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March 29, 2007
Trust but Verify
By Drew in A/QMOs
Most people know that "Trust, but Verify" is a quote most often attributed to Ronald Reagan when he was referring to the Soviet Union. Well I am going to take the liberty of using that quote in relation to someone signing up in Quixtar.
Does it make much sense to sign up for an opportunity that is going to take your money and your time without checking out all the facts? Of course not. But, how much sense does it make to only trust what those in the business are saying?
Now I am not saying you should not trust your potential sponsor or upline, but I am telling you that you should verify what they are saying. One of the major problems with this business is the fact that many people don't verify what they are told by their uplines. This then leads to a bunch of people running around spouting the same nonsense that is not even true. I actually wrote about this in "The IBO Echo Chamber". If you are looking into this business don't become just another member of the IBO Echo Chamber.
You can listen and trust what you are being told by your upline. But, since you are the one who is going to ultimately benefit, or be harmed, by what is being told to you; for your own sake, and in some cases your family's sake, take the time and verify what they are telling you is accurate.
Comments
"Drew,
You must have been burned by an IBO or upline or team!"
WOW! Nothing gets past you does it? I do believe you have cracked the case Sherlock.
Whoa fella...that was a question of interest. You are pretty upset and I respect that. You don't have to come at me with that. Your blog is interesting and I thought I should post alittle. Thanks for the warm welcome. Just reading what others have to say. That is what you got this for right? Again, thanks for the warm welcome.
All I can say Drew is: Amen.
If people in the business did this more often, things would be better for the business as a whole.
Whenever I buy a product, I don't look at just the manufacturer's information. I also look at comments made by people about the product, both good and bad, and I weigh all options and every pro and con about something before I buy it (which is probably a reason I don't buy much). The manufacturer won't tell you, "This has a low battery life compared to product X from company Y." They want you know the good things about the product, and it's up to YOU to find out more third party info about it (third party meaning any opinion that doesn't benefit from you buy the product) and weigh pros and cons with the info you get from the manufacturer AND the third-party groups, and then decide.
The same principal goes into the stock market, real estate, and even this "business opportunity". Weight the pros and cons about them, and logically decide what is the best route.
Amen, Drew. Amen.
Techie,
Really good post!
"Whoa fella...that was a question of interest. You are pretty upset and I respect that. You don't have to come at me with that. Your blog is interesting and I thought I should post alittle. Thanks for the warm welcome. Just reading what others have to say. That is what you got this for right? Again, thanks for the warm welcome."
Actually from your post it was not a question at all, the exclamation point makes it a statement. So if you are going to make a statement like that, the response you got is the one I usually give. The mere fact that I have my own blog and I am an author here usually signals my Quixtar experience was not a great one, hence the reason for my sarcastic response.
Punctuation is a funny thing and can completely change the meaning of your whole message? Know what I mean!
I do know what you mean and I knew you was going to come back at me about an exclamation point mistake. My bad. Now that my english teacher just schooled me. Check your warm welcomes anyway. I'm a good person and I believe you have a good heart. Again, you have a legit blog here. Good to know I can learn from other views and build my business the right way. I'm in the Navy for the long haul with 14 years under my belt. I don't attend to work for anybody after the experience I received from the military. So the more I hear from others the better I will be in business.
Techie - good point. I too, like to see both sides of a story. It's how I came to post on this blog/forum; I was a happy IBO running our AMO-free family Amway business, when I went looking for what the "enemy" was saying..... boy, were MY eyes opened!!!
I can look at an object, and see that what a couple people perceive as a "negative" - might NOT be a negative for me.
But when I read story after story after story of people losing money to the AMOs - having relationships ruined - and wasting precious time chasing "dreams".... well, in my mind, the overwhelming evidence was there and *I* became very "negative" about the AMOs.
Sadly, ten years later, I haven't read anything that changes my mind.
Deb
Yes, it's very simple to verify the facts.
www.thisbiznow.com
www.quixtarfacts.com
It's even more simple to verify with your parents, friends and relatives since they are familiar to you. However, that doesn't mean that they know what they talk about; it's their opinion and that's fine. You are not looking for opinions, you are looking for facts!
ebiz: Thank you for your service.
Very good advice Drew. This reminds me of when some couple-friends of ours showed us the plan. Actually, 2 couples teamed up on us. Out of nowhere, these friends invited us over for pizza-and a discussion.
My first instinct was to get the brochure and check it out, but he said I wasn't allowed to take it with me...and he made it seem like I needed to make a decision right there. But, I took some time to think about it, and I found the dateline report online. It scared me to death! Of course, my first instinct was to run and warn my friends about this horrible mistake they were about to make-but they already had an answer for me regarding the dateline report.
Obviously, the dateline report wasn't the only thing I looked at...because I also found this wonderful site. Needless to say, I'm glad I checked it out.
Great post.
I thought you might get a kick out of this one:
http://mlmblog.typepad.com/blog/2005/11/quixtar_myth_sm.html
"The fact's don't matter when the dream is big enough"
"Yes, it's very simple to verify the facts.
www.thisbiznow.com
www.quixtarfacts.com"
Thank you Cristian for the standard IBO answer for verifying.
For those of you researching Cristian's comment is a prime example of why I wrote this article in the first place. Many IBOs will simply send you to websites that are owned and operated by Quixtar or the IBOAI.
Once again I recommend getting ALL the facts from ALL sides, weigh the pros and cons, and then make your decision based on that. Sadly it appears not every IBO would recommend the same.
...how is it that Drew's articles are great and always in the middle. But whenever someone says something from one side, he suddenly gets angry and posts from the opposite side instead of the usual middle?
You talk about due diligence
You talk about researching
You talk about quixtar teaching you some good things
Yet
When someone talks about being in a good situation or thinking about it and has done some research and/or will be doing quixtar, your posts (unlike your articles) are negative based on your experience from bad uplines and mentors
Christian,
I am going to need some examples from you in order to respond. Because I do not believe I am doing what you claim.
This entry doesn't tell me Drew has been burned by an IBO, it just states the truth.
You wouldn't buy a home without walking through it, making sure you can get the amount of money for the loan, getting an inspection and then finally closing the deal to buy it.
If you bought a home without seeing it, you are subject to take whatever unforseen problems there are, and that could be a huge loss to the buyer.
Many times home buyers take along friends or family members to look at a home with them. They do this so that their friend or family member may point out something they may overlook.
So what's the difference? IBOs just don't like family members telling their potential prospects anything negative about the "bidness" because the family members are usually who they would trust first, not some guy who got their phone number from them at Barnes & Noble.
From what I experienced and from others' similar experiences that I have read here, I say get all the info that you can from as many sources as possible. Don't let some eager IBO tell you that your family doesn't know $&!%.
Cristian Anton:
"Yes, it's very simple to verify the facts.
www.thisbiznow.com
www.quixtarfacts.com"
Take note that these two sites say at the bottom "© 1999-2007, Quixtar Inc." The company made them, and most likely it only contains good information.
Nothing is perfect, not even Quixtar and the such. There are good and bad things about everything. To look at only the good is only seeing half the issue. My first post was about "IBOs" knowing about the bad things that happen in the "business" so that they can work to make sure that it doesn't happen to them in there upline. I don't understand why people only want to hear the good about the "business". You have to take the good with the bad. Learn the bad so that you make sure the good only happens.
Brad: It has been a ride but it went by really quick. Alot of memories good and bad. You are very much welcome.
Wes: What really scared you to death about that Dateline report? There's my question mark. So please don't jump on me. Just want your opinion!
Techie: Do the SUCCESS FROM HOME magazine count? They did a whole magazine on Quixtar for that month.
Also, I have a question about the books and tapes, oh and the functions! Lets say you are an Emerald with a business powered by Quixtar. A downline IBO invite you to speak in another state. They pay for airfare or hotel or even dinner or whatever. Would you decline that invitation? A cd or tape was made of you speaking. Do you not deserve some royalties for speaking on that tape? Give me some feedback.
Also, on this topic! Trust is a big thing especially when you are dealing with people lives. I build my business with honor and integrity. And I pass that down to whomever get in business with me. When you ask me a question about my business. I answer them truthfully but there is some things I don't have to tell you because of my integrity and it is my BUSINESS. If I feel comfortable with you, then I feel I should tell you. That should go the same with whomever I'm in business with. Both downline and up. My upline has military background and I would trust them not because we are in business together but because we are military. Whoever I come across and I talk to them about my business, I let them know that it is not easy being in business and I also let them know that I don't have a background in business. I have a background in military but I have excellent customer service being that I work the helpdesk as an Information Technician. However there are some stuff going on in my upline as of right now but guess who called me first to let me know what was going on. My mentor, 12 years Army and 12 plus years IBO. I'm not going to disclose his pin level or how much he makes cause again that is integrity. Keep your integrity of your life and your business. It is yours! Credibilty is alot and mean alot. If this is your first time on this blog and you are looking to go into business for yourself. Go with your heart and your judgement. Don't get pressured or double team. If your upline or sponsor or soon to be don't answer your questions or say they will get back with you. Give them the chance to get the answers first. View this blog as a means of free speech and views. Do however take it serious. My link to my website is on here under ebiz and if you have any question. I will be happy, more than happy to answer them.
Again, credibility is BIG and being around since 1959 is pretty BIG. Yes, Amway started 1959 and Quixtar.com sister company of Amway went online 1999 to now. That is pretty impresive. Some of us on here wasn't even born yet but we are willing to challenge it. Good! Don't see Quixtar.com and Amway(overseas) going anywhere. Not putting anybody down here cause that is what I don't do but I really see blogs and website like these will make the company and the IBO's alot more confident. - = +
Hey Techie,
What's up? Let me clarify myself as to why it's not wise to blindfuly take advise from just about anyone regardless of whether they are family or friends.
My parents neither understand nor know what I'm doing. I have repeatedly tried to tell them about the business concept but their reaction is this "We are not interested in what you do, we don't know what you do and we don't want to know but it does not work".
HELLO??? You don't even want to listen to me and learn but somehow you know it all? Who or what qualifies you to talk about an opportunity that you are unfamiliar with? I'm neither looking for opinions nor for facts that do not relate to this specific opportunity. Yet, they keep on telling me that it does not work.
Hence, I will listen to what sources listed at thisbiznow.com and quixtarfacts.com have to say since they are qualified to talk business. See at thisbiznow.com the People Are Talking -> Business Leaders section. Are these people hyping? I don't think so, they are real, credible individuals.
I can't listen to my parents I'm afraid. They even complain about why the products are not pleasing to the eye. Sorry, that's the last straw I can take.
Cristian,
People don't need to know how the oportunity works to know it is not a good one. Average income $115 a month, less than 1% actually make any money. Why does it matter if they actually know how it works?
Maybe your parents don't know exactly how poison kills you but they knew well enough to keep you safe from it while you were a child growing up.
Mr. Anton,
First of all, I'd like to point out in my posts (this is my forth post on the site, so it will take you five minutes to find and read them) where I say, in some form, "...it's not wise to blindfuly take advise from just about anyone regardless of whether they are family or friends."
Second, I'd like to ask you to explain what you have told your parents about the "business" (as specific as possible, if you can).
As for the thisbiznow.com Business Leaders section, I sat down and listened from Ambrosi to NSF. I do not doubt their sincerity or their credibility, but they would not truly be counted as a "third-party" opinion. All the companies represented in this section of the website earn money based on the success of Quixtar. It would be similar to Apple Computers creating a computer using Intel processors (I know they are doing that, and my example doesn't reflect anything that they are truly doing. It is only for example purposes only). Apple and Intel go public with their computer, and some people love it, and others complain that it's too expensive and not worth the money. However, lovers of the computer say that Intel supports it, so it must be good. However, because Intel has a monetary interest in the selling the product, they will try to justify the high price. Even if they do believe the price is high, they will justify it as well, like saying that the product is of high quality. Are they lying to you? No, not really. They are just trying to make a profit, which is the goal of any business, even Quixtar and the like.
Also, I believe that you should listen to your parents. I'd like to go into more detail on why, but that would be a long explanation of Zen-Buddhist principals (and I'd love to explain it if you want me to), but the short of it is this: just because your parents have a different perspective on the "business" doesn't make it a wrong perspective. Perspective is based on past experiences and such, and your parents have just had a different experience that gives them the perspective they have.
I'd like to end on a quote by Gene Fowler, American journalist:
“Men are not against you; they are merely for themselves”
The people in "the business" are not against you. They are just doing what they think they need to do to help themselves. And if it helps you, it helps you. If it hurts you, it hurts you. In the end, all they want to do is make a profit.
I'm sorry, I'd like to change "First of all, I'd like to point out in my posts..." in my last post to "First of all, I'd like you to point out in my posts..." I apologize. I think faster than I type, and I thought I wrote that.
Yes, Please look at thisbiznow.com and look closely at the numbers. Do the math and look extremely close at what percentage make it to levels that provide the levels of income that provide the high lifestyle we see. If you are okay with those chances, have at it.
See below from thisbiznow.com:
"*The following are approximate percentages of Direct Fulfillment IBOs of record in North America who achieved the illustrated levels of success in the calendar year ending August 31, 2005: Diamond .0120%; Emerald .0320%; Q-12 Platinum .1683%."
That means only 12 people out of 100,000 make diamond. Does that mean only 12 people "really wanted it" or are there other mitigating factors?
Don't just follow your heart, use your head too.
ebiz: "Do the SUCCESS FROM HOME magazine count?"
Before I say yes, no, or maybe, I'd like to see copy of the issue you're talking about (what issue was it?). When I Googled the name and found their website, the page wasn't up yet, but from the looks of the magazine cover picture on that page, they appear to be okay, but I wouldn't give my full opinion until I see the magazine in full. My thought is this: if they give the pros and cons of "the business" in a non-biased fashion (which I have yet to determine for myself) and if they nothing to gain or lose directly due to the success or failure of Quixtar, they would be okay. From my first impressions of it, it looks like a "PC World" or "PC Magazine"-type publication that informs people about all types of at-home businesses.
I have been in Quixtar for several years and have had absolutely no bad experiences. Like any other business, the chances of succeeding is about 3%. Most businesses fail within the first 3 years. It's not the businss that doesn't work - it's the person running the business. Have you ever seen a business in your town close down only to have someone else open the same business and succeed? Quixtar is no different. If you work the business you will succeed. If the business works you, you will fail.
"Success from Home" is one of those publications that businesses sponsor issues of. These pop up in all sorts of industries. They are made to look like unbiased publications to outsiders, but really they are magazine-length advertisements. They are even sold on newsstands. A writeup in a vanity magazine would give you no esteem within the industry, it just looks good to potential customers or casual investors.
The publishing expenses for vanity magazines are underwritten by the featured businesses. The articles are written completely based on information the businesses provide. Sometimes the PR branch of the featured businesses write the articles themselves.
I wrote for some of these magazines back in the lean and hungry days. There is no reporting involved. You just take whatever brochures, press releases and biographies the company wants to give you and try to make it look like an informative piece.
Del; Has the SBA found out that 3% of businesses fail? That is so different than what they report, I'd bet they would be anxious to see the data those numbers came from!
Del wrote: "Most businesses fail within the first 3 years."
Would you care to document this claim?
PW
Thank you, Janet! Now my question and I will end it with a question mark. What is a credible magazine to have your business in? Remember! Quixtar is just the supplier of the IBO's.
"Quixtar is just the supplier of the IBO's."
That is a pretty powerful supplier considering they can shut down your entire business.
Drew, Are you talking about Eric Scheibeler? Is there any other proof other than his book? Some others on here are always asking for proof. How is his book credible and this blog?
No, I am talking about the Quixtar Rules of Conduct. Have you read them? As far as this blog goes if you want to call into question it's credibility you are going to need some examples, and some reasoning to go with that. Otherwise it's just empty talk.
ebiz;
That's a good question. I'm afraid I'm a little cynical about it because I have written for publications that seem very reputable, but there is definitely an unwritten biased toward not pissing off businesses that buy big ads. I have had reviews "reeled in" because the company producing the product I'm reviewing puts a lot of money through the magazine.
Right now, I really don't trust anything published. The glossier the magazine, the more suspicious I am. There always seem to be too many strings controlling what is being printed. Even critical articles can be fueled by a nice account with a competitor or a contract gone bad.
Also, I don't have experience with every magazine, so I am loathe to judge them one way or the other. "Success from Home", however, I know how its bread is buttered.
I probably sound like a conspiracy-theory loon :)
Ebiz,
They shut down Kenny Stewart's business. He was a Crown. Search for his name and you can read the documents filed with the court. Pretty nice income to shut off eh?
Some more information about "Success from Home":
http://www.videoplus.com/plus_publishing.php
Oddly, their "custom publications" and "publishing" pages are identical. They are vanity magazines.
Drew,
You must have been burned by an IBO or upline or team!
Posted by: ebiz | March 29, 2007 11:28 PM