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September 3, 2004
Quixtar Backbone Project
By QBlog in Backbone Project
Last month I got an email from someone named "Jeremy" who claims to be a Platinum IBO making "about $4,000 per month" in Quixtar. His email was friendly, courteous and offered a suggestion or two about how to improve my site.
Jeremy's message caused me to stop and reflect on some of the reasons that Quixtar is so appealing to so many people. People like my wife who saw the plan, believed in the opportunity and made a decision to join Quixtar as an Independent Business Owner. The fact is that Quixtar, in spite of its problems and shortcomings, is primarily comprised of a vibrant group of honest, hardworking and respectable people who're constructing a business that they enjoy. That truth is borne out time and time again as I talk to both Quixtar advocates and critics. Both say, "My upline was/is a great guy" or "the couple that sponsored us were/are so wonderful to our family." I believe it's that strength of individual character that has sustained Quixtar throughout the past five years. I call those IBOs the "Quixtar Backbone."
The Quixtar Backbone
What occurred to me next was that the Quixtar Backbone is virtually invisible on the Web. It's easy to find stories and opinions from Diamonds (and the Corporation) and it's easy to find critics of those Diamonds (and the Corporation) but it's rather difficult to find stories and opinions from IBOs like Jeremy. Why is Quixtar's greatest asset, Jeremy and others like him, Missing In Action on the Web? I really can't answer that question but I would like to do something to change that reality.
And that's my inspiration for a new project I'm tentatively dubbing "The Quixtar Backbone Project." The main goal of this project is to initiate a dialogue with regular IBOs, like Jeremy. Lately a bitter chasm seems to be widening between Quixtar's critics and advocates and my hope is that a project such as this would work to improve relations and perceptions. It may also work to dispel some of the prejudices and misconceptions each has about the other.
How Would It Work?
I spoke with a couple of IBOs and a couple of non-IBO friends about this idea (and they liked the concept) and to be honest, I'm still trying to iron out the details of how this project will function. The basic idea is that IBOs would submit an entry to the project and then I'd follow up with Five Questions. Those Five Questions would be unscripted and the IBO would answer each of the questions. Then those questions and answers would be published in the project with a brief bio (as general or specific as desired) of the IBO.
As I said, I'm still working on the idea and an open to suggestions.
You Naive Fool
I know that both Quixtar advocates and critics will say that my idea is foolish. The critics will complain that it gives IBOs a platform to spread their propaganda. The advocates will balk and say that they could never trust me and question my motives. My only response is that this idea comes from my heart. I know, and have always known, that Quixtar is filled with wonderfully decent people working hard to make a better life for themselves and their families. There are some "rotten apples" (this is a fact, the critics and advocates just disagree on the amount of those "bad apples") but those "rotten apples" shouldn't be allowed to hijack the conversation. My only hope is that some of the IBOs I've met (and others like them), who've demonstrated integrity and honor, will choose to participate in this project and try to change the tone of the current Quixtar conversation. My (possibly naive) idea is to embrace a dialogue between critics and advocates and hope that each side ends up learning something from the other.
I've always been a dreamer and maybe that's why I believe that this project can achieve great things. Maybe you can believe in it too. I sure hope you'll at least try.
IBOs Contact
If you're an IBO and interested in participating in this project or assisting in some fashion please send an email to quixtar@webraw.com (and put "Quixtar Backbone" as the subject). Some of you IBOs that I have corresponded with in the past may be soon receive an email from me requesting input or participation.
Sincerely,
QBlog
» Entry One - Sharon Schlesinger
» Entry Two - Evan Yeh
» Entry Three - Peter Salzman
» Entry Four - Kirk Wettschreck
» Entry Five - Ryan Wineland
Comments
Qblog,
I like the idea. I also agree that the vast majority of pro-Quixtar people are just average Joe Lunchbuckets trying to find a way to make life better for their families. Any criticism I have of the Quixtar business is toward the hierarchy, both at Quixtar corporate and the AQMOs, because I believe both groups are exploiting the average IBO.
It's a great idea. This type of engagement will help all sides reach a better understanding. However one thing will not change. If you are truly turning a profit in Quixtar while associated with one of the training systems, the majority of the people in your group are losing money.
That is wrong and the so called leaders should be ashamed at the way they promote their fodder as being the way to build a business.
A breath of fresh air in an environment filled with verbal pollution.
Thanks, Qblog, for your willingness to make a difference in what is becoming an all out war committed to mutual destruction. While you will more than likely draw fire from those committed to annihilating the perceived enemy, presenting examples of honest, hard-working people committed to a worthy goal can only serve to inspire those seeking a genuine break with mediocrity.
You have our support, Qblog! Make a difference!!
Thanks for your kind words and honest feedback. I've already received some very positive responses from active IBOs who're very willing to participate. I'm extremely encouraged and pray that it signifies a shift in the right direction.
The Quixtar Backbone Project continues...
Q-Current IBOs run the risk of breaking a rule or two if they use their names and are caught. I may have missed it, but are you allowing for this?
Which rules specifically? Let's address them and see.
Hmmmmmmm .... if and only if I can make money, then, count me in.
Kaba8 - IBO 3716850: How much money do u make by going to seminars, opens, listening to tapes and books? Information, thats what we are talking about.
I have a theory on why we don't see the "backbone" of Quixtar and won't see this specific group on the web any time soon.
These are the people that are working hard at their full time job, building a business and if they are involved in a spiritual community or have a family, all these activities are taking the up the majority of their time. They don't have time to keep up with conversations like this.
One of the major downfalls and pluses of people that choosing to use their extra time and energy into going after their dreams is that they are extremely focused and driven. This keeps them going, but also a bit blinded at times.
It would be great to move forward with this, but I don't expect most honest and sincere "backbones" of Quixtar to respond to the request. What we would probably find is the ones that joined Quixtar not to work hard, but to use people and make a quick buck on the backs of others.
- Soobonn
Think what you want. I already have a wonderful group of IBOs respond, willing to participate.
I sure hope so Eric. But how will you be able to tell the difference?
- Soobonn
Qblog wrote:
"Think what you want. I already have a wonderful group of IBOs respond, willing to participate. "
So what's are they waiting for? Are they not currently active on your forum? If not, why not?
Soobonn is right. Most IBOs are too blinded - by their scam artist uplines who are ripping them off and brainwashing them to not read any outside sources that could give them the truth about the quixscam business - to afford themselves the opportunity to participate in QBlog's project.
The ones who do come on here to participate will be those that came to there senses and said "Enough!".
Qblog,
I admire any attempt to discuss relevant issues, success stories, challenges etc. that may help empower the average IBO. In fact, I agree and have stated emphatically that the overwhelming majority of IBO’s are great people. As well, they are wanting to operate their businesses fairly and in accordance with the rules.
I do not believe that the chasm that has been formed is between these good people and the critics of the “systems”. I believe it is between the critics and those that benefit financially from the system. That is the minority. Many of their livelihoods depend upon defending it.
As well, most people are not hesitant to take advantage of a system through which they can learn how to build a business. However, the system must actually have demonstrable results. I have been on both sides of this issue (as an ibo and as one promoting it to the ibos) so I understand that as well.
I remember when I was an IBO that I felt defensive regarding people that were critical of me while I was in that business. I believed then, and still today, in the goodness of the average distributor that is working to accomplish something for their families. While I may have very outspoken issues regarding some of their leadership, I do not with them.
I believe dialog is always healthy. I would love nothing more than for the hundreds of thousands of Q distributors to be able to pursue their businesses free from the “system abuses” that were prominent during my tenure and apparently ongoing still today in many lines of sponsorship.
I wish you the best in this endeavor and hopes it results in education, dialog and empowerment.
Sincerely,
Bo
I hate to burst your bubble there traamp, but my husband and I are current IBOs and are basically neutral - however, I am quite certain we are very much in the minority!
I'm looking forward to participating in this forum! :-)
Who is aej2000 calling a traamp...?
Neutral, hum?...I wonder how that plays out in calling names and not being able to spell?
- Soobonn
Soobonn,
The first comment on this post was from someone called "Traamp"
:)
My husband and I just got married in July. He was approached by a man a few months before our marriage about joining a very successful business and getting paid to buy the things we need (which we later found out to be Quixtar). Relatives and other people that I know have tried this business and did not succeed. So, all my life, I've been against it...I never wanted to try it for myself. I just wanted to keep a normal job. They managed to brainwash my husband into thinking that "Quixtar" is "the way to go." And..last month we ended up registering as IBOs. I'm trying to support him in his decision, but it's really hard for me since I've heard nothing but negative things about it since I can remember. It may work for other people that are willing to put themselves in a hole, in hopes of "maybe" coming out on top in the end. I just know that it makes me feel like it's ruining our lives. We spent more time together when we were dating than we do now. And if we are together, it's at a Quixtar function or at our uplines houses. Everytime I think we have a chance to have a free evening, something in this business takes it away. They don't want to leave you along too long because they're afraid that your belief level will decrease. I can't even enjoy the time I spend driving to work or somewhere with my husband because they want us listening to their CDs constantly. If we get a few free minutes in the day, they want us spending that time to read the books they distribute. Which...by the way...they want us to buy the weekly CDs and monthly books as much as possible...again so we don't stray too far away from them. I feel like it's ruining our life more than helping it, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. My husband is so zoned in on it that he defends what our "upline" says as opposed to what family or myself says. Somehow, that just doesn't seem right. Two of our upline were at our home recently. They left and shortly after my sister stopped by for a visit and said they were still standing outside talking. She had overheard them mention the "negative wife" caused problems. That upset me that they would stand out there talking like that when they had just sat in our home telling us what a great couple we were and how we worked so well together. If they have problems with my skepticism, why can't they just tell me to my face? They want me so bad to just give in and act like everything that's going on is perfectly fine with me, but I haven't and don't know if I ever will, and that's slowing there progress with my husband. That's what's bothering them so much. My husband and I had a trip planned to go white water rafting in West Virginia this weekend. When he got hooked up with these people, they told him about a huge function they were having in North Carolina and how much we needed to be there and how if we weren't it could set back our business a whole year. They did everything to make it sound great...one problem...it was the same weekend we had already planned to go rafting. You'd think they could understand..."Hey, sorry, we already have plans. We can't make it that weekend." Instead it was, "Can't you work around it? Is it really that important that you can't change your plans and come with us?" My husband and I went back and forth about what we were going to do that weekend. It got to the point that he was going to go by himself to NC, and I was going to go rafting with some of my family and people I work with by myself. My parents always taught me if I were invited to go somewhere for two different things for the same time, I was to go with what I had planned or been asked first. So that's what I was doing. However, my husband changed his mind and is now going rafting as well. When we had told our upline what we had planned, they kept saying "You can go rafting anytime. When you get the money rolling in from this thing, you can go rafting wherever you want. FED (the function in NC) has so much more for you. You really don't wanna miss it." Anyway, we are going rafting this weekend; and I know they blame that decision on me. So be it. They can think of me what they want. But I don't need them telling my husband to ignore what I think and feel and just go with the flow. They sat and told us the other night to not get in the way of each others dreams and ambitions. They might as well have looked me in the eyes and said, "Stop being so skeptical. Support this business no matter what you think 'cause we're gonna be around as long as we can keep your husband brainwashed to think the way we want him to think. You really don't matter." I can't handle much more of it. My husband and I have had more disagreements about this business than anything else since we've got married. I feel like our relationship as a married couple is falling apart over it, and we haven't even had enough time to get settled into our new life together. Has anyone else faced anything like this? I don't know how much more I can cope with. It felt good though to let it out. Thank you! :)
Qblog,
I’m sorry if I’ve got this all-wrong. I am a reasonably intelligent person. I understand the English language just fine…or at least I assume I do.
So I have to ask you where is this great misunderstanding you assume I am making? Did you mean something else when you said…
“my hope is that a project such as this would work to improve relations and perceptions. It may also work to dispel some of the prejudices and misconceptions each has about the other.”
What prejudices and misconceptions do people have? I never read anywhere that non IBO’s thought IBO’s were sinister, unethical people. In fact I get quite the opposite impression.
The only people speaking with prejudices and misconceptions are IBO’s who are blinded by their Business environment. Everyone else seems to be ex-IBO’s who are speaking from experience or people who comment on issues IBO’s raise.
QBlog,
Congratulations!
From my limited perspective, I think your Backbone project has been a rousing success. It's been amazing to see people from both sides of the issue discussing things. And I find myself flip-flopping on the issues sometimes--not because I'm indecisive, but because I can see both sides.
Thanks for providing the forum!
Ambivalent
I am in the midst of making a decision to become an IBO. Actually tonight, I informed my "upline" that I more than likely was joining tomorrow. There is so much negative stuff out there, but they make it sound so good. The person signing me up is an ex-co-worker, and I believe I trust him well enough. He seems to be in love with the whole aspect. Can someone help me out here. What is the legitimate reason to not sign up? If I love a few hundred dollars over the next year because it isn't a success, is it that bad? I mean, I'll probably spend 3 times that much on fastfood. And Isn't this how McDonalds started out??? Please email me soon if you have an opinion for me. Thanks.
I'm considering becoming an IBO with my boyfriend. I've been to a few meetings where it seems more like wonderful, amusing conversation but little business information for me to make a really logical, concerted decision. Any info any "thriving" IBO or past IBO would like to offer?
Jessica: I totally understand how you feel. There are a lot of people (including my sponsor) that I think give misleading information about the business. I try to take a realistic approach about it. For one thing, for all the conferences and functions I have been to there never seemed to be much "how to run the business" information besides STP (show the plan). I don't like the tactics my sponsor would use when I would go out with him contacting either...sometimes I had seen him flat out lie about stuff just to start up a conversation.
It's unfortunate that people would feel like they have to make things up to talk to people. I have been an IBO for almost 2 years now and I am not filthy rich, in fact I barely make anything from the business, but I also don't put forth that much effort. I also never tell anyone that I do discuss the business with that it's "the only thing" or that if you don't join you are never going to be rich or any of that garbage. I would never sacrifice my personal time with my family either...and your upline should understand that.
To those that call it quixscam or some other derrogatory term, are you calling it that because you failed in the business? You really only fail if you quit. And that is always your decision. I am not saying it's a perfect business and like Qblog says it's not for everyone. I know plenty of successful people in the business and they are very nice people. I happen to have a very good job right now and what I do with the business is really just introduct products to people that I think might like them. The point of the business is to move volume so that's what I try to do. Too many people get wrapped up in the business of "the business" that they lose site of the real reason it exists. Quixtar is a corporation that is making money by selling products. An IBO is simply a referral based business. The more people you can find to buy products, the more money you are going to make and that means talking to a lot of people. I haven't been to a conference in a year, and I stopped going to the team hotel opens because they conflict with my bowling league...does that mean I am sacrificing my business? of course not, but since I have a full time job, my business can be worked around my schedule...that's my choice.
I am associated with Quixtar and enjoy every aspect of the site, I have never been forced or made to buy outside of my means or to put myself in the hole. I am working towards financial freedom with the help of my upline who is also a great friend. I simply show people how to create residual inicome online, if they like what they see and it works great, if not that is great as well. I do not harrass or bother anybody!
Quixtar concept of Networking is a great achievement but can't the objective be to 'create' rather than to 'distribute'? Cannot the same kind of money spent by IBOs on CDs , Tapes and Hotel Banquet Halls be channelized towards share capital and penny stocks to create a major corporation? Or at least the IBOs treated as shareholders for the amounts that they paid and given further shares instead of commissions -which can be traded if they need money?
Okay, Network marketing is always going to have a huge failure rate. The truth is that in order to succeed you have to find countless numbers of people to participate and for them to find countless numbers and grow even more. Quixtar is a business that is still relatively new. Probably more then half of the people that that get an IBO number never use it. Its not because they were scamed into buying it, but because they chose not to believe that they were a part of their own business and never took the necesary steps to ensure their business could go somewhere. You can draw a parrallel to everything. Most IBO's after wasting maybe a $100 to $200 will give up and declare their business a failure. I haven't looked up the stats but I believe somewhere around 95% of all business's fail due to poor management or location or whatever. Most business's also require a lot more capital then $200 to get started. To say that quixtar is a scam might be because you didn't succeed in it when you were a part of it. My theory is that you were one of the 95% of all the poor management teams out their and that is why you'r business with quixtar failed. To be one of the 5% you need the tools and passion to succeed. And to the lady that was complaining about her husband and their free time. Its a hard sacrifice to make for your loved one but if thats where his passion lies then I believe he has what it takes to be part of that 5%. It's true that they push the audio tapes and training trips and all that and I do believe they are great for motivation but when it comes down to the dirty work it really rests on your own shoulders. If you have a great upline then you should learn as much as you possibly can from those people and as soon as possible become that next great upline. I am a current IBO member and I see very little risk with a great potential return. I'm risking loosing my IBO membership fee of $47.75 plus whatever tools I decide to purchase like brochures and cd's and junk like that. As opposed to opening a furniture store or some other small business that will cost a hole lot more creating a lot more risk. Sure I don't believe quixtar is for everyone and thats why I won't even ask my girlfriend to participate. But with great leadership which I intend to give and with great support which I already have I believe anyone can do well in this business.
Another side theory, Think of Mary Kay and how they do business. The same Network marketing concept. Why is it so hard to do well with Mary Kay these days? Because they have been around for years and every three lady's you ask about Mary Kay already either sells it herself or knows someone that they already buy it from. So I would highly not recommend getting into a saturated market like that. As for quixtar I believe that point is still far from near and thats why I see greater potential now then I would see in 10 years.
Sorry if their are any typos or unclear statements in this post as I have not edited it.
This is to the wife, Jessica, that posted something last September. I don't know if you are going to be reading this anymore or if you are even in the business anymore. But I really hope you are. I went through the same thing when I first got in Quixtar. I wasn't married, but my girlfriend and I were planning on getting married when I signed up. She wasn't really excited at first and ended up really disliking the business because of the way I handled it.
My thoughts on that kind of situation are simple. First, I do think that your marriage is the most important thing outside of your faith. Now that I am married, I realize how empty my life would be without my wife. And that relationship needs to be taken into perspective from both of your points of view. Since all change has to start with yourself, I'll start there. If you have a husband that has a passion about anything, business or otherwise, the last thing you want to do is try and keep him from pursuing it with everything he has. If you do, what will you be left with? Probably a guy that is an empty and bitter shell having had his passion squelched by the one he needed most to support him. Even if that doesn't happen, he will have learned that he is, in fact, not hooked up with some one that loves him without condition and looks for the best for him. And yes, I mean that. Love is an action and is also a willingness to sacrifice what you want for the greater good of the person you love.
Now, let's turn our attention to him. What I learned from my experience is that what I said for you also applies to him. What he needs to understand and what hopefully his upline will teach him if they have any sense is that you are the most important person in this world to him. He needs to make time to spend with you and fill your needs so that your "love tank" isn't empty. He should honor and respect you and sacrifice himself for your greater good as well.
What I'm getting to here is that you need to be able to sit down with him and instead of trying to convince him that the business is bad try talking to him about your needs and how you can help support him in his pursuit of the business and how he can show you how important you are to him by doing things that help you feel you're loved and your relationship is growing stronger. Maybe it's a date night once a week where he does NO business that night and you two do something together that's fun. Maybe it's a trip somewhere for a weekend once every couple of months. Maybe it's just time alone at home so you two can talk and share and get things out on the table.
A note about the reading and the CD's. First, if you don't like the CD's, ask him to turn them off while you are in the car so you two can talk. He can listen to them while he's getting ready in the morning or while he's on his way to work or in the car alone. But as for reading, I don't believe that is hurting anything if you reading the right books. I think you probably need to read more books. Why would I say that? Because I know that my wife and I have the relationship we have (and it's amazing) because of the books we've read. Two that should kick start you on the journey, The Five Languages and Personality Plus. There are many other incredible books, but those are 2 that should help change things immediately.
Just remember, marriage is not easy and it's not meant to be easy. But the rewards are worth it. If you see something that needs to be changed in your relationship, try changing you first and see how fast he begins to change as well. Honey gets more flies and all...Also, I hope you realize that God is the reason and the center of relationships. If He's not there, then your relationships are already on thin ice. They can work, but from what I have seen and experienced, they will never have the same level of depth and intimacy involved.
Good luck and God bless.
Dear all,
I am a neutral participant that believes that Quixstar might be right for some but it is important to look at the truth of the business. Here are some notes:
1. The "Plan" that can make an IBO money talks about bringing the Manufacturer and the Consumer together without the excess cost of advertisement. The IBO replaces the advertiser and the plan claims that the IBO will make the money between the manufacturer and the consumer. As I looked at the prices for IBO's vs. the prices for consumers it is apparent that the IBO is not getting any amazing price break. In fact the Manufacture is the entity with the most profit gain. I believe that IBO's should get the product at more reasonable rates as if they were truly getting it at the manufacturers price. For instance, it only costs the manufacturer pennies to make some of the products yet the IBO is told that it is okay to pay higher prices because it is for their own business.
2. The reason we do not hear as much from the true backbone of Quixtar is that it goes against the contract they sign. It is against the rules to speak negatively of Quixtar. This was rough for me as a beginning IBO because I had skeptisism but read the policy an realized that if I followed it I would loose my voice.
3. The Plan says that you will only use your spare time to set yourself up for financial freedom. The upline needs to remember what his/her IBO's spare time really is. If it is a previously planned trip with a spouse that is not spare time. For me, it is up to me what my spare time is. It got annoying quick when my upline kept calling me during time that I did not feel to be spare. They even suggested to move my work schedule around being an IBO. (To me that is a very conflicting message) When I needed a few days to think my voice mail box kept filling with messages from my upline. They did not want me to have one day away from the business.
4. Success from Quixstar is possible. There is a plan and if you follow it and succeed you can make money. One important thing to remember though is that even though the plan claims it is your own business it is not. #1 You have to pay the company membership fees and you are not getting manufactuers prices. #2 The company has their own business- The IBO is independent under the company #3 The independence of the IBO is controlled by the company. (i.e. The IBO must speak positively of Quixstar and Britt World Wide, they must teach the plan the way they were taught it, and the plan is a mentor based business-meaning your upline will always be in your life telling you how to run your business.) That is very far from independence.
5. For those that choose to be an IBO more power to them. However remember that you are using your time and that your upline and the company will expect you to change your buying habits, your listening habits, your reading habits and the way you communicate. Quixstar (or their promoters) want you to believe in the business 100%. What I had to remember for myself is that nothing is 100%. There are always two sides or more to a story and Quixstar cannont possibly be perfect.
Sorry for the English majors that might read this and disapprove of any spelling errors.
For those that are in the business good luck yet remember that the price you are paying the manufacturer is more than you currently pay in the grocery store. Wouldn't it be cool if you could get the items at the same price that grocery stores do so that you might make more money??
For those that are not in the business your skepticism is natural but remember that their is positives and negatives to any situation.
Sincerely,
A thoughtful and independent person
P.S. If you are an IBO, try to also let yourself experience some of your free time away from the business. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.
i couldnt have found this forum at a more poinent time.
me and my sweatheart have recently signed up as i.b.o's, and have saturated our spare time in building our business. at the risk of alienation from our friends, and people we know that use toilet paper, believe you me, we have already experienced many turbulent obstacles as far as strain on our relationship, mockery, and sheer frightening past testimonies from previous i.b.o 's brought to our attention from the same friends we wanted to share the opportunity with.
i have many questions i dont even know yet in my mind tumbling around , but my heart and gut feeling are not on the same page and i am beggining to worry that we will become just another part of the statistcs for those that quit before the delayed gratification even kicks in.
i am a people person, and i cannot endorse anything to anyone that i dont believe in 100%, the cd's i listen to, some hit home, some dont, i am not a person who leans to heavily in god or religion, i believe in myself first and foremost, the books i have found very inspiring, most of all, i have found they have raised my game in all life attributes not just this business, me and my sweetheart are booked in for our first summer conference upcoming in aug in winnipeg, canada.
i want this to be everything i dreamed it would be, the ticket out of this ball and chain system that i'm part of, and believe you me, my faith in this business was almost out of orbit until recently when a good friend of mine did some investigations only on the internet none of the less and almost damn near drowned us both with really negative reports of people who were falsely promised and ended up in very painfull situations.
our mentor in canada is a man of the name brian herosian, he once told me that "this business is just tough enough to keep the wimps out"
brian herosian is now a multi millionaire, and has been in this business for nearly thirty years.
my belief in how the internet is changes us and how we consume is absolute, but is there anyone out there (current or ex-ibos) who can help me and my darling, answer questions we have or just help establish our belief outside of an upline in the britt /quixtar system.
do we continue and remain focused on the dream, or do we cut our losses?
My name is Peter and I have recently become an IBO powered by Quixtar. I have actually known about and researched Amway and Quixtar for several years and was an inactive IBO for a few of them. In researching what was out there on the web about this business I found your blog. You make a lot of good points and disseminate a lot of information but to be honest, I also found a lot of nastiness and slander that disturbed me. I believe there is a fine and sometimes not so fine line between intelligent critical debate and the spiteful ignorance of loshon ha ra [wicked tongue]. That said, I am encouraged by your Quixtar Backbone idea and would like to volunteer and participate. I have launched a new website to help promote and support my business and it can be found at the following url: www.planetibo.com ... I have linked your Backbone project from the weblinks page and believe that the "U-Blog" section of my site could potentially be a promising forum for the kind of open dialogue you suggest. I intend Planet IBO to be a business portal and resource for independent business in general and not just for Quixtar IBOs. I would like to invite you to become involved in this project which is an experiment in free enterprise and at the same time I commit myself to working to edify Quixtar's backbone by participating in yours. I truly believe in this business and intend on practicing it intelligently with ethical business integrity. I do hope you respond to this as I look forward to meaningful dialogue and respectful debate.
Sincerely,
Peter
I am a Quixtar IBO. It disturbs me at how many people are so quick to judge and place blame on someone or something else when something goes wrong for them. This is true to all aspects of life. Our society has brought us up to believe that everyone is a victim, and it is not their fault. Instead of looking at themselves and saying, "What is it that I need to change to be successful in this area of life?" most people just say, "Well, it can't be me, so it is (blank's) fault." Just because something doesn't work for one person, doesn't mean it doesn't work. It just didn't work for that person, for whatever reason. To many people don't want to accept responsiblity for thier shortcomings, because "It's not their fault." To be successful at something everyone has to make some changes; if we didn't have to change, then we would already be successful at it. Most people are scared of change, and fear causes negative, and no one wants to be the only negative, so they have to bring someone else down with them. People are skeptical of what they are ignorant about. I don't mean ignorant in a negative manner, I just mean unknowledgable. So before anyone judges, I just hope that they get their questions answered from CREDIBLE sources before they make statements that they realy have no knowledge about.
where are all this IBO's who have made any money out of this scam i dont see any
hmmm that brings me to the conclusion that dont judge someone by their apperance but judge them by their acctions and results....their results speak louder for them and they point who capitalizes on their hard work ,honnesty and integrity
Qblog,
While I think your idea is in the RIGHT SPIRIT, I think there is a FUNDAMENTAL FLAW in your premise.
I don't think ANY of the critics would dispute that there ARE a bunch honest IBOs out there. The point is that the PLAN itself is flawed. That this Quixtar BUSINESS MODEL is flawed in MANY, MANY ways.
First off, the products are overpriced. And to all the IBOs who are going to jump on this statement and tell me that SO-AND-SO Quixtar product is cheaper than any other product on the market, I am referring to a "BROAD BASKET OF GOODS THAT ARE MONTHLY CONSUMABLES, i.e. THAT ARE CONSUMED ON A REPEAT BASIS EVERY MONTH". The Quixtar 'Plan' is sold to Prospects on the promise of so-called 'Residual Income', so I think, ONLY 'repeat monthly consumables' have to be considered. So, it raises the question, "IT IT ETHICAL TO TELL PEOPLE UNDERNEATH YOU, YOUR DOWLINE, TO BUY OVERPRICED PRODUCTS SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE A COMMISSION OFF OF THEIR PURCHASES"?
Secondly, the so-called 'Residual Income' is presented to Prospects by usually showing the '6-4-2 Plan' upto the point where the IBO becomes a 'future' 'Diamond'. Prospects are usually NEVER informed that the moment the guy underneath you hits 7500 PV, your income from that 'leg' is virtually reduced to nothing. Even after you hit Diamond, when this 'bracketing' of compensation happens in each leg, your income drops drastically because the 'depth' bonuses are pretty miniscule. So, that whole 'Residual Income' CONCEIT, is just A MYTH!
And what about saturation? Tim, on his Random Observations Blog did a masterful job of explaining this. I will let the reader read this thread and decide for themselves:
http://tim.2wgroup.com/blog/archives/000488.html
Tim also did a terrific job of "considering HOW Quixtar could be done ethically?". His conclusion? Just like mine, YOU JUST CAN'T! I will let the readers read this thread and let them make up their own mind:
http://tim.2wgroup.com/blog/archives/000640.html
I rest my case.
I'm not sure if I am responding properly here but what the heck! This is probably the most interesting forum I have ever seen concerning Quixtar! I stumbled on it by accident and really enjoy reading the comments here. I have been an IBO for over 24 years, first as an Amway distributor and then a Quixtar IBO. I am what you might call a veteran of the process and although I have not kept up with the process itself I am none the less a "believer" in the concept. For me, the reality of Quixtar or any other MLM operation is quite simply that it is a business. Everything else you hear about upline, rallies, seminars, etc. is going to be largely personal perception. I have always contended that every concept that involves people is doomed to flaws because you have to involve people, and people always have diverse attitudes and opinions. Every person needs to find the point where they can draw the line and either make a choice to believe in the business model or adhere to personal opinion. It is a fine balancing act and those who manage to do it properly often succeed. They may not succeed at the chosen business or personal situation but I would think finding the path is the ultimate success. Being a Quixtar IBO is a business choice. How you bring it into your life is a personal choice. My success or failure at being an IBO has little to do with the process; it has proven to work for a lot of people. Obviously you can deduce that I have NOT had the phenomenal financial success that others have but in many other ways I have exceeded my own expectations. Like any other experience in life, you get out of it what you are willing to put into it. I have gained so much more on a personal level from my association with a lot of good people through Quixtar and I believe I am a better person as a result. I also know that should I choose to put forth the proper effort, the financial success is there to be had. Quixtar is a vehicle for personal financial change. The people you meet are a vehicle for personal improvement!
Hello all. I am surprised that Mr. Graham being an IBO for 24 years is not at least a Diamond. Well, I started this last month and so far I am earning 200 per month just hitting the double core and sales on the side that makes up the difference. So far, I am happy with the results that tells me that this does work. Remember, 10 wide and 6 depth, members and clients will make that difference. The plan is to introduce believers that they will make it in th business is to deliver the approximate amount of income you can make in a monthly basis. So far, I spent 450 and hitting double core this month again. I had other IBO but they changed their mind because of their spouse stating that this is a scam or a pyramid. Bad conception from people that dont understand the concept of Quixtar. The concept is very simple as I gather. Whether I make a substantial amount of money, I am still purchasing products from Quixtar and the Partner Strores that Quixtar offers. Hey, been shopping online for a while without the means of Quixtar, at least Quixtar is here to stay and will continue to purchase in order to get something back. Lawyers use this terminology "Quid Pro Quo" means something for something. Well I buy with Quixtar and they pay 3% of my volume. Of course, the volume must be at least 200 and over. I am happy with it. On the side that I get 3% of my business volume I am getting a larger amount for selling the selling units to customers. Yet I have one client and one member, they are decisive how to make money the simple way.
I can be reached at bravo659@hotmail.com
just write me a line.
While I agree in theory with your ideas, I am not of the opinion that anything worthwhile will come of your effort. I do believe that people for and against Quixtar sit so far on opposite ends of the scale that there will never be impartial dialogue. Quixtar is one of those things that is love it or hate it. I have never heard anyone who has ever been involved in quixtar say they were neutral one way or the other. That having been said, I applaud your idea and I do have to say it is a refreshing approach.
Traamp
Posted by: traamp | September 4, 2004 1:15 AM