User:Wikireviewer99/BlastOff Network

BlastOff Network was a for-profit company affiliated with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

Description
Blastoff Network was a website that offered a virtual space, such as a startup page, that had two kinds of services: 1) a networking destination space that aggregates several other well-known networking sites, such as Facebook, Myspace, Linkedin, Twitter, etc., and 2) Electronic commerce opportunities in form of discounts on products and services from over 500 major brands, including Dell and Expedia.

Blastoff network was a "so-called" revolutionary idea that was suppose to allow consumers to receive money back on purchases from retailers on the blast off network site. Currently blast off network is defunct (no public information available), but reported had 500+ national retailers that offered products in every category imaginable. These retailers offered money back incentives from 1% to 15% back on each purchase.

In order to qualify for the cash back incentive a blast off network member was to sign up three other members. Registration was free with no obligations for any one to purchase anything.

Another feature of the blast off network was that it allowed members to receive money back from purchases of other members that were registered under their account. The blast off network was set up to reward each member for the purchases of 10 levels of members in their direct blast off network.

Blastoff network was launched in October 2009. Blast off is currently free to join.

No information is currently available as the company apparently went defunct. Apparently because there is no Blastoff Network information known.

Business Model
The business model of the company was based on the commission fees paid by the affiliate companies. When subscribed users accessed their startup page and purchase products from select online businesses, they were supposed to be offered a discount from 1% to 10% as a major incentive to employ the network. Therefore, users were reported to save money through BlastOff. For example, Expedia offers 1% off its travel products; this may represent a substantial amount if a long family trip is booked. The users were also supposed to earn commission when their referrals acquired products through BlastOff, up to 20 levels deep. It is this aspect of the network that appeared to create the impression of MLM.

Controversy
Even before the official launch of the service, a number of claims on the credibility of the offering were made. This implies that even though some electronic commerce experts consider BlastOff Network a multi-level marketing (MLM) pyramid, it is unlikely that a free network may be referred to as MLM.