate program and the ability to by products and sign up new affiliates in your down line. This gives you access to the complete training program. The only upsell to this basic entry level is the “eye earn program” and it cost 20 bucks.
The Trump Network has two entry levels. The quick start method that sells for $497.00 and the basic level that sells for $48.00. The only difference that I can see to these two levels is that for the first couple of months the high priced version allows you access to some of the higher level stuff what ever that is. I have not viewed the Trump Training program.
Annual Fees
The Trump Network has an annual fee for membership as can best be determined from the web site. (I have not yet purchased a membership) The annual fees may well be discussed in the membership package.
Since SFI is a free entry MLM business no annual fees are charged.
Projected Annual Household Income of Customer
Since the cost of the product for The Trump Network is $60.00 per month per individual the annual income of the customer family for a four member family would be about $100,000 per year. Assuming that only the two adults in the family took the supplements the cost would be $1400 per year for the family. In order to have $1400 per year discretionary income the family would need to bring home over $80,000 per year or about $100,000 gross income.
SFI has no minimum requirements however they also would like you to sign up for a minimum program. All MLM’s push minimum product usage. This ensures the life of the program. Even if clients only buy for themselves the company is secure.
World Wide Shipping Arrangements
Trump Network may not be able to ship their product, at least the current product world wide. There may be many governmental and health restrictions for the import of these product in many countries. The folks at SFI have become a truly world wide company with the addition or regional supply centers and local business where there products can be picked up.
Cost Of Tools And Training
The cost of tools to build your MLM business is always a consideration in the decision to join a program. The entry level cost of the Trump Network is either $497 or $48. The $497 program seems to have more tools and training available. The $48 is a bare bones entry program and it appears that you are mostly on your own at this level.
The SFI program has no cost to join but they offer a basic advertising package for $20.00 called the Eye Earn package. It looks to be a pretty good deal.
The cost of training for the SFI program is included for free. It consist of many pages of text and a lot of video. I can’t tell you exactly what the Trump training program looks like but for the cost it better be good.
THE BLACK HAT SIDE OF THE TRUMP NETWORK
Remember the old Black Hat Amway tactics. Remember the great of Amway and the great shows that they put on with groups like the Goads. The big pitch was that you could not succeed in Amway without attending their functions. The functions were several hundred dollars that included hotel, food, and meeting tickets. I spent a lot of money on these things and never made any money. The curdling event happened one time when I heard a couple of the “Amway great” discussing the “marks” and “sucker” referring to their audience and downline. This stimulated some thinking.
Investigation of their actual Amway sales and commissions revealed that they could not be making the kind of money that they claimed from product sales. The most of their money was coming from the “BLACK HAT” activities. The mandatory functions, tapes and motivational materials. Some of this was good but the majority was junk.
Why is this important to a discussion of the Trump Network. When you sign up for the Trump Network the first email that you get is—you guessed– is an invitation to attend a function. Good marketing if you are selling functions and plan to make the majority of your money selling hype. This appears to be the plan of the Trump Network. One thing is sure the Trump Network is going to put a lot of money in Donald’s pocket. (It will remove this money from the majority of those that sign up for it.
Conclusion
What is the best program? The Trump Network definitely has the best media coverage. I question that if it will have that in ten years. This will certainly get it off to a flying start. If they had the products to back up the media hype it would be an excellent opportunity. Without a much broader product line it is going to be hard to make any money except for the fast start method where a chunk of the $497 sign up fee is passed to the up line. This kind of reminds me of the chain letter thing. Just maybe you can become a part of the Trump Network “BLACK HAT GANG.”
The SFI opportunity is a proven track record. They have been in business for over 10 years and are in the middle of one of the largest business expansions ever attempted. The number of new lines and stores is hard to believe. The cost with their most expensive package is less than $100.00.
If you are interested in building a business that will continue to grow and can be passed down to your kids as a profitable business is the way to go.
Another interesting thing is happening. All MLM sites that I have tried to set up as affiliates using Bit.ly URL shortner are flagged EXCEPT THE TRUMP NETWORK. I wonder where the money is?
Links to the two networks:
Trump Network http://bit.ly/uXOw9
SFI http://digg.com/u1Gdmr
The Trump marketers are the biggest customers so not to be accused of being a pyramid scheme, so they are placed on auto-ship of the products. Must pay the higher $497 to make recruiting commissions, otherwise all you can do is buy and sell the products, which are overpriced and overhyped. Thousands losing money, lots of complaints amongst the few winners who will make money. Then…
…If you leave TTN, terminate or otherwise, this is what you could receive if you and your marketer friends stay in touch:
Grimes & Reese
A Professional Company
Attorneys and Counselors
Spencer M. Reese
Cell: (208)249-0533
Utah Tel. (801) 745-6362
sreese@mlmlaw.com
615 Hoopes Avenue
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401-6106
Tel. (208) 522-2600
Fax: (208) 524-5686
” RE: The Trump Network
Dear [name]:
I represent The Trump Network (“TTN”). TTN has learned that you have acquired contact information for a number of TTN Marketers, and seeking to use TTN’s network as a conduit to market other products or services. Although your Marketer Agreement with TTN has been terminated, you nevertheless remain bound by an ongoing obligation not to use TTN’s confidential information. TTN therefore demands that you immediately stop contacting TTN’s Marketers for any purpose. Should you fail to do so, TTN will institute legal proceedings against you seeking injunctive relief, damages, attorneys fees and costs. This will be the only warning you will receive from TTN.
This letter is written under full reservation of rights.
Sincerely,
Spencer M. Reese
cc. Scott Stanwood
Eliot Bolan “
I began with Ideal Health in 1997. It just became The Trump Network. It is in its 13th year and has an extensive product line- well beyond vitamins. My wife and I are both full time and top earners and work closely with the owners. Many of the facts you offer are incorrect. If you’d like to increase the value of your post by offering facts you are welcome to email me and I will return my contact phone number.
With the “spillage opportunity” presented with Mr. Trump’s official entry into the industry you can imagine the growth for those of us actually in The Trump Network. As we start media exposure it will only get more difficult to compete with Mr. Trump.
Looking forward to talking with you!!!- Phil Stone
Phil,
I would be glad to post the points of error on my blog. Please send them as a comment and address the specific points. I went through Amway with Bill Britt, and others and have had personal experience in the great shows put on for the downline “marks” as they called us. They made more money from their $100 a seat events than on product. It appears to me that the Trump Network is headed the same direction.
Please take the opportunity to reply and prove me wrong. I know about the legal mumbo jumbo that the Trump Network is currently using to suppress anyone with a different opinion. The golden rule still applies for a little while but the internet is changing that. Golden rule, “He who has gold rules.”
Thanks for your comment,
Bud
It seems that you and I have had two different experiences with the Trump Network.
Commissions are loaded toward the top — it seems to me that is the situation in most MLMs; however, it is clear that downlines can earn more money than their upline.
Ideal Health (Trump Network) is a well established company. There is a full line of nutritionally balanced, meal replacement items for weight loss and control: bars, snacks, shakes in the Silhoutte product line for adults; the PrivaTest and CustomEssentials product line that provides supplements that are customized to the needs of each individual consumer; the Snazzel Snaxxs line of nutritionally balanced, meal replacement items for pediatric weight control: bars, snacks, shakes, and fruit drinks for children.
The fast track entry of $497 includes $700 of product… all of which are very good. The technical support and coaching is the best in the industry. Cost of product to a marketer is offset by reduction in the marketers monthly budget for weight control or nutritional supplement items. (My monthly budget for supplements exceeded what I now pay through the Trump Network).
I was never confronted with a need to attend a conference or meeting for a fee. Even the standing room only launch in November in Miami that featured Donald Trump had free tickets, if you asked.
I don’t know anything about SFI, so I will not criticize that MLM opportunity without any information (like you seem to have done.
Bruce
Bruce,
Is the $700 worth of product at wholesale or retail? This is an old Amway claim also. Since I don’t have any information, whose fault is that? I have checked all of the info that I have and it supports my conclusions. A few days a do I got an email from a group that was going to “Show the Plan” and it stated prospects are free but members will be charged $5 in advance or (if I remember correctly) $25 at the door for the presentation. I think I save the email and will post it in the future if you like. Please respond to the other comments on my opinion as several seem to mirror mine.
I have read this post and alot of your statements are false about the Trump Network.First they have alot of products so that tells me you did not research very well before you wrote this blog.
I have been in TTN for 6 months have not had to pay to attend a meeting.Some of the best training I have seen in along time.
I could go on and on but I wish if you are going to blog about a business do alittle more research first.
The trump network is not backed by Donald Trump. It is a scam. Donald himself would be promoting it if he was involved. He is not. It is not linked on his website, not mention in any press release, not even in his financial reports.
This is a scam and everyone should stay clear.
Dear Admin,
A couple of points that I believe to be worth mentioning, Now yes, I am a business builder with TTN and am happy to be a part of it. Though I am happy with my business so far I am not at all a TOP EARNER…YET but that is my goal…and I fully believe that I have the same opportunity as anyone else in this company to achieve great success. Will some do it faster…of course? As with any business, including traditional (brick and mortar) businesses not everyone will “grow” at the same pace. Remember the saying “location, location, location when referring to traditional business?… well in this business it’s more like “connection, connection, connection” so with that if someone is a “seasoned network marketer” or has a long list of contacts through another business well then YES they will probably earn more than someone like myself (the average person joining) BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t be successful I might just have to put in a little more effort and be willing to “think outside the box” in order to build it.
Regarding the $497 Fast Start – This price includes a ton of products (vitamins, and the nutritionally calibrated snacks, 3 months of a personalized website, 20 CD/DVD’s for marketing materials, the normal info packet with a welcome letter from DJT and also a CD explaining our products by Dr. Ruth Clark. From my perspective these items are of great value in order for me to pursue my business. I mean unless you feel comfortable offering something to people without trying it out for yourself. With 20+ years in Sales, I can “smell” when someone is “selling” or honestly being a product of the product and sharing. Not to mention for $497 quite a steal really to be in business with DJT/Ideal Health… in an industry that is growing at unprecedented rates, even during this recession. Not only do you get all that but you then qualify to receive FRONT END BONUSES… by this you can earn that initial investment back very quickly. Anyone who has been in MLM or NM or even a small business owner knows that the first months (or years) can be rough.. so it’s DJT..he’d better have a great compensation plan or he wouldn’t be doing this the way he normally does things BIG!
The last thing for me I felt was worth giving mention too is the meeting cost. You are right to say that many MLM’s have this tactic..get people in and then ask them to spend more.. a BIG turn off for me personally!! But, please allow me to explain why this is done. Not everyone needs inspiration or training.. but some do (many Fortune 500 companies spend thousands per year sending folks to training like Kaisan, Kanban etc.) but in this business we are all OWNERS so if we choose to attend a meeting/training/presentation that is being offered by your business partner that’s great because this will grow MY business (and my upline’s). In traditional business the cost would fall upon the business owner, which would then pass the cost on to customers in price increases.. see how it all works. Let’s say you/I were trying to build a business in this way and your “partners or downline” wanted to bring 20 people to a meeting in your home/office.. shoot now we need to have coffee, snacks, maybe even a guest speaker.. see the expense? So for $5 – $10 charge to current business partners “we are all contributing” to the growth of our business together. I hope you follow me because this really isn’t a bad idea as long as it’s done with honesty and integrity and not trying to rip someone off. There are those types out there..so be careful who you go into business with MLM or not.
This is a great opportunity (for some.. not all) so please do your own due-diligence and at least look at it with unbiased eyes. I would be happy to answer any questions at anytime.
Thank you for creating conversation by your posting.
Have a great day,
Tessa Miller
Oops If I may two more thoughts.
First of that $497 some believe this is all passed up, not so. How it works is if you joined me today I would get a bonus of $100 and $25 would go up past me, then another $20 would go up 5 levels (total bonuses paid up $225) this of course is the same for every person coming in. This is in addition to the monthly commission checks paid on all products purchased in your/my organization from me/you down. These two ways to earn add up very quickly! Also you can earn those bonuses on every person you personally bring into the business for 7 levels. You can sign in 1 or 100 in your front line (first level) doesn’t matter. But, your business will be much more successful if you build your business with your “partners” or downline (some don’t understand that) but as the saying goes..the more you give you get!
In your earlier post you mentioned limited product line with the vitamins. If it was just vitamins believe me I wouldn’t have joined (although these customized supplements are really incredible but I didn’t know that until after I joined and started using them) We actually have these products today Supplements all types, Quik Stiks (natural energy drinks) and a the Silhouette Solution a weight loss/management line, Snazzle Snaxx for children and in April we will be launching an Anti-Aging Skin Care line then Green Home products. DJT is going after a HUGE market share (some would say Amway) so you can bet there will be products launching every three to four months. If TTN doesn’t go big they might as well go home.. you can already see other big players in this industry ramping up to his challenge and no matter what for the next 10 years those who aren’t in TTN will be competing with DJT.. for me this makes better sense of my $497 investment.
Again just my thoughts, I am in no way an expert at MLM but I do love being a business owner and more importantly enjoy the opportunity of being a part of something that may very well make history. TTN I believe will do that –
Thank you for taking the time to read,
Tessa Miller
Post is very helpful for me to select the exact product.
Dear Admin,
A couple of points that I believe to be worth mentioning, Now yes, I am a business builder with TTN and am happy to be a part of it. Though I am happy with my business so far I am not at all a TOP EARNER…YET but that is my goal…and I fully believe that I have the same opportunity as anyone else in this company to achieve great success. Will some do it faster…of course? As with any business, including traditional (brick and mortar) businesses not everyone will “grow” at the same pace. Remember the saying “location, location, location when referring to traditional business?… well in this business it’s more like “connection, connection, connection” so with that if someone is a “seasoned network marketer” or has a long list of contacts through another business well then YES they will probably earn more than someone like myself (the average person joining) BUT that doesn’t mean I can’t be successful I might just have to put in a little more effort and be willing to “think outside the box” in order to build it.
Regarding the $497 Fast Start – This price includes a ton of products (vitamins, and the nutritionally calibrated snacks, 3 months of a personalized website, 20 CD/DVD’s for marketing materials, the normal info packet with a welcome letter from DJT and also a CD explaining our products by Dr. Ruth Clark. From my perspective these items are of great value in order for me to pursue my business. I mean unless you feel comfortable offering something to people without trying it out for yourself. With 20+ years in Sales, I can “smell” when someone is “selling” or honestly being a product of the product and sharing. Not to mention for $497 quite a steal really to be in business with DJT/Ideal Health… in an industry that is growing at unprecedented rates, even during this recession. Not only do you get all that but you then qualify to receive FRONT END BONUSES… by this you can earn that initial investment back very quickly. Anyone who has been in MLM or NM or even a small business owner knows that the first months (or years) can be rough.. so it’s DJT..he’d better have a great compensation plan or he wouldn’t be doing this the way he normally does things BIG!
The last thing for me I felt was worth giving mention too is the meeting cost. You are right to say that many MLM’s have this tactic..get people in and then ask them to spend more.. a BIG turn off for me personally!! But, please allow me to explain why this is done. Not everyone needs inspiration or training.. but some do (many Fortune 500 companies spend thousands per year sending folks to training like Kaisan, Kanban etc.) but in this business we are all OWNERS so if we choose to attend a meeting/training/presentation that is being offered by your business partner that’s great because this will grow MY business (and my upline’s). In traditional business the cost would fall upon the business owner, which would then pass the cost on to customers in price increases.. see how it all works. Let’s say you/I were trying to build a business in this way and your “partners or downline” wanted to bring 20 people to a meeting in your home/office.. shoot now we need to have coffee, snacks, maybe even a guest speaker.. see the expense? So for $5 – $10 charge to current business partners “we are all contributing” to the growth of our business together. I hope you follow me because this really isn’t a bad idea as long as it’s done with honesty and integrity and not trying to rip someone off. There are those types out there..so be careful who you go into business with MLM or not.
This is a great opportunity (for some.. not all) so please do your own due-diligence and at least look at it with unbiased eyes. I would be happy to answer any questions at anytime.
Thank you for creating conversation by your posting.
Have a great day,
Tessa Miller