IBOAI Board Suspends Five Directors

On August 9, 2007, Quixtar terminated the businesses of 15 IBOs for breach of contract and other related claims. Subsequently, five members of IBOAI’s Board of Directors, all of whom had also had their businesses terminated by Quixtar, were suspended by the Board pursuant to the IBOAI Board By-Laws. Another IBO, a former director, was removed from his position on two Board committees. This still leaves a strong and experienced group of directors to carry on the mission of the Association, with others to be elected to vacant positions by the end of the year.

The Board of Directors of the Independent Business Owners Association International retains its firm belief in the founding ethical and moral business principles which created the opportunity still available to all Independent Businesses powered by Quixtar. It supports the rules and regulations which it has helped to shape since 1959, in partnership with Quixtar.

At the same time, while any partnership will experience differences periodically, the Board remains unanimously committed to working with Quixtar’s leadership towards our common goal – business and personal success for each IBO.

Sometimes a tree needs to be pruned to become healthier. This is what the Board believes has happened recently. As a result, the future is brighter for all active IBOs.

Comments

[Fred Harteis]

Some on the Web are speculating that Fred Harteis demanded a dismissal as a plaintiff only after Quixtar filed suit and obtained a TRO. On the contrary, I, Fred Harteis demanded dismissal as a plaintiff immediately and well before Quixtar filed suit. I acted within hours after TEAM filed the lawsuit and named me without my knowledge or authority.

[rdknyvr]

Jonathan, your answer to dj above (Aug. 16/ complaint of no replies) regarding replies, board members etc. is largely accurate, but respectfully, your tone has a bit more edge than is necessary, when responding to IBOs... you do moderate on behalf of the IBOAI. If you want to really be the best at moderating, please read through Beth Dornan's 'Inside Quixtar' posts and her replies to sometimes acerbic posts, especially some from earlier this year when some treated her like the designated punching bag for whatever was bothering them. Most of your replies are tone perfect, but you drifted a bit here. ALSO, perhaps it would be better to say that not all board members are blogging savvy, instead of saying they are not internet savvy.

Otherwise, great job, really appreciate the work you are doing on behalf of all of us!!! :)

Finally, is is possible to get your blog software to number the posted replies as is done at the Alticor blog? It's difficult to find and reference things the way it stands.

With appreciation,

[Jonathan's reply -- Dude, you're right, no excuses, I probably let "tired" affect my fingers more than necessary. It's been quite a week! Regarding numbering the posted replies, it's a great idea, let me talk to our tech guy, I'm still learning this software. I've done Wordpress blogs before, don't know this stuff as well. I think Quixtar has some more sophisticated software installed and they had more time to get theirs fine-tuned pre-launch. Thanks for your support!]

[TEAM member]

Interesting... All of this. I have just sat down and read all the comments. 5 out of 20 board members lost. One was the vice chairman. At first I thought that Quixtar had a chance, but it is becoming more and more evident to me that they are an old company that is behind the times. I find it interesting that Quixtar keeps touting the fact that they were terminated. What they don't want you to know is that they were quiting anyway. Only they actually wanted to do it peacefully. I also find it interesting to hear Quixtar's response. First - they attack the character and integrity of the TEAM founders, then they spout off about the money that is coming to Quixtar, and how it will be passed on to the consumer. Those are great distraction techniques, but don't be fooled, no one on TEAM is. It is very clear to me that with this global economy, the TEAM is positioning itself in the right place. Someone said that we don't want to compete with Wal-Mart. That's great - don't. We will. Wal-Mart was the largest corporation in the world, until Exxon-Mobil took over. I would say that's a good competition to be in. Maybe you don't agree - that's fine - some of have to settle for less than the best. As I have heard it quoted many times - "Good is the enemy of Great" Right now, Quixtar is good. Do they have the courage and resolve to change? Those 15 members that are a part of that law suit are not suing money, no, they just want fair competition. They have put themselves out on the line for all the IBO's under them to try and make the opportunity the best it can be. For those board members that don't know what this means, read a book called "Servant Leadership" Orrin and Chris have just demonstrated this. This is why they will come out on top. From everything that I have seen and read, from both sides, Quixtar does not live by this model and will ultimately fail unless they can change. They have the complaints. No one likes the name Amway. People working as a TEAM accomplish more than individuals trying to fight over prospects. Prices are too high. Lower prices or be lost in history. K-Mart couldn't figure it out. Wal-Mart had it figured out, but seemingly is unable to change. Will Quixtar be next on this list? Only Quixtar and the IBOIA board have control over this. We will see if you step up to the plate, or shrink into the realm of insignificance. What will you do Jonathan?

[ken shinn]

Here is the solution! Lawyers leave the scene-there was a five car accident over in Detroit -go there!! Cooler heads can prevail and get together. Either let Woodward and Brady and All the so mentioned go or listen to them. Too many Board rooms are occupied by lily-livered linguine spines who believe one way but speak another. Bottom line --commodity prices too high-- don't chnge the name back.
Greg Duncan Ron Puryear,Bill Hawkins and Worldwide Dreambuilders; Where are you? I cut my teeth listening to you and where is Angelo Nardone and Bill Britts' stalwarts-Crowe Renfro Danny Snipes and other leaders who I learned from-I have thousands of your tapes.Where is the big bad Dave Taylor and the other Winters Diamonds and where is Rich Devos. I love America and the American Dream but many of these board members and diamonds have and do edify Orrin Woodward,Chris Brady, Billy Florence and several others who are getting the boot on their IBO websites!
I know... your lawyer will craft a statement for you!
What IBO's need is men who will not be bought nor sold men who in their inner most soul will be honest men whose honor is as true to duty as the needle to the pole and men who will stand for the right even though the heaven's fall!

[Moderator's Note -- Ummm...I happen to know a few IBO leaders and executives associated with WWDB, and I can't imagine how you could conclude they "edify" Orrin Woodward.]

[Jeffrey]

I think one thing that is most often overlooked regarding the pricing issue is the quantities we are forced to buy. If many items, especially "Options" items were available individually, more people would buy them. I should be able to buy one roll of paper towels, one jar of peanut butter, one bottle of ketchup, or one 4-pack of toilet paper. But it also goes for regular line items, too. Why can't I buy one box of SA8 Tablets, one bar of Body Series soap, or one food bar to see if I like it well enough to buy an entire box? I did not buy the Trim Advantage Meal Replacement Shakes up until a month ago because I did not want to spend roughly $30 to "see if I liked it." I only ordered them because a customer asked for a sample and I was not going to tell them no. Yes, they are delicious, but Quixtar lost sales on them from me for a long, long time. I still have not tried the XS Protein Shakes or the Sports Drinks. We still do not have a 4-pack or variety pack of the energy drinks. I hope that the quantities factor is being dealt with in the transformation. Doesn't the marketing advisory group or the marketing department get bombarded with this question all the time? If so, fix it.

[Moderator Comment -- The Board of Directors has been and will continue to be in very energetic discussions with Company reps re new products and product pricing.]

[rdknyvr]

Jonathan, the two posts by Fred Harteis are excellent and very revealing. I wonder if Fred would consent to the IBOAI putting them up as a post/thread on their own. So many IBO comments supportive of TEAM over on the Alticor blog and elsewhere have cited Fred's supposed participation in the TEAM complaint as ground to question Quixtar's position. Fred really seems to come across as a person of honour, to me.

[Jonathan responding: Hey, RDK, on the one hand it would be cool to give Fred his own thread -- sorry for the rhyme -- but then we'd have to give any IBO a thread who knew or felt he was wrongly badmouthed. You have just done him the service of calling more attention to his post, which is cool. Fred is a very honored former board member and is also HOPPING mad about what's been going on. I have it on excellent authority that he's revisiting any blog or website where his name has been slurred and posting comments like the ones that were posted here.]

[Tex]

Fred,

How much money do you and the Platinums and above in your LOS make on tools (CD's, books, web sites, voice mail, opens, seminar/rallies, major functions, including those you speak at outside your LOS, etc)?

Is it smaller than your Quixtar income, about the same, twice as much, 3x, or more?

[Carol]

Mr. Rich Devos,

I'm saddened by all the negativity that all of this has generated. In the end it is the IBO trying to make a difference in his or her families life with this opportunity that will suffer. The posts by Jim Payne are so unprofessional I am surprised you allowed them to be printed in such an inflamatory fashion. If the blog by Ron Simmons at http//forums.freetheibo.info by Ron Simmons is correct (which I have no reason to doubt since he is willing to say it publicly) then there is a conflict with the information being provided by Jim Payne. Honesty is crutial by Quixtar at such a negative time. I would like Jim Payne to publicly address this meeting in July 2007 and state his side. I have experienced the fall out in big corporate America that this kind of a split causes and it will definitely have a huge impact on public opinion of MLM's including Quixtar/Amway.
I came in as a part of Billy and Peggy Florence's team and he has always been a man of truth, honesty, and integrity. I can't believe for a moment that he would ever represent this business, team or anything they stand for if it wasn't totally honest, legal and ethical. Greed is certainly not a part of this man's make up. I have never known anyone more highly edified by all. He has been a respected leader in this organization for years and I am shocked by Quixtar's actions. If it is because he questioned some of the companies business practices, I believe it was his job as the IBO's representative to address these problems. I also won't believe that he would have joined TEAM if they were not also totally legal, moral and ethical. I have never heard a negative word about Quixtar, only that it was the best opportunity out there. A system is mandatory in any successful business, but was never made mandatory. The Tuesday opens and the monthly seminars that the Team leadersip has provided has been crucial to truly grow your business. This is where people get the belief that this is truly an ethical business where you can change your life and really make money.
I would not have joined Quixtar if I had to deal with the aftermath of negativity of Amyway's reputation in our area, which is sad. I think the products are great and I appreciate the quality, but if you did mention Amway your opportunity presentation was over. I introduced it as Quixtar, Alticor's E-commerce division.
I flew to Michigan to the Connection meeting a year ago in June just to hear Rich Devos and to see the business. I was very impressed with the business and service reps. I have always told people that it was so inspirational to hear you speak and such an honor to be there. You said over and over that your success had come by the "grace of God". You are a man of faith and I hope you will step in and help to take hold of this situation as you feel God would want you to handle it. You have built this incredible company over many years and Mr. Payne joined the management team in 2005. Maybe he doesn't have the scope of the whole picture or maybe he is doing what he is told. You know these answers. Many of these terminated leaders that were so concerned have spent their lives (time and money)
defending and growing YOUR company because they believed it to be the best opportunity out there. You have to know most of them personally and know what kind of men they are and that they are men with high ethical morals and values. Change is always inevitable with time and the best input always comes from the field from those building any business. They were successful because they hung in there. I ask you for all of us by the "grace of God" to take a stand for all the right reasons. Stop all the negativity! Let team go if that is best for all, or you take an honest, ethical and legal look at your business with your board that has been there for a long time to make it the best it can be for everyone. I have faith that by the "grace of God" you will make an honest, ethical, decision.

[Moderator's Note: We made sure this message was called to the attention of the folks at Quixtar and Alticor.]

[Ben]

I think it's a shame and a sham for the company to have the IBOA board whose vote doesn't count for beans. The information I've received is that 100% of the board voted against changing the name back to Amway and still they do it anyway. It tells me that the company doesn't really care about the IBO's or if they are represented. We have no vote but when we were presented the plan we were told we did.

Ya' know, This isn't the only time that diamonds have been let go or resigned and it's really disheartening to think that if I build a business to that level and if I disagree with someone in the corporation that it can all be take away in one swipe. All those years wasted trying to get people to spend $4.00 on toothpaste.

[JustWantToBeAnIBO]

I am curious about the recent email sent to platinums requiring them to submit an 'intent to continue' agreement or else be suspended. The email was sent after business hours on Friday and is to be returned, signed, to Q before noon on Monday or risk suspension. #1- Doesn't that seem like an unrealistic timeframe in which to make any business decision? Particularly for a family who, in many cases, this is a major portion of their income and life! Is this realistic? #2- Did the board actually agree with this move? If so, they obviously are not looking out for the interest of the ibo's as is their job. First, Q takes removes team diamonds, then their front line leaders are extorted in this way. How can the board agree to this and expect us ibo's to believe they are looking out for the ibo's they represent? #3- the email also states that 'the corporation intends to provide training to you and your group'...hey, that's not Q's job! I thought we were INDEPENDENT Business Owners. You, Q, are to provide goods and services. You don't provide training to us on anything but those goods and services. I do not want you to train me. You, Jim Payne, et al, have NOT ever built a business. How could you possibly train me? #4 - Exactly what is the IBOA board doing? How are you representing me? Is there any place that we, as IBO's, can go to view the issues on the table that are being discussed with Q. Can we see the progress, or lack thereof, you are making? We should have been told of the Amway name change, don't you think? Afterall, we ARE selling your products and making you profits! #5 - according to Q rules, we are not required to submit an 'intent to continue' until December 31. How can you DEMAND one now? #6 - Let's assume you suspend our platinums, now where do we go for information, leadership? Are you going to 'give' us new leadership? Won't that be considered 'stacking'? (It would to me, I don't know anyone above my current platinum and diamond). Don't we need to establish an existing relationship? Or is that just a rule used when convenient? In summary, you are killing our businesses with all of this suspending and terminating. Does anyone care about us little ibo's who are trying to achieve our dreams? or is this just another corporate ego contest? Please act like business leaders and resolve this and stop all this 'blogging'. Use this time more constructively and RESOLVE THE ISSUES DIRECTLY WITH TEAM. It will help EVERYONE, all IBO's working WITH (notice I said 'with' not 'for') you. You are currently holding our futures hostage.

[Tex]

Carol,

I am all for being "positive" versus "negative", but there are times when you must be brutally honest. I sent the following letter to Rich over two years ago, and included it as an attachment to my input to the FTC about one year ago, and it has been posted on various blogs. Below the letter is my input to the FTC about a year ago:

xyz Enterprises

June 6,2005

Rich DeVos
7575 Fulton Street East
Ada, Michigan 49355
Dear Rich:

We hope this letter finds you in good health. The main purpose of this communication is to make you aware of a recent decision we have made to return the Quixtar business back to its roots. We know the principles you and Jay founded the Amway Corporation with, and we are in total agreement with those principles. Ihave recently readnistened to the "Directly Speaking" tapes you recorded in 1983. 1 have also watched the 4 Compassionate Capitalism videos you made in 1994 and I am currently reading the book. All these activities have motivated us to develop a tool system that meets the maximum 20% tool profit to product profit guideline, for Platinurns and above. We are appalled at the continued abuse that continues to this day, and you correctly identified as a major problem in 1983. The inappropriate economic incentives the higher pins have are in direct opposition to many of the founding principles of this business, not to mention the unethical practice we believe the current systems represent. We could take other paths, such as quit and move on to other activities or join the "anti- AmwayIQuixtar army" on the internet. However, we are neither quitters nor complainers. We could suelenter arbitration, which would probably result in minimal or no monetary payment, and we would likely lose when attorney fees and effort are considered, and probably be prevented from speaking out in this matter as a condition of arbitration. We also consider this to be a path of last resort, if we would even use it at all. We could continue with the current system, which is not working, and the negative publicity is only building on the internet. We have asked our upline for price breaks by getting permission to make copies of CD's, but this would cut into their profits and probably their lifestyle, we are not expecting much of a positive response in this area, and would probably be considered troublemakers, with the inherent downside connotations this represents. Isent and received an e-mail response and talked with a second person in your Conduct and Rules department, and they were not helpful in answering my 3 questions, which were whether Quixtar still supports the "20% guideline", whether they are aware of any organizations with this practice, and whether they could get me in touch with this type organization(s). When I state they were not helpful, I understand the legal implications of actually answering my questions, so I don't mean to relate these folks were not doing their job. I expected the answers I received, namely tools are optional, they were not aware of the tool practices of the lines of sponsorship, and would not be able to assist in finding a group meeting the above guideline. However, I needed to ask to be sure the best alternativewas to go forward developing a reformed system. -Therefore, we are developing a lower cost system that will generally not make use of "major functions", will use monthly seminarlrallies as the majorfunctions to be attended 3-4 times/year, and conduct separate monthly meetings centered around, but not exclusively use, the Compassionate Capitalism booklvideos and Credos, which will represent our "Constitution", as well as the 11 major points (we may call them the "Bill of Rights",as in right versus wrong) made in your "Directly Speaking" tapes. These could also be amended from time to time as the need arises. All of the negative sites on the internet will be used to our advantage, as we can clearly show how "THAT is not US. The intent is to create a "Constitutional" system, whereby the above principles will guide us, not individuals. This form of government has served our country well, and we think it will serve us well also. We are indebted to you for developing the "Directly Speaking" tapes and Compassionate Capitalism booklvideos. They will (finally) be put to good and proper use. Note that we are copyrighting this practice, as further evidenced by the notarized seal on this letter. We believe this letter represents a description, explanation, and illustration, therefore it is copyright protected. Others are welcome to use this system, but they must seek me out, as I know I am not allowed to promote our system outside of our line of sponsorship. It is our desire you are aware of what we are doing, and you do not pass on without knowing there are truly good people actively working to straighten out this business. That is our gift to you, hope that this reform will wash over the business and clean it up while you are still alive. We hope you are with us for a long time, especially long enough to see the fruits of our labor, but when the time comes, tell Jay everything is okay, we are fixing it and will never give up. We are not looking for a "handout", but whatever support you feel is appropriate would be welcomed. We have no intent to break any rules, and ask for your assistance, patience, and understanding as we move forward. We consider ourselves to be on your side, assuming you still stand behind the "Directly Speaking" tapes and Compassionate Capitalism book/videos.

Sincerely,

John Doe
Owner, xyz Enterprises

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I am a Quixtar IBO. I believe Quixtar, together with the affiliated Amway business, to be the largest multi-level business in the world. There has been a "tool", or "system" scam that has been cleverly covered up over the past several decades. The advent of the Internet has made some inroads to revealing this scam, but much more needs to be done. First, the definition of "tool" or "system" used in this context includes the books, tapes/CD's and various functions put on by the higher level, or "kingpin" IBO's. The co-founder of the Amway business, Rich DeVos, made 2 recordings in 1983, called "Directly Speaking" (a play on words, Directly means to be an upfront discussion, but Direct also was a mid-level that has since been replaced by the term Platinum), which complained about the tool scam perpetrated by the "kingpins". The "kingpins" typically make the bulk of their income from the tools and then display their lavish lifestyles, as if the income was from the Amway/Quixtar business. The rules need to include a provision for the "kingpins" to disclose their line of sponsorship average income (which will be slightly to moderately different for most lines of sponsorship) made via the Amway/Quixtar business versus the tool "business". This does not have to be in dollars, it could be by percentage of income. For example, the average for a Diamond level for a particular line of sponsorship may be 70% tools and 30% Amway/Quixtar products/services income. I believe one of the main reasons Amway/Quixtar did not follow through with cleaning up this situation over the past 23+ years (the corporation was probably aware of the issue well before 1983) is because their product volume, and therefore corporate profits, would have been severely and negatively impacted, probably to the level that would have put them out of business. The reason for this, I believe, is the "kingpins" either directly or indirectly threatened to leave this corporation and join another product business with their tool systems. Therefore, the tool scam problem has remained to this day. Note there are rules that state purchase of tools are optional, but the level of support evaporates if an IBO is not involved in purchasing the tools, even though there is a rule that states lack of support is not supposed to occur. In fact, the common statement is "tools are optional, but so is success". Note that I fully believe a system is necessary for ANY business to succeed to any significant scale, it is the tool profits I see as the major problem. The fix is to lower tool prices. I have been involved with Quixtar for 13 years, the first 12 of which I purchased the tools. The information provided is the tip of the iceberg regarding the details I am aware of and much of which can easily be found on the Internet. Note most of the lawsuits brought over the past couple of decades did not involve the Amway/Quixtar products and services business, they involved the tool scam "business". The tool systems make most IBO's operate in a net loss, and the higher pins benefit to tremendous levels at the expense, both literally and figuratively, of the vast majority of the lower level IBO's. These facts are not widely known by IBO's or prospects, but need to be disclosed to stop the abuse. You have initiated a golden opportunity to correct a severe problem with this business and others that may have similar abuse issues, I strongly recommend you make the above described tool versus product income known to every IBO and prospect, in a simple and easy to understand format. This is the single largest problem facing this business, and probably others like it. It needs to be fixed, please use the full force of the Federal Trade Commission to correct this wrong. Please find attached a letter I wrote to the corporation over a year ago, and discussed with high level Quixtar executives. Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the proposed rule making.

[JustWantToBeAnIBO]

Please provide us with information regarding the possibility or decision (?) to change the corporate name from Quixtar back to Amway. What is the logic? When will this happen? When were we, the IBO's, going to be told? Did the board actually approve this or were they never consulted? This name change is of major concern to many of us who have built or attempted to build under both names. Please advise.

[Tom]

I have been a member of Randy Haugens/Don Wilson's organization for 9 years now and have never really made any money with the Quixtar/ Amway business. I have never actually been over 1000pv, and have no building upline within 1000 miles of me. By all accounts if an outsider was looking at my involvement, they would probably say that spending time going to Haugen, and now Team, seminars is a waste of money and time. Also, listening to cd's daily and reading at least a book a month would be a waste of time as well. I'll tell you though that last year my gross income was almost 5 times what an average professional in my field made. I heard Randy Haugen say at one of the first functions I went to that he didn't care whether I ever built a Quixtar business or not, but the principles at the weekend function were the same as would apply to ANY business. He was apparently right. I'm not sure what to think regarding all this lawsuit, termination, quixtar to Amway changing stuff, but one thing I am sure of is that the systems that have been put together by these leaders are the best success training progmams in the world. I don't know any of the terminated diamond leaders on a personal level but they sure seem to be men of character to me. Trying to make things better for those who wish to pursue a Quixtar business.

But what do I know,
Mr. PV zero.

[Moderator Comment: Assuming what you say is true, you have chosen to be part of the kind of business that gives other LOAs a bad name, Mr. PV Zero. You were successful by selling success. That's like selling what software companies call "vaporware," pre-release software that isn't ever released but the promising company makes money just on the promise. Sure, learning how to be successful IS part of the IBO biz, but it's learning how to be successful at selling products, first.]

[JustWantToBeAnIBO]

I sent you 2 blogs with a series of ?'s on them; both on 8/20 one around 1:30 and the other around 2:30 am. You posted my 2:30 am blog....why did you not post the earlier one? Are you just thinking on it...or has it been sensored? I do not believe I was inflamatory or biased ... just asking questions that all IBO's want to know that you should have the answers to. Please advise.

[Moderator 2 comment: Hi JustWant, thanks for staying in touch. I looked in the comment log and the closest comment I find from you to the 8/20 2:30 am you mention is actually on 8/19 at 8:45 pm. You mentioned "intent to continue" in that one and another moderator was looking into it at the same time he was looking into a similar one by another commenter. So it's probably still pending.

Just to reassure you, we don't censor. The only reason we wouldn't post a comment is if you broke one of our posted standard rules (see our Guidelines). Even in that case, we would inform you and give you the opportunity to repost without breaking the rules. If you didn't receive an e-mail telling you we weren't going to post, it hasn't been deleted.

Alan]

[MichMan]

Moderator, you did not respond to my first inquiry. Maybe you will respond to this second post.

You faulted Woodward/Brady for failing to use the arbitration procedure.

Does the IBOAI fully support the current arbitration process? At least one federal court has thrown it out claiming it illegally favors Amway/Quixtar and is unfairly tilted against IBOs. (Stewart/Hart vs. Gooch/Amway)

Under the current system, Amway is allowed to train the arbitrators and may overrule their decisions if it sees fit. And if IBOs want to use an independent arbitrator, they must pay for it themselves.

Does the IBOAI still support this arbitration process? It is hard to imagine any trade organization supporting something like this.

Can you imagine the UAW agreeing to those terms when their members have problems with General Motors?

[Tex]

[Moderator Comment: Assuming what you say is true, you have chosen to be part of the kind of business that gives other LOAs a bad name, Mr. PV Zero. You were successful by selling success. That's like selling what software companies call "vaporware," pre-release software that isn't ever released but the promising company makes money just on the promise. Sure, learning how to be successful IS part of the IBO biz, but it's learning how to be successful at selling products, first.]You have no idea how common this person is (very common, by the way), and how strongly they defend the tool systems despite lack of progress with their A/Q business. I have found advantages with progressing in my occupation as well, but do not think this leaves the tool companies off the hook for lack of progress in the Quixtar business.

I have seen MANY posts on various regarding better relationships, spiritual growth, leadership skills, etc., etc., etc., but these should be side benefits, not the ONLY benefits of the money we spend on the tools. Read some of the "freetheibo" forum to get a taste of this concept, which has been repeated by many people on many blogs using many tool systems over many years.

This is a very common strategy employed by the upline to ensure the IBO's "hang in there" as long as possible and keep spending money on the tools (and putting money in the uplines' pockets).

Very sad. Very true. Very Simple. Human greed. Lack of tool profit disclosure. Very obvious. Fix it.

[Moderator: To the extent the business is "broken" it does need to be fixed, no one associated with IBOAI would disagree with that, Tex. What the "fix" is or should be is something that's a very active topic of discussion amongst reasonable IBO leaders and Quixtar leadership. We know it's difficult to be patient after all that hasn't been done right, but we believe you will see real change and enforcement of rules to prevent abuses. And we also know that nothing will convince you or many others than to see IBO leaders, Quixtar leadership, Doug and Rich and other owners all "walk their talk." ]

[JustWantToBeAnIBO]

Message to 'tex'.... please don't bog down this blog site as you have the others with your repeated and consistently reworded same issue. We got it! We understand your issue and frustration. Please allow the moderators to answer other issues now. Some of us are really trying to just figure out how to go on. Your issue regarding tools and disclosure have been discussed, recorded, analyzed and under investigation already. Let's not rehash it over and over. Thank you for your cooperation.

[Tom]

Apparently Mr. Moderator you misunderstood what I had to say (and so did you TEX). I never said I was building a Quixtar business, nor was I "selling success" as you put it. No “Vaporware” here. I said that the training system provided through my upline has allowed me to go from a 20k income to a several hundred thousand dollar income, outside of the Quixtar business. At some point along the line someone suggested I read a personalities book. That book allowed me to effectively read people and present information to them in the best way to get my point across to them (outside the Quixtar business). Also it was suggested that I read Good to Great, Magic of thinking Big, How to raise yourself from Failure to Success, Prayer of Jabez, The Millionaire Next Door, Magic is in the Extra Mile, An enterprising Life (you might recognize that one), and a hundred others sitting on shelves behind me that helped me be better in business (outside Quixtar)….and at home with my family and kids. None of which by the way were ever promoted to me in School and I spent plenty of time in college. Additionally associating with people at seminars and listening to tapes taught me that everyone has fears and that not all people are born speakers, most have to learn how to do it. I’m the quietest guy I know, yet in the last few years I have done numerous presentations in front of as many as 150 people. Not because I’m a born talker like my son, but because someone along the way told me that the only way to get better is to conquer your fears and after a while your big mountains become mole hills. Again nobody taught this to me in college.

And finally, should I decide to build a Quixtar business in the future, success or failure lies with nobody but me, and I guarantee you that should I decide to build one, there is no try, there is only do. (I heard that on a tape, and have applied it outside Quixtar too).

Respectfully,
Mr. PV Zero.....for now.

[LisBette]

Maybe you all should read Chuck Goetschel's comments. I'd like to hear the IBOAI's response to that.

[Tex]

JustWantToBeAnIBO,

Fix what's broke and I go away.

I am like you, I "just want to be an IBO".

Moderator,

Your "walk the talk" statement is exactly on target.

Board Voice,

Are you aware 2 high level TEAM members (Ron Simmons and Chuck Goetchel) BOTH stated it is Quixtar that prevents the disclosure of tool profits? Can you confirm or deny this? If true, did Quixtar also direct you to state some other lame reason for this response, rather than direct IBO's to Quixtar to explain?

[West, IBO]

Is there a date/time that we (as Non-Team IBOs) can expect direct answers from a representative of the corp to answer some of the questions that were raised in some of the recent "letters" from former/terminated IBOs (like Goetschel and Newton). We've attempted to contact our Sales/Marketing rep at Quixtar, but have not received a call back. We'd appreciate clarifiaction on several of the items that were mentioned. What other ways can we seek clarification on these items?

[Moderator's Note: We think you'll be getting some direct corporate answers on the issues raised by those letters in the next 24-48 hours.]

[michael]

What is the most positive, constructive, and beneficial way to give feedback to people on the IBOAI board like Joe and Danny?
which blog are they reading if any? :)
write a letter? post a blog?

i have been around for a long time... in an out of the business a couple times (still only 27 years age) - been to 25 functions.

I choose to believe in camelot (friend to friend)

Michael (LW-JM-AL-MH)

[Moderator: If you want to contact any individual Board member, send email to pr@iboai.com, ATTN: (Name) and we'll get it to him/her!]

[pvbvguy]

You know I'm relatively new to this particular business and was hesitant to get involved at all. It seems to me that both sides in this are vigorously defending themselves which is natural. The thing I keep coming back to is why was Quixtar willing to terminate the team guys? There must have been some reason for it.

Another blog I read said that the team was involved in activities that would put this business in jeopardy with regulators, etc. The only thing I can think of is they were violating some rule in the way they "stacked" or their system income was way off the charts and put this business at risk.

There may be some other reasons but these seem the most plausible to me. The team guys have already stated that Q was making too much off its product pricing. What were (are) the team guys making off their system? What and how did their stacking work?

I can see what the price of a product is but what was the price to be a member of team? So far no one has talked about that. Maybe someone out there can enlighten me.

[Moderator: Here are some links with answers for ya re why Team leaders were sanctioned by Quixtar and IBOAI. We have no idea what the price was to be a member of Team, other than the obvious price of having been misled regarding Quixtar rules.]

http://tinyurl.com/2tbbyw

http://tinyurl.com/2cezrd

http://tinyurl.com/24fvu4

http://tinyurl.com/257jba

http://tinyurl.com/2aabto

Note: The Court is supposed to rule today, 8/22, on the two Temporary Restraining Orders, one granted to Quixtar, one to IBOAI -- i.e., whether they'll be lifted or not. Stay tuned.]

[Tex]

Mr. PV Zero,

I didn't misunderstand what you said. The last sentence in the first paragraph of my response said, "I have found advantages with progressing in my occupation as well, but do not think this leaves the tool companies off the hook for lack of progress in the Quixtar business."

[jthompson]

Here is the message you will receive if you post comments in the freetheibo forum that do not support the Message that TEAM Leaders are supporting.

I love this business and i love the support/team part of the business the most. I am against thought/mind control....
__________
You have been permanently banned from this board.

Please contact the Board Administrator for more information.

Reason given for ban: violated forum rules

A ban has been issued on your IP address.