Envelope Stuffing: What You Should Know
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!
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! that guarantee is very conditional).
When your starter package arrives - assuming it arrives at all - 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 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.
Want to know more about
envelope stuffing?
Get the facts on...
The inner workings of the offer.
10 things the promoter won't tell you.
Warning signs it's a scam.
Can you stuff legitimately?
Read it now in BIZ TALK
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 what, when, where, and 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!
There are ways to make money from home without getting that "I just stuffed a thousand envelopes and forgot to buy $370 worth of stamps" feeling. Lots of people are making excellent money working from home; without scams.
Just do your research... and take your time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Brett Krkosska provides how-to advice on small business and home-based work issues. His site, http://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.
Disclaimer: The information presented and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent the views of Work-at-Home-Business.com and/or its partners.
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