Amway/Network 21

[Marq]

A good question.

This thread has been around for nearly a year and had over four thousand viewers but few comments.

Is there anybody out there that can tell us they have stuck it out, followed the model and understood how this all hangs together and actually made their fortune?

This industry seems to be keeped alive by two ends of the scale.....those at the start drumming up support based on very little evidence of success and those desparate souls looking for a fast buck and a way to survive.

I have watched many 'friends' involve themselves in mlm over the years and a few even became evangelical shiny folk promoting business opportunities in hotel rooms, but I have never actually met anyone who has made their millions or even lives comfortably from this business model.

[Kevm]

Hi,

I have been involved in the Network 21 Amway system for almost 2 years. I joined when I first saw it as it truley is a no brainer. Buy products you already buy but get money back as team grows. Refer some people and make more. Not to mention few people I have met have said bad things about the products. They are good. Its more the system and some people that have influenced people been against it. I never really took it more seriously until recently. In the past few months I have grown the business to the breakeven point. Where all the products and education is pretty much paid for by the income.
To answere your question Marq, the couple that are mentoring me have made a respectable income from it and are a few months away from much higher levels in the business.
The system does work, it requires work. That is no secret. The true challenge is the mind shift from been an employee to building passive income. That is truly the hardest part of this business system. That is why the education system is key. And as DaveA said the leadership and self development from the Network 21 system is so good. Creating passive income is never easy and never quick, well not truly sustainable passive income. People get in, dont see any progress within first few months then believe it does not work.
MLM is a fantastic business model, it allows ordinary people access to an opportunity they would never have previously had access to.
I beleive that more and more businesses will start introducing there products to current MLM models. Its a simple way for companies to maintain sales yet cut down on advertising. I have noticed this lately with the Amway system, many other companies are starting to get on the band wagon.
There are many MLM structures that work and many other ways to make money. So I am in no way saying that Amway is the only and best. For me it works and make sense thats why I do it.

[Marq]

Thank for that outline - it certainly is one of the more honest answers I have seen in a long time regarding the mlm industry. Well done.

If I recall Amway has an American catalog the size of three Johannesburg phone books, so yes I can see lots more stuff being brought on board. At a shiny Amway presentation about 10 years ago, I think the local product list consisted of a toothpaste and washing powder. Certainly products were not big on the list of things to sell in those days and the whole read between the lines presentation related to nothing more than a pyramid scheme. I believe that is where Amway earned the nickname Scamway.

The products also seem to have had a lot of criticism - apparently they are the same as the stuff you buy down the road and yes they cost more because they are concentrated but on a value for money basis they are the same. If the scheme has progressed and is selling good stuff on sound marketing principles then there is no reason why it should not be a success.

[kitty]

Thanks KEVM
I also joined about 4 months ago and i dont regret it one bit. Yes, there is hard work, but that just proves it's not some get rich quick scheme. My brother in law joined after me and he researched everything throughly 'cos he never jumps into things and he is excited about it.

The one thing I really like is that I can take a break whenever I want and it doesn't affect my business at all. 2 of the 4 months, my husband and I were to busy with church and we never bothered about the business and then afterwards, we could just pick up where we left off. What other business will give you that opportunity.

I can clearly see the system working and the speed of your success is mostly based on how much effort you put in. Before the next course at church now, we are putting in loads of effort.......and we will reap the rewards...

[Rob Hepple]

The thing I really liked about Network 21 was it proved to be a very cost effective system for learning about marketing, self-development and leadership. My time in the Network 21 system simply took my understanding of these to a totally different level.

In the end, I might not have made that much money "doing Amway," but a heck of a lot of my income nowadays comes from the lessons learnt there.

Howzit Dave A. It sounds like you were involved way back. Things have changed quite dramatically so you might like to investgate the business again.

[Rob Hepple]

Thank for that outline - it certainly is one of the more honest answers I have seen in a long time regarding the mlm industry. Well done.

If I recall Amway has an American catalog the size of three Johannesburg phone books, so yes I can see lots more stuff being brought on board. At a shiny Amway presentation about 10 years ago, I think the local product list consisted of a toothpaste and washing powder. Certainly products were not big on the list of things to sell in those days and the whole read between the lines presentation related to nothing more than a pyramid scheme. I believe that is where Amway earned the nickname Scamway.

The products also seem to have had a lot of criticism - apparently they are the same as the stuff you buy down the road and yes they cost more because they are concentrated but on a value for money basis they are the same. If the scheme has progressed and is selling good stuff on sound marketing principles then there is no reason why it should not be a success.

Howzit Marq. You might want to attend a N21 meeting just to check things out. Those who are successful in our business will not come knocking on your door. You WILL be blown away at the amount of success that is currently happening.

[Dave A]

Howzit Dave A. It sounds like you were involved way back. Things have changed quite dramatically so you might like to investgate the business again.

I'm not surprised things have changed dramatically, but my reasons for dropping it have not

[Rob Hepple]

I'm not surprised things have changed dramatically, but my reasons for dropping it have not

If you liked the products (and are so many more now) you might like to know there is also a passive side to the business (no work required) and you will still have an asset that will continue to grow.

[Kevm]

Hi Rob,

By passive side, do you mean the fact that all you do is get a spot in the team and as the team grows so does the rebate on your anyway spend?
Other than that I am not aware of a passive way with no work required.

[Dave A]

I'm with Kev. You may as well expand on that thought you've got there, Rob.

[Rob Hepple]

I'm with Kev. You may as well expand on that thought you've got there, Rob.

You're absolutely right. If you really understand how the consumer pipeline works your discount will work it's way from 3% eventually ending up at 21% with no effort on your part. In anybody's books a 21% discount on your monthly purchases is a significant amount when you take into account it also includes your short term insurance, cellphones etc. What most people do not realise is that it is now a permanent fixture and a foundation for an incredible business because, if by some chance that consumer is at the full 21% discount, he or she could, if they wanted to, start a 2nd pipeline and that 2nd pipeline would start at the full 21%. What an incredible foundation!

[murdock]

i am considering going to meetings again to network so that i can expand my already well established operations which have nothing to do with amway or N21 but as dave mentioned use it to improve my selling skills and just network to grow my other companies...like going to church on sunday or playing golf.

[IanF]

Guys
I got approached to join by means that where not transparent. See this thread http://www.theforumsa.co.za/forums/s...ead.php?t=5397 Anyway I have some questions.

1. Where can I see a list of products and prices that amway offer?
2. What cellphone contracts are covered with Vodacom. Are the top up packages included?
3. Is Glenrand insurance comparable to Outsurance?
4. Is there a websiite or brochures where this information is available?
5. Why is there a R240 per month continuing education fee, I would think it would be better to say the first R240 of commission used for this?
6. Why are the promtotors very cagey about naming the scheme when you meet them?

Kevm and others could you elaborate what happens at the Business Building Seminar and Weekend Conference.

[Rob Hepple]

Hi IanF. A couple of answers. When you were approached you would seem to have already had a negative conception of what Amway and N21 are all about which is something that all of us as distributors have to face so we invite people to a preview of the business where the true picture of our business is presented and, whoever the new person is that was invited can make a decision based on facts and they are able to ask as many questions they want to.
All of the deals you can get from Vodacom Direct are applicable to our business.
Glenrand MIB's policy is comprable to any other "deal direct" company in SA. My premium, when I changed over from my previous insurer saved me more than R200 P/M. The Continuing Education Program is not a fee. It is completely optional, but it makes sense to do it. Our business is like any other business, you need some education. The lady you spoke to, Miranda Henderson, is the best person you could ever speak to about our business. My suggestion is that you arrange to meet with her again and she will give you a true perspective of the business. Not only are her and her husband, Sean, the most successful couple in SA they are also respected around the world for their integrity and leadership in the business and the world of show-jumping. They are also Springbok show-jumpers.

[Marq]

Deja Vu....It seems like nothing has changed since I first looked into these schemes decades ago. Ians post and his most recent experience confirms that.

This mlm, big 'business opportunity' stuff is still sold by smiley shiny people in clandestine operations slinking around hotel rooms and lounges, treating information about the industry as if it were the biggest secret in the world. The products are ignored, question are not answered to the visitors satisafaction, this 'education' and training issue is left hanging in the air not really explained, and the 'sale' is made based on a fear principal that if they do not sign up now they are really going to lose out. People around are referred to as gurus, leaders, full of integrity, honest and hard working..bla bla - I've got a black belt in Kung fu but that doesn't mean I am a good business person.

I still only see a group of people, who ra ra about it, talk about uplines, downlines, pipeline and all sorts of jargon that means very little unless one is in a pyramid scheme scenario feasting off the previous victims hard work and aspirations. I also see very few long term people that have stayed the distance and actually proved my thoughts about mlm wrong.

Sorry guys, but until someone can put out a simple short and sweet, non jargoned, non percentaged, non BS business plan explaining how Amway or Net 21 or any scheme works that make sense to simple folk like me and is not a pyramid scheme.....I will be on the skeptical side doing normal business stuff over here.