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December 31, 2005
QBlog Radio in iTunes
By QBlog in Blog News
Fans of the QBlog Radio Show have been subscribing to the podcast via iTunes since July. However, last night I updated the iTunes directory listing to include artwork and artist information. Now the podcast looks as cool as other popular podcasts like The Ricky Gervais Show and This Week In Tech. If only my podcast were as entertaining.
December 30, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - New Year Editiion
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
Every Friday, the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™ answers the Quixtar questions that nobody dared to ask. However, this Friday there will be no Help Desk™ as the staff prepare for New Year celebrations. While you're waiting for next week's exciting installment, please use the comments to discuss the absurdity of locking one of the two doors that lead into and out of a business.
Which door is locked? Is it the right? The left? Is there a sign? Why have two doors, side-by-side, if you're going to keep one permanently locked? Does it make locking up at the end of the day that much quicker? Or is it so the proprietor can silently chuckle as customers occasionally slam into the locked door, dropping bags and fumbling with car keys?
December 28, 2005
Quixtar.com Ranked "worst"
By QBlog in Quixtar
A recent research report compiled by Blast Radius ranks Quixtar.com as one of the worst e-tailers based on customer impressions and satisfaction. The report (pdf) evaluates "89 U.S.-based retailers with the highest 2004 online revenue." At the top of the list is (of course) Amazon.com and coming in at number 83 is Quixtar.com.
Earlier this month The Indianapolis Star mentioned the report listing Quixtar.com along with other "worst" e-tailers such as qvc.com, costco.com and jcpenny.com.
December 26, 2005
IBOAI Yanks OCS Page
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Looks as if the IBOAI website has finally removed its page claiming that Quixtar is an Order Consolidation Site. The original page is available for now as a Google cache. A search for "OCS" on the IBOAI website yields no results.
However, the Spanish language version is still live and makes the same claim, that Quixtar is simply an OCS (English translation).
UPDATE: Well this was a wasted post. Turns out nobody yanked anything. What happened is that the IBOAI changed the way it names its pages. Instead of using underscores (_) it now uses hyphens (-) and so the link changed.
Hell, Quixtar still is an OCS according to the IBOAI. Thanks David Robison for pointing out that nothing's changed.
Monday Reader Mail: 67
By QBlog in Reader Mail
This week's Reader Mail will hopefully clear up some confusion about Quixtar in Canada.
name: Jared F.
date: December 23, 2005
message: I agree with you on your views toward Quixtar. A few things: Amway is still Amway in Canada, but Quixtar in America with Alticor as the owner; the real problem with "the business" is the company that makes the tapes, etc like WWDB, WWG, etc.; I, somehow, live an impossible life because I love my j-o-b.
I believe that loving one's job is un-American but maybe Jared is Canadian. Regarding Amway in Canada, I think it is called Quixtar up north. That may explain the Quixtar Canada website.
But of course, I could be wrong. Anyone from Canada willing to shed some light on this for Jared?
Ugh
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
So much for the triumphant return of Blogging 101. I spent most of Christmas day hugging the toilet, depositing copious chunks of vomit into the porcelain throne. Instead of eating Christmas ham and pumpkin pie I drank orange kool-aid and slept.
Anyway, I'm not vomiting now so things are heading back to normal.
December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas - 2005
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Happy Birthday Jesus!
December 23, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - Christmas Edition
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: Why isn't Santa a Quixtar Diamond?
Answer: Hmmmmm... Maybe because he's not real?
Q: Hey! Hey! Stop that crazy talk. Of course Santa's
real.
A: Come on. There's no way some dude could fly around and deliver presents to
all those children in one night. You can't be serious.
Q: I'm totally serious. You know why? Because I believe!
I believe in something bigger than myself. I learned long ago that if you just
believe enough the facts don't matter.
A: Wow, where have I heard that before? Hmmm.
Anyway. So Santa's real and you want to know why he's not a Quixtar Diamond. I'll play along. Maybe because he lives at the North Pole and doesn't have much of an opportunity to show the plan. And when he does get out he's usually interacting with children who can't join Quixtar.
How's that?
Q: Yeah. I guess that makes sense. Do you think Santa
drinks XS Energy Drinks?
A: I can't do this. No! No, Santa doesn't drink XS. He drinks heavily spiked
Egg Nogg and eats lots pork. Good grief.
Q: Ummm... you're a real Scrooge.
A: Bah humbug. Get lost.
Q: I've got this awesome idea for Quixtar. It's killer
man.
A: Oh boy! What is it?
Q: PV/BV gift cards.
A: Ummmmm...
Q: You know, like those cards you get at Best Buy or
a restaurant or something...
A: I'm familiar with gift cards but why would you want to put PV/BV
on a gift card?
Q: Think about it. Your struggling downline needs an
extra 350 PV to hit the 1,000 PV mark. So, you give them a PV/BV gift card with
350 PV and 1,000 BV.
A: How much would it cost?
Q: That's the great thing. Since there are no products
to manufacture Quixtar can offer the cards at a higher PV rate than the products.
So a 350 PV card would cost you $500.
A: Not bad, not bad at all.
Q: They probably would only be popular around birthdays
and holidays.
A: Good point. But this could be huge.
Q: So, you think it's a good idea?
A: Send the suggestion in to Jim Payne.
Q: Have you seen the new Quixtar Message Center?
A: Yep.
Q: Pretty cool huh?
A: Yep.
Q: Looks a lot like the thing on that QBlog
site doesn't it?
A: Yep.
Q: That's an interesting coincidence isn't it?
A: Yep.
Q: Well, nice chatting with you.
A: Yep.
December 22, 2005
Quixtar Discussion at MetaFilter
By QBlog in Quixtar
There's a very interesting discussion about Quixtar happening on the insanely popular MetaFilter community site.
Tonight at 7:00pm I had representatives of Quixtar come into my home. Should I join or not? Apparently by being an Independent Business Owner (IBO), I can make tons of money just through referrals. As a poor college student, this sounds enticing.
If you are not familiar with Quixtar, they are doing what Amway used to do. I am skeptical of their claims, however, I am looking to see what everyone on askmefi thinks. It never hurts to get a second opinion and besides this hasn't been addressed on askmefi yet.
The pitch went something along the lines of "this is not a pyramid scheme" and "all you are doing is refering people to a virtual mall."
The comments range from insightful to hilarious. Here are a few selected comments pulled from the discussion:
storybored
Signing up with these guys is a good way to lose friends. Most people *hate* being given a sales pitch by the people they're close to. You'd be putting them into an awkward position.
winston
The only way MLM can work is if you'd actually make money selling the product even if it wasn't MLM. If you sign people up who want to make money by just signing people up who want to make money just by signing people up, etc., etc., then nobody's selling anything. For you to make money, someone somewhere has to actually start selling the product.
BorgLove
I wouldn't touch MLM with a long pole, but that doesn't mean it's completely worthless. Some people do actually make money. Others learn to stay focused, set goals and maybe even derive some benefit from all that self-help product that gets moved. In any case, there's no harm in keeping an open mind. Networking is probably more sociologically beneficial than sitting at your computer at night posting snarky comments to MeFi.
Geektronica
I have a co-worker who's into it, and he has given the pitch to just about everyone. Nobody can stand him.
thanotopsis
Compared to actually getting a job and earning a wage (rather than victimizing people with your "products") MLM is useless, and is a drain on our society.
If you're not a MeFi member (everyone calls MetaFilter "MeFi" and it's pronounced "Mee Figh" which rhymes with "knee thigh") I'd encourage you to join and add your own comments to the discussion. If you're not familiar with MeFi it's basically a blog that anyone can contribute a link or a comment to. There's even a Wikipedia entry on MeFi.
December 20, 2005
Quixtar Chatter - December 20, 2005
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- Greetings from Texas! Sometimes postcards don't have the desired effect
- Chris considers Quixtar
- Some bloggers don't want Dick DeVos to be their governor
- A giant conglomerate that preys on the weak-minded by offering them a infinitesimal chance at fame and fortune through their convoluted pyramid-scheme, named Quixtar
- Holiday Muffin Quixtar
Orrin Woodward Takes Wikipedia To Court
By QBlog in TEAM
Quixtar leader Orrin Woodward's motivational organization, Team of Destiny (now called "The TEAM"), appears to be upset about a recent addition to the open source reference phenomenon known as Wikipedia.
On November 27, 2005, I noticed that the Team of Destiny tool business had been added to Wikipedia. Nine days later, on December 6, 2005, the U.S. District Court of Florida issued a subpoena to the Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia's parent organization) demanding specific information related to Orrin Woodward, Chris Brady and the Team of Destiny.
The Wikimedia subpoena (pdf obtained from PACER) demands that various records to be mailed to Woodward's lawyer, Thomas A. Kuiper.
You are commanded to produce and permit inspection and copying of the following documents or objects at the place, date, and time specified below (list documents or objects):
Any and all records submitted to Wikipedia.com and/or Wikimedia Foundation from January 1, 2002 to the present time concerning the terms "Team of Destiny", "Team", "Orrin Woodward" and/or "Chris Brady" including but not limited to: all records, documentation, emails, and/or electronic information, and correspondence.
I'll point out a few interesting items from this subpoena.
- This subpoena is issued as a result of the Team of Destiny v. Scott Larsen lawsuit filed March 15, 2004, in the state of Michigan.
- It appears that Woodward and his TEAM believe that Scott Larsen is somehow responsible for the Wikipedia entry, therefore violating some sort of settlement agreement.
- The subpoena demands records back to 2002. Why? The TOD v. Larsen suit wasn't filed until 2004 and was dismissed in 2005. It looks like Team of Destiny wants information not relevant to the case. Wonder if the EFF would find that curious?
- The term "Team of Destiny" and "Team" are pretty common terms. I bet lots of wikipedians have used those terms since January 1, 2002. Guess what sports fans, Thomas A. Kuiper and his client could be poring over your personal information (possibly IP addresses, posting history, searches, etc.) if Wikipedia complies with the subpoena. How do you feel about that? Read that subpoena again, very carefully. Notice the open-ended nature of the demand for information?
- Shortly after the Team of Destiny entry appeared in Wikipedia, a Request For Deletion debate emerged. The deletion request was denied.
So, what does all this mean? I don't know but it's interesting that Team of Destiny seems to be mixing it up with Wikipedia. This could get interesting.
UPDATE: The Wikipedia community has taken notice of Team of Destiny's subpoena and suggested that the report be added to the Signpost or Newsroom.
Additionally, a comment by Fennec points out that all the documents Team of Destiny wants are publicly available.
I say, just ship them a copy of http://download.wikimedia.org/ wikipedia/en/pages_full.xml.bz2That's a superset of the records they want. It'll be easy to query, as well.
Amazing. If I didn't know better I'd say Orrin Woodward wants to get as many people investigating his motivational group as possible.
December 19, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 66
By QBlog in Reader Mail
I have an idea. Why doesn't Quixtar make a "General Help" page where people can easily send questions and get real, honest responses (in a timely fashion)? Beth Dornan, Robin Luymes, are you listening?
As always, my comments appear in bold.
name: Luis H.
date: December 16, 2005
message: Pls. help! (just found your site)
My girlfriend has been attending Quixtar meeting for 4 months already and she wants me to join the "business" but I found your site and told her about it, she doesn't believe on anything else than the business.
She argues the products are good and money is coming back from purchasing them.
Help! questions: Why do people loose money?
People generally lose money because they spend more than they earn. I'm not trying to be a wise guy, it's simply true. Also, according to personal testimony, internal corporate documents and court records those at the top (Diamonds) receive most of their Quixtar-related income (70%-90%) from selling motivational and training material (tools) to those not making money.
Is there any help group in Los Angeles that can help to open her eyes?
No idea. Sorry. Anyone have any suggestions?
Any support for hispanics?
Again, I appeal to readers for suggestions.
hope you can help
I'm not much help here but maybe some readers can help out.
Seriously, if you out there have any idea of how to help Luis please send me an email or leave a comment. Thanks.
December 18, 2005
Blogging 101 - Returns
By QBlog in Blogging 101
Yipes! I put the popular Blogging 101 series on hold for the summer and now it's nearly Christmas with nary a post in sight.
So, it's time to bring Blogging 101 back. Beginning next Sunday, on Christmas day, Blogging 101 makes its triumphant return to the Quixtar BLOG. And because it's Christmas there will be a special surprise announcement that should delight and amaze children of all ages.
Merry Christmas Bloggers!
Quixtar Tool Trouble
By QBlog in Quixtar
As Quixtar wraps up its Achievers event in Dallas the hometown newspaper in Grand Rapids, Michigan reports of "tool trouble" within the business. Reporter Rob Kirkbride of The Grand Rapids Press reveals that there's much more to Quixtar than selling soap, makeup, energy drinks and water-treatment equipment.
Commonly called "tools" in the Quixtar world, most of these items are created by IBOs at the highest levels. They are designed to keep people selling and to recruit others into the business.
Critics claim the "kingpin" distributors make more money off the tapes, meetings and books than selling Quixtar products. They also complain that lower-level salespeople fork over a lot of hard-earned money for the materials.
Profits from those materials are at the core of a lawsuit in Missouri that has ensnared Quixtar and several large distributors.
It's really a thorough article that provides quotes from the Quixtar faithful as well as critics like Eric Scheibeler. And unlike the Dateline NBC investigation Quixtar actually goes on the record, responding to some of the concerns about tool businesses like Orrin Woodward's TEAM.
Quixtar acknowledges problems with the tools business.
Managing Director Jim Payne said Amway co-founder Rich DeVos left a long legacy as a motivator.
"When you look back at the history of the company, motivation and training have always been important elements of the business," he said.
"As we grew, we made mistakes with it," he said. "The last four to five years, we've done a much better job and set up safeguards to protect IBOs."
The company — part of Ada-based Alticor — is working to create "transparency" so new IBOs know what to expect and what the rules are, Payne said.
It's good to see some quality reporting about Quixtar from the hometown daily paper.
December 16, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 42
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
QBlog's 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: I absolutely LOVE Ageless Xtra and I want
to join up with Oasis. What do I need to do?
Answer: What's with all the Oasis LifeSciences questions? Sheesh. Do you have
$1,285 handy?
Q: I think so. I'll check with my wife but I think I
can spare that for this business.
A: Great. There are cheaper options but I think the $1,285 sign up package is
what everyone recommends. And of course you've quit at least two other Multi-Level
Marketing businesses in the past 15 years right?
Q: What? No. What are you talking about?
A: Oasis doesn't allow anyone to join unless they've quit at least two other
MLMs. Didn't you know that?
Q: No I didn't know that. That's absurd! Are you sure
about that?
A: Absolutely. Marshall Douglas. Al Keranen. Bo Short. Ty Tribble. The list
goes on and on.
Q: What about Joe Land?
A: He's a special case because he also ran his own tool business for a few years.
Q: Hmmm. Well I sent off one of those chain letters
in grade school and my sister was in Avon for a few years. Does that count?
A: No, I'm afraid not. Sorry.
Q: Damn. Well, I can at least be a customer and buy
the Ageless Xtra right?
A: Only if you can answer positively to the following question: Do you believe
that Ponce de Leon was really looking for the fountain of youth?
Q: Sure, I guess.
A: Ok, you can be a customer.
Q: My upline can kick your upline's butt!
A: This is the Help Desk™, we don't have uplines here.
Q: Oh. Well he could still kick your butt.
A: That's nice to know. Why the hostility.
Q: I'm just sick of the other kids always putting down
Quixtar and saying it's a baby business. It's not a baby business. It's the
greatest business in the world and great people like my upline are building
it every day.
A: Baby business? What kids? How old are you?
Q: Nine.
A: Ok. Don't you mean your parent's upline?
Q: No, my parents won't join. I'm talking about my
upline.
A: Aren't you a little young to be an IBO?
Q: My upline says I'm showing great potential. I just
give him half my allowance each week and I get an IBOAI coloring book, some
"Freedom" trading cards and XS Cherry Blast.
A: Is your upline in BWW?
Q: Yeah.
A: Figures.
Q: Did you go to Achievers in Dallas?
A: No. We weren't invited and most of us at the Help Desk™ are a little
miffed.
Q: Well, I just got back and it was a blast. Sorry you
missed it.
A: We made our own fun up here at the Help Desk™ headquarters.
Q: What did you do?
A: We played Kingpin Charades. Acted out different Quixtar Kingpins
and tried to guess which one it was.
Q: That sounds like a lot of fun.
A: It was. And it's really fun after downing a couple of bottles of
Goldschlager.
December 15, 2005
Inside and Out Podcast
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
There's a new podcaster out there talking about everybody's favorite MLM. The Quixtar Inside and Out blog featured its inaugural podcast today discussing the "truth about tool money."
Check it out and listen. It's only about 12 minutes long. Good stuff. I hope to hear more.
The Passport Question
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
I was chatting with a former Passport Associate today about Bo Short's recent move to Oasis LifeSciences. He posed the following question:
How many people would have joined Passport if they knew that it would end like it did?
That's an excellent question.
How many people who signed up with Bo Short's Passport business would have done so with the knowledge that it would essentially fold after four years and move to Oasis LifeSciences? Would you?
December 13, 2005
Investigating Oasis LifeSciences - Ownership
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
Who owns Oasis LifeSciences?
The Oasis Global Resources page mentions that the company is part of an "ECONET" owned by Bill Lee. What the page doesn't mention is that Lee is also the Chairman of Univera, Inc., a South Korean biotech. Univera happens to be the parent company of Oasis LifeSciences, which is a division of MaxCell BioScience.
Confused?
If Oasis LifeSciences is a subsidiary of Univera, why isn't that information clearly posted on the Oasis website? A quick search of the site reveals that the word "Univera" appears less than a dozen times and none of those instances explain the relationship between Oasis LifeSciences and Univera.
For contrast take a look at Quixtar's relationship with parent company Alticor. According to Google, the word "Alticor" appears on www.quixtar.com almost 1,000 times. There's no confusion about who owns Quixtar.
Coverup?
While doing research about the ownership of Oasis LifeSciences I made a curious discovery. A Google Cached page of the Oasis LifeSciences website lists Derek Hall as the Vice Chairman and CEO of Univera Inc. However, the live page simply lists Hall as the "Chief Executive Officer" and makes no mention of his role with Univera.
Is it possible that Hall recently ended his role as Vice Chairman and CEO of Univera and the live page at the Oasis site simply reflects that new reality? I suppose but I did find a Nutracon China Conference schedule from December 3, 2005, where Hall is listed as "Vice-Chairman & CEO, Univera Inc." And why doesn't this November 17, 2005, post from the former Passport blog mention Hall's role at Univera? The post generously mentions his roles with other companies but nary a word about Univera. I wonder why that is?
Strange and Suspicious
Seriously, I wonder why I can't find more information about Univera. Hell, I can't even find an official Univera, Inc. website. It's 2005 and a 28-year-old company with 1,000 employees and $200 million annual revenue doesn't have a website? What's up with that?
I probably wouldn't be so suspicious if I didn't know about Operation Cure.All and the recent name change (circa 2004) at Oasis LifeSciences (formerly Oasis Wellness Network). What's still confusing is how Univera, MaxCell BioScience and Oasis LifeSciences all fit together. And there's probably a really good explanation for all this but I can't understand why that explanation isn't really easy to find. That's what has me so curious.
If you can shed light on all this please send me an email or leave a comment.
UPDATE: Ty Tribble has published two entries on his blog explaining that Univera is the parent company of Oasis LifeSciences. Tribble is new to Oasis, coming from Passport and Quixtar before that.
More Information
December 12, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 65
By QBlog in Reader Mail
Better late than never. This installment of Reader Mail is similar to many emails I receive, simply wondering what I really think about Quixtar.
name: Christy H.
date: December 9, 2005
message: Just curious about how you feel about the business - really. Or I guess I am curious about your wifes experience.
My Husband and I joined for a short time - spent alot of money on tapes/books/products and discovered that this business eats alot of TIME and MONEY at the beginning and that it would truly take a lot of both to build to the point that you are making anything.
And we also quickly realized that you would spend the rest of your life as a cheer leader to keep your "team" producing to maintain your income. The start up fee was painless but they get you in the cost of educating about the business. I guess it's great for some people but not if you have or want a life outside of Quixtar - like a family. Well, for what is worth that's my opinion, but I am curious about your experience.
Thanks
My wife has mixed emotions about her involvement with Quixtar. She truly believes that many of the Quixtar products are superb and of the highest quality. She would use them today if they weren't so expensive. However, she will also tell you that she probably won't get involved with the business again (even if I didn't run this blog) because she thinks there are better ways to spend her "free time."
I believe that Quixtar, like all male-dominated MLM businesses, is fundamentally flawed. There are no exceptions.
That doesn't mean that people building a Quixtar business are fundamentally flawed. In fact, many Quixtar IBOs are honest, respectable, hard-working Americans (and Canadians) trying to earn extra money for retirement, their children's college, a dream vacation or peace of mind. I genuinely admire those IBOs.
However, I also understand that there are some serious problems within Quixtar and many of the Lines of Affiliation. Some uplines use cult-like tactics to manipulate their downline. That is part of the dark underbelly of Quixtar.
But I don't want to jump on my soapbox right now and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the business. I think I've already explained my opinions on this blog over the past three years. The advice I always give people curious about Quixtar is to thoroughly research, ask lots of questions and treat it like a business instead of a hobby. I gave my sister that exact advice when Danny Snipes' son tried to recruit her into the business.
December 11, 2005
Impersonation Game
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Rich Little is a comedian whose claim to fame is impersonating celebrities. His acts include impersonations of people like Peter Falk, Richard Nixon, Cary Grant and Dr. Phil. I've always been fascinated by people, like Little, who can skillfully mimic the voice and mannerisms of others.
Today I'd like to experiment just a bit and try an impersonation of my own, on this blog. You'll have to use your imagination since the impersonation will utilize text instead of voice and gestures. I'll do the impersonation and you try to guess who it is I'm trying to mimic.
Who Am I?
Man, Quixtar is awesome. I love it. You really need to join and experience this wonderful business. The products are superior and the opportunity is so exciting. Our team is one of the best in the business and our leadership will guide you to the type of success you desire.
Man, Passport is awesome. I love it. You really need to join and experience this wonderful business. The products are fabulous. It's so much better than Quixtar. All the problems and abuses present in Quixtar are absent in Passport. And the Passport leadership is so much better than Quixtar's leadership. It's run the way MLM businesses should be run.
Wow, Oasis LifeSciences is awesome. It's so much better than Passport and Quixtar. The products are superior to any product on the market. And the leadership is the best in the industry. This business will provide you with the opportunity to achieve the type of success you desire.
Enter your guesses of who I'm impersonating in the comments. Thanks for playing.
December 9, 2005
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 41
By QBlog in Farcical Help Desk
QBlog's 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: Do you know how totally freakin' pumped up
I am right now?
Answer: Uh, no. Did you just work out or something?
Q: No man. I mean pumped up for this business. I'm absolutely
on fire right now. I'm going Diamond in like three months. I'm FIRED UP!
A: Right...
Q: I just showed the plan five times last night. Five
damn times in one night. I did it four times the night before. I'll be platinum
by Christmas baby.
A: That's nice.
Q: What? You don't believe me? You doubt my skills?
I got the fever man and ain't no stopping me. I listen to more CDs in one day
than probably anyone else on the planet. I'm the Rocky Balboa of Quixtar!
A: Yeah. I believe you. That's great. How can I help you?
Q: Help me? Help me? I should be helping YOU! I don't
need no help man.
A: Well, you did call the Help Desk™ didn't you?
Q: Oh. Uh... yeah. I guess I did. Hmmmm. Well, can I
get a refund on some XS? I didn't like the Rootbeer
Blast stuff too much.
A: Platinum by Christmas huh? Yes, I can help you get a refund. What's your
IBO number?
Q: IBO number. That. Hmmmm. Well, there's this funny
story and you know, I really totally forgot what my number is and I don't have
it written down anywhere so I was hoping you could look it up for me.
A: I see. This may take a little while. Let me transfer you to my supervisor.
Q: Great. Uh... thanks.
A: No prob.
Q: So what's up with that Jacey
Wyatt chic? Is she some ultra-hot IBO or what?
A: Her body's great but dude, I'm sorry, she's got a man-face.
Q: I wasn't looking at her face. Know what I mean?
A: I know exactly what you mean but you can't deny that she's got a butter face.
Q: Butter face? What's that?
A: You know. Butter
face. Everything but-her-face is attractive.
Q: Oh man that's harsh. So is she a scantily-clad IBO
or what?
A: I'm not sure. It looks like the press
release was changed. I swear it
had her IBO number on it at one point.
Q: Well, she's definitely hot and if she is an IBO,
I'd want to be in her downline.
A: I wouldn't mind being personally sponsored by her one bit. Recruit
me baby.
Q: I heard that Oasis LifeSciences has this elixir that
gets rid of crabs. Where can I get some of that?
A: I'm not sure what you're talking about. This is the QBlog Farcical Help Desk™
and we sort of deal with Quixtar questions. Not Oasis.
Q: So you don't know where I can get the patented Crab-Away
formula?
A: Sorry. Afraid not.
Q: Damn. I really need some. See I got this really bad
infestation...
A: That's enough. I really don't need to know about your crab problem.
Q: It itches like crazy and nothing I try has worked.
I'm desperate and I know Oasis products work. I used some of their exclusive
Herpes-Be-Gone on my girlfriend last year and it got rid of her herpes.
A: Dude. You can't get rid of herpes.
Q: Herpes-Be-Gone got rid of it. I'm not kidding. She
used that stuff and in like a week it was all cleared up.
A: Right. You know it usually clears up in about a week anyway. But
the virus does not die. It just lays dormant.
Q: Oh. Really?
A: Yeah. Really.
Your Privacy At Quixtar
By QBlog in Quixtar
This morning Wired published a nice piece about worker privacy that I think might be particularly helpful to Quixtar employess in light of recent firings and resignations at the Big Q.
If you have internet access at work, there's a very good chance your employer has a system in place to monitor your online activities.
So, if you're concerned about privacy, take heed. Under current U.S. law, there's little you can do to protect the confidentiality of your internet use on the job. Here's a rundown of the rights you don't have at work.
In fact David Ellyatt, who recently resigned his position as Quixtar's Web Marketing Manager, posted some similar warnings on his blog just last month.
There has been a lot of discussion at Quixtar over the last couple of weeks as to what is ethical or legal to do on work time, or when using a Quixtar owned laptop outside of work time.
The message is clear — when you're at work assume that your every electronic move is being monitored and logged. Keep your nose clean and to the grindstone and you'll be just fine.
UPDATE: It appears that David Ellyatt's Quixtar and Beyond blog has been removed from the Internet. It's also gone from the "Official Quixtar Blog Index" page.
Quixtar Partnerships
By QBlog in Quixtar
Brand association is a classic marketing strategy. A company highlights the celebrities and respected organizations that it does business with hoping that such associations will be viewed as a type of endorsement. It's a very effective tactic and Quixtar is one of many corporations that have almost perfected its use.
However, the reality is that such associations often don't mean much. If Alan Greenspan eats lunch at Wendy's every week, does that mean you should buy Wendy's stock? Probably not. Yet it's not uncommon for Quixtar IBOs to characterize Quixtar's business associations as endorsements.
Scott Larsen has compiled an intriguing examination of this marketing strategy and basically shot it full of holes. Turns out Quixtar did business with Enron and MCI Worldcom, perpetrators of some of the largest corporate scandals in U.S. history. Nice.
The lesson here is simple. Businesses do business with other businesses all the time. That doesn't represent an endorsement. It just means they're doing business and the bills are getting paid. Sure, sometimes it can mean more than that but in most cases it means virtually nothing.
December 6, 2005
Quixtar Chatter - December 6, 2005
By QBlog in Quixtar Chatter
- The Quixtar-Amway Infiltrator. Is this guy for real?
- Eric's got an opportunity and it's not a get-rich-quick scheme
- Someone buy this guy one of those "Oh No! Not THE PLAN!" t-shirts
- Did you know April is a pro volleyball athlete selling Quixtar
- Is it just me or does Jacey Wyatt have a man-face? Oh, and she also is now affiliated with Quixtar
Investigating Oasis LifeSciences - Cure.All
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
So, what's going on with Oasis LifeSciences? I've been doing quite a bit of research since learning that Bo Short was essentially dissolving his Passport business to join his former Quixtar friends at Oasis. That research has uncovered information you won't find on the Oasis controlled blogs.
Today I'm launching a multi-part series dedicated to sharing my discoveries about Oasis LifeSciences and its principle players.
Operation Cure.All
According to the Rocky Mountain News, Oasis LifeSciences was "formerly known as MaxCell BioScience and Oasis Wellness Network." It's not immediately clear when the name "Oasis LifeSciences" was developed but the domain, oasislifesciences.com, was registered June, 2004.
Why would MaxCell BioScience and Oasis Wellness Network change the company name? It's only been in business a little over six years. Could it be an effort to avoid being connected to Operation Cure.All?
What is Operation Cure.All?
Operation Cure.All was a Federal sting operation designed to stop Internet scams for products that purport to cure a variety of ailments. The Operation was part of a coordinated effort headed by the FTC with help from the FDA, Health Canada and various state Attorneys General. MaxCell BioScience was one of several companies caught in the investigation.
The FTC complaint details the charges against what is now known as Oasis LifeSciences.
The Federal Trade Commission, having reason to believe that MaxCell BioScience, Inc., a corporation, and Stephen Cherniske, individually and as an officer of the corporation ("respondents"), have violated the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act
After being busted for making "numerous allegedly false and unsubstantiated health claims" the FTC ordered MaxCell BioScience and Stephen Cherniske to abide by a detailed settlement agreement. The agreement includes paying a $150,000 fine to the FTC as well as ceasing a variety of health claims about products.
Did You Know?
Does the reality of Operation Cure.All mean you shouldn't get involved with Oasis LifeSciences? No, not at all. I'm merely sharing information that might be useful in your decision making. The final order was issued July 30, 2001 (a few months before Bo Short launched Passport) and a lot can change in four years. I certainly can't find evidence of any new sting operations involving Oasis. If this isn't information you care about, then simply ignore it.
UPDATE: I've received information from Brett Dabe explaining that "MaxCell BioScience is still in operation. All corporate checks are paid through Maxcell. The change from Oasis Wellness Network to Oasis Life Sciences was marketing strategy."
Yeah, the change from Amway to Quixtar was marketing strategy too.
Also, it's funny that none of the newly converted Passport blogs mention MaxCell BioScience as the parent company of Oasis LifeSciences. In fact, the MLM Blog recently removed a comment that made the MaxCell/Oasis connection. Compare the current post and the Google Cache copy.
See Also
December 5, 2005
Monday Reader Mail: 64
By QBlog in Reader Mail
I love thought-provoking emails and today's Reader Mail doesn't disappoint.
name: Mat
date: December 2, 2005
message: If you truely support the first amendment show others this site
Obviously I support the First Amendment. My love of Free Speech is one of reasons I publish this blog. However, I also understand that one of the realities of Free Speech is the need to embrace all types of rhetoric — including acrimonious and offensive comments.
Attack Blogs
The Forbes article, "Attack of the Blogs," that Mat referenced examines some of the more unsavory characters in the Blogosphere. Reporter Daniel Lyons details the case of Gregory Halpern, CEO of Circle Group Holdings, and describes how his business suffered after being attacked by a masquerading blogger.
Then the bloggers attacked. A supposed crusading journalist launched an online campaign long on invective and wobbly on facts, posting articles on his Web log (blog) calling Halpern "deceitful," "unethical," "incredibly stupid" and "a pathological liar" who had misled investors. The author claimed to be Nick Tracy, a London writer who started his one-man "watchdog" Web site, our-street.com, to expose corporate fraud.
It turns out that Nick Tracy was really an Oregon man named Timothy Miles who is facing SEC charges. Halpern and his business appears to be the victim of an old-fashioned smear campaign of the worst kind.
Lyons goes on to explain how many bloggers routinely victimize corporations like CBS, Microsoft and IBM. He also points out that sites like Google (with their Blogger.com service) allow people to post blogs with virtually total anonymity, encouraging vitriolic content.
Google and other services operate with government-sanctioned impunity, protected from any liability for anything posted on the blogs they host. Thus they serve up vitriolic "content" without bearing any legal responsibility for ensuring it is fair or accurate; at times they even sell ads alongside the diatribes.
Are All Blogs Vitriolic?
But is the picture really as bleak as Lyons paints? He admits that "attack blogs are but a sliver of the rapidly expanding blogosphere" and he's absolutely right. Bloggers do a lot of good, investigative work (remember Dan Rather?) and blogs provide a valuable publication tool to those living in oppressive regimes (Iranian bloggers).
And consider "attack blogs" that share the truth. They're not all partisan muckrakers out to destroy (Wal-Mart Watch blog) but many are simply consumer advocates supporting change in business, government or industry. And there's this to consider, blogs that libel or lie aren't protected by the First Amendment. It may be difficult to track down the author of an anonymous blog but even Gregory Halpern tracked down Timothy Miles.
Don't Break The Law
Bloggers need to follow the law while exercising their First Amendment rights. The EFF provides some guidelines for bloggers who may not understand defamation. Blogging is quite possibly the most powerful publication method in history so don't abuse that power, especially when covering controversial topics.
Obviously there will always be a few bad apples but you don't have to be one of them. Be responsible. Be accountable. Don't break the law.
Examining Stephen Cherniske
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
I've been doing a little old-fashioned research about the Oasis LifeSciences Multi-Level Marketing business. That research has yielded many interesting discoveries, one of which focuses on Stephen Cherniske, President and Chief Science Officer of Oasis LifeSciences.
Apparently Cherniske has caught the attention of Stephen Barrett, an MD who runs consumer watchdog sites such as Nutriwatch, Quackwatch and MLM Watch. Barrett points out that Cherniske's master's degree was obtained from Columbia Pacific University, a college that was shut down by a California Court a few years ago.
Of course Cherniske takes issue with Barrett's criticisms and has responded with criticisms of his own (pdf).
I attended Columbia Pacific University from 1979 to 1982. The school, as Dr. Barrett admits, was accredited at that time, and my degree requirements were quite stringent. Fifteen years later, after several administration changes, the college lost its certification. Thus the flap referenced by Dr. Barrett only affects students who attended after June of 1997. Still, he includes me in a list of recent graduates from Columbia Pacific University, hoping to disparage by association what he cannot say in print.
I'll let you decide what to think about Cherniske's credentials. My goal is simple — to inform.
December 4, 2005
MLM Companies Feud Over Product
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
According to the Rocky Mountain News, two MLM businesses are in court disputing the origins of a "pricey anti-aging product."
Oasis LifeSciences claims that rival Resource Maxima has stolen the forumla for its herbal-based vitamin concentrate AgelessXtra.
Oasis says Resource Maxima's patent and trademark violations are doing double damage by luring Oasis distributors to Resource Maxima's business. Shunning grocery stores and vitamin shops, both companies advertise on the Internet. To purchase the products, customers must go through a sales distribution network made up of individual entrepreneurs operating out of their homes.
In September 2004, Oasis - formerly known as MaxCell BioScience and Oasis Wellness Network in Broomfield - relocated to Lacey, Wash., taking 28 of its 80 Colorado employees.
Interesting. Did you know Oasis LifeSciences changed its name in 2004? Did you know the Oasis LifeSciences domain was registered in June 2004?
December 3, 2005
We Have No Titles
By QBlog in Oasis LifeSciences
From Bo Short talking about his Passport business:
We have no Titles!
As an author on books about leadership I have been struck by something very interesting while interviewing great leaders; the more confident they are in their ability, the less concerned they are with titles. I believe that many people in this industry that achieve so-called pin-levels, while hard-workers, are not necessarily leaders. Each of our teammates are called Independent Associates. A leader should be allowed to make an impact immediately, even if they do not wear a fancy title. If it is your business your voice should be heard.
A couple of things to point out. The BoShort.info page is now forwarded to the Ty Tribble directory of MLM Blog. I find that odd.
Also, Short has essentially folded his title-free Passport business to join up with some former Amway/Quixtar friends in the Oasis LifeSciences MLM. And yes, Oasis has titles including the illustrious "Diamond."
In September 2004, Bo Short uses the absence of titles to market his business but in November 2005, titles (however goofy) are fine as long as they aren't Quixtar titles. What a difference a year makes.
December 2, 2005
Quixtar Joke Building
By QBlog in Quixtar
Google Book Search is pretty darn cool. If you haven't tried it, I recommend poking around to see what you can find.
Last week I did a search for "Quixtar" and found So, You're a Comedian, Tell Me a Joke by Tim Hentzell. There's an interesting explanation of joke creation on page 25.
This is where I would like to stop and give you a little sales pitch on the wonderful world of Amway. Actually they are called Quixtar. You can go to their website and order many quality products. No, I don't mean selling soap and vitamins, but using the concept that is used in the "business" to write comedy.
The Quixtar (another plug for them) approach to writing a joke is the same way an IBO explains how you will make money. You take a circle and you get three circles under the first circle and the circles under that get three more circles and son and so on.
You want to be the circle at the top. If it is viewed in a certain way it might, I am saying might, look like a pyramid. Now how does that apply to writing a joke?
Hentzell goes on to explain the process of thinking broad and narrowing it down. Think of a car. Then a Nissan. Then list three types of Nissans. Then think of three characteristics of one of those types, etc.
The aspect of this that intrigues me is how Quixtar is slowly entering our lexicon and how that entry is inextricably tied to Amway.
QBlog's Farcical Help Desk - 40
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: Has the Help
Desk™ staff enjoyed their free time during the server
migration?
Answer: Heck yeah. We learned how to play Texas Holdem and boy is that a fun
game.
Q: So you just played poker the whole time?
A: Pretty much. We also played craps and canasta but I think everyone will agree
that Texas Holdem is much more entertaining.
Q: So I take it you won?
A: Well, let's just say that Lance will be mowing my lawn every summer for the
next five years.
Q: Sweetness.
A: You know it.
Q: I'm looking for a really great business opportunity.
Can you help?
A: Have you considered Quixtar?
Q: Yeah. I actually did Quixtar for a couple of years
but didn't really like it. I'm looking for something better. Any suggestions?
A: Well, have you looked at Passport?
Q: Yeah. I signed up last year and liked it alright
but it just didn't seem to fit my style. I need a business where I could make
a lot of money real fast. Besides, I hear Passport
is closing shop soon.
A: Oh yeah, I think I heard something about that the other day. Well,
you could try Oasis LifeSciences.
Q: My girlfriend is doing that and the money seems ok
but it costs like $1,200 to join up! Where am I going to get that kinda bread?
A: I know what you could do. A chain letter. They're pretty cheap to
start up and you can earn thousands in no time at all. Have you considered chain
letters?
Q: Hmmm. Now there's a thought. How much are stamps
going for these days?
A: Only 37 cents brotha. Only 37 cents.
Q: This guy in my downline keeps trying to get me to
sleep with him. What should I do?
A: Ok, first question. Are you male or female?
Q: Uh, can't you tell by my voice?
A: No. You sound like a cross between Kathleen Turner and Harvey Fierstein so
it could go either way. You smoke don't you?
Q: Yes, I do smoke and I'm a 45-year-old man. So, what
should I do?
A: Well, the answer should be pretty simple unless you're gay. Are you
gay?
Q: No, of course not. I mean, I don't hate gay people
or anything. Well, see there was this one time in college... but I didn't really
like it too much.
A: Uh huh.
Q: Seriously. I'm not gay. But he is a really nice guy
and he is my fastest growing leg. This guy could help me get Diamond by next
August.
A: So, you're considering sleeping with him even though you're not gay?
Q: Diamond man. I'm talking DIAMOND!
A: I'd still have to say "don't do it" but it's entirely your
call man.
The OCS Debate
By QBlog in Quixtar
Is Quixtar an Order Consolidation Site or is it a Multi-Level Marketing business opportunity? You decide.