Market America Business Review

Posted by Patrick Edwards

Background:

Market America is the international marketplace where people like you get paid to shop. Aside from getting cash back on purchasing items through their Portal, each customer of Market America is assigned to a personal Market America Customer Manager who is readily available to answer any questions or provide assistance. Through the Market America Portal, you can access one of the largest online shopping networks available and browse the inventory of thousands of partners along with their in-house brands. Market America has over 3 million Preferred Customers and over 180,000 global Customer Managers.

Products:

Market America markets nutritional supplements, cosmetics, personal-care, pet-care, auto-care and communications products, and electronics through a web portal, promoted by 180,000 independent sales representatives. The companies Headquarters is based in Greensboro, NC. 

Pros:

• Fairly low start-up cost: $129 to join, $50 per month and $95 annual renewal fee
• Extremely wide selection of products
• Great User Friendly Web Portal
• Great track record of sustained growth over 18 years
  
• Quick and fairly simple to get up and running within days
• Company ranked as one of the "Top 100 Internet Retailers"
  

Cons:

• Entire marketing strategy is word of mouth...dreaded Friends and Family Model
• Competing against Amazon, Wal-Mart and other Retailers with a huge online presence
• You must purchase product each month to stay active, whether you need it or not
  
• Still a relatively unknown "Brand"
• Your success is still dependant upon your recruits duplicating you (this hurts superstar sellers)
• Subpar support and training once you have joined
  

Market America Business Rating (High Score is 40):

FENIX	5
PATRICK	6
CHARLES	7
DANNY	7

" 25 "

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Market America has a nice entry level cost and a great selection of product to go with it. What's better is you are actually paid to shop and share the experience with others.  The company seems pretty stable after 18 years and the business model is fairly easy to get up and running within days. Unfortunately Market America, like every other business, has some business practices that are less admirable. The one-on-one marketing approach is a killer and one of the quickest ways to burn out.  The attrition rates are extremely high, you must purchase product every month and Market America is still a relatively "Unknown" brand. This one is about 50/50. Your success here is really dependant upon your ability to thrive in the face-to face, one on one old school marketing approach. If you feel you can do that, then give this one a shot and hopefully find financial freedom in the process.