Rumor Control

There are some pretty strange urban legends about various aspects of our business -- we call them "IBO Fairy Tales" -- that originate from misunderstanding or even (gasp) deliberately disseminated misinformation.

We all can do a lot of harm by being part of that daisy chain, but if you hear something that causes you concern, who ya gonna call?  Well, the mythbusters here at IBOAI, of course.  Don't pass that seemingly credible piece of information on to others first -- post it here and let us confirm or debunk it for you, using verifiable sources.

Because we're going to be scrupulous in our fact-checking about rumors, posting your query with our response may take a bit longer than usual -- please bear with us.

Finally, if there's a rumor you prefer to check out without posting it on this blog, write to pr@iboai.com, attn: Rumor Control.  We'll get back to you privately.

Comments

[Ros]

Thank you!

I agree.

When one hears a “truth”, they should keep it to themselves. However, if the need arises, ask for clarification from those who have 1st hand experience, not the local “all knowing expert”.

Even half-truths can cause harm.

Not all "truths" are "from reliable sources" and it's rarely appropriate to "tell a friend".

Ros
__________________
I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody.
- Benjamin Franklin

Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to unring a bell.
- Shana Alexander

[Utah]

Is this true or not:
http://www.jerryandmandy.co.uk/
It appears well documented. Doesn't Amway have something similar to the IBOAI that is supposed to handle problems prior to some IBO/ABO being suspended and then terminated?

[Moderator: There's information on this over at the Alticor Media Blog and while we know there is a dispute resolution process for Amway distributors, we don't have those details -- a question for you to ask Alticor. ]

[Daniel Butler]

So here we are in the midst of all this "T**M" turmoil and talking about "Truth".
Had we just looked into it more and not followed the Daisy Chain as posted earlier we would still have a business.
But instead we listed instead of digging and now...

It was "highly recommended to us" (or suggested however you want to word it) from our up line that we resign our business so we could pursue other endeavors. Well, here we are. Nothing happening but more spin.

We are extremely disappointed that we actually listed to our up line and resigned our business without looking into it deeper.
I guess this is just me venting, today I had one of those "OMG! WHAT HAVE WE DONE" feelings and now it's to late, we are out.

Be wary of what you do with your business people, remember above all it Your Business, make sure before you make a decision do more research to make sure it's the correct move for you.
We didn't and now regret it dearly.

I like what Ros posted above,
"Not all "truths" are "from reliable sources" and it's rarely appropriate to "tell a friend".

Ros"

Daniel Butler

[Moderator: Daniel, we strongly suspect that Quixtar will welcome you back as long as you're in compliance with its rules and if you would like us to hook you up with the "right party" at Quixtar to discuss this, let us know.]

[Utah]

Daniel,
I have not had anyone "recommend" to me to resign. I am pretty embarrassed by Q/A's actions, not only in the US and Canada but the UK. Do I think some mistakes were made on both sides, yes.
Have I found many locations with 100% truth, no - especially the Alticor blog "corporate communications". They should have been tossed with the Go Team Go post.

I am glad Q/A will have you back and that you have that option. I somehow doubt that a large chunk of the tens of thousands will come back, even if invited. It would be a good idea for that to happen. I doubt Q/A has given most of these an email to come back. Especially the Diamonds who quit over the possible suspension or termination email re: Team. A major PR email might help, but I am expecting it is too late.

Speaking of Rummor: Any comments from the moderator on Ron Simmons last post? Any truth?

Moderator - You don't need to post the link. It is out there.
http://ronsimmonsspeaks.blogspot.com/2007/10/legal-update-october-28-2007-let-me.html
or
http://crazyfunwildworld.blogspot.com/
next to the last one. Crazy posts things from both sides.

[Utah]

Item #:104150
Natural E

I have requested more information on the ada-tude site (3) times to explain why the drop from 400 IU parcelenium E to 30 IU Natural E at the same price. I understand that it now has more kinds of vitamin e and that those numbers may not reflected in the 30 IU. There is no label shown on the website so the only way I know there is 30 IU is via email.

If this is such a great new product, more information is needed to show to potential customers, or at least IBOs.

Q/A hiding the 400 IU to 30 IU drop doesn't look good. They haven't been willing to publically answer this question. That makes Q/A look worse.
Comment?

[Moderator: Here's the answer we got from Quixtar. "Unfortunately, the recent web redesign temporarily halted the updates to the nutrition info and FAQs that should be on the product page for new Natural E. Now that the redesign has launched, we're trying to quickly get through the back log of updates. We should be able to have the Natural E web pages completed in the next few days.

In response to the IU difference between old and new, yes there is an answer to this (and this will be part of the FAQs on the site). For vitamin E supplements, International Units (IU) are calculated only based on the alpha tocopherol component. The previous formula was predominantly an alpha tocopherol based formula. However, this new formula is matched closer to the vitamin E that's found in a healthy diet which is a mixture of vitamin E components, with a preponderance of gamma tocopherol. Therefore, we had to lower the alpha tocopherol level, and increase the levels of beta, gamma, and delta tocopherol, as well as add tocotrienols.

These other types of vitamin E are measured in milligrams, instead of IUs, hence the seemingly odd reduction in IU levels."]

[Utah]

The IBOAI Board represents all ABO's and IBOs world wide. There is not an other board for Amway or other countries. Is this true?

[Moderator: IBOAI represents IBOs in the North American Sales & Marketing Plan, not worldwide.]

[Utah]

"The IBOAI represents IBOs in the North American Sales & Marketing Plan, not worldwide."

Does this mean there isn't an equivalent board for the rest of the world?

[Moderator: Not that we're aware of, but you'd have to ask that question directly of Alticor and/or Amway reps.]

[Utah]

Amway UK went from 39,000 IBOs to 12,000 IBOs to 6400 ABOs in the last 2 years. If the same changes to the business are made in the US...

[Moderator: Utah, your pessimism is starting to get a bit repetitive. If...if...if...negatives...negatives...negatives. How about putting that creative mind to use to being a part of the solution to what you see as problems?]

[Utah]

What about the new MLM site Alticor is funding?

“A spokeswoman for Quixtar said the company’s distributors have been notified about Fanista and are free to join, but the company is not doing anything special to get Amway distributors involved in Fanista yet.”

As far as I know, no IBOs have been told or at least generally. You have to go to the NY Times or fanista press releases to get any information.

[Moderator: Your upline was notified -- it's regretable if they didn't notify you. I'm sure that this, like all new products and services, will be discussed with Corporate reps at the next IBOAI Board meeting in February. ]

[Utah]

[Moderator: Your upline was notified -- it's regretable if they didn't notify you. I'm sure that this, like all new ...How about putting that creative mind to use to being a part of the solution to what you see as problems?

I checked. Didn't know anything about fanista. Given a little more info, and I got a maybe there was something buried in an email sent out... Obviously didn't make an impact..nor get forwarded.

You want to fix things? How about communications. How hard would it to use the monthly magazine that we may start getting, or even put it under new stuff at Quixtar.com important things. Hasn't happened yet.

Many thousands knew nothing about the name change to Amway until August of this year. 2 months. Yes the Board found out after it was announced, and some of the diamonds were told, who told some of the groups...but not all. Their fault or Quixtar's?

Most people seem to have been blindsided about fanista as well.

How about telling the average IBO what is coming for the next 18 months in the US. Released plans are sketchy at best. People are left to see what Alicor is doing in other markets, and be amazed at the bull in the china store mentality.

If the new IBO has to go through the Quixtar U and sell the equivalent of $400 in a year and have 5 customers before they can sponsor someone (UK), you are going to loose people faster than they sign up. If the prices aren't fixed in the US, it is hard to even get former Amway distributors buy anything. One look at the price of a scrub bud and they are gone.

[Moderator: We know that the folks at Quixtar read this blog and take the feedback here into consideration when making their decisions. They also want to do what they need to do to AVOID a UK-like response from U.S. regulatory agencies, which would seem to be wise. As for announcing plans 18 months in advance, we predict that every competing MLM would *love* it if Quixtar did that. In a competitive market, businesses don't do that. We do -- at the IBOAI Board level -- get to preview new products and give feedback on them, and the same products are field-tested on consumers.

Ultimately, any prudent businessperson, if they think they're in the wrong business, leaves that business and goes into another one. Some IBOs have clearly done that -- but the majority clearly believe in giving Quixtar's new plans a chance to succeed. We can let fear rule us, or we can keep our focus on the dream and making this business the best MLM in North America. it's a choice.]

[Utah]

"As for announcing plans 18 months in advance, we predict that every competing MLM would *love* it if Quixtar did that. In a competitive market, businesses don't do that. We do -- at the IBOAI Board level -- get to preview new products and give feedback on them, and the same products are field-tested on consumers."

I am not talking just products and prices. I am not looking for trade secrets. What about changes in the business, rules, plan, requirements for sponsoring, BSM regulations, etc.? We have atleast a year before Quixtar is Amway, and what that means, other than the name change is not clear.

Q/A has to realize that the number of IBOs that got in the business as IBOs to retail is either low, or having tried, went back to just buying. Moves like what Amway UK is requiring for new IBOs ($200 pounds retail, and 5 customers before sponsoring) kill fast growth, and decrease greatly the number of interested potential IBOs. Having been in Amway for 8 years before Quixtar, the name change will not help either.

[Utah]

Amway in the UK is going to be fine.

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file37270.pdf

It looks like there is a decision. Why not post what it is…

[Moderator: Utah, that's not a court decision, it's an agency report, much of which is dated (look at the footnotes). Alticor has assured us they'll share the decision promptly when it's made.]

[Powerhouse411]

All the concern over what is not working is producing more negative results. I recommend reading the book "Hung by the Tongue: What You Say is What You Get" by Francis P. Martin.
"To control your mouth is to control your mind." (pg. 9)

Personally the corporation is changing in a positive way to unite Amway Global and Quixtar North America so that business owners can travel and conduct business everywhere. We are moving towards a global society and the people at Alticor are visionaries.

I give them tons of respect, not negative thinkers.