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Subject: Your Amway Page Fri, 30 Jul 1999 I would appreciate it if you could leave my name out of future archives. I have been reading through your web site and I have to admit I agree with a lot of the stories that you have been publishing. I bought that all important kit 7 years ago and some very close friends of mine became my sponsors. They took me along to a meeting at a Hotel, they had only just been sponsored. I in turn sponsored my father in law to be at the time (he is my father in law now). I found myself spending money on rallies, conventions, tapes, books. We were told that we should invest our profit right back into our business, however, they don't mention "pay yourself your expenses" first. As fas as I was concerned, I was throwing money down the drain. I even went and bought my Artistry kit to do workshops, I managed to sell some make up, but at times I was driving 75 miles (round trip) just to deliver a lipstick. My sponsors were encouraged to treat us professionally and not as friends as they needed to gain stature from us so that we would edify them. As a result, we became less close and I really resented that. I had been to rallies every month, even travelling over 100 miles to get to them if all local rallies were sold out. They don't tell you about all the extra expenditure when you sign up. At one point, I was 2 levels up, I managed 6%, although I only kept that for 1 month. I bought all of the tapes, as many books as I could afford, I was a student at the time. I was in this with my husband (then - fiance) and we worked very hard, I even drove 130 miles to meet my direct at midnight for 30 mins and then got home at 4am. I was in no fit state to drive, but I wasn't going to spend yet more money on accomodation. Another expenditure was that we would have to drive 140 miles round trip every weekend to pick up our products. Ludicrous. My in laws started having problems and were arguing all the time over "the Business", this of course made my husband and we felt guilty as we felt that it was all our fault. We stuck it out for 3 years and eventually we decided that we had given it a fair go, we very rarely had an evening where we weren't working for our business. People still involved with Amway may well say: You needed better support from your up-line You should have asked for help etc. etc. I was sick to my back teeth with it. Even with all of the above, I would be able to say, it was a business opportunity that didn't work for me, it was NOT my bag. What really winds me up is that when people quit or do not take up the opportunity, it is insinuated that they are narrow minded, have a lack of ambition etc. That is what is not on. I was also taught to read people and (IMO) mislead them, I felt devious and manipulative. Deceitful. Don't get me wrong, although a lot of the products cost more, they ARE good products. As for cosmetics and personal hygeine products, if I want to wear Chanel makeup with Jean Paul Gaultier perfume, then I don't want someone telling me I cant. At the end of the day, I bought Amway perfumes and didn't like them, it's personal taste. I lost a lot of friends, we were also told that if people had a negative reaction to the Oppotunity or were not interested, then they were not worth associating ourselves with. Since quitting (yes, I will say the word QUIT), I am now driving my own Mercedes (hard earnt and not a company perk) and living in a large house on a prestigous estate and I have never looked back. My ex-sponsors have since quit, are very successful consultants and we are starting to talk again. My husband will not hear the word Amway mentioned in front of him. My Father In Law has since quit and now he and my Mother In Law are getting on again. The Amway practices have a lot to answer for. I have also since been approached twice, the first time, the guy kept bugging me and would not leave me alone for months, I considered reporting him as a stalker (no joke!), eventually, I put my husband on the line and he hasn't called since. I didn't even know they guy! The more recent approach is from a friend. I haven't told him to not go for it, he knows I have been involved before and asked about my experience, and that is all I stressed to him...that it was my experience. So he has struck me off his list. I'm still young, I have a long way to go...my way. Thanks for listening, this is probably the first time in 7 years I have been able to get this off my chest.
Subject: Ginny's Amway story (part 3)
Wed, 04 Aug 1999
Hey Ginny,
I'm an ex-Amway Distributor too. I read your story and hope all is well
with you, your husband, and your child.
Subject: Your Amway Site (NOT a flame!) Fri, 6 Aug 1999 Mr. Glasser, I was recently approached by a friend who told me about a "fantastic business opportunity" involving e-commerce, and that, since I was a webmaster, I would be able to succeed at this venture easily, and have the chance to make an "unlimited income" residually. He gave me a casette tape, which I threw away as soon as I got home (I didn't even bother to read the tape's title) and invited me to a meeting, which I did not attend. A couple of weeks later, my friend followed up and invited me to another meeting. Once again, I declined to attend. (Through this point, there had been no specific mention of what the "opportunity" was or what the company's name was.) A few days ago, my friend sent me an email following up again, and once again inviting me to another meeting. He even had someone else send me an email under the pretense of issuing a friendly invitation to the meeting (since it was to be held after-hours at this gentleman's business office). At long last, in this email my friend mentioned a company name...Quixtar. If you are actively on top of what Amway is doing, you know all about what Quixtar is. It's nothing more than a flashier and glorified version of "Amway Online", touting itself to be the future of e-commerce. (I've never been involved with or even recruited for Amway in the past.) Being the internet slave that I am, I spent several hours online digging up all the information I could about Quixtar and Amway. I looked mostly for the neutral and negative information, because I am generally the type of person that looks first at the rain before even trying to find the rainbow. (I just thought of that analogy, and it impressed me for a moment...it is very insightful about myself...sorry, I am digressing!) At any rate, I found a plethora of anti-Amway information and several sources that state Quixtar's methods of earning this purportedly "unlimited" income are identical to Amway's. I did several minutes of cutting and pasting and shot off a reply to my friend..."Thanks, but no thanks." Less than an hour after sending him my reply, I decided to create my own anti-site, at www.cafeanonymous.com/quixtar. I have used some of your information, with the source linked, and I hope you don't mind. I have also used a great deal of information from other sites, and much of my information is highly critical of Amway/Quixtar. So far, I am currently working on my fourth page of information, and the average page size is between 55kb and 90kb, which is quite large considering there are practically no images to take up any space. Anyway, the purpose for this email is to tell you that I found your site fascinating and very informative, and that I have "borrowed" some of your information for placement on my own site. If you would rather I didn't, please let me know and I will remove the sections of my site that have been taken from yours. Thank you!
Subject: Your Amway story (part 3) Sun, 8 Aug 1999 Bravo! I WAS involved and thought I was the only person to ever challenge an AmScam upline! My wife became TOTALLY brainwashed by it. I finally decided to check it out online, found enough proof, and convinced it would bankrupt us if not lead to divorce! I then proceeded to have her schedule a "home meeting" and blew away my sponsor & "my diamond" ! They stormed out and we haven't heard from them since! Well, better stop here, but if you want a "complete transcript", let me know and I'd be glad to oblige! Again, Bravo on a job well done!
Subject: Your LIES about Amway Tue, 10 Aug 1999 Brilliant. Absolutely well written. I couldn't have put it better myself. When I was 17 I actually joined Herbalife, and similar tactics were used. Thing is I didn't really have much money, I got ripped off for a couple of hundred, they finished it when they tried the phone your mates thing. I really wished when I saw the end I'd have made a stand. I didn't have the net and no-one knew herbalife, or herbalie as I renamed it. Yup, Amway are most certainly a cult in my opinion. Why not get a V3 redirectional thing of come.to/amway and scrawl the address on walls outside their meetings etc. Just a little fun with the subject header. Keep with the truth.
Subject: Amway Story Reply Tue, 10 Aug 1999 I would like to send a response (a positive one) but want to make sure this address is still used. Let me know if I can send a response in. Thank you.
Subject: My reply to your Amway page Wed, 11 Aug 1999 Wowie zowie. Your excursion to the perimeter of the Amway abyss was truly terrifying. It reminds me of an experience I had as a teenager with Tupperware and some well-meaning older Christian friends. While I'm reluctant to elevate Tupperware to the status of "cult" because their products are clever and useful and I'm not entirely familiar with the organization, they practiced some shocking activities at their "rallies". I do not exaggerate when I say I had flashbacks of those Nurembourg reels when the MC chanted, "Now we're cooking with..." and the devotees dutifully and enthusiastically returned, "TUPPER-WARE!". The women hugged, gave testimonials, and sang motivational Tupperware songs like they were at a tent revival. There was everything short of the "Holy Ghost shakes"! I was 17 years old and being pressured by people I looked up to. The reason I went to the parties was to build a "hope chest" for when I moved out of my parents' house, so I would have many necessities already paid for gradually. The female comraderie of the parties was appealing and I figured if I was going to spend my hard-earned cash, it may as well benefit struggling friends. The two pillars of my community who tried to mentor me had encouraged me to get an early start with their organization rather than look for a real job (up to that point, I was everybody's babysitter). I resented the intrusiveness of it then, and after reading a few books about mind control and cult activities a friend had lying around as research sources for a term paper, I felt betrayed that they used my trust as an angle to gain an acolyte. (Such chance contacts with skepticism or opposition do make a difference) I recall that some of the women were married to men waiting for their Amway opportunities to flower. I thought Amway seemed as innocuous as the more esteemed money-making schemes like Mary Kay cosmetics, Tupperware, and the multitude of vitamin/health product peddlers who promised economic freedom to the diligent salesmen infesting the church I attended (churches are excellent breeding grounds for economic cults, which may not carry the same stigma of radical religious sects). Even Kirby, the vacuum people, advertise for new recruits with euphemisms. You have no idea what they're about until after you've responded to their classified stating they need energetic self-starters (preferably college students) to lavish gratuities on. Not a clue, until you've made an appointment for an "interview", which turns out to be an "orientation meeting" with a roomful of other hopeful potential exploitees. It's a let-down when you find out it's for selling cleaning apparatus door-to-door, but most poor college students I know who answered that ad gave it consideration as an interim plan until they could find something better, and one guy got sucked in. I suppose in a society where infomercials have replaced the Saturday television matinee and right-wing fundamentalist politicians hobnob with cult leaders like Reverend Sun Myung Moon (who even purchased the Washington Times to add legitimacy and clout to his undertakings), I could add dozens more examples that come flooding to mind as I write this. But you sound like a busy guy and I don't want to become paranoid. Lastly, I hope you don't mind if I use your anti-Amway page as a link. I stumbled upon it while doing a search for "Eckankar", some new age cult. (Talk about marketing strategy--the "Ecks" once ran an ad in Rolling Stone magazine's classified section that simply said "ECKANKAR" with a toll-free number after it. I called and the woman who answered said she merely worked in a phone room, had no idea what the ad was about, and was instructed to get the addresses of interested inquirers to mail informational packets to.) I was only 15 or 16 then and typically curious for a girl that age, but hung up because it sounded like a scam. It's frightening to think how easily an impressionable person without a developed sense of self could be led into such organizations, and through something as common as a mainstream entertainment monthly. In the 1970s there seemed to be a real concern and growing awareness about mind-control cults. I remember as a kid seeing a news expose on L. Ron Hubbard and the Scientology movement, which has stayed in my mind always as something to avoid. It's appalling to see celebrities embrace the movement a couple decades later after all the negative coverage Scientology has received, and nobody seems to care anymore that the founder was a shady character but a good author of fiction. Have our collective defenses been worn down by the proliferation of "spiritual" movements which employ mind-control techniques? This is probably too long to print and that's fine. I just wanted to thank you for sharing your experience and hope you will continue to keep the word out there.
Subject: My reply to your Amway page Mon, 16 Aug 1999 I found you web site at just the right time...I have been approached by a "Sponsor" regarding the latest AMWAY production- Quixtar.com- Any thought on this? It is due to launch Sept 1, 1999. Seems that Amway lives even in the electronic world of the internet. I am looking for any info you have to same my sanity from being absorbed into the Quixtar.com world. Seeking solutions.
Subject: Re: My reply to your Amway page Tue, 17 Aug 1999 > Chris Endicott wrote: > > I found you web site at just the right time...I have been approached by a > "Sponsor" regarding the latest AMWAY production- Quixtar.com- Any thought > on this? > It is due to launch Sept 1, 1999. Seems that Amway lives even in the > electronic world of the internet. > > I am looking for any info you have to same my sanity from being absorbed > into the Quixtar.com world. > > Seeking solutions. > Chris. I was just about to post some updates with a frequently asked questions page.
(And I did.)
Subject: Ginny's Amway story (part 3) Wed, 18 Aug 1999 Thanks, for sharing your story on the web. I am fortunate that I have never signed up for AMWAY, but I've been to at least half a dozen meetings and some of my best friends are in AMWAY. One of my (former) best friends is a recent distributor and your story gives me some new insight into his thought processes and what his life must be like. Since he joined AMWAY he has turned into an incredibly boring person, who wants to do nothing to explain to me the beauty of the AMWAY plan at any provocation. I'll try to steer the conversation away from AMWAY, but within 5 minutes he will bring up the plan regardless of the subject we are talking about and proceed to explain it me even though I've heard it dozens of times. In some ways I have a mixture of respect, sadness and concern for him after reading your story. He always tells me how great the business is going and how he's on the way to diamond. He even gives dates such as on this day one year from now I'll be emerald. However, he can't hide the fact that many of the shirts he wears have yellowed to the point that even a confirmed, sloppy batchelor like myself would not wear them or consider them fit for anything but dust rags. Sorry, if I'm rattling on a little too long, but I just wanted to say a few things. Thanks again for some insights into my friend(s) behavior and attitude since he signed on with AMWAY.
Subject: Your Amway page... Wed, 18 Aug 1999 I got involved in Amway in 1979, when I was 19. A number of friends bought products from me because they liked me, but they would not buy a second time. I was never comfortable with turning every relationship into a marketing opportunity. My sponsors would say"Well if you see a good movie, you want to run out and tell all your friends about it, so Amway can do them much more good than a movie, so why not tell about Amway". They ignore that something changes when you are making money off of what you tell your friends about. I have tried other MLM companies, Melaleuca, CellTech, but found them to be just like Amway. MLM inherently turns people against each other and makes everyone everyone else's competitor.
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Thu, 19 Aug 1999 Great story...fascinating made-for-TV movie...but Dude, some of your links don't work...very annoying.
Subject: Your%20Amway%20page... Fri, 20 Aug 1999 Hi. I was trying to view a link about Amway that was linked up to your site. The story is about an Emerald in the business who has gone from PRO to CON. I do not know alot about computers or the internet. The site was not available. Is there some way I can view this? Thank you for your time.
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Sat, 21 Aug 1999 Hi, I read with interest your story and was quite embarrassed because it brought back bad memories of my involvement with amway. You see I went as far as signing up before realizing what a scam it really was. I wish I had read this 4 years ago when a friend (who has nothing to do with me now) pressured me into the business. I personally know three people who are head over heals involved with this business and they all have changed drastically, I feel like they are definitely brainwashed. I lost some money and self respect for being conned, but I escaped before they got their hooks too deep in me. My hope is that others stumble on to your website before making a decision on joining amway. Best wishes to you
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Wed, 25 Aug 1999 Hi Russell, My name is Holly. My husband and I too were sucked into the land of Amway. It was early 1993, and we were young newlyweds recently relocated from our hometown in Buffalo, NY to San Antonio, TX where my husband began a new job. We were introduced to Amway by one of his coworkers. The husband and wife team came to our apartment on a Sunday evening dressed in their Amway attire. I asked them if they had just come from church and I never received an answer. They proceeded with their sickenly sweet sales pitch and my husband fell hook, line and sinker into everything they told him. I was more skeptical, but being the newlywed I was I didn't argue. We went to one of the "meetings" a few days later dressed in our best business attire and met our future upline and all of the other important people who would soon become our biggest influence for the next 5 or so years. Well, to make a long story short, we signed up, began buying all of the products we could and attended every meeting. Some meetings would last and last and last. We'd get home at 3 and 4 in the morning, sleep a few hours and then go to work the next day. We'd tell ourselves this is only temporary. Pretty soon we won't have to work. Well that time never came. A year later, we had only sponsored a handful of people, only one couple attending meetings regularly with us. And since we weren't the success stories they had thought we'd be, our upline directs had little to no time for us!! But we continued this sick charade. I became pregnant with our first child in late 1994, and continued at the same pace attending meetings, some which we drove over 20 hours to get to!! After our son was born, I slowed down a little but not much. We had no family in town so we were forced to find a babysitter everytime we wanted to attend a meeting. I told myself that this too was only temporary. Everything changed in early 1996 when my husband was transferred to Dallas. Now our upline and the one couple we had going to meetings with us would be 5 hours away. They sent us on our way and told us not to worry. Everything would be ok and they hooked us up with the Dallas group under the same line of diamonds as us. The truth was that we were outsiders to this little group. We never felt quite welcome at their meetings and were told not to become too personal with them since that would be "crosslining". Well this nonsense went on for about another year or so. We continued to attend meetings alone in Dallas (we never sponsored on person after we moved) and we'd hook up with our group and upline at the major events every other month. As it turned out, the longer we were away and the less we bought and produced, the less our upline (especially our sponsors, who to this day have still not acheived anything more than the 2500 point level and are making no money) wanted less and less to do with us. These people were supposed to be our friends and mentors, mind you. When I became pregnant with our second child in 1997, we knew we couldn't possibly fool ourselves anymore. Four years later and over $15,000 invested, we were making about $20 a month. I graciously informed our sponsors that we would not be attending the next major function or any after that and to please take us off the three tapes a week that we were receiving. Needless to say, this did not go over well. They really have never spoken to us again. I have left them a few messages here and there because there are still a few amway products that we really like and wanted to receive. I guess they can't handle us as simple customers!! I can say that a few good things have come out of this experience though. Due to the Sunday services that are offered on the last day of the conventions, my husband and I became Christians and now attend a wonderful church here in Dallas. The one couple that hung in there with us (who also are now Amway free) have become great friends of ours. We met them during one of our cold contacts believe it or not!! We have a lot of funny stories to share now, that's for sure. I admire you for sharing your story Russell. Amway does work for some, but it is not for everyone. We gave it our best shot. It just took us longer than others to realize that diamond was nowhere in our future, unless we decided to forsake our friends and family and go at it 24/7! And for those it has and does work for, I applaud them. Obviously they know something we don't Thanks for your time.
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Sun, 29 Aug 1999 Dear Sir: Thank you for your Amway story. Several have tried to rope me into Amway, but the inflated prices always kept me out!Sincerely,
Subject: My reply to your Amway page Mon, 30 Aug 1999 Hello Here is the bottom line: I believe you love helping others like I do. I really found something that is helping a LOT of people. Please read this over carefully, as it could help you and your family OR help someone you know and love. [OBNOXIOUS SELF-PROMOTION DELETED.]
Subject: Amway / Network 21 Wed, 01 Sep 1999 Hi I'm from Austria and since a short time a friend started with Amway. We are both also in computer business. The first thing what he told me was: Do you want to get rich. I'm also quite a doubtful person so I listened to his introduction with the sentences "do you have a dream" and "there are people with money ... bla bla" but I never wanted to sign. I think it was quite good for me that he was just starting with Amway, otherwise he would have maby changed my mind. Since he try's to get "rich" he wants to convice everyone he meets. It doesn't matter if this people are friends, family members or somthing else. The result of this is sometimes that people just ignore him or that they get mad at him. Others he already convinced to make it with a lot helf by his "upline". It's funny to hear all the special words, they are using. I think the worst thing is his upline. Since a couple of months he is hanging arround with them. When I read your story they reminded me on Phil and his wife and my friend seems to be Ted. It's really amazing how much similarities to your story exist. Now this friends spends more and more time going to meetings and so on. 2 days ago we saw him the first time in a suit and we asked him what he is going to do. It was sure that it has something to do with Amway. In his mind he will be rich in 2 years to make his dream true. Every week which passes he gets more involved and stucked with Amway. He is a intelligent person but I think they hitted the right point on him. It would be really nice from you if you could give me some tips to unstuck him. Anyway, next week I plan to go with his ex girlfriend and with him to such an event where they have such a proffessional speaker. I deffinatly want to hear what they say there. If you want to know how it was I can write you back. Thanx for your web-page, I read everything with great interest. Something else. I think he gets all the tapes from a company called network 21 which is connected to Amway. I'm sorry for my bad english hope you could understand something :-) Ciao Ps.: Keep on hearing rock music
Subject: Your Amway story (part!!1) Wed, 1 Sep 1999 Hey, My name is ***** *****, and at first I watnt to excuse my english. I'm an Austrian and I only learned english at scool. To introduce myself, I'm a software programmer. I visited a computer scool and now I work in a big bank in Austria. A month ago I heard of a new Marketing Conzept called Network Marketing. The firm is called Network 21. I read your story and now I ask if you have been in touch with the Amway-Buissenes (where you be a seller of Amway products) or in the Network Marketing Buissines (where you buy produkt of several firms like Amway, Nutrilite, Artistry, Philips, Pierre Cardin, Bosch, Sony, Coca Cola, ...). I really want to now, if you was on meetings of Amway or on meetings of Network 21. What I have read, many things are equal, but the most or all of the bad things of Amway aren't in Network 21. Perhaps I don't have enough informations of Network 21, then I want to know also the bad things. cu PS: I'm a Network 21 distributer, but only since a month. When there is something I should know, I want to know it :-)
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Wed, 1 Sep 1999 Its very interesting to read your experiences. We (my husband and I AND some other friends) were unfortunately not as lucky as you. We did not do our research and found out not fast nor early enough about Amway. We were in "it" for almost a year and surely lost about 2-3 thousand. Big regrets, but, we are surely smarter and wiser now. We finally got sick of our "upline" and the lines they were using on us to waste our money. It really is sick how they manipulate people.
Subject: Finished your Amway story...
Thu, 02 Sep 1999
Hi Russell!
Just the information I needed to confirm my doubts and suspicions.
I've got a guy "trying" his best to recruit me and he is not having too
much success. Anyhow, wanted to inform you and other readers that Amway
is now on-line. www.quixtar.com is based and run by Amway which is the
"little" information I've been able to get out of this guy. (have to go
to the meetings, listen to the tapes, read books, blah,blah,blah..to get
the details)
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story and backing up what
I've heard from everyone else about what a dud and a waste of time/money
this really is.
Thanks again!!
Subject: My reply to your Amway page Mon, 06 Sep 1999 To everyone who is "FOR" amway my experiences..please post! Thanks Hello Everyone, I joined Quixtar about a month ago after I heard how it was going to CHANGE the web. THe truth is I have been doing internet marketing for about 3 years now and ahve made quite a bit of $$$ doing it, but that isn't my point. My point is Quixtar is just amway on the web, More lies then truths, people controlling/leading people. For all of you that are in Amway/Quixtar I would suggest taking a look at yourself, and ask yourself if you enjoy lying to people, and looking at them as $$$, not really helping them. I have not gotten 1 ounce of help since I started in Quixtar, just the promise that I could make MAJOR $$$, which I have no need for. I wanted to get into this program to help OTHERS make $$, but I see that that isn't the main goal of this program at all. It is for certain people to get rich, and those that WANT to get rich to buy all the "MOTIVATIONAL" materials that the "RICH" people have for sale. Do these programs they have actually TEACH you how to make $$? Or do they keep you being positive, something you should be doing yourself, so that you will buy MORE materials from them? I do agree some people will make $$$, but this will be greatly less then those that SPEND more then they make. BTW I just got into the quixtar site, all the promises they were making don't seem to be true to me. Do you realize those "PARTNER" sites that Quixtar is supposed to be partners with, you can actually get paid DIRECTLY from them 10-30% as an affiliate?? Don't believe me check out this site http://www.refer-it.com! Quixtar is just UNDERSELLING all there people who are in ther eprogram. They are getting paid a higher percentage then they are paying you for buying the products from these PARTNERS... Wake up...I am not lying I know business and I see a lot of people being misled!! I commend you for designing this page. If you want help in making REAL $$$$ off the web contact me, I am looking for people who have some ideas about different online businesses. If you have an idea, or just want to bitch at me, that is fine!! Freedom of speach is what this country "USED" to be all about haha!! If you have a great idea on a new website, and just need some $$ or guidance, I am here for that too! Please let me know! Thanks
Subject: Ginny's Amway story (part 3) Tue, 07 Sep 1999 Hi Ginny, Your story seems too familiar. I have friends who've gotten sucked into this scam and I wish I could get them out. One couple lives in North Carolina and the other couple live across the street from me here in Philadelphia. Both couples wanted to show my husband and I "the plan". Fortunately, I had already heard of Amway and didn't want any part of it. From the way they talk and carry on about the millionaires they've met, I didn't want anything to do with that either. I've gotten bits and pieces of how this business works without seeing the actual business plan but find it completely rediculous how they've got to buy like 200pv in over-priced merchandise and got to all these rallies and functions that they pay for. My neighbors' kids are always with babysitters. It's awful. I've done lots of research on the internet, mainly so I'd have some answers when they try to approach me again with their plan. Did you ever think about contacting 20/20 or Dateline NBC? I think this rotten organization should be exposed. They're ruining people's lives - good people who just want to make a little more money or possibly stay at home with their children - are lead to believe they can do just that and with a little hard work they'll be rich. What lies are told. This really is a cult. Good for you for getting out and realizing your baby was more important than these idiots. Good luck, Ginny. I hope you can reach others who are stuck in the Scamway life and get them out. Sincerely,
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Thu, 09 Sep 1999 Your story was marvelous. however I'm afraid I read it too late. I was suckered into Amway. Paid my membership dues, and did'nt realize it was Amway until I read the fine print. Have you heard of Quixtar? That's how they got me. The concept sounds great, people who like to shop on the web or out of catalogs will love this.....ya da ya da ya da....Well I like to shop on the web and I love to shop from catalogs and I hate crowds and shopping malls....I'm sure I don't have to tell you anymore. They hooked me like a flounder. I am in the process of getting my money back....it's only been about a week. I don't know what recourse I have, if you ahave any suggestions, I would appreciate them. Thanks,
Subject: My reply to your Amway page Thu, 16 Sep 1999 I read your complete story, very well done. I believe you that that was your true experience, and you seem to have tried to present it objectively, as you see it. But I think about something I've heard from my personal Diamond, and I truly believe it, but I don't know what to do to give everybody the "right" experience and keep the losers out. That is this: there are about ten different "ways" to "do" Amway, and I wouldn't be caught dead doing about nine of them. I'm just sorry that was your experience. I think maybe if you had been contacted and met some of the people we work with, you might have had a much more positive experience. I'm sorry you criticized the products, apparently not having used any of them. I'm sorry your ex-future-almost sponsor and direct gave you the impression we're all a bunch of money-grubbing self-serving brainwashed idiots. And I'm also sorry you never got involved enough, the RIGHT way, to actually reap some of the benefit of the personal development that CAN happen if you have the desire to improve your situation. Brainwashing? Maybe, but it's better than the kind of junk that's out there, that will NOT help me grow in a positive direction. No, I won't slam you for sharing your reality, it's not worth it.
Subject: Finished your Amway story... Thu, 16 Sep 1999 Many thanks that was a close shave!
Subject: a funny amway mad lib for you Fri, 17 Sep 1999 You have probably received a funnier one, but I think this is still kind of hilarious. Dear DISGUSTING BUTT, You are so incredibly DISGUSTING that I just can't believe it. You deserve to PUT. I hope you always remember the words of the famous RUBY HENRY FONDA, who said: "IT AIN'T OVER TILL THE FAT LADY SINGS." Boy, I'll bet that old HENRY FONDA could really teach you a thing or two! Here's a person who makes over 999,999 dollars every month. Do YOU make that much, you DISGUSTING BUTT? If not, then you are obviously wasting my time. My upline GOAT, who made 2 dollars last year from his Amway business alone, told me that nobody likes a TONGUE. And that is exactly what you are, a great big TONGUE. In closing, I would like to say that although I respect your right to PUSH your opinion, you obviously have as much intelligence as a PICTURE, and while I become BURLY and OBESE you will be serving me my CREPE SOUSETTE and selling BMW'S to me. I wish you success in whatever you do, and I of course bear you no ill will. MERRILY, ***** (A BURLY distributor)
Subject: your page...i like it;)
Sun, 19 Sep 1999
Russell,
I must say, I was very impressed with you page and wanted to thank you
for making it and displaying it so that I could find it before I completely
screwed up my life. I knew something was wrong with Amway, but I just
couldn't put my finger on it...until I read your page. I can now see the
truth in the light. If it is truly a hobby for you and you enjoy doing this,
perhaps you might consider writing a page about Quixtar. It is amway's new
disguise and far more deceptive than the amway ever was. It is an e-mall.
Overall I thought you did very well and appreciate your ambition. I'll have
to refer people to it now that I know of it;)
Sincerely
Subject: Your Amway page... Tue, 21 Sep 1999 I've probably e-mailed you before, but I want to thank you again for your courageous, informative web-site. I wish the Amway were the only scam, but all MLM's inevitably become cults, and when Amway collapses, all the big diamonds will start new scams. So, we must never relent in our fight to educate people about the rotten nature of MLM's. Thanks.
Subject: Amway/Qwixtar Tue, 21 Sep 1999 Hi, Just a quick note to say that I came accross your web site after asking "Jeeves" about Amway.I believe I read 90% of it and found it interesting but alas you can't put me down as one "saved" as I had more or less come to a lot of your conclusions a few years ago when a neighbor started enlisting recruits.Yesterday an opportunity came for another shot as I was given a new intro to "www.worldwide-E.com" and was unable to get much out of the site other than a few statements of mission etc. What do you know about it other than it appears to be Amway on the net? Take care and keep at it.
Subject: Your Amway page... Wed, 22 Sep 1999 My wife found your web page and downloaded the info,which I FOUND IN THE TRASH.I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO PUT UP A PAGE regarding your failure to take advantage of a business opportunity.It is,after all,just an opportunity to make money,just like anything else.WHY ARE YOU CRYING THE BLUES???It obviously didn't work for you,I KNOW AND YOU KNOW IF YOU SPENT ANY MONEY YOU GOT IT BACK(100% GUARANTEE,REMEMBER?)You must be trying to make money with this page,because of your failure with amway.WHEN YOU GOT STARTED,YOU WERE PROVIDED THE BUSINESS COMPENDIUM,WHICH EXPLAINS ALL OF THE LEGALITIES OF THE BUSINESS.IF YOU DIDN'T TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT,THAT'S YOUR FAULT,WHY ARE YOU BLAMING A CORPORATION FOR YOUR FAILURE?I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE I SPENT 10 MINUTES RESPONDING TO YOU,BUT,WHEN I READ YOUR PAGE,I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING.IT'S A BUSINESS,NOTHING MORE,NOTHING LESS. I'M SURE AT NO TIME DID SOMEONE PUT A GUN TO YOUR HEAD AND MAKE YOU BUY PRODUCTS OR MAKE YOU GO TO A MEETING.YOU BELIEVED IN THE HYPE,IT DIDN'T WORK OUT,SO MOVE ON.IF YOU DID LOSE MONEY,THERE ARE LEGAL REMEDIES YOU CAN TAKE.THAT BEING SAID,WHY WOULD YOU SET UP A PAGE DEVOTED TO YOUR NEGATIVE FEELINGS TOWARD AMWAY?.THE SA-4400 CLEARLY STATES WHAT THE AVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR MAKES,AND WAS REVIEWED BY THE FTC.YOU DON'T MENTION THAT AT ALL......YOU ALSO KNOW AMWAY IS NOT A PYRAMID,THE GOVERNMENT RULED ON THAT IN 1974,WAS IT??? I AM NOT TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU AMWAY IS A GOOD BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY,I WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE YOU IN MY DOWNLINE! SO,LETS FIGURE THIS OUT....YOU DIDN'T MAKE MONEY WITH AMWAY,SO YOU MAKE A WEB PAGE ABOUT IT?TAKE THE TIME AND EFFORT AND MONEY AND DONATE IT TO A WORTHY CHARITY,YOU SEEM LIKE A REAL GUMP.
AH, BUT AT LEAST I DON'T WRITE IN ALL CAPS.
Subject: Your Amway story (part 1) Wed, 22 Sep 1999 Russell, I wish I could have got lucky as soon as you. Your version is a modest one. When I have time I will add to it for you.
Subject: your amway story (part 3) Thu, 23 Sep 1999 I think that everything that you've stated on your web page is true about Amway. However, I think my husband is about to be "suckered" in by "Quixtar" and it just makes me sick to my stomach! He says he needs my help and support in this endeavor, but I really don't want to be any part of it! By the way I am also a computer science major.
Subject: Any opinions on Quixtar?
Fri, 24 Sep 1999
I agree with everything you posted about Amway, and am also skeptical of
Quixtar. However, it looks to me like Quixtar will attract many people who
never get involved in Amway pep rallies, and will therefore drop out as soon
as they realize the products are trash and the prices absurd. I think this
could topple the whole system.
What do you think?
Thanks for the interesting website.
Subject: Your Amway page...
Fri, 24 Sep 1999
Dear Anti Amwayer!!
I have had a chance to take a closer look at Amway Business in the united
states.
I tried the busines, regularly attended their meetings, even attended a
weekened diamond seminar in 'Fresno'.
Read almost all the books on MLM available at ' Barnes & Noble'.
I came back to my country( India) just before Amway's India launch.
Did the business seriously for one year.
Result???
I am successfully doing MLM,but not Amway , instead a local Company.
After hitting your site, I thought of sharing a few jokes on Amway with
you.
1... Amway is an University, "ADU' --Amway Distributors University. You
can learn there but you can not earn there.
2... SA-8 is Amway's largest selling washing detergent 'cos maximum
Brain-'washing' is done in Amway.
3....' Sweet Shot' is Amway's popular brand as distributors need it to
'sweet talk' gullible prospects into joining Amway.
4...Once a Diamond was lazying on a beach in 'Goa'-India, worrying about
his future. He rang up 'Dick Devos' on his cell phone and asked .. Amway
has covered more than half the globe- it's operating in more than 80
countries, we are left with very few countries like India and the middle
east. What'll happen to our business when all the markets get saturated??
Dick Devos replied !! Don't worry! We have made ABO _Amway Business
Opportunity- unaffordable by majority of Indians so there will be very few
people doing the business at a given time hence the Indian market will not
get saturated for a long time. ( As a matter of fact, ABO,in India,costs
more than a month's salary of majority of Indians whereas it costs only 3
day's of minimum wages in America.)
Think about it !!!
Sincerely,
Other jokes some other time
India
Please give this guy a break. I'm sure those jokes were hilarious in his language, they just lost something in the translation.
Subject: Your Amway story (part 3) Mon, 27 Sep 1999 Hello. I just happened upon your story. About three years ago I went through the very same thing. My old friend Joe got me to a couple of meetings and I was almost desperate enough to join. Somewhere over lunch, somebody said the word "cult", and it really hit me. It described everything I had been concerned about with Joe and his new friends. I had even made a few attempts (two) to have acquaintences join me at a meeting. One said "If this is Amway, goodbye", the other person still gives me suspicious looks even to this day. Again, they were just acquaintences, fortunately, I did not bring this up to any of my friends. Poor Joe. He's a great guy, but seems to always be grasping for some pie in the sky. It's probably been over three years since he joined. I know he hasn't made money, and I know he doesn't have as many friends as he used to have. Thanks for your time in putting this all together. I'm new on the net, and this is the first response I've ever made. Thank you!
Fri, 01 Oct 1999 Subject: Subject: Finished your Amway story... Russ: Like the page. I grew up as a "Amway Brat" My mother started with them in the early 60's. To the thier credit she managed to make a few dollars. Not the millions they advertise. I have been to more rallies than I can remember. The thing I find the most humerous in my life is when I get prospected and those magic words appears "Would you be interested in a business oppourity. My first response is "No, I don't want to sell Amway" The person looks at me totaly surprised and usualy says, how did you know. I explain I grew up with it. The odd thing is after I tell them that, they don't want to continue. I know the lies and b.s. invovled. So they flee with great haste. The sad thing about Amway is that they do make some decent products. Not everyone is gem. I doubt any company could brag all thier products are perfect. I worked as a temp in college at the factory and know many folks who work there. They run good operation there and treat people good. It's too bad they smear all that by running such a scam on distributors. I also should mention they are very good to the community. In Grand Rapids you seen many signs of the Amway dollar. . Well that's my say. Keep up the good work. and pardon the typos and grammer. It's way late and I should be alseep right now.
Sun, 3 Oct 1999 Subject: Finished your Amway story... You really have an interesting story. I can related to many of the points you have covered. My question, is Quixtar going to be the same shit as Amway, do you think people are going to make lots of money since Quixtar is online? Sincerely, Confused IBO
Tue, 05 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway Page Gotta love those insults. This is one of the better negative feedback pages I've seen. It's amazing how they are almost uniformly illiterate and incomprehensible. Apparently some of these alleged millionaires never made it through 6th grade. I was approached years ago about joining a branch working under Crown International. When I read the intro materials one of the lines jumped out at me. It said " If they ask is "Crown International the same as Amway?", don't admit it, find out how much they know first." I told them to take a hike right then. I also love the people lying about their income in their letters to you in order to stop the terror they feel from reading your pages. I guess it's tough to deal with when you suddenly realize that you are flushing your work down the drain at an ever increasing rate and have nowhere to go and no skills to sell other than being gullible. If you lie to yourself long enough and hard enough it must make you feel better. They remind me of the Cowardly Lion, closing their eyes as tight as they can and saying " I *do* believe in Amway, I *do* believe in Amway." Anyway- loved the page! -Jim P.S. Tell Ginny her story was great and I'm glad things are looking up.
Tue, 05 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story (part 2) what do you know about amway's new venture in quixtar?
Tue, 5 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway page... Hello I just got done reading some of the things you wrote about Amway thanks for the information I'll never buy one product again from these ASSHOLES, My anut was selling this stuff and tell me how she's gonna get rich etc,etc, you know what I'm talking about trying to get me to a meet for months, anyway I've an idea for you and that's why I really wrote why don't you put up a domain name like WWW.AMWAYSUCKS.COM, Someone did it to walmart check the site it's really funny it's called of course WWW.WALMARTSUCKS.COM cool huh?
Wed, 6 Oct 1999 Subject: Finished your Amway story... Hi Russell, I just read your letter about Amway, I understand that it's not for some people and at one point it wasn't for me. I got out of the business several years ago, I was a senior in college and just didn't really look at the future. I always wondered if it really worked. I have been out of school for 20 years now and back with Amway for the past 3 years. I'm not a diamond yet, but that $3500.00 extra a month sure does help. And guess what!!!!! you don't need those tapes and books... Good luck to you, Jim
Thu, 07 Oct 1999 Subject: A new angle I had a neighbor stop by my house out of the blue the other day to let me know about this great new way to make money and save some too. Sound familiar? Well it's called quixtar and you can find it at http://www.quixtar.com/. It was developed by Amway specifically for the internet. The pitch is the same, "these are products you are going to buy anyway so why not stay at home with your family and buy them over the internet. " The sight went on line Sept. 1 and my neighbor called the other day and said it was in the top five sites for internet hits. In our first and only meeting he spent the entire time talking about all the name brand products that would be available. Finally, I asked him straight out, " Is this Amway?" He danced some more and finally admitted that it was. "But this would be totally different" he said. You still are supposed to get all your friends and associates to sign up. Thought you might want to know. Thanks for the info on Amway. It made me realize my suspicions were true.
Sat, 9 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway page... Very informative web site, sir. My wife's cousin is an Amway... person (amwayoid?) and I always wondered what was up with the glassy stare... Now I know the rest of the story. Thanks for the info.
Sat, 9 Oct 1999 Subject: kudos re: your amway info site I must compliment you on your Amway info site. My wife has a cousin in Amway... He has this glassy, Borg-like stare at the world. I went to an Amway recruiting meeting; immediately detected rodent aroma. I felt like I was in the presence of Moonies. I hope everyone in the U.S. visits your site and heeds the words you wrote. My friend in the Air Guard tells me that the Canadian government is hot after Amway's butt. I hope our friends up north can nail 'em to the wall. Thanks again. Little Rock, Arkansas
Wed, 13 Oct 1999
Subject: Cool page
Hey man,
You did it without realizing it! You made a difference! I'll bet
there's more than one person out there who dodged the Amway bullet
because of this page. Good work. I'm sending this to my sister, who's
getting interested in Quixtar.
Thanks,
**
Dallas
Thu, 14 Oct 1999 Subject: Finished your Amway story... Hi, My name is ***. I WAS an Amway junkie. The worst is that I did not learn. In my greed, I became involved with another MLM. Hard to believe, but they were so convincing and had a product that was true to my soul. (alternative medicine). Now, I obsess about how to get the world to wake up and smell the coffee - burned coffee. I've even considered starting some kind of grassroots consumer protection group regarding all MLM companies. I hope I can put this to rest soon and realize people are just going to have to make their own mistakes. I wish you could hear the rebuttals from my upline when I confront them with the FACTS against this company - Mannatech! Thing is that there are a lot of MLM's out there pushing supplements and I know a lot of people are gonna get burned in the interest of helping others live a healthier life. ? Myself, a 20 year veteran RN. There's an old saying with a message of : "decieve me once, shame on you", deceive me twice, shame on me." The shame is on me. I just want to say, keep on putting this information out there. If it saves one soul from the wretched horrors of Amway and MLM's, you will be a success. Thanks, Pam
Sat, 16 Oct 1999 Subject: My reply to your Amway page I left Amway cuz it felt wrong that everyone was alike, good positive attitude and suits and idolizing the diamonds. I felt i was losing myself (a big spec gothic geek in business suit???), and to totally remake my individuality into a robotic sales machine was a price too high to pay for financial security Amway promised. I left cuz i felt it was wrong for me. But now that i have read your page about Amway, i feel both relieved and angry. Relieved because I trusted what I feel and I got away intact. Angry because not only Amways wasn't all that good, it is evil. In fact, let's destroy Amway!!! At the heart of every light, there's a fire. It's needs to constantly destroy to maintain it's existence. Then there are those of us attracted by the warmth, blinded by the radiance, unable to see that the fire will consume them too... For the sake of masses, Destroy Amway
Sun, 17 Oct 1999 Subject: Finished your Amway story... loved your site, i found it so interesting and entertaining! My husband and I were just shown "the Plan" two nights ago.. and i have been so sick to my stomach. How can i feel this way when all of these people in "the business" are so happy and rich. ( and what made me so sick was to see the book of "RICH" people, and their flashy motor homes, etc...gag!) It made me feel better to hear your story and know i am not alone. Thanks!
Mon, 18 Oct 1999 Subject: Amway of course! Hi, I think our site is fantastic! I find it hard to believe that people get so sucked into this Amway scam. My husband and I were introduced (I should say harassed) to Amway a few months ago. I listened to the "wrap" for two nights, anyway, after hearing the same old 'phony' sounding lines, I decided that I had no interest. My husband did not feel exactly the way I did. He is somewhat a bit more taken by things than I am. I told him, and the husband-wife Amway team that no way could they be pushing a really legitimate and ethical business. Well the Amway speaker got mad and challenged me on my views. I had prior to the meeting researched this whole Amway deal and knew that I was on the right track. So I called him on his bull... He did not want to except it, and was a bit mad because my husband left the whole decision up to me. I found that these Amway men believe they are in power and are dominate.(sadly enough the women accept this) Well, not with me. Besides, I am a Woman Studies major. Frankly, I believe this is what saved us from my husband making a rash decision. Thanks for your site, and keep up the good work. P.S. If any Amway peddler's wife would like to discuss anything about being in her position with me, I am
Tue, 19 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story (part 2) Yes, I am an Amway distributor. I read your entire site and thoroughly enjoyed it. It did not make me angry. I do not do things quite the way Ted did. I only have my downline buy tapes when they start having bonuses come in. I do not "push" the tapes on them. I also do not recommend the larger functions until they have sufficient bonus money do cover the cost. Are there bad distributors who are using their downlines? Probably. Are there people using the internet wrongfully? Probably. People tend to get used by one thing or another if they let it happen. Most Americans want to get rich, but they want it to happen overnight. They wiil spend large sums of money on lottery tickets, gambling in Las Vegas or other such ventures. I might not ever get rich in Amway. But I have met good people. And I have learned some valuble things that I might not ever have learned. Including how our tax system is manipulated by our representatives in Washington. The only thing that disturbed me in your site is the broad brush strokes that you used to paint Amway distributors with. Some really do care about their downlines. And believe it or not, some are real genuine down to earth people who just want something better. Like I said, I might not ever get rich in Amway. To me that's not what it is about. To me it's the journey I'm on and the people I meet. And some have become my very good friends, suit included. Amway is a vehicle. You're the driver. If you crash it's your fault. But I have grown mentally contrary to your belief and grown spiritually. Is that so bad? Maybe in today's world it is. I have not been brainwashed. I'm retired military. so I know what that is like. You have your opinion and I respect it. I don't necessarily agree with all you have said but that is why we live in the greatest country in the world. I choose to try to make money this way. We have lots of legal professions who will gladly take your money quicker and faster than an Amway distributer. Doctors, lawyers, stock brokers and some web sites. I'm not robbing banks, selling drugs to children, or pilfering someone's savings using electronic means so please humor me. I'm sorry it didn't work for you but please don't decide if it will work for me. Thanks for your time.
Wed, 20 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story (part 2) I agree with your position on AMWAY..thanks to them I almost lost my wife, kids, professional career and almost my life. These are very dangerous people who know how to manipulate the potential go-getter. I am glad I am out... but not without withdrawals......thanks for telling it like it is.... the truth about AMWAY needs to be told... because they definitely do not practice the AMerican WAY to success......
Wed, 20 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway page... can you not see how big the internet is getting. it is amazing how many people are interested in shopping off the internet. this is from an i.b.o interbiz is the way to go
Thu, 21 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story (part 1) Dear Mr. Glasser; I have just spent considerable time reading your interpretations/assessments of the the Amway Corporation from your web site. I have to say, your presentation is well presented and interesting, given the fact that it is developed and written by someone who spent about 3 weeks, 3 tapes, and 3 meetings to decided that (and,"about 30 seconds of reading material written by former distributors"). Truly, I find much of what you have written to be full of misconceptions, half truths and "stinking thinking". But I Shall give you the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps just as you said about TED, you are unaware that you too are being manipulated by the negative things other people are saying, not knowing what their frustrations, needs and or distorations may be. I must agree that Ted may have been a little "tackie" and naive in some of his interactions with you, but who is prefect in his presentations and enteractions after only a year in a business. The fact the he had only recruited 4 in his line of sponsorship in 1yrs, is a revelation itself about Ted. And, you see, the point that you missed in the tapes and the book of the month club, is that these are the very things that will help develop, confidence and trust in one's self, and all the other great things that motivational books help us to develope and/or strengthen in ourselves. You have written an assessment about a 40 year old company that has helped 2,500+ persons become millionaires, second only to The Microsoft Corporation with 3,000. You know that Pyramid Schemes are illegal in the state of Michigan and most other states for that matter. How is it then, if It's Marketing plan is a Pyramid Scheme, That The Amway Corporation has been allowed to continue to do business for 40 yrs and It's World Wide Headquarters to remain, in ADA, Michigan operating in 80+countries and providences. Did you ask your self that question? I really wanted to tell you I am now 63 yrs of age and retired from the State Government, Children's Services. I had all through thru the past years refused to allow anyone to show me the Amway Plan. It was always do to the past media hype/biases.... 40 yrs later, I saw it because of the sister company, Quixtar.com and to tell you the truth, if it had not been internet driven, I probably would not have allowed The Plan to be shown to me almost a year ago, if I had know it was Amway backing the new startup company. That is not the situation today. Even the Old Amway Company's Marketing Plan was the best thing going and became convenienced of that only after a few weeks of attending all the meetings and working directly with my upline Diamond. To make this as short as possible and still get my message to you, I will tell you this. I could just kick myself for not seeing this plan 40 yrs ago because you can do well even if you do not wish to become a millionaire, have a lot more time to spend with your family, help a lot of other people through giving to your chosen charities and or church, giving, by employing other people. And, one last thing that I would like to say to you as an older experienced person(The is not the 1st MLM that I have been involved with thru the years) If people are writing about losing their identies, their family and friends, I can tell you they have not sign up for the Internet Services recommended books and training tapes. Or, if they did, they spent very little time listening and reading the suggested materials. The selected materials are chosen for the very purpose of improving friend and Family relationships, and encouraging community involvement including going to the church of your choice and being involved in your church's community life. You wrote about the Gray haired man who spoke at the first meeting you attended. Let me tell you, Our Diamond, began when he was about 22yr of age, and is now 38yrs reach the milloniare(Diamond) level in 12 yrs and he did very little with it during the 1st 2/4 yr because he too did not realize just what he had in his hands! There is just too much to learn to try to injest it all at one time. In My current community lives the Dentist, Dr. Gary Gordon. He reached the Diamond level in 4 yrs. You see it depend on your dream and your desires in your own time. I would admonish you to get with a quixtar IBO and have them take you into their Virtual Office on the Web Site and click on "Reward and Incentives" . You are a young man, do not lose this opportunity, and then wish as I did that I had listened so many years ago. You know even if it takes you 20ty yrs to build to the level you wish that is still retiring 20 yrs earlier that most. At the least, have some contact with some folks who are really on their way toward the dreams and goals that they want for them selves. And see for yourself if the act as clones, or is there a specific reason certain things are designed the way they are. Until you know more about the company than you can learn in the little time that you were involved, and you talk to those who have successed, Please to not add to the media that cause people to form opinions before they look any further and miss out on the best thing going as I did all these years Sincerely; a Quixtar/Amaway IBO
Thu, 21 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story (part 1) I wouldn't be talking about something you do not understand. If you would of stuck around a little longer. I'm not even that much into it. Yet I know that it is a business opportunity. There is no guantee of success in any business you get into. Besides I'll bet you spend more money in other businesses than you will in this one. My suggestion. Don't put down something like Amway before you have all the facts
Thu, 21 Oct 1999 Subject: My reply to your Amway page we need someone who can clearly show that quixtar is amway. they are just polishing the wormy apple up. disgusting.Fri, 22 Oct 1999 Subject: Fwd: Re: IBM/Amway/Quixtar Thought you might be interested in this. >Subject: Re: IBM/Amway/Quixtar > > > > Thank you for your message below. > Amway/Quixtar has been and remains a valued customer of IBM. In > addition, >IBM is participating as a Merchant in the Quixtar venture which means, among >other things, that there is a link from the Quixtar website to an IBM website >allowing access to certain IBM products and/or services to customers of the >Quixtar website. IBM and Amway/Quixtar, however, are not "partners" in the >formal legal sense of the terms "partner" and "partnership." In other words, >IBM and Amway/Quixtar have not entered an agreement creating a formal legal >entity such as a partnership under state law. > I hope this answers your question and corrects any erroneous information >you received. >-REE > >Robert E. Easton >Staff Counsel, Office of the Regional Counsel (Central Region) > > >Subject: IBM/Amway/Quixtar > > > > >I was told by a Quixtar representative in a meeting in my home that IBM and >Quixtar and Amway were in partnership. Can you confirm this? Also, my >understanding of partnership is in the legal domain. > >Thank you in advance, > >
Fri, 22 Oct 1999 Subject: Finished your Amway story... Thank you for putting up this web page. This is a very good testimonial. Like you I was allmost pulled and recieved the same kind of treatment. At one of the meeting I brought with me a price comparison of amway prices compared to a major suppermarket. When I brought it up and start listing differant prices I got bombarded by all of the upper level member about how Amway is the highest quality avalible and that was why there product cost more. I never knew that high quality amway corn flacks could cost twice as much as regular store bought name brand corn flacks.
Sat, 23 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway page... Great page! Have one going up on Amway and how one of their supposedly safe chemical products [Amway Metal Cleaner] malfunctioned [the pressed and sealed seam on the tube separated] and spewed the contents into my left eye - burning off the cornea and causing months long problems. The offered me $2,500.00(two thousand five hundred dollars) and I pay my own hospital and doctor bills. I cordially laughed in the Amway's adjusters face and said that it would be more fun to expose them, and to ruin them publically with the story about their UNLABELED, DANGEROUS, and HARMFUL product. Permission to provide a link from my page to yours when it is done.
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: Hi Hey, Russell, You probably don't remember me as it has been 6-8 months since I last wrote, but that's OK. Just wanted to let you know that I was pleased to see that your Amway page is back up and running. I've read your story a few times, and picked up something I didn't see the previous time each time. Matter of fact, the first time I ever came across your site I was still an active Amway rep; I think I read the first two parts of the story but maybe not the third, and just sort of shrugged it off. Then I lost track of your site and did not find it again until about 6 months later, after I had quit ScAmway completely. After reading it again, I could not believe that what I read in Part 2 the first time did not convince me to either quit or research the tape and meeting money scam deeper! Funny thing is, when I read it the second time, I could not even recall reading it the first time. I guess it just worries me because I consider myself pretty skeptical and yet did not see a warning when it was right before my eyes. I imagine other visitors have already told you about how Amway has morphed into this new "Quixtar" company. Quite ironic, don't you think? I remember when the Amwayites were telling us not to even use the internet if at all possible, because of all the "negative information" out there, then not even 6 months later, they are marketing Amway as the "own your own internet business" opportunity. I visited the quixtar site. Besides being primitive, it has the added benefit of being slow and convoluted. However, if you're a good little distributor and only use your computer to visit quixtar.com and amway.com,and nowhere else, you may be able to convince yourself that this is the latest and greatest in computer and distribution technology. Oh well, enough about that. Hope this letter finds you in good health and progressing in your career. Have you written any cool software yet? Whereabouts in the country are you living these days? Still with Ginny?
Tue, 26 Oct 1999 Subject: My reply to your Amway page Hi there, I have been in the Amway business for 2 months and I am 20 years old. Reading your page has opened up my eyes! Don't worry, I will be putting the questions to my upline. It is a VERY difficult situation for me. I am sponsored by a friend my age. He-Abdul(lets say) is sponsored by a same-aged guy my dad teached. A guy helping me out now was also taught by my dad but is 32. It's a tight circle to begin with! You bring up MANY concerning points,and I realize they can't go unnoticed. I am not at Heather's stage yet(great story by the way :) ) so I am open minded enough to get things right! I agree it is the hope of this business that attracts so many people(including myself),but I see that many people end up in a worse off situation. It is the select few that make it in this that makes me want to do it. I want to tell my upline that I am doing this business without any tools. They will likely freak eh? I have not spent much money so far so I still have time. I realize you don't spend much time writing back,but I need a few suggestions cause this is tough. This site is great. Anonomous
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 Subject: Amway Dear Russell Well what can I say!!!!! I was recruited by Amway about three months ago, I fell for all the jib hook lie and sinker. I believed this was my opportunity to make it big and to have the financial stability I always wanted. It was only after a short while that I began to feel that something was not right, these people seemed to act like clones, my upline were constantly calling me to arrange meetings or social calling, I never had any free time to myself, there was always a lot of pressure to succeed. At one of the free enterprise days (which cost £42 by the way) someone by the name of Greg Johnson called everyone in the corporate world WIMPS (Where Is My Paycheque Sir) This was when I really began to feel uncomfortable with this business, my boss is fantastic and I could not ask for a better Job. Well the day after this conference I decided to start digging for information about Amway. That was when I came across your website, what can I say, it certainly opened my eyes, I then wrote a letter to my upline saying I did not wish to submit my friends to such decipt. I also said that I was going to spread the word about this farce of a business opportunity so that no-one would be taken for the mug that I so nearly was. Thank you for opening my eyes to what this company is all about. With many Thanks and Kind regards
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 Subject: finished your amway story... Hi Russell I went to my first Amway meeting last night and thought I would do some research on the internet. It's unbelievable. What I read in your story about the meetings (their whole approach) and what they say etc... is exactly the way it happened. I'm sure the main guy is Phil himself. Anyway, I'm expecting a call tomorrow to be invited to another meeting on Thursday. I'll politely tell him to F%#& off. I'm 27 and work as an accountant. Thanks for the help. Cheers South Africa
Wed, 27 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story Hi! I'm living in Stockholm, Sweden, but I have lived in the US for eight years as well, during which time I think I developed a good sense of skepticism, perhaps even cynicism. If it sound's too good to be true, it probably isn't. Oh boy, was that confirmed to me tonight or what? This person who I happen to come across a while back called me the other day. Long story short, she was telling me about how she was involved in this business deal that was gonna get her rich before 30 (she's 24) and how she's been doing a lot of travelling lately because of it. She didn't tell me what it was and as we also talked of other things I didn't pay much attention to it. Towards the end of our conversation I suggested that we get together sometime and she said "how about tomorrow and you can find out more about my business adventure?" Being curious and having a moderate romantic interest in this woman, I said sure. I went there the next night, having a notion of what it would be about (I suspected a pyramid scam of sort). The more I heard, the more skeptical I became, especially as they were adding little details about their families, etc, well-known tricks to add credibility. I was completely convinced that it was a scam as soon as it was over and I was trying to figure out a way to get out of there without insulting my "friend." I started talking with her and one of the things I asked her was how much she had made so far. "Well, I've just gotten started..." I discussed some of the details with her. After she had explained more to me, I cracked a joke based on my observations and understanding of the whole enterprise. My joke was, "it's sort of a cult!" She didn't seem to appreciate it and I tried to save face by joking about how Saturn owners share a community of the same sort. I left the meeting as soon as I could but only after having been given a package with "information" and a tape, which I was made to promise that I would listen to (I won't). As soon as I got home, I logged on to the internet, but not the site they had suggested, but critical Amway sites which I felt pretty confident there must be plenty of. Everything you wrote on your site was so on the money, almost as if you had been at the meeting that I had been to. And like yourself, I was very angry at having been manipulated, but I also feel empowered being strong and smart enough to see through the whole scam. Once they started describing the whole group of people and sub-people who had to be involved, I knew that the math would not add up. I think you have done a great thing by posting your opinions about Amway on your site. What really scares me is how I really did feel that it was a sort of cult and that is exactly what you said too. I sort of feel compelled to try to "convert" my acquaintance, but I probably shouldn't, because I don't really know her. If I understood it correctly they're establishing themselves in Scandinavia now. Scary!!! Thanks for having taken such great care at warning people.
Fri, 29 Oct 1999 Subject: My reply to your Amway page Russell, Thank you for a wonderful and edifying site. I was recently propositioned by a relative for Quixtar. I've been studying a lot about Scientology recently, and in those searches somewhere was a reference to Quixtar being Amway-related. I did some web-hunting, and some poking about in alt.business.multi-level, and am seriously disturbed by the similar methods Scientology and Amway use for recruitment and control. All the hallmarks of a cult are present in greater or lesser degree. BTW, I'm sure you've heard this before, but the Cult Awareness Network was bought out by the Scientologists some time back. It might be a good idea to put a note near your reference to them in case someone spots their name on your pages and goes to them as a reference. Thanks from a fellow Austinite for spreading the word.
Fri, 29 Oct 1999 Subject: Ginny's Amway story (part 3) pLEASE EMAIL ME. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT AND HOW SPECIFICALLY DO YOU MAKE MONEY IN AMWAY...HOW CREDITS OR POINTS WORK...WHAT TAPE OR ARTICLE HAS THIS INFORMATION. I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY DIAMONDS ARE THERE? HOW MUCH YOU MUST SELL TO BE ADIAMOND. HOW EVERYONE GETS PAID DOWN THE LINE? ETC ETC THE DREAM HAS BEEN SOLD TO A RELATIVE WHO QUIT SCHOOL TO MAKE MILLIONS IN AMWAY. I NEED YOUR HELP TO SHOW THIS PYRAMID ALTHOUGH LEGAL IS A FALSE HOPE FOR THE VAST VAST MAJORITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED E MAIL.Fri, 29 Oct 1999 Subject: Your Amway story (part 3) I AGREE. BUT TELL ME HOW I CAN FIND OUT WHY THE POINT SYSTEM...HOW MONEY IS MADE OTHER THAN TAPES AND SEMINARS...BUT DOES NOT WORK FOR THE VAST MAJORITY IN AMWAY. I NEED YOUR HELP.
Fri, 29 Oct 1999 Subject: Your%20Amway%20story%20(part%203) You are a stud! Somebody is trying to Amway me right now and I know way too much to fall for it. In fact, this is the 4th time someone has tried to "Amway" me. I have never considered it as a legitimate business opportunity, but I am seriously becoming very tired of being approached by these assholes. I have become sick and tired of these jerks approaching me at Barnes and Noble and other places to ask me if I am interested in other buiness opportunties. This new guy has no idea what he is in for. Thanks for the encouragement! And for doing something about these ruthless liars. Take care.
Sat, 30 Oct 1999 Subject: My reply to your Amway page Interesting duality here: Some moron wrote: > Subject: Your Amway page... > Thu, 6 May 1999 > Get bent > God Bless Glad to see that you're back with your acerbic, on-target wit. Seth
Sun, 31 Oct 1999 Subject: Finished your Amway story... I was approached and given a tape by a "friend". I thought she only wanted to go to lunch, but the actual purpose was to give me the intro tape...the first one you get that is the vague one. I actually knew it was Amway and the tape only confirmed my fear that it is a pyramid scheme. Your website was most helpful. I am sure glad I was leery of this whole thing and did not..repeat NOT...go to a "meeting" which the "friend" wanted me to go to! Keep up the good work!!
Mon, 1 Nov 1999 Subject: your amway page!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!! your amway page " the perils of amway" is incredible! its totally true! i couldnt believe it! your experiences with amway are exactly like mine. i was sucked into it like you! i just think you've done a great thing by putting up this page. its so cool and true. you are so awsome for writing the truth about this cut-throat money hungry company and all its body counting people! i commend you my friend!
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