One of the things that many Amway defenders will claim is that too many IBOs do not apply what they are taught, thus they do not succeed. While I agree with this in principle, I believe that there are many many more problems with the Amway systems that have nothing to do an IBO's willingness to apply what they are taught. I believe the system just doesn't work and the IBO's end up shouldering the blame for a flawed system.
For the record, I will be referring to IBOs who actually make an effort to build the business. I know many IBOs do little or nothing, but that in itself is a whole different issue, probably stemming from deception in the recruitment process. But okay, let's look at the systems.
Voicemail. The voicemail systems used by many groups are not only expensive, but completely unnecssary. Most newer IBOs do not even earn enough money from Amway to pay for their voicemail, and frankly, in an internet based type of business, I don't see why email or skype or social media is not utilized, except for the fact that eliminating voiemail would be eliminating a profit center for many uplines. In fact, if voicemail must be used, why aren't IBOs using the Amway version of voicemail so IBOs can gain PV/BV? The excuse that KATE may be better doesn't fly because I'm sure Amway could make improvements to the system they have. But overall, email or facebook would still be just as efficient at no cost.
Standing orders. If you attend functions, why would you need an endless supply of cds or tapes? Most of these are recorded at functions anyway, thus upline is hitting you twice as you pay for the function and then get hit up for the standing order again. And how many standing orders give you specific and practical advice on running a profitable Amway business? I am guessing that very little practical advice is given on these standing orders. Why do you need a new supply every week?, except that it is a big profit center for upline.
Functions. If standing orders are so valuable, why do you need to spend money on functions, especially functions where airfare and hotel expenses are needed? Why wouldn't there be less major functions and more regional functions? If the true intent of these meetings is to generate IBO success, then shouldn't the IBOs be able to attend functions closer to home to reduce cost and to make them more accessible to the rank and file IBO? But keep in mind that major functions are a huge profit center for upline.
All in all, I believe that some tools have little value and they rarely teach IBOs sales techniques, and I also believe that tools are overpromoted in many LOS groups, to the financial detriment of many IBOs. If IBOs were made profitble in their first month or months of business, there would be less need for so much motivation. When do you have enough tools? According to upline, the answer is never. And that's because the upline makes a significant portion of their living from tools.
Earlier this spring I ALMOST got completely sucked in this scam by one of my friends I served with in the Army. He approached me at the gym about it. Now I never heard of pyramid schemes, or Amway until he showed the plan, and I attended the seminar. It went just as I have read based on all the stuff I've been reading. Very cult-like, and one of the things covered in the seminar was about a couple who made $160,000 after just 6 months of being an IBO along with slideshows of places they visited and what they owned. Of course, all unverified. Mind you, most people that attended were also veterans, or active duty, and of various ranks. Even though the red flags were there, I blew them off because I figured if there was something wrong, none of them would be involved in it.
ReplyDeleteLuckily for me, I'm very stingy and cheap with my money! So once my friend and his upline got me signed up, and told me I needed 100PV before the month was out (which was in 3 days) my senses hit me. Naturally I checked out the supplements and other nutritional stuff they had. Now I've been working out since 2009, and I knew what the price ranges should've been since I use such stuff. Literally ALL OF THEM were 2-3x the normal prices. I think it would've cost me almost $270 or more for that 100PV, and for very small amount of stuff. He try reassuring me I would be saving cause I'm getting money back. It was only like $9! Anyone with basic 1 grade math skills would know that's a huge loss!
I told him and his upline that if I get into this, it's to make money. Not lose money. The response was "if you want your dreams you have to make sacrifices". But this wasn't a sacrifice. It was just a loss.... PERIOD! However, I went through with the purchase anyway out of curiosity just to see why it costs so much. It better be high quality I told myself. I already had in mind that I was never buying again after the purchase.
The last straw was when I was told about another seminar in Charlotte that was about 3 hours from us that was about $100-$150 I think. Not only am I stingy with money, but I absolutely hate driving more than 30 minutes unless it was necessary, or something that would benefit me. So no way that was happening. I saw no profit or benefit from it. I just simply stopped answering the phone calls and texts. My whole ordeal with Amway was only about 2 weeks, but boy was it a hassle in such a short time.
Earlier this spring I ALMOST got completely sucked in this scam by one of my friends I served with in the Army. He approached me at the gym about it. Now I never heard of pyramid schemes, or Amway until he showed the plan, and I attended the seminar. It went just as I have read based on all the stuff I've been reading. Very cult-like, and one of the things covered in the seminar was about a couple who made $160,000 after just 6 months of being an IBO along with slideshows of places they visited and what they owned. Of course, all unverified. Mind you, most people that attended were also veterans, or active duty, and of various ranks. Even though the red flags were there, I blew them off because I figured if there was something wrong, none of them would be involved in it.
ReplyDeleteLuckily for me, I'm very stingy and cheap with my money! So once my friend and his upline got me signed up, and told me I needed 100PV before the month was out (which was in 3 days) my senses hit me. Naturally I checked out the supplements and other nutritional stuff they had. Now I've been working out since 2009, and I knew what the price ranges should've been since I use such stuff. Literally ALL OF THEM were 2-3x the normal prices. I think it would've cost me almost $270 or more for that 100PV, and for very small amount of stuff. He try reassuring me I would be saving cause I'm getting money back. It was only like $9! Anyone with basic 1 grade math skills would know that's a huge loss!
I told him and his upline that if I get into this, it's to make money. Not lose money. The response was "if you want your dreams you have to make sacrifices". But this wasn't a sacrifice. It was just a loss.... PERIOD! However, I went through with the purchase anyway out of curiosity just to see why it costs so much. It better be high quality I told myself. I already had in mind that I was never buying again after the purchase.
The last straw was when I was told about another seminar in Charlotte that was about 3 hours from us that was about $100-$150 I think. Not only am I stingy with money, but I absolutely hate driving more than 30 minutes unless it was necessary, or something that would benefit me. So no way that was happening. I saw no profit or benefit from it. I just simply stopped answering the phone calls and texts. My whole ordeal with Amway was only about 2 weeks, but boy was it a hassle in such a short time.
Hi Joe.....Love your site!...Exposing truth backed by fact!.....The happiest day of my two years in Amway was when I saw the light and the bank account vacuum that Amway is and quit!!!...That was twenty years ago....I remember having a $1000 in useless tools....That was a LOT of money for a young family man ....And crushing all those tapes and throwing them in the garbage,damn near cried......What an unmitigated waste!!...In all aspects!
ReplyDeleteAmen brother. I was in Amway about 20 years ago too and your experience is similar to mine!
ReplyDelete