What defines a pyramid scheme?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by Tom Wigley, Oct 5, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hi there guys im very new so go easy on me :p
    Sorry if this is in the wrong section

    Could you guys help me define exactly what makes a pyramid scheme a pyramid scheme?

    Say a community offers its members the chance to act as affiliates and gain a % of the signup fee for each member they obtain, without making any sort of "make millions online" promise, and it is still a completely viable active community. Could it still be classed as a pyramid scheme? or is that just an affiliate program?
     
    Tom Wigley, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  2. Seller

    Seller Peon

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    #2
    Pyramid scheme is very big shit, don't use that.
     
    Seller, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  3. Stephen Doyle

    Stephen Doyle Peon

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    #3
    hi Tom,

    a pyramid scheme normally involves money being exchanged to enrole in a campaign without normally being a product or service involved.

    ie. sign up at number 12 spot and everyone below you will earn 1.00 etc.

    from what you state above its more like an affiliate scheme you earn what orders you bring in and get paid commission.

    Kind Regards
    Stephen Doyle

    www.ccuk-ltd.com

    Killer Copy Writing
    Super Human Sales Training
    Direct Marketing
     
    Stephen Doyle, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  4. Tom Wigley

    Tom Wigley Peon

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    #4
    thanks very much steve
    i wasnt too sure
     
    Tom Wigley, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  5. SFOD_D223

    SFOD_D223 Peon

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    #5
    You also know if it's an pyramid scheme if it seems that you are doing all the work getting leads and handing off "dividend" payments to the person that referred you to the same network.
     
    SFOD_D223, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  6. Tom Wigley

    Tom Wigley Peon

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    #6
    but everyone would just be making the same amount of money per person they referred
    it wouldnt run multiple layers deep or anything
    simple, refer a mate and get a % comission
     
    Tom Wigley, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  7. KeithCash

    KeithCash Well-Known Member

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    #7
    it smells affiliate program to me.
    You are providing a finders fee for new business, normal busines
     
    KeithCash, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  8. PHPGator

    PHPGator Banned

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    #8
    Essentially if you are buying something from someone else to turn around and sell to others and giving a percentage to someone else then it is probably a pyramid scheme. Essentially the original developer gets a lot of money, and the lower you are in the pyramid the less you make.
     
    PHPGator, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  9. Tom Wigley

    Tom Wigley Peon

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    #9
    it doesnt really work like that though because there isnt a pyramind
    a user is paying to join a community, and by joining they become an affiliate and get say 50% comission of each person they refer
    definately no pyramid
     
    Tom Wigley, Oct 5, 2007 IP
  10. indyeah

    indyeah Well-Known Member

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    #10
    wont take a big description for this........in one word "scam"
     
    indyeah, Oct 7, 2007 IP