Complaint Review: SMC CORP

I have been a member of SMC (speciality merchandise corporation) since 1996 and have no real complaints about the company. Yes from time to time, they have out of stock problems, once or twice I had a damaged product delivered.

As far as people complaining that the programs offered by SMC not working, the commercials, web site, and brochures plainly state "RESULTS WILL VARY" They do not guarantee sucess in any program

Sounds like some of the people who are complaining, just could'nt get the programs to work for them. Well sucks for them, im not getting rich, but im making a living FULL TIME!

if people would put half as much energy into trying to succeed as they do complaining they might be able to do something in life!!!!!!!!
we have been a member for almost a year ..we have had a couple of small problems (merchandise broke in shipment,out of stock items,shorted me on a shipment,etc)but i contact them and they always have taken care of me..as with any big company they have some people that are not the smartest but the overall picture to me is pretty good...we started a gift shop using s.m.c products but we also have many other items.(candles not just smc..concrete statues,betta tanks,etc..)you have to really work hard to make it work they tell you that .....no we're not getting rich but we're making decent money and enjoy what we're doing.....you cant expect to have your orders come rolling in you have to put alot of energy into it we still do alot of foot work to build the business... you cannot sit back and expect everything handed to you.....that is whats wrong with people now

We are still fighting them to get our money back no luck so far.

Our bank has issued a chargeback
the Massachusetts State Police have spoken to them.

WE have called the postal Inspector. (postal Police) Claiming they do not get returns and we have their signature. This is a federal crme defrauding the government.

Now we are taking them to court.
This will be the worst $262 they ever scammed.

This is one of the fraudulant websites you read about at the government consumer protection websites.
Do not let them bully your money out of you.
We spoke to the los Angelos Police and they too call this THEFT.

Issue chargebacks
Place stop payments
Complain to the right places to get this ripoff company put out of business for good.
Send everything certfied and requiring as signature

Federal Tarde Commission

http://www.ftc.gov/

CALL Your attorney general and the Los Angelos California Attorney general.

http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/
cyberfraud.htm

Exciting, Low-Risk Investment Opportunities" to participate in exotic-sounding investments such as wireless cable projects, prime bank securities, and eel farms have been offered through the Internet. But no investment is risk-free. And sometimes the investment products touted do not even exist they're merely scams. Be wary of opportunities that promise spectacular profits or "guaranteed" returns. If the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

The funniest one is they are a member of the BBB with their biggest complaint being a failure to do refunds.

Several tv advertisement gurus have gone to jail for the very same thing.

So far no resolution. We have shipped their kit back within the 30 days and they are still refusing to refund any money. In fact they are still trying to bill me.

Do not let them bully or threathen you to get money out of you. If you did not sign a contract put a stop payment at the bank or issue a chargeback or simply cancel your credit card.

This is clear robbery. So now we are off to court. The $10.00 to file the small claims is worth it and it may stop them from scamming others.

First of all I never signd a contract with them.
2ncd We shipped the kit back to them within 10 days.

Do not let them say that you did not return it within 30 days when they ship the kit only 2 to 3 weeks after you sign up. this is one way of trying to fraud you out of money.
They are claiming they did not get it while i have their signature to prove they got it. Send everything to them certfied and requiring a signature. They claim to not get alot of mail.

I contacted several governmnet agaencies. One of the state police for this is clear robbery.

For reference I was told by everyone to report them to consumer protection agencies for fraud on the web and offline.
Here are some companies that can get results with them if enough complaints are filed and by reading here i see there are many.

Consumer protection agency federal trade commission
https://rn.ftc.gov/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Postal inspector mail Fraud reporting
https://www.usps.com/postalinspectors
/fraud/MailFraudComplaint.htm
Most important call your Attorney General and the california Attorney General.

Good business does not operate like this.

http://www.sec.gov/investor
/pubs/cyberfraud.htm


Internet Fraud: How to Avoid Internet Investment Scams The Internet serves as an excellent tool for investors, allowing them to easily and inexpensively research investment opportunities. But the Internet is also an excellent tool for fraudsters. That's why you should always think twice before you invest your money in any opportunity you learn about through the Internet.

This alert tells you how to spot different types of Internet fraud, what the SEC is doing to fight Internet investment scams, and how to use the Internet to invest wisely.

Navigating the Frontier: Where the Frauds Are
The Internet allows individuals or companies to communicate with a large audience without spending a lot of time, effort, or money. Anyone can reach tens of thousands of people by building an Internet web site, posting a message on an online bulletin board, entering a discussion in a live "chat" room, or sending mass e-mails. It's easy for fraudsters to make their messages look real and credible. But it's nearly impossible for investors to tell the difference between fact and fiction.

Online Investment Newsletters
Hundreds of online investment newsletters have appeared on the Internet in recent years. Many offer investors seemingly unbiased information free of charge about featured companies or recommending "stock picks of the month." While legitimate online newsletters can help investors gather valuable information, some online newsletters are tools for fraud.

Some companies pay the people who write online newsletters cash or securities to "tout" or recommend their stocks. While this isn't illegal, the federal securities laws require the newsletters to disclose who paid them, the amount, and the type of payment. But many fraudsters fail to do so. Instead, they'll lie about the payments they received, their independence, their so-called research, and their track records. Their newsletters masquerade as sources of unbiased information, when in fact they stand to profit handsomely if they convince investors to buy or sell particular stocks.

Some online newsletters falsely claim to independently research the stocks they profile. Others spread false information or promote worthless stocks. The most notorious sometimes "scalp" the stocks they hype, driving up the price of the stock with their baseless recommendations and then selling their own holdings at high prices and high profits. To learn how to separate the good from the bad, read our tips for checking out newsletters.


Bulletin Boards
Online bulletin boards whether newsgroups, usenet, or web-based bulletin boards have become an increasingly popular forum for investors to share information. Bulletin boards typically feature "threads" made up of numerous messages on various investment opportunities.

While some messages may be true, many turn out to be bogus or even scams. Fraudsters often pump up a company or pretend to reveal "inside" information about upcoming announcements, new products, or lucrative contracts.

Also, you never know for certain who you're dealing with or whether they're credible because many bulletin boards allow users to hide their identity behind multiple aliases. People claiming to be unbiased observers who've carefully researched the company may actually be company insiders, large shareholders, or paid promoters. A single person can easily create the illusion of widespread interest in a small, thinly-traded stock by posting a series of messages under various aliases.

E-mail Spams
Because "spam" junk e-mail is so cheap and easy to create, fraudsters increasingly use it to find investors for bogus investment schemes or to spread false information about a company. Spam allows the unscrupulous to target many more potential investors than cold calling or mass mailing. Using a bulk e-mail program, spammers can send personalized messages to thousands and even millions of Internet users at a time.

How to Use the Internet to Invest Wisely
If you want to invest wisely and steer clear of frauds, you must get the facts. Never, ever, make an investment based solely on what you read in an online newsletter or bulletin board posting, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isn't well known. And don't even think about investing on your own in small companies that don't file regular reports with the SEC, unless you are willing to investigate each company thoroughly and to check the truth of every statement about the company. For instance, you'll need to:

get financial statements from the company and be able to analyze them;

verify the claims about new product developments or lucrative contracts;

call every supplier or customer of the company and ask if they really do business with the company; and

check out the people running the company and find out if they've ever made money for investors before.

And it doesn't stop there. For a more detailed list of questions you'll need to ask and have answered read Ask Questions. And always watch out for tell-tale signs of fraud.

Here's how you can use the internet to help you invest wisely:

Start With the SEC's EDGAR Database
The federal securities laws require many public companies to register with the SEC and file annual reports containing audited financial statements. For example, the following companies must file reports with the SEC:

All U.S. companies with more than 500 investors and $10 million in net assets; and

All companies that list their securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market or a major national stock exchange such as the New York Stock Exchange.
Anyone can access and download these reports from the SEC's EDGAR database for free. Before you invest in a company, check to see whether it's registered with the SEC and read its reports.

But some companies don't have to register their securities or file reports on EDGAR. For example, companies raising less than $5 million in a 12-month period may be exempt from registering the transaction under a rule known as "Regulation A." Instead, these companies must file a hard copy of the "offering circular" with the SEC containing financial statements and other information. Also, smaller companies raising less than one million dollars don't have to register with the SEC, but they must file a "Form D." Form D is a brief notice which includes the names and addresses of owners and stock promoters, but little other information. If you can't find a company on EDGAR, call the SEC at (202) 942-8090 to find out if the company filed an offering circular under Regulation A or a Form D. And be sure to request a copy.

The difference between investing in companies that register with the SEC and those that don't is like the difference between driving on a clear sunny day and driving at night without your headlights. You're asking for serious losses if you invest in small, thinly-traded companies that aren't widely known just by following the signs you read on Internet bulletin boards or online newsletters.

Contact Your State Securities Regulators
Don't stop with the SEC. You should always check with your state securities regulator, which you can find on the website of the North American Securities Administrators Association, to see if they have more information about the company and the people behind it. They can check the Central Registration Depository (CRD) and tell you whether the broker touting the stock or the broker's firm has a disciplinary history. They can also tell you whether they've cleared the offering for sale in your state.

Check with the NASD
The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. can also give you a partial disciplinary history on the broker or firm that's touting the stock. Call their toll-free public disclosure hot-line at (800) 289-9999 or visit their website at http://www.nasdr.com.

Online Investment Fraud:
New Medium, Same Old Scam
The types of investment fraud seen online mirror the frauds perpetrated over the phone or through the mail. Remember that fraudsters can use a variety of Internet tools to spread false information, including bulletin boards, online newsletters, spam, or chat (including Internet Relay Chat or Web Page Chat). They can also build a glitzy, sophisticated web page. All of these tools cost very little money and can be found at the fingertips of fraudsters.

Consider all offers with skepticism. Investment frauds usually fit one of the following categories:

The "Pump And Dump" Scam
It's common to see messages posted online that urge readers to buy a stock quickly or tell you to sell before the price goes down. Often the writers will claim to have "inside" information about an impending development or to use an "infallible" combination of economic and stock market data to pick stocks. In reality, they may be insiders or paid promoters who stand to gain by selling their shares after the stock price is pumped up by gullible investors. Once these fraudsters sell their shares and stop hyping the stock, the price typically falls and investors lose their money. Fraudsters frequently use this ploy with small, thinly-traded companies because it's easier to manipulate a stock when there's little or no information available about the company.

The Pyramid
Be wary of messages that read: "How To Make Big Money From Your Home Computer!!!" One online promoter claimed that investors could "turn $5 into $60,000 in just three to six weeks." In reality, this program was nothing more than an electronic version of the classic "pyramid" scheme in which participants attempt to make money solely by recruiting new participants into the program.

The "Risk-Free" Fraud
"Exciting, Low-Risk Investment Opportunities" to participate in exotic-sounding investments such as wireless cable projects, prime bank securities, and eel farms have been offered through the Internet. But no investment is risk-free. And sometimes the investment products touted do not even exist they're merely scams. Be wary of opportunities that promise spectacular profits or "guaranteed" returns. If the deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.