THE PYRAMID IS CRUMBLING

The Grand Rapids Press sorta reported this on Wednesday, but here’s the real story …

A few years back the Fixer helped Rich and Jay re-brand the Amway multi-level marketing scam as Quixtar.  Sure, call it a corporate reorganization if want, but it’s the same ol’ pyramid, the same ol’ hucksters, and the same ol’ suckers buying Amway kits and loads of motivational materials from the hucksters.  But now the hucksters are feuding.  The big bucks in the Amway/Quixtar pyramid come from flogging motivational books, tapes, CD’s, and seminars to newbie Amway distributors.  It seems that not all the hucksters are getting their chance to fleece the flock with tapes and seminars.  Only the hucksters highest on the pyramid, the “kingpins”, get to do that.  So a group of non-kingpin hucksters filed suit against Amway in the U.S. district court in the western district of Missouri.

They accuse Amway a.k.a. Quixtar of helping the kingpins monopolize what is known in their parlance as the “tools and functions” trade – i.e., motivational materials and seminars.  About twenty years ago Amway and the kingpins, the independent distributors at the top of the pyramid, were in a Mexican stand-off.  The kingpins were making most of their money pushing “tools and functions” instead of Amway kits, which displeased Amway.  However, Amway needed the kingpins to recruit new distributors into the bottom of the pyramid to buy Amway kits and keep the Ponzi scheme rolling forward.  Likewise, the kingpins needed a product like the Amway kit as a pretext to hook new distributors and then browbeat them into attending their seminars and buy piles of their motivational materials.

In the early ‘80s the kingpins showed Amway that they had the clout to reduce the sales of Amway’s kits – you know, that bundle of soap and vitamins that a new distributor buys thinking he’s going to get rich reselling the stuff to others (just as those motivational tapes he bought from his kingpin tell him) but almost always ends up using the overpriced products for himself.  So Amway dropped its opposition to the “tools and functions” trade and instead decided to regulate it.  Primarily that meant enforcing rules that let the kingpins monopolize the trade.

It’s a business that is rotten to its core.  Amway’s real customer is the sucker who buys the distributor’s kit.  Getting rich off reselling the goods in the kit is a pipe dream fueled by the kingpins and their get-rich-quick wares.  So the kingpins are parasites feeding off of Amway’s already parasitical business, yet Amway is completely dependent upon them.  They bring in Amway’s new customers/distributors.  You already know Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel, the founders of Amway.  Now know their kingpins, Ron Puryear, Dexter Yager, and Bill Britt, who are in the filthy business of conning ordinary people into buying Amway kits through their motivational materials promising them riches if they do.  Also know that the mid-level distributors who are suing Amway are no champions of free enterprise.  What they want is a piece of the kingpins’ “tools and functions” trade.  It’s one band of thieves suing another.

The pyramid is crumbling.  Well, you were never foolish enough to get suckered by Amway, so what does it matter to you as a taxpayer or a resident of Grand Rapids?  An excellent question, which I will answer next week.

Comments

[Tony]

Dawson, I Absolutely LOVE your post!! While I don't agree with the last line or the 99% failure rate (2500pv is not failing) I do agree with your statement "being an IBO doesn't make you an expert on business, hence the...failure rate!" I couldn't have said it better myself! You made my argument for me! Every critbot complains about the success rate; and How Many Times have I said, "with the cost being so low to sign-up, almost Anyone can get started, But NOT just anyone can be a successful business owner." Just being signed-up (being an IBO) does not guarantee success and does not make you an expert on business! Wow, me and Dawson agree on something!!
But now if you read the books, attend the Opens and trainings, and actually frickin DO SOMETHING, you have a much better chance than the guy who gets started but never comes to an Open or seminar, never opens a book, reads some BS on the internet and decides to quit!

I feel no remorse for the fool who reads that his upline Diamond is gonna make money on an $8 ticket to a seminar so decides not to go, or the the Diamond gets a % of that $6 book, so he decide not to buy it! I don't care if they make money on it. If you see value in it, then go to it, or buy it. If not, then don't! Your college made money on you! Those who don't see the value, drop out!

Hey Frankenberry, yea I guess me defending myself got me banned from qb. It was ok that df made comments about "having sex with my mom and girlfriend" (and he did the same to another pro-Qx) but its not OK for me to throw it back. I guess I should have said "heck, darn and poop" a little more. Type stuff like $%@*&#, and you get banned unless your a critbot like him. You said 'good luck, just don't step on people'? Don't worry, I DON'T and WON'T step on anyone!

I build this with integrity, and more people than you Realize are doing the samething! I can't help it that a dozen you had a "poopy" upline that wasn't ethical. I don't have that problem, and I've met 500+ IBO's that don't have that problem. There are A LOT more good ones than you know. But if all you ever saw was YOUR "poopy" sponsor than I would expect your view to be what it is.

Dawson, you mention my "tyrades". Let me just make one thing clear! I came on that site as a very level-headed, civil, but steadfast Qx supporter. I simply gave my point of view, told MY stories of MY experiences, and bashed no one! That is until the insults and bashing started getting thrown at me! After constant insults, bashing, degrading, etc, YES my tone got harsher! Because, I've got a Backbone and a big set of [censored by hack editor], and I don't take [bullpoop] from No One!

You say my mentality is what people can expect to have, sure if they subject themselves to the constant insults of low-life scum like df, rocket, you and a few others.

Think of something you're into, like Boy Scouts, or perhaps a martial art? Imagine if there were a bunch of idiots bashing it, saying it was a scam, "the Asian Masters only take advantage of their students", "the tests/tuition cost too much". Or "the scout masters are just there to molest little boys"... and you KNOW thats not true. You're gonna get fired up and defend it too! Have these 'blinded by bitterness' critics bash you and the thing you support and see if you don't fire back with a "kiss my [butt]" or a "you're all full of [poop]".

I'm glad I got banned, now like mlm' said that board's gonna get slower... and slower and basically die. Without a pro-qx person there, it looks like a collection agency for "crybabies are us". Now I feel sory for some of the critics. MLMking had an unethical upline, FW, and (maybe even JD) had an "overboard spouse". I feel for those people. But the ones who Know they didn't do everything they could've done and then jump on the 'bashing bandwagon' to save face or feel better about themselves, I despise them.

Don't tell me it doesn't work. Tell me why my 22 year old sponsor from 2003-2005 went from 100pv - 9,000pv!! Tell me why HE can do it, but you couldn't! You COULD have, you just DIDN'T. Are you a loser for it? No! Does quitting make you a loser, no! But not really giving it your All, quitting, and then BASHING it? - well That does!! It not that it doesn't work, it just didn't work for you. So everyone you know, said "no" - then meet some more people. Half the IBO's at my Open are "C-List contacts".

This business can work for anyone, that truly works it.(I said Can, not Will, there's no guarantee, life is a risk.) But you gotta go out and talk to those bars and gyms about XS, you gotta make phone calls, and STP, you gotta promote those gift albums. And if thats not for you, then don't sign-up. Or work on Becoming that person. But don't be influenced by the "naysayers". If I ever quit, which I won't, but if I did, I sure as HECK wouldn't come on some site and blame anyone but me!

[Apply a vacuum] on that!

[Joecool18]

Hey Tony,

It can work for anyone, but it doesn't work for the vast majority.

Did you get banned by Qblog again?

[Joecool18]

Tony> Don't tell me it doesn't work. Tell me why my 22 year old sponsor from 2003-2005 went from 100pv - 9,000pv!! Tell me why HE can do it, but you couldn't! You COULD have, you just DIDN'T. Are you a loser for it? No! Does quitting make you a loser, no! But not really giving it your All, quitting, and then BASHING it? - well That does!! It not that it doesn't work, it just didn't work for you. So everyone you know, said "no" - then meet some more people. Half the IBO's at my Open are "C-List contacts

Joe> Tony, want to tell us why it hasn't worked for you yet?

[Tony]

Joe18> Did you get banned by Qblog again?

T> wow, you're a quick one - yea, that was kinda mentioned like 3 times now! ~?~

Joe> Tony, want to tell us why it hasn't worked for you yet?

T> well gee, maybe because I haven't been as consistent as I know I need to be, but at least I Realize it, and am not a little [cupcake] blaming the business or my upline! But I'm working harder at staying steady and not treating it like a hobby, and things are starting to pick up again.

Once again, as long as you're growing, its working. You don't have to be Platinum, Emerald, or Diamond to say "its working". Someone at 1500 - 2500pv is making money, (well above expenses). I have a crossline friend that was making about $1000/month at just 2500pv! Now he's practically 4000pv!

I'm done talking to you Joe, you've got victim-mentality, broke-mentality, or whatever else anyone wants to call it, and frankly it smells. Good luck in whatever you do.

[vm]

I would think that profitabilty should be the bench mark as to whether it is "working"

Tony, above you made this comment : "Your college made money on you! "

Where did you get that idea? Aren't most colleges non-profit organizations? I know the one I graduated from certainly is. Many colleges rely on generous donors to keep them going.

[Tony]

Are you [cooking] nuts?? Did you take any business classes? Do you really think that non-profit means that they don't make money?? Would someone please explain to vm that plenty of "non-profit" organizations make Plenty of money!! Ever seen commercials for non-profit debt consolidation companies?... guess what, they're still gonna make money off you! Non-profit means they can't sell stocks.

What did you think your college did with your $19,000/yr tuition?? How do you think professors get paid?? Did you really think your Accounting principles book cost $95 to MAKE??

Sure profitabilty can be one factor of is it working. And making $1000/month at 2500pv or 4000pv is Making Money. Expenses being no more than $200/month that $800 extra your little side business just made you. Would YOU turn up your nose at an extra $800 a month. Knowing next month and next Year it will be more...

I know 4 years ago Paul K. probably caught some flack from friends about "starting his own business". Now the guy is gonna retire the day he graduates! He makes about $7k a month, not counting year-end bonuses! He may already be in Emerald qualification with 1 downline Sapphire about to be in Emerald qualification too. Paul's 23, his downline Chris is barely 22. At one point they wer both "not making money at this" - now they're doing pretty good. Anyone else out there gonna have a graduation party and retirement party the same day? Anyone else gonna graduate college this June and Not have to go get a job becuae they already have a residual 6-figure income coming in, from a franchise-style business? Hmmm...

[The Executive Director]

Gentlemen,

The comment section L.A.W. provides for an article is not forum for bringing personal spats from elsewhere. Either comment on the issues raised by the article or I will close this comment section.

Regards,
Bill Tingley
Executive Director

[Tony]

Ha! Have at it Chief! You write an 'article' saying "The Pyramid is crumbling", Joe makes a post saying the business doesn't work, VM says that profitability should be the benchmark if it works, I respond to both topics and You say we're bickering.

Besides the mental midgets Daniel & Dawson chasing me over here, and not addressing Any topic, just throwing out insults as usual (in true critbot manner), WHO is "bringing personal spats from elsewhere, and not commenting on the issue". (Just D & D {Dumb&Dumber} as I see it.

So go for it big guy! Put down the bong, pick up your septor and hit that "Close Comments" button!

Huh, I hope you enjoyed the excess traffic!

(Anyone notice Qblog slowing down? And its been 2-3 days!! Ha! mlm' called it!)

[Joecool18]

Hey Tony, the pyramid is crumbling. Why do you think there's been only one diamond that is quixtar only?

And please don't compare quixtar to college. Colleges don't recruit people by showing them a plan for financial freedom. At least most college grads get what they paid for, which is an education and the likelihood of out-earning non college grads.

I agree that non-profits do make money, but it is true that many colleges are sustained by government and alumni contributions.

[Joecool18]

Tony> Anyone else gonna graduate college this June and Not have to go get a job becuae they already have a residual 6-figure income coming in, from a franchise-style business? Hmmm...

Joe> And with a 50% to 60% attrition rate, they'll either be working harder after they retire or they'll end up with a job as many former diamonds have. But good luck as you keep chasing the magical leprechaun at the end of the rainbow.