Since 1992, USANA has been manufacturing and distributing products all over the world. It’s always interesting to me when I get questions from people who are asking whether or not an MLM company is a scam.
With USANA, the answer is definately no, but before I continue in this article I just wanted to give you a quick disclaimer. I’m not affiliated with USANA in any way, I don’t use their products, and I don’t sponsor people into a USANA downline. However, I’ve been involved with the MLM profession for the last seven years and I can tell you from experience some things that you wouldn’t be able to see on the surface.
To people who are at all familiar with Network Marketing laws that have been established in the USA for more than 30 years, it becomes obvious quite quickly that USANA is not only an excellent Network Marketing company, but that they fall within all of the legal requirements of a legitimate home based business in every established economy in the world.
Not only does USANA meet with strict FTC guidelines, but they have won several international awards for their compensation plan, products, and how they treat their sales force. Quite frankly, USANA is a positive force in the MLM profession world wide and many companies would do good to envy the work that they’ve done over the last 17 years.
This question generally stems from a lack of understanding of the legal parameters for MLM businesses in the United States, and mistaking a legitimate Multi Level Marketing opportunity with a Pyramid Scam. Most people who don’t understand law haven’t taken the time to study the background behind the cases that took place in the early 70′s in the USA. You just have to look at a few aspects of USANA to know that they provide legitimate value to the market place.
First of all, they have an excellent science based product. This is one aspect of USANA that no one can touch. There are more scientific articles written about USANA’s nutritional products than almost any other vitamin company on Earth. I don’t even use their products (although I’m thinking about it), and I can’t deny this.
Second, their compensation plan has one of the most balanced payouts in the MLM industry. While I don’t particularly like binary compensation plans (they’re just not my preference) they have been proven to work with excellent results in the MLM industry over the last 10 years, and USANA has a pay plan with higher average earnings than almost any company that exists. This compensation plan has been tested against all international regulations and stands on it’s own.
Third, look what the actual distributors who have been with the company a long time are saying about it. It’s a pretty rare phenomenon to run into a company with such raving reviews from even the people who aren’t earning the big checks. The verdict is simple – USANA is NOT a scam.
If you’re going to become involved in the USANA business, rather than wasting your time wondering whether or not this business model is a scam, it would greatly benefit you to learn instead the critical skills that you need to understand to take your USANA business to the next level, and recruit your first distributors.
{ 88 comments… read them below or add one }
yeah I agree with that although in other compensation plan have a scam but USANA is the no. 1 legal business plan for me heheh
If a USANA distributor asks you to join their Multi-Level Marketing business opportunity, simply ask them the following question.
How much commission do you make each month on average from (1) Downline Distributor’s purchases and (2) Preferred Customer’s purchases?
If the promoting distributor has actually made anything (66% of them haven’t made a penny), then the answer you get will likely break down as the following: 90% of their commission came from Downline Distributors and 10% came from Preferred Customers. What does this mean? It means the distributor’s primary job is to sell the business opportunity and recruit more distributors. Only 10% of the business opportunity is committed toward selling the product and signing up preferred customers.
How do I know this? Because 90% of USANA’s products are purchased by USANA distributors according to their latest SEC filings. Does this mean distributors want the product because they use it or because they have a customer to resell it to? Absolutely not. In fact, USANA distributors are forced to purchase over $100 worth of product every 28 days in order to participate in the business venture. It is a business obligation. If the distributor fails to make this required purchase, then that distributor loses all volume points accumulated, is not eligible to collect commission and is no longer considered as “Active”.
So in order to be successful in USANA, distributors must recruit enormous downlines. Not only that, but these distributors must pressure downline members to also recruit more distributors. This is an endless chain of recruiting. More than half of new distributors stop participating within the first year. So in order for MLMs to survive, distributors must recruit new distributors at a higher rate than those who are dropping out. This is a pyramid scheme. If the recruitment of new distributors were to stop, then the MLM company like USANA would go out of business in just a couple months. The product itself cannot retain enough customers. Only the dream of becoming rich in their deceptive business opportunity keeps the company alive. Only 1% of those who join make a profit.
Now if that USANA promoter answers your question by telling you they make most of their commission from preferred customers, then ask them what the dollar amount is per month. If it is not more than $100, then they are not even recovering the expense of their $100 required product purchase, not to mention all the other expenses incurred.
Another answer you may hear is that they immediately received a $100 commission check their first week. This is a very deceptive answer because of the following. If you joined USANA and signed up purchasing their $1250 “Professional Pack” starter package, you will automatically receive a $100 commission check without having to sell anything! Now ask yourself, if you purchase something for $1250 and receive $100 back, would you seriously consider that an earning let alone a commission? This is one of USANA’s dirty little secrets ad violates even their own policies and procedures by paying a commission to someone without any selling whatsoever. It’s also used to manipulate their numbers.
If you are asked to join, consult with your accountant regarding the business opportunity. Take them the compensation plan and ask them to evaluate it.
yeah that is true, it seems they are more on recruiting than the selling of products. one more thing that i found is they are competing with their business partners so that they will be the first to have many down lines, even if somebody has shared the product in the first place. Moreover, it results to greediness.
Usana is not just a scam but a cult… my friend is so into it that he didnt want to be friends with me anymore because I didnt want to attend a meeting (I was busy with my education and 2 jobs and my family)
If this is how you let your members behave to others, then its a cult.
Also, USANA IS NOT APPROVED BY THE FDA.
Go run a real business and not a pyramid scheme!!
Hi, i don’t think your friend handled that correctly. That is an individual person’s actions and maybe you shouldn’t (completely) blame Usana for what has happened. I actually don’t work for Usana but i am however, looking into it. I ran into this article and your comment while i was researching and i would like to (if you don’t mind) talk to you about what you think about it. I’m not anyone official, actually i’m not even out of college, please reply to this comment if you are willing to help me
thank you
Whoever wrote this comment is a moron (just wanted to post up my official opinion).
I’ll tell you what is a cult – the USA ‘system’ of prosperity. It puts 98% of the adult population so broke they can’t eat without help when they hit that magical ‘retirement’ number of 65.
And in this particular ‘cult’ if you don’t follow the system they throw you in jail.
Now MLM – 95% of the people that stick in one company for 10 years earn a six figure residual check – THAT’s not bad.
-dave
ok first of all maybe the reason ur friend took u there was because u have 2 jobs and he wanted to help u and second of all usana is not fda approved because fda stands for food and drug administration and obiesly usana sells vitamins usana how ever is in the pda wich are way higher standerts than fda
If you are going to make such a claim then at least have the decency to show everyone your name rather than hide behind something as idiotic as “lol” for a name.
i agree with amy park. mlm is an individual business by nature. not all distributors are like that. your friend mishandled the business…
Before you go bashing a company you need to dig into the facts.
Yes USANA is not approved by the FDA because it does not produce food grade products. If you did your research you would find that USANA products are pharmaceutical grade and are governed by GMP practices which are guidelines followed by pharmaceutical companies and are also listed in the PDR(physicians desk reference)FDA?? Like they really do a great job anyway?
Sometimes people do not want to associate with people who they consider will hold them back.
The 5 people you associate with will determine your bank account balance. Great article David as usual! It was informative with positive info. Thank you
Not affiliated with USANA in any way but just wanted to add that:
1)USANA is not FDA approved and neither is any company selling vitamin products because they are vitamins and not drugs…
2)The FDA is not necessary a guideline for health… They have been defeated in court over allowable health claims for food and supplements http://www.anh-usa.org/court-finds-for-anh-usa-in-stunning-victory-over-fda-thank-you-jonathan-emord/
Tilly
Tilly Davies´s last [type] ..Are You Committing These 7 ‘Prospecting Crimes’
Tilly thank you for sharing this article. The FDA is a joke and like the article says big pharm has them in their back pocket. Government corruption at it’s best!
USANA REVIEWS.
I found this in a long-tail-keyword tool!
Oh David, how ye never end to impress me with such content!
David Wood’s Mentor
-Gregory
Gregory Elfrink´s last [type] ..Eat Horse Shit or Give Up on Your Dreams
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the helpful review. Usana is a company I’ve been familiar with for a while, but I didn’t know a lot about them as a company. Interesting…
As for our friend who said it’s a cult, I don’t think anything else has to be said other than the internet has more than enough idiots without their “2 cents”. If you can’t make an intelligent argument based on anything other than your champion of a friend left you on your couch with a Bud Light and some Munchos, please stop wasting everyone’s time by hiding behind an anonymous comment.
*steps off soap box*
Anyways, I have to give you “props” on your knowledge of MLM in general, Dave. I’m going to be Googling “binary compensation plan” after this…
Thanks for the value you provide!
Brian Rakowski
Shaklee Distributor
Brian´s last [type] ..Green Tea and Weight Loss
Yea the people making the Usana scam allegations are definitely not doing enough homework. My take also is that many people fail in the Network marketing business (just like any small business). They fail because they quit. The quit because they refused to put in the time necessary to become great at the skills needed to become a top earner in Usana or any MLM Company. Keep bringing the value brother.
Hi Everyone,
I have heard of USANA before but had no idea what it was, I just knew that I’d heard the name before.
I am currently buying a house and the Real Estate Agent gave me a marketing pamphlet for USANA – he said I strike him as the kind of person who would be interested in it. I had a bit of a look but then lost the pamphlet. I don’t quite know what to think. I have been ripped off by a pyramid scheme in the past and it cost me a couple of thousand dollars and almost a law suite, so I am very sceptical. Also, I work two jobs and study full time so I’m not sure I have the required time or energy for USANA.
Does anyone know how much it costs to start up with USANA or have any first hand experience that they are willing to share with me?
If I decide it’s not for me, how would be the best way to tell him “no thanks” without being rude?
Cheers!
Raychel (Australia)
hi raychel, Im jade from Philippines. I’m not conneted with Usana in any ways but i’m actually thinking about it, doing research regarding the company and all that’s why i’ve been to this article, browsed it and read your comment. I know somebody who can help you out, a freind of mine who is recruiting me. if you’re interested, please e-mail me (jadeh_cea@yahoo.com).
Thanks!
I’m sorry I just have to chime in on the person who commented they thought Usana was a scam and a cult. I laughed out loud at that because as soon as they mentioned the word “cult” they discredited themself. I have found that people who make such comments about network marketing do so out of fear and lack of knowledge. This person’s friend probably didn’t want to be around them anymore because of their negative attitude. Just a guess. Nice article Dave.
I am very skeptical about this business myself anyone have any experience in dealing with this company. How legit is it, I have been told so much for other companies such as : Quixtar,Amway,Isagenix. I don’t know how much more false information I can take. If someone out there can prove me wrong and show me more evidence on how this product has helped people that are not affiliated with the business then I just might have some belief. Thank you for your time!!
Hi J, i know somebody who can help you out. Im not connected with this Usana but actually thinking about it. just e-mail me if you’re still fascinated about it so that i can personally refer you to him. (jadeh_cea@yahoo.com)
Thanks and Regards!
When we say, “it’s a scam..” it has to be back up with a strong evidence. So far, I have not heard anything that was cheated by this company. On the contrary, I heard a lot of people who have an improved way of living because of Usana. Usana has great products and it even tops in the Comparative Guide for Nutritional Supplements. That alone is enough to guarantee that Usana is a good company (aside from a good compensation plan)
All you biased people check this out
http://www.healthy.co.nz/news/551-usana-products-review.html
Whoever who wrote that article, that is not good..they are trying to destroy the image of USANA because USANA is their best competitor in the World of Nutriceuticals.
I’m sorry for them…If you run a business don’t do bad things to your competitors it’s not a healthy business.
“If you want to be successful in your life and in your business, don’t do bad things.”
Have a great day!!
why can’t you (usana beliver) distinguish between better and best??? are you blind? is it because of your distributorship??? it only means one thing, money is matters!!!
USANA is a cult. I’ve been behind closed doors with some of the big wigs and what they say when they think nobody is there is kind of ridiculous. Granted they are not the “elite” that many conspirators would believe want you dead, they just want your money!! Lets take a look at what is going on once you are a member, have paid into the business system and have signed up for autoship where you will be billed 170 bucks for a product that last four weeks and then is automatically reordered. 1) They want you to develop your people skills. This is a good thing, personal development is a wonderful thing. 2) buy more stuff! Books, flip charts, hand outs, usana business cards, t shirts, bottle shakers, dvds, and cds 3) Use those people skills you have learned along with the merchandise products and handouts to build up enough confidence to approach a family member or friend with the information 4) talk to this person about dreams goals and aspirations 5) scare them with their own mortality 6) scare them with the possibility of losing their income 7) attach them fulfilling their goals and aspirations with the usana dream
attach the usana dream to avoiding the pain from frequent lifestyle choices (eating like an unhealthy fatass) and the ups and downs of everyday life. Basic cult strategy; give them hope and attach this hope to the avoidance of pain. Any fool would join. Heck, I did.
This is one of the stupidest comments I’ve ever had on my blog.
Mr. ‘Ex-Cult’…
…you are putting simple marketing tactics that are used by every successful business on planet earth into what’s called a ‘negative frame’.
Every commercial you see on TV, good salesperson, public speaker, church leader, successful entrepreneur uses the same principles and tactics to build their business.
The difference is – how you frame it.
Now I’m not in USANA – but think it’s a good business – but you’re looking at the ‘but more stuff!’ in a negative light – but what about on the flip side – where ‘buying that stuff’ helps people succeed at what they’re in the business to do?
Highlighting pleasure and pain in selling is NOT negative, it is a persuasion skill and as long as it’s only used for others best intentions – there is absolutely nothing wrong with it – regardless of who it’s used by – USANA, or Brian Tracy.
Just my two cents – no harm in the comment here – but because you ‘don’t like’ MLM culture building, DOES NOT mean that it’s ineffective or ‘wrong’ in any way.
-dave wood
I do agree that Its a cult type of group. They seem to be the Jahova Witness of Vitamins. They tell their members to evangelize the word of vitamins and convert others, go to “church services” (meetings/seminars) several days a week. And make members pay the “collection basket”.
Blog creator seems to get very defensive when someone critisizes usana, clearly are supporters of group
They “evangelize” vitamins BECAUSE IT’S REAL!!
We DO need supplements, and our food is REALLY devoid of nutrients.
You’re saying it as if this is not a fact while this is ALREADY a ROCK-SOLID FACT!
yah you’re right!!!
Dave Wood, it is interesting how anyone who opposes your view is “stupid” or a “moron”. Your views, opinions, and how you “frame” opposing thoughts must not be as rock solid as you claim they are. I was faced with this moral dilemma; when is the line crossed between good selling skills and outright manipulation? I would also like to point out that unless your down-line must be string thin as well as deep, as opposed to being the tightly compact and full pyramid that is usually shown in the demonstration. By the time ANY mlm structure reaches anywhere close to the 50 level mark there are hundreds of thousands, sometimes hundreds of millions depending on the scheme, of people in that particular level. For those individuals to have their left and right sides maxed week after week until a solid residual income is present there would need to be BILLIONS of people bellow them. This is not possible. You may be rich, along with the other 1% of the successful ‘entrepreneurs’ using mlm, but some of us are not as great at ‘framing’ their manipulative sales tactics to get others to do the same. It is egotistical, that is probably why you put your name on everything. There is nothing ‘wrong’ with that besides enslaving you and your recruits to things of the ego. But that is what your in the business to do, right? You want more. A few words of advice Dave wood, get over yourself.
Mr. Ex Cult,
Do I don’t think that ‘everyone’ who opposes my view is a moron – just when I see pointless, negative crap, like this stuff you posted.
I think it’s stupid when someone comes on my blog with a name like ‘Ex-Cult’ suggesting that you used to be in a ‘cult’ by the language reference when you were in USANA.
If you don’t like it – fine.
But you coming at people in the company (keep in mind I’m not even in it) IS stupid, and a waste of your time.
The cool thing about Network Marketing is if you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to – you are more than welcome to do something else you enjoy for a living.
HOWEVER, a LOT of us (myself included) love the industry – tapes, books, CD’s, vitamins, and all – and happily pay for the stuff that people in your meeting were ‘manipulating’ you to buy.
Not only that, but that ‘stuff’ has made me extraordinarily successful for my age, even after years of failing in this industry when I started, my lifestyle today is worth it.
I didn’t say YOU were stupid, I said your comment was, so don’t take offense when I ‘second that’ and say that this last comment is stupid, too.
YOU may be a very intelligent person, but I suggest kindly that you stop attacking an industry full of people who WANT to be there on their own FREE CHOICE.
To the TOP,
David Wood
P.S. There’s a great book called ‘Your First Year In Network Marketing’ that I think would be a good read for you.
I usually don’t like to argue about networking marketing because it’s like arguing being an atheist or christian nor do I like flame wars. But a statement made by EX CULT jumped out at me.. EX CULT stated:
For those individuals to have their left and right sides maxed week after week until a solid residual income is present there would need to be BILLIONS of people bellow them.
This statement made by ex cult is wrong and shows his or her lack of in depth understanding of USANA binary compensation plan. Either that or ex cult has poor mathematical reasoning ability. (i do not know where the 1 billion number comes from)
To max out week after week for 1 business center requires about a total of 400 clients or distributors whose on monthly autoship for just that 1 business center. (50 on each side and in that cycle/week = 100 client for that week x 4 (~4 weeks/month). This will net about $4000 per month in residual income. ($3880 to be exact if you count your own $120 autoship). This is only on commission base and does not count any bonuses AND if the person stop recruiting.
My wife is a USANA associate and I actually read the entire policy and compensation plan because I do not know if her uplines left out anything or say something false just to get her to join. I was skeptical because I got a bit burned by WFG in the pass. But I did the math, analyzed the system and wonder if she can ever make more than her upline because I do not want her upline to just sit on his butt and received money from using her initial hard work. It is possible and she is actually making more than her upline after 6 months of work ..(she joined 6 months ago and her upline joined 4 months before her).
So $4000 per business center if you stop recruiting. If you have 3 and it max out it will $12000 per month in residual income with just 1200 people. How about 9 business center =>
9 x $4000 = $36000 per month with 3600 client/distributors.. you do the math.
How many PC’s/Associates does your wife have now?
Melissa, in case you are really curious and not just trying to set me up:
She a total of 91 initially (57 L, 28 R, 6 PCs ), but 48 remained as associates/PC (29 L, 13 R, 6 PCs); The rest 43 dropped out within 4 months due to:
1) thinking it was easy money (even though she honestly told them it’s like any other business which requires some work)
2) some ended up just don’t have the money due to the economy.
3) some delay the autoship
4) combined/shared accounts into 1 for just one family instead of 2 to 4 accounts.
Now she personally only recruited about 10 and stopped for last 3 months. But she currently has a passive residual/passive income of about at least $200/month (due to imbalance of the legs, else she will get more) even when she wasn’t working the 3 months and she already broke even on the 6th month due to also matching bonus.
But why she ended up so much clients when she only recruited 10? It’s called doubling power due to the binary system plan. Average people can mostly recruit 2.8 clients, so if you say just recruit 2, the rest recruit 2 more and it goes recursively, you have basically the following formula:
number of clients/associate in your organizational downline = (2^n + 2^(n-1)) where n = the level.
But she recruited 10 and if each 10 got just 2 clients, then you’ll have 10 30 70 150. Obviously some didn’t recruit and some recruited a lot more. You get the picture.
Now she is active again in hope that so she can increase her passive income, especially when there is a contest. (btw, she was the top 5 in the previous WTA grand slam contest and went to the WTA in San Diego.. and believe me I never thought she will be this good due to her so-call organizational skills and method of explaining things. But one thing is that she is naturally friendly).
Your comment made me laugh. I am not trying to set you up! I just became an associate 3 months ago and so far the business is doing well for me. I’m make about $500 a month but I am definately working my tail off. I have about 8 PC’s and 2 associates. I hope I can continue to be successful. I am trying to fund my son’s private school throught Usana. Thanks for your detailed response!
Melissa
Hey Dave,
Truly, I think you are wasting your time responding to the ex-cult guy.
You have it going on, you are living proof.
You are awesome.
Rebecca
Yeah, I’m not going to respond anymore. It was fun a couple of times, though – it’s funny how when you attack a perspective, people think you’re attacking them.
-dave
hey, how are you? i am denlo asuncion, a usana distributor from the philippines… =)
Thats exactly why MLM , Usana is a cult, you Dave have a attitude problem, you actually talk crap, money when made for profit as is USANA, will reap your rewards.
Hey Rebecca wake up!!!
Great stuff really works.
I am about to join USANA and came across this blog while researching about the company. I noticed that no one commented on the reply posted by Raquesh suggesting this site- http://www.healthy.co.nz/news/551-usana-products-review.html… can someone please validate this or suggest another article that discredit the claims in the above link?
Thanks
Bem
Hi!
That’s a vandalism…Don’t believe on that article because they can’t match the level standard of USANA..they trying to destroy the image of USANA.
Don’t listen to negative people because they will pull you down.
Always listen to positive people because they are the one who will help you to be successful person.
Have a great day ahead!
Hahahaha Epic!
Hey! I just wanted to weigh-in on USANA–as a business and also on the products USANA manufactures. My husband and I have been involved with USANA Health Sciences for going on 5 years now. I was bedridden and very ill with a chronic condition known as Fibromyalgia when I first got introduced to the company by my doctor who treated me with USANA’s science-based cellular nutrition to help me turn my health around. At the time I had out of control high blood pressure, I was pre-diabetic (with high fasting blood sugars), I was profoundly hypothyroid (with NO thyroid function whatsoever), and my liver and kidneys both were shutting down from all the prescription medications (21+ meds a day I was taking just to get through the day) I was then on as a result of going from doctor to doctor for over 25 years seeking traditional medical help. I also had a history of being a Registered Nurse for over 20 years working in Oncology (Cancer Care) and Hospice (end of life care for the terminally ill). I also had my personal weight up to 370 pounds from being bedridden for 3 to 4 years after I finally had to leave nursing and go on permanent disability.
When my doctor (a very credible “Integrative Medicine” doctor–a cross between traditional medicine and alternative medicine practices)–introduced USANA Health Science cellular nutrition alongside their nutritional foods program which has a heatlhy “side effect” of permanent weight loss as the foundation to my treatment at his clinic here in Minnesota, I admit as a nurse of 25+ years I was very skeptical that “vitamins” could help me get better when nothing else had?? I had to take a walk of faith with Dr. Troy and USANA and my life changed radically as a result!!! Whiel we can’t make claims about “cure”, I will say that I had gone through periods where I had intentionally bought and taken various nutritional supplements carried by our local Walgreens on a month-by-month basis for the 3 to 4 years I was on bedrest, hoping aginst hope that someone’s nutrition would help me!!! Nothing ever had–until Dr. Troy started “treating me” at his clinic with USANA nutritionals. Suffice it to say that within several weeks time my pain (which was severe enough such that my medical doctor was considering putting me on morphine at that time) was cut in half and my energy went way up. I was able to get out of bed for more than 15 mins at a time and to me that was very noticeable!! In the months that followed, my blood pressure came down, my blood sugars stabilized once I was on USANA’s RESET program, my kidney and liver functions returned and became optimal within just a few weeks time. Within 24 months, I was able to wean myself off of all 21 medications one at a time under my medical doctor’s supervision. I ended up successfully losing 140 pounds over a year and a half (70 pounds in the first 7 months). THE BIGGEST CHANGE (by far) was that my pain went away and my energy and zest for life returned!! I GOT MY LIFE BACK!!! I was hopeless and helpless prior to finding Dr. Troy and using these nutritional products. I had NO HOPE of ever being well again–ever having a normal life again. So, frankly it doesn’t matter to me what people say: I know for myself and for others on our USANA team (and their family members) the health changes I have been witness to as a result of these products over 5 years.
I had alot ot learn as a nurse about cellular nutrition and the principle of the fact that all chronic degenerative illness boils down to one very simple principle: you immerse your cells internally in optimal nutrition, they will replicate and reproduce faster than they die off–and HEALING will take place. When our cells die faster than they reproduce, pain and illness and overall degeneration result. I’ts that simple!! For me, as a nurse, when I started to understand this one principle, it started to make sense to me why USANA products do what they do at a cellular level. The founder of the company is a world renown microbiological scientist, Dr. Myron Wentz, who has received many awards for his biomedical research work at numerous research institutes here in the U.S. as well as his ground breaking research in Cell Biology worldwide. in 2008, he received the “Albert Einstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Biological Sciences” which is an award given annually to only one scientist worldwide. I figured at the time that I started on USANA Products that, if I was going to “feed my cells” in hopes of getting well, that I would rather be putting products discovered and manufactured by someone like Dr. Wentz than by anyone else. Turns out, my doctor who treated me with this nutrition at his clinic, himself had Muscular Dystrophy in his early 20′s, at which point he was faced with a hopeless diagnostic picture of being in a wheelchair by the age of 30 and dead by age 40 and he researched over 100 nutritional companies at that time and chose USANA to treat his own health situation. He then wrote a book entitled “Formula For Life” outlining how he recovered from Muscular Dystrophy and was on Oprah etc. at that time. He now has a clinic where people fly in to treat with him from all over the U.S. and Canada and overseas because he gets results with people who have “non-treatable” chrinic degenerative diseases that many medical doctors seemingly cannot get. How much of a roll USANA nutritionals play in that process I cannot say…but I CAN guess at it.
In terms of the USANA business, let me just say that once I recovered my own helath enough, the idea of being in USANA as a rep made total sense and was something I was VERY EXCITED about!!! Not because of money–but because of what the nutrition had done for me personally. The income potential of USANA as a home-based business was just an additional “perk”–something I could do from home to make significant money with as much or as little time input as I wanted. Going back to nursing was not something I wanted to do as i had lived half my life with such poor health, I just wanted to enjoy my life once I had my life back.
Nowadays, I steadily make an average of $600 a week and I truly enjoy what I do. Everything that Mr. Wood has stated about this business as a legitimate business is TRue! As a home-based business vehicle, USANA is one of the THE BEST OPTIONS out there!! Wwe have a team of over 200 in our home state of Minnesota and throughout the U.S. The nice thing about USANA is that there is no buying contract: people can buy the prodcuts at whatever pace they desire. In order to earn commission checks from the company, one has to purchase a minimum of what amounts to $120 of product monthly in the U.S. market. This is very minimal considering that amount represents a one month supply of the most popular mutli-supplement vitamin packs that USANA carries for one adult. Those who care not about receiving commission checks can (and DO) buy from the company at the same price that active Associates pay! So ANYONE can buy at wholesale_ Dr. Wentz wouldn’t have it any other way because his personal vision statement is “a wolrd free of the pain and suffering of chronic degenerative disease”. Dr. Wentz truly wants to impact people’s lives!!! Many of the folks in our personal USANA organization participate at a minimal level, happy just to make $200 extra a month for extra “mad money” or grocery money and they can do so for just an hour or so each week of time involvement. Others who are seeking more substantial income can put in whatever amount of time they wish to put in and gain much bigger results much faster if they so choose. But there are NO RECRUITMENT BONUSES in USANA (which are illegal and a hallmark of illegal pyramid schemes according to the law) and there is NO WAY for someone to “buy into USANA at a particular level” (also illegal). Money earned is based on straight percentage of product voluem moving between the consumer and the company—PERIOD. Those who want more income FASTER put more time in “getting the word out on behalf of the company” which is what we do–we build pathways via the Internet of distribution for the USANA nutritional products. Everyone gets a number: and the people who you introduce USANA to get a number and their number is tied to yours so that the product volume (whe it occurs) is tracked to your number each week. Every Friday the company issues checks to each Associate who has significant enough product volume moving to receive a check EACH and EVERY WEEK. USANA also has a “Matching Bonus” program structured just for the newest Associates which is amazing!!! People often recognized for their roles in the MLM Industry such as Tim Sales and Robert Allen (“Multiple Streams of Income” author) cite USANA as one of the BEST MLM home-based business programs out there and Robert Allen himself and his wife are in fact USANA Associates. So are many professional athletes (including Olympic athletes) who will use ONLY USANA nutritional products for training because USANA has a One million Dollar guarantee to professional athletes that should they ever test positive for any banned substance while on USANA products, USAN will pay them $1 MILLION USD. This guaranty has been in place for the 5 years we have been involved and NEVER has USANA had to pay out on that guarantee!!! As QUALITY, science-based nutritional supplements, USANA supplements are indeed rated #1 in the “Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements” published laboratory results of testing of over 1500 nutritional products sold in the U.S. and Canada (within the past 5 years). Every year USANA products have been in the top 5 and in the most recent 5th edition, they were given the prestigious “Editor’s Choice” award for being “the best of the best” of all supplements in the Comaprative Guide worldwide.
In summary, (and I apologize for the length of this post!) the strength of USANA as business opportunity lies in the outstanding quality of their products and the visionary leadership they have with Dr. Myron Wentz and his son Dave Wentz!! This company has been aorund 18 years, they are publicaly traded on NASDAQ and most recently added to the NYSE listings. The value of their stock continues to increase every quarter–because of who they are and how they do things!!! I hope that anyone seriously looking for a home-based business opportunity will check them out? It just may change your life!!!
Thumbs up! I LOVE USANA!!!!
I have tried Usana products in the past, which gave me good energy. I stopped using them because they were very expensive, and I thought a family of 4 could NOT afford these products.
The stock price of Usana is very stable & healthy. In other words, it is a financially viable company which seems to have good products. The MLM approach to marketing Usana products is interesting. IF they marketed their products through traditional retail sources, the prices would probably be at least 30 to 50% less. That is my educated guess.
However, it appears to be more profitable to the founders of Usana to use the MLM approach.
Are there informed, objective sources who care to comment on this email?
Thank you.
If USANA were to use the traditional business approach, putting its products in retail stores and pharmacies, the products might not be able to sell in the amount MLM allows.
Why?
Because MLM allows the proper introduction of USANA’s quality and uniqueness. If its products were to be put on shelves, consumers wouldn’t be sufficiently informed about the quality of USANA’s products.
The price might be a little higher, but everything you’re taking is guaranteed.
USANA is not a “CULT”
there are many millionaires here…USANA creates millionaires…creates best leaders… there’s a lot of things you will learn here in USANA…
“If you want to change your poor life, change your attitude first.”
Good Day!!! =)
Get a real job, who wants to take expensive vitamins and follow a bunch of losers when there’s apple cider vinegar, psyllium husk, colloidal silver a most excellent antibiotic, probiotics, coconut oil, hmmm, yummmmy, curcurum, veggie juicing garlic don’t drink, smoke, take any drugs, sad though, cause I’m not a millionaire, but guess what? I am ever so humbling happy, with what I have achieved in my walk with christ, you too can walk the walk if you change your attitude, dude. Love ya, the real truth will out one day.
I’m writing in response to this link posted by one of the people here: http://www.healthy.co.nz/news/551-usana-products-review.html
Take note that the author of that article was ALSO selling supplements. In fact, he was selling HIS OWN supplements. It’s not surprising for a businessperson to criticize a competitor’s products.
I don’t mind criticism, but that author’s comments lacked strength and weight.
The author kept repeating the issue of “we have to divide it by 3″ because the nutrition facts of USANA’s products (in NZ) reflect what’s in 3 tablets.
I find it funny. Is that the best the author could do? Showing what’s in 3 tablets MIGHT appear to be a little deceptive to some, but it’s not even bearing the slightest weight to be considered a deception, because consumers should read carefully what they’re reading.
Next, the author talked about pharmaceutical grade, and said that his supplements and those that he recommended were all pharmaceutical grade too.
But it’s not just about that. What about bio-availability? What about chelation? What can’t be absorbed is wasted. Even if you’re promised a 270mg of Calcium per tablet, if only 70% can be absorbed, you’re really just getting 189mg of it. (Although there are many other factors that affect absorption.)
It wasn’t fair that the author only talked about USANA’s Essentials and used it to compare with his own Calcium supplement.
USANA has its own Calcium product too. In each tablet of USANA’s Active Calcium Plus there are 200mg of Calcium, 100mg of Magnesium, 100IU of Vitamin D, and 2.25mg of Silicon. Our bones have a Calcium-to-Magnesium ratio of 2:1, so the optimal amount of Calcium and Magnesium in supplements should be 2:1 too. And then Vitamin D is required to allow Calcium to go into the bones. Silicon is required to strengthen the bonds between bone cells, just like cement that holds bricks together. USANA has already researched on and thought about all this. AND, USANA guarantees its potency, purity, safety, and bio-availability.
If the author of that article wanted to compare, he should have compared Active Calcium Plus (and not Essentials) with whatever he was comparing.
And then he went on to talk about B vitamins.
The thing is that even though you get 9mg of B vitamins per tablet of Essentials, they’re meant to be taken 3 times a day. (This isn’t without reason. Our bodies can only absorb so much at any particular period of time. Dividing the ingestion of supplements into 3 times is better than ingesting it all in 1 go.) So we should really take it as 27mg, and not 9mg, like what the author kept emphasizing.
To conclude, don’t listen to that article. From the way the article was written, the author showed that he lacked understanding of USANA’s products and their quality and strengths.
There are a LOT MORE than what you can see from the bottles of USANA’s products.
Nah!… Nevermind the author of that silly write-up. He hadn’t even granted an ALBERT EINSTEIN AWARD either, ahahah. It’s just a frustrated attack on Usana, pathetic he is…
Really!!! Still trying to convince people that usana is a reliable product, the one thing one must consider, supplements are fine for a period, there are some things the body needs in its development and growth, enzymes, natural enzymes, from natural sunlight, chlorophyll for live nutrients in the diet.
Please note; when people have to rely on supplements to be healthy, then it tells me that they are lazy people and can not prepare appropriate nutritious meals, it also means that they are self centered and selfish in that their life revolves around me syndrome. Natural is better, the mind, spirit will love you for it, unnatural, results in unnatural thinking, like pride, pompous, thoughts of self, self gratifications and so on, Research healthy living for the truth on how to heal yourself.
My friend, I see you in quite a lot of places on the Internet. Even one of your comments here is a direct copy of the same piece of comment from another website.
But I digressed…
I can’t help but wonder do you even know how much nutrients are there in our food today? I read somewhere that the amount of Vitamin C in an apple was 80mg, and that was 40 years ago. Today, the amount of Vitamin C in an apple can go as low as 4mg. Why? Due to the chemicals and frequent harvests.
If you’re talking about our grandparents’ time, we would do fine with just proper diet, exercise, and good sleep.
Today? No. We need supplements because most of our food is dead food. All the enzymes and nutrients that you mentioned would be available in a high quality supplement.
In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association also recommends all adults to take supplements because most people do not consume sufficient nutrients from diet alone.
Go natural and all is good. I love it. But in today’s commercialized world, there is only so much we can go natural in.
Mr. Wood,
You state “First of all, they have an excellent science based product. This is one aspect of USANA that no one can touch. There are more scientific articles written about USANA’s nutritional products than almost any other vitamin company on Earth.”
Please provide us with some of these articles. If there are really that many out there then a dozen or so shouldn’t be that hard to dig up. Be great to see the studies.
USANA is not a scam, I use their products as I am an ex smoker and seriously I think the products do benefit my health. I know the prices are a bit pricy compared to the cheap ones in supermarkets but your improving your health.
I might have to agree with “lol” about working for USANA might damage your relationship with friends and family around you, my dad previously worked for USANA as a sales rep in Singapore and quit his full time job as an Engineer to be a sales rep. It can lead you to great heights but it can damage your relationship with others especially the ones that are closest.
Besides that USANA is an excellent science based product, all their products are good for kids and adults of all ages.
i think many misunderstand the reasons behind people who join mlm and slowly leave their friends behind. it is not exclusive to just USANA associates. if you read famous motivational quotes from past presidents, world leaders of countries, corporations, and, probably ALL mlm associates, etc, they will ALL tell you as you rise up in life, you have to let go of the ones who hold you down. they are the cancers to anyone’s dreams. if i want something bad enough, whoever brings me down, i would let go in my life too.
i hope this clears up some of the “cult” accusations not just here but that are everywhere. to be absolutely laser focused to your dreams, never ever let anyone tell you what you are doing “SUCKS”!
“Mosquitoes can ruin the hunt for big game.”
— David Allen: Management consultant, trainer, and author
Hi Just reading all the comments here.. hands down to Elizabeth Hill, and all i know your not doing the USANA business just to sell products but of course to share the true health…I just join USANA this year and very thankful i chose the right company, though i have so much of friends that are against of USANA, but it will not stop me from using USANA… thanks for the advise and all comments here.. i dont earn much yet but soon i will
to the critics.. don’t be closeminded…you’ll never know what will happen next when you join USANA..
You have some genuinely useful information written here. Good job and keep posting great stuff.
hi u guys,had a very bad experience with usana, my wife, son and i registered as members with the company after paying 16k per head beleiving that i will earn commisions. i realized lately that the commisions i dreamed of are really unachievable coz each of us have to purchase product worth thousand of pesos to quality for commisions …shell our bloodmoney in order to earn ur hard earned commision… wow what a scheme.. and prices of their products are all jacked-up five hund percent. .. make ur own analysis guys and stop fooling urselfs…. who are we going to chase now? this is a scam of the highest degree, and the culprits are miles and miles awaY…..
after signing on a year ago, i have yet to receive my commision after investing 30k …
To mario silva and MARS,
Do what the compensation plan says you have to do, and you’ll get paid. It’s just that.
There is no way USANA wouldn’t pay you if you follow the compensation plan.
And there is nothing wrong with the monthly purchase to qualify for commission. If you like USANA, you believe in USANA products, you would use them. If you’re going to use them, there is nothing wrong with buying the products.
Don’t do the business if you don’t like USANA products.
Furthermore, you SHOULD ALREADY KNEW that there is monthly requirement before you joined USANA.
To Mario and MARS:
I just wanted to respond to your bad feelings about having to spend money on the products to earn commission and alos your inability to earn commissions. I am sure this has been a frustration for you both and my heart truly does go out to you!!! I think there are probably some misunderstandings between you and your upline sponsors perhaps because there is absolutely NO REASON you should have ever lost money in this business!! USANA is set-up so ethically that the company even allows people to return product (100% Satisfaction guarantee) and even their sign-up pack (which is a total cost of $40.00 WITH shipping currently) and receive a FULL REFUND AT ANY TIME!!! You can return half-used containers of the products for a full refund!!! I have helped people to do this who were my customers or Associates who simply changed their mind shortly after joining.
We tell people on our team that “this is a volunteer army and we don’t want anyone joining our team if they are not 100% THRILLED to be doing so!!!” We want a strong, vibrant, excited TEAM–not people who have been pressured or coerced into doing something that they do not wish to do…what kind of team would it be if the team members are all unhappy?
It sounds to me as though you somehow missed the online training about how to order and how to RETURN product? Perhaps you just assumed you could not return anything? I know that in some MLM opportunities this is indeed the case—but NOT SO in USANA!!! This is understandable that you might make this assumption–especially if you did not receive training from your upline leaders?? This is a shame if this is the case–because USANA has such OUTSTANDING training all available online too (you can go thruough it at your own pace and it teaches EVERYTHING you would ever need to know about being a USANA customer or being in the USANA business and how to advance forward in the USANA business0. It is called the E-Apprentice training and everyone gets full access to this when they sign-up for the $40 I mentioned above… I encourage you both to call USANA if you would like to do so and request help with returning product if you need to do so? The number (in case you need it) is (801) 954-7200 and give them your associate number and they will help you!!! I sincerely hope that this helps?? you should never have “lost money” in USANA–it is impossible to do so!!!
I guess the reason why people (esp. with negative comment) failed on MLM is because they did not do their jobs. Remember, it’s a business, meaning you have to work for it. I does not mean to just sit back, relax, and wait for the money to come to your door. It requires ernest effort too, a couple of hard work and deligence. I’m not a Usana associate or distributor or anything, but i quite understand what it’s business is all about and where it goes.
i agree, 2 thumbs up jade!!!
“You can not put a price tag on your health”
Usana products truly the best and results are amazing!
I have been doing a lot of research on Usana, wanting to see if it is right for me. This site was very helpful. Thanks to everyone who posted. A couple of years ago I did the same research about Mary Kay and Avon. A lot of people said that they were scams too. People can make money in anything if they have passion for what they are doing. I had a friend who worked at a daycare center part time, did freelance photographer, Mary Kay, and sold video games on ebay. I don’t know how well she did at Mary Kay, but she was able to buy a house and pay all her bills, plus, she loved what she was doing. If you love what your doing and able to pay your bills, isn’t that what its all about?
Hi David,
That was a great post. I am in no way associated with USANA, but I have some friends who used their products and had a tremendous results. This person suffered from Fibromyalgia and there is no “western medical cure”.So instead of doctors putting her pain pills so she become a Zombi, she has gotten totally free from the aches and pains.
Rick
I have family that sells Usana, they have hurt our family by convincing then to join and making them sign up for 100′s of $$ on orders. i was very hurt and disappointed to find out the strategies used (mostly to ignorant, uneducated, and weak individuals)
i feel sorry for those that join thinking is the $$$ dream.
please think about it twice before joining or spending your $$ on this products.
I just got sucked into a presentation for USANA Fromm somebody who I thought was a friend. The whole point of this program is to get people to give those on top their money. I haven’t seen this friend in like over 5 years when we run into each other at a coffee shop and then he friends me on facebook. Not 2 weeks later he is really pushing for us to hangout and I think “wow! This guy must have really valued our friendship and is really trying to reconnect”. So he asks me what I am up to in life and I tell him I just got my masters in social work and he says “great that’s kind of what I do”. One thing leads to another next thing I know we are at a coffee shop and he is trying to connect me with his “director” (who by the way even if USANA is a legit business get rid of this guy total jerk and loser). Through the meeting I pretended to be interest (my friend insisted he pick me up now I know why) because I was afraid I would have to ride home. Once we got to my house i was direct with him. Im sorry I’m not trying to be a jerk or anything but this is a not very honest program. They build up everybody the same. My friend and his director sound exactly the same and by same I mean same words line by line even their jokes are exactly the same. But the real piece of info that sealed the deal was when I told the director I was broke and had to ask my family for the start up money he tells me “right now I don’t want you to talk to your family about this program”. Who does that?!?!? Somebody who knows to be careful and “frame” his words. My advice don’t do this program but if you really want to test the people who are trying to get you in. Tell them to wait a couple of days (they will tell you “I don’t want you to lose your spot just fill out an application). Drive there yourself ( when the person insist on driving you it’s so that your stuck there). Ask them straight out “so basically I’m a sales person for vitamins? (they will say your not selling it your sharing it. Don’t you want your family to have good health? If you love something your not a salesperson). Oh really so the person selling crack on the corner isn’t an a****** because he loves crack so he’s sharing not selling it.
I know absolutely nothing about this company, however, i had been reading alot of these comments and found one thing that makes me somewhat skeptical. The simple fact that everyone replying and having the most answers all start off with “I’m not with the company.” This makes me very scared that even Dave Wood stated to Mr. Ex that ” i’m not with USANA.” I’m just wondering why everybody that is sticking up for this company is not involved? I hope noone takes this as a judgement, it’s not meant to do so. I’m just confused and would like some clarity.
In short Howey – because I’m busy with other stuff and already earn a large leveraged income – I don’t have time to be involved with every good opportunity – does that make sense?
What, you don’t want to help this person, oh my, your too busy, sorry, not very helpful, aaa, USANA is good for you because you have the gift of the gab to influence gullible people. So sad, cause Jesus wants YOU, HE NEEDS SINNERS to be converted, with your abilities to touch the souls of the sick, homeless, downtrodden and to save those that have not felt LOVE, true love in their lives.
CAN you do it Dave, can you because the world needs YOU.
My sponsor used to be in USANA, and they were earning a 6 figure income in the company. They had a number of customers with chronic health problems that disappeared while using USANA’s products. It’s a good company with good products.
To “USANA From My Point of View” and Hopeful…I am sorry to hear that your family and friend did what they did with you. I am sorry to hear that it was hurtful to you!!! I DO NOT AGREE WITH what was done or said or HOW it was done or said to you. The thing I wish to point out here is that you were wronged..yes…but NOT by USANA the company or it’s products. You were treated wrongly by your family (In the case of “USANA from MY Point Of View”) and by your friend (in “Hopeful’s case). This is the FUNDAMENTAL FLAW with ALL MLM businesses—the FACT that people mistreat people in presenting the opportunity–no matter what it is–and then people get hurt or wronged by the person presenting to them and blame that treatment that they received on the company and the products instead of placing the blame where it TRULY BELONGS–on the individual(s) who approached them and treated them UNPROFESSIONALLY in the first place.
I realize that these are family members and friends–and it is more palatable for you to blame a faceless, nameless company and products than to actually face the fact that your family and friends were the one(s) who mistreated you!!! Truth be told–the USANA company and the products had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR SITUATION–now did it? BOTTOM LINE—people mistreat people. USANA has done nothing bad to you and neither has it’s products. Your family members and friends have. They needed TRAINING as to how to be PROFESSIONAL in approaching you with USANA in the first place and HOW to handle their relationship with you forthrightly and honestly with regard to this opportunity. They wanted you to see and appreciate the opportunity and the products in the SAME way that they do. It is a PAINFUL REALITY that many people form a “pre-conceived opinion” that is NEGATIVE–usually without first hearing the individual out–based on some opinion that someone else shared with them about MLM in general in the past (not even necessarily the same company!) Your family member and friend needed TRAINING as to how to approach you honestly and forthrightly (giving you a clear choice about whether or not you wanted to hear about this in the first place and having absolutely NO CONNECTION WHATSOEVER TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM!!) Your family member or friend needed TRAINING UP FRONT about HOW to handle this PROFESSIONALLY and obviously no one taught your family member or friend in the right way how to be a “network marketing professional” with regard to appraoching YOU with this opportunity!!!
My husband and I have been involved for 5 years with USANA and we NEVER approach anyone “indirectly” or with “stealth” as some really misguided upline PEOPLE will council new recruits to do (because of pre-conceived ideas floating around in the main population about what all “MLM” is, etc.) Many new recruits are counciled by misguided upline trainers and sponsors to avoid all disclosure up front because of the strong preconceived ideas floating around out there about what MLM is. They realize that most people (statistically 98%) have a NEGATIVE VIEW of what “MLM” is based upon what a friend of a friend of a friend has told them previously–gossip–NOT firsthand experience with an MLM opportunity. Please understand that your friend/family member wanted you to see (WITH AN OPEN MIND–NOT CLOSED) what they see in USANA. However, this being said, they were wrong to take you by surprise with it (in Hopeful’s case) and I don’t know what happened in the other person’s family scenario–but I need to point out in your case that you had 100% CHOICE in purchasing the products–which are rated #1 WORLDWIDE with 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed–so you also had 100% CHOICE to RETURN THE PRODUCTS and get your money back if it were in fact the PRODUCTS that are the issue with you. However, it is obvious that the TRUE ISSUE is that it was “a family member” approaching you and you felt OBLIGATED to BUY and NOT RETURN once you had bought. Again though, it was 100% YOUR CHOICE to buy and NOT RETURN and you don’t have any right to blame USANA or the products for your CHOICE (or in this case your failure to say “NO”).
The negative floating around out there about MLM Companies is fully attributable to what PEOPLE DO in working with and handling other PEOPLE. PERIOD. Unfortunate in that if these new recruits were fully trained to be PROFESSIONAL in their dealings with family and friends and, if in turn most of these new people USED that PROFESSIONALISM in dealing with the people closest to them, that most of this negativity surrounding MLM opportunities would STOP. However, the difficulty here is HUMAN NATURE (a strong desire to pursue a dream can and will drive many people to DO and SAY the wrong things when dealing with the people closest to them. Many people feel that “the ends justifies the means” and that their family and friends will forgive them later on for “coming on too strong” once they too appreciate the company and the products in the SAME EXACT way that they do. The REALITY is that this is NEVER going to be the case and EVERYONE needs to be professional and practice “the golden rule” 24-7 irregardless. Treat others in the same way you yourself would wish to be treated ALWAYS–WITHOUIT EXCEPTION. If you are honest and forthright (as a new recruit) about your opportunity with family and friends and they turn you down flat, LET IT GO and MOVE ON to the millions of people “out there” who ARE in fact looking for what you have to offer!!!! Statistics also bear out the fact that, when handled with respect and honestly up front, that many of these same family and friends WILL, IN TIME, COME BACK TO YOU and JOIN YOU–when the timing is right FOR THEM—NOT YOU. BUT ONLY if they are treated fairly–and PROFESSIONALLY–BY YOU in the beginning!!! Many may watch you and you may have to build the foundation of your business with “strangers” and be “watched” by family and friends for a year or more and demonstrate some solid success before family and friends will even begin to “hear you out”. That’s OK!! You need to be “OK” with this fact and move on.
MANY MANY people “out there” are looking and hoping and praying for an opportunity such as this one to come along!!! Get out there and find those people!! In time, “some” of your family and friends will join you–and some NEVER WILL (this type of opportunity is not everyone’s “cup of tea” either). Some people would rather be stuck in the eye with a hot poker than have to pick up a phone and promote a product to someone or to try to “develop a customer” by being a “salesperson”. That’s OK. Some people only know and understand the word “JOB” and will remain happily “broke and average” ALL of their lives working a job that they hate–putting in their time 8 to 5 making their boss’ dreams come true. if they are content living this way–then you are obliged to LET THEM. Different strokes for different folks. You can’t “push a rope” nor should you ever try. Go find your REAL business partners and make your dreams come true that way–leave family and friends for later on and only time will tell if some of them will ultimately join you.
Wow, I came here from researching Usana for a friend who was thinking of joining. It really blows my mind how the Usana people here can’t seem to accept that there are people out there who aren’t cut out for IM or sales.
If you don’t agree with them you “don’t get it” and “want to remain broke and average”. They somehow think that the working world outside Usana is bad.
Not all of us work for Usana and some of us love our JOBS Elizabeth. Not all work for crazy or terrible bosses or bosses at all.
Usana is a company where if you work hard and educate yourself you can make money, just like just about any other JOB or business opportunity.
There isn’t a US vs Them mentality here folks. It’s one way to make money out of thousands. Get over it.
Amen brother, I find they are very very protectionist of USANA, there is not one company in this world that can be trusted to be honest, these days, it’s all about profits, and the only way to make a profit is to sell to gullible people.
In the long run they won’t be happy when they have everything and done everything, you have it for one minute and the next, it’s gone.
Life is not about making oodles of money, life is about growing up, maturing, being better than what you were yesterday, most people are stuck in the money level. I need more money to do the things that make me happy and what makes people happy, they believe having more money will make them happy.
Going around in circles is what everyone are doing, and not moving on to achieve the spiritual things that life has to offer, because you can’t take physical possessions with you when you die but you can take the spiritual growth of your life with you.
When the lessons of life have been learned, you then go up to the next level, or year or grade, (whatever), elsewhere on another planet elsewhere in the universe,
and start again.
This is going to create some interesting feedback, hahahaha.
John Smith: I am not assuming at all that ALL jobs are bad!!! I fully realize that some people like their jobs: I just know that according to surveys and polls that have been taken in leading media publications, that the “majority” of people working in America would rather NOT be working at the jobs that they currently have and would rather be doing something else with their lives. They fail to make a change because of fear of their own ability to shine at the occupation they truly want to pursue. Not to mention the reality of the current double-dip recession we are in where there are now 12 UNEMPLOYED people for every 1 American that is currently working. These are not MY statistics, John Smith: they are the US Labor Force’s stats.
What I AM saying is that there are many UNHAPPY, UNPRODUCTIVE people “out there” working jobs they DO NOT LIKE—that could choose differently and fare much better overall economically. They tend to not try because their friends and people around them tell them that “MLM is a joke” or that “MLM doesn’t work” based on an uninformed opinion they got oftentimes from someone who also did NOT have firsthand experience with a business like USANA–but who instead talked to a friend of a sister’s cousin who “tried it one time and failed” and from that “opinion” they shut down on the idea of even trying anything new and different like a business of their own (irregardless of what that business is). Too many Americans believe they will ALWAYS be “broke and unhappy” and it is this very fact that could end up plunging our dear country into permanent socialism and the ONLY thing that gives our current president his edge. President Obama wants to create as many people who are 100% dependent on entitlement programs from the govt. for their very survival as possible—as FAST as possible–and if necessary plunge this country into a second “Great Depression” much worse than what we ever saw in 1929–because people would run crying to Washington and to him to take care of them. The irony is, it is at this very point where the rug will be pulled out from under all of them and they will find out who President Obama REALLY IS and what his agenda REALLY IS–and it will be too late to make any constructive changes at that point.
The strength of USANA and these home-based opportunities is entrepreneurship and FREE ENTERPRISE–BOTH Of which made America as strong as it once USED TO BE as a country–and the ability we still have as Americans (at this point) to take control of our own destiny by starting and running a business of our own where WE (and NOT “the system”) are in control of our own destiny. I sincerely hope for the sake of our country that Americans wake up sooner as opposed to later and start making some of these changes before we paint ourselves into a socialistic corner and end up trapped there!!!
The USA has a problem, today it has a major issue with fear, a fear of losing it’s rightful place as the dominate power of the world, that is because of the amount of Gods laws being broken and abused, the spirit that was in America is dissipating, and is being replaced by a dominating spirit, GREED, and there is not much that can be done to fix it, other than have a war and restarting the human race again and hoping we can get it right the next time.
I know I know you may not understand what I am saying, it’s what I’m persieving of the world at this time.
I just want to say that… haters gonna hate. That’s just sad.
I’m going to address many things that people commonly mention in this one post.
Most of the time, people hate MLM either because:
1) They have a philosophical aversion towards the idea that they work and the people above them get money.
2) They failed in one MLM business (no matter the company), and they generalize that failure and unpleasant experience to the entire MLM industry.
This is called stereotyping, if not brainless.
If you’re not happy about you working and your upline getting money, either you realize that your money is also your upline’s money so that your upline should help you make money, or you quit the MLM industry.
As for monthly purchase, nobody is forcing anyone to purchase monthly any amount of products. If you don’t think you can make the purchase every month, you can STOP and QUIT!
This business is meant for those who actually like the products. If you like the products, you won’t feel FORCED to buy them because you USE them. If you don’t like the products, DON’T DO THE BUSINESS. You won’t last.
The products work. Period.
Only those who have tried them (for at least 3 months) understand the meaning of this.
You say you don’t believe the products work? You can just try them for 1 to 2 months, and you may very well feel the results (particularly if you’re above 40, because things are growing old). And you don’t have to be a genius to do this.
The high standard manufacturing process isn’t for nothing. The pharmaceutical GMP isn’t for nothing. The rigorous research and partnerships with the Linus Pauling Institute, The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, University of Sydney, Utah, Colorado, and Boston aren’t for nothing.
The result of all these is the high quality products that work.
And… There’s also the pyramid-scheme saying towards USANA.
Pyramid scheme?! Come on! You gotta be joking. Pyramid schemes usually do not have products. Yes, you can tell me some pyramid schemes disguise themselves by selling some kind of products. But I’m gonna ask you: why would USANA go through so much trouble to come out with its products just to “disguise itself”? (If it even was doing that, that is.) Why the numerous research and expansive equipments just to “disguise its scheme”??
And for those who say that the products cannot retain enough customers (and so needs the “dream of becoming rich” to do the trick), either you don’t understand the products so you don’t recognize their value, or you don’t know how to do this people business (and don’t know how to sell the products). Or both. Nothing else.
If you’re worried about the all-time favourite criticism against the MLM industry: “that the business cannot sustain itself because one day the world will run out of people to recruit”, then you can just sit back and relax.
Many people criticise USANA for its monthly required purchase, but this is exactly what makes USANA a sustainable business. The result of this is that your business can last by just selling products and getting people to be preferred customers (meaning, making the monthly purchase at discounted prices). Even if no one is there for you to recruit (to do the business) anymore, you can always just get people to use the products on a monthly basis.
Yes, this is where the problem is: many distributors, especially in certain countries, join USANA for the money, not the products. So they sell “business opportunity”, not the products. (And they sell it with all kinds of crap and nonsense and unrealistic promises.)
If this is how you do the business, I would personally ask you to quit. You don’t know how to do the business, and you’re wasting time.
Get people to like the products before doing the business. Not the other way around. Otherwise, you won’t go far. (And then you will blame USANA for your own greed for money.)
And there’s also the majority-of-distributors-aren’t-making-money thingy.
Please, have you counted in those who aren’t doing the business? There are numerous people who are recruited by distributors for certain specific functions. These people… are “asleep”! They’re just being parked there. That’s all. OF COURSE THEY DON’T MAKE MONEY!!
Statistics don’t lie about numbers, and ONLY about numbers. But they lie about reasons.
Also, you wouldn’t die if you don’t go into the top few % of people who make millions. They joined early on. This is about timing. You can’t blame USANA or the MLM industry for your own lateness.
But as I said, you wouldn’t die even if you don’t make millions. Making 5 figures per month is already much, much better than many other jobs.
And for those who don’t know anything about nutrition and say that, for example, “Vitamin C is just Vitamin C no matter where I buy it!”, GET REAL AND GO EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!
There are much more to Vitamin C than just Vitamin C. Most Vit C supplements are acidic and could worsen stomach problems, but USANA’s Vit C isn’t acidic. Other Vit C supplements usually use ascorbic acid, but USANA’s Vit C use mineral ascorbates. Vit C supplements that use ascorbic acid are water-soluble (they’re quick to exit your body through urine), so they only last 2 to 3 hours in the body, while USANA’s Vit C can last 7 to 8 hours due to the mineral ascorbates.
How many people on earth know these things (and much more)? Not many. That’s why they go around saying USANA’s products are overpriced and it’s a scam.
Seriously, nutrition isn’t as simple as you think.
Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t make it bad. Just because you don’t like something doesn’t make it bad.
Once a skeptic, always a skeptic. But the skeptic misses the benefits. Too bad.
You will be amazed how they do it in the Philippines. Their office is located at the 24th floor Enterprise building or HSBC tower. Nice place. A lot of young people will promise you of life earning huge amount of money while you are sleeping. These young people who were 10 years old then when this sort of concept started. It is a pyramid concept where the people at the base of the pyramid will be bearing the brunt of enticing others to join. They talk about miracles in USANA in the amount of hundreds of pesos every week mixed dominantly with the symbol of $, but in three to four hours of briefing you will get tired and even a glass of water will not be served. There is no time out until you decide to join or your credit cards are ready for the P35,000.00 initial payment. I noticed that those people who are members are not really healthy. The one who presented the products to me has rashes on his skin. The other guy has acne. They should have had faces free of acne and skins with no rashes because they said the vitamins supplements claim it can do it to you.
I pray to God that what you people are promoting are real. This things happened before and always the young people are the victims.
I NOW USANA IS NOT RIGHT DUE TO I CASELED MY MEMBER SHIP .AND ITIS INPOSABUL IT SEAMES.I CACEL LAST YEAR AND THY CHRED ME AGAINE THIS YEAR .AND I WAS TOLD BY THE PERSON THAT I TALKED TO IT WOULD BE DONE .SO THY ARE STEALING FROM ME THEN I WOULD SAY. THE STUFF I WAS ON DID NOT DO AS GOOD AS OTHERS COMPANY.I FEEL BETER WITH OTER HEARBS.AND IT IS ALLMOSE INPOSABUL TO FIND OUT WHO TO CALL.SO I AM UPSET AT USANA THY SHOUL CATER TO THE PEAPEL NOT JUST ALL FOR THEM MONEY IS NOT ESAY TO COME BY ME.
Dear PETER:
#1: If you want to appear credible in making comments on blogs online–and this is s general rule of thumb that applies to ALL blogs and bulletin board communities in general–you need to USE SPELL CHECKER and take time to construct posts that sound halfways intelligent?? You gross mispellings alone make one doubt the value and validity of what you say. Spellchecker really DOES WORK and is readily available in MS Word and other applications. I encourage you in the future to take time and draft your posts using MS WORD or some other similar program and then US SPELLCHECKER to correct all the mis-spelled words and this one change alone will help a great deal for people to take you seriously!!!
That being said (and somewhat off topic I know) I will repreat that which I have already stated: USANA will totally cancel your Associate Number wtih one simple phone call. You must not have fully understood what they told you originally–or something? I don’t know what happened, but I have had a number of people from my organization call up USANA and get their Associate number cancelled–NO HASSLE whatsoever. Once that number is CANCELLED, that is PERMANENT and they will NOT charge you the once-a-year fee of $20 US to remain an Associate after that. If you have such a big beef against them for “stealing from you” I encourage you to call them and tell them what you have stated here happened to you and, knowing USANA as I do, I can almost predict that they will gladly refund you your $20 US and make certain that your number is cancelled!!!
I, however, strongly suspect that you have a “grudge” against USANA for some reason and, even though they have treated you fairly, NOTHING THEY DO NOW OR IN THE FUTURE WILL EVER LOOK FAIR IN YOUR EYES!!! You can return every product you have ever bought if the products have been a disappointment and are not 100% used up for a full refund. YOu can call and get your Associate Number cancelled and will NOT get charged again the $20 annual fee. If, in fact, they did for some reason charge you in error, I know FOR A FACT they will refund you that money! USANA as a company prides itself on ETHICS and will bend over backwards to be just and fair to people!!! But, for those who WANT TO HATE USANA NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO….will NEVER be SATISFIED!!! THis is the SAD TRUTH–but there is always ONE in every crowd!!!
The number, Peter, in case you don’t have it, is 1-801-954-7200. PLEASE CALL TODAY and get your REFUND so that you can stop complaining about being “ripped off” by USANA?? Although I am guessing you will ALWAYS KEEP COMPLAINING–because by complaining on Blogsites such as this one, you are able to JUSTIFY your OWN FAILURE as a USANA Associate–and I strongly suspect that this is the “real issue” here… YOu need to rationalize your own failure by telling “rational lies” to others because it galls you that other people are “out there” succeeding with USANA where you failed–and the LAST THING YOU WANT is for ANYONE ELSE TO SUCCEED WHERE YOU FAILED!!
I just hate to to see people such as yourself constantly blaming USANA for their own choices NOT to succeed and representing their OWN POOR CHOICES as USANA’s failures? This is NOT FAIR!!! USANA as a company is way up there in terms of success because of the amazing products they have and the truly ETHICAL and VISIONARY leadership that they have and they deserve accolades…NOT criticism!! You should check out USANA;s year end financials–in the midst of the WORST RECESSION since THE GREAT DEPRESSION, USANA ciontinually breaks records financially for growth! They have now officially reached the half BILLION mark in SALES worldwide and every quarter their numbers are HIGHER!!! A company WITHOUT STERLING ETHICS and with poor products would NOT have this kind of success in this type of world economy!!!
Elizabeth Hill,
I just sent you a resquest to contact me on your Usana page- I would love to speak with you and would prefer a more private form of communication! Thanks so much!
I do agree with Ms Elizabeth Hill, before becoming an associate of Usana you must understand how things within the company. The fact that you invested your money and waste your time listening to the details from associates that have signed ahead of you and of course entailing and sharing those facts to other people (family, friends and neighbors) on those time alone you have grasp the rationale of the company. Me and my brother joined Usana primarily we knew that the products are high quality and more so we really need it for the reason of health because we cant return the time that we have clean environment and great food to fully nourish our system. Our era right now is very very different from before, alot of sickness is around us therefore we need to put our guard up from those things that will cause us disease.
As for the complain of Mr Peter, on my opinion you failed as an associate it is possible that you did not understand the business you have entered maybe because the person who have asked you to joined usana was not able to explain the details to your thoroughly, you should have atleast read the materials that was with the package you purchased. Lastly, the website of the USANA once your were able to login there is knowledge base, all you have to do is navigate and understand. On my second thought, maybe your were blinded by stories of the associates who are successful with USANA, you should have reliazed that they were not in those position if they did not strive to reach that position. If only your were open-minded and have a positive attitude, you will love the benefits of being an associate of USANA not only for your health but also in your financial aspects.
People will come and say more bad things about USANA in the coming days, one thing is for sure, you can never put a good company from your lies and false allegation. Before you say bad things about USANA first do your part to research and understand the vision of company. Secondly, ask yourself if what you will say is true , read and understand . Lastly, crab mentality wont give you an advantage, therefore “think before you speak”
Ok if USANA makes millioners and works why doesnt everyone join and quit there jobs? And i have a friend whos in this crap and from what ive been seeing its a freaking cult. There words were to my friend “you shouldnt hang out with him hes a bad influense to you”. Yeah its a cult no matter what you call it.
Ok, let me ask you back this question.. If all business are known to make millionaires and works, why doesn’t everyone go into business and quit their jobs?
The point is no one say USANA makes millionaires. it’s an alternative to get passive income.. just like how being a landlord is another way to get passive income but no guarantees that the landlord will be a millionaire. Likewise, going into any business is no guarantee to be a millionaire, but just a chance to work for yourself and have a chance to be rich.. I know a lot of small business owners who are not millionaires, but getting passive income in one form or another.
If your upline or someone who recruits you say that usana makes you a millionaire or something like that, then you should think twice as to join their team as that corruption.. speaking from past expensive with another MLM company.
As if someone tell your friend that “you shouldn’t hang out with him as a bad influence”…. that someone is doing the whole MLM thing wrong and he is abusing the power of MLM by saying it.