20/09/09. Interview with the admin of FlipReturn

FLIPRETURN IS CLOSED NOW! PLEASE READ THE UPDATE ON THE SITE!

Hi guys! Today I have an interview for you and I really don’t mind telling you that it’s one of my favorite interviews ever. Which of course is not to be taken as a reflection on the program, but then again the program’s not bad either. The admin I’m speaking with today is Gertruida Andersen and her program is the increasingly popular FlipReturn.

So what’s so good about it? Well I simply have to say how refreshing it is to finally get to interview an admin who happily admits to being a regular HYIP player, just as I am, with a good number of years experience behind her. How we have chosen to put our collective experience to practical use is widely different, me with MNO and her with her own HYIP, but it’s interesting for me to see the opinions of another successful online investor.

I don’t think it’s necessary to go back over the nature of FlipReturn‘s business here. It’s been covered at length elsewhere on my blog, not least in my original review of the program, published here, but it’s also discussed in the interview itself. So before we here from Gertruida let me just remind you that FlipReturn is a long term investment project that offers you a choice of either daily or weekly payment options that can pay as much as 1.2% per day or even 20% in a week.

“1. Hi, please introduce yourself to the readers of money-news-online and tell us a bit more about your personal involvement in FlipReturn. What previous experience do you have in either handling investors money or in running an online HYIP?

Hello Paul, hello readers of MNO, thank you for giving me this opportunity. My name is Gertruida Andersen, I am running FlipReturn and see myself as an HYIP junkie. I read every blog, I study every program, and I invest money in the programs I like. So after doing this for 8 years, seeing the downfall of e-gold, e-bullion and the changes in this industry, I decided to launch my own program, backed by other HYIPs. How crazy this might sound is not the point, it works, and my track record shows FlipReturn is longer lasting than most programs. Best part is I love my site, and I love the communication with my readers (newsletter) and making them some money.

2. Can you tell us a bit about the history of FlipReturn? How long have you been in operation? If there is anyone else involved, e.g an assistant or a business partner, can you tell us about them? What was your initial motivation behind establishing your own program?

I have some people who help me with picking some of the programs, I see them as advisers, friends, and flip family members. But I am running FlipReturn alone and I find it always better to do things like this alone. There is no partner who wants some extra cash to take out of the system because it’s Christmas, and he has to buy some ring for his girl. No, it is just me and I love to pay my members. I am the only one taking some money out of the system, but I always keep enough inside to make sure FlipReturn can pay and have enough to reinvest in other programs. I can assure you I have a healthy way to run FlipReturn, as I have a little knowledge in doing so. I predicted some downfalls after all just a week ago. FlipReturn is online since April 2009, and just getting started.

3. Can you now explain to the readers in detail about the various investment plans on offer from FlipReturn? What are the returns offered, how long are the investment terms, etc? What payment processors do you currently deal with?

FlipReturn offers our classic plan – daily 0.8% to 1.2% for 300 days and a weekly plan – 10% – 20% per week (depending on your investment value). We accept AlertPay, SolidTrustpay, StrictPay, LibertyReserve, PerfectMoney and Bank Deposits. So most methods that the industry usually accepts. All accounts are fully verified.

4. Joining FlipReturn is a little different from joining most HYIPs though isn’t it? At least in terms of how you run your business and tell your members what you are really doing with their money. Can you explain as you would to a complete novice how the whole process works? From the moment I make the decision to invest with FlipReturn to the moment my investment expires, please tell me what exactly I need to do and how the process then continues behind the scenes.

FlipReturn is based on a simple concept. As you said it in your blog a few times, I use “piggybacking”. That means the moment you invest money I add it to the other money invested by other members. I invest this money in other HYIPS, mostly in long running, lower ROI ones, with some funds in higher risk investments. The risky level is around 10%-12% of the complete amount in the pool, 70% goes to safer investment options and the rest, I put to a security account to make sure we always have some money in the system. Once the money is returned from the HYIPS it also goes into the security pool. From there I pay the members, and reinvest again. Usually I use also 2%-5% for advertising like banners or monitoring payments. At the end of each month I take out between 2%-5% for myself from the pool money. Since I am running the program, I see it as my own salary.

5. What about the security of the FlipReturn website? What steps have you taken to protect both yourselves and members from things like malicious hackers? Are you on a dedicated server and how protected are you from DdoS attacks? Who is your hosting provider and how highly would you rate them as a service provider?

I put all the security features in the hands of HushHosting. They have a great support, they installed my script, also installed the design (I believe Doris did it) but I was getting a package from hush to supply everything. I trust them completely, and I don’t remember one single problem so far. So the rating for my host? 10 out of 10 I would say.

6. What strategy have you been using to promote FlipReturn to date? How big a role have existing members played in this promotion? Are you satisfied with the level of growth so far? Do you think it could be improved upon or would you say it is at a manageable and sustainable level?

I am happy how it’s been working out since I began changing the design and writing the news. Before I was feeling a little sad, since I believe FlipReturn would have deserved some more attention than it got. However since a few weeks ago I can say we are moving towards the level I would call really hot. I can say there are few programs receiving this level of trust from their members and I return that trust with quick and honest payments back to them.

7. What kind of customer service and support do you offer to investors? What are the most effective ways of getting in contact with you is I have questions or problems?

Email is the quickest way. I am getting them on my cellphone so even if I am not at my desk, I can handle requests quite quickly. I don’t have too many problems to handle with my script, host, and investment portfolio all working working just fine. No one has any serious problems but if there is then I handle it as quick as I can.

8. There has been a number of changes in FlipReturn since you first launched hasn’t there? Can you tell us a bit about how the program has evolved up until now? What has changed about the program since it was first reviewed on MNO?

Oh yes, I changed the design, the banners, I introduced the weekly news, but the basic principle is just the same as it was a few months back. FlipReturn is paying daily, lime clockwork and runs like a great program should.

9. What further plans for the future of FlipReturn do you have? You have been online for six months, so where do you realistically see the program standing in another six months?

In six months I can only see FlipReturn celebrating its one year anniversary, and I plan to have it around for many more anniversaries to come after that. FlipReturn will be growing permanently and I feel there will be copy cats, but still we have an open, original investment opportunity so I feel safe and proud to invest your and your reader’s money.

10. It seems that barely a week can go by without some high profile program collapsing (or scamming). What is your opinion of the online HYIP industry in general? And how do you manage to separate FlipReturn from some of the more dishonest elements in this business but at the same time continue to deal with them and profit from them?

The problem with most HYIPS is that they are pretending to invest money, mostly in ForEx or Stocks, but that no one is actually doing it. I chose to piggyback on programs that keep real money flowing. That is why I can say that I am sure FlipReturn will survive most if not all of them. There are of course some good programs out there, but most are really just games. I recommend everyone to treat them as games, but also to invest in many programs, not in just one, and you will be safe. Read MNO, join FlipReturn and read my advice, as a team we will tell you how to survive in this industry and come out as winner.

11. OK, so what if I’m still skeptical? There are a lot of programs running now that promise me a fast buck. If you were to tell me just one thing to convince me once and for all of the merits of investing with you above all others, what would it be?

What do you want an admin say? Everyone will tell you they are making real investments and they are a real program. The difference between them and FlipReturn is that I might not invest, or rather pretend to invest, in ForEx, but I am piggybacking in this industry, and if a program would really invest or at least piggyback then they would be able to pay. Because after all when you run a program, and you want to run it for a long time, you need to invest, or the investments from some high investors can kill a program. I might only be piggybacking, but at least I do something with the money, and that makes a big difference in this industry.

12. I have to say at this point how refreshing it is to finally interview someone who will at least admit to being a regular HYIP player. So maybe you won’t mind a few questions about the online investment industry? First of all tell us a bit more about the current portfolio where you are investing your members money. Who are the current top performers?

The Top performers are GeniusFunds, PanaMoney and GoldNuggetInvest. Call me paranoid, and throw stones at me, but the last one GNI is a gamble at this point. I feel the end is coming here. And I predict it within 30-60 days but I hope I am wrong. And I know I will get many bad emails about this prediction, but I proved in the last few weeks that I have an eye for this. And as much I love GNI I feel there is an end and it’s not too far. SazaInvestments is also a program what could be very hot soon. There are many, follow my newsletter, and you will know what I am thinking. Again, GNI is great, and it is just my opinion, so no one feels bad about this prediction, it’s just what I feel at this point. Maybe in a few weeks I will write a long newsletter saying they are the best and will always be, but this week I have a strange feeling about them.

13. It seems 99% of programs online offer page after page of nonsense about ForEx trading, hedge funds, stock market deals and so on with almost no evidence to prove any of it. What is your own opinion of all that? Few will ever admit to the practice known as “piggybacking”. What kind of reaction have you got from investors about that?

If they would piggyback then they would at least invest. Most of them do just play a ponzi, paying the old investors with new invested funds. Once that’s gone they just close the site. And they are taking much to much out of their programs. If you spot this person early enough you can make a profit. I believe I have an eye for this, so if your readers don’t feel like investing with me, they can still read my newsletters. It is free, and I like to spread my the message around out there.

14. I can’t help but notice your portfolio is similar to my own. What criteria do you use when deciding to join or reject a new program and how do you research them?

I read blogs, I study sites, and I only invest when I feel they can go a long way. Remember the InvesTomato guy? He was here so many times. I admit it took balls to be that honest and say it’s him again, and I understand why you were not understanding of the members who did destroy this program from day one, but this is a gambler’s industry, and I play it safe. I said that your portfolio is one of the best, if not the best in this industry, and I read your blog daily. I love the way you inform your members. And I feel safe in following you with “most” of your successions. Your Top 5 list is identical with my list, (even if I did make the GNI prediction, which I hope is wrong).

15. Withdrawing from a particular program at the right time is a good skill in this business. How do you spot the danger signs? When or how do you decide to pull out of one and reinvest in another?

This is the key. If you invest in a program and get to attached to it you might miss the exit point, and as I said in my last 3 newsletters this is the real key to surviving in this industry. Look how an admin reacts, how he cares, how he pays (fast, regularly) and you will see red flags. If you see them, look in forums, not the monitoring posts, not the cheerleaders, but the real investors. You will learn quick when its time to say goodbye.

16. What examples would you offer of programs, one current and one from the past, that in your opinion are/were the online HYIPs in terms of profit, organization, customer support, dependability, etc?

GeniusFunds, PanaMoney and GoldNuggetInvest (even if there are red flags at the moment).

17. How long have you been an HYIP player and how would you rate time working at this? Could you share some of your own experiences, good and bad, over the years?

The worst experience I had to face was the closure of e-bullion. I had some nice money in there. The rest is as it was, yes STP has been getting a big share, and I must admit they are doing a great job. In the old days (lest say 2001-2004 there were low ROI programs that were considered as risky when they paid more than 2% a day, if they paid 5% a day they were considered as pure games and surely scams. When I read the posts in forums these days and I see 5% programs described as a reasonable plan little can be true. Let me tell you one thing, no business can make 5% a day! In ForEx you might make this on same days, but show me the trader who makes this daily. There isn’t one! So the industry has changed in terms of ROI, but they are still the same old games. Play them right and you can get richer than ever before.

18. And finally, what would you say to newbies coming into this business? How would you rate someone’s chances of earning more than they lose? What tips would you offer to help them achieve this?

Don’t invest in just one program, try to spread your money between 8-10 at least. Read MNO and maybe my newsletter. Read other blogs and compare them. Some get paid to write good reviews. Read the forums and make your own due diligence. If you see red flags then stay away. If it sounds too good to be true, then stay away. And always look how an admin responds to you. If he won’t answer your questions, or won’t tell you how he makes money, stay away. If he told you how he makes money, Google after it. If the way he says is not in Google, then most likely it’s a lie. And again check MNO daily for more information!”

Some controversial opinions on offer there I think you’ll agree and ones that are sure to stir up a hornet’s nest of debate. I would just like to make it clear that I do not necessarily share Gertruida’s opinions on everything, least of all her assertion that GNI is on the brink of collapse (I’d like more evidence than just intuition), but her opinions are as valid as anybody else’s and no less deserving of a public platform for debate.

But anyway the most important thing here is FlipReturn itself and it’s so far almost flawless record of safe, dependable, and regular payments to it’s members. So I hope you all enjoyed that interview as much as I did and found something of interest in there. If this interview and FlipReturn‘s overall performance goes some way towards removing the stigma so often attached to the widespread, but almost always denied, practice of piggybacking then Gertruida’a prediction about a spate of copycat sites springing up like mushrooms way well be true. But this is the original and the best.

That’s about it for the moment guys. As this is quite a lengthy interview I’ll allow it to “stand alone” and be back later with the usual news round-up.