Thread: FlexKom aka Flexcom aka Weeconomy - legitimate MLM or scam ??

EDIT TO MY POST:

I just read a Private Message from NikSam and would like to apologize for my previous statement. It appears FlexKom might be in need of an FCC expert. This might render the discussion about their Model
and Platform rather meaningless in terms of importance.

FlexKomGAUSA - can you address the FCC ID issues raised by NikSam? Can you ask the fine folks there at Flexkom USA corporate about this matter? Were you aware of the FCC ID issues?
NikSam said, "Ok, so if I Ask CE number you will stick another sticker on it?
And if i ask other things like IMEI / MAC you gonna keep printing stickers ? :)"

Also, I would appreciate a response to my earlier post addressed to you. Thanks.

FlexKomGAUSA SAID, "There is absolutely no doubt that FlexKom has had its share of negativity. Some of it warranted and some not. The majority of the negativity resulted from the company switching platforms from a card based system to the app based system currently being launched. It took a long time to develop the new platform. In many of the early Brand Managers minds I guess it took to long. I certainly cannot blame anyone for having negative feelings regarding the early market rollouts of FlexKom. However, I am involved because of the future of FlexKom, not the past."

If your NEW "system" is NOW App based, the statistics and trends suggest you might be pushing the WRONG platform. As I have stated before, the FlexKom Model is Broken and cannot be fixed.

So, if your New and Improved System is App based, here is how the numbers will work out for the Local Merchant with 5,000 customers.

1. 56% of USA population own SmartPhones. So, 56% of 5,000 = 2,800 eligible customers. Note: Of course, this will tend to alienate the other 2,200....but that is another conversation.
2. Let's say 30% of the "eligible" customers download the App: 2,800 x 30% = 840
3. 68% of them will allow Push Notifications - that is the national average (see below): 840 x 68% = 571

CONCLUSION: A merchant who signs up for the FlexKom System (one that has never been proven to work ANYWHERE in the world to date) will ACTUALLY be able to engage about 12% of their customers.

Here is some information to support my statement:
Twenty-Two Percent of Mobile Apps Are Only Used Once

Mobile marketing: The ultimate push provider scorecard | Responsys New School Marketing Blog
"In fact, the same Responsys survey found that 68 percent of consumers that have downloaded brand apps have enabled the app’s push notifications."

Smartphone Ownership 2013 | Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project

Originally Posted by MLM Broken Model

Watsco
Is Flexkom a Scam? I guess there are some who believe they are and others (who have invested $2,200 and are expecting a ROI) do not. Only time will tell if they make it in the USA. Will they fix their problems here? Will the Europeans who are running the company finally understand HOW TO DO BUSINESS in the USA? I doubt it but stranger things HAVE happened.

So, let's focus a little attention on what we do know. Will the Flexkom MODEL work in the USA?

First of all, I think we all agree that Local Merchants need to do a better job of communicating with their customers. Some even say they need to offer some sort of Loyalty Program. Well, Walmart is the largest retailer in the USA. THEY DO NOT OFFER A LOYALTY PROGRAM. Hmmmmmm. I thought the Loyalty Program idea was going to be the salvation of the Local Merchants.

QUESTION FOR WATSCO: Let's say a typical Pizza Restaurant has 5,000 customers who shop their once a month (might be high or low....just using as an example). If a Local Pizza Restaurant signs up for
the Flexkom platform, what percentage of these 5,000 will be able to access and participate in that Loyalty Program? Do you know the answer?

There isn't a limit as to how many would be able to participate with the FlexKom program.

Everyone they register with the QR code that hasn't signed up with another merchant.

The customer gets cash back so sign up % is high

FlexKomGAUSA - I actually provided the answer in a separate post.

Only about 12% of a typical merchant's clients will benefit from the FlexKom system.

Here is where I have a problem with what you are trying to post as fact.

You said, "The customer gets cash back so sign up % is high" HOW DO YOU KNOW? The system hasn't been proven to work anywhere yet.
You said yourself it is a New System. You made it clear there were MANY PROBLEMS with the old system and most of the problems with Flexkom
can be attributed to the switch to an App based system. You posted here the new terminals were just being delivered. So, how do you come
on this board and make this prediction as though it was FACT?

So, let's be clear. Has the current FlexKom Model with the current software, hardware and App based system EVER worked ANYWHERE in the world to date?
AND, I am still waiting for you to respond to the other questions. Your choice but by not responding, aren't you saying even MORE?

I forgot to mention, QR Codes did not catch on like many thought they would. If a Local Merchant is going to use a Loyalty Program that required EACH CUSTOMER to download a QR Code reader
just to participate, the results will be reduced greatly. Just do a quick google search and you will learn the truth from ACTUAL professionals in the field.


http://60secondmarketer.com/blog/201...odes-are-dead/
5. Don’t Waste Your Time with a Mobile App

People are surprised when I tell them you shouldn’t waste your time with QR codes, but they’re even more surprised when I say that apps are also a waste of time (for most businesses, not all). There are plenty of other mobile marketing tools that are 1) easier to develop, and 2) will provide a better ROI.

Mobile apps are great if you have an embedded user base and you’re trying to reduce churn. But they’re not a good customer acquisition tool. (For proof of this, ask yourself when you downloaded an app from a brand you didn’t already know/have a relationship with. That’s right — never. Game over.) Action Step: Focus your efforts on tools like mobile display and mobile paid search before you even think about developing a mobile app. Only develop a mobile app if you have an embedded user base.

Katy Dwyer • 4 months ago
I agree with you 100% about QR codes. We had a client who insisted on spending a good chunk of change on getting custom designed QR codes. We advised against it. And surprise surprise! The tracking shows that no one is scanning them. Too many people used QR codes incorrectly--not pointing the user to unique content--so that even when they are used correctly, they get passed over. It's a waste of space!

Jeremiah Hubbard • 4 months ago
Museums have even offered QR codes on their displays where patrons would be able to listen to more about the exhibit on their mobile device and have a virtual tour of the museum. The problem? Most patrons had no idea what that little square meant, and unless you had a smart phone with a third party QR app installed, it was of no benefit to you (and even if you did, well it still was of no real benefit). The University of Alabama Natural Science museum installed iPads instead where the patron could access as much or as little information about the exhibit. The result, success. Businesses had no idea how to implement these codes, how to market them, and how to provide value to the customer through their use. This is one of those things where it was a great idea, just implemented very poorly.

The problem with Flexkom is simple - they have NEVER proven their model works. Why? Because, it is Broken!

Originally Posted by MLM Broken Model

FlexKomGAUSA SAID, "There is absolutely no doubt that FlexKom has had its share of negativity. Some of it warranted and some not. The majority of the negativity resulted from the company switching platforms from a card based system to the app based system currently being launched. It took a long time to develop the new platform. In many of the early Brand Managers minds I guess it took to long. I certainly cannot blame anyone for having negative feelings regarding the early market rollouts of FlexKom. However, I am involved because of the future of FlexKom, not the past."

If your NEW "system" is NOW App based, the statistics and trends suggest you might be pushing the WRONG platform. As I have stated before, the FlexKom Model is Broken and cannot be fixed.

So, if your New and Improved System is App based, here is how the numbers will work out for the Local Merchant with 5,000 customers.

1. 56% of USA population own SmartPhones. So, 56% of 5,000 = 2,800 eligible customers. Note: Of course, this will tend to alienate the other 2,200....but that is another conversation.
2. Let's say 30% of the "eligible" customers download the App: 2,800 x 30% = 840
3. 68% of them will allow Push Notifications - that is the national average (see below): 840 x 68% = 571

CONCLUSION: A merchant who signs up for the FlexKom System (one that has never been proven to work ANYWHERE in the world to date) will ACTUALLY be able to engage about 12% of their customers.

Here is some information to support my statement:
Twenty-Two Percent of Mobile Apps Are Only Used Once

Mobile marketing: The ultimate push provider scorecard | Responsys New School Marketing Blog
"In fact, the same Responsys survey found that 68 percent of consumers that have downloaded brand apps have enabled the app’s push notifications."

Smartphone Ownership 2013 | Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project

Some inaccuracies to mention

The system also allows for cards. (5,000)

The push notifications aren't necessary and can be turned off (stay at 5,000)

when the merchants offer money back and awards one could imagine more than 30% would say yes.

But lets say 30% 1,500 sign up and then take that times say 1000 stores = 1.5 million users

This is not a bad scenario by any ones standards

The Mobile Equipment IDentifier (MEID) [1] is used as a means to facilitate mobile equipment identification and to 17 track mobiles. Short Form Expanded UIM Identifier (SF_EUIMID) [6], [7], with similar format to MEID, may be 18 stored on a Removable UIM (R-UIM) or CSIM and used to identify it for certain functions. The Global Equipment 19 Identifier (GEID) coordinated range encourages global roaming and harmonization between 3G technologies as a 20 universal mobile equipment identifier.

Watsco - I went back and ran the numbers again and I was right: 571 users out of 5,000 or about 12%. Sorry.

Plus, you failed to address the rest of my post. If you will notice, I used 3rd party confirmation to make my point.
What did you use?

You said, "1000 stores = 1.5 million users." Amazing. Is this like your post from earlier where you predicted FlexKom will be making Billion-Dollar contributors to charities.
What is even more amazing is you are showing 1.5 million users FOR A MODEL THAT HAS YET TO BE PROVEN........anywhere in the world!

Now, that is QUITE the scenario you paint there Watsco. And, your continued use of exaggeration says a lot more about you than you think.

Remember, you came back to this board and CONFIRMED the company is telling the truth about the 4.5 million customers and 13,500 merchants.
I asked FlexKomGAUSA the same question and he has yet to
respond. Wonder why?

Originally Posted by FlexKomGAUSA

Anyone who has dealt in technology knows a real world trial is required prior to a full market launch.

Surely you understand that Flexkom is doing the exact opposite? First they try to sell as many licenses as possible and only then they start to think of what it actually is that Flexkom is going to do. Thousands of people have paid for Flexkom even without knowing what Flexkom actually is. Is it a loyalty card? Is it a travel agency (FlexHoliday) is it a booking system (FlexHotel) is it a TV station (FlexTV) a bank (FlexGold) an app (FlexApp)??

Should you be going to tell me that it is all that, then please give prove of technology for each and every one of it.

You seem to be in posession of a Flexkom POS. That's great, that means that you can tell us the specs of the 500 dollar machine. Would you be kind enough to install AnTuTU Benchmark on it, run it and share the results with us? Don't worry, the app is for free in the Google Play store! Especially the AnTuTU Benchmark page with the device info is interesting to us. That page tells us what kind of processor, memory etc. is in the Flexkom tablet. Many thanks!

Originally Posted by MLM Broken Model

I am not sure what the big deal was about either the FCC code or even the price Flexkom is charging for their kiosk.

Simple.

This is not a regulatory agency with access to the internal workings of any of the "opportunities" under discussion.

It is extremely unlikely anyone here is going to be able to produce a magic bullet proving beyond a shadow of a doubt a program is a scam.

Some of these fraudulent get-rich-quick schemes have been years in the planning and, unlike TV, can't be completely exposed in 45 minutes plus commercials.

It is far more likely any exposure will come as a series of clues or red flags which will give readers information which may have not been immediately apparent or has been deliberately disguised by the fraudsters themselves.

We are also not attempting to "save the world" so to speak.

One less victimized consumer at a time will do just fine.

@freighttrain

You are 100% correct. The FlexKom Model has NOT been proven to work ANYWHERE. They told everyone in the USA a whopper in reference to their success in Turkey.
I have yet to see a retraction anywhere in the world by Flexkom either. I would like to see Watsco or FlexKomGAUSA come on this board and set the record straight, once
and for all.

And here it is once again. Did FlexKom tell the truth about their "success" in Turkey? Did they actually sign up 4.5 million customers and 13,500 merchants or was that just
a pathetic marketing ploy aimed at getting the naive MLMer to invest $2,200?

FlexKom - a Broken Model that leads to Broken Promises and in the end - - Broke Reps.

FlexKom has collected Millions of Dollar from their distributors.

I found this interesting post and would like Watsco or FlexkomGAUSA to respond.

I do hope that this lunch is more spectaculair than the lunch of October 26th. Nothing really happened that day, except for the USA CEO quitting. Same goes for the lunch of summer 2013, then they only brougt up an app (that still does not work) but no lunch of any kind. So let’s hope for the best.

Only thing happening at Flexkom now is some more recruiting. Oh, and ofcourse the European CEO quit and took 667.019,18 euro’s (which is sligtly more in dollars) with him. Ofcourse, he did this in the traditional fashion; on stage receiving an enormous cheque with lots of people cheering and applauding for him. They must all have been so happy to see the CEO quitting and taking lots of money. Especially if you think of that, up till now, no money has been made by Flexkom trough a conventional way ..like selling a product. Don’t all companies have their CEO quitting before the company is even up and running? Or is Flexkom really already up and running with thousands of people paying their money for the GTM license?

- See more at: Is FlexKom a Scam? » Lazy Man and Money

If Asker did receive 667,000 euros, where did all of that money come from? The company has yet to actually sell any products. Did that money come from the Initial Investments of distributors like Watsco and FlexKomGAUSA and the people who trusted them enough to part with their hard-earned money?

Originally Posted by FlexKomGAUSA

But in the Greater Chattanooga market (includes NW Georgia) which encompasses approximately 600k in population, we have 55 to 60 trained and certified reps.
These are reps that will sell the product to merchants in the very near future. At the present time, we are using a 1 in 10,000 ratio for BM's to population.
We have in fact closed the Greater Chattanooga market to new BM's that can sell to merchants.

Thanks, just a frame of reference these are the business stats from the Chamber of Commerce. 6487 retail businesses which I assume are your target market, and will be willing to lump in X% of service businesses. Calling it 10,000 total "leads", that is about 200 per BM by my math.

Will reserve any other comments I have on this as a lot of other issues have been brought up. If you disagree with the analysis feel free to scold me.

Stats and Demographics

Chat TN.jpg

Originally Posted by littleroundman

Who needs to argue about the legitimacy of FlexKom ???

They continue to use ex Banners Broker Independent Contractor, UK leader and SuperPimp, Ian Driscoll as their UK front man, so you just KNOW it's a fraud.

Thank you LRM, with Ian Driscoll on board in a leadership position that is all that's needed for anybody familiar with scams to make an informed decision.

A little help please. How do I respond to specific posts and certain quotes within those posts. I notice you can pull specific lines from posts and share only that. I'm new to this type format and would like to participate as it's intended. Also, I'm not going to be able to be on here constantly so cut me a little slack if I don't reply as quickly as you may like.

@ MLM Broken Model.
With regards to Turkey, the numbers you are sharing have never been promoted or discussed at any presentation that I have attended. That is both corporate and out in the field. Again, that's my personal experience and I can tell you that is not something I, nor anyone on my team is sharing in our market. I can't possibly tell you how many merchants or customers there are in Turkey and I'm not going to try. I do know that they will be migrating over to the new terminal in the near future according to the FlexKom corporate newsletter. Whether that is 10 or 10,000 I have no idea. Maybe when this happens we can get some verifiable numbers from the field. I would like to know as much as you!!

With regard to earnings in Turkey, I personally have never been told nor do I share that a merchant is making tens of thousands of dollars with Flexkom. That goes for the BM's as well. In fact, every presentation I have ever attended the presenters have gone out of their way to not make specific income claims regarding FlexKom. I simply ran the numbers myself and created potential earnings assumptions based on what I feel are my capabilities.

With regards to refunds in Turkey. I have no idea. From my personal experience in the USA, I have not had anyone request a refund.

With regards to the Country Manager in France quitting. I don't know. If he did i would simply say it happens everyday in business around the globe. Without a personal interview by that individual publicly explaining his reasoning, it would be speculation by anyone as to why.

The customer does not have to have a smartphone to participate in the FlexKom system. In fact, I have a FlexKom loyalty card that is directly linked to my smartphone app which I feel has some major advantages in the marketplace. The POS 4S terminals in the US will ship with loyalty cards included.

With regard to the money side of FlexKom to a merchant it is exactly as you have described. The merchant decides what total amount of % they are comfortable with using and they offer a rebate to the customer that is half of that amount. The rebates are their decision and can be changed as often as they like. I can't possibly speak with any truthfulness to the feelings of merchants in Europe. In our market it is simply not an issue when explained to the merchant properly. In our market, merchants discount almost daily to attract new customers. They also advertise those discounts in the marketplace at a considerable cost to them. If a merchant puts an item on sale at 10% off, he or she is comfortable with giving up 10% of the sales price to make the sale. If they decide to do a 5% customer rebate with FlexKom with a total of 10% it is the same exact same dollar amount to the merchant. With FlexKom the merchant collects 100% of the purchase price and the transaction moves forward as you have described.

As I have said in previous posts, the market will determine the success or failure of FlexKom. In the USA, we are quickly approaching that point. In the near future, FK will either have a successful model or it will be a complete flop. I don't think there will be much middle ground there. The good news for all of us is we are about to find out :).

Originally Posted by FlexKomGAUSA

A little help please. How do I respond to specific posts and certain quotes within those posts.

Put the text you want between [ QUOTE=FlexKomGAUSA;66997 ] and [ /QUOTE ] when you hit reply with quote, simply use the copy/cut and paste functions. If you want multiple lines, use multiple quotes.

Originally Posted by FlexKomGAUSA

As I have said in previous posts, the market will determine the success or failure of FlexKom. In the USA, we are quickly approaching that point. In the near future, FK will either have a successful model or it will be a complete flop. I don't think there will be much middle ground there. The good news for all of us is we are about to find out :).

I suspect you will find there is a huge middle ground.

FlexKomGAUSA, please let me understand something, i still did not get how many POS devices were setup in US

Ok, now as you explained POS4 devices were never launched/brought to US, except few demo units.
So I assume whatever was brought in / installed before were POS3. - correct ?


Let me quote as watsco said

Originally Posted by watsco

...
Over 300 stores in TN and AL have signed a letter of intent to purchase a terminal as soon as the 2nd shipment arrives in USA.
...

Ok, so 300 POS4 units will be shipped to US in near future - correct ?
And since he said 2nd shipment, there was a 1st, and as i assume it was POS3, how many of those were shipped to US, and how many were actually given to stores ?

And if it is possible can you please make same picture of POS3 back.

Will the new POS4 devices replace POS3 you already sold to stores ? if yes, will you charge the store and how much?

How much in US dollars you sold POS3 in US?

Thank You.

@ FlexKomGAUSA Were you at the Flexkom launch event in Las Vegas back in August of last year?

Originally Posted by MLM Broken Model

@ FlexKomGAUSA Were you at the Flexkom launch event in Las Vegas back in August of last year?

I did not attend. It was much prior to my involvement. Did you attend this event?

I am also a Global Team member from Georgia. My background is not MLM, I am a VP of a successful company for the last 20 years. I have also done quite a few development deals over the years. I have had success and I have seen a few failures as most of us have. I am actively involved in Flexkom of America. I have been to Vegas, met the owners and the leadership in America and they have done everything they said they would do for Flexkom America up to this point and I don't expect that to change. As in any business deal, there are risks. We are talking about a technology company, I don't promote Flexkom with a bunch of hype but rather state the facts as I know them and let the merchant or potential team member decide if this is something they would like to do. I do know for a fact that they have shipped the POS 4 models to the state managers. There is a shipment of the terminals in Vegas and this will supply the first market that will open which is the Chattanooga Market which includes North Georgia. I do know for a fact that over 200 merchants have either signed letters of intent or showed sincere interest in seeing a further demonstration of the terminal. The letters of intent are designed to allocate merchants to the specific team member that they are working with. I like and believe the business model will work. That is my opinion but there are many reward systems out there and in my opinion NONE of them can do what Flexkom can. I would assume there were many doubters in that first meeting that VISA ever held. What a crazy idea, you are going to pay with a card and not get real money until a company gave it to you. I would image business owners might of been a little scared of that business model at first. RISK VS REWARD. $2,000 is the RISK and the REWARD will be huge if Flexkom works. I like my chances.

@ NikSam

No POS 3 terminals have ever been shipped to the US. The US was never going to install the POS 3 terminal so there were obviously no shipments. Unfortunately whoever you are relying on for your information is not keeping you up to date which obviously will create some major confusion.

Hopefully this will help: Approximately 500 POS 4S Terminals are sitting in Las Vegas right now which was the first shipment of terminals to the USA. I say approximately because a few have been sent out to the State Managers and approximately 10 each has been sent to the initial markets of Chattanooga and Mobile. There will be no need for refunds on POS 3 terminals because they were never purchased.

To date there are only a handful of terminals installed in both Chattanooga and Mobile. They are populating on the app and if you have the app you can search those areas and see them. We are getting letters of intent signed by merchants right now in those two markets. Our reps in those two markets have been trained and certified by FlexKom and are preparing for the market rollout. The reason for the letters of intent is to assign the merchant to the BM who is working with them and to hopefully prevent multiple sales calls to the merchants prior to the launch. Currently, I am responsible for the master list of merchants in our Greater Chattanooga market. There are hundreds of merchants on the list. I hope this helps clarify some things for you.

FlexKomGAUSA and UGA1 are either one person with two usernames or two people sharing a computer.

Please let me know which so I can remove one of the usernames.

Originally Posted by littleroundman

FlexKomGAUSA and UGA1 are either one person with two usernames or two people sharing a computer.

Please let me know which so I can remove one of the usernames.

Unless you are dealing with a real Clever Clogs my money is they are two separate people, probably Salting the Mine for corporate.

Originally Posted by UGA1

I have been to Vegas, met the owners and the leadership in America and they have done everything they said they would do for Flexkom America up to this point and I don't expect that to change.

Well then, if that would be true than Flexkom is already live and operational since november 2012. I do hope that I don't have to explain to you that november 2012 is a long time ago. Maybe you can explain why Flexkom did not held their initial promise of an operational system no later than November 2012?

I would assume there were many doubters in that first meeting that VISA ever held.

Unlike Flexkom, VISA never held meetings in which they tried to take peoples money. Real businesses do not have meetings like Flexkom does.. They just sell their product. They don't endlessly recruit people to make them believe that somewhere in the future they'd sell a product that does not even exist at this moment.

And now quit the bullshit and awnser the questions! How difficult can it be??

Originally Posted by UGA1

RISK VS REWARD. $2,000 is the RISK and the REWARD will be huge if Flexkom works. I like my chances.

The risk to you is $2000, but the real risk =$2000 X (TOTAL BRAND MANAGERS). If you are one of the top salespeople in your market then you're likely in good shape, if not everyone else is competing with you just to break even.

In the aforementioned Chattanooga market if there are 60 BMs, $1,200,000 is at risk, next to zero risk on the Flexcom side as they already have the money. The question then becomes does FK create a real system to deliver enough revenue to pay back those who invested through actual revenues. Worldwide, what we have seen thus far is the recruiting part performing like clockwork, the execution and affiliate payback has been a little light.

Originally Posted by littleroundman

FlexKomGAUSA and UGA1 are either one person with two usernames or two people sharing a computer.

Please let me know which so I can remove one of the usernames.

I am not the same person as FlexkomGAUSA, I am from GA and a diehard bulldogs fan thus my screen name. I thought I was joining a legitimate conversation about Flexkom, If you want to remove me, I guess as the administrator, that is your right.

Originally Posted by freighttrain

Well then, if that would be true than Flexkom is already live and operational since november 2012. I do hope that I don't have to explain to you that november 2012 is a long time ago. Maybe you can explain why Flexkom did not held their initial promise of an operational system no later than November 2012?

Unlike Flexkom, VISA never held meetings in which they tried to take peoples money. Real businesses do not have meetings like Flexkom does.. They just sell their product. They don't endlessly recruit people to make them believe that somewhere in the future they'd sell a product that does not even exist at this moment.

And now quit the bullshit and awnser the questions! How difficult can it be??

I have never sit in any meeting where they said the system would be operational in November, so that is not something I have ever heard. Visa also never had meetings where they were willing to share their profits,did they? That was not my point. My point is VISA was probably not well accepted when it first come out by merchants and look where they are today.