Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shaklee?
Shaklee was Founded 1956 by Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee, and his sons, Forrest Jr. and Lee. Shaklee Corporation helped pioneer both the nutritional supplement and network marketing industries.
Today, Shaklee is the #1 natural nutrition company in the U.S., and the #1 network marketing company in the world on a per-market basis.
Shaklee is one of the most respected health and wellness companies in the world.
Everyone says their products are the best. How is Shaklee different?
Shaklee is primarily a research & development company. We create our products from inception to finished products.
Shaklee has invested almost $300 million in research. Our science team has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals. We perform more than 83,000 quality assurance tests for safety and efficacy every year.
Shaklee’s approach to product development and ensuring the highest product quality sets the standard for the dietary supplement industry.
Shaklee formulations are based on proven science. We never fall prey to the latest fads. Ingredients are sourced from around the world and carefully chosen first for their naturalness.
Are Shaklee products bioavailable?
Yes. One example is Vitalizer. Vitalizer has been designed to be released in the digestive system in exactly the right place, at exactly the right time.
Are Shaklee products guaranteed?
Yes. If for ANY reason you are not happy with any Shaklee product, your money will be cheerfully refunded, no questions asked.
Are Shaklee products sold in stores?
No. Dr. Shaklee understood the value of Word-of-Mouth Marketing. He believed that a network of independent business owners—being in business for themselves—would be a superior marketing model.
Today, this model is being embraced by more than 100 million people in more than 100 countries around the world.
Why have I never heard of Shaklee?
Probably because Shaklee doesn’t advertise through typical marketing channels. Shaklee’s social marketing business model allows people to purchase directly from the company through an independent business owner.
This Word-of-Mouth model allows the company to reward independent business owners with generous commissions for their efforts in finding and supplying a group of customers.
Shaklee has paid it’s distributor force more than $5 billion in cash bonuses.
The Social Network distribution model is growing fast. Every week around the world, 475,000 new people join our industry.
MEMBERSHIP
Do I have to become a Member to use Shaklee products?
No. Membership is never required to purchase Shaklee products. You can purchase from a distributor personally or through their Personal Web Site without becoming a Member.
Should you decide to become an independent distributor or Shaklee products—and enjoy the many benefits of ownership—contact the person who sent you to this site and talk with them about membership options.
Your many benefits could include:
Global Membership opportunity
Gold Ambassador bonuses
Personal group bonuses
Profits on product sales
Residual leadership bonuses
Infinity bonuses.
World travel opportunities, etc.
Your sponsor will be happy to explain the details of these bonuses and show you how you can qualify.
If I become a Member, does that mean I have to sell the products?
There are no mandatory sales quotas for Members. Only more serious business builders have requirements for rank advancement.
What’s the difference between being a Distributor and and a Member?
Member can purchase products at a discount but cannot earn bonuses.
To earn commissions and qualify for additional incentives, bonus, you need to be a Distributor.
Do I need a driver’s license number or Social Security number to sign up?
As mandated by federal and state TAX law—to be appointed a Distributor and earn commissions—a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is required.
Shaklee uses your Shaklee ID number as a unique identifier to connect you with your sponsoring Distributor.
Your personal information is kept secure by Shaklee and is never sold or shared with third-party entities.
I lost my membership number. What should I do?
Please call 1-800-SHAKLEE (1-800-742-5533), M-F, 6–7 pm Pacific Time, and speak with a friendly Customer Service rep.
INCOME OPPORTUNITY
What is the income potential of a Shaklee business?
There are no limits. Shaklee has paid it’s distributors close to $5 billon in commissions. What you earn depends on your efforts. The top Distributors in Shaklee earn over a million dollars a year.
Your sponsor will be happy to show you a current Average Annual Earnings statement. In 2009, income for our lowest rank was $10,798 — and average incomes for our top ranks was $580,573.00.
*Earnings will vary with effort. Shaklee does not guarantee success or that any particular level of earnings will be achieved.
How do I make money in Shaklee?
The Shaklee Compensation Plan offers you the ability to earn in 7 different ways:
Price Differentials
Volume commissions and
Leadership Bonuses (Overrides)
Price differential:
When you buy the products at one price and resell them at a higher price you earn additional income.
As a Shaklee Member, you buy at MN (Member Net) price and save 15% off the suggested retail price (SRP). So if you buy products and sell them at SRP you make an instant 15% profit.
As your volume increases, you receive additional discounts as well as a monthly commission check.
Volume Bonus:
You earn volume bonuses from 4% to 34% on the total volume (PV) of your orders and orders from those in your personal group. You may also earn an additional percentage on the volume of Distributors in your personal group who qualified for a bonus check that month.
The Volume Bonuses along with any price differentials are paid in your Shaklee bonus check on the 15th of the following month.
Leadership Bonuses:
For those who reach the Director level, bonuses are paid on other Directors in your organization.
People in Shaklee who earn the 6-figure incomes every year have taught others how to grow a Shaklee business.
(Percentage on 2nd thru 4th levels paid based on # of first level Directors and your total Business Group Volume through all four levels of Directors.)
Does the Shaklee Plan Have a Compression Component?
Yes. Shaklee’s compression component has been in place since the inception of the compensation plan in 1956.
Compression means that should a Director in your pay-line fail to meet qualifications, the next Director in line under that person would roll up (take their place in your pay-line).
What does PV stand for?
PV (Personal Volume) is used to determine the percentage Volume Bonus you receive at the end of each month.
PV is sometimes called “Point Value.” Each Shaklee product has an assigned PV value. The more PV you and your personal group (Personal Group Volume or PGV) generate in a given month, the higher your Volume Bonus.*
*Note: Bonus percentages eligibility for Shaklee Independent Distributors below the rank of Director are suggested only. Shaklee Business Leaders are independent business people, and may pay bonuses to Distributors and Associates in their Personal Group on a different Volume Bonus schedule so long as they publish it in advance of signing that person signing up in as a Distributor.
What does PGV stand for?
PGV (Personal Group Volume) consists of your personal volume plus the combined product orders of all downline Members, Distributors and Associates.
Distributor commission checks are mailed on the 15th of the following month in which the volume is generated.
Does Shaklee do Direct Deposit?
Yes. Direct deposit/electronic transmissions are normally received in your bank account on the 15th of the month.
What is the minimum volume need to earn a bonus?
The minimum of 250 PGV (at least 100 PV of which is your personal volume) qualifies you to earn a bonus. With higher volume, you qualify for a higher percentage commission.
Once you have achieved the status of Director, maintaining a monthly 2,000 PGV will enable you to enjoy all of the privileges of Business Leadership—including the ability to earn Leadership Bonuses on the volume of downline Business Leaders.
How do I become a Shaklee Director?
You become a Director when you and your group generate 2000 PV in a given month. Appointment is automatic unless otherwise specified.
What is the cost of starting a Shaklee business?
Currently, you can join as a member for $19.95 and purchase product wholesale. You can join as a Distributor for $39.95 and enjoy all of the benefits of distributorship including commissions on volume generated by your personal group.
You can also get started as a Global Ambassador for $299 and earn weekly bonuses for every person who joins your organization as a Global Ambassador.
In addition to the initial sign up fee—serious builders sign up for a Shaklee Personal Web Site as part of their business package. You will have several personal web sites to choose from, depending on your product focus.
You can can send people to your personal site to order products online, and to sign up online.
The initial cost for a Shaklee website is $29.95 which pays for getting your online business set up and the first month of service. Subsequent months costs $14.95 per month for your initial site with additional sites available at a reduced fee.
Do I need technical skills?
No. Shaklee websites are simple to set up. Shaklee IT does all the heavy lifting… all you have to do is enter the personal information you would want your visitors to see when they visit your site.
How do I sign up for a Shaklee Personal Website?
Once you become a Member, go to the My Shaklee Distributor Web Site, (www.myshaklee.com) click on the My Web Site tab and enter your new ID number.
Follow the simple instructions and set up your web site. Decide on a name for your site, enter some information about you and your excitement about your new Shaklee business in the About Me section. Your new site is now ready to show to the world.
Can I drop ship orders to people who order from me?
Yes. Your sponsor will be happy to show you how to order products directly from Shaklee.
Do I have to keep an inventory?
Having an inventory is not a requirement.
Many Distributors maintain a small inventory of products to demonstrate—or to have on hand for spontaneous sales. Others do maintain large inventories, and some even ship to their own customers.
The way you choose to do business with Shaklee is your choice; one of the great things about being an Independent Distributor.
How much time should I be prepared to dedicate to my Shaklee business?
A Shaklee business will fit into any lifestyle. History shows that a new Distributor can get their business started with six to ten hours a week.
Obviously, the more time you invest, the greater opportunity you have to grow.
Will I get training and support?
Shaklee Distributors receive essential support from their upline partners and the Shaklee Home Office.
From their upline sponsor, Distributors receive group and one-on-one coaching.
Training is available through local and regional meetings, as well as through National Shaklee Events and Conference Calls.
This blog is a great way to learn many of the skills you will need to develop a Shaklee organization. The key is to talk to as many people as possible and share with them your Shaklee story.
How do I get started?
Schedule a time to meet with your upline sponsor to develop a plan and get your questions answered. Most sales leaders take their new distributors through a basic orientation program.
One of the key categories on this blog is “Getting Started Tips.” Reading these tips on getting started can help.
*Note: Bonus percentages and eligibility for Shaklee Independent Distributors below the rank of Director are suggested only. Shaklee Business Leaders are independent businesspeople, and may pay bonuses to Distributors and Associates in their Personal Group on a different Volume Bonus schedule so long as they publish it in advance to their new recruits.
PRODUCT FAQ
What’s the best way to start a nutrition program?
This is a discussion you should have with your sponsor or upline. Your current health and your health goals will determine which products you choose.
*If you have a medical condition or disease or are taking prescription medication, always check with your doctor before starting a nutritional supplement program.
Which Shaklee products contain gluten?
Based on ingredient profiles, the following products likely contain gluten:
Carbo-Crunch – Malt extract from barley
Multi Munch – Oat fiber
Fiber Plan Daily Crunch – Oat bran
Fiber Plan Daily Mix – Oat bran
Herb-Lax – Dried malt powder from barley
Iron plus Vitamin C – Barley flour
MoodLift Capsules – Green oat extract
Zinc – Barley powder
I have difficulty swallowing tablets. Does Shaklee offer an alternative?
Shaklee offers several alternatives for those who prefer not to swallow tablets:
CitriBoost®, a powdered multi-vitamin/multi-mineral supplement designed to mix with your favorite morning fruit juice.
Liqui-Lea® Plus Iron, naturally sweetened, fruit flavored high-potency liquid multivitamin contains 10 essential vitamins plus iron to promote long-term good health.
Chewable Cal Mag Plus, berry-flavored alternative with 1,000 mg of elemental calcium to help build bones, and maintain bone density.
Chewable Vita-C®, 100 mg of citrus flavored Vitamin C, to support the body’s natural antioxidant defenses and help maintain cell integrity.
Meal Shakes (French Vanilla/Bavarian Cocoa) provide 45% or more of the Daily Values for 19 essential vitamins and minerals, and are a rich source of calcium as well as an excellent source of dietary fiber and protein.
Vita-Lea® Ocean Wonders™ , the most comprehensive, tooth-friendly multivitamin and mineral supplement available for kids.
We also have fiber and soy protein nutrition available in drink mixes and bars.
How long before Shaklee product are out of date and should not be taken?
Shaklee supplements are stamped with an expiration date. Unless otherwise noted with a stamped expiration date, new unopened personal care products are good from 2 to 3 years, depending on the product.
New, unopened household products are good for at least 3 years.
I’m a diabetic. Will Shaklee products work for me?
Yes. Shaklee products can be used successfully by people with diabetes. However, diabetes is a medical condition. If you have diabetes or any other medical condition, you’ll need to check with your doctor before beginning a nutritional supplementation program.
Shaklee is always happy to answer any technical questions about Shaklee products that arise in discussion with your doctor.
I’ve heard all vitamins are the same. Is this true?
No. More than 90% of vitamin products sold in America are synthetic. These products are created and tested in test tube assays. This process does cannot determine how a effective a synthetic product will be in the human body.
More than 70% of all American’s say the products they take don’t work.
Random checks of various supplement manufacturers have found inconsistent levels of various nutrients. In other words, we don’t always get what we see on the label.
Major fines have been levied against these companies, including GNC, but have failed to stop the practice of mislabeling.
Shaklee whole food supplements are created only from natural sources, and are tested in expensive human clinical trials.
Our science team has published more than 100 articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals—including the Journal of the American Medical Association.
No other company in our industry can make this claim.
My doctor tells me that I don’t need to take vitamins. What should I do?
A large and growing number of clinical studies make a strong case for the benefits of supplementation.
A recent Landmark Study conducted by U.C. Berkeley School of Public Health shows clearly that people who used Shaklee supplements over a 20 year period had markedly better health than those who use other supplements—and those who use no supplements at all.
You can read the details of this unique supplement study here… www.landmarkstudy.com.
If you’re being treated for a medical condition or disease, it is important to follow your physician’s advice.
The AMA and its member physicians are now recognizing the value of regular supplementation and recommend them to their patients.
If your doctor has a specific concern about how a Shaklee supplement would affect your medical care, they should contact Shaklee science by letter—by calling 925-924-2000—or by going to www.physicians.shaklee.com.
Are Shaklee products guaranteed?
Yes. If for any reason a Shaklee Product is not satisfactory, return it to your Shaklee Independent Distributor or Shaklee Corporation for exchange or full refund.
In addition to a 100% satisfaction or money-back guarantee, we offer:
100% guarantee that the ingredients listed on the label are in the product.
100% guarantee of quality-controlled product formulations that ensure product safety, purity, reliability, and product performance.
100% guarantee that we use the finest quality ingredients available.
Experience the Shaklee Difference for yourself.
ONLINE ORDERING
How long does it take to get my Shaklee order?
If you chose to order from Shaklee, your products should arrive within 5-8 calendar days. Always check with your sponsor—they may be able to get it to you faster.
After ordering, can I make a change?
Because all orders are entered immediately into Shaklee’s Distribution system, orders once submitted cannot be altered. Please call 1-800-SHAKLEE (1-800-742-5533) M-F, 6 am to 7 pm Pacific Time, to speak with a Customer Service Representative about the need to make any adjustments.
I can’t find the Shaklee product I’m looking for online. What do I do?
If you are visiting a Distributor’s Personal Web Site, use the Search Shaklee Product Catalog feature. Click on the Shopping Tab. The Search feature is on the left. Enter a keyword (such as “multivitamin”) and press “Enter” or click on “>”.
If you are shopping in the My Shaklee Distributor Web Site ( www.myshaklee.com), use the Product Search feature or the “All Products” listing. Click on the Shopping Tab.
The Search feature is at the top of the page. Or, click on the Product Category name on the left menu of items. Choose “New! All Products” and you’ll see a listing of all products in that category.
Why am I charged sales tax for an Internet order?
Shaklee is registered to collect and remit sales/use tax as a merchant with sales tax registration in every state, we must charge sales/use tax on our Internet orders.
The exceptions are Alaska , Delaware , Montana , New Hampshire , and Oregon , which do not have a state sales tax. In general, the sales of tangible property over the Internet are taxable in all states.
Our Members use the Internet as another method of placing their orders with Shaklee, just as they use the US Mail or the telephone. As such, Internet orders are taxed just as mail and telephone orders are taxed.
How do I go about getting a refund?
If for any reason you are not satisfied with a Shaklee product, you may request an exchange or refund, under the 100% Shaklee Guarantee.
If you placed your order online or through 1-800-SHAKLEE, please call 1-800-SHAKLEE (1-800-742-5533), M-F, 6 am – 7 pm Pacific Time, to request a replacement or refund.
If you purchased your order directly from a Shaklee Independent Distributor, please contact your Distributor to request a replacement or refund.
I’m in Canada, how do I order Shaklee products online?
Please call the Shaklee Canada Home Office at 1-800-263-9138 for information on Membership and ordering products online.
What is Shaklee’s Privacy Policy?
Your personal information is kept secure by Shaklee and is never sold or shared with third-party entities. Please read the Shaklee.com Privacy Policy for more info.
