A friend is getting suckered into buying the starter kit. Tried to tell him that only 1% of salespeople turn a profit and something like 85% of all Amway purchases are made internally. Also explained how it is a pyramid scheme, which he denied (and subsequently tried to recruit me 5 minutes later). I'm sure he's already been told that friends will discourage him, he should be friends with "winners", etc etc. Not really sure what else to say. Reading up online, it's more of a cult than I previously thought.

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 8:19 AM. Reason : .]

2/22/2012 8:18:46 AM

show him this thread.

2/22/2012 8:26:05 AM

If this is a friend, then it says a lot about you.

2/22/2012 8:39:10 AM

^
I've known this person since freshman year of college. Greed does strange things. Not sure why you felt the need to post that comment.

Just wondering if anyone has experience with this.

2/22/2012 8:46:02 AM

So is this your friend?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t50249JJE5c

Seriously though, if you've told him all that and he's still going ahead with it, just let him make his own mistake so he can learn from it.

2/22/2012 9:05:20 AM

It's so weird. He's got this delusion that he's smarter than everyone else that was at the introduction seminar and can actually make money.

Hopefully he'll realize how stupid it all is before he commits to anything. I don't want to deal with my other friends being subjected to Amway sales bullshit.

2/22/2012 9:18:38 AM

Quote :

"Seriously though, if you've told him all that and he's still going ahead with it, just let him make his own mistake so he can learn from it."

this.

Also .

2/22/2012 9:37:25 AM

Honestly, you aren't gonna be able to convince him if he is already there. It's annoying, but they all have to alienate their friends and family and not make any money for a while before they will see what's up. The crappiest part is that you won't be able to hold a conversation with the guy without him turning it into a sales pitch for their awful products.

I went on a ski trip with a bunch of guys this weekend. I am riding the ski lift up the mountain with a guy I don't know well making small talk and he tries to be all sly and started talking to me about these great energy drinks and vitamins he is taking. I immediately told him I wasn't interested in whatever quixtar or amway bullshit he had. Was a quiet ride up the mountain.

2/22/2012 9:43:32 AM

Someone explain to me what is the difference between Amway/Quixtar and the people who sell Shak-lee. It's essentially the same thing correct?

2/22/2012 10:00:44 AM

^ Yep, same thing.

2/22/2012 10:07:08 AM

You don't. These suckers have to learn the hard way. My brother got sucked into the Quixtar shit briefly and nothing we told him could change his mind.

2/22/2012 10:13:24 AM

Tell your friend to go to Barnes and Noble to recruit people. Barnes and Noble is a breeding ground for Amway.

2/22/2012 10:27:01 AM

i remember drinking shaklee shakes back in the early 90's for breakfast... they weren't that bad from what i remember.

2/22/2012 10:27:17 AM

i think its more important at this point to let him know that you know that he's going to do it anyway, he's going to be embarrassed at some later point when things don't work out, but that you're still his friend no matter what and he doesn't have to say anything and you'll never throw it in his face

2/22/2012 10:30:00 AM

Quote :

"Tell your friend to go to Barnes and Noble to recruit people. Barnes and Noble is a breeding ground for Amway."

best buy too!

2/22/2012 10:34:21 AM

^^ Yeah, I like that approach ... its the "I told you so" before the expected "I told you so" would typically come, with a built in sense of acceptance for the mistake you already know he is about to make ... maybe it will open his mind up to the realities of the scam he is getting in to.

If you want to do a pyramid scheme, then start your own, or be at the top of a new innovative one. Don't be a bottom dweller in one of these things.

2/22/2012 10:55:49 AM

I remember when Daddy started selling Amway

it was worth a lol; he got out before he got ruined but he does have a shit-ton of personal-care products stashed in his basement

2/22/2012 10:56:12 AM

Just tell him upfront that if he has to ask you to buy anything/join, he's already failed.

Oh wait, I didn't read. He's already failed.

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 11:00 AM. Reason : asdfasdfasdf]

2/22/2012 10:57:59 AM

I've known one couple that was wildly successful from Amway. They were retired at 35, big house in Northern VA, 2 mercedes' in the garage.

They were Indian, and mostly sold to their Indian friends and family who had just arrived in the States... So if you've got a reliable market that's relatively cornered like that, you can do well.

Thats the exception to the rule though...everyone else I've known has not done anything except for alienate their friends and family, and annoy strangers in the streets.



Also, fun epic fail story: about 10 years ago while I was working up in DC, there was this chick that would always stop by my desk and talk to me about how we needed to get together sometime. I thought she was seriously jonesin'... so I took my time, played it cool, and when finally the "get-together" occurred, it was so she could make a quixtar pitch. Boy, that sucked.

2/22/2012 11:07:21 AM

oh man that would have pissed me off.

2/22/2012 11:14:42 AM

Quote :

"and you'll never throw it in his face"

Naw, I'd totally have to rib my friend if they fell for Amway. At least the first couple of nights drinking after he realized his mistake.

2/22/2012 11:16:37 AM

There have to be at least a dozen sites that uncover Amway as a pyramid scheme. Send him an email with links to all of them.

2/22/2012 11:23:45 AM

Herbalife is the newset Amway/Quixtar that people are buying into.

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 11:27 AM. Reason : Or it is the product --- I dunno]

2/22/2012 11:27:01 AM

Quote :

"i think its more important at this point to let him know that you know that he's going to do it anyway, he's going to be embarrassed at some later point when things don't work out, but that you're still his friend no matter what and he doesn't have to say anything and you'll never throw it in his face"

this.


Friends that get sucked into pyramid schemes are exactly like friends who have a shitty significant other. They'll never take your word for it, not matter how much evidence you can show them.

but once they realize the error of their ways, you get to make fun of them for as long as it provides comedy.

2/22/2012 11:28:01 AM

Quote :

"There have to be at least a dozen sites that uncover Amway as a pyramid scheme. Send him an email with links to all of them."

I was surprised at how muddled the information is. A lot of it is outdated and littered with posts by Amway cultists. I just sent him links to a couple of Reddit posts.

^
That's pretty much what I've done at this point. I gave him information, told him that I think it's a horrible, horrible idea, and made it clear I'm not going to support it in any way.

We'll see what happens!

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 11:30 AM. Reason : .]

2/22/2012 11:29:00 AM

Facts are pointless. Most people just aren't rational. They believe what they want to believe and justifying that belief be damned.

2/22/2012 11:33:36 AM

I was shocked that this guy fell for it, because he's not a stupid person in general. Coupled with the fact that I was really god damn high when he told me, it made for a pretty surreal conversation.

2/22/2012 11:37:13 AM

Quote :

"he's not a stupid person in general"

That could be part of the problem. He thinks, "Hey, this has potential. The naysayers must be people who don't have the smarts to make it work."

2/22/2012 11:40:26 AM

While we're on this topic. I was looking for a job after I graduated and was desperate to get out of waiting tables. I had a CS degree dammit. One of my good friends who had a job in software knew a guy who was hiring so I called him and he wanted to meet me at Wendy's. That should have been a sign right there but like I said I was desperate. I proceded to meet this "unique" looking individual and his obvious child pornographer co-worker. I had never heard of Amyway or Quixtar. My parents raised a fool. I proceded to ask them what I would be programming. They told me that the programming is already finished and that I should just go to this seminar to find out what the job is about. They handed me some speaker's CD and drove off in their beat up 1986 Honda Civic after telling me I would probably own a yacht in 5 years. This should have been the second sign. I listened to the CD when I got home and finally starting making the connection. I started researching Quixtar, proceeded to crack the CD in half over my knee and sulk over my misfortune. The dude proceeded to call me every Sunday for 5 weeks to get his fucking CD back. What a bunch of clowns.

2/22/2012 11:57:30 AM

That CD probably cost him like $50. haha

2/22/2012 11:59:40 AM

Quote :

"I proceded to ask them what I would be programming. They told me that the programming is already finished and that I should just go to this seminar to find out what the job is about."

LOLOL. not a tip off?

I will say that's a common tactic. When I got called by SouthWestern, all they would tell me is I needed to come to a seminar and that they had a high paying internship for me. Derp a derp. I still went.

2/22/2012 12:06:20 PM

I mean at that point I was probably willing to do something else outside of programming to get out of waiting tables but I had no idea who these guys were. It was probably the roughest 6 months of my life after I graduated. I found a lowly job in software after 6 months but it still took me 2 years to get a job that I deserved. Assholes preying on the weak like me.

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 12:15 PM. Reason : pray/prey derp]

2/22/2012 12:14:10 PM

Hmmm.. similar story here. I struggled to find programming internships while in school (it never happened), got into power for a while and hated it, and when I graduated I got stuck in testing for a year. Assholes is right.

2/22/2012 12:21:58 PM

College orientations that warn you of some of the potential hazards in college (drinking , compromising positions, etc) really should include warnings of these scamming companies. Hit companies like Quixtar, Amway, and Cutco / Vector where it hurts.

Things to look out for: seminars, being vague about the opportunity, etc

I fell for one of the seminars myself Freshman year. They told me it was an engineering / programming position and to come to their interview. Turned out to be a pitch for door-to-door selling books. Not the same a Quixtar and Amway, but they use the same tactics to pull people in.

I kept telling myself that I would "fall" for a seminar again on purpose then jump up 5 minutes into their pitch and fuss them out for lying to me then leave. So many people just stick through them because they don't want to stand up alone. I figure that would trigger a mass exodus. Never got the chance though .

2/22/2012 12:28:08 PM

Quote :

"Turned out to be a pitch for door-to-door selling books."

Yea, this was SouthWestern.

2/22/2012 12:35:08 PM

I went on a first face-to-face interview at MacGregor Draft House. That eventually landed me the job I have now. But Wendy's ... come on man.

2/22/2012 12:41:03 PM

watch the Penn & Teller: Bullshit episode about easy money

this might work: http://www.vidxden.com/08789j9uk73f/bullshit_S08E05.avi.html

2/22/2012 12:46:12 PM

my roommate is somehow involved in this company (http://www.melaleuca.com/) but she's never even brought it up until one time I saw her taking vitamins out of a little packet at dinner and I asked what they were. I think she buys the required amount of shit every month (~$60) but I don't think she actively sells/recruits anyone.

2/22/2012 12:53:43 PM

My mom did that crap like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the early 90s. ^

2/22/2012 12:59:41 PM

^^^er... why not link to youtube? http://youtu.be/Y60XdZJG83U

2/22/2012 1:18:51 PM

^^^ that company is really old...i remember it back from the early 90's, too

but you should tell your buddy to get with the program...amway is old hat

you gotta sell DEM VISALUS SHAKES,SON!

2/22/2012 1:45:55 PM

I just remembered something! I had a classmate my senior year actually bring some Quixtar recruiting guy with him to a study session in the Progress Energy room in Broughton and try to give us a presentation or whatever while we were doing homework. That's how desperate they were. Dude was all like "Here's my business card, you are all invited to our seminar this weekend. Wear a suit and a tie."

2/22/2012 1:55:57 PM

Quote :

"I fell for one of the seminars myself Freshman year. They told me it was an engineering / programming position and to come to their interview. Turned out to be a pitch for door-to-door selling books."

yeah SouthWestern. I left as soon as they said what it was and stopped at the door to give the people running it a piece of my mind. least i felt mildly better after that.

2/22/2012 1:58:26 PM

what about QNet?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qnet

also the same shit, right? one of my HS classmates has gotten in to this in the past few years and is apparently making a load of money. they take advantage of people's lack of general science knowledge to sell them BS items that they say will miraculously improve their health and heal them. they use a lot of buzz words in their presentations to attract people and make people think that they (sellers) know what the hell they are talking about. words like "quantum energy", "nano-fusion technology", and the like.

their highest selling product is the BioDisc. every time i read about it or if something reminds me of it, it really makes me very angry. the info provided about this item is ludicrously unbelievable. they sell them for like $200 a piece to lay people. basically, they are putting fire in their stomachs, as they are earning money by fooling people and lying to people.

http://www.qnet.net/products/energy/amezcua/bio_disc2/en/

Quote :

"The Amezcua Bio Disc 2 has a greatly enhanced energy field, attributed to the seven wave-form rings on the disc’s surface. The seven ribbed rings speed up the biomolecular structure process of liquids poured over the disc, improving the biocompatibility of water molecules with your body more than ever before. The liquids are energised faster and more efficiently via the wave-form produced by the rings. "

Quote :

"Run water over the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 to instantly enhance your water. For an improved absorption rate, place your containers of creams and cosmetics on top of the Amezcua Bio Disc 2. Water your plants with water treated with the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 to energise and assist them in their water and nutrient uptake. Put the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 in your refrigerator to boost the quality and taste of your food and water. Place your drink on top of the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 to energise your drinking water. Carry the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 with you to improve your harmony and energy levels. Wash your fruit and vegetables with water treated with the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 to energise and keep them fresh longer. Shine a 120-Watt LED light through the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 onto your food or beverages to enhance their taste."

Quote :

"Hydratious Sips It is common sense that drinking water is vital, however, there is a way to enhance and improve the biocompatibility of water molecules. Enhancing water’s biocompatibility means that you get more out of every sip while quenching your thirst. There is also a way for your drinking water to increase your energy and harmony levels at the same time. How? By drinking water that has been energised and enhanced by the Amezcua Bio Disc 2. The Amezcua Bio Disc 2 is able to make your water more hydratious, harmonise your energy levels, and generally increase the advantages of drinking H20. The process is simple and seamlessly joins your usual routine; simply place your glass or cup on the disc, or place the disc on top of your drink, and then consume your water as normal. Think of it as either a drink coaster, or a ‘lid’ for your water. Either way, it is working to energise and revitalise your water, and consequently, your body. Various renowned institutions throughout the world have evaluated the properties and abilities of the Amezcua Bio Discs.*+ Among the evaluations and certifications is the verdict that the Amezcua Bio Discs can reduce water surface tension value. This in turn makes water more hydratious, which therefore improves the compatibility of water molecules with the body’s cells. Basically, this means your body can absorb more of what it needs from your drinking water. Water treated with Amezcua Bio Discs also produces beautiful and perfectly shaped water crystals, an indication of water with high energy levels and good quality. Further tests have indicated that the disc has a ‘profound positive effect on individuals at energy level’."

IT IS A FUCKING GLASS DISC

2/22/2012 2:57:12 PM

I wish I had thought of those magnetic balance wrist bands.

2/22/2012 3:09:18 PM

stupid is as stupid does

2/22/2012 3:10:52 PM

Quote :

"Shine a 120-Watt LED light through the Amezcua Bio Disc 2 onto your food or beverages to enhance their taste.""

LOL! thanks for telling us about this one. I'll be sure to stay the fuck away from anyone i see shining a flashlight through a jar bottom onto their food or beer

2/22/2012 3:12:04 PM

no, I asked about Shak-lee because growing up my aunt and uncle always were selling my parents vitamins from them. I didn't know enough to know that quixtar-like programs existed until high school when I connected the dots. Technically my parents were just buying the stuff, and they would be taking vitamins anyway, so no harm, but my aunt and uncle im incredibly suspicious of now.

2/22/2012 3:12:45 PM

I wonder if the Legacy Center is still around. They make Amway look like angels. Different business, but way worse for you.

2/22/2012 3:45:07 PM

damn - they still got this Quixtar mess going on. Dude hit me up back in 1999 or so at the gas station on Western Blvd. I actually went to the meeting like a dumb ass since I was young & had no clue about them.

Crazy they still exist. A bunch of trolls. Raleigh is like a breeding ground for these people.

[Edited on February 22, 2012 at 4:08 PM. Reason : r]

2/22/2012 4:08:08 PM