I recently researched this company because I was interested in the concept and in getting involved, but I am hearing things that have left me thinking otherwise. Ambit Energy is a company supposedly founded in 2006 by Jere Thompson and Chris Chambless, both individuals who I'd never really heard of in the MLM world previously, which is sometimes a major element in my decisions.

The company is a Retail Electric Provider selling commercial and residential electricity and natural gas to Texas, New York and Illinois via fixed rates based on income and area. It has definitely been successful and even made it on the charts for one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the MLM world, although that doesn't always say much because nearly every company makes that claim.

Ambit supposedly offers its service to 200,000 customers and provides its MLM opportunity to new consultants, and has already managed to accumulate about 50,000 individuals selling and recruiting. They use a "coded" compensation plan that pays energy residuals based on customer usage through 6 generations, and Ambit offers all the usual bells and whistles you would expect with any other plan. They actually pay out based on the sales of services, and not on recruiting.

Lately, I'm seeing a ton of complaints all over the Internet with people saying the company is doubling and even tripling their customer's bills, only to point out the small print once they call Ambit and ask what is going on. I don't know what to make of them to be honest, if the system is designed to go up or if its just bad luck based on area and the lack of attention to detail you find in the elderly or those who don't understand how to manage finances. Either way, Its not a company I have any plans on trying to sell or utilize as a new source of power.

What's up with Ambit Energy.

Is it a scam? Can I get it in my home state? Does it really save money and can I make money selling Ambit Energy?

Sup Jacob, First I want to say that I think it kicks ass that you got some results simply for the sake of your health and family, so cheers on your improvements bro. I mean no disrespect but you could very well be an Isagenix rep here to spread a little mischief, I mean we wouldn't know the difference. Out of respect for you, I'm going to suggest that what you did was stop eating shit. No offense, I don't mean that in a mean way, but Dorritos? seriously? I stopped eating stuff like that when I was 14 dude lol. If you eat stuff like that its going to make you feel like crap without a doubt.

I figure (assuming you really are a legitimate user of Isagenix) that you felt terrible, realized you needed to make some changes and went all out eating some better foods and grabbing some exercise. I am into the health scene a fair amount, and it didn't sound like you maybe had much experience with fitness and healthy eating before, which is cool, alot of people don't get the privilege of learning that stuff, so again I mean no disrespect. You are now naturally feeling better and watching the pounds drop, on an endorphin high from the exercising and feel as though Isagenix saved your life..right?

Know what I think? I think Jacob Tiller saved his own life by eating good and taking care of himself the way he was supposed to. I think Isagenix is little more than a placebo with some colon cleansing ingredients, sugar, and whatever other bizarre ingredients they found in there. This is how these products work my man, its never the product its just you. They appeal to your needs before you begin the change, and they utilize your excitement when you see your own results, making you feel as though the product works.

You say you're making a couple hundred bucks selling the stuff, well that's cool, but how long have you been selling it? How many hours are you dedicating to finding buyers? How much are you paying for your supply and how do you feel about the compensation plan overall, is it working for you enough to recommend that other people put their hard earned money into investing in it.?

I'm not trying to just dump on the company for no reason, but I do feel Isagenix is a scam, and that companies like this simply feed on the hard work of individuals like you, because you aren't aware that you did the work yourself, make sense? I apologize if that sounds disrespectful, I don't mean for it to, but that's how I feel.

Yall are a batch of tough ones If I've ever seen them. There are a ton of MLM products and companies and a greater majority of them really do walk the line of BS and truth, but I can tell you with first hand experience that Isagenix is the real deal, and there is no Isagenix scam. I was having chronic health problems ranging from weight, heart, my energy was low, and even my mood was amiss for the kind of life I need to live, I got kids man.

I've been an auto mechanic for 10 years and got used to missing meals, or eating garbage snacks all the time like Dorritos and other treats, I began to develop sleeping problems also. I wasn't all that easy going and would stress over the least little thing, even my youngest son asking me to play with him when I got home. I tried diets, I tried vitamins, I tried going to the doctor, whose only advice was to diet and take a multi-vitamin.

What I began to notice was that the worse I would feel, the worse I would treat myself physically, and I was unable to stop the cycle. One day I got back from workin and my wife had a package on the table and asked me to sit down and check it out. It was a 9-day supply of Isagenix Cleansing and Fat Burning System. I protested at first and gave her some lip and told her Isagenix is a scam. None the less, I was really strapped for an answer so I gave it a shot, and lost eleven pounds in the first 10 days. It basically helps cleanse your system while infusing your body with nutrients causing you to lose weight and start to feel a hell of alot better.

My wife had already researched it online having put in the usual terms, Isagenix ingredients, Isagenix scam, Isagenix hoax, but in the end she was still convinced it was perfect for me. Now at 38, I'm 6'1" 170 pounds more fit than I have been in years, I feel great, I sleep well and my kids don't think I'm a "Grumpy Guss".

Now for the big ole kicker...I have become a rep and I'm raking in an extra $250 a month, which means a few less hours in the shop for me. I won't lie to you, the price is a bit noticeable, but this product has really changed things for the better in my life and I want you guys to please give it a try before you think its a scam, I promise you its not.

Most of them do just seem like cookie-cutter copies of some other company. Different product names. Different compensation plan. Same old story.

Gimmicks, they're all gimmicks, in fact the best way to lose weight is to eat normal proportions, take your vitamins and exercise. The equation hasn't changed, and it never will, no matter whats in the shake, or how much it costs. The moneyback guarantee is a plus, I'll give them that much, but you wouldnt catch me running out and selling this fluff, nor will I be stuck with any shipping fees, screw Isagenix, its a scam, just like most of the others. One day I'll find a company in the nutritional and weight loss area that I think isn't pathetic.

[quote user="IsaSkeptic"]

1) Moneyback Guarantee

NOPE. You may returne the shakes byut isagenix keeps your shipping & handling fees. Total bullshit.

Most of the complaints about Isagenix being a scam are either about recruiting, refunds or that the shakes taste foul and that it's really a starvation program, not a nutrition program.

For $150 a month you get the shakes. Almost every review I read says that once the person goes off the shakes ( and start eating real food again ) the weight just comes back. People might be better off investing in some real nutritional education and developing a healthy active lifestyle rather than counting on shakes and gimmicks to lose weight.

According to esimates, only about 3% of people involved in Isagenix actually make a profit from recruiting. Autoship will eat into most profits even if you do recruit someone, as you have to continue buying to stay qualified for commissions.

I don't understand why you have to keep buying a product to stay qualified. Why can't you just sell the product. Isn't that the way sales and commissions are supposed to work? That's the part I think makes people suspect the Isagenix scam and most other MLMs. Can you imagine being a sales rep for Hallmark Cards, and every month Hallmark sends you out to CVS and Thrifty and Rite Aid, but before they give you your commission you have to requalify by buying a case of cards to sell directly to your friends and family or use yourself. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

Isagenix: Scam or Legit?

CONS

1) If you stop recruiting, you stop earning

2) Not FDA approved

3) Whole kitchen sink approach. Isagenix product claims it fixes EVERYTHING

PROS

1) Moneyback Guarantee

Hello Jango,

Thank you for a pretty well rounded post, I was considering getting involved with AshMax for a few projects I have in the works and just the web site domain issues alone, seem a bit fishy. I am a bit let down I suppose, although I wouldn't exactly think there is an AshMax scam. I was really hoping this would work out but on the other hand, there are enough opportunities that will suit my needs. When I began thinking about getting involved with this type of thing, the first thing I did was go over the CEOs of the 3 companies I thought might be good choices, and that alone really revealed alot about what I feel can be expected.

In this case, the CEO was visible, which I found in my research wasn't always the case. Some companies had so little information it was difficult to tell if they were even legit, or just thrown together web sites hoping to collect on memberships before folding. AshMax was founded by Ash Mufareh who recruited for another company known as Global Domains International, so I at least felt pretty secure that there was an actual opportunity, even if it wasn't the greatest. I searched Google for AshMax Review, AshMax Company, and AshMax Scam, and only the usual stuff popped up.

I wasn't aware that I can virtually get the same web packages for a quarter of the price, and not be tied into something that didn't have much to offer in comparison. AshMax is free, but they get you $20 a month for a membership. I really didn't feel confident to get 5 people in 20 days, especially since I spend most of my time in school, or home studying while my fiance is at work. Neither of us would have much time, and I think we would end up losing $25 and being booted, but for awhile it did seem like a possible avenue. I think if you have a large network of friends, or a medium by which to get your information across, you could make a pretty good go of this, in the end though, I found it just wasn't for me.

Thank you for your post.

The Ashmax Scam:

Ashmax is an interesting concept, similar to Monitium, where the goal is to get you to enroll in Ashmax for free, then in two questionable MLM opportunities within seven days for a fee of $10, and $15 initially. Then, you refer 5 "Deserving People" within 20 days to get paid...

What the Ashmax.com page doesn't tell you up front:

The two businesses Ashmax funnels you into are Global Domains International ( monthly membership $10 ) and Freeway to Success ( $15 ).

Global Domains International is an MLM company that sells domains under the ".WS" category instead of ".com".  Have you ever typed in a domain name ending in ".ws" as a destination? Me neither. The goal of company founders Alan Ezeir and Michael Reed was to get people to use the .ws as a short nickname for "web site". Not so much.  You can register domains at Namesecure or GoDaddy on the cheap, without having to pay additional fees that go into an MLM type comp plan just to get a '.ws' domain. That's like paying Ferrari prices for a Volkswagon Jetta.

Freeway to Success is an MLM selling ebooks for building your home based business. Do the ebooks teach you how to build your Freeway to Success business selling more ebooks to build your Freeway to Success business to sell more ebooks...and so on. ( This is similar to many of the attraction marketing programs that started out as downline builders, but have taken on a life of their own and really only teach you how to resell the branded  downline builders...)  The basic Freeway to Success plan is $5.00. There are many reviews of the Freeway to Success scam online that say "Freeway To Success is a company approved by the FTC ( Federal Trade Commissions ) of the United States". This is a load of crap - the FTC doesn't "approve" ANY companies. They just shut you down if you turn out to be a pyramid, and selling and eBook is a great way to at least look like you are selling a product. Via a 5 x 5 matrix. And so on.

Ashmax is a downline builder.

Just like CarbonCopyPro was originally a downline builder for Wealth Masters International, Ashmax is a downline builder for GDI and Freeway to Success. You just might not want to build a downline with these companies.

I consider Ashmax to be a scam because its just a pretty wrapping to conceal two otherwise stinky fish.

I am pleased of this new change, and look forward to seeing this company progress to a new level. I have had the pleasure of consuming Crispy Fruit when the product was still being beta sampled and it is a wonderful change from the unhealthy snack foods many Americans consume. This company is taking two excellent product lines and producing a wonderful opportunity for financial growth and improved nutrition.

The compensation plan is very good as well with 10-40% Matching Bonuses, Bonus Pools, Stock Options and other excellent features, and comes during a time that many people are choosing to eat better foods and live healthier lives. I have recently decided to become involved with SnackHealthy and will be taking the next step in the next few days.

I had not been aware of what occurred with Alverson in the prior years and found that to simply reaffirm my good feelings about this company, as I have not had a great deal of faith in corporations, let alone MLM companies, although in India where I am from, we have had tremendous success in creating job markets through companies like Monavie and Vemma. I hope to continue hearing wonderful things about Healthient and SnackHealthy.

Peace and love.

Scam? What scam? It looks like a pre-launch healthy snack company marketing products via network marketing.

I worked with Alverson years ago. When the company hit difficult economic times, Alverson pumped in his own cash to keep it running. When he finally had to close the doors, Alverson was in the accountant's office figuring out a way to make sure every last employee got paid what they were due.

That was an act of leadership and character. Sometimes companies just fail. And some people keep pushing forward, regardless of criticism.

What follows is the latest Healthient Press Release:

JUPITER, FL--(Marketwire - January 13, 2011) - Today, Healthient, Inc. (OTCBB: SNAX) announced the debut of Crispy Fruit, a new line of freeze dried fruit snacks. These sweet and delicious fruit snacks are made from high quality freeze-dried fruit and contain no added sugar, preservatives, fat or cholesterol.

"We are dedicated to helping people make better food choices and Crispy Fruit offers people of all ages the opportunity to snack healthier without compromising on taste or satisfaction. When you're in the mood for something sweet, at just 34-61 calories per serving, Crispy Fruit is the perfect snack," said Katherine West, CEO of SnackHealthy.

Crispy Fruit is the perfect "on the go" snack and a delicious way to increase your family's daily fruit intake. One bag of Crispy Fruit equals approximately one serving of fruit. Our low-calorie, portion controlled, snacks are designed to help you eat right and feel your best. Crispy Fruit is currently available in a 20 serving Variety Pack including Pineapple -- just 34 calories, Banana -- just 61 calories and Fuji Apple -- just 47 calories. Crispy Fruit is the ideal choice for people seeking healthy alternatives to traditional snack foods.

Crispy fruit is distributed through the Company's growing network of SnackHealthy Brand Partners.

About SnackHealthy, Inc.

SnackHealthy is the direct sales business unit of Healthient (SNAX), headquartered in Jupiter, FL. SnackHealthy offers a personally and financially rewarding home-based business opportunity to distributors of their "better for you" snacks and drinks. Learn more about SnackHealthy at the corporate web sites www.snackhealthy.com and www.getpaidtosnack.com.

About Healthient, Inc.

Healthient (SNAX) is building a portfolio of healthy food and beverage snacks including Crispy Fruit, Light Natural Popcorn, Low-Sodium Mini Pretzels, Fruit and Nut Bars, Oatmeal with fruit, Healthy shakes, Zing! Sugar-Free Healthy Energy Drinks, and FiberPlus Antioxidant Drinks. We are united with our brand partners by our commitment to preventing childhood obesity. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, Healthient pledges to balance strong financial returns with giving back to our communities through the Healthient Foundation. For more information, please visit www.healthient.com

Hi Doc, thank you for responding and sharing your knowledge of Monavie and whether or not there is a Monavie Scam. I know my brother well enough to know he was subjecting his poor sister to his liquid laxative scheme :P

I must admit he is doing rather well with it in regard to sales and building a client base. I haven't been to his house in a month or so and it never occurred to me whether or not he had a huge inventory. I certainly hope he is selling this stuff legitimately and not just throwing it at people with no consideration to how the drink affects them or if they can handle it financially.

My husband was almost sold on the idea, and he had actually heard of Monavie without knowing anything about MLM companies but my brother couldn't really sway him far enough to make the investment, plus he really doesn't have the time to invest. I might have considered it if it hadn't had such a drastic affect on my body.

The more I think about a Monavie Scam, the more I am trying to be fair when I ask myself whether or not its my own personal bias against MLM companies, or if it was my experience. Mostly, I consider Carl, and while I would never describe my brother as a willing participant in bettering himself by taking from others, I would say he can be a bit of an aggressive business man when it comes to money making opportunities, and he is willing to share the "risk" with those around him.....

You mentioned Amway, and even for those of us who know little about these companies, we have all heard of them, and I haven't heard too many good things with the exception of their success financially. I personally don't feel there is a Monavie scam, at least in an illegal sense, but I do feel that in general, its a bit of a swindling environment, and that its for certain types of sales-savvy people.

Thank you for a great discussion Doc!

At a company launch in Laguna a few years ago, there was a disgruntled Monavie rep there from Palm Springs looking for a new business. He said his mother had signed up and made a little money, but only because he had signed up after her and convinced a couple of friends to do the same. According to his estimates, he and his each had over $5000 in Monavie in the garage. He said, "The Monavie Scam is all about front loading". I hadn't heard that term in quite a while, but it made sense.

Many of the nutritional beverage companies have discovered a great new meme "Drink one, share one" to make buying more product than you will ever use a bit more palateable ( pun intended, as many of these products taste like crap ).

Monavie has been outrageously successful though. They are one of the most recognized names in MLM. Years ago, someone might pitch you on a product and say "Yeah, it's an MLM like Amway", now every pitch I hear is "Yeah, it's a network marketing company, you know, like Monavie".

But in general, Monavie seems to be on a decline as the market gets more and more saturated for MLM style beverages with exotic fruits http://www.mlmrankings.com/monavie/trend.htm

Not sure if it's actually a scam, I guess that depends on your definition of the word 'scam'. Anyone can search the internet for "Monavie Scam" these days and find all the info they need to support or refute claims that it's not a viable business.

My brother Carl joined Monavie and became a distributor about 3 years ago. I have always been the kind of person to assume that most if not all MLM companies are scams, so when he joined the company I Googled "Monavie Scam", and politely asked him what he thought. He assured me that all MLM companies are always judged harshly because of the blunders of a few bad ones, and that someone is always accusing them of something....fair enough.

At least monthly he would find some way to plug it into a conversation about how I would benefit from becoming a distributor, and how fantastic the product tastes, and how wonderful it is for your body. I happen to be fairly fit for my age, and I take multi-vitamins, exercise regularly, and eat only organic foods....but I was willing to make an exception out of respect to my brother.

I want to make my point clearly that I know little about Monavie's business practices and am not inclined to say whether or not there is any validity to a Monavie Scam. I am focused primarily on the product itself, which by the way; contains ingredients that in all my years of organic research and being a true "foody"; I've never heard of. I'm beginning to notice that many of its competitors include the same bizarre fruits and ingredients that can only be harvested after fighting off savage mushroom gremlins deep inside a Brazilian cave that you have never heard of and will never see.

This past New Years, my darling brother came to my home with samples of Monavie "pulse" to back up his latest plug for what may very well be a good company, but provides a product I certainly can't embrace. Throughout the party, I had not had any alcohol, nor swayed from my normal everyday diet with the exception of a few mixed nuts and a single martini, which is standard on a Friday evening. Carl broke out a glass of "pulse" and began naming off the many ingredients within it, and how me of all people should appreciate the dose of anti-oxidants and other assorted miracle fruits.

I gave in, and had a small glass of what tasted like grape/prune juice, and maybe a date-like overtone, a bit sweet for my taste, but I can't say it was terribly unpleasant. I told him it was ok, a bit sweeter than I would be into, but that I certainly have had worse drinks. Within an hour, my stomach began doing things in absolute protest, as if I had literally ingested a Trojan horse full of invaders.

Needless to say, and without giving too much unpleasant detail, I spent the latter part of my New Year's celebration in the bathroom wondering why I willingly drank something I was fairly suspicious about. If there ever was a Monavie scam, I would say its that they are fooling everyone by selling them super laxatives instead of a health drink. My brother was fairly apologetic, perhaps a bit embarrassed and I didn't make a big deal about, but he later told me that I was not the only person he had given a sample to that reacted that way. To be fair to Monavie, it may just be that not everyone is compatible with what is in the drink, so I am not inclined to bash it, but I can tell you I won't be contributing to it in any way.

Another pay scheme bites the dust.

The Anti-Corruption Commission just filed a case against the Unipay2u scam for corruption.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=171586

I don't think this one ever made it to the US, but also operates as Unigold2U.

With so many MLM companies selling various health drinks it's hard to tell which are legit and which are scams. I've been pitched on Monavie, Jusuru, Xango, and umpteen others and now Zija. Thought I would just post my impressions:

Zija Scam?

Zija sells a "smart drink" based on the Moringa fruit. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Moringa fruit. Where do they keep finding these new ones? I wonder if it's like Olive Garden where they just make up new random names for foods that sort of sound Italian, but never really existed - Spagettacholi, Ravietti, Linguisaroni, think of a random name and they'll probably use it. The only thing I eat at Olive Garden is salad and breadsticks, and that's sort of how I feel about juices made from fruit names that sound like they came from a marketing department instead of the rain forest or under whatever bush they claim they found it under.

I've heard of a Morinda fruit, but not a Moringa. Neither one sounds particularly appealing.

Zija comes in a 5.5 ounce can, and there's a dry mix that comes in a packet that can be mixed with water. So far, nothing out of the ordinary. Where it goes sideways is where I start seeing claims of weight loss and health benefits. Any time I see a product with testimonials where people say they have gone off their meds since using it, I think SCAM. Because right underneath all the claims, there's always the fine print that says something like "Not approved by the FDA for the treatment of anything. ( Including Thirst )."

Zija Scam Income Claims

I also get worried when a company compensation plan has lots of minerally sounding levels of commission levels:

Distributor
Builder
Builder 500
Builder 1000
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Emerald
Diamond
Double Diamond
Triple Diamond
Diamond Elite

And...multiple confusing layers of payout that remind me of the payout chart on a slot machine in Vegas. "if you get two bars and a cherry, you qualify for 8 new levels of commission!!!!"

Come on. How about a simple comp plan with a simple commission that you can understand?

I guess while Zija might not be a "scam", there's really nothing about it that would make me want to just stop buying overpriced pomegranate juice at the supermarket. At least I don't have to stock six months worth in my garage.

I posted a complaint about ACN and didn't get much response.

I attended an ACN meeting at the urging of a family friend who kept telling me that the company was great and said he was making a ton of money and was planning to buy a new car in the next couple of months. They put the pressure on and asked for a one time fee of $499.  On top of the $499, they signed me up with 2 accounts, one supposedly for a demo, the other for my personal use. They said it would be $25 a month.  Actually, I was charged $43 a month for both accounts. On top of my two accounts, I started to sign up for a landline, which they said would be $25 per month as well. But before completing the form, I told them I had to go to work. I never signed the form for the landline. I told them I'd be back tomorrow and left. On my drive to work, I decided to cancel the whole thing.

I immediately called ACN and asked to cancel my representative account. I was able to get my $499 back. I thought everything was over. It wasn't and to this day still isn't. At the end of that month, I was charged $43 for both of my accounts and $80 for the voip boxes, which they had said would be 10 dollars each. I called ACN again to complain and demanded that they cancel the landline, saying that I had never authorized it. They threatened to take me to court. I asked them to fax me a copy of the application and it was signed, but it was definitely not my signature. So basically, someone forged my signature on the form and now I'm stuck with a bill for a service I never authorized!!

Does anyone else have a similar complaint about ACN? Did you ever manage to straighten it out?