This site’s code of ethics reads:
I strive to only list quality businesses opportunities. I will not knowingly promote junk bizops, and will actively take a stand against them.
Since I’ve posted about Red Bull vending machines in the past, it’s only right that I post an update on a scheme by Creative Concepts of America:
The founder of a company that duped customers into thinking they could make hefty profits by buying Red Bull vending machines was sentenced on Monday to 17 1/2 years in federal prison.
Andrew Levinson’s company, Creative Concepts of America, raked in more than $22 million from approximately 920 people nationwide who bought vending machines for the energy drink. Customers were told they could expect to sell at least 20 cans a day, and they were given the names of vendors who were already making money off their machines.
But federal authorities say the vending machines were never that popular — sales were more like one or two cans a day — and the references were paid to lie.
The lesson from this: be honest and don’t sell a bizop as something that makes money if it doesn’t.
Photo by Bart van Damme.