My Amway Cult Story/details of how it’s SO WEIRD… don’t do it!
A few months ago I was contacted by an old friend about their recent “e-commerce” business that they had started with their partner. This old friend was always genuine so it immediately peaked my interest. In the same text chain, we planned to meet on Zoom to discuss said “e-commerce business.”
When we met on Zoom my partner and I were told all about their “mentors” and the “team” in which they were apart of. We were told there was “two phases” of the “business.”
Phase one consisted of an extra 2k-3k a month and had a 12-18 month process in which it could take to hit that.
Phase two consisted of hitting the 7500 point value (PV) mark and then you become a “platinum member.” That has no cap and could earn you anywhere from 150k-200k a year.
Sounds too good to be true? Yeah. You’d be correct.
We planned to meet at their “business meeting” where everyone is dressed to tip top shape in business-wear and is way too nice. No one is usually as nice as these people. It came off as performative and fake. But I digress because we did go through with creating our own business. We were truly blindsided.
We were told NUMEROUS TIMES about a couple in another state who hit that mark in a shorter amount of times as that, another tactic to take advantage of us to join because well, we are in search of another opportunity; we would like the extra money. We were naive and blind to what Amway/LTD really is.
They have these “starter stacks” that they want all new IBOs (independent business owners) to buy to sell to family/friends. These boxes were $40 dollars each. We spent $190 dollars to make FIVE OF THESE BOXES.
There is all this different lingo they use for this business such as marketing it as an “e-commerce business” and marketing themselves as “IBOs” but really all you’re doing is reselling another companies products. You have a point value you need to reach (PV), you need to account for so many samples you give out, but hey don’t give out too many free products!
But it gets weirder!!!
They had a men’s and women’s “leadership,” that they BEGGED us to go to. I went to mine which harped on God, how to be a good partner, a good parent, and where they literally had us SING CHURCH HYMNS! One speaker even went as far as talking about their children and them lying about something silly kids lie about and then yelling “SATAN, THE ENEMY, IS WHAT MAKES YOU LIE.” And then continuing on about Satan, Satan, Satan. I was CREEPED out.
SO. CREEPY.
The speaker, which was the leader of the “team” in my area, was so emotional talking about how this changed their whole life, all of the diamond members (highest ranking members) told tearful stories, always accrediting God, “teaching us how to be a good wife,” even going as far as telling us the “top 10 ways to be a good wife,” still using all the Amway lingo.
It was just straight weird. I literally had to make up an excuse to leave early.
After that unsettling experience, my partner and I decided it was NOT FOR US.
The whole business is also just based on a pyramid scheme where you have to recruit people, the people that are diamond at the top, earn the most. You only start making money when you start this recruitment process. I had to apologize to many people for trying to get them involved in this cult too.
I say cult because they present themselves as a business but then there’s the lingo only they use, it’s VERY RELIGIOUS, and the people in the business only talk to other people in the business, once you aren’t in “business” anymore, you’re essentially shunned.
Anyways if you read this far thank you! Stay away from Amway! I’ll answer any questions.