« Brief History Lesson | Main | Check this out »
March 29, 2003
I really don't know the truth, but I'm trying to figure it out
By QBlog in
WARNING: The following post will probably bore most people to tears. Additionally people will mutter, "So, what? Big deal. Get a life" and things like that. Well, for you folks I'll prevent you the frustration and warn about the following post. If you're interested in learning what I know (or don't know) about Amway and Quixtar then read on. Otherwise wait till next post.
--------------------
I love the truth. I'm always searching for the truth. One thing I learned early on about Amway and Quixtar is that finding the truth is really hard work. Recently I posted A Brief History Lesson which contained information from the Amway and Alticor Web sites to try and end any confusion about the origins of the company and who owns what and when.
My good Canadian friend Tim, never shy about speaking his mind, said:
When Rich and Jay handed their original operations to the next generation they wanted a new direction. Quixtar was set up as a separate company with private funds. Family funds of the second generation. Well yes it was from profits of the Amway company. Not all family members are investors in Quixtar. Not all partake in Quixtar. So Amway did not own Quixtar.
Well this inspired me (a natural truth-seeker) to do some further investigating and find out once and for all if Quixtar was ever a subsidiary or Amway. After much searching I've learned one thing:
There does not seem to be a definitive answer.
I found only one source that mentioned that Quixtar was NOT a subsidiary of Amway. I found many sources that either say Quixtar was developed and owned by Amway or strongly imply that as fact. Below I've posted links to the sources and quotes from the pages. If anyone knows the truth about this please send me links to documents that support your claim. Don't say, "Quixtar is NOT Amway" or "Quixtar IS Amway" without providing a link. You can't use links I already used, that would be cheating. Here are the sources, enjoy.
Amway site remains under fire - from CNET.com
Upon launch of the Amway's direct-sales Web site, yesterday, users immediately reported problems in reaching interior pages or even the site at all. CNET News.com was unable to access the direct-sales shopping site until late today.
Jobsahead.com - Company Research
Amway is the world's largest direct-sales company. The firm and its 50 affiliates sell over 450 personal care, nutrition, home, and commercial products -- plus products of other companies, like long-distance provider MCI WorldCom -- in more than 80 countries. Amway employs revival-like techniques to motivate its over three million distributors (mostly part-timers) to sell products and find new recruits. Amway has ventured into new territory by creating Quixtar, an Internet consumer products subsidiary, which operates like Amway but does not use the Amway name. The DeVos and Van Andel families own Amway.
Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan (The state where Amway started).
... Randy Bancino, VP & CIO of Quixtar, Inc. an E-commerce marketing subsidiary of Amway.
Oklahoma Electronic Commerce Connection
Amway is taking this model online (Quixtar). Already the Countdown 9199 site reports more than 100,000 subscribers and it doesn't offer a single product until September 1. Of course, it tapped right into Amway's extensive network of sales people, but the Internet is a perfect medium for this kind of exponential marketing (what some have called viral marketing).
MacCentral Breaking News: Monday, August 16, 1999
Although Quixtar has been started by the founders of Amway, it's a separate entity; not a "subsidiary" of the latter. The only reason Quixtar's operations are currently associated with Amway is because Quixtar will not be online for business until Sept 1, we're told. Apparently Apple has decided to become involved in Quixtar's e-commerce operations, but calling Quixtar a reseller is like calling your local shopping center a reseller if it has a CompUSA in it, according to our source.
Amway , the infamous multilevel marketer, has launched an e-commerce sister company, Quixtar . For $99.95, you, too, can have your own e-commerce business!
Amway launches web commerce site
This after a relentless, months-long drumroll by Amway that included a Web cast last week viewed by more than 500,000 Amway reps and friends.
Finally, I'll simply add that I'm just a guy and don't claim to be an authority on Quixtar or Amway or Alticor or anything. I may be wrong, I may be right, my main point is that it should not be THIS hard to find out the truth on something so trivial as to who once owned Quixtar. The confusion and bewilderment surrounding this corporation is frustrating to say the least.
Comments
Please don't worry. If you have guts to work, if you have faith in yourself, this company will take you anywhere YOU want to go. But remember, too many people chose hell as their destination.
I just wanted to see if you can give me your opinion on my b/f joining quixtar.He is asking me many times to join him and become one of his members.But to me its not a good deal.I looked briefly at thier website.I got no answers on what the company really is.So it took me to your page as well as many others that has some not to attractive things on it about quixtar.Everything ive read leads me to believe quixtar is the same as a chain letter.And like chain letters its ok to waste 10 stamps the first time but every day 10 stamps would get very exspensive.What im seeing with quixtar is you have to do all your shopping from them and you have to recruit 6 people to do the same.Then you will get a small refund check.My b/f is going to several towns staying the weekend to attend thier meetings and comes back very motivated about the company.I live in a small town where when you need something you run to the nearest wal-mart or Kroger ,not order it on the net and have to pay postage and wait for it to come in the mail.Also he says you have 1 year to recruit 6 members.Well after thinking i had many friends and that would be easy ,reality hit me,what 6 friends do i have that will pay 250 dollars to join this (club),then continue to buy all thier household needs on a monthly basis from the net.I dont have time to work 8 hrs a day and keep my house clean much less spend my time going to meetings in another state(in my case the closest meeting place is a state away.Im just looking for some advice on this company and actually some truth about it.Over the weekend he attended a meeting and came back very motivated about becoming rich in a very short time,said he met so many people that was so sucessful in this (club).Where did these people come from and how much money do you and your six recruiters have to spend buying on the net from quixtar to become this rich?Ok enough,i think you get the picture.Can you give me your personal advice on this?I would appreciate it very much.
Posted by: Lynn | July 16, 2004 7:20 AM