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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. Subject: Regarding Nikken Despite all MLM firms, have you heard, or do you have any information on the company Nikken, from Japan? They are a business that focuses on health and wellness. Thank you. |
Subject: PFS revisited
Hi again: I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I thought I would write and share the news with you that my family and I had a wonderful Christmas. We spent our time with our church and family and were able to offer many thanks for prayers answered. We never once had to think about whether the people we were worshipping with would be potential clients or recruits, and we were completely focused on the holiness of the season. It was wonderful. And this was because we left the business (Primerica Financial Services) on December 1st after 14 months of giving money to our RVP for events and books. By Christmas time, I had received two paychecks and was able to give my children a few modest Christmas presents, which I would not have been able to do if I had stayed with PFS. We are now in good standing with our creditors and working our way out of debt. I just want to say that a job is a blessing, not a curse. I am reminded of the words of the prayer, Desiderada: "
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs for the world is full of trickery."
Although not Biblical, the writer of this was very wise.
We had been praying in our home group--unafilliated with the business by the way-- for some time that God make us receptive to people who really needed what we were offering through PFS and that He put people in our path that needed us. We, of course, would talk to everyone who crossed our path to find out if they were an answer to our prayers. Our hope was that, as a result of helping others, God would bless our family with financial relief from the pressures we've been facing.
Our prayers were answered, but not in the way we had expected. It became very clear to us that PFS was not the answer. Instead of people who needed help, we found only rejection, coldness, and people politely trying to tell us that we were going in the wrong direction. We also realized that the business was not what our RVP and upline claimed it to be. In fact, it is the opposite of what they claimed it to be. I realize now that if my upline thought a spiritual approach would get me in the business, he would take that tack. If he thought obscene amounts of money was my "hot-button" he would go with that. If he thought I wanted to meet single women, he would talk about all the single women in PFS. Whatever it takes, the truth can and is twisted to suit the potential recruit; that is part of the trickery of MLM.
Anyway, my wife and I were blessed with new opportunities. She, as an accounting controller for a large corporation, and I am now working for a company that makes lasers for telecommunications and medical purposes. Our incomes are modest but our lives are now peaceful, full and rewarding. Thus, I now see that the truth about MLMs, including PFS, is that they are selectively positive and intensely negative in many ways. They are negative about anything that leads you away from the company, even if it is prayer; and positive only in the sense of exaggerated promises and extravagance. True peace is of no real value to the MLM dream sellers unless they can attach a dollar value to it, as they have done to the concept of hopes and dreams: yes sir or ma'am, you can have hope, you can dream dreams, sign here and pay your fees, and we will sell you your dream and your hopes. True philanthropists, which all these tricksters claim to be, do not sell hope and dreams; they give us hope and inspire us to dream by virtue of their own beauty. Ghandi, Mother Theresa and others who gave to the world without any thought of what they would gain or lose, even their lives, these are the true dream builders and hope givers, since they show us the potential for goodness that we all have inside.
Well! I'm sermonizing, lol.
Anyway, through prayer, we have sorted out our lives, and are giving in our humble way as called. I drive truck for a food bank in my off hours, my son helps organize a youth group in the church, and we tithe and work in our church in whatever capacity we are called to do. Yes, these are the works, and the works are not everything, but they are a start and a necessary part of faith.
We are, at this moment, one of the richest families in our neighborhood. I'm sorry if this is becoming bragadocious, but after 14 months of serving mammon, it is good to be back in the truth, however humble that may seem to some others. And that truth has nothing to do with what's in my bank account, but everything to do with what is in my heart and soul. The way I see it now, when receiving God's blessings for good works becomes a business plan, it must fail. Although God may choose to bless someone with money, God doesn't conduct business transactions with his believers. And it doesn't necessarily follow that money is a sign of blessings from God. My upline tried to convince me that by "doing the right thing," i.e. selling term and investing the difference, and because I would be helping others get financially free, that I would therefore be blessed with wealth myself. Our pastor nearly choked on that one. That is what I mean by trying to make a business arrangement with God. It cannot, nor should it work on those terms.
Anyway, I won't say I owe all to your website, but I will acknowledge the significant contribution it has made to lifting the veil of deception from our eyes. For that, I am grateful. I mentioned in earlier posts that I would be constructing a PFS information website for those looking for info on that company. It is up at http://www.bc1.com/users/sjr/pfspage/pfsenquiry.html and although it is not as professionally done as your own, I have already received over 400 hits and three email responses.
Feel free to pass my email address on to others who may inquire about PFS. I hope you and your loved ones also had a God-filled Christmas.
I'm sure we'll be corresponding again.
Subject: MLM Experiences
Hi Everyone,
I red all the E-mail on this site about experiences with MLM and its fantastic to see to difference in opinions. I guess it reflect the peoples on this planet, I saw my self in each of your statements. I am involve in a MLM - now call relationship Marketing with Usana. I got involve in july 97 when a friend of mine introduce me to it. I was skeptical at the time but this guy that trust Guaranty me on the quality of there products. In 97 I was working 3 jobs ,7 days a week to make ends meet and I also had very strong back pains, ears infection,cold,alergies. I told my friend that I would try his products for 3 month and see if it was for me. He also introduce me to the business opportunity and how I could have the products free or if I want make a residual income with it.
At the time I decided to join as a distributor because the amount of products that I would need to have a health benefit was about the same than the one a active distributor. I thought why not , just in case my friend place few people under me(it didn't Happen) . I received the starter Kit, that I left under my bed, and also all the products " Essentials (MultiVitamines and Multiminerals) , Proflavanol (grape seeds extract), Calmag, Poly C, . I received these products every month at the end of the first month My Sponsor called me to see how I was doing , I told him that I felt strange and he replied " don't fight the healing". He also invited to a meeting (training) , Sorry but no time. The second month the telephone ring and my sponsor , same question, My reply was well I have more energy and my back is lest pain , He invited me again at a meeting (too busy) , The third month he called me and ask if I wanted to return the products and file a no-satisfy customer form because 90 days was the limit to get my money back if I was dissatisfied with the products. I replied are crazy I haven't that good in Years.
I was convinience that the products was of high quality , it worked for me but I didn't have time for the business and I also advised my Sponsor that I would call him when I was ready. Eight months passed since I started to be on the products, one day I was off and decide to open the Usana distributor Kit and when I started to read over I felt like an Idiot because this gold mine was sitting under my bed and It seem easy to do. I called my sponsor that night to ask him if any meeting was going on, He brought to one that night where basically it was a products/opportunity presentation, 1 hour it was over and the person at front point at me and said to the 30 persons in the room, let welcome Robert who has been on the products for 8 months get here and tell us what is his experience with the Usana products. ( I melted in my seat and look at my sponsor with a smile and gun shot in my eyes) Everyone what clapping , no choice I said to my self . I got up and tell everyone my story and how unhealthy I was and how Usana help change my health and teach me how to improve my life style by Exercising,health better and have good supplements .
I have been in the front for maybe 5 min and peoples was just laughing like hell. when I finished everyone came to me to thanks me because it was the best story they never heard. I thought this is not real they must all say that because they want me to get involve in the business. I learned after the meeting that 75% to the 30 peoples in the room that night was just prospect who attended an Usana Meeting for the first time. WOW I thought , I told my sponsor that will remember for long time what he did that night , sending me in the front with my permission, He replied would you have say yes if I had asked you before. Forget it.
I finally got involved with my wife , but I told my wife that the only thing we would promote would be the products by enrolling preferred customers and leave the business opportunity information behind just for them to review. We hand up with 100 downlines so far , that we trained to be customer first and to set an exemple of healthy living. I know MLM is not for everyone , I found out that peoples in my down line that got involve first for the Money and try to get rich quick seem to be more pushy and scare peoples away. The one that get involve for the health philosophy will do better.
For everyone out there who had bad experience in MLM and fell it was a cult or ripoff, I can agree with you but look inside your self and dig to find the positive reason why god wanted you to have this experience. What ever you have good or bad experiences in your life, You will grow up because of it and its 100 time better than not having any experience at all. Trying nothing doesn't bring anywhere. To finish image you could live like me in Canada and pay 52% of your paycheck to government taxes. Happy New year 1999.
Subject: Latest series of letters
I find it absolutely amazing when distributors convince themselves thatthey are DDs or Diamonds or whatever. One of the side effects of the"AMO bender" is the inability to be honest with yourself. I really pity these people.
Subject: 2 Million Lawsuit
Can you tell me the status of the $2 million lawsuit? When was it filed? I was in the Wilson organization for nearly three years. Similar to many, I wasted thousands of dollars, and hundreds of hours (that I could of spent on my son who now lives 500 miles away with his mother) and was humiliated and embarrased by the "system" because we didn't find the success that others had "acheived". It put huge amounts of stress on my marriage which contributed to our divorce.
This lawsuit details many things that I agreed with all along. I was always told that the "Yager money far exceeded the Amway money after you reached Emerald."
Please, let me know what you can or who I can contact.
Do you know of any other class action suits that may occur?
Thank you
Subject: winners circle
No, I am not trying to sponsor you. I really do want to know what you know about the program or its principals. The concept of hiring a marketing company to build downline seems to be a good one. Once again, I am only looking to you as a resource of information.
Thank you,
I don't believe "Amway" makes any claim that they are such a great family business. From what I have seen, it is the people who have achieved specific levels, who have the chance to speak from stage who claim the Amway business broght their families together.
What is dishonest, immoral, or un-ethical about the way a MLM operates, Amway or any other?
Subject: MLM
I agree with many of your observations about MLM. Most MLMs use every trick in the book to move money upline. Products are incredibly overpriced so companies can afford "the best comp plan on the planet". Amway and others rip people off with tools and seminars. Companies charge $200-$1000 entry fees, and spit that money back out in coding bonuses, which are essentially bonuses for recruiting. Compensation plans are designed so that the guy 7 levels above you gets more for your sales than you do. The result: It's impossible to make money in these companies without recruiting mega-downlines. Forget selling a product, you got to sell a dream!
Now, I'm not saying that the entire concept of MLM is wrong. The idea seems OK; you sell product to the people you know, and you recruit others who do the same. This allows you to leverage your time without hiring employees, etc. The problem, IMO, lies with the MLM compensation plans. The comp plans are designed by the "heavy hitter', for the "heavy hitter", and to attract the "heavy hitter" The people at the top demand to get paid, and they threaten to move their flock of downline sheep to another company if they don't get the dollars. So, the MLMs use the money game tricks to keep the heavy hitters happy.
I believe that MLMs CAN be ethical and fair, IF they use a more equitable compensation plan. They should give more money for retailing, less money for the upline. This way, distributors would be able to recruit to leverage themselves, but they wouldn't be forced to recruit an organization of hundreds of broke distributors to succeed. I recently signed with a company like this (I won't name it here). The company sells telecom services, and 50-80% of the commission goes to the rep that makes the sale. When you recruit, you give your downline the opportunity to make money, without exploiting her. That's the way MLMs should operate.
Subject: M. O. R. E.
I have been seriously considering programs from eileen rholeder M. O. R. E. BASED IN KANSAS and alan bechtle on a program that they are selling, and would like toknow if anyone has had any dealings with this company.
thanks
I'm sorry that you had a bad experience as an Amway Distributor. Although I am not with Amway, I am in the network marketing business. I find that, although some companies may deceive people into purchasing "tools", there are some very good companies out there as well. Just as it is not right to lump all doctors together; we all know that there are good ones and band ones. It is also not right to lump all network marketing companies together. I honestly hope you life does get better for you.
Sincerely Yours
Subject: Amway and other MLM's
Hello, I've been checking out your site for the past few months and I really enjoy it!! Bravo! Well done, and lots of fun to read too. My husband and I are not in Amway, although he did it along with several of his friends before we even dated. Of course you already know the outcome of that fruitless endeavor. What a joke Amway is. I worked at a dealership as a salesperson and one of my co-workers was an Ambot. He tried to recruit everybody. I had started with a different Network Marketing company while working there. And just to let you know, we have been in 1 year and have earned over $5,000 and my husband is thrilled with the differences between this company and Scamway.
Its too bad Amway is creating such a bad reputation for the Network Marketing Industry. I feel they are the main offenders. Anyways, this guy I worked with was going around bad-mouthing my company and he stole a really good prospect from me by telling lies about my company. What a jerk-off! If Amway is so great, why is he still working 70 hours a week selling cars and he's been in Scamway for years!! And to make matters worse, he had to borrow $400 from a co-worker. He can't be doing that well. He just doesn't get it!
Meanwhile, we earned a $900 check a few weeks ago. I'll bet he can't say that! I don't even work there anymore. I just want people to know that I think there are a lot of wonderful, legitimate companies out there and you just need to do your homework and find them. Keep up the good work!!!
You know that court case against won't hold up in court. I don't know about the other guy.
Subject: World Wide Dream Builders
I noticed in one of your articles that you had referenced a site related to Ron Puryear and WWDB. What is the address of this site? I know several people involved in WWDB, and although I find more sites like this one referencing it, I had not found a more "official" site.
Your assistance is appreciated!
Subject: Yagerland Blues
If you saw the article on the Mcewn's giving up their "dream" home then you probably know that all is not well in Foleycountry or Goochgulch either. Anyway Amway slices or dices it, this organization will be a footnote in the dustbin of history in a very short period of time. [The writer is referring to an article, which he forwarded to me, from the Orlando Sentinel about Diamond Terry and Yvonne McEwen's plans to sell their brand-spanking new 12,000 sq. ft. home in Lake Co., Florida.]
Subject: just curious
i am really curious where you get your information. There are no sources cited or anything. i am curious to know why you feel so strongly against the yager's and the amway corporation. i am an active amwayian and have found nothing but personal growth.....both in finaces and hope, confidence and belief in myself and my achomplishments. i value your opinion even though it is opposite of mine but where do you get your information?
thank you. i would really appreciate a reply to these questions..
[For anyone who is curious, you can read my story at http://members.tripod.com/~nomorescams/mystory.htm.]
[Part II]
i will agree with you that thier are some "scams" around just like the normal corporation hold dishonest people. You asked who my diamond was...which organization i am in. i will gladly answer that guestion because i belive in the honesty and interegrity of my diamonds.. and my upline. i was not "brain washed" into anything. if i was "brain washed' into "cult" thinking then i was "brain washed" to believe that i am capable of all the great things God has provided for me... [Compare this e-mail author's statement to the following statement by an ex-Moonie: "When I was in the Moonies, I knew I hadn’t been brainwashed. I do remember, however, Moon giving us a speech in which he said a popular magazine had accused him of brainwashing us. He declared, ‘Americans’ minds are very dirty – full of selfish materialism and drugs – and they need a heavenly brainwashing!’ We all laughed. " (Steven Hassan, Combatting Cult Mind Control, Park St. Press, Rochester, VT 1990, p. 56)]
yes, up until last year you were not paid directly from amway...it was sent through your diamond. This is not true anymore... every month i receive a bonus check from the corporation on amway checks... you say you cited everything .... how can you site it? the only thing i noticed was the book titles.
i am involed in the yager organization--my imediate upline dimonds are brian and judy mcconnel....you were not a failure at amway if you grew as a person... no matter if i had never made a dime in this business or if i lost "my shirt" as some people say (which can not happen if you use wise fianace skills) the business would be worth it for the friends that i have made and the belief that i have strengthened in God and the belief and confidence i have gained in myself. i do ask that you do not publish the names of my diamonds... i do not want them "slamed" the way you "slam" the corporation... i also ask which organization you were in... it is only fair that you answer since i answered for you. thanks
[Part III]
sorry to sound rude but i am apalled by your site... and it has nothing to do with my loyality to "amway". it has everything to do with my loyality to my FRIENDS. you asked who my diamonds were. i told you. i am appalled that you do not have the same deciency to tell me yours. i am sad that you have so much time on your hands now that you can try to "destroy" people. i know what you believe and i know what i belive. no one can make be believe something. i am the one who makes that choice. i was curious about the "negative" that was on the web about MY business i have a right to know that. i am sad that you feel the way you do. amway is not for everyone, just like being a teacher or being a banker or being a farmer, policeman or any other profession is not for everyone. each profession field holds "SUCCESS" stories and each professional field holds "FAILURE" stories. i believe that as long as you complete what you start and stand by your word you are not a failure. i believe this. i have been involved with the corporation well over four years.... first as a nanny for several business assoicates of mine and then as a distributor. you said you fear for yourself and your family i am sorry about this...
since you know who my diamonds are you know that they are very Godly people. Even dexter admits that not all his children pertisipate in the "business" that is their choice. [Funny how four of Dex's children participate in the TOOLS business though -- they certainly know where the money is!] my grandfather is a machinist. i am not. my dad is a chef. i did not choose that profession. my grandmother is a librarian. i did not choose that profession. my mother is a secertary. i did not choose that as my profession. my other gandmoter is a nurse. i did not choose that profession. my other grandfather was a farmer. i did not choose that profession. each person is an individual.. each person makes thier own choices. steve choose the "internet" portion of the business. one son chose to be a machinic.. so who cares.... that is their choice.
any way thank you for you time.....
Subject: Melaleuca downfalls?
I was just looking over your site. I am considering joining Melaleuca and have been impressed with the company thus far. Since their name is included on this site of programs that may not be wise investments, I was hoping you could share with me any bad sides to this company. I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person, yet I haven't been able to find any negatives about Melaleuca at this point. If there are any, I figured you would know.
I'd greatly appreciate any information/stories you could share.
Thank you.
This page updated Feb-05-99
