Business Profile

The Amway Sales Plan

How to Join

Founders' Fundamentals

History

Featured Question:

How are Amway and Quixtar related?

Quixtar and Amway are both owned by Alticor Inc. Quixtar serves the US and Canada, and Amway is the global affiliate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a person become an Amway Business Owner? Answer

Is it expensive to start an Amway business? Answer

Are Amway Business Owners employees of the company? Answer

How many products does Amway offer? Answer

Who makes AMWAY products? Answer

How can I buy AMWAY products? Answer

Is Amway publicly or privately held? Answer

When was Amway founded? Answer

Who leads the company today? Answer

Is there a connection between Amway and Quixtar? Answer

Do Business Owners have to make minimum purchases? Answer

I've heard rumors that Amway is a cult. Is this true? Answer

Why do Amway meetings appear to some people like a cult? Answer

Is it true that Amway endorses one religion? Answer

Does Amway have any influence over a Business Owner's business? Answer

Does Amway really give people more free time, or does it require a lot of time to succeed? Answer

Is product pricing competitive? Answer

Why do people choose to have an Amway business or pursue other multilevel marketing opportunities? Answer

Is it true that you don’t have to sell—just buy the products for yourself and recruit others to do the same Answer

How do AMWAY products rank in comparative tests? Answer

What does Amway see as the role of women in the Amway business? Answer

Is Amway's business continuing to grow? Answer

Is the business plan today as valid as it was over 40 years ago? Answer

How does a person become an Amway Business Owner?

A person must be sponsored into the Amway business by an active Amway Business Owner. The sponsoring Business Owner is responsible for teaching the new Business Owner about the Amway business.

Is it expensive to start an Amway business?

No. In fact, only a small fee is required to become an Amway business owner. That cost is refundable should you decide to leave the business for any reason.

Are Amway Business Owners employees of the company?

No. Amway Business Owners are independent contractors and not employees of the company.

How many products does Amway offer?

Amway offers more than 450 unique, high quality products carrying brand names including NUTRILITE™ Vitamins and Food Supplements, ARTISTRY™ Skin Care and Colour Cosmetics, eSpring™ Water Purifier, SATINIQUE™/SATINIQUE Advanced™ Hair Care System, iCook™ Cookware and SA8™ Laundry System. Visit the products section for more information on these and other brands.

Who makes AMWAY products?

Amway's branded products are manufactured by Access Business Group, one of its sister companies in the Alticor Inc. family of companies. Manufacturing facilities are located in Ada, Michigan, USA; Buena Park, California, USA; and Guangzhou, China. Access Business Group also operates farming facilities in California, Washington, Mexico and Brazil.

How can I buy AMWAY products?

AMWAY™ products are sold by Amway Business Owners and Sales Representatives. For more information, visit the How to Buy section.

Is Amway publicly or privately held?

Amway Corporation is part of the Alticor family of companies, privately held by the DeVos and Van Andel families.

When was Amway founded?

Amway was founded in 1959 by Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel. For more information, visit the History section.

Who leads the company today?

Alticor's Board of Directors includes members of the Van Andel and DeVos families and three outside directors. Chairman Steve Van Andel and President Doug DeVos share the Office of the Chief Executive. For more information, visit the Leaders section.

Is there a connection between Amway and Quixtar?

Yes.Amway Corporation, Quixtar Inc., and Access Business Group belong to the Alticor family of businesses. Based in Ada, Michigan, USA, Alticor and its affiliates help people live better lives by offering a wide range of consumer products, business opportunities and manufacturing and logistics services in more than 80 countries and territories.

Do Business Owners have to make minimum purchases?

No. Amway Business Owners are not required to make any minimum or ongoing purchases. And if a Business Owner decides to leave the business, Amway will purchase back any unused, currently marketable AMWAY ™ products and literature.

I've heard rumors that Amway is a cult. Is this true?

No, Amway Corporation is a business and, similar to other large and established companies, has a distinct environment defined by shared business goals. Shared business philosophies, encouragement, support, and a common vision should not be misinterpreted as a cult.

Amway is part of a group of companies that manufacture and distribute quality products and services and in its most recent fiscal year (2005) generated global retail sales of $6.4 billion. Amway offers a business opportunity that is open to all, regardless of religious beliefs, race or gender. Amway really is a microcosm of the world, with more than 3 million business owners worldwide representing nearly every culture, ethnic background, and political and religious belief finding in the Amway business a way to meet their goals.

While unique as individuals, Amway Business Owners share a desire to succeed in a business of their own and recognize Amway as an excellent opportunity to achieve their goals. New Business Owners receive training, motivation and support in building independent businesses, and are rewarded for their achievements.

Why do Amway meetings appear to some people like a cult?

Amway meetings are full of shared energy, enthusiasm, and excitement - just like most sales motivation meetings—

because this is a proven way to motivate people to sell AMWAY™ products and build their businesses by sponsoring others. Some people aren't accustomed to that. Yet, most successful companies know that enthusiastic meetings increase morale and boost results in any sales force. This enthusiasm motivates our Business Owners to help and support one another, and that builds sales.

Is it true that Amway endorses one religion?

No. The Amway business is open to anyone, regardless of religious, political or other personal beliefs; gender; or race. Respect for every individual is a core value of this business. Although we don't keep records on this, you will find a great diversity of religious faiths, including Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, etc., among our Business Owners and employees worldwide.

Moreover, Amway offers opportunity to any ethnic group, young and old, women and men, educated or not, disabled or not. The success of our business owners in 56 affiliate markets around the globe shows that our business opportunity transcends borders and differences in language, culture, politics and personal beliefs.

Does Amway have any influence over a Business Owner's business?

To become an Amway Business Owner, an individual must sign an agreement to abide by Amway's Rules of Conduct. Each year, they voluntarily renew that promise when they renew their Amway business.

Our Rules promote ethical direct selling principles and provide practical procedures for all Business Owners to observe in operating their Amway businesses. The Rules of Conduct, which are largely in accordance with local, legal requirements, mandate certain business practices to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations and to preserve harmony among Business Owners. Amway has the right to enforce these Rules through its contract with its Business Owners—up to and including terminating that contract.

Furthermore, Amway played a key role in drafting and implementing the direct selling industry's World Code of Conduct, which closely resembles our own Rules and places strong responsibility for compliance with each company. Companies that do not comply with the World Code risk expulsion from their national direct selling association, as well as that association forwarding information to regulatory authorities where appropriate. Amway strongly supports and endorses this Code.

Does Amway really give people more free time, or does it require a lot of time to succeed?

Like any small business, it takes hard work to succeed in the Amway business, and that requires time and commitment, especially in the beginning. Our research shows that most people understand this very well.

But the Amway business does offer flexibility for our Business Owners in running their business. Unlike most conventional jobs, Amway Business Owners can work at home, when they want, at their own pace, on their own schedule, according to the goals they have set for themselves. For some, that means if they need an afternoon to attend a school play, play golf or see a friend, they can arrange their work schedule to allow this. The choice of when, where and how much time to devote to their Amway business is theirs alone.

This flexibility is one important reason why the opportunity appeals to so many people around the world.

Is product pricing competitive?

Our products are price-competitive and good value for the money. We know this from our market surveys, Business Owner feedback and, ultimately, by the sales growth of all our product lines over the years.

Our data shows that while some of our products are more expensive than their counterparts, others are less expensive and most are competitively priced. Products that are more expensive usually have greater features and benefits over competitive goods.

Many AMWAY™ products are highly concentrated, meaning a single purchase lasts longer. On a cost-per-use basis, these products are priced very competitively.

It is also important to note that Amway Business Owners are selling more than just products—they're also selling an exceptional level of service. AMWAY products are delivered directly to the customer and are backed by the Amway Satisfaction Guarantee.

Amway's extensive product line makes it possible for customers to do virtually all their shopping without leaving home or worrying about the hassles of returns. Their business owner does all the work for them. This convenience is very appealing to many of today's busy people, and for many it is worth a little bit more.

Some Business Owners offer programs that allow customers to determine a replenishment schedule for consumable products, which will then automatically ship these products according to the customer's schedule. The customer never has to worry about running out of toothpaste or shampoo.

The consumer is the ultimate judge of price and value, and our sales success over the years speaks volumes about our product value and customer satisfaction.

Why do people choose to have an Amway business or pursue other multilevel marketing opportunities?

We believe there are a variety of reasons for being part of a multilevel marketing business that apply to Amway as well:

Build a career and own their own business
Improve their quality of life by working part time for some additional family income
Achieve specific short-term goals
Buy products they like at wholesale/discount prices
Recommend products they like to others
Receive personal recognition and encouragement

Around the world, the Amway business opportunity provides a low-cost, low-risk means to achieve all this – and more. For instance, it:

helps people to develop and refine their business skills
provides people with the flexibility to organize and manage their time as they wish, without the constraints of the typical job
gives families a chance to work closely together and develop stronger ties
is a way to meet other people and develop new friendships
gives opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them to succeed on their own.

Is it true that you don’t have to sell—just buy the products for yourself and recruit others to do the same?

You can’t make money in the Amway business unless AMWAY™ products are sold. To say otherwise misrepresents the Amway Sales and Marketing Plan—a violation of our rules.

How do AMWAY products rank in comparative tests?

AMWAY products are rated very favorably for performance in various tests around the world.

We are proud of our products and our commitment to research and development. Unlike other multilevel marketing companies that use outside contractors to develop and manufacture most, if not all, of their products, we have our own extensive R&D and manufacturing facilities and make major investments each year in this area. We currently own more than 450 patents worldwide, and we currently employ more than 450 R&D professionals working in 65 labs around the world.

Consumers are the ultimate judges of product quality. They may buy a product once, but if its quality and value don’t measure up, they probably won’t buy it again. Amway’s own consumer research and sustained global success show that consumers think our products are top rate.

What does Amway see as the role of women in the Amway business?

The Amway business opportunity is open to everyone, regardless of gender, race, age, religion, or political or other personal beliefs. The Amway business appeals to women, men, couples, and families from all backgrounds.

Amway has helped to empower millions of women around the world by offering them a low-cost, low-risk opportunity to achieve their goals by owning their own business. This fact is especially gratifying to us. There are countless examples of single women who have achieved success in the Amway business, just as there are of women who have succeeded in partnership with their spouses.

Is Amway's business continuing to grow?

Yes. There remain many opportunities for Amway's business to grow.

Amway has opened its business opportunity in many new countries in the past decade—over 35 since 1990. Continued development in these countries will fuel long-term growth.

Amway will also continue to explore new opportunities for growth in well established countries, including innovative products and new ways for people to become involved with Amway—as Business Owners, product retailers, or consumers.

Right now, Amway is investing in enhancing and expanding our manufacturing and distribution facilities to support the growth we expect in the coming decades. The prospects for growth remain strong.

Is the business plan today as valid as it was over 40 years ago?

Absolutely. The Amway Sales and Marketing Plan, with its roots in the basic elements of free enterprise, is a proven business concept. Originating almost half a century ago, this business plan has been continually refined and enhanced to meet the needs of entrepreneurs.

Business Opportunity or Pyramid Scheme?

Embracing New Technologies