EDHUK - 04 June 2006 07:44 AM

As you know, many people out there continue to put high grade fuel into cars that only need the regular 87 grade to run perfectly. They happily spend that extra 20 cents a gallon year after year, even when the vehicle handbook plainly states 87. “It cleans my engine” etc.

Much like all these mythical mpg enhancers, the myth of extra performance from the “better” grade of fuel continues to this day.

Cheers,

Dave

I know!  My daughter’s fiance is a PhD candidate in Microbiology, and he insists on high octane fuel in his car, even after I explained that he is buying a feature in the gasoline that is worthless in his car (namely preventing premature ignition due to high-compression).

And all those things like ‘Techroline’ and stuff, it is like one quart of additive per 50,000 gallon gasoline truck, and is nothing but a silly promotion.

Oh, well!  I fell for Shaklee Vitamins a long time ago, then Herbalife, so I guess I am just as dumb, just in a different vein.

Dan the Health-Nut Believer

Dan Jr. wrote:  “Ever heard the urban myth that Union Oil (or Standard, or BP) bought the patent rights to a carburetor that would have given automobiles 80 mpg?  For one, patents do not work that way; if a patent holder withholds a product from the marketplace, anyone else can move in and market it, perfectly legally.“

That’s not exactly correct.  In the U.S., you can buy up a patent and keep other people from using it, if that’s what you really want to do (although there may have been a significant shift in that position with the U.S. Supreme Court case of Ebay v. MercExchange last month - we’ll have to see how lower courts apply that ruling).  BUT once a patent expires (in 20 years after filing), it’s fair game for everybody to use.  So any patent that issued more than about 18 years ago is now public record and is within what we call the public domain.  Nobody can keep anybody from using it.  In any event, the urban myth referred to above is exactly that.

http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/mlm_gasoline.html

EPA Certified Emission and Mileage Testing Station Test.

In the above website we are reminded that this test is ESSENTIAL for any bona fide company to function. The test is about $15,000 and takes one to two days!

Uncle Jack’s pick up with two tanks of gas just doesn’t cut it.

So, all you MLM fuel additive companies, let’s take a look at yours.

Dave

CyndiWilliams - 24 May 2006 08:54 AM

Ok everyone!  I had to get in on this conversation….

I have been doing some research on Ethos, in fact I have joined, myself.  Based on the research that I have done, the product and company (Ethos Environmental) are legitimate and effective.  Here is my dilemma….I do have a concern about the track record of the Marketing team.  From what I have learned, Ethos Environmental is a separate entity from 4ECorp which is run by Shane McGuire and Dan Atkinson.

So, could it be that Enrique is legitimate, and has hooked up with these guys to market his product full-force?  There is substantial evidence and endorsements to make a believer out of me in the product.  Ethos Environmental is currently in a merger process with another company (Victor Industries).

So what do we really make of all of this?  Is it possible that Shane and Dan are trying to legitimately do something right this time, or should we assume that they are scam-ming on Ethos Environmental?  I’ve read all the articles, I’ve listened to the conference calls, I’ve watched the explosion…It’s really hard to believe this is nothing more than a scam….And the first article I have read was dated 2001….that’s 5 years ago.  If the product was bogus, wouldn’t it have been shut down by now? 

Listen, I don’t proclaim to know the answers….But I do want to know the truth.

Here’s one of the articles from april of last year.

http://www.sandiegomag.com/issues/april05/business0405.asp

I would value your personal experiences with these guys or their companies…..and/or Ethos

http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/news.html?d=97749

Could this be the same Victor industries investigated by the SEC for securities fraud when they hyped their new merger with another company to artificially inflate their stock price?

http://www.sec.gov/litigation/complaints/complr17383.htm

Oh Look… it is http://www.victorindustries.com/InvRelation.html

Ok, so if I’ve got this straight…4-E is a Multi-Level Marketing (read pyramid) arm for Ethos Environmental/Victor Industries (read securities fraud) which is run by 2 guys that have to their professional credit no less than 3 defunct MLM ventures shut down by the FTC as scams…  http://www.hawaiionline.biz/ethosfz.htm

You’re right Penny, I’ve never used the products and who am I to say everything isn’t on the up and up.  Better yet maybe all the negative press is part of a larger conspiracy by the petro-chemical industry to keep “green” technology out of the marketplace.

GAS-SAVING DEVICES MOSTLY A SCAM
“Experts say they all have one thing in common.  They don’t work.“
Story at http://www.bankrate.com/brink/news/auto/fuel-efficient/20060613a1.asp

The reports of EPA tests of over 100 claimed MPG-enhancing or emissions-reducing products are posted on the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/reports.htm

Most of the tested products appear to be gizmos (magnets, air/fuel vortex devices, etc.). 
Ethos Fuel Reformulator is not one of the tested products.

Dear Cyndi,

I came across your posting on “Museum of Hoaxes” and just had to send you a quick note to say thank you for being someone who sticks up for what they believe in.

I still get a check from the one and only network marketing company I have been in for 17 years – even though for most of those years I have not worked—the one and only BEFORE 4E/EThos FR that is.  There were those who told me that network marketing company was a “hoax” and that it would never fly. 

Within 10 years time that company hit 1 billion in annual sales and there were many who had made over 10 million dollars and within the next few years there were many who had made over 20 million dollars… today that company does business in over 35 countries and I know many people who have since said “If only I had kept an open mind”.

In between that company was examined, scrutinized and even penalized by the FTC and other government agencies - but each time that company tightened up the vocabulary - and coached us as distributors to be even more professional in our approach.  Government scrutiny is almost to be expected when it comes to Network Marketing companies. 

During that exact time they became members of the DSA (Direct Sellers Association).

That network marketing company is now traded on the NYSE.  (New York Stock Exchange.)

As someone with a track record in network marketing I’ve been approached with every company under the sun – I’ve never been interested in any other network marketing company until 4E - For Earth - Ethos Environmental.

I instantly recognized that the product was tried and proven.  Otherwise why would a publicly traded company, the second largest waste management in the U.S. go on the record and state that they saved 34 million dollars in fuel costs over a 6 year period?  And why would the City of San Diego award that publicly traded company an Earth Day Award for reducing emissions? 

I also recognized that the product Ethos FR appeals to the masses because it saves people money on something they have to use.  Most network marketing companies try to get people to spend more money than they are already spending or to change brands on something they are already using.  4E - For Earth helps people to save money on something they have to buy - fuel - in other words it costs people not to use Ethos FR. 

In a very short period of time I have hundreds of satisfied distributors and customers and several large commercial accounts who have done their own due diligence (testing) and who now know that Ethos FR works.

What other product do you know that addresses TWO huge and growing trends; the rising price of fuel and the ever increasing concern for the environment?  Busy, successful business people know the value of being positioned in front of huge and growing trends and as a result busy successful business people are jumping in and taking action. 

Those who are open-minded enough to try the product for themselves will be rewarded with fuel savings, reduced wear and tear and better performance. 

Those who recognize that the formulation and concentration stages – AKA the pioneering stages of a network marketing business – before a company hits critical mass – 50 million in annual sales – and before the next phase referred to in business school as “momentum”—is a VERY desirable time to be involved - with sleeves rolled up and hard at work - after all this industry is not called Net Play marketing—will also be very well rewarded. 

It was the early innovators in that other company who made the massive, crazy, ridiculous, obscene amounts of income because they were positioned and in motion before that company went from small to big – they were responsible for driving that company from small to big, so they were richly rewarded.  Their friends and colleagues who didn’t recognize the trends and who were not open minded were left saying “if only…”

Congratulations on recognizing that the trends and timing are perfect and for jumping in and taking action.

Best regards,

Anson MacLauchlan
Cell: 1 805 701 2487
http://www.yourfutureisgreen.biz

Best way to save gas?  walk…  No additives needed.

“...Congratulations on recognizing that the trends and timing are perfect and for jumping in and taking action.“

Best regards,

Anson MacLauchlan
Cell: 1 805 701 2487
http://www.yourfutureisgreen.biz

Anson and Marie - You are actually a day late and a dollar short. Cyndi Williams QUIT this scam about a year ago… finally seeing that this whole thing was not what it was cracked up to be. In short, Enrique DeVilmorin is less ethical than the folks over at Enron.   

Here it is in a nutshell—and ALL of these claims were either during official company calls or on print on 4-E’s website—all of which we have copies:

1. Enrique said he was a Harvard PhD, Nobel nominated scientist. FALSE

2. Enrique said that he was selling $180 million of product annually. FALSE

3. Enrique said the use of Ethos in Singapore reduced emissions by 16% and in Beijing by 10% so far. FALSE

4. Enrique said he signed the Kyoto agreement. FALSE

5. Enrique said he received a major environmental award from the Chinese Government . FALSE

6. Enrique said the event was covered by ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and FOX. FALSE

7. Enrique said the Discovery Channel was producing a documentary about Ethos. FALSE

8. Enrique said all Indy500 cars would use EthosFR in the 2007 race. FALSE

9. Ethos Environmental lost $6.7 million in the first half of 2007. TRUE

10. A 2004 court order allows Enrique to sell EthosFR with limitations due to the fact that the basic formula belongs to Omstar. TRUE

11. Enrique has NEVER done any valid scientific testing of EthosFR. TRUE

12. The claim of saving 7% to 19% is based on old Omstar tests and NOT on EthosFR TRUE

13. EEI’s accountants resigned TRUE

14. Three of the four 4E Original Founders quit due to Enrique’s repeated lies TRUE

15. Enrique said the US Army is using EthosFR in Iraq FALSE

16. Enrique has been sued many times by former business partners TRUE

17. Enrique promised to show 4E Leaders proof he was selling over $100 million a year to China. Instead he presented falsified documents and there was no proof because his actual financials were revealed later in November 2006 which proved his $100 million sales claim to be a LIE. TRUE

Now, if you choose to do business with Ethos based on these facts - then you are free to do so. However, it is important that those who are looking at Ethos for the first time should have all the facts presented to them. (main part of post compliments of siweloel).

There is so much more to this story. The depths that these people have gone to in order to deceive the public is totally outrageous. Anyone wanting the full story should go to money maker group, look under MLM and find the 4-E/Ethos thread and start reading.

Lastly, I want to clarify that I am NOT involved with any fuel additive company, so I am not “bashing” the competition. That is one of those claims that always seems to surface and I just wanted to “nip it in the bud” before it was thrown out there.

For Earth - 30 July 2007 11:54 AM

I instantly recognized that the product was tried and proven.  Otherwise why would a publicly traded company, the second largest waste management in the U.S. go on the record and state that they saved 34 million dollars in fuel costs over a 6 year period?  And why would the City of San Diego award that publicly traded company an Earth Day Award for reducing emissions? 

 

Wow. You INSTANTLY recognized that the product was tried AND proven? (you must be VERY good indeed [rolling eyes]!) You also ask “Why would a publicly traded company go on record and state that they saved 34 million dollars…“?

Let me start with the company making the statement. The PERSON making the statement is Jerry Schnitzius… a MAJOR STOCKHOLDER of EEI. It is really quite simple… you, as the GM of Allied Waste, ensure the product is put in your vehicles. You, as a MAJOR STOCKHOLDER, reap dividends from the sale of product. What is so hard to understand about that? It is called “conflict of interest”. If you weren’t blinded by the lies these people have fed you, I’m sure you would be able to see that.

HOW can you “instantly” recognize that the product is tried and proven if there has NEVER been any type of controlled test? Simply read the first couple of pages of this thread, and that should be enough to answer any questions you might have about being able to “instantly recognize” that such a product is “tried and proven”. You, sir, are embarrassingly naive about the product you are selling and have been completely and totally bamboozled by these very slimy con-artists. Please note I did not say you were naive about SELLING the product. All salespeople only repeat the mantra they’ve been taught… most do not know any better. You are not the first to be deceived, however, and probably won’t be the last.

WWSN - 02 June 2006 05:03 PM

Shane Maguire was the top guy in a MLM called “FuelZone.com” that began as a GasUpUSA.com clone, offering rebates to members based on promotional loss leader third party coupon programs. After GasUp was busted, they began looking for actual products to sell and eventually came up with the “FuelZone Fuel Reformulator” which they sold to members for $19.95. Here’s a photo of that product next to an ad:

(Pic no longer on WWSN website)

What’s that on the right? Why, it’s “Ethos Fuel Reformulator” available to members for $19.75. And who’s the top guy in this NEW ten year old company based out of Roseville, CA? Why, it’s our friend Shane Macguire, who lives in Stillwater, MN. But maybe the bottles and the names just look similar and we’re really talking about two very different products…

FuelZone FR Product Description ($19.95)

With Fuel Re-formulator you can Save fuel! Save Oil! Save on Wear and Tear to your engine! Make it run smoother, cleaner and with more power with our custom ester blend that is completely non-toxic.

Ethos FR Product Description ($19.75)

With Ethos Fuel Re-formulator you will Save fuel! Save Oil! Save on Wear and Tear to your engine! Make it run smoother, cleaner and with more power with our custom ester blend that is completely non-toxic.

Hmmmmm…...

If I didn’t know better, I’d think someone was trying to fool me twice.

Don’t be fooled twice, folks.

Back in the heady days of June 2nd 2006 Bob Burtis was giving us an insight into the wonderful world of fuel reformulator magic.

Has anything really changed?

Dave

So, given that the Bioperformance gas pill is history, we have companies like Ethos pushing their brand of magic.

“What appears to be totally lacking, so far as I can see, is any “proper” scientific testing.

As with all such products, it seems astonishing that the makers are not willing to spend a tiny fraction of the potential profits on establishing incontrovertible proof of effectiveness.

Especially after what happened recently to BioPerformance, you would think companies such as Ethos would be desperate to have such robust scientific data to avoid legal challenges.“

http://www.fuelsaving.info/ethos.htm

Tony, an engineer from the UK makes a very obvious point.

Why wouldn’t Ethos independently test the product?

Draw your own conclusions!

http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/mlm_gasoline.html

Rod Cook isn’t too impressed either.

“TWO STEP EPA TESTING IS REQUIRED BY THE FTC TO MAKE GASOLINE MILEAGE CLAIMS:

  A. The EPA has a list of over 40 testing stations to perform preliminary testing to get into the big time Test.  They are located all over the U.S.  I speak of one below.  They cost about $20,000 to run the preliminary test.

  B.  If a gasoline additive passes one of the tests above it can go to the EPA testing laboratory itself in Ann Arbor Michigan. The cost = $27,000.  The results of this test can be used in any advertising.

  C.  Your question should be with these companies rolling in $ millions, why can’t they spare a lousy $47,000 to make sure that your company doesn’t get shut down?“

Most importantly, concerning the EPA, Rod points out:

“Registration involves providing a chemical description of the additive. 

In certain cases health-effects testing is required. 

There are over 5,600 registered additives. 

Registration does not involve verification of performance claims made for an additive. 

You should ask the manufacturer for the data that support any claims of improved fuel economy…“

http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/mlm_gasoline.html