Amway MLM Review – Money Maker or Money Pit?
Amway MLM Review. Amway is the number one MLM Company that excels in selling home cleaning and beauty products. It sounds like a great way to have a flexible schedule while making money. Check out our Amway MLM review to find out if it’s worth joining.
Many people, intentionally or unintentionally, are part of a multi-level marketing business model. Maybe one of your friends sells products from a company instead of a traditional job. Today we’re going to review Amway. We will reveal its working, whether it is an excellent opportunity for you or not.
Who are We
Eve Pacific Media is an affiliate marketing firm that provides support and guidance to those contemplating or who have chosen to become content creators. We help aspiring bloggers, content creators, and affiliate marketers with their strategies.
My relationship with multi-level marketing or network marketing started in the late 80s. I have had involvement with Shaklee, Primerica, Amway, and, yes, the infamous Consumer Buyline. I enjoyed various levels of success. Back then, I aspired to become an MLM or Network Marketing Pro. Savvy top MLM earners would build massive downlines, breakaway, and move to programs with the most lucrative opportunities during that era. This was a common practice before many States barred those multi-level marketing schemes.
Our goal at Eve Pacific Media is to use my vast experience to benefit others with a series of reviews of multi-level marketing companies.
What is AmwayMLM?
Amway is a multi-level marketing company founded in 1979 by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos and is based in Ada, Michigan. It is the number 1 MLM Company globally, with revenue of $8.80 million in 2018. Also, Direct Selling News ranked Amway number one in 2018.
In 2019, Amway collaborated with Kids’ Food Basket (a non-profit organization) to address early childhood nutrition issues. Its mission is to improve people’s quality of life through health, beauty, and home care products. They distribute 8000 healthy ‘sack supper’ through Kids’ Basket Food daily.
There are the following 3 Program Titles of Amway:
1. A plan for your success.
2. In business for yourself, but not by yourself.
3. Four cornerstones for success: a winning combination.
Are Amway products Worth Their Price?
Amazon isn’t always cheaper for Amway products. You can only buy a few Amway products on Amazon, but the prices are competitive and sometimes even lower. Trying to sell expensive products that can be purchased elsewhere for less money could make this a hard line of work.
Check out this video on the recruiting tactics of some Amway members:
The Amway Opportunity
The working of Amway is just like any other MLM company. You have to pay a $100 joining fee. After that, you are asked to buy products to start selling. Products are expensive to use, but you must maintain stock to sell to interested people.
Distributors get very little commission on products they sell. So, the real money comes when you recruit other people in your downline. You get cash when your recruits join other people with them. This system of making money gives it the shape of a pyramid scheme.
In today’s rapidly changing technology, four significant trends are taking place, creating one of the most incredible opportunities for those who positioned themselves ahead of these trends.
1. Traditional retail store.
2. Rise in online sales.
3. One-to-one marketing replacing mass marketing.
4. The rise in entrepreneurship.
PS: You have to meet certain thresholds each month to earn money.
How Much Does It Cost To Join Amway?
To join Amway, you don’t have to pay anything, but you will need to buy a certain number of products to get started. This comes in a few different “starter kits.” You can also purchase individual items to put together your starter kit. According to our research, you’ll need to spend about $100 on products to start.
Can You Make Money With Amway?
As mentioned above, the real money in Amway is in recruitment. The more you recruit people in your downline, your income increases. When you recruit people to sell products or join other people, you get a bonus and commissions on the products you sell.
Remember one thing Amway products are not FDA-approved, so you cannot make promises about any of the products. You risk hitting your commissions and bonuses if your recruit fails and quits.
To make money with this business, properly assess your personality, values, and skills. Also, check whether you have an extensive network of friends and family that might buy products from you.
You become part of Amway as an independent business owner. You need to sign up with a sponsor; else company will assign you if you lack one. To get started, you must buy products of $100 worth. You can buy random products to make your own starter kit.
Your sponsor is responsible for helping you understand the system and providing training to you about marketing and the sale of products. The good thing about Amway is that it offers top-notch training materials to help you take your business to the next level. Some material is
- Podcasts
- Webinars
- Online courses and
- Live presentations
Besides, these material events are organized to encourage you to check out and buy different materials from your Upline.
Pros of Amway
A refund is available ( Amway MLM Review)
If you don’t want to be an IBO, you can request a refund of registration fees within 60-180 days.
More global presence
Amway operates in 100 countries, including America, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. This means you have a more extensive audience base than any MLMs.
Best training materials
Amway offers top-notch courses and training to make you successful. A worldwide dream program is also available at an additional price.
High BBB rating
Amway had worked hard to maintain an A+ rating and BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredited it for 30 years.
Cons of Amway
Expensive products
Amway products are more expensive than their competitors at retail stores. So, selling these products is challenging as people prefer to buy cheaper products.
Shipping costs
In Amway, you must pay shipping and service charges when you order. It will negatively affect your commissions.
Low success rate
Your chances of success are meager. If you don’t have a network of friends and family, you’re vulnerable to losing money as you have to buy products from your pocket. You must fulfill your quota to qualify for bonuses and commissions.
FTC ruling
In 1998 FTC (Federal trade commission) revealed that Amway still lacks transparency in policies. Commission disclosed that the policies of Amway reflected the new type of pyramid scheme.
Is Amway a Scam?
Amway does not seem like a scam but earning through selling products is challenging. One cannot rely solely on the income from selling Amway products. You cannot succeed until you have a large customer base. Moreover, the offer best suits individuals who want to make extra income in their spare time by hosting parties and parenting groups.
In a class-action lawsuit in 2007, Amway had to pay $34 million in cash and $22 million worth of products. The suit alleged that the company used unfair business practices. These practices misled people about their income and the costs of joining the company.
Although the company has not admitted the allegation, settlement language says that the company “stipulates that certain reforms in its business instituted after the filing of this action have been motivated” by the case.
Final Thoughts
The main complaint of entreprenuers who have joined Amway is that they spend more than they earn. Most new members get hyped up and then feel pressured to succeed because the members that recruit them always tout the tremendous success of others in the program.
I experienced this as a young Marine. A Staff NCO recruited my ex-wife and me. As our Upline, he immediately put us on a monthly order of products we couldn’t afford. Additionally, we were young and broke and only knew other young and broke married military couples. This was a lose-lose situation from the start.
Though it seems an attractive opportunity to make a few bucks in your spare time, always consider your personality, values, and skills before joining such companies.