Shaklee & Oprah - Has Shaklee “Sold Out”?
Disclaimer: HilaryShepherd.com is in no way affiliated with Shaklee Corporation. The views and opinions expressed in the following post are those of Hilary Shepherd and she alone. The comments are from readers like you who had something to say on the matter, and are posted simply in an effort to create dialog.
Have you ever heard of the Shaklee Corporation? I hadn’t until last year. When I mentioned it to my mom, she said she’s known about it for years. The Shaklee Corporation develops and sells environmentally friendly products ranging from vitamins and diet aids, to cleaning products. Some of the products are actually pretty great. Shaklee has been around for 50+ years and is one of the oldest and longest running multi-level marketing programs.
Now, MLMs can be profitable when the right match is made between a person and their chosen business. Not every MLM is for every one. Each one has their own “proven method” of conducting business and marketing products. But with every MLM, the more money you make, the more money those above you make.
Last year, my boyfriend and I decided to throw our hats into the MLM ring. We chose Shaklee because they’re based in Pleasanton, CA, they really care about the environment, and the products actually do what they say they’re going to do. We met with Shawn Gray, Executive Coordinator, with Shaklee & told him about our background in Internet Marketing. We figured since it’s the 21st century and anything that is worth anything is on the internet, we’d take that route to gain customers, instead of the traditional home based meetings approach. Shawn was very excited to see us take the internet approach & said it would be fine to market Shaklee on the Internet using the Shaklee name.
That’s when things started getting sticky. The “personal” website they supplied us with, in our opinion, was hard to navigate, and they set it up so search engines like Google, MSN and Yahoo couldn’t even see it if someone were to search for a Shaklee product. We couldn’t deal with that. So we made our own site and created pages for each of the products using the product names. Then the calls from Shaklee Corporate started coming full steam ahead. They said we were violating the Distributor Agreement by using the company name and product names in advertising.
You see, here’s the rub…Shaklee has headquarters in several parts of the world, and wants everyone in the world to know how great their products are, but they won’t let any of their distributors talk about them in any other medium than home meetings (like Tupperware or Mary Kay parties). Um, last time I checked, the internet was THE BEST way to let THE MOST people know about you. They will, however, let you advertise your meetings on the radio, on TV, in a newspaper or even on the internet, BUT you can’t use the word Shaklee or any of the Shaklee product names in those mediums. I thought when you’re trying to sell a product it was good to call it by name?
When you become a Shaklee Independent Distributor, you receive a “personal” website, but you’re not allowed to use the internet to its fullest potential by selling the products online. So…how does that make sense?
The Shaklee Corporation is currently owned by Roger Barnett (who, by the way is filthy rich even without Shaklee). He and his wife Sloane were on Oprah last week, but it was not really advertised. When a Shaklee distributor posted an article about the show, they were temporarily suspended. So, it’s okay for the company to advertise Shaklee on Oprah, but it’s not okay for their distributors to then write about what they saw on that show.That was Oprah’s rule. She wants all the money from customers generated by her show, so Shaklee put a ban on any of their distributors talking about it. I think Shaklee just wants to fatten their pockets – and Oprah’s. Now that hardly seems fair.
Further more, it is my contention that the Shaklee Corporation took the money from the sales we would have made through our website, which they shut down.
What we were doing was working for us, and therefore making money for them. We were reaching people we never would have been able to reach if we had done the traditional meetings. We were getting the Shaklee name out and making money. How was that a violation?
Or, the Shaklee Corporation needs to take the stick out of their collective corporate butts and embrace the world of internet marketing.
How the heck are you supposed to tell the world about something when you’re only meeting with a small group of people?
Do you have a site that has a complaint about Shaklee? Please post it here:
Have problems? – Maybe if enough people complain things will change:
Evelyn Bartolome
Shaklee Legal Department
(925) 924-2087
ebartolome@shaklee.com
or
Shaklee Agent
Cathy Keating
(925) 924-2464
ckeating@shaklee.com
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I completely agree!
If your supposed to build your business by moving product, why do companies tie your hands in doing so? To me it makes no sense. As long as you are not making false claims or otherwise misinforming , what gives?
Unfortunately, even though we are told we are “independent contractors” and this is “our business”, the truth is, it really is not.
Reading the policy and procedure of any company is imperative to your success in that company, because there are “rules to follow” and they are stated in the policy and procedure.
Many companies have that “rule” about internet advertising. It’s ridiculous to think that a company generated, relpicated website is going to help you build your biz on the internet, it just won’t happen.
Too bad you’ve found out the hard way. Any company should be happy to have you as a distributor if you’ve found a way to do your business, move product and make some money doing so! I know I would be!
It’s a Good Life!
Suzanne
Comment left on April 28, 2007 @ 7:16 am
Wow…I think your just a little upset.
You seem to be a bit frustrated with Shaklee. You also sound a bit young and inexperienced in life and business.
No matter…Your feelings are valid and you certainly have a right to voice your opinions and deep concerns. How cool is the internet for just such a venue?
I would challenge you to educate yourself in direct marketing and how it works. Regardless or not if it is Shaklee, Avon, Mary Kay, Herbal Life, Matoca, etc…
Take a look at the business statistics on how effective direct marketing works. You would be amazed. I was. It is very educational to learn about how successful processes work regardless if you are selling Shaklee, Avon, or hot dogs from a street vending wagon. There is a common successful way of selling. It is a personal touch (Note: read about the 7 touches of marketing) and think internet. It will blow your socks off.
Yes, the internet is ‘extremely’ powerful and an easy way of reaching people. But it is not the end-all be-all to marketing. You still have to have a personal touch to your business.
You must become a student of your business! Own it and be directly responsible for your success and happiness and not blame something/someone else for the lack there of.
You probably went into the Shaklee business thinking that you would setup a website and reach the entire planet with your message and become a multi-bazillionaire. Don’t we all – trust me you are not alone. I thought the same thing.
But, just like anything else that is worthwhile, you have to become a student of what ever you are passionate about and spend your time at.
Also, I would challenge you to educate yourself on how these business (and most business) become successful. Companies in general don’t get to stay around for years (some as long as 50+ years) without having a quality product and a sales process that works.
I have met Roger Barnett personally. While I don’t know him on a personal level, I can tell you this and this with most successful people like Roger, Oprah, Trump, Bush, Janet Jackson, Tom Cruise, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, whoever, they all have common traits that make them successful.
1.) They are students of there business.
2.) Most importantly – they set goals and plan for their success and persist until they reach their goals.
3.) Integrity – This is everything
This is the journey you hear about in life. Success is a journey.
So, I can appreciate your frustration with Shaklee. You probably would have been frustrated even if you joined Mary Kay or Avon.
It’s not the companies, its your attitude.
Sorry for being direct, but hey ain’t it cool? – The Internet.
Terry
PS. One more thing about Oprah and someone being temporarily suspended. Oprah has rules and guidelines that protect her image, company, and brand.
Think about it. Oprah being the mega marketing force that she is; Everyone in the world would love to use Oprah’s name to promote their products. How in the world could Oprah control what was being said and how it was being said? What is something was false, misleading, or a lie. After it is out, you can take it back. The internet is way to big.
So, as a rule Oprah has made a policy. No using Oprah’s name or referencing her show without her consent. Period! That’s her rule.
So, Shaklee could either choose to abide by Oprah’s policy or not. If they didn’t where would that put Shaklee? They would lose ‘all’ credability. Not only with Oprah but the rest of the business world.
That’s business rule #1. Integreity is everything
All you have is your name. Your name must stand out as one of integrity no matter if you are Shaklee, Oprah, Donald Trump, Tiger Woods, Brian Tracy, Mary Kay, Avon, Rubbermaid, Coke, McDonalds, or Wal-Mart.
What are your thoughts? Email me at “edited to protect the innocent”
Comment left on April 28, 2007 @ 8:02 am
I am with Shaklee as well and have been since late 2005. I didn’t become a distributor until early 2006.
When Roger and Sloan were on Oprah, our Shaklee websites were not shut down (btw, I don’t find our websites hard to navigate at all). The Shaklee server crashed from all of the traffic, and as far as I know by trying to log in over that small period of time, our sites (and the Shaklee site that had been moved to Yahoo right before Oprah thinking that would be a better way to handle traffic) and Shaklee’s site itself was down completely. Why would they shut their own main website down? That makes no sense, really.
Are we allowed to advertise on the net? Yep, now we are. Shaklee realizes the importance of the internet and as such, I have been told directly from the Legal Dept. at Shaklee Corp. that we are permitted to use the product names in our ads as long as we also indicate that we are Shaklee Independent Distributors. I see nothing wrong with that.
Lastly, Oprah nor Roger made any money off of this. I have to wonder if you are still with Shaklee as a distributor to even say that? The folks who called in are being assigned to distributors and will be our customers, and those who called in just to request more information will also be given to us as “leads” in order for us to follow-up with them.
Roger Barnett hasn’t “ruined” Shaklee or MLM. If anything, he brought our business and products to the forefront, and I know that personally, my business picked up right after the show. It has been a win-win situation for all, especially for those in the MLM industry as a whole.
Comment left on May 2, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Dear Shaklee Distributer,
I sure wish you left some contact info because I’d like to find out who you spoke to in Shaklee’s legal department. Hopefully you see this and respond back. Do you have any emails directly from Shaklee you can forward my way? That would be GREAT! Prove me wrong, so my boyfriend and I can go back to making a crapload of money every month!
It’s true that the Shaklee server crashed from all the traffic after the Oprah show aired, but 100’s of sites were shut down even before that, simply because they had the words Oprah and Shaklee on them. I know because we received over 10 calls to get it off before 10:00am that day!
Shaklee’s move to put a feeder site on the different servers had been planned a long time ago. (1) for all the traffic (2) for tracking, and (3) so everyone gets their piece of the pie!
As for using Shaklee product names on the Internet…Shaklee Independent Distributors are not allowed to put them on their site. The Shaklee legal department actually has two full-time employees devoted solely to policing the Internet for distributors in violation of the terms, then shutting down their site. Go ahead and and advertise with Google adwords and see how long your Shaklee Personal Web Site stays active.
So you think Roger never made any money off this? He’s a majority shareholder, correct? So how does he get paid? More product sales means more money in his pocket. By not allowing distributors to advertise about his appearance on Oprah, he gets all that traffic for himself, and doesn’t have to pay distributors a dime. Now it’s after the fact, and he is going to put all those people in the appropriate down lines. But the money has been made by him and Oprah.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that Shaklee was on Oprah, both for Shaklee and for MLM - Multi-level Marketing in general. We got a ton of positive press. What I don’t agree with is Shaklee not allowing its distributors to use the words Oprah and Shaklee (together) on their sites, and not allowing the Shaklee distributors to get a small piece of the Oprah traffic sent to their individual web sites. Plus, not allowing distributors to talk about how great the Oprah show was, or even talk about how cool it was for Shaklee to give away all those Get Clean products to members of the Oprah audience.
That move just made me lose all respect for Roger Barnett and Shaklee in general. What can I say? SHAKLEE SUCKS for that.
Comment left on May 2, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
Hi Hillary,
I get your frustration, but one point I would like you to consider is this. Regarding your post “It’s true that the Shaklee server crashed from all the traffic after the Oprah show aired, but 100’s of sites were shut down even before that, simply because they had the words Oprah and Shaklee on them. I know because we received over 10 calls to get it off before 10:00am that day!”, Harpo Productions made the demand that their show not be preempted by anyone advertising or implying show content prior to them airing. To do so would risk Shaklee’s relationship with them and possibly the show content. Pulling those sites had nothing to do with Shaklee policy.
And yes the internet policies may be viewed as frustrating, but Shaklee has always considered integrity far more important than a few quick sales and managing the internet content for integrity has been a challenge for them. I suggest that we in the field continue to work with the Shaklee Corporate Team to evolve policies that protect Shaklee’s integrity as well as provide lucrative venues for continued sale growth.
Comment left on May 2, 2007 @ 8:32 pm
Hey Terry, I want to take a moment to respond to you too. I jotted down a few notes while I was reading your comment.
From the beginning, my boyfriend and I intended to grow our Shaklee business through the internet, and not through the traditional meetings model. Our upline supported us fully and gave us the go ahead. Unfortunately, they were mistaken in doing so.
Our site was very successful (which could be one reason why it was pulled), proving that a Shaklee business could be profitable using a medium other than meetings.
As for the person who was suspended, they didn’t use Oprah’s name to promote Shaklee products. Their post was simply about the fact that Roger Barnett was on Oprah and giving the Shaklee Corporation kudos.
Comment left on May 2, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
Actually, Hillary, I was notified on Friday, the 20th, about 3 hours before Oprah was due to air EST that I needed to remove the product name from my Google Adwords campaign. That is true because before April 30, 2007, we were not permitted to advertise using ANY Shaklee trademarked names. It’s in our P&R, so as distributors (and I include myself in this as well), we shouldn’t have been using those words in our ads on the ‘net, anyway. So I can hardly feel bad for distributors who were warned, as I was, that if I didn’t remove it, my site would be suspended. That is also in our P&R, so if someone wasn’t home or didn’t get notice in time, then Shaklee was within their rights to suspend the sites. When we sign up as distributors, we agree to that, so I’m not sure how it comes as a surprise?
Yes, I know about the servers and I know when they were moved and why. Anyone who is a distributor knows all of that. My PWS was functional until the main Shaklee website crashed late that night, then mine crashed. As soon as Shaklee’s was back up, mine was functional again. I am not a computer guru, but I imagine that all of our sites are somehow tied together, if even on the same server.
As far as Roger earning money, I’m sure he does. He wouldn’t have bought the business if it wasn’t going to turn a profit for him. Anything else wouldn’t be a wise business decision, would it? However, as you must know, there had to be products produced at the last minute (at Oprah’s request) to hand out to the audience. Shaklee was scrambling at the last minute. The money to produce the desired give aways had to come from somewhere. So, yes, they are taking the money from the initial orders that came from the show to recoup that expense; however, being a distributor, you must know that those same customers/members are being assigned (as I write this) to those of us who are business leaders and who meet certain criteria. WE get the earnings from their re-orders, and all for doing what? Being a Shaklee business leader. Sounds like a win-win to me! The company didn’t even have to do that. If they were only looking out for themselves, they wouldn’t even assign those customers to anyone and keep them for the company!
Anyway, it’s neither here nor there. I am not out to change your mind. If you don’t agree with company policies and procedures, the same policies and procedures you agreed with when signing up as a distributor, then that’s okay. There are other companies out there that may be better suited for you.
Comment left on May 3, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
I’m trying to propose a new P&R for the Shaklee Legal team, hoping they will make revisions since they first drafted it in 1997! If you’d like your name added to the list of people supporting a change for the internet savvy distributors, please email me info@kosherdietplan.com
I will NOT use your name without asking you first
I will NOT submit the proposal with your signature without getting your approval
Thank you for your support.
Comment left on June 11, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
I have used and loved the Shaklee products for over 25 years. They are the best in their field and the only reason any person on earth is not using Shaklee products is they do not know how good they are.
Recently I decided to grow my Shaklee business thru the internet and that is when I discovered the same thing Hilary and some others here have expressed. I have had the same frustrating experience with the Shaklee Company. A website that is not found in a internet search is practically useless and will generate only a small percentage of the sales it could. It does not make sense to have a website that you can not promote to the full extent that normally would be available to any honest, hardworking business owner. Like being able to say the name of the company and products …………………?????????
I signed up for my Shaklee website and then knowing a little about promoting a website, I set up a webpage that I could use to promote my Shaklee website. It would direct all traffic to my Shaklee website maintained by Shaklee. I was immediately contacted by the Shaklee Internet Department and told to take off everything on my webpage that said Shaklee, Oprah, or was a Shaklee name brand product, or picture of a Shaklee product. I was told that this was all Shaklee property and had to be “protected”. I was told that only Shaklee Independent Distributor could use the Shaklee name etc. Oh, I thought they have just misunderstood my webpage and don’t know I am a legal Shaklee distributor. No, that was not the problem I was to find out to my disbelief.
It seems to me that the Shaklee Legal department can not interpret the rules themselves. They stated the rules to me in an email that only if I stated I was a Shaklee Independent Distributor could I use the Shaklee name and product names. ????? I told them I clearly was doing this but they seem to never read or understand my very clear statements to them, just kept repeating the rules over and over and over. It reminded me of a math teacher I had once that would just read from the text book every time you asked her a question. She could not explain it or understand the question, she was like a robot.
While researching advertising my website I discovered something disturbing.
When “Shaklee” is put in a search browser it takes you directly to the Shaklee Headquarters website. Instead of then directing you to a distributor as it should, you are allowed to buy products directly thru this website. ??????
I was told that this is then credited to a distributor. I think they should not require that we just “trust” them that this is happening. The only way we could know they are directing customers to distributors, is if they do it immediately, not after a sale. This used to be the policy.
I don’t like to sound negative but I am only reporting what I have experienced which is ridiculous requirements and no real help from the Shaklee Internet Reps. which I have to assume is what they have been instructed to do.
I have stated to them that I think the requirements as they are interpreting them are unfair and really bad business. I was told they would relay my message to the correct department. ….. ?
I am very grateful to Hilary and others here who have expressed their feelings and experience. Hopefully, Shaklee will do the right and honorable thing and change crippling, ridiculous requirements and give their distributors real help and support in growing their businesses on the internet as they should.
Shaklee has been a great company for many years. I do not know what has happened to the leadership or why these problems have occurred. I can only hope that they will be addressed and corrected so that the best MLM ever started can continue to be a blessing to so many.
To any want to tell me just sell something else….. I say: I want to sell what I believe in and trust to be the best, which is why I choose Shaklee years ago. I am not wrong to require and ask for reasonable help and support from them as one of their Distributors and faithful customers for many years.
Comment left on July 6, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Wow Beth, I loved your comment!
Shaklee takes the money from the initial sale on their web site, so they do in fact get money off that initial sale.
I believe that’s why they are so strict about internet advertising; they are taking in hundreds of thousands of additional money they don’t have to pay commissions on. That’s greed for ya!
At least they put those people under someone after they make the first sale, so all future sales do go to the distributor.
The legal department doesn’t apply the same rules to everyone either. Some people can put this on and that on while others have to take it off. So there is no uniformity in how they interpret the rules, which totally sucks.
Comment left on July 6, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
I have been through similar experiences with putting up a Shaklee website (purchased through Shaklee) and also had briefly sold Shaklee on eBay. This was a few years ago and the Shaklee police called me and advised me of the internet policies.
However, I did understand the reasons behind these policies, which no one has mentioned in this string of notes, yet.
If folks are allowed to sell Shaklee across the internet, the concern was that I can cost cut everyone and win all business, and force everyone to do the same. If you try to enforce keeping the focus on personal sales, you avoid this phenomenom.
Of course you are going to make a ton of money if you put up a great website and no one else is allowed to. If it was open to everyone, you probably wouldn’t have made so much money, as LOTS of us have wanted to do the same.
Selling value versus pricing is important, and the company has no way to regulate this if they open up selling across the internet in any fashion.
I do agree that there may be a better solution, but it would have to be carefully planned out. For example, Tupperware has “on-line parties” and you can look up a local representative.
....Just my 2 cents
Comment left on July 25, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
Thanks for all of these insights. From a Shaklee user and would-be distributor, I appreciate everyone’s comments and I think that Shaklee would not be out to get anyone nor would Roger Barnett because to do so would be to violate the integrity that people have mentioned that is so vital to business. I appreciate you sharing. I love the products and I want to throw my hat into the ring. You all sound like other than the glitches with websites that you have had positive experiences.
Comment left on July 31, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
All I can say is WOW! After reading all those comments on Shaklee involving their legal deptartment, the Oprah show, advertising restrictions, I’m a little speechless. I guess what I would like to add is that while I do agree the internet is a useful resource in building our Shaklee business, IT IS NOT what DEPENDS on our success. Up until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even have internet and would go months with out e-mailing anyone or viewing my website. Yes, it was a set back, but you know what..doors have been opening up all around us for a long time because we have the COMMITMENT and MINDSET neccessary to grow a successful business. I believe that even if we didn’t have the internet to fall back on, we would still be building a successful business. WHY? I use the best tool we’ve all been given. MY BRAIN. And I do what it takes to share the word on SHAKLEE. I tell other mom’s about the toxins in cleaners and how before I joined Shaklee, I had no idea what they were really doing to my children and ask if they would like more information. 90% of the time, “yes” is the answer. Bottom line, if you believe in the products and what you’re saying, people will notice that and want to try it themselves. I’m enthusiastic, confident, and patient with people and they know I care about their well being. THIS…is how we build our business. If your intentions are just to make money, people will see that too and back away. In Shaklee, one has to REALLY care about the lives of others and want to go the EXTRA mile to help them. Together, we all can help each other and the enviroment and gain financial success at the same time. Helping others and helping yourself and family at the same time. How awsome is that!
When one joins Shaklee, they need to understand the regulations and either respect and abide by them or else join another company. Shaklee has their reasonings behind their policies, but as long as we’re allowed to talk to others and educate people on enviromental hazards, we can deal with some of the stipulations that go along with the whole website and advertising thing.
Thats all.
Comment left on August 19, 2007 @ 9:40 pm
I am thinking of joining Shaklee. Am I to understand that I cannot use the word Shaklee on any personal website? Even to tell them who and what I do? Or to direct them to my official Shaklee website?
And what about the hundreds of Shaklee ads I see on the internet? The websites that sell Shaklee online? AND YES, even some personal websites that eventually direct me to the official website? What about all these? Do I really want to join a company that won’t even let me tell people what I do and who I work for?
comments please
Comment left on August 23, 2007 @ 11:04 pm
Every product that Shaklee has , has been tested on animals
!!
!!
!
!!
OH YES…In 2004 Roger Barnett bought the business , but before that Shaklee was owned by Yamanouchi Pharmecuticals (sp?) which tested every product on ANIMALS
Established in 1998 Yamanouchi Shaklee Pharma Research Center tested thier “Environ. Friendly” products on animals
Where is this company’s integrity? They should cage up some of thier robotic distributers and test the products on them
Comment left on September 3, 2007 @ 7:53 am
I am reading all of these comments because I am researching all I can before starting with Shaklee. I guess I’m confused because when I went to the Shaklee website for the very first time I entered my information. Then after I entered it I decided I wanted someone to contact me that is involved with Shaklee in my area. By the next day I had two people contacting me. One from AR and another from LA and one of those was from my area. So I do not understand how Mr. Barnett is taking all of the business for hisself. Besides, he’s a wealthy man. Why would he? And why is everyone so upset about not being able to mention Oprah’s name? Correct me if I’m wrong , but wasn’t Shaklee a success before it was mentioned on Oprah? If anything, I would think everyone would be greatful for the message getting out there, and in a good way. I’m ready to make money just as much as anyone, but every business has procedures to follow. What makes Shaklee any different? Well, I’m jumping in, wish me luck. If I have problems with the business, like I have so far, I will be ready to post it. But for now, I have think possitive. Good luck & best wishes for all out there.
Comment left on September 18, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
I love Shaklee products and think everyone should be able to purchase them at the store, not through distributors. Put Shaklee on the shelves in Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, etc. Let everyone just have the option to shop & buy.
Comment left on September 27, 2007 @ 10:57 am
Hello,
I have just read all of the posts. I personally do not have a problem with any of the web site information or the Oprah nonesense. People seem to be foregetting that Shaklee Corporation is a Business and they must protect their name! I know that there are a lot of really good people out there but sadly, there are a lot of nasty people out there too. Shaklee has been a wonderfully successful company for over 50 years and I believe it is due to ensuring their name & products are company protected. I also believe that this has not hindered the Distributors business. Find other ways to advertise! I have! Both on the interenet & paper. Do your research and think creatively
On that note:
I want to let everyone know that there are other ways of selling Shaklee that do not involve direct sales & the traditional parties. My mother used & sold Shaklee products when I was young. Before having my first child, I decided to buy the products so that he would not be introduced to toxins etc., etc. I went on the Shaklee page & looked up a Distributor in my area. After about a year of using the products I decided to look in to starting a business & found this wonderful company that teaches all a business model for product distribution. With that being said, please do your research. The company I found is professional and has a wonderful tool for starting and running a business.
Good luck everyone, think positively & about how you can help others! This truly is the philosophy of Dr. Shaklee himself and it will get you far in this industry!
Stacey
Comment left on October 16, 2007 @ 4:31 am
I’d love to hear how others are advertising the products of Shaklee Corporation.
I really had a hard time with the home/hotel party thing. What methods of selling Shaklee are you using?
What works to sell Shaklee. What doesn’t work selling Shaklee. Has anyone heard any updates on letting distributors advertise Shaklee on the internet?
Comment left on October 29, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
We’ve been with Shaklee for 3 years. It’s a business. The kind of programs, packaging and research Roger and his team have executed since becoming owner of Shaklee are very expensive.
Yes, it would be nice to do more online marketing. That day will come. When it does will you be ready? Or, will you be sitting there wishing you had put a massive organization in place?
As far as Oprah – she has every right to protect her hard earned image. She did not get paid to help people find the most effective green cleaner in H2. She wants to help people get the most for their money.
Shaklee doesn’t have to give any of us customers or partners – I didn’t receive any leads from the April Oprah show. I did share information with my friends and family and my business grew. We were grateful we didn’t have to pay for the amazing publicity generated.
We are blessed to be able to educate people about the powerful science behind Shaklee supplements. Shaklee has more patents than any company I know of. To build an organization that helps people feel better, think better and live better is a good thing. Have you seen their Landmark Study?
We use shaklee.net/timeandmoney – we love the health side and helping people, but it’s about choices. You can’t put a pricetag on the peace of mind you get helping others feel better and building a global business with an industry giant.
I’ve never seen a company offer such powerful, inexpensive tools for the field. They do not make money on the system. The profit margin is in the customers, that’s called business.
Shaklee has a 52 year old history in an industry that’s just beginning. You can watch, whine or whack this one out of the park – it’s your call.
Make it an excellent day,
Sheryl Turner
Comment left on November 4, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
As a 3rd generation Shaklee Distributor I would like to ask you a couple of questions Hilary and others for that matter:
1. When did you come aboard as a distributor?;
2. What were you told?;
3. Why did you sign up to be a distributor?; and
3. What were your expectations?
I just wanted to ask those for some depth into the conversation. Not wanting to make you mad, just asking simple questions. If you’d like to contact me off of this blog you most certainly can at graynerfamily@gmail.com.
Keep in mind that with any network marketing business is still about high touch and not just about high tech. Personal touch needs to be there. This company was about those personal relationships and referrals from those personal relationships long before the internet and internet ads. My parents don’t use the internet more than just having a website to sign others up at. That’s how they’ve done it for 42 years and that’s how they’ve continued to do it with personal relationships with their members.
I would just like to address a couple of comments. Once again, not wanting to start any trouble:
An individual doesn’t have to invest a lot of money into becoming a distributor, members can start their own businesses with their $19.95 membership fee. All they would have to do after that is purchase a website, if they choose. But they can build a business by talking about their personal experiences with the products, that’s what I do. I share my passion and my mission with others.
The comment about Yamanouchi Pharmaceuticals, yes they owned the company for a brief time prior to Roger Barnett buying the company. Shaklee was a private entity underneath Yamanouchi and did not change their beliefs and practices of testing on animals. They never have tested and still don’t test on animals, nor pregnant women or children. Please keep the two companies seperate.
I look forward to hearing from you Hilary and others, I’m sorry for your rough time and the trouble you’ve had and are still having. I do advertising online, but I talk about the benefit of the product and not the product name. The names of the products don’t matter in advertising, it’s the benefit. I worked for a trademark lawyer for several years and there is a reason for trademarks, service marks and ownership of pictures.
Yours in health,
Kristin Grayner
Comment left on November 9, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Hey all you Shaklee buddies – here is what I have “almost learned” in my short 26 year history with Shaklee. The finest product that Shaklee produces is the Opportunity!
When you are looking for people who would like to learn how to create an income working in their home and on their computer and phone, you never have to mention the name Shaklee online at all!
Once your new candidate has indicated interest by submitting a form, you can begin to guide them through a simple system that will
teach them how to build a “structure for product distribution.”
We are NOT Shaklee, they are our chosen supplier. We are independent contractors.
Network marketing is about a whole lot of people each doing a little bit. In our group, we teach people how to to do a small monthly duplicatable effort, and teach others how to sponsor and teach others to do the same thing.
Perhaps if folks thought that they were building their OWN business, not a Shaklee business, their thinking could change.
Gratefully,
Kerry Steeg
Freedom Mama
Comment left on November 12, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Ive been thinking about becoming a Shaklee distributor but I am so confused after reading these postings. I thought for sure that I could develop websites to direct them to the Shaklee site using the Shaklee name.
Everyone makes Shaklee look so easy but doing home and hotel parties is not easy. It takes a great deal of time and I also work full-time. I was ready to try this business through the internet. It seems like some people are very defensive about the personal touch. The internet can save a lot of time weeding out those that aren’t truely interested. The personal touch nowadays is the internet. It is emailing, texting, chatting in rooms and phone calls. The personal touch that people refer to 30-40 years ago has changed. Society, communities, and neighborhoods were smaller, many women didn’t work, advertising/competition wasn’t anything like it is now. Many of us need the internet for our business.
Besides selling to friends and home/hotel parties, can someone please tell me what methods you use?
Still debating Shaklee
Comment left on November 17, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
I’m so excited to see so much activity dealing with Shaklee. I follow what the experienced folks are saying because they’ve been there. You join Shaklee, educate yourself and share with others your passion for health, vitality, and wealth. It’s like joining a family; you will need to learn how the family functions, you don’t try to question what they do, because you’ll end up feeling frustrated and ostracize yourself. Every family is different, Shaklee just happens to be so AWESOME in so many ways.
Do your research and you’ll see. Like someone said, the best thing about Shaklee is that it gives people an Opportunity. A gift. And the truth is that we all need an opportunity. We need someone we can trust and invest all our efforts in. If you care about your health, others well being, and having a better world than Shaklee is for you. We’ve been waiting for you!
Comment left on November 19, 2007 @ 6:50 am
I respect the people with all the years of experience with Shaklee. So much of what is said on these blogs and in websites sounds so rehearsed. I need to know, besides word of mouth sales and home/hotel meetings, what have people done to sell products and generate a downline? This question never seems to be answered.
Maureen
Comment left on November 19, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
Hilary, exactly HOW is Oprah making all this money off Shaklee, as you claim? Are you suggesting she is getting some cut of Shaklee sales generated while that show aired – or what? Because if you are, you better be prepared to back it up with facts. What you’ve posted is close to lible. You sound like you don’t know what you’re talking about, let alone what you’re doing. You also sound like you’re t’d off that you didn’t become rich overnight because you thought you had stumbled onto an easy road to riches. If it were easy, everyone would be rich. And if you have a problem with Shaklee deciding when, where and how they’re name will be used, their product will be sold and marketed, etc. , I suggest you go out & create products of your own with your own money, use your own cash to package & distribute them and THEN come back and tell us how rich you are.
Comment left on November 20, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Kristin Grayner – Product names don’t matter? If you owned 2 companies would you rather own Kmart or Walmart? JCPenny or Nordstrom? I would take the ladder hands down.
Brand and product names are everything in business. That’s just business 101. Anyone who says otherwise is just plain dumb – in my humble opinion.
I think Shaklee has people brainwashed.
I too was another person asked not write a simple review about “Shaklee Cinch” on my blog. Corporate has such a stick up there ass, they won’t even let me say how great the product is and how much weight I lost. They are shooting themselves in the foot.
Why would a company not allow someone to write a glowing review about their product and how muhc it helped them? The answer is simple, they want all traffic for the company name Shaklee or the product name Cinch to come thru them and their corporate site. If product order go to their site what do you tihnk happens? They don’t have to pay commissions. Roger is not stupid. He knows a money tree when he seees one.
Comment left on November 20, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
Kerry – Freedom Momma
ok, I’m picturing my own business, not a Shaklee business.
Now I’m looking for companies to emulate so I can be successful. No point learning to walk myself if I have someone to teach me.
I’m thinking Big 5. Big 5 sporting goods puts out an advertisement in the newspaper to advertise there products for sale. Hmm, that sounds like a good idea. Call in to Shaklee Corporate. Newspaper advertising is not allowed with any Shaklee product names.
Seems like a business doomed for failure. I guess that’s why only about 10% of Shaklee distributors make it big.
Comment left on November 20, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
Mario – I have a lil bad news for you. Your blog looks great, but it’s against Shaklee terms of service.
No distributor can use any shaklee term or Shaklee product name on their web site. The only word you are approved to use is:
Shaklee Independent Distributor
Just looking at your home page I see the following:
Having a link to your Shaklee site on a public internet site – big no no:
http://www.shaklee.net/hurley
Today Shaklee is the No. 1 Health and wellness company
shaklee video
Shaklee will be in 50 countries
The Future of Shaklee
Give me Shaklee or Give me
Shaklee business
Shaklee business
Shaklee distributor
Shaklee
Dr. Shaklee’s Story
Expect a phone call from corporate.
Comment left on November 20, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Hey Maralago
I don’t know how Hilary did with Shaklee – but I have done just that. I am very successful and I wanted to do the same with Shaklee. I loved Shaklee. Go Shaklee. Go Shaklee! Sales took off with my marketing. Then I was forced to quit because I could not advertise. It’s time for them to update the policies. Many people are now forming a coalition to get them to just do that.
This looks like a really sweet post so I’ll bookmark it and check for updates and give feedback from my point of view periodically.
Comment left on November 20, 2007 @ 7:35 pm
Ricky,
How long have you been with Shaklee. I’m still on the fence about joining. Im trying to read and research everything before I decide. I love the products and the environmental benefits. I need something part-time to help pay monthly bills but I already have a full-time teaching job. I was looking forward to marketing things on the net. It sounds like this is not an option. What else have you done to generate business?
Maureen
Comment left on November 21, 2007 @ 7:25 am
Ricky, thanks for your comments about my blog. I have had it for a while now and I haven’t gotten any calls from Shaklee, but I guess it may have something to do with the fact that it is not very popular at this time. Still, I’m sure there are ways in which you can use the words Shaklee and be okay with it as long as you specify you’re an independent distributor. I’ve used Shaklee for more than 10 years and I know Shaklee is a unique company in many ways. Maybe it’s not what some are seeking, after all it’s a company with pretty crazy principles, like having standards so high that we have to write the book on some terms. For instance did you know that Dr. Shaklee was using the word “vitamin” before it was even on the dictionary?
Again thanks, for your comments, but I’ll do my own research and adjust what’s necessary on my own.
Comment left on November 21, 2007 @ 8:16 am
Maureen:
I think I was a distributor roughly 6 months. Made rank first month. But corporate was a headache so I resigned. You can advertise on the internet but you can’t use the word Shaklee, any Shaklee product name, or any pictures of Shaklee products.
I believe email marketing is ok with them. I wish I would have stayed now. I just found this great place to buy leads for people looking into this kind of stuff!
Mario
That’s probably the case. Talk to Hilary – From what she says Shaklee Corporate loves to visit her blog on a regular basis. So once you post here, you’re on the radar!
Hope they don’t give you too much hell!
Comment left on November 21, 2007 @ 9:40 am
I just finished reading the rules which is as loooong as a whole page…It clearly states that one may mention Shaklee as long as it is for their personal site or business site. Also, it does prohibit unsolicited emails. Plus it does say that one can use all the names, product names, etc on a password protected site. This make sense to me, because after all, who wants the headache of having to respond to people thinking you are Shaklee! The actual corporation. It is much smarter for one to develop one’s brand through service and attention to customers. As in the corporate world, customers don’t look at the whole corporation, they receive all the attention whether positive or negative from the individual representatives. After all, Shaklee offers people the opportunity to build their “own” business. I may be a bit naive, but the idea seems pretty attractive; use the products and share with others, we’ll take care of the research end dev, promotion, reputation, training material, expansion, etc. You just share with those whom you want to benefit. The more you share the more you grow. Plus, can anyone argue that this system doesn’t work? If you’re younger than 50 you better pay attention and re-learn what you think you know about Shaklee.
Comment left on November 21, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Hi, just wanted to add to the comments already presented. I think the main reason why we cant post things on other sites is due to the P&R and standing behind the Shaklee guarantee. This is the same reason why we cant put stuff on Ebay or places like that, because it would go against getting the product direct from Shaklee. We could have had something on the shelf for a few years and then try to sell it as if it were new.
Also, Shaklee pays the most of any of the MLM businesses. Ive been a part of a number of other businesses and I have to say that Shaklee was the first company that actually cut me a check, granted my first one was less than $100 but it was something. I was so happy to get paid for something I love!
If we have to pay to advertize our businesses, then it really goes against everything this company should be. We get paid more for the sole fact that advertizement money didnt go to the media, it goes directly to you and I as distributors. And of course the more volume the better pay!
As far as uplines are concerned, they do get a commission or royalty due to the fact that they have put valuable time and effort into myself and my business. You cant tell me you wouldnt pay a mentor for their help, because that is what they are.
The people on the top dont get all the money either. They get the net of the sales after you and I get our commission based on the level we are at in the business. If we build the business up, then we too will be receiving the fair amount of money for our efforts. After all this is not a get rich, get quick kind of scheme. Its a very legitimate business that deserves the time and effort it is going to take to become successful and to help everyone in the process.
Thanks for considering my comment.
Comment left on November 26, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Kevin,
I am short of begging. I have been on blogs and tried contacting people about the business.There has to be more ways to introduce people to Shaklee than by doing home and hotel parties. I love the products but time is an issue for me. I can’t see myself doing home and hotel parties. I work full-time and have a family. what methods have you used to market your products?
maureen
Comment left on November 26, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
Hey Shaklee Reps:
There is a wealth of information about Shaklee on this site:
Shaklee Help
If you are interested in Purchasing Shaklee Leads You can get them at this MLM Lead site. The deals are nothing short of amazing. Most lead sites I have found are charging $5.00 – $10.00 a lead. You can get 100,000 leads for $47.00 bucks & up to 1 million leads for $247.00.
Comment left on November 26, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
To be honest, word of mouth works best. To me its not getting the “right” person initially. My upline had many a success with helping their downline build a business. It would seem that most times the best people were 2 or 3 people downline that “broke out” in the business. You see, you never know who you are going to get to sign up or the potential that is out there. Yes there are people with a passion and a drive. Its all about volume and there are people out there who love to tell their story and are motivating. My best answer is this… if you have devote at least 8-10 hours a week just being yourself and talking to others you can make it. try handing out a card or two and use your business tools. the leads are good, but most of them are cold, since you didnt take the first step at actually making a relationship or have something in common. i like the idea that was presented higher on the thread about telling your story and about the effects of chemicals. the cleaning “get clean” line has decent PV as this is a place to start. Have your client Shaklee-ize their home. It starts there, then they will want to have a more healthy life. It has to start somewhere, and that is where a true relationship is built. I heard the saying, Rome wasnt built in a day, and maybe this was already shared. It takes some serious dedication and a wanting to succeed. you cant just get rich quick with this business, or it will be like trying to build a house on the sand, it only topples over in the end. you have to find a strategy where a layer of rock is placed, and in this case its going to be key people you are willing to invest some effort in. you build their business, and naturally due to all of your efforts you have a successful and thriving business of your own, one that wont topple over because of too fast of a start. believe me its far better to take baby steps at first to get to know the business and how its run than to try and manage it when its too big. this is when you lose clients. Ive seen people do it many ways in this business, and I am still young at this. Be yourself, that is one thing that Dr. Shaklee would say.
Comment left on November 26, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
In a previous post I mentioned that I have only been with Shaklee for 3 years. What I didn’t mention is that during that time I have earned over $100,000. Helping people learn how to be green is VERY SMART BUSINESS.
All Shaklee is asking us to do is share Shaklee. Letting our friends know we own a business with the most effective green cleaners and powerful natural supplements is helping everyone have better lives. Now we have it in writing with the Landmark Study. Shaklee green cleaners have been tested against both toxic and green cleaners and came out on top.
Not having the risk and overhead of a traditional business has allowed us to focus on building an organization. Also, Maureen asked how people build a downline. First we became familiar with the products with amazing results. We have built most of our organization with conference calls. We have a lot of tech savvy leaders now, but when we started we did one call a week. Now we do five. We did hotel meetings too, but that did not build a massive organization. It’s a lot easier to three way someone into a call than to drag them to a hotel meeting. Now there are a lot of online presentations we direct them to also. We still love getting together with the local Shaklee team once a month.
Conference calls just seemed to be a simple way to connect. Anyone is welcome to our calls – I’m not going to list them all, but our Thursday call is at 8pm Central. The number is 212-990-8000 and the pin is 9000#. Good luck with your businesses for those of you who are focused – this is a great time – the climate for earth friendly products and natural health options has never been better. Shaklee is truly leading the charge in the Green Revolution.
Make it an excellent day,
Sheryl Turner
Key Coordinator
Comment left on December 12, 2007 @ 10:12 am
I just want to say that some are still avoiding the dircet question and plea for help with marketing in a new school society. Maureen, Ricky, and Kevin try Kim Klavers course. By no means do you need to market to a warm market or struggle with online sales. She teaches us how to market your products without useing their respective names to reach you target audiences and how to market from your personal experiences with Shaklee products ie by postcard, newspaper ad, and even online. Before you even purchase leads I want you to know how detrimental it is to learn the appropriate skills needed to find those who want the product that you and to lead with your heart. Honestly I had a tough time to come out of the closet and just SHARE shaklee like everyone else did. It’s not easy and it takes hard work and presistance. By the way the Kim Klaver course is titled 100 Customers in 100 Days” and it works for me. I just began sponsoring members again after this course. Kim has trained many Shaklee distributors and is close friends with Kathy Minski who is one of top Shaklee Independent Distributors. I hope this suggestion will help you. To your success.
Comment left on December 13, 2007 @ 7:20 am
I agree it makes things difficult since you can’t put your own website and the Shaklee name. But Then everyone would be doing it and it makes for an unfair advantge. I don’t know, I see everyones point but I know it’s not a pyramid scheme. There is a big difference between the two.
Anyways it’s too bad you quit I have noticed a hugh difference with my and my family’s health by useing products of such high quailty.
I have done many different MLMs and found that Shaklee is the one for me.
I wish you the best with your future plans.
Comment left on December 17, 2007 @ 9:29 am
I am another Shaklee hater. Shaklee sucks! No other words to describe them.
Customer service is useless at Shaklee. They don’t even know the P & R’s. Things have really changed at Shaklee since Roger Barnett has taken over.
I guess Shaklee only cares about the dollar now, then again I didn’t know Shaklee 50 years ago. So maybe Shaklee is the same as it always has been.
Shaklee Sucks!
Shaklee Sucks!
Shaklee Sucks!
Shaklee Sucks!
Shaklee Sucks!
Shaklee Sucks!
Shaklee Sucks!
Comment left on December 25, 2007 @ 3:34 am
Here is my take on Shaklee,
1) If their products are so superior then why do they not sell them in a traditional manner i.e. retail store?
2) If Shaklee is not a pyramid scheme, why do you have to pay to become a distributor? wouldn’t it make more sense to purchase the products at wholesale prices and market them at retail prices. I don’t get why you would consider joining a club/cult to sell a product.
3) It seems to me that Shaklee relies upon an independent distributor to use scuzzy selling techniques such as the 3-3-3 format. Whats worse all the hasseling of family members to buy their products. How can this sales technique gain a loyal and broad base of repeat customers?
Summing it all up. I feel the Shaklee pyramid is nothing more than a scheme to fill the pockets of the top 2-3 tiers of said pyramid. Furthermore, for Shaklee to be successful, they rely on the concept of “Group Think” which as an example was most effective in the mid 1930’s in Germany which became NAZI Germany. This analogy to me the “Group Think” analogy best summarizes the Shaklee mindset and I further assert it should be avoided as most scams are in this Country.
Comment left on December 28, 2007 @ 9:33 am
If Shaklee was totally about themselves and wanted all the profits they would not use the mlm approach.
Shaklee would use advertising consultants as do Pepsi, Coca Cola, Ford, Chevy etc. If you do not like Shaklee try Amsoil that is what I sell and no games. I also sell Shaklee and I would have to say the synthetic oil is easier to make profits. You can use Amsoil on your website.
Comment left on January 1, 2008 @ 8:13 pm
I have used Shaklee for 30 years… I sure don’t understand their marketing or lack of marketing methods. I have been involved with a wonderful MLM that doesn’t have to answer to Stock Holders. Only got involved when my health issues improved nearly 100% using their products.
Comment left on January 8, 2008 @ 8:49 am
I use some Shaklee products just not their supplements. I use Altrum wich are all natural and make me feel better than Shaklee. I do use Shaklee cleaners wich I like . I sold Shaklee back in the late 80’s and early 90’s my upline was Micheal Jackson. It was when the water purifiers came out. Now I must make a choice between Amsoil & Shaklee
I am not making any money with Shaklee. Too many organic foods on the market at reasonable prices. Only one top synthetic oil with a 35,000 mile or one year oil change. May I wiil let my wife try to sell Shaklee.
I am an organic guru, I juice 4 times a day lost 75lbs in six months totally detoxed my self without Shaklee you don’t need Shaklee to be healthy just have to have common sense and be willing to read good books.
Comment left on January 8, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
I became a distributor a year ago, and have worked my fingers to the bone, spending tons of money, to build my Shaklee business in my rural area. I’m ready to give up now that I’ve found that all these glorious “Oprah! Oprah! Oprah!” leads go ONLY to business leaders and above in the organization, not to those of us trying to achieve that level. When I question that all I hear is “well this is a business you know they want to give business to those proven in the field…” malarky. I tried one of the teams but I, along with everyone else except the two members who were making tons of money already, got frustrated by the “if you only did what we did you would be rich too so you must not be trying very hard” attitude. I’m extremely disappointed. The only silver lining is the tax exemptions I can claim because of all the money we spent out of pocket to promote Shaklee everywhere from town fairs to newspaper ads.
I’m switching to Shurepets. Wanna come to a pupperware party?
Comment left on January 10, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
I saw Shaklee on Oprah 2 weeks ago and placed my order for the starter kit on their website right of way. So far I am an extremely disappointed customer who sees just what inefficiencies occur when you run a business the way I see is happening from the above entries. My order was placed on the 8th, a whopping shipping charge and the rest of my money was taken out of my checking acct via debit card on the 11th and I received an email that I would receive an email when my order was shipped. Well, 10 days later with no email and no products, I emailed customer service and what did I get? Another email saying I would get an emailing responding soon. 3 days later, still no products and no responses!
I’m assuming the products are on backorder so I call customer service to verify. I get a sales rep who says I need to call another number that is not open now. I ask her if I place an order today for the starter kit, is it on back order? She says she doesn’t know! How can you not know!??? That is essential product placing information! I then ask her how long the orders take to get to you and she says 14 days! What a disgrace. I wish Oprah told me this part. As a business consultant, I am shocked Shaklee has gotten away with such poor service. I see they now make money on fast collection of money and slow processing of the order basically overstating their inventory in the process as well. Their products better be worth the float on my money and this bad customer service experience.
Wish I used a rep.
Comment left on January 20, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
I read some remarks last year about peoples disappointment and it seems that some are experiencing them this year as well. If you all are looking for quality products or a good business model you should let me know. You all sound like sharp and ambitious people and you all shouldn’t get treated like that. I work for a great organization so all business models are not bad , you just really have to look. Take care.
Comment left on January 22, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
I too see that there are people here that are very willing to put the effort into a company and make the money that they want to. I am an associate with a wonderful company that has been around a lot longer than Shaklee. I know Shaklee distributors and I have spoken with them about how complicate the business appears to be. Mine is so simple! Please those of you disgruntled with Shaklee don’t give up, just look further and find what is right for you.
Comment left on January 26, 2008 @ 5:35 am
This is the strangest thing Ive ever read. I would agree with the author wholeheartedly when you ‘intuit’ something wrong with a mass of people sheeped towards some goal. Maybe it isnt MLM, but let’s stop the creepiness.
Nobody here who is in defense of Shaklee has any real business experience or education, you’ve only found refuge in a common cause and perhaps mediocre consistent paycheck.
Give me a break? Someone wants to make more money with an idea, and she gets crucified?? You think Shaklee wants to make money, or wants to make money it’s way? There is a difference. Just because someone is succesful doesnt mean it’s good for you to be involved, idiots.
So all you sheep, Shaklee Sheep, try typing at home for freedom, mystery shopping, or stuffing envelopes, and I bet half you will defend them as well and be in the same position in life afterwards.
bye bye.
Comment left on January 30, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
Can someone please post the link (or the content) that shows the advertising rules?
Seems to me there are two different issues here, and I want to be 100% before I decide to join or not:
1. Website or blog comments – Are Shaklee products allowed, or not? I see lots of websites that have Shaklee products clearly displayed.
2. Google AdWords and the like – I don’t know of any affiliate program that allows the use of their name in this manner. Are the offending sites being shut down because of the use of AdWords, or are they being shut down strictly because of content?
Thanks!
Comment left on February 18, 2008 @ 7:58 am
Hi Linda:
Shaklee forbids using Google Adwords if you use Shaklee’s company name or any Shaklee product names in the advertisement. That said you can use Adwords if you only use the phrase “Shaklee Independent Distributor”. It doesn’t seem to fit very well in the space Adwords offers.
As for your own website the same applies as above. You can not use any registered Shaklee product name or their company name in anything on the internet; that includes blogs, ebay, amazon, product review web sites, ANYTHING! The same applies to Television, Newspaper & Radio ads.
They are very strict on this & have several FULL TIME people whose job it is to search out violators. If you are found to be in violation your membership will be cancelled. If you find people that are in Violation of the Shaklee P&R’s, you can report them to Shaklee and they will take them down.
Shaklee seems to not apply the rules equally to everyone, however. Some dealers are able to use trademarked terms & some are not. I am not sure how you get on their good side. Anyone know?
It seems there are 4 ways to get around Shaklee P&R’s…
1. Create a general purpose web site selling the different products, but without using the Shaklee trademarked product names. Here is one such Shaklee web site doing that: Spider Marketing
Apparently that site has received an OK from Shaklee, and you can purchase this exact same Shaklee site from Spider Marketing LLC.
2. If you have an email list you can email people about Shaklee & give them a password protected link to access your Shaklee site. If the site can only be accesses through a password, you can put anything on it.
3. Quit Shaklee or don’t join in the first place, then you can do pretty much anything you want with Shaklee trademarked terms – as long as you don’t say anything that isn’t true. The only way a company can forbid you from using their trademarked terms is if that is in their distributor agreement, which it is with Shaklee, but if you’re not a member, you can use said terms.
4. Create a Google Adwords campaign for work-at-home & MLM type things. Set if up so that when someone clicks on your ad they are taken to a sign up page where they input their email address. Then email them about the Shaklee Opportunity. Most people set up an auto responder to email something new about Shaklee every couple days. This has proven VERY effective with any work-at-home type position. Some of the top Shaklee reps are doing this and making tens of thousands every month.
Personally, I would choose option 3. I am into Internet marketing – not sitting around a table or hotel giving home meetings. I have kept in contact with legal & they are looking at revising their entire Shaklee web site & Shaklee internet marketing guidelines so in the next 6 months or so this could change.
I have always enjoyed Shaklee products & would love to become a Shaklee Independent Distributor once again if they allow Internet marketing in the future. I was very successful right from the start with Shaklee.
Comments from Shaklee Legal:
Link: YOU MUST REMOVE THE AIRSOURCES OFF OF AMAZON. SHAKLEE PRODUCTS ALSO CANNOT BE SOLD ON EBAY OR THE INTERNET. PLEASE CHECK YOUR P&R FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. IF THE ITEMS ARE NOT REMOVED BY JULY 1, 2006 I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE YOUR DISTRIBUTORSHIP REVIEWED AND POSSIBLY TERMINATED.
MONIQUE MAVIS
SHAKLEE CORPORATION
MMAVIS@SHAKLEE.COM
Link:
Shaklee Product Names Cannot be Used on Internet
Hello everyone this is Monique Limon from Shaklee Corporation. The Shaklee P&R prohibits persons from using the Shaklee name on the internet as well as product names. If you can please go back and edit your listings according to the P&R, if you have any questions please email me at mlimon@shaklee.com
Another email directly from Monique:
Doing Business on the Internet
The purpose of Shaklee’s Internet policy is to encourage responsible and professional use of electronic communication, to maintain a level playing field for all Shaklee Independent Distributors, and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Although there are additional provisions elsewhere in this P&R that apply to conducting business on the Internet, such as making unauthorized claims for Shaklee products, the following provisions apply specifically to the Internet:
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not use the Shaklee name, product names, or trademarks for any business other than their Shaklee business on either their shaklee.net site.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not use Shaklee trademarks on any Internet site open to the public other than their shaklee.net web site, unless it is password protected utilizing a password that cannot be determined by individuals seeking to enter the site who have not been personally invited.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not use the Shaklee name, product names, or trademarks on banner ads, postings on message boards, on online auction sites, e.g., Ebay, within e-mail addresses (unless it is the e-mail address assigned to your Personal Web Site, e.g., myhealth@shaklee.net), or web page URLs, meta tags, or other web site locators.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not send unsolicited e-mails (spam) to any person(s) with whom they have no prior relationship.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors can link to other sites from their shaklee.net web site in accordance with the rules established in the shaklee.net agreement.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may link their independent web site to their shaklee.net site if they do not mention the Shaklee name, product names, or trademarks on their independent site unless that site is password protected.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not advertise, list, or refer to the price of Shaklee products on their shaklee.net web sites or their independent site with the exception of the Suggested Retail Price or, with enrollment as a Member, MN price.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not sell or facilitate the sale of any web sites or pages that include the Shaklee name, product names, or trademarks.
*Shaklee Independent Distributors may not use any term or mark in their Internet address that may cause others to believe their web site is owned by
Monique Mavis
Claims Administrator
Legal Department
mmavis@shaklee.com
Comment left on February 18, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
Hmph… Dark Ages, indeed!
Most companies ban the use of their name in urls and AdWords as well as the sale of their products on eBay, Amazon and the like, so that’s not my concern. Same with product review sites that link back to your own distributor site – I can see how that would be a no-no.
Not being able to mention the product on your own personal blog or website is a different matter though. As for creating an “unfair advantage”: Sure, there will be some people that are better at using the internet that others, but then the same goes for people who already have large downlines from other companies that they bring over to Shaklee. They have an unfair advantage over most other distributors, and thus they should be banned as well if the logic follows the “unfair advantage” philosophy.
Having AdWords campaigns that force people into generic-looking websites that then generate a flood of spam email is much more offensive than a simple blog post about a product, IMHO. And I see plenty of AdWords campaigns with the use of the Shaklee name prominently displayed.
Comment left on February 18, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Hi
i have been thinking about joining Shaklee for awhile now, but since reading all of your posts i have slowly changed my mind. But I did have a few questions, since internet is basically out of the question, how do you market Shaklee besides home parties and hotel parties and friends and families? Can you market to retail stores, mom and pop stores, small gyms, etc etc. Anyway I just wanted to get some information from you because if i can figure out how to market it, i would love to join. I was also wondering, is it a pyramid scam? Since you have to buy at least $125 of products yourself just to qualify for the bonus?
Comment left on March 15, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
Hey David,
Thanks so much for your comment and questions about Shaklee. I am going to do my best to answer them for you. The sad fact is almost all Multi Level Marketing companies operate like this. They just do a great job of hiding it from distributors & make the compensation plans so complicated you need a degree from MIT to understand them.
-How do you market Shaklee besides home parties, etc?
Well, that’s what Network Marketing is all about – marketing to your network of friends and family; they have a relationship with you and trust you.
-Can you market Shaklee to retail stores, etc?
You can sell to any retail or mom ‘n’ pop store, but they cannot carry or sell the products in their store. Unless, of course, the only thing they sell is Shaklee products.
-Is Shaklee a pyramid scam since you have to buy…just to qualify for the bonus?
I do not think Shaklee is a pyramid scam, but that’s for the courts to decide.
If you sign up as a Shaklee Independent distributor, there are basically 2 quotas that must both be met before you will be paid.
Quota One: all the Shaklee Independent Distributors you sign up must collectively make you a certain amount of money each month. Each member can bring in a different amount as long as they all total up to your quota. For example, one person could bring in $100.00 and another person $400.00 to meet your quota of $500.00. (These numbers are examples; refer to Shaklee for exact numbers.)
Quota Two: each month you have to purchase a certain amount of product yourself. There is, however, a way to get around this. If people go to your Shaklee web site (who are not already Shaklee Independent Distributors), and simply purchase products through it (without becoming a distributor), that money will go towards this second quota (as would any money you spent yourself).
Should you not meet both of these quotas in a 30 day period, you will not receive the commission that month, and it will be forwarded to your up line.
And lastly, you can actually advertise your Shaklee business on the internet, but you are not allowed to use any of the product names, pictures, or any Shaklee trademarked terms anywhere on the site.
Comment left on March 16, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
Thank you for your answers,
What is an example of a retail or mom and pop store that sells nothing, so they can only sell shaklee products when/ if they sign up? I’m confused with this concept. Are you basically telling me you can’t sell the products to mom and pop stores/ retail stores ? So are you basically saying a retail store cannot be an independent distributor? Like an individual small health food store that already has products in the store? If they sign up as a distributor why can’t they sell their products in the store? Or Kiosks, trade shows? Because they sell other things there as well. Have people sold shaklee to stores before, do you have any examples with that?
Do the network marketers only market to friends and family, Has there been anyone having success marketing in a cold market? And how?
Also the quota for the distributors, Does that change with the number of distributors or is that the same no matter how many distributors I have?
And where is this information located on the shaklee website?
With the quota, within a 30 day period? How does that work? If we get paid on the 15th and I start shaklee on the 25th of the previous month, I didn’t have the full 30 days to make the quota, does that mean I won’t get paid if I don’t make the quota by the 15th.
As for marketing shaklee online or in the newspapers etc, I can only say I am a shaklee independent distributor? or is that not allowed as well?
what if a member buys products through my website, does that mean it goes to my pv, so i don’t have to buy the 100 pv worth of items for the bonus, or do they count as distributors?
Thanks for your help
Comment left on March 17, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
I’m not too sure I can answer all of David’s questions – I don’t want to give him false information. Can any of you current or past Shaklee Independent Distributors help him?
Comment left on March 27, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
1. A retail store that sells nothing is strictly a Shaklee store. So 24 hour fitness could not shell Shaklee in their gym, but a store that only had Shaklee as their product line would be ok. That means no other products in the store but Shaklee products. NOTHING. Only Shaklee products.
2. I know a lot of the top Shaklee network marketers rent out hotels or even host the parties at Shaklee corporation themselves. They would place an ad in the newspaper for something like “learn about a new groundbreaking way to quit your day job selling health products. Free samples & lunch will be provided”. They don’t mention the Shaklee name at all. Part of the allure is the mystery & why it gets you to go to check it out.
That’s how they got me.
There is some advanced training video Shaklee offers…
3. The minimum to get paid never changes. But as you work your way thru the different Shaklee levels if you don’t maintain your previous sales volume your rank & commission will go down .
4. All the info is on the website. I believe you have to join to see it.
5. You have 30 days each month to make the quota. The 15th is the lead time it takes them to go thru all your sales to make sure they are legit.
6. As for marketing in the newspaper, technically you are only allowed to say “Shaklee independent Distributor” plus you have to get the marketing material cleared by them before publication.
7. I believe if they are members it goes to your pv, if they are distributors it goes to the total pv & doesn’t count towards yours. Any Shaklee experts want to chime in?
Comment left on March 28, 2008 @ 10:40 am
I have a question about the ‘Shaklee store’ thing. If we can’t use the Shaklee name on personal website, ads, etc. I’m guessing you can’t even have Shaklee names and other types of advertisement anywhere on the outside of your said store? What about inside the store? Just curious..
Comment left on March 31, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Hi Remy,
If your store sells ONLY Shaklee products you may advertise those products both inside and outside of the store. However, you must get approval from the Shaklee Corporation to even open one.
Comment left on April 1, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Hilary-
Do you know by chance if it’s hard to get the go ahead to open a store? I know myself I have never seen one around my area but again I’ve never really looked.
Comment left on April 1, 2008 @ 12:18 pm
Hey Remy,
The best thing I can think of is to call Customer Service and/or Shaklee Legal, whose contact info you can find at the end of the original post.
Comment left on April 7, 2008 @ 10:56 am
Does anyone know if there is a minimum quota that you have to order every month, quarter, year if you become a distributor?
I was looking into becoming a distributor, but don’t want to be ordering $100’s of products.
Comment left on April 18, 2008 @ 5:09 am
Cathy,
You are not required to make any minimum purchases unless you are at the point where you will be recieving a check. However, that being said, if you are using the products, it hard not to purchase the products you need.
If you need further details, give me a shout at pbrechlin@naturalnhealthy.com.
Pam
http://www.naturalnhealthy.com
Comment left on April 22, 2008 @ 6:18 am
To Whom It May Concern:
Back in the early nineties, I approach a Skaklee lady about their wonderful product “Herblax”. Back in the early ‘80’s my sister-in-law told me about this product and it really helped my condition. Back then, it was not as expensive for a single lady to buy, so my sister would buy it for me, six bottles at a time and I got a break for buying in volume (I don’t know if Shaklee was aware of this and I don’t care), because it really helped my health. I was in Houston, Tx at the time and then I moved to a different county near Houston, and found a distributor and that’s when the “BIG” sales “PITCHES” begain and I got really excited, if this lady can do this, then I knew I could do it! ! !
Well as it turn out, I worked my butt off trying to promote these wonderful products and the company, when they based their integrity on what what Mr. Shaklee wanted! ! Yes, I understand at the time, he wanted it to be small and in small groups one person at a time but if he were hear today, he would want everyone to know how wonderful “HIS” products are! ! And if there would have been internet back in the old days, I personally think he would have said go for it, “LET’ SAVE OUR WORLD AND OUR ENVIRONMENT” with “SHAKLEE”! ! Now it’s all about “GREED”, let’s help our up-line get even “RICHER! ! What about us??? When I was trying to do the business, I put ads in the paper, “Want a better future for your children and your whole family, come to a “Healthy Home Party”! Yes I would get strange and personal people to come and I would do demos for them to show how great these products are! ! When you do an event like