From: djk@saki.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Douglas Knights)
Subject: Re: Nuskin
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 12:49:34 GMT

In article <1992Sep29.014149.6179@odin.corp.sgi.com>, bglazier@buffalo.asd.sgi.com (Bill Glazier) writes:
|> 
|>  
|> |> > Nuskin was, and probably still is, another Utah based ripoff/scam sponsored
|> |> > by get-rich-quick artists.  They'll say anything to get your money.
|> |> 
|> |> Here I have to disagree strenuously.  I got out of NS because I felt the
|> |> business program was far too difficult for any reasonable person to succeed in.
|> |> But their products were and are superb, their business ethics are top-notch,
|> |> and overall they're an outstanding company.
|> |> 
|> |> There *were* a few distributors that took advantage of a few poorly-designed
|> |> aspects of the NS business plan to front-load a bunch of people.  This was
|> |> the cause of most of NS's publicity problems last year.  But the company
|> |> itself is one of the best I've ever seen.
|> 
|> I am no expert MLM-baiter.  I am too busy with more positive aspects of my
|> existence.  But it seems I always hear, in any defense of an MLM company, 
|> an apology for certain 'bad apples' who taint the whole program.  Perhaps
|> the nature of MLM is just that:  it is too easy for less than ethical people
|> to make a quick killing on the unsuspecting public, no matter what the
|> intentions of the founders.  I won't accept the counter argument that 'well, all
|> business is like that'.  I believe the vast majority of people have a very poor
|> experience with MLM.  If the vast majority of people had very poor experiences
|> with all careers they enter, the unemployment rate would be 75%.  It's 1/10th that number, in a very bad economy.

Yes....people do have bad experiences with MLM companies, but that is because
people are not explaining up front that it involves hard work and not everyone
has this work ethic.  I missed the initial part of this Nu Skin bashing tirade,
but I can honestly say IMHO that I have not seen another MLM company out
there that has as much integrity as Nu Skin (and I looked at a lot!)  

|> 
|> But let me use your specific situation.  You got out because, in your words
|> 'a reasonable person could not succeed'.  Well, I don't see how an outstanding
|> company with exemplary ethics can create a business where, just to succeed (not
|> even excel) you need to invest an 'unreasonable amount of effort'.  How could a 
|> company like this continue to succeed?  Only because the rewards at the top for the people that perpetuate these kinds of business opportunities are so
|> great.  They create slick, carefully crafted marketing presentations to hype
|> the possibilities.  They use a lot of human potential psychobabble to 
|> attract a constant influx of new 'devotees'.  They chew them up and spit them
|> out pretty darn quick.  They take the money and on to the next program.  And they
|> all seem to come from Utah (if someone could explain this phenomena, I would
|> be greatly indebted).   
|>  
|> |> 
|> |> It really annoys me when people pass judgement on a company, and publicly
|> |> spout their misinformed opinions as gospel truth, based on hazily-remembered
|> |> (and most likely incorrectly-formed in the first place) opinions developed
|> |> 4 or 5 years ago.  It's unfounded invective like this that gives the general
|> |> public a bad perception of a lot of fine companies.
|> 
|> Since this 'convert' I am speaking of was a close relative, I spent more
|> than a few passing moments analyzing the proposition.  My memory is quite
|> clear.  I read the marketing materials.  I watched the videotape.  I even
|> used the shampoo. I spent hours pleading with this person not to get involved.  
|>     

So you were not impressed with the products...then the business was not for
you.  But then again, you only mentioned one product out of a line of about
60 or so at present.

|> |> 
|> |> I'd suggest you be a bit careful about tossing around such libellous 
|> |> statements.  If *I* were Nu Skin, I'd sue your butt off.
|> 
|> Perhaps that is the only way to scare off people like me with opinions
|> that disagree with the reality they have a finacial incentive to evangelize.
|> Maybe that says something about the motivations and ethics of the people involved.
|> I get angry at many companies when I am provided poor service or product.  Usually
|> the response is to figure out how to make me happy, not how to sue me and shut me
|> up.  A truly great business is one that goes out of its way to make all its
|> important constituencies happy:  its employees, its distribution channels,
|> its customers, its owners.   HP is a great company.  

Yes, if a poor product was being supplied I would be pretty darned upset as
well, but my customers certainly don't think so and won't go back to the
stuff they had used prior (and those that did had all sorts of problems).

|> 
|> Most MLM companies care only about the owners.  Based solely on the data you have
|> provided me, NuSkin is NOT a great company.
|> 

Yes MOST MLM companies care only about the owners.  I flew out to Salt Lake
City and talked to the owners, saw their state-of-the-art computerized 
warehouse, new office building, $10 million dollar computer system, etc..
The owners of Nu Skin could be very rich and walk away from it all, but
they are putting the money back into the company for long-term growth.  I
suggest that anyone disputing this do the same.  The owners are more than
glad to meet with people, and they are "normal" people just like you and I..
...unlike what we see at the top of corporate America.  Could you go meet
with the CEO of HP...probably not!

I suggest that anyone who would like more information about Nu Skin, or our
new nutritional division, Interior Designs Nutritionals, contact me personally.
You can call my 800 number and leave you name, phone number, and best time to
reach you and I will give you a call.  (The reason for this is that I am 
leaving corporate America to do my Nu Skin/IDN business full-time!)  For
those interested my number is (800) 473-5938.  I hope everyone here on this
newsgroup finds what they are looking for!  See you on the beaches of the
world!

				Doug

|> 
|> 
|> Caveat Emptor:  These are my personal opinions, and should be considered as such.
|> I personally have never joined an MLM organization, and don't expect to for the
|> foreseeable future.  Nor do I expect to begin hosting 'No Money Down Real Estate"
|> Seminars, or begin a second career as a born again televangelist.  I respect
|> any person who works hard in pursuit of a goal.  I despise those who benefit
|> from false promises made to others.  
|>