Amway Product Comparison

Following up from the article comparing prices of Amway products we recently wrote, we received several interesting comments in response.

We welcome and appreciate feedback, even if it is critical. We don't claim to be right 100% of the time, and if you can prove us wrong (yet to happen) we will gladly admit or ammend what is written.
Nor are we out to destroy Amway, only to report independent facts and opinions of those not bought by Amway. If there is/was a way for everyone to easily make money with Amway, I would be writing about it and doing it. However, if the honest truth paints these companies and business opportunities in a negative light then I apologise if reality offends you.

One of our readers, Stef, commented:
"Why are you comparing only one product? How about you look at say DishDrops or window cleaner or any other L.O.C. product? Ou, than you will realize that the price would be much cheaper that in retail with even or better quality. What do you REALLY know about the products?"



A common argument from many IBO, and a fair question. Lets address Stef and those with like minded ideas.
I encourage people to do their own research on any and all products, to come to their own conclusions. As previously mentioned past research done by others covering the majority of products has indicated Amway products are 50% more expensive on average. The one comparison detailed by me - XS Energy drinks, was because XS drinks were one of the only products marketed direct to me, and is listed in the Network 21 presentation as 1 out of 8 of the "most successful exclusive product lines". In the article linked above we provided data proving XS was 18% more expensive than a similar brand name energy drink.
If one of their most "successful product lines" is overpriced, what hope do their "less successful" products have? Very little.

I have an open mind, I made the mistake of initially assuming Stef to be correct. With such an adamant statement as "the price (of Amway's dish washing detergent) would be much cheaper" who wouldn't believe that? Naturally I further investigated with a curious mind.

The results of the research show Stef's claims were incorrect, by a surprisingly massive margin. I am amazed (amused, and a little worried) someone even made such a claim when there is such easily available and damning evidence to the contrary. If you are going to make such wild and ignorant claims please research them first, it would be foolish not to!


Dishwashing Detergent Prices:

Amway:
DISH DROPS Concentrated Dish washing Liquid - 1 Litre is $18.85 Australian Dollars (AUD).

Competitors:
Earth Dishwashing Liquid - 1 litre is $3.27 AUD (concentrate not specified)

ZIFY Dish washing Liquid Concentrate 5 Litre Bundle Pack is $17.90 AUD
That is more than 5 times cheaper than DishDrops for both products per volume!


Apart from the name brand products listed above, generic products are even cheaper, and do the same job.

These prices were obtained with only 1 minute research online from 2 sources. It is even cheaper if you spent some time and researched other sources and bought in bulk like you do with Network 21 programs.

As already stated there possibly are Amway products that are cheaper (I'm yet to find one). This was not the argument, the claim was that 'Dish Drops' is "much cheaper". 1 Minute research showed that it is over 5 times more expensive per volume, and when you compare the concentration levels, over 50% more expensive per load! (Edit: Please see comments below for details)

Stef stated the products are "even or better quality". That is your opinion, and only your opinion, not fact
Independent Business Owners associated with Network 21, Amway, Quixtar etc when displayed with proof that their products prices are more expensive will often counter argue that their products are "better". They use this flawed argument to convince you, perhaps against your better judgement, to sign up as a distributor.


I personally use one of the cheapest detergents available (that are essentially identical in ingredients), and they clean my dishes spotless 100% effectively, with all the major positive attributes and factors one looks for in such an item: It contains environmentally friendly and non-skin-irritating ingredients, leaves my dishes smelling "spring fresh". All for over 80% less cost!
So unless DishDrops can do more than clean dishes 100% effectively (which is impossible, unless perhaps the detergent can cook me dinner too?) then I don't see how it could be "better". Unless it tastes better? However we don't advise drinking detergent. Even if it did taste better, that is still their opinion, not fact. Opinions of weak minds are easily manipulated.

Like I said, you should apply simple logic, most importantly do your own research and not believe everything your Amway rep preaches to you, especially when it comes to comparing products and prices. Carefully research any claims before investing time and money.
So Stef, that is what "I REALLY know about the products".


No doubt there will be some critical responses received. Please try to use logic in your arguments. I have learnt over the years though to never argue with a fool, they will lower you to their level and then beat you with experience.



Why are people like Stef (as well as any official distributors reading this article) so convinced the everyday household products sold in these marketing schemes are "cheaper and better", when all it takes is 1 minute of research to prove otherwise? Unfortunately we're yet to find facts of anything to support Amway, but have discovered a wealth of information on marketing scams. Ask yourself why is that?

With proof freely available and knowing competing products are cheaper and equal quality, why would you continue to support it? It does not make sense. Some suggest it is a cult or brainwashing? An extreme answer, and I don't wish that to be the case, but if there is another reasonable explanation please inform us. Why do people make such ignorant untruths (or intentional lies)? A few minutes of research gives you all the answers (not a matter of opinion, but hard evidence). There is no logic to their statements. Dear distributors, It is never too late to pursue a better business opportunity, and stop throwing your money away.

The facts represented in this one article alone would be enough to make anyone sane and intelligent to think twice about signing up. Or at least question the products and statements made by these organisations.
If you are roped into some kind of Network 21 conference, presentation or shown "the plan" keep in mind you can't argue with someone who doesn't use logic. Do they have so much blind faith they are unable to acknowledge irrefutable factual data that their products are neither better or cheaper?
Read on!

Making profits?

Just to break even and make profits you must go well beyond the basic business plan represented.
You must market these products to many many friends, and get them to sign up under the same pretence (probable losses of 300 dollars a month?). Not easy.

This system relies on you and your downline to spend hundreds of dollars on questionably priced Amway items for as long as they (and you) can afford it, or until all your friends drop out, go broke, or become alienated or your enemy, and dont speak to you any more, and you have burnt all your bridges. Let's be honest, even if they gave away money, the company has such a negative image it's difficult to trust them, let alone convince your friends to.

So if you're not yet a "diamond", how do you make a big profit?

Continuing on from our previous article where we established the basic Network 21 / Amway business plan results in a loss of $300 a month, assuming all personal consumption.

Examining another example given in the presentation, as we understood it:

To make the 7500 points required for the 21% bonus, in your down line you could do the following:

Convince 25 people to spend approximately $1200 every month. or 5 people to spend $6000 dollars a month, on products they probably dont need? Do you know anyone in the world that would spend $6000 on household goods monthly? Dream on.

Lets make this more realistic (but still doubtful). Convince 75 people to make payment of 400 dollars a month (30 thousand dollars total) on these questionable products, and you will have your 7500 points.

Earning 7500 points will grant you the bonus of 21% of $30,000 spent turnover.
$6300! What a payout structure!
For the amount of effort it would take to get 75 people in your downline, That amount of profit is peanuts.

If you did ever manage to get 75 people to sign up to spend 400 dollars a month on Amway products how long do you think they would continue to keep paying 400 dollars a month (losing money) before dropping out, and thus you losing your bonus? Not very long. You would have to have part of your brain missing to want to lose hundreds of dollars a month. Or the alternative story to sustaining the bonus you could get the 75 people in your down line to get 75 people in their downline, and so on and on. Is this really feasible business? How many leads would you need? Lets be realistic. In MLM, the market for any product will always eventually reach a saturation point, if it has not already. Especially if the company has been around for 50 years. However they do say a sucker is born every minute. Fortunately, or unfortunately (depending on your economic and environmental stance), the earth's population is always expanding.

The systems outlined might be beneficial for some. There are a thousand other systems and opportunities out there that are much easier and can make you millions, and some are outright scams. Question the facts, investigate all systems yourself, they may be a much easier path to financial freedom.
Read on!