The names have been changed to protect the innocent, etc.
DITTO TO THE AMWAY DISTRIBUTOR. I CAN TELL HE SPOKE FROM THE HEART. I ALSO AM A AMWAY DIST. MY WIFE AND I WENT PROFITSHARING LAST YEAR, LOOK TO BE RUBIES IN THE THE NEAR FUTURE. IT REALLY TROUBLES ME TO SEE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS BAD FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF AND SIDNEY. I'LL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT I THOUGHT THIS BUSINESS WAS GOING TO BE A PIECE OF CAKE WHEN I FIRST GOT STARTED. I SPENT FOURTEEN LONG YEARS IN THE CAR INDUSTRY, I HAVE FIVE CHILDREN. I TOLD MY SPONSOR ABSOLUTELY NOT FOR EIGHT MONTHS BEFORE I MADE A DECISION TO BUILD THE BUSINESS. AND THAT'S WHERE I WANT TO START. AMWAY IS A BUSINESS. I'LL SAY IT AGAIN IT'S A BUSINESS. UNFORTUNATELY . THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SPONSORED THINK BECAUSE THE PLAN LOOKS SO SIMPLE THAT THEY WILL GET IN THINKING THAT ALL THEIR FRIENDS WILL SEE IT JUST LIKE THEY DID AND THEIR FRIENDS WILL DO THE SAME AND IN NO TIME THEY WILL BE RICH.
WE BOTH KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MANY TIMES MISREPRESENT THE CORPORATION., YOU KNOW THE STORY, GIVE GOOD SERVICE AND THE CUSTOMER WILL TELL TWO OR THREE PEOPLE, GIVE BAD SERVICE AND THE CUSTOMER WILL TELL TEN TO TWENTY PEOPLE. AMWAY IS A VERY SIMPLE BUSINESS. ....UNTIL YOU ADD THE PEOPLE! RIGHT? IF EVERYONE THAT SIGNED UP WOULD SPONER SIX AND MAKE THEIR CIRCLE WORK, WOULD WE REALLY NEED TO HEAR TAPES FROM THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE OVERCOME STRUGGLE AFTER STRUGGLE TO BE SUCCESSFULL? WOULD WE REALLY NEED TO ATTEND THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS TO SEE THAT IF WE WILL JUST STAY THE COURSE WE CAN HAVE WHAT THEY HAVE. WOULD THE PEOPLE IN MY GROUP REALLY NEED TO READ ALL THOSE BOOK JUST SO THEY CAN RELATE TO PEOPLE BETTER. WOULD ANY REALLY NEED TO GROW AS A PERSON AND POSSIBLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE'S LIVE LIKE A BILL BRITT OR PAUL MILLER HAS ON MINE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHERE MYLIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEING THAT MY ROLE MODELS GROWING UP WERE ALCOHOLICS.
THE SYSTEM IS IN PLACE FOR AS REASON. IT'S UNFORTUANATE AMWAY DOES NOT WORK IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO WHEN THEY OPEN THEIR KIT. AND YES THE LEADERS ARE PAID A PROFIT FROM THE SYSTEM. THIS IS NOT A NONPROFIT BUSINESS. WHY IS IT THAT YOU AND SIDNEY ARE NOT ATTACKING ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT MISREPRESENT THEIR BUSINESS LIKE MIKE TYSON JUST DID?
AS I TYPE THIS I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND. AND WHO KNOWS IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWN THE AMWAY BUSINESS BY YOUR PEOPLE I MIGHT EVEN FEEL THE SAME AS YOU DO . IT UNFORTUNATE THAT YOUR PERCEPTION IS THAT WAY. THE BOTTOM LINE IS AMWAY IS NOT PERFECT AND IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT YOU CAN SHOW ME THAT CAN DUPLICATE ME NOT HAVING A FULL TIME JOB FOR OVER A YEAR AND HALF, MY SPONSOR WHO IS A SOLID RUBY, HIS SPONSOR IS A PEARL( HIM AND HIS WIFE NO JOB FOR OVER FOUR YEARS), HIS SPONSOR , MARRIED ,EMERALDS FREE FOR OVER SIX YEARS, HIS SPONSOR , MARRIED FREE FOR EIGHT REAS, HIS SPONSOR MARRIED, EDC'S FREE FOR TEN YEARS........... THERE ARE NO PEOPLE IN BETWEEN THESE GUYS AND NEVER HAVE BEEN. AS I WAS SAYING IF YOU GOT A BETTER DEAL PLEASE LET ME KNOW. YOU KNOW I NEVER SEEN MY KIDS IN THE FOURTEEN YEARS I WAS IN THE CAR BUSINESS. SO KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN YOUR PUTTING YOUR SLANT ON THE AMWAY BUSINESS. SOMEONE ELSES DREAM MIGHT NOT BE AS STRONG AS MINE TO WITHSTAND THE NEGATIVE AND YOU AMY BE AFFECTING WHETHER THEIR MOM OR DAD WILL EVER GET THE TIME THEY NEED TO SPEND WITH THEM.
I'VE GOT AN IDEA MAYBE YOU CAN FOCUS ON THE DAYCARE INDUSTRY. I HOPE MY GRAMMAR IS NOT KILLING YOU, I WAS NEVER VERY GOOD IN ENGLISH BUT GUESS WHAT I M CURRENTLY IN A VEHICLE THAT ALL I HAVE TO HAVE IS A DREAM!
Thanks for all the valuable information on your web page! I have visited all of the anti-Amway sites and used much of the information to help my sister get out of "The Business". You are providing a very valuable service.
I have recently visited the Federal Trade Commission Homepage and found something called the Franchise and Business Opportunity Rule. It states that a business opportunity seller must provide a detailed disclosure document at least 10 business days before you pay any money or commit yourself legally to a purchase. This document should include, 1) names, addresses, and telephone numbers of other puchasers; 2) a fully-audited finacial statement; 3) the background and experience of the business's key executives; 4) the cost of starting and maintaining the business and; the responsibilities you and the seller will have to each other. However, the FTC goes on to say that not all sellers are required to provide this document. I have e-mailed the FTC for some clarification on this rule as it pertains to Amway but have not received a reply.
Have you heard of this rule? And, do you know why Amway is not required to use the disclosure document? The URL to this site is http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/invest/franchse.htm.
Thanks again for all of your hard work. Your deserve a relaxing time at the beach. Maybe you'll even be served drinks by an ex-distributor!
For those interested, the franchise rule mentioned above does not apply to MLM's. Distributors are required to give you a copy of the SA-4400, which contains some of the same data.
I read your story and articles with great interest and saw many similarities to your experiences and mine. We (my friend and I), joined what we thought was a great business opportunity last spring. Although we were initially told that Amway was the broker and Network 21 was the business vehicle used in building our distributorship, it turned out to be Amway.
Initially, we were enthusiastic with the products and the potential to supplement our income, without ever questioning any of the methodologies used. We religiously went to every meeting, attended every Business Building Seminar, Family reunions and yes, even Free Enterprise Day in Long Beach, California. The tapes we listened to helped keep our motivational levels high, but after listening to several of them, they all began to sound the same. We received positive reinforcement from our upline. However, I could sense that there was something wrong with what we were in and what we were doing.
Everything they (Amway) were saying was only from their perspective. There was no room for comparisons. At their Amway opens, they use consternation (ie: to fill with dismay, fear, anger and anxiety) to get their message across. It seems Amway has the answer to all the world's problems or at least a few. They had me convinced, at least for the moment, that this was the place to be and everyone else who wasn't involved either wasn't ready for it or didn't need it.
The other paradox with Amway are its' rallies. Where Amway commericals abound, displaying abundant wealth, luxurious lifestyles and extravagant living at the same time professing Christian values. We were told, "if you feel uncomfortable with the sense of wealth, give it away to your favourite charity". To me, this was like the proverbial carrot being dangled in front of your face.
We were successful in the early months, sponsoring severval people. Although we didn't have the "super-human" drive our sponsors had (spending every free moment of the seven day week showing the "plan" and sponsoring), we needed time to ourselves. The way I saw it, there was more to living than spending every waking moment doing Amway.
Initially, I accepted and trusted what our upline and Emerald were saying to us without question. However, in the back of my mind I had nagging doubts, but the Amway adage of "your upline is your lifeline" kept repeating itself like a skipping record. After several months, the mastercard we were using to pay for the Amway products we purchased with became staggering. With all the books, tapes, functions, airline tickets and hotel reservations added on to the mastercard it only compounded the debt. To make matters worse, we began to see our front line collapse one by one. We were still actively trying to sponsor but to no avail. Still we attended meetings and kept a positive out look; at least on the outside, but inside we were hurting. We had been told of these "ups and downs" by our sponsor and simply advised that this was normal and to keep faith.
My faith in Amway began to dwindle and I tried convincing my friend (partner) to bail out before we got further into debt. After numerous discussions regarding the futility of "buying from your own store syndrome" and the ludicrous idea idea of spending $280.00 CAN a month, simply to maintain a 3% B.V. level ($6.23 return!!). I could not convince her to stop, let alone use logic to argue the point. Finally, I declared that I would no longer be a participant in this business venture and if she wanted to continue, to do so on her own. She tried to convince otherwise but to no avail.
My friend had become so involved in the business and the "conditioning" (a.k.a. brainwashing) used by the upline and in the tapes, that she could see no other path. Unfortunately, I discovered Sidney Schwartz's web site too late. After being in Network 21 for over a year, the damage had been done. After extensive reading at Sidney's site and downloading copious information of other people's involvement and their horror stories, I realized I was not alone.
My friend, in the mean time, has involved herself with the cosmetic line in Amway. She seems to be doing well but not well enough to break even. She still attends meetings and listens to tapes. My friend is also spending a large amount of money on the cosmetic products. Although she's experienced some success in promoting the facials and products, she is still getting herself deeper into debt.
Ironically, there are people in the business (very few) who do well, at least that's what they say. No monetary figures are ever given or exchanged. Our upline explained to us that revealing that information would be intimidating. On the contrary, I think it would be highly motivational. Go figure!
I've been approached by numerous other "network marketers", other than Amway and my skepticism only grows. The bottom line is that you have to recruit, recruit and recruit some more! The picture is similar to a sieve full of sand. Where the sand is representative of people. As the sand flows through the sieve, the volume of sand diminishes. You have to be constantly replenishing the sand, in order to maintain an overflowing volume. It never stops! Amway calls this freedom?
In Richard Poe's book, "The Third Wave", he describes and analyses different forms of network marketing. Surprisingly, he states that the drop out rate in any type of network marketing scheme is well over 95%! The network marketing scenario only benefits the people on top. Sure there's nothing from stopping you from doing the same thing. But at what cost and for how long? Would proper financial investment suffice? A budget (heaven forbid!)? Or are we all like that donkey following that proverbial carrot? I'm sure many pro-Amway people are going to argue this and call me a donkey! However, very, very, very few people in Amway ever make it to the top (Diamond).
I would never encourage anyone into joining Amway; however, I would never discourage them either. I'd ask them to seek out as much unbiased information on Amway before diving too deep. Look before you leap!
Charles, you have my permission to use my letter on your site. Please don't use my name or e@mail address. I would like to hear from you. Keep up the good work! Thank you and God bless!
I don't know how many operations,excluding amway, you have run but feel you have a totally negative attitude about it because of the "religion" aspect.Besides the religion and "occult" format you believe they follow, the business does actually work. You may have to put in some unexpected hours to keep it going, but the end all result is that, if you look at it from a business stand point, it does pay off . There also may be expenses that you never thought you would incur in the beginning but if you have ever run a business before you would know that having your cake and eating it too is just not possible. I don't know if anybody ever told you but a business is a living breathing creature which you have to feed and maintain for a positive result. If you do not care for the business as such, then, yes , it will get bitter and ruthless. And will eventually bringing you down with it. Common sense is a key factor in owning and operating any adventure/operation. The pros and cons of a business must be known and weighed before jumping into a business venture such as this. And if somebody doesn't check into it for themselves than it is not your grave mistake.( Do you really think the larger corporations in this country(USA) got as big as they did by being "nice" !!!) And another thing to consider on that note, is that anybody that got, so called "burned " by a major manufacturer with their JOB, [obviously] has a bad taste in their mouth because of it.
It is true that many people who get involved in the "amway" business are not ready for the commitment it takes to evolve their organization to a diamond level but that is a fault of their own, not "amway's". They ,"amway",give you the opportunity to succeed not the ambition and I think that is where your recourse in this matter fails.
The loop holes, tapes and motivational material, that you did prove most of the money is made off of ,may be true ,but if you have ever bought anything, and I'm sure you have, everybody, in the "upline", makes profit off of items that are presented to the consumer or the end all user. You know what it takes to become a "Ruby" and all of the effort you had to put into it. The experiences that you encountered are the key,and I'm sure you learned from them. Whether what you learned from that was good or bad is solely your opinion, and should be viewed as such.
The statistics and information you provided where quite insightful but ,correct me if I am wrong, is what you felt was realivent to boast your rebellion against the "amway" orginization. In closing I would like to state that they,"AMWAY", does provide you with the key but does not ,and never will, provide you with the doors you can unlock with that key. That is your responsibility.!
FYI: I am not currently involved in this particular business but I have been approached and have gone into lenghty research of it. And ,so far ,nothing has swayed me to believe that this is bogus or an outrageously expensive business when the net outcome is going to be financial growth. With businesses especially you have to play your cards(make decisions) right otherwise you are going to suffer the consequences!
P.S. Pardon the grammar and structure mistakes I don't have the time to correct them because I am at my 9-5 JOB currently and don not have the time to check.
Thanks for listening!Hope to hear from you soon and hope you had fun on your vacation.!
Congratulations for yr Site; you have been so brave!! I also liked to read yr story since it is very similar to mine. I have been in Amway for about 2 years (and without making money).
Since I started using Internet I have found out the other side of the story; note that Amway is in Brazil for 5 years and and there is no any brazilian anti-amway site yet. I am ASTONISHED to learn all the stuff you mentioned on yr site since we trusted that this business was very fair and truly we believed that 'they made money when they would help us to make money'. I am from Britt System which has DDs levels only. The biggest group in Brazil is 'Pronet' (I do not know their upline in USA) which has double diamond already.
In Britt group they say that Britt group is 40% of Amway worldwide and we work at the correct way and the other groups work at the wrong way. What dou you think?
I liked to read 'Direct Speaking'from Rich de Vos, 1983 from Mr.Schwarz's site. That means that Amway is aware of all dirty and uncorrrect things that happen in their business. But what hell Amway has made since then to correct Tapes business?
You see, Brazilian Legislation is not specific for MLM companies (it does do not requires Sales, etc), but it prohibites Pyramides schemes. Amway Brazil's manual is half of american manual, this means that by here Tapes business has found their paradise. All incorrect things you mentioned also happens in Brazil.
Britt group is still small (around 400 people), but Pronet has many people and they charge around Us$ 100,00 per person on their Seminary. Most Distributors truly believe that Bill Britt is an angel who came from the heaven to help us to find the best of the life; that he help us with his System without 'financial insterest' .
Do you know any people who got sucess in Amway without following any System?? Hope to receive yr comments soon.
I was in the business from the fall of 1978 until the end of 1991 with a brief respite during 1982 ... so, let's call that 12 years of actually being "in" the business and active. OK? I've stated before that we've lost "in the neighborhood" of $30,000 to the business over the years - much of it to the Setzer/Yager/Gooch line of sponsorship.
Let's see now ... I was on Tape-of-the-week, book-of-the-month, tape-of-the-month pretty much for the duration; I don't recall ever *not* being on those things. I attended a large open meeting (on average) twice per month. I attended just about *every* Seminar & Rally offered by our line of sponsorship, *every* Spring Leadership, *every* Dream-Night and *every* Family-Reunion. I would say that I "drew circles" an average of 10 times per month. Some months I showed the plan 25 times (including one-on-ones) some months closer to 8 or 10. Generally my activity level on that front was the result of how many people I could manage to get onto my list. At one point I was so driven by that *$#@ list that I would go out evening after evening "prospecting" at the mall. I used almost *nothing* that wasn't an Amway product; if it could be had through Amway and I could come up with the money I bought it. This got ridiculous to the point of buying two sets of the Americana Encyclopedia (almost $1500 we couldn't afford to spend) because the upline promoted it as a new sales boom.
(Those were lousy encyclopedia by the way).
As any truly faithful "Future Diamond" I bought into practically everything my upline told me to. I had a constant supply onhand of the "Decision Packs" which could be as expensive as $35.00 apiece. I had tapes, books and tape recorders to lend out to prospects. I bought an $18,000 Buick Regal through the Automotive Network even though my better judgement told me I should buy something I could afford. (Got to maintain that image.) I couldn't afford $379.95 per month, but hey ... I had to look the part, right? That 900PV (I think) that I got buying that car made a real difference, too. (Not!)
I'm sure there's a lot more, but I'm getting off track. The point of all this was to try and figure out how much the "System" was costing me on a yearly basis. OK ... let's attempt some numbers. The numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar to simplify things:
Estimated Monthly Expenses of "The Business"
| Tape of week: $6.00 X 4 weeks | $24.00 | |
| Tape of month: $6.00 | $ 6.00 | |
| Book of month: $6.00 | $ 6.00 | |
| Seminar&Rally $12 X 2 people | $24.00 | |
| - Gas, Food, Babysitter, etc. | $50.00 | (Conservative) |
| Open Meetings (2) $5.00 X 2 | $10.00 | |
| Decision Packs, prospecting tapes, etc. | $50.00 | (This varied ... I consider this conservative) |
| Other Literature, Brochures, etc... | $30.00 | |
| Gas/Oil/Food (Dennys, etc.) | $250.00 | |
| Total: | $450.00 | |
| Yearly: | $450.00 X 12 = $5,400 |
Quarterly Expenses - Major Functions
| Spring Leadership (Including room, dining, babysitting etc.) | $350-$500 |
| Family Reunion (Usually at a resort) | $500-$600 |
| Dream Night | $250-$300|
| Total: | $1100-1400 |
Total Estimated Expenses: $ 5,400 + $ 1,100 = $ 6,500
Over 12 active years:
$ 6,500 x 12 = $ 78,000
Wow! ... I hadn't realized until I sat down to do this that the number even approached anything that high! Now, obviously, I didn't spend exactly the same amount every year ... this is just a rough estimate. However, in the above I didn't include the $1,500 we spent on two sets of the Encyclopedias we were never able to sell (we gave both away after a number of years). Nor did I include the amount of money spent on things we would not have bought had we not been brainwashed by all of this. I certainly would not have spent $18 Grand on a car if I hadn't been told it would make me "successful". That little blue Toyota I had was a *neat* car. It was almost paid for too ... but the upline told me I needed a "luxury car" to look the part. Also not included in the above estimates were all the money spent on excessively high phone bills associated with attempting to start out-of-town groups, nor the car repairs we had to pay for as I put a couple-hundred-thousand miles on them. I would normally have been able to make *one* car last the time I burned up three.
I also didn't include the cost of buying from Amway compared to what we would have spent normally. Amway products, particularly the stuff in the Personal Shopper's Catalog, are extremely expensive. Yeah ... LOC and a few of the other concentrates are pretty good, but the cost of the vast majority of the things we bought was prohibitive. All during that time I would justify spending all the extra by trying to convince myself that these were QUALITY products. They were WORTH paying the extra shipping charges for, right? Yeah .... RIGHT! Those diapers that cost twice the normal price were really worth twice the money ...
Also not included are the intangible losses of time and money incurred from my career. Had I not had the "overhead" of time and money to the Amway business (or should I say the "System"), I might have been able to keep up with the industry better than I did. Fortunately I exited Amway (and that stinking Yager System) in time to get back on track. I am now making more money in my "lousy" J.O.B. and having more fun than I ever did trying to become a millionaire.
For any "Ambot" looking on (including you smart-aleck Diamonds) - don't come around here with your hype of riches untold for the "faithful". There is *no one* in the Amway business that worked harder than I did to try and make it work. No one could stand toe-to-toe with me and say that I didn't do EVERYTHING it took to make Diamond, even to the extent of losing a marriage and nearly wrecking a career. Then, when it all came crashing down and we filed bankruptcy (after being laid off from the job that kept this whole thing afloat) we were offered no help from *anyone* other than being told to go to the next meeting. The Amway business, at least in the Yager line (which I understand is about 60% of it) is a cult. Had I put this level of dedication into just about *anything* else, I would have at least made a living. Instead, all I got was 12 years of debt.
The only thing really positive I got out of the whole experience was that I met my wife at a Dream night in 1984. By God's grace, our marriage is very strong; the fact that we met at an Amway function was really only secondary. She was a real trooper during our long Amway experience, very supportive. While she came along for the ride, she didn't experience the brainwashing effects that I did. She doesn't quite understand why it has taken me so long to purge all of this out of my system. (Obviously it isn't all purged just yet!) because she wasn't so totally committed to becoming a Diamond like I was.
I really appreciate your e-mail back and truely did not expect to have feed back because most people do not have the time to respond to all of their mail. With your remarks I was in no way trying to argue the points that you have obtained in your experience with the business. I was just trying to look at it from an outsiders perspective on your views.
Yes, I did read Sidney's page but still have not been swayed. I have run several operations and know exactly what it is like to have to rob Peter to pay Paul. But that can get out of hand. If he ,Sidney, went bankrupt ;it is not my fault. I don't think he realized the endeavor he was getting into. In my opinion he didn't realize that a little common sense goes a long way. I am sure you know that if you are going to operate a successful business that profit should be weighed against expenses. If that is not done you are in most cases doomed. I know you were quite succesful at this business, making "Ruby" ranking, and have the best overview of it on your page. That is why I chose to write you rather than one of the 5000 other ones. You stated that you were asked "to leave " rather than being overwhelmed by it ,such as Sidney's case, and had to quit because of financial problems.
I don't know how your upline described the business to you. But mine explained it quite frankly. And when he said not everyone can do this he was right referring back to the 8/10 of 1% fact. But think about it most people are aware that new businesses have a 65%+ failure rate and still try. Why? Because there is a chance. And that is why a lot of people want to try there hand at it. I say "hand at it " because ,yes, it is a gamble , like any business, and not all of them will be successful at it. In my particular line though I have absolutely no doubt that I can make Diamond and more in fact I have just one more leg to going Quicksilver in my first week. Granted I have been surveying people while I have been doing my research. The support with the business ,in my opinion only, is nothing quite short of superior. The people in this orginization are fantastic but they do try to push religious beliefs upon newcommers. I am like you ,as far as that goes ,but if thats all I have to do to make it in this business because I know I have the ambition to boot, then dammit I can. Pardon the language if it offends you!
I have to cut this off now but I was wondering if we could chat again? I do have a few questions that I would like to ask because you have been in and out of the business. Which leads me to believe that you would give me the most insightful answers to my questions rather than asking my sponsers or farther upline!!!!!!!?
Obviously you have put a lot of effort in analyzing all the available information. The conclusions are very clear. Actually, I reached pretty much the same conclusions after reading 4400 handed to me by one of the particularly slick Amway zombies.
If anything, you have used soft gloves in wording your conclusions, This seems nothing short of planned, sophisticated and totally activity which has hoodwinked well over 2.5 million people in scores of countries. ( Given the apparently high turnover, number of 'distributors ever' must significantly exceed number of 'distributors today'). I will characterize the activity as criminal fraud in principal, that has smartly avoided being found to be so in the courts for over three decades - amazingly smart criminal activity. I have no doubt that the most advanced judicial system in the world - namely that of the US will finally catch up within the next decade.
My concern is how to prevent similar rape of poorer countries around the world. Amway can hold only about 0.2% of US population as gullible greedy victims in its system after 38 years of operations here ( say 0.5 million 'idiotistributors' out of about 267 million population, not counting about 2,000 distributors at the top of the pyramid who may net significantly more than minimum wages per hour of involvement, by successfully becoming part of the racket). The number is apparently close to 0.8% for Japan after only 18 years. Four times higher delusion rate in half the time - true victims of the stealth bomb. Hong Kong seems to also hit 0.8%, though little slower and Taiwan is in the same category. Brazil seems to have hit 0.1% in just 5 years and El Salvador seems to have hit 1% within year.
Your work should help those in the US, that check before they become a victim to this ongoing theft of money, time and self-respect. Internet is not that commonly available elsewhere and none of them have even caught up with US in terms of the minimal disclosure requirement.
I haven't had the chance to read through your entire web site, but I am picking away slowly at it all. It is very informative and along with my other ongoing research into the Amway business, is telling me lots of things that I have not heard from people who are in the business. With all the negatives I am finding though, I am still considering getting into it.
But the motivation for my email is about the "Family Reunions" that are held at some hotels. I don't know if you speak of this anywhere on your page as I have not read it all as I stated before, but I have a friend who works in a hotel as a Sales Manager. This friend has sold meeting space and rooms to Amway distributors, and I was informed by this person that it is stated in the contract that is signed, that the hotel may not disclose the price for the hotel rooms or any other price for that matter.
Now I know some of the rates that are charged for large groups that come in, and none reach the price they would charge you or I if we walked in off the street. I would be interested as to what a weekend with the family costs. Surely in theme with your page about the enormous profits that are being made on items other than Amway products, they are charging way more than what they are paying for the rooms for their "Family Members".
Thought it might be of some use to your site.
I love all the statistics and info you put together on Amway. Great job! There is just one point I find amazing: the counts of distributors and your believe Amway would proudly present actual figures. I am not so sure about that.
Actually, in Germany Amway only discloses 80.000 "regular" distributors. As I know from Amway employees and distributors the actual figure in June 1997 was 200.000 distributors - just in Germany. In my opinion there is an obvious reason for this difference: mathematics. The average income per distributor as well as the percentage of higher pins depends on numberf all distributors. Therefore Amway won't disclose actual figures but reduced ones loke "active", "regular" or "renewed" (and even then the math is bad enough). Does that make sense to you, too?
I really wonder how many distributors worldwide did not renew in the last years - that would be an interesting count, wouldn't it? This figure may be even bigger than their disclosed distributor figures.