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False Profits: Seeking Financial and Spiritual Deliverance in Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Schemes Paperback – May 1, 1997

by Robert L. Fitzpatrick (Author), Joyce K. Reynolds (Author)

4.0 48 ratings

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False Profits is an in-depth examination of the multi-level marketing

industry and related illegal pyramid scheme phenomenon which have grown rapidly in the US and abroad in the last 15 years. The examination looks at the MLM field from the perspective of its social, personal and spiritual effects on those enrolled and solicited.

Review

False Profits is about the "old" American dream and the new which, at its worst, turns a longing for inner prosperity, to greed. "False Profits is a true story about someone who lost faith in the prophets, profits, and promises of pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing, but gained profound knowledge of themselves." It is also a call to quest into the self and come out changed. False Profits is a call for Americans to salvage all tendencies toward greed - in this sense the book is a 'confessional' story. The love of riches by Americans is, of course, complex; a long story going back to the day the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, hoping for freedom previously denied them. In a style available to the casual reader and seasoned business-person alike, False Profits succeeds in giving another perspective to what dominates so many Americans - the obsessive need to get rich quick. This book asks us to consider another self - the soul that is inner and waiting for recognition within the extraordinary business of being alive. -- From Independent Publisher

About the Author

Robert L. FitzPatrick: Industry Consultant and Writer in Distribution and Manufacturer/Distributor Relations; Co-editor and publisher of industry journal, THE EAGLE, on distribution trends in digital imaging industries. Resides in Charlotte, NC

Joyce K. Reynolds: Business Coach, Marketing Consultant, Producer of Corporate Marketing videos. Resides in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Print length

227 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Herald Pr
Publication date

May 1, 1997
Dimensions

6 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

0964879514
ISBN-13

978-0964879515
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Robert L. FitzPatrick
187
Paperback
5 offers from $15.95

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Herald Pr (May 1, 1997)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 227 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0964879514
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0964879515
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,038,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #350 in Multilevel Marketing (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.0 48 ratings

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Robert L. FitzPatrick
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Robert L. FitzPatrick is the author of the new book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing (2020), the first comprehensive history and analysis of the "MLM" phenomenon, addressing its political influence, propaganda techniques and use of cult persuasion. FitzPatrick is an expert in deception and fraud in Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes and bogus home-based businesses. He served as expert or consultant in more than 30 court cases involving pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing. He is co-author of False Profits (1997), an examination of the values and beliefs that support the delusions of pyramid schemes. He was featured on NBC Dateline, ABC World News, and CBS 60 Minutes, the documentary film, Betting on Zero and the podcast, The Dream.
He has been quoted in many newspapers around the world, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His booklet, Pyramid Nation, was used by government regulators in writing China's first laws on pyramid schemes. His booklet, "The 10 Big Truths of Multi-Level Marketing", is also available in e-book format. His White Paper, "The Main Street Bubble", was featured in a CNBC Documentary, Selling the American Dream. In 2005, he delivered a seminar in Colombo, Sri Lanka to central banking representatives from that country as well as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Robert FitzPatrick has developed informational resources for consumers, journalists, academics and regulators. He also published a widely read booklet on the landmark federal case brought against the Amway Corporation. He has provided expert consultation to many financial analysts. Robert FitzPatrick co-founded and serves as president of Pyramid Scheme Alert. He personally responds to hundreds of consumer and news media inquiries each year. He has served as consultant and expert witness for Attorney General or State Attorney offices in four states and the US Dept. of Justice.
Prior to his engagement in consumer education, Robert FitzPatrick provided consulting services in several industries in channel management and distributor marketing, working with hundreds of independent distributors and suppliers. Clients included Fujifilm, HP, Epson, Dupont and many others.
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Joyce K. Reynolds
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4 out of 5

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Joe Brooks

Great Introduction to MLM’s and a Warning to Avoid

Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2018

Verified Purchase

Robert Fitzpatrick is the foremost expert in the analysis of MLM’s, both from an economic perspective and from a moral perspective and this slim work is a perfect distillation of his years of research in the industry. I spent a quarter of a century working at the corporate headquarters of a nearly 50 year old MLM and I can attest that Mr. Fitzpatrick’s take on the business model is spot on. MLM, direct sales, whatever you want to call it, it’s all a recruitment-based pyramid scheme where less than 1% even make a profit, let alone a living. And all the arguments that most people only sign up to do it part-time or to get discounts on products is in direct contradiction to how MLM’s market to prospective recruits. They promote a life-changing opportunity, a chance to win a car, buy a new dream house on an island somewhere, to build an organization of salespeople below you so that you can sit back and live off “passive income” while the people below you do all the work. I think that on some level, we all feel that there is something inherently wrong with MLM, this book puts words to those feelings. For anyone interested in being in a MLM, or who is already in one, ask them to send you an income disclosure showing what the typical salesperson earns in that business. If they stonewall your attempts to get the information, that is a dead giveaway and you need to get out. On the other hand, if they give you the info but ask you, “but you don’t want to just be average, do you? You want to do better than that, right?” be aware of this because you are dealing with someone who wants you to deny simple math. What they are asking you to do is to ignore the day-to-day reality that 99% of the industry fails and the only reason to ignore it is because they want to make sure that you give them your money in order to pad their commission check. Before you take part in any direct sales opportunity, look into Mr. Fitzpatrick work, this book and on his website. False Profits should be required reading for anyone interested in signing up in a MLM because it will arm you with the knowledge you need to be able to make an informed decision.

14 people found this helpful

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All American Reviews

Approaches MLM In A New Light...

Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2002

Verified Purchase

False Profits takes a fascinating look at the world of illegal pyramids and multilevel marketing. The book approaches MLM and the MLM industry like no other book I have read. Instead of explaining it from a pure business point of view, it explains it from a psychological, spiritual, ethical and social point of view.
Make no mistake, the author of this book loathes MLM. As far as he is concerned, there is little distinction between most MLMs and pyramid schemes, other than the fact that the latter are illegal. Even if you are pro-MLM though, you must admit that many of his observations are correct, and that the MLM industry in general has a long way to go before it reaches any level of acceptance in our society.
My favorite aspect of the book concerns its look at the psychology of many multilevel marketers and get-rich-quick schemers. It focuses on the guilt trips that these people lay on their own friends and family, their compromise of integrity and interpersonal relationships for the sake of greed, their deception of unsuspecting strangers, and the overemphasis on materialism that has made many of these people morally bankrupt.
Of course, not all MLM participants behave like this. These are largely the actions of "MLM junkies" and hard-core recruiters. Unfortunately, MLM companies and the industry itself often encourage this type of behavior amongst their reps, which has helped to give the MLM industry a black eye over the years and made multilevel marketers looked upon as people to avoid. Hopefully, by recognizing these ugly traits, you can avoid becoming one of these people.
About the only downside of this book is its occasional delve into spiritual and deeply philosophical theories of how MLMs and cults operate. While I have seen many MLMs that resemble cults, and many multilevel marketers that resemble little more than brainwashed zombies, I think that the author's view of all MLMs being tied (somehow) into the new age movement is a bit of a stretch. Not all people get involved with MLM for the same reason, and not all multilevel marketers become blathering idiots. Many do, but certainly not all of them.
Despite the author's occasional forays into the esoteric, the book is quite enjoyable to read. It is obviously very well researched and the culmination of many years of hard work. Although it may go a bit far at times, I think that it should be read by anyone contemplating getting involved in the world of multilevel marketing. It will really make you question EXACTLY why you are getting involved, and whether your involvement is for the right reasons.
Unethical multilevel marketers will absolutely HATE this book. Those involved in blatant pyramids and get-rich-quick schemes will probably want to strangle the author, since he will likely expose them for the shallow con-artists they are. Ethical multilevel marketers will learn how to avoid the pitfalls of becoming a participant in these types of schemes, and the book's lessons will serve as a reminder of how NOT to do business.
Fitzpatrick explains exactly how illegal pyramids work, and exposes many MLMs for what they really are. After reading this book, you should be able to tell the difference between a quasi-pyramid and a legitimate business opportunity. You should also come away with a strong sense of what is ethical and right, and what is not. Ethics seems to be a dirty word to many in the MLM industry, but it shouldn't be. Read this book, and you will likely discover much about MLM, and yourself, that you did not already know.

73 people found this helpful

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Free Thought

Tells it like it is!

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2015

Verified Purchase

Insightful, revealing look at the "underside" of pyramid scheme businesses, ( many of which seem border-lined with MLM's.) With one of my own family members fully immersed in one of these "businesses" I can attest to the angst and alienation that happened to us. Any questioning or refusals to "purchase" unwanted products has been met with anger and resentment. We are no longer "family" we are "warm prospects." And since we won't participate, or become "distributors" we are labeled "negative people." The products being sold are high-priced, not scientifically proven, not FDA approved, yet this person keeps trying to push them on us. Mr. Fitzpatrick focuses on the insidious harm that occurs when people get sucked into these kinds of "quick" money-making schemes. He sheds light on the reality behind the hype. Well worth reading, especially if you know someone who has become obnoxious with their "terrific deal" stories, and pushy sales attitudes.

10 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2016

good book,

Protect yourself against MLM propaganda and read this.

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2015

Verified Purchase

Thank God a book like this exists. After participating in a very popular "ground floor" MLM, my eyes have been opened to the brainwashing that goes on and the history behind these MLM pyramid schemes. There were way too many ethical issues for me to proceed with this business even though I think it's a good skincare product. This is a must read for anyone who has ever been involved in an MLM, has a family member in one or has thought about joining one. Knowledge is power. I'm so thankful for the authors of this book.

8 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Wolfgang Mueller

A Must Read for Everyone who considers MLM as an income!!!

Reviewed in Germany on December 3, 2014

Verified Purchase

This book is the best book written about the truth about MLM.
All the critics who gave one or two stars work in MLMs.
I would like you to investigate a little bit and you can calculate
that the average monthly income of an Independent Distributor
is $40 at Amway, $50 at Herbalife and $80 at Nu Skin.
Nothing more needs to be said.
Pure maths and proof of the 99% Loser on 1% Winner Claim.
Thank You very much Mr. Robert FitzPatrick.

One person found this helpful

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False Profits: Seeking Financial and Spiritual Deliverance in Multi-Level Marketing and Pyramid Schemes Paperback – May 1, 1997

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