Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Family Reunion Function?

Very soon, many IBOs, particularly in WWDB, will be gearing up for a major function called "family reunion". I still recall attending this function as an IBO. It was held in the Rose Garden in Portland Oregon. The Rose garden seats between 15 to 20 thousand people. Although the area behind the stage is closed off, the court area is full of seats so it could possibly hold up to 20,000 IBOs or more. Amway apologists like to denounce the experience of critics but they conveniently overlook the fact that many critics sat in crowds in tens of thousands of IBOs. My sponsor, in the years before I joined, spoke of an FED function at the (then) Seattle Kingdome where there were about 50,000 IBOs in attendance.

For me, family reunion was the most expensive function I had attended. The ticket itself was $250 and being in Hawaii, a round trip airfare ticket was quite expensive as July is peak travel. We also had to dish out for hotels, rental cars and meals. I believe my total expenditure for this function was more than $1200 when it was said and done. Now I know that not all IBOs live in Hawaii but even if you live in California, you likely had to fly or drive some serious miles to get to this function. I'm not sure where the function is held now as my understanding is that there aren't nearly as many IBOs attending anymore.

The function was about hype and excitement. The speakers told tales of struggles that was overcome by perserverence and the never quit attitude. That you will make it one day if only you will sitck it out and never quit. Of course what goes on unnoticed by many is that in a crowd of 15 to 20 thousand IBOs, only a handful of diamonds can be supported by a group of that size. At the time, I didn't stop to do the math myself or I would have seen through the line that anyone can go diamond.

The Saturday evening portion of the function was about some diamonds flaunting their alleged wealth. We saw displays of jewelry, fabulous vacaations, mansions and sports cars. Of course, the diamonds never said they actually owned these goodies. Makes me wonder if some of them rented fancy cars to bring to the function as some of the diamonds probably could not afford it. After the function ended for the night, our upline expected the group to go without sleep trying to "associate" with the diamonds and other pins. We were told that their success would somehow transfer to us if we spent enough time with them.

Of course everyone went home all fired up but within a week or two, it was business as usual with no noticeable growth in anyone's group.

My question to IBOs or information seekers. Did you get what was sold with these functions? Did your PV go up in a sustainable manner? Did you start getting a flow of new downline? Was the money spent on this function ever made up by increased business? If you cannot answer yes to these questions, then what was the purpose of attending? Looking back, I'd have to say that in a business sense, the function was a waste of time and money, which is ironically what most people join the business for, but end up with less of when they get involved.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

JoeCool, why don't you go and jump off a cliff? Why do you insist on bashing Amway? Is it because you could not build it so now you don't want anyone else to succeed? I warned you before to stop blogging. You need to cease and desist before I send the authorities after you.

Joecool said...

Oh, I am scared and shaking in my boots. My blog will be shut down and the authorities will be after me. What will I do? Oh my.....

Anonymous said...

Oh no Joe Cool you must be scared. Who is this idiot? Perhaps he should start his own blog to counteract all the negative facts about Scamway, unfortunately he has neither the IQ or any positive facts to put together such a blog.
Go back to your Mommy Ambot! We will continue to warn people about this scam/cult.

***Former WWDB Lemming***

Anonymous said...

anon, you're a repulsive individual and full of baloney as always, so go find yourself a hole to crawl into and stay there.

AMWAY MUST DIE!!!


**proud Amway hater**

Anonymous said...

I love Amway. I just don't understand why people have to be negative about it. I don't hurt or steal from anyone yet I make money. I'm not a millionaire as of yet but working towards that goal. It's called "millionaire mentality". Joecool you will never succeed with penny mentality.

Joecool said...

Anon, you';ll never be a millionaire following diamond advice. They have broke mentaily. Diamonds live just like lottery winners who go broke. Look at Greg Duncan, triple diamond for many years and bankrupt. David Shores, longtime diamond, home foreclosed. You are fooling yourself thinking you have a millionire mentality.

Anonymous said...

Oh yes How to be Rich by J. Paul Getty, WWDB Cult Required Reading however most Ambots have a warped way of interpreting things

In it Getty says,
"In my opinion, it's more important for the man with The Millionaire Mentality to be able to think small than to think big - in the sense that he gives meticulous attention to even the smallest details and misses no opportunity to reduce costs in his own or his employer's business." p. 43.

Essentially, according to Getty, you HAVE to be profit-conscious. That means doing things like keeping to a budget. You can't just spend with an open-hand on anything you fancy. That's a big mistake some people make in business just look at the endless list of Bankrupt IBOs in Amway including big pins like Greg Duncan and David Shore. It really is sad.

***Former WWDB Lemming***

Anonymous said...

the scamway sickos just won't learn. tsk tsk tsk...

Anonymous said...

I would rather fool myself thinking I have millionaire mentality than listen to Joecool who says for the hypocrite that he is that it's better to play the lottery to win the million as one has more chances at it than with Amway yet, he says that Diamonds live just like lottery winners who go broke. Pretty big contradiction there big boy, no? You know that lottery winners go broke yet you promote success with the lottery? Sounds contradictory to me. I know of no Diamonds going broke. The one who is broke here is you.

Joecool said...

Anonymous from Canada, listen to your drivel. Diamonds have a broke mentality because I bet many of them spend all they make and more. There are examples such as Duncan and Shores. More evidence comes forth as time passes. Lottery winners go broke because they spend more than is sustainable. You know of no diamonds going broke? Get your head out of your ass then you might see them. LOL

I'm broke? Do you have anything to back up that clain or are you just making things up as usual?

Anonymous said...

That is what IBOs do best, make things up. Most of what the Diamonds tell you is made up bullshit. I remember Greg Duncan bragging about how he bought everything with cash >>>Bullshit<<< The bank foreclosed on his high interest mortgage (usually given to people that are a huge credit risk). Anonymous from Canada hasn't sponsored a single person and is just another brainwashed naive ambot, the kind that the Diamonds hope will continue lining their pockets.

***Former WWDB Lemming***

Anonymous said...

I had an upline in Spokane who actually had contests to see which downline could buy the most "tools" tapes and books. Whoever "won" (or lost as I see it) got to go to a movie with them! The couple that "won" couldn't afford it. I found out they bought most of the extra tools just so they could hang out with their Emerald upline.

Anonymous said...

I agree! We had a new couple that couldn't come to a function. Our emerald left a vm for them, telling them "they were losers and if they didn't attend, they'd never succeed"! Yes they quit!

Anonymous said...

wow that's kinda lame...

Anonymous said...

Are you a millionare JoeCool? Are you getting business advice from one? Do you have a FREE mentor that meets with you in person weekly to help you become one? Didn't think so... Clearly you are just bitter you gave up in your life and now you are trash talking Amway. First off all Amway is partners with huge franchises like Apple, target, Sears, home depot, Guess etc. ANYYHING you buy through these stores they give you an opportunity to buy through your own store and get money back. If this was a "cult" or a "scam" I highly doubt all of these big name coorporations would be on board. I have only been in Amway for 3 months and I have already made 15k and I have only sold products to myself. How did I make money? By helping other people build their dreams and do the same. I am attending this function coming up and my mentor gave me a free ticket and free hotel accommodations. I am not paying a single penny to attend. Why? Because the people in this business genuinely want everyone to achieve and become successful. There is no "cult" no "product pushing". They offer mentorship programs at NO COST so how is it a scam to work on self improvement? The whole point of Amway is to change the way you think. For every 3$ you spend, you roughly get 1$ back, and owning your own store you can buy products at wholesale. So while YOU are going to target to buy toothpaste for $3.50 and walk out with ONLY your toothpaste. I am buying the SAME BRAND through my own store, paying only $2.00 AND getting .75 cents back. So I am only paying $1.25 while you are paying $3.50. Oh yea... Major cult if you ask me.

Joecool said...

Truth be told, I am close to being a million dollars in net worth. I do have a mentor that I meet with regularly at no cost to me. By the way, I am a long time blogger and have seen many bullshit stories. Yours ranks right up there for bullshit. You've been in, and mad $15,000 by selling to yourself and helping people build their dreams? You can your downline did not average more than $20,000 in sales for your first three months. You are lying. Nice try.

Anonymous said...

Joecool your story sounds more like bs than the other guys does and your spelling is like that of a 5th grader and your grammar is worse. Sorry buddy!

Joecool said...

Too bad my story is the truth and you are a cowardly liar. Sorry buddy! Come back when you have something to debate. I'll be waiting with the crickets!

Unknown said...

you sound like a nutcase

Anonymous said...

you sound like a nutcase

Anonymous said...

that's really freaking stupid

Anonymous said...

you're an idiot who just so happen to almost be a millionaire

Anonymous said...

only losers wait. real people move on

Joecool said...

Better than being you. An anonymous broke idiot.

Joecool said...

You're the one waiting. I've moved on

Joecool said...

LOL, you warned me to stop blogging? It's 4 years later and I'm still going strong. What are you going to do about it?

Robert Farmilo said...

Hello, and greetings from beautiful Vancouver Island, BC. My name is Robert Farmilo, and I want to be clear about my identity so that you can easily respond to my comments. I have read this string, and notice the acrimonious tone. Personally, I always thought the basic concept of buying from your own store, and teaching other people to do the same thing was a simple and straight-forward business proposition. I have been in and out of Amway three times. Right now, I've been out of Amway since 2006. I did sponsor a small group. And I did spend more than I made in profit, too. I sincerely get how Amway is not an easy business to build to the point where you are making enough profit to...go full time. And I have noticed that the residual income potential is there, but will require a long-term commitment to keep the business going. To me, this means if you don't like certain aspects of the business, like the ongoing recruitment, and upbeat, positive inspiration that you must keep giving to all your IBO's...and the functions...and so on---if you don't really want that kind of life...maybe Amway isn't going to work for you, because you aren't going to work for your Amway business. And then there are the political and spiritual affiliations that can get in the way, too. Sigh. Anyway, I really like the Scrub Buds. And my brother bought some of the laundry detergent from me...some years ago...and he continues to buy it...because he really likes it, and it doesn't irritate his skin...which is a big deal for him. Sure, it's not easy building a real business from the Amway deal...but try building any business from scratch. My main point is that you better like...no, change that, you better LOVE what you are setting out to do...and have that burning passion...and be able to handle a lot of rejection...whatever you set out to do in the way of running your own business. Now, I did start some different businesses in my life, and some of them even made some money. But that was because I worked at it, made mistakes, kept going, made some more mistakes, and kept going. Eventually I figured one or two things out, and made some head-way. Right now I am seriously thinking of becoming an Amway IBO just so that I can sell people Scrub Buds...I like the darn things so much. And I do like the idea that the laundry soap is eco-freak-oh for the fishes and such. Okay, that's enough for now. All the Best!
Robert Farmilo

Joecool said...

Buying from yourself and teaching others to do the same, without actual retails sales, is running Amway as a product pyramid.

Anonymous said...

This is unbelievable.

This guy Familio gets financially hosed THREE TIMES in Amway. and still plans on signing up again!

WTF? Is he a masochist?

Imagine when he tells his up-line that the only product he intends to push is Scrub Buds.

Joecool said...

It's a condition called "cognitive dissonance".

Unknown said...

This function claiming they Attlee a non profit if I paid for my ticket and didn't go do to family emergency. Is there any way I can get my money back?

Christine said...

If not for Dr Ekpen what will I have done to restore joy in my marriage, may the good God continue to bless to Dr Ekpen for helping me bring my ex husband back to me after 2 years of separation. If you are passing through break up, Dr Ekpen is the perfect solution for you. Contact him today at (ekpentemple@gmail.com) or whatsapp +2347050270218.