AIS Media - A good deal? I don't think so!

So, here I am, looking for an outsourcing partner who has the resources to provision web development and marketing projects for me, so I can concentrate on what I do best - selling.

So, I run into AIS Media - It appears at first blush that it is a perfect fit, right?  They say they do complete provisioning and also help in marketing, as well as provide ways to manage your customers through internal interfaces.  Fine and dandy.  Here are some problems:

1. You're expected to sell their services at unreasonably high prices and then share a certain percentage with them.  Of course, if you have to discount, you're the one who's screwed, not them.  They have their minimums, of course.
2. They charge exorbitant fees to join their partner program.  This is one of the most rediculous parts of their deal - From my point of view, I'm doing these guys a huge favor by selling their services for them to my clients - and for that privilege, I've got to part with my hard-earned money?  Idiots!
3. They're just not that good.  Look at their website - You'd hope that it would be their shining example and would be spotless.  Not so.  There are javascript errors, spelling errors, and the website is very average looking.  Hardly a confidence builder.
4. They have this long and arduous vetting process and they stick you with salespeople who strictly follow a script and don't care if you don't want them talking to you as if you're a 4th grader and if you've shown to them again and again that you're far more experienced and smarter than they are.

I see AIS Media advertises heavily on franchise websites.  Though they clearly say they're not a franchise.  Dishonesty!  I suppose they'll get their share of non-smart and non-savvy people desperate to rid themselves of some of their money.  Their entire marketing strategy seems to me to be geared towards tooting themselves as a good outsourcing partner (franchisor)- not at all geared towards demonstrating or illustrating how good they and their services are.

I had to sign a confidentiality agreement with these guys, but it doesn't mean I can't talk about them and warn others not to make the mistake of joining their partner program. You're far better off investing your $30k+ in developing your very own software development company, or trying out different 'true' outsourcing partners, until you find the right one.  You'll save money upfront, get better service, and make much more money in your sales than you would otherwise.

AIS Media has an excellent business plan - sell their partner programs to as many saps as possible (at $30k+/sap, that's not bad).  They just need a little more than a handful to make decent money.  Actually delivering finished products?  Good luck.  What is your recourse if they don't deliver on time or what is required of them?  I guess your business suffers and you're out $30k+.  Don't expect to ever see that money refunded to you, unless you earn it, by giving AIS Media lots and lots of additional business.

Final Analysis - Dump these guys!  They're no good.  Don't be fooled.  Don't do it!