Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join David Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring the "art" of salesmanship and business ethics and his experience with Multi-level Marketing. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
To recap; Scott Larsen, who authors the website, Quixtar Business Analysis, was asked to remove information from his website pertaining to leaders sitting on the Quixtar IBO advocacy board. He removed some information, and edited some other content.
The Independent Business Owners Association International published a summary of the activity with documents backing up their claim that Larsen's information was false.
The Association also documented their efforts to quiet other critics publishing information about Quixtar and the motivational organizations or "Lines of Affiliation" that conduct training and motivation for Quixtar IBOs.
What is NOT documented however, is the rebuttal by Larsen when he was asked to remove certain information. The IBOAI was very forthcoming with Larsen's statements agreeing to remove information from his site.
What is not apparent is Larsen's reasoning for removing the material.
"On The Road With Dave" has acquired a letter written by Scott Larsen to the attorney of Jody Victor (a high ranking Quixtar IBO and board member of the IBOAI) stating Larsen's position and ultimately his agreement to remove material and not publish anything else regarding Victor and the issues involved in the "battle".
Let me say this first; I STILL believe that Scott Larsen was rightly taken to task by the IBOAI, and I STILL believe that his website should not be regarded as the first source of information on the companies of Quixtar, Amway and Alticor. I also agree with the IBOAI that other sites that rely on Larsen's "Amquix.info" as an infallible and always credible source are perpetuating the misinformation along with what they feel is Quixtar's lack of more transparency.
That being said, I offer this file in Adobe Acrobat PDF form with full permission from Scott Larsen
"MLM Mondays" is featured every week on (what else?) Monday; and offers information, advice and tips on operating an MLM-affiliated business. On The Road With Dave does not guarantee any results from the information, but offers it as opinion.
Matthews Productions, in association with Robison Studios, announced that on Friday, June 23, 2006 at 3:16PM, the newest premier of the Matthews Family debuted.
For those interested, the "premier" had an APGAR rating of 9/9
"People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
--Gospel of Mark 10:13-14 (New International Version)
Ty's article is good, he disagrees with the Scoble article, and I disagreed with Ty to some extent. I left Ty my comments, feel free to read them at the link.
But, the basis of my entry today is not about the article or articles, but about Robert Scoble's blog, Scobleizer.
Scoble works for Microsoft and is an A-list corporate blogger and Microsoft's tech evangelist.
And whether after you read Ty's article and you disagree with Tribble or Scoble you owe it to yourself to read Scoble's "Blogging Manifesto".
The advice is not only for Corporate-based bloggers, but is easily adaptable to any marketing or Public Relations endeavor from running an MLM business to being a self-employed comedian/entertainer.
Get Scobleized.
The Corporate Weblog Manifesto.
Thinking of doing a weblog about your product or your company? Here's my ideas of things to consider before you start.
1) Tell the truth. The whole truth. Nothing but the truth. If your competitor has a product that's better than yours, link to it. You might as well. We'll find it anyway.
2) Post fast on good news or bad. Someone say something bad about your product? Link to it -- before the second or third site does -- and answer its claims as best you can. Same if something good comes out about you. It's all about building long-term trust. The trick to building trust is to show up! If people are saying things about your product and you don't answer them, that distrust builds. Plus, if people are saying good things about your product, why not help Google find those pages as well?
3) Use a human voice. Don't get corporate lawyers and PR professionals to cleanse your speech. We can tell, believe me. Plus, you'll be too slow. If you're the last one to post, the joke is on you!
4) Make sure you support the latest software/web/human standards. If you don't know what the W3C is, find out. If you don't know what RSS feeds are, find out. If you don't know what weblogs.com is, find out. If you don't know how Google works, find out.
5) Have a thick skin. Even if you have Bill Gates' favorite product people will say bad things about it. That's part of the process. Don't try to write a corporate weblog unless you can answer all questions -- good and bad -- professionally, quickly, and nicely.
Recently, I penned an entry about a Quixtar IBO blogger. This led to that blogger being questioned about the entry.
Now, I'm not expecting my name to have achieved nationwide household recognition just yet, but I'm pretty well known among most bloggers that write about MLM topics and/or Quixtar. But, then I read the IBO's blog when he was questioned about me, and he said, and I quote, "Who the hell is Dave?"
I did a Googlism search on "Dave Robison", "David Robison", "David Robinson", and "Dave Robinson" and I found out that other than "David Robinson", the basketball player; Google doesn't know much about "Dave Robison" either.
Which begs the question yet again, "Who the Heck is Dave?"
So, I thought I would help out Googlism a little bit and maybe they can find me easier.
Dave Robison is a Quixtar-affiliated Independent Business Owner Dave Robison is a blogger Dave Robison writes "On The Road With Dave" Dave Robison is an MLMer Dave Robison is a ventriloquist Dave Robison is a comedian Dave Robison is a comic Dave Robison is a smoker Dave Robison is a writer Dave Robison is a father Dave Robison is an egomaniac Dave Robison is a liberal Dave Robison is a Democrat Dave Robison is a grandfather Dave Robison is married Dave Robison lives in Alabama Dave Robison was born in Mississippi Dave Robison is a good ole boy
Dave Robison is a sexy man (SEE David Robison is an egomaniac)
Dave Robison lost his virginity when he was...I think we can stop here and I'm pretty sure Googlism won't be interested in that.
If you read yesterday's entry about NuroVital, then you might be interested to know that Chief Executive Officer of NuroVital, Keith Hunt, has a small blog called NuroVital Blog.
No updates to the blog have been made since March, but maybe if Keith is bored and decides to Google himself, he'll notice that I wrote about him yesterday and today and decide to update the blog.
BTW, am I the only one that Googles himself? And furthermore do you find it odd that "google" is now a verb? Okay..okay..okay....while we are talking about it; has anyone tried out Googlisms?
I suppose I could have sub-titled today's entry "DUE DILIGENCE".
If you have been to an MLM distributor's presentation of his "opportunity" and you think you might be interested; you probably will go home and ask some people you know; what they think about MLM in general, or more specifically the company in question.
Right off the bat, you probably will hear one of two things.
1) IT'S A SCAM!
2) DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE!
Okay, so you turn a deaf ear to the "scam" comment and you decide to do some "due diligence"; whatever the heck that is.
Basically "due diligence" means that you will research the company or opportunity the way an investor assesses risk and implications of an investment. You collect data on the company's solvency and assets, it's ongoing reputation in the business community and if possible, you find information on the "powers that be" and search for hidden skeletons in the closet.
After you do your "diligence", you then exercise "due care" and act on your findings. "Due Care" can be exercised in a positive manner, even if the "due diligence" reveals troublesome issues.
Asking a few friends, "what do you think about it?", is not thorough "due diligence." Signing up for the opportunity just because you "like" the presenter, is not "due care".
I witnessed, over a year ago, someone actively involved in "due diligence" on an Internet Forum.
This person known as "Keith, Sr." was using the Quixtar Blog as a "focus group" for his research into Multi-level Marketing. He approached the blog commenters with questions, issues, and topics and then listened and absorbed what they said; and then came back with more questions.
But, he wasn't really researching Quixtar as his opportunity of choice; he was doing due diligence on the "industry" of MLM.
And the blog commenters were more than forthcoming, myself included.
So what did "Keith, Sr." decide to do with his data?
The company is NuroVital; a nutritional products MLM company with an unilevel compensation plan and a retail sales quota to qualify for commissions.
Feel free to check out Keith's efforts, but just like Keith; DO your DUE Diligence.
"MLM Mondays" is featured every week on (what else?) Monday; and offers information, advice and tips on operating an MLM-affiliated business. On The Road With Dave does not guarantee any results from the information, but offers it as opinion.
This photo was taken around 1965 in Parchman, MS. Dad was a watchman at Parchman and we lived in the "camp housing"; just across the gravel road from "Camp 4". One of my earliest memories is tossing a lunch sack over the high fence to Dad, while he made his evening rounds. I guess you could say Dad was a "work-at-home" dad in some small way.
The dog in the picture was named, (what else) Spot. He was the first in a long line of dogs named "Spot" for me.
To all that keep memories of their Dad close, Happy Father's Day!
On the 14th of this month "On The Road With Dave" celebrated its second full year of existence. Quite frankly, the date slipped my mind and usually I'm pretty good with anniversaries and milestones. But, in belated honor of the event, Today's "Sunday Thoughts" features the very FIRST "Thought" from my first week of blogging, way back in 2004.
This article pulls no punches and squarely lands criticism to the face of Larsen.
"On his website Mr. Larsen proclaims to be the purveyor of truth to unsuspecting IBOs and prospective IBOs, claiming that IBOs are fed misinformation and taught that facts do not count. A cursory review of his website, however, demonstrates that it is Mr. Larsen who is publishing false and erroneous information to further his own quest. One of many glaring examples can be found on Mr. Larsen's site, where he has boldly stated that the "IBOAI actually owns the exclusive merchandizing rights for the Amway product lines." Apart from the IBOAI being a non-profit corporation generally incapable of owning such rights, Amway and Quixtar have always exclusively owned all merchandising rights for product lines. This well known fact is easily discoverable with little effort. Mr. Larsen made absolutely no effort to verify his contention."
Besides, dealing blows to Larsen and his history of reporting of top-level Quixtar Kingpins; the IBOAI looks willing to invite others into the ring as well.
Clearly, they go after the fans of Larsen who choose to repeat Amquix info on their own blogs:
"The difficulties created by Mr. Larsen's erroneous and fabricated publications are compounded when republished and promoted by other bloggers. Several Quixtar critics have adopted Mr. Larsen's defamatory statements and caustic theme to advance their own crusade against Quixtar and its IBOs.
These bloggers report as true Mr. Larsen's publications with very little or no independent research having been performed. The republications allow for the false rumor and innuendo to be spread exponentially. Though Mr. Larsen retracts his untrue statements after being shown that his information is false, the bloggers who repeat his misrepresentations and rumors let them stand."
Quixtar advocates, such as myself, have long held the belief that "anti-Quixtar" bloggers do rely heavily on the "web-speak" of Larsen; while criticizing Quixtar IBO "tapespeak".
The IBOAI continues to hammer on Larsen's begrudging retractions at his website regarding members of the IBOAI.
But, in this reporter's opinion, the IBOAI flurry of body blows miss the mark when the article attacks Debra Masselink.
"Debra Masselink is a Quixtar critic who believes in and supports Mr. Larsen to a fault. Ms. Masselink is a frequent blogger, engaging with several other bloggers in endless criticism of Quixtar and IBOs. Ms. Masselink on several occasions repeated Mr. Larsen's April 6, 2006 publication accusing Jody Victor of "publicly disseminating false information" and "lying on the IBOA [W]ebsite." Moreover, Ms. Masselink failed to correct or even modify her negative comments, even after Mr. Larsen retracted his statements and apologized to the Victors.
Unabated by Mr. Larsen's admitted errors, Ms. Masselink incredulously suggested that Mr. Larsen was "just gathering more evidence." The Victors were compelled to retain legal counsel in an effort to dissuade Ms. Masselink. A demand letter from counsel evoked a retraction and an apology to the Victors from Ms. Masselink. Ms. Masselink claimed she "did not respond to Scott Larsen's retraction" hoping to "let a dead dog lie".
The article continues and describes the events further; BUT, Ms. Masselink is NOT a blogger, nor "publishes" information on a blog. Deb merely participates in internet forums such as MLM Survivors on Yahoo Groups and at The Quixtar Blog forum. While both these sites allow members to discuss the issue of MLM and Quixtar, you can hardly compare Masselink's postings to Larsen's website.
The IBOAI should "break it up" with Masselink and go to a neutral corner.
Oddly, (or not) no mention is made of The Quixtar Blog in the me lee'. It is this commentator's opinion the reason is the Quixtar Blog is much more substantiated than Larsen's site.
The first few rounds of this fight between the IBOAI and Larsen were very interesting and was even reported at "On The Road With Dave"; and I don't believe the fight is over yet. No one is willing to throw in the towel.
In this latest round, Quixtar IBOs will obviously cheer on the IBOAI and some Quixtar critics will rally behind Larsen to encourage him to keep up the "good fight", but it is this reporter's opinion that the "round" clearly goes to The IBOAI. They tripped a bit, but recovered and were relentless to the end.
Larsen will need some attention in his corner, if he expects to recover in the next round.
And while most of my readers might not be too terribly interested in all that; you guys may get a kick out of a short promotional video of Al and his "partners" performing at a jazz club.
Start with "Viagra for Dummies, and then stick around for the side effects of women using testosterone.
The disclaimer is part of the Quixtar Rules of Conduct and is an important safeguard.
Rule 7.5.3.
IBOs who choose to sell BSM shall not say, suggest, or imply that the use of any such Materials will guarantee success or that the Corporation requires the use of any BSM. BSM shall contain the following or substantially equivalent language: "While the techniques and approaches suggested have worked for others, no one can guarantee that these techniques and approaches will work for you. We hope, however, that the ideas presented here will assist you in developing a strong and profitable business. These materials have been published independently of the Corporation. " This same message shall also appear in the audio portion of any audiotape BSM or be communicated through a substantially equivalent means.
It has nothing to do with any Quixtar Motivational Organization not wanting to deal with the so-called "weak".
That's THE TRUTH.
UPDATE:
As of June 15th 2006, the Blogger service had automatically added a link (Trackback) of this entry to the BlogStar entry quoted. Today, (June16th), the author of BlogStar had deleted that link.
"MLM Mondays" is featured every week on (what else?) Monday; and offers information, advice and tips on operating an MLM-affiliated business. On The Road With Dave does not guarantee any results from the information, but offers it as opinion.
"STACKING THE DECK"
So, you just joined an MLM company and your friend that accompanied you to the meeting has signed up as a new distributor with you. You are brand new in the business, and you officially have a downline. Congratulations!
You have a list of names of potential prospects already written down and you are ready for your next meeting. What happens if the next person signs on the dotted line, too? You would then have TWO personally sponsored distributors; right?
Not necessarily.
You could...
Sign that newest person under your first sponsored distributor. This would give that person a downline, too. S/he would be so happy! And, think about this...your third person you sponsor could sign up under the second person; giving them a downline, too. That would motivate everyone.
You've just stumbled onto the concept of "stacking".
If you've managed to be unlucky enough to join an MLM that has a matrix compensation plan or a binary system; then you may be forced to apply this method of stacking.
Some MLM companies promote stacking as an easy way to wealth without work or risk. The term "Powerline" is often used.
A "powerline" is a line of people who have expressed sincere interest in a home/Internet based business and The Concorde Group that builds one person after the other in a straight line down as they visit the website. The advantage of the powerline is that it begins building your business before you have to spend even one penny.
(Quote taken from a Powerline Builder Site)
One advantage of a powerline is that it promotes a perceived stability in the downline. How can anything be unstable with hundreds in a line; each supporting each other and constantly putting in a new person at the bottom of the chain?
Another advantage is the emotional and motivational appeal to the new distributor who sees almost immediate progress and possible profit as soon as s/he joins.
So, should you "stack the deck"?
My answer...not as a sole means to building your downline.
There's no need to buy into a powerline builder's club to build a stable and profitable downline.
Building a "team atmosphere" is still possible.
Suppose your first newly sponsored distributor is an electrical engineer. And let's say for the sake of the discussion you are a...oh, I don't know...a ventriloquist slash comedian.
You know the engineer because you were room mates in college. He joins your MLM.
On his list of "prospects" is an Information Technology consultant, who doesn't get out much, but she is seriously interested in the MLM opportunity.
Back home, on YOUR list of prospects is a Computer Software developer, who helped you design a remote music system that you use in your comedy act. He is also interested in the MLM opportunity.
You could easily introduce "Software guy" to "IT chick" online or in a presentation meeting and suggest that maybe "Guy" sign up under "chick", because you will be working with both closely, and you think that their respective careers could give them some common ground.
In this scenario, you have helped the electrical engineer sponsor someone and helped him build the "start" of a downline. He can then sponsor someone personally building his "width" and increasing his profit.
His second personally sponsored distributor happens to be a firefighter. The electrical engineer also knows a EMT(ambulance/rescue)worker in the same city as the firefighter. By introducing them, he might be able to persuade the two similar professions to work together on the MLM opportunity.
Sure, this takes more work than signing up for a "stacking system" that automatically "places" people in your downline...but, in my scenario, you have the makings of a diverse team with more connections and more "networking" opportunities.
This scenario also stays within most MLM company rules or guidelines for making "face-to-face" contact with your first-level of sponsored distributors.
By helping your newly sponsored distributor initiate building depth in his downline you also teach him the basics of expanding his "width" as well.
Meanwhile, you are also building your width by presenting the MLM business opportunity to others on your "prospect list", making new friends, and "networking".
And as always, by operating your business in an ethical manner; you are "stacking the deck" in your favor.
You have a "connection" with someone. You build a "network" of friends, acquaintances, and associates; and you use this network to "connect" with others in order to advance your business, and continue to increase your network, and continue to build your market base.
BUT, occasionally you have to "connect" with others, not to advance your market base; but to advance your knowledge base and to spark creativity and build confidence.
You can do this by meeting mentors, attending seminars, taking educational classes and workshops, and getting together with like-minded people and talking, discussing new ideas, and making new friends that relate to your business.
On June 10th, 2006; thousands of Quixtar-affiliated Independent Business Associates will converge on Grand Rapids, Michigan in order to "Connect" and attend the company's, Quixtar Connections 2006.
From my personal experience, I can say that attending an actual company sponsored event like "Connections 2006" is by far; a better use of time and money than any other Line of Sponsorship/Affiliation meeting or high-ranking Leader's meeting in any Network Marketing company.
I always recommend to any multilevel-marketer to attend a company function or arrange a company tour, if financially and logistically possible.
In my old "Amway days", I was on the verge of quitting MLM, because of my upline leadership; but I attended an actual company-sponsored Amway Convention in Grand Rapids and it changed my outlook.
I met company leaders, toured the company manufacturing facility, talked to company employees, met other distributors with no affiliation with my upline, and I asked questions, questions, questions AND I received answers.
I admit, too, that I luckily gained some private access to company officials that were willing to speak with me...frankly; on a variety of issues. Not all distributors can gain THAT kind of access; but the information they would receive would be straight from the company itself, and not just information passed down from the upline.
And yes, the entire convention was motivational, truly motivational.
The Saturday before Mother's Day, we decided to drive down to Gulf Shores, Alabama and have lunch at Lulu's.
What's Lulu's?
Well, you've probably heard of Jimmy Buffet....Margaritaville...Son of A Son of Sailor...okay...for you Country Music Fans; he sings a duet with Alan Jackson; "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere"...yeah, that guy.
That means that every time an ad of yours appears on a site and someone clicks on it, you pay Google.
This means it is up to YOU to make sure when the "clicker" arrives at your site, you better damn well have something interesting enough for the clicker to purchase to make up for the cost of the click.
Now, from what I understand, Google has some allowances for invalid clicks, and some other pricing plans that help cut out some of the "looky-lou's", but AdWords is like any other advertising medium, you take a risk that your ad will be effective. However, Google's program is different from some media "ad buys"; in that you get reports on how many clicks per ad, the effectiveness of certain keywords and sites that your ad appears on. You would not have this kind of report with radio, televison, or print; unless you did follow-up surveys with your customer base.
I think a "follow-up" with your newly acquired clients would be in order for any type of advertisng.
"What attracted you to our service?" "Why did you decide to purchase?" "How can we help you further?"
Okay, here's where the "wondering out loud" come into play?
What if you saw a Google Ad on a site and you recognized the ad or company or individual posting the ad; AND you clicked on it for the hell of it?
What if you clicked on it over and over and over again, at different sites, different times of the day, over and over and over again?
Could you cost that advertiser more money than his budget allowed?
Could you make him re-think his "landing page" design?
Would he pay MORE money to have the site re-designed?
Would he use different keywords, page targets, ad copy?
The concept of Multi-level Marketing began with Nutrilite products in 1934. Nutrilite keeps striving to be the best of nature and the best of science; and their new improved website is a wealth of information and quite an asset for Quixtar IBOs selling and specializing in the Nutrilite brand of products.
The new website also announces the grand opening of the Center For Optimal Health, a teaching and training center on the Nutrilite campus.
On Wednesday, May 3, 2006, the Nutrilite Health Institute officially opened the doors of the more than $10 million Center for Optimal Health (COH). This celebration marked an official milestone for the company as it further enhances awareness of the Nutrilite Health Institute and the Amway and Quixtar business opportunities. The event was attended by the Nutrilite Health Institute Scientific Advisory Board, Founders' Council members, corporate executives, and government officials. Distinquished keynote speakers included Rich DeVos, Doug DeVos, Steve Van Andel and Dr. Sam Rehnborg.
Why the heck has no one told me about Dave Taylor?
I have a lot of "tech guys" that read my blog; did you guys think I was maybe too tech-impaired to be able to understand Dave Taylor? Did you think maybe I was too egotistical to read another blog by someone named Dave?
Or maybe, just maybe, you thought you would never find another "Dave" that you would enjoy more than yours truly. I understand; I get that a lot.
But, this Dave Taylor guy is cool; and from what I understand he's "da bomb" when it comes to blogging and making money at the game. (Damn, I broke my "no more 'da bomb' usage rule"!)
Here's a little taste of yet another Dave's insight about blogging;
Now, Mikey SWEARS he has quit moving around and will settle down with a new format called MLM Informer.
Mikey knows that I've hassled him about moving so much, but I understand his problem of finding a suitable format, and a topic that you can write about on a consistent basis.
I joked with him that he should name the new blog, YetAnotherMikeyBlog.com. and I think he half-way considered it; but I think (I hope) he has found a blog home that will suit him now.
If you've read Mikey's previous efforts in the past, stop by his new blog home and tell him Dave shouted, "YOOOOOOOOO Mikey!"
Back in 1999, a new company was formed from the infrastructure of Amway Corporation. A company that was to be a "sister" of Amway, underneath a new corporate umbrella named Alticor. This company, as most in the world of MLM already know, was named Quixtar.
Quixtar's new business model provided several options for those interested in purchasing products and/or profiting from the new re-designed business opportunity.
First, an individual could start their own business as an Independent Business Owner affiliated with Quixtar. The individual would be sponsored by an existing "IBO"; purchase a sales kit; and sell Quixtar products at a profit, as well as, be able to sponsor additional IBOs and earn bonuses based on the combined volume.
Secondly, an individual could become a "Member" or preferred customer of Quixtar through a Quixtar IBO. As a member, the person could purchase Quixtar products at the wholesale price and also earn points on each purchase to redeem for additional products. To have this privilege; The member paid a yearly fee of only $19.95.
Third, an individual could merely purchase products from Quixtar at the suggested retail price at Quixtar.com or enjoy personalized service from a Quixtar IBO offline through in-home sales calls and catalogs. This individual was a "Client" and paid no fee.
Today, I received notice that Quixtar will be phasing out the "Member" option as of June 15, 2006.
Truthfully, I never promoted the "Member" option much. The $19.95 fee, while inexpensive compared to the price of registering as an IBO, seemed a bit much just to have the right to purchase at wholesale.
Also, Quixtar will now refer to "Clients" as the more basic term "Customer".
I personally preferred the term "Client", as I have always referred my customer base as clients in my other ventures. I think the connotation is more professional than merely "customer" and invokes a certain loyalty and obligation between the seller and the customer.
On the 15th of June, Quixtar will automatically convert all existing Members to the Customer category. As a "Customer," they will no longer need to renew annually, and they can continue to use their current ID number to place orders.
Quixtar will honor current contracts with existing Members converted to Customers, and will extend to these individuals IBO pricing, Network Savings benefits, and any seasonal catalogs for which they qualify for one year following the status change.
Quixtar will eliminate Q-credits® Points (a savings stamp-type program) The portion of awarded PV/BV from Member purchases at Partner Stores & Services that is currently set aside to fund this program will be reverted to IBOs.
This will leave two simple registration options - IBO and Customer.
Quixtar will add a new feature for IBOs to service their preferred customers. IBOs will now be able to indicate whether Quixtar should charge each of their Customers IBO cost or suggested retail. Quixtar will automatically charge newly registered customers suggested retail pricing unless their IBO indicates otherwise by flagging the customer's account through the Business Management controls the IBO can access at Quixtar.com.
The newly converted "Members'-to-Customers'" pricing will be "locked" at IBO cost through the duration of their Member benefits extension. The Members' benefits will extend through June 16th, 2007, after which, the IBO can continue the lower price option for the "Customer" or revert the account back to normal retail pricing.
Current Members will be notified by mail, of the upcoming changes and receive a timeline detailing the transition.
I like the new feature for IBOs to adjust pricing options for Customers, but would like the option to determine a range of percentage discounts per individual customer. Maybe that will come later. Until then, customized discounts can still be given to clients customers who order through their servicing IBO and as always, IBOs are legally free to determine their own pricing schedule, discounts, and rebates.
It's merely conjecture on my part, but I think this change to delete the "Member" option is an attempt by Quixtar to focus Quixtar IBOs on the "retailing to customers" focus that is needed to truly be profitable in any MLM company. It's also easier for new IBOs to explain just the Two Options of IBO and Customer, rather than the additional Member option that only offered the IBO additional volume but no retail profit.
