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December 26, 2006
New Quixtar Discussion Forum
By Truth in Miscellaneous
For quite some time now the Qblog Forum has been the only forum of it's kind for discussion about Quixtar and all the other aspects that comes with that subject. Well this post's purpose is to annouce that the Qblog Forum now has company. As the owner of the Quixtar Inside Out blog I have created a new forum for discussion on the topic of Quixtar.
Why a new forum?
Well first of all I want to make it clear that this forum was not set-up to be a replacement or a competing forum with the Qblog Forum. Matter of fact I talked with Eric quite a bit before I even got the forum installed and he was the one who recommended the forum software I am using. However, with another forum comes more discussion on this topic and more discussion only leads to more information available about Quixtar and the motivational organizations.
Why announce it on Quixtar Blog?
Simple! Quixtar Blog draws more traffic then any other site with information about the Quixtar opportunity. Making an announcement here ensures that the word will get out much quicker. A quick thanks to Eric for letting me post this announcement.
Forum Differences
This forum is not a clone of the Qblog forums and has quite a few differences. First of all the software used for the forum is different and the discussion boards in the forum are different. There is also a debate hall set up for two members to request their own thread for debate where only those two members will be able to post, and a thread set up on another board for other members to comment on the debate.
Another feature is the ability to embed streaming audio and video into your posts, including Google and YouTube videos. Attachments are allowed in posts, and every board has it's own RSS feed so you can keep track of new posts from your favorite RSS reader.
There is also one board dedicated to Quixtar Testimonials only. A good spot for people to publish their Quixtar story for others to read without having to start their own site or blog.
One thing that will remain the same however is that this community will belong to it's members. Whether you are a supporter or critic of Quixtar you are more then welcome to sign-up and participate in the discussions. So I invite you to go on over to the forums today and sign-up.
December 25, 2006
"Very, Very Surprising"
By QBlog in Quixtar
Mary Chris Mess
By QBlog in Blog News
Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!
December 18, 2006
'Twas The Night Before Quixmas
By David Robison in Humor
In the spirit of the Holiday Season; I present to you my attempt(feeble, as it may be) at poetry.
"TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE QUIXMAS"
with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore
'Twas the night before Quixmas, when all through my home
Not a creature was stirring, not even the gnome.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of beaches danced in their heads.
And mamma in her kerchief, (what is that, really?)
I don't wear a cap; cause it makes me look silly
When out on the lawn there arose such a ruckus
I sprang from my bed; tripped; and fell on my tukkus.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon shone on the lawn, no snow was to be seen,
I live on the Gulf Coast; the grass is still green.
Then my weary eyes happen to see way up in the sky,
A flying H2, pulled by suited men; each with a red tie.
The driver of the rig was lively and quick,
But it was Dex Yager, not St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name!
Now Billy! Now Jimmy! Randy and Don!
On Orrin! On Kanti! On Danny, and Ron!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,
You gotta dream big, if you wanna have it all!
As rumors and writings on blogs will fly,
when the topic of Quixtar is given a try;
So up to the rooftop the minions they flew,
with that truck full of stuff and ole Dexter too.
And then in an instant, I heard through the ceiling,
the theme from "Rocky"; that tune still leaves me reeling.
As I closed the window, and then turned around,
Down the chimney came Dex with more than a bound.
He was dressed all in blue, a three-piece suit,
with a cross on a chain and a red tie to boot.
A bundle of products he had flung on his back,
and he looked just like a Platinum opening his pack.
His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry,
He was high on XS; I think it was Cherry.
He had a beard, now white as snow,
but I couldn't wear one, I was just an IBO.
Dex would never have a pipe, so no smoke did he blow.
A wreath around his head? He'd prefer a halo.
He had a broad face and a round little belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was still real chubby, in spite of his health,
You'd think he'd own a gym with all of his wealth.
And as I was thinking he should go for a jog;
It hit me that I should write about this on my blog.
He mumbled to himself, and he looked my way,
"No Tools for You; you never signed the BSMAA!"
He said, "See you at the top" and then rubbed his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to the Hummer, to his minions gave a whistle,
and away they all flew with the speed of a missile.
But I heard him exclaim, as he flew away from me,
"Happy Quixmas to all, and to all, "Up Your PV!"
For More Parodies on This Popular Christmas Poem
Quixtar Propaganda - Ignorant Critics
By QBlog in Quixtar
Quixtar has its share of critics on the Internet. A quick Google search of the phrase "Quixtar Sucks" currently yields about 21,300 results. By comparison a search for "Amway Sucks" yields about 1,100 websites while a search for "Avon Sucks" returns about 333 results.
And while the results of such searches don't really prove anything they do provide a simple (albeit unscientific) way to explain Quixtar's motivation for creating a "Web Critics" page on one of its corporate PR sites. The page addresses some of the online criticisms and does so with a fairly reasoned and thoughtful approach.
Today, critics of anything, including a business opportunity with hundreds of thousands of human interactions every day, can share their opinions with a broad internet audience. Quixtar supports the right of critics to share their opinions, provided they are truthful and accurate.
That seems to be the way any corporation could be expected to respond to critics. Yet, there's a linked video that takes a somewhat different, more combative tone. Watch it and see what I mean.
Besides the fact that Rob Davidson, VP of Quixtar Sales & Marketing, comes off looking like a pompous ass, he states that "many of them (critics) have never been active" in Quixtar. He then wonders how the so-called critics can go on the Web and complain about Quixtar when they weren't active in the business.
Response
I have two responses to Rob (Pompous Ass) Davidson and Quixtar's propaganda film:
- One doesn't need to be active in Quixtar to complain about it. There are many complaints about Quixtar from people who were harassed at coffee shops, malls and by friends. Those people weren't active but sure are vocal. If Quixtar would like them to quit complaining then it might start by asking its IBOs to quit being so annoying.
- Those so-called critics often have more experience in Quixtar (or Amway) than the majority of Quixtar's current IBOs at any given time. Think about that for a moment. Right now the majority of enrolled Quixtar IBOs have less than two full years of experience as IBOs.
The point is that Rob Davidson is saying that many of Quixtar's critics are inexperienced whiners when the reality is that many of them have years of experience and know what they're talking about. And to illustrate that reality I'm publishing a list of "critics" along with their experience in Quixtar (or Amway).
Quixtar's "Inexperienced" Critics
- Doug Ginter - 2 years
- Jay Bhatia - 7 years
- Muhammad Imran Aziz - 1 year
- Deb Masselink - 11 years and then some
- Kemi Taylor - 1.5 years
- Lisa Umbach - 2.5 years
- Lindy Mack - 5 years
If you'd like to have your name added to this list please send me an email or post a comment and briefly explain how you'd qualify as a "Quixtar critic" to the likes of Rob Davidson.
As this list gets longer more people will see the absurdity of Rob Davidson's response. Maybe Quixtar would be better served by addressing the criticisms from its current and former IBOs instead of dismissing them as the complaints of the uninvolved.
December 11, 2006
Quixtar - Land of Ill Will
By QBlog in Humor
Hilarious spoof of the Quixtar commercials.
UPDATE: And here's the original spoof that YouTube yanked.
December 3, 2006
Don't Sign BSMAA
By QBlog in Arbitration
The Myth Perpetuated
When my wife joined Quixtar a few years ago she was told by her sponsor that she must sign the BSMAA in order to become an IBO. She trusted her sponsor so she signed the Arbitration Agreement.
Likewise, while my wife was an IBO she told those she sponsored that they too must sign the BSMAA. Her understanding was that without signing the document, one could not become an IBO.
And as I've studied Quixtar over the years and met numerous active and inactive IBOs, virtually all of them believed that Quixtar required IBOs to sign the BSMAA.
And if you read the BSMAA (pdf) from Quixtar's website it seems to indicate that IBOs need to sign the agreement if they want to buy support materials.
THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE SIGNED BY EACH IBO WHO CHOOSES TO PURCHASE INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED BUSINESS SUPPORT MATERIALS FROM, OR SELL SUCH MATERIALS TO, ANOTHER IBO.
And to further perpetuate the understanding among IBOs of all types (current, former and future) that the BSMAA is required, Quixtar is telling callers to its customer support that it's "part of the plan."
Myth Busters
However, thanks to an Amway Distributor living in Europe I now have the proof that unequivocally dispels the myth that has perpetuated for so long among so many IBOs — signing the BSMAA is NOT required.
That's right. Quixtar does not require anyone to sign the BSMAA for any reason. I know this because I have a copy of the letter Quixtar faxed to the European Amway Distributor. The letter is from Quixtar's Rules Administration department and clearly states that signing the BSMAA "is optional."
This letter is in response to yours dated August 23, 2006 regarding the Business Support Materials Arbitration Agreement (BSMAA).
Since the purchase of business support materials (BSM) is optional, signing the BSMAA is also optional. A Quixtar Independent Business Owner is not required to sign this form. However, should they choose to purchase or sell BSM, Quixtar, as well as the Independent Business Owners Association International (IBOAI) encourages them to complete the Business Support Materials Arbitration Agreement. In fact, some IBO organizations may require the BSMAA be signed before the sale of a BSM occurs.
You indicated in your letter, "If one wishes to register online, the box agree to the BSMAA must be ticked before registration can proceed." This statement is incorrect. The option to agree to the BSMAA is available, but the registration process can continue without ticking the box. Furthermore, you mention in your letter an entry on a website www.webraw.corn/quixtar about a call to Quixtar's Customer Support department regarding the BSMAA. The information provided by the operator in that phone call was inaccurate and is being corrected.
I hope I have answered your questions, and made it clear that while signing the BSMAA is strongly encouraged, it is not required. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Karen O'Neill, Supervisor
Rules Administration
Business Conduct & Rules
Questions
So, we've cleared up the confusion about the BSMAA right? Good. You do not have to sign the BSMAA. Got it.
But why did my wife's sponsor tell her that she must sign it? Why did her upline repeat that myth? Why do so many IBOs I meet believe that it's required? Why did Quixtar customer service tell me it's part of the plan? If I called up today, would I get the same answer? Why are people so willing to sign something without clearly understanding its legal implications or how it's connected (or not connected) to the business?
I don't know. I do know that I've never signed it and I believe that you shouldn't either.
December 2, 2006
Not For Sale!
By QBlog in Blog News
Someone called me a few days ago and offered to buy this website.
"Would you be interested in selling Quixtar BLOG," said the energetic voice crackling through my Bluetooth headest.
"No," was my immediate reply.
I didn't ask for a price. Didn't ask to hear details of the offer. I simply explained that I love this site and that just because I've neglected it a bit lately doesn't mean I want to abandon it. Not now. Not ever.
And honestly I don't feel like it's my site anymore. The various ads on the site pay for the hosting fees, domain costs and other expenses so it's not a burden to my wallet. And friends with more technical savvy than me often help out when the server misbehaves so it's not a burden on my schedule.
And of course I'm not the only person posting on this blog. David Robison, Drew and Preston all contribute great content. And then there's archived contributions from many others. And I haven't even mentioned all the comments that people have left.
No way. This isn't my site to sell. This is YOUR site to use. And even as my role on this site has declined the Quixtar BLOG continues to thrive and evolve because it's more than just me — it's a community. It's your community.
And speaking of communities, what about the Forum? That's a real, thriving community and Lindy does a fine job of moderating it when I don't have the time.
Your Site
No folks. This is your site and it isn't for sale. My promise to you is that it will continue in the manner it started — freely sharing information, perceptions and discussions about Quixtar.
Guess Who?
To make this fun, I'll let you guess who it was that offered to buy this site. Here are the rules:
- Only one guess
- Guess must be accompanied by a real email address
- The person who made the offer can't guess
- If I already told you then you can't guess
- You must guess someone specific. You can't just say, "That person with the red hair."
The winner receives a T-Shirt from the QBlog store. Let the guessing begin!
And The Winner Is...
Shawn Cannon correctly guessed who offered to buy this silly little website and so he wins a T-Shirt. The correct answer of course is Ty Tribble formerly of Amway, then Quixtar, then Passport, then Oasis LifeSciences and now Univera LifeSciences. Ty offered to buy the site (not just the fairly worthless domain name) and he's stated on his blog that his offer still stands. Well isn't that nice?
So, what am I to do? Well, I'll counter offer of course. I officially and publicly offer to buy Ty Tribble's MLM Blog website as well as Amway Blog. Both would look nice next to Quixtar BLOG, Quixtar BLOG Forum, QBlog Radio, the Quixtar Wiki, Quixtar Chatter and the Quixtar BLOG shop.
Congrats to Shawn Cannon for correctly guessing Ty Tribble.
It's the little things
By Truth in Miscellaneous
OK, so this post is going to be pretty much way off-topic. I usually reserve these kinds of posts for my blog where I feel much more comfortable going in any direction I want seeing as how I pay the bills. But I figure I will go with this anyway and if Qblog doesn't want it here he can take it down, ban me from blogging, and write me a nasty e-mail telling me about the bodily harm he is going to inflict upon me for cluttering up his blog with such nonsense......OK, maybe that is getting a bit carried away considering I know Qblog and I don't think he would go quite that far. At any rate let's get on with this off-topic post.
Some of you may know that I am from the great state of Nebraska and therefore I am a HUGE Nebraska football fan. Well if you follow college football you may know that my Huskers will be playing for their conference championship tommorow against our old-time rival Oklahoma Sooners. I have been waiting with great anticipation for this game all week.
Today, I went to one of my favorite sites for Husker football huskerpedia.com. A great site to find articles and information about Husker sports. Anyway the top linked article was to the JournalStar in Lincoln and was titled "Brothers in arms, rivals in red" talking about the Husker and Sooner fans who are currently in Iraq that will be watching the game together. Reading that article really gave me an appreciation for what I have.
I served six years in the Army and had my share of deployments on various exercises. I never served in a combat zone with bullets flying or having to be concerned about every pile of dirt on the road being a potential bomb, but I know that feeling of missing home all too well. I also know how it's the little things about home that you think about the most.
Think about what it is everyday about home that you may take for granted. I am not trying to condemn anyone we all take things for granted from time to time. But, just for a moment think about those little things, or little moments that makes home home. Now think about being away from it with only your memories to hang on to.
That is pretty much how the soldier's feel when they think of home. It is the little memories that keep them going and if only for a second it brings them peace and joy. It is those little things that they long to get back to. It is those little things that they long to be a part of once again.
So whatever you are doing this weekend whether it be watching football on TV, going somewhere with your family, or even just kicking back in your favorite chair to read a book in peace and quiet. Give a thought to those brave men and women miles and miles away who at that very moment would love to be doing exactly what you are doing at that very moment, and remember how sacred all those little things really are.