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October 31, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 61
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Well, things seem to be getting back to normal on the site so I'll go ahead and post a Reader Mail. This entry is very interesting and complex. The Reader, Robert, asks questions about the United ABLE Association and... well, just read the email and my comments that follow.
name: Robert
date: October 27, 2005
message: I came across your webpage while doing a little research on Quixtar based on a recent encounter with an unusual way of pushing the Quixtar "business". I work for a non-profit organization that works with people with disabilities. I was asked to attend a meeting for the "United ABLE Association", an organization that claims that it can provide resources and support for families with a disabled family member. They also have plans to build community centers that will be residential villages for families with disabilities.
From the moment the meeting started, I was suspicious. There was another person there that I knew, and she had the same feeling. There were a lot of vague promises, and talk of how to be become a "qualified" participant in their program. The process would begin by providing the names of friends and family members that might want to "participate", whatever that means.
In conversation after the meeting with the woman running the presentation, she admitted that it was tied in with Quixtar (these would be the "philanthropists" backing the scheme... I mean, the program). I never got more than vague answers on how the system worked, but was only told to come to the next meeting.
Their webpage also links to something called the "Smarter Shopper Network". While Quixtar isn't mentioned anywhere on this site, they do offer the "Gift" books I've seen mentioned in connection with Quixtar.
It seems like simply a recruiting tool to get people with disabilities into the system. While it may provide a "business opportunity" for them, I am amazed at how they go out of their way to never mention Quixtar in any of their on-line information.
Their webpage is full of promises for these "Eagle's Nest" villages, but they have yet to break ground on one.
I was wondering if you had come across anyone involved in this organization.
Thanks for the work you are doing!
You're welcome Robert and I hope I can help shed some light on this organization. I haven't found much but maybe it's enough to prompt others to share more.
Who's Behind It?
- The site werable.org is registered to Brian Bennett
- The site smartershoppernetwork.com is registered to Jonathan Bennett
- The site giftalbumchoices.com is registered to Lori Bennett
- Lori Bennett is listed as the primary contact on the United ABLE Association application page
- John Sestina, a prominent IBO, is quoted on the "How We Help page
What Is It?
It's difficult to determine what this site is all about. There's a definite connection to Quixtar with the use of the Gift & Incentive program but the details of that connection aren't clear. The about page explains a bit more:
The Bennett's gathered a group of philanthropists who have committed their wealth, expertise, and resources. Together, they created this organization and its unique sustainability program, with the result being an innovative concept that enables independence - for life!
As a sustainable organization, there is no need to hold fundraising events, beg the community for money, or get government funding. This unique funding program provides a perpetual, residual funding stream for the organization while directly benefiting children and adults with disabilities, and their families.
The Disclaimer & Approval
The Bennetts obviously understood that some would be dubious about their organization and so they offer the following statement on the Help Now page:
This is not a get-rich-quick, or a pyramid scheme. In fact, it's a business plan that has been approved by the government and is accessible to virtually anyone interested in operating an independent business. Thousands of individuals faced with a disability are already successfully using this business plan to improve their lives.
Sounds a lot like the sort of line one would hear from a Quixtar IBO. What's frustrating is that after searching around the Bennett's sites, I still don't have a clear grasp of what exactly their organization does. Maybe I'm missing the obvious but all I can conclude is that they're IBOs trying to help the disabled.
However, there's something very distressing about the ambiguity of the site. It's almost (dare I say it?) like they're trying to use the disability issue to build their Quixtar business. I'm not saying that's what's going on here but it's all very confusing when it should be crystal clear.
Call For Help
I'm asking you, dear readers, to shed some light on the United A.B.L.E. Association. See what I've missed and guide me in the right direction. Look around the sites, see what you can find. I want to be fair here and that's why I'm not drawing any conclusions, just asking questions and stating what a casual observer might conclude (just like Robert).
If you've had experience with this organization, maybe you could provide more detail. Thanks for your help.
UPDATE (Nov. 3, 2005): It's worth pointing out that the United A.B.L.E. Association websites (werable.org, smartershoppernetwork.com & giftalbumchoices.com) have undergone significant changes since Monday's post about the organization.
Some of the changes I've noticed:
- giftalbumchoices.com is now gone, replaced with an email link (anyone have a screenshot?)
- Smarter Shopper Network is now password protected
- The About Us page has been edited to remove the following:
As a sustainable organization, there is no need to hold fundraising events, beg the community for money, or get government funding. This unique funding program provides a perpetual, residual funding stream for the organization while directly benefiting children and adults with disabilities, and their families.
- The John Sestina (an IBO) quote is gone from the How We Help page
- The following disclaimer is now missing from the Help Now page:
This is not a get-rich-quick, or a pyramid scheme. In fact, it's a business plan that has been approved by the government and is accessible to virtually anyone interested in operating an independent business. Thousands of individuals faced with a disability are already successfully using this business plan to improve their lives.
Please let me know if you find other changes that I've overlooked.
Frowny Face
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
As you may have guessed, problems persist on my server. I'll be back when the server is fixed. If that never happens then I'll be back when I switch to the new hosting company.
UPDATE: The problem seems to have been corrected. Let's hope it stays that way.
October 29, 2005
Server Maintenance
By QBlog in Blog News
The site will be down or slow this weekend while maintenance is done to the servers.
UPDATE: Problems persist with the server. My PHP includes aren't working due to screwups by the server team. My site is sometimes up, sometimes down. Nobody seems to know why. I was told that "Daniel, our system administrator, is off today." Well bully for you. So everything comes to a screeching halt when Daniel is gone? What kind of business are these people running?
I've been quite happy with ThinkHost for quite some time but it's becoming clear to me that they do not have the sort of commitment to excellence that I expect from a hosting company. I've already started the process of switching all my accounts to Media Temple. Switching hosts is a ROYAL PAIN but I've pretty much had it with ThinkHost.
I don't know when I'll get everything switched over but it can't happen soon enough in my opinion.
UPDATE II: Here's what the ThinkHost support team just sent me:
Our system administrator should be able look into the problem during the afternoon tomorrow. If everything goes well, he should be able to fix it in the afternoon as well, but I cannot make a guarantee on that.
This is a problem I reported last night. Can you tell I'm a little pissed?
UPDATE III: To be fair, ThinkHost made it clear that they were available if it was an "urgent matter." Here's the full email that I quoted from in the first update:
Daniel, our system administrator, is off today, but should be able to get back to you about this tomorrow. If you believe that fixing this is an urgent matter, please let me know and I'll try to get in touch with him today so that he can take a look at the problem.
So, I could have easily asked them for more assistance if I'd wanted to but I just didn't feel like bothering anyone and so the problem persisted.
I should also point out that ThinkHost has been a wonderful host and continues to host three of my sites. Much of my frustration resulted from the popularity of my site straining the servers. Since I first published this post I've moved from ThinkHost to Media Temple to Pair Networks.
Lastly, the folks at ThinkHost were more than helpful with my migration. I've posted a brief explanation about the entire migration ordeal. I really don't have any complaints with ThinkHost and I appreciate all they've done for me, my site and the migration.
October 28, 2005
Quixtar Related?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Hey there Quixtar employees. Yes, I'm talking to you. Don't be afraid, I promise I won't bite... much. ;o)
Listen. I found a website called Emerald Passport EPI and I'm wondering if it's related to Quixtar, your employer? It's confusing because the site has the Quixtar logo on it a couple of times. And it also includes a quote (and audio) from Andrew M.
In The Last 9 Months (Jan 7/05) I've Made Over $105,000 With Emerald Passport & The Profit Masters Team.
There's also this neat little link at the bottom of the page directing non-IBOs to contact a Quixtar IBO in your area. That's neat because it's a shorter form than the official Quixtar IBO Contact Page. Or maybe they're both official.
I can't find any disclaimers on the Emerald Passport site so maybe it's Quixtar kosher? I'm sure Ron Mitchell wouldn't let a site stay on the Web if he had a problem with it. Just ask Peter Salzman.
UPDATE (Nov. 2, 2005): All the Quixtar references are gone. The logo is gone. The word "Quixtar" is gone. The link to contact an IBO in your area is gone. Good work Quixtar. Glad to help!
A New Amway in China?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
No more group PV/BV? Increased commissions for retail sales? According to Shanghai Daily, Amway will significantly change the way it does business to comply with Chinese laws.
AMWAY Corp said yesterday its sales may fluctuate between a 10 percent drop or rise this year as its business model faces a tough transition with China forbidding payment based on team sales starting next month.
From Tuesday, all Amway China sales representatives will draw commissions directly from the company based on their individual sales performance, said Vincent Hwang, general manager of Amway China East.
Sales teams, in which authorized agents can generate additional commission from sales representatives they recruit, will no longer exist as payment based on team sales is illegal under new regulations released in September this year.
This is very interesting stuff. Read the whole article.
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 39
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 was Help
Desk™ last week?
Answer: It was here... wasn't it?
Q: No. It definitely was not here. I looked, twice,
and it wasn't here.
A: Last week. What was going on last week? Oh, that's right. We were in St.
John's, Newfoundland setting up the Canadian Help Desk™.
Q: Really. Well, I missed you guys.
A: And gals.
Q: And gals. So did you get it all set up?
A: Actually, it didn't go so well and that's part of the reason we weren't back
sooner. See, Newfies aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer if you get my
meaning. We ended up hiring a couple of temps from Bulgaria to answer the phones.
They can barely speak English but at least they talk into the correct end of
the phone.
Q: Wow. You going back any time soon?
A: We have to. A Newfie named Larry got lost on the way to the washroom and
so we're organizing a volunteer search party to find him. Nobody's seen him
since last Friday.
Q: I heard that there's going to be a new cooking show
on Independent Television featuring Jayson
Blair. Is this true?
A: No, that's Jason Roberts.
Q: The new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
A: No, that's John Roberts. This guy's a famous chef. He's from "down under."
Q: Well cool. I will have to watch that. And he's only
going to be using iCook
products? That would be fantastic exposure.
A: Let's not get carried away. This is Independent Television (formerly
PAX) which, according to Nielsen, is viewed by an average of 30-40 people every
week. This is not the Food Network.
Q: But still, it's on TV and that's cool. I absolutely
love iCook Cookware and am excited that others will see this wonderful product
on display.
A: Yeah. It's really cool. You know the story behind the iCook selection
right? The show has an I theme. Jason Roberts only uses products that
start with the letter I. And all the dishes he prepares, start with
the letter I.
Q: That's unique.
A: I think he's making Iguana Burgers on his second show.
Q: I heard that Quixtar is recalling Nutrilite Kids
Brainiums. Is that true?
A: No. Don't be ridiculous. Why would Quixtar recall Brainiums?
Q: The rumor I heard was that kids hate the way Brainiums
taste. Apparently they taste a lot like cod liver oil.
A:No. They taste like lemon drops. I think your information is bad.
Q: Well, have you actually tasted them?
A: No. But I'm sure they're fine.
Q: Are you sure? Are you? And I bet you're sure that
bag of dog food you bought last night really tastes like lamb and rice huh?
You assume an awful lot don't you Mr. Tastee?
A: Right. What difference does it make what my dog food tastes like?
Look, there is no Brainiums recall. End of story.
Q: Have you ever tasted that dog food? Have you? I have
and it does not taste like lamb and rice. It tastes like salty cardboard which
is nothing like lamb and rice.
A: You eat dog food?
Q: Sometimes... I mean no. I taste dog food. You're
missing my point. How do you know Brainiums tastes like lemon drops until you
try them?
A: No, I got your point. You eat dog food. That's the point. Good-bye.
October 26, 2005
Make You Happy?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
I'm out of town again. I'm in Knoxville attending a Job Fair trying to find bright students interested in doing an internship with my employer. During slow times at the Job Fair I pondered the following question:
"How much money would it take to make you happy?"
Do you have an answer? Have you thought about it before? Please post your answer in the comments.
October 25, 2005
Quixtar Chatter - October 25, 2005
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- The newlyweds are IBO youth pastors in Washington. She was skeptical at first, but chose to ignore the warnings of her family and friends and follow her smart, hardworking husband in the biz
- Michigan Democrat leader asks why gubernatorial hopeful Richard DeVos cut nearly 1,400 jobs when he was head of Amway
- An Open Letter to Amway and its Minions - "Stay away from me"
- Is Amway like Scientology?
- If you are always on a prowl like a hungry lioness, looking for bakra desis at Albertsons, Walmart or Frys... you are an Amway enthusiast.
October 24, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 60
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail comes from a newly disgruntled IBO. As always, my comments appear in bold.
name: James G
date: October 22, 2005
message: I became an IBO a month ago. I made it clear that I had very limited funds and it was all I could do to scrape together $160.00 to get in. Most everyone there at the meetings, except for the multi-millionaire doing the speech, was half my age. The speech was laced with little sexual comments to relate to the college age students that packed the room. Everything was one big "pep rally". Upon further investigation I found there is very little saving on products as stated, in fact, some are 2 or 3 time the price of similar products purchased elsewhere.
But you're getting PV/BV AC/DC BBQ on every purchase!
Everything was high pressure to get a list of my friends to start calling. When I was told I had to sell using a format which in reality was a combination of deception and baiting my friends, I started to ask questions.
That was your first mistake.
I was told not to think "negative" thoughts. I asked more questions about actual products for sale and prices, but got only a few token partial answers in order to satisfy my questions. I am 48 years old and have delt in sales and advertizing for most of that time and I know a sales pitch when I hear one, and I know deception when I hear it to. I tried to ignore it because the whole upline claimed to be Christians.
Is Quixtar a ministry or a business? I keep forgetting.
I finally had enough and said I wanted a total refund. I now find I have to make special request to two different people to get a refund. I have to pay to ship back items I did not order. The final straw was I had to talk to the multi-millionaire who talked to me like trash and told me, "I don't talk to stupid people (like you)." I listened as he was rude and told me I was a bad example of a Christian because I was poor and had a ill wife and that no one would want to be a Christian if I was the example.
Wasn't Jesus poor? I think he was a Christian.
He tole me he was responsible for saving thousands of people and wanted to know my head count of people I had saved.
I'm no theologian but I kinda thought God saved people, not man.
Quixtar is more of a cult that a business and I am not a lemming to follow along blindly while deceiving my friends in to this lie.
I assure you that your experience, while unfortunate, was unique and isolated to your specific group and is in no way indicative of other Quixtar Motivational Organizations.
Isn't sarcasm wonderful?
October 21, 2005
Live Each Day
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
You've no doubt heard the saying "live each day as if it were your last." It's the type of advice given to encourage people to savor the moment. A modified version of cape diem with a role-playing twist. We imagine that tomorrow may never come and hopefully live today to the fullest.
It's really not bad advice because there certainly aren't any guarantees of what the future holds. Yet, like many good things, the advice has been overused and trivialized by Chicken Soup books and Dr. Phil shows. It's the same thing the sports industry has done with words like "legendary," "dynasty" and "hero" by tossing them around almost indiscriminately.
Mutations
The "live each day" phrase isn't just overused, it's also mutating. We now see (especially in the Self Help industry) phrases like "take each breath as if it were your last" and "treat your spouse as if it were the last day you'll ever see him/her." I recently read Tonya Grimes (link via MLM Blog) advice to "Work Like It's the Day Before Vacation!."
Enough! Or is it? Maybe if a little is good, a lot is better? Sure, why not? So now I'm jumping on the bandwagon and offering some advice of my own. Feel free to add yours. If we're going to trivialize something let's not do it half-assed.
Live Each Day
- Burn Each Fire As If It Were Your Last
- Wash Each Plate As If It Were Your Last
- Smoke Each Cigar As If It Were Your Last
- Drink Each Beer As If It Were Your Last
- Spank Each Child As If It She Were Your Last
- Fry Each Fish As If It Were Your Last
- Build Each Dam As If It Were Your Last
- Prospect Each Friend As If It He Were Your Last
- Sell Each Widget As If It Were Your Last
- Fly Each Plane As If It Were Your Last
- Kill Each Deer As If It Were Your Last
See, isn't this fun? I'm writing this blog post as if it were my last.
October 20, 2005
QBlog Goes To Toronto - Day 2
By QBlog in Blog News
I'm still in Toronto on business. Here are some pictures I took today. I got
to eat goat.
October 19, 2005
QBlog Goes To Toronto
By QBlog in Blog News
I'm currently in Toronto, Ontario on business. It's my first time in Canada.
Here are some pictures I took yesterday while I had a little free time.
October 18, 2005
New IBOAI Board Members
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
A recent Press Release welcomes new board members to the Independent Business Owners Association International.
Billy Florence, president of the IBOAI, announced the association's new board members.
"We are delighted to welcome Brad Duncan, Chuck Goetschel, Kanti Gala, Don Held, Scott Holland, and Bill Newton," said Florence.
Welcome!
October 17, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 59
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Today's Reader Mail mentions media coverage of Quixtar. Unfortunately, there isn't much reliable media coverage about Quixtar and the general public is left searching for independent information. As always, my comments in bold.
name: Brian
date: October 10, 2005
message: I was approached by my co-worker's husband regarding the Quixtar "business opportunity" needless to say, I turned it down. He was very polite about it, telling me, "The business isn't for everybody" and then cautioned me against believing everything I read on the internet, because there's no system in place to enforce accuracy.
Such logic always cracks me up. What they really mean is "don't believe anything you read on the Internet unless it's positive towards Quixtar."
Thank goodness! Now I don't have to donate my money to all those nigerian businessmen.
For the real meat of this message, following his cautionary tale of dubious internet information, he told me to check out the Quixtar article that should be appearing in the Oct. 14th USA Today. While it might not be the king of journalistic quality, you might want to take a look at the article, and disseminate some justified feedback to your adoring (and sometimes unadoring) public.
Thanks Brian. I checked USA Today online and didn't find any articles about Quixtar. I know that Quixtar ran an ad in USA Today on October 7 (as part of the DSA advertising insert) but I don't see any articles. Maybe the article was only in the print version? Anyone have a copy of the October 14 USA Today?
October 16, 2005
Did You Know?
By QBlog in Quixtar
Did you know that Jody Victor hates ThisBizNow. Can you guess why?
October 15, 2005
Quixtar Chatter - October 15, 2005
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Do the Indians pay taxes on their Quixtar income?
- Manny Leger started a blog to track his personal experiences with Quixtar.
- Meiyan is an "insecure lady living in a realistic world with lots of unrealistic people" who is thinking about joining Amway.
- Is the pyramid crumbling? - An alleged Yager insider hints at the collapse of the empire.
- Is Robert Kiyosaki a fraud?
October 14, 2005
Examine The Tool Business
By QBlog in A/QMOs
Last month I asked the following (somewhat rhetorical) question:
Can you name a successful Quixtar Diamond who achieved his "financial freedom" by using the prescribed motivational tools and training systems but who is not also profiting from the motivational tools and training systems?
Nobody has provided a name to answer my question and I suspect that no one ever will.
Purpose of Tools?
Quixtar IBOs are required to train and motivate their downline (Business Reference Guide). It's not an option, it's a contractual obligation. And that obligation demands that IBOs perform such training without any direct compensation.
However, most IBOs use tools to assist them with their training obligations. According to the BSMAA (pdf) an IBO "should purchase Business Support Materials only if [he] decide[s] they assist [him] in building a more successful and profitable Independent Business."
The "tools" were developed to provide useful training and motivation not offered by Quixtar. A few IBOs (mostly Quixtar Diamonds) independently produce those tools and receive significant revenue from their sales.
The Results
If the Business Support Materials were developed to help IBOs build Quixtar-powered businesses then the value of those tools can be measured by examining the number of IBOs who've accomplished that goal. And indeed, many IBOs have built large and prosperous businesses by utilizing the tools. Yet I must return to my original question, how many of those successful IBOs aren't also profiting from the very tools they credit with assisting them in their success?
The Dilemma
Here's the dilemma as I see it — the tools function primarily to train IBOs to build profitable tools businesses, not Quixtar businesses. Maybe an example will better explain my point?
Example: State University has an engineering program. Students spend thousands of dollars to learn how to become engineers. Most graduates of State University's program immediately land high-paying engineering jobs. However, virtually every graduate also gets a second job selling the $100 books to new engineering students. Oddly, every engineering graduate starts selling books to new students and the school begins growing rapidly as the graduates (motivated by the high-profit margins of the book sales) work tirelessly to get more students into the program.
Interestingly, all the graduates earn almost 80% of their total annual income from selling books to new students.
Now, is State University developing engineers or book salesmen? Or both? Does such a scenario present a dilemma for State University? Can you see the parallels with the Quixtar tools business?
Ask Questions
Personally, I believe that the Quixtar motivational tools are virtually worthless. You're free to disagree. I just hope that you ask lots of questions about the nature of the tool business and make sure that it's providing the results you expect.
Are the tools teaching you to build a Quixtar business or a motivational business? Do the tools have value outside of your Quixtar business? Do the Quixtar products have value outside the Quixtar business? What percentage of a tool-profiting Diamond's income is derived from tool sales and does that present a conflict of interest?
Finally, why aren't there any Diamonds who've used the training system but aren't also profiting from that training system?
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 38
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: Is Quixtar really killing Blu
Sphere?
Answer: Yes indeedy.
Q: But why? I loved Blu Sphere. It was so trendy and
hip.
A: Rumor is that Orrin Woodward slipped on a Blu Sphere catalog and almost broke
his neck. He became so enraged that he called up Jim Payne and demanded that
Blu Sphere be axed ASAP.
Q: Slipped on a catalog?
A: Yeah. Apparently the floor of his den is littered with Quixtar catalogs.
He walked in, slipped and you know the rest.
Q: Wow. So that's all it took to get rid of Blu Sphere?
A: Apparently so. And you know Jody Victor stubbed his toe on a stack of Sweet
Sixteen brochures.
Q: Aha. Thus the demise of Sweet Sixteen.
A: Yes indeedy.
Q: I'm not sure my Atmosphere Toaster is working right.
Can you help?
A: Uh... toaster?
Q: Yeah. I keep putting bread into the slot but nothing
happens. It just sits there.
A: Dude, it's NOT a toaster. It's an air purifier.
Q: Are you sure?
A: Yes, I'm sure. Look on the side. See where it says "Air Purifier?"
Q: Oh, I thought that was French for "Insert Bread
Here."
A: No, it's English for Air Purifier.
Q: Well that makes more sense. I was wondering why a
toaster cost nearly $1,000.
A: Right.
Q: Is Quixtar advertising
now?
A: Quixtar doesn't
advertise.
Q: So, what was that thing I saw in USA Today?
A: That looked a lot like advertising but it wasn't.
Q: Ok. Then what was it?
A: You know that plastic fruit the put in bowls? It looks real but it
isn't. You want to eat it, but it will only hurt your teeth if you do. It's
like that.
Q: I don't understand.
A: Well, think of it this way. The USA Today is a car and we
just put a bumper sticker on our car. That's not really advertising as much
as it's decorating our car.
Q: That makes absolutely no sense. Quixtar paid to have
that "bumper sticker" on the "car." That's advertising in
my book.
A: Well, you're wrong. It's not advertising. It's like the Super Bowl
commercial Quixtar's running next year. It's not advertising as much as it's
sharing our message with the world.
Q: Uh huh. Quixtar's in the Super Bowl?
A: Oh, I don't think I was supposed to mention the Super Bowl thing.
October 13, 2005
Make Them Laugh
By QBlog in Humor
"If you are going to tell people the truth, you'd better make them laugh. Otherwise they'll kill you."
- George Bernard Shaw
October 10, 2005
FYI AmQuix
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Scott Larsen's AmQuix site is down for now but it will be up soon enough. Many have wondered what happened but there hasn't been any foul play that Scott can identify. He's moving the site to a new host.
October 8, 2005
Changing Servers
By QBlog in Blog News
I'm changing servers this weekend so expect this site to be down for a while. If you need to get a QBlog fix check out the QBlog Radio. It's on completely different servers so it's not going down at all.
I expect everything to be back up by Sunday night at the latest. This server move is for the better. It will make things faster and have fewer connection problems.
Thanks for your patience.
October 7, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 37
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!
However, this Friday the Farcical Help Desk™ staff is taking a break to drive down to Florida to see Dolphins sing the theme to Batman. The staff is determined to teach the Dolphins to sing the theme to Love Boat.
So long and thanks for all the fish.
October 6, 2005
I Hate Redundancy
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
The bar opens at 4 p.m. Monday-Friday but on Saturday, things change. The bar opens at 4 p.m. on Saturday which is... wait a second. That's the same time. And, not even a word about Sunday.
And no, it's not strictly an issue of redundancy, but more of just not making good use of the copy. It would be better to say Mon-Sat open at 4 p.m.
October 5, 2005
Quixtar Chatter - October 5, 2005
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- A Grand Rapids blogger believes that The Pyramid Is Crumbling
- Mister Finance recommends Quixtar's Freedom to increase gas mileage
- A "Group full of Quixtar & Amway International IBOs" likes to republish items from the Business Reference Guide (pdf)
- The key to making a pyramid scheme work is selling products to a factory!
- What makes Amway people Amway people? GelfMagazine searches for an answer
October 4, 2005
Extreme Team Linking
By QBlog in A/QMOs
Someone recently added a couple of comments to my Extreme
Freedom! post requesting demanding that I remove a link
to the Extreme Freedom Team website.
The person making the request demand uses the names Freedom1
Fighter, John, TJ, and Janet. The most recent comment was made after I pointed
out that my post did not criticize or endorse the Extreme
Freedom Team.
freedom1fighter: Once gain please remove the Extreme Freedom Team link and webpage posting from your site and the public internet. We have not done anything to warrant this traffic and link to your site.
The link is not to be posted on your site and the author has not given you permissions to duplicate this. We would thank you for this. One again we are sorry for your experience with other Teams involved with similar model but not the same as ours.
Please respect this and take your issues and concerns and post them about your personal experience with the team you were involved with. Extreme Freedom Team handles issues and addresses them appropriately while helping to improve anything that needs fixing so we can empower people to succeed in life. Please understand this.
Seal Team 9
What the hell is "Seal Team 9?"
Anyway, obviously someone doesn't understand how the Internet works so I've developed a global strategy that will teach Freedom1 Fighter (and friends) a valuable lesson about hyperlinking. I call that strategy Extreme Team Linking!
What Is Extreme Team Linking?
Well, it's really pretty simple. If you have a website, blog or forum, just
prominently post a link to the Extreme
Freedom Team website. If you aren't sure how to link, just use the html
below.
Or, you can use this stylish linking graphic. Isn't it cute?
If you're not sure how to post the graphic just copy the html below. And I'll even host the image!
The most important part of the Extreme Team Linking campaign is your participation. If you don't participate, nobody learns nothin'. And everyone who participates will have their site listed in the official Extreme Team Linking Wall of Fame!
Extreme Team Linking Wall of Fame
This is the official list of Extreme Team Linking participants. If you want
your website on this list just put a link to the Extreme
Freedom Team prominently on your website and send me an email alert (or
comment) with a link to your site. The link to your site will remain on the Wall
of Fame as long as your site links to Extreme
Freedom Team.
- Quixtar BLOG
- Quixtar Sucks
- AmQuix In and Out
- Standing Order Tape
- Rocket's Rants
- MLM Blog
- LawBlawg
- Instant Franchise
- Quixtar Demons
- Sinking in Quixand
- An Outsider in Saul Alinsky's World
- MODE
- A Day in My Life
October 3, 2005
Live Up To Your Potential
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Last Friday Quixtar was featured in the Life section of USA Today. The two-page spread was sponsored by the DSA and promoted the Quixtar business opportunity. That's cool because Quixtar doesn't advertise.
Monday Reader Mail: 58
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Who makes money in Quixtar. One inquisitive reader wonders if the motivational salesmen are the only money-makers in the Quixtar MLM.
name: Deb
date: September 28, 2005
message: Quixtar is Amway, or Amway is Quixtar. Isn't it true that only those affiliated with that business that sell their "motivational" tapes are the only ones making money?
Actually, a few people make good money from Quixtar without selling the motivational materials. However, the best way to achieve Extreme Freedom is to tap into the lucrative motivational business.
October 2, 2005
DeVos For President?
By QBlog in Quixtar
UPDATE: Apparently DeVos also registered devosforsenate.com at about the same time he registered devosforpresident.com and devosforgovernor.com.
UPDATE II: Shortly after I published this post the Whois information was changed. The original Whois data showed the organization address as 126 Ottawa Ave, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. The revised data is of a private, proxy registration. Any ideas why it was important to change this data?