Hello, and you have gotten a great start! We applaud you and your efforts. Much of the pain you feel my wife and I very much relate to and wish you all the best. If your site stops one person from going through what we did it will have been worth it. Unfortunately many of the new and excited people, will say "but our group is different", but yours and others stories should help!

Subject: I was scammed

"Tools buy them and succeed. If your not where you want to be you have not absorbed enough information from the tools" ever heard that one? We were in for 4 years and beleivers. Know how much money we spent? I am not one of those people who bought tools and that is it. I was out showing the plan and sponsoring up! But in the end we were the losers. We lost financially, Time and almost a marriage. I love that one " the problems you have now are not a result of the business" yeah right as I look back now that was a crock.

Over the past 9 months I have tried to recoop some of the tool money In fact only $600 dollars worth. But this is what I could gather together of unused unopened tools. I totaled it up and called interNet. They said no problem we will take them back, but what is your "number"? Number I dont have one. Just call your direct they will have one and take care of it. I followed this advice after a conversation and delivery of these tools, one month at least later I get a call saying they are unable to return the tools because it would be to disruptive and cause to much of a problem. they said they would sell them though. I did not care what happened to them as long as I was reimbursed. After 6 months i was $68.00 out of 600.00. Can you believe it? I want to take action and do not know where to turn. I signed nothing that said I would accept these tools and I have never heard of not being able to return a product, especially one in good condition. I think the thing that really gets me is that my direct showed me his tool bonus check and his product check. Care to guess which was bigger???? What I do not understand is why? Why couldnt he just return the tools? I know there is a huge pride and ego thing on the line I learned that in my 4 years. One was never to return tools just move them to someone else. Thanks for listening. Can you help me ??? email address interNET or [Diamond] OR Dexter Yager or ** anything

Thanks

Subject: The Nightmare is Over, Let the Games Begin!

I will give you a brief summary of my experience, and once I gather my thoughts, I will write you a more detailed account of my nightmare. I encourage you to publish anything that is beneficial to your quest.

I was introduced to the business in the Spring of '96, during my 2nd semester at Penn State. My roommate (and good friend) was brainwashed already, and forced me to meet some diamond distributors. They were in the Yeager-[EDC]-[Diamond]-[Diamond] line of sponsorship. Out of sympathy, I joined. **, our diamond, was very charismatic, and was especially hard to say no to. He flashed his Rolex, fine jewelry, and drove us around in his Mercedes Benz. He really impressed us.

At first, everything was fine. They thought we were a bunch of stupid kids (which we were) who had no previous bias against Amway because we were so young. They were right. They never told us about the facts, and when we questioned them, they would give us the runaround. They kept on telling us that we would never become successfull without Amway, and that a Job=Broke. Soon, I was spending $10 a week on tapes. I lost a lot of my friends, and a lot of my money. I attended a ** Family Reunion and a Yeager Free Enterprise. I was utterly disgusted at the actions of the people at these events.

Through Amvox, ** repeatedly voiced his right wing and fundamentalist views. Last year's election was especially horrifying. They basically forced us to vote Republican, which I did, against my will. Newt Gingrich was at Yager's FE stuffing his propaganda down our throats. I was mentally raped.

When I told upline that a would not buy anymore tapes, they yelled at me, and refused to help me out. Nice people, huh? What really bothers me is that this group is preying on college kids. They sucked me and my family out of at least $3000. They brainwash them into believing that college is not the answer and that a job means being broke. After I quit, I suffered through some mental anguish and depression, and have since recovered. I'm glad I can use you as a medium to voice me opinions.

One of my friends is still in the business. He has lost a lot of money and lost all of his friends. He dropped out of Penn State. He was the brightest kid I knew (An A student in engineering) He now focuses his ambitions in Amway. He's been in for two years, and I know he hasn't made a dime. He is very impressed with ** and the diamonds (they have taken him under their wing). My friend is a totally different person then he used to be. It's very creepy.

I still have a bunch of tapes and videos (one of **'s family reunion) at home. I dont know exactly what you're doing, but I thank you and encourage you for exposing the truth.

Please keep in touch,

Subject: Amway in Venezuela

Hello, I'm A M**, from Venezuela

There's a group of people promoting amway's activities in Venezuela, tey're oppening here soon, they say.

I see the potential dangers of such an organization, and i'm very concerned, because my girlfriend and some other friends are involved in this.

Just to let you know, and any information or help you can give me will be appreciated. (I'm sure you know how much)

Keep the REALITY work.

[At the time this was posted, Amway had made NO official announcement about opening Venezuela; thus any Amway activity there is illegal according to Amway's own rules. Shouldn't they enforce them?]

Yes!!! You're right on the mark. I'm currently engaged in spurring off the advances of an Amway cultist who has been in Amway for two years, hasn't made a dime, attends functions, buys tapes and books and on and on...

It is a shame that nearly 500,000 people here in the U.S. alone [Amway claims approximately 700,000 down from previous claims of one million] are part of the program while so many other good opportunities are around. Keep up the good work. We really need your amunition!

I am a Hindu, even more devout after this experience. I shudder every time I see an evangelist on TV--reminds me of the diamonds. The priorities, in order, of my group were Money, Politics (Rep.), and Religion (Christianity). Religion was implied throughout my experience, but most at functions. At F.R., [EDC] forced everyone to go to church on Sunday morning (10am). We were up (getting lectured by him) until 2am the same morning. At most functions, there would be some type of prayer--it made me feel uncomfortable--but I never discussed it.

[Diamond] would say a good Christian man wouldnt make his wife work--and used it in "the Plan". They were very sexist people, but were successful in being somewhat ambiguos. They are very slick, smooth talkers. They really know how to take control over one's mind. They start out slow--then boom-- they have you in their hands.

Re: Amway Tools

I too am one of the people who got suckered and is sitting with about 80 tapes, or $560.00 of subliminal bulls**t. I got into the business (look I even call it "the business") early this year, and I am just glad I saw the light before I got too involved. I am one who also strongly believes that the AmWay Corp. itself is good, but that the WWDB and the other organization are quite corrupt. Thanks for putting up your site, I will direct any people who ask me questions about the business to your web site.

Three Cheers for Your Site!

Hi there -

I was checking out Sid Schwartz's site links, and I saw the MLM Survivor's page. Great job!! Loved your story and also the transcript of the "message". PULEEEZE, when are those characters going to stop all their shucking and jiving

I am also a survivor from "momma A". I got bit twice (where was my good sense!?!?). No more. There are too many very questionable things that I find very disturbing about it. The outer shell coating may change, but the inside is still the same, no matter how much the protests that "our group is different".

My heartfelt applause for your efforts, I will be in touch in a separate mail to you regarding an item you may be interested in.

Thanks and again, RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the reply, and your are welcome to contact me with any questions you may have. I was in ILD (International Leadership Development), which broke off from World Wide Dream Builders in June 1995. I was in ILD from **-**. As you will see when you read my doc., I was hooked by a former "friend" in a former church I attended. ILD, while based in the Seattle and Spokane areas, is growing on the East Coast, and here in the D.C. area where I live. . . Yes, I VERY STRONGLY believe "momma A", her organizations, and her "children" is one big cult.

Keep up the great work.

I was first approached by a buddy of mine in Feb. of this year who said he had an important friend "I simply had to meet". The way he sounded evasive in giving me details led me to believe something was not right, but he is my buddy and I felt I should at least meet this guy for him. So I met his sponsor who happens to be two sponsors down from Greg Duncan, whom many now consider "Mr. Amway". I agreed after this coffee meeting to go see his sponsor speak, for the amount of edifying he did of his sponsor you'd think they were "more than just business partners". After seeing the plan I researched the business for TWO months! I decided it seemed all right and so I got a kit, before I knew what happened I was on AmVox (receiving my daily subliminal messages), I was on Standing Order, I was on "book of the month club", and I was paid in to going to the "Leadership" convention in Portland. Now let's see, I was told to pay $150.00 to get a kit, and that $100.00 of the amount I paid I was getting back in product that comes with the kit. Well, before I could even leave with my kit I was out another $300.00 ($250.00 for the fucntion, $10 for the book, $15 for two tapes, and $25 for my AmVox). At any rate I pushed on and sponsored three people and I was subscribing to the system. The only thing I talked about with the guys I was in business with was "AmSpeak" about the business, or when they would talk about what I was doing outside the business they acted genuinely interested, I know now that they were acting because they could give a f--k about what I am doing. I made the decision to not renew my distributorship two weeks ago (it is renewal time the end of this month). So I guess I was "in" from late April this year until two weeks ago.

Just so you know I am currently a 21 year old who is working in the Pacific Northwest outbound selling software. I have been in the software business for two years now and have a healthy income from a startup company. I want to stress one more thing, the dollars I wasted have nothing to do with AmWay itself, it is purely WWDB system that my sponsor's sponsor sucked me into. I still truly believe AmWay to be good (every employee of AmWay I have talked with on the phone is extremely kind and courteous), but that the "systems" used in developing the business are WAY to involved and run in an unethical matter. The only problem is that AmWay is out to make dollars, and the systems out there are making AmWay money. Another comment I have as I read some of the rebuttals from the "AmDroids" is the "why would companies like Coca-Cola, Phillips Electric, and yada yada yada do business with a corrupt company or a cult?". If I was the CEO of Coca Cola and I could offer my goods and services to a company whom holds a network of people with the same buying habits, well I am out for the money so why would I care how AmWay's systems will distribute the products, I just want them to distribute the products.

Well, I have gone on and on, and I hope I offered some valuable lines of feedback.

Good job with your MLM Survivor Page!! I was in the "Big A" for about 3 years, from 1991 to 1994 and lost a great deal of $$$, buying overpriced products and of course, being "CORE," which of course, means being on standing order, buying at least 1 or 2 additional tapes, major functions (being from Hawaii, it involves flying to the West Coast 3 times a year - 2 times before going inactive), local rallies and seminars. All told, approximately $10,000.

What's worse is the time I wasted being "CORE" and the guilt associated doing anything not related to the business i.e. - going to the movies, watching t.v. Money is recoverable, time isn't. The irony of it all is I got involved in the business to SAVE time and $$$, not to lose it.

Though I am able to remain friends with my sponsor, I still get queasy when I see a group of coat and ties, with tape recorders and yellow note pads congregating in hotel lobbies. (Sure signs of Ameroids).

I was one of the fortunate ones. I was able to retain my friendship with most of my friends, even the ones I introduced to the business. However, I do know of a crossline friend who got divorced as an indirect result of the business. (In all fairness, I do not know of his marital status before he and his ex got involved in the business, but he did confide in me that the business were definately exacerbating the situation).

So on behalf of all the "losers" and "immature" WWDB dropouts in Hawaii, Good job, keep up the good work!! Imua! (Go forward)

You ask about "seeing the light", well in part it was just reading down your list and nodding my head saying "that's true" the whole way down. One of the things that scared me a few weeks ago is when I recited information I had know idea where it was coming from. To background a little, I listened to about one tape a week, tried to get to major functions, and I was on Amvox. Anyway I tried to prospect this one guy and he came out very negative and all of the sudden my brain tripped out and went into "AmWay Mode" and I was reciting phrases, facts, and figures that I have no idea how they got in to my brain, I sure as hell don't remember learning them. It was as if a couple weeks ago the sytem did not feel "right" anymore but I was to blind to even think about why the business was bad. Let me leave you with one thought, throughout seminars, rallies, and tapes they focus on "being free" with "them" one day. I'll tell you what the first week that I thought NOTHING about AmWay all week I felt the hugest weight lift off my shoulders, and to those who are still blindly following "the system", I challenge their focus of FREEDOM, because I now have it.

[The person who wrote the following obviously put a lot of time and thought into his message. However. . . well, judge for yourself!]

as Devos said years ago, when the tools are used to build the business, they are a tool that does help people.

When tools are used, pushed, or sold strictly for money, yes, this can be illegal. Of course, tapes are nothing more than music without drums, guitars, and musical background. CD's are pushed everyday to the consumer strictly for profit.

True, and I buy CDs, books and tapes. The difference is, when I go to Borders Bookstore, Amazon.com or Virgin Records, nobody is standing there telling me I need to purchase from them to be successful. I know I'm making a commercial transaction, trading my hard-earned dollars for something I want. In an AMO, your upline is standing there with crocodile tears saying, "You need this tape/book/function in order to grow and become successful. This is for your own good." What he is NOT telling you is that, at the Direct Distributor level he's making a significant part of his income from the tools, and at the Diamond level he's making the majority of his income from tools. While presenting his "lifestyle" as an achievement from building a successful Amway business, it is really a result of a successful tool business.

I use the tools in Amway for personal use. I could get the books at any bookstore, but in my business it does make sense to buy them from myself. If the tools do help me grow, as a person, then I recommend them to others.

Why does it make sense to buy them from your own business? Because your upline says you need to "support the system"? Because you're at a level where you receive tool bonus?

The only way to tell if the tools are pushed for money is to look into one's heart. That, fortunately, or unfortunately, cannot be done. We live in this world strictly to be, or pursue happiness. Money comes and goes, so I guess, the true inspiration of what I do, is helping people, regardless of how many, or how little.

This statement really annoys me. The only way to tell if the tools are pushed for money is to look at someone's BANK ACCOUNT! If most of their income is from tools, well, it's pretty obvious! I also disagree totally with the statement that we live in this world strictly to be, or pursue happiness, but that's a can of worms I don't want to open here.

I have always been asked by my upline to look into my heart, to ask myself what it is I truly want to do. I want to be happy, but happiness if found in pursuing your dream, in pursuing the thing you love to be, and do.

True, happiness can be found in pursuing your dream. But in an AMO, if your dream doesn't happen to be Amway riches, you're told your dream is "stupid" or "immature."

The key to building Amway fast is promotion, promotion of tools, products, functions, and your upline. There is nothing wrong with promoting positive people and things, it surely is better than some of the music and movies we see today.

True. Is that what the AMOs are doing? I don't think so. . .

Overall, you can seek whatever it is you want in Amway. I seek the lifestyle, recognition of people being happy, that is all. I want others to be happy, to chase their dream, to discover (for isn't life a journey) to discover what their true passion in life is. If it takes a million tapes, so be it. Money, or paper, your perspective is truly yours, never hurt anyone. Money does create jealousy, hatred, anger, frustration, confusion, and a bunch of other emotions.

"If it takes a million tapes, so be it." Well, let's see. 1,000,000 tapes times $6.00. How long will it take me to earn $6 MILLION from my Amway business to buy all these tapes??? As your upline Diamond, earning $3 or better per tape, I would of course encourage this course of action.

But once we take our mind off money, and put it on helping people grow, only you can decide if your heart is speaking the truth.

I am sorry that your experience with Amway was not a positive one. I know and Amway knows that not all Amway groups are created equal. This is well known in our business. As in any business, school, job, or family there are good seeds and bad seeds. The main principle of Amway has always been the entrepreneurial spirit of a capitalistic society. Some wish to view this favorably and disfavorably.

Sometimes, the problem with Amway has simply been the lack of education in personal skills. My upline Diamond just said a few days ago, 1/3 of all the distributors who have quit, quit because of a personal conflict with their sponsor. Another 1/3 that quit, quit because of a personal conflict with someone in their upline. So, my friend John said, the reason some of you are quitting is because of your poor personal skills.

Sure, poor personal skills combined with losing too much money and becoming tired of having my mind controlled.

I have seen and experienced the truth of this. It is unfortunate that in our society being personable, hospitable, positive, encouraging and determined to succeed is lacking. It is not taught in our school system, for I am a soccer coach and teacher. It is sad, I believe, in my high school that over 80 percent of the students have been exposed to alcohol and drugs. It sickens me. I have seen too much on the positive end of Amway, more than the negative, for there is negative.

I was first told, honestly by my upline, "**, this is a business, just as any business is run you must invest in it. However, take a look at the comparison to the investment of a "normal" business." My father wants to own his own business, but he needs an investor to invest $10 million! Not too many people have that :)

Yes, but he would probably expect some return on that investment!

I wasn't naive enough to think you could walk to the bank by getting in Amway. Let me take that back, when I first got excitied, I did. But then emotion wore off and I soon realized how much I love doing things, and being productive. I love a challenge, and I love people. This, I know, is true. Being successful in Amway has nothing to do with Amway, but it has everything to do with success. It takes hard work, working smart, discipline, focus, and building positive relationships with people. I have always been told by upline, and I can quote the tape, Terry McEwen--Is your business meeting your expectations? he says, "quit treating this business like it will be a cakewalk to the bank. It will not! It will take five years! Five years!"

Unfortunately, most people, and it really isn't their fault have their mind on making money. They judge success in Amway on their bank account, rather than the people they are helping. And this goes for newcomers and diamonds, for no one is perfect.

Excuse me, we're talking about a BUSINESS here. Isn't the purpose of business to exchange a product or service for money and make a profit doing so? This is so typical of the AMO doublespeak. They dangle diamond rings, enormous homes, fancy cars, furs, etc., etc., in front of your face. Then, when you finally realize you're spending, not making, money, they tell you that you need to focus on helping people. Coach, I think you need to read Orwell's "1984" again!

The founders of Amway recognize hard work. Part of Amway is sales, part of it is promotion of tools, and part of it is building people. The most rewarding part is the people, and the only way to know, judge, and experience that feeling, is to have people who come to you, who look up to you, who admire you (for reasons I don't know), and want you to help them.

Gee, I've read the Amway Code of Ethics, distributor manuals, etc. I've never seen anywhere that part of Amway is promotion of tools. That's part of your AMO, not Amway.

This IS a business about people, it is about getting involved in their lives, which can get personal, and touchy. However, one should never ask anyone to GET IN Amway. Amway is nothing more than a financial vehicle to help someone get out of debt. It takes investments to build businesses, and because this business must be duplicated, that is why there are tools. Bill Gates said in his book, The Road Ahead, "the fastest way to communicate information is through a tool, be it a tape or a book, or simple sitting down with someone like me and learning what it is I know."

"Amway is nothing more than a financial vehicle to help someone get out of debt." Well, then what were you saying two paragraphs back about people in the Amway business being too focused on money? Read "1984" again!

Isn't it all perception, perception of the way we view things? I have spent a long time talking with you, and I do hope I haven't bored you. I just felt I needed to talk, not because I need to defend Amway, but I would actually like to encourage you to chase your dreams, whatever they may be. When I was in St. Louis a month or so ago for Free Enterprise Day, Dick DeVos told a story of a lady who came up to him and introduced herself as a former distributor. All she wanted to do was thank him for the opportunity the business had given her, even though she was unsuccessful in achieving any sort of level. Dick DeVos said that he wanted to apologize to her for what happened, but she stopped him and said, "you don't need to apologize. Because of my association with the Amway people I have found my dream."

It sure is! That's why, when I was a distributor plugged into the system, I would have spouted a lot of the same nonsense you are. The difference in my perception is, I learned about the REAL Amway business, the tools and the REAL money in the system which is developed through deceptive mind-control practices. The DeVos story is heartwarming, and I'm sure there are people who have found their dream through association with Amway people. I just wish there were a lot more of them!

The point of the story was this, regardless if you make any amount of money in Amway, you will be encouraged to do one thing. Chase your dream, find out what it is, and don't you dare let anyone steal it!

Sure, don't let anyone steal your dream as long as it's Amway!