I have just visited your web site and was prompted to send you a Email question.
Apart from the starter kit have you heard of an yearly membership fee being charged over and above anything that is purchased.
Thanks
I've been building my business for three years now, and reached 3800 pv. That makes me a 2500. I lost a 2500 pv leg when the leader of that leg read some of the experiences on the internet. I've seen hundreds of sites expressing others experiences with the business. Most are just someone wishing to influence as many as possible using some of the same tactics they claim are being used by thier upline. Fact is it's usually a case of hearing what they want to hear, writing with an angry heart or justifying thier own failure by blaming everyone else. Other sites like this one (excluding some of the links) are not baised at all, expressing both positive and negative equally. This just proves one thing we've always said. "This business is not for everyone, but anyone can do it." However, all the reports we read here can be heard when we talk to someone on the street who "was in but quit".
I've been involved long enough to get to know a few diamonds and emeralds on a very personal basis (as in visiting thier homes, outings with them etc.) and they've become like family to us as well as most of our downline associates. Through our conversations I've learned more about who is profiting and how much from the system. But the system does contain alot of valuable substance well worth the price to me. You could pay $1000.00 plus to attend a Dale Carnigue seminar, or a few hundred for an Anthony Robins Seminar, or more or less for another tapepack or book produced by someone else you have no idea whether he or she has the qualifications to backup thier seminar material other than royalties they recieve from the sales of the tapepack or book and who is more or less repeating something he read or heard from someone else. Heck I could do that too. I will not! I'll wait till I'm qualified.
My experience with the so called myth of your upline caring about you more than some of your so called friends is true. Who cares if it's because they have a vested interest in your success. I believe this to be the best of motivation for them caring. Your friends and family will influence you based on thier own belief system which may or may not apply to you. My diamond will infuence me based on success (and yes some christian) principles which have applied to thousands for generations. Ask a doctor, lawyer or any other millionaire if he would have succeedded in becoming one without applying the principles of persistance, consistance, etc. which are taught in the system. Sure you can build it without the system. I've always told people you can. You would of course have to develope a system of your own which would take time, trial & error, and most will give up before it's perfected believing it cannot be done, because they have noone with thier own success story to give them hope. All I know is way back when Dexter Yager said "YOU CAN TOO!!!" to others, some took him at his word and did, then turn around and pass the same message to others who took them at thier word and did and etc. etc. etc.. I'll not try to force anyone to subscribe to the system provided by the upline. I'll inform them they can save time and effort by doing so, but the decision is thiers. You show me someone who allows another to influence them against thier will to do something they don't want to and I'll show you the entire population of the earth. You do it for your boss, wife, kids, relatives, friends, you do it everyday of your life. Fact is no-one wants to do anything anyone asks them to do let alone the way they were asked to do it. I've been married three times and I've found this to be the case in each of my marrital relationships, as well as all the jobs I've held. Fact is we resist any and all outside influence. But we all follow anyway. Why? If we did'nt nothing would ever get done. May as well go back to the cave. We can however chose who to follow. The choice must be a wise one. I chose to follow my upline faithfully, persistantly, and consistantly. I will never condemn someone for thier choice of who they follow. I will try to point out the wisdom in following someone wiser or more successful than I and respect thier decision.
I'm presently on my way back up, and I kinda appreciate the posting of others experiences, Pro and Con on the web for a few reasons.
1) It saves me time and effort as most of the distributors who do quit after seeing this kind of info were looking for an excuse to get back into thier comfort zones. So sites like this are a true test of thier resolve to get the job done in spite of all they read, hear, see and experience. Those are the ones who go direct and beyond because they do not allow anything to deter them.
2) I learn more about what not to do and say while I Show The Plan. I'll endeavor to be more sensitive to the concerns of others.
3) I learn more about myself also by relating my own experiences to those I read.
4) I get more answers to questions asked by those I introduce to the business.
5) I find more reasons to build the business than to quit.
The reason I can't quit building my business is because I have nothing to quit to. Oh, I've got a job, and so does my wife. I just have no other way to get to where I want to go, and I believe that most of the achievers in the business where in the same box. If it's been done before by others, I'll do it again myself, for my family. I'll build this thing to diamond and above if it takes me forever. If I quit I'll never get there, and I'll will have given my children a reason to quit everything they ever start when it gets too hard. If I'm still trying to build it when my youngest reaches of age, at least she will learn the principles of persistance, consistance, and that character trait of following through on a decision made even when the mood that the decision was made in is no longer present. The "WHAT IF IT WORKS FOR ME" and "THE RAZORS EDGE" and "THREE MORE INCHES" is just too..............I think you understand. I chalk up what I've learned on this and others sites to personal growth and understanding of whats being expressed about what I'm doing out there and now it's time to go show the plan. Regardless of how you do it, Amway or whatever, I know I'll see you on the beaches of the world. Best of wishes in all your endeavors.
Hi Charles ! As we told you last Aug 98, we would update you on our downline and their decisions as to whether or not they would continue the Business.
We invited his wife over to view the site on the net regarding all the information about the AMWAY and AMO dealings. Needless to say they just about rolled off the chairs as they read the information on your website.
Apparently, despite us telling our downline that we had stop standing order tape last May , he continued with his and our upline had even shown the plan for him. The plan of course dragged on since the prospect did not bring his spouse with him.
We are please to report that last September 12, 1998 we liberated this couple from a lifestyle of broken dreams and the cult world of AMWAY. They had put a stop on their standing order tape and even told his prospect to forget about the AMWAY Business.
You know even if we have been out of this thing just a few months, now and then we still get flashbacks.... it is really kind of scary....
ILD and other AMOs like it are like snakes in the grass waiting to pounce on their next victim and ready to inject them with their venomous tools of the trade.
OH yeah we also paid off a major credit card, since we had soo much more disposable income when we left the business. I just hope other people can free themselves from the mental prison that their AMO's have them in and they too can be on the road to recovery..
Talk to you later.. Aloha for now.
Hi!!!!!
Came across your site in my endeavor to educate myself about the Amway catch but to be honest at the end of this i came across so many opinions from so many people that i am actually confused whether to go for it or not????
Do you think u can suggest that after all this does it still makes sense or not???
Amway came to India in May 1998 and i came to know through a friend and rest is history of course. See if u have the time to reply to this i'll be more than happy.
Bye.
Hi my name is *, and i too was once an amway distributor.
My experience was not a very good one,to say the least. And to find out about the tool scam and fake stats is equally disturbing.
Now that i look back on it my direct telling me i need to be on s.o.t. to buy all books, go to all functions,and make sure you do your pv to get that wopping $3.00 bonus.I see he was the only one making money,they always maintained that they didn t make a dime til i made a dollar. Considering that they made a dollar off every tape i bought that line was total b.s. One of our upline bought his way to direct so everyone else would be encouraged to keep going. We were also told only losers quit amway a clever way of keeping people in. That last part only proves that it has cult like qualities.
Last, I wasn t all that mad before. In fact i was going to call my former upline and ask when the next major function was. Just to keep me motivated because i started my own business 6 months ago. Then i read your page and everything came into perspective. I sure wish i had a comp. to see this website before i started.
I just wanted to thank you for your very informational page. I am sure I will check it out often, and come to you with any questions I may have. We just joined Amway but I am not too thrilled about it. The people are nice and I see how the business could possibly be successful, but I am not sold on it, and actually regret joining. I am sure it will have some benifits, but to me it is not worth the extra money we would have to spend on products (even tho they seem to be good). I know this email is for questions, but I just thought it would be nice to let you know I liked your page and thought you had a lot of good things to say. Thanks!!!
I just have one comment about family-life and Amway. I know for a fact that no one in my family would think it offensive if I missed a family function because of my job. There are plenty of times when that has happened. I think the only reason they would think it of Amway is because they don't think of Amway as a regular job or a real business. When they understand it is, they don't complain.
Just wanted to drop you a note that I'm glad I did not read your web site until now. If I had I would have doubted the amway opportunity and I would not have gone on to become a direct distributor-Yes I got in at the bottom and I spent a several hours a week sharing a dream with people who were willing to listen. You obviously had a negative experience and I feel bad that you are not making any money from an amway business. Unforturnately your particular experience is not the only negative experience and you manage to rob and steal the opportunity from others who could have or would have built a sizeable business if not for your idiotic website. Your information is way outdated and quite frankly you have missed the whole point of being here on this planet. So if you don't want to be part of the solution then stop being part of the problem . And if you don't know what I mean , then take a poll with yourself and see how excited you are to get up in the morning knowing that You kept dozens of people from getting their dreams and goals. Just for the record you missed one--ME! See ya!
Having searched Amway's site I could not find the questions and answer section you mentioned regarding people who had complained to and about Amway. Do you have the list or could you tell me where to find it on the Amway site?
I just finished looking through your site. My husband and I have been direct distributors for the past year. I love this business. Compared to most traditional jobs our Amway business has provided us with numerous benefits both financial, friendships, working together and just plain fun.
One of the things that we emphasize is fun! We all work so hard at our jobs and I can honestly say that if I didn't have a good time showing the plan, meeting new people, helping someone who is just getting started, seeing someone's eyes light up as they gain confidence through the training system then I wouldn't do it.
Sure it is not for everyone, but heck there are tons of businesses that are not for everyone. We are looking for people who are in the "looking zone". Amwya may be for them or may not, it doesn't really matter. I know ther will be those that hang in there and become successful too. We are just directs and we have a long way to go, but believe me it has been worth it!
Hello, ran across your site and thought I would take the time to respond. I spent about three years in Amway....JProbst was my upline emerald, he and Joni even showed "the plan" in my home on at least one occasion. Over time it became more evident that the money being made in this business came from the sale of tools, not the products. (of course my sponsor said that was absurd) I visited Probsts website and want to say thanks for the read. Folks check it out. I spent thousands of dollars and many hours attempting to sell the dream to no avail, I am thankful that I walked away before I was forced to choose between values or the system. Jeff you da man!!!
Hey Charles, just thought I'd drop you a quick note. We were active distributors in the Gooch/Lewis/Grabill LOS. After 18 months (1996-1998) we never got over 600 PV. But I'm not writing to complain about that...
I thought you might like to know that Amway's 1998 Fiscal Yearend Sales numbers have come in. After doing $6.3 billion in 1995, $6.8 in 1996, and $7.0 in 1997, they did only $5.7 billion last year! I can't help but laugh!! Too bad! :-)
We have acquaintances at the corporation (diamond liaisons for the Dougherty's) who tell us that travel by employees, among other things, is being cut back tremendously.
So it looks like Amway has hit its peak. I'll bet the $5.7 billion figure won't make it into the DST-104s that they use to show the plan. Though I'm sure they've thought of some positive spin to put on it. Take care.
Just got one question for you. Do you think it's Amway thats bad or certain people that do Amway that's bad?
Do you have anything better to do then bash Amway? You get out of it what you put into to it. I'm sorry that you couldn't figure out the first time you went that the same thing was being said over and over again. I realized that the second time. And what dumb ass would spend $150 extra to make back an extra $30? The idea is to buy what you need and get other people to buy what they need. No one ever promised anyine success.ASSHOLE!
I also was an Amway distributor, however, fortunately for me I saw the light after only 5 months. This was partially due to the fact that I was willing to actually LISTEN to what was being said. I allowed myself to question the ethics of the "big pins" instead of being dazzled by the wealth and material possesions that they displayed. I heard professionals completely negating other professions (such as psychiatry...have you EVER heard of a psychiatrist or psychologist becoming an Amway distributor? NO..because they can't advocate the obsessive, deluded behavior.) I quickly became disgusted with people who claimed to care most about family, but then advocated neglect of their families (people are encouraged to form a list of 12-15 babysitters...how can you know that many people well enough to entrust the care of your CHILDREN to them?). The concept being preached was that the ends justifies the means...because your intent is to "become free" to spend all of your time with your family...neglect of them in the meantime is justified.
While sitting at a board plan at which no one except people already active in Amway showed up I was told that, since we were all in Amway it would be turned into an "attitude" session. The man who was showing the plan (who was not quite a Silver Direct) started in on the math and when I questioned his numbers....grew quite irate with me. However, no matter how you manipulated it, the numbers didn't add up and that we because a large portion of the actual costs were COMPLETELY eliminated from the equation. No one will answer you when you ask them how much profit you can actually expect when factoring in the cost of gas, events, tools, books, etc.
My upline was a single father who actually told me that he would rouse his 6 year old daughter from sleep and put her in the back of his car to drive an hour one way (2 hours round trip) to do his product pick up....AT 11:00 P.M. He would get so tired driving back that more than once he woke up when his car hit the gravel on the shoulder of the road. He was putting his own child's LIFE IN DANGER for the sake of pursuit of the almighty dollar...because, however you camouflage it (Amway, corporate America, drug dealing) it is all in an effort to become rich. I had my uplines, uplines, upline...a woman who was a pediatrician tell me that, since she and her husband (who was a professor of microsurgery) had not been able to see their 4 and 1 1/2 year old children in 4 days due to their hectic schedule, they called their live-in and told her not to let the children go to sleep but to keep them up so that they could play with them when they got home. When they did get home, which she said was 9:00 p.m., the 4 year old told her that he was tired and she said "No you're not tired...you want to play with Mommy!" She told me that she just "wouldn't let him be tired". What kind of a pediatrician engages in sleep deprivation of her child...if only for 1/2 hour! She was teaching her child not to listen to his own body...to doubt his most basic of instincts!
And what about these big pins who hold Sunday services? What makes them qualified to teach the word of God? They are not ordained, they don't have a degree in theology...they're just glorified salesemen. They conduct these "services" with a WHOLE LOT of business plugging mixed in. Haven't they read the passage in the Bible where Jesus overturned the money tables of the Pharisees and commanded them never to do business in the Temple again due to the sacrilege against his Father? Mixing religion and business is blatant hypocrisy.
To anyone out there who is seriously considering joining Amway, I strongly urge you to do the following:
1. Check it out for a few MONTHS before joining and listen carefully to what the speakers are advocating.
2. Set a budget that is within your means and the do not invest ANY more than that. Don't put off buying your children new shoes or anything else for their welfare in favor of Amway products or events.
3. Be balanced...learn the difference between committed and obsessed.
4. Listen to your intuition...if someting doesn't sound right or the math doesn't add up..don't do it!
5. Don't let anyone tell you that you are a failure for not living THEIR dream.
6. To thine own self be true...remember there are many ways to success...not just one.
I admire anyone who is willing to put time and energy into attempting to better their situation and, for those of you who are trying to do so and examining this business...I do wish you the utmost success but urge you to be careful.