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ArishMell · 70-79, M
@peterlee I did wonder that....
I don't think they were full pyramid schemes that are self-defeating anyway; but rather, a cheap way to sell the products. Using faux "parties" hosted by distributors at home removes the costs and difficulties of real shops or of multitudinous, low-value mail-orders.
It also exploits the "me too" and the "rude not too" effects: "Mary's bought a set of those, ooh, I must too!" and "Jane's invited us all here - can't go home empty-handed!"
....
A friend tried to hook me into being an Amway seller, definitely a pyramid scheme although it claimed not; when this exploitative method was being exposed and eventually outlawed.
The way he tried was probably as Amway taught. He was a friend genuinely, and asked if could visit me in connection with our common interests. It was only when settled in a comfy chair with a mug of coffee by him that he started waffling about cleaning kitchens.
This trick is somewhat similar to that taught to door-stepping evangelists. They open with an off-the-wall question to catch the victim off-guard. (I usually reply by asking what they are trying to sell me!)
If I remember rightly, Amway called its method "circles", presumably as in "circles of friends"; but that could not really hide the truth. There was nothing wrong with Amway's products, with equally good rivals in the shops, but the sales method was thoroughly nasty.
...
I recall a scandal around the American vacuum-cleaner manufacturer, Kirby, also around its unscrupulous sales methods. Though it has also been a victim itself, of counterfeiting and other dishonest trade practices.
I don't think they were full pyramid schemes that are self-defeating anyway; but rather, a cheap way to sell the products. Using faux "parties" hosted by distributors at home removes the costs and difficulties of real shops or of multitudinous, low-value mail-orders.
It also exploits the "me too" and the "rude not too" effects: "Mary's bought a set of those, ooh, I must too!" and "Jane's invited us all here - can't go home empty-handed!"
....
A friend tried to hook me into being an Amway seller, definitely a pyramid scheme although it claimed not; when this exploitative method was being exposed and eventually outlawed.
The way he tried was probably as Amway taught. He was a friend genuinely, and asked if could visit me in connection with our common interests. It was only when settled in a comfy chair with a mug of coffee by him that he started waffling about cleaning kitchens.
This trick is somewhat similar to that taught to door-stepping evangelists. They open with an off-the-wall question to catch the victim off-guard. (I usually reply by asking what they are trying to sell me!)
If I remember rightly, Amway called its method "circles", presumably as in "circles of friends"; but that could not really hide the truth. There was nothing wrong with Amway's products, with equally good rivals in the shops, but the sales method was thoroughly nasty.
...
I recall a scandal around the American vacuum-cleaner manufacturer, Kirby, also around its unscrupulous sales methods. Though it has also been a victim itself, of counterfeiting and other dishonest trade practices.
meggie · F
@ArishMell There were a few that broke away from Anway and set up Omegatrend. They would pay about £1 for a box of muesli bars, then those under them paid £1.50 etc, and poor old Joe Bloggs at the bottom of the chain paid £8. It was the most controlling cult-like organisation. In tte end ttey were made shut it down.