http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/22/pf/idtheft_0509/

http://www.sequenceinc.com/fraudfiles/2008/06/20/the-lifelock-%e2%80%9cguarantee%e2%80%9d-talking-out-of-both-sides-of-their-mouth/

If you simply enrolled in PPL as a member, why aren’t you telling us exactly what you’re getting for your monthly fee, instead of defending MLM’s? The so called “pyramid argument” of corporate/business America is a tried and true false argument that MLMers put forth. As Tracy has repeatedly written, it’s all about recruiting. The product or service is secondary, and usually mediocre or expensive or both, relative to the real world of goods and services.

As Jon Taylor, of mlm-thetruth.com answers the question about pyramid shape vs. pyramid scheme:

“It isn’t the shape of the organization that is important, but the endless chain of recruitment of participants as primary customers. MLM compensation plans require the climbing of a pyramid of participants in order to make enough money to profit to any significant degree. But unlike a corporate pyramid, in MLM and other types of pyramid schemes, virtually all of those at the bottom (the “downline”) lose money (some a lot of money), where in a corporation, those at the bottom at least get a minimum wage.

Of course, there are inequalities of rewards in most business arrangements. However, in MLM, the leveraging of a downline of thousands of participants who invest and lose money – only to enrich the TOPPs (top of the pyramid of participants), creates extreme inequality. For example, a downline may average $50 a month (actually losing money after subtracting necessary purchases from the company and operating expenses), while those at the top reap thousands or even millions of dollars a month. Such extreme inequality far exceeds what could be considered a normal or equitable business arrangement. MLM’s easy money and winners-take-all appeal is more akin to a lottery than a legitimate business.”

As to the low “startup cost” of entering an MLM vs. starting up a legitimate small business, that is on the recruitment script of every MLM.

Methinks the lady doth protest too much…

I’m not saying the will has no value, but it is of virtually no cost to Pre-Paid Legal and is used simply as a tool to lure your into their plan…. so you can focus on that “free” will and not on the fact that there are very few other services you will get for your monthly fee.

That supposed 25% off legal fees is worthless as well. You’re going to get assigned an inexperienced attorney at a so-called discounted rate, but still pay tons of money for those services. And Pre-Paid Legal is not known for providing quality lawyers.

Again, you clearly have no idea what your monthly fee gets you. It gets you almost nothing.

And finally, the fact that real businesses have a hierarchy of people does NOT make it “like an MLM.” MLMs live and die by recruiting new people into the scheme at a bunch of different levels. Real businesses don’t do that. Their focus is actually selling a valuable product or service. Pre-Paid’s focus is recruiting people in with the promise of making money, when almost no one in the system actually profits. But Pre-Paid has already made their money with the sign-up fees, the marketing materials they push the recruits to buy, the “seminars” they push on the recruits, and the like. I will put money on that your friend selling Arbonne doesn’t make NEAR the money you claim she does. Ask to see her tax return. She’ll never show it to you, because like almost everyone else in Arbonne and other MLMs, she’s probably making less than minimum wage.

I’m sorry you got suckered into signing up for Pre-Paid Legal. Save yourself a lot of money and cancel your plan now.

I think you missed the whole point here. I lost 100K because I did not have a attorney who was legal. IF I had Pre-Legal Service at the time, then I know they are–most importantly a bar member becasue I don’t think PPL would hire non-bar members. 2nd, I would have gotten some, maybe not all answers to our situation. And if we did not get the coverage we needed from them like you said, but we would have gotten 25% off lawyer fees and managed to go to court and I promise you we would have won since we had proof!! And by the way what is up with attorneys who talks to you for 10 minutes about your case and 20 minutes of nothing and charge you 30 minutes!!! Do we have to keep up with all of our talking records and negotiate with them as well? PPL doesn’t seem to have time limits and does not bill you by the minute! And for you to say that I got my will for almost free is not a big deal? Wow you must have extra money just to throw away for attorneys fees..but I can do lots of things with $500!!. For the whole year payment for PPL was less than the Will fee from other lawyers AND I can cancel anytime so technically I can cancel today and paid out only $38.95 so hmmm I wonder who is losing out here?

But what I do want to point out to you and some of the reader who is against MLM companies is that all business uses some form of MLM concept. Think about it…our company which is not a MLM, sales products in retail invironment. We pay hourly and commission like many many companies out there. The more sales the sales reps make, the more money the managers make and on up to the owners and company as whole. If they don’t make the sale, the company loose money and so forth and so on. So what is the difference between that type of company and MLM? EVERY Business out there is to make money or they would not be in it. They need the legs (sales people, marketing people, merchandisers and so on and on) to support the body. But the difference is between MLM and regular business is …. regular buisness takes lots and lots of money to start up whereas most MLM companies start ups are very minimal and almost any person can start their own business doing it IF they work hard at it. I know someone who sells Arbonne (lady I get my skin care from) started with nothing , I think maybe $200 dollars to get started and is a regional director now after 3 years makes over 100K plus per year working her own hours. I wish I had that luxury… I work retail hours. She worked hard at it so it’s not a get quick money scheme…you have to work for what you want to get out of it just like any other job! So please let me know what’s the difference??
June

You would NOT have gotten $100k of legal services from Pre-Paid legal for your low monthly fee. You would have paid just as much out of pocket for those services even WITH Your monthly membership fee. Why? Because services that go beyond a simple phone call or a letter are NOT included in your plan. You pay out-of-pocket for the kind of services you needed in your lawsuit.

If someone sues you, you are going to have to PAY for a lawyer to defend you. It’s not covered under the Pre-Paid Legal plan you’re paying for.

There are all sorts of exclusions and limitations in the Pre-Paid Legal plans. Sure, you got a will done by them. Big deal. The REAL legal services you will need as a business owner will need to be paid for by you. And you won’t have any choice when it comes to the attorney you’re assigned.

Pre-Paid Legal is not on your payroll. They’ve found a way to get people like you who don’t read the contract and understand what they’re getting (or more appropriately, what they’re NOT getting) to pay them a monthly fee. And if you ever need real legal services? Be prepared to pony up with no say-so over who handles your case.

Oh by the way the attorney that lied to us is in jail right now serving time for a very long time!!