Quixtar?

[floridafam]

The DeVos and VanAndel families amaze me.

They make it seem like they are so Christian and God loving and then they screw people's lives up on a daily basis by encouraging them to lie.

I wish all of the people that signed up with Quixtar could just show up at their houses here in Michigan and see what they live like. They've made all their money with these schemes.

I'm all for people making their own decisions and I don't feel very sorry for people like the lady in the story I linked to above. If people are so stupid to spend their entire life savings on something like this then they deserve to end up with nothing.

Geoff_M,
It must be hard to watch your parents be a part of this. I hope everything works out in the end. They haven't lost major amounts of money, have they?

 

[aahmom1]

Originally posted by luvindisneyworld
Aahmom,Did you ever join Quixtar?

I actually paid to become an IBO, I think it was $182. My neighbor was reallllllllllllly pushing so I wrote a check right before we went to WDW a couple of years ago. Immediately after we came home DH and I did a little research and realized it was Amway. I told my neighbor I wasn't going to have anything to do with it. She swore up and down that it wasn't Amway (why?). I told her I could prove that it WAS Amway, could she prove it wasn't?

She, of course, tried the 'well you'll end up with nothing' routine, but it's a little hard to sell that when my husband already owns a very successful company.

She actually invited me to her house for coffee once, but it turned into a whole big argument, her telling me I was screwing her because I wouldn't be part of her down-line.

I can see that right now you have visions of a life without work in your head, but that is far from reality. You'll go to work at your day job, and have to come home and make desserts for your 8:00 meeting, your whole life will be sucked up. When I told my neighbor that there was no way I was planning to send my kids to a babysitter every night of the week, after school, for these stupid pathetic parties, she got pissed off at me, because I wouldn't be making her any money.

They kept trying to get us re-involved, trying to sell me tapes and books, but I was having nothing to do with it.

It eventually ruined our friendship because she couldn't see past her own greed. This is not uncommon, as soon as a friend tells them they think it's a bad idea, that friend is immediately pushed out of their life. They want no negativity around them and I can see that you are already being sucked into that aspect of it.

Jeff is right, I am talking to a brick wall and there is no convincing you, you will have to learn for yourself.

My neighbors have pretty much given up, but they blame their down-line (me included) for not getting them rich. I told her "Sorry, I wasn't set on the Earth to make you rich, find your own way" Your friends will soon have the same attitude. You have to decide if you are willing to give up lifelong friendships because they disagree with you, because it will happen.

 

[aahmom1]

One more thing, the thing that made DH and I decide to start digging was that after we came home from WDW we went to a meeting at a local hotel. The meeting was the EXACT same thing that we saw at their house. I couldn't believe I had just paid $10 to listen to the same crap I just heard last week. They made it sound like I would all kinds of new things at the 'meeting' but it was just SSDD.

That was when DH and I realized that there was something very odd about Quixtar and I really got that 'cult' vibe while I was there. That was the end of that.

 

[Geoff_M]

It must be hard to watch your parents be a part of this. I hope everything works out in the end. They haven't lost major amounts of money, have they?

I don't know the extent of their total losses... I don't want to give out too many personal details, but we know that frequently money has been very, very tight and they sometimes have a hard time covering basic living expenses. Compounding matters are the fact that they are in their early 60's. My dad sold his (real) business a couple of years ago, my mom works part-time, and that's about it. I think he feels he's too old to enter the regular work force again or start another conventional business. My sister and I agree that he probably sees Quixtar as his "last chance" and he's put all the eggs in that basket. "Maybe if I work it a little harder.... It's just around the corner."

The last time he tired to get us active a couple of years ago was a real hum-dinger too. We were visiting my folks one weekend and as we were about to leave, my dad said he wanted to show us something. "OK" I said, but my antenna went up that he was up to something. He pulled out a Disney Cruise Line promotional video tape and popped it in and called our kids in to the room so we could all watch it. While it's playing, I thought "Is he suggesting a joint vacation on the DCL? Or is he taking us all on a cruise (no, that doesn't make financial sense)." The kids were all geeking out at the video. Afterwards he mentions that his upline has announced a sales contest where if you reach a certain level they'll give you a Disney cruise. Would it be great if as could all go together on one big happy cruise. So if we all pulled together and worked hard in Quixtar, we could make it happen. It was all I could do to keep from blowing up. I couldn't believe he used his grandkids as an angle to get us active in the business. On the long drive home we had to explain to our kids that we wouldn't be going on the cruise with Grandma and Grandpa. Needless to say, they were very disappointed. For several months after that they would still occasionally ask if we were going to go on that cruise with Grandma and Grandpa. It very much represents the low point in my relationship to my parents.

But's one of the techniques they teach in the QMOs. If you're prospecting a couple, look for the "weak link". If a husband is resistent but his wife sounds more receptive, then stop talking to him and "work" her.

Last year I wrote him a long, long letter, "co-signed" by my sister, where I detailed my problems with the Quixtar business, the tools system abuses, the widespread ignoring of rules that keep the business from being an illegal pyramid, and pleaded with him to give it up. I thought this was going to result in "The Big One" with him. Instead he just basically said "Thanks for your letter... I'll give it some consideration." We just don't talk about it anymore. At least I know I tried...

While not a "cult" in the traditional sense, Quixtar certainly does use a lot of their practices. Included are:

1) "Love Bombing" Your upline will act like you best friends in the world. They will want to frequently socialize with you. However, if you question business practices or start asking questions... You'll quickly find yourself outside of the circle of fellowship.

2) "Social Isolation" You are often encourged to only interact with like minded IBOs. "Negative" people (i.e. "Don't like Amway") are to be avoided. Don't buy "negative" products (anything from local traditional retailers), only buy "positive" products from Amway/Quixtar.

3) "Independent Thinking Discouraged" What your upline Diamond says is the truth. Period. They've made it to the higher ground, so their word is golden and their advice should be followed. Who are you to question them?

4) "Fear of Exclusion" Those that leave are ridiculed to those who remain. If you quit, you're a "loser". "Quiters" quit because they didn't have the right stuff, or they are lazy. Etc., etc., etc. They were the problem, not the "business."

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Geoff, I'm amazed that you are able to see this with such a clear head.

Why do you think YOU PERSONALLY have been able to avoid the whole thing? Why haven't you fallen deeply into the trap? How have you managed to stay just distant enough to see those sad realities?

Too many questions, but basically the same question. LOL

I feel for you, seeing your parents in this situation at their age.

 

[floridafam]

Wow,

I witnessed a lot of people fall into the Amway/Quixtar trap a few years ago.

I was active in local politics in Grand Rapids for a while and got to work closely with Dick and Betsy DeVos. They pretend to be people they are not. I don't know how much they actually have to do with it all now but it definately felt "cult"like. They look for weaknesses in people and tell them this will make them feel wanted or special-much like a cult does.

You should have seen all of the couples that were part of Amway/Quixtar. They were constantly trying to push it on everyone. It's hard to describe it in words but it made me sick.

I just felt that I was able to see the way these people really live and how little they think of the people that made them what they are today.

 

[Geoff_M]

Why do you think YOU PERSONALLY have been able to avoid the whole thing? Why haven't you fallen deeply into the trap? How have you managed to stay just distant enough to see those sad realities?

Ironically, it's due to my dad. When I was growing up, he had a very well defined sense of right and wrong (he still does for the most part). One incident made a big impression on me when I was in high school. He was a sales rep for a company that was having a real hard time in the 1981 depression. Things reached the point where his bosses told him to lie to his dealers about product availabity and other things related to the difficulties they were experiencing. He had developed strong friendships with his dealers over the years (we even went to a World Series game with tickets one of them gave him), and didn't want to betray that trust. After doing some soul searching, he refused to obey this management... and was fired for doing so. Afterwards, he explained all of this to us at a family meeting. His willingness to take a large financial hit (which, frankly he never fulling has recovered from) instead of compromising his beliefs made a lasting impression on me. It's that "gift" from him that's helped me avoid the trap he and my mom are now in.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Can I just say "WOW" here?

Wow Geoff..........what an incredible story.

And what an honorable man (both of you actually)..........which is surprising now that he doesn't "see" the reality of what's going on with *Q*.

Financial stresses can make people get into all sorts of schemes that aren't good for them. That's too bad......

 

[BrerMom]

I think the OP was really looking for affirmation that this was a good thing and got blind-sided with real experiences. I agree,


RUN!



I got hooked in trying to please relatives. I tried to show the plan to four different friends/family members. The negative reaction was so incredibly strong that I did a double-take and did some independent research instead. I am so incredibly lucky that my stint was so short.

It's really a shame because the products really are good, especially cleaning supplies and make-up. I can't buy them anymore because my up-line, aka relatives, get all excited that I've finally "seen the light" whenever I order something.

The meetings really are horrible. If you are not 100% a go-getter, you'll be pressured to conform. Must not think....must follow directions.... must not ever admit to using items not available through Amway/Quixtar.

The pick-up line at the local park was, "My husband and some of his buddies started an internet shopping mall." Of course, they were recruiting for Quixtar. I hadn't heard that one before. I said I wasn't interested three times and they still wouldn't give it up - Hey, they'd been trained well! I finally left.

Anybody else heard the term Me-Mart? Can you believe that I have the audacity to *gasp* read the Sunday circulars and * even bigger gasp * even SHOP those other stores? Because we all know that everything that you need is available through Me-Mart. After all, it's the perfect company to be involved with as you can buy everything you need without leaving the house - and I'm talking clothing to jewelry to groceries to arranging to take trips. But remember, the only trips you can take are those that take you to a meeting or are available through the Amagifts.

It's just so sad.

 

[aahmom1]

I do have one more comment for the OP. You'll notice nowhere in this entire thread has 1 person spoke of how rich they've gotten from Quixtar, do you think that's a coincidence?

 

[mamajoan]

Losing your friends, alienating your neighbors and acquaintances..........LORD HAVE MERCY....... is Quixtar worth it?

I have had several friends who did Quixtar/Amway... gotta admit that I avoided them a bit while they were involved with Q/A......
I don't know what the upline tell the downline people.. but dang it turns people into obnoxious bores...... thank goodness 2 out of 3 left Q/A.... these were longtime friends and remain so. #3 was an acquaintance.. more or less and they were INTO SELLING dh and I the whole Program every time we saw them so...... the relationship died an untimely death...

Also.. I never understood WHY they were so SECRETIVE .. about it being AMWAY..... I thought that in itself was very odd.


So the OP joined Quixtar..... If it works for you.. that is great..

but could you do me a favor..... please take note of the number of people that are "TURNED OFF'' when you mention "your new business.. AKA Q/A. I really would like to know if you are able to retain friendships etc. after you start the program.

Best wishes.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Anyone tried Quixstar lately?
I was just curious as to if anyone has made any $$$ from them in the past 6 years since this thread was started???

 

[DisMN]

Anyone tried Quixstar lately?
I was just curious as to if anyone has made any $$$ from them in the past 6 years since this thread was started???

I doubt it.

I know they're still out there actively recruiting victims.....uh....I mean "prospects".

 

[binny]

Holy old thread batman!

I had to check what my reply was because I couldnt remember it at all.

FTR, my "friendship" with the people I spoke about earlier was destroyed as well. We didnt get sucked into it thankfully!



Hope no one else was victimized by this company

 

[DWGal210]

I'm curious too - I wonder if the OP of the thread is still on the Dis and still doing it.

My mom's good friend does Q/A. A few times, she wanted me to come to meetings, but I declined. She is a very sweet lady, been friends with their family for years (kids the same ages, etc). She's not asked me about it since, so I can't say I've been bugged about it.

But I am curious as to how the OP fared. I do hope everything went well for them - but with what you read, who knows.

I guess my next question is - what makes Q/A different from other home-based businesses where you sell products (Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc). I think those places also have a "chain of command", so to speak, where the person that recruited you gets a bonus based on what you sell. Not trying to incite an argument, I would just like to know how they differ.

 

[RadioNate]

after reading a 6 year old thread does the OP still post here? 6 years later what are her feelings about the business?

 

[HeWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Anyone tried Quixstar lately?
I was just curious as to if anyone has made any $$$ from them in the past 6 years since this thread was started???

Too funny, I just read this whole thread having no idea it was ancient.

 

[hucifer]

Too funny, I just read this whole thread having no idea it was ancient.

I did the same thing.

ETA: But now I'm super curious how this whole thing worked out for the OP.

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

We have decided to try quixtar and i am sorry that so many people dont like it,but i met a friend of mine that i went to school with years ago at a meeting last night and we talked a long time with them and decided we would give it a try.Quixtar is the same as any other business in the world there will alway be people that dont like it and that is your choice.
Misty

I think it is great that you are not letting peoples negative comments sway you... Just remember this is a "business oppurtunity".. and you will get out of it what you put it to it. You decide your future...this could be something you work on in your free time to just get some extra monthly income...or with hard work this could lead to a new life-style. The people who get sooooo upset and say things like.."I new a couple once....and ..blah...blah..blah"... are most likely the type of people who are exepcting a get rich quick scheme.... Anyways Good Luck and stay POSITIVE!!! [/COLOR][/SIZE]

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

I'm curious too - I wonder if the OP of the thread is still on the Dis and still doing it.

My mom's good friend does Q/A. A few times, she wanted me to come to meetings, but I declined. She is a very sweet lady, been friends with their family for years (kids the same ages, etc). She's not asked me about it since, so I can't say I've been bugged about it.

But I am curious as to how the OP fared. I do hope everything went well for them - but with what you read, who knows.

I guess my next question is - what makes Q/A different from other home-based businesses where you sell products (Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, etc). I think those places also have a "chain of command", so to speak, where the person that recruited you gets a bonus based on what you sell. Not trying to incite an argument, I would just like to know how they differ.

They are all MLM..multi-level-marketing buisnesses. They all function in a similar way...people just get all bent out of shape about Amway/Quixtar..