She has several domains and tons of email address most coming from a gmail account (how professional).
*Note if any of these no longer work it's because she's caught wind and deleted them. We will post any update of anything we know that she has going on online.
UPDATE: New website: http://www.spninternational.com/ -- I know it sounds harsh but this lady is a professional and although I'm not entirely sure if these stories are true or if she is just using them to gain sympathy and money but best thing to do is just, DO NOT GIVE HER ANY MONEY. There are legit organizations out there. Do not donate or at least do your homework before doing so. She's extremely clever and this is just another tactic. Clever she's found a way to use Suicide Prevention to get business clients what a way to capitalize on the unfortunate situation of others.
She's found a new way to offload her taking the money by giving it to a guest speaker who is probably an unsuspecting victim. I know it's easy to feel sorry for them but make donations to sites that are equipped to handle real victims. There are legitimate websites and hotlines out there to donate to.
You can find her on Facebook here
Twitter here:
Myspace here:
Here are just a few examples of her cons and lies
- Warning Sign: Only takes Cash and Check --- That way you can not issue a credit card charge-back for services she has no intentions of ever delivering. Of course she will lie and say otherwise (but what kind of company of her "caliber" doesn't take credit cards?) BEWARE.
- The visitor count on her site states over 3.8 million visitors. Well there are ways to find out the truth and this is definitely not the truth. I learned one trick. Download the Google toolbar. Google rates the worth, based on popularity from 1-10 by way of a green bar. It's called Page Rank. Well with nearly 4 million visitors that would be at least a PR 5-6 which is not easy to obtain. She has a PR 0. Anyone can fabricate a hit counter but they can't fake a Page Rank.
- The Business was not even in her name originally. It is in her now husband Craig Yost. Who puts a business under someone's name BEFORE they are married. Run a search here https://efbn.ocgov.com/eFBNweb/ and type in SPN International.
- Feel free to contact any of the organizations she claims to support to find out the truth about whether she actually supports them. It's all just a tactic to give the illusion that she is giving.
- She promised a flier distribution of 100,000 and many paid her thousands. She printed 1,000 fliers and never distributed one of them. Now the printer has called the clients to pick up their fliers because they have been sitting in their office for over 6 mos.
- The fliers were printed back to back with other businesses so we couldn't even use them.
- She promises membership into other networks (a barter network and business coaching services). It's on her site but never mentions it.
- She tells people that she has a certain number of employees (varies by who she speaks to).
- She sells place-mat distribution and not a single place-mat has been delivered. One group was promised this distribution back in September of 09. Its now May, 2010. She was paid for nothing.
- She doesn't even own a vehicle (she will lie and say hers got stolen though).
- Boasts about 32 years in sales and marketing and her site is built on a free template at Go-daddy, that really shows how prosperous you are. I recall she had a nice new site up a few months ago, but it has since been removed. Looks like non-payment will send you back to your free template.
- Loves to try and get freelancers to work for free with promise of using your services for her network and getting all kinds of business along with hers. She will NEVER EVER pay you if you are one of these people or she will pay you just a little to pacify you.
- Plays victim - always complaining about somebody treating her horribly or not doing what they were supposed to. She's a great actress and liar. But with 32 years of experience...you would be to.
- Preys on Craigslist and small organizations that she feels can not afford to prosecute her.
- Very clever and goes through great lengths to avoid legal issues. She will lie in person but issue contracts in a way that are hard to prosecute her for. Back to the last one, she just deals with small organizations anyway so avoid the probability.
- Would rather take people for a few hundred dollars up to a couple thousand at a time so its not worth hiring a lawyer to go after her.
- Make excuses for why her promises do not come through (it's always someones fault).
- Will just avoid your phone calls if she doesn't want to talk to you (especially if she owes you money).
Get information on who will be printing and exact dates of when the distribution will occur (well never-mind that she will just lie). Stick to the last paragraph, NEVER GIVE HER CASH OR CHECK EVER EVER EVER. Unless you really don't need your money.
If we get the word out perhaps she will straighten up her act and do what is right. In that case we would love to be proven wrong. But with thousands of dollars down the drain....and plenty of unhappy customers..You have been warned!!! Trust YOUR GUT. Many made reference that they should have just trusted their gut on her and didn't. It's because she makes it sound so appealing that you really want to believe it.
She exhibits all signs of a clear con artists. Dig a little deeper with your questions to get clarity and you will see her become defensive. If she reads this she may change it up but her blood will be boiling. She hates being questioned but if you are upright and honest, you would welcome it.
Feel free to post your experiences below!!!
You obviously have a bone to pick with Bren. Hiding behind an anonymous online personna does not give you any credibility.
ReplyDeleteWhen you email members of the network as well you should provide contact info. Approaching it anonymously with fake email addresses only shows a vengeful side and cannot be taken seriously.
My post is anonymous only because I feel I speak for more than one person.
yeah of course you are a member now. Just try asking all of her previous members. See her turnaround is quick so don't worry you'll be back (unless you are anonymous because you are HER).
ReplyDeleteAnd yes the bone is obvious..hence the blog..no duh. The reason the blog is anonymous is because she threatens those who she's wronged.
The point is to protect the innocent not to put in danger those who are innocent.
And this blog is not even known to all of those who have been wronged but since you have issues, well maybe we'll just broadcast it live then.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteand what are you talking about emailing members of the network? we have never emailed a single member of the network. If someone has, then it shows that there is someone else doing so (you mean more than one unhappy client. well whatta ya know....
ReplyDeleteProbably those that were trying to start the CLASS ACTION SUIT...yeah that means you screwed enough people for them to consider a class action. Anyway your day will come it's a small warning to the innocent and not meant to be vengeful or else you'd be all over the message boards and blog sites and forums etc.
I assure you this is not Bren. This blog is known because it comes up in almost every search engine.
ReplyDeleteI would love to discuss this further with someone, unfortunately because this and the email I received are anonymous I have nothing.
I am not part of a class action suit, yes I am a concerned member, and I am not protected by this blog because their are holes that are not filled as far as I am concerned.
Maybe a masked contact is in order?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete.........continued [part 2/2]
ReplyDeleteWe haven't found any facts through a web search about the Money Tree Marketing Agency [location unknown] where she says she worked as Principle from Jan 2000 to June 2002 [B.D. Yost, Linkedin]. Does this business exist? Are they still in business? If anyone has any information or can substantiate her claim please leave a comment. We're also curious to know the name of the local marketing agency she previously owned [B.D. Yost, LinkedIn].
As she claims she has had the professional experience of owning and operating a local marketing agency [B.D. Yost, Linkedin] we were surprised like you guys that she appeared to not have the goods of that experience [like pertinent industry contacts] and seemed ignorant of procedure and industry norms. Just as questionable, we saw very few specifics from SPN ever written down or in hard copy. And there was [in our opinion] a lack of care in some of her professional output including grammatical mistakes.
examples:
www.spnbusinessnetwork.com
webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ybbY6WKPHqkJ:www.ocmccabesworld.com/+ed+mccabe%27s+world&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
A quick search revealed that selling placemat or flyer advertising seems to be a well known type of Advertising Material Fraud [source: Google search: placemat scam]
It's our casual understanding that distribution of materials door to door or business to business might have to be licensed with individual OC cities. This may include a separate solicitor's license if SPN is promoted in tandem. If such permits are required it's unclear if SPN has them or what their actual territory of distribution is. Does anyone have any info on SPNs qualifications? Please post.
Unlike Network Member who posted a comment I know exactly what you are talking about and buddy I feel your pain. Being a victim of fraud is no joke. And because of the volatile and hostile behavior I personally experienced from SPN, I can fully understand why you should want to stay anonymous.
Don't compromise too much to convince Network Member. They should talk to Bren, ask pointed questions and get specific answers. Hopefully they can decide for themselves if what she says is credible. If Bren's on the straight and narrow now, that's great. But reformation ≠ impunity. I don't think purgatory is the place to work out all wrongs. If she did have a score to settle with the world for some injustice in her life, I think that debt has gone the other way and now is the time to pay it off.
Some friendly advice from our experience of SPN Network membership: be tough. Get everything Bren says down in writing. Get a receipt and don't be nice. Don't be generous. Don't get taken by what appears to be too good to be true.
Many thanks for this blog stopconartists!
Thanks for your comment! My advice is to just purely stay away. Receipts and things in writing only matter if you plan to prosecute. And she usually doesn't charge one individual enough for them to feel it's worth it to pay an attorney and go to court. This means that she has no problem putting things in writing because the chances that you will go through with a lawsuit are slim. I mean really who is going to court over $350 or even $1000?
ReplyDeleteMy advice is check out everything, ask for references and proof and check them out! Find out who the distribution company is and if she they are licensed and if they have ever received any payment for services and proof of delivery. Reputable companies have proof of delivery now...some have live GPS and others will provide the addresses...
[Part 1/2]
ReplyDeleteThank you Stopconartists for having the cojones to put up this blog. A lot of what you are talking about and more that I can't discuss .......we experienced. This disturbing and deceptive conduct by SPN International included tactics that appear [in our unqualified personal opinions] to meet the definition of consumer and cheque fraud.
Here's some publicly available information my web surfers rounded up that might help others. Anybody feel free to verify or correct this info.
Additional site names we believe Bren's used in the past..............
[www]
urnewwebsiten24hrs.com
oclavendorsunite.com [oc la vendors unite]
spndiningocstyle.com [spn dining oc style]
spngogreen.com [spn go green]
spnclassifieds.com [spn classifieds]
spnocworkshops.com [spn oc workshops]
spnspecialops.com [spn special ops]
spngotogirl.com [spn go to girl]
spninternationalconference.com [spn international conference]
.........looks like all of these URLs were registered and discarded within the last year or so.
Other brand names that may or may not be associated with Bren: BusinessFindersReferralService [Business Finders Referral Service], MyJobIs2MarketYou, TheContrastTour, BDCNatlMnsrtyTour
SPN International is the DBA and principal brand registered with Orange County Clerk Recorder. Until April of this year SPN International had a business license in Anaheim in order to market and distribute print media for something listed as SPN Kids Club OCCA International. After being listed as Currently Renewing for several months, the expired license was officially Finaled by the city of Anaheim in June. As far as we can find out SPN International does not appear to currently have a business license to be conducting business or distributing materials in Huntington Beach. Can anyone verify this? Would like more information on this issue if possible.
SPN International is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau but it is in the BBBs listings with an Anaheim address. You can write a review and rate SPN International here on the BBBs partner site:
www.trustlink.org/Reviews/SPN-International-206081621
Confusingly for anyone who might like to comment about their experience with SPN, the parent company name and DBA [SPN International] seems to have a history of being missing or not prominently displayed on marketing material and websites of Bren's sub brands. [src About Us spnbusinessnetwork site]
Active subordinate brand names:
OC Service Professionals Network
SPN Business Network
SPN Service Related Business Network
SPN Womens Network Co-op [SPNWomensNetworkCoOp]
SPN is currently the acronym for Service Professionals Network and Service Related Professionals Network. It reportedly originally stood for Suicide Prevention Network. As far as we can see this prevention network consisted of little more than a few underutilized myspace pages.
A lot of confusing brand names inclu. approximately 15 different email addresses and her professional use of several names including Diane Cantu, Brenda Cantu, Brenda Yost, Bren Cantu, Bren Yost, B.D. Cantu and B.D. Yost divides her past customers. It does appear that she began using her married surname before her actual marriage. It's been verified that she has said multiple times that she has had to quote: cover [her] ass.
continued............... [scroll up to read Part 2]
Stopconartists: Thanks for responding to our earlier comment. Apologies that the order got confused. lol
ReplyDeleteI like your advice about staying away......... but people who already feel they have been cheated should go to Small Claims Court. It's fast, cheap, local and no lawyers allowed. There are also resources for those who want legal advice.
Bren has avoided writing specifics down in the past. If the deal was spoken, it was an oral contract. Oral contracts are respected in CA courts!
I think a loss of a couple hundred bucks in this sit. is worth pursuing. It's worth it to air the thing in court. I think I said it before but I don't think its right for anyone to be able to escape accountability for wrongdoing like this. Isn't it a citizen's duty to pursue injustice & stop the cycle so that others aren't hurt the same? Plus it sucks taking a hit and being an anonymous victim, so why let the culprit off scot-free? I want my investment back! $350+ is a lot of money and I think SPNs volatile behavior testifies to the seriousness of the situation. Small businesses and startups will only have more trouble succeeding here in OC if the entire place is left scorched from scams.
Check it out. The fees for Small Claims Court are very reasonable.............
If your claim is less than or equal to $1,500 = $30
Greater than $1,500 but less than or equal to $5,000 = $50
Greater than $5,000 but less than or equal to $7,500 = $75
As far as group small claim actions [class actions], a group of individuals can work together as a support group, share their resources [lawyer if needed] and crucially: share a judge. A shared judge can expose patterns of defendants and help prove credibility of claims.
> > > If anyone reading this would like to join in the SPN Group Action: email your name, phone number, name of your business and story to OCScammedProfessionalsAlliance@gmail.com < < <
Thanks again for the blog Stopcon!
Hidden page????
ReplyDeleteSPNDiningOCStyle rises from the dead. [Part 1/2]
Just found an odd hidden page attached to B.D. Yost's current SPN Business Network website. Looks like SPN Dining OC Style is back and on the move. The webpage itself [originally located at spndiningocstyle.com] disappeared months ago. Curiously this mystery page is found under a SPN Go To Girl URL even though header and menu is still SPN Service Related Business Network. Despite the URL: looks like all buttons on the page link to spnbusinessnetwork.com and not spngotogirl.com. No linked access to it from the main page.
I can't think of a reason why this should be hidden since this is a benefit of membership and advertises the service in spectacularly general terms. Why would there need to be control over who sees this particular offer?
Here's the text [CAPS from original]:
SPN's "Dining OC Style" Restaurant MEDIA KIT's Going to ALL Beach City Restaurants beginning next week. [undated] IF YOUR BUSINESS is related to Restaurant Owners Needs... OR the needs of their CUSTOMERS... ASK HERE: About getting YOUR FLIER in the MEDIA KITS! FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET YOUR BUSINESS LITERATURE INTO THE "SPN Dining OC Style" MEDIA KITS GOING OUT TO VIRTUALLY ALL RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT ORANGE COUNTY BEGINNING MID SEPTEMBER 2009 TO THE SUMMER OF 2010; GIVE US A CALL TODAY@ [....omitted....] ONLY THOSE SERVICE RELATED BUSINESSES WHICH ARE OF DIRECT BENEFIT TO EITHER ORANGE COUNTY RESTAURANT OWNERS THEMSELVES, OR TO THEIR GUESTS/RESTAURANT CLIENTELE, WILL BE DEEMED ACCEPTABLE FOR INCLUSION IN THE AFOREMENTIONED MEDIA KITS DISTRIBUTED BY SPN INTERNATIONAL. [end]
Is anyone troubled by this?
1] 1st she claims to be sending out media kits [i.e. ad filled folders] to quote: ALL Beach City Restaurants. The ad promises ALL. Providing anything less could be false advertising.
2] Next SPN is sending folders to: VIRTUALLY ALL RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT ORANGE COUNTY. I doubt that this is cost effective or good investment of ad dollars. Plug restaurant into Google Maps' Search Nearby tool and you'll get 727,664 results. That's a lot to commit to as a newbie distributor.
[continued....................]
SPNDiningOCStyle back from the dead. [Part 2/2]
ReplyDelete3] Exactly what or who determines which businesses are of DIRECT BENEFIT to the OWNERS THEMSELVES or RESTAURANT CLIENTELE? The vague language in this ad has the power to deceive many people. Here are just a few possible interpretations:
General interpretation = All businesses in the OC have the possibility to DIRECT[LY] BENEFIT the restaurant going public, therefore all businesses get a spot inside the folder.
Or the much cheaper and convenient.......
Specific interpretation = If you [ex. florist shop] can't prove that your customers spend money specifically in distribution zone restaurants, you do not DIRECT[LY] BENEFIT those customers or restaurant owners and are therefore not DEEMED ACCEPTABLE FOR INCLUSION in all or part of the cross county distribution.
Subjective interpretation = It suddenly becomes the opinion of SPN International that your business has no DIRECT BENEFIT and is therefore not DEEMED ACCEPTABLE FOR INCLUSION. There could be a hundred reasons why. This would be a scary thing to hear after paying for the print job!
Wanted to spotlight these holes. This language possibly lays groundwork for distributing none or less than pledged. Our own traumatic experience with SPN International's Bren [b.d.yost] included her going to extreme/unprofessional lengths to avoid liability for fraud. This seems to be another prime example of SPN protecting its interests and reserving opportunities for the owner to bail.
More questions:
4] Does SPN International have any and all locally required solicitor's licenses to distribute business to business in OC?
5] Are all the media kits packed alike?
6] Is quality control a priority?
7] Have any restaurants actually received these folders starting September of last year?
8] Does she have favorable reviews and proof that the folders are effective?
As a legitimate marketing concern I think it is SPN International's responsibility to present before payment exactly what their distribution locales are, what the rules of inclusion are, what results, satisfaction they are guaranteeing etc. And prove that deliveries take place.
Have you participated in a SPN Media Kit? Please bear witness here or at TrustLink.org
Thanks Stopcon!
The hidden page:
spnbusinessnetwork.com/SPN_DINING_OC_STYLE_MEDIA_K.html
Well if you are asking if we've participated hmmmm well for me, yes in the form of giving my money but no in the form of actually having it go out.
ReplyDeleteI should have known better though that looking at a Godaddy free template for a website she cant possibly be the large business she proclaims to be.
Look at her site, a 10 year old could do a better job, words all over can't even use bullets, caps in places, etc...If you are the "fasting growing network in OC" then can't you afford a decent website?
I remember a few months ago she had a glorious one. I wonder what happened? Does anyone remember the name of the company who did that site? Perhaps they could weigh in...
I agree. The website was beautiful. Whoever the poor designers were [probably didn't get paid for it] they did a top notch job. It sold us it really did! I hope they don't mind if I mention them here on the blog..... The name of the company that did it was Impress Web Design [impresswebdesign.com] I talked to the owner once or twice, they are a local company based in Orange County. Really nice people who get quality results. You can even find pictures of the old spngotogirl site in their web portfolio. Take a look it's awesome! What a shame.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to figure out what this SPN Mixer thing is all about. In Upcoming Events section it lists a full day of mixers scheduled tomorrow in Newport Beach. I called. There are no reservations in those restaurants for tomorrow. Is turnout so small no reservations are needed? Nothing on the site says the events are canceled. It was advertised as being open to the public. It's possible there could be some disappointed people out there.
ReplyDeletedid it took 1 year to find about this lady? *sigh* It took 6 months to get my money back but i got mine. I had to stalk her every single move to get my money. Thank you lord.
ReplyDeleteShe preaches a lot from bible, and she calls herself pastor in a church. I heard about her stolen car story and boyfriend abuses me story. Oh she married her abused boyfriend now lol? Very pathetic lady!
Abusive boyfriend? oh to our group he was the joy of the world, the knight in shining armor. She just tells stories to gain sympathy and I do feel sorry for her...what a pathetic way to have to live...lieing day in and day out for a few dollars only to still be renting a room in someone else house...I can't wait to see her have to answer for all of those lies and all of her victims...If she's a pastor Lord help the world...
ReplyDeleteWow! You actually got your money back? That's a bloody miracle. Congratulations. How did you wrestle the cash out of her hands? Please write to the OCSPA at OCScammedProfessionalsAlliance@gmail.com and give some more details. Your story will help others.
ReplyDeleteNews of Bren's cameo as a pastor is new to me too, though she was definitely playing the christian card for all its worth with us [no offense to Christianity intended]. She practically wore a halo she talked so much about her untarnished conscience. She lugged around saintly burdens telling us how she was going above and beyond for everyone because she was a good christian.... that she was a tragic victim..... that she was doing us a big favor..... that she admired Mother Theresa...... yadda yadda. We respected her views and thought Bren was just quirky but found out later that it was an elaborate act to smokescreen what was really going on. When she didn't deliver she switched on the intimidation tactics, falsely accusing us of calling more times than we did, of purposefully interrupting things she never told us about and of more lies too beyond the pale to repeat!
It's an old trick of the trade to act like a paragon of faith to net people and bounce off suspicion. Mark Twain wrote about it in Huckleberry Finn. If I remember right the perps were tarred, feathered and run out of town on a rail. Now that I've heard about her supposed collar spinning I'm not at all surprised she would go that far. Pathetic is right! Shame on anyone who takes advantage of people's faith so cheaply. I don't think it's the only time either. As if organized religion doesn't have enough problems!
On the other hand: If anyone can actually support Bren's alleged claim of being a pastor please write a comment or email. If you know the name of the church or faith she was [or claimed to be] affiliated with please share it. That info will help local authorities.
It might have taken a year for the coming out party but I don't think this is the first year do you? Anyone with a misadventure around 2 years old should definitely contact the OCSPA email I included above asap....
All additional information no matter how old is welcome!
Even those with resolved issues can play an important part.
Nice to hear from you Anonymous!
And thanks for the update StopCon!
ReplyDeleteSo now she's developing the SPN = Suicide Prevention Network angle huh?
Sorta looks like Bren's morphing the ad agency business into a profit-making quasi-support organization for the suicidal. A sympathetic cause yes, but how absolutely ridiculous considering her past threats, manipulations and how much pain and distress she's evidently caused in other people's lives without culpability, shame or guilt. She cased us just like a burglar cases a house.
I hope her new charity isn't a shooting fish in a barrel situation. Kind and desperate people are easy prey for bullies and duplicity and we all know she can make like a good friend when the tide is right.
Oh yes and today's restaurant "Getting the Most out of Life Workshop" for the suicidal she's advertising at an amazing $100 a head [.....with donation opportunities available....]. Canceled days ago only no one appears to know it. The ads are all still up. I wonder where the money is going?
[Part 1/2]
ReplyDeleteHello, Anonymous. Glad to have you join in! We've all got stories to tell. I just hope enough people share with the authorities [check out the end or Part 2 of my comment]. Here's some more info for you StopCon. Anyone, please feel free to correct or add to anything I write.
As everybody already knows, the SPN Business Network is now down with spngotogirl.com parked. Some of her Myspace/Facebook/Twitter accounts remain up.... others not. The B.D. Yost LinkedIn profile has been removed.
SPNInternational.com (the Suicide Prevention Network) is still up but the events calendar is gone.
BBB/TRUSTLINK
The Better Business Bureau still lists SPN International as an advertising service provider. Thanks to a new complaint (Great job!) that went unanswered, its rating has been lowered back to a C grade. Also noticeable is the missing word "Owner" from beside Bren's name.
Many thanks for the new complaint & also the new post on TrustLink.org!
NEW + OLD NAMES + BUSINESSES
Bren is now using the name "Dee Mullis" and advertising on CraigsList.org
According to our oldest data:
In September of 2006 she apparently used the name Brenda D. Mullis to get an Anaheim business license with two other partners (Jasmine Berry & Brody Heinrich) for something called The Access Center at 585 S Knott Ave. According to the license, it was a "Ministry Referral Service." Unlike other Anaheim business licenses related to Bren, this one closed 24 days short of it's expiration date a year later.
Almost concurrent with that & at the same Knott Ave. address there's another Anaheim business license. This one for "Cantu Corporate," an "administrative office for ministry." This license was under the name of Rolando Cantu with his mailing address outside the state, in TX.
There is evidence that suggests Bren used the name B.D. Mullis-Cantu as founder of something called The Contrast Tour in Buena Park. The Contrast Tour is described as a "Ministry to victims of abuse and all those who are suffering from depression and/or suicidal tendencies." Sound familiar?
DEE MULLIS ON CRAIGSLIST = NEW AD
Now as "Dee Mullis" (or Dee M.), she uses the moniker 10DollarBzCard on CL, Twitter and Facebook.
Also on CL she is cross posting her services as an independent Marketing Director. Here is the copy from one of her September 9th CL posts below.
"my 7-point marketing plan for your business
Hi my name is Dee, and I’m writing to offer to market your business full time M-F to Orange County. With my own 7 point marketing strategy I can get your phone ringing right away, and all for only $100.00 down, and $20.00 per mo. thereafter. No contract is required and I can start working for you today. If you’re interested in knowing more about this, you can reach me by simply responding to this post. I look forward to hearing from you soon. BASIC OVERVIEW OF MY 7 POINT MARKETING PLAN: • I provide you with a minimum of 10 new business prospects per day… • I make (on your behalf) daily phone calls to grow your client base. • I create and maintain a database in excel of your growing client base. • I create email mailing/contacts list of all prospective and current clients gained and mail them ongoing updates on your business including current coupons and/or special offers. • Create and maintain a Facebook, Twitter, and other online media accounts and market you by posting in them daily. • Create a business card, flier, and coupon for your business • I will also provide you with a daily email report of that day’s activities on your behalf."
THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS AD
Notice that "No contract is required."
Judging from her past actions this could make for a handy out should she want to end her services at any time.
To be continued.....
....... continued [Part 2/2]
ReplyDeleteWe can't help but find it odd that she is making these particular promises when she seems to have so much trouble maintaining a strong track record on her own existing Myspace, Twitter, and Facebook accounts. She asked visitors to check them daily to look for updates. We did and were disappointed. Our view is that they seem to be put up for one purpose only: to give her the boost needed to sell her initial, usually too good to be true promises. They give an added cover of respectability, a modern viral edge, an instant, free & clean looking store front, and an opportunity to win people over with common interests. Take a closer look: most likely she has very few followers/friends per account if any at all.
Source: Twitter:
http://twitter.com/10dollarbzcard
http://twitter.com/spninternationa
http://twitter.com/spngotogirl
Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/spnbusinessnetwork
http://www.myspace.com/suicidepreventionnetwork
http://www.myspace.com/SPNWomensNetworkCoOp
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/SPNBusinessNetwork
QUESTIONS THAT CAN BE ASKED ABOUT THIS AD
Q1: What is her definition of a prospective customer? No one wants a random phonebook pick, so what is guaranteed about the quality of her choices? Ten minimum "new business prospects" per day seems like a lot for $20 a month (300+ names/mo) plus all the other items promised. But a prospect is not a customer. Does it sound like there will be a lot of unsolicited phone calling and spamming on "your behalf?" Is that a good thing? Will she be careful to avoid the Federal Do Not Call List and/or other issues? Are we talking households, here, or businesses?
Q2: Who owns this data? & who owns the database created? Bren ("Dee") or the customer?
Q3: Can this Excel database be freely checked and accessed at any time?
Q4: Will she post on all your "online media accounts" daily or just some?
Q5: Will she really create those promotional materials at no additional cost? Is printing included? How will those items be used? If distributed does she have the necessary solicitor's licenses?
Q6: If she does not perform as agreed, who gets the "$100 down" when there is no contract? What are the conditions under which you can get your money back? Are those written down?
FINAL THOUGHT
If a seller cannot fulfill the specific promises advertised, it may be considered Bait & Switch Consumer Fraud and should be complained about to the OC District Attorney (visit his website for more info and the downloadable form. Need proof of something or a copy of one of Bren's (Dee"s) past ads? Want the elements, major points of consumer fraud explained so you can be clear and on target? Chances are we've got what you need! Write OrangeCountyScammedProfessionalsAlliance@gmail.com
Remember: the more consistent complaints there are....... the easier it is for authorities to listen.
MORE ADS
ReplyDeleteMore ads were posted on Craigslist.org on September 16th.
Here is the main text:
"NEEDED (orange, g.g., f.v., w.m., c.m., and h.b.)
We need one each of all of the following for a HOME BASED BUSINESS PROJECT my company is embarking on in order to promote ourselves (and you) throughout our specifically targeted service area...
I create Business Cards, and work in cooperation with a local LOGO Designer/ Website Builder/ Graphic Designer, and a Printer. For the purposes of promoting our own services, we have formed a team, have developed a marketing plan, and are going to be putting out a full color, UV coated, two piece - double sided / 4 sides total, hand out which will be hand delivered, door to door throughout the cities of ORANGE, FOUNTAIN VALLEY, COSTA MESA, GARDEN GROVE, WESTMINSTER, AND HUNTINGTON BEACH initially, and potentially others later. Again, we need only one each in the following categories of service to include a BUSINESS CARD SIZED AD of you on our promotional material going out at the end of September: Should you decide to take advantage of this offer, you may do so for the total investment of only $75.00 per thousand pieces going out. This will include all ad design, layout, printing and distribution costs involved. THERE WILL ONLY BE A TOTAL OF 40 BUSINESSES INCLUDED IN THE MATERIALS CREATED AND DISTRIBUTED, AND NO TWO SERVICES THE SAME.
NEEDED SERVICES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Appliance Sales/Service * Automotive Sales/Service * Bridal Shoppe * Cable Installer * Carpet Cleaner/Repair * Caterer * Cell Phone Sales/Service * Computer Sales/Service * Concrete Worker * D.J. * Electronics Sales/Service * Electrician * Exterminator * Fence Builder/Repair * Financial Services * Garage Door Sales/Service * General Contractor * Hair Salon * Handyman * Heating/AC * Home Loans * Housekeeper * Independent Product Sales Reps. * Insurance Agent * Junk Removal * Lawn care / Maintenance * Locksmith * Mason Worker * Massage Therapy * Mortgage Broker * Moving Company * Nail Salon * Notary * Painter * Phone Installer * Photographer * Plumber * Pool Cleaner/Repair * Realtor * Termite Inspector * Tux Shoppe * Videographer * Wedding/Events Planner * Window Cleaner, and more...
To register for participation in this campaign, you will need to respond promptly to this post and we will contact you right away. We are preparing these materials to for press and time is limited so be sure to include your name, phone number and any other contact information along with your request.
Lawrence, Jaime, Dee
FOOTNOTE: We are actively recruiting flier distribution teams for this purpose, so you may respond to this posting for that purpose as well"
[End quote]
Glad to see cities mentioned, but the questions remain:
Is delivery in accordance with local ordinances? Businesses that deliver their own flyers advertising their own product or service may be required to obtain a solicitor's license. What routes will be taken? Will each crew be supervised? What sort of people are they hiring for labor? Are they prescreened and trained? Will they be distributing to homes or businesses or both? How will proper delivery be confirmed? When will deliveries take place? Do they have references of any kind? Most importantly, what is the name of this company and why isn't it given upfront?
Here is a great source for small business advertising:
http://www2.ocregister.com/selfservice/
The Licensing Info listed on the ad.
ReplyDelete[September 16 / CL / skilled trade services]
License Info: Anaheim, Garden Grove, Covina
MORE SEPTEMBER ADS [four]
ReplyDelete[The content of this comment has been corrected and reposted with a quick update. Thanks StopCon!]
[September 22 / CL / automotive services]
Title: flier distribution (all orange county)
Location: all orange county
License info: garden grove
Copy: "PRICE NEGOTIABLE BASED ON QUANTITY/VOLUME/FREQUENCY AS LOW AS $75.00 PER 1000 PIECES
SEND YOUR SPECS TO: OCFlierDistribution@gmail.com"
[September 22/ CL / household services]
Title: Flier Distribution (Orange County)
Location: Orange County
License Info: [None Listed]
Copy: "FAST, RESPONSIBLE, AND CONSCIENTIOUS FLIER DISTRIBUTION. PRICES VARY BASED ON QUANTITY, BUT ALL PRICING VERY REASONABLE. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION IN YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS POST"
[September 27 / CL / real estate services]
Title: FLIER DISTRIBUTION $75.00 PER THOUSAND PIECES (NEXT WEEK CITY OF ORANGE)
Location: NEXT WEEK CITY OF ORANGE
License info: CITY OF ORANGE
Copy: "FLIER DISTRIBUTION AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK IN THE CITY OF ORANGE FOR ONLY $75.00 PER 1000 PIECES. BE SURE TO CONTACT US ASAP TO GET IN ON THIS DROP IN TIME."
[September 28 / CL / labor & moving]
Title: FLIER DISTRIBUTION AVAILABLE (CITY OF ORANGE RES. AND COMMERCIAL)
Location: CITY OF ORANGE RES. AND COMMERCIAL
License Info: [None listed]
Copy: "FOR AS LOW AS 75.00 PER 1000 PIECES WE CAN HAND OUT YOUR BUSINESSES INFORMATION. OUR DISTRIBUTION TEAMS WILL BE GOING OUT BEGINNING TUESDAY OCTOBER 5TH TO THE CITY OF ORANGE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS PROMOTIONS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS DROP OR WANT MORE INFORMATION EMAIL OCFLIERDISTRIBUTION@GMAIL.COM "
UPDATE: All the above September ads described above appear to have been removed from CL sometime before 12 PM today. They were deleted by the author.
I have to say something more about the September 16th ad [3 comments up]. She was requesting businesses in different categories to buy space and distribution. Curious that SPN had over 100 network members in most (around 80%) of those areas already.
Hi StopCon. TGIF.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering for the record: has Brenda [AKA Dee Mullis, B.D. Yost] or Craig H. Yost ever tried to post a comment regarding anything on this blog? If they did would you okay it?
If anyone else sent a correction or comment disagreeing with or questioning this blog, would you post it?
Thanks
Of course, so far it hasn't happened but would be nice to hear from them.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought!
ReplyDeleteYou're awesome StopCon, thanks again!
Oorah, folks. SPNInternational.com is now offline.
ReplyDeleteI have been a casual observer of this blog, I too was a victim of Bren. If those who are taking agressive action to try to stop her, or reclaim some funds, I am totally willing to discuss my experience, and give a copy of my original contract with her from her first Mixer at the "Monkey" whatever cafe. She had even used my as a business reference, to atract new customers, I always stated, become a member of the network but do not participate in her promotions, I was seeing traffic from the website, but not a peep from 100,000 placemat ads that were supposed to be out there. Or all of the marketing packets that alledgedly went out to hundreds of restaurants. Her web designer and and graphics people that she used seem to have been burned the worst. The closest ones usually do. please contact me at info@bigmattyslimo.com, for more correspondance.
ReplyDeleteHey Stop Con, it's holiday time!
ReplyDeleteJust a reminder: word is that Brenda Diane Mullis [AKA: Bren, Diane, Dee Mullis has attempted to collect charitable donations in the past in the name of SPN International [changing SPN to mean Suicide Prevention Network] and acquaintances she claims are in need.
Make sure to protect yourself against scams.
Kathy M. Kristof of the L.A. Times had this to say in her column this morning.....
"Do some research before you donate to charity
Every holiday season consumers get pitched by numerous charities that hope the spirit of giving will pry open hearts and pocketbooks. The appeals often have a sense of urgency as many charities struggle this year with increasing needs and declining donations because of the economic malaise."
Make sure your dollars do the good you intended. She recommends looking up charities here:
CharityNavigator.org
CharityWatch.org
Read the complete column: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-perfin-20101205,0,987370.column
Have a fun and safe December everybody!
This is absolute. This women submitted a fraudulent rental application using a deceased persons ss# to rent form me.
ReplyDeleteShe was running the SPN sites and, and I founnd out later, she definitely collected money from local busienesses with promises for advertisement.
Evne to to point of confronting her, she kept her act going.
One importtant aspect that is not mentioned here is she also preys on Christians and goes after the benevolence funds at churches that are set up to help parishioners.
She uses her children as means for her motivation. Claiming her daughter was sexually assaults by neighbors and that her son is a saint and everything she does is for his approval.
I don't know if anyone is still maintaining this blog, but wanted you to know she is up to the same tricks again, in Omaha, Nebraska, New Jersey, Michigan, and possibly Virginia. Overpromising, underdelivering. She has been going under the name Diane Fiti after creating a group called From Inspired to Inspirational (FITI) to do workshops about positive thinking. I heavily promoted these events and we had a few attendees, but she (the great marketer that she claims to be) could not get anyone there. She was going to advertise in a newsletter, then changed that to a website www.fitiwomensworkshops.com (now taken down, of course). She flits around from one project to the next, making money selling ads or offering space on the website (which she doesn't promote so there is no real traffic seeing the ads) or booth space at future vendor or networking events, etc. I have had my fears and suspicions about her for a while but kept it to myself, not wanting to slander her and just hoping she would honor the agreements I paid her for, which she never did. She owed me money and her payment to me kept being delayed. I began to worry and starting checking with others in our network - they all had the same Red Flags or suspicions about her, and all thought it was just them. The things listed above are very similar to what she has said/done here as well. She of course says they are all lies on here and has some believing her, but I have chosen to open my eyes and call her out for the scammer I believe her now to be. She says she will refund people money if they want it, but conveniently has very little ways of communicating with anyone now since she says Facebook blocked her and her Facebook pages are removed, as well as she has taken down her websites. All my private messages between us are also gone. She used me and my faith in her to get access to people I could bring to her, endorse her to. I feel very victimized, but of course she turns it around as if SHE is the victim. I know several of us will be filing claims, but I want to stop her from doing this to anyone else. Please keep spreading the word and help justice be done here.
ReplyDelete