Countdown4Freedom fails to supply any data on who owns or runs the enterprise on its web site.
The one clue is a quote from Holton Buggs on the footer of an e-mail seize web page, accessed if a customer to the positioning clicks a button.
Additional analysis reveals Buggs credited as founder (and presumably proprietor/co-owner) of Countdown4Freedom.
For some motive although Buggs appears intent on shying away from public possession of his firm. As an alternative he refers to himself as a “steward” of Countdown4Freedom.
Late final yr it emerged that Buggs was selling the IQ Chain Ponzi scheme.
Formally Buggs was credited as a “strategic advisor”, but it surely was fairly clear he’d taken over all advertising for the corporate (specifics have been by no means publicly disclosed).
In December IQ Chain collapsed and was rebranded as IQ Legacy.
Alexa rating for the IQ Legacy web site present a whole collapse from late January.
Buggs appears to have taken no matter he was paid and quietly left the corporate. Once more, the specifics of Buggs’ relationship with IQ Chain and IQ Legacy have been by no means publicly disclosed.
And so now now we have Countdown4Freedom, which seems to be a placeholder identify till a March eighth reveal:
Notice that whereas all of the IQ Legacy/IQ Chain shenanigans have been happening, Buggs retained his Organo Gold government place as Chief Visionary Officer.
Regardless of the apparently looming launch of his personal MLM firm, Buggs remains to be credited as CVO on Organo Gold’s web site.
On the Countdown4Freedom administration aspect of issues (working below Buggs), is CEO David Manning.
Manning (proper) first appeared on BehindMLM because the journey providers supplier of The Trip Community again in 2012.
Manning owns and is the CEO of Xstream Journey, who’re additionally the journey providers supplier for Countdown4Freedom.
Again in 2012 Manning was additionally working Traverus, a typical recruitment-driven MLM journey firm.
By 2014 each Trip Community had collapsed, prompting Manning to launch Paycation in March.
Traverus has continued to function along with Xstream Journey, though it doesn’t seem to have gained any traction since 2012.
As we speak the Paycation web site redirects to the Traverus International web site, which based on Alexa has been in decline since mid 2018.
There’s no point out of an MLM alternative on the Traverus International web site, so whether or not the earnings alternative nonetheless exists is unclear.
In any occasion the first focus now seems to be Countdown4Freedom, or regardless of the precise identify of the corporate winds up being.
Replace eleventh March 2019 – Countdown4Freedom’s precise firm identify has been revealed as “iBuumerang”. /finish replace
Learn on for a full evaluate of the Countdown4Freedom MLM alternative.
Countdown4Freedom Merchandise
Countdown4Freedom supplies entry to a journey low cost engine they’re calling “iGo”.
Because the above slide from a Countdown4Freedom advertising presentation suggests, this seems to be a white label providing of David Manning’s Xstream Journey engine.
iGo supplies entry to discounted motels, flights, rental automobiles, cruises, houses, weeks, market, life-style and timeshare.
Notice that I’ve offered the classes verbatim, Countdown4Freedom supplies no additional data.
With a purpose to entry iGo, a Countdown4Freedom affiliate should present a retail buyer with a “boomerang”.
A boomerang is mainly a login for the iGo reserving engine. Any commissions generated by means of a given out boomerang are tied to the referring affiliate.
Boomerangs supplied to Countdown4Freedom associates are primarily based on how a lot cash they spent once they signed up:
- Standby associates ($49.95 a month) obtain 5 boomerangs to provide out
- Coach Class associates ($250 + $49.95 a month) obtain ten boomerangs to provide out
- Enterprise Class associates ($500 + $99 a month) obtain twenty-five boomerangs to provide out
- First Class associates ($1000 + $99 a month) obtain fifty boomerangs to provide out
If an affiliate runs out of boomerangs, they need to buy extra from Countdown4Freedom.
On the time of publication boomerang pricing has not been disclosed.
Bitcoin is a deliberate iGo accepted methodology of fee, along with normal processors.
The Countdown4Freedom Compensation Plan
The Countdown4Freedom compensation plan combines commissions on journey providers booked by retail prospects, with binary and unilevel residual commissions.
A generational bonus, management bonus and life-style bonus are additionally obtainable.
Countdown4Freedom Affiliate Ranks
There are fourteen affiliate ranks throughout the Countdown4Freedom compensation plan.
Together with their respective qualification standards, they’re as follows:
- TSA – join as a Countdown4Freedom affiliate and proceed to pay charges
- Director – generate 2500 PV and/or GV a month in gross sales quantity and generate and preserve at the very least 5 boomerang prospects
- Government – generate 5000 PV and/or GV a month in gross sales quantity and preserve at the very least 5 boomerang prospects
- Senior Government – generate 10,000 PV and/or GV a month in gross sales quantity and preserve at the very least 5 boomerang prospects
- Sapphire – generate 15,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or have a downline of at the very least 100 TSAs, and generate and preserve at the very least ten boomerang prospects
- Ruby – generate 40,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or have a downline of at the very least 200 TSAs, and preserve at the very least ten boomerang prospects
- Emerald – generate 80,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or have a downline of at the very least 400 TSAs, and preserve at the very least ten boomerang prospects
- Diamond – generate 200,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or have a downline of at the very least 1000 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
- Blue Diamond – generate 500,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or have a downline of at the very least 2500 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
- Black Diamond – generate 1,000,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or generate and preserve a downline of at the very least 5000 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
- Presidential Diamond – generate 2,000,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or generate and preserve a downline of at the very least 10,000 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
- Crown Diamond – generate 5,000,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or generate and preserve a downline of at the very least 25,000 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
- Double Crown Diamond – generate 7,000,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or generate and preserve a downline of at the very least 35,000 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
- Triple Crown Diamond – generate 10,000,000 GV a month in gross sales quantity or generate and preserve a downline of at the very least 50,000 TSAs, and preserve at the very least twenty boomerang prospects
PV stands for “Private Quantity” and is journey associated gross sales quantity generated by an affiliate.
GV stands for “Group Quantity” and gross sales quantity generated by way of journey bookings and affiliate membership payment funds.
To ensure that a boomerang buyer to rely in direction of qualification, they should have booked journey or a service inside that month.
For the Director to Senior Government ranks, not more than 50% of required GV or downline TSAs could be sourced from anybody recruitment leg.
For the Sapphire to Diamond ranks, not more than 40% of required GV or downline TSAs could be sourced from anybody unilevel leg.
For the Blue Diamond to Presidential Diamond ranks, not more than 30% of required GV or downline TSAs could be sourced from anybody unilevel leg.
For the Crown Diamond to Triple Crown Diamond ranks, not more than 20% of required GV or downline TSAs could be sourced from anybody unilevel leg.
Journey Commissions
Countdown4Freedom solely present retail prospects a 50% low cost.
The remaining 50% is paid by the retail buyer and used to fund journey commissions.
E.g. Journey A prices $300 however is obtainable by means of iGo at $200.
Countdown4Freedom let’s associates ebook Journey A for $200 however expenses retail prospects $250 (50% low cost).
The $50 additional paid by the retail buyer is used to fund journey commissions.
The Countdown4Freedom affiliate who referred the retail buyer receives as much as 50% of the 50% saved by the corporate.
- Standby and Coach Class associates obtain 12.5% of the 50% of the 50%
- Enterprise and First Class associates obtain 100% of the 50% of the 50%
Within the Journey A instance above, Enterprise Class and First Class associates obtain 100% of fifty% of the $50 saved by Countdown4Freedom.
So the journey fee paid to the referring affiliate on Journey A is $25 (50% of $50).
Standby and Coach Class associates would solely obtain $6.25.
Countdown4Freedom retains 15% and places the remaining into their compensation plan.
Recruitment Commissions
Countdown4Freedom associates are paid a recruitment fee once they recruit Coach Class or larger associates.
- recruit a Coach Class affiliate and receives a commission $20
- recruit a Enterprise Class affiliate and receives a commission $40
- recruit a First Class affiliate and receives a commission $80
Residual Commissions (binary)
A binary compensation construction locations an affiliate on the high of a binary staff, break up into two sides (left and proper):
The primary degree of the binary staff homes two positions. The second degree of the binary staff is generated by splitting these first two positions into one other two positions every (4 positions).
Subsequent ranges of the binary staff are generated as required, with every new degree housing twice as many positions because the earlier degree.
Positions within the binary staff are stuffed by way of direct and oblique recruitment of associates. Notice there isn’t a restrict to how deep a binary staff can develop.
Binary residual fee quantity is made up of booked journey and affiliate charges (each preliminary and month-to-month).
On the finish of every week Countdown4Freedom tallies up new quantity on either side of the binary staff.
A residual fee is then paid on quantity generated on the weaker aspect.
How a lot a Countdown4Freedom affiliate can earn every week in residual commissions is capped primarily based on rank:
- TSAs can earn as much as $1000 per week (10% residual fee fee)
- Administrators can earn as much as $1500 per week (12% residual fee fee)
- Executives can earn as much as $2000 per week (12% residual fee fee)
- Senior Executives can earn as much as $2500 per week (12% residual fee fee)
- Sapphires can earn as much as $3000 per week (15% residual fee fee)
- Rubies can earn as much as $5000 per week (16% residual fee fee)
- Emeralds can earn as much as $10,000 per week (17% residual fee fee)
- Diamonds can earn as much as $20,000 per week (18% residual fee fee)
- Blue Diamonds can earn as much as $30,000 per week (19% residual fee fee)
- Black Diamonds can earn as much as $50,000 per week (20% residual fee fee)
- Presidential Diamonds can earn as much as $100,000 per week (20% residual fee fee)
- Crown Diamonds can earn as much as $150,000 per week (20% residual fee fee)
- Double Crown Diamonds can earn as much as $200,000 per week (20% residual fee fee)
- Triple Crown Diamonds can earn as much as $250,000 per week (20% residual fee fee)
Notice that residual fee charges are additionally outlined primarily based on Countdown4Freedom affiliate membership:
I’m unclear on whether or not these are obtainable caps (i.e. solely First Class associates can earn as much as 20% primarily based on rank), or whether or not these are purchased residual fee charges (no matter rank).
Residual Commissions (unilevel)
A unilevel compensation construction locations an affiliate on the high of a unilevel staff, with each personally recruited affiliate positioned instantly below them (degree 1):
If any degree 1 associates recruit new associates, they’re positioned on degree 2 of the unique affiliate’s unilevel staff.
If any degree 2 associates recruit new associates, they’re positioned on degree 3 and so forth and so forth down a theoretical infinite variety of ranges.
Unilevel residual fee quantity is made up of booked journey and affiliate charges (each preliminary and month-to-month).
What number of ranges of residual unilevel commissions a Countdown4Freedom affiliate earns is set by rank:
- TSA – 10% on degree 1 (personally recruited associates)
- Director and Senior Director – 10% on ranges 1 and a couple of
- Government – 10% on ranges 1 to three
- Sapphire – 10% on ranges 1 to three and eight% on degree 4
- Ruby – 10% on ranges 1 to three, 8% on degree 4 and seven% on degree 5
- Emerald – 10% on ranges 1 to three, 8% on degree 4, 7% on degree 5 and 6% on degree 6
- Diamond and better – 10% on ranges 1 to three, 8% on degree 4, 7% on degree 5, 6% on degree 6 and 5% on degree 7
Management Growth Bonus
The Management Growth Bonus is a technology bonus, paid on as much as 4 generations of residual quantity per unilevel staff leg.
Countdown4Freedom outline a technology in a unilevel staff leg when a Sapphire or larger ranked affiliate is discovered within the leg.
This primary Sapphire begins the primary technology for that leg.
If a second Sapphire exists deeper within the leg, they cap off the primary technology and a second begins below them.
If no second Sapphire exists within the leg, the primary technology runs all the size of the leg.
Utilizing this generational construction, Countdown4Freedom pays the Management Growth Bonus on as much as 4 generations per unilevel staff leg.
- Sapphires earn 2% on as much as one technology per leg
- Rubies earn 3% on as much as two generations per leg
- Emeralds earn 4% on as much as three generations per leg
- Diamonds and better earn 5% on as much as 4 generations per leg
Way of life Bonus Pool
The Countdown4Freedom compensation plan refers to a Way of life Bonus Pool however fails to supply any particulars on it.
Becoming a member of Countdown4Freedom
Primary Countdown4Freedom affiliate membership is $49.95 a month.
There are additionally costlier International Packages obtainable:
- Coach Class – $250 + $49.95 a month
- Enterprise Class – $500 + $99 a month
- First Class – $1000 + $99 a month
The extra an affiliate spends the upper their fee charges within the Countdown4Freedom compensation plan.
Conclusion
Suffice to say clearly one thing is up between Holton Buggs and Organo Gold, there’s not lots to touch upon.
Buggs doesn’t discuss with Organo Gold by identify in Countdown4Freedom advertising movies, however makes repeat reference to his earnings there.
Notably any time Bugg’s references his Organo Gold earnings, it’s in the previous. That’s in all probability about as shut an admission as we’re going to get that the celebration is over.
Anyway like most of you I think, my first inclination was that coming off a failed Ponzi enterprise, Buggs was launching one more MLM journey alternative come pyramid scheme.
The excellent news is that isn’t the case. Properly, type of.
For all of David Manning’s compliance failings with Traverus, Paycation and all of the recruitment schemes he’s powered by means of Xtream Journey, Countdown4Freedom is definitely geared towards retail gross sales.
Sadly this requires ignorance on behalf of mentioned retail prospects.
As a retail buyer, I’ve no downside with a proportion of what I pay getting used to pay a fee (MLM or non-MLM).
In Countdown4Freedom nevertheless, retail prospects are slugged with what is actually a fee payment.
To recap, Countdown4Freedom is ready to promote Journey A for $100, down from $200. And that’s what they cost their associates.
A retail buyer is slugged with a $50 extra payment, simply to pay commissions with.
This seems to be like a wholesale/retail pricing mannequin however truly isn’t.
The retail/wholesale pricing of Journey A is between Countdown4Freedom and Xstream Journey.
Countdown4Freedom then present Journey A to their associates at retail, and cost retail prospects an extra payment.
Buggs’ protection of this in Countdown4Freedom advertising movies is that prospects received’t care, as a result of they’re nonetheless getting a great deal.
Given the iGo engine isn’t stay and no offers have been revealed, who is aware of.
As a retail buyer although, paying pointless charges is pure flip off.
One different factor I’ll point out is outwardly anybody can join Xstream Journey for $49.95 a month.
Unsure if this supplies entry to the identical offers as Countdown4Freedom will get, but when the distinction in financial savings is greater than $49.95 – like I mentioned, retail in Countdown4Freedom solely works if the retail buyer is ignorant.
I suppose a part of that’s the complete boomerang shtick, which creates the impression Countdown4Freedom associates are doing retail prospects favors.
On some degree I suppose they’re, given associates pay for boomerangs each initially and once more once they run out.
With boomerangs solely offering entry to the iGo engine although, it does beg the query what they’re truly price.
Why undergo Countdown4Freedom’s convoluted boomerang system once I can simply ebook the identical journey by means of one in all Xstream Journey’s different shoppers?
On the MLM aspect of issues Countdown4Freedom runs foul of pay to play and pyramid recruitment issues.
TSAs get instantly paid to recruit and in addition earn residual recruitment commissions.
There’s no requirement to generate retail gross sales on the TSA degree, so retail could be ignored.
From Director upwards energetic boomerang retail prospects are required, which when remoted is nice to see.
A fast repair could be requiring TSAs to have one or two energetic boomerang prospects.
As for pay to play, it’s inexcusable that journey fee charges are decided by affiliate payment funds. Residual binary fee charges additionally seem like decided on some degree by payment funds.
Additionally the extra I pay as an affiliate means the extra low cost classes I can provide my retail prospects? What’s up with that???
Pay to play is a regulatory compliance crimson flag, because it sometimes exists in MLM firms the place recruitment is prioritized over retail gross sales.
There are already retail buyer qualifiers in Countdown4Freedom ranks, so why not simply tie fee fee will increase to rank?
Oh proper, then there’d be no justification for charging extra for Enterprise and First Class – aside from boomerangs.
As beforehand talked about, Countdown4Freedom isn’t your typical “recruit recruit recruit” MLM journey alternative. However there’s definitely room for enchancment.
And it’s clearly leaps and bounds from Buggs’ current Ponzi adventures.
Separate affiliate charges from fee charges, set a minimal retail buyer requirement on the TSA rank and go from there. And seeing as David Manning is double-dipping by means of Xstream Journey, possibly set retail pricing nearer towards what associates are supplied.
Presumably there’s an untapped margin on what Xstream Journey earns and is paid by Countdown4Freedom. And if the margin is simply too low, nicely absolutely something is healthier than your prospects realizing they’re dropping 50% of financial savings to a comp plan.
Pending these adjustments (or on the very least a begin on them), I’d be cautious of handing over any cash till the iGo reserving engine is stay and boomerang prices are disclosed.
Replace eleventh March 2019 – Countdown4Freedom’s precise firm identify has been revealed to be iBuumerang.
Seeing because the merchandise and compensation plan are the identical, moderately than re-review the identical firm think about the above a evaluate of iBuumerang.
Replace twenty second April 2019 – BehindMLM revealed a stand-alone iBuumerang evaluate on April twenty first, 2019.