I have read the many complaints about this outfit on this forum, and I'd like to add my own.
I worked for a DS MAX "owner" for 18 months hoping to gain promotion to management as a full owner myself, but I was frustrated by this individual's tactic of refusing to promote deserving leaders (we call them trainers) so that we (the leaders) could continue to build and maintain his own organisation.
I had accepted the principle of training others at my own expense as part of the cost of "eventual success", but ultimately this was not forthcoming due to my owner's dishonesty. The guy feared that if he promoted me his own organisation would be weakened by the loss of my own team. He also did not wnt to lose our direct sales for which he made a hefty profit. I figure that he was meeting his rent from my own sales alone.
Part of the problem was that the regional and national organisation had all but collapsed leaving this guy to his own devices. He continued to use the "DS MAX" brand as if he were legitimately part of the international network, but I know that he would source his own products from outside their regular channels to supplement those from the regular DS MAX network.
However, I cannot say that it was a wholly negative experience as the I learned invaluable lessons in direct selling, as well as growing personally from the confidence that the "System" conferred on one if properly applied.
"DS MAX" as an idea would work, thrive and grow infinitaly if the business owners were properly supervised on an on-going, continuous basis. The network in my part of the world (Kenya) is on its last legs due to neglect from Company Hq. Allowing unscrupulous owners the latitude to take advantage of the ignorance and powerlessness of their leaders. Ultimately these owners shoot themselves in the foot because their business really is comprised of the network that their leaders are working so very hard to develop. When they frustrate their promisisng leaders, who are by defination hard-working and resourceful individuals, they jeopardise their own businesses in the long run.
As for the quality of the goods and sevices that DS MAX distributes, well the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The whole thing is a scam and what's suprising is that they are still operating. I only came across this forum by accident while searching for something else, and I'm amazed that those guys haven't been shut down by now.
The pity of it all is that it is a novel and practicable way of building a sizeable sales network cheaply, and could work very well in the Internet and e-Commerce spheres.
Al
Nairobi
Kenya
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