ASEA Scam: MLM or Pyramid Scheme? [Review]

If you’re on the hunt for some extra cash, chances are you’ve heard of ASEA – the MLM company that sells salt water supplements. Maybe a friend or family member has approached you with the opportunity to work from home as one of their independent distributors.

As an online entrepreneur, I have reviewed many similar online opportunities over the years. So I can tell you what you need to know.

As a disclaimer, I want to make it clear that I am not affiliated with ASEA in any way. I’m not getting paid to write this review, so you can trust that I’ll give you an honest and unbiased take on the company.

At the end of the day, the decision to join ASEA is up to you. But before you do, it’s important to consider all of your options. I’ll also share with you the alternative program that I’ve personally found success with – enabling me to make a full-time passive income online.

What Is ASEA?

Established in 2009, ASEA is a company that produces distinctive products in an FDA-registered and NSF-certified facility.

ASEA supplements were the first product line, and the name was derived from the word “sea.” The prefix “A” is rooted in the Latin word for “from.” Essentially, Asea means “from the sea.” But, don’t worry, it’s not entirely made up of salt water, despite what some people might think.

ASEA’s new brand name is Asea Redox Supplement. Products that are “Redox certified” by ASEA are certified to have a stable composition of Redox Signaling Molecules over time. By conventional definition, Asea Redox Supplement is a nutritional supplement. However, what sets it apart is that it’s not based on anything else.

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ASEA’s Two Product Lines: Redox Supplement and Renu 28

If you’re looking for a multi-level marketing company that doesn’t overwhelm you with an excessive range of products, ASEA might be the perfect fit for you. With only two main product lines sold by its 30,000 vendors, ASEA keeps things simple and ensures that you have first-hand experience with everything you sell.

The ASEA Redox Supplement and Renu 28 are the two products in question. The Redox Supplement costs $35 per bottle and is what ASEA claims to be a miracle: a mixture of salt water with some added nutrients. According to ASEA, the advantages of this supplement include cell protection, increased cell rejuvenation, improved athletic performance, and enhanced cellular communication.

On the other hand, the Renu 28 skincare product line costs around $50 and has several benefits, including reducing wrinkles around the eyes, enhancing the texture of facial skin, smoothing the skin, improving skin elasticity, and providing moisture.

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Is ASEA An MLM?

Yes, ASEA is an MLM company. If you join ASEA’s MLM program, you won’t receive a regular salary. Instead, you’ll become an independent distributor of their products and run your own business. But here’s the catch – it’s unlikely that you’ll make a significant income just by selling their products.

Like most MLM programs, your success depends on recruiting new members to work under you. You’ll earn a commission on the sales and new recruits generated by the people you hire once they start producing results. It’s a complex business model, hence the term “multi-level.”

Think of it as a triangle, where everyone in the triangle is in your direct downline. If the person at the top recruits ten people, and each of these ten recruits ten more, you’ll earn commissions from everyone in the triangle. If you bring in just 10 people, you’ll make $1100.

Most people in your MLM would rather earn a lifetime passive income from recruiting others than a one-time commission from selling products, even if your MLM offers a wide range of products. However, it’s worth noting that those at the top of the triangle have the most financial success, while those at the base have the least.

To be successful in an MLM like ASEA, it’s crucial to have a large number of people in your downline. So, if you’re thinking about joining ASEA’s MLM program, keep in mind that your success will depend on your ability to recruit new members and build a strong team.

You may also want to read our article on the top MLM companies.

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Is ASEA A Pyramid Scheme?

No, it’s not a pyramid scheme. ASEA is a legit MLM (multi-level marketing) company that offers its members the opportunity to make money by selling their products. Unlike pyramid schemes, ASEA doesn’t rely solely on recruitment for members to earn money.

So, what’s the difference between MLMs like ASEA and pyramid schemes? Pyramid schemes lure people in by promising them money or services if they recruit others, and this is unsustainable and often a scam. People at the bottom of the pyramid lose money while those at the top benefit the most.

To join a pyramid scheme, you have to pay a membership fee to the company running it. In return, the company will give you a portion of the funds raised from each additional member you recruit. ASEA, on the other hand, doesn’t pay its distributors to recruit new members. There are no direct financial incentives for recruiting others.

Pyramid schemes make money only for the company’s directors, those at the top of the pyramid. They receive a portion of the payments from every newly recruited member. These companies often sell no valuable goods or services, and their only source of revenue is from recruiting new members and soliciting more money from current members.

Pyramid schemes are unsustainable because they have to grow infinitely to make money for everyone who participates. This is impossible due to the finite population of the planet. Once there are no new recruits or other sources of income, the scheme fails. Since most members are at the lowest level of the pyramid, they end up losing their money.

A real-life example of a pyramid scheme is Vemma, a company that produces energy and weight loss drinks. The FTC accused Vemma of operating a pyramid scheme in August 2015 that paid more to recruit new members than to sell products. Vemma required new members, typically college students and young people, to pay $600 for starter packages and hundreds more for monthly products. According to the FTC, most participants lost money.

You may read our article on the difference between MLM and pyramid schemes here.

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Is ASEA A Scam?

No, ASEA is not a scam. It’s a legitimate MLM company. According to the Oxford Living Dictionary, a scam is defined as a “dishonest scheme; a fraud,” and ASEA does not fall into this category.

Now, let’s talk about the earning potential with ASEA. While it’s true that the majority of ASEA reps did not earn any money, some people have been able to make a decent income from it. However, making money with ASEA requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and the main way to earn big bucks is through aggressive recruiting.

It’s worth noting that ASEA has been known to make disingenuous and irresponsible marketing claims to recruit members, which can make some people consider it a scam.

Learn more:

• Make Money Online Scams: How to Avoid Them?

How Do You Make Money With ASEA?

ASEA is an MLM company that offers two ways to make money.

The first way is by selling ASEA’s products directly to others. When you make a sale, you earn a commission on the purchase.

The second way to earn money is through building a team of recruits and downlines. When they make sales, you receive residual income as long as you meet certain criteria. Additionally, you can earn bonuses and incentives when you reach specific goals set by the company.

So, whether you prefer to sell products directly or recruit others to do so, ASEA can offer you a chance to earn some extra income. Just remember that success in MLM requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow.

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How Much Does It Cost To Join ASEA?

If you’re interested in becoming a member of ASEA, you’ll need to purchase one of their four packages to get started. All packages include ASEA Redox, the company’s signature product.

The cheapest package, ASEA Advancing Life, costs $120 and comes with one case of ASEA Redox. The more expensive packages, Basic Plus, Builder, and Express Builder, offer better value but come at a higher cost. For instance, the Express Builder package includes 8 bottles of ASEA Redox and costs $770.

After purchasing a package, you’ll need to complete a training program. ASEA offers four different courses, including Envision, Base Camp, ASEA Ascent, and Diamond Summit. These seminars focus on leadership training, team management, and business strategy development.

In addition to the package and training costs, you’ll also need to make a monthly payment for automatic delivery. To participate in the compensation plan and maintain active membership, you’ll need to pay for at least one case of ASEA Redox (100 pv) each month, which costs $120.

If you’re interested in earning additional perks and bonuses, you’ll need to pay for 200 pv or more each month. Keep in mind that the annual cost of maintaining an active membership is $1,440.

ASEA Compensation Plan

If you’re considering becoming a part of ASEA’s multi-level marketing business, it’s important to understand their compensation plan. Like many MLMs, ASEA uses a binary structure with a left and right leg, which is pretty standard.

Here’s a breakdown of the compensation structure:

• Retail Commissions: You can charge customers between $25 to $30 per bottle, and the bottle’s price range is from $40 to $50 to maximize your profits.
• Preferred Customer Bonus: If your Preferred Customers sign up for autoship, you’ll earn $25.
• Fast Start Bonus: You’ll receive this bonus if you sponsor new recruits during enrolment.
• Recruitment Commissions: When a new downline member buys a product package, you’ll earn $20.
• Affiliate Autoship Commissions (AAA): Members get paid whenever a recruit signs up for an autoship plan.
• Check Match Bonus: With this bonus, you earn a percentage of the commissions your referrals make.
• Team Commissions: Once a member has built 300 PV in both legs of their organization, they can earn 10% of the volume from the leg with the lower PV.

Knowing the ins and outs of ASEA’s compensation plan is crucial to help you succeed as a member. So, take some time to understand how each component works and what you need to do to maximize your earnings.

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Pros and Cons of Joining ASEA MLM

If you’re considering joining ASEA MLM, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it’s the right fit for you. Here’s what you should know:

Pros:

• Some users have given positive reviews of ASEA products.
• ASEA is a well-known brand, which may help with selling.
• The ASEA Redox Supplement has gained popularity among customers.

Cons:

• ASEA products can be pricey, which may be a turnoff for some potential customers.
• There’s no income disclosure, making it difficult to know what kind of money you can expect to make.
• ASEA uses the MLM business model, which has received some criticism in the past.

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Why I Don’t Recommend ASEA MLM Program

Very Few People Can Make Money With ASEA

Let’s face it – MLMs like ASEA are difficult to succeed in. According to statistics, the majority of MLM members lose money. This is because MLMs have sales quotas that require members to continually sell products to remain active and eligible for commissions. If they don’t meet the quota, they won’t get paid. Unfortunately, this means that many MLM members end up losing a significant amount of money before even recruiting one person into the company.

Losses From ASEA MLM Are Reframed As Investments

One tactic that ASEA MLM uplines use to keep their reps in the scheme is reframing their financial losses as ‘investments’ in their business. However, the reality is that these are not investments – you’re unlikely to get the money back, and the return on “investment” is usually negative. So, saying that it’s an investment is misleading and dishonest.

ASEA MLM is a Cult

Another issue with MLMs like ASEA is that they can have a cult-like company culture. MLM representatives are often discouraged from critical thinking and are chastised when they ask questions that deviate from the ‘this company is amazing’ mindset. MLMs also encourage reps to isolate themselves from anyone who questions their involvement, which can lead to devastating losses when former reps are rejected by people they once considered family.

You May Need to Purchase ASEA Products Yourself

Lastly, if you don’t have a large network of friends, family, and neighbors, you may end up having to purchase ASEA products yourself each month. This can quickly become a losing proposition and lead to significant financial losses over time.

Overpriced Products

One of the most significant drawbacks of ASEA is that their products are overpriced. You can find similar products from other brands at a much lower price. This makes it challenging to sell ASEA products and may lead people to focus more on recruiting than selling.

Bad Reputation

MLM companies like ASEA have a bad reputation for a reason. The commission structure is heavily skewed towards those at the top, leaving those at the bottom struggling to make a profit. This leads many people to view MLMs as illegitimate business opportunities.

Exaggerated Income Claims

ASEA makes exaggerated income claims, but the reality is that very few people make a good living by promoting their products. ASEA’s low retention rate and payouts to distributors show that over 99 percent of their distributors never make a profit.

Recruiting Required to Succeed

Lastly, recruiting is a major component of ASEA’s business model. Eight out of ten ways to earn money with ASEA require recruiting, which can be discouraging if you don’t enjoy that aspect of the business.

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Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a way to earn some extra cash, I don’t suggest joining the ASEA MLM program. It can be challenging to find recruiters to add to your ASEA commission in the beginning, and you may find yourself struggling to make progress.

One of the biggest downsides of ASEA is that you’ll likely end up asking your family and friends to join your ASEA business opportunity, which can be uncomfortable and not fun at all. On top of that, your upline may constantly encourage you to purchase Business Support Materials even when you’re struggling to build your downline.

To make matters worse, statistics confirm that most people who join an MLM lose money or only break even, according to a case study on the FTC’s website. This pressure to succeed can lead to people leaving these types of businesses.

If you’re looking for a way to earn money and have a flexible schedule, why not consider starting your own online business? You can choose what you want to promote instead of having someone tell you what you must promote.

In the next section, I’ll share with you how to build an online business in a legit way that has allowed me to make a full-time income in a year. Unlike MLM models, it’s 100% legit and sustainable. So let’s get started!

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Is There a Better Way to Make Money Online?

Looking for a better program than the ASEA MLM program to kickstart your online business? Look no further than Wealthy Affiliate!

You may read our article about the difference between MLM and affiliate marketing.

With Wealthy Affiliate, you get an all-in-one platform that can help you build your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers web hosting services, keyword research tools, community support, comprehensive training, writing tools, and other software to help you every step of the way.

The best part is, you can start with a free account and get access to all the essential tools you need to get started with affiliate marketing without paying anything. If you like what you see, you can upgrade to the premium membership to access everything on the platform without any upsells.

But how much can you really earn with Wealthy Affiliate? Well, one 21-year old student was able to earn $7,395 in just one week by applying what they learned in Wealthy Affiliate.

You can read our full review of Wealthy Affiliate here.

Wealthy Affiliate has been around for 15 years and has more than a million members, so you know it’s a popular platform with many success stories. Want to see more examples? Check out some of the inspiring success stories of Wealthy Affiliate members.

Joining Wealthy Affiliate is easy with its simple pricing scheme. You can sign up for a free starter membership without a credit card, and get access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, and the keyword tool. And as a starter member, you can enjoy all these values without paying a penny.

So what are you waiting for? Register for a free account with Wealthy Affiliate today and see for yourself how it can help you achieve your online business goals!

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