I was told they’d be signing on more partners, but at the time, the only thing I even had a passing interest in was Cliffs Bars

For the record…since I deleted my initial “record” due to STE’s legal bullying tactics demanding that I take down an entire website over 2 articles…STE had some sort of vague guidance at the outset that you’d have to buy $100 in stuff from the “Earth” side in order to qualify for your benefits – but they hadn’t put in writing just when that was. So, not only did you have to shell out a few hundred bucks to get started, but then you have to come up with $1200 per year in what at the time, in my opinion, was useless to me. I think I had stated something like “I hope you REALLY like Cliffs Bars” in my initial critique at Everyday Finance. So, yes, STE did highlight the $100/month early on, but at the time I was evaluating it, they didn’t actually have a date when that would take effect. This lack of transparency and direction contributed to the concerns I had over the program…not to mention the ever changing presentation, slick sales practice, and of course, the “balance” issue.

I know, people try and convince themselves “I shop on line all the time, I can easily spend $100 a month on line”. Well, I’d say just take a look at what you have to buy through the Earth side. Is this something you actually need and would be buying anyway? Can you comparison shop on Amazon or other sites? Are the prices the same or cheaper (including shipping)? At the time I checked it out, it was goofy filters and homeopathic stuff that I wasn’t even sure would work or provide me any tangible benefit. If you don’t need this stuff, but you’re forced to buy it, are you really going to make well over $1200 per year from your downline to compensate you for your time and efforts so you’re at least working for minimum wage on this? I haven’t researched this much further and don’t talk to my friend about it anymore, so I implore you to do your own research and make an informed decision.

At the same time, in what industry do employees or business people say how much they make?

Darwin, The review is fair in many ways. A couple of things blurred but understandable as you are much more involved in other areas rather then being involved with this business. The need to spend the $100 was dependent on whether you wanted to collect commissions. Back then, If you were not making money, you didn’t need to spend the $100. They gave months of notice that the rules were going to start to be inforced and even then extended it to make sure everyone understood it was going to happen. As you know from studying Network Marketing, the expenditure, or generation, is required, not requested. They always had a grace period that was better then most. In the beginning we all wondered what we would do with all that toilet paper. As all new companies (Amazon, included that you mentioned offered no comparision shopping in the beginning, only books) started out in basic mode and morphed into bigger businesses. Businesses change as they grow. In all the years I was in sales in a major US corporation, the sales comp plan changed with regularity. That is just businesspanies change insurance plans, comp plans, any plans, all the time. STE has been doing that along the way. I think the transparency has been good. I’ve been critical since starting with them, reading everything and analyzing it. Rather then being on the ‘company’ side, they have always been on the ‘distributer’ side. Never have they said they would be the cheapest on the Earth side but when I compare to Whole Foods and others that carry those products, it is the same or below and new shipping has made it very fair. I will say, shopping on the Earth side with over 10,000 products has gotten much easier. People have the option of showing what they have earned. People are never required to expose what they earn, it is their right to privacy. If they are saying they earn more then they do, they shouldn’t and can be kicked out because of it. When they do it is usually higher then it really is. How many people are working part time jobs making a little for a little time. How you decide to make some extra money is up to you bumble.. at home depot, Burger King or at home. Like any business, what you put in is what you get out. Some are good at it and some are not. I agree with you 100%. I implore people to research this, and every other option out there to earn extra money. Don’t listen to people that just talk to be heard and say things that they haven’t researched and are just assuming. Take a look at any business or job closely and make an informed decision. Do that and you won’t be sorry.