Why did Amway become "Quixtar" in North America?

Question

Was it because Amway got a bad reputation?

Because Amway products were known for being over-priced, to pay all the commissions in the up-line organization?

Because people would run the other way when someone invited them to an Amway "business opportunity" meeting?

Because Amway got a reputation (true or not) for being a "pyramid scheme"?

If it was bought by a company named "Quixtar" then why didn't it retain its own name?

Amway has made a lot of people rich, but has cost a lot of people a lot of money for unprofitable distributorships that went nowhere. Is that why they changed their name?

Just curious. Maybe an Amway (Quixtar?) distributor or two can set me straight on this one.

Answer 1

I'm going to agree with bdancer... that's probably why...

Answer 2

My guess would be that people ran when they heard Amway.  Different name gave the opportunity to rope in more folks to those sign up meetings.

Answer 3

I was trying to find an answer to the same question and I came across this very interesting summary of an investigative report that MSNBC did.  Check it out.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4375477/