How does this work? Good question! I'm not really sure. What I have found is the following.
Tim Sladeck works on many of Manny Pacquiao's endorsement deals. Who is Manny Pacquiao? He is the first boxer in history to hold world titles in 8 different weight divisions. Manny endorses USANA and takes USANA supplements. In fact, USANA has taken this endorsement to a whole new level. USANA now offers a special "Manny Basic Pack" and "Manny Advanced Pack". Both are considered a MyHealthPak deal, so they are nonrefundable (yes, not refundable because they are not resalable according to USANA). No big deal here, just smart advertizing.
But here's the fishy part: USANA customer service is instructed to sell these special Manny Packs through Tim Sladeck's distributor website! So the USANA distributor Tim Sladeck appears to make all of the sales! Think I'm kidding? Below is a screenshot of the USANA document that proves it.
Following the http://www.usana.com/webhosting/8662528 link takes you to Tim Sladeck's USANA website. So USANA has instructed their customer service to sell this "Manny Pack" exclusively through a USANA distributor named Tim Sladeck.
So is any USANA distributor allowed to make a special name for a "MyHealthPak" package, like "Obama Advanced Pack", and have the customer service direct all sales through that single distributor if anyone in the country calls about it? What a deal! Sign me up!!!
This guy must be special. Did he take the Usana pills before or after he got the 8 titles? I think that this should be offered to all the special Usana distributors who endorse the product. Just like the cereal boxes.
ReplyDeleteThis is a new marketing program. No more MLM. No down-line. No more inventory loading. This is real direct selling.
The customers are now real customers. This is Usana's first attempt to be honest.
I pity the other 150k associates how have to trick friends & family members into a pyramid scheme.
are you sure you're not being paid by another MLM company to write these things about usana? i mean, why focus on usana ALONE?
ReplyDeleteIn response to the anonymous poster who wrote "re you sure you're not being paid by another MLM company to write these things about usana? i mean, why focus on usana ALONE?"
ReplyDeleteBecause there are thousands of MLMs, and to focus on them all would be a waste of time. Also, I have a family member who lost thousands of dollars in USANA. Also, I had the pleasure of watching Mr. Ladd Mcnamara speak 300 words a minute claiming grape seed extract tells cancer cells to die, and then explained that is the reason USANA puts grape seed extract in their supplements. I watched audience members stand up on stage in a line each asking Ladd what they should take for their various illnesses and diseases. Ladd prescribed to them megadoses of USANA vitamins costing over $200 per month. It was disgusting.
When I approached him after the event, I asked him how he is allowed to make unsubstantiated claims about USANA products treating cancer. He told me he can make any claim he wants because he is a doctor. I asked him why none of his slides mentions the FDA warning "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." Ladd became very angry and told me that there is a big conspiracy with big pharmacy companies and the FDA, and that they are trying to keep people sick and don't want people to know about true effects of vitamins.
So I made a few postings on the Yahoo USNA message board about my feelings regarding USANA. Responses came in defending USANA with many more unsubstantiated claims. I researched everyone's responses and claims, and fired back. Many defenders realized that if they report any posting to Yahoo, that posting gets deleted automatically. So eventually almost everything I wrote on the forum was gone. So I started a blog. I also have www.mlmpyramid.com but I have not updated that one in a while.
So I am not getting paid by another MLM. I'm not making anything. I have no financial position with USANA's stock or any stock that would act as a conflict of interest. I'm only goal is to reveal to the public what USANA is all about.
And what applies to USANA applies to all MLM companies because they all structure their compensation plan the same way. Recruiting distributors is the primary business. Retailing USANA products is a very rare event. Profiting distributors make their money by having enormous downlines instead of actually reselling any product. Pyramid Schemes.
"there is a big conspiracy with big pharmacy companies and the FDA, and that they are trying to keep people sick and don't want people to know about true effects of vitamins."
ReplyDeleteDear blog author, how can you be certain the this statement has completely zero truth in it?
Ladd isn't the only person in this world to voice out his view on this.
There are many credible people in this world who has similar feelings about the FDA and the Pharmaceutical companies.
Why are you turning your head away from those hard evidence? Why do you ignore them ??
One example is Dr. Marcia Angell, who was once the Editor of influential New England Journal of Medicine.
She doesn't believe in alternative medicine(so she's neutral and not biased), BUT she doesn't side with pharmaceutical companies either. Why didn't you try to read her well-researched book "The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It" before you are so certain of what your views are.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2004/jul/15/the-truth-about-the-drug-companies/
There are many other, (if you want to me to name more) prominent scientists who share this same sentiments as ladd and dr. Angell. Among these scientists, there are phDs, cancer researchers, nobel prize winners, etc..
So Why you never mentions these in your "research" to give readers a balanced view on the wellness issues.?
How many lives have pharamaceutical companies kill and make handicapped?
I hope you can see a bigger grand picture of the entire medical health care scenario that we all live under, and how each parties/organizations fit in this grand picture.
The views you have are not balanced and biased, and stubbornly narrow-minded. I'm not saying USANA is God or Saviour of humankind, but at least they never killed any lives like the pharmaceutical drugs did by giving a cardiac arrest to drug taker even within the recommended dosage.
Why all the hate?
ReplyDeleteUsana products are good.
All MLM companies recruit, for Pete's sake.
All businesses have minimum quota to stay active.
All people who persevere succeed and unless you're already there you can never really prove that.
All companies have a fair share of controversies.
All companies have enemies who will always look for the negative side and will always try to "spread the word".
Usana is a company and it's not perfect, and so are Amway, or Avon, or Microsoft, or Apple, or Pfizer, or Wyeth, or Facebook, or name-it.
Watchdog and other haters may have had bad experience with Usana.
But we all have different stories to tell.
What we do is what makes us who we are.
Dear author,
ReplyDeleteI pity you for making this blog. Please try to get hard evidence than just relying on what was the experience of one of your family member.
Another thing, have you tried to become part of USANA? Have you tried the products of USANA? I think not, because USANA products already changed lives of so many people. And why would it run for 19years if it is all about SCAM? Why would it be listed on New York Stock Exchange if it is a SCAM? Why is it featured in Business Week if it is a SCAM? Why is it featured in Forbes Magazine if it is a SCAM?
If you're telling that USANA is a SCAM, then you also portray NYSE, Business Week and Forbes Magazine a SCAM.
Try to research first before you complain.
In response to the anonymous poster who claims USANA can't be a scam because USANA has been in business for 19 years, on the NYSE, featured in Business Week and forbes magazine.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of Bernie Madoff? Perhaps you should learn about how long he was running a Ponzi Scheme and took several attempts to get the SEC to do their job instead of watching porn all day.
Have you heard of Enron? Perhaps Worldcom? Probably not..
I have heard of Enron. I've heard of Worldcom.
ReplyDeleteI have also heard of Barry Minkow.
He was an ex-conman who was in jail, then became a preacher and a fraud investigator, and then only to be found later to deliberately drive down the stock price of a successful legitimate company, and so was put back in jail now.
I think what you're doing now resmembles this conman a lot. enough said.
Enron, Worldcom and Bernie Madoff ran illegal scams for many years. Just because a company is on the NYSE or written about in magazines does not legitimize the scam. You don't seem to understand that since you used the excuse that USANA has been around for many years and on the NYSE as proof of being legitimate...
ReplyDeleteBarry Minkow was sued by Lennar and was found to be guilty of making up false information to drive down the company's stock.
When Barry Minkow went after USANA, Minkow provided factual material, and is why USANA was unsuccessful at suing Barry Minkow. While I did not agree with Barry's scheme at purchasing Puts against a company's stock just prior to releasing negative information about a company, I do stand behind the information released regarding USANA and their pyramid scheme.
What I am doing does not resemble what Barry did with Lennar because Barry made up knowingly false information. On the other hand, I am providing true information regarding USANA and those involved in USANA's scam. I have no financial gain either.
So what do you think about the fact Tim Sladeck gets special treatment from USANA regarding to the "Manny Pack"? Wouldn't you consider that a PAID ENDORSEMENT for Manny? I would
What's wrong with getting special treatment from dealing business with one of the best boxers currently known? When you deal with business with anybody who's the best in their field (especially boxing), you get a lot of rewards. That's like any area in life. If you're average, you get pain. If you're great, you get average rewards. If you're outstanding, you get all the rewards. It's likely that this lucky distributor networked his way to gain favors and thus gain better rewards and distinguish himself from the pack. Can you really blame him for that?
ReplyDeleteIn response to the anonymous poster that wrote "What's wrong with getting special treatment from dealing business with one of the best boxers currently known?"
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, it reveals that Manny Pacquiao does not actually endorse USANA products. It was nothing more than "a deal" set up and arranged by Tim Sladeck. It is widely known that Tim Sladeck sets up endorsement deals for Manny Pacuiao, but who would have known that it was done in such a manner?
USANA already has it set up through their online purchasing the ability to choose special "MyHealthPaks" such as the "WTA MyHealthPak" which gives you the same supplements as the Woman's Tennis Association uses. However, there is no "one" special distributor who gets all the sales from it. However, for the "Manny Pack" Tim Sladeck receives all the sales for it. And its a deal set up within USANA and their customer service department. That is special treatment that no other distributors are privy to.
I can't believe some people are dumb enough to actually believe that athletes actually whole-heartedly endorse their products.
ReplyDeleteThey will say anything for their sponsors.
Every person in the Philippines know that Manny Pacquiao is so kind that he'd entertain every visitor in his house. I even recall that there was a news that there was someone attempting to kidnap his child, but Manny said that the kidnapper can just ask for money instead.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised that Tim Sladeck would be able to have Manny "endorse" USANA products. Whether he does take it everyday or not, every Filipino knows that he just works so hard to get those eight titles. Obviously he wouldn't be able to take those before he got those titles; he came from a very poor family.
I'm not saying the USANA is a scam though; I've tried the Essentials already -- and I've been considering to become an associate soon, only with the doubts for the Nutrimeal since it didn't work for me.
Dear author,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others. Do you think a small blog like this can bring USANA down? If you really are after nothing, then leave USANA be. Why waste all your energy on futile effort? Because you're a philanthropist and you're doing all of us a favor by exposing evil? Yeah, BS.
For crying out loud, get a life.
I think you've never even actually been oriented properly about the WHOLE business. Because if you have been, you'll see that it's not perfect but it works. And people who go into it know that. Usana doesn't hide anything so you don't need to go screaming here in your blog.
People like you annoy me. You're probably just another guy who's envious that he can't make a good use for his life. Oh well. It sucks to be you.
Also, why do you reply selectively? It's obvious that you only refute the statements/comments that you think you're capable of refuting. I think you just can't admit that other statements against you and for USANA are true.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteTo I agree
You are obviously upset by the truth. You are worried that the Watchdog is sounding the alarm. All MLMs are set up sell a false dream. How can you try to trick everyone you meet into joining a pyramid scheme?
It is obvious that you can not refuse any of his posts. Personal attacks cannot win a debate.
There is nothing in your post that needs commenting on by the Watchdog. I declare that your post has been refuted. I do agree with you, the Watchdog is truly a White Knight. What does that make you?
December 13, 2011 8:58 PM
Please refrain yourself from making this blog go any further. The public has no reason to trust a man behind the computer. Please show your face and reveal that you stand by what you say
ReplyDeleteKikai,
ReplyDeleteI am doing potential recruits a favor by giving them a place to look before they choose to join USANA. I've learned more about USANA than most all the distributors ever have, so I know all about the "WHOLE business". USANA doesn't hide anything? How many associates signed up since January 1, 2011 by purchasing the starter kit? How many of those went on to activate their business center? How many associates quit since January 1, 2011? What does the average Sharer, Believer, Builder, Achiever, Director, Etc... make each year (include ALL of them, not just those that received 16 checks throughout the year). Again listed by rank, how much did the average associate spend on their business each year? Nothing to hide???
As for your statement regarding me being "selective" on the comments I respond to: I simply do not have all day and night to respond to every posting, especially when I didn't know I was suppose to be answering every one of them. I post everyone's comments as long as there are no curse words. If there are specific questions you would like me to answer, go ahead and ask.
In response to "Please refrain yourself from making this blog go any further. The public has no reason to trust a man behind the computer."
ReplyDeleteIf there is information on this blog you believe is not true, list them one by one and we'll discuss them.
@Kikai - You make me laugh. I don't know if this "small" blog can bring Usana down but it has obviously turned some heads and has made enough of an impact for you Usana reps to spend your precious time reading and commenting.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot of anger in your writing and it's because you're scared of blogs like this that can potential mess with your "business".
For anyone who's thinking about joining Usana, realize that these Usana reps defend because money is on the line for them. Watchdog puts out this stuff with no financial gain and even challenges Usana reps to refute what is written based on facts and numbers. Instead, you get a lot of these reps attacking Watchdog personally.
Who do you think is more trustworthy?
To all the people talking trash about this blog, either you don't know the first thing about USANA or you're just working for the company. I happened to go to one of their meetings last night and the information they provided was contradicted by what I found online. I'm also seeing my friends being brainwashed by USANA right this moment.
ReplyDeleteThe author of this blog might be "hiding behind a computer" but at the very least he is providing FACTS to back up what he is saying. I don't see any of you doing the same. Cut your crap and learn how to debate. If you have something against this blog and its contents, then by all means provide your sources. Otherwise go back to school.
just attended their orientation tonight, because of a friend who invited me if I wanted to have a part time job. I asked him first if there would be products to buy or joining fees, but he told me that there is no commitment. then they told me that i should have 37 thousand pesos or approximately 860 US dollars to join. They encouraged me to buy it using credit cards or lend to family or friends to produce that sum of money. They even told us not to inform closest family members in case we will join. We were told in case we will borrow money, tell the lender/friend that we will use the money for buying a gadget. Until now I am still thinking on 1H and 4W's will the products be loaded in case I will join since a twin bottle of supplement costs a lot...almost equal to 15-day minimum wage of common Filipinos.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish that found this blog before I joined USANA, It just pains me that I just spent a whooping 30 thousand pesos on something that will not generate money for me in the long run. See, I managed to sell all the products, which gave me a profit of a around 2000 Pesos, around $50, the only way to truly make money in USANA is to either, "trick" your friends and family, which is pretty low by the way, or by pressure selling to people during the orientations, which I am not comfortable with either, everything in this blog is true, and I support it 100% to all fellow USANA reps here, please, oh please, stop this b**ls**t. Sure, you may "earn" a lot of money by amassing hundreds of downlines, but do you ever stop to consider that by recruiting them, you can just as much potentially ruin their lives? Sure, every USANA rep I've spoken to and every defender of USANA says that "We give them the chance to succeed in life,blahblahblah" but truth be told, that is complete S**T. When I went to their office in Makati City, there was the sense that people there were being forced, or brainwashed would be a more accurate term, to join USANA, which is just wrong, marketing technique or what, innocent people do not deserve to be stolen from by these USANA reps, stop,just stop.
ReplyDeleteand one more thing to the director who recruited me. F*** YOU ED!
http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/13/usana-gull-holdings-markets-equity-cx_cg_0513markets27.html
ReplyDeleteUsana's Chief Wants Privacy
Carl Gutierrez, 05.13.08, 3:25 PM ET
Investors may not like the price, but Usana's leader wants to take the vitamin-maker private for $426.4 million.
Usana Health Sciences (nasdaq: USNA - news - people ) surged 22.7% after Gull Holdings, Usana's largest shareholder which is controlled by Usana founder Chief Executive Myron Wentz, offered to buy the shares it doesn't own for $26 a piece. The offer represents a 24.8% premium above Monday's closing price of $20.83.
Timothy Ramey of D. A. Davidson said Usana's board of directors, which officially represents the shareholder's interests, set up a special committee to assess the fairness of the offer. Even though traders pushed the stock up $4.69 to $22.52 in mid-day trading, Ramey doesn't think the committee will consider the $26 price sufficient. It's hard to see a better offer coming though. Gull said it and the other participants in the offer currently own or control about 68% of the Salt Lake City-based company.
Over the past year the company has seen its share move between $18.18 and $51.50. Even with Tuesday's rise, the company's stock has fallen 35.8% over the past 12 months. Last month the Usana announced a 35.9% drop in first quarter earnings on higher costs and lagging North American sales.
The company has also been subject to scrutiny over its business practices. Tuesday's offer comes a few months after the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States concluded Usana's marketing model is not a pyramid scheme.
All told, Usana problems have attracted a 34% short interest in the stock.
When taking Usana's issues into consideration, Wentz's comment's become poignant. In taking Usana private, the company's head remarked on the benefits of operating " without the pressures and distractions brought on by the public market."
The only quote revealed by the letter from the SEC written to USANA regarding the end of the investigation is found at the Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120002472566183315.html
DeleteQUOTE
The "investigation has been completed," the letter from the SEC's Salt Lake City office said, adding, "we do not intend to recommend any enforcement action by the Commission."
ENDQUOTE
Again, nowhere does the SEC make any such statement regarding USANA's marketing model not being a pyramid scheme. Carl Gutierrez, the author of the article on Forbes in which you cut and pasted from drew his own conclusion and passed it off as fact, when in fact it was not true.
The SEC simply ended the investigation and does not intend to take any law enforcement action. The SEC deals with investment and securities frauds. USANA Distributors sign up in a business opportunity, which is the FTC's jurisdiction. Ponzi Schemes are the SEC's business. Pyramid Schemes are the FTC's. USANA is not a ponzi scheme. USANA is a pyramid scheme.
In fact, there is nothing to suggest that the SEC even investigated USANA's compensation plan, or the 99% of distributors that lost money while being forced to purchase product from USANA in order to participate.
So try again. Find something that is written by the SEC that states USANA is not a pyramid scheme.