I recently read a comment from an Amway apologist on another forum. She mentions that someone's credentials must be considered when looking at information that is presented by critics. I will comment that showing me a sports car or a fancy suit is not proof of financial success. Telling the audience that you buy homes in cash is not evidence or proof either. In fact, some of these boasting diamonds were found to have their homes foreclosed and some had financial difficulty, even though they at times had shown off pictures of their lifestyles. I believe that many diamonds are likely to be more like the general US population - in debt. In debt trying to portray a lifestyle that is unsustainable with their Amway and Amway related income.
I find this subject ironic because not one single upline leader, as far as I know, has ever supplied bonafide credentials about themselves. The audience assumes that the person on stage has success and certain credentials, but do they really? I will say that certainly, if someone is wearing a diamond pin for example, that this person has at least achieved the diamond level as recognized by Amway, but the level may not be current, and the level doesn't indicate the kind of income this person earns from Amway. (Joecool is criticized for being outdated even though I was at 4000 PV at one point in my Amway career)What many people assume is that the diamonds buy homes and cars in cash, that they wake up at noon every day and participate in leisure activities all day while the cash rolls in. I have heard from some new IBOs, that their upline makes more money taking a crap in the morning than a critic makes in a whole year at a job. That IBO became quiet when I offered to take that bet. (Do the math people)
But the truth of the matter is that as far as I know, only former diamonds have come clean about their Amway income. They are the only ones who spoke of credentials and accomplishments. Even critics of Amway will often openly speak about their experiences and achieved levels in the business. In the REAL business world, showing business tax returns and credentials are a normal part of doing business. It appears that only in the world of Amway is the supply of credentials and financial statements a big secret. Now I am not suggesting that IBOs or upline leaders should disclose their financials to the entire world, but certainly prospects and some downline should be able to see how their upline is doing financially in Amway, especially if that is the basis for purchasing their standing orders and function tickets. And I refer to business (Amway and Tools) income and expenses only, not from other personal sources.
I believe that IBOs and upline leaders do not disclose that information because it would not be beneficial to them. If it were, they would likely publish it freely, just as they flash around copies of checks. IBOs and prospects should take this to heart and ask upline the tough questions
It was around this time seven years ago when everything started to add up together all at once. I was in URA / URAssociation / UR Association. They were pushing the next function (like they always do). It was a seminar at a high school auditorium for the following month. They do two of these a year in that AMO in order to bilk more money out of IBOs...to the tune of $15 a pop.
ReplyDeleteThe main guy who oversaw our team was not happy (he was Emerald at the time...now Diamond) that all of the seminar tickets were not sold. And he proceeded to call people who "weren't all in"..."scum". Not exactly reassuring. I don't care what Pin you are, you don't call people who are spending their entire weekends and several days during the week trying to contact people "scum".
It was funny that he said that because earlier that night, the wife of his download Emerald buddy snatched the $15 out of my hand as I attempted to pay for my seminar ticket (on top of the $5 that it cost to attend the recruiting meeting that night at Marriott). I had three $5 bills for the seminar ticket and I was straightening them up for her when she jerked them out of my hand and said, "I'LL count it!" That was the last time I spoke to her I believe.
Back to the Upline Emerald (now Diamond...or last I checked). I overheard him and his wife asking each other if they had to work the next day. That was interesting because we were under the guise that they were retired. Just more BS.
By the way, let me take this time to make a public service announcement. It's around this time of year where they are pushing their December seminars. They want you to go and they want you to get as many people as you know to go (you know...for mInDsEt and for whatever accolades they want to promote). Please do not go. It's not worth it. They say the same thing over and over again and they are not motivating at all. They last way too long (one second is way too long) and it will be another wasted Saturday Night on your calendar as Christmas approaches. Just say you can't go because you have other plans. If they give you crap about it, then they are showing their true colors. Time to exit the sinking ship.
Upline has zero credibility with me. IBOs have to take everything they say with a grain of salt. I left that group several years ago in early 2018. I wish I had left them earlier.