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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. I also laugh at the naive fools who say, "just stay at it a little longer" or "If you just throw in a little more time into it, it will work" or "Well, I've made it work and now I'm retired. You complainers just keep going to your jobs while I enjoy life". Well, I think anybody would be somewhat angry if they put 4 to 5 years into something and got nothing out of it. I actually had thoughts of harming them in some way down the line. I'm not obsessed with it anymore, just have passing thoughts every so often now. Until I saw the stories, I had put that part of my life out of my mind. I acknowledge that it took place and I just don't think about it much. One of my friends whom I still stay in contact with (that I met through amway) has been through 4 different organizations: Jim Elliott, Brad Beigert, Steve something-or-other, and Chosen Cheng and has not been happy in any of them.. She is now inactive and is sick of the games that are being played. Her husband is quite happy about it. [I suggested that the writer read a couple of books: Steven Hassan's Combatting Cult Mind Control and Margaret T. Singer's Cults In Our Midst.] Yeah, I did sound pretty bitter about it. I actually found this site by accident. Just for laughs and giggles, I typed in "amway" (after trying scamway first) on DN (deja news). I wrote this up at 4:15 in the morning too. pretty amazing that something I moved on from 4 years ago still stews in my mind These books that you mention... are they written by former distributors? I'll try the library first. Financially, I'm doing better, though I'm contracting right now (I got laid off from a job in May and have kept pretty busy since then). At least I don't have to be concerned with going to functions or wasting money on tapes that stayed in the wrapper anymore while paying $6 for the privilidge of doing so.. I've moved on in my life and am happily involved in my hobby and getting together with friends a couple times a week.. At least I don't have ulterior motives when meeting new friends. I have no motives now. I would still like to get out of this rat race but not using network marketing/pyramids as a vehicle. |
Recently I was handed a tape introducing me a new revolutionary network scheme which can lead to finacial security. The person on the tape is Jim Dornan, co-author of the book "Becoming a Person of Influence : How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others". Basically he talks about this network of direct selling. However unlike AMWAY, you are not asked to go door to door selling goods, but to modify the way in which you purchase anything from groceries to stereos.
He mentioned that there are a few hundred big named companies willing to sell goods at wholesale prices direct to the customer. Every time you buy something you are given bonus', ie Cash. This is fine as there are no quotas or up front cash, simply a means in which to buy wholesale items. But to make this into your own little buisiness you can persuade other people to join and hence a percentage of their purchases are then handed to you in these so called "Bonus'".
Of course initially I assumed it was some sort of pyramid scheme, but after talking to the person who gave me the tape, I was left feeling well that this sounds great and I could see where the extra money came from. Basically the companies retain more profit as the items are not passed through middlemen and the other savings are passed straight to customer, hence providing the wholesale price.
Do you know of "Jim Dornan" (ex mechanical Engineer) or of the company "Network 21" I would love to know more.
Part II [I responded and explained that Jim Dornan/Network 21 IS an Amway distributorship, and gave him some additional information about Network 21 and the motivational organizations.]
Athough I decided to stay away from Network
21 before reading your email, I wish to thank you for taking the
time to email me. It's sad to think their are so many scams out
their, but it's enlightning to know their are people out there
that are willing to shed some light on the subject, and in the
process stop people from ruining their lives and the relationships
of people around them.
I have a friend who has
been encouraged to join a "organization" which "specializes"
in automobiles and insurance. She thinks the name may be "nationwide".
I would be very interested if you have any info.
For many years now I have seen friends join these types of organizations and only become dismayed. It has become somewhat of a hobby of mine to keep track of these people and their stories. I have yet to see one of these people really succeed. In fact I have traditionally ask these folks to show me their tax returns, not just a few checks, know one has agreed. I am a professional and have had the opportunity, during the course of my job, to see the tax returns of a self-proclaimed success story only to learn that his claims where accurate.
Please let me know if you have any info on
this program. Thanks
Thank you for reading this.
I am married to a man who got into amway without consulting with
me, after consulting with me he continued anyway, and the entire
time he's been affiliated with amway we've argued over it. I feel
sure that eventually our marriage will end due to his complete
indifference to anything opposing amway in the slightest.
I am now researching current litigation to show him that people are honestly seeing that amway motivational systems are a cultict, motivational-mind- control, mumbo-jumbo scam. I have tried numerous times to get him to just look at the possibility that amway is not all that he's been told it is, he won't. Finally I asked him to ask for tax returns of those "rich" people in his upline. Says he will, but based on everything else he has said he would do, I'm sure he won't or if they say "Heck, no, I ain't gonna show you diddly", he'll dismiss it as none of his business anyway. I've tried to tell him that any normal person beginning a business will get every scrap of information that is out there regarding the business, if they are serious. He just chooses to take the upline ambots words for it, that they are not working more than a few hours a week, they go to the gym whenever they want, etc. etc. etc. and he sees all their cars and stuff, that they are oh so quick to stick under his nose.
Okay, you've heard it all before I know. The reason I'm writing this note to you is to ask you to please keep me informed of the status of your litigation so that I can show him that not all the amway litigation ends in amways favor. I pray that your voice, and many others will be heard and that your litigation will in fact go your way.
Thank you for listening,
I would
just like to share with you a experience I had with a company
called NSA..National Safety Associates. They are a MLM that deal
in Water filters, Airfilters and of course Juice Plus there fruit
and Veggie suppliment sponsored by OJ Simpson himself. I left
the company after less than 60 days...my kit was never opened
and neither was any of the 500$ in inventory that I ordered...
I sent it back for a refund and they kept all the product and
kits that I returned and never gave me my refund...I called and
called, and only was hung up on...repeatedly. My warning to anyone
considering this company. They are nice to you until you leave
the company...and then beware, they will let you send the product
back to them...but they will not refund a penny of it to you.
I began working as an independent kitchen consultant
for Pampered Chef this summer. I must admit that I'm not doing
very well at it, at least in part because I can't do the pushy
things that my "director" suggests in order to generate
bookings, guests at parties, and outside orders. Have you had
any experience with people working with this particular company?
One of my current problems is that I've had bookings cancelled
because my hostess has had so many invitations from friends to
shows with other consultants. I keep getting told our area is
not burned out, but I'm having a really hard time believing it.
The product is good, and I was never trying to make big bucks,
but I'm still feeling a little bit "had".My kit enhancement
month is next month, where I can buy product at 40% off. My real
temptation is to buy the cookware I want and then get out. Am
I just being too easily discouraged? I hate PC meetings, the incentives
leave me cold (I can't imagine anything I'd less rather wear than
a PC ruby ring or a trip I'd less rather go on than one with PC
folks), butif I thought that I could continue to generate a little
income without alienating my friends I might continue.
Hey,
Great sit you have here. I very insightful on the background of what is going on in Amway.
I got a questiong and also a request. I would
like you to look into a MLM called World Marketing Alliances.
It a insurance deal that is scamming people all over North America.
To whom it may concern; I've always rejected the
idea of MLM sales as nothing more than a scam. I've always hated
the tatics of Amway and others. However, recently someone introduced
me to a product that I've been using and found that it has been
very beneficial to me personally. I bought product with the intent
of use only and not to sell. Now my wife and I are considering
selling the products retail as well as maybe the MLM thing. I
never thought I would ever be considering it, but I am. No one
is pressuring us to do the sales but Im curious if your opinions
are only for the MLM's that you listed on your homepage or if
the apply to all MLM's period. Do you have any information regarding
about a company called Reliv? I tried reading through some of
your e-mail for information about them but at a glance so nothing.
Anyway if you have any information or opinions I would appreciate
your comments. Thanks and have a great day!
I just
read you article "The Ten Big Lies of Multi-level Marketing".
I am a college student writing a paper on the subject of multi-level
marketing. I would like permission to use your article in my paper.
Thank you.
I need your help. A friend of mine was
recently in an accident and is now a paraplegic. He is able to
keep his $80,000 a year job, which he loves. But recently attended
a seminar in Portland that "opened his eyes" as he describes
it. He now is going to quit his job, sell his rental property
and depend upon Amway to support him and his two young sons (ages
2 and 4) He is divorced and has full custody of his children.
I am afraid he is making a HUGE mistake. Please help. I swear
he was normal when he left for Portland, but when he returned,
it was like they sent back an alien clone of him. He is a very
wise man, but I think he is becoming brainwashed or something.
I tried telling him that they did not present the thousands of
people who are unsuccessful with Amway. Frankly I feel they are
taking advantage of his vulnerability. I am really scared. Please
help me!!!! By the way, he has only been injured for 6 months,
and is very confused about life right now. All I know is that
he returned from Oregon a different man. By the way, we live in
Alaska. Help,
Part I
It is unfortunate that Mr. Schwartz's sponsor Proctor and Gamble is being sued by Amway for posting false and misleading derogatory information about Amway corp. You guys need help.
Part II
You are absolutely right. I apologize for starting
a conversation that will eventually amount to a Trash folder filler.
Thanks for responding. Best of luck to you, as well.
amway
sued Sidney Swartz and p&g in a new suit just filed. Also
the court in Texas has dismissed all the suits there and order
then to arbitration. Have you ever been a distributor and if so
what organization.
I last wrote to you in February.
It has been over eight months since we left our Amway business
and I am now convinced if we hadn't, we would be broke and in
divorce court. We have become involved with our church again (didn't
have time when we were always away at meetings), our 7 year old
son is active in school, sports and repsonding well to the extra
attention he needs for his schoolwork (upline told us to make
him figure it out on his own), and our daughter is able to attend
pre-school (couldn't have done this because of lack of money from
doing the "business"). My wife and I have found each
other again by realizing there are more important things in life
than money (family, faith, friends and community service). We
have not heard from our sponsers since we had a discussion with
them the day after we left the "business". I just hope
that people who read this and other articles on your website realize
that only through hard work, dedication, and a belief in oneself
will you succeed in life. Take heed: amway will start to crumble
from the bottom of the pyramid up. DON'T JOIN!!! You will regret
it.
I suspect that my E-mail may not see the light
of day on your "negative" Amway site, but as a former
active distributor (who now just purchases products) I don't agree
with all this BASHING of the business! I had a supportive upline
who helped me build the business to 4000 PV, but I found that
I wasn't into the business when I embarked on pursiung other professional
interests. That didn't make the business bad, it just made is
not a necessary vehicle for me at the time. I can only say positive
things about the business and most of the people in it. Sure most
of your "unsolicited" comments may be true (based on
personal perception), but I found my upline to be a positive collection
of people. I can agree with most of those disgruntled distributors
that didn't stick it out in the biz because of conflicts and various
other reasons, but what business is free of these things? For
instance, I am in the military, and do you want to compare military
moral and ethical practices to Amway? I will say that the military
as well as most corporate entities are rife with worker complaints.
I would venture to say that your site holds Amway to a different
standard. A more critical standard! If you look deep into your
jobs, i'll bet you will find MORE problems than you will in the
Amway business. So it's great that you have a "disgruntled
distributors" web site available, but I can say that you
are extremely biased in your views against Amway.
[This writer points out that I hold Amway to a "different standard" than other businesses and the military. It's true, but it's not MY standard, it's THEIR standard. If the distributors didn't constantly tell us how "moral" and "ethical" and "Christian" and "loving" their business is, how it's the "only hope" for the average person, etc., etc., ad nauseum, there would be no need to hold them to a different standard.
Sorry, but the supposed Christian leader
who's found with a prostitute is judged more harshly than the
average joe. If Amway distributors and leaders don't want to be
held to a higher standard, they should stop pretending they representing
something higher and better.]
Part
I
Aren't you guilty of practicing what you loathe about Amway? And that is selling BOOKS to people? You slam Amway for providing books and tapes (Tools) but then you have page dedicated to selling books against Cults and MLM. Hmmm, a little bit of Hypocrisy?
Part II
Thank you for responding to my email. I am
very surprised that you took the time to "dissect" my
comments. Your experiences are commended.
You want
to know what the PROBLEM with Amway IS--Anyone can be involved.
Think of Safeway and Frank's market. They both get their supplies
from United Grocers. You know you can walk into Safeway( or any
major supermarket in you area) and find anything and everything
you need to. All there stores are outlined the same way and you
always get the same excellent customer service. You go to Frank's
Market and there are flies flying around, the employees are cursing,
and it's just gross. Safeway is a major store and you find them
all around the state and expect the same service. Frank's cousin
Bob decides to open a store down the street and learns from Frank.
They both will probably go out of business within the next couple
of years. If you started your own store who would you want to
learn from? Someone who is successful? You wouldn't go into a
Safeway and say "Oh, I hear you are in United Grocers Ha
Ha" "No, I get my product from them but I own a Safeway."
Now let's say United Grocers is Amway, Safeway is YOU, the best
organization that networks with Amway. (There are 8+ organizations
that network with Amway.) Who would want to get involved with
the other organizations, there are alot of Frank's and Bob's out
there
Just came from the first "plan meeting"
dreams etc, but we didn't fall for it, we live in St. thomas and
there is no way this can work here- only 50,000 people. We figured
you have to have 288,000 people under you to make any money. But
my girlfriend is hooked and I wish there was a way for her to
see the light- she thinks she will be a diamond in 5 yrs and have
ten planes etc. I think as soon as her sponsor leaves I will have
her check out your story- any suggestions- she just got into it
a month ago and the pressure is on 2 hours of listening to this
dream stuff, we came home exhausted and I already knew you can't
sell vitamins since I am a distributer for Blus Green Algae and
I only sell it to me and one girlfriend and I make no money and
don't care I like the vitamins but I can't push things on people.
Glad you got out.. Glad I am never starting and thanks for having
this on the internet maybe you can save more people, can't wait
to show this to my husband in the am, he said there is no way
this can work.. We are doing it the old fashion way working real
hard to make a buck- plus I already have my own business -I am
a house painter and work real hard at it.
Any suggestions for my friend is appreciated
and thanks again for your story hope you are better now
Thanks
You have just show me what way to take now that some naive friend
is enrolled with this comapny in my area. I will like to show
him your experience but believe me, I am afraid he will be hurt
too much. He is too deeply involved already. >From your notes
I fully understood how they work. Many thanks again
Hi.
My name is **. I have a business of my own with a company that
is structured in some ways like a typical MLM company, but in
some ways very different. In fact, the company I'm involved with
is primarily a manufacturing company and secondarily a marketing
company. My question is this: I'm trying to study compensation
plans of various MLM companies and compare/contrast them to my
company so I can accentuate the differences. However, I haven't
had a lot of success finding accurate information on companies'
compensation plans. Does your organization have some companies'
plans, or do you have any ideas where I could go to get them?
Please advise.
Thanks!
I have the solution
for those of us who have fallen under the spell, or to put it
mildly, fell for it hook, line and sinker!!!!!
Please check out my site at www.mendingbrokendreams.com. It will link to my catalog of products that HAD to be purchased in order to become an Independent Distributor so we can make LOTS OF MONEY!!! Bull
Thank you,
[I have responded and let her know that I do
not support what she is doing. But since I promised to post all
my e-mail as long as it's not obscene or foul, I am posting her
original note.]
I am trying to find some information
on Prime America. Could you help me? Thank-You,
Part
I
I've been searching for insider information on Melaleuca but am overwhelmed by all of the negative Amway stuff. I know it is another MLM and therefore suspect but was looking for information from someone other than the person wanting to sign me up before I get involved. At first glance it appeared to be less cultish than Amway.
Thanks.
Part II
Thanks for your prompt response. The information on your web site and links has helped me avoid getting into a MLM once again. I think I may have now read enough to accept the fact that no MLM is worth the effort. I almost feel like someone who is conquering a long standing addiction.
Thanks again.
<<<<<The
Federal Trade Commission has filed suit in federal district court
alleging that Alpine Industries, Inc., a company based in Tennessee
and Minnesota, has violated a 1995 Commission order by continuing
to claim, without adequate substantiation, that its ozone-generating
indoor "air cleaner" devices remove numerous pollutants,
do so better than other methods, and prevent or relieve medical
or health related conditions. The FTC is seeking a court order
against the firm and its president, William J. Converse, and civil
penalties up to $11,000 per order violation. Alpine and Mr. Converse
are bound by the 1995 order, which requires competent and reliable
scientific evidence to back up such claims.>>>>>>
See the last lines, "competent and reliable
scientific evidence...." Well, stay tuned for the official
IHC report by Dr. Robert Olcerst and The U of Penn about scientific
evidence that PROVES Alpine units do exactlywhat we have said
all along... I believe you should then make adjustments in your
website. thank you,
How would you make a living
without selling your twisted, distorted views on some failed experience
in mlm??
I am due to retire from the military soon,
and have been approached by an acquaintance who has tried to get
in to Amway. I appreciate what you wrote on the net and am glad
that I have been forewarned! I kind of figured that it was too
good to be true. If it was so great, we'd all be rich-right? I
realize that yours is only one story, but i don't need to be run
over by a truck to get a point. Thanks again for your honesty
and your willingness to share your story. Very Grateful!!
I
have enjoyed your articles and information on the big "A"
but I did not find any information on Melalueca. If you have information
can you point me to it?
I am an Amway distributor.
I beleive in network marketing. I have nothing against your work
here informing people about Amway. If some people are scared away
they would most probably have quit anyway. I thank you for letting
both sides telling their version. What I have to say is the following.
New people should not be discouraged by these remarks but they
should be warned. I beleive when DeVos and VanAndel put this together
they never taught it would get this big and you certainly can't
control everybody. I think Amway is an excellent business opportunity
but then when you add people it sometimes gets screwed up. I think
when you start any business you should make a budget and respect
it. I know from personal experiance that some upline are just
there to increase tape count but your the boss. As far as the
cost you must look at for the cost what is it doing for me. I
had relatives saying I was brain-washed but I never let that effect
me because no matter what you get excited about people will think
your possesed. What I have to say is keep your priorities straight,
respect your budget and follow the system and don't let anyone
steal your dream.
This page updated Nov-22-98
