Network Marketing

[StupidCupid]

Recently, i heard lots of things about network marketing. I have also attend a few of their so-called business presentation. From what i know, many college/universities students are doing this business (the network marketing).

I have heard many pros and cons about it but somehow i wonder which are the truth and which are not.

So, what do you think about network marketing?

[Dr_Tay]

It is a scam so don't bother

[bestcreation]

Network Marketing owes its roots to Charles Ponzi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme

The [Ponzi] scheme is named after Charles Ponzi, who became notorious for using the technique after immigrating to the United States from Italy in 1903. Today's schemes are often considerably more sophisticated than Ponzi's (though the underlying formula is quite similar), but the principle behind every Ponzi scheme is to exploit a lack of judgment based on greed.

There are obvious differences between what Ponzi did and Amway is doing. Amway actually sells products and isn't illegal.

Robert Kiyosaki love for network marketing has put a new verve into Network Marketing/ Multi-Level Marketing. Kiyosaki was not a best selling author until Amway started distributing his books.

Some have questioned Kiyosaki's status as a successful investor and businessman prior to the formation of his present venture, CASHFLOW Technologies, Inc. They claim that his wealth has come only as a result of selling books and audio presentations about topics he has not personally succeeded in and that he is probably worth far less than the $50 to $100 million USD he claimed in an interview. They note he has claimed to be bankrupt as recently as 1985, a high school dropout and a deserter from the Navy. Some of these items do not agree with records and may have been stated for "dramatic effect". In several of his books he makes claims about his accomplishments which appear to be exaggerations, fabrications or misdirection.

People have speculated on the identity of his "rich dad" and whether this individual even existed, reasoning that such a man, whom Kiyosaki describes as "one of the richest men in the Islands", and his family who carry on his tradition, would have been very well known in as small a state as Hawaii. In the February 2003 issue of SmartMoney magazine, Kiyosaki backed off his claim that his "rich dad" was a real person, instead stating ?Is Harry Potter real? Why don?t you let Rich Dad be a myth, like Harry Potter??

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kiyosaki

[youngyew]

Recently, i heard lots of things about network marketing. I have also attend a few of their so-called business presentation. From what i know, many college/universities students are doing this business (the network marketing).

I have heard many pros and cons about it but somehow i wonder which are the truth and which are not.

So, what do you think about network marketing?
Is network marketing synonymous to pyramid scheme? My friend once invited me and it sounded very familiar to the pyramid scheme so I didn't join.

[kelvinlym]

In my opinion, if the company puts more emphasis on you recruiting or building your so-called "team" then I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

Most of the products are grossly overpriced anyway.

One more thing, if you find yourself forking out money from your own pocket just to finance that product to get you to platinum or whatever level, it's a sign to stop.

[Randomphantom]

Some have questioned Kiyosaki's status as a successful investor and businessman prior to the formation of his present venture, CASHFLOW Technologies, Inc. They claim that his wealth has come only as a result of selling books and audio presentations about topics he has not personally succeeded in and that he is probably worth far less than the $50 to $100 million USD he claimed in an interview. They note he has claimed to be bankrupt as recently as 1985, a high school dropout and a deserter from the Navy. Some of these items do not agree with records and may have been stated for "dramatic effect". In several of his books he makes claims about his accomplishments which appear to be exaggerations, fabrications or misdirection.

People have speculated on the identity of his "rich dad" and whether this individual even existed, reasoning that such a man, whom Kiyosaki describes as "one of the richest men in the Islands", and his family who carry on his tradition, would have been very well known in as small a state as Hawaii. In the February 2003 issue of SmartMoney magazine, Kiyosaki backed off his claim that his "rich dad" was a real person, instead stating ?Is Harry Potter real? Why don?t you let Rich Dad be a myth, like Harry Potter??

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kiyosaki

Check out this punch by punch analysis on Robert K and his book at http://www.johntreed.com/Kiyosaki.html.

About network marketing, it aint illegal like Ponzi/Pyramids, but often its tough to discern between those masquarading as legal schemes.

Some characteristics of a scammy operation
- Talks involve selling a lifestyle of riches and wealth (eg retire by 25!) instead of selling the product
- People buy the product with the intention to participate
- Requires a large upfront investment
- Product is mispriced, has little/no utility and is faddish

[StupidCupid]

I found this from http://www.dsam.org.my/pyramid.html which states the difference between illegal pyramid scheme and legitimate multi-level marketing. Also, the difference between legitimate direct selling companies and pyramid schemes.

All of the network marketing companies which i have heard about, differentiate themselves with pyramid schemes. Whether are they true or not, i don't know.