SMC Home Business Reviews
Is SMC Legit or a Scam?
SMC, or the Specialty Merchandise Corporation, is a company that’s been offering people an online business opportunity for many years. SMC ads can be found all over late night infomercials and internet advertisements. They even have a retired actor pitching their program, something that causes many folks to assume it’s not a scam.
The way the SMC business opportunity works is that each person who joins becomes an authorized reseller of various items from the SMC warehouse. Each member gets their own web store and training in how to attract customers to their website. When someone buys a product from your store you’ll be credited with commissions from each sale generated.
SMC Membership is offered in a gold and silver plan. The difference being that the gold plan is a onetime payment of $299.95 while the silver is a payment plan with an initial fee of $24.95 and 11 monthly payments of $39.95. If you do the math the payment plan comes out to be $164.45 more than the gold plan.
This is the Specialty Merchandise Corporation’s way of increasing their cash flow by offering you incentives to buy the whole thing at once. So if you do join the SMC home business for the long haul the smarter option is the gold plan.
Once you’re a member of the Specialty Merchandise Corporation the way for you to make back your money is to sell as much of their products as you can. SMC has grown very popular due to their advertising, and while it may raise demand for their products it actually hurts your bottom line. Each time a new member signs up that’s a new competitor vying for your commissions.
So is SMC a Scam?
The internet is flooded with resale websites that people are putting up daily as a result of the SMC Business Opportunity. This saturated market for SMC products has led to a drastic price cutting battle among SMC members.
On top of that hurdle, if you’re selling online you'll have to deal with the fact that Google and other prominent search engines tend to ignore simple resale sites. You’ll be faced with an uphill battle of getting customers to your website as well as selling the products for less profit.
This does not make SMC an outright scam, and people do make money selling their products. However this does mean that in order to succeed you definitely have to think outside the box and find creative ways to make your SMC business model stand out from the rest of the growing pack.
So while SMC may seem like a good home business opportunity, what they don’t tell you is that the more successful they get from membership fees the harder it is for you to make money.
Unless you own a retail store or a popular website site with lots of traffic it’ll be difficult for you to make money with SMC…and to make matters worse their sales staff won’t quit bugging you once you stop buying their products.
If you're at Reviewopedia.com because you're looking for a way to make money online then check out our article "7 Ways to Make Money Online" - methods that anyone can use to earn an income from home.
 Would you like to add your review for SMC Business Opportunity?
Customer Responses, Reviews, or Complaints for
'SMC Business Opportunity'
Average Rating is
1.98
out of
5
based on
61 reviews.
George utah | 6:18pm on January 19th, 2012  | I have been in SMC on and off, the products in general are good, although don;t even dream in selling then at 300% MARKUP with a few exceptions. I like to buy mostly for personal use, gifts, etc, I use many for gifts to my members in my mlm business that is much easier than sell SMC products.
Products? 1-10= 7
Business opportunity? 1-10= 3
Service? 1-10= 5
Prices? 1-10= 6 |
Patricia Texas | 5:38am on January 18th, 2012 | Smc called me yesterday 1-17 2012.I did give them my card number.while them still on the phone ,I change my mind and told them to cancel.they ask me if I was sure I told them I was every sure.They said they were sing with the BBB.I call the BBB said they had not heard of them . I went to the bank cancel that card.Do you think they will try to use it?
|
Sheri Iowa | 6:42pm on January 2nd, 2012  | I have been a member for quite a few years and have never had a problem with them. If you are doing this to make alot of money you are in for a big disappointment but for me I just want to make enough to pay for the cost of membership and I purchase alot of stuff for myself and for gifts.I never have a problem making my money back but like I said if you want to use this as income to survive it wont happen. |
Banard Ontario | 10:48am on December 18th, 2011  | Try this at your own risk. I am so lucky I did not start with that $340 startup thing. The package seems not to arrive at all, so I just unregistered. Trust me, even if it were to arrive, the market is now flooded with those products they make you sell you won't gain much. And if you look closely, it is those people who started long back with SMC that encourage it! Bear in mind there has been plenty of changes since then. |
ls pa | 11:46pm on November 29th, 2011 | I joined SMC several years ago. I started by going to church flea markets ect. Then I decided to start setting up at an indoor market by me. I did very well. I decided to build a store inside the market in one of their open spaces. I was there for several years and made great money. This is not a scam. Like any business you need to work at it and build up clients. When I read some of the statements they all seem to have the same pattern. Complaining about SMC without giving it a chance. This is not a "get rich quick plan". Most of the products are well made. The few times items were delivered to me broken I had no problem getting replacements at no cost. As far as competition, SMC isn't the only company I buy my merchandise from. So in a nut shell if you think you are going to sign up with SMC and then "poof" money will start flowing into your pocket then yes this will not work for you (nor will anything else in life except playing the lottery). |
Ciera Oklahoma City | 1:03pm on November 28th, 2011 | DON'T TO THIS!!! i got this package, hoping to make a little extra cash. i ended up losing money every month and didn't even have an account there anymore. this is ridiculous and the biggest scam i have ever seen! I repeat do not do this. they will scam you dry! |
b d.c. | 1:57pm on November 18th, 2011 | Don't do it. keep your peace of mind smc is getting paid more ways then one , some are getting paid to tell you lies, some for stealing you money legally, some are getting paid on your ignorance, some are getting paid on there greed for your money, now is that to do. |
Edgar Caudle Arizona | 3:17pm on October 10th, 2011 | SMC is a SCAM if you every heard of one. They do anything to not refund you |
jerry fales cininnati | 5:54am on October 1st, 2011 | smc is a rip off and a scam the federal government should check this out with all the complaints of who got ripped off for thousands of dollars! like any other company scamming they sue them down,take em into federal court,and make them pay restitution to the victims! i know im one it cost me $3,00.00,almost $6,000.00,but i said no way they got enough of my hard earned money!! |
lk rating is questionable | 12:46pm on September 13th, 2011 | I signed up yesterday and last night I decided it was not good timing. So I called in to cancel, Farah from membership services said that the business package was probably sent out this am and I would have to return it. "How Convenient." She would need to email the warehouse to see if the business package was already shipped. She told me to call Technical services to cancel the website. Mike said it takes 24hours to process my account and he has not gotten any information on me. So why can't the warehouse be stopped to send the business package out if it takes 24 hours??? Apparently, SMC's departments are not connected with each department...unfortunately. It is too bad...I would have liked to get into this at a later date. Not now. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it works out (pkg has been stopped) and they refund me the whole amt that I paid yesterday. |
Dave Portland, ME | 11:24am on August 19th, 2011 | SMC is definitely a scam! If it walks like a scam, and quacks like a scam, it is probably a scam. |
Nadia Location unknown | 9:22pm on August 13th, 2011 | The only thing that I have to say I canceled my membership and they are still charging me monthly that is not cool. |
Patty Reed Southaven Ms | 2:27pm on July 29th, 2011 | I became disabled with diabetes and cancer a few months ago and was trying to find something to do from home and this has been a nightmare. I signed up for there program and thought I might try a website but it was not till after he ran my card he told me it was non-refundable. So I have disputed the charges with the bank and now SMC is threatening me with nsf charges and stuff. I got a 50.00 gift card from them and bought some stuff the quality is no better then the dollar store. I explained to them i had some medical come up and would not be able to do this you think they have a heart no they just threatening me. Stay clear of this company it is a big scam. |
Oliver Hampton Roads, VA | 11:46pm on July 19th, 2011 | I would join SMC if I really cannot find a good business that will help me earn money online. However, I am not pleased with the prices. I think that the products are not that great either.
But, if that is where the customers are, I may participate.
For better or for worse. |
Anonymous Location unknown | 11:48pm on March 12th, 2011 | smc is a company that uses the efficiencies of the law to run what is legal business undergirded with scamming elements.
1.) Hostile customer services example, I chose not to sign on with them after I was distressed by the pressure to purchase a website for $29.95.
2.) Later, I was charged $24.95 because Said said my account was not paid. When I checked my credit card, I was charged: $1.97; $29.95; $24.95. I canceled my credit card because of SMC IS CARLTON SHEETS IN LIVING COLOR. DO NOT PEND YOUR MONEY. YOU WILL NOT EARN IT BACK. THOSE CHECKS SHOWN ONLINE TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO BE ACHIEVED. DO NOT! |
tricia ny | 11:16am on February 5th, 2011 | i got to this company link in error this was supposed to be for posting links and things but ended up getting me signed up for a 2.95 initial then 59.95 every 30 days to sell things. if i wanted that i would have done amway,they do not ask any information other than name that the smc account will be under then they ask for payment but do not even ask whos name the account is in. I immediately tried to cancel this accnt but was told because the smc account was in my husbands name not mine -- even though the checking account is mine not joint they refused to cancel until he calls.. they are west coast so time differential for us serves an issue as well. DO not fall for this unless you plan to pay every month and hope to sell merchandise.. the initial site for this is very misleading--obviously. |
DC Memphis | 11:16pm on January 16th, 2011 | I have been with SMC for a couple of years. I sell my items retail at Flea Market settings. I have made money with SMC. The key is to find your niche and purchase those items. Never bought a kit, no web site, no catalog selling...paid one time fee..minimal problems...beginning was rocky but no significant problems after that...there are alot of people with our same inventory but sell competitively. I do not shop on SMC websites...cheaper to go through SMC/somewhat disappointed in some of wholesale prices and the market does not attract all races...some bias in purchasing...but okay for a vendor. |
Olivia Kentucky | 4:00pm on December 9th, 2010 | I hate to even give one star! Paid the three bucks to check out the site, and get the info, three months later I find out they have been charging my card nearly $60 a month. WooHoo Thanks SMC!!! |
Bob Yuskaitis California | 4:42pm on December 2nd, 2010 | Similar bad experience from the start. I said I wanted my wife to hear the sales pitch so an appointment was set for a rep to call my wife. No one called but in 2 days I got I packages from SMC which I didn't order and $1665.32 was added to my credit card for a website and yet I had not authorized anything because my wife didn't hear about it. After SMC reviewed the tape I was told I would have a refund on my credit card. It became almost impossible to get anyone the phone after that. Later $990. was credited to my credit card but they still owe me $675.32, The fraud department of my credit card is investigating this. SMC is still supposed to contact me. I sent back all their stuff and still waiting. |
MARIANNE CANADA | 9:55pm on November 3rd, 2010 | "Working with Paul" presentation I found it professional and I payed my membership. But I was very disappointed!!!
1)Until you receive your catalog 10days are gone - if you are smart enough you need 1 day to understand how all this is working because
2)after WorkingWithPaul video I had now idea that I need to sale catalogs, etc.
3)the y let you know that you have 30 days to change your mind and you need to send-back their package...:(
4) after I sent the package they told me that wasn't necessary because I'm from Canada! - what?! you tell me after you ask me to do it that I don't need to do it ?!?
5} they don't refund just a part of your initial payment and if you are complaining they end up the conversation closing the phone in your nose!!
6) from the video I understood this is an online business - but the real answer is just: it can bee if...
7) if you like to sale products from catalogs that you need to buy [many]or do other investments for a future website go ahead - all the time is your choice!!! I did mine!
8) I'll never understand the huge difference between the video advertising "workingWithPaul" and what is really "SMC Online Business System" |
Page: -1- 2 3 4
|
|
Other Articles Of Interest
|
|
