Am i contributing to the growth of a ‘Ponzi’ business?

When i speak to my friends about joining me in the TE business,
am always faced with a question that i can't answer, and,
the happenings over the last couple of weeks have got me thinking -
Am i contributing to the growth of ‘Ponzi’ businesses?

I invested in 6 lifetime memberships last year and multiple yearly upgrades
because i sincerely want to believe that I am not in a Ponzi business.
However, the incidents over the last few weeks:

a) Launching a spate of multiple sites by same owners 
b) decrease in commission percentages after members upgrades.
c) adhoc changes in surf rewards after members
upgrades
d) Adding so many payment processors as options and then eventually
delaying payment by asking the member to have a specific payment processor.
Fully knowing that all payment processors are not present in all countries.

Have got me re-thinking that maybe my friends are right.  
They say, we cannot take away ‘Ponzi’ from this business!
For those who dont know the meaning -
An investment swindle in which some early investors
are paid off with money put up by later ones that leads to encouraging more and bigger risks
And, obviously the next truth - Admin and sites dont live forever. 
And, the final truth - There is no legal remedy if you lose your investment,
just bad feelings that you have to get over in time.

I kept asking myself  - would i take part in something like this in the offline world
where there are legal remedies.
Is it ethical what is being done?
Should'nt the days of upgrade be refunded to members, once said changes are made.
Will this discourage future members from upgrading? 
Am i promoting the right sites?
In the race to score upgrades, are admins in over their heads
and thus forcing these decisions.

I have already deleted my account from a couple
of sites that kept changing the rules, irrespective of the comms that were there.  
As a principle (online as well as offline), i will never be a part of shifty businesses.  

Admins supporting these businesses by giving them prime real-estate
on their websites need to ask themselves, what are they supporting?
There are 2 reasons why it is bad for business:
1.  The sites don't really have more membership than the sites
providing the real estate - even if FREE.
(maybe in the past, it had)
2. You risk bringing down your site and bugging your members
when those sites go down or are under maintenance.

l don't believe many TE's are like a ‘Ponzi’ Scheme.
I do believe the actions of a few are contributing to the
overall degradation of the industry as a whole.

Am leaving the topic here, and it is open to discussion:
1. Is it ethical to change the T&C time and time again?
2. If yes, then, should members with an upgrade in effect be refunded for the days post the changes made as it violates what was on offer?  
Would you tolerate it in an offline world, where there is a legal system that can address the issue.
3. And finally, are we contributing to making the TE business more Ponzi …
than ever before!

TRUST IS VERY HARD TO EARN …. AND, EASILY LOST!

Disclaimer: I am looking for a healthy discussion on this topic.  
No intention to cause harm or distress to anyone.  
No animals were harmed during the writing of this post.
My keyboard took the brunt of it!

Please feel free to share your views and experiences.

Finally, my humble request - please refrain from using foul language or naming
names or sites when sharing any incidents with respect to the above.
Help me convince my friends that the TE Business is
legitimate and not Ponzi.

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Apr 4th 2024 at 4:46 AM by Clare Bowen Hi Mona Its an interesting discussion. Having been in the business as a member of many TEs for over ten years, and now an owner as well, I have a ton to say on the topic. But, as an owner, I tend to keep much of my thoughts around these things to myself. There are grey areas. For example, a member can upgrade for a combination of reasons, or the whole package as it seems, or they might not care much about some of the perks, while others are important. As an owner, it doesn't make sense for example, to keep a rewards program active if only a handful of members are partaking in those rewards (I'm talking viral rewards served from external sources). To me, the absolute no-no is to change upgrade benefits that are fixed, such as commission %, number of credits, or any rewards (cash or otherwise) that have been advertised as a perk for upgraded members. This to me is different from incidental rewards such as prize pages that are not advertised, but just occur. If members are on an upgrade with advertised perks, then when changes to those advertised perks come, I do believe they are entitled to a refund on the remainder of their upgrade. Whether commissions paid to their upline must be taken into account and deducted, is another question to be asked. Most owners have it written in their terms that they don't do refunds, but this should not be used as protection in this type of unfair situation in my opinion. I don't remember owners in the past changing terms as frequently and drastically as I've seen more recently and it's a disturbing trend. To me, merely slipping changes into the Terms is too convenient for an owner and unfair to members. Owners need to be careful of the bait that they use to attract new members, and shouldn't cry foul, if they promote cash prizes heavily, and attract people who want them and are prepared to work for them. Letting members, free or not, build up commissions through hard work and then making changes that make it much harder or even impossible to ever reach payout is unethical. And regarding putting reward sites on, that may tarnish the reputation of the TE. I agree, and I've removed a couple because of this, and also point blank refused to add others. An owner does have to take care though about upsetting members who do still collect the rewards. It's a tough one really. Finally, the meaning behind the concept of traffic exchanges should not be lost. We exchange traffic. That is the primary purpose. If people join thinking they can profit from surfing alone, they come in with this expectation and usually they're disappointed.

Apr 4th 2024 at 8:23 AM by Steve Smith Hi Mona, l have been in this industry for over 20 years now and have seen many changes over the years, some good and some bad. As an Owner myself, l have always believed look after your members first and yourself second, the reason for this is your members are helping to build your business with you, without members you have no business. Give to receive is the way to success. Your article was very interesting with many valid points and would like to share my thoughts. This is only my opinion and not to upset anyone else, as an Owner you have to run your business the way you see fit. 1) Launching a spate of multiple sites by same owners Personally l could never do that, l would rather put all my efforts into building the one TE l have and improving as l grow rather than hoping members will upgrade again and again. Members also need to make money as well. ------------- 2) Decrease in Commission percentages after members upgrades and changes in surf rewards after members upgrades Decreasiing Commissions and Surfer Rewards after members has upgraded, to me is a no no unless your TE is in danger of closing. If that is the only way then member should made aware of the situation in advance, as an Owner my reputation is everything to me and would hate to lose members trust by changing anything without consulting with the members first. Excessive surfing by few can cause admins to reduce rewards for everyone, l would only do this as a last resort. ------------- 3) Adding so many payment processors as options and then eventually delaying payment by asking the member to have a specific payment processor.Fully knowing that all payment processors are not present in all countries. In my opinion it is the Owners responsibility to add Processors that are suitable for all Countries and always pay members when they reach payout without fail. ------------- 4) Is it ethical to change the T&C time and time again? Terms and Conditions have been agreed to by Members and Owners and should be honored for existing members, any new members who join after will agree with Members and Owners to the the new Terms, that way everyone is happy. TRUST IS VERY HARD TO EARN …. AND, EASILY LOST! ------------- My Comments are not to upset anyone, above are only my views and everyone Members or Owners should have a choice to do what they believe, just because l am Passionate about my beliefs, l understand people have ther own views.

Apr 12th 2024 at 10:16 AM by Ves Cvijanovic Hello Mona and dear friends I am a regular surfer and i would like to share - some admin launch new sites keeping payment dues outstanding on their previous sites. I am an upgraded member in a site where my payment is due. I follow all the Terms and conditions properly. I suggest that admins pay their dues and then launch new sites, so as to avoid being called Ponzi. I dont want to name and shame any admin but i can share the details via PM for validity purpose, incase, any of this seems untrue. Once i receive my payment, i will update here again.

Apr 12th 2024 at 10:25 AM by Mona Menezes Dear Clare, Steve and Vesna - Thank you for your inputs. Sharing our thoughts can really help the new comers and the industry as a whole to grow comprehensively rather than in silos. Apologies for my delayed response, been away and just returned.

Apr 18th 2024 at 10:38 AM by Ves Cvijanovic Update as I promised....I received my payment .