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About Quixtar BLOG
This site was started by Eric Janssen on November 8, 2002, as a way to tell his "tale of living with someone who is in Quixtar." After his wife ended her involvement with Quixtar as an IBO he continued publishing the Quixtar BLOG to provide information, share perceptions and facilitate discussion about the business.
Today the Quixtar BLOG remains an independent voice in an ever-expanding online conversation about Quixtar and Multi-Level Marketing. It's published with the belief that "information wants to be free."
Disclaimer
This site is not affiliated with Quixtar, Amway, its parent company Alticor or any related businesses or personalities. This site is wholly independent and is published as an exercise of First Amendment rights. This site does not give legal advice and should in no way be considered an authority on such matters. This site allows the general public to freely post comments and will not be held responsible for the content of those comments. If you have questions about this site please ask
The Authors
Eric Janssen (aka QBlog)
Eric
Janssen is a journalist turned Web developer who was first introduced
to Quixtar by his wife during the winter of 2002. She joined the business
as an active IBO while he chose not to participate though he was very
curious about the business and its culture.
His inquisitive interest in Quixtar began in earnest when no one in his wife's upline would candidly answer his questions about the business. Hungry for answers Janssen ventured online where he discovered what he describes as a "Quixtar Information Wasteland."
Determined to improve the Quixtar information landscape he launched the Quixtar BLOG to share his perceptions about the business. Today he's one of four bloggers who operate the site in an effort to provide information, share perceptions and nurture discussion.
Tom Murosky (aka Xanadustc) - Retired
from blogging
Tom Murosky was an Independent Business Owner from December 2000 to August
2004. He was affiliated with the Britt
World Wide Motivational Organization during that time and was fully
submissive to the system, which taught him that submissiveness was the
path to achieve his goals in the business. At the teaching of his upline,
he spent over $10,000 on ‘tools’ including tapes and CD’s,
books, and attending motivational functions.
By 2004, Tom was doing everything that he could to build his business, but his lack of success and the costs involved with his BWW affiliation caused him to leave the group when he was faced with the financial challenge of purchasing a new car.
After leaving the system he began to believe that the BWW organization operated like cult-influenced systems, thus sending him to study the phenomena more closely. What he discovered was a long trail of broken dreams, hurt people, and warped Christian teachings. Collectively, these observations led Tom to start analyzing the teachings of the BWW organization based on their own materials.
Tom affirms that Quixtar is a legitimate business, but holds the opinion that they have also remained silent while high level IBOs abused their position to sell motivational products. He has serious concerns about the motivational organizations, particularly the Britt World Wide organization, which was featured on the May 2003 Dateline prime time news program.
Tom is the author of the Standing Order Tape blog.
Preston G.
Preston
G. was a Quixtar Independent Business Owner from August 2004 through April
2005. He spent that time involved within Quixtar in the WorldWide
DreamBuilder Organization, in the Wolgamott/Brad Duncan line-of-sponsorship.
Always a number cruncher, the only thing that kept Preston going was trust and faith due to his dedication to the motivational "system". Constantly edified by upline and crossline for being a "go-getter", he struggled to fight off guilt and shame for being edified for failing.
After a car wreck in March 2005, he was approached several times by his upline "Eagle" to "stretch" - purchase things beyond his means, continue buying CDs, etc. despite his need for a new car. With the loss of his car came the loss of the input of 9-10 WWDB CD's a day. Without the CDs came freedom of mind.
Preston believes that while most of the lower level IBO's are honest, hardworking folks, Quixtar's top leadership, including the IBOAI, is often abusive and corrupt.
Preston is the author of the Quixtar Demons blog
Drew Bahn
Drew
was involved with Quixtar for about 18 months.
While in Quixtar, Drew started to see that people were not interested
in being completely open about the business. After being out for about
a year Drew decided to start blogging about what he experienced in Quixtar
and what many people were not told until later in the business.
Drew believes that anyone who wants to start a Quixtar business should
do so, but ensure they know all the facts before doing so. Drew is one
of the "critics" who readily admits there were some positives
to his time in Quixtar, but believes that the same lessons could be learned
without paying the same price.
David Robison
Since
2004, Dave Robison has been the author of "On
The Road With Dave."
Dave regularly writes about MLM and his experiences as a Quixtar IBO. His honest and forthright opinions on being a Quixtar IBO has earned him a reputation as "the critic's choice" as he cites both positive and negative aspects of the MLM industry, while staying decidedly "pro-Quixtar."
Dave maintains a regular 8-5 "J-O-B" with a medical equipment company and enjoys his work. Dave is also a part-time stand-up comedian and is pursuing "open-mics" and corporate work in his area.
Dave holds a degree in Journalism and Public Relations.
Questions
What is a Blog?
Short for Web Log. Blogs are frequently updated posts arranged chronologically—like
a what's new page or a journal. Typically updated daily (or regularly),
blogs often reflect the personality of the author. For more information
see what author (and blogger) Rebecca
Blood has to say.
Is this site run by Quixtar?
No. This site is in no way affiliated with Quixtar. You should have your
Web privileges revoked just for asking. This site is run by some guy who
is just sharing his goofy perceptions about Quixtar.
Do you hate Quixtar?
Heck no. I have some issues with the way some things are done and some
of the tactics used but I don't hate the business. Quixtar just isn't
for me. Brussel sprouts aren't for me either but I don't hate them. Women's
basketball isn't for me but I don't hate women's basketball. I think you
get the idea.
Should I join Quixtar or become an IBO?
That's entirely up to you. My only advice is to research anything thoroughly
before you sign anything. That goes for any business, not just Quixtar.
If you aren't sure about it ask questions. Lots and lots and lots of questions.
More than likely someone will answer them and you'll become informed and
make an educated decision. The only stupid questions are the ones you
don't ask.
Are you involved (directly or indirectly) with any MLM Business?
Absolutely not. Besides my indirect involvement with Quixtar I've never
been affiliated with any MLM business in my entire life and I have no
intention of ever joining up with any MLM or Network Marketing business
of any kind.
I heard Quixtar is a cult, is that true?
No. The Branch Davidians were a cult. Quixtar is a business, not a cult.
Some of the things Quixtar does are often compared to a cult and honestly
seem very cult-like but they are not a cult. Many businesses employ some
of the very same motivational techniques that Quixtar uses. This does
not make them a cult.
Is Quixtar really Amway?
Well, yes and no. I'm no expert on business law but I think Quixtar is
a subsidiary of Alticor which owned (owns) Amway. Basically, from what
I understand, Amway sort of turned into Quixtar once it became an Internet
based business. I could be wrong but that seems to be everyone's understanding.
Why are you begging for donations you cheap loser?
Well, I'm not actually begging but the "Support" link posted
on this site is a way for me to say, "hey, if you're a rich Quixtar
diamond and want to give some money to a witless moron posting his perceptions
about 'the business' then here's your chance."
Do I need the money? Well, who doesn't like money? It's not a joke, if you feel like parting with your hard earned cash and want to help fund improvements to this site then be my guest. I promise all donations will only go towards site improvements. If you don't want to send money then don't. Just remember, as Hemingway once said, money is a good way to make friends. Just ask any waiter, taxi-driver, doorman or bellhop.
So, how do I donate?
Well, if you really want to make a donation just click on the "Find
out how to support this site" link posted on the main page. You
must have a PayPal account to make a donation. No other types of donations
will be accepted, period. The amount you donate is entirely up to you.
All donations will only go towards site maintenance and improvements.
All donations are non-refundable.
Why do you waste your time on this Web site when you could be
building your business and making money?
Why do you watch television? Why do you play golf? Why do you play Monopoly
with friends? Why do you collect Beanie Babies? Why does anyone do any
number of things? Essentially it's because we like to do it, not because
it's going to earn us money. I like to do this site. It gives me pleasure,
helps me learn some Web skills and allows me to unwind. I know, it sounds
weird but it's true. I think playing golf is weird but I don't knock it
just for that reason. Make sense?
I'm using X-Browser and this site looks horrible!
Well, I'm not sure that's a question but the reason this site may look
strange in your browser is because you're using an out-of-date version.
This site was designed with the W3C Web standards and displays wonderfully
in all modern browsers. There is a known issue with Internet Explorer
5.x on the Mac but I no longer care about that horrible browser. If you
got a problem with that then go somewhere else.
What is this "forum" thing on your site? Is that part
of the blog? I'm confused.
The forum is completely separate from the blog. Unlike a blog, a forum
is run by those who choose to participate and a variety of discussions
can exist at the same time. On a blog (especially this one) there is usually
limited participation and discussion is controlled by one (or a few) people.
The forum is free and open to everyone. The only rule is no abuse.