Many people consider the platinum level in Amway as a significant achievement in Amway. While it may be nice to achieve that level and gain recognition from the Amway corporation, I will point out that there was a study done in Wisconsin where the attorney general analyzed and found that platinums on average, lost money. The study is somewhat dated, but I will also point out that today, there are MORE expenses associated with running an Amway business than before. (Voicemail, books, functions, standing orders, shipping). I would guess that it's possible that platinums lose more today than when the Wisconsin study was done.
A typical platinum group often has 100 ore more downline IBOs. Thus a logical conclusion is that less than 1% of IBOs can reach that level. It is also, apparently rare to maintain that level. My former upline diamond had 7 frontline platinums in his heyday. Actually, 6 of them were ruby level. None of them hold the platinum level today. So you have a less than 1% chance of reaching platinum and then you are unlikely to be able to maintain that level.
What serious prospective business owner would even consider opening a business where you have such a tiny chance of success? Even those who achieve platinum are likely to lose that level. If platinums cannot maintain their level, then it's easy to see why there are former diamonds as well. It seems that people are willing to take a chance on an Amway business because the start up cost is low. But what is the point of doing all of that when the chance of making money is negligible?
To compound the problem, many IBOs spend a lot of time and money building an Amway business that is unlikely to give them any return on their investment. I'd guess that the average serious IBO would spend $250 a month of more on tools. That money invested over a number of years in mutual funds would give you a much better chance of achieving some dreams. Even putting the money in the bank would make you better off than the vast majority of IBOs. A serious business owner would want to know their realistic chance of making money. For some strange reason, prospects and IBOs seem to ignore this reality.
It is because uplines are in the business of selling tools and distributorships. They are not truly interested in your long term sustainable success. If you don't believe me, try to stop purchasing standing orders and function tickets and see how much longer you are edified and given help from upline. Seriously, would a real business owner be interested in a less than 1% chance of success?
Do I care about what is the percentage of success in any opportunity? Possibly no simply because the world is not flat and hardly I can see all the vehicles running at a same speed in a given point of time. But what kind of success is that? Having garage full crappy CDs and books, and living a lifestyle as per up line and affiliated association's wishes? Even if I make millions in Amway, I cannot take the fact that, I still have to sponsor new people keep boasting in meetings, keep telling false stories as truths... Following cultism and preaching the same is the worst thing in my life I could imagine to do! Amway preaches blind faith because it is required where there is only vacuum in MLM but no reward for efforts.
ReplyDeleteVery well said and written Joe Cool. It's crazy to think about this and think back to my time in Amway. I saw all of the platinums and rubys and always assumed they were very well off and successful in business. I had no idea that most of them were probably barely staying above water, and some probably actually losing out. After I left Amway, I read the book Merchants of Deception which really put this into perspective. Looking back on it, I sort of feel sorry for all of those platinum couples I knew who are still toiling and striving just to maintain an certain image, all the while probably really struggling financially.
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