Telkom out-Vox'd

[ProDataPro]

You're right. How can they go wreck a great concept by turning it into a crappy pyramid scheme.

Please do some homework on how MCI and Sprint started? How they took back 80% of the American monopolized Telco market...

Then make the same comment...

Fact is "pyramid schemes are illegal in some forms, this is not a pyramid scheme, it's a multi level marketing scheme...

again, do some research and look at who are the biggest US companies on the S&P 500...Amway, Tuppaware etc etc...

 

[jetpacman]

The website (at least the links that work) seem to indicate the start of what could be your typical pyramid marketing scheme. (www.vox.co.za)

I was thinking exactly the same thing when I was reading the business opportunity.

I attempted to sign up and then stopped when I had to put my bank account details in. I won't join up to anything that wants my banking details until I feel comfortable with it, no matter how well known the company is or who they are affiliated with.

And at Mr ProDATAPRO pyramid schemes and MLMs are like the Republicans and the Democrats... to me. The same BS served up in different ways to confuse people.

Since you are so Pro DATAPRO can you tell me more about the business opportunties available... I hate it when people with MLMs ( like network21/amway) dodge direct questions with crappy indirect answers.

 

[Shake&Bake]

Extract from an e-amil I got from Vox when the hype 1st came out.
16th October then - lets see what happens.

Hi All

Thank you very much for you enquiry into the first phase of Vox telecom’s Vox home roll-out.

The official launch date is the 16 of October 2007. In the meantime we have a limited number of Vox home units which we will be marketing to an initial 400 users.

These will be fully functional units but will be used to test the back end accounting systems as well as various interconnect agreements that we have in place.

Yours sincerely

 

[ProDataPro]

I am one of the select few whom are testing this product, it works and that's the main thing.

I have to highlight something here. I know it screams "pyramid scheme" but it is infact a multi - level marketing strategy. there is a massive difference between the two. however if you want to compare the 2, you will find similarities. They both rely on YOU the consumer to drive the product, this is also known as network marketing. Kind of like those emails you recieve where you enter a competition but are only entered if you send on to 5 or more friends.

The key here guys is that there is no catch...this is a concept/product that is required by the masses...cheaper telephone calls. this fills that need! PERIOD! the fact that VoX is using a viral marketing strategy to get it to the masses is a bonus to YOU the consumer because in return YOU will benefit not only via a rebate or credit but by the very fact that you are paying alot less for all your telephone calls...is that not why this very forum is sitting here????

The fact is guys, this service will sell itself with or without YOU, unlike the bum creams you would normally be forced to buy from your aunties uncles nephew...this is the difference between a good product in a MLM and a Pyramid scheme...

by definition...this is from wikipedia...

A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves the exchange of money primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, usually without any product or service being delivered.

Pyramid schemes are illegal in many countries, including the United States,[

Multi-level marketing has an image problem due to the fact that it is often difficult to distinguish MLMs from illegal pyramid or Ponzi schemes. MLM businesses operate in the United States in all 50 states and in more than 100 other countries, and new businesses may use terms like "affiliate marketing" or "home-based business franchising


at the risk of coming across as being rude, i would strongly suggest that if you are looking at this from a good or bad point of view, that you do your homework first.

The bottom line is that YOU,ME,WE have all been bitching and moaning for change to happen...well here it is! And some of us will either watch from the sidelines, complain or get involved...i know where i stand and for that reason i am PRODATAPRO....they are trying to make a change and are asking YOU to get involved. You choose where you want to be, but then please don't stand in the way of those who choose otherwise.

sorry if i stand on toes with my writings, but uneducated ramblings without checking facts boils my blood...

 

[rwenzori]

Please do some homework on how MCI and Sprint started? How they took back 80% of the American monopolized Telco market...

Then make the same comment...

Fact is "pyramid schemes are illegal in some forms, this is not a pyramid scheme, it's a multi level marketing scheme...

again, do some research and look at who are the biggest US companies on the S&P 500...Amway, Tuppaware etc etc...

I couldn't give a haunted faack about how they started or how wonderful you think Amway etc might be. A pyramid scheme == MLM however much your marketing dept might try to say otherwise. I find the concept slimy and personally won't touch it with a bargepole. You go sucker some other sucker and stop pontificating at me.

 

[rwenzori]

I have to highlight something here. I know it screams "pyramid scheme" but it is infact a multi - level marketing strategy. there is a massive difference between the two. however if you want to compare the 2, you will find similarities. They both rely on YOU the consumer to drive the product, this is also known as network marketing. Kind of like those emails you recieve where you enter a competition but are only entered if you send on to 5 or more friends.
....

sorry if i stand on toes with my writings, but uneducated ramblings without checking facts boils my blood...

Do they feed this bull up into you from the back end? MLM == Pyramid == Network Marketing == Kubus Kultur! The only one whose opinions are uneducated that I can see, is you!

 

[Rockford]

The fact is guys, this service will sell itself with or without YOU, unlike the bum creams you would normally be forced to buy from your aunties uncles nephew...this is the difference between a good product in a MLM and a Pyramid scheme...

My daddy used to say things like "If it looks like a pyramid, is shaped like a pyramid, behaves like a pyramid, smells like a pyramid, well then son... it might just BE a pyramid!"

 

[ShaunSA]

My daddy used to say things like "If it looks like a pyramid, is shaped like a pyramid, behaves like a pyramid, smells like a pyramid, well then son... it might just BE a pyramid!"

rofl

 

[Peter_J]

It looks like a great product but with a dodgy distribution method. MLM schemes are viewed by many as very suspicious. I myself don't like them - you have people you thought were solid acquaintances suddenly trying to sell you their stuff - sort of ruins the friendship as it were. Pity.

 

[jetpacman]

Like somebody said if it looks like a pyramid and smells like a pyramid...

It takes a certain kind of educated person to fall for MLM schemes et al. That said having education doesn't mean you possess intellect, intelligence and wisdom.

I have sat through he presentations smelled the BS and walked out. Only to be hounded by these people some of whom WERE more than just acquaintances... note the emphasis on WERE...

Fortunately many of the people here are wise and know BS when they see it. Those who are proponents of MLM marketing, always defend it passionately ( usually pages of text) and never give a direct answer. Those people are BS'ers. Just like the ads are full of it when you see "earn money from home", "business opportunity" etc etc

I believe that VOIP is the evolution of telecoms and Vox looks like a good idea, but I seriously think that their marketing department should reconsider if they are using an MLM approach. Especially if they are going to have intelligent people such as those on this forum as potential clients.

On another note, MLM schemes do make money for those who are in the beginning (or those at the receiving end of the pipeline) so even though its a ton of BS the capitalist in me sees a way to do some profiteering off the brainless masses...

 

[Vox Telecom]

First of all, thank you to all members who have posted messages regarding Vox Telecom's soon-to-be-launched consumer-based initiative, Vox.

Our flagship product, the Vox ADSL Phone, gives South Africans the opportunity to reduce their telecom costs by supplying them with an alternative VoIP solution. We are offering a no-contracts deal, whereby consumers can get their hands on a DECT handset and wireless ADSL modem – valued at over R3,000 – for a once of fee of R300, including delivery anywhere in SA. Thereafter, a R49 per month fee will include a unique 087 number, insurance, CLI and itemised billing. We are putting our money where our mouth is, and should the consumer not experience substantial savings, they can return the Vox ADSL Phone at any time – the risk sits with us.

From a pricing perspective, we therefore believe that the product stands on it own merits in the current marketplace. Our rationale for going the network marketing route is simply to achieve rapid market penetration, and at the same time offer members of the Vox Community lower call charges and the opportunity to earn annuity income.

Our experience has shown that in both the States and Europe network marketing has been used to achieve significant and rapid market penetration, post deregulation in the respective telco sectors.

We are still in an internal testing phase and our official launch date is October 16 2007. Please contact Mark King on 083 653 7370 or markk@voxtelecom.co.za for more information.

 

[supersunbird]

Vox telecom is the old DataPro in different clothes. Their sister companies (@lantic) ADSL prices makes Telkom bandwidth look cheap. Only M-Web can beat them. You should see how they charge R20pm for a measly e-mailbox.

I hope I have made a lot of people think about avoiding them with my signature (which has graced this site over 7000 times) .

 

[rwenzori]

Well, the product sounds great, and should be able to achieve sufficient "penetration" without the cr@ppy MLM angle. I have visions of "rapid market penetration" like iBurst did it - accounting systems a shambles, bandwidth provision a shambles, service levels dire - I suggest you revert to normal marketing through local agents. Otherwise your "penetration" will be like what Telkom does to us on a monthly basis.