🚀 go-pugleaf

> Roger Ishimoto

I offer little to your Amway discussion but to say I came in contact 
with Amway last year.

First was my desperate poor sister in law who wanted me to meet this 
guy.  She'd gotten into Amway in her hometown and we'd bought a few 
things from her just for the heck of it.  She never told me what this 
guy was up to.  He turned out to be the guy who got her involved but she 
deceived even me, her big brother in law by going along with a ploy that 
he wanted my help and would be a client.  I do media work.  He presented 
himself on the phone to say he wanted me to do some media consulting for 
him.  I did meet him at a nearby restaurant with his wife.  She sat 
there like a fundamental religious wife, saying nothing, deferring to 
his every word. 
 
He began his presentation, sounding more like a personal counselor 
helping me sort out my mental needs for security.  And as an experienced 
media guy, I recognized a con was unfolding after about ten minutes when 
he evaded directly answering my 'lets cut to the chase' questions.  He 
talked and talked.  I began using all my interviewing skills and after 
about 30 minutes of deceptive answers, I FINALLY got out of him that he 
was pyramiding for Amway.  He didn't even bring their catalogs...I'd 
asked him several times for written information.  Finally I tried to end 
the meeting, having learned his true intentions...and the man switched 
to desparation mode.

  Years ago I had interviewed Moonies undercover for a news story I was 
working on.  And who hasn't been evangelized (recruited) by 
fundamentalists a few times, so I'd heard the tactics before.  

Well back to the Amway hustle.  I finally had had enough, his last 
comments were very reminiscent of those things I heard from THEM...I 
really didn't want to be rude to this man who had bought me coffee and a 
piece of pie but it was beginning to get irritating and he wasn't 
letting me leave.  Rather than appeal to my need for lifelong financial 
security, he switched tactics and said that I was walking away from a 
business opportunity and my life would be ruined without it.  It was 
becoming less business and more religious.  As I left the booth, he 
actually told me I'd be sorry for the rest of my life.

It was like...don't turn away...you'll go to hell if you do. He was like 
a religious zealot and used all their words...just not Jesus.  Over the 
years in the media, I've done verbal battle with all the big boys who 
blew into town...Dole, reaganites, israelites and others seeking to gain 
media time.  None were more slick than this guy.  All I can say is that 
you have to be fairly bright to see through them.  Sadly, lots of people 
aren't.  I can see how they get their recruits.