The source of our most prolific conversations here at the Alpaca Burger Forum has been, unexpectedly, our series of posts on Andy Willoughby's Three Step Plan. (Click that link to read through the entire magnum opus.)

Andy's business is multi-level marketing of Xango, which is juice from the mangosteen fruit. His radio ads are ear-catching, thus my interest and probably everyone else's. We've received a pretty substantial amount of traffic and comments as a result; of the latter, I think it's been divided pretty evenly between the pro- and anti-Andy factions. Andy himself has dropped in a few times, and I personally was impressed with him. He makes no excuses for his business model, a business model which I happen to find puzzling because I am not a salesman.

It all started with a throwaway joke line that brought dozens of google hits per day. After many months of watching the stats - all the poor folks who came here looking for real information and finding a stupid joke - I was beset by an uncharacteristic spell of conscience and decided to do some actual research to provide some useful information for our visitors.

The first real post was this one, which also happened to evoke the Mother of All Andy Willoughby Comment Threads.

My semi-serious investigation began here, and a very good discussion follows, including a visit by Andy himself.

Andy checked in with us again here, for a friendly back-and-forth. A good discussion follows.

More comments from Andy here and here.

The discussion got a bit more heated here.

Reader Bruce just posted this comment on another forum.

The most recent post brought this comment:

Thank you for the work you are doing. There are many women needing to make extra money for their families that fall prey to rats and vultures. Keep your eagle eyes open--- protect them. You are needed, wanted and loved for your good works.

The more critical point is this: MLM presents something of a Rorschach test. If you go into it expecting magic or with the unrealistic idea it offers easy money, you could be in for a very rude surprise. Especially if you have a lot of eggs in the basket. Sales is hard, and the radiation-referral model of MLM is very hard if you are not committed to constantly working the system and getting new people involved, and particularly if the product you happen to have signed on to sell is not a viable, worthwhile product.

Mary Kay has been very good to a lot of salespeople because it is a valuable product and there are a lot of women in the world who might buy it. Tupperware was the same type of deal for decades. You may not be able to say the same thing about all the products typically marketed via a "downline." Tea tree oil, vitamins, kitchen products and, yes, Xango may or may not be as viable.

If you are naturally inclined toward sales, and you believe in the product, Andy Willoughby's Three Step Plan may be as valid a source of income as any. If you don't have the mindset nor faith in mangosteen, it could be a real waste of time and money. The many links in the complete thread present a bunch of resources you can use to research the product if you wish.

Happy New Year and, if it be your destiny, happy selling.

Posted by John Climacus at 02:50 | Permalink

Comments is now working via TypeKey. The first time it may choke but if you hit "back" and try again, maybe rub a magic rock and utter an incantation or two, it will work. Yee hah.

In the absence of comments here the past month, reader Bruce has posted a response here.

For a full catch up on our various Andy Willoughby discussions, please spend some time in this thread.

I'll do an update/recap on everything new on the Willoughby topic soon. Thanks for bearing with me the past month.

Posted by John Climacus at 01:39 | Permalink

We just received a WAY interesting comment to one of the original Andy Willoughby posts. Below is a portion of it on the general topic of scams, but I strongly encourage you to click that link and scroll down through the entire thread. Tommy Mac has some things to say.

I've come to the conclusion that there are THREE basic elements in order for you to be conned.

1. You have to be controllable. Type B personalities are the easiest to control, yet Type A's who always feel they have to be in control, can easily be controlled if they are given even the slightest hint that someday they will be in control or the boss. They will fall in line with that pitch.

2. You have to be gullible. You must have a need to believe that this scam or whatever it is that you are entering into is going to take you to the promise land. Fact is, the gullible rarely do their homework, and are easily persuaded to do or sell just about anything if they think it will meet their needs for something greater..Or "their dream"

Why? Cause there is conn in people who are gullible too. They always think they are smarter than everyone else, but they always end up at the end of the day with the reality they are not. Yet they keep doing the same things, with they idea they will end up with a different result. That is the very definition of insanity.

And "the dream" pitch is always the strongest. Do this or sell that, and you will be able to have your dream(s) come true!!

Question? Is it YOUR dream or is this part of G-d's plan for your life. ONLY his plan can ever give you true fulfillment and contentment. I didn't say you can't have joy and experience highs from reaching YOUR dream(s), but you will never come to know true peace and contentment being out of G-d's plan for your life. There is a huge difference.

3. You have to have GREED! There it is. Plain and simple. You can't possibly conn someone that doesn't have greed.

I can't remember the last time I took this much time to make a post, but obviously there is allot built up in me right now on a lot of different levels and subjects, but primarily to the body of Christ. I hope for some of you who are already in the Lord it will encourage you to realize just how valuable and precious you are to the Lord, and to start using the many gifts that G-d has given you.

Posted by John Climacus at 02:47 | Permalink

My traveling and general business agenda has made blogging difficult the past two weeks, but thank goodness for our outstanding, erudite, intelligent readers keeping the Alpaca waves a-bristling.

Paul J. here responds to Andy and Mike, re: the 3-Step Plan:

I have nothing against advertising that focuses on any particular group, Christian or otherwise - providing the product and/or service being promoted is legal and has value. If Xango is such a great item why must it be sold through MLM and not by conventional means like every other product? Also, why does Xango hide the true nature of its product in its commercials? The answer to these questions can be found here.

Also, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that "Distributor Mike" just happened to “stumble” in on the heels of Mr. Willoughby's most recent remarks, with his glowing testimonial.

“Ideal Xango prototype” Distributor Mike tells us that he’s getting rich on Xango and he only works part time. Question: If Mike's business is doing so well why doesn't he go into it full time? Mike says that in less than a year he’s already put his Xango business on “autopilot”. According to Mike, he hardly does anything and the money just rolls in. In just nine months or so, Mike has already built an armada of “50 distributors and/or customers” to do all the heavy lifting for him - I wonder does this mean Mike has 49 distributors and one customer, or 49 customers and one distributor (?) - could be a Freudian slip there Mike. I suspect the former is the case. This is because in MLM the product is merely the “means” used to sell distributorships. Selling distributorships is the real hidden business.

Mike also fails to mention if his armada of helpers is making any money. This must be where they keep the work at home moms, down at the bottom of the big juice pyramid. But I digress. What’s important is that Mike's business is booming. In fact Mike is doing so well he doesn’t even have to buy his juice anymore! They just send him cases of “free” juice “each and every" month”! There you have it. What could be wrong with such an amazing system?

The best source on multi level marketing I have found to date is “Tony the Wonder Llama” . Listen to what Tony has to say on the subject here.

Best wishes,
Paul J.

Posted by John Climacus at 10:45 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Andy Willoughby just stopped by again to join our recent discussion of the 3-Step Plan.

As I promised earlier, Andy will have the opportunity to respond and comment here at the Alpaca Burger Forum, when he is so inclined, because of the amount of critical research and posting we have printed on the topic of his business.

(You can catch up on our 3-Step Plan commentary via the links in this post.)

His recent comment responds to Paul J.'s post from the other day:

Hi, how in the world are you anyway? Just checked in and see I have some new fans.

I appreciate Paul J. pointing out that even though I do not mention that I am a Christian on my ads, I do clearly promote Christian Ideals. I hope that I will spend the rest of my life promoting those Ideals. There are not many that do that in the media today. I guess I am a maverick.

We will also continue to help moms stay at home. My children had a stay-at-home mom and now my grandchildren have stay-at-home moms. I want Paul J. to know that I will keep working to help more moms’ to be in a position to stay at home. It is just one of the ways I like to spend my time.

By the way, today not all of our advertising money is spent on Christian radio. We are growing and looking for more avenues to reach people who share our values and would like to work from home. But I hope we will always advertise on Christian radio. It is a great service and I cannot foresee a time when we would not want to support it with our advertising dollar. Besides it is a great advertising source. If you have a business Paul J. I would recommend you consider advertising on Christian Radio. It is a very good value. The listeners are the best people in the world to do business with. As a whole the people who own and operate Christian radio stations are very sincere about what they do. So, Paul J. if you have a business, take a chance, I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the good investment you will make.

Sincerely

Andy Willoughby

Also recently, visitor Mike shared his positive experiences with Andy Willoughby's 3-Step Plan:

I just stumbled upon your website in a keyword search for the 3-Step Plan and read a bit of what you had to say about Andy W. I then read Andy's response to your comments.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who has previously been a participant in Andy's 3-Step-Plan Radio Co-op Advertising System. I used it for somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-9 months(approximate). I was doing this on a VERY part-time basis. A couple hours here and there. I think Andy is a good guy and have had very positive interactions with his staff. They were helpful and supportive and he is a very nice guy who comes off as upright and caring in his dealings with others.

I have used his radio co-op system to build my Xango(mangosteen juice company) distributorship. I am no superstar and I know others have done much better than I with his 3 Step Plan system, but I will say this: Because of using his advertising, I brought a person into my Xango business that has subsequently brought in somewhere around 50 distributors and or customers. And he is still building HIS business under me, and I am benefitting financially from it--not in huge amounts, mind you, but I AM in profit EVERY month and receive a PAID FOR box of Xango juice each and every month, thanks to following Andy's advertising plan. What's more--I haven't been working on my Xango business or advertising with Andy's system for well over A YEAR. I've just been attending to other things in my life, such as work and some church activities. So, my business has been on auto-pilot for about 1 year and 3 months...and I'm sent a check every month.

Not bad for a guy who thought he could do ZIP in MLM.

Just my two cents.

Best wishes,

Mike

Paul, can you feel the love?

Posted by John Climacus at 11:28 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Andy Willoughby just stopped by again to join our recent discussion of the 3-Step Plan.

As I promised earlier, Andy will have the opportunity to respond and comment here at the Alpaca Burger Forum, when he is so inclined, because of the amount of critical research and posting we have printed on the topic of his business.

(You can catch up on our 3-Step Plan commentary via the links in this post.)

His recent comment responds to Paul J.'s post from the other day:

Hi, how in the world are you anyway? Just checked in and see I have some new fans.

I appreciate Paul J. pointing out that even though I do not mention that I am a Christian on my ads, I do clearly promote Christian Ideals. I hope that I will spend the rest of my life promoting those Ideals. There are not many that do that in the media today. I guess I am a maverick.

We will also continue to help moms stay at home. My children had a stay-at-home mom and now my grandchildren have stay-at-home moms. I want Paul J. to know that I will keep working to help more moms’ to be in a position to stay at home. It is just one of the ways I like to spend my time.

By the way, today not all of our advertising money is spent on Christian radio. We are growing and looking for more avenues to reach people who share our values and would like to work from home. But I hope we will always advertise on Christian radio. It is a great service and I cannot foresee a time when we would not want to support it with our advertising dollar. Besides it is a great advertising source. If you have a business Paul J. I would recommend you consider advertising on Christian Radio. It is a very good value. The listeners are the best people in the world to do business with. As a whole the people who own and operate Christian radio stations are very sincere about what they do. So, Paul J. if you have a business, take a chance, I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the good investment you will make.

Sincerely

Andy Willoughby

Also recently, visitor Mike shared his positive experiences with Andy Willoughby's 3-Step Plan:

I just stumbled upon your website in a keyword search for the 3-Step Plan and read a bit of what you had to say about Andy W. I then read Andy's response to your comments.

I just wanted to chime in as someone who has previously been a participant in Andy's 3-Step-Plan Radio Co-op Advertising System. I used it for somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-9 months(approximate). I was doing this on a VERY part-time basis. A couple hours here and there. I think Andy is a good guy and have had very positive interactions with his staff. They were helpful and supportive and he is a very nice guy who comes off as upright and caring in his dealings with others.

I have used his radio co-op system to build my Xango(mangosteen juice company) distributorship. I am no superstar and I know others have done much better than I with his 3 Step Plan system, but I will say this: Because of using his advertising, I brought a person into my Xango business that has subsequently brought in somewhere around 50 distributors and or customers. And he is still building HIS business under me, and I am benefitting financially from it--not in huge amounts, mind you, but I AM in profit EVERY month and receive a PAID FOR box of Xango juice each and every month, thanks to following Andy's advertising plan. What's more--I haven't been working on my Xango business or advertising with Andy's system for well over A YEAR. I've just been attending to other things in my life, such as work and some church activities. So, my business has been on auto-pilot for about 1 year and 3 months...and I'm sent a check every month.

Not bad for a guy who thought he could do ZIP in MLM.

Just my two cents.

Best wishes,

Mike

Paul, can you feel the love?

Posted by John Climacus at 11:28 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Reader Paul J. takes me to task for my spectacular capitulation to Andy Willoughby's charm offensive, which Paul implies has overwhelmed my critical thinking, caused me to shed all principles of decency and left me a veritable pawn in a malignant scheme to defraud good people everywhere.

But he prefaced it with a nice compliment about my Web site, so I'm giving him the floor:

Thanks for your reply to my post on Andy Willoughby and Xango. You have a great site, very innovative and interesting! I wish you the best of luck with it.

I must differ with you that Andy Willoughby is not "a bad guy" and that he is not trying to rip people off. I don't believe this for a minute. The problem may be that "you" are a nice guy and therefore assume that most everyone is nice just like you. This is how guys like Andy get their foot in the door and hand into your wallet. You just might be "naïve" as to the real nature of "master grifters" like good ole Andy boy. Make no mistake Andy is a real pro. His ads are carefully crafted works of art. He tells people exactly what they want to hear. He pushes all the right buttons. Why, he even monitors internet sites like "Alpaca Burger", looking to switch opponents into subscribers, and to nip criticism in the bud! He's even conned you into promoting his business for him! Talk about slick!

The facts are:

1. $37 dollar mango juice is a huge rip off. Anyone who would pay this much for a bottle of juice is an idiot.

2. MLM stands for "Make Little Money". Read the stats on MLM's - rank and file MLM'ers never make any money - it’s a big Ponzi scheme.

3. MLM is particularly sinister in that it asks its participants to exploit their closest personal relationships with family and friends for a buck. The MLM'er enters into a "deal with the devil" - the conned soon become little mini conn-ers themselves.

4. There is no scientific evidence that Xango will provide any greater health benefit than any other juice such as blueberry juice - also very high in antioxidants, at pennies per ounce.

5. Willoughby is specifically targeting the largely trusting Christian community of stay-at-home-moms; a highly vulnerable group who in most cases lacks a solid business background and is easily manipulated and bamboozled. If this is not the case, why hasn't Willoughby run any ads for his Xango business in the "Wall Street Journal" or in "Forbes Magazine"? Answer: because "real" business people would laugh at him.

Prediction: within the next year or so, the "Three Step Plan" will begin to tumble down the steps. These are the reverse steps of the Three Step Plan:

Step 1: Suddenly the radio blitz of ads will stop. Step 2: Andy will head for the Cayman Islands with his stash of loot. Step 3: Xango Distributors will wonder what to do with their cupboards full of worthless mango juice.

BTW, have you heard about Tahitian Noni juice at $50 per bottle? This could be the next big thing!

Harsh words, here at the Andy Willoughby Forum, where you can rest assured the truth is as evanescent as a stream of soap bubbles sailing by on a bright spring afternoon.

UPDATE: After having a few hours to reflect on this matter, fully analyze my data catalogue, allow the passions to cool and weigh the vicissitudes, I have absolutely no idea what I think about it.

Paul is making the same point I started out with last year, albeit with nary a qualification. I'm still stuck in the "nice guy" logjam, as a result of Andy's letters. Maybe I'M the 'useful idiot'?

Paul's point about the actual Xango product is a very important one: Mangosteen juice may not deserve the exemption I carved out for Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Tupperware (and which could be extended to Amway - I bet there are plenty of people who still gladly use those cleaning products). The stuff Andy's advocating is a little...iffy. I'm not a health-science guy so I can't say for sure.

Call me soft-headed, but I still think even if Andy Willoughby is misguided about the product he is not heading for the Caymans. If he was a snake, I think he would have snapped at me because of the pretty rough treatment I gave him.

At least, now the legions of future google-referrals will have a full circle of opinion to evaluate. Thanks, Paul, for the well-stated case.

America: We report, you decide.

UPDATE II: Paul adds:

John, I am delighted that you are beginning to regain your critical thinking capacities! I suspect your high protein diet may be robbing your body of its critical “xanthones”!

Speaking of xanthones, consider the health claims that Xango attributes to their juice in their U.S. Patent Application - which was rejected April 21, 2005:

“Chronic back pain, nausea and chronic vertigo, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle aches, fatigue and dysthemia, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic neck pain, familial hyperlipidemia, fatigue and insomnia, hypokelemia, fatigue and weight gain, degenerative arthritis, C-difficile colitis, fatigue, decreased appetite, hypokelemia, and numbness of the fingers and toes, malaise, muscle aches, hepatitis, glomerionephritis, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and most importantly, chronic dermal rash.”

Of course Xango’s attorneys are appealing.

Since Xango’s patent application has been (so far) rejected, this leaves Xango distributors more or less in the lurch. For example, anyone wishing to add xanthones to their diet can purchase “80 proof” mangosteen juice at Costco for $.56 per ounce vs. Xango’s $1.54 per ounce. You don’t even need to show your driver’s license!

Once again, free market capitalism seems to be balancing the scales of in-juice-tice.

Posted by John Climacus at 05:08 | Permalink | Comments (3)

Reader Paul J. takes me to task for my spectacular capitulation to Andy Willoughby's charm offensive, which Paul implies has overwhelmed my critical thinking, caused me to shed all principles of decency and left me a veritable pawn in a malignant scheme to defraud good people everywhere.

But he prefaced it with a nice compliment about my Web site, so I'm giving him the floor:

Thanks for your reply to my post on Andy Willoughby and Xango. You have a great site, very innovative and interesting! I wish you the best of luck with it.

I must differ with you that Andy Willoughby is not "a bad guy" and that he is not trying to rip people off. I don't believe this for a minute. The problem may be that "you" are a nice guy and therefore assume that most everyone is nice just like you. This is how guys like Andy get their foot in the door and hand into your wallet. You just might be "naïve" as to the real nature of "master grifters" like good ole Andy boy. Make no mistake Andy is a real pro. His ads are carefully crafted works of art. He tells people exactly what they want to hear. He pushes all the right buttons. Why, he even monitors internet sites like "Alpaca Burger", looking to switch opponents into subscribers, and to nip criticism in the bud! He's even conned you into promoting his business for him! Talk about slick!

The facts are:

1. $37 dollar mango juice is a huge rip off. Anyone who would pay this much for a bottle of juice is an idiot.

2. MLM stands for "Make Little Money". Read the stats on MLM's - rank and file MLM'ers never make any money - it’s a big Ponzi scheme.

3. MLM is particularly sinister in that it asks its participants to exploit their closest personal relationships with family and friends for a buck. The MLM'er enters into a "deal with the devil" - the conned soon become little mini conn-ers themselves.

4. There is no scientific evidence that Xango will provide any greater health benefit than any other juice such as blueberry juice - also very high in antioxidants, at pennies per ounce.

5. Willoughby is specifically targeting the largely trusting Christian community of stay-at-home-moms; a highly vulnerable group who in most cases lacks a solid business background and is easily manipulated and bamboozled. If this is not the case, why hasn't Willoughby run any ads for his Xango business in the "Wall Street Journal" or in "Forbes Magazine"? Answer: because "real" business people would laugh at him.

Prediction: within the next year or so, the "Three Step Plan" will begin to tumble down the steps. These are the reverse steps of the Three Step Plan:

Step 1: Suddenly the radio blitz of ads will stop. Step 2: Andy will head for the Cayman Islands with his stash of loot. Step 3: Xango Distributors will wonder what to do with their cupboards full of worthless mango juice.

BTW, have you heard about Tahitian Noni juice at $50 per bottle? This could be the next big thing!

Harsh words, here at the Andy Willoughby Forum, where you can rest assured the truth is as evanescent as a stream of soap bubbles sailing by on a bright spring afternoon.

UPDATE: After having a few hours to reflect on this matter, fully analyze my data catalogue, allow the passions to cool and weigh the vicissitudes, I have absolutely no idea what I think about it.

Paul is making the same point I started out with last year, albeit with nary a qualification. I'm still stuck in the "nice guy" logjam, as a result of Andy's letters. Maybe I'M the 'useful idiot'?

Paul's point about the actual Xango product is a very important one: Mangosteen juice may not deserve the exemption I carved out for Mary Kay, Pampered Chef and Tupperware (and which could be extended to Amway - I bet there are plenty of people who still gladly use those cleaning products). The stuff Andy's advocating is a little...iffy. I'm not a health-science guy so I can't say for sure.

Call me soft-headed, but I still think even if Andy Willoughby is misguided about the product he is not heading for the Caymans. If he was a snake, I think he would have snapped at me because of the pretty rough treatment I gave him.

At least, now the legions of future google-referrals will have a full circle of opinion to evaluate. Thanks, Paul, for the well-stated case.

America: We report, you decide.

UPDATE II: Paul adds:

John, I am delighted that you are beginning to regain your critical thinking capacities! I suspect your high protein diet may be robbing your body of its critical “xanthones”!

Speaking of xanthones, consider the health claims that Xango attributes to their juice in their U.S. Patent Application - which was rejected April 21, 2005:

“Chronic back pain, nausea and chronic vertigo, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, muscle aches, fatigue and dysthemia, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic neck pain, familial hyperlipidemia, fatigue and insomnia, hypokelemia, fatigue and weight gain, degenerative arthritis, C-difficile colitis, fatigue, decreased appetite, hypokelemia, and numbness of the fingers and toes, malaise, muscle aches, hepatitis, glomerionephritis, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and most importantly, chronic dermal rash.”

Of course Xango’s attorneys are appealing.

Since Xango’s patent application has been (so far) rejected, this leaves Xango distributors more or less in the lurch. For example, anyone wishing to add xanthones to their diet can purchase “80 proof” mangosteen juice at Costco for $.56 per ounce vs. Xango’s $1.54 per ounce. You don’t even need to show your driver’s license!

Once again, free market capitalism seems to be balancing the scales of in-juice-tice.

Posted by John Climacus at 05:08 | Permalink | Comments (3)

This is an attempt to bring the Andy Willloughby project up to date; the following is from my responses to commenters on the various Three-Step Plan posts:

Post number one.

Post number two.

I hope you have taken the opportunity to read what the real-life Andy wrote (see "What Andy Willoughby Wrote..." in the right sidebar at the top). It adds another dimension to my understanding of this, which I hinted at in the other Andy Willoughby post when I referred to Mary Kay and others.

There are some big problems with the entire Xango enterprise and its pedigree, as I think the links in this and the other post illustrate well. MLM is not for me. Tying ANY business into the 'Christian' community also has "icky" written all over it.

That being said, I don't think Andy Willoughby is a bad guy or trying to rip people off. I've made a bunch of jokes at his expense here and Andy's response was, well, pretty darn Christian. As was his explanation of his business.

Here.

also

Here.

After reading these, I honestly believe Andy is simply trying to make an honest buck, and saw a logical opening with the Christian radio advertising angle. His is certainly not the first ad campaign on Christian radio to use that 'one Christian to another' message.

I also think he would have been WAY better off if he did not thoroughly mask the nature of the business which is at the root of the 'Three Step Plan.' The further I dug into it, the more curious I got, just because I hate multi-level marketing and could not believe there was another Amway at the bottom of all this. It sure looked like he was trying to hide something.

But it also makes business sense to take the 'secretive' approach he took. I would not have done it, but I can understand why others would.

If I was counseling Andy, one thing I would recommend is to get out in front with what he is asking people to get into. At least say "You'll be selling a great product most people don't know about, and you'll have the added benefits of earning commission from the sales of people you get involved with the business, and a unique program for sharing leads that come in response to our radio ads."

Such a statement would eliminate the notion of deceptiveness.

If he had said that, I can tell you right now I would not have delved into this research assignment with so much gusto. I've known people who did multi-level marketing who were decent people, who did not badger me to get involved. Heck, I buy some of that kitchen stuff once in a while when one of the neighbors hosts a 'party' and usually appreciate it. Of course, I always say to myself, "I'm sure glad I don't do that for a living."

The presenters usually seem to like it though, which I simply attribute to different personality types.

Of course, the reason I would counsel a more transparent approach in Andy's marketing is because it's what I would like to see - and no matter what, I still could never ever do MLM. Andy will never make a penny off someone like me. Thus, maybe Andy does not want my advice on how his promotions would best appeal to me, if the way he is doing it now happens to be working.

I'll also note: From a purely selfish perspective it helped me out to bash the 3-Step Plan and those annoying radio commercials. It brought me a lot of Web traffic, which as a Web site owner I like to see (though purely for entertainment purposes: I do not make any money from this site whatsoever - it costs me a few hundred dollars a year. Fun money.) I'm posting this more 'positive' take on Andy Willoughby, and placing his personal message on the sidebar, in the hope it will cause visitors to give him a look-see.

I'm not repenting exactly, because I stand by the research on MLM in the earlier posts. Andy's 'folksy' commercials are fair game for snarky comments because I have to listen to them all the time and though I now understand why he uses them, I can't deny they evoke sarcastic thoughts from the evil side of my nature. And I think Andy deserves a slap on the wrist for a promotional campaign which has caused some of us to hear our BS detectors going "whoop whoop whoop."

But I do not think Andy Willoughby's Three Step Plan is a scam. Multi-level marketing can be a legitimate business. So to anyone who has read the earlier posts and enjoyed any sense of triumph over a 'scam' revealed, I must say I was wrong to give that impression. If you have a personality amenable to the Mary Kay or Pampered Chef concepts, you might be able to make money with the Three Step Plan.

That's my current take on this topic.

Posted by John Climacus at 01:53 | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is an attempt to bring the Andy Willloughby project up to date; the following is from my responses to commenters on the various Three-Step Plan posts:

Post number one.

Post number two.

I hope you have taken the opportunity to read what the real-life Andy wrote (see "What Andy Willoughby Wrote..." in the right sidebar at the top). It adds another dimension to my understanding of this, which I hinted at in the other Andy Willoughby post when I referred to Mary Kay and others.

There are some big problems with the entire Xango enterprise and its pedigree, as I think the links in this and the other post illustrate well. MLM is not for me. Tying ANY business into the 'Christian' community also has "icky" written all over it.

That being said, I don't think Andy Willoughby is a bad guy or trying to rip people off. I've made a bunch of jokes at his expense here and Andy's response was, well, pretty darn Christian. As was his explanation of his business.

Here.

also

Here.

After reading these, I honestly believe Andy is simply trying to make an honest buck, and saw a logical opening with the Christian radio advertising angle. His is certainly not the first ad campaign on Christian radio to use that 'one Christian to another' message.

I also think he would have been WAY better off if he did not thoroughly mask the nature of the business which is at the root of the 'Three Step Plan.' The further I dug into it, the more curious I got, just because I hate multi-level marketing and could not believe there was another Amway at the bottom of all this. It sure looked like he was trying to hide something.

But it also makes business sense to take the 'secretive' approach he took. I would not have done it, but I can understand why others would.

If I was counseling Andy, one thing I would recommend is to get out in front with what he is asking people to get into. At least say "You'll be selling a great product most people don't know about, and you'll have the added benefits of earning commission from the sales of people you get involved with the business, and a unique program for sharing leads that come in response to our radio ads."

Such a statement would eliminate the notion of deceptiveness.

If he had said that, I can tell you right now I would not have delved into this research assignment with so much gusto. I've known people who did multi-level marketing who were decent people, who did not badger me to get involved. Heck, I buy some of that kitchen stuff once in a while when one of the neighbors hosts a 'party' and usually appreciate it. Of course, I always say to myself, "I'm sure glad I don't do that for a living."

The presenters usually seem to like it though, which I simply attribute to different personality types.

Of course, the reason I would counsel a more transparent approach in Andy's marketing is because it's what I would like to see - and no matter what, I still could never ever do MLM. Andy will never make a penny off someone like me. Thus, maybe Andy does not want my advice on how his promotions would best appeal to me, if the way he is doing it now happens to be working.

I'll also note: From a purely selfish perspective it helped me out to bash the 3-Step Plan and those annoying radio commercials. It brought me a lot of Web traffic, which as a Web site owner I like to see (though purely for entertainment purposes: I do not make any money from this site whatsoever - it costs me a few hundred dollars a year. Fun money.) I'm posting this more 'positive' take on Andy Willoughby, and placing his personal message on the sidebar, in the hope it will cause visitors to give him a look-see.

I'm not repenting exactly, because I stand by the research on MLM in the earlier posts. Andy's 'folksy' commercials are fair game for snarky comments because I have to listen to them all the time and though I now understand why he uses them, I can't deny they evoke sarcastic thoughts from the evil side of my nature. And I think Andy deserves a slap on the wrist for a promotional campaign which has caused some of us to hear our BS detectors going "whoop whoop whoop."

But I do not think Andy Willoughby's Three Step Plan is a scam. Multi-level marketing can be a legitimate business. So to anyone who has read the earlier posts and enjoyed any sense of triumph over a 'scam' revealed, I must say I was wrong to give that impression. If you have a personality amenable to the Mary Kay or Pampered Chef concepts, you might be able to make money with the Three Step Plan.

That's my current take on this topic.

Posted by John Climacus at 01:53 | Permalink | Comments (1)

Andy Willoughby has followed up with an e-mail response (after we e-mailed him) to this post and this post and this.

I was going to do a post on MLM in general, having had a few brushes with it in both my personal and professional life. I have seen the bad side (largely in my regular life) and I also know people through work who have used it successfully for years (in a field most people have never thought of).

But I happen to be very busy AT work right now, so any post requiring extensive time on my part is going to have to wait at least a week. So I'll just let Andy speak for himself again:

John

My experience with MLM has been similar to my experience with radio broadcasting, car repair, mortgage loans, rental properties and remodelers. Some good, some really good, some bad, some really bad. When it comes to owning your own business, people are always going to have to do a serious due diligence. Those that don't take the time for a thorough due diligence take a big risk. At the same time risk is an essential ingredient to success. If you refuse to take any risk you will miss out on many of the best things in life.

My conviction is that if people will work hard, persist and be a student of their trade, they can succeed at nearly anything they take on. I believe there are very few vocations without honor. Some consider another man's work insignificant and laughable, very few feel that way about their own. How can you place importance on a particular job? Who would you find it easier to do without, your banker or your trash collector? Of course thieves, liars and nay-sayers are dangerous no matter what profession they are in. Fortunately most people are honest, truthful and optimistic most of the time.

I think it best to work a job you enjoy. If you do it will be easy and you will probably be successful. If you don't like what you do, find something you do like. If you can't find something you like, you better learn to like what you do.

The reason I developed the 3-Step Plan was so that I would never be placed in a position in which I was telling people they could make a lot of money just so I could make a lot of money. The 3-Step Plan is similar to a "mini-franchise." We do the advertising so people have a continuing source of interested prospects. The voice mail message you mentioned in previous articles is done so that our members don't have to be salespeople to make money in marketing. They just 3-way in the presentations and send people to the websites. Not a lot of prestige but it does seem to work. Most of our members are more interested in getting out of debt or staying home with the kids than the prestige of a job title. Many are also not able to pay the upfront cost of a traditional business. Some have the money, they just don't want to take the risk with their savings or home mortgage to start a traditional business and the 3-Step Plan doesn't cost much to get started.

Have a great day.

Andy Willoughby

Andy did not ask for anything, by the way. And I'm sure I'll never be a network marketing guy. I just do not like to screw anyone over out of pointless spite.

Google troops, get Andy's side of the story here.

Posted by John Climacus at 01:01 | Permalink

Andy Willoughby has followed up with an e-mail response (after we e-mailed him) to this post and this post and this.

I was going to do a post on MLM in general, having had a few brushes with it in both my personal and professional life. I have seen the bad side (largely in my regular life) and I also know people through work who have used it successfully for years (in a field most people have never thought of).

But I happen to be very busy AT work right now, so any post requiring extensive time on my part is going to have to wait at least a week. So I'll just let Andy speak for himself again:

John

My experience with MLM has been similar to my experience with radio broadcasting, car repair, mortgage loans, rental properties and remodelers. Some good, some really good, some bad, some really bad. When it comes to owning your own business, people are always going to have to do a serious due diligence. Those that don't take the time for a thorough due diligence take a big risk. At the same time risk is an essential ingredient to success. If you refuse to take any risk you will miss out on many of the best things in life.

My conviction is that if people will work hard, persist and be a student of their trade, they can succeed at nearly anything they take on. I believe there are very few vocations without honor. Some consider another man's work insignificant and laughable, very few feel that way about their own. How can you place importance on a particular job? Who would you find it easier to do without, your banker or your trash collector? Of course thieves, liars and nay-sayers are dangerous no matter what profession they are in. Fortunately most people are honest, truthful and optimistic most of the time.

I think it best to work a job you enjoy. If you do it will be easy and you will probably be successful. If you don't like what you do, find something you do like. If you can't find something you like, you better learn to like what you do.

The reason I developed the 3-Step Plan was so that I would never be placed in a position in which I was telling people they could make a lot of money just so I could make a lot of money. The 3-Step Plan is similar to a "mini-franchise." We do the advertising so people have a continuing source of interested prospects. The voice mail message you mentioned in previous articles is done so that our members don't have to be salespeople to make money in marketing. They just 3-way in the presentations and send people to the websites. Not a lot of prestige but it does seem to work. Most of our members are more interested in getting out of debt or staying home with the kids than the prestige of a job title. Many are also not able to pay the upfront cost of a traditional business. Some have the money, they just don't want to take the risk with their savings or home mortgage to start a traditional business and the 3-Step Plan doesn't cost much to get started.

Have a great day.

Andy Willoughby

Andy did not ask for anything, by the way. And I'm sure I'll never be a network marketing guy. I just do not like to screw anyone over out of pointless spite.

Google troops, get Andy's side of the story here.

Posted by John Climacus at 01:01 | Permalink

[UPDATE: More recent messages from Andy Willoughby are here and here.]

Well hush my puppies and call me cornpone, this is by far the most interesting thing to happen thus far in the short, 2.5 year life span of the Alpaca Burger Forum. The posts we wrote about Andy Willoughby generate a huge percentage of the traffic to this site, and maybe he has just managed to turn this into a positive for him.

[This comment could be a hoax but I don't think it is.]

Andy Willoughby, who I first castigated here and later in the post linked above, has written back via our comments. He writes as a stand-up guy, so I'm going to let him speak his peace without fisking or other derision:

Hi, how in the world are you anyway? Yeah, it's me. And I suppose I really am that folksy. I have to work hard not too address groups with comments like "Hi, folks". That is just me. Some people make fun of my folksy approach and I guess I deserve it. Maybe I turn off the really cool and sophisticated.

The truth about me is that I try to be just what I sound like. I am not preacher, an angel or a super saint, but I am a born again Christian. I married my high school sweet heart 37 years ago, we get on each others nerves sometimes, but we still love each other. I have 3 grown children and 9 grand children that I spend a lot of time with. We just watched Bambi 2 this morning. I have a good credit rating but not as much savings as I should for a guy my age.

I have never been in jail or accused of stealing and I have no criminal record, but I have gotten two speeding tickets this year.

I love Starbucks, play bad golf and eat a lot of popcorn. I am not overweight or muscular.

We advertise for the same reason that McDonalds and Hallmark do, to find customers. It also means that our members don't have to try to talk their friends or relatives into anything.

We advertise on Christian radio because we can achieve two very important goals. Reach nice people with our advertising message and support Christian radio. We realize that some people don't like our advertising approach and assume they will not call. That's OK, nothing is for everyone.

Besides if I used some really cool sophisticated approach and then people found out they had to work with folksy old Andy, they might be disappointed. At least this way, people know what they are getting ahead of time.

We all don't have to be cool or the same or agree about everything. But I think we should be nice to each other.

Most of our members have been with us for years. Since we have no long time contracts with our members and do not collect big upfront fees, I assume they would quit if they did not feel the 3-Step Plan was helping them. After many years in business, our program continues to grow. Not dramatically, but consistently.

I hope that all goes well with you and your family and that your work gives you a sense of achievement and positive contribution to others.

Sincerely

Andy Willoughby
Posted by: Andy Willoughby | March 13, 2006 12:32 PM

Andy seems to have zeroed in the primary reason for my earliest posts (which I'm not going to link because they were just silly): I found the radio commercials irritating. He addresses that aspect with the only substantial defensive part of his comment. I think he acquits himself well - and not in any manner I'd care to argue about.

By the same token, he seems to grant me the liberty to find his commercial annoying. Fair enough.

I don't find Andy's justification of his business particularly difficult either. As I noted early on in the only post I really did any work on, 'network marketing' works for some people. Giving Andy the benefit of the doubt again, from his telling of the story I'll admit his three step plan could also be one of the ones that works.

Most significantly, Andy does not bother to address my objection that the entire network marketing/MLM business model is problematic for me. Of course it is problematic or else everyone would be doing it and no one would make any money. Of course it can be viewed as giving license for semi-sleazy behavior. But it's a job which some people do. Andy does not argue network marketing is 'noble' work, just that it's work.

OK, Andy, if it is really you. You addressed the issue well enough for me without any line of BS and without telling me I should not be annoyed at your commercials or feel warm and fuzzy about network marketing.

As far as my 'sense of achievement and positive contribution to others' goes: If selling mangosteen juice is a scam and your business model capitalized on the latent trust you get from people who listen to Christian radio - and screwed up their lives like the lives I know which Amway has screwed up - then I would feel good about having said the things I said about your business.

If, however, you are on the up and up, even if your business strikes me as squirrely, I would not feel a sense of achievement at all. I would still say I find the commercials annoying, but I would not paint your work as a scam.

If you are on the up and up, Andy, then my earlier posts were unjustified in some respects, and I apologize. I am going to link this new post in the others to encourage people who arrive here by the search engines to give you a look. The work isn't for me, but it could be for others: Here is the link to Andy's site. If you really want to learn about his program, look into it yourself rather than taking my word for it.

Thanks for the gentlemanly comment, Andy.

Posted by John Climacus at 01:29 | Permalink | Comments (10)

I'm guessing you want to know more about that Andy Willoughby and his Three-Step Plan. Well, you came to the right place.

This is an update to our crazy little post from last year which happens to be the most search-engine-friendly thing we've ever written. Go figure.

I'm glad to see ya'! But enough glad-handin' and grinnin' - let's get down to business.

So you've heard Andy Willoughby's commercials on your local Christian radio station, the ones where he asks "How in the world are ya' anyway?" and offers a plan for financial independence.

You're probably wondering, "What it this all about?" Well, let me tell you.

Ultimately, it's about getting into what used to be known as 'Multi-Level Marketing' (MLM) but is now called 'Network Marketing.' It's the same concept used to sell Amway-Quixtar, Noni Joice and a host of other products.

While the links above are not the most flattering, and the spectre of a 'pyramid scheme' hovers over the entire enterprise, please be aware this is the same sales structure employed to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics, Tupperware (in the old days) and countless other products on which plenty of people have made real money. The basic idea is, you become a distributor of the product(s), then you try to get other people to become distributors - while constantly trying to get all of them to recruit more distributors and all of THEM and to do the same, and so on until you have a massive 'downline' of sellers beneath you. You make money on the sales of everyone in the downline. If you get enough people beneath you, it can mean some serious cash.

Hey, there is a subculture of stay-at-home-moms who live for this stuff.

Depending on your recruitment philosophy, network marketing can also alienate you from all your acquaintances, workmates, friends, family...in fact, every single person on the Earth. It just depends on how you play it.

You're probably thinking, "That sounds pretty good to me," but also wondering, "What happens if I check it out?" Well, chances are, you'd be receiving a phone call from a gal or a fella' working off a script that would go something like this:

Hello John

(not 'may I speak to John Doe please' -sounds too much like a telemarketer)

Hey [John], This is [Your Name] calling you from GA - the reason I am calling is that you responded to the Andy Willoughby three step program that you heard on the radio – Do you remember doing that?

They Respond - YES

So you are looking for a way to make money from home?

Great, well tell me what you do for a living now?

(Develop small talk and friendly rapport) i.e.- how do you like that – how long you been doing that?

Well, that is fantastic – let me give you my home office number.

Next, qualify them with this statement

Now, John I do want you to know that this is a real business and as such it does require an investment – Now we are not talking about $5000 or even a $1000 dollars, but realistically to get your business started properly you are going to need at least $400-$500 dollars to do that.

Now once you look at everything here assuming this is something that you like and something that you are going to want to do, is that going to be a problem?

PAUSE and see there answer and then go from there

(They agree and they have the funds)

Great what I want to do at this point is have you listen to an overview that will explain in detail just how this program works. Do you have about 7 minutes to do that?

Bring on the 7 minute overview call.

John, that was really exciting wasn’t it?

Let them answer 'YES' question (You may also have another way to put this in a different tone that best fits your personality – i.e – John, that was some great info wasn’t it?

John, What did you like best about it?

Whatever they respond with (product, how we build the business) you agree with and you may what to say you know what John I felt the same way.

John, Does this look like something you would want to do?

They say yes then sign them up

Most will say I would like for info sent over:

Great, John –Fantastic – that is what I would do – I would want to get all the info I can. Here is what will do – John, what is your email address – I am going to get you an email out right now with a website where you can go look at an audio/visual presentation.

So, I will send you out the email with the presentation that you can look at and also John if you are wanting to do your due diligence here you would have to agree that one of the best ways to do your due diligence is to try the product –Since it has a 30 day money back guarantee what do you say why you are looking over whether or not this is a business opportunity that you want to pursue lets go ahead and get a couple of cases of product on the way to you.

THEN SHUT UP!

Not every person will say yes – but you are making the effort to close every prospect twice on the first call.

Most will say 'well let me watch the presentation and review the info'

Ok, John – I will get this email out to you in the next 10 minutes - there is about 30-40 minutes of information there - Now, I am going to be tied up for the next two hours...

(Act like you are looking at your day planner when doing this)

What do you say we get back in touch today – What is better for you 3:30 or 4:00?

Give them two options Not asking them –you tell them to pick a time so you want a decision today

If they cannot get back today

Say, I totally understand

Now, John you did tell me you where serious about starting your own business and there is only about 30-40 minutes worth of information there so you can definitely listen to that in the next 24 hours – So let me look at my schedule for tomorrow (act like you are looking at it) - Looks like I have so and so time available – which is better for you?

Next, John what you are going to go look at (it is called the Millon Dollar Secret presentation) is very detailed and there is really not a question there that is left unanswered so you are really going to know whether or not this is something you are going to do.

Next day call them

What did you think of that MDS presentation – pretty exciting huh?

Yeah, looks great.

Well John, let's go ahead and get you started...

Sign them up or if more questions get upline on the phone to field questions.

Or, you might receive this call:

Hi. Can I speak with ____ please?

Hi _____. This is ____________ calling you from _____. I’m calling because you requested some information about Andy Willoughby’s 3 step program that was advertised on Christian radio. Do you remember doing that?

Am I catching you at a good time? Do you have a few minutes?

So I guess you’re looking to generate some extra income from home?

That’s great. First of all tell me a little about yourself _____, what do you do now? (listen)

And are you looking to supplement or replace your income?

Well, that’s fine. Now if you grab a pen, I’d like to get some information to you. Tell me when you’re ready.

First I want to give you my name. It’s ___________ and my number is__________. I also want you to take down this #.

This is a 5 minute recording that will explain what this is all about. That # is 1-973-854-4579 (Mike’s message)

Do you have access to the internet? If you give me your email address, I’ll send you over a website that you can check out after you listen to the call. (wait for their email address). Now the email I send will be coming from _______@ ______. _____ enjoy the call and I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

You can also visit here to get in on one of Andy's calls (se habla espanol).

Now, you undoubtedly have questions, the first being, "How exactly do we make money at this?"

At Andy's personal Mangosteen Web portal, he explains the complete compensation plan.

But the 'Three-Step Plan' goes a step further, and this really is the ingenius part:

The Promise Co-op is an advertising program designed to attract high quality, well qualified prospects for your home-based business. Here is how it works. Our members buy shares in the Promise Co-op. The shares cost $105 dollars each. You can buy anywhere from one to five shares per month. Each share will receive leads that come in from the advertising. This is done on a rotational basis. As leads come in they are assigned to the next share position on the rotation. After it has made a full rotation or cycle of all of the shares, the rotational system will start back at the beginning...

Here is how the lead development works. People hear our ads on the radio or see one of our advertisements. (Most hear it on the radio) If they have an interest they either call a toll free number given on the ad or go to our advertised website. If they call the phone number they will hear a phone message that gives them a short preview of our system. If they go to our website they will see the same message in print. (If you would like to hear this message dial 618 355 1774 and press option one.)

What is great about the program is that the leads are all responding to the advertising that they may have heard or seen usually several times. They normally know exactly why they are calling and only call because they want to learn more about developing a home-based business. This makes them a much more productive and enjoyable lead to work with.

The reason home-based business builders buy shares in the Promise Co-op is not because of how many leads they receive every month but because of how many distributors they sign-up from the advertising. Many of our members tell us they sign-up more distributors with less work than any other lead generating program they have used.

You need to understand, when you join the Promise Co-op you are not buying leads, you are buying a share in an advertising campaign. The leads come as a result of the advertising. You get your share of the leads that come in. Promise Co-op and the Willoughbys make no guarantee of the number of leads you will receive per share. Any month the number of leads received per share may go up or down according to the response that the advertising generates.

Bottom line: Would you, or would you not, like the opportunity to get $300 over and over again?

Before you answer that one, I know you have another question just begging to be answered by me: "Johnny, buddy, what in the Sam Hill is a 'mangosteen'?"

I'm glad you asked. The essence of the product is the magical secret of the mangosteen: Xanthones.

(If you want more information on the incredible mangosteen fruit, I think I'll let you find that yourself. Google, and ye shall find. Also, here.)

Regarding the business model, people of good will can disagree:

The three step plan is incredibly difficult to get any information out of. They do not tell you what the business is until they have all your information and bother you. If it is a legitimate business, why are they not upfront with what they do?

What is not arguable, is the fact that Xango/Mangosteen/Three-Step Plan is BIG BUSINESS.

If there is money to be made in it, then it has a Convention. You can take that to the bank.

The Xango Convention, in fact, sounds like a real hummdinger. Andy recently had a starring role:

Andy Willoughby started things out for the Convention’s final General Session by asking how many distributors felt they were coming to XanGo after being in abused network marketing relationships. As hands were raised, he laid the hammer down.

"XanGo is no halfway house, folks! It’s the whole enchilada."

And, by that, it means a lot of things. Like XanGo Distributor Communication Manager Dave Webb dancing badly, for example. It means 200K and 500K Premiers were recognized while dancing to "YMCA". Senior VP of New Business Development Beverly Hollister talked about the Japan office opening in March of next year; she said she could see a day two years from now when thousands of Japanese distributors would be coming to Convention.

Distributors Rights Association (DRA): DRA Advocates for the Rights and Empowers Members (both Companies and Independent Representatives) in Multi-Level Marketing.

And without fail, if there is money to be made in it, then there will be legal problems that an association needs to address.

The final question you may be asking is, "What is the religious connection with all of this?"

Xango is based in Utah, where the Mormons are based. Network marketing seems to have found a natural home among the Mormon church - and even if your 'Christian' orientation is not of the Mormon variety, the lessons probably apply across the board.

The Mormons may be a bit ahead of the curve in discerning the potential for exploitation in church culture:

At the Economic Crimes Summit Conferences in 2002 and 2004 (sponsored by the National White Collar Crime Center), recruiting MLM's such as Nu Skin, Neways, Morinda, Usana, Melaleuca, Nikken, and Amway/Quixtar (all of which depend on aggressive recruitment for their growth and with pay plans that indirectly reward recruitment over direct sales of products), were among companies presented as examples of product-based pyramid schemes. These are gradually coming to be recognized as a growing class of white collar crime – i.e., fraud committed by otherwise respectable people. In fact, Utah leads the nation in concentration of "recruiting MLM's" – many headed up by Latter-day Saints!. (Commonly referred to as Mormons). We found the PDF to present a very interesting subject that we have been detecting as a pattern; mormons and Noni and MLM pyramid schemes appear to go hand in hand. The PDF also contains a chapter titled How could well-meaning Latter-day Saints initiate and promote MLM programs that deceive and exploit people?

(1) Because of the powerful networks of association within the priesthood and auxiliary organizations of the
Church and the high level of trust developed within these networks, MLM (a.k.a. "network marketing") is often promoted between members under pressure to build a "downline," to advance inthe hierarchy of participants.

(2) Later-day Saints, with an extraordinarily expansive view of families and of eternity, think big. Our own
scriptures speak of "worlds without number," of eternal families, and of infinite opportunity for eternal progression. So promises that may seem preposterous to others may seem plausible to some Latter-day Saints.

(3) In some ways multi-level endless chain programs resemble the greatest multi-level program in the world – the plan of salvation for families within the framework of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Latter-day Saints, we place great emphasis on our genealogy, eternaly linking our ancestors in an unbroken patriarchal chain – analogous to an upline chain of participants. And our descendants or posterity are analogous to an MLM downline. In fact, MLM promoters often refer to their downline as their "genealogy." Conversely, I have heard family history researchers refer their ancestry as their "upline."

So MLM mirrors the plan of salvation – the one focusing on the salvation of souls, the other on money. One (the
gospel) focuses on eternal truths, while the other (MLM) is dependent on misrepresentations and deceit. One is an infinite program in God's infinite universe, the other an infinite program in a finite market of victims.

More on MLM, here.

My biggest problem with the network marketing model applied to Christian congregations is the blatant hypocrisy it entails. Under the banner of God, we find a welcoming purchasing demographic.

Beware, something like this could be coming to a church near you.

Posted by John Climacus at 02:32 | Permalink | Comments (18)

I'm guessing you want to know more about that Andy Willoughby and his Three-Step Plan. Well, you came to the right place.

This is an update to our crazy little post from last year which happens to be the most search-engine-friendly thing we've ever written. Go figure.

I'm glad to see ya'! But enough glad-handin' and grinnin' - let's get down to business.

So you've heard Andy Willoughby's commercials on your local Christian radio station, the ones where he asks "How in the world are ya' anyway?" and offers a plan for financial independence.

You're probably wondering, "What it this all about?" Well, let me tell you.

Ultimately, it's about getting into what used to be known as 'Multi-Level Marketing' (MLM) but is now called 'Network Marketing.' It's the same concept used to sell Amway-Quixtar, Noni Joice and a host of other products.

While the links above are not the most flattering, and the spectre of a 'pyramid scheme' hovers over the entire enterprise, please be aware this is the same sales structure employed to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics, Tupperware (in the old days) and countless other products on which plenty of people have made real money. The basic idea is, you become a distributor of the product(s), then you try to get other people to become distributors - while constantly trying to get all of them to recruit more distributors and all of THEM and to do the same, and so on until you have a massive 'downline' of sellers beneath you. You make money on the sales of everyone in the downline. If you get enough people beneath you, it can mean some serious cash.

Hey, there is a subculture of stay-at-home-moms who live for this stuff.

Depending on your recruitment philosophy, network marketing can also alienate you from all your acquaintances, workmates, friends, family...in fact, every single person on the Earth. It just depends on how you play it.

You're probably thinking, "That sounds pretty good to me," but also wondering, "What happens if I check it out?" Well, chances are, you'd be receiving a phone call from a gal or a fella' working off a script that would go something like this:

Hello John

(not 'may I speak to John Doe please' -sounds too much like a telemarketer)

Hey [John], This is [Your Name] calling you from GA - the reason I am calling is that you responded to the Andy Willoughby three step program that you heard on the radio – Do you remember doing that?

They Respond - YES

So you are looking for a way to make money from home?

Great, well tell me what you do for a living now?

(Develop small talk and friendly rapport) i.e.- how do you like that – how long you been doing that?

Well, that is fantastic – let me give you my home office number.

Next, qualify them with this statement

Now, John I do want you to know that this is a real business and as such it does require an investment – Now we are not talking about $5000 or even a $1000 dollars, but realistically to get your business started properly you are going to need at least $400-$500 dollars to do that.

Now once you look at everything here assuming this is something that you like and something that you are going to want to do, is that going to be a problem?

PAUSE and see there answer and then go from there

(They agree and they have the funds)

Great what I want to do at this point is have you listen to an overview that will explain in detail just how this program works. Do you have about 7 minutes to do that?

Bring on the 7 minute overview call.

John, that was really exciting wasn’t it?

Let them answer 'YES' question (You may also have another way to put this in a different tone that best fits your personality – i.e – John, that was some great info wasn’t it?

John, What did you like best about it?

Whatever they respond with (product, how we build the business) you agree with and you may what to say you know what John I felt the same way.

John, Does this look like something you would want to do?

They say yes then sign them up

Most will say I would like for info sent over:

Great, John –Fantastic – that is what I would do – I would want to get all the info I can. Here is what will do – John, what is your email address – I am going to get you an email out right now with a website where you can go look at an audio/visual presentation.

So, I will send you out the email with the presentation that you can look at and also John if you are wanting to do your due diligence here you would have to agree that one of the best ways to do your due diligence is to try the product –Since it has a 30 day money back guarantee what do you say why you are looking over whether or not this is a business opportunity that you want to pursue lets go ahead and get a couple of cases of product on the way to you.

THEN SHUT UP!

Not every person will say yes – but you are making the effort to close every prospect twice on the first call.

Most will say 'well let me watch the presentation and review the info'

Ok, John – I will get this email out to you in the next 10 minutes - there is about 30-40 minutes of information there - Now, I am going to be tied up for the next two hours...

(Act like you are looking at your day planner when doing this)

What do you say we get back in touch today – What is better for you 3:30 or 4:00?

Give them two options Not asking them –you tell them to pick a time so you want a decision today

If they cannot get back today

Say, I totally understand

Now, John you did tell me you where serious about starting your own business and there is only about 30-40 minutes worth of information there so you can definitely listen to that in the next 24 hours – So let me look at my schedule for tomorrow (act like you are looking at it) - Looks like I have so and so time available – which is better for you?

Next, John what you are going to go look at (it is called the Millon Dollar Secret presentation) is very detailed and there is really not a question there that is left unanswered so you are really going to know whether or not this is something you are going to do.

Next day call them

What did you think of that MDS presentation – pretty exciting huh?

Yeah, looks great.

Well John, let's go ahead and get you started...

Sign them up or if more questions get upline on the phone to field questions.

Or, you might receive this call:

Hi. Can I speak with ____ please?

Hi _____. This is ____________ calling you from _____. I’m calling because you requested some information about Andy Willoughby’s 3 step program that was advertised on Christian radio. Do you remember doing that?

Am I catching you at a good time? Do you have a few minutes?

So I guess you’re looking to generate some extra income from home?

That’s great. First of all tell me a little about yourself _____, what do you do now? (listen)

And are you looking to supplement or replace your income?

Well, that’s fine. Now if you grab a pen, I’d like to get some information to you. Tell me when you’re ready.

First I want to give you my name. It’s ___________ and my number is__________. I also want you to take down this #.

This is a 5 minute recording that will explain what this is all about. That # is 1-973-854-4579 (Mike’s message)

Do you have access to the internet? If you give me your email address, I’ll send you over a website that you can check out after you listen to the call. (wait for their email address). Now the email I send will be coming from _______@ ______. _____ enjoy the call and I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

You can also visit here to get in on one of Andy's calls (se habla espanol).

Now, you undoubtedly have questions, the first being, "How exactly do we make money at this?"

At Andy's personal Mangosteen Web portal, he explains the complete compensation plan.

But the 'Three-Step Plan' goes a step further, and this really is the ingenius part:

The Promise Co-op is an advertising program designed to attract high quality, well qualified prospects for your home-based business. Here is how it works. Our members buy shares in the Promise Co-op. The shares cost $105 dollars each. You can buy anywhere from one to five shares per month. Each share will receive leads that come in from the advertising. This is done on a rotational basis. As leads come in they are assigned to the next share position on the rotation. After it has made a full rotation or cycle of all of the shares, the rotational system will start back at the beginning...

Here is how the lead development works. People hear our ads on the radio or see one of our advertisements. (Most hear it on the radio) If they have an interest they either call a toll free number given on the ad or go to our advertised website. If they call the phone number they will hear a phone message that gives them a short preview of our system. If they go to our website they will see the same message in print. (If you would like to hear this message dial 618 355 1774 and press option one.)

What is great about the program is that the leads are all responding to the advertising that they may have heard or seen usually several times. They normally know exactly why they are calling and only call because they want to learn more about developing a home-based business. This makes them a much more productive and enjoyable lead to work with.

The reason home-based business builders buy shares in the Promise Co-op is not because of how many leads they receive every month but because of how many distributors they sign-up from the advertising. Many of our members tell us they sign-up more distributors with less work than any other lead generating program they have used.

You need to understand, when you join the Promise Co-op you are not buying leads, you are buying a share in an advertising campaign. The leads come as a result of the advertising. You get your share of the leads that come in. Promise Co-op and the Willoughbys make no guarantee of the number of leads you will receive per share. Any month the number of leads received per share may go up or down according to the response that the advertising generates.

Bottom line: Would you, or would you not, like the opportunity to get $300 over and over again?

Before you answer that one, I know you have another question just begging to be answered by me: "Johnny, buddy, what in the Sam Hill is a 'mangosteen'?"

I'm glad you asked. The essence of the product is the magical secret of the mangosteen: Xanthones.

(If you want more information on the incredible mangosteen fruit, I think I'll let you find that yourself. Google, and ye shall find. Also, here.)

Regarding the business model, people of good will can disagree:

The three step plan is incredibly difficult to get any information out of. They do not tell you what the business is until they have all your information and bother you. If it is a legitimate business, why are they not upfront with what they do?

What is not arguable, is the fact that Xango/Mangosteen/Three-Step Plan is BIG BUSINESS.

If there is money to be made in it, then it has a Convention. You can take that to the bank.

The Xango Convention, in fact, sounds like a real hummdinger. Andy recently had a starring role:

Andy Willoughby started things out for the Convention’s final General Session by asking how many distributors felt they were coming to XanGo after being in abused network marketing relationships. As hands were raised, he laid the hammer down.

"XanGo is no halfway house, folks! It’s the whole enchilada."

And, by that, it means a lot of things. Like XanGo Distributor Communication Manager Dave Webb dancing badly, for example. It means 200K and 500K Premiers were recognized while dancing to "YMCA". Senior VP of New Business Development Beverly Hollister talked about the Japan office opening in March of next year; she said she could see a day two years from now when thousands of Japanese distributors would be coming to Convention.

Distributors Rights Association (DRA): DRA Advocates for the Rights and Empowers Members (both Companies and Independent Representatives) in Multi-Level Marketing.

And without fail, if there is money to be made in it, then there will be legal problems that an association needs to address.

The final question you may be asking is, "What is the religious connection with all of this?"

Xango is based in Utah, where the Mormons are based. Network marketing seems to have found a natural home among the Mormon church - and even if your 'Christian' orientation is not of the Mormon variety, the lessons probably apply across the board.

The Mormons may be a bit ahead of the curve in discerning the potential for exploitation in church culture:

At the Economic Crimes Summit Conferences in 2002 and 2004 (sponsored by the National White Collar Crime Center), recruiting MLM's such as Nu Skin, Neways, Morinda, Usana, Melaleuca, Nikken, and Amway/Quixtar (all of which depend on aggressive recruitment for their growth and with pay plans that indirectly reward recruitment over direct sales of products), were among companies presented as examples of product-based pyramid schemes. These are gradually coming to be recognized as a growing class of white collar crime – i.e., fraud committed by otherwise respectable people. In fact, Utah leads the nation in concentration of "recruiting MLM's" – many headed up by Latter-day Saints!. (Commonly referred to as Mormons). We found the PDF to present a very interesting subject that we have been detecting as a pattern; mormons and Noni and MLM pyramid schemes appear to go hand in hand. The PDF also contains a chapter titled How could well-meaning Latter-day Saints initiate and promote MLM programs that deceive and exploit people?

(1) Because of the powerful networks of association within the priesthood and auxiliary organizations of the
Church and the high level of trust developed within these networks, MLM (a.k.a. "network marketing") is often promoted between members under pressure to build a "downline," to advance inthe hierarchy of participants.

(2) Later-day Saints, with an extraordinarily expansive view of families and of eternity, think big. Our own
scriptures speak of "worlds without number," of eternal families, and of infinite opportunity for eternal progression. So promises that may seem preposterous to others may seem plausible to some Latter-day Saints.

(3) In some ways multi-level endless chain programs resemble the greatest multi-level program in the world – the plan of salvation for families within the framework of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Latter-day Saints, we place great emphasis on our genealogy, eternaly linking our ancestors in an unbroken patriarchal chain – analogous to an upline chain of participants. And our descendants or posterity are analogous to an MLM downline. In fact, MLM promoters often refer to their downline as their "genealogy." Conversely, I have heard family history researchers refer their ancestry as their "upline."

So MLM mirrors the plan of salvation – the one focusing on the salvation of souls, the other on money. One (the
gospel) focuses on eternal truths, while the other (MLM) is dependent on misrepresentations and deceit. One is an infinite program in God's infinite universe, the other an infinite program in a finite market of victims.

More on MLM, here.

My biggest problem with the network marketing model applied to Christian congregations is the blatant hypocrisy it entails. Under the banner of God, we find a welcoming purchasing demographic.

Beware, something like this could be coming to a church near you.

Posted by John Climacus at 02:32 | Permalink | Comments (18)

Man, I should rename this site the '