This young couple estimates they lost almost $30,000 in the business in Michigan. The representations and manipulation seem sadly typical. They were told there is a 100% success rate "in the system" and invested into it based upon that representation. They were instructed to buy "their 150 PV" monthly (self consumption model, not sales) and in short order developed significant financial challenges as their resources were drained from them in system and product purchases. Multiple complaints alleging similar losses and tactics have come in regarding this Michigan based Quixtar motivational organization.
Here is one couple's Quixtar victim testimonial:
My husband and I joined The XXXX of XXXXXXX at the time, since then has changed it to XXX-XXXX.Biz due to critics online)February 14, 2003 to just holding our spot today. We were told right away that it was not Amway and that this particular team works in depth
versus width and that we are a business that is affiliated with Quixtar and had over a million goods and services.
We actively participated in going to the Tuesday night meetings right away in Gaylord, Michigan and continued to be fully active being on full system with the extra ERM series once a month religious tape) and went to everything til November 2005. We are from Hillman, Michigan. We were definitely promised that we would succeed on being on FULL System because it has a 100% success rate.
We got in because we too wanted to be debt free and have my husband retire early from his job. We were told at the time of signing the BSMAA form that we it was an option to purchase the educational tools to build your business but so is success. We were told that all we needed to do was to utilize our "TV" time and show the plan.
We were introduced to the "Power Player" system at a Tuesday night meeting explaining that not only do we get on full system which consists of XXX tape, PPS tape, SOL tape and ERM tape, book of the month and paid in advance for all Seminar tickets and Function tickets but to also do 150 in PV which was buying from ourselves to show how loyal we are to our own products and showing at least 15 plans per month or more and going to all leadership meetings which included mens and womens.
We never made any money! We actually got into major debt hugely and we are now in a credit counselor program to pay off our credit card debt that we had accumulated through the business. The products are totally way out of line in pricing, I don't care about the so called quality that you are getting.
At the time of signing up we had twin baby girls that were only 5 or 6 months old going through lots of diapers. We always bought them from Walmart to save on costs. I could buy a pack of 86 diapers from Walmart for about 10 or 11 dollars and from the business I would be get a four pack of 24 for $36.00 which includes shipping and additional shipping because of
the weight.
It was horrible but we were taught right off the bat to go on full system and to do our 150 PV. To be honest with you the impact that being in this business has done has been very horrible. The mind games and manipulation and not even know it because you are so
soaked into the system and focus on winning that the "facts don't count" concept.
I was around our upline Emeralds at least twice a week for about a little over a year to clean their house and I was totally not impressed with their lifestyle. The more and more I was around them actually, I decided I didn't want to have it. We have lost lots of money and time with our kids and even our marriage suffered hugely for it.
We are in the recovery stage and focusing on doing the right things for our family and not getting wrapped up into getting into any more ventures business wise because of feeling like we were played as fools. I have just finished reading your incredible book Merchants of
Deception and wow, I cried at times reading it. My husband is half way through reading it and I am hoping this will better open his eyes to the truth of the corruption of the business of all the Quixtar teams out there and the company for that matter that is involved with it.
The only reason we are inactively holding our spot is still my husband has the hope of being successful because of the "RAY Kroc" story they give at the meetings. If I can help with any more details to our story, please let me know. Since reading your book, I have prayed to the Lord that He would help all of you to end this corruption. I pray that God will continue to bless you and give you guidance and wisdom in this mission.
Sincerely,
XXXX and XXXXXXXXX
