Monday, March 22, 2010

What is Network 21 Australia

If you share my experience, no doubt you've just come home from an uncomfortable "business opportunity" presentation, where you were bombarded with creepy marketing to become an Amway based independent business owner. So you decided to find out is Network 21 a scam. What is their relationship with Amway, how much money do people make in the scheme, and how do they do it?

What is Network Twentyone? They are a support group for Amway, a multilevel marketing company that produces consumer products, including Nutrilite and Artistry. If you join you will likely be selling dish washing liquid and water filters to your friends and family, or perhaps more likely desperately attempting in vain to offload such material, and recruiting others to do likewise.

How do they make money? N21 tries to sell you motivational tools, books and CDs that are supposed to help you sell more, so they can profit and take advantage from your effort to become a good salesperson. Amway also profits from your sales by charging a premium on all their products.
The products are mostly every day products such as vitamins, makeup, softdrink, soaps or energy drinks such as XS. They make claims of high quality of their line, however comparable items you will find in a supermarket are often better known for quality, well known brands, and can even be substantially cheaper than the items you would be trying to sell to your friends. This does not make for easy sales.

What do you have to do to be successful in this multi level marketing scheme? Some might say, sell your soul. Under Australian law, it is currently not an illegal pyramid scam, although it does raise many concerns.

The standard practice I've come to experience is that friends the recruiters deceive you into attending their rallies under false pretences. They typically leave out much of the details of the business, and act overly nice in order to soften you up.
Some people have said it is a scam, a cult that brainwashes you. I have studied business and marketing psychology, and hypnotism, I got the distinct impression these leaders running the night were attempting to use such tactics to earn a sale at my expense.

A quick search on the internet, apart from the assortment of official propaganda from Amway media blogs and other official pages, you will find there is not much positive talk at all.

If you are considering joining Amway or Quixtar to earn extra income, ask yourself, do you know anyone who speaks positively about these companies that is not already a member, and stands to earn money from such comments. You may have trouble finding a positive review, except by those with ties to the businesses.

If you have recently attended a recruiting meeting in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide or anywhere else, please leave us a comment on your feelings on the presentation in your local town.