Aisle19 Answers
We have been getting quite a bit of our readers writing in regarding Aisle19 (read here) and whether its on the up and up. We are going to compile some of the debates from both sides in an unbiased fashion but in the interest of full disclosure, we did get a message from Aisle19’s CEO on the issue. We hope to get in touch with him again soon and ask him a few questions directly.
In the meantime, lets take a look at what people are saying…
On the side where people are wary, and unsure about Aisle19’s objective, here is a selection of comments:
Thank you to everyone who responded however, I will not be joining Aisle 19 for several reasons.
First no one knows who owns this company. I don’t care if they were giving something for free. Second, the fact that there is deception and it’s another MLM and no one will own up to that disgust me. If I want to join a MLM let that be my choice. By giving my information, I am sure I would receive unsolicited invitations in my email account and whatever else. Now, with that said, those who choose to follow this path, I wish you the best and for the record, Aisle 19 is not the only vehicle to get discounts, the difference is knowing who you are dealing with instead hiding with a hidden agenda. -MB
I belong to Tagged. One of the friends I have on there started “inviting” me to visit this web site. I checked it out and immediately knew that it wasn’t for me..an example of other companies that use MLM.I had a similar experience with a book club I subscribe to, for every book you order you print the receipt and e-mail to there company you got $15.Back, I thought yeah this is something I want to look into, but (the catch) they would take out $10. from your bank account once a month..and you were only allowed to use the coupon at this merchant twice a month..
I do a lot of catalog shopping and this offer wasn’t available. So, I would recommend that you read the fine print and decide for yourself. -D.Lopez
Not a fan of MLM on any level… I don’t see how Kendall Berry distinguishes between good MLMs and bad ones. I guess the fact that Aisle19 isn’t charging money to their customers makes it better than the MLMs that are just straight up scams, but still, it seems like you gotta work for your coupon. -Adam J.
Now for some positive experiences that people have had…
Aisle 19? Like you, I was skeptical…but it cost me nothing–and I was curious. I was rather impressed to find many of my favorite stores participating there–and my favorite is: Starbucks. I now order a Starbucks gift card online, go to the store to pick it up (along with a Latte) and I get a meager cash back…not much…but it suddenly makes my gift card cheaper than the way I usually buy it (standing in line at the store). I like the concept and now do the same for Barnes & Nobles bookstore. Seems a no-brainer to me.
If someone is skeptical about Aisle 19—the solution is simple: don’t use it. If you’re lucky enough to get the invitation…why not check it out..it’s free, there’s no obligation or signing up for anything that I can detect, yet I just found a cool way to buy my Starbuck’s gift cards:-)
MLM? Not sure why this seems so “weirded-out”…MLM is all around us and works quite well because it is based upon referrals. I am a member of my Chamber of Commerce who will comp one year’s membership dues in return for bringing two new members into our organization (the last time I brought a business associate into the Chamber–I received nothing). Is that “weird”? What is weird is that so many do not seem to be aware of just how vital “referral networking” is in doing good, sound business! -Gary Buckley
It saddens me to see so much skeptism about this topic. YTB doesn’t own Aisle19. They have formed a “strategic alliance” with each other. True there has been some bad apples in the MLM industry which has left the good MLMs with a black eye. With all the businesses failing right and left and the thousands of households that have been devastated should we evaluate the main stream business world as bad? IF all “businesses were good there would be no need for the Better Business Bureau. Aisle19 has over 600 of those main stream businesses on their e-commerce shopping site. Is Sears,Target,Old Navy,K-Mart,Walmart,Cabelas and all the hundreds of name brand companies bad because of their association with Aisle19? Or is it a smart business decision on their part? I can now price compare from one spot. Find the best deal. Get additonal deals the public doesn’t get,and likely get free shipping. Go tohttp://www.yourtravelbiz.com/aisle19 for a really good look. IF you like what you see my contact info can be found at http://www.ytb.com/kenberry -Kendall Berry
And finally, from Aisle19’s CEO, here is what David Rutz had to say:
As the CEO of Aisle19, Inc. I am glad to see such conversation streaming through blogs.
Let me leave a quick comment with hopes of clearing up some facts.
Aisle19.com is not a network marketing (MLM) company. We are an online savings portal.
However, we believe that MLM is an effective means of distribution and thus, we promote our strategic alliances with MLM companies. Many fortune 500 companies distribute their products through external MLM companies.
Certainly, there is a fair share of MLM companies that lack integrity. However, this lack of corporate integrity isn’t limited to MLM companies, and crosses into all types of businesses. I think the national headlines prove many industries need a cleansing of the corporate integrity.
Aisle19 is an effective instrument to help consumers save TIME, save MONEY, and received special DEALS, plus get CASH BACK.
When this portal is attached to MLM, it allows for a recession proof business opportunity, as Aisle19 helps people benefit at the stores where they were ALREADY going to shop.
My past experiences provide me with positive feelings about MLM. I understand other people’s experiences have tainted their view of this model of distribution. However, I think our decision to align ourselves with MLM companies demonstrates where we stand.
As a closing note, Warren Buffet recently purchased an MLM company. Hmmm? I wonder if there is something to this form of distribution?
In any event, we are all entitled to our opinions.
[...]Just FYI. There is no fee to be involved with Aisle19 or ever money taken from anyone’s bank account. We don’t know your bank account, and don’t want to know it.
We simply provide the service we promote. So Yes, read the print, and enjoy the deals, convenience, savings, and cash back from Aisle19 -David Rutz
So there you have it, in a nutshell. I would like to explore the idea some more but I also think that I would like to hear from more people that are using this system and get more impressions. You might think this is a bit much, but I have been around the block a few and have to quench my skeptical thirst. If you feel that your voice was not heard in this summary, let us know or simply leave a comment.
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Comments
I don’t understand the negative here, Aisle 19 is free. I have earned over $160 in cash back in a short period of time. Plus I have to think of all the gas money I have saved by shopping on-line at home. So don’t knock it until you try it.
As far as MLM’s go, think about it, everything is MLM. All companies market and the people at the top make the most money, then it trickles down to you. You will never make more than the person at the top unless you become the person at the top. I choose to be the person at the top.
Ok, I’ve been a part of this organization for a month… I agree that people interpret what they want to and go from there. This is a business and yes if it where a scam, Wal-Mart, Target, AND MOST DEFINITELY NORDSTROM, & MACY’s would not put their name out there in a pyramid scheme to tarnish their IMAGE!!! Now, I am a former Amway rep, and I’m very familiar with network marketing. I wish that Aisle19 found me first because the one person that I did have that tried Amway with me would have done very well in Aisle19. But hey, Amway works and yes when 1. I followed the instructions 2. Got someone to do the same, I did see results both times. But the problem with Amway was that it was $175 to get started (including the cheapest start up kit), $270ish a month to get a $7.14 check; you had to do this for 6months st8 to get promoted. It cost $5 at every meeting you went to, and you had to pay your way to the huge conventions and to top it off there is a $50 yearly fee to stay in.
Amway works for people who can afford to do it… It was not economical for me to complete but I gave it my best. Asile19 cost nothing to get in…. Why is it free to get in???? Well let me answer that for you really quick…. The money you didn’t pay can be used to do the shopping that you would do on a regular basis. If you want to get technical then here you go…. Each MLM company has their own products that they want to push. Well in Amway they want you to be saturated in just their brand by purchasing $270ish a month plus whatever else you would like to buy.
Aisle19 on the other hand has its products but if you 1. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, you can make pretty good buy just buying one premier/incentive/core product a month…. I.E. you can shop at all you favorite stores and as long as you just buy one product and get your team to buy just one product a month, you are able to generate an income.
Now for the people who steer clear of pyramid schemes, LOL, well I just wanted to let you know that it is very much impossible for you to do this even if you are a federal government employee. NEWS FLASH, if you work a regular JOB, you are in a Pyramid Scheme!!!! It’s just masked with health insurance that you could get on your own anyways but just to lazy to do so. That’s just real talk.
Seriously people, if you are working on str8 commission, YOU ARE IN A PYRAMID SCHEME. Yes, it sound strange, but all department stores, fast food chains, office clerk, HR, IT, Marketing jobs are all some one else’s scheme… If you are a regular employee at the Dept. Stores/fast food, you’ll never be a VP of Operations, or anything, you will be capped of on your salary and that’s it. HR Office work… Come on, you will go just far enough, and just maybe by chance you might get a director position. Large and small Law Firms are a prime example of a Pyramid… You’ll work 25 years B4 you even get considered to be a partner. That’s if you live that long with all that pressure and stress. I just say think pray, and have faith.
I just used Aisle 19 and went to Office max and saved $12.00 on a case of paper, bought a box of envelopes and file folders and and save $7 on our toner for our Brother MFC Printer and it is shipping for free! I work twenty mile from the Office Max. So not only is my boss getting a small cash back (i sent him a link and he joined for free) we don’t have to drive to town. A sales rep just left here and he had to pay $50 at Office Max on the same paper that I just paid $34.00 for. This is a no brainer to me. Next week I am reordering company checks from Quickbooks. The sales rep ask me to send his company the link. Not only did he pay more money for the paper, he spent loss time driving to the Office max entering getting the paper checking out and driving it back to the company. My Wal-Mart cart is getting full through the Aisle 19 link and it will be delivered to my house. Avon is a money saving deal through Ailse 19 cash back and cheaper then getting it through the avon rep. I have not been receiving any junk mail either.
I am a member of Aisle 19 and attempted to make my first purchase with one of your stores, Nordstrom. I know I didnt’ see a discount on the merchandise when purchased. Need to know if you all can help me to find out if I completed the order correctly. My order number was [########].
bwillifo1
[Ed.- I think this would be best taken up with Aisle 19 themselves. We are just trying to publish information and discuss our opinions, not trouble shoot issues with Aisle 19's service. If you are not able to get through to them on their site, feel free to reach out to one within these comments as there are a few on here.]