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August 31, 2005
DeVos Speaks - Illegal, Immoral, Improper
By QBlog in DeVos Speaks
"DeVos
Speaks," is special series that features comments made by Amway co-founder
Rich DeVos. Each DeVos quote is published without comment and includes a link
to the source material (for context) when available. This series doesn't have
a regular publication schedule but all posts are available under the Category
listing on the Archives page.
If this was an exception letter, you guys and gals, I wouldn't beat it at ya. I got too many of 'em, and therefore I'm going to share it with you, although I know that it's a little negative, but I have to get to you, I have to get your attention that we have to do some things to change our image, and we need to the help of all of you.
". . . I consider myself to be an -- ambitious, aggressive group. Directs, that was (sic) determined to reach their set goal at the expense of the Distributors, come hell or high water. Their philosophy, "Mortgage your home, cash in your insurance, get a bank loan and borrow from whosoever will loan you. We were told in our, and I'll leave the name out because it would identify the organization, in our so and so meeting, certain things discussed were to remain within the walls wherein discussed or suggested."
Then the goes on to tell how he was harassed at this job.
Whoever was teaching that, and it was not some little new Direct, was teaching an illegal, immoral, improper system. I can't tolerate it.
- Rich DeVos, Directly Speaking - 1983
August 30, 2005
The Value of SA8
By QBlog in Quixtar
Many question the value of Quixtar products. That's understandable because, as my wife discovered when she was an IBO, many of the products are more expensive than similar items available at other retail outlets. However, IBOs explain that the premium quality of Quixtar's products more than justifies such price disparities. Of course, those IBOs also earn PV/BV from each purchase which could distort their perception of quality and value.
So, who should determine a product's value? Well, Consumer Reports is the leader in unbiased, independent product ratings and comparisons. The mission of Consumer Reports is to "work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves."
A reader recently sent me a copy of an undated Consumer Reports guide titled — The best of Consumer Reports - Vol. 2, Issue 1. The report rates 24 laundry soaps to "tell you which clean and brighten for much less."
The results are dismal for SA8, Quixtar's Sweet 16 detergent. At a stunning $.42 per load it's the most expensive detergent yet ranks 14 out of 19 tested for normal washers. While all of its ratings were favorable, the best value (Kirkland Signature 38722) had even higher ratings but cost a mere $.11 per load.
The Open Market
While the value of Quixtar products is indeed partially subjective, it's clear that at least one product (SA8) falls short when competing on the open market. I wonder how many other Quixtar products fail to measure up?
Kia is Robin Luymes
By QBlog in Web Initiative
At long last, I can complete the Quixtar Web Initiative Roster! Kia (aka "The Rooster") is Robin Luymes, Manager of Public Relations for Quixtar.
Who is Kia you ask? Well, Kia is the pseudonym Luymes uses as the publisher of the "Real Quixtar Blog," an official Quixtar "blog." His identity was revealed after my "Outing Kia" post last Saturday.
What's funny is that I actually spoke to Luymes in May regarding the "Yahoo Incident." Who knew that I was also talking to Kia, the formidable RQB wordsmith?
Well, now that the mystery's been solved you know exactly who's responsible for the drivel content on the so-called "Real Quixtar Blog." Next week we'll find out who's behind the Quixtar Success blog.
August 29, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 55
By QBlog in Reader Mail
You remember the "Mysterious Meeting" right? And who can forget the "Curiosity Approach?" This week's Reader Mail shares one man's introduction to the phenomenon that made the word "Amway" a punchline.
name: Jason
date: June 22, 2005
message: Dear Qblog, I was approached by a Quixtar "Coach" in Barnes and Noble. I was interested in what he had to say. I met with him the other day. The potential of making alot of money is romantic. But at what cost?
There was alot of flash and bravado in the counseltation. I wanted to know more, he gave me a CD to listen. I listened to it. It seems like a AMWAY pyramid. I read some of your site and I interested to know your viewpoint. What are the pros and cons of this Business. It seems fruitful but i am skeptical.Any INFO would be great.
Thanks,
JAson
My viewpoint is pretty well laid out on this blog. What I tell people is to do research, ask lots of questions and demand to see everything in writing. It's good to be skeptical.
August 28, 2005
Extreme Freedom!
By QBlog in A/QMOs
Extreme Freedom Baby!
August 27, 2005
Outing Kia
By QBlog in Web Initiative
Last summer Quixtar launched a massive, online reputation initiative. Dubbed the "Web Reputation Task Force," the initiative employed a variety of tactics designed to improve the visibility of websites favorable to Quixtar while diminishing the visibility of so-called "Quixtar-hating Internet zealot" websites (read Companies subvert search results to squelch criticism - OJR).
One aspect of Quixtar's reputation initiative involved operating several blogs run anonymously by employees. The cleverly titled "Real Quixtar Blog" (not to be confused with the parody site, Fake Quixtar Blog) has persisted as an enigmatic participant in that anonymous blogging effort. I say "enigmatic participant" because it's not really a blog and I've never been able to figure out the name of the author — until today.
What's Kia's Name?
The "Real Quixtar Blog" is run by a man using the pseudonym Kia. I recently discovered one of Kia's personal photo sites which includes pictures of Quixtar, vacation spots and of course, Kia! To determine Kia's true identity I simply need some helpful individual to attach a name to the handsome face featured in this post. Can you help?
Why?
In the past I've been critical of Quixtar's decision to blog anonymously and feel that blogs, like David Ellyatt's, benefit from being identified with a specific employee (Ellyatt is Quixtar's Web Marketing Manager). I believe that such disclosure lends some much-needed credibility to the blog and allows the author to speak more candidly as a representative of Quixtar.
I'm not suggesting that anonymous blogs have no credibility, just that blogs run by a corporation, for a corporation and with the tacit approval of that corporation, suffer when run anonymously. It's bad Public Relations and we all know how important PR is to Quixtar.
A Summer Outing
But, I must make it clear that I'm not really "outing" Kia, he "outed" himself. His photo is posted on a public site along with lots of other photos that link him to Quixtar and to the "Real Quixtar Blog." Apparently he wants to be identified and I won't disappoint.
UPDATE - Clues & Guesses
Scott Larsen sent me the following email:
I'd guess it is Robin Luymes.
Anyone else want to chime in?
August 26, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 32
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. Additionally, each Help Desk answer is guaranteed to end with some form of punctuation or we'll refund your money. No fooling!
Question: Where have you been? I've been trying to get
through to the Help Desk™ for weeks!
Answer: The Help Desk™ staff has been helping Quixtar develop the This
Biz Now website.
Q: Oh yeah, I heard of that. Cool site. So you're back
now right?
A: No, this is actually a recording that just happens to provide surprisingly
natural responses to your specific questions.
Q: And now you're mocking me. Very professional of you.
A: Yes, I'm mocking you. Sorry. Now what seems to be the trouble?
Q: Well, I heard a rumor that Quixtar is going to start
selling some sort of Jewish
energy drink. Is this true?
A: You should consult your upline and ask them for guidance.
Q: You can't just tell me if it's true or not?
A: Quixtar is very clear about rules compliance.
Q: Are you listening to me? Kabballah Energy Drink —
is it for real?
A: Thank you for calling, please call back any time.
Q: Wait, this really is a recording isn't it?
A: You'll never know. Good-bye. *click*
Q: My teenage daughter wants to buy some stuff at Blu
Sphere. Is it safe?
A: Is it
safe? Ha! Does a monkey have a tail? Of course it's safe. It's Blu Sphere. A
Quixtar partner store. Owned and developed by the good folks at Alticor.
Q: Oh good. That's a relief. So many creepy sites on
the Internet, I just get worried.
A: Understandable. But don't you worry ma'am. Blu Sphere has been certified
100% creep-free. And did you know that Quixtar is also developing a Rhed Sphere
and Yello Sphere?
Q: No, I didn't. What do they do?
A: Well, Rhed Sphere is targeted to couples who want a little spice
in their relationships. It will sell adult toys, lotions, videos and related
paraphernalia within a discreet and tasteful website.
Q: Yikes. That sounds creepy. I don't want my daughter
around that.
A: Oh, don't worry. Your daughter won't be allowed access to the site
and besides, it's been certified 100% creep-free too. But, if Rhed Sphere's
not for you then you might like Yello Sphere.
Q: What's Yello Sphere?
A: It's a site that only sells Precious
Moments figurines.
Q: Oh My Gosh. I LOVE Precious Moments! I have a curio
full of them!
A: I thought so. I have a large collection too. Anyway, that's some
of the things to look forward to from Quixtar. But Blu Sphere is absolutely
safe.
Q: Thanks and I can't wait to use Yello Sphere!
A: We'll let you know when it launches.
Q: Yo, Help Desk!
A: You forgot the ™.
Q: Sorry dude. Yo, Help Desk™!
A: How can we help you?
Q: Who the hell is writing the drivel at the Real
Quixtar Blog? Is that crap for real? It's awful! Like it's written by some
navel-gazing retard. Is it written by a trained monkey?
A: Honestly, the Help Desk™ is not at liberty to discuss who
is writing the RQB but we can say it is definitely NOT written by a monkey.
Q: Hmmm. So is it really written by someone at Quixtar
or a paid stooge living in Bangladesh?
A: It really is written by someone at Quixtar. That may be hard to believe
but it's true.
Q: Can I guess who it is?
A: Go for it.
Q: It's Randy Bancino. Am I warm?
A: That was a good guess but no. You're cold as ice.
Q: Well, I give up. I just really want to know who it
is. Why doesn't Quixtar just tell us?
A: Because it's a proven fact that IBOs put most of their trust in anonymous
people on the Internet.
KFH
By QBlog in Humor
Don't panic! Snakes like music. If I whistle, they won't bite. :o)
August 25, 2005
Jonas' Dad
By QBlog in Quixtar
Last January a man known only as "Jonas' Dad" burst onto the Quixtar blogging scene angrily proclaiming that Quixtar had ruined his marriage. His blog, titled "Quixtar Criminals," detailed his struggles to gain custody of his newborn son, Jonas. The man describes his IBO wife as something short of a promiscuous, Quixtar-crazed lunatic.
Initially I was dubious about the legitimacy of Jonas' Dad's claims but over time I came to realize that his blog was no sham and simply the emotionally-charged expressions of a frustrated father.
In July those frustrations reached a kind of resolution as the father's divorce was finalized and he was granted full custody of his son. The judge's comments in the ruling are worth noting on this blog because they mention Quixtar and how the mother's involvement as an IBO affected her ability to provide for her son.
From pages two and three of the ruling the judge says the following:
9. The Court finds the Defendant has been involved with various men since separation from her husband and the initial trial date, and finds its not in the child's best interest to be in her primary care. The Court also finds thatt the Defendant has financial problems and finds that she often chooses to use her limited resources for Quixtar.
The Court finds that her net income is not sufficient to maintain stability. The court further finds that the Defendants employer is dissatisfied with her Quixtar involvement. The court is concerned that she chose a Quixtar event to attend, over an emmployment event to attend.
Further, the Court is concerned for the relationship that the Defendant would allow the minor child to have with the Plaintiff if she were to have custody.
The complete ruling is available for download (pdf).
What's astonishing to me about this sad story is that the father was granted complete custody of his son. That's very rare. Great deference is usually given to the mother, especially for infants.
Of course there's probably a lot more to this story than what we read on the Quixtar Criminals blog but it's interesting that the mother's involvement with Quixtar didn't help her case.
August 24, 2005
Quixtar and Blu Sphere
By QBlog in Quixtar
Last year, around the time Quixtar underwent a site redesign, Alticor quietly launched something called Blu Sphere. I say "quietly" because I'd never heard of it until the president of Passport (an MLM business), Ty Tribble, posted about it on his MLM Blog earlier this month. Did you know about Blu Sphere?
What's weird is that Blu Sphere is owned by Alticor yet Quixtar leaders like Fred Harteis promote it as a Quixtar partner store.
In our continuing quest to offer the widest selection of products for the entire family, we are pleased to announce the launch of the newest Quixtar Partner Store: Blu Sphere. Blu Sphere offers unique, must-have items that help teen guys and girls express themselves in healthy, life-affirming ways.
Additionally, an online marketing site called Peersuasion describes Blu Sphere as "an Alticor-owned company and a Quixtar Preferred Partner Store."
So, it's a preferred partner store that's also owned by Quixtar's parent company, Alticor. That would make Quixtar and Blu Sphere sister companies right? Kinda like Amway and Quixtar are supposed to be sister companies. But can a sister company also be a partner store? I need a genealogist to make sense of this.
Ashamed?
Here are a few curious discoveries I've made about Blu Sphere, Quixtar and Alticor:
- The word "Quixtar" appears on the Blu Sphere site only once — on a page that isn't easily accessed through normal site navigation
- The name "Blu Sphere" doesn't seem to appear on the Alticor website even though it's owned by Alticor
- I can't find a single press release announcing the launch of Blu Sphere
- Blu Sphere is only mentioned at Quixtar.com as a "partner store"
- The Blu Sphere site is structured more like Eddie Bauer and less like Quixtar.com
- Instead of PV/BV, Blu Sphere uses a point system similar to American Express Rewards and frequent flyer miles
Speculate
I'm guessing that Quixtar, Alticor and Blu Sphere don't want the general public, and especially IBOs, to realize the real relationship between the companies. I may be wrong but it seems like Blu Sphere might be viewed as a threat by some IBOs who scramble for their PV each month. Or maybe Blu Sphere is just a trial balloon? Alticor could be testing the MLM-free waters to see what might happen. Tribble at MLM Blog seems to think that Quixtar is trying to cut IBOs out of the loop. What do you think?
Addendum
For those who are wondering, Blu Sphere offers name-brand products. It doesn't look like Access Business Group or any Altico owned property manufactures any of the products listed. To Quixtar IBOs Blu Sphere is pretty much like a Store For More except its owned by Alticor.
Update From Alleged Quixtar Insider
This is a repeat of an attached comment left by an individual using the moniker "SeeSpray." I can't verify the accuracy of the information so take it for what it's worth. However, it sounds credible. I've made some minor edits to correct grammar, spelling and provide emphasis where appropriate.
SeeSpray:
Qblog asked the question — Did you know about Blu Sphere?The answer to that is yes — and I was on the development team for this project.
'Inheriter,' (in a comment on this post) was dead on with the goal of this project. it was developed in the now dissected 'Pyxis' innovations division of Alticor. The project was not projected to make money (and does NOT, even far less revenue than projected), it was simply targeted to get the youth acquainted with 'sponsoring' and being rewarded for doing so.
IBO leadership DEMANDED this project. It was unveiled in HI 2.5 years ago, and the base for catalog receipients was a website designed prior to the launch that collected teen names matched to IBO numbers.
This was/is not in ANYWAY to 'cut the IBO', just the opposite actually — the intention is to recruit at a young age.
Again folks, this project makes NO - NO - NO money for Alticor. They are hoping for the payoff long term. All market research said it will not succeed but you try telling that to the folks that run Alticor — the leadership IBOs!
The Alticor executives are wimps, and actually gave in and shut down Esolis (another partner store that was catalog-based that targeted Asian Americans in the skin care category — hello! — we used the same formulas developed for Japan). Esolis started to get interest from retail stores (even though executives mandated the Esolis staff COULD NOT pursue this avenue) so IBOs forced it to be closed down one year after launch as it was not 'recruiting asian american IBOs.'
Literally millions and millions of dollars were poured into deveoping new businesses for Alticor — not geared toward MLM via Pyxis. The best and the brightest were put into Pyxis, and SEVERAL viable businesses were developed. None went forward because executives were scared of pissing off the leadership. Actually Jim Payne stopped most of them (can you say 'reward'??).
And before any of the 'pro-Amway' folks get freaked out by the truth I tell, Dave Van Andel was sick of it, so he broke off with half of the Pyxis staff and started IdeaSphere. The business has gone nowhere due to his conflict of interest still being on Alticor Board Of Directors.
Also, not moving the diversification of Alticor forward was the REAL reason Dick DeVos left. Dick broke the company apart to make it profitible, but was constantly frustrated that he could not get support for Pyxis.
What I find most interesting about SeeSpray's comments is that the IBO leadership is calling the shots, not the Quixtar, or even Alticor, executives. This is consistent with what I've learned over the past couple of years about how this business operates.
August 23, 2005
Quixtar 2.1
By QBlog in Quixtar
Quixtar launched a much-needed redesign of its website last September. And while the revised Quixtar.com, codenamed RedStar, was a vast improvement over its outdated predecessor, I believe that the site could still benefit from some modifications and enhancements nearly a year after the initial launch of Quixtar 2.0.
I'm proposing improvements to the Quixtar.com homepage that will build upon the existing design. My proposal isn't a redesign but more like an upgrade. Think Quixtar 2.1 instead of Quixtar 3.0.
Additionally, all the suggestions in my proposal were included with the idea that each could be utilized by Quixtar right now. Everything fits snugly within Quixtar's rules and fully complies with FTC regulations. Some elements could be live on the site tomorrow while others may require a full development cycle. But make no mistake, all suggested improvements could be used by Quixtar if its leadership chose to act on them.
Why?
Why am I doing this? Honestly, I'm just trying to help. I don't want recognition or compensation if Quixtar decides to use any of my suggestions. I just want to see the site improve to better serve IBOs, new recruits and curious web surfers.
I also hope that my upgrade proposal will get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to think of other ways to make the site better, especially if you're an IBO.
The Upgrade
The Upgrade is shown below in a small version that you can enlarge to actual size by clicking on the graphic. If you use Internet Explorer, or some browser that automatically resizes images, you may need to mouse-over the image to be sure it's full size.
I've listed each of my suggested improvements below. Be sure to add your own suggestions and ideas.
- IBO Discussion Forum for IBOs to share ideas, concerns and successes
- Message center for improved communications
- Alert! box for Quixtar to quickly communicate a variety of very important and timely messages
- Cost of becoming an IBO very clearly displayed which could link to a more detailed explanation
- Find the number of IBOs in your area to view a total of active IBOs within a 50-mile radius of your zip code
- Quixtar 411 with links to detailed descriptions of "average income," "top achievers," "system tools" and "rules & laws"
- Remove a lot of unnecessary cruft
- Four-step explanation of how the business should work
Of course, much of this is open to interpretation. The question that you should be asking is "why won't Quixtar implement some of these ideas?"
Concept inspired by Wired Magazine's popular "Found - Artifacts from the future" series.
August 22, 2005
- Quixtar Is Amway
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Quixtar Is Amway
"Amway/quixtar is like a cult of greed based on fear and wishful thinking"
- Scamway
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Scamway
"Why would one need 700 motivational tapes to sell some laundry detergent"
Monday Reader Mail: 54
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Reader Mail is back! This week's entry is straight from the Quixtar playbook complete with references to the BBB, the alleged "thousands of lawyers" and ambiguous income claims! As always, my comments appear in bold.
name: Richelle
date: August 19, 2005
message: Just one man's perception is exactly right.
Yeah, that's right. What other perceptions are there? I suppose there's a "woman's perceptions" and maybe "hive-mind perceptions" if Richelle is part of a collective intelligence like the Borg?
I guarantee that this one man has never taken the time to actually understand how quixtar works. And obviously this one man has nothing better to do with his life than to sit on the computer and get upset about a group of people using a system to do something with their lives and make some money.
Well, if that "group of people" actually made money this site probably wouldn't exist. What's that average income again? Before taxes and expenses and not including healthcare and retirement? $1,380 per year? Wow!
I wish you guys understood that Quixtar is nothing more than a vehicle to do something successful, just like your job is to you. Except I make lots more money than your job makes for you. :)
Notice the veiled income claim? Richelle has no idea how much money I make and doesn't offer personal numbers for comparison but still uses the opportunity to make derogatory assumptions. Anyone care to join Richelle in this game of speculation and guess how much money he/she is making each month from Quixtar?
It's about helping people be successful, and what's wrong with that? If you truly understood what you where talking about, and what this group of people is all about, you would understand that.
I guess you'd rather sit on the computer and criticize other people who have a dream of doing something significant with their lives, than doing something significant yourself.
More assumptions. Actually I stand at the computer. I realize it's odd but I like to stay on my feet.
Have you looked at what the BBB has to say? How about Dunn and Bradstreet? What about Forbes? How about the thousands of lawyer teams that all of our partner stores have had investigate our company before putting their names behind ours? Do you think Officemax or Barnes and Noble, or hundreds of other stores would risk their reputation by supporting us if we where a SCAM? Get the facts before you make a judgement call, and before you try to tell other people how to think.
Sincerely,
RichelleQuixtar IBOs are in deep poopy if they're relying on the lawyers at OfficeMax and Barnes & Noble to ensure the legitimacy of their business.
And for those who like to read, check out what Forbes has to say about Amway and Quixtar:
On a personal note, thanks to all you QBlog readers for sticking around when I wasn't around so much. You're what makes this blog worthwhile... even you Richelle.
New Addition
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Over the past few weeks many things, including this blog, have taken a back seat in my life because at the beginning of August my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Priorities have shifted. Schedules adjusted. Diapers changed.
Additionally, this wonderful new arrival coincides with the first days of school and the baby's two siblings have been busy embarking on new adventures of their own. All of this means that sleep has become as precious to our family as water is to the Fremen.
However, I'm happy to report that things in the QBlog household are finally settling down to normalcy and I think we're beginning to develop a routine once again. And yes, I'll be ordering her new "Blakey Says!" infant creeper very soon.
August 19, 2005
Quixtar An OCS?
By QBlog in Quixtar
According to the IBOAI website Quixtar.com is simply an Order Consolodation Site (OCS).
» IBOA International - The relationship between IBOs and Quixtar
IBOs are Independent Business Owners, entrepreneurs who own and run their own businesses to achieve financial success. Quixtar.com is an OCS (Order Consolidation Site) that contracts with IBOs to provide access to products and services from which they can earn income and help other IBOs be successful, too.
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't every IBO a Quixtar IBO and don't their bonus checks come from Quixtar? And aren't IBOs bound by the Business Reference Guide (pdf) and a horde of rules and regulations? Doesn't this very page on the IBOAI website violate some sort of Quixtar rule about how the business should be publicly characterized?
And if you read further, the IBOAI explains Quixtar's function thusly:
The OCS contracts with each IBO and provides:
- signed agreements with Merchant Partners and exclusive brands
- outstanding technology for the order and delivery of products and services
- administration of the IBO Compensation Plan
The IBOAI seems to be determined to diminish Quixtar's role in the lives of the IBOs. Sounds eerily similar to what Ed Postma described over 20 years ago.
I wonder if the FTC would be interested in this page from the IBOAI? I'll send them an email just to find out. I also wonder if the page will remain unchanged or if we'll see some rapid revisions after this post. Don't worry, I have source grabs and screen shots and Google will probably cache it over the weekend.
Thanks to Quixtar Team for the link
August 18, 2005
Quixtar And Kabbalah
By QBlog in Quixtar
An Alticor insider, who wishes to remain anonymous, has revealed that Quixtar is planning to be the exclusive distributor for Kabbalah Energy Drink.
"Quixtar is seeking to capitalize on the extreme popularity of energy beverages," said the unnamed Quixtar official. "XS quickly surpassed our expectations but, as the market becomes more competitive, we're seeing a decline from our initial growth. Now Quixtar is expanding into the Jewish sector with the Kabbalah Energy Drink."
Some speculate that such a move is part of a larger strategy to sign up more Jewish IBOs. Quixtar is primarily comprised of Christian IBOs with a growing number of Muslims and Hindus.
"Reaching out to the Jews makes sense for a company like Quixtar," said Ben Goldberg, director of Jewish Studies International. "Our organization has been working with Quixtar to develop Jew-friendly products that will appeal to the Orthodox population."
Goldberg says that kosher versions of meal replacement bars and Critic's Choice products should be on the market by Hanukkah.
The above parody brought to you by the indomitable QBlog Productions
August 13, 2005
Amway Happy in China?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Forbes is reporting that China is closer to approving legislation that would allow Multilevel Marketing companies like Amway to more actively participate in direct sales.
The newspaper [National Business Daily] quoted an unnamed senior official with Amway China as saying the company is happy with the approval of the draft law governing direct sales and is working to prepare for a license.
In April, MLM giant Avon won approval to test direct-selling in China while MLM businesses like Amway and Mary Kay were given the cold shoulder. In 1998 China banned direct-selling due to widespread abuse.
August 12, 2005
It's QUIXTAR You Idiots!
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
A regional manhunt ended Wednesday when the fugitive couple, Jennifer and George Hyatte, were captured by authorities after a cab driver tipped off police. CNN reports that Mike Wagers didn't believe his fares' claims of being Amway distributors and grew suspicious.
Wagers said he had doubts about the Hyattes' story because they "just didn't fit the type."
"They didn't strike me as the Amway type because to be honest they weren't very pushy about their product and I've dealt with them before so -- that was my only real suspicion," Wagers said.
Wagers may have encountered pushy Amway distributors in the past but not since 1999 unless he's been driving cabs in Asia. For as we all know, Quixtar replaced Amway in the U.S. over five years ago. D'oh!
August 11, 2005
- Argument about Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Argument about Quixtar
"Quixtar has too much negative press swirling around it"
- Saying "no thanks" to joining the Quixtar Revolution
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Saying "no thanks" to joining the Quixtar Revolution
"I was at a bookstore over the weekend"
- How NOT to Achieve the American Dream
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- How NOT to Achieve the American Dream
"Probably the largest scam of the whole company is the sales of tapes, books, and tickets"
- Desis and pyramid schemes
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Desis and pyramid schemes
"Last week, I went to Best Buy to buy a video game"
Congratulations Blog-Zilla!
By QBlog in Blog News
So, you're interested in Dan Hollings' Blog-Zilla tool? Curious about how it works, how much it costs and if it will meet your "multi-blogging" needs? Don't mind that the nattering nabobs of negativism are comparing it to spam? Well, then I've got the four-one-one you crave.
A couple of Quixtar BLOG readers sent me the "Inquirey [sic] from Blog-Zilla" which outlines some of the Blog-Zilla basics. I've done all the heavy lifting and condensed the info into easy-to-read bullet points.
Blog-Zilla 411
- The trial period costs $1
- Trial period involves one or two conference calls per week
- One blogger believes that 1500 people applied for Blog-Zilla
- According to the Blog-Zilla call availability page, there are approximately 57 people participating in the trial period
- After trial period, Blog-Zilla costs $30 per month for 5 blogs and $1 extra for additional blogs
- Also, there is a one-time setup fee "under $100"
- Annual subscriptions get discounts and the setup fee is waived
- Those running 50 or more blogs will receive greater access to Dan Hollings' training and expertise
- The training calls are apparently available in mp3 format
How Does It Taste?
One blogger appears to be very excited about Blog-Zilla. Lester Colegado runs Infoblogger Journal and believes it will make his "infoblogging into a multiblogging endeavor." Colegado also posts some of his early impressions of Blog-Zilla:
These last couple of days, during my off-work hours, I was trying to learn how to use this program. So far, I find it to be of great potential. And, the offer that I can multiblog by the 100's in a short time can be true once I learn the ins and outs of Blog-zilla.
In fact, I already am working on 5 right now and have several more in mind to add once I really become proficient with its use.
There's a learning curve to it but it's not really that technical. In my case, I had to think more of a precise blog concept to blend with the system than learning how to use the software.
Who's Who?
Who are the people Dan Hollings has selected to participate in the Blog-Zilla trial period? Well, according to the Blog-zilla Member Call Availability page the following people are on the short-list.
- Adam Abernethy
- Allida Thomas
- Andy Smith
- Anthony Pohle
- Barbara Gathany
- Bengt Sather
- Brett Hodges
- Catherine MacDonald
- Cherie Kilgour
- Chris Morte
- Christopher Silano
- Criss Bertling
- Dan Hollings
- Danny Lowell
- David Grogan
- Debra Hamuka-Falkenham
- Douglas Mackie
- Dylan Benjamin
- Erik Kampe
- Gene Parker
- Grant Segall
- Greg Killam
- Henry Davis
- Jaan Kanellis
- Jan Dilley
- Jan Jenson
- Jan Manzer
- Jason Katzenback
- Jeanette Fisher
- -- name removed --
- John Herren
- John Leong
- Katherine Roberson
- Katie Tarochione
- Kevin Knuhtsen
- Lester Colegado
- Mathias Pruestel
- Matthew Savage
- Michael Lu
- Michael Santiago
- Paula Smith
- Peter Lee
- Rita Scott
- Rob Caldwell
- Ruth Bird
- Sandra Dinkins-Wilson
- Scott Boyce
- Scott Skibell
- Stanley Piszczatowski
- Steve Brown
- Steve Eisenberg
- Stewart Ott
- Ted Stalets
- Terry Klingberg
- Tiat Leong, Ang
- Tom Roberson
- Jason Ciment
I suppose that if all goes well, we'll be seeing a lot more blogs from the people on that list.
Free or Fee?
I can't really comment on how Blog-Zilla works because I've never seen it in action. I'm unimpressed with the blogs it produces but admittedly I have no idea how the application functions.
However, one reader suggested that w.bloggar may do much of what Blog-Zilla does — for free. I've never used either application so it may be completely different. If you've used Blog-Zilla I'd love to hear from you and how you think it compares to w.bloggar.
Also, if you do the math on Blog-Zilla it would cost $125 per month to run 100 blogs that are, according to Hollings, 25-60% unique from one another.
Contrast that strategy with that of a blogger who spends the same amount of time generating quality content for a single blog and spends that same $125 on BlogAds or Google Ads. Who, at the end of the day, do you think will be driving more consistent traffic? The single blogger or the multi-blogger?
Anyway, congratulations to all you lucky Blog-Zilla trial folks. Hope it goes well and I look forward to hearing more about it very soon.
August 10, 2005
Diamond Lorencz Explains The Money
By QBlog in Quixtar
Former Quixtar (and Amway) Diamond Don J. Lorencz has published a web page explaining that he left Quixtar "because of the dishonesty in the business."
Lorencz encourages readers to ask questions about Quixtar and demand answers about the status of upline Diamonds, where the tool money goes and how much is regularly generated.
...if one of 'your leaders' that are professing to be making all of this money, lifestyle, toys etc are claiming what I am saying here is not true, it is very, very simple to find out the truth.
Just ask them to show you their income statements directly from Amway/Quixtar for the last year and also their tax returns to Revenue Canada or the IRS last year showing their 'total' income for the year. If they won't show you these figures, wouldn't you think the truth is obvious?
Lorencz also makes some startling revelations about his personal Diamond income claiming that he earned less than one third of an Air Canada pilot's salary the year he qualified Diamond.
What does an Air Canada pilot earn? According to the Air Canada Pilots Association (pdf) the "current average annual salary for an Air Canada pilot is about $128,000." That's Canadian Dollars. Convert those dollars to U.S. and the salary is cut to roughly $105,500. One third of that total is approximately $35,200.
Freedom?
So, according to Lorencz, some qualifying Diamonds are making less than the annual U.S. household average of $47,101. Are his numbers right? Wrong? Is Lorencz lying or was his Diamondship simply the exception to the rule? He also claims that over 80% of the money he was paid came from the the motivational business, not Quixtar.
I don't know Don J. Lorencz. Never spoken to him, exchanged emails or even heard of him before I saw his new web page. He may be a saint or a scoundrel, I really couldn't say. However, much of what he says is consistent with the information and testimony I've encountered over the past few years of studying, researching and investigating Quixtar.
August 7, 2005
Turkey Interview
By QBlog in Quixtar
An interview with Eric Scheibeler was recently published in a Turkish Magazine. If you know Turkish then check out the article and let me know what it says. I'm curious to find out if there's any mention of Turkish Baths or Turkish Prisons.
» Eric Scheibeler Interview In Turkey (pdf)
August 6, 2005
Still Busy
By QBlog in Blog News
I'm still busy. Life, go figure. But until I return, which may be later today or even tomorrow or September, check out the Flying Cat Gallery. You won't be disappointed... unless you hate Flying Cats.
Link via Kottke
August 4, 2005
+ Top Achievers in the Quixtar Business
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
+ Top Achievers in the Quixtar Business
"This Quixtar related blog wishes to analyze and develop an honest perspective on Leadership as it applies to the top achievers in the Quixtar business"
So You Know
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
I've had a lot of things going on the last few days so I haven't had much time to devote to this blog. I'll be back to a regular schedule soon.
In the meantime, I suggest discussing colour perception.
August 1, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 53
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Better late than never.
name: James
date: July 28, 2005
message: Thanks for this blog! I had a quixtar meeting at my Apt. last night. And thanks to your blog that guy is never coming to my place again.-James
Well, you're welcome... I think.