I came into this "business opportunity" very skeptical. Having a strong distaste for multi-level-marketing companies, I gave Local Ad Link (LAL) a shot because it seemed like an interesting concept and a straight forward product to sell... Well little did I know.
I've been heavily researching LAL since I joined a couple months ago; and the reason for this report is to hopefully deter anymore individuals from signing up with their deplorable organization.
First off, LAL completely misrepresents their product. They advertise they have "proprietary software" and have partnered up with "millions of websites". Well guess what folks, all LAL is doing is USING GOOGLE ADWORDS and ADSENSE! They are simply the middle man in creating Google AdWords/PayPerClick/AdSense campaigns that anyone with basic knowledge can do on their own. Not only are they lying to their customers and brand builders about what they're doing - but they don't even do it good. I'm not going to bore you with the specifics of exactly how they are executing their poor campaigns (read some other posts on this website and you will see a breakdown of exactly why their service is inferior to using Google AdWords yourself).
I'm sure that it won't be before long before Google puts an end to the abuse of Google's services - unless the SEC intervenes before and shuts them down. I don't like bashing other companies and this is my first post ever on this website, but I thought it was my responsibility to speak out against this abomination of a business. All their propaganda they dish out is completely outrageous and they portray themselves as being a credible and legitimate company. Do your research like I did and you'll find red flags everywhere.
First off, lets examine their recent published 10k report of their parent company (Beyond Commerce) financial standings. They mention several times of their skeptical financial status and not knowing how much longer they can continue on operations. I know any company that is in bad shape does everything they can to hide it from the public, their employees and customers, but what LAL is doing is straight up lying. Take a look for yourselves and read the mess that this company is in;
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/10-k-beyond-commerce/story. Aspx? Guid={2C57D691-332C-4491-915C-030F77148083}&dist=msr_2
Now, lets go on to the founder of the company, the glorified Bob McNulty. Since I've never personally met the man this is not an attack against his character, just trying to inform everyone of his real shady practices. Don't believe the glorified businessman image LAL has tried to portray him in. Anyone that can do a little due diligence on the guy like I've done will find he's been in the middle of numerous business dealings gone sour. I wouldn't go as far as to call him a con artist, but I'd say he's pretty close in what he's doing with LAL and Beyond Commerce. First off, there is many claims that Mr. Robert McNulty was responsible for writing the business plan for Home Depot. If you do your research he was actually SUED by Home Depot for trying to domain squat a name Home Depot had trademark rights to. I've read mixed things about his dealings with shopping.com so I am not going to comment on that because I don't know the full story. What I do know is that he was broke in and again in 2006. If he made out with $220 million cash from selling shopping.com like they say he did then where did all that money go and why is LAL in such bad debt? Hmm... Looks like the SEC has gone after him before and probably will again, read this interesting court filing:
http://www.legalcasedocs.com/120/243/354.html#item1
I could honestly go on for hours telling you all the things wrong with this company and their screwed up organization. Great concept, but terrible people behind it. To wrap things up, I'll highlight a few points that I think are worth knowing:
-They are over $17 million in debt (source: published 10k corporate report)
-LAL shuts off all the customers ads between 6pm and 8am. Paid customers ads are only displayed, excuse me, "rotated" between certain hours - they state this no where.
-It sometimes takes weeks for an ad to even appear on Google's content network; when they claim it will be there within 72 hours. Remember, there is no "proprietary software", anyone can geo-target Google PPC.
-I've read of at least 50 documented cases of Brand Builders NOT receiving ANY MONEY. If you do your research you can find checks they sent out to pay commissions that actually bounced at the bank (if thats not fishy I don't know what is).
-Most of their ground level investors got out of the company this last month. When investors start pulling out then you know somethings up.
-They charge outrageous fees for their debit cards they use, which is how most commissions are paid out. They're basically taking back money they pay you without you knowing it.in addition, the merchant debit card company is owned by McNulty's son.
-Linlithgow Holdings, the company which owns 41% of their common stock is owned by McNulty's family trust. Their merchant card company, TAC Financial is 85% owned by the holding company. Two of McNulty's sons serve on the board of that company... Sounds like Mr. McNulty likes to keep money in the family; while there's nothing a matter with that; I bet closer financial examination would reveal some interesting facts...
Bottom Line, LOCAL AD LINK IS A SCAM. This company is ruining a perfectly good paid advertising system Google and other major online companies have worked hard to achieve. They don't pay their agents, they sell an overpriced and misrepresented product and they lie to all of the members in their organization.
I filed a claim with my credit card company to get my $350 back they ripped me off from. Hopefully someone at LAL will personally respond to this post and refund my money - if they had any decency in them.
Go on scam as well, there's some interesting reading there for anyone still doubtful about this "promising business opportunity". Read the other reports of them on this site; I can't be the only one that sees past their smoke and mirrors.
-Ripped off in Hawaii
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