Direct Advantage
STOP – They did not make it.
I received an SMS saying: “WARNING Direct Advantage card program is closed, stop depositing funds to account. Available funds on card can be used. Contact 086-111-3673 for queries
Direct Advantage did not make it
The ladies will love this. How would you like to earn an income by doing what you love most – SHOPPING?
With Direct Advantage you can now do exactly that.
Direct Advantage negotiated discount with some stores and chain groups. You get a credit credit card from them and all you have to do to make money is use your card and tell other about it. How difficult can that be?
You can see the list of current cash back partners at http://www.directadvantage.org .
You will earn an average discount of about 5% on all purchases from made from the cash back partners. You will not get the whole 5%. The 5% discount will be distributed among a network of business partners. If this does not make sense, have a look at the web site mentioned below:
When you join please use DAD4361 as reference.
To see how much you can potentially earn go to http://www.directadvantage.org/
All of us have to buy things every day!
All you have to do is use a different card to pay for your goodies and tell all of your friends.
If you want to potentially earn R50,000 per month for shopping, go to http://www.directadvantage.org/ today and get your Direct Advantage card.
When you join please use DAD4361 as reference.
Cost!
There is a card fee of R35 per month payable. Once they launched you will be requested to pay a R100 activation fee. This will include the first two months’ card fee. Your card will be sent to you by courier like with any other credit card.
These are the only fees. Thus it will only cost you R35 per month.
The Card
Although it is a credit card you will have to deposit money into your card’s account in order to be able to use it. You can make a deposit at any Nedbank or do an electronic transfer. Thus you will have a credit card which you use the same way as a debit card. This also makes it ideal for your online transactions.
Apparently all users will have the option to apply for credit later on. This will be a full credit application with the issuing bank. But for the launch and to get it up and running the cards will be used on a positive balance status.
Good day,
This is Sonja from Direct Advantage. We are currently experiencing technical problems with our phone lines and the website.
We are moving the website and we moved our office for the day due to a training exercise.
We at Direct Advantage are doing everything we can to get all up and running, thank you for your patience.
Pieter, thank you for your blog and the opportunity for everyone to speak their mind.
Regards,
Sonja
@Oupa
Following my comment I obtained another number. On calling the number I was advised that they are busy moving offices today and this could be the cause why the calls are not being taken.
I am now convinced that this was a big scam. The “Contact Us” on their website does not allow one to send any e-mail for enquiry! Also when you phone their number – 0861 53 55 37, the phone simply rings without any answer or calls simply get dropped!! I wonder if the bank account into which the R100′s are deposited is still open?!!!
Please advise who the confirmed partners are and what their cash back percentage is. I would really like to join but it seems as if this is not in progress yet. Are the cards available yet?
Hi
I would like to give you guys some feedback on Direct Advantage.
Remember previously I said that from 1 July the list of discount partners on the Direct web site will be updated on a daily basis. So keep an eye on the web site from 1 July.
I also received the following feedback from Direct Advantage. My FICA docs has been received and verified by DA, so I will get my card some time after 1 July. What about you?
Here is the feedback:
It is with great pleasure that DAD announce the arrival of our card. It is the Payport & Diamond MasterCard issued by Mercantile Bank. The Website and Marketing materials must still be approved by certain role players, but issuing of cards will start from the 1st of July. Please remember that no card will be issued unless your FICA documents have been received and the R100.00 paid into the FNB account. Use your DAD Number as reference when depositing into:
FNB Centurion
Branch Code: 261 550
Account Number: 62221441596
Thanks Sceptical.
Please define “Pyramid Scheme” for us?
This sound a lot like a pyramid scheme to me.
Now, these schemes have a way of coming to a sudden and abrupt end in this country.
Many reasons can be debated around why this happens, but the most likely is that we don’t have enough people to keep these schemes going.
Another issue is, where is all the big retailers that have signed up – if you go to the affiliates link there is nobody, there.
For me this already makes red lights go up, as big retailers have people qualified to look at these kind of things, and if they don’t get involved – why should I?
Just a few thoughts.
The good news is that Direct Advantage’s card has been approved by the banks and all contracts for the card have been signed. The ball will start rolling from now on.
The next step for all of us is to submit your FICA documents. Please send a copy of your ID and proof of address to Direct Advantage, PO Box 29459, Sunnyside, 0132. PLEASE remember to include your DAD number when sending your FICA docs.
No need to pay anything yet. Only once the cards are ready to be sent out will they request you to pay the activation fee for the card.
You will note that there are nothing listed under “cashback partners” yet. As I mentioned earlier they are signing new contracts with cash back partners. Some have already been finalized but they will only start updating the list from 1 July.
I will be meeting with the owner of Direct Advantage next week and will give you some more feedback by next week Friday.
I would like to give you some feedback on Direct Advantage so that you know why everything has been delayed:
Because of non-performance of some of the companies which Direct Advantage used to manage all the cash back partners they decided to do everything themselves. This means that they basically had to redo everything, new contracts with cash back partners, new contract with card providers, etc.
At the time when they discovered that certain partners dropped them it was sad news to us all. But if I look at what is to come I think it was a blessing in disguise. I am happy that their partners failed them before the business was in full swing. If I look at what is coming now I am absolutely sure that all of you will also be happy that their previous partners failed to deliver.
I am not allowed to disclose all of the information now BUT the good news is that from now on you will get a weekly updates on the progress they make. Updates will be via SMS and this blog.
You will receive the first SMS after 15h00 this afternoon and it will tell you about the new mobile payment option which will soon be an added option.
They are busy getting new cash back partners in place and their goal is to have 4,000 cash back partners in place over the next 8 weeks. These will not only be big names, they also want to get the small shop around the corner on line so you can get as much benefit as possible.
This time you will contact details of the responsible person at each cash back partner on the web site for those who would like to confirm the partners.
If you are already a member be patient, it will be all worth the wait.
If you are not a member yet, follow the instructions in the main post and join today so that you can reserve your spot and not loose out out a great opportunity.
so i see everybody is excited about DAD…. but when are we getting our cards already? some of us cant wait to start shopping and earning!!!! i just feel that the process is taking so long!!!
All being said, it is cleary, no doubt that this is a million $ idea, never been done before, first of its kind (with this I am welcoming all sort of excitement and negativity), but you know what I am convinced this is going to be even BIGGER that what you thought. I am very excited and previleged to be part of this phenomenon.
I praise the people behind this company, what a wonderful idea it is. All you and I need to do at this stage, grow your base, wait, as good things comes to those that wait.
Viva Direct Advantage Viva!
All being said, it is cleary, no doubt that this is a million $ idea, never been done before, first of its kind (with this I am welcoming all sort of excitement and negativity), but you know what I am convinced this is going to be even BIGGER that what you thought. I am very excited and previleged to be part of this phenomenon.
I praise the people behind this company, what a wonderful idea it is. All you and I need to do at this stage, grow your base, wait, as good things comes to those that wait.
Viva Direct Advantage Viva!
Me too I am so excited!
Hi all DAD to be members,
This is the best concept of the decade!!
However, you must note that the card you get is NOT
a credit card but a debit card and only funds deposited,
you budget to spend monthly at the Cashback Patners qualify!
NO CREDIT FACILITY IS AVAILABLE ON THIS CARD!!
Can’t wait for my own card.
Cheers everyone.
Not to worry I got this response from them:
Thank you for your concern.
CIMS are currently working on a few big partners, the negotiations is an ongoing process. We are always going to try and negotiate better percentages for our members. Direct Advantage aims to show the retailers that it is beneficial to them and our members to bring their group or shops on board as this can be to the benefit to both parties.
There will definitely be large group companies on board, at this stage we can not reveal any information on partners because of the sensitive stage of the negotiations.
The above mentioned negotiations is going very well, but because this and to comply with all the laws (because we are NOT and don’t want to be associated with a pyramid scheme) are a time consuming matter, there for we cannot give a time frame for the official launch.
We are trying our best to speed things up, but want to be thorough.
Thank you for being patient with us. It is also always better to sort out the teething problems at start, than a year or two down the line.
Regards,
Direct Advantage
@Melissa
Hi Pieter
I was wondering if you would be able to answer any of my questions that I posted to Cindy? Or perhaps you would be able to get into contact with someone on the inside to answer some of our questions.
Kind regards,
Melissa
P.s My yahoo email account seems to be playing up. Please rather email me on my gmail account: melissa85sa@gmail.com if you have any information.
@Cindy-Anne Scott
Dear Cindy
I’m sorry to hear about eVoucha. It seems so unprofessional from their part.
I have a few questions – I hope you will be able to clarify.
1. Who will be negotiating with partner stores in the near future?
2. Can we be assured that these partners will not withdraw from the programme? (I understand that there is always a small risk but perhaps there is something binding in the contract)
3. Is it possible that we can expect to see partnerships with companies such as Pick n Pay, Game? (Large companies)
4. Is there some sort of time frame that we can expect to see an official launch? (e.g. 2 months, 1 year or more before things are back on track per se)
I hope to hear from you soon, all the best,
Melissa
DAD 10451
There is no question that Direct Advantage has developed a ground breaking programme for their members.
Direct Advantage has partnered with Cims SA and established a stable association based on integrity and undeniable business ethics. The original service provider, eVoucha, procured for the provision of Retail Partners initially confirmed formal approval with Cims for the Direct Advantage Programme, however withdrew from the programme on the 6th May 2009.
It must be stated that contrary to the eVoucha comment made on the 4th May, as posted by Gerry, no “misrepresentation” was made by Cims, Direct Advantage or any other associated partner(s).
This is unfortunate, however Direct Advantage is in the process of securing their own replacement offering for the Cash Back Programme.
In the meantime, Direct Advantage will continue to drive the process of making available to their members, benefits of significant value offered by Best Practice Partners, which include:
• 24Seven Card Protection;
• 24Seven SIM Card Protection;
• Legal Assistance Helpline;
• Financial Services Helpline;
• Comprehensive concierge & SMART Buy Service.
We understand that concerns were raised regarding whether or not the Direct Advantage Programme is a “scam”. We categorically deny such statements made, and remind all concerned that Direct Advantage Members to date, are not being charged for the Programme. Having said this, members are not out of pocket or exposed to any financial loss. Direct Advantage will only charge the bank fee once all benefits have been confirmed and implemented.
Thank you to all our members who continue to share our inspirational vision. We are confident that the proposed Direct Advantage Programme will be executed in line with our vision and that you will be among the first of many who will benefit greatly from our Programme.
Cindy-Anne Scott
Cims South Africa
I received a call from the owner of DAD this evening. I have really begun to see the bigger picture as they say. First of all I would like to commend the people involved on what they are trying to put into place. People are quick to question (which is fair and important – and I do include myself in this generalization), but how many people have taken it upon themselves to try and change the world?
I feel that all my concerns have been laid to rest and that people can rest easy in knowing that things are still being put into place. Things are being done legally.
People need to understand that the program is still in pre-launch phase. Things have been delayed – but that’s business. You can’t tell me that traditional businesses do not experience any problems in the interim phases.
For those of you who are interested, HANG tight. I really do believe this is going to be an amazing oppertunity.
For those who are already networking – please be sure to warn people that the business is still in pre-launch phase, as people are very unforgiving when it comes to networking.
Kind regards,
Melissa
DAD 10451
Thankyou Pieter
It looks as though what the general public needs is hard evidence that this is not a scam. People don’t like to feel conned. I also have issues with integrity. I really need to know that I am telling the truth and not promoting something false.
Not only does something like this turning sour damage credibility for the people involved and other networking businesses, it also has the potential to harm personal relationships. I’m really looking forward to hearing from you.
I hope this all works out for the best as it could potentially be groundbreaking in South Africa and its Networkers. It would be sad to see the Network dissolve.
Below please see my email if you get your hands on any documentation of interest. I would love to have a high res copy of anything that can be used to back these claims up.
melissa85sa@yahoo.com
DAD 10451
Hi Guys. You will have to wait till Tuesday. Cindy are preparing a full press release on the issue. She also has a meeting with DA on Monday and I will have all the details by Tuesday. So please be PATIENT till Tuesday.
Gerry, I agree one have to do your homework first. I have also burned my fingers in the past.
Melissa. I tried to get hold of Cindy from Cims yesterday but they were in meetings all day. I will contact her again today. As far as I understand Cims is the main guys who put all the transactions and contracts in place.
I had more or less the same situation a while ago with my Vodacom Credit Card. With the card you can redeem your points and get discount at Game. The first time I went to Game I told the lady at the till I want to use my points and she just stared at me with that distant look. I then went to the customer care department and told them the same thing. Again they did not know that something like that exist. Now Vodacom and Game are not skelms or fakes, but still the people at Game had NO idea about the deal Vodacom had with their credit card users.
As soon as I get hold of Cindy I will publish the result.
@admin
Hi there
Is there any way we can get some kind of confirmation from these stores and the Cims Service Provider that this is all legit? If we are not speaking to the correct people then who should we be speaking to?
Who withing Woolworths would for instance be aware of this affiliation?
Hope you can help as the questions I’ve posed directly to Direct Advantage on their website were not answered.
Pieter,Rather than being “aggressive” I would prefer to say “diligent”.If I am invest my effort,time and money in a business I would like to know that the organization is legit and therefore I do the relevant research.
As regards asking the right questions to the wrong people I originally posed the questions to DIRECTADVANTAGE who informed me that all the retailers in the cashback programme were already signed up.In their posting #29 on this blog they also inform us that eVoucha is the Cims provider.if the Ceo, Coo, and financial director of this company are not the people to ask then I know nothing.
Just to let you know I started in MLM over 25 yrs. ago overseas and know the importance of doing one’s homework.
I have not given up on this one yet as the programme itself has great merit but the initial offering leaves a lot to be desired.
Update:
The web site will hopefully be back online tomorrow.
Some of you might have noticed that the phones are not working. Apparently somebody drove over the Telkom box in Waterkloof this morning. You can phone Telkom to confirm. Or try phoning VRS Vacation Services, they are in the same building and their number is 012-425-1000
PLEASE NOTE: I do not work for Direct Advantage. I am just trying to keep every body updated so that you can rest assured that everything is still on track.
Hi Guys
I am trying to get behind all of this. It seems like a lot of people asked the right question to the wrong people and that is why they could not get the answers they wanted. I think those people did more harm than good.
As Lizl pointed out they are using Cims to do the whole deal. I am waiting for the lady from Cims to call me back and answer my questions and I will post the result here.
Another point of confusion is that Direct Advantage is now only in a “pre-launch” state. So in a pre-launch you can expect some delays and problems. The aim of the pre-launch is exactly to try and sort out problems before they open the gates for the full launch.
Apparently the situation with the bank is very sensitive and DA is not even allowed to make public who the backing bank will be and what type of card they will use until everything has been signed off.
Those who think this is a scam, ask yourself why will it be a scam if you have not paid anything yet and stop asking the right questions to the wrong people.
Please be patient and within a week or two you will be rewarded for your patience.
Gerry you seems quite aggressive about the whole thing.
I think we will have to wait and see what reply we receive and not draw conclusions before you have all the right information.
Unfortunately for DA it is bad publication. BUT that is what happens if you launch something before everything is in place, people start to make their own conclusions and over react.
Hi everyone,
Due to the response from LIZL at “Directadvantage” I emailed the principle people at “eVoucha” and this is the reply I got from Vince Horovitz CEO of eVoucha:
Thank you for your mail. We are not involved with nor do we support their program.
We have addressed this misrepresentation & association with CIMS & their other partners.
Draw your own conclusions!!
@LIZL FROM DIRECT ADVANTAGE
Dear Lizl
Is there anyway we can stop people panicking. Its quite alarming to get emails back from claimed affiliates stating that they are not affiliated with us. It’s bad for business. And there are a lot of scams out there. People are afriad enough as is.
Is there no way that there can be better communication between Cims Service Providers, the affiliates and their departments?
Also is there another way that we can get confirmation that these stores are all involved?
Kind regards,
Melissa
HI MEMBERS THEIR HAS BEEN QUESTIONS RAISED ABOUT THE CASHBACK PARTNERS I HOPE THIS WILL GIVE A BIT CLARITY ON YOUR QUESTIONS.
• All Retail Partner Relationships are managed and maintained by an outsourced Cims Service Provider;
• The Cims Service Provider signs agreements with the Retail Partner Head Office as a global contract;
• Therefore, should members enquire within Retail Stores OR contact the Head Office – the chances are good that the person the member is speaking to does not know about Direct Advantage but the correct contact person at the Retail Partner Head Office will know about the Cims Service Provider (being eVoucha).
It is also important to note that we have informed all Cims Service Providers that the Direct Advantage Programme has been delayed – and will inform these Service Providers as soon as we have a confirmed new launch date for the Programme.
WE ARE WAITING FOR THE BANK TO RELEASE THE CARD AND WE ASK ALL MEMBERS TO BE PATIENT WITH US.
THANK YOU
LIZL
Hi Pieter,
I just received this reply from Woolworths this morning;Dear Gerry,
Your enquiry below refers.
After making the necessary enquiries it has been found that Woolworths do not have any type of agreement with Direct Advantage.
Kind regards,
Gary Damon
E-mail Administrator – Customer Services
garydamon@woolworths.co.za
Tel: 086 002 2002
Hi Gerry
Please be sure to let us all know what is going on with the branches as soon as you know. We need to be sure that we are not being conned in any way.
There are some great totally legit affiliation companies (for information on a really great one send me an email and I will fill you in…melissa85sa@hotmail.com)out there and at the same time there is a lot of dodgy stuff happening on the net. So thank you for treating this with a level head and be sure to let us all know what is going on before we can continue promoting this site.
Kind regards,
Melissa
See comment #20
Hi Pieter,Thnx for your concern. Has anyone actually been issued with their cards yet and if so have they been given any assurance by Mastercard that the refunds will be applicable? I will try and contact Mastercard myself tomorrow by phone as they don’t seem to have enquiries contact details by email.If anyone can supply me with such details I would be grateful.
Gerry, thanx for reporting this, I will find out from head office on Monday. Perhaps I must see if I can get somebody from Direct Advantage to answer your questions on this blog.
Phillip, I doubt that it will be a scam. This business has been running for some time now and the banks will not approve their card, ect if something is not right. I will let you know as soon as I have an answer on this issue.
@Gerry
Hi there Pieter
could this be a scam or maybe the head office did not let all their branches know about direct advantage i also want to join, but would like to know more about this iseu on #22
Thank you
Hi there, When I emailed Makro this is the reply I received.I am waiting for replies from Woolworths and Pn’pDear Gerry,
Thanks for the enquiry.
Makro does not have any information or connection with direct advantage
and we have asked them to remove our name from their promotion emails
and Pamphlets.
Should you require any further assistance please feel free to contact
us, we will gladly assist.
Thanks & Regards,
Tshegofatso Matseane
Masstores PTY (Ltd) t/a Makro SA
National Contact Centre
E-mail:tshegofatso.matseane@makro.co.za
Tel: 0860 300 999
Fax: 0860 400 999
Has anybody else checked any other stores?
Hi Connie. The cards have not been sent out yet because the bank did not deliver them yet. Apparently the bank promised DA on 24/4 that it will be ready in 7 working days. We will have to be a bit more patient.
On the second issue. When I visit the web site it works well and I do not see a problem. Apparently some web browsers have problems with the site. So when you cannot access the site could you PLEASE send info@directadvantage.org and email and report it. Also tell them which Internet browser software you are using and tell them exactly what happens when “the site is not working”, like does it not open at all, is the pictures missing, does the form not work, or whatever is the problem. Only if you report it can they fix it.
by the way..the website is not working.
how long do cards take? becuase we have been waiting for ages and now we have stopped recuiting people becuase they are taking far too long.
Hi Zandile.
For support queries you should rather ask DirectAdvantage directly, they will be able to assist you better than I do. You can email them at info@directadvantage.org or call them on 0861-535537
It takes too long for members to show in my member level list, why is it so? Are the DAD numbers refering to the serial number of a new member, such that one is in a certain better position than other members, or it doesnt matter.
How can we alter some misspelled information on member forms.
The shops you negotiated with are only in South Africa. How are the other African countries going to access the services when they join. Are their shops going to be included as well. I mean shops that have franchises like PEP, Arckermens, Spar and others
OK, I see this morning the site was not working either, but it came back on a couple of minutes later. I called Frans (the owner) and he said that they are constantly working on the site. So if it is not working, just try again a couple of minutes later. He said they want everything ready and working 100% by the end of the month.
Strange, I just visted it again and I could open all the pages, even the registration page. I also opened it in both FirexFox and Internet Explorer. Perhaps it is a ISP issue.
i mean direct advantage website
thank you very much for your answer Pieter, i also cant access the direct advante website.
I was there just now and it seems to be working fine
Thanks for the answer.
http://www.directadvantage.org/
I have tried to access the website since yesterday and it does not want to display. Do you perhaps know if the site is off currently?
No, because you will not have a credit facility on the card. You will only be able to use it in a positive balance.
Will a credit check be done before they issue you with a card?
Theo, Direct Advantage het bevestig dat jy wel kontant by enige ATM sal kan trek. Die 2 maande onaktief beteken as daar vir 2 maande in ‘n ry nie fondse beskikbaar is vir die kaartfooi nie.
Punte 9 en 13 by die terme en voorwaardes gaan nie lekker byval vind by sommiges nie.Punt 9 kon eerder 3 maande gewees het,(ek verstaan die strategie daaragter) en punt 13 weet mens nie of jy geld daaruit kan trek of dat jy nou R50-000 se waarde moet koop by directadvantage kliente nie.Sou eerder harde kontant in my rekening inbetaal wou gehad het.Groete
Frans van Direct Advantage het my verseker hulle maak niks uit die kaartfooi nie. Ek dink hulle fooi is dalk hoog omdat hulle nog lae syfers het. As jy kyk na ander kaarte kos ‘n Vodacom kredietkaart jou R29 per maand en die ander hef ‘n jaarlikse fooi van omgeveer R200 per jaar. Dus is die kaartfooi niks ongewoon nie. Die enigste kredietkaart in ons land wat nie ‘n fooi hef nie is Richard Branson se Virgin Money kaart.
Die feit dat jy self ‘n positiewe balans moet hadnhaaf in jou rekening is vir sommige mense veiliger. Op daardie manier weet jy jy kan nie meer spandeer as wat jy ingesit het nie. Nie een van my ander kredietkaarte word van self vol nie, as ek hulle wil gebruik moet ek elke maand geld in hulle sit.
Pieter.
Weereens ‘n baie goeie idee van directadvantage.
Geen probleme met die betaal van kaart/aansluitings fooi nie maar
net jammer van die maandelikse R35,sonder enige ekstra voordele,
asook die inbetaling in kaart voordat jy kan gaan “shop” bg. tot nadeel
van directadvantage dink ek.
Hi Connie. You will not earn for paying your electricity unless of course your municipality decides to join Direct Advantage as partner.
At the moment you will only earn a cash back from the list at http://www.directadvantage.org/affiliates.html . Direct Advantage is however always busy adding new business partners. If you know a small business owner in your area you can help them to get listed as well as long as they can accept credit cards in their shops. I doubt that bigger companies like Mr Price and Lewis will listen to you and me so the best will be to request Direct Advantage to see if they can add them. They have more negotiating power.
So in short, all we can do is to send a request to Direct Advantage and see if they can add those companies.
How can we get other shops to join e.g Dischem i do a lot of shopping with them and webshop also Mr Price and lewis?? do you earn by paying your water and electricity bill. please find out for me.
[...] Direct Advantage negotiated discount with many of the big stores and chain groups. You get a MasterCard credit card from them and all you have to do to make money is use your card and tell other about it. How difficult can that be? You can see the list of current partners at http://www.directadvantage.org/affiliates.html . Note that the big names like Pick & Pay, Ackermans, Game, Makro, etc are already there. This means that if your downline buys their groceries at Pick & Pay every month you will earn! [...]