Sunday, August 11, 2024

Good To Know?

 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.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Amway definitely looks for people who are young, inexperienced, and preferably not too bright. Recruiters would also like it if these prospects had never heard of Amway (or any MLM scheme), so that they can show them "The Plan" as a great and marvelous revelation of how to get rich.

One problem is that young people first starting out in life are usually not well set up financially. They can't be zapped with a huge number of fees and charges and standing orders. So up-line has to string them along for a while, building up loyalty and excitement and cameraderie with other IBOs in the line. This develops groupthink, so that the young person starts to become brainwashed.

After that, the up-line can start getting a bit tough -- telling the new recruit that he has to "be a man" and start taking responsibility for "his independent business." That's when the fees start to come in: the tools, the meeting fees, the functions, the useless CommuniKate, the monthly PV requirement, the websites. If the recruit is well brainwashed, he'll stay on for another year or so. If he's smart enough to see what's going on, he'll quit fairly fast.