what's the chance you didn't call the HOME OFFICE but actually just called a rep of the company? that would account for a weird conversation...

do you really think a company that has poured millions into brand creation, software etc wouldn't answer their phone?  just sayin'

i'm not surprised in the least.  i had a similar experience when trying to reach dr. t. eric yokoo, who supposedly ran clinical studies on cprime.  his "office" said he didn't physically work there and didn't have a number where he could be reached. 

but you know, it's like trying to call the north pole to talk to santa. 

i've blogged about my look into cprime here.  if you like it, feel free to spread it around. 

http://droogie.typepad.com/guy_in_a_bear_suit/2010/08/scam.html

I believe the number was 801-210-7177

I asked not only for the name of the CEO, and got stonewalled, but also asked for a direct number to Steve Maroulis or anyone who could confirm the name of the CEO.

Not only could the receptionist ( or whatever her title was, she giggled throughout the call and seemed to find it amusing that I was asking for the name of the CEO ) not tell me the name of the cPrime CEO, she could not provide a number for Steve Maroulis or his assistant, and never mentioned Howell Bibee.

When she finally came back on the line and said that "Denton Jones" was the name of the CEO, she said he did not have a direct office number and did not have a specific office, and that neither of them were physically in the office ( she said she was answering in Utah ) and that neither of them WORKED out of that office either.

She said if I wanted either an email or a phone number for them I should submit a request via the cPrime support form. Tried that, no response ( not that I expected anything ).

Very shady.

If have any better luck than I did, please post here.

i read somewhere that it is steve maroulis or howell bibee.

what number did you call?  i'd like to try that myself.

Does anyone have any information about cPrime or their CEO?

I have been unable to find a name for the CEO anywhere. A phone call to cPrime resulted in a an absurd conversation where the receptionist said she did not know the name of the CEO, other than that his first name is Denton.

After much hold time, she was able to come back with the name "Denton Jones", as a co-founder, but could not provide an email or phone number or even an office location for Denton Jones.

It's very strange when a company goes to such lengths to obscure those details.

Any info would be greatly appreciated

What happened to the previous Mark Guest thread?

Here's the contact information for his current company.

Maybe everyone who has been scammed should call and ask for the Human Resources department and ask who they should contact to garnish his wages to repay every penny they've lost to him.

KACHING KACHING Inc.
750 Coronado Center Dr.
Suite 120
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 589-7555 (main)

Mark Guest, with a track record a mile long, is back at it again.

Amazing how a string of failures becomes a 20 year track record of working 'alongside some of the industry's most successful firms".

TravelMax - FAILED

Secure America - CLOSED

1 Network - FAILED

The Benefits Network - FAILED

Travel Legacy / CEO - FAILED

XPI - FAILED

GlobalFX Network - FAILED

Quantum Wellness

Universal Lifestyles - FAILED

Kaspar LTD - FAILED

IamVoip - FAILED

From the KachingKaching page:

Mark Guest, Executive Vice President / Business Development
Mr. Guest offers 20 years of experience in the direct sales industry, including positions as an Independent Representative, Consultant and Executive within the network marketing landscape. Mr. Guest co-Founded the highly successful TravelMax International, as the MLM industry was shifting to a more Internet based business model. He has consulted and worked alongside some of the industry's most successful firms and individual business builders in nearly every capacity to create successful support systems, communications methods, and teach day to day protocol for Independent Representatives. Mr. Guest will be representing KACHING KACHING as the liaison between the company and our ever growing independent store owners.

Truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if shipping complaints are in the mix of things an individual can find wrong with this company, aside from the other typical issues such as lack of refunds and results....lol.

I have to tell you that I try to approach companies and products like this without being cynical and close minded, but time and time again, products such as the CieAura chips surface to appeal to a growing minority of holistically-inclined or spiritual "New Age" type individuals (Nothing against spirituality or any belief system) that are always ready to try something that isn't conventional; Only to be completely duped and left to take the loss.

This is a $250 billion industry that has nearly 80 million people buying similar products based on vibrations, light, energy and even symbols each year. Despite the fact that the government has made quite a few road blocks for this kind of thing, the MLM companies that are involved find easy ways to get around the loopholes and roadblocks. In this case, CieAura did it by adding "Our Chips do not treat or cure any specific disease." to the bottom of the box. This box is printed and manufactured by a company that finds every roundabout way of claiming that their product treats and prevents EVERY disease.

CieAura is just like LifeWave, another company selling patches that have various effects on the human body ranging from energy, to wellness, sleep assistance etc. The companies all present their products in a well written, intricately-presented form that manages to suggest without claiming that their product will deliver the impossible.

What I find most hard to contemplate is that even from an open-minded point of view, I am left in awe over the actual numbers of individuals that can't seem to understand marketing even at its most primitive level. I can't imagine being presented with products like these and actually believing that they are valid, and not so much because I don't believe in energies and vibrations and that they may actually hold the key to the future of medicine, but because these are MLM companies, designed by their very nature to make money. How is it that even a relatively educated person can't tell when a presentation is trying to pat them with their hard earned cash?

FHTM was recently sued in their home state of Kansas with a federal class-action lawsuit.

The complaint is allegedly 156 pages long and names FHTM and 37 individuals.

The complaint claims that Fortune Hi Tech Marketing is a pyramid scheme, and that the company's business model is based on recruitment.

It's important ot note that this suit is not a state or federal action, but a class action suit against FHTM by individuals seeking specific damages from the company.

Close Topic

Correction... I have never met Dan

Hi Doc,

They had a "Founders Program" which included a lot of perks... I don't know this, but they probably were under capitalized and needed the money. I was also familiar with the Chief Science Officer Dr Ken Kroll. The Synaura product was actually pretty good. The company had a good story.

I understand these people are angry but these are entrepreneurial ventures and sometimes entrepreneurs lose money. It was a start-up, they took a gamble by joining... and lost.

And, the company Dan joined (and-just for the record- I've met him) Xowii looks like a winner. It's got a younger vibe and young people are realizing they have to do something different than look for a job. Even though baby boomers have money, many of them still believe that they can rework their resume and get a job. These jobs are gone... forever. The economy is changing, people who adapt to change will thrive. Staying hung-up on Synaura is not change.

And, I'll bet Mr Maltais is hungry. What is he supposed to do, not feed his family? Talented, hungry people generally get results. I think I am going join Xowii. I probably won't join their team beacause of this "Synaura stuff." I am researching now.... stay in touch

Scott 

That's a positive.

$2500 is a pretty steep enrollment fee. I assume that was for product.

What company are you with now?

I was a Founding Synaura Distributor and did get the refund ($2500) promptly from Dan. That was back in January when it was obvious the company was destined to fail... Don't know much more, Scott

Not unusual, but not really good business practices either when the person behind the recruiting is the ex-founder of the failed companies.

Close Topic

Elur, headed by Dan Maltais, like Synaura, seems to have folded.

An email gives info for getting a refund. HURRY.

refunds@myelur.com – REFUNDS!!!

questions@myelur.com – Questions regarding Elur or MLM

Blogs seem to report that Dan Maltais is now recruiting for XOWII.

[quote user="Elur MLM"]

DAN MALTAIS's XOWii TEAM NAME is 'TEAMXO' (DiscoverXO.com)...

HE's NOW 'ATTACKING' the ELUR/SYNAURA DATABASE... WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR REFUNDS AND OWED COMMISSIONS $$... Elur executives still owe Salary!!!

IS XOWii COMPANY REALLY ALLOW HIM TO DO THAT? (READ BELOW

From: Free Product Offer [DAN MALTAIS]
Sent: Wed, 9/1/2010
Subject: Elur Members - Join Xowii For Free!

Synaura and Elur Members,

Now until September 15th you have the exclusive option to join Xowii for free. ($39 Value) This offer is only good for Synaura and Elur members and is for a limited time only.

Xowii is the fastest growing Home Based Business in 2010 and is attracting leaders from Monavie, Xango, Synaura, Elur, Zrii, Omnilife, Jus International, Xyngular, Tahitian Noni to name just a few.
...

[/quote]

This seems pretty typical if Synaura and Elur have closed. Usually it's called a 'lateral transfer' and the goal is to bring in the reps and their downlines.

What's not typical is that it's being done by Dan Maltais, who from the information I've read is the one responsible for the closure of Elur and for the refunds that are owed.

Has anyone successfully received a refund? Is Dan Maltais a California resident?

it's a scam.  i've researched it and blogged about it here:

http://droogie.typepad.com/guy_in_a_bear_suit/2010/08/scam.html

ABOUT "THE CHIP"

I recently on August 01/2010 dissected a CPRIME bracelet and found that the amazing chip in the inside is foil, that's right no wires, microchip, or anything but two pieces of foil glued together with the inscription "Zero Point Inside" in black print. This dissection is available for all to view on You Tube, just search under, inside a cprime bracelet, or go over to thecprimebracelet.com and you can also see the dissection.

After dissecting this bracelet test were performed with the foil found inside on many different people, none yielding any associated benefits. It's like the demo that Cprime does, they ask you to flexibility test and other things. All which if performed without the bracelet typically yield the same results. If I bend over and try and put my palms on the ground on the first try I will not be able to bend as much as the second attempt as the more I stretch the more flexible I become with or without a bracelet. 

I do believe in magnetic therapy and have found many well documented studies conducted conclusively proving the benefits. Cprime is a magnetic bracelet, not a magical bracelet. As for the "Chip" that's inside it is revealed in real time, you be the judge. If you are a distributor and would like to carry some far higher quality bracelets with over 2000 to chose from from one of the leading manufacturers in the world then go to magneed.com. You can buy superior bracelets for a fraction of the price, you can even have them customized, engraving cost about 30 cents extra per bracelet and some of their best bracelets with far more Gauss - a rating of magnetic strength can be bought for less than $10.00 each. In the spirit of free enterprise I strongly recommend (a) doing your research, and (b) offering a better product at a better price that also allows you to make a much larger margin while controlling everything yourself and not getting caught up in a MLM - unless you form your own, or a dictatorship like distributor agreement.

In close I quote Eldridge Cleaver, "In life many people blame their situation on circumstances, I believe if you can't find the circumstances you are looking for then create them". I concur! Go create, followers never lead, and leaders never follow.

The Truth

Your long-winded, cliche ridden OPINION is just that. Actually, it seems that you are good at your soap box thing- maybe too good?  You really sound like a depression-era grandma that just has to attack anything that does not involve doctors- or God.

First, I do not sell these, I am a soccer coach and player.

We had a non-involved college athlete test several high school athletes and their parents in several different scenarios, and repeated these in several ways, including blind tests and placebos.  Not scientific method, just real world. All showed obvious improvement in balance and flexibility, with no definable strength changes. It was much more difficult to move them "off their feet'. Based on that, we believe in them. Increased balance and flexibility is, in athletes, a very important route to better performance by using less energy. In my case, I stretched measurably farther with much less pain.  I  touched the floor with both hands, a 4" increase. I am 54 years old.  If someone told me that these make me instantly stronger, that would not be true, but try and push me off my feet and you will have to work harder at it than before. If a live strong bracelet does that same thing, is it part of a hoax also? Or did it do something? You admit to seeing the changes, therefore they did happen.

Skeptics with the ability to type... and forums to display their drama.

Well, I don't condone the negative posts about another company, but you sure seem to know-a-lot about "what this is"... for someone who just doesn't like "someone's website or a negative post".  Are you some successful home business owner? or someone who just likes to criticize any opportunities that wouldn't free you from being tied down to your full-time job income...?

You apparently don't understand that "a mentoring system" or the Mentoring For Free system DOES NOT PROMOTE ANY specific PRODUCTS or SERVICES for any company.  IT IS A mentoring system.  It doesn't "boost sales for any MLM company".  You can plug-in to the Mentoring For Free system for ANY COMPANY or use the system TO PROMOTE ANY MLM OPPORTUNITY.  IT IS FOR PROMOTING ANY 5 PILLAR programs!!

Why would it "conveniently match" a company called Vitamark?  WHY?!  Why would you promote any 5 Pillar program and not choose any 5 Pillar company to work?? THAT WOULD be moronic.  You have somewhat of a backward reasoning for your post other than trying to respond to "some negative response" you saw on this website.  If you need some "SECONDARY MARKETING PROGRAM"... then that must mean that your PRIMARY MARKETING PROGRAM doesn't work, or it's not a 5 Pillar company.

Therefore this is a "Mentoring For Free" system.  It's a system that anyone can plug-in to and promote any MLM company!  I HEAR that there are people now starting to realize that they need to look for some 5 Pillar companies to promote, or that their compensation is FALLING SHORT of their expectation or work effort.

Sincerely,

someone who is using this 19.95 program to promote a 5 Pillar company because "somebody built me the system" for me to use.  Why is it working so well?  Because I read what those "pillars" are in a program (in the FREE e-book) and found a company that the "Mentoring For Free" system works with successfully.  Why?  Because it is a company that at least meets those major support "requirements".  Do you realize how many distributors would love to have any-type-of mentoring system "for free" or pay $20 a month to make their own business and MLM program that successfully earns MORE THAN just $20 a month in profit?  It's a "system of advice" that helps your "Retun on Investment".

Or just "struggle" with what your doing with leadership tells you lies while you struggle trying to figure out why you can't make "their company work" when THEY WOULDN'T EVEN BE ABLE to make it work if they WERE DISTRIBUTORS working their own company's program!!!

FYI... IF YOU'RE THE COMPANY OWNERS . . .THEN YOU ALWAYS MAKE MONEY FROM THE DISTRIBUTORS NO MATTER WHAT!  DUH?

Why do you think there are so many "start-ups" that fail as the "flood of people" hype themselves into "giving the failing start-up" a "lottery of hype to get in first".   It's like a fake IPO that every investor can't make their money back from because of a weak business plan or compensation.  But people still run to try and get their next "winning ticket" in the next IPO start-up.  I can't go on enough about hyped "untruths/missing information" companies keep from their own distributors they already lured into their pool while "they relax by their pool" counting all the money from "hyped-bait".

First off, MLM are not scams.  They are legitimate businesses but can be hard to work.  Some are set in tough ways where you are locked into narrow paths which tend to make money only for those who focused and determined.  Many people get upset because they didn't get "rich quick" or failed to reach a unrealistic goal.  ALL business venures include risk, but people want instant everything with very little work.  If an MLM sells a product, than you must move the product to make money.  Kind of sounds just like Walmart!!  MLM's setup a structure just like IBM, BEST Buy, or any other real business, and with the MLM you get paid on commission (downline, retail etc.) which means you MUST work!!

MonaVie, from my understanding, you must be a distirbutor to even buy. If that is the case, you have two maybe three income streams.  Direct sales, Internet sales (not sure if they give you a website) and downline commission.  WIth that said, similar to what WatchDog said, not everybody will succeed, and they want to blame someone else or the system.

"

I  hope that you will recall that I selected three Sinus chips, I cut the backing on all three to the same size. One of the chips was taken to another room and exposed to a strong magnet.  All three chips were then placed in a bag or container and shaken well. The first chip taken from the bag did not provide relief for my sinus pressure. After more than three hours with the chip in place and drinking plenty  of clean water there was no relief.  At about noon I removed the first chip and discarded it. I selected another chip from the bag and placed it behind my ear where the first one had been removed. Less than 15 minutes later relief of my sinus pressure was felt. My next sinus problem began  Sunday. I removed the chip that was in place and replaced it with the last chip in the bag. In less than 15 minutes the pressure was relieved. My sinuses are still clear on Tuesday July 20,  2010. This product works for me. I know that you and I both know that valid experiments must be repeated several times by differend people with similiar results. Keep in mind that the probability for the last chip was 1:1 that I would draw a chip that would or would not work considering the placebo effect. It worked for me, my conclusion the chip influenced the positive  change in my sinus condition.

Appierce

Any chance you could conduct that test I suggested to see if it's actually the CieAura stickers that are giving you those results and not just the placebo effect? Love to see your results!