I've reviewed a lot of MLMs in the past. They include Mary Kay, Primerica, Melaleuca, Avon and many more. I will be the first to admit I am not a big fan of their business model or some of the shady reps. I've discovered that it's easier to make money with a business when people come to you. But that's me. There are a lot of you that like the MLM model. If that's you, then you'll appreciate my Market America Review. If you're looking for a love or hate fest, then this isn't for you. But if you want a fairly objective break down of this company, then read on.
What is Market America?
Market America is a business founded in 1992 by JR Ridinger. He is a former star Amway distributor who decided to start his own MLM. The company appears to be doing well. They have a positive rating with the better business bureau (BBB) at the time of this review. But if the idea of an MLM gives you the heebie jeebies, you may want to consider Swagbucks.com & FusionCash.com as alternatives.
In either case, Market America's products have received celebrity endorsements and have been featured in Allure, Vogue, US Weekly and People Magazines, according to their site. It all sounds good but let's dig deeper.
Market America's Products
Market America's sells a variety of products. They include a shopping portal, cosmetics, financial and health related products. Here's a list of their products at the time of this review:
- Isotonic
- TLS ? Weight Loss Solution
- Heart Health ?
- Ultimate Aloe ?
- Pet Health™
- NutriClean ?
- Cellular Laboratories ?
- Timeless Prescription ?
- Fixx™
- Pentaxyl ?
- Royal Spa ?
- Matriskin ?
- Snap™
- Prime™ Anti-Aging Nutraceuticals
- Isotonix ? Custom Cocktail
- Motives ?
- MA Web Centers
- Shop Financial
- Motives for La La
- Lumiere de Vie
- DNA Miracles / DNA Miracles Natural
You can learn more about each of their products by clicking here.
Market America's Distributor Compensation Plan
To make money with Market America, you have to become a distributor and buy a starter pack, costing $399. That's the simple part. However like most MLMs they have a convoluted compensation plan. You can click here and watch the video that goes into more detail with the song and dance. If you're not a fan of the expensive start up cost or compensation plan nonsense, you may want to check out Swagbucks.com & FusionCash.com as a free more straightforward option instead.
However if you're still interested, I'll attempt to simplify their compensation structure as best as I can. There are basically two major ways to earn with Market America.
Unfranchise distributors are provided their own Market America web portal. This portal features the various products offered by Market America and is tied to that specific distributor. The rep can share their web portal url with others and earn a commission when a customers shops on their website.
The next way to earn is recruiting other distributors that will do the same. You'll earn a percentage of their income as well. That's the over simplified version of it. If you need more details watch their confusing ass video and try to decipher it.
What Are The Complaints Against Market America?
Well I'm glad you asked. Because there are quite a few. First let me start off by saying I don't necessarily hold the belief that all MLMs are scams. A lot of them are shady but I don't just assume something is a scam because it is an MLM. I tend to blame MLM Reps for their perception which I cover here. That said there are some real issues with this company that I've laid out below.
Less Than Minimum Wage
The way that Market America talks you would think the average distributor must be rolling in dough, right? But despite the claims from the select few “Million Dollar Members' on Market America's website, if you search online for Market America complaints or Market America scam, there are tons of personal stories saying it is unlikely for the average person to even make part-time minimum wage with Market America. This isn't isolated to Market America, that's usually the case with most MLMs. I will say that running any business isn't easy and most people fail so there is that as well. But your chances of success seem to diminish in an MLM structure.
What the Cult?
Many have complained that Market America has like a cult-like atmosphere. Like most MLMs you're taught to drink the cool aid. That usually means viewing anyone you know as a possible customer. Depending on how you're trained you may end up harassing your family and friends. Needless to say it can lead to some serious alienation of family and friends. One heartbreaking post was written by a woman who essentially lost her son, as all he can do is eat, sleep and breathe Market America.
Too much focus on recruiting..
Based on many of the complaints it appears that the folks way up on the upline make any real money. And apparently a significant portion of that money is made by selling the starter kits to naive newcomers. If you're not feeling the focus on recruiting others and prefer to make money based on your actions, you may want to check out Swagbucks.com & FusionCash.com as alternatives.
Training and Seminar Upsells
There are a lot of phony promises that you will succeed if you buy all the additional expensive training items and travel to seminars. The narrative that is often told is that if you fail, it's on you, for not believing hard enough, or you need to go some more of that expensive training. If they wanted you to succeed, why isn't it included in your starter pack?
Customer Service and Pricing
Apparently customers seem to have their fair share of complaints as well. They have complained about non-delivery of promised products and problems with gift cards. Folks have also noted that many of the products offered by Market America cost much more than you would pay for a comparable brand at your local store. That's not much of a surprise; when you consider the MLM business model and how they need to pay their Unfranchise distributors.
Is Market America Legitimate?
Legally they seem to be abiding by their compensation plan if you can decipher it. But the reality for most distributors is that you won't be able to earn a full or part time income. They obviously have some people that do but it's definitely not the norm.
As a business owner I know how difficult it is to make a business succeed. Most people won't regardless of what business they try. That's why most folks become employees. But for those of you who aspire to be your own boss, you should look for businesses that better your chances of success. In my opinion MLMs like Market America wouldn't be my first choice. I'm not fond of the idea of harassing my family and friends. Nor do I like the idea of the up-sell of over priced training and seminars.
If that rubs you the wrong way as well, then you may want consider an alternative. Check out Swagbucks.com, FusionCash.com and My #1 Free Work At Home Recommendation. With this business you don't have to chase down your family or friends. People come to you. You're also working with companies that people trust and aren't being over charged for. So I would highly recommend looking into My #1 Recommendation Wealthy Affiliate.
Uhm Eddy, well, my lectures never allow me to reference stuffs from WIKIPEDIA because anyone can change the data of it. So maybe you can think twice about referencing stuffs from Wiki. Peace out
Umm, wikipedia isn’t perfect. But feel free to address the complaints listed then.
I never joined Market America but I was introduced to it and it was called “The Plan”. I thought it was bizarre and very cultish. Two friends of mine separated over this. They were roomates. One of them got involved and joined MA and ended up trying to push everyone into it. The guy previously started up a successful young adults group at a church a while back. But after joining MA, it became a recruiting ground. The pastor frowned on this. Pretty soon, the young adults group diminished. Other young adults groups used to joke and call the event Market America Worship Hour.
Thanks for sharing your experience. And that’s one of my many issues with MLMs. They train you to peddle their products and recruiting to everyone. When the best business is when you have customers actively looking for what you have to offer. But to each their own.
Dude Iam a regular guy I have 5 children and they all attend the best schools out of pocket. Iam living my best life because of Market America 100% of 100% = 100% I make more than the couple that introduced me to the business. Let all of your readers know that you bash market america because you want people to join you MLM. Becuse you emailed my brother after he made a comment he was thinking of joining M A to try and tell him to join you. You are a fraud and need to be stoped !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes I’m a big fraud that’s been around for over a decade educating people about companies and scams. And yes I make money on my site by recommending companies I’ve personally tried and made money with. My dirty secret is out. You’ve ruined me. SMH
I love how MLM folks get all hyped up and try to attack me instead of actually addressing the complaints I cover in my reviews. If you guys put more energy into actually addressing the complaints you might do better to convince people to join your MLM despite the complaints listed.
But keep attacking me. It’s definitely helping your cause.
I must say that Market America/Shop.com is very legit! It is NOT a MLM! My parents after doing MANY mlm’s and failing was introduced to Market America and of course they were skeptical at first but after doing their research they realized this business was like nothing else they have seen. My mom was a nurse and in administration of a hospital for over 20 years and it didn’t take too long to match her income, so she left her job and my dad left his soon after. With this company my mom was able to be at my dad’s bedside when he was dying, If she was still at her job she would NEVER of been able to get enough time off to be with him!! She not only had people in her business be with her either in person or by phone but the corporate office contacted her to make sure she was ok and if there was anything they could do for her. What job or mlm do you know would do that? I don’t know of any!!
Based on the definition of an MLM here on wikipedia, Market America is an MLM. I know you want to distant the company from the negative connotations of that business model. But the reality is it is one.
I’m happy your Mom did well with the company and was able to move pass the complaints we listed above. And clearly you’re a big fan of the company so we appreciate you sharing your experience.
I’ve tried over 12 so called MLM companies. Market America is not MLM no matter what Wiki says. There are not levels. That’s what really attracted me to this company. 2 distributorships is another great benefit. Most people don’t sponsor over 2 distributors and it’s difficult to work with more than 4 at a time. I believe most people work 40-50 hours a week for a job. Hopefully you have some type of pension plan or loyalty. Lately companies are letting people go for any reason, even if you have given them your best and most productive years. Many don’t have pension plans and the 401K plans if they exist can vanish in an instant. People need to realize that you can end up broke with a job. Developing your own business is and can be both rewarding and struggling. I figure if I can give a company 40 hours of my life each week, I can also give myself 8-15 hours working for myself to build a residual income. Succeeding in my business takes work. You need to learn how to build a business. As an engineer, I obtained over 60k in student loans going to college and getting certifications to maintain my job and requirements to stay current in the industry. It’s the same with your business. You need to learn what you are doing and how to make it work. Conferences and training happen at work. The same for my business. I need to get away and be around positive like-minded individuals some of whom have actually made and created successful businesses. Sometimes in building your own business there are so many negative people telling you that you should just forget the business and work for someone else. It can be frustrating to listen to that negativity day in and day out, and still believe that you can make a business for yourself. So you attend seminars and training. You invest in yourself. It’s never a waste of time or money if you are learning. It can be a tax write-off because just like spending 60k to be an engineer, I invested in my future. Sometimes you just have to learn how to understand that no business will work unless you open your mouth and talk to people. Since I can’t spend thousands of dollars advertising on TV or radio, I learn how to approach people one to one. Market America has wonderful products. Their health products have greatly helped me. People spend hundreds on drugs with side effects and complain about spending money on supplements and vitamins known to prevent disease. Amazing. Market America/Shop.com has thousands of well known companies aligned with them to allow customers access to their websites with cashback. I’m enjoying my business just as much as I have enjoyed my engineering career. If I don’t go to work on my job, my pay stops. I am building a business for myself and helping many others so that we can build a legacy. Is it work, of course. Do some of my family tease me? Of course. They also ask for help when they are broke. So I continue to work Market America so I can be that blessing to them when their jobs have failed them.
I totally agree with many of your thoughts about working for others vs working for yourself. There are pros and cons to both. I tend to gravitate towards working for myself because I don’t like the idea of a company dictating how much I can make and when I can spend my free time.
But I’m willing to put in the work and invest the time and money to make my business successful. It does take a different mindset and work ethic. And you need to pick the right business to focus on. Market America may or may not be that for some people. And that’s fine. There are many options to creating your own business. So folks need to find what’s best for them. So I agree with a lot of your observations about businesses and jobs.
I have been in Market America for 1 1/2 yrs.. I have not made a lot of money at this point.. Yes it is not a perfect company…
I was in a definite MLM company.. I felt like I was in hell.. I was pushed daily.. My upper leader was rude and extremely pushy.. That company also pushed you to go to expensive events and trainings.. Definitely did not get 100% commissions as I get in Market America..
No I do not like all of the events they want you to go to.. But as an adult I have free will and able to decide if I can go or not.. Some trainings are just $30… Personally I have an awesome up line.. She provides her own trainings for free on line via Zoom.. She is successful and wants everyone in her downline to be successful and does all she can to help with that process..
I know 4 people that are making at least $4000-6000/month in our group.. Then 2 others that are making $1000-2000/month.. There are multiples opportunities to make money whether it is in cosmetics, the web design area, nutrition area and etc.. You have to pick your area of expertise.. You can make money alone just getting people to buy from any of the 4000 companies that give cashback from shop.com.
No I have not recruited anyone.. No one is pressuring me to recruit anyone.. I only have to recruit 2 people.. But those 2 people need to be the right 2 people.. I have met some fabulous people that have helped me grow as a person..
The health line products have definitely improved my health.. The products are not just anything you can buy off the shelf at the drugstore..
The required monthly autoship are products I am going to buy anyway….
Am I making lots of money, no..Will I make lots of money, I do not know.. What I do know is that over all this company is as good as any other company.. In any work at home company it is what you make it.. If you spent thousands of dollars on training events then that if their fault since there are literally hundreds of training materials online free that Market America provides as well as videos on You Tube…
Thanks for sharing your honest experience.
If anyone wants to know the “REAL DEAL” with Market America, just type a search for Yang-v-Market America into your favorite search engine. They are currently defendants in a Federal Racketeering case. the online pdf of the lawsuit eloquently breaks down the experience of 90+ % of people involved.
I just had a friend I hadn’t heard from in years contact me out of the blue about this. She just said she wanted to talk to me about her new business. She wouldn’t tell me what it was about, I had to ask her the name!!! I like to do research before I spend my time listening to anyone about anything. I saw a lot of complaints online, but your article and the subsequent comments from your readers really laid everything out so I can make an intelligent decision. Really appreciate it!
You’re very welcome Albert. I’m glad you found this review useful.
Mr ho is drinking the cool aid. 9 out of 10 people in market America make less than minimum wage. Not saying that is fair or not because they are independent contractors. But the promise o