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I remember when my dad had started doing Amway business. It was in 1999. One of his friends, Mr. Barua had taken him to a "meeting" in Ranchi (Jharkhand) and he was exposed to same marketing pitch of becoming a millionaire, driving a Mercedes etc. He was also showed many pictures of "millionaires" in USA, Canada, Australia etc. enjoying great standard of living, having own house, swimming pools, cruise vacations and all thanks to "Amway"!

He was very impressed and bought the "registration kit" for about 5000 rupees and got a "complimentary kit " of Amway products which contained a pack of 4 toothbrushes, a toothpaste, a hair shampoo, a body lotion, a comb, a car windscreen cleaner solution, a stain remover, a phenyl-like floor cleaner, a dish washing solution.

And then the real job started- he had to convince many people to go with him to many more such meetings and get them to pay the "registration fees". Meanwhile, in order to continue as a member, he had to renew his membership by paying Rs.5000 every year. According to the marketing propaganda in the meeting, this was going to be very easy.

Nobody had told him about all the problems he would have to face.

First, the products were very expensive-imagine buying a 150 ml body lotion for Rs. 350! Second, Amway products are all "very American", this is what all consumers say.

Third the Business proposition is never explained fully well in the meeting, they just talk about "dreams" and "millions of dollars".

Fourth, the meeting also never explains the reality that you have to be a salesman and go door-to-door selling products.

Fifth-they show all pictures of millionaires but never tell the members that out of more than 1,00,000 members only 2000 fall in the "millionaire" category!

Sixth- there was no exceptional support system in place; all that was given in the name of support was marketing material of pamphlets, brochures, videos and invitations for seminars.

Finally my dad, who is not blessed with salesman skills, gave it up.

At that time, I was just in 9th standard, unaware of real world. I was unaware that this is exactly how Amway and all other affiliate marketing programs work.

Such programs never tell the truth about the process openly, they simply make claims of making everyone a millionaire and thus cheat a lot of people who, after entering the business, realize that its nothing but direct selling!

Why can't they openly say it's a business, its not a job, its not even free, there is solid investment and no guarantee of any returns. Innocent victims are lured by claims of making millions and then they realize that it's too late.

Everyone should be aware of Amway and its promises. Do not lose focus; at the end of the day it's just a business proposition and not a part time job. In fact even in developed western world, nowadays there are many dissenting voices being raised against Amway and the misunderstandings created by it for recruiting its direct sales agents.

Contributed by Loveleen, Mumbai