> I can't wait to see what Micheal has to say
> about this post (semi private joke),

Don't know what Micheal would have to say about it. Don't know anyone by the name of Micheal.

On the other hand, Michael, does have something to say :o)

> I have always hated mlm, as most are scams
> or at least an expensive
> "almost-scam".

> This isp seemed much different than the
> usual mlm because

So far this sounds like every MLM out there. (We are different.) Ho hum.

> I did not promote it at first because I
> wanted to see how good the service was
> before I sold it.

Good call. Too many (nearly all) MLM promoters don't have a clue about the product (opportunity) they push. They sign on and start pushing straight away. And the pushing they do is to get others on board to do all the selling.

But they do this by telling them all they need to do is get others to do all the selling. And they, in turn, get people beneath them by telling them all they have to do is get others to do the selling. And so on and so forth ad infinitum.

Noone wants to sell the product. They all expect others to do the selling while they do nothing and make money. If only they would put as much time into selling the product as they do in selling the opportunity, then perhaps they would have a profitable MLM business.

> The founders are working very hard to make
> this company a household word like aol &
> msn.

Same ol' same ol'. Just like every other MLM out there. This sits right with "we are different."

If they do get anywhere near to that,
> then anyone who gets in now will be in a
> really good position to be making serious
> money.

See above comment. As usual... this is a ground floor opportunity.

Worst case: if they don't it has cost
> almost nothing to be involved,

It might not have cost you a lot of money - BUT - what will be the cost in lost goodwill? What will be the cost on loss of credibility of your name? How many family and/or friends will you have "stabbed in the back"?

and if you
> signup just a few you have your service
> free. Not much of a risk or investment to
> see if these guys can continue to build this
> service.

Maybe not much of a money risk, as I said. But the other risk is astronomical.

Will it happen?

Cannot say. However, it is a possibility. And going by how many other MLMs have collapsed and folded after making the same claims you make about yours, the outlook does not really look all that great. And at least mentioning the possibility is the right thing to do.

> Now for the really touchy part:
> Do I dare post my link so you can see all
> the company info first hand? Of course you
> did ask, and of course you do need to see
> it. My dilema is that if I post the main
> site without my affiliate link, then I will
> lose you if you do decide to sign up. You
> would get cookied by someone other than me,
> and thus lost to me forever.

There is no dilema. Post a link to the parent company and move along. Otherwise, it looks like the only reason you mention them is because of your affiliate link and the possibility of making a sale.

A TRUE referral is a credible thing because the referer gets nothing in return.

Think of recommending a restaurant...

Hey Bob... I know a real good place to eat. But if I just tell you, I won't get my kickback for recommending them. And not getting my kickback isn't fair. I mean, I wouldn't want the restaurant to get all your money. I want some of your money too.

That example is ludicrous but it's basically what you're saying. I don't want to link without MY link because I won't get some of the money if you sign up.

This "attitude" begs the question... if they did not offer to pay you for recommending people, would you recommend them? Would you spend the time needed to post the post you posted?

> On the other hand, if I use my link, then
> suspicious minds will interpet this to be an
> ad, maybe even a blatent one!:-)

> Forgive me Michael, but I don't think it's
> fair to send Jen to be "cookied"
> by a total stranger.

Fair... from whose point of view?

At least you are up front about it. You won't link to something unless there is some kickback in it for you.

And, of course, Jen said she wants to resell the product. So if she signs up under you, you get a part of all her sales. And now, your mention of "fair" actually makes you look like a shark... get in quick before this hardworker who might sell a lot goes with someone else, meaning you miss out again.

Sorry, Dave. I call it like I see it.

So far, Jen has NOT answered my first question. And I am still yet to be convinced that the question was not a set-up for someone to come along and post the "ta da" solution.

As for the dilema... easy fix: post two links - an affiliate link and a direct link. And mention what those links are. Maybe the sheer honesty of doing such a thing will have people click on your link instead of the company's link.

Michael Ross