After 4 years of misery, 4000 PV  & 90+ downline & losing $30-40,000 in Amway as well as another $50,000 from an outside business my ex-emerald enticed me into. Your page is refreshing. We were stupid, brainwashed & duped. Thank God our family is still intact & were starting over in a conventional Business that looks promising. However Amway almost destroyed us but weve been de-progammed & its comforting to know other theyre others who've duped also. You can start over after Amway & its amazing how a little $150. investment can lead to a $80-100,000 loss.
 
 

Date: 98-01-17 20:24:45 EST
From: Reply-to: To: exambot@aol.com

Dear Exambot,

Thank-you very much for your page. It has started the much needed
healing cycle for me. I was in WorldWide Dream Builders for almost 4
years hook, line and sinker. It started in 1993. I bought all of the
tools under the assumption that nobody profited and that WWDB was a
non-profit organization.

My question to you is: Do you think that I would have a chance at
getting my money back for all the functions, books, and tapes since I
bought them under a false reality? And if I could, do you think that a
couple thousand people could get there money back via a class action
lawsuit.

If you know any lawyers that could answer that question please let me
know.

Thanks again for your page.

Reguards,
 

PS: Something like this could stop their ilicit and immoral behaviors
and force Amway to enforce their own rules.
 

Subj:  Looking for your advice.  Please help!!
Date: 98-01-17 21:15:14 EST
From: aria5376@tao.sou.edu (Arias)      (leave name and address)
Reply-to: aria5376@tao.sou.edu
To: exambot@aol.com

I am a junior at Southern Oregon University.  In preparation for
graduate school, I am taking a research writing class.  I have decided
to write on the psychological persuasion and use of mind control in
MLM's like Amway.  My tentative thesis is that Amway is not a business
based on getting rich by cutting out the middleman and buying or selling
household products directly from the warehouse.  It is a scheme using
psychological
manipulation to make money off the distributors.  I think that the real
money is in the motivational tools, but I can't find documented proof.
I agree with everything you wrote. In fact, many of the points you bring
up on your web page are sub topics in my research.  My question is if
you have any idea where I can find documented evidence or any material
published by an expert about Amway's use of mind control.  While I have
found many web sites like yours that are excellent, I need to have
evidence (journal articles, work done by Ph.D's and so on) that can back
my claims.  Any information or suggestions you might have would be
greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and your excellent web page.

Melanie Arias
 

Subj: Amway page
Date: 98-01-18 02:38:40 EST
From: To: Exambot

Thanks for the chuckles!!!!
I made the mistake of asking my friend how she was planning on retiring at 40. She told me "information superhighway", and other catch phrases, never quite answering my question.
My persistence led to the "Let me and my husband come to your home and let you in on a little secret." After showing us pics of their dream home, dream car, etc. He asked my husband, "Don't you want to provide your wife with the security she deserves, your daughter with the best education?"
The whole thing went on for an hour before they admitted it was Amway. We felt like losers (for about 5 minutes). They got a little nasty when we "wanted to think about it". They called every day until we got up the courage to tell them we weren't interested. He put an "emergency call" in to my husband and hammered my husband to the wall (why couldn't my husband "open his eyes/mind"?????)
Needless to say, friendship over.
That was three years ago, and today she is still "renting" her home, and I bumped into her at Goodwill about two weeks ago.
Her embarrassment at being caught in Goodwill, was worth the sit-down torture they put us through!!!!!
Thanks for letting me vent (your site inspired me)

Subj:  Much thanks...
Date: 98-01-18 04:08:33 EST
From: To: exambot@aol.com

Recently my wife and myself were approached by a business friend of ours in regards to Amway.  I found your page to be quite helpful.  I send this short e-mail to first thank you for shedding some very informative light on Amway and to let you know your page has stopped someone else from walking that road.  On behalf of Diana and myself Thanx
 

Subj: Thank you!
Date: 98-01-18 22:36:29 EST
From: To: Exambot

I have this courier guy bugging me at work to come to one of these WWDB meetings.  Thank you for opening my eyes and saving me from wasting my time.  My husband's cousin is in Amway and it's exactly the cult you describe - he's been in it for years and he is dirt poor with 3 kids and a wife.  I suppose we should be glad they seem to be happy, but their life is such a horrendous struggle - although they have problems putting food on the table, they're always talking about these seminars they went to down south or wherever which must have cost at least $1,000.00, even if they do drive down.  They don't try to get us involved though.

Now, I'm going to work tomorrow and I'm going to tell this guy to get off my back.  He can call me a loser if he wants, but at least I'll still be married to my husband that does the dishes and the vacuuming and has time for me.

Thanks very much again.  You are doing a real service.  I have one suggestion though.  I had a little trouble finding this info because world and wide were separate words.  Perhaps you could get a crossreference page going or something with "worldwide" as one word in case other people have trouble finding this info.

Thanks

Subj:  Your Page
Date: 98-01-19 23:52:59 EST
From: To: exambot@AOL.Com

I just read your page and I think it's wonderfully honest. My brother
and his wife are involved in Amway. They are expecting their first child
in May. I went to a meeting at their house just to "be a body" and maybe
learn more about the whole thing.

I brought the tapes home for my husband to review and, because we both
are always running our fool heads off and don't have any extra money,
didn't even open the packet. The guy who spoke at my brother's house
came to my house ANGRY! I apologized and was basically snubbed. I guess
I wasted his time.

Since then, my brother throws little digs at me for "going to his house
and eating free food" or for wasting his friend precious time because
he's "trying to start his own business". I let it roll off my back
pretty well.

The thing is that I want to help him. What can I do?

Thanks, in advance, for any advice.

Subj:
Date: 98-01-20 13:41:32 EST
From: To: exambot@aol.com

great page. remember "friends don't let friends join amway"
 

Subj:  multilevel marketing
Date: 98-01-21 22:34:59 EST
From: Reply-to:
To: exambot@aol.com

HI!  I'm a new web user, but have found it convenient when I'm looking
for specific information.  Thought I'd share with you that I literally
signed an agreement today with a multilevel company today.  couldn't
fork over the check for my first order after realizing all the different
tapes and brochures etc. they expected me to purchase "to make my
business successful".  Originally quoted as 69.95 career manual cost, 50
b.v.for personal use and 200 for opening my centers, I was in disbelief
when the bill came to 576.00.   I had many suspicisions after attending
an all day seminar (ticket was purchased for me, $20), but kept
thinking, what have I got to loose with promises of the 2-3 year plan
instead of the 40-45 year plan right?  Well I guess I was looking for
confirmation in how I really felt about all the tapes etc..  Your
honesty and forth rightness is appreciated.  Many Thanks

(This next one is such a perfect example of AM-Logic it isn't even funny!)

Subj:  (no subject)
Date: 98-01-30 10:52:47 EST
From: To: exambot@aol.com

How many years have you had your job?  Are you successful yet?  If you
are, great; but how many people can you help to accomplish the same as
you did?

Are the members of your family all financially independent?

Who in Amway has told you to put your kids with baby sitters 24 hours a
day?  Who takes care of your kids while you work every day and the 1/2
to 2 hours your commute to/from work daily?

Have you ever succeeded in anything worthwhile?  Have you ever heard of
"no pain, no gain"?  Well, there's a reason for that saying.  Do you
think you would understand if I tried to explain it to you?  Probably
not.  You'd probably twist that up too.

Hey, bucko.  Can't you "...showing the plan 3 -5 times per week, and add
in driving time, product
pick-up, time on the phone to track down orders, calling in orders,
prospecting,
and add in an open, seminar and rally (that are all done from Friday
through
Saturday about once a month, or more..." in 10-15 hours a week?  If you
spend more than 30 minutes showing the plan one-on-one, or an hour a
week calling in orders, you're wasting time.  As far a functions are
concerned, once a month at 9 hours, including travel time, is only 2 1/4
hours a week.  And prospecting!  Gimme a break.  You gotta life?  Then
live it, and when your'e not at home, make contacts.  You don't have to
got out "prospecting".

Oh yeah.  Buy those tapes and books.  Sounds like someone we know is
jealous that somebody might make a buck off of us for sharing their
wisdom and knowledge.  What an idiot you are.  Have you ever gone to
college?  Well, if you had, you would've had to buy books for your
classes.  And they are expensive.  I know.  Guess what.  I'll tell you a
secret if you promise not to tell anyone.  Here it is:  Ya know the guy
who writes the books gets paid a "commission" on the sales.  Isn't that
a rip?  That cheap bastard writes a book and because he wants to make
money off of it you have to pay more for the book.

Oh well, it was hilarious reading the first dozen or so of your
"bitches", but, as you have probably figured out by now; there's no
sympathy for bitter losers coming outta this corner.

Why don't you do something constructive with your time?  Obviously you
missed all the classes that explained what a pyramid is, what the
purpose of the tapes and seminars is, and on an on.  You must've been a
straight "A" student in high school or college (or both), right?
(Please tell me if I'm right.)
 
 

Subj:  Amway Bastards
Date: 98-01-31 20:47:50 EST
From: Reply-to:To: exambot@aol.com

Thanks for your on-the-nose description of the Devil-ridden Amway
company. Let me tell you my experience!

My wife and I were invited by mutual "friends" to a presentation by the
woman's uncle about a moneymaking opportunity.  I said "Yes".  I also
asked several other friends "what it could be?"  One fellow warned me
about, you guessed it, Amway!  He said "watch out for the demonstration
comparing SA8 to Tide. They'll add some Tide to a jar of water, shake it
up, and say "LOOK AT ALL OF THAT CRAP FLOAATING AROUND - DO YOU WANT
THAT FILTHY-LOOKING RESIDUE ON YOUR CLOTHES?"  Then they'll put some SA*
in a jar of water, shake it up, and say "LOOK! NO RESIDUE! SA8 IS MUCH
BETTER FOR YOU THAN TIDE!"  My friend proceeded to tell me what they
will not tell you at the time of their demo - that those suspended
particulates are perfumed much like any fabric softener, and help to
make your clothes smell clean and fresh.  SA8 DOESN'T contain anything
like this, it's true - one must purchase and use their fabric softener
at quite a substantial cost in order to have clothes as fresh-smelling
as if Tide was used!  If it goes into SA8 smelling like an old gym bag -
it comes OUT smelling like an old gym bag! Of course, during the
presentation, I mentioned that the "crap" floating around was there to
provide a fresh smell to the laundry, and asked what a load of laundry
resulting from use of SA8 smelled like.  The presenter gave me a dirty
look and continued with his spiel.
Later, he asked "What would each of you buy if you had a million
dollars?"  The other couples present named things like boats, jewelry,
cars, etc.  I said that I'd invest it in small hi-tech companies, and
watch my million grow by leaps and bounds over the next 20 years.
Again, he gave me a look that could kill, and laughed "it takes ALL
kinds!"

So, my little $10,000 investment soon after this episode is now worth
over one million.  I'm SO happy that I knew what a scam this Amway
pyramid scheme is!  Where is Marci's "uncle" today?  Probably still
trying to pay off his bills!  As for me, I'm content to just watch the
stock market and count my money.  Amway?  NOWAY!