Monday, April 20, 2015

Is Your Amway Upline Credible?

I recently read a comment about Amway on another blog. The person mentions that someone's credentials must be considered when looking at information that is presented. I will comment that showing me a sports car or a fancy suit is not proof of financial success. Amway leaders appear to be credible and some talk about how they buy things in cash, and may even show you pictures of sports cars and mansions. Imagine this, go to the bank and try to procure a loan. When asked for collateral, show the loan officer pictures of a sports car and a mansion. See how far that gets you. Yet Amway diamonds use this very tactic as a means of showing off their "lifestyle" and for all we know, they are sowing rented cars and houses they don't own.

I find this subject ironic because not one single upline leader, as far as I know, has ever supplied bonafide financial credentials about themselves. The audience assumes that the person on stage has certain credentials, but do they really? I will say that certainly, if someone is wearing a diamond pin for example, that this person has at least achieved the diamond level as recognized by Amway, but the level may not be current, and the level doesn't indicate the kind of income this person earns from Amway. (Joecool is criticized for being outdated even though I was at 4000 PV at one point in my Amway career)

What many people assume is that the diamonds buy homes and cars in cash because they say so. They may also say that they wake up at noon every day and participate in leisure activities all day while the cash rolls in. I have heard from some new IBOs, that their upline makes more money taking a crap in the morning than a critic makes in a whole year at a job. That IBO became quiet when some critics offered to take that bet.

But the truth of the matter is that as far as I know, only former diamonds have come clean about their Amway income. They are the only ones who spoke freely of credentials and accomplishments. Even critics of Amway will often openly speak about their experiences and achieved levels in the business. In the REAL business world, showing business tax returns and credentials are a normal part of doing business. It appears that only in the world of Amway is the supply of credentials and financial statements a big secret. Now I am not suggesting that IBOs or upline leaders should disclose their financials to the entire world, but certainly prospects and some downline should be able to see what their upline is doing financially, especially if that is the basis for purchasing their standing orders and function tickets. And I refer to business (Amway and Tools) income and expenses only, not from other personal sources. If you are told that tools are the key to success, you have the right to ask what success are they referring to. A picture of someone's check doesn't tell the true story. The picture of a mansion doesn't do much either. A schedule C tax return would show someone's business income as well as their business expenses. That's the real indicator of what's going on. A lack of transparency should be a red flag for you.

I believe that IBOs and upline leaders do not disclose that information because it would not be beneficial to them. If it were, they would likely publish it freely, just as they flash around copies of checks. IBOs and prospects should take this to heart and ask upline the tough questions. And a lack of answers to your questions should get you running the opposite way.

No comments: