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November 27, 2003
Happy Thanksgiving!
By QBlog in
Go eat some turkey or ham or whatever. Watch some football or take a nap. Today is THANKSGIVING and we will be thinking about all the things we're thankful for. Go Cowboys! Don't forget to watch the Egg Bowl!
November 26, 2003
What is a blog and what is not a blog?
By QBlog in
I discovered this seemingly well-intentioned attempt to create an MLM themed blog. It looks like it began in May or so and then sort of fizzled out. I'm not really sure I'd call it a "blog" either but who am I to argue?
Anyway, it's good to see others at least trying out the MLM blog thing.
November 25, 2003
You asked for it
By QBlog in
During the year or so that I've been publishing this blog (and more recently hosting the Forum) several inquiries have been made by folks seeking to help out with some of the costs related to running this site. And while there's been a PayPal donation button on this site for quite a while, the creation of the link was an afterthought and made somewhat in jest.
So, due to the mounting costs of running this site and the expressed desire by some to make charitable (not tax-deductible) contributions to defray those costs, I've placed a "Support Quixtar Blog" link on the top right of the main blog page and created a "Donation Page."
This is NOT an effort to make money. If nobody contributes I still plan to run this site. It's important to me and worth the relatively small (but not insignificant) costs. If you don't want to donate then don't. If you want to help out in some way without contributing funds then send me and email and I'll explain how you can help. There are very specific costs associated with running this site and once those costs are met I'll refuse or return any additional donations.
I realize that some do not approve of sites that accept donations. I understand those perspectives and I do not wish to offend anyone. However, accepting donations has become an established method for certain people to express appreciation for particular independent (and ad-free) sites. I've made several such donations over the past couple of years to either show my support or maybe get a free goodie or site link.
Finally, I just want to say that publishing the quixtarBLOG has been an absolute blast. With the addition of the Forum I've come into contact with so many wonderful people and I appreciate the friendships that have developed. I can no longer imagine my life without this blog and it's really a success only because you have made it one. So, to everyone who visits this site I want to extend a genuine and heartfelt thank you. Thank you for listening and laughing and crying (though not really much crying here) and shouting and all the stuff people do. This is beginning to sound like some sort of toast or eulogy so I'll just end it now while I'm still ahead.
Anyway, that's the donation link explainer thing.
Seventeen Percent!
By QBlog in
17 in 100 Adults in Korea Involved in Multi-Level Marketing. That's the headline from the KoreaTimes this morning. Amazing. 17% of folks in Korea are involved in MLM. And the article goes on to report (much to the horror or Amway folks I'm sure) that "Amway Korea, South Korea's largest pyramid company affiliated with Amway of the United States, accounted for 30.8 percent of the total sales and 20 percent of the sales staff."
Just wait till they get Quixtar over there!
November 24, 2003
Let's make a deal
By QBlog in
Hey Mr. IBO.
How's it going? Good, good! Glad to hear it.
Hey, I was searching for Quixtar books on Amazon today and noticed a lot of titles about Dream Stealing. Apparently, folks in Quixtar are mighty concerned about having their dreams stolen and are taking appropriate steps to protect themselves from the Dream Thieves.
Yeah, crazy isn't it? Anyway, because I'm such a sensitive guy I thought I'd make a deal with you to, you know, help you sleep better at night... so you wouldn't worry about those Dream Thieves.
The deal is: I promise not to steal your dreams, or the dreams of any other IBO, if you promise not to steal my money or the money of anyone else.
Good deal huh? Shake on it? Alright. Excellent. Glad we had this little conversation. And that deal's open to all your IBO buddies too. Spread the word. Just trying to help. One IBO at a time.
Jumping Man
By QBlog in
Who can figure out what this site and Quixtar.com have in common?
Note to Quixtar Web designers: Shell out the cash for some better stock art.
How much does Freedom cost?
By QBlog in
I think it's fair to say that one of the primary beliefs among faithful Quixtar IBOs is that by working hard to build a solid and healthy downline one can achieve Freedom. Freedom from the J-O-B. Freedom from worrying about retirement. The Freedom to donate to favorite charities. The Freedom to achieve every dream imaginable. Freedom to be Free.
This focus on Freedom is not written in any literature that I'm aware of but it's part of the culture I observed during my limited involvement with this business. A culture that seemed to believe the money from a successful Quixtar business would provide unprecedented personal Freedom. A culture that seemed to despise bosses and jobs and somehow viewed all efforts for "the man" as a type of servitude.
There was always something about the focus on Freedom and the attitude towards current situations (working in a J-O-B, inadequate Social Security, no time for family, etc.) that repulsed me. It was (and still is) hard to put my finger on the specifics of why I was repulsed. Whenever I would mentioned my uneasiness, someone quickly pointed out that there was nothing wrong with dreaming and we should never "settle" when we could achieve so much more with hard work and dedication.
However, after reading some random observations about Quixtar and carefully considering my own observations, I think I've achieved some personal clarity about why that culture seemed so discordant with my own ideas of Freedom.
After stripping away all the rhetoric and hyperbole it seems that the fundamental message within the "Quixtar Freedom Culture" is that money equals Freedom. I reject that notion. I do not believe that money provides Freedom and examples demonstrating this reality are plentiful, even Biblical (the parable of the Rich Fool - Luke 12:13).
I think of it like this: If my Freedom is intrinsically tied to my finances, then what happens when those finances are gone? Am I suddenly thrust back into bondage? Does my Freedom evaporate with my vanishing bank account? And at what dollar amount can I declare total Freedom? Am I a little bit more free if I make a little bit more money? Is my neighbor who makes twice as much as me, twice as free?
The answers to the above questions should be obvious, but to some in Quixtar they are anything but obvious. It is those people and their ideas of Freedom that repulsed me so many months ago.
Please understand, I'm not saying that money is evil. I don't deny that money is an important part of life and it is necessary to perform many functions in modern society. I'm just saying that those who truly believe that money is their ticket to Freedom are fooling themselves and buying into a lie. I believe that true Freedom is found in things much more eternal that money. But, as always, these are just my perceptions.
November 20, 2003
That's AmQuix Dot Info to you buddy!
By QBlog in
Scott Larsen's site, AmQuix.info is now... well... AmQuix.info. Here are the details. A lot of links pointed to his former host and those don't work anymore. Just remember AmQuix dot info and you'll be good to go.
Do you get it now?
By QBlog in
Folks, witness the power of blogs. Here's another blog post about MLM titled "Naive about money" by IreneQ (no relation to QBlog ;o)
All you non-Bloggers out there take note. THIS is what blogs are all about. You're seeing it happen. Last year there were virtually no blogs posting about MLM. I know. I looked. Within that year I've seen a steady increase in random folks blogging about their opinions and experiences with MLM.
Two things to note when considering this emerging trend:
1. Almost ALL of these blog posts are critical of Quixtar or MLM.
2. The majority of these blog posts are made by people who don't regularly visit "anti" or "pro" MLM sites. They haven't done a lot of research on the Web and they often are clueless about the many details that the MLM savvy take for granted.
What does this mean? I'm not exactly sure. But I think it's a sign that information and perceptions about MLM (and particularly Quixtar) are seeping into the public awareness. As awareness about MLM begins to grow among the masses we will see a precipitous decline in MLM participation. I guess that's my prediciton:
As awareness goes up, MLM participation goes down. I don't have data to support that, it's just a hunch.
Up your downline
By QBlog in
I discovered an interesting blog post from onionboy today. While it appears that this guy was "in" two different MLM organizations at one time or another he is only now able to "to write about it (those pains) without being affected by it."
Another interesting aspect of the post is how onionboy perceives MLM (specifically Amway) as clashing with Christian values. He seems to have found conflicts between the Amway "teachings" and his Christian beliefs. This is notable because it contrasts with stories I've heard of others who left Amway because they felt such Christian values were being shoved down their non-Christian throats.
Anyway, I love finding fresh perspectives about MLM. Thanks for sharing onionboy.
November 17, 2003
MLMSurvivor.com Sued!
By QBlog in
Amway/Quixtar "Diamond" Deimler Sues MLM Survivor.
Brett Deimler, a "Diamond" in the Amway/Quixtar organization of Fred and Linda Harteis, is suing MLM Survivor. In what has to be one of the most pitiful attempts at a SLAPP* (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) suit ever filed, Deimler is alleging defamation for information on the MLMSurvivor.com website.
November 16, 2003
New Tools System
By QBlog in
My wife recently received an email notification from her upline discussing the change in how tools are purchased and distributed. For years tools were purchased from the upline. We would give our upline a blank check (yipes) and they would write in the amount and cash it to pay for tools. Then the upline would deliver the tools to us. Now, according to the email, that system is ending. Apparently tools will be purchased directly from InterNET Services via a DEBIT card only. No credit cards. No blank checks. It also looks like the tools will be delivered via snail mail or UPS or something.
This is interesting. I never liked the whole "give upline a blank check and wait for them to come over and deliver tools" thing.
November 15, 2003
Are Quixtar's "numbers" reliable?
By QBlog in
Those familiar with Quixtar are also familiar with the myriad of numbers quoted within the business. In fact, sometimes those numbers can be a bit overwhelming and people often simply accept them as accurate because it's just easier than trying to verify every single integer. Yet inquisitive minds should always be asking, "Is this number accurate? Is it misleading? Is it a complete fabrication? Where did this number come from?"
Today I discovered some numbers in a WIPO decision called "Quixtar Investments, Inc. v. Scott A. Smithberger" and find them to be somewhat misleading if not purely dishonest. In the fourth segment of the document titled "Factual Background" we find this quote:
Quixtar.com has been quite successful, as evidenced by its performance during the 1999 holiday season when it averaged 15-20 million hits a day and was one of the top five e-commerce sites in the world based on revenue.I do not know how they determine the top five e-commerce sites so I won't question that claim but I do question the 15-20 million hits a day claim and I'll explain why I question the validity of such a claim.
Context
First, let's put those numbers in the context of Web traffic in general. Taking a look at Nielsen NetRatings we find that only three sites on the Web recieved more than 20 million unique visitors all of last week. The top site, Microsoft, had more than 53 million visitors which averages close to around 7.5 million per day.
Definitions and Intentions
The confusing aspect of the Quixtar traffic numbers is the use of the word "hits." Many unfamiliar with Web traffic would read "hits" and assume that a hit represents an actual site visitor. Technically it makes no such representation. The problem is that the word "hit" is commonly used (however wrongly) by the general public in reference to actual site visitors. In a similar way people often believe that the words "Web" and "Internet" are synonymous when they are not.
Hits - A hit is technically a server request. A server request is caused by visiting a Web page. However, if that Web page contains images, auto-loading audio or some type of multi-media plug-in then a server request is made for each unique file on that page. For example, this page you are reading right now contains between 7-20 unique images (and maybe a few more) and a each image is a separate server request. So, by visiting this page you've generated around 8-21 hits. If you visit a page with 100 unique images (and many sites contain that many) then you've just created 100 (plus the html request) hits. Now can you see how meaningless "hits" are when measuring site traffic? And due to the irrelevance of "hits" many in the industry automatically assume that when someone says "hits" they really mean page views or unique visitors.
Page Views - A page view is most important to advertisers because it's usually how their ad delivery is measured. A page view is exactly what it sounds like, a viewing of an entire page. It does not account for each file or document pulled from the server, only the page as a whole. If you visit this site and then browse to three other pages on the blog then you've generated 4 page views.
Unique Visitors - A unique visitor is an actual person visiting the site and is only counted once within a session (usually one day). A unique visitor can view 100 pages and generate thousands of hits but still only be counted once. This is really the most important stat when judging the popularity of a Web site and for rating purposes it's the only one that matters.
Did Quixtar Lie?
Who knows whether Quixtar was trying to be misleading, lying or just clueless about their own site stats. It's quite possible that they had 15-20 million hits per day (though even that is unlikely) as defined above but I guarantee they did not have that many unique visitors and I'm almost positive that there weren't that many page views (not to mention the irrelevance of such stats for Quixtar in general). I'll let you answer the question about Quixtar's intentions on your own. I just hope that by understanding the context of some numbers it will allow you to be a bit more discerning about similar claims.
REQUIRED READING: Here's an excellent examination of Quixtar stats.
QuixtarSucks dot com
By QBlog in
Just doing some random Quixtar Googling (pairing the word "Quixtar" with a random word like "peanut" or "monkey" to see what pops up) and stumbled across QuixtarSucks.com. Yes, someone has registered that domain but it doesn't look like they're doing much with it right now.
So, who owns the domain? Looks like some company called King Carr Worldwide out of Raleigh, NC. Who is King Carr Worldwide? Check out the results when you punch the name into Google. Interesting.
November 14, 2003
MCVR
By QBlog in
While trying to figure out the whole Quixtar Member/Client sales rules I dug through some old upline emails and found this rather confusing explanation. I remember reading it in August, 2002 and just scratching my head. I could kick myself now for not asking questions to try to get this explained in more detail. Reading it now is still somewhat confusing to me and I make NO claims about the accuracy of the statements or how they may or may not apply to Quixtar IBOs. I'm just sharing a typical email communication from our direct upline (who is really a great person and still a friend). My only edits were to add emphasis, correct some grammar and obscure actual names:
Hey team just a reminder to everyone about the Member/Client Reporting.Remember that if you DO NOT report this you WILL NOT recieve a check from Quixtar. You have to report this EVERY MONTH. You can call it in by calling 1-800-253-6500 and tell them that you need to report EITHER 50PV towards your MCVR OR $100 towards it. This is necessary even if you only have 50PV.
Now it is NOT saying you have to spend 100 more dollars to have an EXTRA 50PV its saying that OF the 50-100PV you assumingly get each month and of the money it took you to get that PV which ever way you choose to report its saying that you are putting that towards a Member or Client purchase. NOW in the beginning we dont all have Members and clients right? Well yeah, you sorta do. You are giving away product every month to people and your children and family members are using your product too. THEY ALL COUNT AS MEMBERS AND CLIENTS.
Example: You all know that my spouse and I give away a lot of coffee and popcorn etc. Well, we also give our kids the juice boxes, snacks etc. that we buy, so around 50PV worth of our order is given away to people that are not IBOs or not building the business even if they are IBOs.
So, report that - you figure the coffee is 25 of that PV and our youngest child uses the diapers and babywash and wipes etc. so those things alone make up our MCVR. It's confusing and you could get all wrapped up in the legal reasons, but the bottom line is we had an attorney read it over and it's absolutely legit to do this. SO AGAIN YOU HAVE TO REPORT EVERY SINGLE MONTH.
If you have recieved a check in the past without reporting, Thank your upline 'cause that means that they did it for you. But we all need to know how to do this and we all need to teach our people how. If you want to do this online and you have at least 50PV go to www.quixtar.com then go to office in the slim blue menu bar at the top, put your arrow on PV/BV and click on Member Client Volume Reporting or MCVR. Go in and put a one next to Member/Client orders then either put a 50 next to PV OR put $100.00 in the one asking dollar amount spent. Or you can call customer service.
There is yet one more way to do this. You can do your ditto for 50PV if you are currently doing it for 100PV and then go to your cart and add in the other 50PV and when you get to the second screen in the ordering process report that you are buying for a customer or client at IBO cost.
Yeah I know it's two seperate orders but a relatively small price to pay in the long run right? If you don't have a ditto set up yet then order the way you normally do online (using your Shopping Cart) and just like I said do two seperate orders. If you order by phone, complete your order, then tell they Operator to please report $100.00 of that order OR 50PV of that order to your MCVR. If you dont want to go through the hassle of two orders then order however you normally do and call in your MCVR or go online and do it yourself as I mentioned before.
Any questions let us know. Its not complicated really once you get the hang of it and it's something that you HAVE TO DO in order to get a check! So get those reports in so we can all get a check OTHERWISE your check goes to our Upline Platinum!!!
Let's discuss Team Of Destiny
By QBlog in
An old post about Team of Destiny (from Sept. 22) seems to be generating a lot of discussion lately. I'm not really sure why. Some interesting things being said about TOD from a variety of perspectives. Interested parties may want to check it out. There's a more recent post about TOD and stacking that you might also find interesting.
Speaking of TOD, does anyone know if or how Jody Victor is involved with this group?
November 13, 2003
The Trouble With Quixtar: 6
By QBlog in
Because blogs are inherently conversational and generally informal I thought it might be fun for me to take a few days to work out some of my issues with Quixtar right here, in this public space. Some posts may not make a lot of sense on their own but I hope that as a collection these posts will all tie together to accurately describe what I call "The Trouble With Quixtar."
To keep things organized I'm titling each related entry The Trouble With Quixtar and then numbering them sequentially. Also, please understand that this is a personal effort for me to fully comprehend why I am unable to embrace Quixtar, or any MLM business. This is my personal struggle with Quixtar. > 5<
Believe it or not, I've never bought a new car. I probably never will. I was raised with the understanding that new cars dramatically depreciate the moment they leave the lot and a savvy consumer will purchase a slightly used vehicle to dodge this precipitous drop in value.
And while I'd like to consider myself a savvy consumer I must confess that the real reason I haven't purchased a new car is because frankly, I find the entire new car industry completely repulsive.
I object to a system (the dealerships) that refuses to provide the products (cars, trucks, vans, etc.) that the customer demands (only Fords on this lot, BMWs on that lot, etc.). The dealership model is antiquated and in need of expansive change. Yet, that change (the lauded mega-dealerships among others) has not permeated throughout America in the way that some had anticipated. We're mostly stuck with the same dealership model that has existed for ages and I decline direct contribution (buying a new car) to that system.
I also dislike the fact that the sticker price is not expected to be the sale price. In what other industry is this routinely accepted? None that I can think of. But the common argument is that car dealers work on commission and thus some haggling is to be expected. Well, my question is why? Why maintain that status quo? Just because "that's the way we've always done it?" Get a grip and move into the 21st Century. Haggling over the price of new products is so last century (I should point out that Saturn seems to have bucked this trend but where are the new trend followers?).
And I guess the last reason I am repulsed by the new car industry is based on years of prejudice and stereotypical thinking. I just can't stand car dealers. I'm not entirely certain that they're even human. I have a couple of car dealer friends and they seem human enough but sometimes I wonder if they're just wearing human masks like the Lizard People things from V. I know, I'm being too hard on them and they're probably great people underneath that slimy exterior but it's difficult to quickly eschew all that ingrained prejudice. But I'm trying, I really am.
November 12, 2003
Dateline Update
By QBlog in
I was surprised to find this Dateline Update page advertised on Google this afternoon. It reads:
We are monitoring websites and news outlets in order to have up-to-date information on the Dateline NBC story about Quixtar/Amway.
Turns out that the site is run by the author of MLMBlog.net.
Anyway, it's a cool idea and a good way to keep folks connected and updated with the latest info about the Quixtar Dateline story. I know I get several questions a week asking me when the show will air. I still don't know but I'll let you know as soon as I do find something out. Hey, you could even subscribe to the quixtarBLOG Newsletter to hear what I know, when I know it.
November 11, 2003
More Blog Comments about Quixtar
By QBlog in
Those unfamiliar with blogs probably do not understand the full potential and power of this relatively new publishing phenomenon. Blogs essentially demolish the traditional gatekeepers of information and democratize information distribution. Anyone with a voice now has a cheap, easy and robust method to be heard by tens, hundreds, thousands and possibly millions of people around the globe.
Never before has so much power been given to the masses. Putting this power in the hands of the masses certainly does NOT guarantee that they will be heard or even that many of their voices are worth hearing. However, like capitalism, it's the OPPORTUNITY created by blogs that radically changes the dynamics of information and how it's publshed and distributed. Those who truly understand this are the ones who "get" blogs and recognize them for what they are: The Printing Press of the Modern Age!
Ok, so where am I going with all of this? Well, by understanding some of the strengths of blogs one can better appreciate the impact of such honest and candid opinions as those illustrated in the Random Observations blog. The thoughtful post titled "The Quixtar/Amway Sales Pitch" allows us a glimpse into the mind of someone "outside" the Quixtar community. Those inside the Quixtar Community (either pro or con) may not be able to fully appreciate the value of these "untainted" observations. Prior to blogging it was extremely rare to find such comments (of any kind) about Quixtar from people not actively for or against the business. Blogs have changed that. We can now get a glimpse (however incomplete) of what some people think and feel about this business.
I urge you to take a moment and read the entire post. I've pulled out a few lines that I thought were especially interesting:
If the case can be made that the bottom is a fine place to live, I'm done. I might even buy some products to see how they are. If they're good enough to buy for their own sake, there's nothing wrong with selling them.But if not, then the core business itself is actually signing up new people, not selling products. And we have ourselves a pyramid scheme, whatever we might call it.
And, if so, then (here's the scary part) the most moral thing one can do is to ensure it reaches saturation as soon as possible, and thus collapses with as little damage as possible.
In other words, I fear game theory, plus my understanding of Christianity* would dicatate that my own responsibility may be to "innoculate" as many people as I can, thus artificially constricting my own local market, and ensuring a local "collapse" as soon as possible, with as little collateral damage as possible.
[*In addition, I've never been comfortable seeing a pit-trap but walking away leaving it for the next victim, thinking: "It's not my problem." We don't have to fix the world, no, but when something comes on our own radar screen, we suddenly have to make a choice.]
November 10, 2003
AmQuix DOWN!!!
By QBlog in
UPDATE: AmQuix.info back up!
FYI: AmQuix.info is currently down. Here's some information from Scott Larsen, the guy who runs the site.
If anybody has tried to access my site (www.amquix.info/amway.html) you will get a 404 error. My host, 50megs.com, yanked my site without telling me and has not responded yet to my phone calls or e-mail. Somebody complained "about some personal information" on my site but that is all I know.I guess I'll be looking for a new host. If anybody has any recommendations please write me. Overseas would of course be the best bet or at least a 1st amendment friendly host at that.
Scott
November 8, 2003
Happy Anniversary
By QBlog in
One year ago today I sat down and started the "Quixtar Blog." This site looked very different then (anyone remember the oscillating background) and I was still trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. But I kept at it, mainly because, like many of you, I was searching for answers and had a strong desire to share my perceptions and opinions about Quixtar.
Today, as I look back over the past year, I'm amazed at how this site has developed and grown. I've met some wonderful people as a result of this site and hope to meet many more. I'm still searching for answers and sharing opinions but maybe, just maybe, I'm a little bit wiser than I was last year.
Steve's night in MLM Hell
By QBlog in
Steve Gilliard is a blogger who knows his stuff. Read just a few entries from his blog and you'll see what I mean.
So, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a post (titled "My night in MLM hell" and you'll have to scroll down to read it) about Quixtar. Actually, Quixtar isn't specifically named in the post but we learn that it is the "guilty" MLM referred to in the title.
If you've been hanging around quixtarBLOG long then you'll know that I LOVE finding opinions about Quixtar from those "untainted" by the hyperbole, rhetoric and propoganda of either the "pro" or "anti" Quixtar hordes. That's why I especially like reading Steve's comments. I highly recommend that you read the entire post.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
> "Here's some advice, real businesses don't have levels. You have profitability and sales. Not levels."Keep in mind, this is the opinion of a guy who's never visited a Quixtar discussion board, never been to AmQuix.info, never done a bit of research about "the business" on the Web. These are just pure opinions.> "Then they wouldn't tell us what the business did. Now, I've been going to trade shows for a decade. I know the first thing a company does is tell you what they do. The presentation was all about money and how you could make it. Now, here's a reality of business. If all they can tell you is how much money you can make, well, they're selling a crappy product. They should get you interested in the product."
> "MLM isn't business. At least not one you can make money from. This business is especially f**ked (QBlog edit) because you have to change buying patterns. One of the hardest things possible. Coke and Pepsi spend billions on it. The whole thing is among the most difficult things you can do with a brand. Dotcoms are proof of that in spades."
> "Any business which requires you constantly churn new customers is going to eventually fail on you because there is a finite pool of people to work with. A business needs steady, repeat customers who spend set amounts of cash."
Very interesting.
November 6, 2003
What I THINK I Know About TOD
By QBlog in
The following is a collection of information I've gathered about Team of Destiny. I don't profess to be an expert on this specific LOS but hope that by sharing what I know (or think I know) we will all learn more about TOD. If you can contribute to this information in some way, please contact me or leave a comment below so that we can correct any mistakes and fill in any gaps.
Founder
Team of Destiny was founded by Orrin Woodward. He's notable because he's been highly successful in Quixtar and he's young (compared to other Founder's Diamonds - he was born in 1967).
Business
Team of Destiny is essentially a motivational and support organization within Quixtar. It's also a Line of Sponsorship that begins with Woodward. There is some debate over how forthcoming members of TOD are about their affiliation with Quixtar and I won't try to enter that debate. What I will say is that every member of TOD is either a Quixtar IBO or a registered member of Quixtar. Sort out the details for yourself.
Stacking
One of the most controversial aspects of TOD is called Stacking. Almost every LOS frowns upon stacking for a variety of reasons. TOD embraces this method of group building and claims to have tremendous success by working in this manner.
So what is stacking? Well, from what I know it was first attempted aggressively in the early 1980s. I don't know the names of any specific groups but my understanding is those stacking groups achieved tremendous success, very quickly and then fell apart almost as fast.
Now, for the detailed explanation with help from our friends at the MLM Know-How Forum:
Stacking is basically depth vs. width. With most Quixtar organizations, a new IBO is taught to go wide (meaning sponsor a LOT of people on your first level) and create some income to fund the drive in depth (depth is sponsoring people under the people you sponsored and the people they sponsored and so on).
With the Quixtar compensation plan, the "wider" your organization is, the more profit you earn. However, there is a limit to your bonus for any single leg as it reaches a certain depth. Once you hit that limit your bonus will not increase, no matter how large your volume is in that specific leg. So, if you achieve that limit in one leg then it makes sense that you would want more legs to provide similar bonuses, which provides incentive to build width.
Now, depth will typically build in some security to your business. If I have 10 people and they're all one under each other (a straight line down ten levels), I would only really have to focus on keeping that one person on the bottom motivated to stay in and not quit. If they stay in, odds are everyone above them will stay in becuase there's a chance any one of them will take off and build it any day now. If I have all 10 on my first level and nobody under any of them, there's no incentive for any of them to stay. This can create instability in your organization.
So, what Orrin Woodward did was promote driving depth down one leg until you find your next leader and then you can work on your second leg. You drive depth down it until you find the next leader in that one.
The theory is, if you have 10 people in one leg, all stacked on top of each other, basically, you have 10 people all trying to find one person to put under the new person at the bottom. Now you have 11 people all trying to find one person. The new person always has a bunch of people upline working for their success (so to speak). This is why you hear all these TOD people saying they simply signed up and they already have X number of people in their group.
Now, what you don't hear is that all that volume isn't doing them any good because their bonus check is really small. This is why it's been documented that TOD IBOs have some of the lowest profitablity levels in Quixtar. But, they also have the least amount of attrition cause nobody wants to let go of all that volume below them.
Now, once you drive your busines 10, 50, 100, or whatever deep, you can start on your second leg. But this time, your upline is already on THEIR second leg, not yours. You're on your own. Of course, it's assumed that you have learned something with that first leg and can do this on your own.
The Perceived Problem with Stacking
Some say that the trouble with stacking, besides the small bonus checks at the beginning (which some may argue is a trade-off for downline stability), is that the people at the bottom do not get the same benefits as those at the top. Imagine going to a meeting with 9 other people to see the plan. You walk in, and by some fluke all 10 of you decide to sign up. The first person gets signed up and the second person is signed up under him and the third person under him and so on until they come to you. You're the 10th man and have nobody signed up under you. This may create a little bit of tension. Another potential problem could be the seemingly arbitrary ordering of people in the line. Who determines that Suzy is under Bob and that Frank is under Suzy?
There is also some debate about whether or not Team Of Destiny itself is an illegal pyramid. Scott Larsen has compiled a page explaing "Why Team of Destiny is an illegal pyramid." Whether you agree or not, it makes for some compelling reading.
The TOD Papers
Below you'll find TOD's own documents explaining stacking and the potential earnings. I must point out that, to my knowledge, TOD has created only three Diamonds since it began. I don't know how this figure compares to other groups but I thought I should mention that figure.
Or, download the original pdf here.
Conclusion
As I said, I'm no expert on TOD and I ask for your help in correcting any errors or filling in any information gaps. I'm also not endorsing or condemning the stacking method used by TOD. I'm just trying to share the info that I've learned, or think I've learned. There seems to be a certain amount of secrecy surrounding TOD's stacking and I'm just trying to de-mystify the business.
November 5, 2003
I need a laugh
By QBlog in
Here's a modified joke. Apologies to the lawyers.
Q: "If you have Hitler, Stalin, and a Quixtar IBO standing in front of you and you have a gun loaded with two bullets, who do you shoot first?"
A: "The Quixtar IBO, twice."
November 3, 2003
I like SA8
By QBlog in
Just a personal anecdote about a particular Quixtar product.
The laundry room in our house is in the garage. In that room there is a drain in the floor, near the washing machine. The drain line in the back of the washing machine ultimately flows through this drain and after a couple of years in our house this drain would back up with every load of laundry.
Since it was concrete and it didn't back up too much we just lived with it for a while. However, the high-water mark increased over time and we finally called a plumber. He snaked the drain and did some other plumber things and we were happy... for a couple of weeks.
The drain promptly began backing up again and right before we called the plumber back to fix it we started using SA8 laundry detergent. You heard right. The day we used SA8 our drain did not back up. I don't think our clothes were any cleaner (I don't really pay attention to that stuff) but our drains did not back up.
A few weeks later we ran out of SA8 and used our old brand of liquid detergent. That day the drain backed up again. So, we stuck with SA8. We believe that SA8 fixed the problem because it has fewer suds than regular detergent or maybe because we used less but we really have no idea why SA8 fixed our drain problems.
Does this mean I recommend SA8? Sure, why not? It's not that bad and it seems to have fixed our drain problem.
New Blog on the Block
By QBlog in
Looks like there is now another blog about MLM. The cleverly named MLM Blog is the second blog effort by Ty, a Passport Associate.
This effort seems to be more dedicated than his last blog attempt so we'll see how it shapes up. It's definitely off to a good start and my only complaint is that it frames linked sites (pull out the Web crucifix!) I have no complaints.
Good job Ty and welcome back to the blogging elite. Since the MLM Whatever Blog seems to have stalled there are now only two, count 'em-TWO, blogs about Quixtar and/or MLM on the planet. W00t!