It is, of course, important to discuss the scams and the scammers so that we can cut our losses and, hopefully, prevent others from making the same mistakes we have made. OTOH, we should be spending even more of our time, effort and energies on the positives. There are many topics and threads to cover those negative issues. This is not the place for that. This thread is the place to discuss the POSITIVES. We should be identifying those traits that make up a good program and we should be promoting and building those opportunities that work for us.

Here are some thoughts I put together in a different thread and I hope that they will provide a springboard to thoughtful, positive conversation and maybe some organizing that will move us toward a safer and more profitable surfing experience:


Maybe if we spent more time talking about our successes like 12DailyPro, Exekosurf, DadnDave's, etc. - we might help some people avoid the scams? After all, we don't need 1000 programs. We just need a dozen GOOD ones.

So what constitutes a GOOD program?

--Six months of consistent operation
--Consistent and on-time payouts
--Adequate and verified contact information
--Experienced and competent management
--Staff and resources to support growth
--A business plan that includes plans for future growth
--Advertising opportunities that provide results for us and income streams for the opportunities.
--Excellent communications which would include:
A Forum
A Support Ticket system
Regular email and website updates
A thorough and growing FAQ
List of corporate officers/board of directors

I'm sure there are other criteria that could be listed.

We've already seen that NetIBA certification provides little protection or guidance for choosing a good opportunity and I think we would all agree that regulation would be a bad thing for the industry. OTOH, maybe participation in an industry sponsored insurance plan would be an indicator of a GOOD program? Maybe a bond?

Somehow, we have to find a way to take the secrecy out of these opportunities. We should know who we're dealing with, what experience and education they have (beyond the boilerplate on the home page), what their professional background is, who is underwriting their business, etc.

It's up to us to do our due diligence but I think the various opportunities should have to provide enough information to make that job possible -- or they should get no money from us.

In a word, we need to ORGANIZE and we need to demand some level of protection for our investments!

So what say you?

your funny

Sometimes I think that having a lot of programs helps make other ones last longer. I think that if everyone would put there money in just a few programs then they will collapse faster. Think about the programs that got too popular too fast and to everyones surprise didn't even last a few month. Slow and steady growth is the key to a lot of ponzi-type programs and if everyone joined the same few programs I don't think it will make the programs better.

Unless the programs aren't Ponzi based, but actually revolve around real investments or other methods of making money.

But I do agree with you in reference to Ponzi Programs!

Organization is good. The problem is that so many people just dont know about due diligence and about programs that are scams.

There are some rumblings of some due diligence and certification programs that are coming out...stay tuned.