Report: Prepaid Legal
Category: Lawyers
Prepaid Legal Ripoff The 10 real truths about prepaid legal Ada Oklahoma
*Consumer Comment ..Pre-Paid Legal's complaints
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Prepaid Legal
Fax: 580-3106915
Ada, Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
Submitted: 2/27/2006 4:48:50 PM
Modified: 1/5/2009 6:52:34 AM
Terry
Dallas, Texas10 Truths about PPL
http//www.ppltruth.com
Truth 1. You will never get paid your residuals. All residuals go to your debit balance not to you.
It is theoretically possible that after you die your residuals will pay down your debit balance and your family may get them but your chances are slim to none. You will find this out after about a year in the business
when you don't receive your residuals. Also if you do not have your associate agreement and estate set
up properly the company keeps them; they do not automatically go to your spouse.
Truth 2. The company retention is 50% or less the first year. The weekly briefing is where they typically overstate this number at 70 or 80 percent to mislead you.
If you do some research they have to disclose it because they are a publicly traded company. Persistency
is a made up number by PPL. They like to quote it because they can manipulate it with the pre-cancels etc.
Truth 3. Chargebacks will kill you. Chargebacks will kill off over 97-99% of the associates that enter your business. They never talk about chargebacks until you find out when you don't get paid on business. Downline chargebacks lead to ruin.
Truth 4. There are more X-Ring Earners and X-Platinums then there are current Ring Earners and Platinums.
This is because after they hit this level chargebacks eat up there income cutting their incomes by typically half. It is rare that they survive this.
Truth 5. All the biggies have a special deal.
They can't survive number 4. That's right. Darnell Self, Brian Carruthers, Kevin Rhea, Dave Savula, etc etc etc. all have special deals.
Truth 6. Corporate does not care about you. The wishy washy 'this is your business' quote is a lie. Corporate
will hold your commissions any time they please without apology. This is cold hard business, not a big family as is portrayed.
Truth 7. The company may put you on as earned and cut your commissions at anytime for any reason.
In the associate agreement you signed you give them this right. For example they have just killed off over 220 associates without warning
based on a formula they refuse to disclose. They claim it is poor persistency but many of the victims have good persistency. This is a scheme to fudge the bottom line. The company will lose millions long term based on this short term rip off of associate's income. UPDATE - The number is now over 600 and climbing. The stock has lost 9 points since this decision.
Truth 8. The stockholders are more important then you.
See number 7.
Truth 9. The attorneys are more important then you.
Complaints about the attorneys rarely go anywhere. Prepaid Legal will threaten your associate agreement if you complain too much about the attorneys or lack of service.
Truth 10. The corporate staff is more important then you. Even if the corporate staff makes mistakes to your detriment the company supports them. Corporate treats the associates like the lowest form of life. No Trust. No Consideration. Nothing. The above truths are absolutely real. If you are currently a PPL supporter that will change. Over time the above 10 truths
will become clear and you will be shaken from the PPL illusion. These truths will devastate and ultimately destroy your business. I have seen many hurt and even destroyed by this company. It's all smoke and mirrors. But there is hope. More truths are being revealed then ever before. Find a way out of this evil empire. Get rid of the shackles of the Prepaid Legal slavery. Become free again. You will feel great!
Terry
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A.
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Updates & Rebuttals:
- one question Aj [3/29/2006 4:07:40 PM]
- PPL , I knew something was fishy. J [4/21/2006 3:19:14 PM]
- I'm an Independant Associate Patricia [5/12/2006 10:17:00 PM]
- It is Difficult To Make Alot Of Money in PPL, So Is Anything Thomas [5/15/2006 2:58:22 PM]
- Step By Step Rebuttal Aaron [6/19/2006 2:30:29 AM]
- The Real Deal Gerald [7/7/2006 1:17:10 PM]
- Some rebuttal! Nick [9/6/2006 9:33:32 PM]
- former associate's input Daniel [9/10/2006 2:54:49 PM]
- prepaid legal has change my life and many others Merry [11/27/2006 3:31:06 AM]
- PPL- nasty wolf in sheeps clothing Michelle [12/28/2006 7:42:47 PM]
- PPL ruined my life to this day on many levels Steve [12/29/2006 12:55:18 PM]
- Prepaid Legal is AMAZING AND REAL!! Judy [1/5/2007 10:31:05 AM]
- Judy, thanks, but no thanks Michelle [1/7/2007 9:59:40 PM]
- Judy and all those who disagree Terry [1/9/2007 8:42:34 AM]
- Pessimist or Optimist? A Neutral [1/19/2007 10:52:37 PM]
- You are right. Terry [1/23/2007 11:23:49 PM]
- The truth about 'the 10 truths' Ppl Marketing Consulant [2/26/2007 10:00:33 PM]
- Just a quick comment. Cary [2/27/2007 2:08:51 AM]
- Corporate Hmmm Terry [2/27/2007 9:44:23 PM]
- Wow Jr [3/1/2007 2:11:29 AM]
- Moral obligation Terry [3/2/2007 6:18:58 AM]
- 10 Truths Sam [3/5/2007 8:07:11 PM]
- Sad but true... Sean [4/6/2007 6:15:40 PM]
- One more thing Sean [4/7/2007 9:08:13 AM]
- YOU PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO QUIT! Wayne [4/11/2007 2:47:04 PM]
- Wayne, how does the kool-aid taste Sean [4/20/2007 3:59:19 PM]
- Independent Ass. Larry [4/20/2007 7:20:38 PM]
- Not as bad as you all say Richard [5/24/2007 11:06:10 PM]
- Richard you are so wrong buddy... Sean [5/27/2007 12:29:26 AM]
- Personal Development Sean!! Carl [5/31/2007 3:19:17 PM]
- Do people actually believe this bull? Jeremy [5/4/2008 12:35:58 AM]
- Interesting Jd [6/4/2008 8:21:09 AM]
- Everything rises and falls on leadership. Anonymous [7/18/2008 2:05:46 PM]
- Whatever... Theunspoken [8/5/2008 11:28:31 AM]
- REBUTTAL Dennis [9/9/2008 1:01:03 PM]
- sounds like sour grapes..... Bmurphy [1/3/2009 12:57:44 PM]
- Pre-Paid Legal's complaints Consumer [1/4/2009 11:29:49 PM]
one question
hi i am currently an associate for prepaid legal and i'm not taking sides at all i am completely open to suggestions, i just would like to know where you got all your info for the 'ten truths about PPL' and how you know they're true? please respond i only want help deciding if this company's future is right for me.
thank you,
PPL , I knew something was fishy.
I was very interested in the 10 truths. Although the service had previously been helpful, my membership elapsed when I was no longer employed at that company.
At a second chance to join, I became an associate.
I went through some training but something was not right. I do not know my current status with the company, as I am no longer doing business with the bank that my membership was taken out of.
I never felt right about asking anyone to be an associate.
Now I know why.
I would like for Terry of Dallas to answer the last rebuttal, at least in brief. Was he an associate; was a friend or a family member an associate?
The part about PPL being one big family is defiantly true. They do not care about you unless you show BIG potential for sales. I am disabled and cannot work full time. I was and am so broke, that now I am homeless, accept I move from relative to relative, so as not too burden one too much.
After hearing a speaker at a meeting about one big caring, should I add-Christian- company, I called and explained my situation. The nicest thing I was told was to talk to them after I had made some sales.
Thank you Terry for clearing things up for me.
I'm an Independant Associate
I'm an Independant Associate for Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. and I have had no problems with them at all. Everyone has been especially considerate and any problems I have had have been resolved quickly, and without any problems even though I'm not one of those people with 'huge marketing' possibilities. I also know other Independant Associates that are actually doing very well with the program.
Also, they *do* tell you about chargebacks before you even sign the associate agreement, and if they don't it's *in* the agreement (Always read before signing things people. I learned this the hard way in my college years).
I even subscribe to their services, which has also been very polite and quick to respond for me.
I didn't just talk to one of their lawyers for 10 minutes. I was on the phone with the providing law firm for well over an hour at a time working out how to deal with my legal situations in a way that would work for me.
The lawyers are not more important than the members either. If there are enough complaints about the lawyers, they are removed from the program.
I can't say I've heard or read *all* of the complaints about the company, but most of the ones I have read/heard are problems that start from an error or misunderstanding on the part of the consumer, not the company.
It is Difficult To Make Alot Of Money in PPL, So Is Anything
I am aware of many of the difficulties in Pre-Paid Legal; however, it is a business and if you do the business correctly, you will not have any problems. I have been on the ropes with the company because I was doing things inappropriately. I changed my behavior and now I am an Executive Director for the past 10 months. Every month my checks are above $4,000 a month part time. I wake up when I want and I only work about 20 hours a week. Most of the time I am spending time relaxing.
The name of the game in any MLM is to recruit alot. In this one you can be successful with group sales, individual sales, and recruiting.
I am a recruiter; however, I am working on a group account with 900 employees to which I will not receive an advanced commision on it. If 100 employees enroll I will get $2000 a month every month from that account.
There are many opportunities in Pre-Paid Legal even if you are not getting advanced commisions. An advance is simply a trust that the client will pay for the year. If you receive $100 commision and the client paid $35.95, the company is loosing money. They pay the attorneys, the corporate employees, and mail the member a kit. It is our responsibility to explain how beneficial the membership is and why to keep it every month. $35.95 a month is not alot of money. We have plans as low as $16 a month for those who really have tight budgets.
In order to succeed in PPL, you have to do things right and work hard. If you mess up like I did in the past, don't quit, stick it out. After all who wants to work a job and change that for the rest of your life. What other opportunity do you have to retire with in 5 years of labor.
Take Care
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Step By Step Rebuttal
I find it highly interesting to someone write so much and say so little. It's another classic case where little personal experience or reference information is entered into the argument and the 'truths' are expected to be accepted on face value. As a satisfied member and associate with Prepaid Legal Services I will attempt to answer each of the 'truths' presented.
1) I've only been with the company for about 18 months and am already seeing my residuals incorporated into my weekly checks. I say weekly because I choose to have paper checks mailed to me instead of a direct deposit. I would like to know more about what this 'debit balance' is that you are referring to. I don't have one, nor do any of my downline associates. Based off my personal experience this is not a truism. You also mention having your estate set up properly in order to leave your residual to your family. This is true of ANY asset you own. Your house, car, retirement (if willable), money and anything else you own does not automatically go to your spouse and kids. Rules differ by state, but in some locations even your kids do not automatically go to your spouse as some courts have allowed custody to go to grandparents. This is one of the reasons the Prepaid Legal Membership offers a free will and will updates.
2) The FTC reports that last year (2005) nearly 90% of all new businesses failed within the first six months. You can verify this at www.ftc.gov. When you become an independent associate with Prepaid Legal your are just that...independent. You are a private business contracting your services to Prepaid Legal. While I have never heard the 70-80%, and I go to every meeting and listen to the weekly briefs online, I can still get excited by a 50% retention. During my brief stint at Wal-Mart we had a higher turnover rate and they are an older and larger company.
3) I can't speak about your specific case, but I was fully informed that my advance commission was based off my customers keeping the service for one full year. I was also informed that if their service was cancelled then Prepaid Legal would 'Chargeback' the balance of my commission. Additionally statement on the 1 year commission, 3 year commission and chargebacks are on the reverse side of the associate agreement. On the front side is a statement of understanding that says you read and agreed to the policies as stated in the contract. Next time read the contract, and work harder to develop satisfied customers.
4) I'd like to see that list of Ring Earners and Platinums who have dropped and the reasons behind it. I have two platinums within my small city of Bremerton, both of who continue to grow their business. Many of the 'Big Boys' like Dave Savula no longer actively recruit opting instead to travel the country and help others recruit through training and public forums. I'm sorry to say, but when I see a Platinum drive up in brand new Lexus wearing an Armani suit I don't equate this with someone who's earning are being eaten up.
5) I'd like to know what this 'special deal' is. Do you know? Perhaps the 'special deal' is that they found this company and got started many years ago instead of a few months ago. Regardless, read the Prepaid Legal Success guide. There are 'special deals' for EVERYONE as they reach different levels within the company. Example: All Executive Directors get an override on every sale made within their downline, whereas a manager will only receive an override on branches of their downline that don't contain a manager or above. In other words; If I'm in your downline and we're both managers, you don't profit of my sales or the sales of my recruits, if we're both Executive Directors you do. This is also not unique to Prepaid Legal as ALL companies have programs for senior and veteran personnel that don't apply to botton level employees.
6) This is YOUR business and you will be held accountable for not running it properly. I've only had my commission held once, temporarily, when I didn't properly take care of the paperwork involved with one of my sales. With a lot of help from marketing services the problem was corrected and my commission received. You're right that this is not a family and Prepaid Legal is in the business of making money too. They want you to be succussful because it will make them more money. Does the secretary answering the phone in Ada care, probably not. Once you get beyond the receptionist you will find many that do as the loss of your business could lead others to follow. Losing business is always bad business, but they will kiss your butt like some retail chains. In the end you are still business partners.
7) What makes their persistancy 'good' and who are you to judge it so. It's true that they can cut you out as an associate at any time in a manner consistent with the contract you signed. Obviously this includes biggies like theft or fraud but there are a couple of smaller areas as well. When you sign up as an independent associate and you do not utilize a their services you have a quota to meet. If you don't meet the quota, guess what, you're gone. It's outlined in the success guide and agreed to in the contract. As always, read what you signed for your ignorance is your responsibility. Additionally, you mention long term losses based off a short term scheme yet 30 years is very long term and Prepaid Legal continues to grow and make more sales. Truly they will top off as there are not an infinate number of people to make sales to, but right now there are no losses (millions or otherwise) and the company is larger today than last year. Additionally, the stock price today is higher than it was this time last year. All businesses experience gains and losses, but Prepaid Legal has yet to drop nine points within the last year, much less recently as you attempt to deceive people into believing.
8) Again, what's your example or proof. I don't deny that a lot of decisions are based off trying to raise stock prices but the idea that the company has overwhelming compassion for a stock holder is silly. The simple truth is no corporation cares who owns stock as long as the prices keep going up. Higher stock means more money for the company to draw from decreasing the need to cut other company assets. Naturally many of the company leaders are stock holders and don't like to see their stock prices going down but I ask you this: In #7 you mention the stock price going down. If this is true, and the company cares more about stocks then associates, then why aren't they rehiring and running the appropriate PR to rectify the problem. Your arguments contradict each other because of poor reasoning. The decision to cut 200 or 600 people does not have this kind of impact on the stock value of major corporations. Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Target, and many others fire or lay off as many as 50 people per day company wide. That's over 15,000 people per year yet their stock continue strong. When a company looks at closing a plant quickly and permanently causing the loss of 1,000's it's a big deal. Losing people over the course of a year is business.
9) I've know of at least two law firms who were replaced within the last year due to complaints. In the case of one firm in California it was only their third legitimate customer complaint. My question in this case would be who's complaints are you relaying. I've had very few issues with my law firm but when I did have a concern I contact the customer service line, gave my MEMBERSHIP information and gave my concern as the customer I was. If you are relaying the complaints of others then you need to wake up. It's not your job or position to collect complaints from others for Prepaid Legals. You handle the sales, let the paid customer service people handle complaints. Nobody wants to have an individual call daily with another 10 complaints they got from someone else. Even if the complaint is legit, they can't solve it through you. Eventually they need to talk to the person who was wronged.
10) The lesson, don't deal with the receptionists. Whenever I have marketing problems I always inform the operator of my situation and ask; 'Do you have the authority to say yes?' If they don't I ask to speak to a manager. That's the nature of business. Working as Flooring's Asst Dept Manager at Lowe's for a year, I had a lot of flexibility when it came to taking care of customers, but there were some situations where I didn't have the authority to please them. There were limits to my power. It was their reaction to me and my reaction to them that determined if they were going to see a higher manager or simply be told 'No.' When you call for assistance the first person you talk to is a receptionist with little authority except to say 'I can't do that.' All business runs this way in that there are levels of authority and you need to go high enough to resolve your issue. I've never had a problem getting in touch with a manager, and almost always got my way after doing so.
Ultimately, the real 'smoke and mirrors' is the so called 'truths' presented in the original complaint. This is an individual who may truly have had a bad experience, or may never been involved with Prepaid Legal and simply likes seeing his name in writing. It seems more like an attempt to twist common business practice and a lack of common sense into an excuse for why an individual was not successful. The real truth: There are many individual, including some named by the complaintent, who have gained great wealth with this program. There are many today who live comfortable lifestyles only selling Prepaid Legal, I personally know three who are in my upline. The 'but' is that you must be willing to make the efforts necessary to be as successful as you wish to be. If you have poor work ethics or business practices it's not Prepaid's fault. If you don't take care of YOUR business and you suffer losses because of it, it's not Prepaid's fault. You need to be responsible for your actions and not spend your time looking for a scapegoat. I have the same tools and market as everyone else. The only reason I've gained the moderate success that I have and not the wealth I would like or failure I could have had is because of the decisions I've made regarding my business. If I invest more time and effort I'll be more successful. If I invest less time and effort I'll be less so.
I ask the original writer to respond to this personally as I would like to know the full story behind his loss.
The Real Deal
I'll make this short. I am an Independent Associate with Prepaid Legal Services. Terry's comments are questionable. I've personally seen success of average individuals over the past 1 1/2 years. The do receive their residuals and their commision have not been held back. My commisions have not been held back. There are times when the do this when your commison level is $25 or less, but they release it after a month.
Chargebacks are a killer. They can't be avoided. I've had chargebacks as well. However, I've still been able to stay in profit mode.
Prepaid Legal is a good, solid company and the system in place works. It worked for me when I've worked it. You have people who make excuses why they fail in business. I haven't been terribly successful in Prepaid, but I realize I haven't put forth the effort to be success as much as I like. It is a difficult business. But what business isn't difficult. Nothing is worth having if you don't have to work for it.
Finally, there are associates who say anything to make a buck including lie or not tell the whole truth. Unfortunately, Prepaid finds it difficult to control what associates say. And people find themselves victims. When I recruit, I tell people about chargebacks. I tell them that you won't receive overrides if you're at the same level and I tell them a few other things that gives them a good idea of what they're getting into to. Not all associates do that and that's where the problems begins. I thought I make this short, however, I passionate about Prepaid Legal. They helped me in many ways. Both with finances and legal advice. They're not perfect, but tell me a company or person who is.
Some rebuttal!
What kind of point for point 'rebuttal' asks for proof and sources? If the company is so good, you should already have answers for your 'rebuttal'.
Aaron said:
but the idea that the company has overwhelming compassion for a stock holder is silly.
To think the opposite is silly. They DO care who holds stock, because if not enough people do, the company loses equity.
My beef was that in 6 months, I had 8 issues, only one was partially resolved, with half-thanks to my law firm. I was told I'd be represented fully, and I wasn't.
In fact, I had my lawfirm send a letter to a dishonest Ebayer, and you know what? THEIR PrePaid Legal representative sent a response with a threat!
A lot of good THAT did.
Good luck, tho. I hope you get rich. Most people don't. I'd tend to invest my time and money in something that has a better chance of paying me out.
Submitted: 9/10/2006 2:54:49 PM
Modified: 9/10/2006 2:54:49 PM
Daniel
Plainfield, ConnecticutU.S.A.
former associate's input
Regardless of the hard work, the PPL 10 truths as listed above are true. In fact, PPL not only fits the definition of 'pyramid scheme', but many consumer advocacy groups and state governments have identified it as such. PPL lost suits in 9 states due to the company's direct knowledge of its associates misrepresenting the plan, it's benefits, and potential pay structure. Oddly enough, PPL didn't use its own product when it came time for court.
PPL shareholders also sued the company because of book keeping practices wherein memberships cancelled over the previous three year period were labeled as 'assests' The shareholders won.
By the PPL associate agreement, I ran into several problems. I was recruited through the associate's upline from colorado, and enrolled through a website of a person I'd never met or heard of. By the agreement, either one of those people was my sponsor - which was largely convenient for PPL's plausible deniability; should that need ever arise.
The documentation from PPL also encourages its associates to not contact state insurance authorities with inquiries as it may 'ruin their good standing' or 'violate bar regulations' In Connecticut, we find an excellent example of that. PPL maintains it does not have to report to insurance authorities, pay insurance taxes to the state, or that it's associates need licensing. In fact, the opposite is true if you consult the Connecicut general statutes. PPL owes a percentage of all the premiums it collected in Connecticut for regulation costs any insurer most pay in Connecticut. Further, the law defines PPL as an insurance. If this wasn't considered to be the 30 year old joke that it is, Connecticut's residents or authorities would have gotten serious and gone to collect their money.
30 years of unpaid tax on premiums collected would instantly spell disaster, and the first people to be swept up by the tide would be the associates. Next in line are your higher level associates, area vice presidents, and PPL employees. Harland Stonecipher would be in the Caymans before anyone saw their due in that event. The states and the federal government would move in, creditors would get a small cut, and us little guys would be left out on the street.
The agreement is purposely restrictive for that reason, and by its criteria, you may only work for PPL as an associate, and any other job, even a part time one, disqualifies you from membership - an option at PPL's discretion. I'd say read what you're agreeing to before you sign it, but this wasn't applicable in my case.
I agreed to one thing, and PPL documentation sent to me after I'd entered into contract said another. Also, PPL reserves the exclusive right to modify their agreement, their product, or their pay structure at any time. This is spelled out very clearly in the literature you recieve. It operates in such a way that Harland Stonecipher and a handful of faithful PPL acolytes are the only permanent winners. With a great deal of hard work, luck, and the lack of a situation where either you or PPL win, you may do well for a while. The way the agreement is structured, they do have the luxury of cutting you loose even if your argument is just, logically correct, and even winnable within the terms they've laid out. They could have brought the pdf file down to one page from over a hundred by simply giving two rules:
1. The first rule of PPL is you don't talk about PPL in the presence of the authorities
2. Do and say whatever we tell you to. If we have told you to say or do something and you have done so, only to find that we claim we told you to do or say something else, you didn't do what we said.
And any real business would have the option of shopping around for promotional and training materials, though PPL has the balls to call it's associates independent business owners even though they don't have the choice afforded by the free market - even if those choices sell more policies. The agreement doesn't let you investigate or act on those choices, not even training or promotions groups similar to the one I was recruited into. The position of an associate is that of a CIA contractor who can be disavowed and denied. Oddly enough, you'll terminate the agreement and stop paying for the web service, but they'll still feel free to use your name on your website like you're a current asset. This will happen even when you tell them to stop doing so, after you're no longer bound to the agreement they can change at will.
'Cashflow' sounds good, but simple algebra, like the kind PPL shareholders performed, actually tells another story. If 'x' equals the sum of one and three, 'x' must be four.
And no, being a publicly traded company says little. Enron and Worldcom were publicly traded companies. This is another selling point PPL and its associates typically use. Per IRS code, being publicly traded gives you the right to not report bank deposits over $10,000 to the IRS; something normal people, small businesses, and proprietorships must. If anything, it's part of why publicly traded companies exist for so long. It makes it easy to cook books.
In fact, it's how America became the place to go to launder your money, to the tune of $600 billion on an annual basis. Most of that money is black market revenue - everything from the drug trade to the assests of third world tyrants, and there's plenty of room in the middle for pyramid schemes like PPL. I'd prefer these people rob a liquor store at gunpoint. At least it's far more honest and less people get hurt. They'll even serve more jail time for it.
The operation teeters fighteningly close to the edge of legal in a best case scenario in a perfect world.
prepaid legal has change my life and many others
My name is Merry Jones and I currently live in Massachusettes. I first got involved in the business in another state. I absolutely love this company and here are my two reasons why:(even though I could do more than ten)
1. This companay has empowered those who have never, ever thought that they could succeed in anything, because their current situation has amounted to almost nothing. Unless you have 'involved', and when I say involved yourself I do not mean just 'sign up', You must truly treat this business as a business and understand the process that into maintaining your business.
2. I have hope now- I know that there may be people who have had negative things to say about this company, whether it be a personal vendetta, or a bad experience, but that is not the foundation of this company. I have worked in corporate America and I still do. So I speak not just because I have association with this company, but by having the experience. In this company, I know that I can live.. truly live the dreams that I thought would never become anymore than just that. if you have any questions, you can call me@ XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,ask for merry
PPL- nasty wolf in sheeps clothing
I am (was) an associate with PPL for over 2 months. The 10 truths posted are so true for PPL. No, I was not a part-time associate wanting to make a million dollars. I am a counselor and decided to take advantage of accumulated leave time. I wanted to make extra money to help pay for the divorce I am going through and to have decent $$ to buy my kids presents for Christmas. I'm no dummy and I worked my butt off. (Even training on-line until 1am while I was still counseling during the day).
For those of you who don't know, when you are training, you have a trainer (upline) and you also have to train on PPL's associate website. There's lots of training, lots of reading/listening and tests. There are also calls made by 'successful' associates/directors that you listen to (recorded AND live) in order to learn how to handle the various inquiries.
I was never told that the leads I was given by my upline were considered 'emergency leads'. So I, along with several others, were docked our pay with no warning. It was not until (after several calls to corporate) that I was informed PPL was deciding to cut down on internet leads, and whomever was using them was penalized. I was informed that they could make that decision without warining nor notification to the associates. I was told that it states on page 12 of the associate agreement that PPL could modify, change or make the decision to cut pay for any reason they see fit, without prior notification.
So basically, they don't have to pay you if they don't feel like it, and make up any reason they want. They decided that emergency leads are not good for retention, so whomever was using them would only get 1/4 of their pay. The one thing they could not answer is why- in the company's training that ALL associates must go through- why do THEY use internet leads and recorded training calls that use internet leads? We are trained that way by PPL corporate and yet they turn around and dock our pay because we are given these same leads by our upline? (Actually, I did get an answer. I was told that they just decided to really 'crack down'- exact words- on people using internet leads).
I used almost 1 month of my vacation (not paid, as I work for a small group) to take this second job and this company owes me almost $1000 for work I did. I feel really sorry for some of the associates I trained with; one young girl (bless her) was about to have a baby and was single; one gentleman was taking this work to come out of retirement to help take care of his ill wife and pay bills. So I got it bad, but there were others who got it worse...
I was told by corporate that because I was technically trained wrong by my upline, I could send in a request for the rest of my pay, and that corporate would deposit the rest in my account in about 5-7 business days after my request was received. That was November 30. It is now December 28. Their reason for the delay?
Back-ups. There are so many requests that 'flooded in' (the CSR's exact words) for pay owed, that it is taking longer than usual.
Why are there so many? This has to be a crime...
This company does not care about its associates. This company lies and teaches its trainers/uplines/directors to lie to get your business. This company is typical of corporate greed. Screw the little guy. They want their money and don't care how they get it. PPL IS MLM/PYRAMID. Scam, scheme, rip-off... DO NOT FALL FOR THE BS CRAP THEY USE TO GET YOU AS AN ASSOCIATE. I thought I was going to work hard for a legitimate company; instead, I LOST money, time, income and had some late bills because of them. Yes, I got screwed, but I cannot help but think of the other people I trained with who had dire situations that they thought would be helped by working for this company. I am so sorry for them.
And Merry, I am glad you like PPL... and have found some success with them... but honestly, it's only a matter of time... There is nothing you could say or do to make me (or several others) believe this is a legitimate company who cares about its associates. When you do exactly as you are told/trained, then you are penalized financially for it, only someone who is desperate would believe any of the sugar-coated lies this company dishes out. This company is a scam. They've sure got the method down though... They're a scam, but boy are they good at it!
Screw you PPL and all the people you have hurt...
Karma is a big BI**H!
Submitted: 12/29/2006 12:55:18 PM
Modified: 12/29/2006 1:25:29 PM
Steve
Asheville, North CarolinaU.S.A.
PPL ruined my life to this day on many levels
I know Rip-off Report wants everything open on here and that is fine, but if anyone wants to reach me via e-mail (investrman@aol.com), I will detail moreso of what I experienced during my time employed through them.
I lend caution today to PPL as it now is using the known fact of identity theft as if they are some knight in shining armor, and that in and of itself, is fraudulently luring you and your friends to get involved in this MLM network marketing ploy... Before this, a few years ago, was the sheer number of divorces in USA and litigations happening and that was their 'hook' then...
My story in summary: it was around 1997-1999 period after I moved to Colorado selling my first business of 10 years and semi-retiring in a beautiful home and I was approached by a local businessman who was involved with PPL then; as he knew my wife just filed divorce, and in Colorado then, laws were such that I was forced from my home, assets, etc.. and everything thrown into the legal system to deal with.
Knowing my frustrations is what he used to lure me into PPL. I believed there needed to be something after my first dozen court hearings and events I experienced that I never thought could happen in America. I also learned the civil court system is a major money making industry and in a divorce, biassness exists silently against the man in the equation 95% of the time. I learned how manipulations and induced stresses are utilized in civl cases by the attornies as well as private behind closed door deals between attornies and judges to feed the legal animal via liquidation of seen assets by the parties- regardless of the Plaintiff or Defendant of the case at hand.
Because at the time I was working hard in my profession, I was forced to take on a 2nd job at a convenience store to feed the legal machine. Then when PPL was introduced to me this created a 3rd source of income for me to work with to meet demands of the courts, judges, attornies, etc... At the time, I had gone through 2 attornies already, and so when PPL was explained, I jumped at it whole heartedly in every way. I even utilized Riggs Abney law firm out of Denver, PPL's top notch firm in CO but it did me no good in the end.
During my time learning PPL, traveling hundreds of miles weekly to meetings and sessions and classes and so forth, I then invested $$thousands in products, displays, literature, etc. to grow my business and focussed on their small business plans especially because I knew small business well... I even invested thousands of hours at Pikes Peak Library in Colorado Springs then researching every public listed company and made marketing approaches to contact each of them in the region with PPL to meet and introduce this wonderful product I needed then and thought everyone should have.
But, as time will always tell, the truth will show itself sooner or later. As I grew quickly and networked with top PPL executives, etc. I believed in what they were supposed to be about... I thought it was the golden egg for Americans knowing how much litigation we had in the country and pulling from unethical practices I felt in my own ongoing 3 years of legal hell in Colorado courts- both civl and even criminal courts..
Anyway, as I got more involved, tried to sign on new members who all fell for the 'free legal services for a fee of $25.00/moonth' and small businesses who had to pay a higher monthly premium themselves. I eagerly spent money to get to qualify to sell to small businesses over just individual citizens and had great ambitions for my future. Then, I started to get contacted from members I signed up and spent many hours introducing this legal insurance as it was then marketed under. People who I cared about started to call me and meet me crying with stories of how when they went to use this insurance they paid for, it was wothless and they felt PPL didn't care about them at all... At this same time, for me to sell outside of Colorado, I was required to pay PPL for license fees to sell programs to other states, so I was investing to do this too. However, as it turned out, I started to get contacted by the Attorney General's Offices in other states because of those members who filed complaints against PPL; and in a nutshell, I found PPL was being investigated for selling insurance products without properly licensed agents. So I was forced to invest more $$ to get various state insurance licences in place if I was to continue to sell PPL in thsoe states; but the costs to do so, I could not afford to do, so I limited myself to just Colorado after that. Then I found there were major lawsuits & investigations going on against PPL, its founder, principles of the top firms they reccommended and eventually word got out nationally and people were dropping their memberships and myself, in the end, for all the $thousands I invested to grow my business and costs for PPL to learn, I made very little commissions, because of one reason or another with PPL saying members didn't stay long enough, etc. so I was not entitled to the commissions, etc.. PPL would make excuses why I or members were the problem, but never them, their corporate structure, or operational protocols.. They take this defense if they are attacked.
It was a huge shameful embarrassment and mess for me, and even their law firm who represented the end of my divorce, saw a successful man, who at 35 years of age, with nearly $500,000.00 in assets accumulated from hard work of many years prior, my beautiful home, EVERYTHING, get washed away in the legal system processes anyways, to where I ended up living with my 3 sons at one point in a cabin tent for 8 weeks in a campsite in Woodland Park CO; and this didn't include the costs the Riggs Abney law firm took too through the course like the previous lawyers..
I burnt myself out trying to please the legal beast, working 3 jobs (1 marketing PPL), lost all custody of my sons in every way, lost any part of my assets or home even, and trusting PPL did me no good other than added to my stress and frustration and I was a Distributor/Director for them even!!
Yes people, even though you pay a membership, the member firms WILL either charge you an hourly rate for letters and other documentation PLUS charge you a retainer to serve you additionally if you should EVER need them. This 'identity theft' program is no different than the 'legal insurance' program I was marketing for PPL several years ago. Just a horse of a different color.
What PPL today states (yes, I just received the new solicitation from internet because my resume is posted on careerbuilder & monster) this legal insurance or identity theft membership is a WASTE of your money that could better be invested elsewhere!! You will be lured to spend more & more monies to be able to get the chance to make higher commissions or market their products along the way. It is NOT as they try to make it seem... I know many others in other states who all fell victim to what PPL did to them, and in the end, you will get nothing but passing the buck with PPL or any of its corporate entities should you have to file a complaint to reach them. Because in the end, if you want retribution from PPL for losses, etc., you will still have to retain a law firm to take your case to court!!!
They DO NOT offer you a damn thing over what you WILL be paying anyway for any legitimate legal needs, services or consultation. What they state this membership covers is bogus in every way, 'very limited' and you will find out quickly, as a consumer, what you expect to receive based on the hype, is NOT going to be what you receive when you call upon any of their member firms. To be kept from the FBI's eyes, a scam or intentional fraud is avoided if one party offers something in exchange for the payment- and this is the grey line PPL operates under.. You do, in fact, pay them to receive some training or product materials, and this is what makes it 'legal'..
They are a SCAM in every way and I will say that on any witness stand in America... I lived their lies, I lost monies trusting them, and my life today is a fraction of what I used to be and it sucks!
As long as I busted my ass for PPL, my upline directors were happy because they made monies off of my efforts (they pushed me when I was not producing enough memberships), then all of a sudden, my close circle of high grossing friends had nothing to do with me when troubles surfaced and they blamed me or my organization for not doing something right when clients ended meberships or wrote complaint letters to corporate...
I said it then, and I'll say it now: It is a great concept, but the product is no good!
You will find, as I did, anger coming from licensed practicing attornies & judges and their lobbying groups who despise PPL and what they are falsely telling people, as the legal system works its way, not how PPL tries to convince you otherwise in selling memberships to unknowing recipients...
Contact me with your story or questions, as I really believed in them and wanted PPL to not only be a great income source for me, but finally a product that made sense and was worth paying a membership to receive. It is NOT! But those too ignorant to listen to those of us who paid the price & pain will have to find out for themselves I guess after they waste monies they cannot afford to lose..
Right now PPL, Herbalife, and other MLM schemes are resurging again for one reason only- There is a newer, younger, naive generation out there which they can re-introduce this crap to and again, only the few top Directors/Executives/Founders will stand to make $Millions off of your efforts in the long run...
PPL and other MLM's are playing off the 'internet is the future' crap story and it makes me sick to see this, yet so many younger people getting caught in this scam time & again... Remember, magazine stories are put ther because someone pays an editor to do so. it all is about money! America is all about capitalism.. Just because you read something in a periodical does not endorse it to be legitimate, morally correct or integrity... YOU have to make that decision..
Prepaid Legal is AMAZING AND REAL!!
I sincerely hope that you did have a J.O.B. at Prepaid Legal Headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma because that is the only way you could have been an employee. Prepaid Legal associates are independent business owners not employees!
NOW, THERE IS NO TEN TRUTHS HERE! THIS IS TEN IGNORANT EXCUSE AND JUSTIFICATION FOR SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN FAILURE! I am an associate and member of all the services PPL provides and have used the services countless times with a positive result each and every time. I have never been ripped off by prepaid legal nor have I had any of the other ten load of crap (thats what it really is) done to me! Please keep your comments as we (successful prepaid legal associates, members and INTELLEGENT BUSINESS MINDED PEOPLE) are not interested in them. BE CAREFUL, LAWSUITS ARE VERY REAL FOR YOU AND YOUR FALSE ACCUSATIONS MAKES IT WIDE OPEN! ABOUT THE ONLY THING THAT IS HALF TRUE IN YOUR STATEMENT IS CHARGE BACKS AND NO IT DOES NOT KILL YOU. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU OUT THERE AND WHEN YOUR NEGATIVE MINDS TAKE YOU OVER AND YOU QUIT THEN ALL THE MONEY PAID TO AN ASSOCIATE IN ADVANCE HAS TO BE GIVEN BACK. ONLY A THEIF WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND THIS Business (You only gave them $17.00 for a new member and they give you $50, that someone quits in a week, do you expect to keep all the money when the services have not been paid for?). Speak to an insurance representative and let them tell you about charges backs!!!! I am one! Does that mean insurance companies are Fraudelent companies?
You know it is quite funny the way each of you has so much negative things to say about Prepaid Legal. For the people who are complaining about PPL ruining them here's what I have to say: Too many of you expect a microwave life, you want to get rich quick with no work behind it! If that is the case why don't you go and buy into every other scam out there! Do you honestly expect to have success in any business without hard work and dedication? You cannot be in PPL for two months and expect to be earning a billion dollars, ridiculous!!!
I happen to know that Prepaid Legal is THE REAL DEAL because I live it every day and IT WORKS, PERIOD. I don't care what any of you have to say about this Great Company you will not be able to stop all of the positive people who are becoming millionaires with this company every year, as a matter of fact YOU CAN'T STOP THE COMPANY!
My advise is whatever your problems are, stop trying to blame everyone and everything, start taking responsibility for yourselves, actions and decisions because guess what, if you are broke, never made any money with Prepaid Legal and you are going nowhere fast, WAKE UP!!! IT IS YOUR FAULT, AND YOUR PROBLEM, SO FIX IT YOURSELF!!!! This is AMERICA people! Land of OPPORTUNITY only if you are not ignorant or lazy! You want to make money? GET UP OFF YOUR BUTTS AND PUT IN THE TIME AND EFFORT! NO ONE WILL GIVE IT TO YOU- NOT EVEN THE GREAT PREPAID LEGAL! YOU HAVE TO EARN IT!!!
I suggest that all of you do your research before you come here and make negative comments about a company and product you obviously know nothing about. The next time you join a business know what is expected of you in order to succeed –READ THEN WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People are so caught up in the J.O.B. mentality they forget that when they get involved in a business it is their responsibility to become a success! Quite frankly I don't care what any of your responses may be to the company or my comments it only proves your ignorance. KEEP YOUR NEGATIVITY TO YOURSELVES AND GO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR LIVES! DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have said what is important, therefore I do not need to respond to anything else any of you have to say. I have no response other than this one, so don't expect any more. I don't have time to waste. I am very involved in positive activities to make my business a success and my time is very valuable. I hope that each of you find peace and have a better year by making a positive change. Have a Great Day!
Judy, thanks, but no thanks
Did you even read these complaints? It doesn't sound like anyone was trying to get a free ride, make a million dollars in one month or not take responsibility for their actions.
I am back on my feet again (and quickly) after PPL DID NOT PAY ME. Do you know they owe me almost $1000 for work ALREADY DONE? That, Judy, is plain and simple. Do you understand that there are so many 'associates' who have been scammed by recruiters?
Yes, I agree with you- there are whiners and lazies out there who do not want to work hard for anything and blame everyone but themselves. But I am not (was not) and so are so many others who have been screwed over by PPL.
PPL is MLM/pyramid. They say they're not, even though they operate MLM/pyramid.
IMHO, you sound like a PPL associate/director to me. You recruiters tout PPL as absolutely perfect and they can do no wrong. No company is perfect, and many make mistakes. And that is the way of business.
The problem I have is the 'wolf in sheeps clothing': PPL is never wrong, they never screw up/screw people over, they never make mistakes, and they can make you financially independent. That is the real wolf for %90 of people who have tried to work as an associate. That is why PPL's associate drop out rate is so high.
I'm glad it is working for you. You are one of the few.
But as a gracious (and smart) 'winner', you should open your eyes to the reality of this MLM called PPL. See how many lives it has interrupted, devistated or completely ruined. When you choose to see the complete picture of this company, (and not just the good parts), it does not make you a bad person nor does it mean you have to hide your happiness with PPL. It will just make you a wiser, more compassionate person.
However, it would be nice for you if you would not come on here and preach PPL to people who have been ruined by this MLM pyramid company. We will not believe anything you say, nor will we care. It may anger some of us more. If anything, you come across like a used car salesman. *Not meant as a personal insult*
Take care and good luck with PPL.
Judy and all those who disagree
Judy and other detractors.
It is important you hear this. Each of the 10 truths as laid out are absolutely true. If you do your research now you can be spared the inevitable disappointment. When ultimatey you do experience it please come back and post here.
My mission is to spare as many people as possible
what I have witnessed and experienced myself.
The 10 truths will remain at www.ppltruth.com
for easy reference as long as Prepaid Legal exists. It is a moral obligation as I too believed at one point in all the lies, hype and cult like propaganda.
Again please post when the inevitable happens. It will save many from having to go through what you are about to experience.
PPL truth remains.
(((ROR REDACTED LINK FOR SECURITY PURPOSES)))
CLICK here to see why Rip-off Report, as a matter of policy, deleted either a phone number, link or e-mail address from this Report.
Submitted: 1/19/2007 10:52:37 PM
Modified: 1/20/2007 8:02:53 PM
A Neutral
Fort Washington, MarylandU.S.A.
Pessimist or Optimist?
Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Those who had, and are having, good experiences tend to be people that think positive and see things with a spark in them! Those who have not so great, or even bad experiences usually go through life with a 'glass half empty' mentality. If you haven't seen 'The Secret', you need to get it. Everything that has happened to you in this life, you have attracted to you. If you had a bad experience with PPL, you have caused that because of the thoughts you held in your mind. If you went into it with the notion that it could be a scam, but I'll try it anyway, then guess what...you ended up with the unhappy ending because that is what you expected to happen. Life is literally what you make it. It's the 'Law of Attraction'. If you want great things to manifest in your life, you have to know that they will be...and they will be. Don't be a pessimist, life is too short. Look at how much time was wasted here on negative energy. Even the good comments were a waste because they were catering to a negative story. I'm not discounting your concerns, I'm just basically saying, look deep within, because whether you want to believe it or not, you created exactly what you got.
Blessings, and I wish all the best for you in the future.
You are right.
I have watched the secret 5 times and I agree with your assessment. I have searched how I did this many times and am working on not having it happen again.
2 additional points.
Prepaid Legal and its people are also responsible for attracting the negative that has resulted from there actions.
They are responsible for creating the reality that puts them down 32% in recruiting. For churning out anti PPL zealots based
on what they attract.
The law of attraction works for everyone my good chap.
Your message about the secret is certainly more valuable than even the 10 truths here.
It frankly is the secret to life.
The truths however do remain and if 1 person can be spared from attracting the wrong experience than my time here has served its purpose. The truths are just truths. If you choose to look at them as negative that is your perception, your view.
I choose to look at them as 'liberating perceptions'
For the record I am an optomist and even been called the eternal
optomist.
I have attracted a great deal of success into my life since my last posting. I've recently had a child that is the joy of my life(my 1st).
Keep up the good work spreading the word about the secret.
I do everyday.
Be careful what you are attracted to.
No matter what your perception fire will burn you .
Submitted: 2/26/2007 10:00:33 PM
Modified: 2/26/2007 10:24:07 PMPpl Marketing Consulant
Ada, OklahomaU.S.A.
The truth about 'the 10 truths'
Hello,
I am A marketing consultant in the ppl corperate office. I just want to let you know a few TRUTHS about your '10 truths'. Persistency is not a number made up by the company, it is a percentage of how many members an associate has had in a 12 months period over how many are still active. Just in case thats not clear it means if you have marketed 100 membership in 12 months and 50 cancel your persistency is %50. Next charge backs, if you don't like recieving advance commissions there is an AS-EARNED ACCOUNT with means no charge backs.
Now I don't know what you mean when you say 'special deals' I do know that Darnell Self, Brian Carruthers, Kevin Rhea, Dave Savula, etc etc etc have work thier asses off to get where they are and they deserve everything they recieve.
Truth #7, untrue again there is allways a reason for why an associate would be put on as-earned commissions, such as an associate not following policies. All info regarding marketing ppl is disclosed and if an associate is unsure about anything that is what we at the corperate office is there for. There is a whole department at ppl that deals just with complaints regarding a provider law firm, you might not know it but they are getting acknowledged. And guess what we do care about you, would I be wasting my time on here if I didn't care what you think.
I know there is a lot of information to learn about being a ppl associate but if you read it all you will know the actual truth. Alot of this is just stuff that canceled associates have made up because they were not able to build their business like so many other assocaites were able to do.
Just a quick comment.
Several years ago i was involved with PPL in North Carolina. My problem was with the law firm here.One of the times that i tried to contact the lawyer,it took him 4 days to call me back. The last time i tried to use them,they never did call me back..Oh, and the time they did call me back in 4 days,I asked my question and it took over a week to get the answer to the question.Oh,then he gave me incorrect info.Me and others that i know of did complain about them but the company never done anything about it to my knowlege. I do not need a lawyer guessing.
Corporate Hmmm
First of all if you are going to say you work for Corporate make sure you spell Corporate correctly!
However,( though I doubt that you are with corperate - for 2 reasons 1. Corporate would never respond in this fashion and 2. Your facts are incorrect.(Corporate is careful when it comes to stating incorrect info due to the risk of lawsuits)
Since you only rebuked someof the 10 truths I will take that as the acceptance of the others.
Let me correct your attempt to dispute some of truths. Please note, I do this humbly.
1.Persistency is absolutly a number created by PPL.
Retention is used by the insurance industry as a standard for tracking retention rates not Persistency. This is absolutely a number created by PPL. Also your calculation is incorrect as to how PPL calculates persistency.
Further they can manipulate even their own numbers with pre-cancels among other tools. Pre-cancels are cancelling members who PPL may give 30days, 60days, 90days or up to 150 days for the members to 'correct payment information' or 'reconsider' their cancellation. Manipulation pure and simple.
This is a manipulation so they can 'cook the books for the investors' by choosing the precancel times. Need to pump the numbers just up the precancel period. Unfortunately the recent numbers reflect that activity catching up with them.
2. All the people you mentioned have worked their asses off but the truth remains they have special deals which include waiver of chargebacks, downlines of cancelled leaders transfered to their teams etc.etc etc. While they have worked hard this misleads the other associates working their asses off that they may too obtain those levels.
3.With Truth 7 you have given just one of the many reasons why a person may have their commissions cut.
Prepaid Legal does not limit themselves to that or any other list of reasons. Per their associate agreement they reserve the right at their discretion to do so. Read the associate agreement and you will see it in black and white. This is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of fact. Unfortunately their discretion may include making the numbers look better for stockholders. Again fact but not in black and white. Maybe on internal documents but not any that you or I will see.
In regards to the attorneys.
The other rebuttal prior to this will suffice.
Just so you know it is more than common for attorney problems to be ignored.
As to the actual truth; the 10 truths are the absolute actual truth. And while you have probably misrepresented yourself as corporate I understand your frustration with reading the truth about something you are trying to believe in.
Again, when it happens to you or someone you know or love please return and repost the truth.
If by some slim chance you are a corporate newbee run for the hills before the Ada Cult takes your soul.
Terry
Dallas, Texas
U.S.A
Wow
Is this all you do now Terry? No wonder you're not one of the leaders, leading PPL to major growth. You don't have what it takes so you start going against the company. Not surprise. A lot of people turn negative after they don't get what they want. Typical. In your case, PPL didn't give you the lifestyle you want? So now spread all the negative stuff about PPL. All you care now is stop the company for having success because you didn't. I can see anger from you (and other people who's in your situation, whether someone didn't answer the phone right or lawyers didn't treat you the way you expected to be treated). You can turn that anger into some good purpose or it can destroy you. Right now, you trying to destroy the company by telling other people that this company is a gimmick. This company has helped so many people, so many people... life of a janitor who mopped floors for living and now is earning 6 figures, lives of people who has no education (because of fate) are now earning 6 figures, lives of people who couldn't afford the justice, etc. You trying to destroy all the hope of other people. That's pathetic. You probably have no hope for this company so destroy others. Pathetic.
To other people who have beef or problems with PPL, come on. Let bygones be bygones. The people who works at the law firms and corporate office are people too. They make mistakes, like we do. They're not perfect.
To people who are thinking about joining PPL, be careful what you actually buy. I mean, you buy Terry's opinion or others like him, you buy their lifestyle. Their lifestyle is where you complain, complain, comlain, complain, so on. They have nothing else better to do so they try and try to bring the company down by filing negative unsupportive facts about the company and when they actually filed something true, it's on the paper or contract you sign (the chargebacks).
My story is I'm an associate with PPL. I joined about two and half years ago. I don't have the success that I want but I will believe in PPL. There's a lot of reason why to. I've been in the level for two years with the company but I won't complain because I deserve it. The thing about this business and life, 'You buy people's opinion and you buy their lifestyle.' I bought my friends', families' opinions. I saw quickly how they live their life. I went through their lifestyle and it's not for me. When I first saw this company, this business, I was ecstatic. I saw other companines (network marketing companies) but I didn't felt the same way. I saw how network marketing works though. How powerful it is. I'll tell you what network marketing is and why it exist. Network marketing is simply taking out the money the business gives for advertising in TV commercials, radios, newspaper, etc. and giving it to people who want to market their product through 'word of mouth.' You do this all the time when you tell someone, 'go see this movie. It's a great movie.' Or 'go see that restaurant. It's a great restaurant.' You gave that company business but you didn't get paid. Marketing through 'word of mouth' works as you can see. One of the biggest 'word of mouth'
company but people didn't get paid for is GOOGLE. GOOGLE was just a college project and other people started to talk about it and started using it. Have you ever seen a google TV commercial? Or heard them on the radio? That's right they don't have to advertise because we do it for them. Lucky guys, those billionaires!!
Lastly, to really do good in this company PPL, you have to be a leader. Actually, that's in any company or business. Like in sports, the team captain, the leader of the team gets paid the most. Like Michael Jordan, he was the captain/the leader of his team and that's why he got paid the most. He was also basically the leader of NBA. He made the game fun to watch. And now everyone in the world who knows basketball knows him. Point is, leaders get the most things out of life.
Moral obligation
VA
As to lifestyle. See truth 4. All of these people had money and lifestyle. Kelvin Collins who earned 500K in 2005 has lifestyle and yet he has left the PPL cult as have 100's of leaders who have lifestle.
This isn't about negativity. This is about truth.
If even one person can be spared the inevitable
truth as revealed above I have served.
If hurricane was coming I would warn my neighbor. If he decides to ignore my warning that is fine.Consider this like that.
The response you lay out is a common ppl montra.
Took me 5 years to find all of the 10 truths.
They are true wheter you believe them or not. It is inevitable.
If you can live with the 10 truths and make it a success at ppl; If you can live with bringing other individuals into ppl despite the 10 truths; If you can reach the top levels and maintain it. Then good for you.
Just ignore the truths, ignore the carnage, ignore the leaders leaving in droves, ignore the membership base decreasing and focus on the montra ppl feeds you.
I wish you luck.
10 Truths
I agree with Terry from Dallas about the 10 truths. It's funny seeing the other replies in regards to PPL, the only reason they come up is because their not aware of the '10 truths'. I could spend time on all ten but I will focus on residual income. Folks it just flat out don't exist. I have to many people in my downline who don't receive any residual and these are people who have been in the business for more than 3 years.
Sad but true...
I spent almost five years with PPL and reached the executive director level in 2005 (it took me about three years while doing the ten core religiously). I ED qualified for two months and then my organization started to fall apart and we went back to producing about 25 memberships a month and about a year later I walked away.
A year ago while I was still in the business I would have been on this board like many are defending PPL. In fact, I think it was Terry that emailed me months ago when so many were being kicked out of PPL for using membership leads.
Anyhow, I walked away from the business in July of last year thinking I was just going to take a short break. About a week after making that decision the blinders came off and I was really shocked at how my opinions had changed about everything. I didn't leave because I had a bad experience or got kicked out. In fact I've had over $500 in deposits in the last two months. I left because I wasn't making any money (in fact I was spending more than I was making) and I needed to get my financial life in order. I thought once I had I would go back and work PPL again.
How dumb is that? I was in a business for five years that still didn't make enough to support itself and yet I planned on going back.
As much as so many of you don't want to admit it the ten truths are fairly accurate. For those of you that say that people are negative and bitter and need to accept responsibility for their own failures, that would be the case had they been given all the facts about the business to begin with.
For example, when the magazines first came out PPL was pushing a statistic that said for every seven people you hand a magazine to one will become an associate. For every seven that become associates one will become a leader. That is total BS. You are lucky if one in fifty becomes an associate and if one in fifty that become an associate become a leader.
Network marketing is all about smoke and mirrors and PPL is no different. 'Fake it 'till you make it' and 'act as if' are common sayings in PPL. That's fine if it's you first week in the business but if you've been in two years and you're still faking it there is something wrong.
We all know the compensation plan changed recently and leaders are saying '2006 was a bad year for PPL' and are blaming it on the compensation plan. The new compensation plan is going to fix everything they claim. They last few days of the first quarter were good, but that won't last long. I will add my thoughts to the 'Ten Truths'.
1. Terry is very accurate with this statement. Anyone that claims this isn't the truth has no understanding of the compensation plan. Your residuals go to pay off your debit balance and you will never see residuals until your debit balance is paid off. I have a friend that is a former ED in PPL and his organization produced over 3000 memberships in about three years. He has not seen a dime since he walked away many months ago.
2. Retention is terrible. If you believe otherwise you are disillusioned. Your first clue should be that the membership base is not increasing at all or is only slightly increasing. It increases by maybe a few thousand memberships a year when there are hundreds of thousands of memberships written every year. Those numbers now include the IDT shield as well.
3. Chargebacks do suck and probably will eat up most of your business.
4. I'm not really sure about this one, but I know there are some huge leaders that walked away recently and I know there are many from seven or eight years ago that disappeared as well.
I also personally know two leaders (one a platinum ring earner) that are currently building a business in another company while still collecting a check from PPL. They can't officially walk away because they have 'golden handcuffs' so to speak.
5. I've been told that Brian Carruthers and Darnell Self have a 'no charge-back' deal with the company. It's fair to assume that if they do the other corporate guys do as well. I don't know this as fact but heard it from a very reliable source.
6. Fact. I've seen it happen to many associates for no reason.
7. Fact. This did happen.
8. I would have to say this is fact as well. They are the reason all the associates were let go.
9. Not sure about this. I always got great service from the firm. No complaints.
10. I don't know anything to support or detract this claim.
I do think it's funny how corporate points to it's stock and says 'see how well we're doing'. The stock is up, profits are up, but only because commissions are down! Less memberships are being written so less commissions are being paid out which makes the company more profitable.
When I started the business everyone was saying we were almost at two percent and momentum was just around the corner. Well, it's been five years and still no momentum. We did catch some when they introduced the $49 associate entry fee, but it didn't last long.
The facts are, PPL has already seen momentum. Not any 'average person' can make it in PPL just by following the ten core. There is always a story behind the story in PPL, and don't forget that.
I now work in the insurance industry and use many of the skills I learned in PPL on a daily basis. I'm grateful that I did learn those skills, but I am a bit bitter that I was sold this dream that for a tremendous majority of folks in PPL will never come true.
Sean
One more thing
Out of curiosity I just visited the Team Nuvision website. On the front page they show all the ring earners and in what year they earned their ring. Notice that in 2005 there were eight new ring earners, and in 2006 there was one. None so far in 2007. Team Nuvision is by far the most successful organization in PPL and if they aren't growing my guess is no one really is.
YOU PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO QUIT!
Do your research and find the truth for yourself!
These truths
LIE #1 YOU DO GET PAID RESIDUALS
Of course your debit balance is paid off first, because you are paid ADVANCE COMMISSIONS. An advance is a LOAN, not your money, so of course they get their money back. What company would pay you cash when you owe them money. The advances are to help you get started fast, you can start accepting as earned commissions anytime you want.
The persistency is not made up, if you download the free legacy software you will see how it is calculated each month.
If you write good business and encourage usage as they train you to do, your chargebacks will be avoided.
For those people who earned ED status and then their business dropped, it's because you started trying to manage people as opposed to staying in pahse 1 and doing the things that got you there in the first place.
As for the last comment Team NuVision has not updated it's ring earners on the website. There have been 2 more couples from Hawaii since Danny Katoa, the Mafi's and the Viaese's who eanred the ring in a record 10 months after enrolling. Also Mike Humes just earned his 500K ring.
As they say if you're a quitter, any old excuse will do. There are quitters in every business. Go out and talk with the many people who are doing it. The Pre-Paid Legal opportunity is real, and if you treat it like YOUR business, not your downline's business. YOURS!! Would you buy a franchise and let everyone else run it? Write good business!! Stay in Phase 1, don't start managing. Look for people who want what you have, don't try to convince. It's not a get ri