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Alticor Media Blog is the official news weblog from the Alticor family of companies.
September 19th, 2007 @ 8:14 pm ET…
Delightful and dedicated
You can post a comment or trackback from your own site.
We heard a lot of people try to describe the new JW Marriott Grand Rapids hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. “Impressive” and “Wow” are the first reactions that come to mind.
The JWMGR today was officially dedicated in a ceremony highlighted by spiritual voices from a local gospel choir, high-stepping members from the Michigan State University Marching Band, the raising of the American flag by 40 local members of the U.S. Marines, and, of course, speeches by dignitaries including Alticor co-founder Rich DeVos. And anyone who was fortunate to attend had to marvel at this sparkling glass football-shaped gem that adds another dimension to the city’s skyline.
Rich often talks about the importance of “sharing with the community.” When it opens officially for business this Friday, the JW Marriott Grand Rapids will do just that by adding jobs to the community, boosting tourism and convention business, and installing a new symbol of pride throughout the region.
We’re pumped for the great things to come to the Grand Rapids region when the doors open on Friday. And we’re willing to bet that the first words that’ll come out of your mouths when you visit and stay at the hotel are “Impressive!” and “Wow!”
Filed by: Corporate Communications
Posted in: Alticor, Grand Rapids, Hotels, JW Marriott Grand Rapids, Michigan
September 19th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
I wonder if TEAM members will be excluded here just like they were at the Scamway Grand.
September 19th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Thank you for your positive message! I continue to be in awe of the community spirit of Alticor’s founders. Now if we could just read those business rules……….
September 19th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
i agree with thunderstruck but it does not matter because there are far better hotels out there that we are welcome at that are not owned by scamway
September 19th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
He likes “sharing with the community” so much buildings and prices are going up…..
He likes “sharing with the community” so much Quixtar/Amway is in courts in at least 3 continents….was it over pricing that Team left?….I forgot…yeah I think, I think it was……
September 19th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
Nice try on the re-direct…Alticor you try anything won’t you
September 20th, 2007 at 12:02 am
I heard recently that the DeVos family sold their interest in Peter Island to the Van Andle family and the Van Andle family sold it’s holdings in Hatteras Yachts to the DeVos family. Is that true?
Could all this name change business revolve around the fact that the founding families are finally beginning to divide up assets and are positioning AMWAY for sale? Could this be why the families have allowed these lawyers to take the lead in beating up the good name of the TEAM? Positioning for a sale, getting rid of potential threats to the profitability of the company that may hinder a top dollar on the auction block?
Food for thought.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:28 am
I am glad the hotel is ready to open hope it does well.
Since the post was nothing about anything else, I don’t see why others should take a swipe at some good news for Alticor, since I think they may not be getting too many more items of good news this year.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:29 am
“Sharing with the community”??? Nice way to say, vote for Dick, he is giving you jobs!
I guess as long as the corporation makes their 35%, it would be exciting to “share”… seems more like a “this is what we do with 35% of the overpriced product sales after we destroy your chances of success”.
I wonder if there is a plan to raise prices, change the name to “The Amway Motel”, tell the staff that 90% of their income will be end-of-year bonuses and fire them on December 30th, and tell the staff to repeat the hotel name repeatedly so there is zero chance of curiosity from the customers?
Perhaps, Alticor would get a more positive response if they gave US & Canadian IBO’s the same choice they are giving European IBO’s.
September 20th, 2007 at 2:42 am
WOW!! A YOU GUY’S ARE RICH!!!
NOW THE LAWSUIT FOR TODAY WAS???
SURE,YOU JUST WANT TO BE OUR BOSS!
I- i
B- be
O-owned
September 20th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Thunderstruck #1,
Are you referring to the new Platinum visits to the corp? The reason they were turned back then should be obvious by now, they were breaking multiple rules. Apparently, their upline believed in the “no negative downline” concept and never told them they had been in trouble for several years. I’m sure Marriott will be glad to take your money at the new facility, while the new Platinums walk around for free. Enjoy yourself, just don’t take what isn’t yours.
Joan #2,
I agree with you on both counts. The new facility will be a great addition to the Grand Rapids area. I have talked with the rules folks on a number of occasions and made the comment the rules are too complex and open to different interpretations.
September 20th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
The blog entry stated “Rich often talks about the importance of “sharing with the community.”. . .” Too bad he doesn’t consider IBOs as part of the community and share more of the profits with them instead of taking such a huge chunk out of the profits with the rest of the DeVos and Van Andel families.
The paragraph continues on “. . .When it opens officially for business this Friday, the JW Marriott Grand Rapids will do just that by adding jobs to the community.” So at least the employees of Alticor/Quixtar/Amway will have somewhere to apply for jobs when the their current employer goes under.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Folks: Your comments are, as always, deeply appreciated. It is never our desire to censor comments; for that matter, we encourage candid commentary.
As a courtesy to those individuals who primarily want to discuss the hotel and its impact on western Michigan, you are encouraged to submit unrelated comments elsewhere on this blog whenever possible. Please help us to stay on topic. Thank you.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Just another notch in the Big Wheel Billion Dolar BELT. I for one will not be at all intersted in ever going there for any reasion!!!!!!!!!
Agian Sad that the Billions go to such a waste!!!
September 20th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
does anyone really want to discuss a hotel? come on alticor you put this up to re-direct everyone’s attention. I know discussing a hotel is always on the top of my list of conversations.
September 20th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Bill Smith #6,
What’s your source, Esquire? If your information is “food for thought”, you must be starving, because you haven’t fed us anything except a rumor without a source.
Alticor Media Blog Administrator #12,
Is this new hotel going to replace the Amway Grand Plaza as the main destination for hosting new Platinums? Or is one of them going to be for overflow for the massive increase in Platinums after you finish cleaning out the “stuff” in the stables? How far away from each other are the 2 locations?
September 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Congratulations on the new JW Marriott Grand Rapids!
Another first class addition!
I agree with the Administrator’s request for all to be courteous and considerate of others. This is not the place to vent or make disparaging comments regarding the current affairs with Orrin and Chris, regardless whether you agree and support them or disagree with them. To do so shows a lack of consideration for all.
Sincerely,
Ros
September 20th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
This is great news for western Michigan and Grand Rapids. JW Marriott’s are some of the finest hotels around and GR can be proud of this one.
Admin., Alticor/Quixtar/Amway “haters” have nowhere else to go.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Tex: They are literally across the street from each other. Time will tell.
September 20th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
Tex,
Go read
http://qreilly.blogspot.com/2007/09/system-questions-answered.html
and leave us all alone. It talks about tools, your favorite subject, other than unfairly bashing Team.
Are you saying that Platinum IBO’s would not be welcome at any of Altico’s hotels? Of course they would. I would think they would welcome any IBO. I for one have no problem with the new hotel. I hope the architect and the construction team made some money, and it makes the owners lots of money.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Chris #14,
If you don’t want to discuss the hotel, skip this thread.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
#10 Tex
No, what I am talking about is the day some TEAM members tried to eat lunch at the Scamway Grand Hotel in Amwayland….er…Grand Rapids and GOT TURNED AWAY simply because they were with TEAM. Classy company.
September 20th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Utah #19,
I read it. It’s rubbish. You and I both know the massive, and secret, level of tool profit is what has caused the negative reputation. Always has, always will, until it’s fixed. Looks like it is being fixed in the UK, I am looking forward to similar solutions for the U.S. market as well.
How did you get the idea Platinum IBO’s wouldn’t be welcome at the 2 Amway owned hotels in Grand Rapids? All I did was caution the TEAM IBO’s (and former IBO’s) not to take anything that wasn’t theirs, as they were so skilled at when they overcharging for the tools, which were NOT the bargains the link you provided would infer. I found the prices to be very similar to many other organizations, and the proits for the upline were probably similar as well.
September 20th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Whether you’re holding a shareholder’s meeting or are hosting your annual review party, the JW will provide the best in modern facilities, trend-setting technology, and couture catering. Plus, our on-site event planner will tend to the most exacting details. After all, it’s not only your business we’re committed to. It’s your success.
20,000 square feet of versatile space outfitted for executive-level business
1,000-seat International Ballroom
HMMM …. I FOR ONE WOULD LOVE TO SEE TEAM SEMINARS HOSTED HERE …
September 20th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Thunderstruck: Quite the allegation. Details?
CTC: Mind posting your question to Tex on a more relevant post?
September 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Thunderstruck #21,
Sounds like a story that was told and retold until it resembles reality only in minor facts. As the moderator stated, care to provide some more details? Names? Places? Statements by these individuals rather than rumor-mongering?
SONSOFLIBERTY #23,
I have the feeling a corner of your local McDonalds will suffice for quite some time. If and when you do make it, I’m sure Amway will be happy to give TEAM “special” rates.
September 20th, 2007 at 11:32 pm
TEX -#15
Go ask the families if it’s true. The source? I was at Peter Island with in the last 90 days and was told by people on the island. How that Tex, big hat and no cattle?
September 20th, 2007 at 11:49 pm
On Monday, August 13 A few dozen TEAM members traveled to GR for the “preliminary hearing” prior to the Quixtar/Team case. At lunch several decided to eat at the Amway Grand, and, being in “uniform” a.k.a. dark suit, white shirt, red tie they were asked at the door if they were part of TEAM. When they responded “yes” they were told they were not welcome and asked to leave.They were not there to cause trouble, just to eat.
September 21st, 2007 at 11:36 am
Admin: Where? You have a link that is pertinent?
September 21st, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Tex #10:
I think my post (#2) was a little misleading. I didn’t mean to say that the Business Rules were too complex. I just meant to say that every IBO should actually READ THEM. Contacting the Corp (for clarification)is an available option if the verbiage is hard to understand. If every IBO read the rules, and understood them, we would not be witness to this sorry affair with TEAM. Checking out the Quixtar Accreditation site is a good idea, too. But I do thank you for your support.
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:24 am
Tex
What you claim about tool profits is impressive. What you understand about Team is impressively little. You don’t know, but you make judgements anyway. It’s people like you that give IBO’s a bad name, people that don’t really understand but proceed to speak their minds anyway. For those that do get it, you’re not a big deal, untill we talk to those who don’t get it but listened to you (and others like you) anyway and we hear a bunch of unrelavent slander. Besides, who cares who makes money off tools? how is that important? Tex, try living one day without somebody making money off it, you can’t. Colleges make money off students, the one that graduate and the ones that fail. I don’t see any websites or bloggers out there talking about how evil college’s are.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:37 am
Tex #25
Dude, I was there.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:15 am
Bill #26,
You were told “by people”? That isn’t a source, I was told by Mars aliens they bought Peter Island AND Hattaras Yachts. Do you believe me? Were these “people” drunk?
Who were they, Bill? Never mind, at this point I wouldn’t believe you if you told me.
Even if what you said is true, it doesn’t automatically mean ANYTHING.
Ask the families a personal business question? That’s ridiculous, I wouldn’t be that rude.
You’re right, everything you have said is big hat and no cattle.
Joan #28,
I agree, the first step is to read the rules. I was encouraged NOT to read the rules by my upline, because they would tell me everything I needed to know. After all, they said, if you don’t succeed we don’t succeed. However, the complexity of the rules makes listening to the upline and not reading the rules MUCH easier to do, because of the complexity of the rules, especially for a new IBO. There is a conscious or unconscious partnership between the corp and the upline when it comes to this topic, either way the typical IBO loses, and this is why the rules need to be simplified.
AEM #29,
You need to learn a lot more about the tool profits and understand the motives the profits create before trying to address this issue with me. You know almost nothing, and it is very apparent in your posts.
Are you aware a TEAM poster said they expect to earn more from tools than from Quixtar when they reach Platinum? I don’t have an issue with this, as long as the prospects and IBO’s know they are really getting into the TEAM business, and Quixtar is a mere side business.
I do know this: my PV is bigger than Orrin Woodward, Don Wilson, and Chuck Goetschel’s (including their fellow downline TEAM former IBO’s) COMBINED.
Slander is verbal, libel is written. It’s not libel if it’s true, no matter how critical it is. I have written the truth.
You missed the point ENTIRELY in trying to compare the tool scam with college. I suggest you stop drinking your upline’s koolaid and try thinking on your own for a change.
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Tex,
Your PV is bigger? you mean now that they’ve resigned? Or while they were actually accumulating pv? That’s quite a claim, i’d venture we’ve heard of you if you revealed your real name.
Are you now into making statements that can be misunderstood, but true because of technicality?
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Thunderstruck #30,
Let me guess. Your group wanted to break the restaurant rules and be served immediately instead of after the guests who arrived earlier. Then you threatened to sue them since you couldn’t throw a temper tamtrum and get your way.
Dude, as the moderator said, provide more evidence than a simple statement that can’t be verified. I could say Orrin “Rosie Ruiz” Woodward flew to the moon and back, because I was in the spaceship with him. Give me a break.
Brad #32,
They were terminated. They had the intent to resign, but never had a chance to do it. Even they confirm this fact in their posts. Get a grip.
There is nothing regarding a “technicality” in my statement. Read my statement again. You have to know what the definition of the word “is” is, as our esteemed former President remarked during the court proceedings which resulted in him being found guilty of lying and being disbarred from the legal profession.
Here’s a clue, if the above is too confusing to you: These folks were terminated August 9th, and I made the comment on September 23rd. Good luck.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:18 pm
WHO CARES!! this post has nothing to do with IBOs or our BUSINESS.
Let’s talk substantive things
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:51 pm
I’m done reading this…….If the last statement isn’t flaming and argument baiting. No use to ligitimate debate. Give me a break. You need the luck, I don’t.
As long as we’re being technical, Brady and Woodward were terminated. The others resigned.
Peace
sarcasm>>>>>>nice job moderator. I’ve read over and over that ridiculous baiting as above, and yet you still continue to post such garbage. What good could possible come of it. People like me leaving?
September 24th, 2007 at 2:20 am
Utah [#19]
Thanks for the link to the article on the system on “Q’Reilly, The No Spin Zone.”
Perhaps you’ll read my response.
http://qreilly.blogspot.com/2007/09/system-questions-answered.html
September 24th, 2007 at 3:38 am
Tex,
You’re right, I don’t really understand the tool argument you pose. I want to understand it better, because so far it doesn’t make any sense to me, and you seem way to smart to be standing up for a nonsense argument. I do know that the system income with Team is more than from product flow. I’ve seen the numbers up to diamond, they were presented to me by my upline so that I better understood what makes Team different. You say I need to “understand the motives the profits create”. I’ve always assumed it was to make money or to make a difference. Either way I can’t see why I should care, I’m not interested in furthering their motives, I’m interested in furthering mine. If they offer me or make availble to me something that I see as value in furthering my motives I’m going to buy it. If you’re PV is much bigger than all of Teams combined, then you must have a long history with the company, and you must believe in them. So of course you know they don’t want people making a lot of money off tools except those that own the companies and the very large pins in their organizations. Is that not what you are taking issue with? What are you doing to change the companies view on this? And I would like to know what is off with my college analogy? As with the koolaid comment, I trust in my own ability to form my opinions much more than in my uplines ability (to form my opinions). If I didn’t believe it independent of any one else’s thinking I wouldn’t post it.
everyone else,
Sorry for not talking about the issue of the thread.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:33 am
TEX,
You have obviously been drinking the kool-aid a little too long. I’ve seen it before, ignore the facts starting you in the face and continue the company line.
Wake up, their’s a reason why AMWAY is allowing the lawyers to run the company. Time will tell what the real reason is but to single out the team…especially after reading the facts from Billy Florences letter makes no sense. Come on TEX, now trash Bill Florence like you do every other person in your responses. He must have been driniking when he wrote this, right?
I’m attaching the link:
http://freetheiboblog.typepad.com/quixtar/files/BFAffidavit.pdf
Time will tell. But I think when a family starts dividing up assets, that’s a clue. Beleive what you want but I think employees working at Peter Island might know a thing or two about what’s going on within the walls of the resort. Or, are you in saying no one within the walls of Amway of UK knew there were problems? And no one in Amway of Ada, MI knows things have gone terribly wrong? This is not rocket science, something smells fishy and we’ll find out, in time, who’s right and who’s wrong. Big hat, TEX.
September 24th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
CTC: Just on any of the TEAM-related posts on this blog.
Folks: We again encourage you to post off-topic comments on those blog posts where they may be of more value to others. We can physically move comments to other posts if need be, but we’d prefer you filter your comments for us. Thank you.
Brad Obert: Point well taken. Sooooo…your thoughts on the hotel?
Thunderstruck: Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.
September 24th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Thunderstruck #27,
Is this the day they were silently standing outside in the rain and were soaked? Perhaps the restaurant has standards, or was concerned they may cause a disturbance, and did not want to upset the other guests. After all, do you consider it normal for several people to eat at the restaurant of the company you are suing for being an illegal pyramid? Don’t you find this more than slightly confrontational? I do.
learn2think #35,
Sure it does. I may want to stay there when visiting for my Platinum trip.
Brad #36,
Terminated. Resigned. Bottom line, they are thankully GONE. We can only hope you and people like you leave. Good riddance, and don’t let the door hit you in the keyster on your way out.
September 24th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
AEM #38,
So what were the tool profit numbers you were told? Your statement that tool profits are more than Quixtar answers your own question. You have not been in the Quixtar business, you have been in the TEAM business, with Quixtar providing the “bait”, as in bait-and-switch.
You should be interested in furthering honest, moral, and ethical motives. TEAM and most other tool companies don’t do this.
Bill #39,
Billy Florence was a lying cowardly “kingpin” when he was in Dexter Yager’s Internet Services tool system and he was a lying cowardly “kingpin” in the TEAM tool system. He’s gone, thank God. I wonder if him and Peggy will have their kids renamed? They are currently Rich, Jay, and Hope.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Where are the photos of the new hotel?
The website has a few of some small areas of the rooms, but nothing really to look at.
It sounds nice. I would think something like the Grand America. More information or photos please, or we might talk about the “new” direction some more.
http://www.grandamerica.com/index_2.html
September 24th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
No thoughts on the hotel, just responding to the previous posts in this thread.
I’m sure the hotel is very nice.
September 24th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
Tex,
You just made a very good point. But, then got it all wrong. The members of TEAM consider themselves in the TEAM business first, and the Quixtar business is/was secondary. You obviously don’t understand that there was never a “bait and switch.” The focus has always been on the TEAM community. Quixtar has provided a vehicle for that community to take advantage of some major trends in commerce. But, unfortunately, those in the corporate offices apparently never really understood what they had their hands on.
Whether it is by members of the TEAM community or someone else, eventually there will be an opportunity to take full advantage of what Quixtar could have been.
And, please give the tools thing a break. They are voluntary. We all know there is money being made on them. Those that purchase them feel very content that they are getting their money’s worth.
Oh yeah, by the way, I’m sure the new hotel is lovely.
September 25th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Tex #41
No, it was not raining that day, no they were not wet, no they were not confrontational, no they were not there to disturb other guests. And by the way, they are not the ones suing Quixtar. You people are so adamant about Orrin and Chris and the other leaders geing “kicked out”, THEY are suing Quixtar. This may seem too far out for you, but these people who went to the Scamway Grand had a mission in mind…lunch.
You need to understand that they were turned away simply because they were with TEAM. Actually, they broke the law in doing this, but then again, they are above the law aren’t they….where is my email ordered from the Texas court?
September 25th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Folks: At this point, we’re going to insist that comments submitted to this post stay on topic, knowing full well this will be met with protest.
For those of you that have non-hotel related comments awaiting moderation, please relocate them to posts more fitting to their subject matter.
Thunderstruck: Where was lunch?
September 25th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
Please see the “Smog, then fresh air” thread for my continuation of the off-topic subject matter from this thread.
January 12th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Hi PPL I have a chap at the moment trying to convince me to join his business as an IBO he had tried to convince me that the company which he is bringing in is not Amway but handles Amway products.
So far all I have heard and seen from him is Amway products ; every single name he has mentioned when checked against the Amway website is an Amway product or a product that Amway has sole rights to distribute world wide.
He has also stated that he has met with Ron & Georgia Lee Puryear but they also seem to be Amway IBO’s with there own business looking as if its been built on Amway.
I thought that all this of rubbish in relation to dishonest tactics had ended but obviously not.
So I have emailed him challenging him to name 10 products that he has which are not Amway within his IBO. I will be interested to see what happens and what comes back.
Please don’t get me wrong I have no dispute with Amway products the quality is exceptional it is only that they are out of my price range IBO or not as I am on a very limited income and can only just squeeze enough out to pay my mortgage at present.
But I would be interested in hearing your take on this.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Do you all have nothing better to do then moan and complain about your pathetic lives. Have you ever even ran or started your own company form ground up. With out taken a loan out, just your own money. Just stop blaming amway or quixtar for your own short coming in life. If you dont like it, then shut your mouth. You all want a free ride with your socialist mindsets. You want cheaper products with more pay and free shipping, are you kidding. ANd wait you want the chance to make million dollars too…are you kidding. NO, no what you want is a welfare program. You want a free ride, get a life. If you dont like the business start your own and just even try to compete. I challenge you, please honestly try to start your own company. Then come back in a year and then maybe you’ll have something of significance to say. This isn’t a welfare program, which Im sure half of you are on, seriously do something of worth in your life. The founding family give away more money to charity than you whole families ever and will ever contribute, unless you choose to change. Try to think of this…? What will your obituary say when you leave this earth? What? Oh, you were nice, like to play cards and were an avid gardner. Which unfortunately all of you will probably have nothing of significance to written about. Your grandchildren will just know of you as …yeh exactly…not much to say is there. Be a blessing, be a server, a giver, dont count the cost. God cant count what you take he can only bless what you give. Be a leader for once and make a difference.
“When everyone thinking a like, no one is thinking”