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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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