Sellers Playbook, Inc.
The FTC and Minnesota alleged that Sellers Playbook used unsupported earnings claims to sell an Amazon business opportunity costing up to more than $30,000. A court settlement banned business opportunities and coaching and required assets for redress.
Resolved. Refunded, settled, ceased operating, or the claim did not hold up. Kept for the record.
Identity
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- Registrations
- FTC and State of Minnesota v. Sellers Playbook, Inc., et al. (FTC File No. 182-3116, U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 2018)
- Locations
- Minnesota
- Jurisdictions
- United States (federal) · Minnesota
Court settlement ended the Amazon selling opportunity
The Federal Trade Commission and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office alleged that Sellers Playbook sold an expensive system by telling consumers they were likely to earn thousands of dollars each month selling products on Amazon. Marketing included claims of $20,000 a month and a potential net profit of $1,287,463.38. The complaint said few, if any, consumers achieved the advertised results and most lost money.
The system cost from $497 to more than $30,000. According to the agencies, the defendants took in more than $15 million from consumers between April 2017 and May 2018, and many consumers paid more than $32,000. The defendants included Sellers Playbook, Inc., Exposure Marketing Company, Jessie Conners Tieva, and Matthew R. Tieva.
A court-approved settlement banned the defendants from selling or assisting with business opportunities or business coaching programs. It also restricted unsupported earnings claims and suppression of consumer reviews. The order imposed a $20.8 million judgment, suspended when the defendants surrendered corporate accounts, company assets, receiver-held assets, and substantial assets owned by Matthew and Jessie Tieva. The releases do not give a dollar value for the surrendered assets.
In April 2020, the FTC announced 350 refund checks totaling more than $1 million, with an average payment of $2,954.
What is not established
The supplied releases report allegations and a settlement. They do not state that the defendants admitted the allegations or give an exact cash amount surrendered under the suspended judgment.
Sources
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- Enforcement action August 6, 2018
- Enforcement action December 3, 2018
- Enforcement action April 8, 2020
- Enforcement action April 8, 2020
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First recorded August 6, 2018 · Last updated April 8, 2020