Comments on: Fortune Hi Tech Marketing Review- Is FHTM a Pyramid Scam?

By: Chad

Chad — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:32:36 +0000

I am a professional salesman and I have sold many products in my life. I have one thing to say to people who are always looking for the down side of everything. You have never spent 60,000 miles a year on the road trying to make a living, and you have never had to work with your hands and get dirty to try carve out a living. Life is about chances and opportunities. How do you think Wal-Mart works? They are the middle man for every product they sell. They do not own the product until it is scanned at the counter. Everyone is looking for the golden egg, but everyone is not going to find it. The golden egg is for the people who are willing to work for something and never give up on there dreams. That is why 10% of the population controls 90% of the money in the world. I have used the services for FHTM, and it not only saved me money personally, but I am getting a small commission from buying from myself. so if that is illegal then every business in the world should be under investigation. From the federal government down to the guy who has a lawn service with day labors. Everbody makes money off of other people, it is how Free Enterprize works! No one makes you do anything! You do it on your own free will. I am tired of people always crying about what they got scammed on, and what they do not have. I have work hard all my life to get where I am today, because life is touch and it pushes back 365 days a year. That is what is wrong with the US today everbody wants something free or easy! We need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get to work. Multi levels are not for everyone, but if you are willing to do the work and educate yourself on what you are selling you can make money at anything. There products are competitve priced and also benifical to ones health. I know this because I am a competive shopper myself. I must apologize for the writing. It is not my strong attribute! Thanks for listening

By: 719_Kingston

719_Kingston — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:17:30 +0000

FHTM is nothing but paying a few dollars to make a few dollars. The only real way to make money is the “pyramid scheme” sign up your friends and relatives and we will pay you hundreds of dollars. Well if you pay the monthly fee (for your selected products) which they trick you into and your enrollment fee then of course they can pay you because your friends and relatives are payting them. Suggestion- Just ask your friends and family for money. It will save all of you the headache of participating in this scam and being ripped off. Just ask them all for a little donation and save them a huge headache. On the other hand if you know a bunch of idiots that you don’t mind ripping off then go ahead and sign ‘em up and make a few bucks. Don’t involve anyone you actually like. It is such a scam. By the way they won’t refund your money. BEFORE you sign up call the customer service number and wait on hold for 15 minutes to ask the rude “reps” questions. It will definitely change your mind. They are rated F by the bbb. You can see the report if you enter the zip code 40503 on the bbb website.

By: John

John — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:55:36 +0000

I hate all of these stupid business plans that try to attract uneducated people with hopes of making money the easy way. The fact is all of these so called businesses require you to pay a premium to join and ask you to sign up your family and friends. They are all scams!!! Sure some people will make money but at the expense of others. Why pay 60% more for services to get 10% back???? If anyone is interested…….I will pay your bills for you, mark them up 50% and send you 20% back. How does that sound? I am charging you less and giving you more back. I guess I just beat their business plan. It’s kind of like why buy a five minute abs video when you can buy a three minute abs video? Just don’t get you people.

By: Derek

Derek — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:32:07 +0000

You people who are talking bad about FHTM are hilarious! You say its so bad and that its a scam and in three years it will be shut down?? Ok lets make a bet in 2013 that FHTM will be shut down. if its not all you morons are gonna look so stupid and everyone who stuck in it well lets just say there will be more millionaires and you will still be just getting by.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:34:05 +0000

Here is some information that I found about FHTM.

The first website is info about FHTM getting banned in Montana and ordered to pay $1 million back to the residents of the state. According Montana state law, the courts found FHTM was guilty of running a pyramid scheme.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/multi-level-marketing/fortune-hi-tech-mark/fortune-hi-tech-marketing-fhtm-be4b5.htm

Second website is has the video of live news coverage on the courts ruling FHTM as nothing more than a pyramid scheme.

http://mlmblog.net/2010/04/fortune-hi-tech-montana-pyramid-scheme-video.html

By: Team Skeptical

Team Skeptical — Sun, 23 May 2010 01:46:28 +0000

I was approached by a former co-worker of mine who is trying to get people to enroll. I watched the video and saw a folder full of information that was given to him. I am VERY skeptical about this program and do not liked being scammed. He swears that this program changed he and his girlfriend’s life and he just wants to pass this on to other people he knows can benefits from this program. After reading the comments above, I’m not sure this is the right thing for me. Your comments either negative or positive towards this program have been very helpful in me making my decision to enroll in this program.

By: Joseph Isaacs

Joseph Isaacs — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:20:09 +0000

Recently ABC news affiliates have been investigating FHTM along with multiple state and federal agencies for running a scam. Here are the links to some of this recent news. Dont be fooled by the “smoke and mirrors” that Orberson and Fortune NSM’s blow your way.

http://www.whas11.com/on-tv/I-Team-Inivestigation-Fortune-Hi-Tech-Marketing-94266814.html

http://www.whas11.com/community/I-Team-Investigation-Fortune-Hi-Tech-Marketing-94273719.html

By: Kertis

Kertis — Fri, 21 May 2010 00:17:11 +0000

Some of you are so ignorant.. FHTM is no different that other companies who sell products that you can use for yourself and sponsor others to do the same…THE DIFFERENCE WITH FHTM, is the payout is more lucrative…. In my first month with FHTM, Ive made more in one month than any other companies Ive promoted….

AND YOU DONT GET PAID FOR RECRUITING…in other words, when someone signs up, you dont get paid…but when a product or service is sold, you get paid with advertising dollars from the big companies… Makes sense doesnt it..

And for some of you to take your time posting pages upon pages of negativity…GET A LIFE… theres thousands of opportunities out there …if this doesnt fit you move on already….

By: Joseph Isaacs

Joseph Isaacs — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:02:57 +0000

The assumtions that a company is legal because products are available to sell is not the same as they are being sold. FHTM is an ILLEGAL PYRAMID SCAM because (according to the FTC) – more than 50% of the revenues earned is from recruiting and NOT from product sales. Montana has demanded disclosure statements in that state and it will be interesting to see how they are manipulated by the FHTM geeks.

The recent announcement on the FHTM corporate website was done to calm the waters but neglected to state all of the facts (as usual – if they did that nobody would join)

Here are the facts directly from the Montana Securities Commissioner:

Contact: Jackie Boyle, jboyle@mt.gov, 406-444-2040

Helena- Kentucky-based Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM) agreed today to pay nearly $1 million to settle an allegation by Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen that the company was operating a pyramid promotional scheme in Montana. On March 4, 2010, Lindeen ordered the company to stop operations in the state and filed an action against the company, arising from consumer complaints that her office received and investigated. “This agreement sends a clear message to businesses operating illegally in Montana that I am committed to protecting consumers,” Lindeen responded. “Montanans work hard to support their families and I will not tolerate the sale of false promises to them.”

The Order and Proposed Action alleged that FHTM representatives were marketing the company as income potential to participants who agreed to recruit new participants. Those individuals were asked to pay $299 to join the program. FHTM representatives also lured new participants by claiming it offered huge income opportunities through partnerships with large companies such as Travelocity, General Electric, and The Home Depot, when such partnerships did not exist.

Details of the Consent Agreement and Order with Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM):

• FHTM agrees to refund up to $840,000 to more than 3,400 Montana participants.

• FHTM and the company’s founders, Thomas Mills and Paul Orberson, will pay a fine of $100,000 to the Montana’s general fund. Dianne Graber, a Montana FHTM representative, will pay a $5,000 fine to the general fund.

• FHTM will contribute $50,000 to the Investor Protection Trust, a non-profit organization that provides investor education in Montana.

• In addition, FHTM will be required to change its business practices in Montana:

-New participants in FHTM will only be required to pay $75.00 to become a representative,

-FHTM will conduct training seminars along with representatives of the Commissioner’s Office, in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula, and will conduct web-based training that is mandatory for all current or prospective representatives,

-FHTM will provide a disclosure brochure to each current and prospective representative outlining FHTM’s program, including the average amount of income achieved and the average amount of time in the program required to reach each level,

-FHTM will reinforce with representatives that product sales are not primarily for self-consumption but for sale to non-participants, and

-FHTM will require its representatives to maintain records of non-participant customers and submit those records on a monthly basis.

Approximately two weeks from the settlement, Montana FHTM representatives entitled to refunds will be receiving letters from Commissioner Lindeen outlining the requirements to get their money. The refund amount is equal to the participants’ cost less any earnings they received from FHTM.

The settlement agreement can be found at http://www.csi.mt.gov. For more information about FHTM, call the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance at 1-800-444-2040.

By: R.R

R.R — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:39:38 +0000

Not trying to knock FHTM- but what they don’t tell you after they sign you up. The additional cost that comes with it. 299.00 to sign up, then 90.00 to start a bundle pack which you have to buy and the cost is only good for 60 days then you pay full price of 139.00 a month, then you need to pay for the site 24.99 a month oh..and of course to stay connected you need to get the tel tag number for another 24.99 a month. So back in Debt I go! It works if you can afford to stay in the business and if you are motivated to make it work for you. But if you are a busy person that does not make enough to do this…then don’t sign up. Otherwise they will email you daily, call you, text you. I’m a single mom…F/t worker, F/T Mom and P/T student. I did not realize how much time you need to make this work for you. This is not for me! I can’t push people to come aboard without being honest on how it “really” works and the cost behind it. Something the Rep left out and I found out the hard way- lesson learn. Don’t get me wrong. I like the products they offer and I would use it, but all the other leg work- I don’t have the time for.