The Ariix Scam
What is Ariix? Ariix is a nutritional company that operates under the network marketing model. It was just started by several former executives of another nutritional company name Usana (Fred Cooper, Jeffery Yates, Mark Wilson, and Riley Timmer). These guys were the ex C.O.O, C.F.O, VP of Sales and Finance for Usana so for them to leave and start their own rival company is sort of a big deal, at least for Usana. So, the Ariix scam, is it actually one? Let’s look at this logically.
These guys were bringing in tons of money from Usana from their salary and stock options. Why would they go and throw that all away to start a scam? It doesn’t make any sense. Since there are actual products involved, Ariix isn’t a scam but it is a multi-level marketing company. Yes, they claim to have great products and a unique compensation plan like all other MLM’s but the downsides of network marketing as a business is still there. Recruiting is involved. Having to sell high priced products is involved (some vitamin packs are $100 and up). Having friends and acquaintances potentially think you’re part of some cult or scam is still involved. It’s just the nature of this industry.
Looking at the stats, very few MLM companies survive past the 5th year. What chance does Ariix have to survive? Well, seeing that it’s being run by folks who ran Usana, a company that has been around since 1992, the chances are probably good. Not only that, many distributors from Usana are switching over to Ariix. But wait, isn’t MLM all about the product as so many of them claim? Makes one wonder.
Of course, these things don’t mean that you should join Ariix. Before you jump in, consider if network marketing as a profession is a right fit for you. It’s not for most people and that’s why so many people fail in this industry. When it comes down to it, it’s about sales, marketing, and networking. Unless you truly believe in the products and the management team behind the company, you’re going to have a hard time succeeding or even looking at anyone in the eye while pitching them a dream.
Because this company is still on the ground floor, it’s likely that many of their reps will use the whole “get in early while you still can” tactic. Take your time and do your due diligence no matter what kind of time limit you’re told. Make sure your decision of whether to join or not is your own and is based on logic and not emotion.
The success of Ariix is yet to be seen since it’s still new but if the people running this company are taking out what didn’t work at the previous company and are applying what worked best to this new company, then they’ll probably be around for a while. Since it’s still so new, you probably won’t be finding any Ariix reviews up for a while so we’ll just have to wait and see how this all plays out.
Let me know your thoughts and experience with this company.
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Mike | August 9th, 2011 at 3:26 pm #
There are two types of businesses in the world of MLM. There are those companies whose passion is producing high quality products and MLM is just how they market and sell their products. These are solid legitimate companies. You could probably put Avon, Tupperware, Usana, etc into this category.
Then there are the companies whose primary purpose is making money and the product is secondary to make it legal (Without a product, then it is an illegal pyramid). Of course all companies need to make money, but these companies the product is secondary and only a means to the end. Take one of the exotic juice for example: Watch a presentation and it is primarily focused on the business plan, income, etc, and the product is secondary. I’ve heard it from a high ranking executive at one company who said “You can buy a similar juice from Costco fro $4.00 a bottle (the MLM sells for $40/bottle) which is basically the same as ours, but the product makes our company legal.” If you see a lot of hype around the money, then suspect this type of company. Also ask if you would buy the products at the price they are offered if there was no income opportunity involved?
I’ve watched the Ariix presentation and the products are covered in about 3-4 minutes, the rest of the 40 minutes was the pay plan and the money you can make. I also have a friend who works at Usana, he said there had been tension in the hallways between Fred Cooper and the founders. Mr. Cooper was wanting to take the focus off of the products, make them cheaper and drive more to the bottom line and put more into the compensation plan. Making more money is great, but for Usana the core value of the company is the highest quality products without compromise. That was probably the seed that started Ariix.
So is Ariix a scam? I don’t know, but I suspect from the direction Fred Cooper wanted to take Usana, but wasn’t allowed to, is probably the direction Ariix will go. Lots of focus on the income opportunity and copy cat me too products with probably inferior ingredients, but at a high price. Usana’s multi retails for about $50/month. Ariix’s for $99/month. That extra $49 can pay a lot of commissions and put a lot into the company coffers. But can they get pure customers, with no interest in the comp plan, to pay $99/month for products they can get for say $50 from Usana, Douglas Labs, Life Extension, and a few others? If not, then you have a thinly veiled pyramid which will eventually crumble.
Like you say, time will tell. There are 4,000 MLMs out there are each year 1000 start up and another 1000 close.
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Maureen Bell Reply:
January 21st, 2012 at 3:49 pm
We found the same thing. Very troubling for Ariix. We also learned that Mary Dee and Deanna Latson had joined the company as employees and based on their troubled pasts this was a terrible sign. Their products are anything but clean and now they have key people to match, plus they rip people off with pricing and poor product quality. When I found out about Latson, Mary Dee and the way Fred Cooper and Tim Sales left Usana high and dry, it was game over for me. I wanted a refund but my sponsor told me that they would not give me my money back. Is this true?
Money, money, money!!!!!! What a scam arrix is…run!!!
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Kai S. | August 12th, 2011 at 9:18 pm #
I agree with you Mike. I didn’t realize Ariix sells their multi-vitamins for that much more than Usana. It’ll be interesting to see just how many real customers they can get. My guess very little compared to the amount of distributors.
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Richard | August 15th, 2011 at 7:06 am #
Mike.I have used Usana for 12 years.Only just taken on the business side last couple of years. I always maintained the Products come first and I would still use them for life even if no comp plan was around. They are so good that ALL our family have had major benefits in health restored. Especially my wife who had stage 4 cancers and reversed without chemo or any medications .A major lifestyle change and high doses of Usana saw the cancer reverse in 7 months. Our personal testimony no one can refute. I would never have trusted any other Nutritionals. The proof is in the pudding.
Like Agel ,Arrix is based on making money and with inferior products ,will go the same way as the others.Especially as Fred Cooper was getting Arrix together while he was in Usana behind their backs.this is total lack of Integrity and Karma has a habit of hitting back .Always has.
Even Dr Ray Strand gave a “story” explaining why he has left the Advisory board of Usana .By the way his wife was cured of CFS when introduced to Usana products .Even as a Doctor he could not cure her. Yet his story was poorly written and now we find he left to join the Ariix team. Strange bedfellows indeed. Any fool can see its only the money angle and if the products dont stack up ,it will go the way like all the other fly by nighters.Especially when integrity is involved.
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Kai S. Reply:
August 15th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Thanks for the input Richard. I’ve read similar miracle stories from other nutritional companies such as Herbalife as well. Vitamins aren’t meant to cure anything so corporate is careful about not making wild claims but hey, your experience is your experience. You’re a true customer, someone who will buy the products regardless of compensation, and people like you are needed to improve the company’s reputation. Too bad you’re in the minority.
I take it that many Usana distributors are against Ariix seeing that they’re taking many Usana distributors.
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Richard | September 3rd, 2011 at 9:50 am #
+Taking Usana customers into Ariix is not a major problem .The way I see it ,they were failing anyway due to not doing the business properly. besides the Products are No1 in the World.So if they still could not “see” this ,how will they progress in another company with inferior products ? If they are only after the quick buck,then they will again fail. MLM success needs HARD work.Self Development is essential.In the end it’s the person you become and the thousands you help along the way. So going for the money will ensure the same results they got previously. Nothing.
By the way corp. may make no claims about “cures” but using chemo etc is well known to be a shortened journey in life with a terrible quality to boot.
Our experience with top quality Nutritionals was the opposite . Many more are now experiencing similar results. No miracle there. Well ,not from my perception.
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Kai S. Reply:
September 4th, 2011 at 2:44 am
The high profile reps of Usana that moved over to Ariix were making a lot of money. That’s hardly failing at all. Since these people have huge downlines, having that many people go with them doesn’t exactly give existing Usana reps more confidence in the company.
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Jay | October 7th, 2011 at 1:28 am #
I joined ariix and after 3 weeks i had my money refund. I paid $1200 in reg fee and $100 a month. Tell me can i get a regular people on that kind of price? I dont think sooo..
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Kai S. | October 7th, 2011 at 8:52 am #
Really depends on who you target and how you present the opportunity. I’m not a fan of MLM but you can argue that a $1,200 investment with $100 a month in operation fees is quite cheap to start and run your own business. Also, isn’t the $1,200 mainly for products and not just reg fees?
Well, now you know how they really make money in this company… by recruiting people and getting them to buy these packages. Sure beats selling a bottle of $30 vitamins to some old lady.
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Tina Le | December 18th, 2011 at 3:17 am #
This is my experience with Ariix.
My friend (Tin) invited my other friend and I to join this company approximately a month ago. He had me dressed up professionally and we finally arrived at a house at around 8:00 PM. The first half of the presentation was about the products, their benefits, and their comparison to other companies especially Usana. They proudly stated, “Our products pretty much have the same benefits as Usana, but who wouldn’t love cheaper prices?” The other half of the presentation was about the compensation plan. They quickly talked about pay line, power line, and bonuses. (I became really interested and excited.)
After the presentation, the Senior Director sat with me to asked me several questions about my goals, what is my major in college right now, etc. basically trying to figure out my “hot spot” (something that is considered a “hot spot” could be a life long goal to help people, family etc. ) He told me how Ariix is about caring and helping people reach their dreams. After that, he pulled out an application, asking me what packages I want to purchase. He asked me for my debit card number and from there he told me it was for a down payment of $40.00 and also the packages for the products which range from:
$450 – Normal Package
$720 -Silver
$1200 – Gold
At that moment, I was like, “Wait, what?” You said you were helping me reaching my dreams of providing a stable income for my parents, now you’re asking me to get money from my parents? The entire notion became ridiculous to me. The Senior Director suggested that I should tell my parents that I want to take a class on Business and not mentioned about the company at all. (I became suspicious.)
The next day I went to training and two Senior Directors presented a speech on their life story and how to recruit people. Their life stories were very persuasive and inspiring. However, as I look at it now, it became really fake. One of the Senior Directors spoke about her life experience. She told everyone that she had a difficult time with finances. Here’s the thing, she also informed us that her parents are scientists. Okay, so..scientists make a lot of money. What are you talking about?
Another senior director also talked about his college experience. He stated that he worked really hard all through high school and college and that he struggled with studying and staying in a relationship. Well, when I checked his Facebook, he looked darn happy in very picture especially there was a photo of his girlfriend wearing only bra and underwear.
I also went to another training on the same week even though I was determined that this company was a scam. They convinced me once again and I was lured into the company. I lied to my parents and purchased the silver plan. The next morning, I talked to several friends, trying to figure out their hot spots. As I talked to them, I realized how this is not me as all. Considering I’m not the kind of person to convince my friends into joining a company just for my own advantages. They too will be in the same situation as I am and they too will struggle to find people who are not rich and have dreams of providing a stable income for their parents. Moreover, what will they think of me as a person?
On that same day, Tin informed me that I should recruit people quick to make the Team Lead or else I will have to pay monthly fees for the products. As a college student, I do not have money to waste each month on products I do not have faith in.
Since my friend is new to the company, Tin offered to help her out and bring me to the company. He loudly stated that I will be under my friend and told my friend that he will only help her this one time. After I purchased the package, he placed me under him instead. It’s ironic because he said that this company was about trust and how everyone got everyone’s back. I questioned, “Then why did you stab my friend in the back?” From my perspective, he was out to help himself. Moreover, the night when I bought the silver package, Tin had to present a speech. He decided to talk about his struggle with basketball in high school. From what I know him in person, he is not what he said he was in the presentation. He smoked weed all through high school, not a motivated kid who wanted to learn basketball. Plus, he told everyone that he has a huge bill to pay off because he broke his leg. However, he bought a Mac worth $2000 and I wondered, “Why can’t he pay his medical bills with that money?”
My other friend and I decided to quit the company. A few days later, the products arrived and I asked Tin how I could return it. He didn’t seem to want to help me in whatsoever. But he did because I made him. Before that, he had his brother called and yelled at me because I called the company a scam. I didn’t know practicing my freedom of speech would somehow violate his belief that this company is a multi-billion company. At the beginning of the call, he calmly explained that the company believes in 100% customer service and Ariix does not want anyone to spread rumors about the company. When quitting the company, I knew that I wouldn’t tell this to anyone because it would just seem immature of me to talk bad about a company (even if I do not believe in it). However, it was extremely immature of him to yell at me and imply that I was a failure/quitter.
That is why I decided to write this long message. I believe that most of the people in the company are untrustworthy and only there to help you just because they want you to do good so it will boost their incomes. I also believe that the company is not out to help people at all. They strongly claim to help people but I can strongly see that the company is mainly about money, money, and money.
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Kai S. Reply:
December 18th, 2011 at 9:25 am
Tina,
Thanks for sharing your experience. To be fair to Ariix, it is a business opportunity and therefore, the cost shouldn’t be much of a surprise. However, what you pointed out is something that happens in all MLM companies and is part of the reason why the industry as a whole has such a bad reputation.
There are people in MLM who run their business ethically. They don’t exaggerate or make up lies. Of course, there are others who will do things they normally wouldn’t all because of the money and recognition from their MLM peers. The tricky thing is that many people, including your friend I’m sure, didn’t intend to deceive you. To them, they see stretching the truth to get you in as doing you a favor because if you end up successful and rich, the lies will be worth it. I do have to say that the whole putting your friend under him thing was a douchebag move.
I’m not fond of the MLM industry but saying that “most” people in the company are untrustworthy makes it too easy for Ariix reps to argue against. They might say judging an entire group by the actions of a few is like being prejudice or racist or something.
By the way, forget what your friend said about you being a quitter/failure. That’s what many MLMers say to prevent people from leaving the company. If your goal is to financially support yourself and your family and you find another way to do that, then you’ll be a success. You’ll only be a quitter if you stop pursuing that goal. The path you take doesn’t matter; what matters is that you ultimately reach your destination.
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Tina Le | December 18th, 2011 at 10:52 am #
I agree with everything you said in your reply.
Thanks for the advice.
You’re very wise and kind with your words.
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Rod | January 6th, 2012 at 5:13 am #
Hi All,
Tina, sorry to hear about your experience with Ariix… I truly feel the team you worked with did not give the genuine support you needed, and if the individuals you mentioned are not logical and ethical then I truly believe they will not get far in this business and or life. Ariix is a mlm company, just like Avon and Amway… Ariix is not a scam. With Ariix being in pre-launch I understand there are many skeptics on this ground floor opportunity. I feel that many individuals who start up with Ariix do not understand the significance of the different packages. I’m not here to persuade anyone to join Ariix. But Ariix is a financial vehicle and there are different ones out there, not just Ariix. People mentioned Ariix is a copy cat of Usana, but was Usana the first health supplementation company? Something to think about… Ariix is the first company I know that has a bill of rights to protect its distributors… Whether you feel Ariix will fail or succeed here’s a link to answer some of your questions! Ariixchannel.com
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Kai S. Reply:
January 6th, 2012 at 7:50 am
The thing with MLM is that the company doesn’t have much control over how individuals run their business and because of this, all it takes is a few bad apples to ruin a company or industry’s name.
As for people who are not ethical not getting far with an MLM business, depends on your definition of ethical. It’s a common practice in MLM to not reveal what you do to potential recruits until you can have them talk to an upline, see a presentation in full, or attend some meeting. Some would call this practice unethical.
People link Ariix and Usana together because Ariix is basically run by ex-Usana people. As for Ariix’s success, I’m sure they will make a ton of money. As for most people joining Ariix, I don’t know.
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Rod | January 6th, 2012 at 5:34 am #
Just a little information on the price difference and similar ingredient listings between the two companies…. Ariix Optimals (Vitamins and Minerals) $99.93 vs. Usana HealthPak $132… you be the judge!
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Kai S. Reply:
January 6th, 2012 at 7:56 am
Okay, and how many of those have you sold to the marketplace?
Is it safe to assume that Ariix’s Total Health Pack which sells for $285 has way more stuff than Usana’s Healthpak since you’re not using that in your comparison?
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Rod | January 6th, 2012 at 3:01 pm #
The magnitude of the ingredients involved in the Ariix optimals $99.95 are comparable to the Usana Health Pak $132 not Essentials $51.
If you want to compare with the products involved in the Ariix total health pack lets break it down… With each product lasting 28 days…
Total Health Pack includes
Vitamins and Minerals (Optimals)
Omega Q (Omega 3 hybridized with CoQ -10)
(2) Vinali’s (Grape Seed extract and vitamin C)
Rejuveniix (An all organic coffee and energy replacement rich of anti-oxidants)
Total: $285
Usana equivalence
Usana HealthPak (Core supplements including the essentials) $132
BiOmega (Omega 3) $23.94
CoQuinone 30 (CoQ10) 45.54
Proflavanol C100 (Grape Seed extract and vitamin C) $46.74 x (2) = $93.48
Rev3 Energy Surge Refill 28pk (Alternative to crash-and-burn energy drinks) $63.54
Total $358.5
All figures are from their respected website…
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Kai S. Reply:
January 6th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Thanks for clarifying. So Ariix products cost about 25-35% less than Usana. I guess that means Ariix reps should have a much easier time selling vitamins to the marketplace compared to Usana reps.
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Andrew | January 31st, 2012 at 11:52 pm #
I ended up buying the gold pack and I was wondering if anyone knows how to return it for a refund?
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Kai S. Reply:
February 1st, 2012 at 12:19 am
My guess is that you can just call the company and they’ll let you know what to do.
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Tom Baker | February 18th, 2012 at 12:20 am #
There’s something very spooky about this whole group at Arrix. If you know the real story about Tim Sales then you know that he would do or say anything for a profit. Word is, Usana is close to bringing a massive lawsuit against them. If true, they could own Ariix, Cooper, Sales, Wilson, And Latson in short order.
Ariix dumped their crappy products on the Asian market and their u.s. results are going nowhere. They are so heavily in debt that if things don’t pick up you will see more and more departures like the big ones of late.
Should be interesting to watch. If you worked ar Ariix would you trust any of these top people, after what they did to Usana?
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Kai S. Reply:
February 18th, 2012 at 12:24 am
Where did you hear about the possible lawsuit? How do you know Ariix is in debt? Which “big ones” departed the company recently?
Just need to make sure these aren’t just rumors to hurt the competition. If these statements are true, then it would be interesting to see how things unfold.
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Jim | February 19th, 2012 at 8:11 pm #
Things aren’t making sense. You buy some product then come on this site to ask how to return it? Pretty bogus! You’re obviously lying. Next,..top people left USANA because they were failing?? Who are you trying to baffle besides yourself ? And,..the person who said they paid a monthly fee with ARIIX?? You are lying too. And the person who talked about how she was treated by ‘someone’ then critisized a ‘company’ for these guys’ behavior?? That’s like saying Ford is a bad company because someone driving their car ran into me.
I was just researching this ARIIX co. & looks like they must be doing something right for all of you to be making false accusations about them.
Top officers of a good co. don’t leave unless there are problems within the co. The time, money, and huge amount of work wouldn’t be worth the effort unless you were in your 20′s.
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Kai S. Reply:
February 19th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
You should stop researching and just join Ariix if you haven’t already.
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Jim Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Why? Are you suggesting people should join any opportunity that comes along w/o researching it?
Help me find the truth & I may join them.
I was trying to research Rob’s claims on pricing & apples to apples. That isn’t so easy.
What is all in USANA’s HlthPak & ARIIX products do not look to be the same. I’ll have to go back but Usana’s hlth pak I thought said was much less then $132. I’ll look again but,..
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Jim Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 11:53 am
Sorry !!
It was $132. Shame on me.
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Kai S. Reply:
February 20th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Just sounded like you were defending the company a bit too strongly, calling people liars, so I thought you were already a rep actually. Sorry about that. Carry on with your research.
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Jim | February 20th, 2012 at 12:00 pm #
I did request some info & answers to some questions from a rep. I found on line for ARIIX & they responed that they were busy but could contact me in the next few days. We’ll see. I did see Multi’s & Minerals from U.were $51 & ARIIX were $99 though I believe ARIIX had a few more ingredience Who would be willing to break the ingredience down so we can compare costs accurately?
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