Guest Author - Meg Meyer
If you've ever been up late at night, from insomnia, or the unsettled Indian curry dinner you ate, you've probably channel surfed. And you probably came upon one of the many infomercials out there.
They're all over. Fitness programs, diet programs, money making schemes. I'm sure you've seen them. And sometimes you even get interested enough to watch the whole thing. And maybe call the number for more information.
But before you hand over your credit card, do some research. Here are some tips to make sure you're getting what you pay for, and not handing your personal information over to untrustworthy sources.
In a moment of Meg history, I must admit racking up my very first credit card on a "get rich quick" scheme, when I was 18, in the early 90's. I had insomnia, as I do on occasion, and my Mom didn't have cable. So, when regular TV programs went off, the infomercials came on. I had a new credit card, some Christmas money, and an enterprising "I can do it" spirit. So, I called the "free recording" and "applied." Ireceived the call back that I was "selected" for the opportunity. Almost a thousand dollars in debt later, and no sales. Ouch.
I've caught a few of the new batch of infomercials out there. Even without the infamous spokespeople, many of the "business opportunities" are still the same old schemers. So how do you know if purchasing a course, a kit, a business opportunity from an infomercial or online is going to make you money?
The short answer is: it probably wont. Most businesses fail. And many of the opportunities out there come from folks that make money selling the course, the opportunity, etc, rather than actually making money in what they're trying to tell you to do.
But you could be one of the exceptions to the rule. You might have the special touch to sell anything, or to put an enthusiastic spin on someone else's product.
Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware
Do your diligence - make sure you investigate the offer before you hand over your personal information. Many people have already lost money, and had their credit information stolen and abused from handing it over to unethical businesses.
Does the commercial or website list a company? Look closely by the copyright. It may appear in fine print. You may be able to do a Whois on the domain name.
Search the web for some of the key phrases you heard in the commercial. There may be folks out there who feel they got bilked, or worse. There may be lawsuits, such as the ones filed by the state of Michigan and the state of Arizona against a prominent infomercial guru who is currently soliciting independent advertisers to sell the "Greatest Vitamin."
Are the organizations that offer endorsements real or made up? There have been instances where the holding company owns both the pitch, the company, and the endorsing agency. Conflict of interest? Or blatant lie?
As with any business, a certain amount of your own skill, drive, and luck will play a part in your success. I want you to have the best chances of making it, by reminding you to really dig into that business opportunity, before you start dishing out money & personal information. Give yourself the best start possible, by only signing on for legitimate and ethical business ideas.
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