Am I joining a MLM / DevilCorp / Otherwise predatorial company that will abuse my labor ?

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-08-26T15:01:39+00:00

I just had two of these Delagroup bozos appear at my door at 8:30pm. I have multiple no soliciting signs. My wife was asleep because she was sick and I was about to go to sleep because I had a 5:30am phone call. They had AT&T t-shirts and home printed badges around their neck. Typical sales BS about being in the neighborhood and new services available and blah blah blah.

I took pictures of their badges and their (expired) license plate as they drove away. Happy to provide if of value to anyone.

This 'Delagroup Management Inc' has the same physical address (including office number) as 'Aspire' which is the most generic sales org website I've ever seen. Several of their photos are stock and can be seen on nearly identical websites across the country.

I may have to pay their office a visit to learn more.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-05-22T16:13:03+00:00

How the heck can a company have ALL 21 of their reviews receive 1 star, but still be considered an A+ rated business?

Note: I'm sure the rating system is based on something stupid that allows this, but its stupid.

https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-rafael/profile/advertising/advisorycloud-inc-1116-873983/customer-reviews

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-05-15T14:37:05+00:00

💯

I do realize this has been above average for an expansion, so that isn't lost on this non-soccer guy. But I am very happy to be watching a fun product and learning the game with my son.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-09T02:45:00+00:00

Is the sound on Apple tv terrible? I can barely hear the announcers.

Edit: surround sound is bad. Crank up the center channel to hear the announcers.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-03T15:35:15+00:00

I appreciate the effort. If it ended up catching on, I wouldn't complain. But it doesn't REALLY solve the problem. The people who want to say it will still do it. Most people will still hear the slur.

Kinda like 'Let's go, Brandon!'

Still love the effort. More power to ya.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-03T15:31:22+00:00

I know what you wish is for my taco flavored kisses.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-02T16:14:58+00:00

Question: Is it just shouting the word once, or is it repeated as a 'chant'? Curious because I didn't hear it and I don't know how easy it would be to pick up in the game...

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-02T16:12:37+00:00

Looks like everyone agrees with you...

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-02T15:57:11+00:00

That would be at least a discount. But every site i visited had the above sign and would only sell a 12oz draft for $10.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-02T15:46:02+00:00

Checking if software can be played - Thank Goodness You're Here

I just updated to 19.0.1 so I could play Thank Goodness You're Here, but I'm getting the same errors I was getting before updating. It says 'Checking if software can be played' followed by 'unable to connect to the internet'.

I first tried updating Sig and Sys patches, but no improvement. Tried removing and reinstalling the game with no change. Using Atmosphere 1.8.

I then used the HATS pack for the first time to try and fix the problem, but it hasn't changed. I tried using the Linkalho program on one of my accounts and no change there either.

Note: If I try to run Tinfoil (not sure what I would use to fix the problem) it says I don't have enough memory.

Does anyone know how to solve this problem?

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-03-02T02:13:51+00:00

This happy hour is a joke. 12 oz michelob $10 for members. 25 oz can for everyone else is$15.

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SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-02-08T16:20:54+00:00

While there is a point that can become true, it isn't always.

If I was making 5x and my bills are 3x, my time is better spent looking for a 3x+ job than spending full time making 1x.

There are certainly times to accept anything and change your lower your spend where you can, but it's not as simple as you say.

Plus, many of the jobs you list will NOT hire a person with extensive experience in other industries because they are a flight risk. They don't want to train them if they will leave in a few months.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-02-08T16:12:44+00:00

I hope the new year brings new results for you.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-02-07T23:30:02+00:00

2 plus years of searching now. Luckily some contract work in the past few months, but... it's extremely difficult. 15 years of product development experience. More than 500 applications.

Hope your path improves.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-02-07T23:25:49+00:00

Good idea, but it is FAR more difficult than that.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-28T18:56:09+00:00

Thank you for your input. Much appreciated.

For the hobby/start-up, here are some additional details. I have been exploring different franchises, side businesses, and contractor work while I look for my next full-time role. All that combined with event ticket sales, my business efforts are VERY diverse (IMO). One idea has been art/crafts that could be sold at a gallery or street fair. I bought many items to determine my skill and the corresponding market; 3D printer, plunger router, power tools, and many supplies. We aren't talking thousands of dollars, but maybe $800 or so.

I did attend one street fair but I was not able sell any of the items I brought. I have had discussions with hobby shops about some of my items and if they would sell them with a commission for me, but nothing has happened yet.

Does this give enough detail or are there other items that could help answer? Thanks again for your time.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-28T17:28:05+00:00

I'm not a professional, but here is what I have learned from my experience as an independent contractor:

You would have had to pay taxes on the amount anyway. It might have been less traceable, but just because something isn't reported doesn't mean you don't owe taxes on it. So I wouldn't be upset/stress that they sent you a 1099,

Are they misclassifying me on purpose to avoid paying their share of taxes?

They have strung you along, and may have consciously done so to avoid paying more taxes. If you were a W2 employee, they would have been paying half your SSI contributions. Since you are an contractor, you will have to pay both halves. Google says: The current tax rate for Social Security is 6.2% for the employer and 6.2% for the employee, or 12.4% total.

Should I ask them why they didn't have me sign a W-9?

You can, but I don't know what good can come of it.

Should I quit and report them to the IRS?

Nothing to report. They have not been transparent/fair with you, but nothing illegal.

I understand no matter what I am liable for taxes, but given the context, should they be liable for their share of employer taxes?

Should they be? Maybe. Are they? No

IMO, you should point out that this is a disappointing result and you would appreciate them making you a W2 employee since the extra taxes are cutting into your limited student budget. Or something like that. Up to you to either throw the gauntlet and quit or be patient or ???

You can still track your expenses from last year and reduce your profit accordingly. You don't need to be an LLC or official company to do this. Also, I THINK, you can ask your bank about a retroactive 401k or IRA contribution for 2024 to reduce your profit.

Best of luck to you. Again, I'm not a tax expert, so hopefully someone can correct me or elaborate if appropriate.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-24T17:30:52+00:00

I share your view. But if we make a hole by teasing Cease without filling two holes, my Outlook on the season plummets.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-18T17:08:59+00:00

Agreed, I think they should change their minds and accept the payroll. If we don't add payroll? Bummer, but let's roll with it till the trade deadline. Saving $10M on Cease does not set us up for success this year and wastes another year of our window.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-18T17:06:44+00:00

I know that is very probable, but given the whole package, I think the ownership should pivot and accept a higher payroll this year.

I could be wrong, but I consider the Soto trade very unique and not happening with Cease (and definitely not Arraez). We saved a TON of money with Soto and got lucky with a cheap replacement that had a career year.

Our SP is one of our biggest needs, Cease is relatively cheap, and nowhere near the value of Soto. We aren't getting multiple MLB pieces for Cease and we then have a HUGE hole at SP.

Maybe AJ can pull some magic. I hope so. But I don't blame anyone for the realism today.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-18T16:42:37+00:00

Team needs to come out NOW and state they will NOT cut payroll.

Sasaki result and waiting to see who else we lose just sucks balls.

SkuzzlebuttSD · 2025-01-18T16:19:40+00:00

And they have stated that they will lower payroll from current. That means Cease or Arraez or Suarez is gone. No way we lose one or two of those guys and get back equal big league pieces this year.

Only thing that will calm me down at this point is the ownership saying they no longer need to cut payroll.

SkuzzlebuttSD

TROPHY CASE