Readers on Multi-Level Marketing & USANA
I am constantly amazed at the pulling power of Bali Advertiser!
Thanks to Google, read all over the world it is from
London to Long Beach, from Cape Town to Canaveral. ParacelsusAsia
gets mail from potential MLM victims in North America, who
are still googling the various articles on the subject written
over 2 years ago. Here is the most recent batch, received
over the past three months.
Mostly they come from folk contemplating signing up with an
MLM company called USANA, who flog nutritional supplements.
Though a couple of e.mails come from committed believers,
the common thread in most is a seemingly simple desire to
find a good multi that is not overpriced. And, do they really
have to be signed up with an MLM company in order to achieve
that? The answer is, No.
Contrary to what some may believe, I have no beef with network
marketing as such and USANA in particular. There are some
good MLM products out there, though I do wish they were sold
in a less complicated way. There are some sound companies
in the MLM field and a few people do make money without
becoming MLM monsters. That being said, MLM has more than
its fair share of dodgy companies and even the best of them
offer products that are average, invariably over-hyped and
over-priced. Unless you are a professional in direct marketing,
a born salesperson, or are clear that these are the products
you really want and that you have no ambition to become rich
by selling them to other people, don’t do it. Steer
clear! The odds that you will make any money in MLM are almost
zero and if you simply want a good supplement, you can do
better more cheaply.
From Gina King, Denver, CO
Hi,
I just read your article entitled “The Politics of Health”.
Can you please point me in the direction of a good source
of nutritional supplements. There are so many on the market
today it’s difficult to know what’s good. My friend
was doing a Google search on some products she recently started
taking from a company called Usana and happened upon your
website/articles. She forwarded the information to me because
I am very much into supplementation.
From Lisa Beach, Palm Beach FL
Hi ParacelsusA,
I just read your article on Usana and was so glad to see all
the work you did to find out that it is average. I have been
hounded by a rep and was about to get on the automated order
system with them! Have you found what you consider a great
multi product yet? I can’t find something I really like.
Took Reliv for two years and it was just okay. Thanks for
your help.
From Bryan Johnson, Chicago, IL
Hello,
I recently read your comments in the Bali Advertiser re. the
MLM company USANA. I was interested in the points you made,
especially regarding the “average” nature of the
USANA Essentials, as well as their high cost. I have desperately
been searching for an “above average” multivitamin.
I took
USANA several years ago and found it to be OK, but in your
article you mentioned that you could “buy something
just as good from a reputable supplier for about US$30.”
I am extremely interested to know what this product is and
how I might be able to get it. Would you please let me know.
I have just finished reading MacWilliam’s book and I
am having a hard time identifying which products are really
the best. I really appreciate your insight.
From: Lyn Norton, Ontario, Canada
Hi there,
I ran across your article today, as I was looking for the
name of the study by Mr. Lyle MacWilliam. I didn’t see
the date but you were writing about your own research into
USANA. In the article, you mentioned another supplement, far
better than the likes of USANA, and one I assume is not connected
to an MLM sales model. I’m interested in learning more.
I’m now surrounded by MLMers in USANA and Mannatech,
both good companies and I’m even quite interested in
some things I see about them but I just don’t know to
become involved. So I’m still looking for a good multi.
So if you are able to share your information or refer me to
a source, I’d appreciate it.
I was interested in the ‘data’ you listed, regarding
the specifics of the formulations. As a lay person, although
I am interested, I find it difficult to come to such fine
conclusions. So thank you for being so explicit in your detail.
Again, I’ll appreciate anything you have to offer &
thanks.
From Joshua M. Scowcroft, Burlington, VT
Well done! Would you mind sharing what Multi and mineral you
use. I would be very grateful as I too think USANA is over
priced.
Alan S. Arfati, San Diego, CA
Hello Sir or Madam,
I’m doing independent research on Usana and I came across
your article where you said that Usana Essentials are not
even in the top 50 for essentials. I was curious as to what
evidence you have to support that, what you think IS in the
top 50, and what you’d recommend.
I never believe something until I’ve done the research,
and although I’m trying Usana, I’d like to see
where you’re coming from, always nice to have a challenger
to popular beliefs. Let me know if you could.
From Christopher Sanchez, Hollywood, FL
In your comments about USANA, why was there no mention of
Dr. Myron Wentz?
The last two letters seem to come from people who are already
convinced as to the merits of USANA. Mr Arfati is at least
open to what non-believers have to say. For Mr Sanchez however,
what I say smacks of an attack on Holy Mother Church.
It has all the aggrieved truculence of a true believer. Myron
Wentz is the doctor who founded USANA and who, may or may
not, have been absolutely brilliant. For USANA distributors
it is an article of faith that Dr Wentz is a medical genius
and saint. MLM’ers invariably see their founder as all-seeing
and all-wise, but then they would, wouldn’t they?
That apart, the thing people really want to know is how to
find the best multi-nutrient formulation among the thousands
out there? The one I use, which is the best I know, is Life
Extension Mix from the Life Extension Foundation. This is
unquestionably the Rolls Royce of multis with 64 ingredients
specifically designed to prevent disease and ageing. However,
it requires you to take 9 tablets a day (3,3,3) and is not
for everyone. Though cheap in comparison to anything else
in terms of what’s in it, it is nonetheless an expensive
outlay at over US$90.00 a month. Good multis are also available
from a number of other practitioner-only suppliers, where
you take two to four tablets a day at a cost of around $30
to $40. If you hunt around you can usually find these labels
in the better health food stores or via doctors and health
practitioners. Expect to pay a 50% loading though.
The makes I like are Jarrow, Tyler Encapsulations, Reliance,
Thorne, ARG and AMNI. There are many other good makes but
there are 1000’s of lousy ones, so research carefully.
Anything at one-a-day almost certainly doesn’t do it,
or come anywhere near. Don’t be fooled. Two to four
caps simply covers the basics.
ParacelsusAsia
Note: for the original USANA article (22 Jan. 2003)
go to www.baliadvertiser.biz.
