A Little ACN Mail

Back in April, I wrote about the ACN pyramid scam. Despite becoming my single most-read blog article, I was never harassed by ACN's lawyers. (A pity, that.) But it has generated non-lawyer e-mail, and the following gem recently landed in my inbox — all misspellings in original:

I admire you for taking so much time to look into ACN's system for customer acquisition and business model. However, I don't look up to people who ridicule their friends for the sake of attracting people to thier website. You intentionally went out of your way to prove your friend wrong and to create value for people to view your pointless website?

Yes, hate mail always begins with a compliment.

I cannot fathom how my correspondent read my article as ridiculing my friend, when I only mentioned my friend as background to explain why I went to an ACN meeting in the first place. I didn't even mention their name.

The psychologizing about my motivation is odd, because I openly stated my motivation in the second paragraph: "This would be fun. I enjoy asking tough questions, and I might be able to rescue my friend from the system."

The jab at my website — calling it "pointless" — hurts my widdle feewings.

Maybe you should go work for Fortune magazine or another professional business pubication if your findings prove that ACN is a scam. Or maybe you should join ACN and then file a lawsuit. Do you honestly believe that you know more than the Attorneys General for your state (california right)? If so, maybe you should apply for his position or submit a complaint? Definition of Pyramid Scheme: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Pyramid%20scheme. That should help clear up your understanding of a pyramid.

My correspondent has a problem with reading comprehension, thinking I'm from California. My contact page — where my e-mail address can be found — quotes from the Oregon Constitution.

I certainly do believe that ACN is a pyramid scheme, but this has nothing at all to do with ACN's legality. I'm a libertarian, I dig freedom of contract, and I think pyramid schemes should be totally legal. Certainly they should face legal action if they commit fraud, but I wouldn't support any law aimed specifically against pyramid schemes.

Nevertheless, I don't want my friends involved in pyramid schemes, so I'm speaking out against them.

ACN distributors dont recieve any commision or bonus until customers are acquired. Customers is the key word, not distributors. Our government is a pyramid. Your job is a pyramid. Does the owner the company you work for pay you based on your production? Or based on if you show up to work, do the bare minimum, and stare at the clock all day until you go home? Network marketers get paid for production. So try not to bag on the industry until you can make a living on your own.

This is a bizarre argument. Just because an organization is hierarchical doesn't mean it's a pyramid scheme. Ironically, this confusion was brought to me by a person who had just looked up "pyramid scheme" in the dictionary. The mind boggles.

And, I must wonder, in what sense can being an ACN representative be considered "making a living on your own"? Bonuses and commissions, instead of wage, salary, rent, or profit. So what? What's the difference in on-your-own-ness? And why is it important?

Obligatory Ghostbusters quote (Ray Stantz): "I've worked in the private sector. They expect results."

How much have you contributed to society in general or to chairities up to this point in your life? That could be an obvious indicator of the results your reality is giving you.

I do good by doing well, thankyouverymuch. Yay capitalism.

But since you asked, my favorite charity is The Alliance for the Separation of School and State, and I've given them $500 this year.