This is really long. If you read it and still have a question, please let me know -- I will do what I can to find an answer and get back to you!
What is The Green Polka Dot Box?
The way I like to describe The Green Polka Dot Box is that they are like Costco + Your Favorite Health Food Store + Amazon!
The Green Polka Dot Box is membership based, like Costco, and prices are reduced up to 50%.
Everyone who shops at Costco pays a membership fee for the privilege of shopping there. There are different levels of membership at Costco, just like at GPDB. With Costco's higher level membership, you get 2% back on your own purchases. GPDB currently has three levels of membership:
Club Member - For now, Club membership is FREE. GPDB is still in pre-launch, and they are offering FREE one-year Club memberships right now. This promotion was supposed to end a few days ago, but if you click on that link right now, you may be able to sneak in and get a free membership. All you have to do is click on "Watch the Webinar and Get a FREE One-Year Membership". The webinar will give you details about how GPDB works, particularly about how their Rewards Membership and Founding Trust Memberships work.
If you don't get in before the Free membership drive closes, you will pay $50 per year for a Club membership. Club members receive unlimited shopping privileges and access to the LEARN section of the website, coming in 2012. Club members do not receive rewards on the purchases of members they refer to GPDB. This is like your basic Costco membership. I've learned that just based on my purchases of spinach and spring mix (I'm a green smoothie girl!) at Costco, I save more than my membership fee each year. GPDB will be the same for my organic non-perishables. GPBD also plans to add perishable foods, including non-GMO-fed/grass-fed/pastured meat, dairy, and produce, soon. They are starting with non-perishable packaged items though.
Reward Member - A Reward Membership is $125 per year, or $75 this year if you get the free membership and then upgrade to a Reward Membership. Reward members receive the same benefits as Club members, plus they can receive up to 5% discounts on everything they buy, and up to 10% PolkaDotRewards on the purchases of members they refer, based on the number of members you refer to GPDB. You only have to refer 20 members to get the top percentages. PolkaDot Rewards are points you receive based on the value of products purchased by those you refer to GPDB. You can use your points to shop at GPDB, or if you accumulate a lot, you can receive them paid to you in cash. One point is worth $1 US.
Founding Trust Member - The Founding Trust Membership offers so many benefits - it would probably be quicker and easier if you watch the webinar. It explains everything in detail. Briefly though, as a Founding Trust member, you get the following benefits:
- You will immediately receive 2500 Reward points you can use to shop at GPDB.
- Your annual membership fee is waived.
- You receive a lifetime 10% discount on all your purchases.
- You receive 5 FREE Reward Memberships each year to give to your friends.
- If you choose not to spend your 2500 Reward points quickly, you can earn up to 2000 MORE Reward points over 18 months.
- You earn a 2% perpetual reward on the cash value of all the memberships of everyone you refer, everyone they refer, and everyone they refer, forever.
Just like Costco, you will receive big savings from GPDB because of their bulk buying power. However, there is one important difference -- GPDB buys in bulk, you do not have to! You can buy one can of this, and one package of that -- regular sized cans and packages! You can save up to 50% at GPDB. Just take a look around the site and compare prices of the things you buy most often. If you don't find what you're looking for, remember that GPDB is adding organic, non-GMO products all the time.
GPDB is like your favorite health food store.
Just like your favorite health food store, Green Polka Dot Box focuses on clean, organic foods. GPDB has promised to never offer products containing genetically modified organisms (GMO). The more we learn about how devastating GMO foods can be to our health and small farmers' livelihoods, the more important this will become. There are more details on GPDB's 'About' page.
The Green Polka Dot Box is like Amazon.
GPDB is all online! You shop online from the convenience of your home. It's as easy as shopping on Amazon. If you buy $150 worth of products at a time shipping is FREE. Wow. The cost of shipping could easily eat up your savings, but with free shipping, you can't lose. If you purchase less than $150 at a time, shipping is still very low.
Who is Behind The Green Polka Dot Box?
I was introduced to Rod Smith, CEO and Founder of The Green Polka Dot Box, in 2009. Since that time, Rod has worked tirelessly to bring GPDB to fruition. I have personally spoken with Rod on the phone and corresponded with him through email. He has always been willing to talk to me and answer my questions. And you know what, I'm not that important to him as far as a financial benefit or bringer of business to GPDB. I've believed that GPBD was a wonderful thing, and wanted to use it myself, but I haven't worked very hard to refer other members. Rod has never seen a dime from me. Regardless, he has talked with me and answered emails quickly whenever I've had a question. GPDB is a HUGE undertaking and Rod has a HUGE vision. Despite challenge after challenge, Rod has persisted in bringing GPDB to the world. If you want to talk to him yourself, give it a try. I'm not going to give out his phone number, but it's worth a try to ask him to contact you. I'm sure either Rod or someone else working directly with him will give you a response.
Rod is an entrepreneur. He was the founder and former CEO and Chairman at InContact. That company is still around today. If you're looking for fancy credentials, Rod can't help you there. He'll tell you that straight up -- look at his LinkedIn page. What he does have is determination, vision, and drive. Just like some of those other "dropouts" we read about -- Steve Jobs and Bill Gates come to mind!
Is Green Polka Dot Box Going to Launch Soon?
If you've been around for a while, you know that GPDB has overcome several heavy challenges. As GPBD was on the verge of launch, and the economy tanked, virtually "guaranteed" funding fell through at the last minute. This happened to businesses all over the country. Most of those other businesses gave up. Rod has persisted through all these challenges, and moves ever closer to launch. He came up with the idea of the Founding Trust Membership to raise capitol, rather than referring on big banks and other sources of funding. As of right now, Rod still plans to launch the buying website on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. But Rod's also committed to getting things right. If the company needs some more time, I'm OK with that. It may be frustrating, and it might worry you a little. But I've seen Rod persist and push since 2009, and he was persisting and pushing even before that. I don't think he's going to give up any time soon.
How Long Has Green Polka Dot Box Been Around?
A lot of people have contacted me asking if I've been pleased with GPBD's service. As I've noted above, GPBD has not officially launched yet. I've been aware of GPDB for 2-1/2 years. Rod was working on it before that. I haven't bought a thing from GPDB yet - no one has - but I have been pleased with their high quality, quick, and personal service in resolving questions and membership issues.
Is Green Polka Dot Box a Scam?
I've emailed Rod Smith, founder of GPDB. I've talked to him on the phone. I talked to him on the phone today, actually. I told him I've received questions from people, wondering when he's going to launch. He invited me to the warehouse here in Utah, offering to give me a tour, so that I can personally see all the products they have in stock, ready to ship. So no, I don't believe Green Polka Dot Box is a scam. I'm a consumer, just like you. I have a Rewards membership, and I've referred a few people to GPBD. I have talked to Rod, but I don't have any special insider knowledge. But from what I see, no, GPDB isn't a scam. Is it fail-proof? No, of course not - no business is. Other than Founding Trust members, GPDB hasn't taken a dime from anyone yet. There is no risk to starting with a Club Membership or Rewards Membership -- GPBD doesn't even ask for your financial information when you sign up. Get your free Club membership today!
