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October 31, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 61
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Well, things seem to be getting back to normal on the site so I'll go ahead and post a Reader Mail. This entry is very interesting and complex. The Reader, Robert, asks questions about the United ABLE Association and... well, just read the email and my comments that follow.
name: Robert
date: October 27, 2005
message: I came across your webpage while doing a little research on Quixtar based on a recent encounter with an unusual way of pushing the Quixtar "business". I work for a non-profit organization that works with people with disabilities. I was asked to attend a meeting for the "United ABLE Association", an organization that claims that it can provide resources and support for families with a disabled family member. They also have plans to build community centers that will be residential villages for families with disabilities.
From the moment the meeting started, I was suspicious. There was another person there that I knew, and she had the same feeling. There were a lot of vague promises, and talk of how to be become a "qualified" participant in their program. The process would begin by providing the names of friends and family members that might want to "participate", whatever that means.
In conversation after the meeting with the woman running the presentation, she admitted that it was tied in with Quixtar (these would be the "philanthropists" backing the scheme... I mean, the program). I never got more than vague answers on how the system worked, but was only told to come to the next meeting.
Their webpage also links to something called the "Smarter Shopper Network". While Quixtar isn't mentioned anywhere on this site, they do offer the "Gift" books I've seen mentioned in connection with Quixtar.
It seems like simply a recruiting tool to get people with disabilities into the system. While it may provide a "business opportunity" for them, I am amazed at how they go out of their way to never mention Quixtar in any of their on-line information.
Their webpage is full of promises for these "Eagle's Nest" villages, but they have yet to break ground on one.
I was wondering if you had come across anyone involved in this organization.
Thanks for the work you are doing!
You're welcome Robert and I hope I can help shed some light on this organization. I haven't found much but maybe it's enough to prompt others to share more.
Who's Behind It?
- The site werable.org is registered to Brian Bennett
- The site smartershoppernetwork.com is registered to Jonathan Bennett
- The site giftalbumchoices.com is registered to Lori Bennett
- Lori Bennett is listed as the primary contact on the United ABLE Association application page
- John Sestina, a prominent IBO, is quoted on the "How We Help page
What Is It?
It's difficult to determine what this site is all about. There's a definite connection to Quixtar with the use of the Gift & Incentive program but the details of that connection aren't clear. The about page explains a bit more:
The Bennett's gathered a group of philanthropists who have committed their wealth, expertise, and resources. Together, they created this organization and its unique sustainability program, with the result being an innovative concept that enables independence - for life!
As a sustainable organization, there is no need to hold fundraising events, beg the community for money, or get government funding. This unique funding program provides a perpetual, residual funding stream for the organization while directly benefiting children and adults with disabilities, and their families.
The Disclaimer & Approval
The Bennetts obviously understood that some would be dubious about their organization and so they offer the following statement on the Help Now page:
This is not a get-rich-quick, or a pyramid scheme. In fact, it's a business plan that has been approved by the government and is accessible to virtually anyone interested in operating an independent business. Thousands of individuals faced with a disability are already successfully using this business plan to improve their lives.
Sounds a lot like the sort of line one would hear from a Quixtar IBO. What's frustrating is that after searching around the Bennett's sites, I still don't have a clear grasp of what exactly their organization does. Maybe I'm missing the obvious but all I can conclude is that they're IBOs trying to help the disabled.
However, there's something very distressing about the ambiguity of the site. It's almost (dare I say it?) like they're trying to use the disability issue to build their Quixtar business. I'm not saying that's what's going on here but it's all very confusing when it should be crystal clear.
Call For Help
I'm asking you, dear readers, to shed some light on the United A.B.L.E. Association. See what I've missed and guide me in the right direction. Look around the sites, see what you can find. I want to be fair here and that's why I'm not drawing any conclusions, just asking questions and stating what a casual observer might conclude (just like Robert).
If you've had experience with this organization, maybe you could provide more detail. Thanks for your help.
UPDATE (Nov. 3, 2005): It's worth pointing out that the United A.B.L.E. Association websites (werable.org, smartershoppernetwork.com & giftalbumchoices.com) have undergone significant changes since Monday's post about the organization.
Some of the changes I've noticed:
- giftalbumchoices.com is now gone, replaced with an email link (anyone have a screenshot?)
- Smarter Shopper Network is now password protected
- The About Us page has been edited to remove the following:
As a sustainable organization, there is no need to hold fundraising events, beg the community for money, or get government funding. This unique funding program provides a perpetual, residual funding stream for the organization while directly benefiting children and adults with disabilities, and their families.
- The John Sestina (an IBO) quote is gone from the How We Help page
- The following disclaimer is now missing from the Help Now page:
This is not a get-rich-quick, or a pyramid scheme. In fact, it's a business plan that has been approved by the government and is accessible to virtually anyone interested in operating an independent business. Thousands of individuals faced with a disability are already successfully using this business plan to improve their lives.
Please let me know if you find other changes that I've overlooked.
Comments
Sounds like they say all the politically
correct things but the bottom line is whether the majority of these folks will actually make some money or not?
"In fact, it's a business plan that has been approved by the government..."
It's amazing to me that they still use this line. Neither the government nor the FTC (the agency to which they are obviously referring) "approves" business plans.
This is nothing more than another established talking point at an STP.
PW
Sounds very similar to Quixtar and TEAM, as they say all you have to do is get paid for shopping. Isn't that illegal?:
From their website:
http://www.werable.org/howwehelp.html
Through our unique funding program, individuals faced with a disability and their families can qualify to receive our programs and services, free of charge, for the rest of their lives, at our A.B.L.E. Centers in Eagles Nest Communities.
Individuals conveniently earn an income from home doing what they and everyone else does routinely - shop for goods and services. It's the perfect solution for families caring for a loved one with a disability and also for an individual with a disability who is unable to be employed outside the home.
"Daniel's parents realized that the proper way to fund the project, ensure its perpetuity, and guarantee that the "community" would never close due to a lack of funding, would be to help the individuals and families who wanted to live in the "community" become financially self-sufficient. They found a perfect business model which meets all of the criteria for the project."
I don't know about the rest of you, but these Eagle Nest communities sound like they are trying to set up communes. To me, this has red flags all over it. What a way to control people - promise them care forever - all you have to do is....... Talk about a cult.
This is scary stuff.
I think we should question the statistics they post on the home page. Most of them do not sound factual. I have three nephews that are disabled and they have not had any problems getting support, aide or education
I'm no use I'm afriad, I've just sat here for a minute or two trying to work out what a "giftal bum choice" would be... giftalbumchoices.com
Oh deary me...
Sounds like they're presuming an awful lot on a particular income level and the residual myth. Each one of these "Eagle's Nest" centers would probably have to be its own CAMship at least, exclusive of the tools pyramid, just to build and operate the facility.
I don't have personal experience with this particular organization but I have seen first hand how Quixtar can pray upon individuals who may have a compromised sense of self esteem. I was in recent past very much in depth aquainted with an individual with a disability who felt he always had to "prove himself." When he joined BWW and got to use the term "business owner" it fluffed him up quite a bit, which led to fired up which has at my last knowledge led to sold out and broke.
I'm not saying that a person shouldn't persue something that makes them feel good. My point is that he got taken just like everyone else, only it seemed to the general public more heinus because he is disabled significantly.
Given my personal knowledge of this person, I have great confidence in his abilities and do not view his newfound broke sold out status as any more pathetic than the rest of the world. For me, disabled does not mean stupid or unable to function as an adult, but my personal experiences watching the general public react to this person taught me that a great deal of people do view the "disabled" community as less educated or responsible.
In that light, specifically drawing in those with disabilities and/or their family members seems even more dirty, omnious, and dark. My perseption is that this organization is drawing in people whom they think won't have the wherewithal to do their due dilligence.
Argh. I need to go pray before the porciline god...
Ima
Could the deliberate targeting of the disabled cummunity be the last nail in the AmQuix coffin?
In order for the abuses perpetrated by the AmQuix MO's to be brought to a screaching halt, there needs to be a public outcry. In spite of various media reports, most notably the Dateline story from last year, the public has been silent.
Why? Because there is no victim we can 'feel sorry for'. No offense, to PW and others, but the public looks at the scammed, and instead of feeling any sympathy or empathy, thinks 'well, I'd never be that stupid. They chose to get involved in what is obviously a crock of cheese, and got what they deserved.' That this is at least in part false does not sway John Q Public.
When Publisher's Clearing House lost it's class-action lawsuit, the majority of it's 'victims' were the aged and infirm - people a jury could 'feel sorry for'. And the jury punished Publisher's Clearing House in cold, hard cash.
Just as PCH did publish, in very fine print and in misleading verbage, that there was in fact no purchase required, all the while implying that the chances of winning were contingent upon purchase, and was punished for it, perhaps the Amquix Black Hats, who tell their captive audience "of course the tools are optional - and so is success", will also someday be simlarly punished - now that we have victims the jury and the public can 'feel sorry for'.
No kidding Ima. It makes me sick that if this is all going on, these bandits are preying on the disabled. The vagueness is horrible, unfair and just wrong. I hope that these bandits are exposed. I dread seeing what a community built by Quixtar IBO's would be like. "Oh sorry, you didn't meet your goals, keep trying, and maybe you can move into a bigger apartment or do you think they'd actually threaten to kick them out to try to motivate them?" Of course I'm being sarcastic, I doubt that there'd be enough income from Quixtar to even try to buy the land for such an endeavor, let alone to build even one. I can see the IBO's trying to use the disabled people to prey on people's sympathy to try to get them to get into the business.
I was asked about ABLE from a fellow disabled person last week. She wanted to know if I had heard "anytjing about it."
The vagueness of the information is purposeful, just like that given at any AMWAY or SHAKLEE pyramid meeting. I have done the tax returns for those "independent businesses" and quite frankly. the people are paying taxes on money they spent!! The only reason the Federal Government "approves" of the business plan is because they have not yet cracked down on the pyramid practices. I doubt they will, as paying taxes on money you spend is a great fundraiser for our government. A disabled person would be better off going through their resource centers and starting a bona fide business with the help of the SBA and state organizations geared towards independence.
So in other words, doing nothing is better than doing quixtar?
I agree!
Hi
As the original party starting this thread...I was just curious recently to look up info on United ABLE, and see if anything else had happened... no surprise that the "werable" webpage is now just a front for internet "stores", and there's no sign of real progress made on an "Eagle's Nest" based on the research I've done. Hopefully there weren't too many people who got pulled into this. Thanks again for helping.
"However, there's something very distressing about the ambiguity of the site. It's almost (dare I say it?) like they're trying to use the disability issue to build their Quixtar business"
I think that's exactly right. This group uses "philanthropy for the disabled" as its hook for the "curiousity approach."
Do they say anywhere that they are a registered non-profit organization, or even what it is they specifically do with the money? There's something about "Eagle's Nest" but nothing about what they are, how they come to be or who pays for them.
Posted by: lawDawg | October 31, 2005 7:55 PM