They always have. The system was set up like Amway. The real sales money was made by people who got others to sell and make commision on their sales and the sales of people they brought in. Hence a pyramid.
I am not downing their products though. I used to buy alot of Shaklee products from a friend who sold their stuff. This was the days before a GNC or healthfood store was on every corner so shaklee products were a welcome site to me. Their products were usually top notch. Don't know aboutnow but I doubt a whole lot has changed except for the fact that health products brands are alot more common now then was 10 years ago when I was buying it.