Critical Links
MLM Inquiry and Analysis:
- What's Wrong With
Multi-Level Marketing? - An insightful and intelligent inquiry into
the MLM business proposition.
- Eyes Wide Shut:
Multilevel Marketing Plans and Pyramid Schemes by Franny Van Nevel
- One of the best, most concise overviews of how pyramid schemes can disguise
themselves as sales companies. Article appeared in the journal of the Chaffey
Federal Credit Union.
- http://www.whatisgood.com/nwm/
- Dr. Jon Taylor of the Consumer Awareness Institute has posted a most
excellent analysis of the similarities between MLM and illegal pyramid
schemes.
- Multisense:
- A set of penetrating questions from an MLM insider, useful no matter
which MLM you may be associated with.
- The Dark Side of MLMs by Ravi Dykema
- A courageous editorial from the publisher/editor of NEXUS, one of the
country's leading holisitc journals
- The Doctor Will Sell You Now: Medical Doctors Pushing MLM
on Patients: The feature article of the July 28, 1999 edition of New
Times in Broward/Palm Beach Counties, Florida, exposes the marketing
practices of the MLM company, Rexall, which is recruiting medical doctors
who in turn recruit their patients. False Profits
is referenced and co-author Robert FitzPatrick quoted. Writer is Harris
Meyer.
- http://wheel.ucdavis.edu/~btcarrol/skeptic/mlm.html
- A rational/scientific look at the philosophical issues surrounding the
MLM industry.
- http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/mlm.html
Website of Stephen Barrett, M. D. focusing on the questionable claims and
sales tactics of MLM companies that market health-related products. Dr.
Barrett studied more than 100 MLM companies that market various health
products. The site provides examples of dubious products and sales claims
from seven well known MLM companies as well as an evaluation of the MLM
business model.
- http://www.timesunion.com An excellent investigative
overview of the MLM industry by business writer, David Orenstein, is available
in the August 17, 1997 edition of the Times-Union newspaper in Albany,
NY. False Profits co-author, Robert Fitzpatrick, is cited as one
authoritative source in the articles. Times Union charges a small fee for
downloads.
- Equinox Charged as Pyramid Scheme by
FTC and Five States
- FTC Charges
Equinox
- Equinox
Article - A journalist examines the Equinox recruitment tactics
Sites that Evaluate, Expose and Report Personal Experiences with Amway,
the Largest MLM:
- Behind the
Smoke and Mirrors - A powerful, compelling new book about the corruption
of the Amway distribution system in which upliners make huge profits selling
so-called training and motivation materials to unsuspecting downliners.
The book is authored by a 14-year Amway veteran who has seen it all and
has the courage to tell what she knows. A behind the scenes exposé.
Anyone thinking of being an Amway distributor must read this. Also a valuable
book for those millions who lost money, time, or direction pursuing the
Amway dream machine.
- Business Analysis of the
Quixtar Amway Opportunity- "The Web's largest public collection
of Quixtar and Amway information"
- Merchants of Deception
- a first person account of Amway/Quixtar from a former top level distributor
- The MLM Survivors
Page - A courageous exposé of deception and myths in the Amway
Distribution Channel. Also valuable as a source for current news about
Amway lawsuits and other MLM distributor protests.
Personal Assistance and Support for Career Planning, Values Clarification,
and Recovery From MLM:
Government/Regulator Advice and Info: