I have some good news and I have some bad news. First the good news. The number of infomercials on television is decreasing.
Some might say that is great news. But, before you yell hurray, here's the bad news. They are reincarnating as web sites. Changes the whole picture, doesn't it?
For those who've never seen an infomercial, it is a program-length TV commercial touting easy ways to make money in a variety of ways.
Real estate is probably the most often run program. Others include low-interest government loans or grants to start a new business or go to college.
Then there are the old standby classified advertisement sections in newspapers or magazines promising "big money" business opportunities and/or work-at-home schemes. The companies behind these infomercials and print ads claim that by using their products and services, you can learn how to increase your wealth or start a business from the comfort of your home.
These infomercials and advertisements make it very clear you can make the big bucks only by purchasing their books, audio and video tapes, or computer hardware and software. The materials range in price from less than $100 to several thousand dollars.
To clinch the sale, some promoters include a toll-free telephone consulting service with your purchase and offer a money-back guarantee. The fine print in the guarantee is what gets most people.
Web sites promoting these same type of "opportunities" look like an infomercial. Hype, glitz and promises of big money adorn the screen. On the other hand, contact details, other than ordering information, is scant if existent at all.
On television, these infomercials are designed to look, feel, and sound like real TV programs. The FTC says "they often imitate the format of genuine talk shows or investigative consumer news programs."
Because they imitate real programs, "the products being sold often are discussed as part of the program and touted by paid "experts," "moderators," or "reporters", according to the FTC. The programs may last for 30 minutes, interrupted by advertisements for the shows products with ordering information.
As in the offline world, online promoters of wealth-building schemes claim that if you follow their methods, you can make substantial sums of money. The means to easy wealth have shifted from real estate and government auctions to web site sales and development, autoresponder sales, gift clubs and bulk email programs.
The offline world uses the infomercials and advertisements to invite you to attend seminars where you can learn more about their program. You can rest assured the seminar is a slick sales pitch.
The smooth-talking salespeople tout the programs, materials, and services and use testimonials of the people in the back of the room selling the materials to illustrate what easy money you can make. The truth is these people are paid to give testimony. They are on the payroll as salespeople and that's it.
At these seminars the pitch is feverish and it is easy to be lured by promises of success into parting with your money. They are designed to work off the herd mentality. Don't fall for the nonsense.
On the Internet, the herd mentality is engaged through testimonials and a rush to action. You are encouraged every step of the way to BUY NOW! There are only so many days left and this opportunity will be gone forever or some other such nonsense.
The FTC, and everybody else who has studied these programs, gives the following advice:
1. Be skeptical about "get-rich-quick" advertising claims.
2. Ask companies for written substantiation for claims in their presentations, especially those about success rates.
3. Be aware that "experts" who endorse a product often are paid by the advertiser.
4. Be cautious about "testimonials." They may be paid for and probably owrse, do not reflect the experience of most consumers.
5. Be wary of purchasing a program if company representatives give you evasive answers or aren't willing to answer your questions at all.
6. Before you buy, decide whether the price reflects a fair market value.
7. Be wary of promises of free money or low-interest government loans. As a rule, these are available only in limited circumstances.
8. Dont be pressured to purchase immediately. Good opportunities are not sold through high pressure tactics.
9. Before you buy, ask about the companys qualifying requirements and refund policy.
10. Check out the company with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, and state Attorney General's office. They should be able to tell you if any unresolved consumer complaints are on file.
Additional consumer protection resources are available at your local library. Check out materials on personal finance and those geared toward the small business owner.
Your local community college may have a marketing department. Call and ask to speak with one of the professors. Explain the program and ask his/her advice/opinion.
The Small Business Administration and your state and local government have publications and programs for new and potential business owners. Write or call and ask for a list of available publications.
Tap into the Internet. That's right, search engines could turn out to be your best friend. A host of scam busting sites exist and expose scams online and offline.
As always, common sense is your best weapon in the fight against this garbage. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. However, if you have more than a passing interest, do your homework. Getting too much information is not a crime or a hazard to your wealth.
2000(c) All rights reserved. No one may reproduce this article without permission of the author (tom-koziol@excite.com)
GUARANTEED! Turn your paycheck into a cash flow geyser. tom-koziol@excite.com Dollar$ign Newsletter provides proven paycheck stretching money management tips, tools, techniques and strategies to increase your personal cash flow. This is YOUR fail safe money management program. FREE subscription at tom-koziol@excite.com
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Be aware that 40 million crooks obtained credit card numbers... Read More
Do you plan events for the corporate world like product... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
There are so many simple, yet really sure-fire ways of... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup... Read More
Here are a few ideas to get you started, all... Read More
What would You do with $1,000,000With $1 Million would you:?... Read More
Not having a business card is as bad as using... Read More
Good Speakers need good listening skills to become Great CommunicatorsSpeakers... Read More
Here are ten things that you can do to hold... Read More
Let's put to rest the fallacy that success, in sales... Read More
When sending mail to clients and potential clients, make your... Read More
Creating a website is one thing, making it better is... Read More
Are you scratching your head after business events wondering why... Read More
Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize... Read More
What follows is a bold statement, but sometimes it takes... Read More
A lot of people are insecure about buying something or... Read More
Do you run a business that seems to run you?... Read More
The number may seem grim for Web-based commerce. In 2004... Read More
Here are seven excellent ways to earn income from international... Read More
Do you want to be #1-10 on Google and other... Read More
Counselling non-performing team members is a tough part of any... Read More
Whether you are self employed or you work for someone... Read More
Clarity is an absolutely essential ingredient for you to achieve... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..1. Admit there is a problem.The very first step in... Read More
If you're a business owner, you know that repeat business... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
For most business owners and entrepreneurs, preparing, and communicating the... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More
If you've been thinking of starting a business on the... Read More
The following tips are from an article we contributed to... Read More
The term "junk mail" is a well-known term. To... Read More
The Internet is a fast growing medium, trancending the personal... Read More
Cash is king-so they say. If you work for yourself... Read More
Business etiquette is essentially about building relationships with colleagues, clients... Read More
How many of us have been in a position where... Read More
Seven Reasons Why Training Doesn't Produce the Desired Results and... Read More
We all know that running a home business is highly... Read More
In my career, I have had a total of 3... Read More
Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More
Does your business have a money tree you can shake... Read More
Studies have proven that there is one reason why people... Read More
If you are thinking of starting a new business, or... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
Only one of every 5 businesses makes it to its... Read More
Are you scratching your head after business events wondering why... Read More
Networking is probably the best way to build a profitable... Read More
Top Quick Tips |