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What warning signs show up when offers promise daily sales or set payouts?

Research question: What warning signs show up in offers that promise a fixed number of daily sales or a set dollar payout per sale?

The records show that the FTC alleged Publishing.com made false or unsubstantiated earnings claims about their self-publishing programs ¹. The proposed consent order permanently restrains these respondents from making earnings claims unless they are non-misleading and supported by a reasonable basis ². Additionally, the complaint alleged that the respondents misrepresented their refund policy as a simple money-back guarantee for 12 months ⁴. The Federal Trade Commission also found Amway guilty of making exaggerated income claims and prohibited it from misrepresenting the profit, earnings, or sales distributors are likely to achieve ⁶.

Checked 2026-10-15. Only documented and supported facts are used.

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[1] documented

The FTC alleged that Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen, and Rasmus Mikkelsen violated the FTC Act by making false or unsubstantiated earnings claims about their self-publishing programs.

"The complaint alleges that Respondents violated section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45, by making false or unsubstantiated earnings claims about their self-publishing programs."

Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen, and Rasmus Mikkelsen; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment (Federal Trade Commission, 2026-04-16)

[2] documented

The proposed consent order permanently restrains the respondents from making earnings claims unless they are non-misleading and supported by a reasonable basis.

"Provision I of the proposed Order permanently restrains and enjoins Respondents from making earnings claims or assisting others in making earnings claims unless those claims are non-misleading and Respondents have a reasonable basis for them."

Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen, and Rasmus Mikkelsen; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment (Federal Trade Commission, 2026-04-16)

[3] documented

The respondents are required to pay $1.5 million in monetary relief as part of the settlement.

"Provision VI requires Respondents to pay $1.5 million in monetary relief"

Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen, and Rasmus Mikkelsen; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment (Federal Trade Commission, 2026-04-16)

[4] documented

The complaint alleged that the respondents misrepresented their refund policy as a simple money-back guarantee for 12 months.

"The complaint further alleges that Respondents violated section 5 of the FTC Act by misrepresenting its refund policy as a simple money-back guarantee fo...r 12 months."

Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen, and Rasmus Mikkelsen; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment (Federal Trade Commission, 2026-04-16)

[5] documented

The respondents falsely represented that consumer reviews and testimonials were from actual, genuine, and impartial purchasers.

"Finally, the complaint alleges that Respondents falsely represented that consumer reviews and testimonials for their programs represented the actual, genuine experiences and opinions of ordinary and impartial purchasers."

Publishing.com, LLC, Christian Mikkelsen, and Rasmus Mikkelsen; Analysis of Proposed Consent Order To Aid Public Comment (Federal Trade Commission, 2026-04-16)

[6] supported

The Federal Trade Commission found Amway guilty of making exaggerated income claims and prohibited it from misrepresenting the profit, earnings, or sales distributors are likely to achieve.

"The FTC did, however, find Amway "guilty of price-fixing and making exaggerated income claims"; [ 112 ] the company was ordered to stop retail price fixing and allocating customers among distributors and was prohibited from misrepresenting the amount of profit, earnings or sales its distributors are likely to achieve with the business."

Amway

[7] supported

Amway was ordered to accompany any statements about distributor earnings with actual averages, noting that more than half of distributors do not make any money and the average distributor makes less than $100 per month.

"Amway was ordered to accompany any such statements with the actual averages per distributor, pointing out that more than half of the distributors do not make any money, with the average distributor making less than $100 per month."

Amway

[8] supported

Amway violated the FTC order regarding income claims with a 1986 ad campaign, resulting in a $100,000 fine.

"The order was violated with a 1986 ad campaign, resulting in a $100,000 fine. [ 113 ] [ 114 ]"

Amway

[9] supported

Studies by independent consumer watchdog agencies indicate that between 990 and 999 out of 1000 participants in multi-level marketing do not make money.

"Studies of independent consumer watchdog agencies have shown that between 990 and 999 of 1000 participants in M"

Amway

[10] supported

Sociologist David G. Bromley describes Amway as a "quasi-religious corporation" and notes that its affiliates' devotion is used to conceal poor performance rates by distributors.

"Sociologist David G. Bromley calls Amway a "quasi-religious corporation" having sectarian characteristics. [ 96 ] [ 97 ] Bromley and Anson Shupe view Amway as preaching the gospel of prosperity . [ 98 ] ... and has said that the quasi-religious devotion of its affiliates is used by the company to conceal poor performance rates by distributors. [ 108 ]"

Amway