TVI Express Backpedals on "Verification", claims "member demand"

Most recent announcement from TVI Express says that verification, after exactly 2 months in place, has been canceled EXCEPT for countries in which they have an office.

However, this announcement was COMPLETELY unofficial as it was never published on their own website! Instead, I'll point you to one of their mouthpieces: Kaspi and Jackson's IncreaseMyMonthlyIncome.com. However, what's really interesting is this quote below:

http://increasemymonthlyincome.com/tvi-verification-process-removed-for-non-established-countries/

This implies that as of now, except for members from India, Indonesia and Philippines where we have our registered offices and support teams in place, members from rest of the countries would be able to access financial manager and eVouchers section of their user back-office without having to get their account(s) verified.

Did TVI Express just admitted that they have NO real office in Cyprus or UK? 

So when exactly did TVI Express started?

If you search on the Internet, you'll see two different dates on when exactly did TVI Express got started.

TVI Express itself says January 2009. However... The webpage that had it is now HIDDEN!

They have a link called http://www.tviexpress.com/newsroom.php


However, the link does NOT appear anywhere ELSE on the website!

If you click on it, it says

Thursday, 01 Jan 2009
TVI Express Announces Launch of its Corporate Website 

However, if you click on that link, it shows 404 error. The link no longer exists.

If you search TVI Express announcement, you'll see that their earliest one they have is July 2009. Apparently they don't consider the date they started to be important enough for an announcement.

So why does some other websites claim that TVI Express launched in April 2008? Google search found plenty of examples (some of which are dead, but not all)  See screenshot of Google Timeline search below:

So who invented the April 2008 date when the official site says January 2009?  The date came from the date tviexpress.com domain was first registered. However, there is no mention when did the COMPANY itself got started.

This proves that TVI Express distributors are creating their own crap since the VERY BEGINNING.

Has TVI Express Hinting that It is a Scam all along?

TVI Express has used a LOT of words with double meanings, and there were hints all along that things were never what they seem. Had they indicated ALL ALONG that they were a scam?

FACT: Do you know the TVI Express "slogan"? "Touching Lives Globally". It never did say anything about IMPROVING lives, did it? Getting scammed is "touching" as well.

FACT: TVI Express held a "golden eggs 2010" event in Indonesia. Golden eggs, sounds prosperous. However, did nobody hear of the story of the goose that laid the golden eggs? It was one of the most famous of Aesop's fables... About GREED leading to the downfall. There is even an Eastern version about goose and golden feathers.

Did you find any other "deeper meanings" in words of TVI Express?

EDIT 1: There are a lot of references to "TVI Express Tsunami". We all know about the tsunami that wiped out a lot of Indonesia and such few years back. And nothing good comes out of a tsunami. Do you really want to be associated with a tsunami? Tsunami WIPES OUT people's lives.

EDIT 2: There are even MORE references about "Exploding TV Express"

http://ezinearticles.com/?TVI-Express-is-an-Exploding-Home-Based-Business-Opportunity&id=2803121

Why would a company be exploding? Do these people not understanding English?

Some more classic TVI Express "Weasel Reviews"

Welcome to another episode of "TVI Express Weasel Reviews", where we review the reviews of TVI Express, and expose the weasel who post bogus reviews in order to promote TVI Express, an international scam. 

Today's highlight is on http://phyllis.boseviews.com/2010/06/11/the-ultimate-3rd-party-tvi-express-review/ . It claims to be the "ultimate 3rd party" review. Does it live up to its name? Sadly, it did not even come close, as it did not address any of the negative issues. It's clear that the author did no research for this at all.

Introduction: sets a bad example

Just the overall look of the article is already raising red flags. Random ad words promoting shoes are inserted into the article at random places, even in the middle of a sentence. 
Furthermore, it is a copy of an existing article, posted at http://www.articlesbase.com/affiliate-programs-articles/3rd-party-tvi-express-review-1432429.html  At least this article doesn't claim to be "ultimate" review. Yet the author of the original was a guy, and the person posting it here is called "Phyllis". So can't be the same person. This blog post was PIRATED!
But was the review any good? Unfortunately, no.

Copying Out of Date Info = STUPID

The original article was written in September 2009. Thus, reposting it in June 2010 makes it OLD and months out of date. Yet the article itself has no date reference, making the entire article unreliable.

Who are TVI Express?

Travel Ventures International are better know as TVI Express. They are a relatively new company based in London, UK. TVI Express is a home based business opportunity based on the internet and has sales representatives in over 50 counties and growing.

As the TVI Express website itself proclaims "over 150 countries" (as of June 2010), this information is severely out of date.

Incentive? What Incentive?

The second section is not much better, as it managed to be misleading even without being out of date.

What are the benefits?

At the end of the day, TVI Express is a travel company. They have a fantastic start up incentive, and continued incentives afterwards too. Representatives also get great discounts. TVI Express have partnered with some of the most reliable companies in the travel industry ranging from car rentals, to airlines, to resorts.

One of the greatest advantages is that TVI Express is internet based. This is a great home business opportunity.

Well, the "start up incentive" are... what?. What are "continued incentives"? Great discounts... on what?
Then the guy swallowed the company line whole, claiming "partnered with some of the most reliable companies in the travel industry" when the TVI Express website said no such thing. In other words, the original author either invented this partnership, or he got the information from a member without even checking it. Either way, it is wrong.

Teamwork... for what?

The next paragraph shows that the author has absolutely no idea what TVI Express sells, yet he does know that you need an aggressive team.

My next point could be both positive and negative, depending on your circumstances. Your commissions come as a result of a team effort. The reason I like home buisnesses is because my success is a direct result of how hard I work. I tend to find myself extremely ambitious and in these circumstances prefer not to be reliant on a team. I am in charge of my own future. When it comes to a team commission structure, you have to be sure that you are in a team where everyone is as ambitious as you. If they are not as ambitious as you, you could find seven people riding on your hard work. Hopefully, this will not be the case as the commission structure does look good. There are ways to move ahead if you team is holding you back. But the best route is by far an ambitious team.

So no matter what TVI Express sells, even if it sells nothing, you need an ambitious team, according to this guy. And what is a "team commission structure"? It's clear that this guy did not even read the TVI Express compensation package. There is no "team commission"! He can't even get the number of people in the matrix/board right... It's 15, not 8! And notice, he still have not figured out what TVI Express sells!
Next paragraph is not any better:

The compensation structure for TVI Express is cycled. Once you make it to the top and you build your team to it’s full extent, you rotate down to the bottom again and repeat the process. You can repeat this cycle endless times each month, week, and even day.

First, it is "its full extent". Second, did not mention the two separate boards. Third, what does the cycling do? No idea.

It's clear that this guy understands nothing about TVI Express, or even read the FAQ or watched the presentations at all.

Who did you speak to again?

The author then tries to explain away some confusing stuff, and I do applaud him for that.

I was able to speak to several people during my research about TVI Express. Warren Buffet and Richard Branson as well as some very well known companies are mentioned on their website. Their website does not claim to be backed by these people and companies, but rather that Warren Buffet and Richard Branson back the Direct Sales/MLM industry as a whole. This has created some confusion with sales reps which is merely a misunderstanding rather than dishonesty. TVI Express is backed by a UK business group.

It is interesting what he failed to mention who those people are, or how are they related to this article. As for Warren Buffet and Sir Richard Branson... Clearly this guy did no research, because if he did, he'd have found that Sir Richard Branson does NOT own any MLM company at the time TVI Express launched. He had divested himself from "Virgin At Home" several months before this article was written. And Warren Buffet does not support MLM industry as a whole. He simply said "dollar for dollar, [MLM companies are] some of the best investments I've ever made". If there was a misunderstanding, TVI Express shared the blame by misquoting Warren Buffet. And finally, the author simply cites the company line "TVI Express is backed by a UK business group" with no verification and no details.

I can help you, he proclaims

At the end, it's finally clear what this alleged "third party review" is about... He is a "marketing coach" and he wants to help you succeed in TVI Express, even though he does not understand TVI Express at all.

If you are with TVI Express, just because you have found a great opportunity does not mean you are guaranteed to make money. Only 5% of people in the MLM and direct sales industry make money! What can you do? Well, for starters, do your due diligence. If you have already started, create a marketing strategy as soon as possible. If you have not yet started, get your strategy going first! It’s easier than you think! People starting want to make money. They are looking for a leader to teach them how to do so. Brand yourself as soon as possible!

Note that the author never once identified the product of TVI Express, did not notice the contradiction in the TVI Express FAQ that there is no sales, yet there is required recruiting. He just brushes that under the rug with four words: do your due diligence, without explaining what to look for. Instead, he wants to teach you marketing strategy, self-branding, and leadership.

Conclusion = WEASEL REVIEW

TVI Express distributors and shills certainly are NOT shy stealing content from each other... esp. old outdated content. What's worse, they also steal these weasel reviews that look neutral, but are not. These allegedly neutral reviews are essentially un-researched echoes of company PR material, written by "marketing coaches" who just want to sell you their special "system". They are trying to make money off TVI Express without getting involved... By cheering on other people to join. 

To me, this is dubious ethics, and borderline fraud. It is fine if the opportunity is legitimate, but TVI Express is NOT legitimate. It is like yelling "water is great!" and tell others to jump into the pool, except the yeller did not even check the pool's quality! Why? So the yeller can sell some pool toys! When confronted, such yellers will shirk any responsibility, claiming that "due diligence" is on the part of the participant, not the toy seller. That's why I call it a WEASEL REVIEW. 

Stay tuned for more weasel reviews.

Some "Classic" TVI Express Member Lies

Image via WikipediaNOTE: This was written a while back, so its accuracy may have changed.

Introduction

This hub is number three in a series that collects lies and untruths told by various TVI Express distributors in support of TVI Express elsewhere on the Internet.

If you need some background on the TVI Express scam, please read TVI Express: an international scam first.

Is TVIscam.net trustworthy?

Based on the domain name tviscam.net, you would expect this website is about a scam called TVI. However, it is actually another recruiting site by a TVI Express Member. Why? The author states so

"If you can introduce two members then I highly recommend this business.... I do have multiple accounts in TVI Express business."

So if you recommend this business, why did you name the website "tviscam.net"? Shouldn't it be "tvinotscam.net"? Or is this intentional, just to capture some website traffic? You should already be weary, as it is sending a mixed message.

First Section = irrelevant

The first section is irrelevant to whether TVI Express is a scam or not. In fact, the author encourages you to download a TVI Express powerpoint presentation for some background info. That is not wrong, or right, it is background info. Just keep in mind the source... Remember, you are supposed to be skeptical of anything that is new. It's called "due diligence".

You should also be weary because this website is called TVIscam, yet the first thing they tell you is to have you read some TVI Express promotional material i.e. propaganda, that's a weird way to talk about a scam.
Then the author claimed he joined TVI Express because he believes it is not a scam, but provided no evidence. Not a very effective argument there.

Second section = fair, but a bit short

 

The second section, which discusses the parts author did NOT like about TVI Express, The three reasons listed, are valid, if a bit under-emphasized. The vacation redemption problem is actually much much worse than the author stated, but that is for another article.

This section is more guilty of omission than outright lie.

Third section = big problems

The third section is where it all falls apart, as the "good things" about TVI Express simply don't add up when you actually think about them.

1. They pay on time every time.

They do? Is this based on your personal experience, or word of your upline / team members? Is that "paid" into your eWallet, or actually into your bank account? (ANSWER: It's into an eWallet, which is not guaranteed by anybody)

2. No ongoing fee. Only the initial $250 joining fee.

This is valid, but it could also be a sign of pyramid scheme.

3. Truly receiving benefits from the sales done by up-line members. I am constantly moving up thanks to sales done by others.

It says in the TVI Express FAQ that "you don't need to sell any product". The only thing required to sell is membership, which is recruiting. So if you are moving up the board by other people recruiting for you... that makes this a PYRAMID SCHEME.

4. Easy to promote.

But what are you telling the people? That it's easy to make $10000 by recruiting people? Hmmm...

5. The best compensation plan I have ever come-across. There is an opportunity to earn $10,000 or more a week.

Ah, the "hardsell", by dangling the dollar signs in front of you. Just HOW do you earn that $10000? By recruiting, and teaching others to recruit, not by any sale of product or service. That's a pyramid scheme.
I don't need to quote the pyramid scheme definition again, do I?

Final Section = another warning sign

he final section is an endorsement with an explanation, but actually provided the proof that the whole thing is a pyramid scheme:

If you can introduce two members then I highly recommend this business. Two members means you will receive $250 cash and a new-member voucher (worth $250) for you to join as another member or you can sell it to another person who is willing to join the business. I do have multiple accounts in TVI Express business.

What the author did NOT explain is when you introduce two people, that's actually NOT it. They actually have to put 12 more people under themselves for you to get your $250 + $250 eVoucher.

Furthermore, that $250 is NOT cash, but an amount in your "eWallet" which is just a number on the TVI Express website.

One more item... that $250+$250 eVoucher proves the whole thing is a pyramid scheme, also known as "endless chain". Let me illustrate this by using the Endless Chain law as defined by California Penal Code (other laws are similar)

CA Penal Code 327: Endless Chain Scheme

"Every person who contrives, prepares, sets up, proposes, operates any endless chain is guilty of a misdemeanor. As used in this section, an 'endless chain' means any scheme for the disposal or distribution of property whereby a participant pays a valuable consideration for the chance to receive compensation for introducing one or more additional persons into participation in the scheme or for the chance to receive compensation when a person introduced by the participant introduces a new participant. Compensation, as used in this section, does not mean or include payment based upon sales made to persons who are not participants in the scheme and who are not purchasing in order to participate in the scheme."

Or to restate it in easier to understand form...

if a scheme has
1) Participant pay a joining fee, in order to qualify for future compensation
2) The future compensation is "earned" by recruiting more participants, or when those participants recruit even more participants
then
3) It is an "endless chain" scam

TVI Express members earn $250 and $250 eVoucher by recruiting two people, and teach each of them to recruit more people, until the participant got 14 downlines. This makes the participant "cycle out" of the board, getting him that $250 / $250. This fits the endless chain scam definition because the participant have to pay $250 to get in, and is paid $250+$250 eVoucher when the 1-2-4-8 pyramid, or 2x3 "matrix" is filled.
So essentially, the author presented all the elements of a pyramid scheme: pay to join, recruit at least two more, get paid when enough people have joined (beyond the two), yet told you it is not scam.

Conclusion = FAIL

The author at least made an attempt to sound fair, but that only make the result even MORE unethical, as he basically completely ignored the facts that pointed at a pyramid scheme, because it was separated, but if you put them in order as follows:

a) $250 one-time fee
b) recruit two people
c) move up the board while people you recruited recruit some more people
d) get paid $250+$250 (when the pyramid fills) then get qualified for $10000 (fill another pyramid)

That is a pyramid scheme, no doubt about it.

The author also failed to consider the fact that there is no sales, just recruiting.He referred to sales, but cannot even point out the product, and the only product TVI Express requires member to sell is itself.

Thus, this article, while sounding somewhat fair, is actually evidence for a pyramid scheme. Yet the author failed to recognize the signs, and cheerily tell you to join in, which just makes the whole thing even MORE ironic, and devious.

Some Classic TVI Express Weasel Reviews

Image via WikipediaWhen TVI Express was red hot, people write all sorts of reviews about TVI Express, using whatever contrived excuses they can find to somehow convince you that they should be your upline into TVI Express (so you can make him or her rich). Some marketing coach (often with fancy names, like "law of attraction trainer") also used TVI Express to attract "trainees".

Welcome to another episode of TVI Express Weasel Reviews, where we track down marketing weasels who claims to "review" TVI Express, but instead want to sell you their "secrets to success".

Today's highlight is on http://www.zingarticles.com/Art/99986/24/TVI-Express-Review-Ground-Floor-Opportunity-or-Scam.html by Anita Koch. Does it review TVI Express and give you an informed opinion backed by facts? Let us find out.

Beginning: not very good

Ms. Koch started by comparing TVI Express with Your Travel Biz (YTB).

YTB was proven to be a pyramid scheme by California's Attorney General Jerry Brown, successfully sued, and forced to revamp its operations, in 2009. Thus, citing YTB as a successful MLM in the travel biz raises two questions: does Ms. Koch even KNOW about YTB's problems? Or did she deliberately neglect to mention it?

As this article was posted March 2010, well after YTB's problem came to light, one must conclude that Ms. Koch either did not do any research and relied on some marketing material, or she deliberately left out this "problem".

Makes you wonder what else she will neglect to mention...

Middle: Factual, but no conclusion drawn

Ms. Koch then explained the compensation structure, but instead of relying on company line, she actually did some math and shows you how much money TVI Express takes in, and how much it pays back out.
Ms. Koch even admits that two items makes no sense: residual income, and "commission pay till infinity".
She concludes with the following paragraph:

Since Travel Ventures International is a travel company, where does the travel part come in? You don''t get paid for helping people to go on trips. Although the TVI website shows pictures of exotic locations, there is no description of how the travel services actually come into play other than travel vouchers.

So even she admits there seems to be no product.

Ending: disappointing half-weasel answer

Ms. Koch was doing so well with her analysis. Unfortunately, she decided to weasel out at the end and gave a less than definite answer. She cited Wikipedia on Ponzi scheme twice, but stopped short of called TVI Express a scam. Instead, she gave this answer:

You have to make your own decision as to what MLM company you want to be associated with. Wikipedia defines Network Marketing as a "structure designed to create a marketing and sales force by compensating promoters of company products not only for sales they personally generate, but also for sales of other promoters they introduce to the company." Is it honestly Network Marketing if there is no product or service?

She clearly wants to IMPLY that TVI Express is a shady operation, but she somehow can't say it. Instead, she used the opportunity to segue into her "success coaching" business in the next paragraph.
Well, that is a HALF weasel answer. Not as much weasel as the other examples shown, but definitely "half" weasel.

So Indonesian Do-Gooders Try to Invoke TVI Express Name

Apparently some TVI Express members felt that they need to improve their image by donating some goods to some poor folks living out in the middle of nowhere, now that it's time for Lunar New Year (a.k.a. "Chinese New Year")

http://www.analisadaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=84580:35-kk-etnis-tionghoa-pantai-cermin-terima-paket-imlek-2562-&catid=51:umum&Itemid=31

I have no problem with people doing good deeds, but this does NOT prove that TVI Express is not a scam. It is even worse, considering that the source of the money is from all the other members who paid in before.

It may assuage their ego and make them sleep a little easier at night, but TVI Express is STILL a scam.

Even worse if they used the chance to promote the scam. 

Did I mention that TVI Express no longer claims to have donated to UNICEF, the child welfare relief agency of United Nations? They used to.

Confirmed: Solid Trust Pay cut off TVI Express in April 2010

Actual support ticket of the question I posed to Solid Trust Pay, and their reply.

For those of you who'd rather read the text, here goes

Previously I questioned the link between STP and a scam called "TVI Express" on my blog. Someone allegedly from STP posted a comment on my blog claiming that STP had cut relations with TVI Express back in April 2010.

Please confirm that an STP employee actually did post the comment on my blog, and is the information given true, that STP did stop working with TVI Expres in April 2010?

I look forward to your reply.

My blog entry:

http://kschang.blogspot.com/2011/01/interesting-solid-trust-pay-is-script.html

And their reply:

[01 Feb 2011 08:06:01] - Thank you for contacting SolidTrust Pay Support.

I am happy to assist you:

Yes it is confirmed that the post you reference was made by STP, and the information provided therein is correct.

More about Indonesia TVI Express Hilarity

Image via WikipediaPreviously we covered "MyDreamTVI" Wordpress Blog out of Indonesia. There are plenty more humor that can be mined there.

One of the biggest problems with TVI Express main website is they have no 'product' section, because they even stated very clearly "you do not have to sell any products" in their own FAQ. So what do the Indonesian website do? They added a section called products/ services.

But what does it say? It says TVI Express sells travel!

Company engaged in the field of TRAVEL AGENT, TVI Express provides a product that is associated with SERVICE FOR TRAVEL

If TVI Express sells travel, why is TVI Express Indonesia claims they do NOT sell travel? Their registered business is "computer hardware, parts, and consultancy".

Then it gets really bizarre, because one sentence don't follow the next. 

TVI Express provides discount to its members, if you want to use the services of TVI EXPRESS.  

Okay, so I sell travel, and if I want some of the discounts, I can buy at a discount myself. Great... However, why does TVI Express FAQ #3 says "You do not need to sell any products"?

Besides, TVI Express also provides business opportunities for its members to improve Traf life, to increase revenue, in order to live well with a better quality of life.

So what exactly is the business opportunity? How much travel do I have to sell to improve life?  

Income earned by the members is the result of hard work has been done, with a share and sell products TVI Express International.

This is where the translator fails me. I couldn't quite tell what exactly is the meaning of this sentence. Is TVI Express the product? Or is there some OTHER product you're supposed to sell for TVI Express?

Since the official tviexpress.com states "you do not have to sell any products", the only conclusion one can logically reach is TVI Express itself is the product. Or more concisely, YOU the members are the product. It's a pyramid scheme / money game where members are recruited so older members get more $$$ out.

But wait, there's more! He then posts a screenshot of an e-mail, claiming this is "proof" that you can make a reservation in TVI Express.  So let's take a closer look:

Did you notice something? The email is from himself to himself.  Does that prove anything? Of course not!

Furthermore Solid Trust Pay stopped doing business with TVI Express in April 2010.

Even more interesting item... TVI Express was charging $150 USD for 'taxes' in April 2010, LONG BEFORE they announced they are charging $150 for "taxes and processing fees" in June 2010!

So this guy was actually stupid enough to pay $150 for a "free" trip!

And what exactly does this prove? Nothing. He hadn't actually GONE on the trip. There's no proof of THAT. I can type this up in email easily. Since he hadn't paid that $150, it wasn't even confirmed yet, or have a booking number, or such. 

But wait, there is more!

 

So what did this prove? This proves that Ms. Goernawan (head TVI person in Indonesia) allegedly booked a hotel room to Australia. Is there any proof to link this with TVI Express? None.

Furthermore, even if this is linked to TVI Express, all this proves is the booking system TVI Express used works. It doesn't prove that the BUSINESS MODEL TVI Express uses works at all.

One last item... The guy then pulls out the infamous "travel logos" and claim all these famous companies do business with TVI Express. Clearly this guy did not read the news out of Spain... That Marriott, Lufthansa, and one other entity sued TVI Express to stop them from using their logos or claim them as partners.

Thus, you can see that the Indonesian members of TVI Express had performed NO due diligence at all, and their uplines are telling them lies, more lies, and damn lies. 

Another Delusional South African Preaches His Faith in TVI Express

Just got the following comment on my TVI Express Timeline Hub

HAPPY MLANGENI  (01-FEB-2011 roughly 8:30AM PST)

GUYZ U CAN TALK TO TALK BUT ITS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.
TVI EXPRESS IS A BUSINESS OPPOTUNITY THAT YOU TAKE WHEN U THINK IT WILL WORK FOR U AS ALL OTHER BUSINESSES HWAT I LIKE THE MOST ABOUT THE GIANT,ITS INSTILLS LEADERSHIP,WE NEED THAT AS SOUTH AFRICANS.
THIS BIG GIANT HAS PRODUCED MILLIONAIRES.
PEOPLE LETS DIVERT OUR ENERGY AND USEFULL RESOURCES IN ENCOURAGING TO ANY OF THE THINGS THAT U THINK ARE POSSITIVE IF U REALLY LOVE UR COUNTRY SO THAT WE WILL GROW.
DONT BE THE NEGETIVE INFLUENCE, MOST PEOPLE TAKES THIS AS AN OPPOTUNITY OF A LIFE TYM, SO LET THEM DO THIER BEST AND DONT DISTURB THE GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE.
THE WHOLE WORLDS FOCUS IS ON TVI NOW, YET THE GIANT IS GROWING PEOPLE. WHO IS INVESTIGATING THE RAPIST, DRUG DEALER,KILLERS THEY ALL JUST BRIBE OR PAY BAIL AND GO ON BUT U NEGETIVE GUYZ WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPOTUNITY FROM US FO EVER?
IF U DONT LIKE IT, DONT CRUSH IT SOME ONE IS MAKING A LIVING OUT OF IT.
I STILL LOVE U GUYZ JUST DIVERT YOUR ENERGY!!

The entire comment is basically composed of two themes: faith (TVI Express is fine) and you-do-not-understand-us (Why are you so negative). Yet there are no FACTS in the entire rant. Just generic statements like "The Big Giant Has Produced Millionaires"  (who? how many? where?)

And I tracked his IP address to Cape Town, South Africa. Where TVI Express has been declared illegal since 30-DEC-2010, a whole month ago.

The only conclusion you can reach is that either this guy had not read the news, or he has completely gone delusional.