SmartValue Review: Purchase products pyramid scheme


SmartValue, which additionally goes by “SVPSL”, is an MLM firm primarily based out of Delhi, India.

SmartValue describes itself as “a revolutionary concept that has transcended itself past the peculiar”.

SmartValue was based in 2000. I’ve additionally seen a 2006 incorporation date, suggesting the corporate operated informally over its first six years.

Heading up SmartValue is Managing Director Shivakumar Krishnamourthy (additionally spelt Krishnamoorthy).

I’m not 100% certain however I imagine Krishnamourthy is perhaps one among SmartValue’s founders.

Along with Krishnamourthy, SmartValue at present has two different Board of Administrators; Boddu Prasad Reddy and Nirmala Arora.

Regardless of being round for over 20 years, SmartValue don’t actually present an official company historical past on their web site. I additionally wasn’t in a position to peg down what Krishnamourthy was as much as previous to SmartValue.

I think a few of this might need to do with language-barriers as SmartValue focuses solely on the Indian market.

To their credit score, SmartValue seem to have dodged any regulatory motion since their launch – at the very least so far as I can see in English.

Learn on for a full evaluate of SmartValue’s MLM alternative.

SmartValue’s Merchandise

SmartValue claims it markets “100 + Excessive High quality & Worth-for-money merchandise”.

That’s far too many merchandise to listing right here individually. SmartValue nevertheless do present a full product catalog, with retail pricing, on their web site.

Product classes featured on Good Worth’s web site embody:

  • agriculture
  • BSM (SmartValue advertising and marketing supplies)
  • edibles

  • academic books & DVDs
  • meals and drinks
  • well being and wellness

  • house care
  • life-style and
  • private care

SmartValue don’t present manufacturing or nation of origin particulars for any of their merchandise.

Additionally once I clicked “purchase now” on any of SmartValue’s merchandise, I used to be redirected to a different web site that seemed to be down. Unsure if that’s a brief glitch or long-running drawback.

SmartValue Compensation Plan

SmartValue’s compensation plan is an unnecessarily difficult and convoluted mess.

I’ve completed my finest to interrupt it down into as merely format as I can beneath.

Retail Commissions

SmartValue associates earn commissions on the sale of merchandise to retail prospects.

Retail commissions are calculated because the distinction between the wholesale price and retail value paid. This quantity differs relying on the merchandise bought.

Gross sales Incentives

To qualify for Gross sales Incentives, a SmartValue affiliate should generate 100 miles. That is achieved “primarily based on repeated buy of merchandise personally by you.”

Miles are primarily based on enterprise quantity, nevertheless SmartValue doesn’t seem to supply a scale.

The Gross sales Incentive Plan pays out on miles generated by an affiliate and their downline:

  • generate first 900 miles and obtain Rs. 4800
  • each 900 miles generated thereafter, capped at 4500 miles complete pays Rs. 4700

SmartValue also can decide to separate payouts on their first 900 miles, paying Rs. 1600 per 300 miles generated (so three smaller funds until the primary 900 miles are reached).

Something greater than 4500 miles is paid out by way of a binary compensation construction.

A binary compensation construction locations an affiliate on the prime of a binary group, cut up into two sides (left and proper):

The primary stage of the binary group homes two positions. The second stage of the binary group is generated by splitting these first two positions into one other two positions every (4 positions).

Subsequent ranges of the binary group are generated as required, with every new stage housing twice as many positions because the earlier stage.

Positions within the binary group are crammed by way of direct and oblique recruitment of associates. Be aware there isn’t a restrict to how deep a binary group can develop.

Past 4500 miles you’re a 1:2 or 2:1 ratio in miles throughout the binary group. It doesn’t matter which facet is double the opposite.

Quite than simply pay out on miles and be easy, SmartValue introduces a “step price”.

After the primary 4500 miles, the Group Gross sales Incentives earned by you decreases based on the Step-Fee for the given week.

Step-Fee is the Group Gross sales Incentives paid for every ‘Step’ of 900 miles.

This varies from week to week, and is about such that the general gross sales incentives paid by the corporate is capped at Rs. 45 per distinctive Mile of gross sales.

As I perceive it this implies, ranging from a Rs. 4700 baseline, every step of 900 miles paid out on decreases the fee paid out per matched 2:1 or 1:2 mile throughout the binary group.

Step charges reset each week. SmartValue states they pay out Rs. 3400 per step, which doesn’t imply a lot contemplating

  1. the step price decreases with every step; and
  2. what number of Enterprise Factors are in a mile isn’t clarified.

Repurchase Plan

SmartValue associates earn Repurchase Plan commissions primarily based on generated Enterprise Factors (BV).

Every SmartValue product sale or buy generates BV. The quantity of BV varies relying on what product(s) is/are being offered or bought.

As soon as BV is known, calculating Enterprise Factors is easy: 12,000 BV = 1 Enterprise Level.

The Repurchase Plan pays commissions by way of the identical binary compensation construction used to pay “Gross sales Incentives” (see above).

Enterprise Quantity is tracked throughout the binary group, and pays out when both a 1:2 or 2:1 ratio of Enterprise Factors is reached.

That’s 1 Enterprise Level on one facet of the binary group towards 2 Enterprise Factors on the opposite. Which facet of the binary group has 1 or 2 Enterprise Factors doesn’t matter.

Utilizing this qualification standards, the Repurchase Plan pays Rs. 500 per Enterprise Level, as much as 5 Enterprise Factors per week (so a 5:10 or 10:5 ratio).

SmartValue states that Enterprise Level 6 to 500 generated in per week “will fall below weekly gross sales quantity”, however don’t elaborate any additional.

Flagship Bonus

The Flagship Bonus pays a ten% match on Repurchase Plan revenue earned by personally recruited associates.

Retail Consistency Bonus

To qualify for the Retail Consistency Bonus, a SmartValue affiliate should generate 2 Enterprise Factors per week for 2 consecutive weeks.

The Retail Consistency Bonus pays

  1. “additional revenue” on as much as 5 Enterprise Factors generated
  2. a “automotive fund” from 6 to 50 Enterprise Factors generated and
  3. a “home fund” on 51 to 500 Enterprise Factors generated.

Particular quantities aren’t supplied however I imagine the qualification applies over a rolling consecutive three-week interval.

Recognition and Rewards

SmartValue’s Recognition and Rewards are a little bit unusual. You’ve three units of ranks tied to a few “recognition plans”.

Successfully SmartValue has three rating programs and three Rank Achievement Bonuses, all working impartial of one another.

I’ve grouped the ranks and corresponding recognition and rewards beneath, in addition to the required lively standing standards.

SmartValue Energetic Qualification

SmartValue states that lively qualification is required to qualify for “rewards and recognition”. This seems to consult with Rank Achievement Bonuses, of which there are three tiers.

As supplied by SmartValue, right here is the lively qualification standards:

An Affiliate may be thought-about Energetic primarily based on the next standards:

  • He/She must be actively concerned in selling Merchandise & Companies of SVPSL.
  • His/Her membership must be in Energetic standing, whereas calculating the Recognition plan in that Monetary 12 months.
  • He/She ought to actively take part in Enterprise Promotional Actions like Plan Exhibits, Coaching Seminars, Merchandise Coaching & Firm run Programmes.
  • He/She ought to promote Enterprise Actions, strictly in compliance with the Code of Conduct of the Firm.

Based mostly on the extent of involvement within the above actions, Firm’s determination is ultimate in ascertaining whether or not an Affiliate is Energetic or not and shall be binding on the Affiliate.

Recognition Plan 1 Plan Ranks

  • Affiliate – join as a SmartValue affiliate
  • Tremendous Good – generate 8 steps yearly
  • Silver – generate 16 steps yearly
  • Gold – generare 32 steps yearly
  • Platinum – generate 64 steps yearly and have 3 Tremendous Good or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Pearl – generate 100 steps yearly and have 6 Tremendous Good or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Ruby – generate 160 steps yearly and have 6 Silver or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Sapphire – generate 260 steps yearly and have 9 Silver or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Emerald – generate 400 steps yearly and have 12 Silver or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Diamond – generate 650 steps yearly and have 12 Gold or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Crown – generate 1000 steps yearly and have 9 Platinum or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Prince – generate 1500 steps yearly and have 9 Pearl or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Imperial King – generate 2300 steps yearly and have 12 Pearl or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Ace Ambassador – generate 3000 steps yearly and have 12 Ruby or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Elite Ambassador – generate 4500 steps yearly and have 12 Sapphire or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Royal Ambassador – generate 7200 steps yearly and have 12 Emerald or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Kings Membership – generate 10,000 steps yearly and have 9 Diamond or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Emperors Membership – generate 14,000 steps yearly and have 12 Diamond or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Universe Membership – generate 20,000 steps yearly and have 12 Crown or greater ranked associates in your downline

“Steps” look like groupings of 450 miles on either side of a SmartValue affiliate’s binary group.

Recognition Plan 1 Rewards

  • qualify at Tremendous Good and obtain a pin and certificates
  • qualify at Silver by Platinum and obtain one other pin and certificates, in addition to a “momento”
  • qualify at Pearl and obtain one other pun and certificates, one other momento and tickets to a SmartValue seminar
  • qualify at Ruby and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and a “nationwide journey”
  • qualify at Sapphire and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and a 2 nights 3 days journey to Thailand
  • qualify at Emerald and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and one other 2 nights 3 days journey to Thailand
  • qualify at Diamond and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and an “unique location worldwide journey”
  • qualify at Crown to Imperial King and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and one other “unique location worldwide journey”
  • qualify at Ace and Elite Ambassador and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and an “unique location worldwide journey with partner”
  • qualify at Royal Ambassador to Universe Membership and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento and one other “unique location worldwide journey with household”

Recognition Plan 2 Ranks

  • Affiliate – join as a SmartValue affiliate
  • Tremendous Good Plus – generate 8 steps and 16 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Silver Plus – generate 16 steps and 36 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Gold Plus – generare 32 steps and 72 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Platinum Plus – generate 64 steps and 144 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 3 Tremendous Good or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Pearl Plus – generate 100 steps and 225 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 6 Tremendous Good or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Ruby Plus – generate 160 steps and 360 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 6 Silver or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Sapphire Plus – generate 260 steps and 585 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 9 Silver or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Emerald Plus – generate 400 steps and 900 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Silver or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Diamond Plus – generate 650 steps and 1463 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Gold or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Crown Plus – generate 1000 steps and 2250 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 9 Platinum or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Prince Plus – generate 1500 steps and 3375 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 9 Pearl or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Imperial King Plus – generate 2300 steps and 5175 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Pearl or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Ace Ambassador Plus – generate 3000 steps and 6750 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Ruby or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Elite Ambassador Plus – generate 4500 steps and 10,125 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Sapphire or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Royal Ambassador Plus – generate 7200 steps and 16,200 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Emerald or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Kings Membership Plus – generate 10,000 steps and 22,500 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 9 Diamond or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Emperors Membership Plus – generate 14,000 steps and 31,500 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Diamond or greater ranked associates in your downline
  • Universe Membership Plus – generate 20,000 steps and 45,000 Enterprise Factors yearly and have 12 Crown or greater ranked associates in your downline

Recognition Plan 2 Rewards

  • qualify at Tremendous Good and obtain a pin and certificates
  • qualify at Silver by Platinum and obtain one other pin and certificates, in addition to a “momento”
  • qualify at Pearl and obtain one other pun and certificates, one other momento and tickets to a SmartValue seminar
  • qualify at Ruby and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, a “nationwide journey” and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”
  • qualify at Sapphire and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, a 2 nights 3 days journey to Thailand and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”
  • qualify at Emerald and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, one other 2 nights 3 days journey to Thailand and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”
  • qualify at Diamond and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, an “unique location worldwide journey” and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”
  • qualify at Crown to Imperial King and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, one other “unique location worldwide journey” and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”
  • qualify at Ace and Elite Ambassador and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, an “unique location worldwide journey with partner” and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”
  • qualify at Royal Ambassador to Universe Membership and obtain one other pin and certificates, one other momento, one other “unique location worldwide journey with household” and “two days retail workshop at Delhi”

Recognition Plan 3 Ranks

  • Star Retailer – generate 50 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Tremendous Retailer – generate 100 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Famous person Retailer – generate 250 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Mega Retailer – generate 500 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Grasp Retailer – generate 1300 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Champion Retailer – generate 2600 Enterprise Factors yearly
  • Gem Retailer – generate 5200 Enterprise Factors yearly

Recognition Plan 3 Rewards

  • qualify at any Recognition Plan 3 rank and obtain a pin and certificates and “reward”

As to what “reward” is , no particular info is supplied for any of the Recognition Plan 3 ranks.

Becoming a member of SmartValue

SmartValue affiliate membership is free.

Be aware that although its free, SmartValue associates should renew their membership yearly.

SmartValue Conclusion

On its web site, SmartValue pitches itself as

One of many Main Direct Promoting Group in India promoting Well being & Wellness, Private & Magnificence Care, Dwelling Care, Way of life, Agriculture Merchandise and Instructional Books & DVDs.

It’s primarily an Amway clone particular to India. That in and of itself isn’t a foul factor, however there are some fairly extreme issues with SmartValue which are exhausting to disregard.

The product vary might be SmartValue’s strongest drawcard. There’s loads there.

What I can’t touch upon is competitiveness as I’m not accustomed to the Indian market.

SmartValue market Vitamin C at Rs. 299 for 60 tablets.

On Amazon India equivalents begin at Rs. 270 so, at the very least for vitamin C, SmartValue appears aggressive. Different issues not a lot.

SmartValue’s “Nourish Crunch Peanut Butter is Rs. 409 for a 340 g jar. Amazon has Kissan Crunchy Peanut Butter for Rs. 352 for 920 grams.

The commerce panorama at the moment, particularly ecommerce, is vastly completely different to what SmartValue launched into again in 2000. Whereas the corporate does promote a variety of merchandise, it won’t have saved up on the aggressive entrance.

SmartValue’s “academic books & DVDs” product area of interest raised some eyebrows. There’s nothing overtly branded just like the “take heed to cassettes” nonsense from many years in the past, however the listings are deliberately obscure.

“Good college students” sounds an terrible lot like a purchasable coaching assist. Be cautious of SmartValue’s academic books & DVDs being pushed too aggressively.

SmartValue’s customer support appears tremendous, with the corporate providing a forty five day refund coverage.

In case you or your buyer discover the bought merchandise or not totally to your / buyer satisfaction, you /buyer can alternate the merchandise inside 180 days from the date of buy of the merchandise otherwise you / buyer can declare refund of the Product price inside 45 days from the date of buy by returning the merchandise bought in saleable situation together with the unique bill.

Be aware that’s on paper. I don’t know whether or not SmartValue are tremendous about honoring their refund coverage in observe.

This leads us into SmartValue’s compensation plan, which is an unequivocal nightmare. Half horrible presentation on their web site (that’s the official documentation I labored off), and half being difficult for the sake of being difficult.

As a litmus check I’d ask any SmartValue affiliate who might need approached you to clarify the compensation plan, even simply the fundamentals.

In the event that they stumble, and I can all however assure they are going to, stroll away. It’s not price getting scooped up in a hoop-jumping contest that, even when you’ve pulled it aside, appears largely redundant throughout a number of points.

For starters, why on Earth are there three units of affiliate ranks and bonuses?! That is simply ridiculous and will simply be condensed.

Additionally why is a “two day workshop in Delhi” listed as a reward? Coaching your gross sales drive isn’t a reward, if something it must be necessary – or with respect to MLM, at the very least extremely inspired.

Then there’s the entire miles, steps, enterprise factors factor. Do away with all of it and run with Enterprise Quantity like everybody else. Name it one thing else if you wish to create the phantasm of uniqueness however three separate BV metrics is once more ridiculous.

What I’m not satisfied about and never keen to present SmartValue any good thing about the doubt over is retail gross sales.

We encourage you to purchase and use our merchandise. We’re so certain of the standard and value-for-money of those merchandise.

We encourage you to promote our merchandise when you your self are utterly happy with them.

What number of SmartValue associates in observe by no means make it to that second paragraph?

I feel a giant a part of the not so nice retail expertise on SmartValue’s web site, and complex to a fault compensation plan is, all associates want to know is, in the event that they join, purchase merchandise and recruit others who do the identical, they’ll receives a commission.

Once more, retail gross sales are totally attainable in SmartValue…

Merchandising Revenue means you should buy the merchandise from the corporate at an Affiliate Worth (AP) and promote at Most Retail Worth (M.R.P.) to the shoppers.

…however there’s loads to counsel they aren’t a spotlight.

Right here’s SmartValue’s definition of group gross sales, which is used to calculate residual commissions:

Based mostly on the amount of merchandise buy by you & your group of IBAs.

Miles are one other metric that play a giant position in SmartValue’s compensation plan.

Right here’s the corporate’s miles definition format:

Group Miles: Group Miles are the Miles gathered to you primarily based on first time merchandise buy by your group IBA.

100% of the Group Miles (upto first 100 miles)might be gathered to you to your Group Gross sales Incentive.

Group MyMiles: Group MyMiles are the Miles gathered to you primarily based on repeated buy (after first 100 miles) of merchandise by your group IBA.

100% of the Group MyMiles might be gathered to you to your Group Gross sales Incentive as Group MyMiles.

Private MyMiles: Private MyMiles are the Miles gathered to you primarily based on repeated buy of merchandise personally by you.

100% of Private MyMiles might be gathered to you to your Group Gross sales Incentive.

Group Gross sales Incentive: Based mostly on the amount of merchandise offered by your group of IBA’s, miles might be gathered in your IBA id.

Based mostly on the miles (Group Miles and Group MyMiles) gathered each week, Group Gross sales Incentive might be paid to you as per the eligibility standards and as per Group Gross sales Incentive Plan.

That’s an entire lot of “purchase merchandise and recruit others who do the identical”. “Group Gross sales Incentive” mentions “merchandise offered by your group of IBA’s, however to not who.

Just about the whole lot above that depends on affiliate purchases on the expense of retail gross sales.

One very last thing is SmartValue’s inherent means to “change the foundations” as they see match.

An Affiliate may be thought-about Energetic primarily based on the next standards:

  • He/She must be actively concerned in selling Merchandise & Companies of SVPSL.
  • His/Her membership must be in Energetic standing, whereas calculating the Recognition plan in that Monetary 12 months.
  • He/She ought to actively take part in Enterprise Promotional Actions like Plan Exhibits, Coaching Seminars, Merchandise Coaching & Firm run Programmes.
  • He/She ought to promote Enterprise Actions, strictly in compliance with the Code of Conduct of the Firm.
  • Based mostly on the extent of involvement within the above actions, Firm’s determination is ultimate in ascertaining whether or not an Affiliate is Energetic or not and shall be binding on the Affiliate.

SmartValue Restricted reserves the rights so as to add, modify, delete or in any other case change any of the foundations, phrases, situations, advantages, and rewards at its sole discretion, with or with out discover.

These are some fairly deliberately obscure discretionary standards. I’m not saying SmartValue are screwing associates out of commissions, it simply appears odd to incorporate all this with their compensation materials.

MLM corporations are free to and do change their compensation plan and qualification criteira every now and then. This comes off extra like, “we’ll pay you if we need to”.

All in all I’m not satisfied retail is a spotlight inside SmartValue. If the vast majority of company-wide income is coming from affiliate spend (no matter what they do or don’t do with merchandise after they’ve bought them), SmartValue is working as a product-based pyramid scheme.

No there are not any minimal buy necessities. No you don’t have to buy something to qualify for commissions. No you don’t receives a commission once you signal somebody up without cost.

Doesn’t matter. In observe if the vast majority of income generated by an MLM firm is coming from associates, it’s a defacto pyramid scheme.

Strategy with warning.