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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site cylixd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!whuxl!whuxlm!akgua!akgub!cylixd!dave
From: dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Pyramid Schemes (MLP really)
Message-ID: <816@cylixd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Feb-86 15:40:43 EST
Article-I.D.: cylixd.816
Posted: Wed Feb 26 15:40:43 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 28-Feb-86 22:19:17 EST
Reply-To: dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby)
Organization: RCA Cylix Communications , Memphis, TN
Lines: 37


In article <1324@decwrl.DEC.COM> marks@yogi.DEC writes:
>
>The corporation that seems to be the "granddaddy" of the scheme I was 
>presented with is M.L.P. Corporation of Memphis, Tennessee.  The 
>scheme is called "Trend Card," and the premise is that you (the peon) 
>invest $49.50 in a "Trend Card," which allows you to buy food and 
>household products at supposedly "discount" prices...

I work here in Memphis, so I couldn't resist this posting. I called the
local BBB, and they are *very* familiar with this outfit. Here's what 
they told me.

M.L.P. Corporation was formed in June, 1984 by a fellow called Mr.
George. It indeed markets the Trend card, which not only gives you
discounts, but also claims to help you clear up problems with your
credit cards, prepare your will (!), and give you travel discounts.

Mr. George was the president of the now-defunct V.I.P. Corporation,
formed in October, 1981, which marketed a similar card called the 
"Clout" card. This company went bankrupt, and Mr. George is trying his
hand again with this new corporation.

The BBB warns to be very cautious in dealing with this company.

Then the guy at the BBB said something really strange. He said there
was a lot more information he could give me if I could tell him the
food store chain that was behind M.L.P. He can't give me any
information about the parent company unless I ask for the company
by name, and he would not give me the name. But he implied there is a
lot more about the company to be said; and he seemed to be afraid of
a libel suit if he told me, unless I asked for the parent company
by name. All in all, it sounds like a fun outfit. See if you can get
the name of that parent company, and I can get you more dirt on them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Dave Kirby    ( ...!ihnp4!akgua!cylixd!dave)