Friday, September 2, 2022

Amway "Partners" And The BBB?

 I recently saw comments on this blog from an apparent Amway defender. The comments extolled the virtues of Amway partner stores such as Nike and Apple. To be honest, I don't know if Amway actually partners with Nike and Apple but let's say they do. What does the partner store designation mean? All it means is that Amway IBOs get to list Apple and Nike stuff in their catalogues. If they manage to sell any Nike or Apple stuff, they get a commission paid by Nike or Apple through Amway. But of course, because of the IBO bonuses and because Amway needs to make some money on the transaction, the prices of Nike and Apple products in the Amway catalogue cannot compare (in general) to  big retailers or even Internet shops like Amazon.com.

Assuming that Nike and Apple are truly Amway "partners", they have a one sided partnership. Nike and Apple don't do anything for Amway IBOs except to allow them to sell their products for premium prices on a commission only basis. Meaning is nothing gets sold, Nike and Apple do not have to compensate anyone. It's a no brainer for Nike and Apple. If people sell your stuff for top prices, you pay a commission but if they sell nothing, you pay nothing. It's a great deal for Nike and Apple, again, assuming they really are Amway "partners". Heck, if JoeCool made "I hate Amway" stickers and Amway wanted to be my partner, I would do it too. Nothing to lose and much to gain.

Now, about the BBB. I don't know what Amway's rating actually is because they could be "A' rated in Michigan for example, and not "A" rated in Arizona. The rating has a lot to do with Amway dealing with complaints to the BBB. If they deal with complaints, then they might get a good rating. However, many people are sponsored by friends and family and simply do not register complaints about Amway even if they had a bad experience. But even if they registered, it was likely against an LOS (Line of sponsorship) such as BWW (Britt Worldwide) or WWDB (World Wide Dream Builders) or N21 (Network21). These are for-profit third-party companies designed to help recruit and train Amway IBOs and who profit even if Amway IBOs lose their shirts. Often these groups are not rated with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Individual Amway IBOs who do bad and unethical things are also not registered with the BBB so their bad behavior would not be rated by the BBB.

Why do you suppose Amway has such a bad name reputation while their IBOs brag about Amway's alleged BBB reputation? IBOs and their training companies are not Amway. It's very possible that Amway would not approve of the things done by individual IBOs or the training groups but Amway for too long (in my opinion) has profited because of the bad behavior of the lines of sponsorship and the bad behavior of individual IBOs who they claim they can't control. Perhaps if Amway cannot contain the bad behavior, they should not be allowed to profit from this bad behavior and should be fined or have restrictions imposed upon them like Herbalife did last year.

I believe I have thoroughly debunked the partner store and BBB myth, but I'm sure Amway IBOs and defenders will be back to raise the issue again soon. LOL

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even if the Nike/Apple partnership designation or the BBB endorsement makes the Amway corporation wonderful, they apply to the Amway corporation, not the own business selling Amway’s stuff.

They say “WE partner with Nike and Apple”. No “YOU” are not! “WE are international” No “YOU” aren’t. WE’ve been endorsed by the BBB. No the BBB has not assessed your business, nor any of the micro businesses that you are trying to copy.

If it is an own business, I fail to understand what Amway’s profit, Amway existing since 1958, and Amway’s endorsements have to do with making their business opportunity a worthwhile one. Coca-Cola has all these things, is bigger, more recognised and has existed for longer. That does not mean investing in a kart and fridge to sell Coca-Cola in a park is necessarily a superior business idea (even though many has done it, almost certainly with a bigger success rate than Amway businesses).

It is very much an employee mentality talking up the company they work for. (I have nothing agajnst employment, but since they apparently do, it’s worth pointing out).

Even the least sophisticated business selling Coca-Cola in a park knows it’s his profits that count. He will chase profits and won’t measure it’s worth by the feeling of belonging he gets when he meets with other soft drink vendors, but by the money he takes home.

The biggest problem here is confusing the Amway corporation which I’m sure has made it’s shareholders rich, with their supposed business.

Nobdoy not linked to Amway or without stakes in selling MLM How-to books has ever endorsed the Amway selling business opportunity. On the contrary..

Anonymous said...

People haven't given a fuck about BBB ratings for decades. They are meaningless, and tell you nothing about the company. When Amway freaks quote them, it only reveals how desperate they are for any good publicity.

As for "partnering," it is the most outrageous lie the Amway Corporation has ever propagated. No big company is a "partner" with Amway. They just let Amway freaks sell their stuff (at inflated prices).

Anonymous said...

Amway has been an incredible platform and offers quality products that are sold at a very reasonable price.
For example: laundry detergent ranges from cheap brands to fancy brands 6/10ths of a $0.01 to $1 per load. The quality Amway detergent has cleaned my clothes better than anything at just $0.35 per load. Not bad.
Nutrilite is an incredible brand which goes way back prior to Amway.
Oh and the audios and reading list are invaluable if you utilize them to grow yourself.
Here’s the thing, this blog is for someone who got butthurt and gave up.
JoeNOTsoCool do you have any other decade grudges against other platforms you started and quit?
The great part is those who understand believe in what Network Marketing the success it can bring are doing it. There are stories upon stories of success decades ago and now of people who surpassed the status quo and didn’t succumbed to the negative mindset.
Amway is the platform with fantastic products that the Team of leaders which I am Involved are some of the most positive and encouraging people I’ve met. Success is a mindset and this blog which I’ve read many of the comments is a tool which promotes a quitter mindset.
Pyramids are fantastic shapes that can metaphorically describe so many things in life.
Good day and God bless!