13 Years In The Amway Cult | Multi-Level Misery

[@davidbrear8642]

It should be remembered that, whilst law enforcement has done effectively nothing to identify the true nature of, let alone stop, the problem, there are literally hundreds of blame-the-victim 'Amway' copy-cat 'MLM' cults operating in the world today. Conservative estimates are that, each decade, at least one billion ill-informed individuals are being churned through them. 'MLM' groups have become by far, the most contagious, extensive, widely-copied and profitable evolution of the criminogenic cult phenomenon in the modern era. This shocking description, even though it is backed up by all independent evidence and is surely accurate, still remains unthinkable to most people.

[@chloethacker]

Americans are so easily conditioned. Imagine being so involved with an employer that you tell your in-laws they can’t see their gc bc they don’t believe. Most employers in America want you to be more involved in work than your family life. I told a corporation (I was in sales) to F off while all the employees were around. The employer had no clue what to say. Obviously I was quitting. Employers are the biggest problem in America. Employers (not only mlm) ruin people’s lives.

[@youngrider9458]

PI’m pollp

[@mlisaj1111]

True, but remember that law enforcement can only enforce laws…they don’t write the laws. It’s only politicians that can make laws restricting MLMs of enforcing better disclosure for what the average person makes, not just what the top 3% of sellers make. And guess who has money to donate to politicians? It’s not those duped by MLMs.

[@davidbrear8642]

@@mlisaj1111 FYI. There are criminal laws in place (e.g. in the UK and USA) which already define, and prohibit, fraud. These laws clearly set out all the different types of fraud, including fraud by the withholding of important information. These laws have never been enforced in respect of the Big 'MLM Income Opportunity' Lie. Thus, when you pass a law, but then fail to enforce it, you effectively authorize the very crime you were supposedly trying to prohibit. For decades, whilst law enforcement has done effectively nothing, a growing number of 'Amway' copy-cat 'MLM' racketeers have been allowed to prosecute a form of officially-unopposed information war against the public, in which they have pretended that anyone can earn profits, and even retire to live in luxury, from participating in their so-called 'direct selling income/business opportunities.' Meanwhile, a growing mountain of evidence proves beyond all reasonable doubt, that what has become habitually-referred to as, the 'MLM industry,' has actually been nothing more than a classic example of the notorious, reality-controlling, totalitarian propaganda tactic known as the 'Big Lie.' That is to say, the spreading of a falsehood which is so colossal and outrageous that the average person cannot even begin to conceive that anyone would have the audacity to invent it.

[@JayMaverick]

It's because MLM cronies own the country and write the laws. The US is one giant MLM. Only when people realize this, can anything change.

[@samgilbert5684]

True story: I met my husband after being unwittingly dragged to an Amway “family gathering” or something like that. But not knowing it was Amway. Once there in this auditorium, I realized EXACTLY what it was-a crazy money cult. I also realized I would be stuck there all day so I went outside to smoke and lo and behold I met a handsome young man that had also gotten hoodwinked there as well and was also stuck there for the day. We spent all day outside talking and smoking (at one point he said he’d rather gamble with cancer than go back inside). He got my number and fast forward, we’ve been married 27 years.

[@OkinInc]

@@samgilbert5684 this is the first real Amway successful story I’ve ever heard. Congrats guys!

[@Killerkeller-r6j]

That sounds like gods work. He knew you were heading down a bad path so he put him in your life so that the two of you could make a new life. He purposely got the two of you together to accomplish amazing goals.

[@wendyandrew3707]

Great story. Love it.

[@BrandiMincher]

I remember Amway as a kid back in the 70s, I remember those cleaning products in my house. I thought Amway was a thing from the past.

[@bernicesosa566]

My sister and husband was upset with us cause we didn't join in the 70s, I received Jesus in 1979, New believer, and I thought it was for the Love of money !! Many people wanted !! And they went broke 😢

[@God.Almighty]

shocking this scam is still going. nearly 40 years ago a coworker kept inviting me to come to the meeting that would change my life. thankfully laziness overcame motivation and i never went to any meetings. all that laziness paid off.

[@karenorozco8917]

Same here. I never went to the hotel event, bcz i felt something was not right!

[@kookietherapy9398]

@God.Almighty 😂😂 40yrs ago, my ex got me a leased car so that 'I could sell amway.' 2wks later, I packed the car and left him and his plans for My Life. 😂

[@itzawrap]

It seems shocking and it is more or less a scam, but while much of the process isn't 'illegal' or '100 percent' deceptive, it can go on because people, like me, volunteer to join in. I joined on my own volition and all I had to pay for going in was a 'business starter kit'. That contains paperwork that allows me to buy products. Not much different than say a Costco membership, or Amazon Prime membership. That's not money that was stolen or taken from me at gun point. It wasn't a robbery per se. The rest of the 'world' is bizarre, right? How can it be stopped? The government tried to stop it 40 or more years ago but the case was dropped for lack of proof that it was in violation of existing law. What needs to happen is videos like this, that tell the story truthfully. When people become aware, they can act as adults with knowledge as their foundation for making a decision. Make sense? Now, if it has people within the system in violation of local, state or federal law, that can be proven in a court of law.....then there's something actionable by LE.

[@SAsh-zg6ln]

I was in veema for a few months when I was in college in 2013. The next year, my college friend joined amway and was really into it for a few years. I think he eventually gave up and now works a normal job lol. Also, I met a girl on bumble a couple years ago who tried to get me to join amway. I knew better by then. Hope she’s doing well

[@dakotawolf7336]

​@@SAsh-zg6lnoh my! Sadly she's probably one of the body snatchers at Target everyday that you have to dodge! We were one of those, we loved talking with people, but I had no idea atm how culty it was and how it's such a huge thing in all mlm's. Yeah I hope she got out.

[@LJTsMum]

When he said "we lost our 20s" my heart broke. That needs to be its own soundbite. This was such a brilliant watch.

[@kristaspurr4271]

@@LJTsMum got me too. My MLM had me for most of my 30s 😭

[@Pancakegr8]

@@kristaspurr4271It’s a horrible feeling. Your growth really is stunted. And every time I work with people my age, I can tell how much more intelligent and financially savvy they are than myself. MLM should be illegal.

[@smakolesar]

Thank you Anita. At least we have our 30s now to focus on our family. Thanks for watching.

[@NikkiSchumacherOfficial]

I lost my thirties. 😑

[@smakolesar]

@@NikkiSchumacherOfficial Really sorry that happened Nikki. I hope you're finding healing and that your 40s makes up for any lost time.

[@ChristaFourie]

I once was invited to a meeting and the guy was very secretive. I told him if it was AMWAY, I would not go. He assured me it wasn't. As I arrived, they were still secretive and I told him if it was AMWAY I would leave .. he assured me it wasn't. As soon as I discovered that it was in fact AMWAY, I got up and left. He followed me and tried his best to get me back in the room and he told me I embarrassed him ... I left!

[@jackiepowell7513]

@@ChristaFourie as deceptive as jehovahs witnesses!!

[@socksyuielkmf]

@@ChristaFourie good!

[@aliceneely2647]

​@@jackiepowell7513Almost but not quite. LOL

[@1romancatholic]

Back in the day, when my husband had to travel a lot, he wore a shirt on flights that we had made that said in big letters: ASK ME ABOUT MY PASSION: AMWAY!! Lol It was to keep people away from him & not want to sit by him or start chatting. Worked.

[@thomass789]

@@1romancatholic I don’t believe this.

[@TimesUp8888]

😂😂😂 Reminds me of Larry David's bit in 2020 when he wore a red MAGA hat in Los Angeles when he wanted ppl to stay away from him. 😂

[@KeithGolfs]

Lol that's funny

[@chax2004]

Lol

[@HLJlovejoy]

I am HOLLERING 😂

[@Josh-yr7gd]

If anyone has recently left Amway, RETURN YOUR PRODUCTS!!! I can’t emphasize this enough. I don’t know if they still have the 180 day money back guaranteed, but it was worth it. I got back $2200. Of course, I was spending nearly $1200/month on products (and learning materials) to maintain a 300 PV level, so the returns weren’t great compared to what I spent overall, but it was better than nothing. The process involves printing out shipping labels and listing the items, but it’s really worth it. It may be emotionally draining dealing with anything Amway related right after leaving, but getting some of your money back can be part of the healing process. It gave me a feeling of redemption.

[@emmabuchanan5324]

@@Josh-yr7gd literally same!!!!! It literally clicked like a light bulb when I realized wait- I should return this stuff! Turns out , after getting 3000 back, it damaged my sponsor’s pv and they went negative that month and made no money. My ex mentor called me and was like “I didnt realize something happened in our relationship that would make you do this” as if I was ruining their pv on purpose 🤨

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@emmabuchanan5324 Oh my goodness. Yes. Me too. I just wanted my money back. My former “mentor” texted me and asked me to let him know if I plan on returning anything else. The audacity of him to try and have a hold over me after I had left. Oddly enough I was on my way to the post office to mail off my last installment of Amway boxes when he had texted me. I waited until I was done with that and just texted back “ok”. Part of me felt like, yeah, take that! I wanted them to miss out on meeting their goal. I remained cordial, because we had something in common beyond the MLM. I’m a Christian and he claimed to be one as well. And although my sinful nature wanted to really tell him off, I know that wouldn’t have been in my best judgment. Thank you for sharing. It’s been well over 5 years since I left and there’s still trauma to sift through.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@emmabuchanan5324 Oh my goodness. Yes. Me too. I just wanted my money back. My former “mentor” texted me and asked me to let him know if I plan on returning anything else. The audacity of him to try and have a hold over me after I had left. Oddly enough I was on my way to the post office to mail off my last installment of A m w a y boxes when he had texted me. I waited until I was done with that and just texted back “ok”. Part of me felt like, yeah, take that! I wanted them to miss out on meeting their goal. I remained cordial, because we had something in common beyond the MLM. I’m a Christian and he claimed to be one as well. And although my sinful nature wanted to really tell him off, I know that wouldn’t have been in my best judgment. Thank you for sharing. It’s been well over 5 years since I left and there’s still trauma to sift through.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@emmabuchanan5324 Oh my goodness. Yes. Me too. I just wanted my money back. My former “mentor” texted me and asked me to let him know if I plan on returning anything else. The audacity of him to try and have a hold over me after I had left. Oddly enough I was on my way to the post office to mail off my last installment of Amway boxes when he had texted me. I waited until I was done with that and just texted back “ok”. Part of me felt like, yeah, take that! I wanted them to miss out on meeting their goal. I remained cordial, because we had something in common beyond the MLM. I’m a Christian and he claimed to be one as well. And although my sinful nature wanted to really tell him off, I know that wouldn’t have been in my best judgment. Thank you for sharing. It’s been well over 5 years since I left and there’s still trauma to sift through.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@emmabuchanan5324Yes. KZbin deleted my longer response to your comment. I’m sick and tired of this happening. I don’t have the patience to figure out which word triggered the censorship. I just reposted my response to you in the general comment section (verbatim) and it’s addressed directly to you. Should be easy to find.

[@Boredblacksheep]

13 years!!! And that "serving your upline" is so culty. I would never help my manager move to a new house. That's not in my job description and out of my working hours. Disturbing

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

I've heard such things with religion as well. As this couple said, their MLM had inserted itself into every facet of their life, including church, where talk like that is said with ease and not meant to be questioned. Very, very manipulative.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

Oddly enough, I volunteered to help my uplines move. They always talked about how important it was to “get into the back pockets” of your mentors, which meant that you want to pursue them so much that you’re right there when an opportunity arises. Like when an idea comes to mind, it’s very easy to just reach in your back pocket to pull your phone out instead of having to walk across the room or go downstairs to get it. I felt like if I stayed “close” to them, I could catch some nuggets that fell from the tree…if that makes any sense 😂

[@ericnelson9100]

Most organizations that would b against company policy 4 obvious reasons.

[@Tayz03938]

@@Josh-yr7gd 100% fell victim to this too. We volunteered for a ton of moves. We were told that there was power in association so associating more outside of just meetings meant that you could ask questions and build a better relationship. You wanted to be around because you never knew if your upline had a “secret huddle” or drop a “nugget” of game changing information

[@johnsales710]

Great point…that serving another man or person into wealth while I’m failing concept made me ghost the am-way way cult really quickly…..

[@sincerelyme-777]

Yes, the tool scam. My husband had just sadly died unexpectedly (age 29 aneurism) and we had just reluctantly joined “the business”. My up line sponsor immediately asked me about his insurance policy and encouraged me to buy product and tools with that money. I was so grieved from the loss of my husband. There is so much more I can say. This was unconscionable. I got out.

[@kattynoodle7758]

@@sincerelyme-777 that is just terrible! I can't believe they would encourage you to use your insurance money so poorly!

[@richardwoodell5772]

@@sincerelyme-777 Unfortunately, that type of attitude is typical among Amway distributors trying to recruit you!

[@wampuscat1340]

What a dirtbag!

[@iamwarner_e]

@@sincerelyme-777 OMG I believe you. We learned some horrible tactics in Amway.

[@phillipransom8920]

People have been trying to bamboozle me with the "business" for years. The Amway folks like to emphasize that "it's not for everybody." But they sure imply that you're STUPID for not buying in. I particularly like the "you're not saying NO to the business, you're saying NO to yourself." Turns out that I routinely say "NO" to myself when I'm contemplating doing something stupid.

[@richardwoodell5772]

@@phillipransom8920 Simply tell them that Amway sounds too much like work!

[@audrealambert9583]

🎯💯💖

[@richardwoodell5772]

@@audrealambert9583 Believe me. If you are serious about achieving Multimillionaire status, statistically, you stand a much better chance by working a JOB, as opposed to doing Amway!

[@rainyfaerie]

To the couple again: You guys are seriously so brave. I was only in this thing for 2 years and you guys are handling the trauma so much better than I’ve been. My mind has blocked out so many details and memories about my experience because the fallout was so traumatizing. It’s been almost a year since I left and I haven’t really been able to fully process my experience and heal all the way.

[@Pancakegr8]

That’s awful. I was only in Amway 6 months, but the person who recruited me has been with them since 2018, and is currently active. I want to talk to her about how disgusting the company is, but for all I know it may be another decade before we have that conversation.

[@krexoriginal]

@rainyfaerie give yourself time, everybody recovers differently. If you aren't already, I recommend finding a good therapist.

[@smakolesar]

We have so much stuff to work through in therapy still but thanks for watching!

[@franny5059]

Same here - I was in it from 1993 to 1994

[@smakolesar]

@@Pancakegr8 I would recommend a loving conversation with them if its possible. You never know how many years you could save them.

[@kce6025]

The worst part of being in Amway is others knowing you’re in Amway. Everyone I know identifies Amway people as losers and suckers. It would be so humiliating.

[@dennissvitak5475]

1978, my wife and I are in the Air Force, stationed in England. A co-worker, Sgt. Ray Hoetger (Hi Ray!!) invited us to his home for dinner. Nice! We get there, and there are five rows of chairs in his living room, along with all his other "guests." Sure..he fed us (burgers), but we had to sit through an hour long Amway presentation. Even our Commander (a Lt. Colonel) was there, and he was PISSED. Didn't end well for Ray.

[@donpeace894]

I hate people that manipulate under the guise of fake friendship

[@petergraves9677]

I'm guessing your O-5 had one hell of a "chat" with ol' Sgt. Ray. Would have liked to be a fly on that wall. 😂😂

[@dennissvitak5475]

@@petergraves9677 - Ray was a nice guy. Dumb as a stump, and easily manipulated, but a nice guy. Still...our Commander felt disrespected, like the rest of us. He also had a temper. When the Colonel called him into the office, he directed Ray to "report to me in a military manner." Very specific, and I gave Ray a quick review on the procedure, which he then effed up.

[@kookietherapy9398]

(Bye Ray! 😂) ​@dennissvitak5475

[@stephenc2481]

a scout master invited me to talk about investment. it turns out to be a recruit for MLM scheme, selling $25/a Acai Berry juice bottle. First, I have to buy the bottles from them, several hundreds worth. I will need to go sell it to others. I was thinking, how in hail will I be able to sell juice bottle for $25/each????

[@djs2182]

I think I can answer the question of why people say, “I’m just not interested” when in reality they knew it was a cult. They wanted to maintain a relationship with you. They knew if they said something negative about the people you were brainwashed to idolize, you might have distanced yourself from your loved one or it could take you longer to see the red flags yourself. It’s similar to an abusive relationship. The more you try to get someone out, the more they dig their heels in. The best thing to do is remain indifferent to maintain the friendship

[@savingtess08]

I agree. Back in my early 20's I had a very close friend that got wrapped up in Amway. He in turn recruited a few of his mutual friends that i knew but were not close with to get into this with him. I don't know how I knew at that young age about this but I had always been a skeptic when it came to most things. But I digress. Finally, one day after work we were sitting alone talking and he started drawing those circles on a sheet of paper... Uh Oh. I thought to myself. I didn't want to harm our relationship. So, instead of chiming in with what I knew or suspected about this place I just said that it wasn't my thing. So small bit of my experience with that.

[@djs2182]

@@savingtess08yeah, they train them so that anyone who questions it is the enemy or a hater so best thing to do is choose complete indifference so they always have you to lean back on without fear of judgment either way

[@KeithGolfs]

Man, ain't that the truth. I met this dude at the gym. Good, wholesome dude. But then I realized he was being so friendly to get me to join his "amazing business opportunity". I wanted really bad to show him the truth, but I just heard him out to see how deep he had gotten (not very far), and I told him I wasn't interested. He still dapped me up after that. Good dude. Sad circumstance

[@djs2182]

@@KeithGolfsSuper sad 😢 Everyone outside of the MLM knows they’re primed to “overcome the objection” so expressing concern is pretty out of the question unless you want a scripted response. You did the right thing unfortunately. Gotta trust them to put the red flags together themselves

[@patriciasimpsonnewton9395]

My late husband and I got involved in Amway. I didn’t like the multilevel marketing idea of having to sell to and recruit family and friends. We got out early. Then literally got tricked into attending a few recruiting meetings.

[@aaronchef82]

Bruh, 20 seconds in, and I am floored at the backdrop…Pyramids?! I fell over

[@subtledemisefox]

It's pretty clever. Although to be fair, Penn and Teller did the same thing when they did a "Bullshit!" episode against MLMs called "Easy Money." They even had Robert FitzPatrick on as a guest back then too. 20 years later and we're still at square one trying to rid the world of these evil cult scams.

[@gonelucid]

@aaronchef82 lmfao

[@StallionStudios1234]

🤣😂

[@natasha.elaine]

😂😂

[@Koukla0309]

Yeeees

[@7even10enSplit]

MLMs notoriously divide members from their families if the family members aren’t interested. It’s no worse than Scientology.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

I got suckered in for 16 months when I was 21. The most embarrassing time of my life

[@vanesslifeygo]

embarrassing? Were people (rightfully) making fun of you because you were openly a part of it?

[@Josh-yr7gd]

No need to be embarrassed. We all have vulnerable areas in our lives that can be taken advantage of. At least you can use your youth as an excuse! I was in my mid 30’s when I got involved. Stayed for 4 year, but left over 5 years ago. Keep telling your story. You may save someone else from going through what you went through.

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

@vanesslifeygo Actually no. I wasn't very pushy and that's probably why I didn't lose any of my old friends (thankfully 🙏). It also wasn't Amway, it was ACN. That probably got me a bit of grace as it was stuff that people use and not random products. It was more of a "he'll wake up and come back to us soon" sort of thing

[@yourdadhasadogfilter2505]

@Josh-yr7gd That's what they prey on. My guard was down as I was at the lowest point in my life. They got my friends to recruit me and then asked "do you know any other students who aren't sure what they want to do?" Etc. They use your vulnerabilities against you

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@yourdadhasadogfilter2505 Yup. It was a former girlfriend who pulled me into it.

[@kyotodreams3306]

Bro got a degree in psychology and then got financially manipulated for 13 years

[@defchef9486]

Yep. Would it be worse if his degree was in finance ?

[@kyotodreams3306]

@@defchef9486 good question. 🤣

[@Josh-yr7gd]

That’s how messed up these commercial cults are. No one is immune.

[@veryfrozen3271]

​@@defchef9486 most ologys are a scam, psychology was built on a man who was literally in a sex cuIt 😂😂 no wonder hes a massive perv I'm talking about frued. Thats a real historical fact and every college ignores that part for whatever reason 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@iamwarner_e]

Bruh you would be surprised of the folks who are in Amway.

[@CalopsitaVanderbilt1911]

What always gets me: They are intelligent and well mannered people. They still fell into the trap. It shows how evil the MLM business is.

[@4GreaterWorldPeace]

Definitely!

[@lilianawojciechowski2828]

I was in Amway for maybe 5-6 months. I felt so much shame for missing a meeting because of a migraine, and the upline was a psychopath about it. Rude and had no empathy for the extreme pain I was in. I thought no more. I knew the $$$ paying for books, conferences and kate communications was going somewhere and it HAD to be those liars on stage. So grateful to have gotten out quickly thank God!

[@darylmixan8170]

I was in Quikstar (exact same) I went to the Fall major conference, 3 days in Myrtle Beach... The b.s. stories from the upline were cringe. This wife was talking about eating dinner at a restaurant and she started to cry. Her husband asked why... and she said "I looked at the table and seen 2 drinks, I told my husband this is the first time we have been able to afford 2 drinks while eating out, all because of Quikstar" hahaha, I thought about being a pizza delivery driver and going to restaurants drinking 9 beers... and thought 'who the fuck has enough money to go out to eat and can't afford a soda and an orange juice had they wanted it?" If you are going to tell a b.s. story at least say "this is the first time at a restaurant where I was able to not base my meal off of price, I finally had the Surf and Turf"

[@johnking5433]

@darylmixan8170 they must have been talking about alcoholic drinks which can be pricey depending on the restaurant

[@darylmixan8170]

@johnking5433 possibly, and I put that into perspective... But as a broke 21 year old we've always had numerous drinks at restaurants... Having money to go out to eat numerous times, but not ever being able to afford 2 drinks just doesn't go together... It was a bad, lie story, about we were insanely broke, like you guys, now look at us.

[@mikewilson9236]

In the late 1980's a former amway diamond left Amway and wrote a book " The cult of free enterprise" its in most public library s , in 1993 i found the book and it quickly got me out of amway. " The cult of free enterprise"

[@kseniafletcher8425]

We need more Amway content out there! They are the most dangerous one out there ( speaking from experience)

[@TheHalfFullHalfEmpty]

Facts!!

[@gracecarbaugh4175]

Agreed!!

[@rebekahchalkley3252]

There's a great hour+ long video of a couple who got out after a couple of decades in Amway, who were at the tippy-top of the pyramid. It's on Melissa Dougherty's channel. Thought it was really good and very enlightening.

[@Zeta1230]

We need a video on Amway recruiters! Their tactics scream cult!!!

[@ccalmus]

The pay rate per level is also the worst AFAIK.

[@gboi264]

Norway has been the only country to my knowledge to make it very clear for everyone hence these MLM's know not to dare set up shop there.. “If the turnover in the business in Norway is particularly linked to recruitment in the form of membership fees or overpriced goods, then the business will be considered an illegal pyramid-like turnover system" Simple and clear!!

[@smakolesar]

That's amazing! Go Norway.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@smakolesar Hey, you’re the guy from the video! Thank you and your wife for sharing your story. You’ve encouraged so many us to open up in the comment section. It’s therapeutic to talk about our experiences and to hear that we’re not alone. BTW, I was in WWDB for 4 years and left nearly 6 years ago. This thing changes you for life and I’m still recovering. Rather than feeling shame, I can view it as something that made me wiser and stronger.

[@vermundsterkvilhaug5690]

But it’s not.

[@InspiringNotionz]

I would never get involved with most mlm’s because most of them are cults and use deception. However I’d argue that the actual compensation structure isn’t the problem… in fact it comes originally from the independent insurance industry. Hear me out… this is how you spot the scam… What makes them a scam are the problems in them… Making money internally by selling the training and by rewarding people for recruiting. If you make more/most money from internal sales it’s a scam. If you make more money recruiting than selling the product, it’s a scam. More flaws… By requiring members to purchase a minimum amount of products each month (internal sales). By teaching people to lie to recruit. Lying to get people to a meeting, lying and telling people they don’t have to sell… only “share.” You might suck people in, but they will fail quickly. Almost every company that uses an mlm compensation plan does these things… but not all. The problems/flaws are why people have to be brainwashed to keep them in the business and why a lot of mlms collapse. If your product is so weak you have to make profit from training and recruiting… it’s a scam. If you have to lie to people, it’s a scam. If you have to force your people to buy product… it’s a scam. However the mlm compensation plan is fine … it’s simply passing the income through different management levels… which a lot of companies do… insurance, some real estate companies, lots of sales companies… all give management bonuses based on the sales of the people they manage. Every product you buy in a store has levels… manufacturer, distribution, retailer, each having teams and managers. I did (technically still do) belong to an mlm (we jokingly call it a stealth mlm because it’s only resemblance is the compensation plan) that didn’t do any of the bad things… you didn’t get paid for recruiting… training was free… marketing tools were mostly free or very nominal cost (websites were $50 a year for example) and the biggest one… you didn’t have to buy the product to be in the business. It was also not a consumer based product… but was a B2B (business to business) product so you never ran out of leads. There’s not a “do not call” list so you can cold call other business people all day long. It was/is just a commission only sales job. See the final problem with most MLMs is that they are selling a consumer based product that is overpriced compared to similar ones you could just buy at a store. So the only reason people buy them is because they have to buy them to be in the business… this is where the cult mind comes in… convincing them they have to stick with it for the rewards down the road. After a while they have sunk a ton of money into buying product and they have run out of friends and family to try and sell to. After that it’s really hard to market to others because of the “do not call” lists. So people drop out and the pyramid starts collapsing from the bottom up. Since the company I was with didn’t do any of the scam tricks it’s going strong. People buy the product even if they have no interest in selling it. People sell the product without having to buy it (not everyone needs it). The company actively discourages people from selling it if they don’t enjoy sales… we tell people the truth… if you don’t like sales, you’re not going to make much money because the ONLY profits come from the product. People that are good at management and training do build teams… and if your team has good salespeople you do make good bonus/upline commissions… but most people don’t try to do that… they just sell the product. I made great money for about 15 years with the company and still make some residual commissions even though I’m mostly retired. I’m still technically in the company because it only costs $50 a year to be in it and I’m still making more than that in residual commissions from my past sales… I’m just not making new ones. I wish there were more companies that are like the one I’m in because I’m retired only because I got bored. If there was another unique B2B product that had a nice mlm compensation plan, but none of the flaws, I outlined, I’d look at it. But I haven’t found it. I’m just too skeptical of the kind of mlm’s they talk about here… because everything they say here about the gaslighting, the lying, etc., is true. They are cults and only the rare person makes consistent money. Trust your gut… if it feels like a scam, it likely is. If any of the flaws above exist… it’s a scam. ALL mlm’s are nothing but SALES jobs. Nothing wrong with sales, but sales is not for everyone. I tried to warn a ton of people about a company called Zeek Rewards… that company was a straight up Ponzi scheme with zero real product and people lost everything and at least one went to prison… you can google it.

[@mariac.9727]

Recruitment based mlms are also prohibited in Germany. And I assume EU-wide.

[@24CiViC]

I had a friend that wanted me to meet an Amway rep…with my husband, but when my husband didn’t want to stick around to listen to the presentation, because he had something he had to do, they all got very upset with me! They said that a husband should support me…and stay for the presentation, and when I told them that in my marriage I respected his decision to not want to participate in something he had no interest in…which then led to an abrupt end to the meeting and they left. I’m sure I dodged a bullet. So, divide and conquer is the key. ☺️

[@Xavezen]

Multi Level Misery is my favorite content from Marco. I like hearing the real stories. It’s so interesting

[@WalterTurnerBBB]

This video is a MUST WATCH

[@vidguy007]

We need cult awareness training There’s a huge cult people need to see it for what it is

[@donaldriggsiii4937]

I was suckered into Vemma. During all of our "events", they always told us to just get the people there and the "heavy hitters" would do the rest. As we did all of that, they started telling us that we needed to start getting up and telling our "story". The only leg I had to stand on was to tell people that I emptied my savings account. I did that in hopes that it would show my commitment and how much we "believed" in the "business". Once people started leaving and we won't bringing people to meetings as much, the "heavy hitters" who appeared to be our friends turned on us. I wasted 500 on the "builder pack" and 165 a month on my required volume to be compensation eligible. I definitely lost close to 3000. Fun fact, one of my upline guys was recently arrested for felony animal abuse. So that should attest to true character and nature of some of these people.

[@SplitDaWig]

Alex Morton really had everyone fooled.

[@donaldriggsiii4937]

@@SplitDaWig Yeah bro, big time bamboozled. "Just show them the DVD that comes in your builder pack and let it do the talking at your event". Disgusting deal.

[@anomalythinking]

Unplugging from amway is hard. In 1995 - After 3yr, our diamond passed around his $12k check at a hotel gathering I was so disappointed, and said out loud "no freeking way". He ssid "impressive right?" I was like "NO, you spend at least this much monthly on hotell meeting rooms, you shoes are worn out and you live in a small motorhome, i am done!!!" And i stormed out. My upline followed me out and was like "you have to go apologize to Jerry". I said "u all wasted my time, lose my info!!!"

[@socksyuielkmf]

👍👍👍

[@tomsmith9011]

Lol the scene....did you capture that convo on your phone to share?

[@pamlaenger6870]

Good for you!!!

[@danielx555]

One of my close friends lost his brother to the cult. I didn't understand at first how pervasive it was. He explained that his brother spent everyday listening to lectures and sermons from Amway, and when I learned about the tools cassettes and how the cult forces people to buy those tapes and listen to them, I understood how deep it went. (I thought Amway was an organization that distributed products, but no. The products are just a framework to hang the ideology and indoctrination on.)

[@Dman425]

@@danielx555 you are confusing Amway which sells products with the cult like “motivational” organizations that are not directly Amway

[@23littlefish]

Yes!!! Marco I was worried you silently cancelled the Misery Mondays series but I’m so glad you put one up now! Please continue the Misery Mondays! It’s my favorite content while vacuuming/doing house work.

[@Noellep]

I really appreciate this couple talking about this but it feels like there's a bit of cognitive dissonance when they say they wish people had told them why they didn't want to join. A few mins later they explain that they threatened to keep the grandparents away from the grandkids unless they supported their Amway journey. This is why no one told them - and i feel they know this but they still wonder why no one said anything. Great interview and i wish the best for this couple.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

Believe me, anyone who experiences this, will have all sorts of cognitive dissonance. It really messes with your head. I was involved for 4 years but left over 5 years ago. And here I am still watching these videos today. I find them to be therapeutic. No one ever talks about the ptsd that comes from being in a cult.

[@johngablesmith4671]

@@Noellep agreed. And sometimes people just politely refuse. And they can instinctively sense that no matter what excuse they give it wouldn’t make a difference.

[@smakolesar]

two things can be true at the same time.

[@brendatomlinson]

@@Josh-yr7gd The Cults to Consciousness channel regularly discusses post-cult PTSD. The channel is focused primarily around re.ligious cülts, but you might possibly find some value in watching an episode. There are obviously parallels between the two.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@brendatomlinson Thank you for the recommendation.

[@ProBreakers]

My parents got into Amway when I was in high school during the early to mid 90s. I remember using all the amway products at home, the endless meetings they would go to or host at home, and being given welcome packets to give to my friends….lucky they got themselves out.

[@susanlett9632]

I don't know anything about Amway is it a religion or something? The only way a person can be brainwashed I thought in this type of way is with a religion. Why would you make your brainwashed into selling a certain product it doesn't make sense. I'm curious cuz I don't know anything about it

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@susanlett9632 There’s too much to go into right now specifically but I’ll say this: Imagine you had an interview for your dream job and it seemed promising. But the process involved jumping through more hoops and each step made it seem like you were getting closer to being hired. Eventually they convince you that if you really wanted the job, then you need to get around their top executives at fancy dinners. So you run out and buy nice clothes for these events. You see that they’re living nice lifestyles and you don’t want them to think you’re not serious about getting the job so you spend a little money on your car and your daily presentation. Plus you were told that only a very select few people get the position and it may take a few weeks for the vetting process, but it eventually takes months. You find yourself doing things that you wouldn’t normally do to appeal to them. That’s how these mentorship programs work. They stir up hope and then get you chasing the wind before you realize it’s futile and you’ve wasted money. Hope that helps.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@susanlett9632 Amway mixes religious beliefs with business, which is a dangerous combination. When someone appeals to your deepest convictions, you tend to let down your guard around them. That’s how people get pulled in, and it’s oftentimes by someone they already know.

[@Simon-pl2zi]

MLMs tend to recruit a lot people from LDS, JWs, SDA because the cult ideology is so similar.

[@elenawright8986]

Way back in the 1970s a friend and I drove to evening meetings where we read and talked about "Think and Grow Rich" and had pep talks about ambition, industry, hard work. We were both seriously looking to make money for our families. On the fourth evening, one of my daughters attended with me, and that's when they told us what the product was.....Herbal Life. It simply struck me as absolutely hilarious that I had wasted four evenings after work attending meetings about an unidentified product which I hoped was spectacular. I started laughing and couldn't stop. Everyone in the meeting stared. I had to quickly leave the room and couldn't stop laughing for quite awhile.

[@DadBradTo5]

Currently in my early 70's, but in my mid 20's I was working for a (legit) company that had as part of their Training & Motivation the suggested reading of Napoleon Hill's, "Think and Grow Rich". For DECADES I believed this book and its author to be factual and real. Turns out that Napoleon Hill was as much of a SCAM ARTIST & FRAUD as another (not-so-legit) organization that "Highly Recommends" the reading of his book!! (You'll never guess which [MLM] organization I'm referring to!! )

[@GS-zc4sk]

These MLMs are great opportunities for the illegals farmed in recently.

[@ivanasimic2072]

lol

[@NadinePanici-zh4tp]

When I was 20...I am 72 now...I was a tour guide for the largest newspaper in Chicago. All I will say is it has a tower on Michigan Avenue. The head of the Promotions department my boss was a big wig with Amway. I was told that if I wanted to have the newspaper to continue supporting the cost of my schooling I must join. I had to purchase a $150 product package. I HATED IT! AND I HATED THEM! Never sold a single product and never recruited a single person. I was finally FREED for under performing! LOL😅

[@murphdoesitagain]

Marco this one hits different. Said a prayer for these two and you. Thank you for the work that you do.

[@smakolesar]

We appreciate the watch and the prayers!

[@virnan]

Don't pray for them, lol. I met them in person and they are disingenuous and dishonest. I still remember Stefan and his mannerisms.

[@smakolesar]

@@virnan kinda missing the point of the interview aren't you? We are speaking out against a very disingenuous and dishonest industry so that people stop getting scammed. Sorry you didn't have a great interaction with us.

[@UdoADHD]

16:28 The problem with this is when you tell the person the truth, it pushes them away or makes them cling to the cult harder. I think the best is to just say it once what you think and leave it at that. Don’t repeat it or try to convince them.

[@TheYazmanian]

Exactly. I was an Arbonne for about a year and a half, maybe 2 years. Whenever I would tell my upline some of the "negative" push back I got, they would just call them haters and say that they are wrong and to stop talking to them. Most adults aren't going to tell you what to do once you're grown. Seems a bit silly of her to try and deflect the blame when she has nobody but herself and the upline to blame. Other people aren't aware of the red flags. Most anti MLM folk have been burned by one, that's how we finally learned. Hindsight is 20/20

[@NettyB]

Amazing interview. I was prospected by a lady from church that was in Amway - videos like yours helped me cut things off and never be a part of it! I’m so glad that they left 👏🏼👏🏼

[@ericnelson9100]

You should speak to your pastor about this, because just like at a workplace, this should not be allowed in a church either.

[@lorihoop3831]

You'd be surprised how many people are selling stuff in Church, and I really think some only go for business purposes. Disgusting, really.

[@ericnelson9100]

@@lorihoop3831 Oh I know, church is really just another place for networking. Ask anyone who works for the SEC in Salt Lake City; almost every victim narrative of how they were swindled into some ponzi or other business scheme begins with "Someone in my ward."

[@Liquid_spirits88]

@NettyB MLM's target specifically people that are in church, because of the high network they have.

[@NettyB]

@@ericnelson9100 that’s true. I ended up leaving that church specifically for other reasons…but believe it or not one of the head pastors was in Mary Kay. She was shilling her products at a mom’s group for disenfranchised women. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@possumintheblossom]

In my 20's I was heavily involved in a church community - fail. In my 30's I tried this MLM three times - fail, fail, fail. In my 40s I started living my own life.

[@bebeautiful6613]

I was in an MLM, Primerica. After 10 years and life circumstances I gave it up. I saw people make massive amounts of money, but the majority spent more than we made. It took me years to get over the guilt I felt for not being successful. They drill it into your head that if you’re not work the business 24/7 you’re a lazy failure. 😢

[@dumbnhung]

I watch a fair amount of anti-MLM content and have heard the psychology of 'sunk cost fallacy' before but your connecting it to a gambling addiction is powerful, it made the concept 'real'. I think I saw a lightbulb moment for the couple too

[@laurasmith3430]

This entire video is so validating and confirms I’m not crazy. My husband and I left Amway this year after being in it for 6 years. By the grace of God my husband was never as emotionally invested, but I was. It took a life crisis to push us into quitting as well, we were too brainwashed beforehand. We’ve gained back more time than we ever had building this and have gained back more friendships. We’ve even gained more sleep even though we have a 4 month old 🤣 your work is amazing. Bless this couples heart. My heart goes out to you both, thank you for sharing your story! And thank you to this platform for giving people space to speak out and hopefully save more people from the deception. There are other ways to create income that are far more profitable and ethical than an MLM will ever be.

[@Tayz03938]

Love your comment! I got out earlier this year as well and now living life to the fullest to make up for lost time. Sending you lots of love and healing (especially emotionally) from all of this!

[@laurasmith3430]

@@Tayz03938 God bless you friend! Glad you were able to get out as well ❤️

[@smakolesar]

So glad it helped you feel some validation. Whether they know it or not, these people are predators. I hope you can heal from that emotional abuse.

[@laurasmith3430]

@@smakolesar we have found healing and more time, we left just in time before our daughter was born. I can’t imagine leaving her for those conferences. Thinking for one’s self has been liberating as well. Blessings to you as your family. 🙏🏻

[@TheGr8erPurpose]

I resonate with your experience, albeit I was in a very much different place in my life. Approached and launched into business at 17, after HS and working at the time being a very wayward and just absolutely open to anything. My faith and relationship with Christ was nonexistent then.. I’d like to emphasize I had been so emotionally invested in thinking I was gaining true friends (a new family that just happened to do “business together). I was so fed with this dream that I knew I risked getting kicked out by my parents by being told I needed to go on these business trips with them, even though I was working out of HS and making my own money, I still lived with them and warned me about this. They warned me but never pushed, they let me learn and see for myself as I didn’t listen. I remember being so turned off especially when the use of Biblical scripture would come in, they would cherry pick the good sounding ones to add to the motivational meeting talks… I was borderline atheist/agnostic and was clear that I wanted nothing to do with the “religion” side of it. Long story short being so emotionally invested and so terrified even more of cutting ties completely and ending my partnership it literally took the GRACE OF GOD like you said, for the courage and the clear mind to do so. At the end of every rabbit hole is the truth and I thank God that Jesus Christ encountered me greatly during that time. It churned me and woke me up spiritually to start seeking Christ seriously, as I was seeking other things out under the sun. I give all praise and glory to God whom is alive for transforming my life and using it since then, raising me up and giving me discernment. I knew He was real! But I thank God for this experience, I don’t regret any of it, it led me to where I needed to be today. In my most stubborn seasons God can truly still turn what seems impossible… possible. I knew God was real and I thank God for not letting people deceive me into defining who God truly is. And I continue to pray that for anyone who is lost and trapped in there… for my dear ex friends still there and pastors that I know that are still there living it like it’s gospel… I pray that you both are doing exceedingly well today, and blessed always.

[@familylifetoo9541]

I once went to a church and the music and singing was amazingly beautiful everyone was singing, we were having church in a park in the summer, then we would play sports. They had a bbq with the choicest food, fruits snd vegatables, one day the bible leader drove us to the city we had italian pastries, it was so fun that summer. I even took my mom to the church at the park and bible studies, till one day we had to go to a church event and i told them im sorry i cant make it because my Aunt who i only see 1x a year invited my family over. So i wont be going to their church event . They kept saying I needed to go. Then i just said no serveral times i cant go, and i didnt think much of it. wellllll... i found a note on my door when i came home at night from seeing my Aunt and the 4 girls frim my church group said they were looking for me and where was I ???... i was like hmmmm i told them i couldnt make it to meeting . Thats scared me and was a big red flag . Why couldnt i see my Aunt ? It freaked me out. I told them im sorry, but i wont be returing . I felt so scared i mailed back a necklace one of the members let me borrow, i was afraid they were going to try to convince me to stay if i saw them Face to face.. I still go to church but just not that one

[@Godhelpus62]

That was really insightful of you. If you can’t even miss one event to see family, that’s a big red flag. The only time I get a call from my church to see how I’m doing is if they know I had surgery, was ill, or lost a loved one. Nobody ever asks why I wasn’t at church. We have remote services you can watch on-line, so that really helps if you can’t get to church on Sunday. I hope you like your new church. 🙏🏻💗👼🏻✝️

[@familylifetoo9541]

@Godhelpus62 Thank you .

[@bryan6885]

I had a friend who was so hung up on Amway. He used to say that he would become successful through it and would even visit open house mansions and test drive fancy cars, claiming they would be his one day. We all thought it was a joke, as Amway was pulling him into a dreamland. He eventually quit his job to do Amway full-time, and I stopped talking to him because every conversation felt like a business transaction. He always expected me to buy Amway products, even though he didn’t use them himself. I didn’t see any value in buying their products, like spending $10 on a tube of toothpaste, plus shipping, and waiting 5 to 7 business days, when I could just go to Walmart and buy one for $5 and get it instantly. Anyway, he was so consumed by this Amway dream life that he couldn’t keep up with paying all the fees, and he wasn’t making any money. I felt bad for him because Amway was selling him an unrealistic dream. To this day, he is still in denial thinking Amway is his key to financial freedom.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

So sad. When I was in Amway, I definitely went to the multi-million dollar open houses in the name of “Dream Building”!

[@sarahjane4908]

@@bryan6885 open house mansions and test drive fancy cars? This person sounds superficial and materialistic, the MLM just brought it out of them.

[@iamwarner_e]

@@Josh-yr7gd Me too. I did 20 years in.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@ Stop trolling.

[@iamwarner_e]

@@sarahjane4908 No they teach you to dream bigger by getting you in front of things to expand the mind of regular old 9-5 worker bees.

[@lauraloranger6139]

The Amway people came to sell the plan to me and my husband. They came with brochures that featured yahts, beautiful homes, high-end cars, etc.. When they asked me what my dreams and goes were, I said, "Eternal life in Heaven is my goal and that money and luxury wasn't on my list at all". That was the end our meeting.

[@jojotater11]

Yes! Greed is the underlying factor in all of this, and that is human nature. Which is why if you fight greed, discernment for these kinds of things becomes much clearer

[@gouldenroger]

I have friends in Amway at the moment. Really hoping they'll watch this with open minds! Thanks for sharing and being open about your experiences

[@enny7617]

Did Amway in the 60s. Can't believe it's still around. They told us we were saving the world.

[@stephaniemedina1848]

I wonder if this the Amway that sold me a container of soap and I told my mother how great this company was I was in my twenty 🐱🌷

[@ivanasimic2072]

wow

[@j797s25]

Amway is by far the most insidious MLM at least in Australia because of how prominent and popular it is here but also how intense the culture is. I've known about it since I was a child (early 2000s) a family we were close to were deep into it and they would constantly leave the XS energy drinks in our fridge and give my parents the tapes. Fast forward to 2020 I had a manager who started the shift early with me while I unpacked the products, he would play the motivational/hype speeches every morning and he would be so hyped up he was like yelling/cheering to his phone while it played, and he would also leave the XS cans in the fridges, and try to offer the vitamins to staff. Thank god my parents were Anit-MLM even in the early 2000s it prepared me for the BS I'd encounter through my life.

[@tcdan-c2m]

To be fair, I do think that many of the products are quite good, and are legit. I think if someone is JUST selling products and making money from that, that is a legit business. But I do not like the MLM part of it, and certainly these "motivational" organizations.

[@JohnS-il1dr]

Ever heard of Landmark Forum? I escaped that one after 3 weeks. It makes Amway look like girl scouts

[@TheGr8erPurpose]

@ The only thing is, anyone (including myself for a season) who is deep into it or ever got to see the nuts and bolts of this industry and the machine behind it.. you know the money is in recruiting others to do the exact same as you unfortunately. Those who have made it to the top has been livin it out and sharing it as gospel.

[@priscamolotsi]

Thank you for this wonderful and very educative upload, Marco. I loathe MLM. Because I am a very visible and well-known person where I live here in Japan, I have been approached by numerous MLM companies, Amway being one of them. I must admit (and I am embarrassed to admit) that over the years I lost over ¥50,000. KZbin would think once bitten twice shy, right? But it took a while for me to finally tell people NO! Just last week, another company tried to recruit me. I laughed and told the person never to talk to me about MLM again! Just awful. Stay away from these companies. They are all bad!

[@thefirst5years]

Great interview. So important to get these first hand stories from those who’ve gone through it! Glad they got out!♥️ Thanks Marco🤠(Dom Izzo voice)

[@benjaminaristotleboes3157]

@@thefirst5years , You should watch Marcos interview with Douglas Brooks, he says "thanks, Marco" at the end..... First time I heard it I 🤣🤣🤣☠️

[@benjaminaristotleboes3157]

@@thefirst5years I am still not entirely convinced that Marco didn't put Doug up to it, he CLAIMS that he did not....

[@thefirst5years]

@@benjaminaristotleboes3157 haha!😂

[@Constellasian]

I can't believe those two stuck around in an MLM for that long. The mental stress MLMs cause on their employees is insane. I know because I had a former friend who was involved in an MLM during my college years. She became extremely dogmatic in the principles, or lies, of this MLM. I went to one of the recruiting events of this MLM and almost immediately realized all the cultish behavior of the members. I left the event early and she, along with a few of her "uplines", tried making me feel bad. She persisted trying to make me feel bad the next day. I stopped talking to her and haven't seen her since.

[@vanesslifeygo]

Your gain, her loss. She will turn out to be a NEET.

[@WellActualllyyy]

kudos to this couple and this channel. my mom was sucked into an mlm. they prey on the poor and vulnerable and ruin peoples lives so good on you marco for exposing them

[@stevemartin6594]

I sat through a recruiting session with a couple almost 30 years ago. I had no idea what it was when I met with them. In fact they got the meeting with us on false pretences. But 5 minutes in I knew what it was. But since my evening was already shot I decided I would use it as an educational experience and learn how they really worked. I heard they’re all their selling points. They literally through them all at me. My favourite retort of theirs was when I confronted them with the fact that this is a pyramid scheme and why those never worked their reply was, “ oh no this is not a pyramid. Well if anything it is an upside down pyramid”. DUH! I have used what I learned in that session to try and help other people that have got caught up in these schemes. Unfortunately most people are so bought in they just will not listen. Keep up the good work.

[@theyjustwantyourmoney4539]

I was in ACN, I later discovered that my upline who had a high position of Senior Vice President was broke and having their house repossessed, he also used to hire super luxury cars for events

[@phdtobe]

I’m a longhaul trucker and last month had a load of material from Utah that I delivered to an Amway plant in Michigan.

[@Tkz9000]

13 years in MLM starting in their 20's. Time and money wasted. The positive in this situation is they had each other for support. The MLM controlled nearly all aspects of their lives.

[@colinofay7237]

Roughly how much did you lose in full during those 13 years? That's such a long time

[@smakolesar]

@@colinofay7237 We just did our profit loss statement and its roughly $100K over the 13 years. We definitely came out better than 90+% of people because we made a little money to counter our losses.

[@Dman425]

I was in Amway with World Wide Dreambuilders as the “motivational” cult back in 1991-92. There was no Internet back then to warn us of the dangers of this cult. Thank God my Dad knocked some sense in me a year later. I got out before it was too late. I remember wasting lots of time and money in it though

[@sonhuynh8222]

Wow I was in this same group in the early 90s. I was college and some of my buddies asked me to attend a meeting that would allow me within 9-12 mos to make $2000/mo. This was a lot of money in the 90s for a kid attending college. I joined, went to meetings, bought the products and went to one major event in Portland OR. After a year of alienating friends and not making any money, my best month $89 , I quit and got my life back! Lol

[@Dman425]

@sonhuynh8222 we maybe ran into each other. My upline and I slept on the pavement the night before an event

[@sonhuynh8222]

@ omg we did the same! If I remember correctly my “Emerald or Pearl” up line was some dude named Randy. They came on stage with some new motorcycle and jetski to honor him for making his levels.

[@JulieAndersonvideos]

Fantastic interview! Congratulations to your guests for getting out and coming forward speaking out!

[@carolelegault9545]

"When they disconnect you from your intuition" WOW!

[@smakolesar]

They really do. They teach you that your brain got you where you are and it can't be trusted. You have to use their brain to create their results. As 21 year olds, we totally believed that. Slowly we are learning to trust ourselves.

[@laurenbyrnes8907]

Love this video! As a therapist who works with people who have left MLM/cults these stories are so important for healing. Thank you!

[@SuperKathio]

I was FIRED from Amway by my upline. True story. I thank God.

[@krzysztofn6951]

My parents 'served' the uplines, making sandwiches, lunches, dinners etc, while they could barely afford groceries

[@Kero7th]

Loved it I really feel like these videos are the best for people to view to start grasping what's going on.

[@topdogandro3900]

Thank you for this video I recently left Amway, I’m not turning back and everything they said is undoubtedly true

[@Josh-yr7gd]

Return ALL of your unused products. I don’t know it they still have the 180 day money back guarantee, but it’s worth it. After I left Amway, I returned my products and got back $2200. Of course I was spending nearly $1200 per month, so the returns weren’t substantial, but it was better than nothing. If you are still within that 6 month window, please do it now. Getting some of your money back is part of the healing process.

[@topdogandro3900]

Thank you so much for this i did what you said and got back a small portion back❤️🙏

[@andrealai2807]

19:31 I can tell you from personal experience that loved ones telling you their true feelings when you are "all in" to the biz just pushes you further in. However their comments stayed with me and after I left I could see how they were right. And it possibly started a seed of doubt about the biz. It depends on your relationship. I'm very close to my sisters who were the ones who called it out.

[@Scam-ish]

So sad to see this, I’ve got 3 of my in laws in it the last 2 years and I would bet they never do a profit/loss. They turn down family events because their upline told them not to travel unless its for the business, so the only time we got to see them was when they drove from VA to KY for a conference. We drove over 3 hours to meet them for lunch and they just told us to pick up some Panera bread, bring it to the conference center and we literally only met with them for 15 min, b/c they had to run back in to continue the day. Wish they would’ve told us that would be the case before we spent the day driving that way, it was so sad to see thousands of ppl smiling and drinking the Koolaid, or energy drink 😅

[@itslisawright]

Anyone feeling shame for being in an MLM, I want you to know you are not alone. We are all in this together.

[@dij3781]

I was in a MLM but luckily i was only in it a couple years. Yes, i spent more money than i made. But all i needed was to get people under me....yep i finally gave up

[@andywalton9152]

12 tears ago I was in Amway. I was 26 years old and I stayed in for 1’year. I was absolutely brainwashed. I was calling everyone about this “business opportunity,” wow unbelievable. I really hated how they treated you like children, you were supposed to act a certain way and you should ask your upline before you make any decisions. Pathetic stuff. Getting out after one year was even difficult because they make you feel like you’re making such a bad decision. What an absolutely disgusting and cringy company. My stomach turns thinking about it. I was very embarrassed that I got involved for a while, but now I look at it like a learning experience.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

I was in World Wide Dream Builders and they used tactics to keep us in by saying that too many people quit two days before their breakthrough. They even called us losers for quitting. There was a meme floating around of a man digging for diamonds and turning away when he was just inches from reaching them. I know people who were still chasing the dream 20 years later with nothing to show for it. Absolutely manipulation. Thankfully I got out after 4 years. Also, they wanted us to seek “perspective”, not permission and then they would tell us to “own”our decisions. So after we receive their advice, follow their advice and when things go south, we can’t blame them because we had already consciously taken ownership over it. This is why people have ptsd after waking up from all their brainwashing.

[@andywalton9152]

@ Unbelievable. Glad you’re out dude.

[@JussSayin410]

Sadly, my direct upline was responsible for breaking up my marriage. The husband was encouraging my husband to be a shoulder to lean on for HIS wife, because their marriage was in trouble. So all the while my husband was sneaking around with her…they even stood with us at our wedding. Thanks Amway😏

[@Josh-yr7gd]

18:33 They might not have been able to say it, but I will. I was in Amway (World Wide Dream Builders) and I know exactly who that “snip” guy is. It was multiple diamond Bradley Duncan. Brainwashing at its worst. I’m so glad I didn’t cut people out of my life during that time.

[@j.soulmatic]

Bradly Duncan noooooo lol. I was part of Britt WW but I definitely heard of Bradly Duncan. Charlie Durso will also say the same thing “SNIP IT”

[@Waterlily1998]

My husband and I were apart of wwdb up until 4 months ago and leaving that cult was so traumatic, we cut every single one of them out of our lives and are still processing the experience.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@Waterlily1998 Please make sure to RETURN YOUR PRODUCTS. There still may be some time to get a little bit of money back if you haven’t done so already. I understand that it can be emotionally draining to deal with Amway, but it can bring a sense of redemption. I returned products after I left and got back $2200. But, I was paying nearly $1200/month on products and learning materials to maintain a 300 PV level, so the returns weren’t great compared to how much I spent overall. Those were funds that really helped and was totally worth the effort in making it happen.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@Waterlily1998 Please RETURN YOUR PRODUCTS asap if you haven’t done so already. There still may be some time left your you. I returned my products after I left and got back $2200. I was spending nearly $1200/month on products and learning materials to maintain a 300 PV level, so the returns weren’t great compared to what I spent overall, but it was totally worth it and it gave me a feeling of redemption.

[@Josh-yr7gd]

@@Waterlily1998 Please RETURN YOUR PRODUCTS if you haven’t done so already. There still may be some time left your you. I returned my products after I left and got back 2200. I was spending nearly 1200 per month on products and learning materials to maintain a 300 PV level, so the returns weren’t great compared to what I spent overall, but it was totally worth it and it gave me a feeling of redemption.

[@KeithGolfs]

Very good story! I love when you do these, Marco. I'm just glad I told my friends and family about Amway before I made any commitments. Everyone I told basically interrupted saying "PYRAMID SCHEME". That plus, my second meeting with the dude who got me in (husband of a former classmate) and his upline was so fruitless. He used the "If we buy a food truck" example and that was kind of intriguing. But then I looked at the product. There was like a 6-pk of energy drinks going for like $40 or some shit. I looked on Amazon, and Monster was selling 20-pks for like $20. At that moment I started researching on KZbin and that eventually led to me finding your channel.

[@stephenc2481]

To fall for the scheme, you have to be a little greedy. You want money so bad, you wanted to believe the dream they sold you.

[@BobWolford-q2b]

I remember when I was recruited into Amway, and I bought into it on the front-end, embarrassingly (I still remember being shown that ridiculous "doubling" trick- start with the number 1, and double that to get 2, then double the 2 to get to 4, then double the 4 to get to 8, and so on and so on until you get to 1,000,000. Total B.S.- that compounding just doesn't play out like that in reality). My immediate up-line (who happened to be my uncle) drug me along to an area meeting a few hours away in Birmingham, AL for a weekend. We met in a college auditorium and listened to a bunch of the gems talk and drone on about their lives and all that- it was the same thing over and over and over again. Patriotic music playing, some singer from a big Baptist church in Memphis was flown in to sing "God Bless the USA" a few times, people clapping and high-fiving each other, etc., etc. When the lovely couple in this video mentioned the "tool scam", my ears perked up- in the foyer of this auditorium we were in, there were tables and tables set up end-to-end with people selling- cassette tapes and books, and my uncle told me that that these are "tools" to help build my business. Up to that time, I had been listening to a handful of cassette tapes that my uncle gave me (Tim Foley was one of my favorites), and I was "starting" to "believe". I caught myself about to lay down $30 or more for some of these products but thought better of it, because it was at that moment that I realized what this "business" was all about- just taking MY money, and then getting me to establish my own downline, and then get that downline to these area meetings and get them to buy the same tapes and all that nonsense. And if they happen to buy some of the actual product for their own use, all the better. I came back home after that conference, called my uncle the following week and said "No thanks, I'm out. I've seen all that I need to see." He tried to talk me out of it, and that's when I turned the tables on him- I asked him about HIS downline, about how much actual product HIS downline consumed and how HIS downline was working, about the next area meeting and who HE was going to try to take to it. That was the end of the conversation and the of my Amway journey. I just didn't like what I saw- didn't make any sense to me. And the laundry detergent wasn't anything special.

[@diannerussell7060]

This was right on with my experience. I spent 25 years and ended at a "gem" level but it wasn't worth trading my soul for. I had to leave to be able to live with myself and I just didn't care anymore what I had to lose to get out. I lost my twenties, my thirties, and most of my forties. Sure I had some nice trips but I almost missed out on having a child and I left with only a handful of relationships- none of them with people who are active in "the business" now. It has taken me years to get rid of the programming and I still fight it after being out for over a decade.

[@Bongwater33]

Everyone hates Amway distributors, that should be reason enough! I remember my parents back in the 70s saying they'd never speak to this couple again who came to dinner and tried to sell amway to them!

[@jmednerth1623]

Mary Kay also know for MLM horror stories. My mother got involved w Amway in early 80s she somehow realized the brainwashing and left the cult. The last that got her into it got mad at her.

[@PamMorgan-f6j]

I tried Amway to make extra $. It was awful. All my sponsor wanted me to do was buy products, motivational tapes and go to conventions that I couldn't afford to attend. The one conference I went to had guest speakers who were famous politicians and a TV evangelist who trashed people. I was shocked. I made a few $ but at 6 months I stopped and backed away. It just wasn't for me. After that my sponsor wouldn't talk to me. I didn't know that Amway was still in business.

[@Rheinebows]

You need more of these types of interview -videos!!

[@hops79]

I lost a friend to Amway because I didn't support her being in Amway. She is definitely the victim like this couple is. But I wish they could see that they caused harm too, they made their friends and family feel stupid, neglected, grief, worry.

[@kjean8605]

About 18 months ago, I left the religion I was raised in after 40+ years. It took me less than 6 months to realize I was raised in a cult which operates EXACTLY like you describe here. I mean exactly. The cult model is very predictable, whether it is religious or commercial or otherwise. You just don’t know you are in a cult until you leave. And cults don’t have to be obscure little weird groups. They can be international religions and businesses that have millions of unsuspecting members. Good for you for getting out. So happy for you. I too am the happiest I’ve been since early childhood. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I feel very seen. I lost not only my 20’s but my childhood, my 20’s, my 30’s my 40’s and into my 50’s.

[@majorkade]

You're correct. Many ways for your brain to be hijacked. Social media is one such way.

[@JoSpring]

I didn't know they were still around! My parents got involved when I was about 6 and I'm 62 now! I remember it being creepy and full of what I would describe as "stepford people". Thankfully, they were bad at it and quit pretty quickly.

[@reanndacli3421]

These guys were cross-lined to me, we went to the same church and everything, I think we had the same platinum or diamond. It’s crazy seeing someone who was so close walk away too. I’m so so happy for them ❤

[@elisa-beary]

SO glad you did this. Hearing these stories are some of the most hard hitting, profound, real life reasons not to join & when other ppl on the verge hear them & hear their stories it helps. I’ve heard that so many times.

[@blahblahblah-o4z]

My husband and i reluctantly joined after being pressured by a friend who was in it. We were too busy with our jobs to get very involved in it, but we did waste a lot of money on products which we didn't use much. We also mamaged to sell some to our family members. Overall, we lost money on the whole thing. I went to 2 training events. The first was on how to sell their "wonderful, natural" makeup products. As you can imagine, there was no convincing information presented on WHY the products were supposed to be so great. I thought it was pathetic. The 2nd training was a big meeting that had an almost religious- like fervour to it. That was the thing that really opened my and my husband's eyes. We thought it was weird and that the attendees appeared to be brainwashed - almost mind- controlled. We got out not too long after that.

[@lesliewoods7774]

Thank you for this video Marco and guests. 8 years ago my then husband and I were in a desperate financial place being at our most vulnerable. We were invited into an MLM. Of course over 2-3 years it ended up costing us money and time, we coerced some friends to join us and they of course lost money too. I’ve felt so ashamed and embarrassed. You’ve inspired me to reach out to those people I used to call friends and apologize. I ghosted them because of my shame. A cowardly thing to do. Your story is so valuable. Thank you for sharing and exposing the truth for what is more common than we realize.

[@smakolesar]

Whether those friends say so right or not, they will be grateful you reached out.

[@ChristianWagner888]

@smakolesar great interview and very helpful to understand MLMs as a cult. I have seen MLMs infiltrate churches and we have to be constantly alert. You mentioned that you are on Instagram as HeroesToVillans, but I can’t find you there. Where do you post on social media?

[@hicksa1]

For me Amway introduced the most amazing books I never knew existed, it literally changed my life. So for that I will always be so grateful.

[@smakolesar]

Some of the books were great. I wish they didn't cost me a decade and $100K but, some of them were great.

[@Heightsomethinghuman]

Selling Amway is the quickest way to lose friends! We saw that from our very short experience w them. Gave them their stuff back and ignored their reasons to come back. We were young and rebellious, hated the materialistic obsession of Amway. Thank God we escaped early. So sorry you guys were victimized by the cult for so long. You aren’t stupid, Amway is just predatory and manipulative! So glad you are OUT and warning others! Thank you!!!

[@HeyHonHorror]

57:30 this is exactly how I feel. I lost 12 years to Amway, and my 20s, only to be discarded like old clothes when I chose to walk away.

[@lauwerz]

It’s the worst. I spent 7 years there. No friendships after.

[@smakolesar]

It's not right. You deserved so much better.

[@Suzi64grad]

We had friends invite us for what we thought was a nice dinner but it was an Amway pitch! We were beyond upset at being tricked!

[@SAsh-zg6ln]

Lol why would u be upset? It’s a free dinner and u can just say no

[@ljaaraica3372]

Marco I have been watching your content for over two years now. Being brutally honest here. I never once invested a single cent into the MLMs, but sort of believed it worked when I was younger; late teens and early 20's. I knew so many fast talkers in my life, that said they made it and kinda of believed the hype. I work in corporate now and have a real job and have for years; and know it's a scheme. I don't blame them. I am part of the population that is prayed up on by MLM'ers.

[@Cloudbusting31]

I had friends who managed to talk me into joining Amway, albeit for only a short period. It was definitely a cult. They tried to pull me away from my own family and friends network to become a part of theirs. They also became religious (Pentecostal). It seemed to me that were packaging an entire lifestyle for me by selecting my friends, social network, employment, religious beliefs etc, in order to isolate me and tie me to Amway. Definitely operating by the cult playbook.

[@smakolesar]

Yep. That's exactly what can keep you in for 13 years.

[@Jess-ju3bs]

Most of the money that the Diamonds make comes from selling tools. Their story is sadly very common.

[@infinitejack2115]

more of these ex-mlm interviews please thanks!!

[@whisperingdivinelove]

I was in an abusive situation and needed to get out for safety. My direct up line (who quit right before me) told me she talked to her upline (who had plenty of space in their home) about letting me stay while I got on my feet and moved out of state in a few months. That refused because “it’s not duplicatable. If you can’t do it for everyone you can’t do it for one.” This mindset came with ride sharing too. I remember losing so much sleep that I’d fall asleep standing up despite enormous amounts of caffeine in my system. Hallucinating. I missed opportunities to see my dad (who I hadn’t seen in years) because all my time off was spent at functions and building the business. Oh and may I say, that you couldn’t take a day off from it?

[@ofoliveoilandhoney]

I've been interested in becoming a travel agent as a side hustle. Upon research into options, I've found that many "travel agencies" are undercover MLM, with a heavy emphasis on recruitment. So disappointing. Would love to see some interviews with folks coming out of that space!

[@ashawest20]

@@ofoliveoilandhoney I was in a travel mlm. Only like 6 months though and left. I can see how it can be like a Amway cult. I'm glad I'm on the other side, and no longer brainwashed.

[@ech1035]

When I was in a period in my life when I was very vulnerable a coworker started telling me of this life changing experience. I did go to about 2 meetings and they just felt off. My gut told me to just run from those people. Glad I escaped before even getting in 😅

[@karencramer6491]

They said they lost friends because they failed to prioritise them in their efforts to focus on their future, which is what the program told them was happening. In actual fact their friends were actively avoiding them because they were tired of listening to the endless 'success' talk and the subtle pressures to buy into the program. Can't tell you how many Amway approaches we have spurned over 60 years and oddly enough we are still better off than today than all the people who were suckered in.

[@kenny.lyh108]

I was almost suckered into one. Met this girl from online dating and they were very subtle about it too. It wasn't a blatant, in-your-face recruitment too. We went on dates, badminton sessions, gatherings with other people who were all in on this and they really created this extremely positive environment to be in. Unbeknownst to me, I was slowly conditioned and brainwashed to want to be around them. The weird thing is, they wouldn't reveal their company name nor their product name to me which were the first major red flags. Thankfully on the day of the company visit, I still had enough sanity and critical thinking skills to reject them and say no. A quick google search revealed that this shady company was notorious in my country and they are just using legal loopholes to skirt around laws and regulations. EDIT: Spelling

[@SAsh-zg6ln]

Lol I had the same experience from a girl I met on bumble in San Diego about 3 years ago. She didn’t push it at all but once she asked me to read that mouse and cheese book, I was like nah lol. She wasn’t mean about it tho and we even made plans to hangout a couple months after but schedules conflicted. I feel bad for them because they’re usually ur average nice person

[@StockCryptoCarpenter]

Im 26 i remember they showed up to my parents house when i was around 19 years old . I was very interested because i have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Coming from the Northwest they took me on a 2 hour trip for a convention where they show it all off. I immediately fell in love but also stayed very aware that none of this is as easy as theyre making it seem. It definitely is not . I even sat in a Maserati from one of the so called business men . Being 19 i was eager . Glad i never went thru with theyre tips on "Fake it till you make it" .

[@matthewJeanFlasch]

I was in Amway from 2002 - 2013. Obtained management levels (silver, gold, platinum,Q12). This is spot on. Good on you guys for getting out and then being maturely outspoken about your experimental knowledge on the downsides to MLM.

[@colinofay7237]

How much did you lose in full? if you know.

[@tioswift3676]

Do you know Orrin Woodward?

[@bernardthefourth]

It took me about 10 seconds to figure out Amway is a pyramid scam.