Talk:Amway

Misleading Redaction

The sentences: "Amway has been investigated in various countries and by institutions such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for alleged pyramid scheme practices. It has never been found guilty, though it has paid tens of millions of dollars to settle these suits."; are incomplete and misleading because this section does not include that the FTC already established that it is not a pyramid scheme through the In re Amway Corp. ruling in 1979. One needs to read the entire article to know about that, but the doubt is already seeded. To be fair, mentioning the FTC in the article's header should also include the corresponding outcome of that process. Otherwise do not mention it and let the reader go through the article to know about the FTC investigation and the results. Finally, the comments about the "FTC" and the "...paid tens of millions of dollars..." together, imply that the company paid to the FTC in 1979 which was not the case. 24.114.71.102 (talk) 02:50, 13 February 2024 (UTC)

How to take this company to Africa

Good day my name is Attah Anthony Mbua I'm from Cameroon, I'm 22 year old so I'm thinking if you people can bring down this company to African level you will make a lot of commission and your brother will be promoted more short time i promise you that because Africa are ready to promote as long as they have their own commission on it 105.113.72.5 (talk) 22:12, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

== How to take this company to Africa

105.113.72.5 (talk) 22:20, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

My name is Rehan and I am from Faisalabad, a city in Pakistan and we need to gather a lot of people and convince them that we can do your job. The product is as high as possible and people will see what value it has 103.166.150.110 (talk) 16:31, 8 September 2024 (UTC)

MLM vs. Direct Sales

Proposal to Reassess the Use of "MLM" Terminology on Wikipedia

The use of the term "multi-level marketing (MLM)" to describe companies like Amway on Wikipedia warrants reconsideration. Lacking a formal legal definition, the term is frequently conflated with illegal pyramid schemes in public discourse, causing confusion and potential bias. This association often carries negative connotations and may misrepresent businesses that have evolved beyond outdated or generalized practices tied to MLMs. The umbrella term "direct selling," which is legally recognized and accurately reflects a variety of business models, offers a more appropriate and neutral alternative.

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Key Considerations:

1. Evolving Business Practices:

Companies like Amway have implemented significant changes to their operations to ensure transparency and ethical practices:

• No Cost to Start: Unlike the stereotypical MLM model requiring upfront fees, Amway now offers a no-cost registration option, ensuring that individuals can join without financial barriers.
• Refund Policy: Amway provides a six-month refund policy products purchased, further demonstrating its commitment to a consumer-first approach.
• Complimentary Training: Many training resources are now provided at no cost during the first year, making it easier for new business owners to learn and grow without additional expenses.
• No Profit from Recruitment: In Amway’s model, sponsors do not earn income from simply recruiting others. Any financial benefits come from assisting new business owners in generating income themselves through product sales. This eliminates concerns about income being tied to recruitment rather than sales.
• Access to Wholesale Pricing: All business owners receive wholesale pricing on products. Business owners are not paying extra costs that are pocketed by their sponsors, ensuring an equitable business structure.
• Income Based on Merit: Amway’s model allows anyone in the business to out-earn their sponsor based on their own performance and effort, highlighting the meritocratic nature of the structure.

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2. Misalignment with Negative Perceptions:

The FTC differentiates between illegal pyramid schemes and legitimate multi-level marketing models, emphasizing the importance of product sales to end consumers. Amway prioritizes product sales, with distributor income tied to sales volume rather than recruitment.

According to a Direct Selling Association (DSA) report:

• 77% of all direct sellers in the U.S. are women.
• The majority engage part-time for supplemental income rather than as a full-time career.

These statistics reflect a flexible, diverse, and consumer-focused model, far removed from the time intensive, recruitment-heavy structure often criticized under the MLM label.

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3. Public Misunderstanding of the Term "MLM":

The term "MLM" is often conflated with illegal pyramid schemes due to media portrayals and high-profile cases of fraud. However, Amway has been repeatedly validated by legal rulings, including the FTC’s landmark decision in the 1970s, which upheld Amway’s legitimacy as a direct selling company.

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Suggested Revisions:

• Replace broad usage of the term "MLM" with "direct selling," a legally recognized term that accurately encompasses ethical and transparent business models like Amway’s.
• Provide clear distinctions in Wikipedia articles between legitimate direct selling companies and illegal pyramid schemes. For example:
  • Amway does not require inventory purchases or impose sales quotas.
  • Amway offers refunds and satisfaction guarantees.
  • Sponsors do not profit directly from recruitment, ensuring income is tied to sales and business growth.

These distinctions are critical for maintaining an accurate and neutral representation of the direct selling industry.

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Supporting Sources:

• Direct Selling Association (dsa.org)
• Amway Business Opportunity Overview (amwayglobal.com)
• Federal Trade Commission Guidance on MLMs (consumer.ftc.gov)

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Conclusion:

By implementing these revisions, Wikipedia can avoid overgeneralizations that misrepresent companies like Amway. Replacing "MLM" with "direct selling" and providing clear distinctions between ethical models and illegal schemes will present a more accurate, balanced, and neutral perspective on the industry. Fast4lax (talk) 00:57, 19 January 2025 (UTC)