ScamTelegraph is investigating Gas & Cash, a multi-level marketing (MLM) company founded by Meredith Hawk, which promises members $50 gas cards and cash payouts. The venture, positioned as a solution to rising fuel costs, is reportedly a 2011 relaunch of a similar scheme first seen in 2005.
The premise for Gas & Cash leverages public concern over increasing fuel prices. The company offers its participants a $50 gas card as a reward, aiming to address the "gas" component of its name and marketing strategy.
Gas & Cash, structured as an MLM co-op, is led by Meredith Hawk. Records indicate that this is not the first iteration of the company. In 2005, Hawk launched a similar operation under the now-defunct domain 'gaswithcash.com'. At that time, prospective members were required to send $250 via mail to a entity identified as the 'A.L.F.E. Corporation'. In return, members received $50 gas cards and participation in the company's compensation plan. By 2007, the joining fee had been reduced to $25, and the company subsequently ceased operations. The 2011 relaunch seeks to revive this concept, now integrated with a membership site called 'Chamber of Commerce Benefits'.
Chamber of Commerce Benefits functions as a buying club, providing members with various vouchers designed to reduce shopping expenses. Membership to this club is offered in two tiers: Gold Membership at $29.95 per month, and Platinum Membership at $39.95 per month. The key distinction between these tiers is that Gold Membership does not include towing and auto services or 24-hour roadside assistance.
The Gas & Cash Co-op does not feature any tangible products for its members to sell or market directly. Instead, the core offering of Gas & Cash is a discounted membership to the third-party voucher buying club, Chamber of Commerce Benefits. A standard yearly Gold membership to Chamber of Commerce Benefits typically costs $359.40, while a Platinum membership is $479.40. Gas & Cash members are offered what appears to be the Platinum Chamber of Commerce Benefits membership for a yearly fee of $150.
The compensation plan for the Gas & Cash Co-op operates on a 2x2 matrix structure, which requires six individuals to fill, in addition to the member at the top, totaling seven positions. Under this system, each time a member successfully fills their matrix, they are awarded a $200 payout and subsequently cycled into a new matrix. Downline members are designed to follow their upline into new matrices upon completing their own, thereby contributing to the filling of their upline's matrix spots. Spillover from upline activity also trickles down to assist in filling the matrices of downline members.
What is Gas & Cash?
Gas & Cash is an MLM co-op company founded by Meredith Hawk that offers participants $50 gas cards and cash payouts, marketed as a solution to rising fuel prices.
Who founded Gas & Cash and what is its history?
Gas & Cash was founded by Meredith Hawk. It is a relaunch of a company that first appeared in 2005, initially requiring a $250 fee, which was later reduced to $25 before the company seemingly collapsed. The current iteration launched in 2011.
What "product" does Gas & Cash offer?
Gas & Cash does not offer tangible products for sale. Its primary offering is a discounted annual membership to a third-party voucher buying club called 'Chamber of Commerce Benefits'.
How does the Gas & Cash compensation plan operate?
The compensation plan uses a 2x2 matrix system. When a member fills their matrix with six other participants, they receive a $200 payout and are then cycled into a new matrix.