🚀 go-pugleaf

Arty M wrote:
> 
> Any one who calls all MLMs a scam is just very narrow minded.  Our
> country is founded on the MLM principle.  Every major US corp. is an MLM
> in one way or another.  A pyrimid plan is one where the people at the
> top make all the money.  In a true MLM, anybody who works can get
> ahead.  I myself beleve in the MLM system of doing business.  It gives
> the person who does not have the resources to open a so called stright
> business, the chance to be a sucess.  There are alot of shady deals out
> there so you have to be carefull with what you get into.  " If it sounds
> to good to be true, it is "

'shady deals'? This can be true of Amway too. There are individuals that
take advantage of others, and any Amway zealot should be wary of them.
I'm referring to those at the top of the pyramid that get additional $
by holding seminars and rallies to 'enlighten' and motivate those under
them on the pyramid. There's no obligation to pay to go to these, but
there are high pressure pockets of pyramiders that will 'force' you to
pay out your hard earned cash to remain in their favor.

> 
> By the way, AMWAY has made alot of everyday folks very rich!

Although I don't waste any time following them, I think that Amway has
received so much bad press over the years, they are probably very
careful to stay on the legit side of the law. There are others that are
not so careful. The real problem is when these companies require an up
front 'investment' in order for you to start up your own 'business'.
Sounds a lot like a pyramid scheme to me. Say, how about you and five
friends sending me $5, plus a dollar for every five you receive from
your five friends? What will I give you in return? A fat big juicy
nothing! No? Okay, then how about I give you a clever, glossy brochure
that will make you feel like a million bucks (until you realise you're
out $5 unless you scam your 5 friends).

IMHO Amway has some good products and its basic principals are probably
sound and legal. I have no problem with people selling good products at
a fair price. What I do have a problem with is the tactics... I've seen
two Amway groups that devoted their time and energies to recruiting
others to their pyramids AND made virtually no attempt to sell products!
Now how can you expect to do well in a 'marketing' business without
selling products? Unless the money making aspect is really getting
others to invest their own time and MONEY.

My final nit to pick is that whenever an Amway person presents their
concept to you, it's always a secret WHO they are representing. Granted,
people are gun-shy about the Amway name... But why don't these people
get a clue and ask themselves WHY others run away at the mention of
Amway or Shaklee or NuSkin(?) ... It's funny don't you think? How many
people will turn tail at the mention of Mary Kay Cosmetics, for
instance? Same concepts, completely different response. DOESN'T IT MAKE
YOU WONDER?

Oh, I just thought of another nit to pick. Those crystal and basket
parties. (Off thread, sorry!) Now there's a rip-off. Get your friends
over to a party and peer pressure them into buying outrageously priced
items from you. Want to buy a bread basket? How's $40 sound? or a little
cut GLASS cup with some generic design for $15? Makes you wonder who
your friends really are. It started out with Tupperware parties.
Tupperware's great. Great products, great warranty, fair price, and fun
parties (so I hear...). Tupperware? Show me a catalog, I'll probably
find something I 'need', and would buy. Baskets? Crystal? Jewelry? ...?
get away! (hissing noise)

Roger Ishimoto