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>>THE MARIA DUVAL BUSINESS, PART 2 of 2 >> >>MARKETING METHODS >> >>The firms are eager after new customers. They put out >>announcements in papers and coupon leaflets, and >>offer a free lucky talisman or a cross of seven >>wishes, together with a free horoscope, in the name of >>Maria Duval. If someone replies, (s)he gets the free >>item, but is then bombarded with a slew of offers for >>services and goods from Maria Duval and later from >>other sources too. Thus the curious usually have their >>first contact with this business when the free >>talisman is send them. This is a sound marketing >>practice. The advantages are many: >> >>One gets a good database of names and addresses of >>liable and impulsive people who have interest in >>astrology, magic, etc. A gift puts a potential >>customer in a happy mood. The actual offer for sale of >>horoscopes etc can be targeted to potential customers >>only. The offer can be very persuasive and one can use >>suggestions and other powerful but questionable >>selling methods, like used in Maria Duval letters >>indeed. Undesired publicity of the offer and marketing >>methods can mainly be avoided, for example from the >>side of pro consumer agencies. >> >>The advertisements sometimes contain a short >>questionary. The customer has to mark some questions >>with yes/no, write a wish for her/his greatest hope >>and another one for the removal of her/his greatest >>burden. I think that the firms use the questions in >>order to find the most lucrative setup of marketing >>letters. >> >>There is a www.mariaduval.com website, passive in >>nature, that gives some background information on >>Maria Duval in several languages. The claims there are >>still claims and not independently verified proof, >>journal clippings possibly excluded. Another form of >>customer service are contact phone numbers, telefax >>numbers and e-mail addresses. It seems that somewhere, >>like Finland and Sweden, the phone and fax numbers are >>free, their use don't cost a cent. It seems the >>business runs as smoothly as ever! >> >>I have seen signs and changes in marketing, which to >>my mind are direct reactions to criticism in internet, >>a kind of evolution. In any normal business it would >>be called better customer service, giving the customer >>a better value for her/his money, but here? I have an >>other opinion... >> >>The firms sometimes promise to return the money of >>dissatisfied customers if the customer returns the >>goods. This is required by legislation. It seems that >>some get their money back, some don't. >> >>AN ANALYSIS OF THE MARKETING METHODS >> >>The Maria Duval letters are certainly worth study for >>everyone who needs to write oppressive, manipulative, >>etc text, that is actually cabable of causing angst in >>reader. One Heke has made a good analysis on the >>contents of Maria Duval's marketing letters. (You >>should look what heke means in the Hawaian language. ) >> >>WORKING TROUGH EMOTIONS is much more effective than >>working through reason in the marketing of this kind - >>probably any kind - of goods and services, because our >>emotional systems are open, easy to influence and >>defenceless against affectation. Duval feeds solely >>your emotional needs, there really isn't much for the >>intellect. Furthermore, even after reading, >>understanding and accepting this analysis, you are >>still susceptible to these methods because of the >>disparity of reason and emotion. Remember it! >> >>THE IMPRESSION OF AUTHORITY AND EXPERTICE that Duval >>strives to achieve, is done first by her >>self-presentation as the medium and clair-voyant of >>the Society for Psychic and Parapsychic Research and >>by claiming exact and true predictions and appearances >>in numerous radio and television broadcasts, and >>second by occasional sentences in her letters like >>"I can give exact and detailed predictions through the >>combination of astrology, my supernatural skills and >>psychoanalysis. I have proved this countless times in >>press and television." >>"Do you believe that I would endanger my reputation as >>a famous clair-voyant only because not being >>completely sincere to you?" >> >>PERSONAL STORIES from her own live - or invented - >>have the purpose of creating a friendly and >>unsuspecting atmosphere. Duval simply tries to make >>you drop your guard. >>"Before my uncle died, who was a knowledgeable >>clair-voyant and medium too, he gave me three >>talismans, one for money, second for love and third >>for luck. >>(...) >>Many years later (...) the man that I loved left me. >>(...) I did remember my dear dead uncle and his >>talismans. I searched everywhere and finally found >>them in the attic, in an old cabinet. I choose the >>talisman of love and took it with me. >>The next morning I got a call. It was the man who had >>left me without even giving me a hope of ever seeing >>him again. He told me that some unusual or mystical >>power made him miss me and want to meet me. >>Two weeks later we were together again." >> >>THE FOCUSING OF CONSCIOUSNESS at the very beginning of >>the letter makes you more liable to her suggestions >>and increases the efficiency of her manipulations. >>Duval focuses your consciousness by direct suggestions >>like >>"I ask you to give me all your attention" >>"I ask you, heke, to carefully read the content of >>this letter, because if ..." >>"It's very important that you read this letter in all >>its details" >> >>THE EMOTIONAL SEESAW simply means the alternation >>between promises and warnings, positive and negative >>hints, good and doubting suggestions etc. A cool and >>detached attitude of the reader is counteractive to >>Duval's purposes and with this tool she tries to make >>sawdust out of it. The emotional seesaw creates and >>increases uncertainty too which comes very handy when >>she later takes it up to make you dependent. >> >>SUGGESTIONS run gamut in Duval's letters. Her >>carefully chosen words sprinkle over you like water >>from a fountain. Perhaps you enjoy getting soaked >>through and trough but don't believe for a single >>moment that her letters aren't carefully designed >>tools of manipulation. They are certainly not written >>spontaneously. Words are her only means to influence >>you, that is if you don't believe in magic, and with >>words only she weawes the web and effect of every >>other means that are discovered is this analysis. >> >>A PARADE OF CONTENT CUSTOMERS is one of the basic >>marketing tools. I have but some doubt, real of >>imaginary customers? >>"... I gave my talismans of money and happiness to one >>of my female friends. She had lost her source of >>income and was fighting in poverty. A little later her >>troubles were over. Her bad luck turned into good >>luck. She got FIM 10 000, and a while later FIM 19 000 >>more. She decided to start a small enterprise, that >>soon became a success" >> >>THE CREATION OF DEPENDENCE is in my mind one of the >>ugliest tools that Duval uses. You may have perceived >>how Duval starts her letters so that the balance >>between good and bad suggestions, or promises and >>warnings, is in the positive side. The balance is then >>gradually shifted to the negative, and at the same >>time Duval poses herself as the only possiibility to >>ward away all that negativity. In other words, first >>Duval feeds you with hope, then snatces it away, and >>finally demands your money for giving it back. Cool! >> >>PROMISES OF NEW LETTERS keep your interest up. Duval >>certainly desires that you would become a good, paying >>and longtime customer. It works to her advantage too >>if she can make you wait with expectation and hope for >>new letters. >> >>EXTREME FRIENDLINESS feels so very good, but coming >>from a total stanger it borders into the unbelievable. >>Duval's parting words give honey sweet examples: >>"Heke, I hope to hear soon of You and I send You my >>hearties greetings. >>Your trusted friend Maria Duval" >>"I send from the deep of my heart my whole love and my >>whole positive energy to You and your nearest. I wait >>impatiently for your message. >>With respect Maria Duval" >>"I really trust You. I wait for your answer and I send >>You my heartfelt greetings. Your honest and loyal >>friend Maria Duval" >> >>EXAGGERATED PROMISES serve well in igniting your >>enthusiasm and in converting you to a true fan and >>believer. You yourself could well use the example >>below, in self-hypnosis! >>"Heke, If You get succesfully over this considerable >>obstacle in your life, a completely new and exciting >>live awaits You. >>You don't have to stretch the penny at the end of the >>month anymore, You don't have to pay back your loans >>and credits anymore, because You will have as much >>money as You need and even much more. (Yes, I see very >>much money for You!) >>Love and friendship will surround You and You will >>never again be lonely. You will allways have someone >>nearby whom You can talk to and whom You can trust. >>Everything will succeed that you take up. Were You shy >>and without self-esteem?... You will become a >>self-assured person with an irresistible charm, You >>will enchant other people and attract them. >>Didn't You believe in yourself and in your future? You >>will see that a shining future awaits You, which will >>give You self-confidence and fill your mind with >>happiness and hope" >> >>GIFTS are tokens of friendship. Duval's gifts however >>are marketing tools, their purpose to convince and >>support you in your decision of accepting Duval as a >>do-gooder, even friend. She uses them to awaken your >>greed too: >>"You will get a unique gift if You answer me. It is a >>secret, known only to seers, and my masters have >>allowed me to reveal it now to those people who >>consult me. (...) It is my destiny here on earth to >>help those poeple who long for happiness and want to >>share their happiness with other people too. And I >>know, that You too Heke belong among the people, and I >>believe that I can tell You this secret. The secret is >>a magical object. It supports the effects of the >>talisman and gives it even a hundredfold power. You >>get not only more lucky in fortune games, but You get >>a special protection too. It is like You had an >>antenna, connecting You and me, and linking you with >>especially spritualistic forces from beyond that >>protect us. >>(...) >>In addition You get that mysterious gift that I told >>You a while ago. Decide quickly because I don't have >>enough of these objects, not for everybody who writes >>to me." >> >>HINTS are open or indeterminate succestions and a very >>powerful tool. Closed or determinate suggestions can >>only cover a specified area, but hints however work >>trough your imagination, and cause you to raise the >>particular hopes and fears specific to you. What could >>be more effective? >>"I told at the beginning of my letter that I see some >>troubles too. Is there someone in your circle of >>friends who wishes ill for You? Have You been cursed? >>I can't tell You more about that now, because I >>dislike saying out something that is less than 100 >>percent sure. We can prevent however, with the help of >>my clair-voyant skills, that You would get trapped." >> >>ENVY too is within her toolbag. Duval says that >>famous, wealthy, happy people are just like you. She >>says this seemingly in order to encourage you, but >>actually she wants to make you envious of them. It >>then so happens, like a miracle, that she is able and >>willing to help you too to get and be the same! >>Believe that and you are in a trap. Duval really >>paints a very simplistic picture about the why and how >>of our destinies here on earth: >> >>"You surely know about men and women in your >>surroundings, who succeed in allmost anything, even >>when there is nothing special about them. They don't >>have more diplomas is their pockets, nor are they more >>intelligent, but still all the success accumulates in >>their saldo. It seems allnost like everything in their >>hands would change to gold!... >>This is as difficult to understand as why men run >>after certain women. The women have nothing what >>others don't have too, yet men svarm around them like >>mosquitos around the lamp. >>You too might think of succesfull people and wonder: >>What do they have that I don't? I assure You that >>these people are just like You, and still they attract >>luck as much as they desire... >>Yes, these luckyblessed attract the friendship of >>those who can give them what they really want: a nice >>and well paid working occupation, a possibility to get >>rich, and other things like that... They don't lose >>one single opportunity which could bring them more >>money, more love or more joy in live. One could >>allmost believe that they possess a capability to >>cause all these enjoyable things to come to them... >>These men and women operate like magiciens who find >>water and hidden treasures with their wand. They are >>like magnets that draw the good things in live to >>themselves. >>And I see that You are like these people, You have the >>same power to happiness. And this power, abiding deep >>inside you, is fortunately undamaged and only waits >>awakening!..." >> >>WARNINGS that Duval strews here and there are good >>food for your imagination. Duval uses very often the >>combination of promises and warnings, or in the >>language of your emotions, hope and fear. >>"Dear Heke, the year 2001 means to You the beginning >>of a new life. It will be much better and much richer >>live than You now live. I have proofs of it! >>But You must be carefull Heke! Allthough the year >>2001, first year of the new millenium, seems to be an >>especially good year for you, something very strange >>did happen in May 2000, and it may diminish your >>chances to get succesfull!..." >> >>FEAR isn't such a nice tool at all. Duval actually >>gives you, now and then, strong and straight negative >>- and this really is dirty and most ugly use of the >>power of suggestions, does she want to derail people >>into depression or worse? - suggestions in her >>letters. The purpose here is to make her offer of help >>appear like a release from uncertainty and fear. >>Actually you would only lose what you never even had, >>and what existed only in the golden clouds of her >>promises and your hopes. >>"No! You can't beat this remarkable obstacle alone... >>Because of all the troubles that You had in the past, >>your physical and psychic condition is weak. There is >>a great danger that You don't manage this transition >>period well without external help, which would be a >>real catastrophe. >>In addition to that, last May You were influenced by a >>particular negative influence from the stars, that >>befell on earth when the stars, earth, moon and sun >>aligned with other five planets. A contribution from >>this occasion is that your chances of happiness and >>success dropped even lower. >>An extraordinary occasion... but in a negative >sence." >> >>COMPANIONSHIP or doing things together characterizes >>the behaviour of friends. Like trust, relaxation, >>unguardedness etc that go with friedship, your >>feelings of companionship makes it so much easier for >>Duval to cast her influence upon you. So she tries to >>make herself a companionable friend with: >>"We'll make it together so, that these capabilities >>and even gifts that I peceived in You will become your >>own. Because I can now tell You that You have the rare >>gift what I call "real might", it's a great inner >>power which can help You to change your destiny" >>"Yes, we'll let together this might, your power, to >>come out and nobody can avoid perceiving it >>We'll change your destiny. We'll win battles that can >>remove the obstacles from your way to happiness, >>well-being and joy of live". >> >>PROMISES OF COMPLETE SUPPORT. Yes! You must really be >>worth gold if the famous Duval so completely puts >>herself to your help. Only remember that she promises >>the same to everyone she sends her letters to. You may >>regognize the following: >>"I would like to say to you that you can from now on >>trust that I give my help without any limits when it >>is the question of how to make the luck step into your >>live as soon as possible. It really should have been >>there beside you since long time back." >>"Heke, I know that It'll be difficult for You to >>surpass this considerable obstacle in your live alone. >>Hence I decided to write to You today and offer my >>many-sided help for free and without limits" >>"I would like to give all my powers to your use in >>order to make You a happy and very content man for the >>rest of your live!" >> >>FAKE INDIVIDUAL ADDRESSING doesn't only mean the use >>of 2. singularis addressing mode in a mass produced >>letter. It means too, that Duval in fact lies when she >>writes statements that appear to be meant just for >>you, but actually are found in all her letters of that >>series. >> >>THE CREATION OF THE FEELING OF URGENCY is there for >>the purpose of making you afraid of missing your >>unique opportunity. Again and of cause Duval offers to >>help you and relieve you from fear... >>"Therefore I would like to tell You once more: Act >>right now and send me back allready today your coupon >>that I enclosed with my letter, and which entitles you >>to my special help. Act now and don't delay any >>longer. It really is extremely important to You and >>your future! >>Time goes by, Heke, and I'm afraid that soon it'll be >>too late if You don't act immediately." >>"PS I would like to poin out once more that most >>propably You won't ever again get a corresponding >>opportunity to change your life. You have the luck to >>step into the new millenium. The next occasion will >>happen... after one thousand years! >>Hence act now, even for your own good." >> >>MEGALOMANIA alias outswelled ego works well as a kind >>of safequard against you coming to other thoughts >>about Maria Duval and her activities. The more energy, >>assosiations, parts of self-image, emotions, habitual >>thinking patterns etc that become bound with Duval in >>your mind, the stronger the safequard grows, the more >>difficult will it be for you to have a free uncolored >>understanding about Duval and the more painfull the >>eventual ego crash. >>" Taking into consideration what I have seen, I can >>tell You right now that your case is one of the most >>amazing that have came my way for a long time. I can >>reveal to You that your case is one of the most >>interesting that I have bumped against for a long >>time." >>"Some of your vibrations indicate to me that there are >>deep within You latent abilities and powers that can >>change your whole life" >> >>REVEALING AND ENTRUSTING SECRETS characterizes the >>behaviour of good, trusting and trusted friends. Duval >>tries in so many ways, and this way too, to create the >>appearance of friendship and trust between you and >>herseff, which she later utilizes for her own >>purposes. Secrets and mystery are rather exciting as >>such too. >>"In addition I will send You a collection of The >>extraordinary secrets of White Macig. I received it >>directly from my Great Spiritual Master, who lived a >>long time ago. He/She took a telepathic contact with >>me, so that I could transmit this message to those >>persons whom I guide and protect against the negative >>effects of May fifth, and whom I help to find their >>happiness. The Spiritual Leaders of the humankind say >>that the collection is the best antidote to any >>negative forces that lead people to deeper plight." >> >>DISCOUNT PRICES, apparently offered especially for >>you, might make you take her offer. The discount >>however is there for all, it's simply one of her many >>tools in getting your money. I'll give you some sweet >>examples: >>"I admit that I charge high prices for my services. >>Yet I don't want money to become an obstacle between >>us. For this reason I give You a special offer for >>your Future Horoscope and your Lucky Calendar" >>"The normal price for my help is FIM 400.But because I >>have seen that You haven't had it very easy in your >>live, I'm ready to meet You partway. If You send the >>filled coupon within 48 hours, I'ill give You a FIM >>100 discount. Yes, You got ir right: You only pay FIM >>300 for your secret formulas and not the normal FIM >>400. You have to admit that I really do everything in >>order to help you." >> >>RECIPROCAL BEHAVIOR means that if Duval does something >>for you then you need to do something for her, >>otherwise you would self-feel like a despicable >>opportunist. You feel that you owe her something for >>that free amulet, don't you? Duval also stirs >>reciprocal feelings in you with sentences like: >>" I will help You. I have allready told the future >>from the stars. On my desk I have now a readymade >>first aid package for your future." >> >>The analysis ends here. It loads all upon Maria Duval, >>but the involved firms are probably more responsible. >>Only very intelligent, perceptive and professional add >>writers (with a sodden moral!) have the skill to write >>like that! >> >>GOODS AND SERVICES >> >>The firms offer at least following goods and services: >> >>- the free lucky talisman. It is a piece of stiff >>card, on one side some figures on a golden background, >>on the other a picture of Maria Duval's face >>- a free cross of seven wishes >>- six month horoscopes. They are automatic printouts >>from a computer program. >>- tarot interpretations. They are automatic computer >>printouts. >>- 90 days personal positive psychomagnetic course >>- slim booklets that contain simple magic tutorials, >>and instructions of health tonics or drinks >>- magical seremonies and other occult actions >>- initiation done by Maria Duval >>- talismans or amulets for good luck, like.a celtic >>circle of life, a talisman with herbs inside, or a >>pentagram >>- small magical or occult items like a ring designed >>by the good people of Atlantis >>- bad smelling parfymes >> >>It is certainly possible that some goods, or rather >>the knowledge involved, which is magical lore, >>formulas, design of the courses, descriptions for >>tonics and potions, instructions, spells etc, come >>originally from Maria Duval. The practical arrangement >>is naturally that the firms get everything out of >>their computers and subcontractors. >> >>LOGISTICS >> >>Over two million people have got at least that free >>amulet and about 10 - 40% seem to actually buy >>something too!. Massproduction is necessary perforce. >> >>The involved firms send their offerings allways in the >>native language of a potential customer. They have to >>use translators which is costly. Individual letters >>mean individual translations mean no money flows home. >>This is one more reason why the Maria Duval letters, >>offers, horoscopes, courses, and whatever have to be >>massproduced, possibly with a standard body plus >>automated variation and personalisation. Some messages >>confirm that the marketing letters are indeed >>identical, newer mind their fake personalized style. >>The letters promise individual services, like personal >>initiations, programming of personal amulets, direct >>mental or astral influence fron Maria Duval on behalf >>of the customer, etc... The great number of customers >>make these promises rather untrustworthy. >> >>Many people have written that nobody ever answers any >>personal letters. It is only too easy to understand >>why, because first, the number of customers is nearly >>two million and second, the customer's personal >>letters are not read by Maria Duval, but by some >>office clerk employed by the involved firms, and most >>often, by nobody. Sometimes the involved firms ask >>short desciptions from customers, about how it goes >>with them. It seems they use the descriptions in order >>to get material for the testimonials section of >>www.mariaduval.com. >> >>The reasoning above means that a customer only gets >>what unpersonal and massproduced material the firms >>send, like computer generated automatic astrological >>interpretations, no individually programmed amulets, >>no magical seremonies performed for the customer's >>personal benefit, no individual occult influences from >>Maria Duval, etc... When we contrast that with the >>personal promises in the marketing letters, we see the >>lies and cheating that the firms perform. >> >>AUTHORITIES ARE NOT HAPPY >> >>It certainly is no big news that this business has >>gotten itself in dire staits with authorities. There >>have been, there are and will be several complaints >>aginst the involved firms. The internet knows the >>following cases. There must be more because not every >>case is reported in internet. >> >>The International Consumer Protection and Enforcement >>Network (ICPEN) decided by autumn 2003 to act in the >>case of Maria Duval's marketing methods. ICPEN >>characterized the marketing as clearly unbearable, >>scaring, oppressing, missleading, threatening and >>insulting. It violates marketing legislation and good >>business practices as defined by international >>organizations of commerce. The Swedish >>Konsumentverket, in her role then as the chairman in >>ICPEN Europe, initiatiated a coordinated european >>action against the marketing practices. >>Konsumentverket demanded first that illegal marketing >>is stopped. This demand was sent to all addresses that >>distribute the marketing means. The second stage was >>that the authorities in each involved country wrote to >>the firms and the media was made aware of the illegal >>campaigns. The results of these primary actions were >>planned to be analysed in the third stage and the >>decision was to be made what other actions were >>necessary in order to stop this marketing. >> >>In New York, USA, the BBB (Better Business Bureau) >>issued June 1996 a consumer alert regarding the >>National Parapsychology Center adverticing the >>services of Maria Duval. There were complaints that >>consumer expectations were unfullfilled, or that the >>consumers didn't get their money back. An interesting >>sideline is that if a customer wanted to have a more >>detailed information than the 8 pages of the initial >>contact, she had to send a photo or some hair, plus 27 >>to 70 dollars! >> >>Customers have complained to Italian customer >>authorities in September 2000 and November 2000 about >>Duval's misleading marketing practices etc. The >>complaits were found to be justified. >> >>The British ASA authority has received and adjudicated >>on three complaints against Astroforce Ltd t/a Maria >>Duval, in December 1999, March 2000 and November 2000. >>The complaints were about misleading marketing, and in >>main successfull. >> >>The Harmonie Ltd operated 1999-2002 in Australia using >>the names Astroforce, Maria Duval and Marie France. >>Their scam operation was investigated and then closed >>down by Australian authorities when enough customers >>complained. The authorities legally intercepted >>customer's recent letters and returned their money. >>The Harmonie Ltd was ordered to refund all customers >>who asked it. >> >>EVEN IN A BOOK >> >>Armando Pavese, a researcher on the psychological >>motivations relating to magic, spiritism and occultism >>has authored a book, called The black book of magic, >>in which he puts the medium Marie Duval in the same >>camp with the wizards, swindlers and quackers of >>todays' Italy. The language of the book is italian. >> >>MARIA DUVAL >> >>There really is a Maria Duval, a witch, voyant, >>business woman, you name it! The involved firms claim >>that Maria Duval was born into a family, which belongs >>to the nobility, and whose members have served the >>french kings. She herself is a countess. She made her >>first miracle healing at the age of 8 years, etc... >>There are such nicely dramatic and emotional elements >>in the information what the firms present about Maria >>Duval, that it makes one doubt the truthfullness of >>the whole lot, especially when we remember how the >>firms lie and seek to manipulate the customers in >>their marketing. There is no independent information >>in internet that confirms these claims. >> >>Maria Duval is the author of several books, well over >>twenty in number. She has used at least her own name >>and the alias Anne Cramford. The books are published >>in many languages. Some typical titles are The Grand >>book of secrets, The Grand secret manual of the >>initiates, the Grand consultation of the tarot, How to >>become a voyant, The Secrets and techniques of success >>and power, etc. >> >>Maria Duval was born 1937 as Carolina Maria Gamba in >>Milano, Italy. She is now a citicen in France. She has >>at least some fame outside this business too. It seems >>her career really lifted when she predicted the winner >>right in some bygone french presidential elections. >>Once she found the lost dog of Brigitte Bardot, and >>Ralf Schumacher believes in a bad smelling amulet from >>Maria Duval. The last two are rather funny bits of >>data, but they indicate presense, past fame and bygone >>reputation in the european sky of magicmakers and >>seers. To use that past fame and reputation to start >>a business is well understandable. Not so are the >>methods, the brutal manipulation and lies, that this >>business uses. In my opinion, this whole business is >>driven by an insatiable greed. >> >>Well, at least Maria Duval seems to be rather rich >>nowdays, and have three homes: in Argentina, in Swiss >>Lausanne and in French Callas. Her Argentina home is >>said to be a whole ranch, whose address is but >>unknown. The Lausanne address is unknown too. The >>Callas address is Quai Quatre Chemins, 83830 Callas, >>France. >> >>In an interview for Danish television, Maria Duval is >>reported to have said that she has nothing to do with >>this business, neither knows anything about it. This >>reminds me about and old proverb, which says that even >>rats leave a sinking ship. It is hard to believe that >>she spoke the truth, because she started this whole >>business. She also travels far and wide promoting the >>business. By report she appeared in Finland over a >>year ago, arranged a press meeting, presented some >>horoscope interpretations on their President Halonen, >>etc... Soon thereafter there appeared nationwide >>advertisements about her and that free talisman >offer. >> >>Maria Duval meets hundreds of clients face to face >>too. This her "luck by mail order" business is sure to >>come up. She herself must have seen the advertisements >>here and there too. Furthermore our messages exist in >>internet since a good time already, and she must have >>got lots of questions about if it's true what we say >>there. >> >>Probably nobody but Maria Duval herself is ready to >>believe that the involved firms can use her face, name >>and fame in their marketing like they do, without an >>agreement with her. She also owns the Maria duval >>trademarks. >> >>Jacques Mailland explained once in an interview that >>"Maria distributes the free talismans in order to tell >>the world that she exists, and is here to help and >>heal those who seek help. Her local agents in foreign >>countries take care of the practical business; Maria >>does not personally send any letters, nor does she see >>the answers. The Danish or Scandinavian local agent >>Kaj Hvolgaard has now and then invited querysome >>journalists to visit France and Maria Duval together >>with him, so that they could chat with her personally >> >>These facts clearly prove Maria Duval's presence and >>involvement in this business even today, allthough and >>for unknown reasons, she has sold this business to the >>firm Harmonie Ltd. This meant selling your names, >>addressess, data on who has bought what, the rights to >>use her name and face in advertising, the rights to >>sell her goods, and an arrangement of some travels and >>work to promote the firm. She may even get a fixed >>percent of the income. It is unknown, if Maria Duval >>is one of the owners of the Harmonie Ltd. >> >>RECOMMENDATIONS >> >>The internet material make the situation rather clear. >>This is simply a business, not a helping hand from >>Maria Duval. There are very few voices who say >>someting else, and they are not very convincing. I >>feel that these recommendations, copied from diverse >>messages in the German Aerger Forum, are sound enough. >> >>If you really need help, please go and seek it >>elsewhere, through a personal contact with a suitable >>person. The more you need help, the more prone you are >>to fall into the lies and manipulation that will be >>worked upon you by this business. If you are after >>magical help and tools in order to make your life >>better, that is all right by me. The internet and >>public libraries are full of free material, that you >>can experiment with. You will even find in Kevin >>Harringtongs site, and for free, some of the Maria >>Duval material that the firms send to paying >>customers. You can allways pay the firms later if you >>find the material useful. >> >>The people in this business really try very hard to >>ignite your enthusiasm and to hook you when they >>design the Maria Duval letters, and they are good at >>it too. If you allready happen to be in an Astroforce >>mailing list, the following few recommendations are >>for you. You may simply throw away all letters as soon >>as you get them, without reading them. This easily >>protects you from the manipulation in the letters. If >>your curiosity get overhand then show the letters to a >>friend for a neutral opinion. Compare your letters to >>what others have received whenever possible. Wait at >>least a week after receiving a letter and let yourself >>cool down until you decide or do anything. Then decide >>to do nothing. Don't let the "warnings" or time limits >>uppset you. One simply tries to hook you with them. >>Remember that the letters are massproduction after all >>and not personal. >> >>The various european preference services offer >>protection for consumers who don't want mailings from >>direct marketing firms. Most european countries have >>preference services for mail, phone and/or fax. An >>email preference service has been set up at a global >>level, with the ability for national portals. >>Preference service means, that you can contact the >>national organisation for this service, and tell them >>to add your name to the list of people, who don't want >>to receive any direct marketing mailings. Most >>civilized list brokers and direct marketing firms >>respect the customer preference, when expressed in >>these so called Robinson lists, and filter you out of >>their mailing lists. (mind you, only filter, not >>remove!) You must inform the preference servises in >>every country, where disturbing post is send to you. >> >>The Federation of European Direct Marketing, FEDMA, >>www.fedma.org, knows the existing procedures and >>contact points in European countries. However, they >>have so far released in internet only a summary with >>no useful data to the customer! So you have to contact >>FEDMA in person, and request the names, addresses, etc >>of the national preference services, which you need to >>inform about your preference of NOT wanting any direct >>marketing mailings. The FEDMA offices are in Belgium >>and he person to contact is Margrethe Saxegaard PR and >>Communications Manager, msaxegaard@fedma.org , phone >>32 2 776 03 91 >> >>The www.junkbusters.com site is a very good place to >>visit too. It offers good information on your rights, >>legal aspects and what to do if you get dissatisfied.

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