Boy, Someone must have really pissed you off. I bet you eat , sleep and_____ Amway. You know, you didn't have to go to all those meetings. Nobody dragged you. I personally don't think there is anything wrong with selling hope. If I told you the first day of college that odds are you were not going to graduate, what is the reason for even trying. You don't tell someone all the bad there is in something. Hell, everything has a down side. The world is full of negative crap. You can't tell me that all those Amway people were negative. Even if you weren't a distributor, listening to all of those tapes would motivate me to do my job better and live a better life.

So get a life!!!!

I like the concept of mlm's and believe with the right oppourtunity it can work. Unfortunattely, or fortunately my eyes were opened to the amway opportunity 6 years to late.

in short.. when i questions my upline several times about long distance major functions... and the cost... i was basically asked to leave. after purchasing 1500+ tapes, books, seminars, rallys, travel time, hotels, event tickets, and going flat broke... i began to ask why?... now i wasn't a "TEAM PLAYER" anymore

i've still be trying to make this thing work.... but i've refused to go with the system....now... there is no connection with any of my upline... so i've decided to leave... but i am stuck with all these tapes and such.

is there any legal avenues for this dilema?

if you would like to know my story... then email me and i tell it to you... it is a doozy...just don't want to take to much of your time.

I found your information concerning Amway very interesting.

Do you have any information about USANA? Apparently it is a vitamin supplement "network marketing" organisation. I can't seem to find any "truth" pages about them on the 'net.

I hope you can give me some advice on starting a website for selling Amway products. I want to have a site for people to order products from me but I saw this one site Amway: Amway authorized official Amway distributor PHP wizard They suggest that to do it myself I might be in violation of Amway rules. Do you know about this? Do you know where I might find these rules so I don't do anything wrong?

I'd appreciate any help you can give.

well here is my story.

1. i have always been an entreprenuer.
2. i currently own my own advertising business with annual sales in the six figures and growing.

i share this with you not as to brag but to show you i do understand business.

first... the amway business is a sound business. i mean the ideals are good... its "THE SYSTEM" and blind faith that gets people into trouble.

i have taken the principles of the system to succeed in my current endevours. these principles were taught to me through the books, seminars & rallys, and major functions. all in all amway is ok.

The Problem:

the problem for me was when i disagreed with my upline and had the courage to say NO! to them the problems began.

when i first started Amway (7+ years ago) my financial status wasn't so good. my wife and i were taking care of her terminally ill mother. she pasted away 2 years ago. needless to say - the medical bills were outrageous and the emotional frame of mind was fried.

i was hungry for help and i was approached with "the business".. Actually.. i had never seen amway until then... it sounded so simple.. that everyone would do it.

most businesses can use the cost of tools and other expenses as IRS tax right offs. i knew this was true and so when we had a income loss the first year...i thought it to be no problem. the second year .. no problem - the third year... no problem.

you see i live in Californi (West Coast)... and the functions were on East Coast...my upline insisted we needed to go.. "how can you grow if you do not go"... this would make my expenses go up.

my upline insisted that we go 4 (four) times a year. and we did. and get on SOT, DBR, + BOM..(the required tools insisted by upline)

I worked 50 hours a week at a job to pay for inhome nursing, perscriptions, oxygen and etc.

I maxed out all the credit cards... and my wife and i were constantly argueing about money... almost divorced....

Too Top it off... Our Friendly Govt. (the IRS) audited me. you see 4 years of a negative cash flow in a business is a problem to them. it is no longer considered a business... rather a hobby. and you can't deduct expenses in a hobby.. all the right offs were denied... and penalties occured. all of that plus accountants fees.. The IRS experience cost me $6500.00

Now you may think of me as someone who didn't activly pursue the business.. YOU ARE WRONG! 20+ plans a month... using the 3 foot system... anyone with in 3 feet and breathing - i approached i was nearly the direct level... made thousands a month... i just spent more than i was making!!!

i have thousands of audio tapes... video tapes.. and book

The IRS audit changed me... my eyes were opened.. i began to question "why" to so many things and my upline didn't like it.

GET THIS.. most people are trying to talk people into amway... my upline asked me several times to leave. get kicked out..

not the person who sponsered me.. but my direct, ruby, emerald and above did everything get me out... because i was bucking the system... not a team player

my sponsor (who is my good friend) said .. "we can work together and prove them wrong"

i have tried this for a year to work it out but... it just ain't worth it..

Multi-level marketing is the wave of the future.. the concept is good...after looking at the cost of similar products in other multi-levels... i feel ripped off. the cost in amway is to high.... and i don't just mean the products...

I was wondering if I could get the necessary documentation to get started in the Amway sales program. I was introduced to it about two years ago by some friends but nevber got involved dur to the issue that I had no money at the time to get things started. Amway would be benifical in getting my busniess up and running to it's full potential.

Thankyou,

I ran across your website yesterday afternoon during a 'few minutes' of downtime in-between calls here at work. I was somewhat bored and went to a search engine to look for whatever came to mind. From time to time, I'll search up on Amway and get the 'latest skinny' on what's been going on, who's said what, who's done what, what figures are reported, etc. etc. to peek at the ongoing psychodrama of Amway.

I was a distributor from August 26th, 1996 to ~March 15th, 1997. I originally was introduced to The Plan by my boss when I was hired on two weeks prior to giving him my $100 (or whatever it was; my memory has faded some). I had had unreliable second-hand knowledge of what the Amway business was per seeing my brother presenting the brown business compendium "A business of your own" during the first half of 1991 (I had just gotten out of high school at the time). Based on that, I had known Amway had existed, didn't have any negative 'vibes' towards it, for lack of better words, and certainly didn't have 1/10th of the facts in respect to the research on the subject you've done. Anyways, I was invited to a Wednesday night open a few days before I bought the kit. The open was, well, interesting, to say the least. At this time, I had a 10" long pony tail I was sporting as well as my khaki's in an all-suit meeting. Everyone there seemed to have a purposeful "smile" on their faces as if it were staged but not in the malicious sense. After being shown the plan personally by my boss, I was in. During that period of my life, I was just in the middle of buying a house (coming out of a situation where my father had left my mother) and I was broke as broke could be; broke enough where two meals a day was a luxury, so this business, or atleast the impression and representation of, gave me a sense of hope that it could be overwith in two years. It was just a matter of time before I started ripping this thing up and making some serious, hard cash. I was sponsored by his daughter and placed in her downline (which was nonexistant at the time per her lack of interest).

A few months went by and some things had changed. One, being around my job-boss/upline direct, I had learned quite a bit about interpersonal skills and effective communication which, to this day, is still benefitting me although I've done away with the positive/negative connotative aspect of it and have stuck to the bare-bones truth of "knowing how to get your message across" without inadvertently making someone else turn 180 and run the other way. I had also learned how to get over the fear of introducing myself to people, etc. During this time period (Aug '96 to Dec '96), I had sponsored three people and had one leg that had two people and was appearing to grow. In just four months I had an organization that had six people in it and was extremely hopeful of the future. Of course, little did I know that all of these people were the easy ones; they weren't the cold-call style where you meet someone, throw them the "hey have we met? Are you interested in possibly making extra money on the side? blah blah" pitch that takes a bit more constitution and laying yourself out on the line. Our group reached 300PV in our 3rd month for the first and last time. This 300PV came from my 'bulldog' leg I had (which was and still is a very good friend of mine to this day) from an Artistry party. Wow, I made $7 off of that one! The second thing to change was my monthly expenditures. They had risen sharply since I'd gotten on the trip of "buying from my own store" (you know, the hair mousse for my locks back then, the shampoo, toothpaste (Glister? I liked it), the Deter soap, etc.). Along with that, the tapes came in. In that short period I had amassed something like 50 to 60 tapes; perhaps more.

What happened next was dangerous ground as I soon learned. When the issue of getting the 100PV had come up, I became lightly pestering my three legs (all three of which were and still are personal friends) to do the 100PV thing. In theory, I could hit my 300PV (actually 400PV according to the system) each month and get a bonus check for it. I started bugging my mom about buying from me instead of just driving down to the grocery store (which was literally down the street from the house) and waiting a few days for product pickup night. I had also started bugging other friends to dress up and come to opens and/or buy from me and the whole bit. Having been a distributor yourself I'm sure you can empathize and relate to it. It may even bring back memories that you now cringe over. My mother and I started getting into fights occasionally because she wouldn't purchase. I began being alienated from my friends, etc. This didn't bode to well for me. That and I was showing the plan because I just didn't have the 'backbone' (or maybe I wasn't serious enough (roll my eyes)) to call people I didn't know and throw them some sales pitch like I was trying to sell them a car without a conscience and good heart about it.

In March of '97, around my mother's birthday, I woke up one day and a thought had crossed my mind. I had come to the conclusion that I just didn't have the heart to do this business and I didn't want to be "married" to those people anymore. Since I was let go from that job where my boss was my upline direct (his boss fired me on an unrelated set of issues where I was basically cheated) I didn't have the daily contact and Amway immersion. I had lost interest after the first month or so and began to steadily slide into inactivity where I then landed at a stopping point that aforementioned morning in mid-March.

With the history out of the way now, I wanted to share with you a few things of concern to me and perhaps get feedback on your experiences from it. First of all, I would like to mention that I am a Christian and not of the "on-paper" derivative that both you and I are disgusted with that lack genuinity. I had ran across my share of those folk (lots in the Amway business) and all I have to say is "judge them by their fruits" as I'm sure you've heard. People are *so good* at talking up a storm but when push comes to shove it's the men that come out and do the work; not the boys. Our Britt system, even though it was stressed to me that it wasn't a reflection of the Amway Corporation, was heavily inundated with this imagery of being 'Christian'. Lots of things nowadays, that wish to generate business on a false pretense given out that they're wholesome in some way, honest, "real people", etc., will tend to drag God's name through the mud as a "hey, look at us -- we're all about this" impression. I've seen it a million times. The FED that rolled through during this time period also had Kenneth Copeland as a speaker during the Sunday service. This is the same man that has taken God's Word in truth, mixed it with his own religion of metaphysics (you know, mind over matter, etc.) and come up with some psuedo-Christian theology cloaked in the banner of "you can be rich and be a success based off of your faith in what you *say* (yes, literally what comes out of your mouth). He's a part of the growing HyperFaith movement as it's called. What got me is is, even though I didn't attend this service/FED function because I was moving into a house that weekend, I'm sure Mr. Copeland was paid for the visit and this: Doesn't it seem strange that a person who's running the 'church service' is a guy who's willing to tell you that all you have to do is say something and convince yourself you'll be rich then God (whoa, God creator of the universe -- that God?) will be backed into a corner and be forced to make you rich? I mean, who wouldn't want to *hear* a supposed minister of the Lord tell you that God Himself will make you rich based on what you say? I sure as heck would. Wouldn't you? (throw up an eyebrow) To lay a ground rule on the subject by law, I shall insert the text of of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

According to this First Amendment, every citizen of this country is guaranteed the freedom to express religion as he or she, in good faith, sees fit. So, legally, any preacher or anyone else belonging to any religion, faith, or philisophical system on the pretense of religion can step up on that podium any time they want and say what they want. However, although this law is written in stone, I question the very character of the individuals who've used that as a means of drawing prospects in the door "in the name of the Lord" when in fact the system itself is very anti-Christian and blasphemous at its root. For example, all of this talk about positive and negative -- it makes me sick! At the time it didn't because I was naive enough not to take a step back and consider what I was being told. But, after I was out of the business and away from the spectacular lightshow, so to speak, I began to realize just what was going on. The positive/negative thing going around is nothing more than a deceptive lie. Remember our mom's telling us "this is for your own good"? Well, some things we may consider negatives are certainly the truth while, at the same time, things we may consider positives are fallacies at the core. The idea that if you spoke "negative" you weren't a team player really got under my skin. The positive/negative thing is nothing more than a cute, cuddly way of being introduced to the very same system of metaphysics the preacher at FED threw a spill about. It's another set of images thrown to curve outsiders and prospects their way to generate downline. It reminds me of moldy food with tasty spice on top.

Another thing that I didn't much like about the business is that it changed your perception on how you viewed people -- they weren't individual people(s) with hearts, minds, sincereities (or lack thereof in some cases), but rather they were dollar signs waiting to be plucked from the masses so your wallet, in theory, would get fatter. Everyone I looked at in an office building was a potential prospect that I would size up in my mind as to whether or not they would be good at the business. If someone ticked me off, the thought of "Ah, they don't deserve my business" rang loudly. It's the same frame of mind that dictates the art of 'gloom and doom', 'you're a loser if you have a job', 'stay broke', and 'Amway is the best'. After being out of the business I sorely regret having succumbed myself to that state and inwardly ask for forgivness of such things from those I may've trespassed against.

Oh and, did I forget to tell you all I made was that $7 from earlier? I won't even mention the hundreds I had spent in return for $7, a bunch of rejections, the potential loss of friendships, the remaining long-term scars of having made those interpersonal mistakes, and what have you.

If you were to look up the definition of the world "cult", Amway, atleast its distributorship system(s), will meet that criteria. The system is a deception -- The higher upline make money off of tools sold (believe you me I bought enough of them) -- There's so much surface crap strewn out to people to make something *look* good even though on the inside it sucks. Jesus Christ, himself, the purpoted son of God Himself, rode into Jerusalem on a donkey of all things and not in a carriage or horse or something with all of the self-righteous, religious Jews of the day in parade fashion. He was meek on the outside yet full of vivacity and genuine truth in character on the inside. This business is the reverse of that -- Suits, tuxedos, parties, loud music during the opens, lots of laughs and eerily-nice and pleasant people, Mercedes' cars in the parking (well, when the diamonds are there atleast), the "hey look at him -- he made it!" stigma, etc. It's a big joke and I'm beginning to wonder if everyone's deceived as I was for a few months. They're selling "dreams" without the realism of knowing the risk involved, the negatives, the ups and downs, or the possibility of not being a success in the business when you're "100% serious". The only thing I wonder about is how can grown adults, after having been introduced to the truth of what's going on, continue to deceive others in this regard and go to bed at night without a conscience. I love my job and my hobby, but I know that both of them do require hard work as well as risk and they are *not* guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination, regardless of whether I say so in my faith or convince myself to 'get serious'. Doing such is living in a fantasy world that all but abandons the richness of reality.

I sure hope this letter was of interest to you and I hope it helps out in anything you may be searching for. You have my permission to post this at your leisure and convenience, with all original intent and related stressing of words included. Thanks for your time.

Anway has a money back guarentee. Did you get your money back as promised even on tapes?

What do you do now?

Interesting site, with less than 1% of the population in the US and a fraction of the world population listed as distributors.... don't you think its amazing that all the Amway bashing websites that publish their comments, are showing more than 50% positive responses to the business? With all the rest of the population available to rip on Amway? Also, the vast majority of negative or "nagative" news articles out there all have the same theme... "Interviews with Looosers". Lastly, you, above all should know that the media is in the business of selling media, not the truth, or lies. They simply print or air anything that gets people to view it and the advertisements that allow the publications and stations to stay afloat. P.S. your next research projects could investigate just how independent various media entities are. I would be very curious to see your results myself. I just know that a few people like Ted Turner own all but a few sources out there (the internet being one). So that must be why the USA today CNN, NBC nightly news and my local paper all air the same story on the same day, with the same opinion......Hmmmm sounds like brainwashing or someone trying to control our thoughts.....

I just read some of the negitive stuff people are saying about Amway and it's Distributors. I have been a Distributor for 2 1/2 years and I love the business and the people and the products.

Yes, some people in the business talk about politics and religion, but I just take from it what I like and leave the rest. We all have our opinions and we are all entitled to our own opinions.

My upline has never forced their opinions on me, which would be futile because I have a mind of my own. If some poeple feel like they have been brainwashed, maybe that is their personalitly type, easily infulenced.

And as for as the relatives and friends of Distributors, why can't these people be more helpful and encouraging?? My sister-in-law just started her own busniess in graphics and the family has been supportive.

Another friend just got her Real Estate License and hands her card out to evrerone she meets and tells them what a good company her borker is, and people have been supportive of her. What is the difference of being an Amway Distributor and selling good products?? Who cares if you use Tide or SA8 Laundry Soap as long as it gets the clothes clean?? Why can't family and friends be supportive of that??

We, as distributors are not asking that anyone buy inferior products or join a cult. If some want to join fine, if not fine, but just using the products does not mean you have to be a distributor.

We, as distributors would just like the support of friends and family just as if we opend our own retail grocery store. I know I would shop from a friends store rather than his competitors store.

Hello. Thank you for providing an informative, well-organized website. I was recently approached by an acquaintance who is a doctor about meeting with he and his wife to learn about a "very successful home-based business that has been very good to them and involves a virtual mall." I was noncommittal, but assumed it was Amway and looked on the web to see if there was any reference to this "new, exciting way to shop" on sites like yours. My husband and I seem to attract these people. We are both in high-profile positions and have a large network of community contacts, and it seems like every six months or so an Amway disciple approaches us with the latest pitch, but this is one I hadn't heard before. Thank God I was able to quickly discover that my instincts were once again right on target. Do you have any more information other than what is listed on your site as to exactly what is involved with this virtual mall? Most folks with access to the internet are already shopping there, so why would anyone be interested in purchasing this $185 CD or whatever it is and doing it through Amway? One thing that confuses me is that this is the first time someone I actually have a lot of respect for has approached me. In the past, we've been contacted by people who preach the "we're living our dream, we're going to be able to quit our jobs in 6 mos., etc." BS, but as of today, none of them seem to be any wealthier and no one has quit their job. But this doctor evidently has achieved some success with Amway. Are there any good distributors out there? Are some organizations better than others because the people are more professional? This is one person I don't want to just blow off (like I have the other distributors), not because I'm interested in Amway, but I feel like I need to give him the benefit of the doubt and I'm wondering if there is another side to this story. Maybe my husband and I should just listen to their spiel and decide. Do you have any suggestions for questions we should ask about this virtual mall/opportunity? Am I just being stupid because this man is a doctor, and so I have the mistaken assumption that he is smarter and more sane than the other weirdos who have approached us? Thanks -- I am eagerly awaiting your response.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED IN THE AMWAY BUSINESS I WENT TO AN OPEN MEETING AND I DID THE MATH $5.00X 1000 PEOPLE I CALLED THE HOTEL AND ASKED TO RENT THE ROOM THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1,500.00. I GOT EXCITED!

NEXT I WAS TOLD TO INVITE A FEW FRIENDS OVER (TOLD BY A FAMILY MEMBER WHO SPONSORED ME IN THE BUSINESS) THEY IN TURN WOULD INVITE A FEW FRIENDS OVER TO OUR HOUSE TOO. TO MAKE A LONG STOREY SHORT I FOUND OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE THAT 150 PLUS PEOPLE WOULD BE ATTENDING BECAUSE MY UPLINE DIAMOND HAD PUT IT ON VOICE TEL. TOO LATE TO CANCEL I RENTED A HALL INSTRUCTED EVERYONE TO SHOW UP THERE AND I CHARGED $5.00 A HEAD A COOL $750. WELL THEY THREATENED TO CANCEL THE MEETING OUR FAMILY MEMBERS STILL DON'T TALK TO US I HAD $5.00 BILLS THROWN AT ME BY BAPTISTS AND I WAS CALLED ALL KINDS OF NAMES CAUSE I'M NOT TO BE MAKING A PROFIT! AT LEAST NOT UNTIL I GO EMERALD!!!!!

THANKS FOR THE INFO.YOU OBVIOUSLY FAILED AT BUILDING THE AMWAY BUSINESS.YOU ARE ENTITLED TO YOUR OPINION.NO AMWAY BUSINESS IS DESIGNED THE SAME.I MAKE ABOUT 900.00 DOLLARS A MONTH PART-TIME. 2 PLANS A WEEK,ABOUT 4HRS A WEEK, 16HRS A MONTH ,WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT 56DOLLARS AN HOUR PART- TIME.AND IT IS ALOT EASIER THAN PLUMBING.ANSWER ME THIS IF NOT AMWAY WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST TO GET AHEAD?

I read Norm Brodsky's article about his friend. The problems with MLM is that anyone with an opinion can write anything. I don't care what he's CEO of. That does not make him an expert on MLM. The bottom line is that MLM is SALES!!! Sales to a customer base and a distributor base. Actually if you are really good at MLM you will find people who will set up a home office and develop a customer base. You will override that office. It's very similar to being a SALES MANAGER, where you override the sales of your salesforce. Let's call a zebra a zebra okay. In any sales organization most people quit. I worked as a stockbroker for many years. Our firm was a revolving door of new recruits. At least in MLM if you're with a good company that isn't gouging it's distributors on the motivational tools, you're downline distributors will at least get to experience products that are pretty damn good and although might not build a business you can still override their consumption. In brokerage if someone I recruited left, I never had a chance to override anything. The bottom line is this, if you want to succeed at anything you can. MLM is one way to do it and requires just as much work as anything else. Norm Brodsky as far as I know has never built an MLM organization and is not qualifed to say or write anything about it.

I,m a Amway distributor and I would like to know why everyone makes such a stink about the "tools" hype? So what if upline direct, or emerald and diamond make profit, isn't this a business? And aren't tools optional? Would you agree that with so much negativety against Amway that it's essential to keeps people morales boosted constantly with motivational tapes a seminars? I tell my distributors that there's big profit with tools as they become emerald or higher, I think thats a big plus in the business. A diamond direct distributor can earn in upwards of 150,000 with the minimum of 100 pts per person x 450 people. I think that income alone is substantial. Can you please tell me why all the hype, I just don't understand.

Future Diamond

I have read your email guidelines, and I don't think this question comes as something you don't want.

I am having serious problems in my life, amway was just another let down. I have no viable way of making a living, but think I want something to call my own.

May I ask what it is that you do? You seem so intelligent that I think you must be involved with something that works.

Over the past several weeks, I have expended numerous hours reading and researching your (among others) internet postings concerning the Amway company. Please correct me if I am wrong, but, I have deduced that you are probably a recent collage graduate, a 21 to 25 year old male with above average intelligence and an abundance of energy. Your work is extensive and delivered in a most interesting manner. I assume that you work with computers as your vocation, possibly a programmer.

However some of your postings may have been flawed. Do you have marketing/commodities training of the same par as your computer skills, which are impressive.

You stated that you make $0 from this endeavor. This is a lot of research and work for what may turn into a VERY expensive hobby. In the course of my reading it seems as if Amway is using the old "give him enough rope till he hangs himself" tactic. Some of your postings could be construed to be intentionally derogatory and or malicious in a legal sense. This could leave you liable for large financial losses if you are required to defend your claims in a Court of Law.

I am a 53 year old businessman (not Amway but reale estate for 23 years). I very seldom give unsolicited advice, but at this time I would advise you to:

1. Increase tour cash flow immediately and /or increase your errors and omission insurance today.

2. Use your computer knowledge and the internet to research the possible legal ramifications of your actions.

3. Hire the best attorney you can find.

Income Amway $7,000,000,000 Charles $0

Think about it!!!!

Good Luck

I just wanted to drop you a line thanking you for your diligent research. I have several friends who are involved in Amway, and that has sparked my interest in the topic. After being approached, I was immediately sour, and, after trying to engage in thoughtful discussion about the negatives of Amway, I have been all but shut out by my "friends." That has prompted me to do much research which I am now compiling, and putting into article form. I hope you do not mind if I cite your site.

I am also in direct conversation with the owner of a site entitled "Amway; Fact or Fiction." Sorry, but I do not have the http handy. This site seeks to defend Amway, particularly from charges of cultism. The owner uses extremely poor and faulty logic in his defense, and I have not heard from him in a while.

I will keep you informed on the article, as I seek a publisher and an on-line distribution method.

Thank you again,
Yours in Christ,

in your article-"how to get a refund" you stated that you are entitled to refund of the ticket price of any seminar, meeting, rally or weekedn function "with" 30 days. does this "with" mean within 30 days of the function, within 30 days of purchase price, and how do we go about getting this refund. my husband and i have only been in the "business" 6 months, and have purchased $660.00 worth of thickets to "free enterprise" in atlanta in january. i have put out the message to my "upline" that i need to get rid of these tickets, but have had no response. also, my hotel reservations were confirmed and charged to my account with a "no refund after december 15, 1998" disclaimer.

is this legal? can they keep my hotel money if i am not going to be at the function?. i know that it sounds as though i am a real dim whit, but i listened to my "upline". please respond with all information that you can give. thank you in advance for your response.