You’ve probably seen the looks. Someone mentions "The Business" at a backyard BBQ, and suddenly half the guests are looking for the nearest exit. It’s a polarizing name, right? For over 60 years, Amway has lived in this weird space between "life-changing opportunity" and "the thing my cousin won't stop texting me about."
But let’s get past the memes. If you’re asking is Amway any good, you aren't looking for a sales pitch or a snarky Reddit thread. You want to know if the products actually work and if anyone actually makes money without losing all their friends.
The 2026 Reality: Is Amway Any Good for Your Wallet?
Honestly, the "making money" part is where things get sticky. Most people jump in thinking they’ll be retired by 30. That’s rarely the case. In 2024, Amway reported global sales of $7.4 billion. That sounds massive—and it is—but that’s down from about $11.8 billion back in 2013. The world has changed. With the rise of influencer marketing and TikTok Shop, the old-school "door-to-door" vibe has had to fight for its life.
Here is the deal with the money:
Amway isn't a "get rich quick" thing. It’s a "work your tail off for a tiny bit of profit at first" thing. According to their own disclosures, a huge chunk of Independent Business Owners (IBOs) make very little. Why? Because most people aren't natural salespeople. They buy a few vitamins for themselves, maybe sell a bottle of soap to their mom, and that’s it.
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If you want to make the "big" money—the kind that pays for a Lexus—you have to build a team. This is the multi-level marketing (MLM) part. You earn a percentage of what your team sells. It’s legal (thanks to a landmark 1979 FTC ruling), but it’s incredibly hard. You’re basically running a HR department and a sales team simultaneously, often for no guaranteed hourly wage.
Let’s Talk About the Stuff: Are the Products Actually Quality?
If there’s one area where Amway genuinely shines, it’s the science. This isn't some fly-by-night operation mixing chemicals in a garage. They have over 800 scientists and engineers. They own about 6,000 acres of organic farmland.
Take Nutrilite, for example. It’s been around since 1934. They track their supplements from "seed to supplement." If you buy a bottle of Double X vitamins, they can literally tell you which field the alfalfa came from. That’s a level of transparency most grocery store brands can't touch.
Is the soap good? Yeah, the SA8 laundry detergent has a cult following. It’s concentrated, so you use a tiny bit. Does the eSpring water filter work? It’s consistently rated as one of the best point-of-use systems on the market.
The catch? The price.
Amway products are premium. You’re going to pay more for that Artistry face cream than you would for something at Target. IBOs will tell you it’s because it’s "concentrated" or "better quality," and while that’s often true, it still hurts the wallet up front. If you’re someone who shops based on the lowest price tag, you’re going to think Amway is a ripoff. If you’re a "clean label" or "organic only" person, you’ll probably think it’s great.
The Reputation Problem (And Why People Are Grumpy)
We have to address the elephant in the room. The reason people ask is Amway any good with a skeptical squint is because of the "culture."
In the past, some groups within Amway got a bit... intense. There were stories of people being told to cut off "negative" family members who didn't support their business. While the corporate office in Ada, Michigan, has cracked down on this, the "Amway guy" stereotype exists for a reason.
Recent BBB complaints from late 2025 highlight this. One user reported being "targeted" on a dating app only to have the conversation turn into a sales pitch. That’s gross. It's not a reflection of the products, but it is a reflection of the "hustle at all costs" mentality that some distributors still cling to.
What the Law Says
Is it a pyramid scheme? No. The FTC looked at this decades ago. A pyramid scheme makes money only by recruiting. Amway makes money by selling actual products. If you don't sell a bottle of Vitamin C, nobody gets paid. That’s a massive distinction. However, the FTC did send a "Notice of Penalty Offenses" to Amway and 700 other companies recently regarding how they talk about earnings. Basically, the government is watching to make sure people don't claim they’re making millions when they’re actually making $50 a month.
Should You Actually Join or Buy?
If you’re considering Amway today, you need to be cold-blooded about the math.
- For the Products: If you want high-end, traceable, organic-ish supplements and you don't mind the premium price, go for it. The 180-day satisfaction guarantee is actually one of the best in the industry. You can basically use half the bottle and still get your money back if you hate it.
- For the Business: Treat it like a side hustle, not a retirement plan. If you enjoy networking and you’re already a fan of the products, you might make some extra "gas money." But realize you are entering a space where the "slide" in revenue over the last decade means competition is fierce.
Actionable Steps for the Skeptical
If you’re on the fence, don't sign anything yet.
- Audit your spending. Look at what you already spend on cleaning supplies and vitamins. If Amway is 3x the price, can you justify that based on the "concentrated" argument?
- Request the "Income Disclosure." Every IBO should be able to show you the official Amway document that breaks down what the average person actually makes. If they won't show it, run.
- Try one thing. Buy a single box of energy drinks (XS Energy is actually pretty good) or a small bottle of detergent. See if you like the quality before you even think about the "opportunity."
- Check the "Upline." If you’re joining, you’re joining a person, not just a company. If your potential mentor seems more interested in your "dreams" than in teaching you how to sell soap, that's a red flag.
Amway is a massive, complex machine. It’s not a scam, but it’s also not a magic ticket to wealth. It’s a high-end product company with a very difficult sales model. Period.