Home

Reported on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:48 PM

• BBB Accreditation
• BBB Rating
• Business Contact and Profile
• Alternate Business Names
• Products and Services
• Company Management
• Additional Locations and Phone Numbers

• Licensing
• Customer Complaint History
• Government Actions
• Advertising Review
• Additional Information
• Industry Tips

This business has not been accredited by BBB.

Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.

To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of B-

Click here for an explanation of BBB Ratings.

Reasons for this rating include:
• Number of complaints filed against business

FHTM
fhtm.net
Fortune Hitech Marketing
Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing
GoFortuneOnLine.com

According to the company, Fortune Hi Tech Marketing is a marketing company promoting the products of a variety of service providers, using only the advertising provided by those service providers for that purpose.

The firm's General Counsel has informed the BBB that the minimum investment required is a refundable $75 deposit (which is not required in a number of states, including Kentucky), and the maximum investment, if an individual decided to participate in two separate capacities (i.e. Manager and Trainer Coach), would be $698 ($299 + $399).

Some callers indicate the offer appears to focus on making money by recruiting others rather than on the sales of goods or services.

Paul Oberson is also the President of True Essentials Nutritional Products, Inc.. A separate BBB reliability report is available for True Essentials Nutritional Products, Inc..

2424 Harrodsburg Road Suite 101, Lexington, KY 40503, Fayette County
      Google map    Mapquest map    Yahoo map

(859) 422-7008
(859) 422-7018
(859) 422-7048
(859) 422-7024 (FAX)

The company's size, volume of business and number of transactions may have a bearing on the number of complaints received by the BBB. The complaints filed against a company may not be as important as the type of complaints, and how the company has handled them. The BBB generally does not pass judgment on the validity of complaints filed.

Number of complaints processed by the BBB
    in the last 36 months: 39
    in the last 12 months: 16

On December 10, 2009, The North Dakota Attorney General's Office, filed a Cease and Desist Order against this company, for violation of the Consumer Fraud Law, the Transient Merchant Law, the Home Solicitation Sales Law, and the North Dakota Pyramid Schemes Act.

For specific details, here is a link to the document http://www.ag.state.nd.us/documents/FortuneCeaseandDesist.pdf

On January 19, 2010 Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Inc. entered into a Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the North Dakote Attorney General's Office.

Pursuant to an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance the Cease and Desist Order has been terminated and Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing is no longer prohibited from doing business in North Dakota.”
The Assurance was for settlement purposes only and should not be considered as an admission of guilt or finding of violation of the law.

For specific details of the Assurance of Voluntary Compliance, here is a link to the agreement.
http://www.ag.nd.gov/cpat/avcorder.pdf

The BBB has no information regarding Ad Reviews at this time.

Multi-level marketing is a legitimate method for promoting goods and services. Since representatives in such programs are usually independent, interested parties should consider such positions as a business opportunity. Learn all you can about the offer, the company itself, the products and services to be sold, and the potential market for products and/or services offered. Any contracts involved should include, but not be limited to: the responsibilities of the company and investor to each other; what the investment involves; money, products and services to be exchanged; any promises made by representatives or found in company literature, and terms and conditions for cancellation, exchanges and refunds. Be wary of any company which encourages or requires 'frontloading' where is defined as buying a large stock of items before sales call for them. It can be difficult if not impossible to sell frontloaded items. Before signing, discuss the offer with a trusted business advisor.

Although it is possible to build a successful multi-level business with comparatively little start-up money, keep in mind that it is not a means of getting rich quickly or easily. Successful distributors who recruit and train a large sales force also assume ongoing wholesaling and managing responsibilities as well as making sales to their own customers. Managing a large network can be lucrative, but it is hard work and can become a full-time job.

Pyramid schemes, on the other hand, concentrate mainly on the quick profits to be earned by selling the right to recruit others. The merchandise or service to be sold is largely ignored, and little or no mention is made regarding a market for those products and services. Pyramid scheme participants attempt to recoup their investments in products by recruiting from the ever decreasing number of potential investors. You may be tempted to become involved in a pyramid unless you recognize its tactics. These include: claims of ease in realizing a fabulous return on your investment; claims of being a shortcut to riches, easy living and early retirement; calls for a large initial investment fee; the plan focuses more on recruiting others than on selling products or services. While illegal, pyramid schemes tend to exploit those with limited means, and they are difficult to prosecute. Most often money invested is lost.

As a matter of policy, the BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.

BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.

BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time.

If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted the BBB for a BBB Reliability Report.

ID: 14004419
Report as of: 2/9/2010 11:48 PM

© 2010  BBB of Central & Eastern Kentucky, Inc.