Quixtar courts independent minds

Friday, October, 5, 2007; 1:02 AM | 28 | | Print

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Words on its opening page read, "The land of hope. The land of opportunity. The land of will. Quixtar." This opening for the Quixtar company site has already seduced hundreds of thousands of people across the nation who hope to become wealthy Independent Business Owners (IBOs).

Quixtar.com is an e-commerce business site where people can apply to become an IBO. IBOs make money through selling the site's various products, ranging from beauty to apparel to home care. Quixtar sells name brand products such as Levis, Dell and Adidas. Ranked No. 22 in e-commerce sites in Internet Retailer magazine, Quixtar's payment pattern is simple: the more you sell, the more you earn. The registration agreement states, "Sales to a customer are a requirement to receiving compensation."

"This is a valuable business opportunity for anyone who is willing to put the time into it," explained Anna Bryce, public relations for Quixtar.

Money is earned by directing customers to Quixtar.com to order products, or they can order products through the IBO. The IBOs buy the products at a special cost and then sell the products for retail price, keeping the difference. Monthly performance bonuses are also rewarded, which can range from a three percent bonus to a 25 percent bonus. According to a Quixtar independent survey, the average gross income for each IBO was about $115 per month. For a college student, an extra $115 each month is extremely helpful if he or she has the time to invest in Quixtar.

Because the business is completely based on how much time one wants to put into it, it is an opportunity for students to make some money without being required to devote any specific amount of time to Quixtar.

"(The time put into Quixtar) depends on what someone's goals are when starting a Quixtar business," Bryce said, adding that people put in "a wide variety of time."

Bryce stressed that Quixtar is not a pyramid scheme because the IBO does not earn money from sponsoring a new IBO. No "front loading" is involved, which is where an IBO would be required to stock mass inventory. If an IBO decides to discontinue his or her Quixtar business, Quixtar will buy back any leftover inventory.

"No one earns money until a product is sold," Bryce said.

There is a registration fee of about $60, with the option to spend about $80 more for a product intro pack. An IBO must re-register and re-pay a registration fee each year. Students can register on the Web site.

An e-commerce business could be a way for students to make money without having to work in retail or in an office. Because profits come from time put into the business, it can be a flexible way to earn money when you have time to spare. However, students need to be careful about which business to choose. There could be hidden fees or requirements to become a member of an e-commerce site. A pyramid scheme is illegal, so sellers are advised to watch for any requirements of recruiting others or having to stock mass inventory.

Quixtar.com made over one billion dollars in revenue in 2006, and students have the opportunity to be a part of it if e-commerce is right for them.

Leave a comment 28 Comments Write a letter to the editor

steve | # October 5, 2007 @ 8:52 AM — Flag Comment

How well priced are the products? I've heard they are overpriced and hard to retail to non-IBOs which causes people to have to recruit other IBOs to make money.

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Wendy | # October 5, 2007 @ 9:01 AM — Flag Comment

Don't do it!!!! The prices are 3 times higer than the store-making it impossible to retail any products. In order to reach any "bonus" percent you end up buying expensive product and giving it away. AND...they failed to mention they are changing their name to AMWAY!!!

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Concerned | # October 5, 2007 @ 9:03 AM — Flag Comment

Quixtar is a great oportunity! As long as they fix one major problem. Their prices. The cost to the IBO is more than what the products cost retail with the competition. Last month I paid 318% more for dog food through Quixtar then I could have through Pet Smart. The best priced products, compared to the competition, is XS energy drinks. (I LOVE THOSE!) Because of this, sales to non-IBO's (retail sales) are under 4% of all sales. In 1981 Amway sales were at $1.2 billion. (Amway is the old version of Quixtar - before they went to the internet. Amway is now the international business, and Quixtar is the North American Business - which is done online) The future is the internet. There is no doubt about it. They just need to bring their prices down so that it is smarter to buy online with Quixtar, than at Wal-Mart.

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Lord Fairfax | # October 5, 2007 @ 9:22 AM — Flag Comment

I can't believe there is an article about this. Did the staff have nothing better to write about or maybe they have a financial interest. Quixtar has always been a good example of a pyramid scheme and laughable at best. It was even spoofed in the movie Go. Should you ever find your self conned into one of their meetings, just walk away.

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Lord Fairfax | # October 5, 2007 @ 9:29 AM — Flag Comment

By the way, in my opinion the reporting for this paper has gone down the tubes in the last couple of years. Type in "quixtar" and "scam" in any search engine and you will find an endless supply of complaints and opinions about this product. Though they aren't always true, it is a red flag. This reporter did shoddy research, because any credible reporter or even a wannabbe wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole.

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Motor247 | # October 5, 2007 @ 10:36 AM — Flag Comment

Before you think about "the opportunity" You may want to check out www.freetheibo.com. As a recently reigned Quixsand IBO who has run hard at this business, The realization that it is nearly imposible to "retail" their way overpriced products. The only way that you can ever hope to make money here, (and my wife and I have) is to build a large downline and drive your bonus percentage up. This combined with buying our "stuff" from our own business resulted in a check. We have overpaid for toothpaste, detergent, food items etc. for four years. Ecommerce is the way of the future. Quixstar is a dinosaur that is stuck in the tar pits. I along with thousands of fed up IBOs are with the #1 leadership development organization in the country... THE TEAM. You will be hearing much from us in the near future. "The futures soo bright... I gotta wear shades"

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Motor247 | # October 5, 2007 @ 10:50 AM — Flag Comment

Oh, And one more thing... The title of this article is laughable at best. The term independent only applies to the fact that Quixtar's legal posturing has you at "independent" arms length status when it comes to their having any responsibility for you. While on the other hand, enslavement is a better description as to your rights in regards to the "corporation". They feel that they own you. For example, if you did choose to build this "Amway" business, and let's say you sponsored your Mother... then one day you decided that you had nothing more to spend and you were leaving the business, maybe even starting your own. According to Quixstar, you are forbidden to speak to your Mom for 2 years. Yes, I don't believe that the word independent should ever be used in the same paragraph as Quixtar.

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J Harris | # October 5, 2007 @ 12:21 PM — Flag Comment

As many of these writers neglect to state is the fact that comparing many of the Core-line products that Amway/Quixtar produce with store brand products based solely on price is irresponsible. Nutrilite and Artistry are best in the business. Amway/Quixtar's cleaning products have been leading the industry for decades and are the first "green" products on the market (have been since the 50's) Are the prices more than buying the generic brand at the store, yes. But the price on the box and savings in the box can be completely different. If people have problems selling items, then they don't understand the products that they are selling. Mostly because the people that have sponsored them are probably in a training group or "TEAM" that does not care to market products, but rather abuse the sponsorship model by only making money with lies and deceit towards their new IBO's, having them buy mass quantities of products up front and then telling them to sell them if they can with no support what-so-ever. If you want to do that, try Avon or Mary Kay.

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concerned | # October 5, 2007 @ 12:26 PM — Flag Comment

Motor247 - Don't forget the fact that Quixtar Lawyers called IBO's 'Quixtar Property.' I agree, NOT very independent!

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CDSTO | # October 5, 2007 @ 12:41 PM — Flag Comment

See article on "TEAM" http://www.freetimes.com/stories/15/20/taxi-taxi When Amway thinks you're sleazy, man, you've got trouble. Quixtar (Amway's online sister company) has fired the business owners in charge of TEAM, one of its most profitable subsidiaries. TEAM, also known as Team of Destiny, is the fastest-growing mutli-level-marketing organization (don't call it a pyramid scheme!) in Northeast Ohio ....... ....... TEAM, however, is already offering its own product: Woodward's book, Launching a Leadership Revolution, currently selling at an overpriced $23.99. - James Renner

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concerned | # October 5, 2007 @ 1:35 PM — Flag Comment

Launching the Leadership Revolution is #14 in the WallStreet Journel's Best selling list.

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Concerned | # October 5, 2007 @ 2:13 PM — Flag Comment

A 31 day supply of vitimans is a $53.90 cost to the IBO you are supposed to retail it at $78.65 A 40lb Bag of Dog Food is a $53.55 cost to the IBO and you are supposed to retail that at $74.56 Their regular products (not the ones access business group manufactures) have a 17% markup as opposed to the Wal-Mart model of a 3% markup. Oh, and the founding families have a two third rule. If a product costs 3 dollars to make by access business group (another sister company of Amway, and Quixtar) the founding families make 6 dollars off that product and sell it for $9 to their IBO’s. The IBOIA board (A group of IBO’s who supposedly represent the IBO’s interests to Quixtar) found that the products that Quixtar offers are at least 15% more expensive than the competition. Quixtar has said they were working on this for over two years. The product prices have increased. You Decide

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concerned | # October 5, 2007 @ 2:43 PM — Flag Comment

I wanted to self correct myself. 40lbs bag of dog food is a $53.55 cost to the IBO, and we are supposed to retail it at $62.99 (Sorry, I was looking at the wrong item!) However, the point still remains.

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FFABC26 | # October 5, 2007 @ 2:51 PM — Flag Comment

CDSTO - Did you know that Orrin Woodward, and Chris Brady's books profits are going to charity? No, not 10% or even 50%, 100% of all profits ever made off that book are going to charity. Kind of hard to make them look greedy when you know the facts isn't it?

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Blake | # October 5, 2007 @ 2:58 PM — Flag Comment

Don't get on with Quixtar, its all a joke....im serious...you will never achieve that million doing Quixtar

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FFABC26 | # October 5, 2007 @ 3:06 PM — Flag Comment

CDSTO - Should I also mention that Orrin and Chris have been praised for the past 8 years for haveing the fastest growing business, with the largest retention rate? Should I mention that it was after over two years of trying to get the prices fixed that Orrin and Chris were talking about leaving Quixtar, and wanted to find a civil, respectable way to allow IBO's to have a choice of the price of the products they buy and sell. With out even listening, civil conversation, or even acting respectiful to the men that have been your best leaders in the business for 8 years, they terminate Orrin and Chris. In the whirlwind that follows when the dust settles 15 of the top leaders resigned (or in Chris and Orrin's case were terminated) half of the ethics commity of the IBOIA board resigned. Not quite the same as just two lone rangers getting the ax is it?

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Tom | # October 5, 2007 @ 3:10 PM — Flag Comment

Isn't there a lawsuit going on right now in California, saying that Quixtar has become an illigal pyramid? That in order for them not to be an illigal pyramid they would have to have at least 10% of every IBO's sales to people outside the organization, and they now only have something like 3.6%?

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Bo | # October 5, 2007 @ 6:44 PM — Flag Comment

1) YEah the california case is dismissed by court 2) TEAM grows fast because they stack the IBO's which is illegal and thank god quixtar fired them. 3) Someone said products are expensive.. yes they are.. but compared to what. If you cant afford toilet paper dont use it. if your are worried about dog food price what are you thinking man.. there are 5 million other products... Not everthing going to be cheap in one place. some are best, some are good and some are not... its part of the package. no one going to fire you because you did not buy dog food from quixtar.. its a business. understand how business works.. 4) most people dont have business brains they think like employess and cheap customers. No wonder why so many people complain and put junk on the internet about why quixtar wont make them millions.. 5) every broke guy has an opinion about 6++ billion company. first of all you are not qualified to give opinions and second if someone going to follow their opionos deserve to be broke too.

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motor247 | # October 5, 2007 @ 10:45 PM — Flag Comment

Bo - Very clever retort! Have you ever observed a Wal Mart parking lot on a Saturday afternoon? Ever wonder why the thing is packed with cars? Ever wonder why Wal Mart became the largest corporation in the US? BECAUSE SAM UNDERSTOOD VALUE and margins. Something that the monkeys that are piloting the Amway version of the Titanic don't understand. Yes there are some good products, and No, we actually did retail XS, and actually did sell some. And yes, we had customers that purchased skin care items. As hard as it was with the pricing, and shipping, we actually did. We happily left our business, while it was working. We were loyal to the product line, our house was well stocked, if we needed it we bought it from ourselves. Ignoring the pricing, because that what you are supposed to do. We understand the business and were doing pretty well in spite of all of that because we refused to give up. Ohhh do I hear an echo, oh the place now seems kinda empty. As you know this is not the usual statement that a “Q” IBO hears. The single largest reason that this model is nearly impossible to succeed in is the prices. The next biggie looming on the horizon is their intended re-branding to the Amway name. I have said that this is about as wise a move as going to a singles bar with a Herpes sign around your neck. Oh man it is really going to get easier with this genius move! But all this is besides the point. The reason that I am on line commenting about my ex-business is because the lowlifes in Ada, Michigan defiled the names of our leadership. Men who did More for Quixtar in recent time than any others. Men who have vision, integrity and the courage to lead. Whether they left, or were fired as you put it... really doesn't matter. We are talking loyalty here and we will happily follow Orrin, Chris, Randy, Billy, Chuck, Tim, Doug, George, Bill, and the other men of integrity. They have vision and the courage to pursue it! There was nothing wrong with the TEAM system, as evidenced by the TEAM out performing all the other Quixtar organizations. (You are just happy that we are now out of the picture and no longer making you look bad). I have heard you Q guys whine about stacking... Waaaah! It's called TEAM approach. And it builds strong and thriving organizations. AMWAY had no problem with this while the TEAM was driving piles of money towards the "sons" bank accounts. Well, All of this is moot. We are out of here. I eagerly await the next months with anticipation and excitement. But before I go, I would like to state that YES, I am entitled to an opinion and frankly I am bullit proof to your steriotypical Corporate dismissals. I wish you the best of luck with your AMWAY business.

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motor247 | # October 6, 2007 @ 3:33 AM — Flag Comment

motor247 - I am sorry that you guys have to go through what you are.. i cant say that i understand because i am not in your shoes. I know your leadership decided to leave.. its your leadership decision.. i appreciate it and i also appreciate your loyalty to them. But remember we are in business and as you were focussed we are too. WHen you are leaving the business why are you trying to messup the name and hurt our business.. do you know the impact it will create with all the negative around... anyhow this issue wont be solved with words and blogs as there is confusion out there.. THis is like getting divorced... both the parties get hurt and both think they are right..and it hurts both involved.. I wish you good luck in your future plans..

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bo | # October 8, 2007 @ 1:11 AM — Flag Comment

Motor274 - sorry for earlier blog on your name. that was not intentional. i wanted to add your name to reply but i ended up adding it in my name. sorry about that. Yes i am sure everything will be fine. and every good cause will be victorious. our leaders have same vision like you. now we will have two different paths but i am sure our goal is same. make the world better place to live. regardless of the vehicle we are in. i wish you good luck and lets pray that the war is short one and everyone will be at peace soon and everyone prosper.. wish you and your leaders good luck and i mean it..

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Psev | # October 9, 2007 @ 12:03 PM — Flag Comment

I've been tracking the battle betweeen Quixtar and Team in several news articles starting here :http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/345476/quixtar_fires_team_trainers.html. It's been interesting.

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SPARTAN | # October 9, 2007 @ 4:47 PM — Flag Comment

motor247 - love the Utube link! I feel sorry that TEAM is leaving Quixtar. TEAM was the fastest growing for the last 7 years, with the highest retention rate. As every business owner knows, when income goes down expenses have to be cut. Those cuts will most likely be peoples jobs. That is truly sad.

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SPARTAN | # October 10, 2007 @ 1:31 PM — Flag Comment

"When I see that all petitions and complaints of grievances are so odious to.." Quixtar "that even the mere pipe which conveys them becomes obnoxious, I am at a loss to know how peace and union is to be maintained or restored between the parts of the empire. Grievances cannot be redressed unless they are known; and they cannot be known but through complaints and petitions. If these are deemed affronts, and the messengers punished as offenders, who will henceforth send petitions? And who will deliver them? Where complaining is a crime, hope becomes despair." -Ben Franklin

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DevilDog | # October 14, 2007 @ 12:59 PM — Flag Comment

This business is absolute BS. I went to the meeting and it just felt like a cult. Especially with their evangelic overtones and 'sell'. This company calls itself a 'multi-level marketing' firm. This is nothing short of a pyramid scheme. The writer of this article was wrong in saying that there is no financial gain from building a down line. You will earn money from your downlines successes. Working at McDonalds is probably more profitable and less stressful than this BS. Plus, you don't have to spend money at McDonalds to feel like a part of the team.

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mike | # December 21, 2007 @ 3:13 AM — Flag Comment

With all Business Opportunities it’s an investment and a decision, Quixtar’s is the North America Division under the wing of Alticor (http://www.alticor.com/), sister to AMWAY corp. the Global International business. We do not recruit like military recruiters or college recruiters or sponsored sport teams, Thus requiring you to make a informed decision for you to make goals for your life decisions with a good vision for your future or for your family through a proper upline mentorship with a person that wants you to succeed just as they have already accomplished successfully. I know McDonalds team doesn’t want you to succeed nor does any $per hour job/contract/salary in fact they want to pay you less for more work and have you trade your degree for less than 40k a year. The fact is you must know what type of lifestyle you want to live. There are two things in a lifestyle that make up this and that is time and money which one you find more appealing is how your life is one or the other will always be less and you will be unhappy. Quixtar is only a supplier of goods and with a proper support team to mentor you this will allow the marriage time and money together to increase your income as much as you want it to grow if you learn to work together and listen. This is clearly done if you want the ACTIVE income or PASSIVE income for the next 40-80 years of your life. Remember Your Work in any business determines your income why not do the work once right and get paid for it continuously. That’s all they offer, true free enterprise and financial independence for the supporting companies you already know, if you join the business to save keep going to Wal-Mart if you want to make money join the team that you meet with locally across the world. Last note do remember it’s not get rich quick you must be capable of three things being ambitious, teach-able and accountable. Here is the real facts, do you homework try to hack the site you can’t its back by IBM, Microsoft, dell, circuit city, office depot, shop.com, Barnes noble, Pac sun, Omaha steaks, 1-800 Contacts, 1-800-PetMeds.com, A La Zing Ace Hardware, Activa Asset Management, Ada Valley Frozen Foods, American Satellite & Entertainment, AmeriHost Suites, Avis Bass Pro Shops, Blue Nile, Bombay Company, Inc. , Broadband Marketplace, Budget Rent A Car, Chocoholic, Choice Hotels, Days Inn, Dick’s Sporting Goods,DisneyShopping.com, eToys, FTD.com, Fuller Brush, Hickory Farms, JC Whitney, Joann.com, Kodak, Magazineline, Musical Instrument Superstore, NASCAR Store, Northern Tool & Equipment, Office Depot, Orvis, Overton's,PartsAmerica.com, Paul Fredrick Men Style, PETCO, Printshop, Ramada, Sony Music, Sports Authority,TGW.com, The Tire Place, Things Remembered, Travelodge, Wireless MarketPlus and so much more if you want to know more get it from right here http://www.quixtar.com/about/ if you wish to know from a voice contact me here at funhadme at the yahoo.com include your name and number. Or call Quixtar today for a real living answer from them directly 800-253-6500 .

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CB | # December 26, 2007 @ 11:12 PM — Flag Comment

If you are approached by someone who tells you that this is a great way to make money on the side, etc. PLEASE do a little research behind the scenes and the sugar-coated presentations. http://quixtar-ibo.blogspot.com/2007/06/dateline-investigation-on-quixtar-aka.html The link above takes you to a dateline exclusive about Quixtar.

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Joe | # April 17, 2008 @ 6:38 PM — Flag Comment

I have been approached by Quixtar people before. Yes, they are in their own category. They have alienated their friends and family and then walk up to complete strangers. $115 per month to help a college student? Was there a gas leak when you were writing this article? That is the cost of one book!

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