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The following posts have been reprinted in their entirety from posts e-mailed by readers of this website, except that headers, names and locations have been removed. These posts express the opinions and experiences of their authors, and this site publisher makes no representations about them in any way whatsoever. Re: Another Survivor Thanks so much for your site!!!! Yes, I am another MLM survivor, this time from a different company, International Heritage Inc. Of course, as you point out, the problem is not one company or another, although some are definately sleezier than others, but the whole MLM system. My experience was much like others I read at your site, although I did not spend too much time in training, or buying training materials. I was simply recruited, and then once I had sent the money to the company, I and another relative were left to dangle in the breeze by people whom we had thought were friends! I am trying to get my money back, although as you all know, MLM companies become deaf at that point. So I am older, a little bit poorer, and a whole lot wiser! I am glad for sites like this, that will get out the word out the truth behind the exploitative MLM industry. Keep up the good work! |
Part I: Hello!
I am looking for information on two certain companies, American Communications Network (ACN) and Excel Communications. I was approached by a representative of the first company at work and she will call me on Monday to attempt to recruit me. Their website is www.acninc.com. My brother has been working for the other company for a few months and has repeatedly tried to get me involved. I think that both of these telecommunications companies are pyramid scams but I need to be sure. If anyone knows anything about these two companies please let me know, especially if what they are doing is illegal. Thank you for your time.
Part II:
I was surprised and pleased that you responded to my letter. I have absolutely no intention of working for ACN or any other MLM company, as I am self-employed and I don't think I have the lack of business ethics to engage in work like that, but thank you very much for responding so quickly. The information you have given is VERY helpful.
Hello,
I found your page by doing an internet search.
Some of the members of my church are trying to get the church to be registered as an Amway distributor. So the members can cooperativly purchase products. Also so the church can generate money. I have grave doubts about this but don't have the facts. Can you help me?
(This was in response to Bob Fitzpatrick's "Ten Big Lies of Multi-Level Marketing" article)
Dear Robert, Thanks for your reply. I look forward to reading your book. Just found a group on the internet, all fellow Rexall distributors. They really don't want to hear about my concerns that we may be involved in something unscrupulous. It reminds me of religion, the "belief system", the recruiting, the donations at the meetings to support the room and the speaker (the same speakers who say they are making a fortune), the cheeleading. I'm so ashamed that I became involved.
What do you know about the MLM company Streamline International. I would appreciate any info.
I know some pretty respectable people who are getting involved with these guys. I believe they are based in Dallas, and recruit mostly "already successful- white collar" business people to distribute. Do you know anything about them.
So glad to hear from you! I thought for so long it was me. Just recently got a computer and amazed at the amount of "TRUTHS" that are finally coming "out of the closet" so to speak!! Felt like I've been in the dark for twelve years, since August 1986 when I signed up as a distributor. Mental Rape is the only term to describe the unthinkable abuses by Britt, Amway and my Up-line. They knew all along what they were doing. It's so clear to me now. How I couldn't see it then still baffles me. My "recovery" started in January 1998 when I finally broke down. My life has been a roller coaster for over a decade. Never could put my finger on what was wrong with me. Prayed for God to reveal to me what was so wrong with me. After weeks of total despair and isolation from the outside world, memories of the torment, anger, fear, and financial disaster drove me to a psychiatrist. That's when it all came out. The Dr. medicated me because of the panic attacks, insomnia and depression. A month went by and finally I calmed down enough and gather my composure. The medication really allowed my body to rest, my mind to heal and heal slowly and still healing. I know I have a long way to go to deprogram. Seeing the psychiatrist once a week. He said it would take a while. Finally, I contacted attorneys. After reading Sid and Ashley's stories, I felt vindicated. Someone knew what I felt and went through the same thing. Soon, the healing really began. The websites are a wealth of information and tons of the same experiences I went through. I couldn't believe the people fighting back. OH, I mean the "Negative Disgruntled Distributors" and the "Disgruntled Internet Activist" who are just "Mad, Losers and Broke"! Thanks for your time and so glad you saw the madness of it all. Mental Rape should be in the law books just as Sexual Rape. I will help get the laws changed so this won't continue and more innocent people won't be abused. All the best to you, too!
Hello there fellow disolusioned distributor. You and your ilk are doing a great service to the world and would be victims who are smart enough to do some research before heading forth in such a critisized endeavor. I, unfortunately, saw the statements made before I joined and assumed that these people were just upset because they didn't "work the system" the way it was meant to be worked. I do not know what your specific religious convictions are, but I know that fellow Christians out there may wish to see this letter I have attached to a respected Christian leader. I'll keep you posted if I get a response!
Thank you for your time
I joined amway in 1996. I am still a member but do not practise the business.If I buy a 100$ worth a year of products is about the maximum. There are some good products and if the price is something you can live with well enough said.I also want to say and agree that there is too much on tapes books functions ect. However the little exposure I"ve had was in general pleasant . The problem is not amway products only but all the pressure put on you to perfom. You know my self esteem has grown significantly from associating with some amos but the bitter taste left in my mouth from the TAPES,BOOKS,FUNCTIONS speeches is disappointing. Amway is good in general.The different associations who use Amway as their vehicle, some are down right unethical. If I had seen some products on a store shelf somewhere in my town Iwould probably have bought some. Anyway to make my point, YOU can use electricity to light a room or kill.You can use Amway for just what it is soap or get on the bandwagon and go wild. Amway should really get tough with these diamonds or crowns or whatever and enforce strict rules of conduct but unfortunately money speaks louder than words even in the NICE world of Amway.
I got a chance to look at some of the comments made about Amway and I laugh at the ignorance of all those people. There was one guy who said it wasn't for him. Well, how does he know. Has he been in before?! I'd like to know how many "things" like this thing he has been in. There was also another guy saying that the business doesn't work because despite reading the books, listening to the tapes, and attending the functions, he still wasn't successful. He did concede that he never showed the plan consistently. Well, if you don't show the plan, your business will never grow! Since I have to attend another useless college class right now, I'll have to end this message. Before I go, though, I'd like to leave this with all the cry-babies out there: If you weren't CORE for 2-5 years with consistency and persistency, then it's no wonder you've quit and are crying about it now; and if you don't know what CORE is, then I feel sorry for you because you got in the wrong organization. Why don't you take your eyes off yourselves, share this opportunity, and help thousands of people in the process. If you don't help others become SUCCESSFUL in this business, then you will not be SUCCESSFUL.
[I hope this kid isn't a math major. If he is, his education has indeed been useless!]
I enjoy reading about Amway..namely because they are one of "our" competitors. And I agree with the abuses you speak of..what I don't agree on is how you can generalize the comments for all MLM's. I work with Shaklee, a company of integrity who has been in business for over 40 years. I don't see many 'disgruntled' former Shaklee distributors out there in your articles and those links to this website.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST CROCK THAT I HAVE EVER READ. IF THEOSE
PEOPLE WERE TO ADDRESS THE AMWAY OPPORTUNITY AS A BUSINESS AND
NOT A HOBBY THEN THEY WOULD SUCCEED. THE TAPES, BOOKS AND FUNCTIONS
ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN THE "BRAINWASHING" THAT IS DONE
BY CORPORATE NORTH AMERICA BY FORCING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO READ
MNUALS, GAIN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS, MAKE THEM SET GOALS
AND ATTAIN THEM, AND WORST OF ALL APPLY THIS INFORMATION THAT
THEY HAVE GAINED BY (OH NO!) TALKING TO PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE THAT
HAVE BEEN "SCAMMED" BY AMWAY HAVE ONLY BEEN SCAMMED
BY THEIR OWN BELIEFS THAT BY HAVING KNOWLEDGE THEY WILL GET SOME
WHERE. AS WE ALL HAVE EXPERIENCED - KNOWLEDGE IS JUST KNOWLEDGE
IF YOU DON'T APPLY IT. THE AMWAY SYSTEM WORKS IF YOU WORK IT.
YOU WILL LOSE MONEY IF YOU DO NOT APPLY THE INFORMATION THAT IS
GIVEN TO YOU. THIS IS A DECISION THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS TO MAKE
& PUT INTO ACTION, STOP BLAMING OTHER PEOPLE FOR YOUR DOWNFALLS
AND LOOK IN THE MIRROR. EXCUSES ARE EXCUSES ANY WAY YOU LOOK AT
IT - HAVE A NICE DAY.
Re: Natural EFX
just wondering if anyone has complained about the efx business. same as other mlm companies. tapes and phone conferences all the time being pushed. their official tape is " show me the money," well i never saw any money. spent $10,000 in eight months with promises, promises, promises. believed what they were telling me. there should be laws to protect people from these scams.
I was sucked in to Amway, too. Convinced by my fiancee to give it a shot, even though I had some serious reservations about "the plan". 2 years, several thousand dollars and 1 fiancee later, I managed to get my life back. I was convinced MLM was the devil incarnate .. Several years later, I was at a trade show and was handed a flyer about discount long distance service. I make alot of overseas calls so I investigated, and found rates about half of what I was paying. There was one person working the booth and he was quite busy with me and several other customers. I asked him how he got into this, and he told me about Excel Communications. I was totally shocked to find out it was MLM. I expected it to be a regular franchise.
I have been a successful Excel Independent Rep since that day, and I am thankful for the opportunity. I am not a millionaire and may never become one, but I am making some significant extra money (and so is my downline). I can look myself in the mirror and not see a con man staring back at me. I have come to realize MLM's are like used car dealerships- some are reputable, but a lot more are crooks. The major factor that makes a MLM an opportunity rather than a scam is where the money comes from-- if the upline makes their money on the backs of the downline, it will not work. If there is a viable plan to bring big $ from the outside, it has a chance. Also, I feel a service oriented MLM has a better chance of being fair the one that sells products. I don't make any extra long distance calls, and I just need one pager-- both of which I was paying (more) for pre-Excel.
All televangelists are not crooks. All presidents are not lying adulterers. All snakes are not poisonous. All dogs don't bite. And all MLM's are not rip-off...... but keep up the good work exposing the ones that are.
Re: The Perfect Solution
THEY SAID NOT TO BUT I FELT I SHOULD, QUESS WHAT THIS TIME THEY WERE WRONG ! THATS RIGHT I FINELY FOUND A TRUE CO. PHYSICIANS RESEARCH LABORTOR AND IT IS OVER 7 YEARS OLD AND JUST STARTED ITS MLM AND I'M HAPPY TO SAY THERE STILL IS A FEW GREAT HONEST COMPANY'S OUT THERE.
This page updated Oct-6-98