00 International Is A Complete SCAM!!!
I wanted to write this article as a warning and to get the word out that this company is a complete SCAM. The worst part is, they do a great job of protecting themselves. If you see this company, RUN THE OTHER WAY...
Here's the pitch. You pay $250.00 to become a member of there "assembler's organization." They give you various reasons why after being victimized sooo many times that they now have to charge this fee to weed out those who aren't serious.
Once you are a member, you are suppose to be paid to assemble these electronic circuit boards called FM Modulators. Now, they warn you that it is going to be a challenging job and that not everyone will be successful (a nice little disclaimer of theirs). However, those that are able to complete the Modulators will be able to assemble several an hour after some practice; earning them around $45.00 an hour.
They advertise that you will receive "3-D" photograph instructions as well as a fully assembled, sample modulator to aid you. Here's where the problems begin.
First of all, you receive your modulator parts and your sample modulator. The sample modulator is completely covered in a thick, hard, putty like substance that makes it impossible to see the wire connections you are suppose to duplicate. Secondly, the photographs are in black and white, look like they were taken in the 1970's, and are in no way "3-Dimensional".
Before you can even attempt to assemble the modulator... They instruct you to inventory every part (about 20 per modulator). OK, that makes sense, I mean if you're missing a part you can't assemble the thing right. Then they instruct you to take each of these parts to a Radio Shack (or any other electronics store available in your area) to have each part tested for defects. WHAT!!!
They claim you will be assembling around 100 modulators a week. Soooo, you're suppose to take 2,000 parts to Radio Shack every week and have the nice person behind the counter test each one for you just 'cause you ask them to -Ya, Right.
Well I skipped having anyone check the parts because I was already started to smell a big fat scam. So, I inventoried the parts, and I noticed I am missing this large "electronic transistor" that seems to be key in the assembly. I start looking for a phone number to call, however there isn't one... There's that smell again...
The next problem I had was, If I didn't return this form notifying them that I had received everything immediately, they would place a "red flag" on my account and I couldn't be paid. So, I returned the confirmation form and enclosed a note in reference to the missing part. The other reason you have to return the form promptly, is that they withold a key assembly instruction. Once they recieved the form they were suppose to send the final assembly instruction and away you go.
Well, over 6 weeks went by and I had heard nothing. I had emailed some branch of 00 International (someone in Florida) about 4 or 5 times and never heard back. The email provided was for assemblers to use if they needed assistance. I finally noticed another email address on their website. I tried this email address and informed them of my situation. They advised they would contact the Florida branch and see what they could do.
The next day I recieved a rather snotty email from the Florida branch. Basically it said - "Your final instruction, use a three pronged soldering iron." Hardly an instruction. I then emailed them back and asked about the missing transistor. They emailed me back stating, "You don't need one, works fine without it."
I then asked for revised instructions on how to assemble the modulator without the transistor. No response. I made a valid attempt to assemble the thing, however it almost caught on fire when I hooked the 9-volt battery up to it.
Anyway, avoid this company. The scam is, they make it impossible for you to assemble their modulator. So basically you pay $250.00 for probably $5.00 worth of parts and meaningless paperwork. There are no refunds, no phone numbers, no addresses, and no way to get back at them.
Will
Detroit, Michigan
U.S.A.
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