Shopster is Deceptive

CALL SHOPSTER AND DEMAND YOUR MONEY BACK!

2007-10-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

If you believe you've been ripped off by Shopster E- Commerce, Inc. (Shopster.com) then call them and demand your money back. Complain to the BBB. The more complaints, the lower thair ratings. Call the number. Write. Complain to the BBB.

Shopster E- Commerce Inc.
804B - 16th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0S9
Telephone: (403) 802-0201
Fax: (403) 802-0294
www.shopster.com

TELL SHOPSTER YOU WANT YOUR MONEY BACK!

2007-10-19T12:16:00.000-07:00

If you feel you've been cheated by Shopster E- Commerce, Inc (Shopster.com), then call and call and call until you drive them nuts. (403)802-0201 Send letters to them demanding your money back. Shopster E- Commerce, Inc. 804B - 16th Avenue SW Calgary, AB T2R 0S9

File a complaint with the BBB.

The BBB®
Serving Southern Alberta
350, 7330 Fisher Street SE
Calgary, AB T2H 2H8
(403) 517-4BBB
www.betterbusinessbureau.ca

Stand up for your rights and don't let internet scams rip you off.

Shopster CANNOT prove "Unlimited Profits" LIES, LIES ,LIES!!

2007-09-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

The following is from the BBB report on Shopster:

Advertising Review

On May 3, 2007 , the Better Business Bureau contacted the company (Shopster E- Commerce)regarding its claim of "Unlimited profits" for its client distributors on its website. The company advised the Bureau that they issue the difference payment from the suppliers' price and the customers' payment and that there is no limit on what a distributor can sell and therefore earn. Shopster did not supply a comparison pricing list or an example of typical earnings for reasons of privacy, but has agreed to consider modifying the claim. Details must be clearly disclosed in advertisements as required by the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards. According to the BBB Code of Advertising, companies must be prepared to prove any advertised claims.

Shopster Has 4 Consumer Complaints Closed in 1 Year!

2007-08-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Following is the complete BBB Reliability Report on Shopster E-Commerce Inc.

BBB Reliability Report

The BBB®
Serving Southern Alberta
350, 7330 Fisher Street SE
Calgary, AB T2H 2H8
(403) 517-4BBB
www.betterbusinessbureau.ca

Shopster E- Commerce Inc.
804B - 16th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0S9
Telephone: (403) 802-0201
Fax: (403) 802-0294
www.shopster.com

The BBB reports on members and non-members. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.

Original Business Start Date: April 2004
Principal: Kolleen Kidd, V/P of Operations
Customer Contact: Sheldon Cooke, Team Lead - (403) 802-0201
Email Address: support@shopster.com
Incorporated: April 2004, AB
TOB Classification: Internet Shopping
BBB Membership: This company is a member.

BBB Membership Status

This company has been a member of this BBB since April 2005. This means it supports the BBB's services to the public and meets our membership standards.

Program Participation

This company participates in the Membership Identification Program and has agreed to use special procedures including arbitration, if necessary, to resolve disputes.

Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the BBB. A satisfactory record means a company has been in business for at least 12 months, and properly addressed matters referred by the BBB. The company does not have an unusual volume of complaints, or any government actions involving its marketplace conduct. The BBB understands and has no concerns about the company's products, services and type of business.

When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.

The BBB processed a total of 4 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period.Of the total of 4 complaints closed in 36 months, 4 were closed in the last year.

Sales Practice Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed
1 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.

Delivery Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

Company Management

Additional company management personnel include:

Sarath Samarasekera - Owner/President
Matt Cox - Presidnet of Technology

Advertising Review

On May 3, 2007 , the Bureau contacted the company regarding its claim of "Unlimited profits" for its client distributors on its website. The company advised the Bureau that they issue the difference payment from the suppliers' price and the customers' payment and that there is no limit on what a distributor can sell and therefore earn. Shopster did not supply a comparison pricing list or an example of typical earnings for reasons of privacy, but has agreed to consider modifying the claim. Details must be clearly disclosed in advertisements as required by the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards. According to the BBB Code of Advertising, companies must be prepared to prove any advertised claims.

Additional Email Addresses

Additional Email Addresses
info@shopster.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report as of August 24, 2007
Copyright© 2007 BBB®, Inc.

If you choose to do business with this member company, please let the company know that you contacted the BBB for a report.

BBB reports may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.

The information in this report has either been provided by the company or has been compiled by the BBB from other reliable sources.

As a matter of policy, the BBB does not endorse any product, service or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained in this report is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time.

Shopster Never Modified "Unlimited Profits" on their Website and Advertising Campaign.

2007-08-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

The BBB wants Shopster to modify the use of their advertising term "Make Unlimited Profits". Reason is, because Shopster failed to prove that you can make "Unlimited Profits" with them. The BBB asked to see proof that people have been making "Unlimited Profits" with Shopster and asked to see client files. Shopster refused to allow the BBB the view such files stating that they are protecting the privacy of their clients. Shopster did agree to modify the term, "Unlimited Profits" since the law states you must prove such claim. Shopster has still not complied. They've changed 700,000 to 900,000. but as of yet changed the term "Unlimited Profits". Unless Shopster can prove their claim, they are breaking the law.

Don't Waste Your Time with Shopster...Sell the Things you want to Sell on EBAY!

2007-08-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Ebay is easy. Millions of people from all over the world log onto Ebay everyday. 90% of my items that I bring to auction sell. I have no problems whatsoever. In fact, I didn't have to build a website. I purchase gemstones at wholesale prices and watch the bidding wars. Items that I purchase for $1.75 I put up for auction at a starting bid of $5.00 and most of the time the item will sell for over $10.00 plus $3.95 shipping and handling. Last week alone I had 73 auctions sell and I made over $600.00 for the week. I'm averaging $2,000 a month take home. All you need is a digital camera and great auction frendly items. Open a paypal acount and you're in business. No reaL overhead. Just a computer and a printer and some shipping supplies. I enjoy it and It and I sell to many of the same customers. In fact, I've built up a clientel and many of my clients purchase from me outside of ebay. Ebay is the perfect solution for me because I'm a stay home dad with 4 children and I only work my ebay account 2 hours a day. I don't ship until the item clears with Paypal or until the check clears. I ship twice a week and I've had absolutely no complaints.

Shopster ripped me off, plain and simple. I origionally wanted to go the drop shipping route but I find that with drop shipping, I have no control of what is being shipped or if it's being shipped at all. If you want to join Shopster, go right ahead. For me, Ebay is the way to go.

2007-08-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

I was concerned as to when Shopster.com would be modifying "Unlimited Profits" as to their agreement with the BBB. The BBB wrote me:

"Hello Randy:

You had recently emailed us regarding Shopster E-Commerce’s website. The bureau is dealing with the monitoring of the promised changes and handling this as an internal issue. Thank you.

Regards,"

If you have been ripped-off by this company, please file a complaint with the BBB and file a Rip-off report with ripoffreport.com. Lets all help put these internet scam companies out of business.

Shopster must revise "Unlimited Profits" advertising

2007-07-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

The following has been published by the BBB on the Shopster.com website BBB button:

"BBB Reliability Report

Shopster E- Commerce Inc.
804B - 16th Avenue SW
Calgary, AB T2R 0S9
Telephone: (403) 802-0201
Fax: (403) 802-0294
www.shopster.com

The Bureau processed a total of 4 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 4 complaints closed in 36 months, 4 were closed in the last year.

Sales Practice Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed
1 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.

Delivery Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

Advertising Review

On May 3, 2007 , the Bureau contacted the company regarding its claim of "Unlimited profits" for its client distributors on its website. The company advised the Bureau that they issue the difference payment from the suppliers' price and the customers' payment and that there is no limit on what a distributor can sell and therefore earn. Shopster did not supply a comparison pricing list or an example of typical earnings for reasons of privacy, but has agreed to modify the claim. Details must be clearly disclosed in advertisements as required by the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards. According to the BBB Code of Advertising, companies must be prepared to prove any advertised claims."

If you've been ripped-off by this company, please contact the following and file a complaint.

The Better Business Bureau®
Serving Southern Alberta
350, 7330 Fisher Street SE
Calgary, AB T2H 2H8
(403) 517-4BBB
www.betterbusinessbureau.ca

Shopster's advertising under review

2007-07-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

The following was published by the BBB on the Shopster website BBB button:

"The Bureau processed a total of 4 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period. Of the total of 4 complaints closed in 36 months, 4 were closed in the last year.

Sales Practice Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.
1 - Company addressed the complaint issues. The consumer failed to acknowledge acceptance to the BBB.
Administratively Closed
1 - BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied.

Delivery Issues
Resolved
1 - Company resolved the complaint issues. The consumer acknowledged acceptance to the BBB.

Advertising Review

On May 3, 2007 , the Bureau contacted the company regarding its claim of "Unlimited profits" for its client distributors on its website. The company advised the Bureau that they issue the difference payment from the suppliers' price and the customers' payment and that there is no limit on what a distributor can sell and therefore earn. Shopster did not supply a comparison pricing list or an example of typical earnings for reasons of privacy, but has agreed to modify the claim. Details must be clearly disclosed in advertisements as required by the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards. According to the BBB Code of Advertising, companies must be prepared to prove any advertised claims."

*If you have been ripped-off by this company, please file a complaint with the BBB.
s

The BBB sent me an email regarding Shopster's "Satisfactory rating".

2007-06-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

It appears that unless Shopster resolves their issue with me, their BBB membership will be in jeopardy. The following is part of an email from the BBB.

"Hello Randy:

Actually the report on this company does not say the company satisfactory rating. It says it is UPDATING. A member company cannot have an unresolved complaint. We are dealing with this internally..."

A MEMBER COMPANY CANNOT HAVE AN UNRESOLVED COMPLAINT.

James didn't get the memo

2007-06-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

I just received this letter from James Nardell, the affiliate program manager.

"Dear Randy,

Welcome to Shopster.com's June affiliate newsletter. The Shopster team has yet again made the Shopster solution even better! The recent upgrades to the Shopster system mean that you can expect even better conversion rates through the affiliate program.

More New Features For Shopster Retailers
This Weeks Hot Products
Getting started with Shopster Guide
Recommended Banners

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

More New Features For Shopster Retailers, i.e. YOUR Customers…"

My Customers? Hahahahaha.

"As always, if you need any; ideas, support, suggestions, a site review, or you just want to discuss your success to date then please feel free to contact me by email at: James@Shopster.com, or call me at: (805) 624-5669.

Have a great day!

James D. Nardell
Shopster.com Affiliate Program Manager
http://www.shopster.com : Shopster Website
http://www.amwso.com/shopster.php : Affiliate Support Website"

I've written James many times and never received any support.

Yeah, you have a great day too James.

Shopster is Feeling the Heat.

2007-06-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

My prediction: My videos will put Shopster out of business.

Uploaded on YouTube

2007-06-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

All my videos will have no sound. I will not say anything that can eventually be liable. These are the first two. I will get more creative around video 700,000. My videos are on my blog. or you can go to http://www.youtube.com/shopstersucks

Videos Have Been Made and will be Published on June 4th

2007-06-01T12:07:00.000-07:00

The first of a series of Videos mocking Shopster and their scam will be launched on June 4th. Get out the popcorn. THIS IS WAR!!!

I Will No Longer Purchase Anything Nor Will I Ever Do Business With Canadian Companies Or People That Say "Aboot" Instead Of About!

2007-05-30T12:55:00.000-07:00

I've been ripped off, and I wish I've seen the signs earier. I'm pissed off that the credit card company can't get my money back because of a "No Refund" bull crap policy. I will now piss-on Shopster and Canadian companies in general. I won't eat Canadian Bacon, (They call it something else in Canada...I think they call it ham), I will no longer drink Canada Dry or associate with people who say, "Aboot" instead of "About. I'm tired of being pushed around by companies that don't deliver what they promise. The people that work forv these scumbag companies should drown in a flood of their companies lies. Shopster is no different than any other internet scam. They came up with a clever marketing scheme and filled all their legal loop holes. If I ever see that monkeyboy Sheldon Crooke in my neighborhood, I will have all of my kids piss on him.

Final Email To Shopster

2007-05-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

Some say I should have done this long ago...

Final Email Sent To Shopster
I have decided to contact my credit card company in hopes to get my refund from Shopster. I will do this on Tuesday May 29th if Shopster still refuses to resolve this matter. Here is my final email to Shopster:

'To whom this may concern:

I have sent numerous emails in attempt to refund my money. I have indicated in many emails that I felt cheated by Shopster. I had no choice but to contact the BBB due to the response I've received from Sheldon Cooke. I continued asking for a complete refund and again I've been denied.

I reported Shopster to Rip-off Report and other consumer agencies. Again I was denied my refund. I have a collection of emails from Shopster and from other members which I will send along with other documents to the credit card company to chargeback Shopster my complete refund. When doing so, the credit card company will not only get my money back but will charge Shopster $50.00 for the service and will have the report on record.

I will do this if Shopster does not volunteer the refund on their own. If I don't hear back by Tuesday, May 29th, then I will contact the credit card company and have them chargeback the credit cards.

Sincerely,

Randy'

Shopster member sends me an email

2007-05-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

I just received this email from yet another Shopster member:

"Dude, I too thought I made a sale but the next day I received an email telling me the item was no longer available. What a bunch of BS!"

Nice going Shopster. You just pissed off another member!

Shopster Does NOT Have 700,000 Wholesale Products

2007-05-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

Shopster is a third party drop shipping company that has no access to the products shipped. 700,000 is just an arbitrary number they pulled out of their bottom. The fact is, Shopster has no control over their suppliers inventory. Products being offered by Shopster by suppliers are Not exclusive to Shopster; therefore once an item sells out due to other companies selling the same items offered to Shopster, then the Rshops are S.O.L.

Shopster claims they drop suppliers that don't supply what they offer but is that how you want your third party drop shipper to due business? If Shopster can't arrange for a certain number of same product to be held exclusively for Shopster then the Rshop owner is taking a tremendous risk. For the amount of time and effort the Rshop owner puts in to his/her shop each day, they need to know that is Shopster's warehouse claims to have 100 of a specific product, the product will be available when a customer purchases the product.

I've received an email from Shopster 2 days after a product was sold on my rshop stating that the product had been discontinued. The very next day the product was still listed in Shopster's warehouse saying there were twelve of that item still remaining. Needless to say, the sale failed to go through and I didn't make my $1.18 profit. Shopster needs to have more control over their suppliers inventory. This sort of thing will put Shopster out of business. How can you trust a company that doesn't provide the service that you as an rshop owner are paying for?

Shopster Hires Trained Monkeys...Some Not So Trained

2007-05-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Shopster is hiring. One catch; You must be a trained monkey. That explains how Sheldon Cooke got his job. The brain of a monkey is the size of a peanut. This must be why they can't understand why they scratch their heads when I tell them they rip off consumers.

Here is what Shopster does: They use PRICE in order to suck you in. They claim in ad banners, “Over 700,000 products at Wholesale prices!” Now, the defenition of wholesale is “Competitive market value offered by wholesaler.” I can absolutely prove price gouging by Shopster in a court of law.

138 products were found by me at 3 retail stores. Wal-mart, Best Buy and Circuit City. These products were sold in these retail establishments at retail price. Shopster had products in their warehouse at a much higher price than the retail price. The retail price was the competitive market value offered by the retailer. Therefore, Shopster's wholesale price for the 138 products could not have been the competitive market value for wholesale.

If Shopster buys a pair of earrings at the low price of $1.35 from their supplier and marks up the price to $10.09 WHOLESALE and the consumer can go to their local Wal-mart and purchase the same item at $3.88 RETAIL then Shopster does NOT offer their members over 700,000 products wholesale. This is clearly price gouging.

The BBB in an email to me is going to challenge the term used by Shopster “Unlimited profits” because Shopster uses this as an advertising marketing ploy just to prey on people like me with little web building experience to join and eventually fail. Shopster uses PRICE in order to get you into their bear claws, once you're in, Shopster convienently switches out the word PRICE with the new word CONTENT. It's no longer “Wholesale”, it's now “It's not all about price.” Yet, it was all about price when they advertised about price on their ad banners. This is why I say Shopster is misleading and deceptive.

Shopster's responce: Ooh ooh, ahh ahh!

This Blog Made Page 1

2007-05-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

Wow! Over 600 hits. If you goole "Shopster rip off report" my blog made page 1. This blog will go through some changes. More info on seeking revenge against companies that rip off the consumer will be posted and linked.

I'm planning to tape a documentory about (guess who?) and will be taking a trip to Shopster's headquarters in Alberta Canada. Let's see what they'll do when I confront them face to face on film.

Shopster unavailable for Support

2007-05-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent Shopster forum post from our favorite stepford leader Sheldon Cooke. How was I able to get this? Wasn't I kicked out of the forums? Yes, I'm not allowed in the forums, however, when anyone posts in the forums, it automatically gets emailed to me.

05-11-2007, 5:55 PM
12842
sheldon

Joined on 11-06-2006
Support HQ
Posts 191
Support Availability for May 14/07
Due to our monthly company meeting, we will be unavailable for Support from 10 AM to 12 PM MDT (GMT -0700).We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Sheldon Cooke (Shopster Support Team Lead)Feedback? supportster-shel@shopster.comSupport request? support@shopster.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unless Shopster agrees to resolve the matter, I will begin to publish the documents that could harm the future of Shopster.

Call Shopster and let them know just how you feel!

2007-05-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

If you feel you've been ripped off by Shopster E-Commerce, Inc. then call, fax or e-mail them and let them know just how you feel. Some of you have been e-mailing me and showing your support. If you really agree that Shopster is deceptive, misleading and fraudulent then tie-up their phone lines, fill up their emails, clog up their fax machine and tell them that you're mad as hell.

E-mail: Supportster-shel@shopster.com
Telephone: (403) 802-0201
Fax: (403) 802-0294

Shopster Breached Contract

2007-05-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

When Shopster advertises "Wholesale prices on Over 700,000 products" and doesn't deliver "Wholesale prices on Over 700,000 products" then they've breached their agreement. They did not deliver on their promise, therefore the agreement is null and void and they must under the federal law give me a refund.

Shopster is a Scam!

2007-05-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here is what Shopster does: They use PRICE in order to suck you in. They claim in ad banners, “Over 700,000 products at Wholesale prices!” Now, the defenition of wholesale is “Competitive market value offered by wholesaler.” I can absolutely prove price gouging by Shopster in a court of law. 138 products were found by me at 3 retail stores. Wal-mart, Best Buy and Circuit City. These products were sold in these retail establishments at retail price. Shopster had products in their warehouse at a much higher price than the retail price. The retail price was the competitive market value offered by the retailer. Therefore, Shopster's wholesale price for the 138 products could not have been the competitive market value for wholesale.

If Shopster buys a pair of earrings at the low price of $1.35 from their supplier and marks up the price to $10.09 WHOLESALE and the consumer can go to their local Wal-mart and purchase the same item at $3.88 RETAIL then Shopster does NOT offer their members over 700,000 products wholesale. This is clearly price gouging.

The BBB in an email to me is going to challenge the term used by Shopster “Unlimited profits” because Shopster uses this as an advertising marketing ploy just to prey on people like me with little web building experience to join and eventually fail. Shopster uses PRICE in order to get you into their bear claws, once you're in, Shopster convienently switches out the word PRICE with the new word CONTENT. It's no longer “Wholesale”, it's now “It's not all about price.” Yet, it was all about price when they advertised about price on their ad banners. This is why I say Shopster is misleading and deceptive.

Shopster tries to get you to believe that Content is the key to selling on the websites when a recent survey shows 85% purchase on competitive prices. Shopster knew exactly what they were doing and I have emails from Sheldon to prove it. I was mistreated by Sheldon in his unprofessional behavior towards me and if Shopster wants to sue me for slander, I'll counter sue and put them out of business.

I am going to continue this campaign until I get justice. If this issue does not get resolved, videos will find their way onto Youtube.You now have just 6 days to respond Shopster.

Videos About Shopster's Lies Will Be Released Shortly On Youtube

2007-05-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi again. Thanks for the continued support. At this time some of us are currently making a series of videos about Shopster and their lies. We will release them on Youtube in the near future. Everything about Shopster will be revealed.

Where We Stand Against Shopster

2007-05-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

First I want to thank all my visitors for stopping by. I started this blog on May 2 and already have over 230 hits. Not too shabby.

I'm in the process of updating the rip-off report due to some new information. You can visit both Rip-Off Reports by clicking on the links to the right. I've also linked "One Man's Journey..." A blog that was at 900 hits 5 days ago but since I began to comment on how Shopster is a deceptive company, the blog received 1000 hits in just 4 days. This blog has been around since March of 2007 and has more than doubled since I began posting. I know some of my supporters had alot to do with it. I thank you. I also thank you for the very cool e-mails. Even some people who used to be Shopster supporters are having second thoughts about Shopster.

Shopster has told me in several disturbing e-mails that they are not happy with my campaign against them. I wonder just how many people I've saved from doom? Thus far Shopster has decided to lose thousands of dollars in revenue by not doing the right thing and refunding my money. Shopster, this is just the beggining. This company will fall from grace.

Shopster and Their Lies!

2007-05-05T22:18:00.000-07:00

Shopster has their little community of Stepfords that post in the forums over making $3.17 profit after a period of two months. It's like living in the Twilight Zone. Shopster tells potential customers they can make "Unlimited profits". (That's their hook.) Here's the math: The average Shopster rshop profit margin is set at 6%. You can raise or lower the margin but the average is set at 6%. So, if you sell an item for $100.00, your profit is $6.00 (less the 3.5% Shopster takes for their "Drop shipping services"). So mif you wanted to make $5,000.00 a month from your rshop, you'd have to sell $84,000.00 worth of merchandise in a month in order to make that happen. Show me someone with a Shopster rshop that is currently doing that. 98% of the members are not making a profit. Some are barely making enough to stay on to the next month. When it comes to Shopster, "Unlimited profits" is just a fairy tale.

Shopster is Deceptive

2007-05-02T07:43:00.000-07:00

I'm a stay home dad. I recently searched the internet for drop shipping companies to sell products online. I like the idea of using a drop shipping company because this way I don't have to worry about warehousing the products myself.

After searching for a few days, I happened upon a company called Shopster. What drew me towards this company was in their advertising. They claim that by joining their company, I could make "Unlimited profits".
This is how Shopster works: They offer members a website where you could sell items from their warehouse. Shopster deals with suppliers who will ship the item once sold from my website that Shopster provides. Shopster also advertises that they store over 700,000 products. That also sounded appealing to me because I new I should be able to find a product that I'd be able to sell with 700,000 to choose from. My membership cost me $330.00 for the year.

I bought a couple of domain names and opend up a couple of stores online and had Shopster host them. I designed the sites and between the two I was allowed to showcase up to 1000 products. I launched a sports autograph store first. Baseball autographs, football, etc. The site looked very professional and I designed a logo and was very excited about it. I advertised using Google adwords and allowed advertising on my site using Google adsense. I handed out business cards. I had a my space account and did everything I could to draw traffic to my site. In one month over 4000 people visited my online autograph store. No sales.

So I tried a second site selling a variety of different products. Electronics, video games, beauty products, music, etc. I paid an additional $99.00 a year for the second store. Again I advertised using Google. Still nothing. Shopster offered a community forum. I began posting. I made adjustments to my sites. Again, nothing. Then I began reading some of the posts. Some of the other members were posting that the prices that Shopster offers were too high. So, I began to research this myself. I found I could purchase many of the products that Shopster offers for a lower price at retail stores like Wal-mart, Best Buy and Circuit City.

I posted this information on the Shopster forums hoping to get a response. Shopster responded with, "I know our prices are high. It's not always about price. You have to give it a year. We are working on getting lower prices." Then I receive an email from an emplyee of Shopster stating he deleted my post about prices and that if my attitude didn't change, he would permenantly ban me from using the forums. Yes, I was being censored by Shopster. Two days later I was kicked off the forums because of a post I made about liability. To say that I was angry would be an understatement. After all, the forums are supposed to be for helping the members of the community.

A few days later I received an email from a potential customer telling me he was interested in a Mickey Mantle signed baseball but found it for half the price at another website and purchased it there. It turned out that nothing I was selling on my site was competitive. I don't expect to always have the best price but I expected to be in the ball park.

Shopster is basically stealing money. Before joining, I was sucked in because they claim I could make "Unlimited profits". In a recent ad, Shopster also claims to have 700,000 products at "Wholesale prices". When they say "Make unlimited profits" their prices need to be competitive in order for me to make any profits; Otherwise it would be like purchasing products from your local retail store and trying to sell them on the internet. You just don't do that. It doesn't work. Shopster is getting products from their suppliers at a low price, then they jack up the price 300-500% and expect their members to offer the products on their sites and make "Unlimited profits". For this, Shopster is misleading and uses deceptive advertising in order to get customers to sign up. This company is running a scam and I've reported them to the BBB amongst other consumer agencies. I've requested a full refund and their statement about making "Unlimited profits" is going to be challenged.