The Apex Merchant scam, as it is called by some who accuse it of providing misleading information to get sales people to come and work for them, is being blown way out of proportion. This is a company that leases machines for credit card approvals and it offers several leasing options and monthly rates based on what kind of machine you want to use in your store, hotel, restaurant, etc. It also promises to provide their sales staff with pre-qualified leads to help them book clients, set up the appointments, and basically act as secretariat so sales people don’t get bogged down by paperwork and phone calls.
What is a Scam?
The word “scam” is often used loosely; to describe situations that cover anything that doesn’t agree with a person. A scam is when a website or business requires payment up front and fails to deliver on promises or goods. A scam is when a person is fooled into giving information expecting something in return but getting nothing.
What is Not a Scam?
In the case of the so-called Apex Merchant scam, there are a few people who are complaining about pre-qualified leads not turning out to be sure shots. But a prequalified lead only means that there is a higher chance of being able to book this lead because they have passed through the company’s initial set of requirements. It has no bearing on whether or not the contract is signed because the company cannot dictate to them to sign the deal. It’s like a referral about someone who may have expressed an interest in your product or is currently using a similar product from a competitor. Pre-qualified leads are never a sure thing, but they do get a foot in the door. The rest is up to the sales person to work on to close the deal. This isn’t a scam because the pre-qualified leads are given to every sales person and that part of the promise if fulfilled.
Another common complaint is that appointments are supposedly cancelled by the potential client without informing the sales person which means a wasted trip and higher costs for the sales person. It’s strange how details are often glossed over when people are complaining and crying “scam or rip-off.” While the company may be offering secretarial duties to every sales person, it’s a two-way street. Sales people should take the initiative to call ahead either the office or the prospect and confirm the appointment. It’s part of being efficient. On the other hand, companies do make mistakes and forget to inform their sales people of the new changes. It’s not a crime not is it a scam. It’s a mistake.
The Internet World of Scams and Pseudo Scams
Because it is so loosely used, using the word “scam” is often applied to network marketing opportunities because it’s impossible to please everyone all the time. If one were to browse through “Internet scams,” the results would be in the millions but the reality is not every one of them is legitimate rip-offs.
What is Networking Marketing?
Networking marketing is trying to recruit new business using the Internet. It is earning commissions or rebates as a sales person and recruiting a business network who will work under your umbrella. As the network earns, you earn a rebate from their sales. It’s a way of marketing products and services and has been around for over 50 years. Now something that has been around that long cannot be considered a business scam. It is relatively new in the Internet and that’s where it gets complicated.
With so many inexperienced people starting their own business online and choosing to go with network marketing, a lot gets lost in translation. They expect to be spoon-fed just like in a corporate setting, but that rarely the case. So when things get tough or don’t go their way, they call it a scam.
With network marketing, you have to do your homework. You cannot rely on the company 100% because in most cases, you are not considered a regular employee.
You also have to understand the system of marketing and stop relying on slapstick talk about instant earnings and quick cash. It’s a career and it could bring in a good income but not without a little blood, sweat, and tears.
How Far Would A Person Go To Bad Mouth Another?
Sadly when people get embarrassed, upset, or angry about a situation, statistics show that 8 out of 10 will talk about it. Out of every 5 persons, one will share his or her experience with others. One man from Minneapolis, Robert Leone, even went so far as to tell over 3,500 people about his bad experience with a certain moving company – and he did it all by sharing his story personally since this happened in the 1970s when the Internet was just a budding industry.
Today, with a few keystrokes and a good Internet connection, one can talk badly of anyone or any company in seconds and the potential for this reaching millions of people is astonishing. The morale is to not trust everything you read and to take content with a grain of salt just like the so-called Apex Merchant scam.