My reputation comes first

A few weeks ago, I had joined a program that doesn't cost much per month. In fact, it costs very little, although they ask for 6 months payment in advance to discourage non serious people.

I wasn't successful with it. I got one referral. But it's not the reason I just quit.

In the first place, I hesitated in joining it. It wasn't clear what the product was. They mention a list builder.  They mean by that you can send emails to your downline, cause the program has an autoresponder.

Well, I am a member of Aweber. I had the thought that, yes, Aweber has a referral system, so what made it different from that other program ? Then it dawned on me. The people to whom I send emails are on my list for the APSense Insider, which has nothing to do with Aweber. It just happens that I chose Aweber. These people are not members of Aweber, or they could be, but I never promoted it, so they are not in my downline, as I don't have one at Aweber.

There was a heated discussion about whether or not the program is a scam, a pyramid, a ponzi scheme, or something along those lines. Some members defended the program. What increased my doubts was when 2 of them said that, even if the program is not quite legitimate, what they do with it is, i.e. they send good information to their downlines, they even send them links to free products, so they do offer something.

Call me stupid, but to me, that argument sounds like: "Hey, yeah, I work for Al Capone, I hire killers, but I don't kill myself, I just offer bullets to the killers I hired."

Another thing that convinced me to leave the program was when I talked to one of my mentors. He said he was on the fence about the program. He hadn't joined it. Then, someone who is successful with the program also said to me that he's on the fence.

Making money is one thing. Getting involved in something where doubts creep about its legitimacy is not something I'm confortable with. I prefer that my reputation be as someone that can be trusted to promote  legitimate programs. Building a business is a long term thing, I prefer to do it and sleep better at night, without any nagging doubts.

I hope the people who are in it have much success. If they do, and it keeps on going for years and years,good for them. Me, I won't regret my decision.