Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Are Amway IBOs "Fakes"?

One of the things I was taught as an IBO was to "fake it til you make it". I believe this is probably still true today, based on my interaction with and observation of IBO behavior. If you have followed the trials on various upline leaders such as Shores or Duncan and their financials, you can likely conclude that even the diamonds can be in financial difficulty. Some former diamonds who have left the business or quit have also expressed some similar sentiments.

But if you examine functions like "Dream Night", where the diamonds show off pictures of mansions, sports cars, boats and jetskis, you can conclude that the diamonds are implying that all of these goodies are a prt of their regular lifestyles, including the notion of waking up at noon and never having to work. I believe for most diamonds, this is just a facade, or an exercise in deception of the downline. I recall the diamonds urging the crowd to "come join us". Some IBOs want it so bad that tears roll down their cheeks as they watch the presentation. They honestly believe that 2-5 years working the system assures them of success.

The sad reality is that most IBOs, even with some hard work, will end up making nothing, or if fully engaged in the system of functions and cds and books, will end up with a loss. IBOs who stick around for a few years might see losses in the thousands or tens of thousands. All the while their upline may have been telling the group the perserverence is the key or that you will "make it" if you don't quit. Nothing could be further from the truth. There's no evidence that working hard and never quitting will result in anything but financial losses.

If diamonds and high pins are putting on a show, what about the average rank and file IBOs? I believe that many of them are also fakes. They may wear suits and talk about success, but ask one of them if they actually make a net profit and you'll get more excuses than answers. The typical answer will be that it's none of your business, or that their results are not indicative of yours because it depends on effort. This is just a diversion. If someone is promoting the opportunity and then flaunting a lifestyle that can allegedly be attained through the oppportunity, then the folks making the claim should be able to qualify their claims. It is normal in everyday business for potential business partners or investors to seek evidence or proof that the business produces what is being advertised. Why Amway IBOs believe otherwise is puzzling, but not surprising. I believe it is beceause many Amway IBOs are fakes, starting at the top.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

My secret informant at WWDB tells me that apart from the diamonds and a few big pins, almost everyone in the organization is losing money or just barely breaking even. Platinums (who he says are the real backbone of Amway, and the ones who do the lion's share of the organizational and promotional work) make a very modest income and frequently fall out of qualification. The business is like a roller coaster ride for them -- ups, downs, and highly unpredictable.

Even tool and function income is uncertain, for it depends on how many IBOs one can corral into obedience. This varies widely, and has to be revved up constantly by meeting after meeting, and exhortation after exhortation.

In a situation like this, fakery is essential. You have to have a big smile plastered on your face ALL THE TIME. You can never admit, even for a microsecond, that business isn't "great." You have to be charged up and energized like an overheated dynamo.

Being in Amway means lying -- all the time.

Joecool said...

It was my observation that the platinums do the most work and take the most risk, and likely make very little income if any. If the platinum is sold out on the system, they will end up losing money. The expense of tools and functions, and travel to show the plan is just too much.

I suspect my former sponsor and platinum lost serious money over the years. Sadly, since 1993 to now, he is still in Amway.

Anonymous said...

Twenty-three years in Amway? Poor guy.

Joecool said...

Imagine how much money you can lose in Amway after 23 years?