Weight loss is big business…
As are health and happiness…
So it’s easy to see why people would be attracted to this MLM. With its focus on weight loss products and its promise to make you healthy and happy, it looks like a good opportunity.
Of course, we’ll let you make that decision for yourself.
Plexus Worldwide is a multi-level marketing company in the health and diet industry most famous for Plexus Slim. In 2011, the company launched its flagship products: Plexus Slim and Accelerator, jumpstarting the company’s growth to its current state.
The growth of Plexus over the last 10 years is quite impressive and undoubtedly a good sign for the company’s long-term outlook.
FAQ
1. What does Plexus sell? Nutritional supplements for weight management, nutrition, skincare, personal care — all geared to make you healthier and happier.
2. What are Plexus’s most popular products? Plexus is best known for their weight management products. Their Slim Microbiome Activating drink powders feature a microbiome-activating formula that improves your gut health — which science is now realizing can promote healthy weight loss. For controlling blood sugar levels, there’s Plexus Block. Plexus Accelerator+ is meant to jumpstart your metabolic rates, so you’ll burn fat more efficiently.
3. How much does it cost to join Plexus? To join Plexus, you’ll need to pay the annual membership fee of $34.95 and buy a Welcome Pack for either $99 or $199.
Keep in mind, to earn points, bonuses, and commissions, you must be a Qualified Ambassador, which means your annual membership fee must be up-to-date, and you must have at least 100 personal volume points, excluding the Welcome Pack PV every month.
4. Is Plexus a scam? No, Plexus sells legitimate products on their website. There have been questions about the safety of some of their products, and they appear to stretch the truth in some of their marketing (see lawsuits below), but that doesn’t mean they’re a scam.
5. What is Plexus’s BBB rating? A+
6. How long has Plexus been in business? Since 2006
7. What is Plexus’s revenue? $561 million, as of 2017
8. How many Plexus distributors are there? 732,000
9. What lawsuits have been filed? There have been lawsuits between founding members, such as this one filed by Plexus against Dr. Gregory William Spencer, who helped develop the products, in 2013. [1] in 2016, Plexus received a warning letter from the FDA for making therapeutic claims on their website. [2] In 2016, Plexus was asked by the American Cancer Society to stop using their name in association with promotions of Plexus’ Breast Chek kit. [3] In 2015, the Environmental Research Center filed a lawsuit against Plexus, claiming they had failed to disclose their products contain lead. [4]
10. Comparable companies: Modere, AdvoCare, Isagenix
So should you get involved with Plexus?
Product-wise this company might be legit, but if you’re just interested in the business opportunity, there are better options out there…
Click here for my #1 recommendation
Either way, here’s the full review on Plexus.
Products
As previously stated, two of Plexus’ top sellers are Plexus Slim, a powder mix that’s meant to be consumed before meals, and Accelerator, a dietary supplement designed to boost the metabolism.
The company states that consuming the products in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise helps with weight management (similar to Phytoscience). Plexus offers several other health and dietary products, including the following:
- Plexus Boost – An alternative to Accelerator to be used in conjunction with Plexus Slim.
- MegaX – Supplement containing several omega fatty acids.
- XFactor – A multivitamin and antioxidant supplement.
- Bio Cleanse – A magnesium supplement.
- Plexus Block – Absorbs starches and sugars to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
- Breast Chek Kit – Kit for monthly self-breast exams.
- Plexus Body Cream
- Plexus Nerve – Combination of vitamins and minerals to support nervous system health.
- Plexus Ease – Available in both a cream and capsules to provide temporary relief from aches and pains.
Compensation Plan
Plexus Worldwide allows consumers of its products to join the company in two ways.
The signup fee of $34.95 makes you an Associate, which allows you to buy products at wholesale cost but doesn’t qualify you to receive any commissions or bonuses. For that, you’ve got to buy the Welcome Pack, which costs $99 or $199.
Once you’ve purchased your kit and your membership fee is paid up, you’re considered an “Ambassador,” which means you can sign up other distributors, sell to customers, and earn income from Plexus.
Ambassadors have 11 ways to earn income:
- Personal Volume and Retail Profit
- Fast Start Achievement Bonus
- Preferred Customer Program
- Business Building Bonus
- Emerald Pool Bonus
- Sapphire Bonus
- Plexus Points
- Personal Volume Override Commission
- Achievement Bonus
- Diamond Pool Bonus
- Diamond Re-Entry Position
Here are some pros about Plexus:
A full explanation of the Plexus compensation plan is available on the company’s website, but overall, the plan is quite generous to those who qualify as Ambassadors.
As long as Ambassadors meet all of the company’s base requirements and expectations, they will receive 50% commission on all sales, which is on the high end for any multi-level marketing firm.
Plexus also gives its Ambassadors their own website to help them run their business. There are also discounts available for Preferred Customers and generous bonuses for those who sponsor new Ambassadors, giving Plexus distributors plenty of ways to make money.
Plexus’ products are non-GMO, 100% vegetarian, and gluten-free, wherever possible. The company’s flagship products don’t contain caffeine, which isn’t always the case with dietary products. They have also been proven to be safe for those with diabetes, which again is not a given with similar products.
Moreover, the way Plexus has been able to expand its product line beyond its flagship products but not stray beyond the health and diet niche is a sign that the company is dedicated to focusing on one thing and doing that as well as possible, which adds some credibility to its product line.
Here are some cons about Plexus:
The company has been under scrutiny by the FDA and the Environmental Research Center. Like most health-based MLMs, they’ve made unsubstantiated claims in an effort to grow quickly. Since then, they’ve decided slow growth is a smarter option, which is to their credit. [5]
Also to their credit, it seems Plexus has now clinically tested their products. That was smart considering allegations have been made that some of their products contained lead.
To date, there have been over 600 complaints filed against Plexus, with over half of them being related to problems with the company’s products or services.
The BBB admits that the company has done well to respond to these complaints, but it also says that Plexus has failed to fix the underlying cause for the vast number of complaints, which calls into question the integrity of the company.
One final issue worth mentioning is the list of requirements distributors must meet in order to be eligible for payment. Like other MLM companies, there is an auto-ship program that distributors must sign up for in order to be eligible for commissions and bonuses, which can make it difficult for someone who has only a casual interest in the business but still wants to join Plexus as an Ambassador.
On top of that, the cost to qualify as an Ambassador in addition to the $34.95 signup cost can be a turnoff for some potential distributors.
Recap
Outside of an enticing compensation plan, there’s not all that much to like about Plexus. Of course, if you don’t mind the startup costs or the auto-ship program, the potential to make money for someone who’s dedicated to selling the company’s products is certainly there, which can make Plexus an intriguing MLM option.
However, one would be wise to take a closer look at the company’s dealings with the FDA, as well as the high volume of complaints filed through the Better Business Bureau. These are both red flags that relate to both the company’s products and the service it provides to its customers.
If you’re satisfied with what you find with regard to those less-than-ideal circumstances, Plexus is certainly a decent multi-level marketing company for someone willing to take a moderate risk. Just don’t expect to get rich or anything close to rich with it…
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:
Hi! I really liked your overview, but you would be happy to know that their are now clinical studies, and the FDA issue was one that all companies had with any product containing Hordenine at that time. That was quickly resolved and all is well! Love your take on the company and the benefits!
Plexus is marketed just like Nutrisystem used to be. Remember them? Top down Pyramid multi-level-marketing. Stick and carrot. We have all been down this road before an so have you. Stay away. Just another pricey ‘diet and weight loss’ scam.
I’m not sure when this was written, I’m involved with plexus, and there have been clinical studies done on the products. And it’s about to launch into canada with Health Canada approved products. I like your review it’s honest, but I believe it needs to be updated.
Thanks Sarah.