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Envelope stuffing opportunities are still widely advertised
in various publications and on the Internet.
Many people who are beginning their search for ways to make money from home find this type
of opportunity very appealing.
Why?
Because it sounds like easy money!
Before jumping head-long into this thing, let's take a critical look at how the envelope
stuffing opportunity really works. |
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What's Getting Stuffed Into Those Envelopes?
Who wouldn't want to sit around the house and watch T.V while stuffing envelopes - and
then the money just rolls in!
Not so fast partner! Ask yourself, "What am I stuffing into those envelopes?"
Is it Sears catalogs? How 'bout Fingerhut? Maybe it's Radio Shack's Electro-Christmas
Brochure? And they're going to give you a big fat commission for every envelope you stuff
with their catalog!
Sign me up! Envelope stuffing never sounded so good!
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
Here is a common envelope stuffing scenario:
You read an ad or get a piece of junk mail claiming that "Aunt Edna" makes
$1,845.20 every week by doing fun and easy work right from her favorite armchair. For
every envelope stuffed you earn $1 or $2 or some other amount.
Often the advertisement asks for an up-front fee of $29.95 or more just to make sure
"you're serious" about their envelope stuffing program.
So far, so good. Easy work, big money. Being the cautious person you are, you may even
read the ad several times to make sure you didn't miss anything.
Nope. Didn't miss anything. Sounds perfect!
You pay the fee and send off for the package. After all, they guaranteed your satisfaction
with their envelope stuffing starter package (watch out! did you read the conditions on
that guarantee?).
When your starter package arrives - assuming it does arrives - you gleefully tear
it open. Yippee!
Your family watches you from a respectful distance, perplexed that you have found
salvation in such a little package, and relieved because over the last few days you've
been salivating so much there isn't an unlicked envelope within 100 meters of the desk.
As you read the literature in the package, it slowly dawns on you - you're not going to
get paid $1 or $2 for every envelope you stuff. The instructions tell you to spread the
news about the enveloping stuffing biz, then you'll get paid.
How, exactly, does that work, you ask?
By advertising the envelope stuffing program, of course.
Yep, they want you to help them earn those up-front fees by sending out the same letter
you read and got so excited about.
They didn't tell you that part before you mailed your check, did they? You see, they won't
pay you until they get paid.
Details, details.
How might one be instructed to advertise the program to others?
Well, you can place an ad asking people to send you a dollar to find out about the
envelope stuffing program. That's how you earn $1,845.20 every week.
One dollar at a time.
Uh huh.
Or they might tell you to purchase a mailing list and send out a thousand or more of their
"special sales letters". Of course, the letter you send out is the same one you
received from dear old Aunt Edna.
Oh boy.
Or perhaps you could put up a web site? They won't tell you this, but make sure you don't
post a legit phone number or a physical address. People tend to get angry when they've
been scammed.
This is a big business. There are people promoting these envelope stuffing programs making
thousands upon thousands of dollars from people who send in those up-front fees.
 Ask
yourself...
Does envelope stuffing represent a real business opportunity?
Does it provide a real service or product that has value?
While there are many variations to this envelope stuffing rip-off, they all follow the
same pattern: get your money before you figure out how this scam really works.
Protect Yourself - Avoiding The "Hook"
The scammer looks for a "hook" to place in you.
Even if they seem honest, don't ask for money up front, and are easily accessible to
answer your questions... watch your pocketbook!
They may be trying to gain your trust before asking for your bank account number or your
social security number.
A good rule of thumb is...
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Some Common Scams
Pyramid Schemes - A pyramid scheme grants anyone membership for a fee, without
giving something back of equal value. Not to be confused with multi-level marketing, which
requires the sale of products or services from their members.
Chain Letters - A pyramid scheme. Illegal and they don't work.
Envelope Stuffing - Legal prosecution for participants becoming more common.
Craft Assembly - It's very hard to build a craft which meets their
"standards".
Fast Credit Repair - There is no fast way to repair credit. They teach you how to
lie.
Medical Billing - Cost thousands to start and it's very difficult to find
clients. The medical community trusts only a few mega corporations for billing their
patients.
Easy Work and High Pay -Beware of anyone that promises you lots of money for
little effort. If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it!
The Truth Path To Working Successfully At Home
Scams are plentiful both in the online and off-line world. You will notice
that those who promote scams may not fully explain what it is all about. You will also
notice that you must usually pay money up front before getting full details. Plus, it is
usually impossible to contact the program's promoter to get further details about their
offer.
Should you invest your hard earned money without all the facts?
Would you buy a car this way?
Would you buy a pizza this way?!
No.
The true path to working successfully at home and making the income you
want is:
| There are ways to make money from home without getting that
"I just stuffed a thousand envelopes and forgot to buy $390 worth of stamps"
feeling. Lots of people are making excellent money working from home - without scams.
Just do your research, and take your time. |
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brett Krkosska provides how-to advice on small business and home-based work issues. His
site, http://www.HomeBizTools.com, helps small
businesses reach their fullest potential. He is also the publisher of Straight Talk, a
fresh and original newsletter that offers a unique perspective on today's business issues.
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The inner workings of the offer.
