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September 10, 2006
I've Been Amwayed
By QBlog in Amway
Comments
Thanks Qblog,
Now THAT song will be stuck in my head all day tomorrow...
The individuals portrayed in this film may have participated in illegal activities, yet part of owning your own business is making decisions, right or wrong. Just because a few individuals supposedly broke the law does not mean that all of the people involved in this business are wrong. It would be wise to consider the millions who uphold the integrity that the business stands for.
I'm no fan of the Devos family, but I just can't hang with this video. It's a total hatchet job. Some of those negative things do apply the Dick, but a lot doesn't. I think the Quixtar opportunity is not a good one, but I'm not going to support a video like this.
Who cares what Robert Blakey says? Is he qualified to make such a statement? Personally, I will listen to those who can teach me how to have what I want out of life. I don't think that Robert Blakey or anyone of you here except those who seriously pursue the opportunity can teach me just that. So, stick to your daily 9 to 5 (or whatever time frame) job that will allow you to pay your bills, to accumulate stress, to desesperate over money matters and to have an average life style overall.
I cares what blakey says. You know who he is right? He's No: 1 expert in organized crime and I think he did some big stuff with RICO ACT.
Kendell: What is factually wrong with the video?
If you do a little research, Christian, you will find Robert Blakey is the author of the US Federal RICO law. You can find Blakely's bio here: http://law.nd.edu/faculty/facultypages/blakey.html
For more information on RICO, you can go here: http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/laws/majorlaw/rico/rico.htm
And last but not least, you can find Blakey's Amway report here: http://www.amquix.info/blakey.html
I agree mostly with Kendall's sentiments, except for the fact that I believe Blakey analyzed the Amway business itself, and if this is true, his analysis is very pertinent. As for the criminal activities some high pins were involved in, I don't think DeVos has anything to do with them. In fact, if I am not mistaken, a number of IBOships were terminated. But I'm sure some opponents of his campaign came up with this, and in politics, hitting below the belt is quite normal.
But it was interesting to see how many big pins defrauded their downline in systems that claim to be founded with integrity.
Hey Robert Blakey is right, let's refund all the monies that IBOs foolishly spent on the amway/quixtar businesses over the years, because the business followed patterns of illegal activity.
While we're at it, why doesn't the U.S. give back their entire portion of the north american continent to the indian population that we unfairly took it from.
At least the ex-IBOs initially had a choice regarding their actions.....
Wow! Out of the thousands of emeralds and above in North America over the years, there were that few that abused the positions to that extent? I'm sure if there were more then a political campaign would have found them! And that's it? That's all? I'm surprised .... seems this business has, in general, even more integrity than I thought! :-)
Could someone put lyrics here, please? I don't understand the text of the song well. Thank you. Excellent audio. BTW: Is Pat Boone still in Amway?
There doesn't seem to be anything factually wrong with the video other than implying that all of those things listed are the fault of Dick Devos. I just don't like political hack jobs. We all know why this video was created. I just don't care for those types of things.
For example, why bring up the P&G thing? That was Randy Haugen's idiocy. Also, why bring up some of the other problems of individual Diamonds? Yes, those are problems individually, but I don't think they should be associated with Dick Devos.
The real problems are the systemic problems that the Postma memo and Blakely report show. That's where I think Dick should be held accountable because he didn't do "dick" about them.
Thank you to: Kendall, Tim, Cristian Anton, & Rene DeCartes. People that have nothing better then to put down something that works. Which have been proven over and over by Emeralds and Diamonds. I'm in the Quixtar business and I'm so proud because it has changed my life. My upline never taught me to be an average IBO. The average IBO never signs up not one other IBO. Where since the day I got started I never stop signing up 1 to 2 people per month. That is why I make money in the business. Average people never do anything in their lives. You know why I will go Diamond it's because of my work ethic. For the people that support this site, let me guess you probably have a job and your working it as we speak. For the people that put Rich Devos down, these are the same people that if given the opportunity would switch with his life in a blink of any eye. Tell me I'm wrong. Here is my e-mail address babyruben10@yahoo.com Bring it, I'll tell you what a loser you are for not getting in the business.
Ruben, successful people do not have to tell others they are losers. Only other losers do that.
And Ruben, here are a couple of questions. First, how much was your last month's profit, i.e. bonus check minus expenses? Second, how much of your bonus check came from member/client purchases, from downline purchases, and from your own purchases? And third, if you know, how profitable was your downline?
Also, Ruben, answer this. According to the Small Business Administrations, about 5% of the USA population owns his or her own business. They also state that 40% of these businesses are still owned and operated by the original owner after 5 years, meaning that the general public has a success chance of 2% if they open their own business. With Amway/Quixtar, the success rate is infinitesimal (really small). Less then 1 IBO in 240 reach platinum, and only 1 in about 14,000 ever reach diamond!
Assuming these statistics are true, how can anyone claim AmQuix to be the best opportunity out there, when the general populace has a much higher chance of success in small business versus the IBO?
Alright Guys,
Let's be real here. THE ONLY REASON PEOPLE DONT SUCCEED IN QUIXTAR is because they don't have what it takes...ie: integrity, intestinal fortitude, the drive, the dream, they are not teachable, their not accountable, and they associate with the wrong people....probably people who tell them they can't do it, or that the only way to make it is climb up the corporate ladder. What they forgot to tell them is there is no such thing as JOB SECURITY...if there were then 50 yr olds would not be getting replaced by 22 yr olds and left with nothing. just a tip...YOU ARE WHO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH and I choose to associate with men and women who are successful, who teach me, want the best for me in ALL areas of my life not just what I can do for them.....I don't think it is a mistake that the divorce rate in AMERICA IS almost 60% and the divorce rate among Quixtar team is less than 2%. Im just saying. SECOND the actual statistic is 95% of small business start ups go bankrupt within the first five years...which leaves only 5% which are somewhat successful...and those owners still do not have any time bc they have to watch their business to make sure it is run properly. You choose if you will go platinum...those who don't obviously are themselves lacking in something NOT the company.....why don't you go check out thisbiznow.com and SEE FACTS...then come talk to me...stop blowing smoke (weaberdude@hotmail)...there is a difference between perceptions and theories VS. facts and truth...gimme a shout if you want...AND BY the way no one is a loser I hate that Rueben said that bc your right a winner doesn't have to point out the losers. But we are not all like...but there are different teams inside quixtar...and not all of them have integrity (not saying you don't Rueben...but that was an off color comment)
Im 23 and looking forward to my future...to each his own.
Illegal...HAHA!!! Learn facts before you speak false beliefs...People always talk about things they don't know, understand, or make them uncomfortable. Because you don't have what it takes to step out of your comfort zone, ya'll got to go and try and bring other people who you know are going somewhere down with you because you know they will make it...Another little tip...read the Dream Giver...just do it...
95% small biz failed...??? Ha...ha...
Since 7% of household is millionaire, and not all household own their own biz, either:
- JOBS makes a LOT of millionaires
- The 95% failure rate is hot air
Also, as usual, 5% success rate is BAD. But wait until you hear that only 0.16% of IBOs are Q12 Plat...
Could someone please identify what group those folks belonged to - because they are apparently the ones giving Quixtar a bad name....
Regardless, those were all new and refreshing insights. But, someone needs to get back on again and mention that it's not a cult.
Adam can't be for real. People just aren't naive enough to spew those silly statistics that have been invalidated over and over again. A simple google proves them wrong.
I'm convinced people like "Adam" are actually Quixtar critics trying to look like bright eyed, fired-up kool-aid drinkers in order to prove the stereotype or just for kicks.
People like Adam just can't exist, not in the new, improved, we-don't-lie and we-back-up-our-facts Quixtar.
No one can be that clueless, so don't be fooled. He'll never tell his group or give details because he's not actually in Quixtar.
Haha..oh no Adam is for real and not full of hot air...who is naive here? haha you poor poor people...your right I am a part of a cult...or is that just you trying to justify why YOU don't have what it takes or a back bone to go against those who tell you can't do something. Quixtar has a proven system that works. If it doesn't then go find Chris Jenson who's friends from college told him all the crap ya'll are saying on here and that he couldn't do it YET somehow this 23 yr old kid in fact did do it because he has what i like to call CHARACTER...and doesn't let people who are just average decide his future....BUT your right it's just a cult and a scam and well he probably doesn't make 6 figures a year as an emerald...Its all a lie...or is he just one of the infinitely small numbers as it was so elequently put...What is he just lucky....only a few can luck out...is that what your saying? really? Wow...or maybe he is one of the few serious ones who DID WHAT IT TAKES....guys guys..ya'll are confused but i guess its not your fault...take care...I got better things to do than to waste anymore time on here trying to prove you guys otherwise...fact is your probably broke now and probably will stay that way...over extended...debt, financing a car are ya, a tv, spendin more than your making? haha that's what I thought....later
Adam, here is a link for you that refutes your 95% of all businesses fail claim. http://www.sba.gov/advo/stats/bh_sbe03.pdf
Here is an excerpt.
"Phillips and Kirchhoff (1989) mentioned the myth of 9 out of 10 new businesses closing in their first year. But using Dun & Bradstreet data they found that 76 percent of new firms were open after two years, 47 percent after four years and 38 percent after six years."
That is open with the same owner. It does not take into account firms such as mine that was started by two partners, and bought after 2 1/2 years by an international company. One partner cashed out (and is living quite nicely), and the other is now CEO of our office, now a wholely owned subsidiary.
Now, Adam, I have shown you that your 95% number is wrong. Proof from the SBA. Can you please back up your 2% divorce rate claim in Quixtar? Any documentation will suffice.
hey genius its 95% of START UP business' first of all and that link DID YOU ACTUALLY READ IT...hmm its talks about early 90s and never mentions any start up companies...its about successful business' that close down and why. And sure I would agree that succesful business close...but you can't tell me or show me anything that refutes that right now 95% of business that start up won't fail or go under in the FIRST 5 years....that is not proof there brother. Im just saying...
Don't feed him! No one could possibly have bought the propaganda that whole heartedly! I'm telling you, it's a critic trying to make hard-working IBOs look like Kool-Aid drinking drones.
"Adam", you should be ashamed, you dream stealer! Stop trying to make life harder for other IBOs by making the business look like some kind of scam. Get off the internet and do something (like read a junior high English textbook)!
"Phillips and Kirchhoff (1989) mentioned the myth of 9 out of 10 new businesses closing in their first year. But using Dun & Bradstreet data they found that 76 percent of new firms were open after two years, 47 percent after four years and 38 percent after six years."
What, pray tell Adam, is the difference between a "new" business and a "start up" business? I believe they mean the same thing, which then means my link and quote are accurate. In fact, my quote even mentions the 90% failure myth, and if you read the entire PDF, you will know it is addressing exactly that MYTH!
Still waiting on your Quixtar divorce rate confirmation, and I would suggest you work on your reading comprehension, Adam.
Adam are you gay?
Ron,
That is an uncalled for and extremely OUT OF LINE Question/statement to make! I am apalled you have the gall to ask someone that! Please follow the rules of the blog: "please keep comments *on-topic* and *civil*. Comments containing flames, trolls, or personal attacks are discouraged and may be deleted"
If I were Qblog, I would delete your comment as fast as possible. Sexual orientation has absolutely NOTHING to do with the business discussion at hand, or has nothing to do with someone's participation in the business.
Ron, I would highly suggest you refrain from making comments such as that again, and out of respect, please apologize to Adam, for even making such an ubsurd comment.
Please don't even think about or assume that just because I am commenting about this that, I am gay. It irks me the most when people have to STOOP to the level you just did.
People, people, people, Homophobic or otherwise we are all needing to settle down, and methinks some protest to much?
All we need to do is think about life in a more straight laced Jesus loving manner (except for the disdain for money part), the Quixtar way!
If you can get 3 people to settle down, and then they can get 3 people each to settle down...and so forth...well then thats SETTLED!
Think of how much easier it would be to let good honest duplicated people like Adam succeed in this world while mocking us, unhampered by "negative" reply.
I say if you can't understand his line of reasoning, well then your just not trying hard enough to ignore your stinkin thinkin
Because we all know, thinkin is for Broke @$$ losers that have J.O.B.s only fit for primates. Yes I mean you, you gay little monkey you.
Poof! The Quix has left the building.
Okay any other for real IBOs apparently we are missing communication lines here. First the small business facts 95%, 40%, whatever..do not really matter...that has no effect on whether or not anyone will make it in Quixtar. Rueben RIGHT ON when you said you will make it because you have the right work ethic. And Janet kool-aid drinkers, sweetheart if anyone is taking anything I have said as I make Quixtar look like a cult then obviously I have not communicated very clearly what I know Quixtar to be. and dream stealer COME ON....Nobody can steal your dream unless you let them and you ought to know that. Im the last person that would want to do that. All I was saying is you have a better chance making it in Quixtar because it is a proven system, there is no overhead or capital to start up, you have no geographical boundaries, no advertising costs, none of the headaches that it takes to start a traditional business, so QUixtar is the only way to go if you got what it takes......
Ok and to squash this cult nonsense...DO YOU GUYS HONESTLY THINK that barnes and nobles, ibm, office depot, circuit city, bass pro shop, all these huge companies would be a part of a business that is a cult or is bogus...Really? You would agree they probably have big time lawyers that would look into a business opportunity to check it out to make sure it is legit and beneficial...what's more is that Quixtar itself has even bigger and better lawyers that do their own research on the companies that want on board with us....BECAUSE companies come to us we don't have to go to them. We won't just take any company without background research. Those who think I give IBOs a bad name...GET with it here...you've been missing what im tryin to say. ROn and dmm how does it matter what they think they know about what WE do know. I hate it for them really bc they will be wakin up to that friggin alarm clock for the next 30 or 40 yrs...its their choice..they made it let them stick to it and argue about it til they are blue in the face it isn't gonna change the fact that they will still be workin for the next 30 yr.
GO TO THISBIZNOW.COM thats all the facts go ahead and listen to the ATTORNEY GENERAL or the VICE PRES of BASS PRO SHOP or CIRCUIT CITY...haha they are all apart of the "cult" too...haha, ignorance....speaking of ignorance, am I gay? sorry there Ron you can't get any lovin from me go to those special chatrooms for that Im sure you can find you a buddy on there..I'm taking by a beautiful girl named Allison. Your right Micheal ignorant people always have to stoop to a level like that when they have nothing motivating them in life and everyone else is moving on and not being average and they are left behind, by their own choice of course.
Adam I am sorry. But you are flaming. You are on fire.
Oh and the 2% divorce rate is not in all of Quixtar Im sure, but it is on the team that I'm a part of...sorry it was supposed to say among MY quixtar team im apart of...Which is in the 10s of thousands. Not all of Quixtar teams has the same integrity of the group Im associated with. If I wasn't apart of this team then I wouldn't be doing Quixtar. The same reason I quit selling cars...bc they wanted me to sacrifice my integrity. I wouldn't do Quixtar on most other teams. Some of them give us a bad name
Ron what are you 18, 19 maybe...well come on son step up here to the plate with a little class, i know it is hard to come by these days bc it isn't taught anymore but I know you have some man,let it be.
Documentation, please Adam. I can claim my company has a 0% divorce rate and employes 10,000 people, but it is meaningless without proof.
Next question. If your Quixtar upline was wrong about the 95% failure rate, could they also be wrong about other statistics? Do you ever verify anything your upline says, Adam, or do you trust completely. It's one things to trust friends, another to trust a business partner. When doing business, I always make people earn trust, and then I always verify.
As for partner stores, they do not promote or have anything to do with IBO's. They simply allow Quixtar to be a vendor of their products, much like Wal-Mart is a vender of Pepsi products. Now, if a Wal-Mart manager breaks a law, is Pepsi responsible in any way? Of course not. Same, if a Wal-Mart employee goes above and beyond in their duty, does Pepsi deserve any credit because the Wal-Mart employee sells Pepsi?
Ridiculous. Yet, here you are, Adam, claiming that because Bass Pro and Circuit City is a Partner store, they are rubber stamping everything and everyone in Quixtar. The fact is, the partner store lawyers only care about the Quixtar corporation, and whether or not, on paper, they aren't breaking any laws. How individual IBO's and groups run is of no concern of the partner store, because the partner store only deals with Alticor (Quixtar parent corporation).
Last but not least, Adam, your arguments are tired and old. I've read the exact same ones, almost verbatim, years ago. As far as I know, none of the people in the past have gone diamond, and chances are neither will you, especially when you consider less then 1 in 14000 IBO's make it.
My thoughts exactly...your arguements are also tired and old...I too have heard the same arguements for the last couple years. And my upline happens to be a trusted FRIEND and a bonus a business partner. But I will get the "facts" for you. I don't need them bc I have seen with my own eyes. But you are wrong about one thing for sure and that is I am a determined young man and I will be diamond and beyond, EDC all the way up to Crown but I don't have to convince you bc you have no bearing on me whatsoever. Heck even if i only made Emerald and I was 40...It is still better than workin till im 65 and retiring hoping that I will make enough on retirement to be self sufficient. But hey man you have it all figured out just like all those broke business professors. Do what you do man...somehow I don't care. But hey if you want to talk outside this chat room dmm email me, Im down Weaberdude@hotmail.com...that way I will have your email so I can send a copy of my check when I am emerald or diamond just so you can sleep easier at night...when the time come of course.
Who are you people? I have never met anyone in the business as critical and nasty as most of this utter nonsense is. Apparently you are not associating with enough people in the business and you haven't learned anything at all from your associates or your tapes and books. Janet I think you are right about Adam. I have never met anyone in the Quixtar business quite so rude and insulting. And by the way, just because someone chooses not to become an IBO, doesn't mean they are broke, or in any kind of financial difficulty. Nor does being an IBO mean you will be a rich successful happily married person for eternity. I know many people who worked their butts off in this business and still ended up losing their homes or other assets. That doesn't make them "ignorant or confused". The sarcasm and critical comments only prove that you don't belong in this business family. We edify--not criticize. tlk
You know what your right we do edify not criticize. That's my bad for portraying criticizime. I do know that you wont necessarily be broke if you are not in Quixtar that's just common sense bc I know a lot of "successful" people in the world's standards. bY broke I mean mentality. Nasty? well i don't consider myself to be nasty or mean bc I want the best for people...thats why this whole thing is kind of funny to me. All those that criticize Quixtar obviously it is not for them and hey I am thankful for that because they probably have a trade that we need or will need at some point in our lives. If everybody did Quixtar we would not have doctors, mailmen, lawyers, business to provide products for us or even Quixtar workers to get our products out to us. So I am truly sorry that I stepped on some of you other IBOs toes...wasn't trying to be mean or critical...just for some reason trapped in tryin to convince someone of what I know and I know better than that bc some wont be convinced and those I meet out in the world I don't try and convince them bc if they don't see what I see then they are not who we are looking for. SO sorry there guys. BUT SORRY AGAIN BECAUSE I DO BELONG IN QUIXTAR...don't look at this silly chat room or whatever it is and make a quick judgement about whether or not you know me well enough to decide that it proves that i don't belong in the Quixtar family. bc that you are wrong about. and those that don't make it and maybe loose a lot...that is only a result of their own daily choices. I walk by faith and even with my shortcomings I know when my time is right I will be able to lead my team and be blessed by my faithfulness and i will be used to help further God's kingdom. But this is a buffet so take what you want and leave the rest...i apologize again for my misleading comments...like i always have said to each his own...do what you do and let those do what they do.
but i do not take back anything about business professors trying to teach us how to make it in the business world when none of that is profitable education if it were they would be teaching me something else and they would be makin more than a 40 to 60k tops salary, Ive seen what my business professors drives and where he lives. if you want to learn how to drive a race car you would learn best from a NASCAR driver, if you want to be a spiritual leader you go to a pastor or spiritual leader, you want a successful marriage you go to couples who have been married once for a lot of years....same applies here...want to be a millionaire learn from people who are millionaires and can teach you the correct success principles to be a millionaire...
rlaurens, can you please, point me to a job opportunity that will make me a multimillionaire as you have stated is the case? By that, I mean a job that gives me just that in a few years, not when I am 65 years old! Number two, a job that also allows me to have time to do what I want when I want while making me a multimillionaire?
hey me too...i want one of those jobs
Adam,
I share your enthusiasm for the biz. However, if you feel you have that much to say, I highly suggest you start your own pro-Quixtar blog and write about your thoughts on the business.
Dude, no worries man I'm out of this waste and negativity I have wasted too much time already but thanks for the suggestion
Is Adam my long lost buddy Tony the Ninja boy?
I AGREE with Micheal. Cmon dude..adam..start a pro-quixtar blog. Lots of the negatives have been destroyed. Whats left is common sense if they decide to still say its illegal...
Multimillionaire in a few years? Well, I didn't say that in my post, but what the heck:
- Software engineer. You could make $100-200K or more annually if you're good.
- Options trader. You could multiply your money in very short time period. Being millionaire in a couple of years is not impossible if you're good at it.
- Real estate investor. Power of leverage works here, just like in options trading.
- Business investor. Buy struggling business, improve them and sell it for huge profit.
I'm doing all of the above and can provide documentation if necessary. But, of course, reciprocity is needed.
Any takers?
Prasad>> Is Adam my long lost buddy Tony the Ninja boy?
Nah, I don't think so, Prasad. Tony-the-ninja-boy was a lot more articulate. And had perfect grammar and punctuation too.
Being an equal-opportunity consiracy theorist, I have to agree with Janet...'Adam' has GOT to be someone deliberatly trying to make IBO's look bad.
That person is doing an awfully good job, though, and in just a few posts has managed to incorporate nearly every bit of tapepeak and typical rant (right down to the complete lack of grammar) accumulated over the years - touche!
Hey, QBlog:
Congratulations on scoring some quoteage in the Grand Rapids Press.
Wow..
I wonder if I was really that annoying when I was in "the business"?
I heard all the same talking points as Adam has spewed, over and over.
>98% dead or broke by 65years old
>95-8% new/startup business fail within first 2 years
>There's a less than 2% divorce rate in this business/system/group, or whatever is convenient at the time.
>People that don't get in are broke losers
>Business professors only teach because they couldn't make it in business
>You can only learn to be a millionaire by blindly following an Amway/Quixtar diamond
>That you build business on faith
>Facts don't count when the dream is big enough (I'd like to see that fly in an audit)
>What does the CEO of Coke, BassPro know that you don't.. Implying that if they sell their products to Alticor then that some how validates everything your upline diamond says..
11 years of the same stuff spewed at me. I'm sure I made a fool of myself repeating it to others..
It's hard to show some one the facts of the situation, when they have been indoctrinated with the mantra of, 'the facts don't count...'
It was like getting out of a cult.
@dan
11 years?? how much you making so far?
It is easy to get swept up in the hype and excitement that is Amway/Quixtar. I understand it, and don't begrudge anyone who has ever been "fired up." The problem is, the math (facts) don't add up, and no amount of dreaming will ever overcome reality.
Here is some reality. Only 1 in 240 IBO's become a platinum, and less then 1 in 14,000 will become diamond. The average IBO is making just over $100/month, and according the linked article above, less then 1% of IBO's are making over $50,000/year (before expenses). Seems like I'm doing better then 99% of IBO's with JOB's, even if you include their $115/month Quixtar income!
Amway/Quixtar has to depend on dreams and smokes/mirrors because reality doesn't add up. Not if you want the freedom every IBO believe will be theirs.
now that I'm out, and starting from practically scratch, I'm not doing too bad. No college degree and making about 50k. I hoping to go back to school soon and make up for lost time.
In the business we struggled to be 'CORE' and did about 100pv, so bonus checks were about 6-10 bucks a month. I think we figured we spent about 6 to 7 grand a year in business expenses whilst we were in, 'tween Standing Orders, mini's rallys, seminars, leaderships, major functions, kate, books, tapes/cds etc..
So I think I've stopped digging and am now climbing out of the hole.
Dan,
"making about 50k"
Isn't a clear statement. Is that per month or per year?
How exactly did YOU change YOUR habits around and start to generate an extra $50k?
You were somewhat clear enough to define your expenses in Q, what are your expenses now compared to Q? What is the ratio of your overhead into your new venture?How many hours are you putting into your new venture compared to being in Q?
Critic's are funny(not HAHA funny), in the way they are able to exactly define just how they lost money in Quixtar, yet are extremely vague in defining what is making them successful now. Go figure.
I wonder why is that?
DMM,
"no amount of dreaming will ever overcome reality"
Isn't that what dreaming is for?
My lack of clarity was not due to an ulterior motive, but rather one of trying not to be long winded. I apologize in advance for this long post..
I didn't replace the Quixtar/Amway venture with another business, but instead took an interest in my profession and got a better job. That dollar amount would be 50k/ year in a job. I wish it was per month :)
My expenses are the same, minus all the money I was spending in Quixtar for the system. The hours are about the same as my previous job, though I do a little overtime from time to time, but I actually enjoy the work more.
It seems that I have to spend a little less on consumable items than I did trying to buy items from the business. I don't have any numbers to back this up, more of me noticing that I am able to save a little left over extra money each month.
I would hardly call myself sucessfull, i stopped throwing words around like that since I got out. However, I would say that I'm less stressed and have more time to pursue fun things being out of this biz, and not feeling guilty for doing them. I.E. going to the movies, enoying the good weather(when we get it) etc.
I wouldn't call myself a critic necessarily, rather one who is no longer involved, and feels rather burned by the experience. I wish what they were slinging was true, but unfortunately it was not in my experience and apparently for many others that I know.
Even if I did not have a good job, I'd still be happier being out, no matter how you slice it.
To be more on topic for this thread..
I'm sure Dick Devos is not responsible for the illegal activities of some of the distributors, but I have to wonder how concerned he was about it.
It was more an interesting collage of facts about Amway/Quixtar set to an amusing song. Not really a moving campagin(sp?) video.
@Dan
11 years...and you quit? Not making money or what? this is my 4th month and im nearing the 1k point. I just noticed that most of the poeple that are indeed able to do this business, are those in their early 20s..or even 19 year olds like me.
PS: Someone i kinda know it calgary just showed me his 1.4k cheque...frikkin...hes just showingg off at me >.
Of course I wasn't making any money. That was one of the reasons I stopped an income, mental and spiritual drain..
Well I'm glad you're making a $1k a month? Or is that 1,000 pv? Is that your bonus check or is that what you're netting? Question is, do you get money back at the end of the year at tax time? If so, you're losing money.. but then you've only been in for 4 months, so who knows. Maybe it would be accurate to say you don't know if you are making money yet?
I've seen young and old "make it" for a while in this biz over the years, I've seen quite a few large bonus checks waived around. Easy come, easy go.. Some big pin in Canada waived around a 1.4 million dollar check, is that what you are saying? Well good for them, I guess. It no longer impresses me like it used to when I was in.
I found that even if I could make money doing this system, I no longer found it to be ethical.
You might find it to your standards, and thats fine for you. Just don't tell me that I do.
Nah..not 1.4mil. Just 14xx~. Ive known him through nexopia for a while but didnt realize hes building a Q* business =p. 1k is the bonus cheque, im paying around 100-150 below..so my net is atleast 800.
Meh..fine
Amen, Dan. My spouse and I also got out because the output of money and time was nowhere near worth what we were getting in return. For the first year we said we would just "take a step back for awhile" and then get back to business. But after being away for awhile, we saw how much money and time we had spent on something that wasn't in any way profitable for us. I think you have to have a certain personality for the business and you must be able to "sell it" to others. My spouse and I were not those kind of people. I do have to say however, that we made many friends that we cherish and we truly wish for their success. We have held onto our IBOship simply because we still purchase some items and who knows? Maybe someday...........
'Any takers?'
Just as I thought.
@tlk
Atleast your honest =). But i think you can still build the business. Since your buying the products, im sure you will find someone out there that also likes the products. Then you have a choice of having that person as a client, or an IBO. Then he could probably find other people who like the product...etc..
Great points Dan. I also got sick and tired of hearing "you shouldn't go see a movie or play baseball, work out, etc." "You shouldbe listening to tapes, reading books, and building your "business" in your free time"
I'm not saying people can't be successful in AmQuix but I got sick and tired of the mental drain and debt that went along with it.
When I hear ridiculous stories of people leaving their jobs to go to seminars and living in their cars to build their "business" I just laugh.
I really got sick of my upline telling me to not hang around with my friends (who said the business is a joke) because they were negative.
I'm so much happier just living my life and doing things I enjoy without feeling guilty for doing them.
No check or amount of money could ever make me happier than I am now for seeing the light as early as I did.
@BIG DOG
wow..that is harsh. Welp, atleast the people im with arent like that =)
Hey BIG DOG.....I know what you mean. I am close to 50 years old and I don't need to be reprimanded for not going to an upline sponsored event. We were made to feel like little naughty children if we didn't do what we were supposed to. I don't miss that a bit!!
Pretty funny isn't it TLK? I mean, I own a small business of my own (w/ a partner) and over the past 7 years I can NEVER remember being told what to do by anyone in my business.
Yet somehow being an "IBO" you supposedly "own" your own business and are constantly told to check with your upline on decisions that include everything from buying a car to hanging out with certain people.
Anyone that owns their own company is NEVER told to listen to tapes and tools, nor told to read books, or attend meetings, seminars and rallies even if you don't have $600 to do so.
At 30 years of age I feel I shouldn't have to answer to anyone. I'm old enough to make my own decisions and spend my free time how I choose.
I wasn't about to listen to some guy I met 3 months prior when he tells me things like "If you were serious about building your business you'd go to this FED and blow off your job"
Or listening to one tape (forgot who it was maybe Charlie Durso) saying "We never went to brithday parties or weddings because they were secondary to building our business"
Yeah ok, I should tell my best friend of 18 years "Sorry dude, I know I'm your best man and all but I can't be there for the biggest day of your life because going to your wedding will not help me "Go Diamond".
It baffles me sometimes. I had great grades in high school, received my B.S in Business Administration (Finance concentration) with a cumlative 3.63 GPA, often read books dealing with psychology (which I'd like to take classes on someday) and feel I'm a prett intelligent guy, for the most part. Yet, somehow, I got sucked into the AmQuix "dream".
I know I hurt a few people over the 3 months I was in. I was a totally different person. I was no longer the fun loving, jokester, the athletic, competitive sports nut, the good friend, and most importantly, the caring and loving fiance. All because I was told if I wanted to be successful in AmQuix I had to devote all my free time to books, tapes, seminars, rallies, blah, blah, blah.
I know, I know, those tapes, books, rallies, functions, and seminars are "voluntary" but as the uplines love to say "So is success". What does that lead you to believe?
I got sick of being treated like a failure because I only signed 1 person up in 3 months, because I didn't want to go to FED, because I couldn't make the weekly meetings (because, god for bid, I bowled on Tuesday nights).
And even with all my credentials, it's the way I felt. I was depressed, tired, and stressed. Nobody should EVER be made to feel that they're a failure, no matter what their social status is.
Sure I might not become a millionaire in the next 5 years, (then again neither will 99.99% of IBO's) but I have my life back and there's no amount of money that will ever make me change it again.
Thank you Q*, for making me realize that there are much more important things in life than money.
I couldn't agree with you more BIGDOG. I am really not sure why my spouse and I let ourselves be brainwashed into becoming IBOs--I have always lived by the motto: "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."--and yet we blindly jumped in with both feet and managed to rack up $30,000 in various debts, which I attribute to our Quixtar business. Meetings, expos, and weekend long conferences thousands of miles away. What the heck were we thinking? And like you said--books, tapes, tools, etc. YOU MUST BUY THESE OR YOUR BUSINESS WILL FAIL!!!! Excuse me? We bought all that nonsense and our business failed anyway and we offended good friends along the way. Not to mention the various products we purchased for the sole purpose of "helping someone else" become silver. BIGDOG, I am glad we are among the ranks of those who escaped with our lives somewhat still intact!!
Yep, life is much better now. I know Qcult always talks about "freedom", it's their big selling point on the "dream".
The ironic part of it all is that, once you join Qcult, you're no longer an individual, you no longer have a mind of your own. You're taught not to ask questions, just follow along and do what you're told, and of course spend all of your free time listening to tapes, reading books and building your "business"
That doesn't sound like "freedom" to me at all.
Since escaping, from the clutches of Qcult, I have a new found respect and appreciation for "freedom"
A great man once said "Free at last! Free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at least!"
Ironically enough, the title of that great speach; I Have a "DREAM"
Rather like a bunch of sheep isn't it?
Yeah Sheep,Cattle and all other hurded animals.
Sounds like waiting for them to open the doors at a function. Everyone push toward the door. And lets show how fired up we are by running and getting that prime seat too show how fired up and devoted you are!!!
THANK GOODNESS THOSE DAYS ARE GONE!!
Like you said BIGDOG
Free at last. So know I can go to an NASCAR race, football game, or bowling and not feel like I not delaying gratification. Plus I get to do all these things again and have money to spare. Life is good post Q*.
You go to NASCAR races David? Which tracks have you been to? I've been to 3, New Hampshire, Dover, and Lowe's Motor Speedway.
I haven't been to one in a couple of years but they're always a good time.
You're right, Life is good, post Cult life
I go too both races at Dover.
Richmond,Martinsville,Bristol.
I am going to Homestead/Miami this
year.
I meant to say that I am going too all those races this year. This is my first year in 5, that I have been able to go to races. Its funny now but all my upline and some of my own personal team all are in the Charlotte area. NASCAR country and they would always send me KATES from the Coca-Cola 600. Delay gratification huh!
BIGDOG,
You live in upstate NY?
I live in Maryland.
My sponsor told me when we were getting married. That we shoud just go to the court house and get married. Then have the real ceremony at Peter Island.
My wife and I got married in October 2 years ago. We got married in the Keys.
My sponsor and all my upline told me that I was wasting valuable time and money for something that was only temporary. THAT HURT!
Yeah, David. Some of the things they said really ticked me off too.
It's hard to believe so many people actually believe the lies their told, just in hopes that someday they'll be rich.
I'll be getting married this July and won't have to hear about how I'm wasting time or money.
My upline Ruby was a guy by the name of Jim Heurter (Probably spelled it wrong) I HATED him and I don't hate anyone. The funny thing about this guy was, he's so extremely successful but yet he still works 60 hours a week at a "JOB" and he's telling me I should miss time at work to build my "business"
How hypocritical is that?
It's too bad that someone else has most likely taken our places in the ScamQuix organization. And until MLM's are gone completely, or things change drastically, innocent people will constantly get bad advice, lose thousands and thousands of $$$$, and never get any closer to becoming "financially free"
Ya know what else Jim told me. He told me investing in stocks was a bad idea LOL. I guess he was right. I invested in a little known company back in 1999 called EBAY.
I guess that was a terrible investment.
BIGDOG
So you were on the Markiewicz team as well. Jim Huerter was Joe's college baseball buddy.
Sounds like something he would say.
Yeah I bet that EBAY stock really hurt you!!LOL
Yep, my sponsor (friend of mine) brought in a DVD one day of Joe Markiewicz having his own baseball game LOL. I asked him why he was wasting my time showing me this, and he said "Because you play baseball and so does Joe. You guys have that in common." LOL. Of course this was after I told him I was leaving the business.
I didn't know Jim played baseball. I do know he mentioned he played football. I remember going into a couple of those meeting when Jim was the speaker. His big line was "How many of you in here are getting at least a 10% raise this year?" and he'd always raise his hand. I wonder if he really does. He does own a nice house but I wonder how much of that house, his, 60 hour a week, "JOB" pays for.
I am sure there are people getting registered as I write this.
My sponsor always bragged about how she was a sponsoring machine. She said she has personally sponsored over 80 people but ironiccaly when I quit. She had only 5 personal legs. Sounds like what I was dealing with REVOLVING DOOR. Well I guess you could say I was duplicating my upline! LOL
HAHAHA! Yeah I guess you were. My friend doesn't bother me about it anymore but I ask him, once in a while, how he's doing with Q*. He ALWAYS says the same thing. "I just sponsored a guy and I gotta couple of people going to the meeting this week"
He said he sponsored 18 people yet I think he only has 2 or 3 active legs. The sad thing is, I've watched this poor kid (22), over the last 4 years, lose multiple jobs, have multiple housing situations, live in his car and lose all of his childhood friends because of this business. I don't have the heart to turn my back on him so I never do.
He goes to EVERY seminar, function, rally etc. Whenever I'd go anywhere with him he'd be listening to a tape, if I came to his house he was listening to a tape or reading. 4 years of nothing but dedication and in his best month he made close to $1,200. (That month I actually did 1,200PV because it was around christmas, I signed up for MCI and the Q* Visa card so I got a bunch of PV for that)
My whole point on here isn't to argue with the Qdrones, just like I don't argue with my friend about it. The whole point of me being here is to prevent other people having to go through what my friend is going through, as well as, thousands and thousands of other people.
BIGDOG
I agree with you. Your friends story sounds like mine. No matter were I drove, Or on lunch breaks, I was listening to tapes,CDs. Or reading.
And all the hard times I had with my wife and all the financial struggles and being praised for standing up and telling my boss too stick I am going DIAMOND! When I look back. I was a walking talking Q* CD. I could quote them all. And my sponsor would always tell me that everything I was going thru was just building my belief and that everyone needed to hear my story when I went diamond.
When my upline was pushing my spouse and I to go to a convention, we said no because we couldn't afford it. We were advised to sell our dining room furniture to pay for the trip. We laughed at her because our dining table and chairs would have netted about $10 tops!!
My sponsor would always tell me to just go ahead and build the business without my wife. Because the great DEXTER YAGER did it while his wife BIRDIE was negative until he went DOUBLE DIAMOND!
At the time that kept me in one more day. But then my time and patience for this business ran out. I just got tired of constantly hearing the same thing at every meeting, rally, seminar, major function, night owl. FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT! If anynoe asks how your business is doing you say AWESOME!
It horrible. I can't say I had that type of committment and honestly i was because I couldn't see how listening to tapes, reading books or listening to "diamonds" speak on stage was going to help me sell overpriced products.
All of it just seemed like waste of money to me.
That's why I ran into so many problems with Huerter. Too many of my better judgements were in conflict with his "suggestions".
I always say, "That which does not kill you, only makes you stronger". Even though I didn't lose tons of $$$$ and got out pretty fast, I wouldn't change the experience. It's certainly made me look at things in a different perspective and made me appreciate my TRUE friends and family that much more.
I'm just happy everything worked out for you and your wife. We may not be able to "change the world" but even if we can prevent one person from making the same mistakes we did, I'd feel good about it.
That is exactly right. I had some experiences while in that I would not have had elsewere. But as you said it has made me stronger, wiser, and a lot less willing to take the plunge into the hype. Because now that I am a quitter were are all those Q* friends for life I made. PSSST (hears a hint only if stay in and become a broke loser)
I meant where are all my Q* friends for life I supposedly made. Thats right I quit so now I am a broke loser. Thats what I meant to write.
Friends for life? The friend who talked me into joining Q* was someone I had known for 20 years. They no longer speak to me since my spouse and I defected to the real world. But of course I am just a lowly peon and a quitter and this person is going to be rich, rich, rich. This of course makes them a much better person than me.
My God, where are these people. The stories you guys tell are just scary. I've been around Quixtar for 26 years, and I've seen it all. Business is business...I never mixed friendship into it. I only sponsor friends if they specifically ask me to.
The video is ridiculous. Look up the lawsuit history of any large corporation and you will see the same sort of thing. Lawsuits and settlements don't tell the whole story. Everyone should know this about the legal system by now.
I knew one of those couples, and I knew what they were doing was wrong. A lot of people did, but they didn't care. They just wanted to get rich quick. Very sad, but I think they got what they deserved.
You can't base perceptions of this business on probability of success. There is a low success rate with all kinds of things that people do that aren't cults or scams. College, for example.
My husband declared that awesome!
Posted by: Janet | September 10, 2006 11:52 PM