Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Zer01 Parent Strips Web Site Following Report

Posted by samzenpus on from the get-out-of-dodge dept.

alphadogg writes "Two days after a report cast doubt on Zer01 Mobile's business, its parent company has stripped its Web site down to only basic information. New details have also come to light suggesting a past connection between two of the involved companies, despite claims to the contrary. Earlier this week IDG News Service reported that it's unlikely that Zer01 could be technically able to offer the unlimited mobile voice and data service that it is advertising. The service, originally targeted for a July 1 launch, does not appear to be available yet. In addition, it's being marketed through a multilevel marketing program run by a company called Global Verge whose founder, Mark Petschel, in 2005 pleaded guilty to securities fraud. Petschel is currently on probation."

7 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. Buyer Beware by copiedright · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wasn't this just another pyramid scheme?

    1. Re:Buyer Beware by am+2k · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Uh, here in central Europe (Austria) I'm paying EUR 19.50 per month for virtually unlimited voice and data (1000min/month and 3GB/month, both of which I can never reach). Something is seriously wrong over there on your side.

    2. Re:Buyer Beware by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Was it still good entertainment when you got to bail them out?

    3. Re:Buyer Beware by humphrm · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yes. At least in the US, the legal differentiation of a Pyramid scheme and an MLM is whether or not the company has a product to sell. Even if all the analysis indicating that this type of service at this price is not technically feasible is correct, they do not yet offer the service, ergo it is a Pyramid scheme. The courts have been very clear on this. Offering a "future service" doesn't cut it, if you want to operate an MLM you must have a product, not vapor.

      So yes, it's a pyramid scheme.

      --
      -- "In order to have power, I must be taken seriously." -Mojo Jojo
  2. Lot's of push by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    I own a retail cell phone accessory site. ( CellUp.com ) and I've been receiving at least an email a day regarding becoming an authorized distributor. They claim to have lots of cool new HTC phones. When I looked into it a little further and with my knowledge of the industry I knew that there was no way this could be anything other than a scam. I avoid anything that looks like an MLM. I'm not going to talk people I know or legitimate customers of mine into something that over promises and under delivers.

  3. Greasy definition of "unlimited" by indytx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Earlier this week IDG News Service reported that it's unlikely that Zer01 could be technically able to offer the unlimited mobile voice and data service that it is advertising.

    If you mean unlimited in the sense that they wouldn't cap your usage, sure they could do this. If you mean unlimited, usable voice and data, that's another thing entirely. They could call it "unlimited" but not have the bandwidth to deliver a decent, or even functional, user experience.

    Sure we need consumer protections, but a healthy dose of caveat emptor is never a bad thing. If the service contract says "unlimited," and it ends up being unlimited 2400 baud data, that's still unlimited. Chickens**t, but still unlimited.

    --
    Make love, not reality television.
  4. Common sense by elrous0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it looks like a scam, walks like a scam, and quacks like a scam--then it probably *is* a duck. In that case, you should probably shoot it and cook it with orange sauce.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.