Reliv International Review - A Pyramid Scheme in Disguise?

Welcome to this Reliv International Review.

We all want to live healthy lives and the thing is, if we don’t look after ourselves then we might need a helping hand.

Reliv International Review

Reliv International are a company that offers nutritional products like shakes, juices and supplements.

This is a company that has been around the block for a number of years but is this business legit and right for you or should you avoid it?

If you are thinking what we think you are thinking, is Reliv International is a scam, the short answer is NO.

In the next few minutes, you will know all there is to know about Reliv International so that you can decide whether to pursue it further or not.

So, let’s get started.

[Affiliate Disclosure: This Reliv International Review has been thoroughly researched from information and testimonials that are in the public domain. This post may contain affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission, however, this won’t affect what you pay!]

Product: Reliv International

Founder: Robert and Sandy Montgomery

Website: www.reliv.com

Product Description: Health and Wellness MLM

Cost to join: $20

Recommended: No

Summary: Reliv International is a legit multi-level marketing company that has been supplying nutritional products for over three decades.

The internet would appear to be flooded with businesses manufacturing and selling similar products but Reliv has stood the test of time.

The most important thing when considering joining a company like Reliv International is to try the products yourself to see if there are any benefits.

You have to believe in the products first!

Most people usually start as a preferred customer which is great because you really aren’t making a big commitment and you’ll get discounts.

In our experience. between 70% and 80% start this way with around 15% joining and becoming distributors.

Some people do cross over and become distributors after careful consideration but the success rate is very low.

With many ending up losing money.

So something to ponder but this will be much clearer when we get further into this Reliv International review.

If it’s a business that you are looking for with no risks in comparison and is extremely cost-effective.

Reliv International Review – TOC

What is Reliv International About?

Reliv International is a direct selling business that has been around for over three decades.

Founded in 1988 by Robert and Sandy Montgomery and based in St. Louis, US.

Reliv International are global and currently has over 40,000 distributors in over 14 countries worldwide.

US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, France, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, Austria, Indonesia and Malaysia.

They manufacture and sell nutritional products in the Health and Wellness industry which help in many areas of the body…

Such as the digestive system, sugar, weight management, energy, heart, immune system, joints, and sleep among a number of other areas.

Another nutritional product of theirs that was featured on CNN is the product LunaRich but more on that a little later.

Robert and his wife Sandy were both avid supporters of taking supplements from an early age but didn’t really know of the real benefits if any at all.

Until they came across a nutritional formula that had been developed by Dr Thedore Kaloggris in the early 80s.

That’s when they noticed changes in their health and decided to license their first product and called it Reliv Classic which is how Reliv came about.

The most recent addition to the product range is CBD oil manufactured using Hemp as opposed to Marajianu, the safest of the two.

Here’s a short video that you might like…

Who are the Founders of Reliv International?

We have already mentioned that Robert and Sandy Montegory are the founders of Reliv International.

Both have experience with network marketing but that really only started when they decided to launch Reliv.

Where they worked out a plan of how to get the word out there, who they were and what they were all about.

That came in the way of the MLM business model which they have continued to use to this very day.

The 6 core values that they pride themselves on are quality, trust, integrity, changing lives, giving back, and family.

With their distributors as the main priority.

Robert Montgomery has stepped down as the CEO and now handed the reigns to their son Ryan.

There wasn’t a lot of real information about the 2 but you might find this Youtube video interesting presented by Robert Montgomery…

Is Reliv International a Pyramid Scheme?

Some multi-level marketing businesses do

not hide the fact that they are blatantly operating as a pyramid scheme.

Which is something that you do not have to worry about with Reliv International and besides if there were any concerns.

You’d have thought something would have been done in the 30+ years of actively being in business.

However Reliv International does operate its business with elements of a pyramid scheme.

That is more evident when you look at the compensation plan which is how you get paid and which we shall be looking at a little later.

But for the most, you can earn money with Reliv just by purchasing and selling the products yourself without having to recruit.

Just for clarity on what a Pyramid Scheme is…

A company that operates in a manner where the distributors are paid for recruitment only would be declared illegal.

Sometimes these companies operate using a product or service, however, they don’t have any real intrinsic value.

They are just there to hide the fact that they are operating illegally and these companies do get away with it because there are so many of them.

In most countries this type of behaviour is illegal and some go to prison for many years.

The Federal Trade Commission has compiled a report on the way MLMs operate which you can read about here.

Why aren’t these MLMs getting closed down?

There are so many MLMs that operate as a pyramid scheme and because there are so many it takes time for the FTC to get their act together.

After all, they only have a limited resource of people to investigate and by the time they get around to doing anything about it.

The company under investigation usually closes down and reopens as some other company probably doing the same thing but using a different name.

You might like to check out this short video…

Reliv International Product Line

If starting a business is what motivates you we would advise joining as a preferred customer, that way you can test the products first.

Before even considering whether to invest in the Reliv business opportunity.

After all, it’s the products that sell the business and you have to have confidence in the products first.

The products can be found within the categories below…

- Anti-Ageing
- Blood Sugar Support
- Broad Spectrum Hemp Oil
- Full Spectrum Hemp Oil
- Isolate No THC Hemp Oil
- RLV Hemp Extracts
- Heart Health
- Joint Health
- Multivitamins
- Weight Loss Management
- Core Nutrition
- Digestive Health
- Energy

The most recent additions to the product range are Hemp-derived CBD oil and there is also a range of products for kids too.

Before contemplating taking any vitamins it is advised to take medical advice from your doctor.

Especially if you are thinking about introducing your kids to them.

Here are the top 5 selling products at Reliv International…

RELIV Classic

This is where it all started for Reliv International and is still their flagship product.

A ground break formula that was developed in the early ’80s and is still Reliv’s best selling product today.

Plant-based protein that includes higher levels of key vitamins and minerals that can be added to your favourite smoothie.

Studies carried out have reported that this can help reduce fatigue in cancer patients who are going through radiation treatment.

Preferred customer – $47.20 comes

RELIV LunaRich X

Lunasin is a naturally occurring soy peptide that is known to promote health at the epigenetic level.

Made from non-GMO soy in its purest form, the most concentrated form of Lunasin ever produced is only available through Reliv International.

A news feature on CNN looks at the effects of LunaRich on ALS sufferers which is a muscle-wasting disease.

In fact, LunaRich was voted the people’s choice in 2013 as the favourite new consumer product by the American Business Awards.

Preferred customer – $33.60 /60 tablets and $65.60/120 tablets

RELIV 24K

Most energy drinks are packed with sugar and caffeine which can be dangerous for long-term consumption.

This is an energy drink without the sugar and caffeine to give you that boost that you sometimes need.

Included are 24 powerful ingredients to help support energy and mental coherence throughout the day.

This comes with 45 servings and also includes amino acids and a range of B vitamins to carry you through those periods of endurance.

Preferred customer – $60.00

RELIV Arthaffect

Life can be tough on the joints and staying active can be a strain and painful in a lot of cases.

A specially formulated product that can be added to your favourite smoothie.

Comes with over 20 ingredients including hydrolyzed collagen protein and glucosamine which is a major benefit, that will help to ease joint pain.

This comes with 30 servings.

Preferred customer – $56.00

RELIV Now with Soy

A plant-based protein shake that will provide you with the nutrients that your body is lacking with many benefits that can be found in Soy.

This product also includes LunaRich which is a product in this list that includes higher levels of essential vitamins and minerals.

That supports the immune system and helps to promote healthy cholesterol.

This comes with 30 servings.

Preferred customer – $47.00

All the products come with free shipping when you sign up for the auto-ship program.

For a more detailed look at the full range of nutritional products at Reliv International, we suggest heading over to their website here.

Reliv International Business Opportunity – What You Need To Know

For the entrepreneurial types, this is the section that should interest you the most.

How much does it cost to join Reliv International?

There are 3 options that you can take if you do not want to join their business plan.

Either join as a customer where you will have to pay the full price of the products.

Or you can join as a preferred customer and benefit from discounts.

However, if you do want to start your own business and become an independent distributor then it will cost you $20.

Which also comes with a starter kit as well as the Shake Party Box valued at $35.

Obviously, you will have to purchase some of the products to show your customers.

There is an auto-ship program that you can join which will give you further benefits such as discounts and free shipping.

How to make money with Reliv International

There are 2 ways to make money with Reliv International…

- Purchase the products and sell them to family and friends
- Recruit and build a large team and make commissions from them

If you decide to join as a Reliv Distributor, there are additional ways to make money through the compensation plan that we will be discussing next.

These bonuses and incentives are all based around recruiting which looks pretty much like a pyramid scheme in disguise.

Reliv International Compensation Plan

All multi-level marketing businesses have what is called a compensation plan which is how you get paid.

These are designed in the pyramid style (hence the reason why people refer to them as pyramid schemes).

Often these compensation plans are complex but the one at Reliv is one of the simplest and easy to follow.

You can check out the compensation plan here or watch the short video below.

Are Reliv Distributors Actually Making Money?

We often have to dig deep when looking for confirmation of earnings because most MLM businesses do not like to show them.

But, this is a requirement by the authorities to show goodwill but they never paint a good picture.

There are 3 different types of Distributors at Reliv International…

1. Discount buyers, which includes 73% of the total who benefit from the discounts but they do not receive payments from the business.

1. Earners, of which there are 18% who purchase at discount and earn retail and wholesale income. In 2020 the average earnings were $125.00.

1. Business Builders, of which there are 9% which amounts to 1,582 members with average total payments made of $6,318.

It’s common knowledge that the big earners are in the top 1% simply because they were invited at the business launch date.

The Federal Trade Commission explains this in a study they compiled across the MLM business model which you can read about here.

Is Reliv International a SCAM?

Absolutely not, Reliv International are one of the longest surviving multi-level marketing businesses out there.

Using science to manufacture legit nutritional products that many are loving and benefiting from.

However, the tactics that many of their distributors adopt are somewhat unethical.

Where they will use any tactics just to get someone to join and this is evident in the reviews that you can see on the internet.

We have just covered the income claims of Reliv and that should be enough to convince you.

Investing in this business opportunity may not be a wise thing to do.

But joining as a preferred customer could be an option to make some money however you will not be making much.

MLMs are extremely difficult to succeed in but you might just be one of those who is successful, who knows?

The problem with all MLMs and something that many do not even think about is, what happens if the business closes down?

With the life expectancy of an MLM less than 10 years, most do close down and leave their members owing thousands in some cases.

Ok, Reliv International is pretty well established but this is a question you should be asking when researching this type of business opportunity.

That’s why we always suggest creating your own business where you can do whatever you want with.

Don’t you think that makes perfect sense?

You might like to take a look at these similar businesses…

- Total Life Changes

- American Dream Nutrition

- Zurvita

- Usana

Reliv International PROS and CONS

We are at the point of this Reliv International review where we are just about to wrap things up, so we have highlighted what we think are the important factors.

Which should help you in your decision making.

PROS

This Business Is Well Established:

The business has been operating for well over a decade which is a lifetime for a multi-level marketing business.

The Business Founders Are Legit:

They have been running Reliv International for over 30 years and whilst there isn’t a lot of real information out there about them.

There isn’t any negative feedback either.

Positive Feedback:

There are plenty of reviews out there of people praising the products with many using them for many years too.

Accredited At The Better Business Bureau:

When people research these companies a good practice is to check out the BBB for complaints.

They have had an A+ accreditation since 2012 which is a good sign.

Direct Selling Association:

Another place to check for confirmation that a company is on the right path is the DSA.

CONS

Very Competitive Market:

In the last 10 years, we have seen a massive uplift in nutritional health product companies which is good for people looking for products.

Unfortunately not so good for company sustainability and certainly not good for people who are looking for business opportunities.

Low Income Potential:

After all, it is an MLM and the chances of you succeeding in this business is unlikely.

You may make some money but not in the quantities that they portray and what you might think.

Learn how to recruit and anything is possible.

A Lawsuit Was Filed In 2013:

Reliv International has knowingly been selling products containing lead for a number of years without any warnings.

Products that were cited include, ReversAge, Arthaffect, FibRestore, SoySentials, and Reliv CardioSentials

The thing here is that this was never proven, in fact, they found that the quantity of lead was within California’s guidelines.

Yes, it is a dangerous chemical but so is Potassium which we need in small quantities.

Trending Has Dropped Somewhat In Recent Times:

Unfortunately, Google Trending only goes back as far as 2004 and if we could go back further we’d expect to see that graph continue as it is doing.

Back then when Reliv International started in 1988 there would have been very little competition.

Nowadays with the explosion of the internet competition is so much greater which is the reason why so many close down.

Reliv International are the exception to this rule.

Reliv International Review – Final Thoughts!

One thing that is for certain and that’s Reliv is a well-established business manufacturing and selling its own unique nutritional products.

That many love and have been using for many years and this is clearly evident by the positive feedback that we are seeing.

If it’s the business side that interests you then we would suggest joining as a preferred customer and finding out if the products are as good as they say.

This way you will make some money but it will be limited and the only way to expand on that is to join their affiliate program.

They will recommend that you get all your family and friends to join but that is a recipe for disaster and a quick way to lose friendships.

Recruiting is key to any success that you might have and not for everyone because there is a lot of cold-callings which means rejection.

Are you prepared for that?

Besides this really isn’t your business, it belongs to Reliv International and they can terminate it at any time.

We suggest building your own business where you can promote any product and service you like with no restrictions and extremely cost-effective.

If that might interest you then we would love to share with you what we do in the next section.

How we make Passive Income Online?

After a few years of going down the multi-level marketing route, we realized that we were missing something.

Incidentally, we didn’t make any money if you are interested!

We found that another business model had been staring us in the face which we didn’t consider at the time but better late than never.

Affiliate marketing we found to be a much better business model and a way to really create passive income streams.

Something that everybody would love to achieve, where the business runs 24/7 with very little intervention.

Where you don’t even have to pay for marketing costs, not like with an MLM.

The benefits far outweigh an MLM’s…

- Promote any product or service you like
- No business conventions to attend
- No pressure to maintain your ranking status
- No pestering from a sponsor
- Extremely cost-effective to start and run
- No advertising costs
- This business is yours and something you could pass on
- No order management to handle

All you have to do is basically connect the customer with the merchant and your job is done. They make a purchase and you get paid.

If you want to know where you can learn all this, it’s provided by Wealthy Affiliate.

Who is responsible for thousands of 5 and 6 figure monthly earners.

Don’t worry we are not trying to sell you anything as it’s free to look with no credit card details and no commitment, so what have you got to lose?

If this is not for you then just call it a day but you won’t know unless you try.

Feedback, Comments and Subscribe

Hope you guys enjoyed this Reliv International review and that you found some benefits.

Any questions please feel free to put them down in the section below.

Until next time, stay safe

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Author: Mick

Hey Guys and Gals, great to meet you and hope you enjoyed this post. We created this site to help people like you avoid the pitfalls of making money online and hopefully steer you onto the right path. ENJOY! View all posts by Mick