Sleaze by any other name. MG2, Tri Star, Orion Systems, whoever.

[vakkotaur]

I mentioned the MG2 sleazeballs before. In the followups, it was revealed that these jokers are also Tri-Star and push Tri Star Home Care Products (vacuum cleaners).

Well, another Bingo card arrived in the mail. It's from Orion Systems in Loveland CO with a postmark from Advanced Direct Marketing, Inc. also in Loveland, CO.

This time I scanned the card for folks' entertainment and perhaps enlightenment. The images are 800 pixels wide, so they're hidden behind the cut.

Here's the front:

And the back:

And in case you were wondering, BINGO!

Gee, I wonder if those numbers ever change. Probably not. They don't need to. The pattern (X here) doesn't need to change either.

Again, everyone is a winner. It says so, "You are guaranteed to win one of the prizes listed on the back of this card." But take a look and you see that:

1 gets $5,000.
51 get an XBox 360. ($399)
223 get an iPod Video. ($249)
25,925 get a nineteen piece cutlery set. ($36)
and...
473,800 get a certificate for 3 days/2 nights accommodation. (Not sold retail, so no monetary equivalent.)

One can only wonder what sort of accommodations that certificate is good for and what hoops must jumped through for it to be honored. That there is no retail value suggests that it is pretty much worthless. That's after the very likely demonstration of the vacuum cleaner. "You may be asked to view Tri Star Home Care Products." is in the fine print. And if you do actually win the $5,000 grand prize, they get to use your likeness in future promotions.

The number to (not) call is: 1-800-667-3548 or 1 800 667 3548 or 18006673548 or 8006673548. There, now search engines can find this entry by phone number.

There is no arithmetic test to serve as a lottery disclaimer with this card. Since every card is a "winner" there is no chance, and so no lottery as such. Again, it's legal though hardly ethical.

Comments

WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

This MG2 TriStar is a bullshit with all other stuff that they been saying. Please everyone dont buy anything from it and it's a scam. They had scam me for my time,gas,my own car,cellphone charged and lots more. I posted this up so to let all of you to read how they soo... gay and one more time Please read my add and beware of MG2 PLEASE!!!

P.S.
I worked for them so i know everything about them again What out for thing you buy from people

Re: WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

So I'm thinking of buying this vacuum but in light of all the people here criticizing Tri Star, MG2, and their scam of a lottery I found myself rethinking my decision. Scam lottery aside, does anyone know if the actual MG2 vacuum really that good and if it's worth that much money? I am especially directing this to the person above who said he/she used to work for Tri Star.

Re: WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

Have you had one of the reps come to your home and show you? This is the first i have heard of the lotto scam. But, I have seen and done the show as I am a new rep. It works I have seen it and to judge the company and deciding without seeing the product in use isn't fair. To you or Tri Star. I can't say the way they work is wrong either. Their show is oriented for the type of product that is being sold. Your already interested so they just need to show you why this product is better than any other one. Just like a shoe salesman is trained how to show you why these shoes are better than the others, since you have already crossed the idea that you may want new shoes. After all you did go into the store just like, how you said you may want a rep to stop buy your home to show you the MG2. Your already interested, see the show then decide. What you will see is what you will get.

Re: WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

2 people who posted on this page have claimed to work or have worked at this company. Why don't they have a website? It seems likely that there is no desire to sell you a quality vacuum, only a desire to mislead people and generate money from them.

This company operates in the shade. When I buy or consider buying any product, I like the sale to be transparent and honest. I wonder if you even need to prove that you scratched the card or if it is just a gimmick to get you to call their local office.

Re: WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

YOu may be a new rep, however you arent going to get many clients when the people on the other end of the phone are rude. Unless you are one of them. Here is another thought. I go to work and work hard i do not need to come home for Junk in my mail box with false promises, If i am looking for a product i will do it on my own. YOU ARE JUST AS BAD as telemarketers phoning when i am putting my kids to bed or spending time with my family.

Re: WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

https://www.tristarvacuumscanada.com/index.php

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Ah, they do have a web site. Curious that the web address isn't on the mail piece, isn't it?

Re: WARNING EVERYONE

[(Anonymous)]

This looks like a straw man argument... for those that don't know see [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man ]

And then what follows... is an argument about how "unfair" it is to judge a company without seeing it's product. Wow you lie and deceive to get us to see your product... it must really be worth seeing must it? Say we do see it, then what? Only an idiot wouldn't expect more lies and deception.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

It does indeed seem quite fishy that a product needs to be promoted in less than forthright manner.

One thing I would recommend, for any vacuum cleaner sales demo, is that after the usual demo is done (where it's shown how much dirt the sales vacuum cleaner picks up after a bit of carpet has been vacuumed by the model one already owns) to do it in reverse. That is, vacuum a section of carpet with the promoted vacuum cleaner and then see what the old vacuum can pick up that the fancy new one left behind. That would be a very interesting comparison to make. I suspect it's one that the vacuum salesperson would very much like to avoid.