When I was an IBO, my upline used to advise us to recruit people who had a financial need or young people who were open minded as they may not have preconceived ideas about Amway. When I was recruited, I was not where I wanted to be financially as I was in my 20's when I first got recruited by my sponsor. I believe that this is still common practice today, to look for people who are in need and then offer Amway as a solution. Sadly, Amway and the tools systems will more likely become a problem than a solution for the vast majority who try.
In my opinion, this is why some people defend Amway so fiercely. They accept Amway as their solution for long term financial stability and to admit that they were in error is difficult as it would not only expose the error, but would leave the IBO as not having that "hope" of long term financial freedom. It's hard to admit you got fooled or scammed and some people will dig in and press on, hoping that success will eventually come. Hope is a powerful thing after all. However, for most, it is false hope that is pitched in recruitment meetings and functions.
Many prospects see big dreams when the diamonds parade on stage with designer suits and talk about waking up at noon and enjoying a lifestyle chock full of luxuries. It's almost like dreaming about hitting it big in Las Vegas or winning the lottery. I can't fault prospects for wanting some of these things. I know I certainly had some of these same dreams when I was an IBO. The problem is that Amway is highly unlikely to be the vehicle that delivers these dreams. For most, a second job along with saving and investing will bring more long term success. The problem is that people don't like to wait for the long term and Amway is presented as a short cut to success.
The sad reality is that some (maybe most) diamonds are simply putting on a show, like a illusionist or a magician. Diamonds may indeed earn a six figure income, but after taxes and other expenses such as medical insurance, a diamond is very likely to live a very middle class lifestyle. Now I'm fairly sure that a crown ambassador type may have a million dollar income, but these Amway crowns are very rare, and the ones who exist have been in the business for a long time. There is not much chance of any new IBO coming in and achieving that level. In fact as time rolls on, it seems that more diamonds drop out due to divorce, better MLM opportunities or simply quit. It is apparent that long term residual income is a myth. Why do crowns seemingly keep working (or die on the job) if they could "walk away" and live a life of luxury with no worries?
Amway reports that the average IBO earns $202 a month. I believe that number is also questionable as "most" IBOs (as shown in 6-4-2) actually earn more like $9 or $10 a month. Is this what you are signing up for? Don't forget about the ongoing expenses for tools and functions which results in net losses for most who get involved.
Amway prospects can benefit by knowing this before signing up.
It's interesting that your up-line told you to concentrate on persons who were in a financially bad state, or on young persons who had no knowledge of Amway and its rotten reputation. That is really a red flag.
ReplyDeleteIt's exactly parallel to what street-level drug dealers do to hook new addicts. The dealers look for persons who have a poor or unpleasant life, and who will be susceptible to the appeal of "escape" via drugs. Or else they look for people who are very young, and who have little real knowledge or experience of the horrors that addiction can bring.
If Amway recruiters have to act in the same manner as street-level drug dealers, what can you possibly say about their "Plan" and their "great business opportunity"?
Amway (and all of its lousy cultish subsystems like WWDB and BWW and Network and the rest) sell hope to losers, just as drug dealers sell heroin to addicts.
There were times that upline advised the group to also prospect professionals as they may want "more" and would likely be able to afford functions and tools. But in reality, professional types typically are not interested in scammy MLM types of business opportunities.
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