Most companies require a sign up fee to cover marketing materials/ training/websites etc.
BUT the good ones like the Utility Warehouse offer ways to refund your money. The Utility Warehouse saves domestic and business customers money on their home phones/ mobiles/ internet/ gas and electricity
www.prosperouslife4u.com
You can have your money back in 3 ways - full refunds if you decide you don`t like the business within 14 days; full refund if you introduce 12 customers to them within 90 days, and refund minus any marketing materials used if you change your mind within 90 days.
You get a huge pack for your money - for first 50 customers plus training you can go on as often as you like - no charge plus a free website like mine above and a lot of support in the back office of this website.
So rather than automatically dismissing home businesses that have a sign up fee, check whether they have a refund policy.
chris