- Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing is a multi-level marketing business opportunity. According to the Direct Selling Association, multi-level marketing is defined as "A compensation system within direct selling, where a distributor/salesperson can earn money not only on their own personal sales, and not only on the sales of a person personally recruited by them, but also on sales of persons recruited by their personal recruits."
- Paul Orberson founded Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing in 2001 in Lexington, Kentucky. Before starting FHTM, Orberson was the top recruiter/salesperson for the now defunct multi-level marketing company Excel Telecommunications. He retired from Excel prior to the company filing bankruptcy in 2004.
- Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing representatives sell products and services as affiliates for other companies. The products and services are legitimate, although they are frequently available for a lower price through traditional retail establishments. The range of products varies from subscriptions to Dish Network to alarm systems to health and beauty products. Orberson owns one company that is represented by Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, True Essentials Nutritional Products Inc.
- The initial fee to become a Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing representative is $299. However, potential recruits are encouraged to purchase the $698 package that allows them to participate as both a manager and a training coach. The initiation fees cover training materials and support. There are additional fees for "add-on" products such as websites. You are also required to purchase three of the products or services FHTM represents.
- Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing has approximately 45,000 representatives working in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
- According to the Better Business Bureau of Central and Eastern Kentucky, as of August 2009, Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing Inc. holds a rating of a "C+" because of customer complaints. Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing is not a BBB accredited company.
- While it is possible to build a successful business with multi-level marketing, it is not something that can be done overnight, nor is it easy. As with any potential business opportunity, thorough investigation of a multi-level marketing company prior to financial investment will substantially decrease the likelihood of your falling victim to a fraud.
