MLMs?

[Tigre_Bigotes]

I wanna know people's thoughts:

I was approached by someone (we were in a restaurant; they were at the table next to me; I initiated conversation when I inquired about their yummy-looking appetizer) about Amway. I hadn't heard of Amway before, so I looked it up later. On the one hand, it seems to be a reputable company with well-regarded products and the bonus structure actually looks pretty sweet, if it is real. On the other hand, there's also a TON of negative online about Amway (particularly if you go down Reddit threads... which I did... it got ugly haha).

The couple that talked to me (though the wife really did all the talking) kept saying how they also had a mentor who was teaching them how to "build cashflow assets" (never heard that term, and even after looking it up, I'm a little unsure of what it means or how it's created, other than very vague descriptions). They offered to "open a door" for me to their mentors and asked for my number. I gave it because, at the very least, I was curious. Now, I'm set to meet with them at a coffee shop.

On the one hand, the whole thing came across as kinda ... suspicious? unscrupulous? shiesty? which was confirmed by my readings on Reddit. On the other hand, the couple seems nice, and the info I've seen about Amway from that website or other sites like the BBB make it seem pretty legit and lucrative. I'm definitely gonna sit down with this couple just to see what they have to say, but I'm curious if anyone has had a similar experience with this company or one like it?

[+ JamesB]

Amway isn't a fly-by-night scam, it survived FTC scrutiny (ruled not a pyramid in 1979 because it emphasizes product sales over pure recruitment) and has an A+ BBB rating (accredited since 1991).

Amway's legit as a product company, but the opportunity? It's a grind disguised as a shortcut to freedom. The couple seems nice because that's the hook. MLMs thrive on personal rapport. Your suspicion isn't paranoia; it's pattern recognition. The "sweet" bonuses are real if you crack the top, but for most (including that mentor?) It's more of a hobby than an empire.

Curiosity's free; regret isn't. You've already done the homework most don't, so trust that gut.

This is just my opinion and it’s worth exactly what you are paying for it.

[Tigre_Bigotes]

4 hours ago, JamesB said:

Amway isn't a fly-by-night scam, it survived FTC scrutiny (ruled not a pyramid in 1979 because it emphasizes product sales over pure recruitment) and has an A+ BBB rating (accredited since 1991).

Amway's legit as a product company, but the opportunity? It's a grind disguised as a shortcut to freedom. The couple seems nice because that's the hook. MLMs thrive on personal rapport. Your suspicion isn't paranoia; it's pattern recognition. The "sweet" bonuses are real if you crack the top, but for most (including that mentor?) It's more of a hobby than an empire.

Curiosity's free; regret isn't. You've already done the homework most don't, so trust that gut.

This is just my opinion and it’s worth exactly what you are paying for it.

Believe it or not, that's actually EXTREMELY helpful.

It's the most nuanced take that I've come across haha.

All the reading I've done prior fell into two camps: 1) "Amway is wonderful, the best thing ever, peerless, entrepreneurial, the ultimate vehicle to financial independence." And 2) "Amway is a scam/cult, and its followers/evangelists are psycho. Stay away at all costs."

So, to have someone express an opinion that acknowledges both sides and finds a middle ground... I hadn't seen that yet!

[Kevin Slater]

It's widely held that Amway sees more revenue from selling "business support material" (seminars, books, branded merchandise-- cult shit in other words) than actual consumer goods.  

Kevin Slater

[+ poolboy48220]

A couple friends got into Amway when we were in our 20's. They were insufferable about hawking it. Thankfully, they didn't stick with it for very long (or maybe they stopped bringing it up around me since my disdain was obvious).