Another MLM that promises to shed body weight, right?
Spouting catch-phrases like “natural ingredients,” they all start sounding alike.
TruVision is yet another wellness network marketing company that sells nutritional supplements and weight control.
These guys might be a dime a dozen, but weight loss products will never go out of style. Think about it, how many people do you know who wouldn’t like to lose a few pounds?
TruVision not only has a noteworthy weight-loss product, they’ve also developed a reputation for having a little more integrity than most in the MLM game.
Are they right for you? We’ll let you decide.
FAQ
1. What does TruVision sell? TruVision sells products designed to help you operate at peak performance. That includes health supplements, weight loss, essential oils, and skincare products.
2. What are TruVision’s most popular products? TruFix is one of TruVision’s flagship products, a beverage designed to support and maintain a healthy blood chemistry. TruControl is an energy drink that “electrifies” your metabolism and supports weight loss. Also popular are their weight-loss products, including TruKeto and Non-Glycemic Chocolate.
3. How much does it cost to join TruVision? To join, you’ll need to pay an annual membership fee of $35. You’ll probably need to set up a SmartShip order that will be shipped to you automatically every month. But if you maintain at least 100 PV, you can waive auto-ship.
4. Is TruVision a scam? No, TruVision is a legit business. The real question is whether you can make any money at it.
5. What is TruVision’s BBB rating? A+
6. How long has TruVision been in business? Since 2014
7. What is TruVision’s revenue? $60 million
8. How many TruVision distributors are there? We didn’t see any numbers published online.
9. What lawsuits have been filed? In 2017, the FDA slapped TruVision with multiple violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. They were marketing their products as drugs, and some of their products had wrong serving sizes listed and don’t include the number of servings per container. Also, the nutrition labels didn’t meet FDA requirements. [1] In 2015, the FDA called them down for having DMBA and synephrine, a dangerous combination, especially when caffeine is added to the mix, as it was in TruVision’s product. [2]
10. Comparable companies: LifeVantage, Yoli
So should you get involved?
Product-wise they might be legit, but there are better options out there when it comes to sustainable income opportunities…
Click here for my #1 recommendation
Either way, here are 11 things you have to know before joining TruVision.
#11. The appreciation plan
Their bonuses and rank perks, “our way of saying thank you,” are pretty extensive.
Even as an Associate, their first rank, you get 1 level of commissions, 4 levels of fast start bonuses, and a 10% matching bonus. As you move up to the director levels, you get more commission and perks like a FitBit, a smart water bottle, meal prep lessons, and even a signed guitar and a trip to Zion National Park.
At the high-end director levels, you get bigger trips, branded luggage, and shares of their TVH bonus pool.
#10. TruNecessity, TruEssentials, TruHealth, and TruControl
TruVision sells health and wellness products that range from supplements to weight management programs to energy boosters. Most of their products contain ingredients like green tea extract, ginseng, caffeine, bitter orange, dendrobium, and other vitamins and minerals.
Mostly natural ingredients, but there have actually been some complaints from customers that the product has had a negative effect on their mood, making them feel agitated or jittery. Definitely not what you want from a health and wellness product.
#9. Significant amounts of caffeine
It makes sense that some would experience mood issues due to the amount of caffeine in their products.
While it’s not an extreme amount, and probably wouldn’t impact people who aren’t easily affected by caffeine, the products do contain about the same amount of caffeine as over-the-counter medications like Excedrin. There are definitely people who experience negative side effects from these medications. [3]
#8. Heart and hydration proprietary blend
The proprietary blend found in most of their products is their heart/hydration blend.
Basically, they really push the idea that proper hydration is essential to weight loss, and not a lot of weight loss products focus on that. It’s smart, because there is a proven link between weight loss and proper hydration. [4]
But isn’t hydration just drinking enough water? And isn’t that FREE?
Sort of. Their product claims to hydrate and promote heart health more than your tap water. Here are the claimed benefits:
- supports heart health
- hydrates at a cellular level
- cleanses toxins
- loaded with electrolytes
So, definitely better than tap. But $85 a month better? That’s the question.
#7. Products contain sucralose
Despite mostly healthy and natural ingredients, their products do contain sucralose, which is often avoided by members of the health community.
They do fess up and explain why, starting with two principles –
“Principle 1: Almost any ingredient whether vitamin, mineral, plant extract, etc. has a duality. If the ingredient is used in the right proportion it can be of benefit to the consumer. If it is overused, it can be potentially dangerous to the consumer. For example, Iron can become dangerous at 200-250mg/kg body weight, salt toxicity level is 3.5g in the blood plasma (Brody).
Principle 2: Just because information is posted on the internet in the form of an official-looking site, vaguely referencing research studies, biased research, and “mommy blogs” (we don’t really like that term as it can be viewed as demeaning towards mothers when a better term would be “alarmist blogs”); does not mean it is true.” [5]
Both true, TruVision. But what’s the connection to sucralose?
Well, they claim that sucralose is one of these ingredients that alarmists hate for no reason and can be OK in moderation.
#6. Sucralose is healthier than most sweeteners
The small amounts of sucralose in their product amount to almost zero calories. The FDA themselves have stated that sucralose is fine in doses of 5mg/day or less, and TruVision products contain .01-.05 mg. [6]
Most supplements and shakes use some kind of sweetener; otherwise, they’d taste awful.
Sucralose is natural, unlike far worse sweeteners like corn syrup. It doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes or crashes like regular sugar. [7]
Calm down health nuts. Would you rather consume .01 mg of sucralose, or a product that tastes like horse feed? That’s what I thought.
#5. FDA advisory sent to them in 2015 and 2017
The FDA sent TruVision a warning regarding their TruWeight & Energy products for containing DMBA.
Not a good sign.
DMBA is marketed as an exercise enhancer, but according to FDA findings “there is inadequate information to provide reasonable assurance that such ingredient [DMBA] does not present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury.”
It’s been linked to cardiovascular concerns – definitely worrying.
“Failure to immediately cease distribution of your TruWeight & Energy product and any other products you market that contain DMBA … could result in enforcement action by FDA without further notice,” the FDA wrote to TruVision. [8]
As if that’s not enough, the FDA investigated them again in 2017 for improper labeling of ingredients, serving sizes, and doses. This doesn’t apply to just one product, but to multiple products. [9]
#4. No evidence for weight loss properties
While ginseng and caffeine and green tea all have their health benefits, there’s no research or evidence to support the claim that TruVision’s products actually increase weight loss.
The closest they come to proof are studies that show caffeine, in general, can aid with weight loss, but you can save a lot of money by just drinking a cup of coffee instead.
#3. No car bonus…and they’ll tell you that with pride
Truvision is super into announcing the fact that they don’t have a car bonus (no offense, Mary Kay, Kyani, or Qivana). They even have an entire page on their website dedicated to it. [10]
Nope, no fancy pink car decked out in company logos for you. But that may be a good thing. The “free” cars sound great unless you read the fine print. They really aren’t all that free.
As they state on their website: “The catch — and it’s a big one — is that the company is not just giving you a car. It’s your name and your credit on the lease.” [11]
And it’s usually true. The MLM foots the bill for your luxury lease, sure, but since it’s under your name, if you lose your rank by failing to maintain your product volume (and therefore your car eligibility), you’re stuck with the $500-750 lease bill.
As you can imagine, this happens a lot. The cars are usually repossessed, and the distributor’s credit is wrecked.
TruVision doesn’t want their distributors taking on unnecessary debt. It’s a refreshing sense of responsibility that’s often absent in MLM.
#2. High retention rate
Churn and burn is practically the slogan for network marketing when it comes to their employees and distributors.
While they’ll keep on a handful of loyal devotees, the majority of their distributors don’t stick around for long (because they’re not making money). This is less true of TruVision, who has one of the higher retention rates in the industry.
#1. Simple compensation plan with up to 7% commission
You get 7% commission on your first level of recruits, which is not bad.
They also offer downline commission to level 8, 10% matching bonuses, fast start bonuses, and a 3% bonus pool for highest ranks.
There’s a $35 annual fee and you have to maintain at least 100 PV to waive auto-ship. Annoying, but typical.
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If you are set on the nutritional MLM route, these guys aren’t a bad choice. But if it’s just a little side income that you are looking to stash in your pockets, you can get it quicker with other opportunities.
Look, I’ve been involved with network marketing for over ten years so I know what to look for when you consider a new opportunity.
After reviewing 200+ business opportunities and systems out there, here is the one I would recommend:
