ACN, Inc.

[OnePingOnly]

So several people I know are into it. They're totally drinking the Kool-Aid. The sad thing is they're intelligent and successful people (they are physicians). I recall looking into it a year ago and wrote it off as another Quixtar-esque business. What say you AT geniuses?

 

[thegimp03]

Ahh, yeah, it's a pyramid scheme - anyone who doesn't know what this is, Wikipedia has an informative article on them. ACN also has a website.

About 5 years ago when the economy was bad (but not as bad as now) I was invited to one of their seminars. I was a sophomore in college. I think the seminar was $10-15 entrance fee. At the seminar they get a bunch of the top guys (who've apparently made a lot of money) to get up and talk you into doing it - these guys are no more than douchebag car salesmen and most of them haven't even gone to college (my take on it). They latch onto the doctors/MBAs/people with high education and really try to get them involved because it builds trust with other people they try to swindle in - look, they got a Harvard MBA to get up and speak to people, it makes them look good!

Right after the $10-15 seminar, they hold another seminar, but this one costs $500 - with promises of getting you started and netting you thousands of dollars within weeks. I remember thinking about it and then leaving. Something didn't seem right. They tell you that if you bring in 2-3 customers (I can't remember the exact amount) within a certain time period, that they'll refund the $500 fee. A couple of my buddies tried it out but didn't ever get the customers and thus lost the $500.

 

[AccruedExpenditure]

Yes

 

[daveshel]

I've used them as my long distance carrier on my land line for maybe 5 years. I don't do much long distance, but I'd rather pay as I go instead of having it bundled with something else. I don't know if I'd even recommend it to someone else - I haven't checked to see how it competes for years. But it works and I'll keep using it until I have some reason not to.

But would I get involved in the pyramid? No. I decided long ago while playing with Amway that I don't have any wish to turn every social contact I make into a business opportunity.