AIBU to be sceptical of this job

[stripeytiger]

Have posted this in other subjects too as I am keen to get some advice.
Am thinking of becoming an agent for a mag marketing company - which is basically being paid to display magnetic adverts on my vehicle. I have researched the company as much as i can and re-read the info many times but just want to be sure before I go ahead.
They are asking for an up front payment of £59.95 however they do guarantee a full refund within 90 days should the business not take off or if it isn't for me.

It sounds pretty good, not mega money to start with so not a get rich quick scheme.....but I've had my fingers burnt before with things.

Thanks again for the advice. I am going to give this a miss and keep my 60 quid :)

when buying a franchise you are effectively buying brand equity, their tried and tested business model and sometimes the companies marketing materials and equipment.

this company might be legitimate but have you asked for actual figures from other franchisees or the success rate of others, i.e. how many people have bought in and how many are still running and how much are they making etc. What's sales versus profits etc.

In reality a real and good franchise with an up front fee would be able to provide you with a contract and would be happy for you to talk to other franchisees. they would also be likely to cost more than £59.95.

Good luck what ever you decide

Why not start something yourself?

Agree that it sounds suspicious. Contact your local Business Link/Chamber of Commerce to see if they have heard of this "business opportunity" before.

You need to consider the costs on your car insurance- will you have to change use of car to business use to be covered?

Kara- could you tell me a little more about Aspire?

How does it translate in terms of cold hard cash at the end of the month?

Sorry- arise doh!

CaptainNancy - can you PM me. I don't want to post on here I'm afraid.
There is also a lot of information on the website I linked to.

Kara i have had a read of the website but would be greatful if you could PM me too

Please

sorry, how do you make the money?

They pay you a flat fee for this magnetic advert on your car?

Or you get a fee for every time someone says I saw x advert on such and such a car?

I would avoid. It sounds a bit odd, tbh.

Good decision OP.

DO NOT DO IT!!! I signed up to mag-marketing and paid the £59.00 after being made redundant. They said that it would take 5-10 days before businesses in my local area, that they had contacted would, then in turn contact me. I heard nothing for 2 weeks, so i emailed them, and they said that their main server on their computer had gone down and it was costing them £8,000 to get a new one organised, but it would probably be another 10 days before they were up and running again and I would get people contacting me! Still waiting!!! I paid my money on the 5/2/2011, which was 6 weeks ago. They are now advertising the same "opportunity" with another company called Dynamic Advertising Solutions. It is the exact same website, they have just changed the name as and when! BE AWARE!

Kara - that sounds really interesting. The website was IMO very corporate and somewhat vague! Can you give us an example of the sort of work you do for them?

PLEASE STAY WELL CLEAR AND DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY. I joined them eight weeks ago and haven't earned a penny. I have spoken to other agents who are in the same boat. This is not a good opportunity and I will be getting my money even if I have to go to the office itself and drag it out of them. Anyone else who has the same problem please contact me and perhaps we can try and stop companies like this.

Hi Stretch444, can you advise if you had any joy in getting your money back from mag-marketing/dynamic advertising solutions? I have been trying to get my money back since the beginning of March and they have been using various stalling tactics.

I tried to send them another email tonight but the email address and website mag-marketing.co.uk is no longer in use. I'm not sure how to pursue the matter now but really feel that they should not be allowed to get away scamming people.

Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks

How are you going to make money out of it if you pay them money? And without a contract? All you've done is describe the reasons they've given you for you paying them money. Not how any income is going to be generated for you.

I wouldn't get involved at all.

Sponsorship often involves advertising on vehicles, for a set fee and/or free merchandise. I cannot think of any reason why a company would need to "weed out" so many timewasters if it had a sufficient business need for their business in the first place.

How awful! Most people who sign up can't afford to lose the sixty quid.

@ STRETCH444 and jackattack82 - Hi, I'm in the same boat: signed up to Mag Marketing and am trying to get my money back. Had an email promising a refund about a month ago, but nothing since surprise, surprise... I'm planning to write to them again saying that I've been in touch with other agents and unless they pay up, we're going to start a small claim against them. Might not do any good, but worth a try I reckon... if you'd like me to add your names to the list, please PM me. Thanks!