I know Amway defenders will talk about some of the sales they make, and that's fine and good, but when I look at the kinds of sales they make, it is usually insignificant. I recently read some comments that sort of made me laugh. A prospect apparently was invited to an Amway recruitment meeting by a friend, and out of courtesy, sat through the presentation (which nobody else attended) and politely declined to register. The commenter went on to say that after the meeting, he felt sorry for his friend and purchased something off of his friend's IBO website, and it felt like making a charitable contribution. Makes me wonder since Amway's products are mostly consumed by IBOs themselves and I believe less than 5% of Amway good actually made it into the hands of a non IBO customer.
But now I wonder out of the tiny amount of IBO retail sales, how many of those sales are basically charitable contributions made to IBOs by family and friends who simply feel sorry for their acquainted IBO? When I first declined to join Amway under my eventual sponsor, they did ask me to buy some of their goods. But being a single male, my age group demographic didn't really match me with the products they were pushing. If I remember correctly, I ended up buying the liquid Amway car wax. While the car wax worked as well as the other leading brands, I recall that I paid about $12 for it back in 1995 or so. I can currently get a jumbo sized bottle od Nu-Finish or Astroshield liquid car wax for $7.99 at Target or other local retailers, and at times, the store puts them on special sales for $5.99. So basically, I am getting about twice as much car wax for the price if I purchase my car wax on a store special. I know Amway zealots will want to compare the price with an online sourcem but as I said, I make my purchase in person and wait for store soecials which occurs every couple of months.
I know at times, I have seen other family and friends involved in MLM. And while I was once there, I now see their attempts as somewhat pathetic, especially when they are basically walking the same path I did about 12 years ago as an IBO. I do not discourage them, but simply decline to see their plan or register as a downline. I have at times, also made charitable contributions to some friends who had become involved in MLM. If nothing else, just to be supportive of a friend. Ultimately, these MLM friends eventually figured things out on their own and quit as I did. Some of them follow my blog and some just quietly faded into the sunset. They do not run an informative blog as I do, but not everyone can or will. (Sound familar?)
However, after reading the comments about the polite friend who bought an Amway product from a friend, I have to wonder whether IBOs are making true retail sales or merely receiving charitable contributions from friends and family in the form of Amway product purchases?
8 comments:
I would say people mainly buy as a helpinh hand. As ibos quit quickly there is of course no second sale requirement.
Here's what I notice: IBO makes a sale to a friend. YES, the friend 9 times out of 10 is making a 'charity purchase', but the IBO NOW FEELS that this person is their 'next client' & downline. Then the feeding frenzy begins on that person, until the person either 1. joins Amway (and later quits) or 2. is really turned off.
This is a very sad business. I HATE to say that because I was such a believer for a long time, but my belief is totally gone.
I remember my Upline telling me if they refuse your offer, ask "would you like to support my business today?"...... It's sad, really.
I remember in Friday pace meetings whenever they would ask for testimonies some IBO's had the nerve to proclaim they sold a toothpaste (or other similar stupid product) to a client they had to drive out 15 miles to, to deliver. Same story after another, to me very juve acts. There wasn't enough profit in the stupid product to pay for gas to deliver the same! But you know they are getting and servicing clients, driving the miles, paying the price - I guess the hope was the victim I mean client would signup, go diamond and it would make another great story on a CD someday. Here's a better plan - for starters hit goodwill stores, resell on ebay, no Friday pace nor Open meeting to recruit anyone, and you will make some profits!
What intrigues about the plan is the key to success is the opposite to what is preached. You have to work for your upline for the rest of your life. Everything you do is for their benefit. At the same time they actively recruit others who become your competitor. Makes it harder for you. You are practically guaranteed to have no free time, no availability for your family and hobbies. You will probably lose money and if not careful quite a lot. Even if you built a large group, they can decide to break away from you and start their own tools activity. You are not guaranteed any income from your downlines except a small commission on product sales.
Can someone tell me if amway requires the big pins to always have a personal group. Does this mean you have to keep working and cant walk away
Walking away guarantees a group will fizzle out sooner than later or later than sooner. Very few people have the walking away ability, normally owners of huge, huge AMO's such Dexter Yaeger, Bill Britt (late). And even then it's not fool proof either, it just might take longer for eventual fizzling out than say a mere diamond's group. Wanting to have more control over a groups' tool income is always a big reason for break ways.
So yes you have to keep working. Diamonds are not retired from working. That's a big lie.
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