From: bjpocock@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu (Beastor the Mad)
Subject: Re: Small Business Oportunity
Organization: University of Waterloo
Distribution: kw
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 19:24:08 GMT

>
>hmmm, amway, didn't they get nailed big time for defrauding Customs and Excise?
>
No... they had a court case but won.  It is perfectly legal, always has been
for 30 years.  It uses a pyramid scheme but is modified in a large way.
>
>why is it that when someone starts promoting amway, nuskin, NSA, etc, they will
>not tell you what it is.
>Amway and many other MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) organizations are constantly
>restructuring to keep ahead of the Pyramid Scheme laws.

Hmmm... I have material... it hasn't been restructured in a long time.  I
don't tell you right away because most people frown upon the idea unless
they see how it really works (seems strange but is true).
>
>My uncle, who is involved in several MLM's, is quite happy most zealous about
>them.  he actually was in ivolved in the start up of Bestline, which eventually
>was shut down for Pyramid Scheme infractions.
>they work for some people, they don't for others.

Well, there are 1,000,000 people in North America doing it.  HOpe they don't
can it... 1,000,000 unemployeed is pretty huge.  It works for alot of people
if you put the time and effort into it.  Actually, I've never seen a case
which someone put in time and effort and reaped no rewards.
>
>the big problem is that MLM's are more about the distribution of profits, than
>about the actual products.
>amway has a few items that i like, and i would purchase them more often if i
>didn't have to forcibly cut off the "This is an unbelieveable opportunity"
>rhetoric every time i wish to refill my order.
>i have had many hours of my time wasted by potential contract business clients
>calling me up and saying "let's do lunch, i have some ideas i want to throw
>past you."

Ok... you can get a catologue and order stuff if you want.  No hastles at
all.  Just get one, say I want this this and this... and boom.  Don't think
there are any problems there.  I am new at this, and don't have alot of
experience with the products but some people I know said they were fairly
good quality.
>
>if you are proud about amway, and it is really such a good thing, say it out
>loud.  why do you insist on hiding it?

I am proud, but all I wanted were I'm interested... can I talk.  I had quite
a few of these.  I succeeded.  If Amway was such a huge issue, then I would
have named it.  I didn't think it mattered.  I said Distrubition marketing..
which is another way to call it.  I JUST WANTED PEOPLE TO SAY I'M INTERESTED.
Thats it.  I didn't want people saying "I'll join up tomorrow."
>
>just what they hell kind of money can you earn if you don't sell your 
>products?
>buying product from yourself does not sound like a very solid business plan.
>
I sell to myself and my family.  You get some big discounts on stuff... from
18-65% off after the commission part of it.  That's why I buy from there.
You also don't make your money by selling.  Most of it is by Professional
Networking.
>
>>BTW, Amway has a growth rate of 45% a year for the last decade... far beyond
>>any other corporation.  This in itself should show that this is not a trend,
>>and will continue to do so for a little while.
>
>crack cocaine sales have seen an even larger growth, but that doesn't
>necessarily mean that it is a good thing.

Wow... Amway is now in league with religious zealots and drug smuggling.
Jeez... no one told me this when I joined up :-)  I just wanted to say this
wasn't a scam.  It isn't either.  It has been running for 30 years, and will
probably continue to run indefinately.  No one has shut it down for even a 
second.  NOW... letsee about companies that are invested by AMway.  MCI is
now 45% owned by Amway.  Insurance Companies, Sears, the list goes on and on.
These companies have invested in Ami or have been invested in.

If you don't like it... don't go for it.  I'm not going to chase around 
everyone in hopes that they might join.  I think it's a great opportunity.
If you want legal stuff, and information, and tapes, then I can drop em by.
If you want to go to a meeting, email me.  If you don't.. don't.  If you
don't want to read this, there is an n or K key.
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