http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/Quixtar Questions tagged with 'Quixtar' at Ask MetaFilter. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:27:46 -0800 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:27:46 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/117450/Scamway Why, exactly, are pyramid schemes so bad? Should I try to convince a relative to leave one, and if so, how? A relative I don't know very well invited me out for coffee, flattered my "excellent people skills" for a while, then pitched me an unintelligible "business opportunity". From her jargon-filled and very vague pitch, I took this to be a pyramid scheme of some type. The specific company was called Network Twenty One, which is affiliated with Amway and Quixtar (not linking them on purpose). <br> <br> My bullshit detector started beeping really loudly the moment her odd little speech began, but then I realized that while I smell fish, I don't actually understand exactly what I'm being wary of. I have only a shadowy idea of how a pyramid scheme works, why they're so bad, what I would have to pay/do to join, and what she stands to gain if I join.... a percentage of my "business" startup fees? I don't get it. She sells Amway products (weight loss pills, shampoo, etc) on a weird, generic little website, but she wasn't trying to sell me products- in fact, she only gave me her product URL reluctantly. What she really wanted was for me to come to some meeting to hear more about these opportunities. <br> <br> She's so nice, and frankly kind of pathetic. After being somewhat insulted that she took me for a gullible idiot, I started feeling sorry for her and whatever crappy situation made her vulnerable to this outfit in the first place. I would like to gently convince her to leave this "opportunity" before she gets scammed any more- she told me she invested $600 to start and mentioned some motivational CDs she listens to, which I assume are also part of the scam. I have an idea of what her salary is, and if I'm right, this is more than she can afford. <br> <br> Any ideas about the etiquette of doing this? I genuinely think she's confused and desperate, rather than scummy or evil. What should I tell her? <br> <br> Throwaway email is ScramScam@gmail.com, thanks. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2009:site.117450 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:27:46 -0800 amway network networktwentyone pyramid quixtar scam scheme twentyone Anonymous http://ask.metafilter.com/29468/Should%2DI%2Dbecome%2Dan%2DIBO Tonight at 7:00pm I had representatives of Quixtar come into my home. Should I join or not? Apparently by being an Independent Business Owner (IBO), I can make tons of money just through referrals. As a poor college student, this sounds enticing. If you are not familiar with Quixtar, they are doing what Amway used to do. I am skeptical of their claims, however, I am looking to see what everyone on askmefi thinks. It never hurts to get a second opinion and besides this hasn't been addressed on askmefi yet. <br> <br> The pitch went something along the lines of "this is not a pyramid scheme" and "all you are doing is refering people to a virtual mall."<br> <br> Website at: http://www.quixtar.com/ tag:ask.metafilter.com,2005:site.29468 Wed, 21 Dec 2005 18:02:20 -0800 Amway IBO Pyramid Quixtar Schemes j-urb