5 March 2007
Quixtar - Introduction
- Part One: Quixtar -Introduction
- Part Two: Quixtar - Motivation
- Part Three: Quixtar - Where It Actually Hurts
Over the next week, I’m going to do a series on Quixtar. I’m not going to dwell too terribly long on the mechanics of how Quixtar works, but here’s a brief primer. Company (Quixtar) has many product lines of quality consumer products. Individuals can sign up to sell these items to friends/family/guy on street. They earn a small commission on the sale. In order to sign up and sell, they have to be sponsored by someone, who is designated as their up line. This up line receives a small percentage of everything people below them earn, which does not cut into the actual seller’s commission.
Large organizations naturally form under this structure, which coordinate events from the personal level all the way up to the national level. It’s important to note that these organizations are a separate entity from Quixtar itself, and (hypothetically) operate within the framework Quixtar, Inc. provides them.
Quixtar, Quixtar, Quixtar. How devilishly confusing you are. On the one hand, it makes so much sense:
- Sell a product, collect a small commission.
- Build a team that’s under you, get them selling product, they get their own commission and you get a smaller percent of their commission.
If only it was that simple! I suppose if that was all there was to it, it’d make perfect sense to me. In fact, I’d probably be involved if that’s all there was to it.
But that’s simply not the case. Given the propensity of people to desire power and wealth, it has become something far different than the simple above description. I would link to the Wikipedia article, but it is simply an ongoing information/propaganda war with likely no end.
Over the next two posts, I’m going to highlight two main places where I have real problems with Quixtar and its effect on the world we live in. On Wednesday, I’m going to focus on how motivation works in Quixtar, and that motivation’s link to Christianity. On Friday, I’m going to focus on the relational aspect and what I’ve seen Quixtar do in my own short life so far.
I freely admit this series is based heavily on my own personal experience with actual IBO’s (”Independent Business Owner”, if you sell Quixtar’s products, this is your title), as that is the main source of info I have. There are dozens of places you can go to read much more biased propaganda both for and against Quixtar, which I will try to stay away from.
I welcome your comments, both publicly and privately. Here’s to a great week!
8 Comments currently posted.
Adam J. says:
Brad says:
So what you are saying is Quixtar is a pyramid scheme, much like Amway
Please tell me you aren’t selling…
Derek says:
Lots of companies use this model, some are based the “medicine man” type of thing, some are more basic (like Amway) and some are simply useful (Tupperware) or decorative (Southern Living).
All of them use this kind of multiple-level thing, and all require you to (a) be a good seller and (b) recruit additional sellers. In fact, (b) is how you really make money.
Some of these MLM kind of things are pretty safe - I don’t think Tupperware or Southern Living parties are harmful, and companies like Mary Kay or Avon aren’t know for scamming folks. Others have built a reputation for being almost cult-like, promising great benefits but never really delivering.
Eric says:
Adam: your ability to use the phrase “descend into the darkness” and “I’ll do my best to keep the negativity at a minimum.” in the same paragraph roxxors my boxxors.
Brad: Naw, not selling. And interestingly, Amway and Quixtar are related business entities, owned by the same company.
Derek: definitely agree about Tupperware and Southern Living. It amazes me the width and breadth of stuff chicks can sell to one another: candles, food, jewelry, plastic containers, scrap booking stuff, makeup, makeup again. One chick told me the way that stuff works is because girls can’t say no (very easily) to their friends, both to coming to the parties as well as actually buying it. That’s like, free money.
Anyway, back off the tangent: my focus on Quixtar stems from my not really seeing the same problems crop up w/ Southern Living @ Home/Creative Memories/Mary Kay/whatnot that I have seen with Quixtar. While it’s possible there are such problems, my experience has tended to be that involvement with such things doesn’t have the same allure of wealth and greed attached to it that Quixtar has… hence why these posts are about latter and not the former.
Amanda says:
is this the same thing as the system they use with selling products like mary kay and premier jewelry. my mom sold juice plus too. if it is, im interested to leanr how it works and effects us- i really odnt know anything about it. and- heather was telling mea little about credit crads and the reward points you earn. id like tohear what u have to say about that too- maybee in a new blof post! 
josh says:
you told me i had to give my comments. i warned that it would include profanity. you said i should post it anyway.
so i say pyramids are bullshit.
they make slaves out of anybody whose not at the top. piggyback and turning their desperation into cash for themselves. i hate to be rude and at the risk of offending anyone . . . most (not all) people who join the pyramid world are at the lower end of middle class. if not lower class itself. as far as economics go. these are people who are desperate and want to move up. get out of whatever they are in and move up to the next level. this is flawed thinking in and of itself. although i certainly don’t blame them when that’s what culture crams down their throats.
but a company that is built with the sole purpose of exploiting desperate people is a bad company.
i could also say something about how it turns people into dollar signs for those who are selling. their friends now become dollar bills and conversions to their down line. you can no longer have real friendships and relationships. because you’re always trying to sell people to join your tree. which is bleeping selfish. and when i say bleeping i mean bleeping!
i also have some typically opinionated thoughts on the Christian version of it . . . premier. although i don’t think it is half as bad as pyramids. and they don’t try to “sell” their friends. they are much more “seeker-sensitive” in their evangelism. and yes i think you can compare pyramids to the same type of evangelism that comes off as the slick and shady door-to-door peddling of products.
for all the time you have to put into, money you have to spend, relationships you have to strain . . . why wouldn’t you just try to be creative or more disciplined if you want to get ahead. for all of the resources financially and relationally you invest, you could create a unique product that actually is revolutionary and makes the world a better place. instead of piggyback on a carbon-copy sales job.
to close . . . it’s bullshit.
britt mooney says:
you guys crack me up …
I completely agree with Josh …
interested to see what’s coming up!
peace.
CashMoneyJesus » Quixtar - Where It Actually Hurts says:
[...] Part One: Quixtar - Introduction [...]
having seen some of my friends descend into the darkness that is quickstar I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say. I’m admittedly biased, but I’ll do my best to keep the negativity at a minimum.