TO THE NINES Shoes MLM: Scam or No Scam?

To The Nines shoes were sold through a multilevel marketing (aka MLM, Network Marketing or Direct Sales) system.  Was the To The Nines shoes MLM a legitimate opportunity or a scam?

There have been numerous complaint online claiming To The Nines is a scam.  The Better Business Bureau published a scathing review on October 31, 2011.

On November 1, 2011, To The Nines announced it was offering refunds to its independent retail consultants.

Read the letter from the To The Nines management here: TO THE NINES Refund Information

Get the To The Nines Refund Form here:  TO THE NINES Refund Form

Here are some excerpts from the Better Business Bureau report:

“…the BBB warns that a multi-level sales opportunity to sell shoes from a business called To The Nines has failed to provide job seekers with a viable home business.

“In January, To The Nines and its parent company, Iamaa Direct, began recruiting entrepreneurial hopefuls into a multi-level marketing business opportunity which involved the direct selling of designer shoes. However, since September, the BBB has received 34 complaints from across the U.S. alleging that To The Nines and Iamaa Direct charged individuals up to $5,000 in business opportunity fees and failed to deliver any shoes. Both businesses have a BBB Rating of F due to failure to respond to complaints…

“To The Nines first came to the BBB’s attention when the original president, Nicole Jones, approached the BBB with concerns that her business partner, Kenny Davis, was deceiving her and job seekers.

“Specifically, Ms. Jones stated concerns that over $600,000 in consumer’s business opportunity fees appeared to be unaccounted for. Her concerns were amplified by the discovery that Mr. Davis had been convicted of securities fraud in 2003 for his actions relating to Dallas-based Smart-Mart, Inc.

“On September 16, 2011, the BBB received a copy of Ms. Jones’ resignation letter, in which she stated, ‘I cannot be part of a company that I believe is misrepresenting things about our business, is not acting in an ethical and honest way with our representatives or myself, is not willing or able to provide me with accurate financial reports as the President of the company and is being otherwise generally non-responsive to my requests for information.’

“Shortly after, Debra Aaron took over as president of To The Nines. Ms. Aaron was previously the president of Crowd Sourcing International, a multi-level sales company which claimed to pay job seekers for recording the location of automotive license plates. Crowd Sourcing International has a BBB rating of F due to complaints and failure to substantiate claims about the business opportunity…

“Complaint Concerns

“Complaints on To the Nines and Iamaa Direct describe failure to provide ordered shoes in accordance with the business opportunity plan and difficulties receiving refunds.

“One recent complaint from a Florida consumer explained that “They took my entry fee to the company as a regional director of To The Nines, LLC. which was $4,896.00 via wire transfer from my bank to theirs. I was promised my own website with shoes to sell. They took mine and several hundred other consultant fees as well and closed their doors.”

“Complaints are from Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

“Between Iamaa Direct and To The Nines, the companies have failed to respond to 28 of the 34 complaints to the BBB. For the BBB Business Review on To the Nines, see http://www.bbb.org/dallas/business-reviews/multi-level-selling-companies/to-the-nines-in-carrollton-tx-90346239 . For the BBB Business Review on IAMAA Direct, see http://www.bbb.org/dallas/business-reviews/business-consultants/iamaa-direct-in-carrollton-tx-90376954 .

“In addition, the BBB has been unsuccessful in contacting Mr. Davis to address the BBB’s concerns regarding the company’s business model.”

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE TO THE NINES SHOES MLM INDEPENDENT RETAIL CONSULTANT OPPORTUNITY?  HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR A TO THE NINES REFUND?  PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS OR EXPERIENCES BELOW.

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