The Amway Cult?

  One of the interesting things that is noticeable to a neutral eye is that Amway groups and leaders have some resemblance to a cult.  The main difference is that you can come and go, but still, there is peer pressure (sometimes subtle pressure, sometimes not so subtle) to keep going and not quit the group because quitting would give you the label of being a quitter, loser, or broke loser.  This pressure might be subtle but it’s real and the IBO would feel as if they have little to no hope if they drop out of Amway, despite the fact that the IBO would likely be much better off financially.    

The diamonds are given undue adulation.  I recall my first open meeting as a prospect, the diamond was treated like royalty and was given a standing ovation as he entered the room.    And his claim to fame?  Achieving a level in Amway.  Sure, achieving diamond is no easy feat but surely not worthy of rock star status.  But worshipping a leader is a cult like trait.  They hand on every word from the diamond, even so much as they tape/record everything the diamond says in case the one missing piece of information they need might be forthcoming.

The Amway IBOS all have a common cause.  They all seek financial freedom thru the Amway business and they all plan to do it in a relatively short amount of time.  The IBOS dress alike in business attire, and they act similarly and they use many of the same products.  They all fall in in line and try to “ earn time” to spend with the leader.  These are also cult like traits.   I mean who really needs to wear a suit to learn to buy stuff, sell stuff and recruit others to join?  The rank and file think they are just acting successfully because they will eventually make it if they just keep going.  (AKA - fake it till you make it)

But in the end, the upline just uses their position to force the down line into compliance with their teachings.  They sell them the hope of a better life by convincing them that you need an endless supply of training and Amway education via tools and functions.  In my informed opinion, the diamonds don’t give a hoot about the down line.  They are just there to be exploited so the diamonds can enjoy the diamond lifestyle.  

For this reason, the diamonds have to charge full or nearly full price for useless tools and functions even though many IBOs can’t build a business right now because the system is deeply flawed and designed for the masses to fail.  Good luck to you if you read this and join Amway anyway, but you can’t say you weren’t warned.   😃