If you’ve been searching for ways to make money online, you may have come across Wake Up Now. This multi-level marketing company promised to help people achieve financial freedom through its products and services. However, many people have accused Wake Up Now of being a scam. In this article, we will explore the allegations against Wake Up Now and help you determine whether it is a legitimate opportunity or a fraudulent scheme.
Some people believe that Wake Up Now was a pyramid scheme, which is an illegal business model where participants earn money by recruiting new members rather than selling products or services. Others claim that Wake Up Now’s products and services were overpriced and of low quality, making it difficult for members to make a profit. Additionally, Wake Up Now had a poor rating with the Better Business Bureau, which is a red flag for many people.
If you’re considering joining Wake Up Now or have already become a member, it’s important to understand the risks and potential drawbacks of this opportunity. By doing your research and weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether Wake Up Now is right for you.
Understanding Wake Up Now
If you have heard of Wake Up Now, you may be wondering what it is all about. Wake Up Now was a multi-level marketing company that claimed to offer financial wellness and lifestyle products and services. The company was founded in 2009 by Jason Elrod, Phil Polich, and Kirby Cochran in Provo, Utah.
Wake Up Now marketed itself as a way to help people achieve financial freedom and live a better life. The company offered a range of products and services, including financial management tools, tax services, travel discounts, and more.
One of the main selling points of Wake Up Now was its membership program, which promised to provide discounts on everyday expenses and help members save money. The company also encouraged members to recruit others to join the program, which would earn them commissions and bonuses.
However, Wake Up Now faced criticism and controversy over its business practices. Some people accused the company of being a pyramid scheme, where the focus was on recruiting new members rather than selling actual products or services. The company also faced financial difficulties and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2015.
Despite its promises and marketing efforts, Wake Up Now ultimately failed to deliver on its claims of financial wellness and success. If you are considering joining a multi-level marketing company like Wake Up Now, it is important to do your research and understand the risks involved.
Wake Up Now Products and Services
Wake Up Now offers a variety of products and services to its members through its online platform, the HUB. Here are some of the products and services that Wake Up Now provides:
WUN Fit
WUN Fit is a fitness program that provides its members with access to workout plans, nutrition guides, and personal trainers. Members can track their progress and earn rewards for achieving their fitness goals.
WUN Finance
WUN Finance is a financial management tool that helps members track their expenses, create budgets, and manage their finances more effectively. It also provides access to financial education resources.
WUN MD
WUN MD is a telemedicine service that allows members to consult with licensed physicians online. Members can receive medical advice, prescriptions, and referrals without having to leave their homes.
WUN Protect
WUN Protect is an identity theft protection service that monitors members’ credit reports and alerts them to any suspicious activity. It also provides members with insurance coverage in case of identity theft.
Energy Drink – Thunder
Thunder is Wake Up Now’s energy drink. It contains natural ingredients and is designed to provide a sustained energy boost without the crash that is often associated with other energy drinks.
Taxbot
Taxbot is a tax preparation tool that helps members track their business expenses and maximize their tax deductions. It also provides access to tax professionals who can answer members’ tax-related questions.
Discounts
Wake Up Now offers a variety of discounts on products and services from a wide range of retailers. Members can save money on everything from groceries to travel to entertainment.
Travel Discounts
Wake Up Now’s vacation club provides members with access to discounted travel packages, including hotel stays, flights, and rental cars. Members can also earn rewards for booking travel through the HUB.
Magazine Subscriptions
Wake Up Now offers discounted subscriptions to a variety of popular magazines, including Time, Sports Illustrated, and People.
Online Marketplace
The HUB also features an online marketplace where members can purchase products and services from a variety of retailers. Members can earn cash back on their purchases and take advantage of exclusive deals.
The Wake Up Now Business Model
If you’re considering joining Wake Up Now, it’s important to understand their business model. Wake Up Now is a multi-level marketing (MLM) company that offers a variety of products and services to its members. As an independent business owner (IBO), you can earn commissions by selling these products and recruiting others to join the company.
To become an IBO with Wake Up Now, you’ll need to pay a monthly membership fee. This fee gives you access to the company’s “HUB,” which is essentially a shopping portal where you can purchase discounted products and services. You’ll also be able to earn commissions on your personal volume (PV) and the volume generated by your downline.
The Wake Up Now compensation plan is complex, but it offers several ways to earn money. In addition to earning commissions on product sales and downline volume, you can also earn bonuses for reaching certain milestones and recruiting new members. However, it’s important to note that the majority of Wake Up Now IBOs do not earn significant income from the company.
One of the most controversial aspects of Wake Up Now’s business model is its focus on recruiting. While the company does offer legitimate products and services, many critics argue that the primary way to make money with Wake Up Now is by recruiting others to join the company. This can lead to a focus on recruitment rather than product sales, which can be problematic for some IBOs.
Overall, the Wake Up Now business model offers a potential opportunity to make money online as an independent business owner. However, it’s important to carefully consider the company’s compensation plan and focus on recruitment before deciding whether or not to join.
Membership Tiers in Wake Up Now
When you enroll in Wake Up Now, you have the option to choose from three different membership tiers: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each tier offers different benefits and features, and the monthly subscription cost varies accordingly.
The Silver membership costs $24.95 per month and includes access to the Wake Up Now HUB, which provides discounts on various products and services. With the Silver membership, you can also earn commissions on the products and services you and your team members purchase through the HUB.
The Gold membership costs $49.95 per month and includes all the benefits of the Silver membership, plus additional features such as taxbot, a tool that helps you track your business expenses, and a financial management system that helps you manage your money and debt.
The Platinum membership costs $99.95 per month and includes all the benefits of the Gold membership, plus access to a personal financial advisor and a travel booking engine that offers exclusive discounts on flights, hotels, and rental cars.
As a member of Wake Up Now, you can also earn commissions by enrolling new members and building a team. The compensation plan is based on a binary system, where you have two legs that you need to balance in order to maximize your earnings.
It’s important to note that while Wake Up Now offers the potential to earn money, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. Like any business opportunity, it requires hard work, dedication, and persistence to succeed.
Overall, the membership tiers in Wake Up Now offer a variety of benefits and features that can help you save money, manage your finances, and earn commissions. If you’re interested in joining, be sure to do your research and fully understand the costs and benefits associated with each membership tier.
Wake Up Now Reviews and Experiences
If you are considering joining Wake Up Now, it is important to do your research and read reviews from people who have had experiences with the company. While some people have had positive experiences and consider Wake Up Now to be a legitimate business opportunity, others have had negative experiences and consider it to be a scam.
Positive reviews of Wake Up Now often mention the discounts and savings that members can receive on products and services through the company’s website. Some people have also had success with the company’s MLM model and have been able to earn money by recruiting new members and building a team.
However, negative reviews of Wake Up Now often mention the high membership fees and the difficulty of earning money through the company’s MLM model. Some people have also reported feeling pressured to recruit new members and purchase expensive products in order to advance in the company.
It is important to keep in mind that experiences with Wake Up Now can vary greatly depending on the individual and their approach to the business opportunity. It is always a good idea to carefully consider the costs and potential benefits before joining any MLM company, and to do your own research and read reviews from a variety of sources.
Overall, while some people have had positive experiences with Wake Up Now, it is important to approach the opportunity with caution and to carefully consider all of the potential risks and benefits before making a decision to join.
Controversies and Criticisms
Wake Up Now has been the subject of numerous controversies and criticisms since its inception. The company has been accused of being a pyramid scheme and a Ponzi scheme by various individuals, including Robert Fitzpatrick, an expert on MLM companies.
One of the main criticisms of Wake Up Now is its poor management. Many distributors have complained about the lack of support and training provided by the company, which has led to a high turnover rate among distributors.
Another major issue with Wake Up Now is its compensation plan, which has been criticized for being too complicated and confusing. Many distributors have reported difficulty in understanding the plan and have struggled to earn a consistent income.
The Wake Up Now website has also been criticized for being misleading and promoting false claims about the company’s products and services. Many distributors have reported being misled about the potential earnings and benefits of joining the company.
In addition, Wake Up Now has been accused of using aggressive marketing tactics to recruit new distributors. Many individuals have reported being pressured into joining the company and investing money without fully understanding the risks involved.
Overall, Wake Up Now has faced numerous controversies and criticisms over the years. While some individuals have had success with the company, many others have reported negative experiences and financial losses. If you are considering joining Wake Up Now or any MLM company, it is important to do your research and fully understand the risks involved before investing your time and money.
While many other companies have been accused of being a pyramid scheme or a scam, the truth is they have a much better reputation and customer reviews. If you are looking for something similar, I would rather recommend you to consult Thrive or Melaeluca, as they have a much better rating.
Wake Up Now’s Market Presence
If you were looking for a company that promised to help you achieve financial independence, Wake Up Now might have caught your eye. Founded by Troy Muhlestein in 2009, the company was headquartered in Provo, Utah, which is known for being home to many MLM businesses. Wake Up Now claimed to offer a range of products and services that could help you save money, manage your finances, and even make money.
At its peak, Wake Up Now had over 100,000 members and was reportedly generating over $100 million in annual revenue. The company’s growth was fueled by aggressive marketing tactics, including social media campaigns, events, and promotions. Wake Up Now also partnered with other MLM companies, such as Empower Network, to expand its reach and offer more products and services to its members.
However, Wake Up Now’s market presence was not without controversy. Some critics accused the company of being a pyramid scheme, where the focus was on recruiting new members rather than selling products. In 2014, This American Life aired an episode that featured Wake Up Now and other MLM companies, highlighting the challenges and risks associated with these business models.
Despite these challenges, Wake Up Now continued to operate for several years. However, the company’s profits and growth began to decline, and it eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2015. While Wake Up Now’s market presence may have been impressive at one point, its ultimate fate serves as a cautionary tale for those considering joining an MLM company.
Conclusion
Now that we have taken a closer look at Wake Up Now, you may be wondering whether it is a scam or a legitimate business opportunity. While there are some concerns about the company’s marketing tactics and the high cost of the Platinum Package, there is no evidence to suggest that Wake Up Now is a scam.
One of the main benefits of Wake Up Now is the savings program, which provides members with access to discounts on a wide range of products and services. This can help you save money on everyday expenses and even on your next vacation.
In addition to the savings program, Wake Up Now also offers a range of products, including energy drinks and software. While some of these products may be useful, they may not be worth the high cost of the Platinum Package.
If you are considering joining Wake Up Now, it is important to carefully evaluate the potential incomes and expenses involved. While some members have reported earning significant incomes, others have struggled to make any money at all.
Overall, Wake Up Now may be a good opportunity for some people, but it is important to approach it with caution and do your research before investing your time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs of a pyramid scheme?
Pyramid schemes often promise high returns with little effort or investment, and require participants to recruit others to join the scheme. Some signs of a pyramid scheme include:
- Focus on recruitment rather than selling a product or service
- Promises of high returns with little risk or effort
- Requirement to pay a large upfront fee or buy a large amount of inventory
- Lack of a legitimate product or service being sold
- Emphasis on earning commissions from recruiting others to join the scheme
How can I protect myself from pyramid scams?
To protect yourself from pyramid scams, it’s important to do your research and be wary of any opportunity that seems too good to be true. Here are some tips:
- Research the company and its products or services before investing any money
- Be skeptical of promises of high returns with little effort
- Look for legitimate multi-level marketing companies that focus on selling products or services rather than recruiting
- Be wary of any opportunity that requires a large upfront fee or investment
- Don’t be pressured into making a decision quickly
Are there any legitimate multi-level marketing companies?
Yes, there are legitimate multi-level marketing companies that focus on selling products or services rather than recruiting. These companies often have a proven track record of success, a strong product line, and a compensation plan that rewards both sales and recruitment.
What should I do if I suspect I am involved in a pyramid scheme?
If you suspect that you are involved in a pyramid scheme, it’s important to take action to protect yourself. Here are some steps you can take:
- Stop investing money in the scheme
- Report the scheme to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state’s attorney general’s office
- Contact an attorney who specializes in consumer fraud or business law
- Warn others about the scheme to prevent them from falling victim as well
Is it true that most people lose money in pyramid schemes?
Yes, it is true that most people lose money in pyramid schemes. Only a small percentage of participants make any significant money, while the majority end up losing their investment.
Can I get my money back if I was scammed in a pyramid scheme?
It can be difficult to get your money back if you were scammed in a pyramid scheme, as these schemes often collapse quickly and the organizers disappear with the money. However, you can try contacting the FTC or your state’s attorney general’s office to see if they can assist you in recovering your losses.