Author Topic: No, I won't buy into your MLM  (Read 639379 times)

NorthernDreamer

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No, I won't buy into your MLM
« on: March 20, 2017, 10:59:32 AM »
As a woman (and mother) in her mid-30s, I know many other women (and mothers). Many stay at home (I do not). Apparently MLMs are the new work-at-home goldmines. According to Facebook, I now know people who sell:
- Usborne books (actually decent books, that I purchase once in a while)
- Lipsense ($75 for a lip product "system" that's going to burn my lips and spout questionable science at me?)
- Amway (just, no)
- Life Leadership
- Jamberry
- essential oils
- Lularoe (okay leggings are fantastic but now apparently they are falling apart, and are quite overpriced)
- 31 gifts (bags?)
- Pampered Chef
- Mary Kay

Never mind the ones who have tried to invite me to Stella & Dot (overpriced costume jewellery), Arbonne (I am a drug-store buying minimalist, thanks), and 31 gifts (no opinion because I just don't attend home parties). Ugh. Thank goodness I don't know a Beachbody/Shakeology rep. I can appreciate they are trying to make some money on the side, but I am not sure why they can't see that most are thinly veiled pyramid schemes and that the products are so expensive not because they are "worth it" but because of how the profits filter up in these companies.

Actually the Life Leadership rep is a male childhood friend of my husband's. He lives a few hours away and was going to be in town "on business" and wanted to come over and catch up. Unfortunately it was because he wanted to talk to us about a "business opportunity". We shut him down and quick. I can tell it really hurt my husband because the old friend never ended up stopping by once he knew that my husband wanted to "keep business out of it and just visit".

Rant over. (For now...)

jinga nation

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2017, 11:24:49 AM »
I've lost friendships over MLM.

The worst one my bro-in-law's friend tried to trick us with was "It Works: Have You Tried That Crazy Wrap Thing?" As soon as he said that, I asked him if it was a referral program. He said yes, I said I'm not interested and told him that any attempt to talk about his product or job will get him kicked out of the house.

He gave me a can of an energy drink and a retail-packaged satchet of a green weight-loss powder. I pointed out that neither product listed ingredients so I wasn't going to use them, plus I don't drink sodas or energy drinks. He still insisted, and placed one can in the fridge.

We let him stay in the house for a week as a courtesy, he was clean and polite, but my wife chewed out her brother for giving our info to this guy. Luckily he left the house in the morning before we did for his conference, and came back at a decent time at night before we went to bed.

KMMK

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2017, 11:32:51 AM »
Yeah, it's getting really annoying. I was at my sister's the other day and she said she only invited people who weren't involved in a MLM; so we could complain about them, and not insult anyone.

And I had two encounters with World Financial Group people last week - so annoying. Worse than the typical "ladies" MLMs, as they also get tons of money out of their clients by pretending they are giving free services.

Cezil

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2017, 11:48:21 AM »
Strains friendships and family relationships when there is a pressure-to-buy thing going on.  No thank you.  Long ago I went to a Mary Kay party, I think it was the second one I ever attended (I came home from the first one totally confused, so I willingly accepted the invite to the 2nd one because I didn't know what MLM was at the time and I saw so many pretty/shinies).  I ended up buying two pieces of jewellery (I never wear any) and a few weeks afterwards, the equation made sense in my head and I said nope. nope nope nope, to the rest of it.

My partner's friend has gotten involved in something else that will allow her to travel around the country selling things for the MLM, and she was so  excited about hosting parties, etc..  I realized that, knowing how these schemes work, it is not in my personality to rip people off like that, to take such advantage, to work the "but if you buy 3, you'll get the 4th 75% off!  Come on, you know you want to!" especially when someone has made such an effort to be so frugal..  Sigh.  :(

I'm a red panda

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2017, 11:57:26 AM »
What, no Younique?
Because SAHM's need eyelashes that rival Lady Gaga's at a concert!

ysette9

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2017, 12:10:51 PM »
Threads like this make me so grateful that no one I know, in the real world or on FB, participates in these schemes.

What does MLM stand for?

pachnik

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2017, 12:17:28 PM »
I think it stands for multi-level marketing. 

I don't know anyone doing MLMs right now either.  I have in the past though. 

Does anyone know if Avon is an MLM?  I don't think it is.

NorthernDreamer

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2017, 12:23:01 PM »
What, no Younique?
Because SAHM's need eyelashes that rival Lady Gaga's at a concert!

Ha! No Younique. I don't think it's as big of a thing in Canada.

(yet)

slugline

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2017, 12:23:24 PM »
And I had two encounters with World Financial Group people last week - so annoying. Worse than the typical "ladies" MLMs, as they also get tons of money out of their clients by pretending they are giving free services.

World Financial Group is a confirmed MLM? I know virtually nothing about them, but that would certainly explain the frequent and glowing Facebook posts by a relative of mine.

charis

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2017, 12:23:38 PM »
I hate these as a rule, generally, but I attended a pampered chef party for a neighbor (it was very low-key with lots of kids running around and no actual pressure to buy).  I did not buy anything at the party, but I did agree host one for the same neighbor at my house so I could get a discount on a few kitchen items that we still use pretty regularly.  Only 3-4 people came and my husband entertained their children in the backyard with pizza and water balloons.   I served food and drinks and it was fun.  I repeatedly told my guests that they didn't have to buy anything (to the chagrin of the rep probably) because I would get the discount just for hosting.

I know a few Rodan and Fields sellers and accidentally went to a Lia Sophia party once that tainted my view of these gatherings.

gardeningandgreen

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2017, 12:45:56 PM »
My parents are a part of a MLM that sells some sort of fish oil that is supposed to cure basically every thing under the sun... It drives me up a wall when you can get the same product for half the price or less. It also has an expensive test that supposedly tells you how much better you are after 6 months of taking the oil. Of course the test is done by the company selling the oil. Yes they have a money back guarantee if the test shows you aren't doing better. The test always shows you are doing better... I wish they would stop wasting their money. I did listen to one of their sales pitches. I made it clear that they could get just as good of a product with out the stupid sales and they had nothing to say.

BeanCounter

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2017, 12:56:25 PM »
Ugh. I get invited to these things ALL. THE. TIME. by ladies in my neighborhood.
I've got a "friend" in my FB feed that has quit her full time job to do LulaRoe. She AND HER HUSBAND post all these "because of LulaRoe" posts on FB. It's annoying. I wonder what will happen when there are too many reps or when everyone already owns a pair of leggings and they go out of style?
You forgot-
Wild Tree
Isagenix
and my latest invite-
Better Way Imports

I think I'm starting to get a reputation in the neighborhood for going to these parties, drinking wine and NOT buying anything. This month alone I was invited to THRE parties- Stella & Dot, LipSense and Better Way Imports.

jinga nation

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mm1970

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2017, 02:18:32 PM »
As a woman (and mother) in her mid-30s, I know many other women (and mothers). Many stay at home (I do not). Apparently MLMs are the new work-at-home goldmines. According to Facebook, I now know people who sell:
- Usborne books (actually decent books, that I purchase once in a while)
- Lipsense ($75 for a lip product "system" that's going to burn my lips and spout questionable science at me?)
- Amway (just, no)
- Life Leadership
- Jamberry
- essential oils
- Lularoe (okay leggings are fantastic but now apparently they are falling apart, and are quite overpriced)
- 31 gifts (bags?)
- Pampered Chef
- Mary Kay

Never mind the ones who have tried to invite me to Stella & Dot (overpriced costume jewellery), Arbonne (I am a drug-store buying minimalist, thanks), and 31 gifts (no opinion because I just don't attend home parties). Ugh. Thank goodness I don't know a Beachbody/Shakeology rep. I can appreciate they are trying to make some money on the side, but I am not sure why they can't see that most are thinly veiled pyramid schemes and that the products are so expensive not because they are "worth it" but because of how the profits filter up in these companies.

Actually the Life Leadership rep is a male childhood friend of my husband's. He lives a few hours away and was going to be in town "on business" and wanted to come over and catch up. Unfortunately it was because he wanted to talk to us about a "business opportunity". We shut him down and quick. I can tell it really hurt my husband because the old friend never ended up stopping by once he knew that my husband wanted to "keep business out of it and just visit".

Rant over. (For now...)

Ha ha ha this was funny.  I know lots of Beachbody folks if you want an intro!

Thing is, I've been to some of these.
- CAbi (clothing).  I'm not a clothes horse.  Haven't bought anything in over 5 years.  But I have to say, the items that I bought over the 3 years I was invited to these things - they are very flattering, are my favorites, and have held up really well over time.  Both physically and stylistically.  So that was a win.
- Pampered Chef.  I own a few items that I use daily.  My last PC party (that I attended) was well over 11 years ago.
- Stella & Dot.  I don't wear jewelry but I do have a pretty necklace.

Other thoughts:
- Beachbody.  I love the workouts. But honestly, the business is getting weak for coaches.  I can tell really from the ones that I know.  First, you get money from selling shakeology and workouts.  Except the workouts are available streaming for very little ($99/ yr for ALL workouts).  So good luck selling DVDs.  Second, the shakes are overpriced.  The rest of the income is from building a "team", which is just BS classic MLM.  From what I hear from friends, beachbody recently changed their rules that you cannot do more than one subscription or MLM.  Which means I think they are realizing that smart people who want the workouts are going to sign up for the streaming service.  I think they are cutting out a whole bunch of "coaches".  That's my theory anyway. 

- Books.  My cousin sells these.  I have plenty of books.
- Nails and leggings.  Nope and nope
- Skin care.  Can't remember the name.  I have a few friends who have had fantastic results with this one skincare line.  But I googled it and it's something like $120 a month.  And...the regimen is something like 15-20 minutes a day.  I mean, I'm 46, and who wouldn't want to look 25 again?  But 15-20 minutes a day?  I wash my face in the shower.  Oh yeah, I read the other responses.  Rodan and Fields!
- Essential oils.  Please, just no.
- there was a phone/ internet/ electric services one too
- makeup.  Hmm...another cousin.  Which was it? Oh yeah, POSH
- eyelashes.  Please no.
- Now I remember my next door neighbor with some "superfoods chocolate", 13-14 years ago.

MgoSam

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2017, 02:35:51 PM »

- Essential oils.  Please, just no.


LOL, I didn't know that essential oils was a MLM thing. I saw a friend of mine post about how she just started using them and likes it and as I import incense infusers I thought I would give them a try. Well she texted me a long sales pitch and I realized it was a MLM...WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT!!!!

RWD

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2017, 03:04:45 PM »
And I had two encounters with World Financial Group people last week - so annoying. Worse than the typical "ladies" MLMs, as they also get tons of money out of their clients by pretending they are giving free services.

World Financial Group is a confirmed MLM? I know virtually nothing about them, but that would certainly explain the frequent and glowing Facebook posts by a relative of mine.

Yes. "World Financial Group (WFG) is a multi-level marketing company"

farmecologist

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2017, 03:08:36 PM »
Another MLM I have seen on Facebook is "Thrive"...

In fact, these MLMs...and people trying to make a 'business' our of social media ( usually Facebook ), at the expense of their 'friends'...is one of the reason I pretty much quit Facebook!

redbird

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2017, 03:13:25 PM »
I once had a co-worker who sold Avon as a side-gig. The fact that I don't wear makeup made her not bother trying to market to me. That's the only actual exposure I've had to an MLM personally.

I think it helps that I'm not a social person though.

WhiteTrashCash

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #18 on: March 20, 2017, 03:15:52 PM »
I still have a lot of friends and relatives back on Hillbilly Mountain and a lot of them are involved in these pyramid schemes -- and that's what MLM is, so let's call a spade a spade. Pyramid schemes prey on very desperate people. The last thing someone living in a trailer on welfare needs is to end up being fooled by snakeoil salesmen into buying hundreds of dollars of a product they will never be able to sell. And that's how these pyramid schemes always end up. I know so many people with a pantry full of self-purchased, overpriced Amway non-perishable food.

Travis

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #19 on: March 20, 2017, 03:18:36 PM »
I don't have any new MLM stories lately, but someone I went to high school with has a conflict of interest on her sleeve that nobody else seems to notice (and pumping personal contacts for financial gain which this thread got me thinking).  A couple years ago she started hitting us all up on Facebook to go on a cruise.  I thought it was out of the blue and aside from accepting her as a FB friend ages ago I never even looked at her profile. This time I took a notice that her profile pic was of her in a Dominoes uniform which seemed odd for someone trying to put together a cruise. I dug a little deeper and saw that she is part of some travel agency group of which she appears to be the only employee (their facebook page is nothing but photos of her).  The cruise idea died on the vine from lack of interest.  Fast forward to this weekend where she's taken it upon herself to organize our 20th class reunion. She wants to do it at a casino a couple hours from where we all grew up which will include a venue, group hotel reservations, flights, and some other things that have to be booked well in advance (that she needs to be in the loop on for some reason).  I can't help but wonder if she's getting some kind of deal or kickback out of this arrangement that she's not disclosing.

Bracken_Joy

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #20 on: March 20, 2017, 03:29:12 PM »
God these drive me up the WALL. I'm right in the prime SAHP MLM age group. Large town/Small city. So much MLM trash. I never go to any of the parties. I get FB invites ALL the time. I've started replying to a lot of them with John Oliver's MLM clip ;) Not to close friends, just the 'friends of friends' who somehow find me.

For those who haven't seen it: https://youtu.be/s6MwGeOm8iI John Oliver is always fantastic =) He swears a lot though, so be warned for 'sensitive ears'.

I'm a red panda

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #21 on: March 20, 2017, 03:37:49 PM »
I once had a co-worker who sold Avon as a side-gig. The fact that I don't wear makeup made her not bother trying to market to me. That's the only actual exposure I've had to an MLM personally.

I think it helps that I'm not a social person though.

You're lucky. Avon sells so much more than makeup!  I hear all about bug spray and sunscreen.

MoneyMage

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #22 on: March 20, 2017, 03:50:32 PM »
Oh man, I run the other direction...

Lularoe... sorry but your leggings are UGLY and not worth the $25 or whatever. Wow. For just a few bucks more I can buy designer leggings from wildbangarang.com in the UK, and not only is the quality great, but they have leggings that look like fucking SPACE ARMOR, not to mention the art styles from the National Gallery.

Jamberry... talk about boring and overpriced. $15+ for a bunch of stickers for your nails??? Those can't cost more than $1-2 a sheet to produce and they're asking $15+. Don't get me wrong, I like nail wraps, but EspionageCosmetics.com has really cool, unique styles I've been buying at $5 a sheet. Even at full price the designer ones are like $12, and their sales are predictable, just wait for one and stock up. Plus you don't need anything fancy to put them on just some scissors and a nail file.

Every scheme in general... look, if you're a rep then I'm now going to start assuming that every time you reach out to hang with me, you actually have an ulterior motive, to get me to buy your shit that I don't need. If I don't buy something you're going to be offended somehow, and I will feel unnecessary guilt, or at least wonder if I've offended you. So in order to maintain a pleasant relationship with you, I'm obligated to buy things I don't need. Does that sound like a healthy relationship? Nope.

rockstache

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #23 on: March 20, 2017, 04:00:59 PM »
Anyone dealt with plexus yet?

mm1970

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #24 on: March 20, 2017, 04:26:20 PM »
Amway!  Back in my Navy days, I had a roommate for 6 months who was into Amway.  Gotta tell you, I didn't have to buy a roll of TP or paper towels that whole 6 months!

VeggieGirl

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #25 on: March 20, 2017, 04:45:41 PM »
I've been lucky, I've only had to endure one tupperware party way back when. Haven't been to any other such parties since. Whew!

Just Joe

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #26 on: March 20, 2017, 05:22:07 PM »
We had a coworker who was selling some sort of diet powder. Didn't do the friend any good, why would it do us any good?

Wouldn't it be nice if these "friends" just wanted to be friends you could share a meal and a board game/movie/porch time with instead?

AMandM

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #27 on: March 20, 2017, 05:42:29 PM »
I must be the only person on the forums who's exposed to these but not bothered.  I've been to a few MLM parties in my life and felt no pressure to buy anything.  I have a SIL who sells Mary Kay and another who sold Tupperware; we socialize with no mention of the business.  Occasionally I buy a lipstick.  It's really not a big deal at all.

Maybe it's because both these SILs sell as a side gig to their real jobs. Neither of them preaches the MLM gospel because neither of them believes it herself. I think for them it's mainly a way to get the product for herself at a discount.

tralfamadorian

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #28 on: March 20, 2017, 07:56:17 PM »
Those can't cost more than $1-2 a sheet to produce...

I used to have a side gig selling metallic nail stickers on ebay.  I had some made by a sticker companies for ~5 cents/sheet.  And that was for runs of only ~1000 sheets. 

charis

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #29 on: March 20, 2017, 08:17:56 PM »
I must be the only person on the forums who's exposed to these but not bothered.  I've been to a few MLM parties in my life and felt no pressure to buy anything.  I have a SIL who sells Mary Kay and another who sold Tupperware; we socialize with no mention of the business.  Occasionally I buy a lipstick.  It's really not a big deal at all.

Maybe it's because both these SILs sell as a side gig to their real jobs. Neither of them preaches the MLM gospel because neither of them believes it herself. I think for them it's mainly a way to get the product for herself at a discount.
The main reason that everyone mentioned for being bothered was the pressure to buy. If you've never been pressured, it would make sense that you aren't bothered by it. I mentioned something similar in my post. The issue is that many of these companies advocate or require preying on friends and family. Which is generally a turn off.

Goldielocks

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #30 on: March 20, 2017, 11:19:01 PM »
And I had two encounters with World Financial Group people last week - so annoying. Worse than the typical "ladies" MLMs, as they also get tons of money out of their clients by pretending they are giving free services.

World Financial Group is a confirmed MLM? I know virtually nothing about them, but that would certainly explain the frequent and glowing Facebook posts by a relative of mine.

Yes. "World Financial Group (WFG) is a multi-level marketing company"

The sad part is how little the average agent (bottom tier) gets paid for a lot of hustle and work.  The positive part is that they do get paid something from each sale, and they get low cost training that is decent for securities/ mutual fund licenses....  for people without other degrees or new to the country, it can work out if they switch out after a year or two to another firm.

havregryn

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #31 on: March 20, 2017, 11:46:53 PM »
I actually feel very sorry for all these people who bug me with this. At least among those I know, they all seem to genuinely believe they are building a great work from home business and a passive income stream. When in reality they are probably just financially straining their families even more. Sometimes I even buy some of that crap out of sheer pity even though I'm not sure if that helps as it might reinforce the belief that it is a sustainable business.
Here the main thing is some aloe vera stuff called Forever Living and some cosmetics called Nu skin or something like that.
I once posted on a facebook group of moms in the area about a friend looking for a job with babysitting in mind and got about a dozen private messages about this great opportunity for my friend. It was hard to tell with some if they were deliberately being deceptive or they genuinely believed the crap they were telling me, somehow it really felt that the latter was the case. I think in their training they are taught to talk about the "job" that way, even if their experience is radically different (as I really don't believe any of them make the money worth calling this a job).
But as said, I don't really get annoyed when these people approach me, I feel quite a bit of compassion for their terribly misguided sense of business and finances. As it's really all stay at home moms who dream about contributing to their household financially and end up prey to an older generation of equally deluded women...you rarely get to meet any of the hot shots who actually make money on this and then they're not selling the product or trying to recruit someone they know.

FIreDrill

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #32 on: March 21, 2017, 01:10:13 AM »
I know someone who pushes Plexus products and it drives me totally nuts. No nutritional information with claims of fixing sooo many issues....  The worst part is that all this person posts about anymore is plexus products.  I don't have you as a friend to hear about the crap you're selling.  It would be one thing if it was a casual post here and there but when your pushing a product in 90% of your posts then that's when you're just being stupid.

Rant over... For now...

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Villanelle

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #33 on: March 21, 2017, 02:26:18 AM »
This is so, so prevalent among military spouses.  I understand the temptation.  Sustaining a career (or even employment) when you are moving so often is tough, and when you are the only parent home for months at a time, I'm sure that makes working even more difficult. 

But it is absolutely insane how many of these people are around me.  I'm actually fairly grateful that due to the nature of my husband's position now, I have a built in excuse not to go to these, if I'm invited.  Also, in-home parties seems to be less and less common.  Now, it seems to mostly be done online (Join my 31 Bags Facebook group party!).  That makes it so much easier for someone like me who has trouble saying no in awkward situations, to just fade in to the background. 

And yes, the people who only want to talk to you if you are expressing interest in either their products or in joining their "team" are actually pretty shitty human beings. 

I once had a coworker return from her Amway retreat and sit down with my in my cube trying to get me to learn more about how I could be working for myself in only a few years!!! with this great opportunity.  And she wouldn't take my repeated gentle nos as an answer.  had she not been a good friend of my supervisor, and would it not have been social suicide in the office to have done so, I would have reported her.  Bad enough to ask at all, but to basically trap me at my desk and continue to push even when I demured?  Way over the line. 

jinga nation

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #34 on: March 21, 2017, 06:44:01 AM »
I work in a DoD/military environment. Some co-workers were pushing ViSalus. One's wife quit her job to start a fitness studio, which was basically a front for pushing the products. Studio shut down a couple of years later.

I'm a red panda

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #35 on: March 21, 2017, 06:58:30 AM »
I hate the "facebook party" thing.  If you are going to want me to guilt buy something because you invited me to a party, you at least need to feed me some appetizers!

I had a cousin try to get me to buy usborne books. "To start the new baby's library. I'm available to do facebook parties on X, Y, and Z date- which one works best for you?"  LOL.  All I had to do was tell her all my friends names, and she would do the rest!

Um, no thanks. Also, I've gotten a pretty decent stash of usborne books from Buy Nothing, and I suspect the stash of them will get even bigger once it is warm enough for garage sales. Those things are a dime a dozen. Paying full price would be insane.

DragonSlayer

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #36 on: March 21, 2017, 07:05:07 AM »
My neighbor just got into LuLaRoe and is already totally despondent. It cost 10k to buy in and she was on the wait list for months for an opening. Now that she's in, she's discovered how hard it is, how little support she gets from the mothership, and how disorganized and poorly run that mothership is. She was in tears over the 10k that she's now positive will be a loss.

I just told her I was sorry, but in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, you really would have been better off starting a side hustle on your home computer for no money and working to build something of your own."

BeanCounter

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #37 on: March 21, 2017, 07:17:20 AM »
What really gets on my nerves is when you go to an in home party and on top of the ridiculous prices you have to pay "shipping".
I was recently at a Better Way Imports party. On top of a $50 necklace or bag they wanted 10% for shipping. (I didn't buy anything) Then I saw the host post after the party that the purchases had arrived and people could pick them up. So they charge 10% in shipping and it doesn't even come directly to your house?? They ship it in one big box to the hosts house.
Same thing with Pampered Chef. If you want to buy a tiny set of measuring spoons you have to pay a flat $5 in shipping. That's crazy. (they do make an awesome pizza cutter though, for my mustacian homemade pizzas)

charis

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #38 on: March 21, 2017, 07:25:42 AM »
What really gets on my nerves is when you go to an in home party and on top of the ridiculous prices you have to pay "shipping".
I was recently at a Better Way Imports party. On top of a $50 necklace or bag they wanted 10% for shipping. (I didn't buy anything) Then I saw the host post after the party that the purchases had arrived and people could pick them up. So they charge 10% in shipping and it doesn't even come directly to your house?? They ship it in one big box to the hosts house.
Same thing with Pampered Chef. If you want to buy a tiny set of measuring spoons you have to pay a flat $5 in shipping. That's crazy. (they do make an awesome pizza cutter though, for my mustacian homemade pizzas)

I was shocked about the shipping cost for Pampered Chef too.  It's all one shipment.  But on the pizza topic, we use our PC pizza stone regularly - I may have to look into the cutter.

TravelJunkyQC

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #39 on: March 21, 2017, 07:28:26 AM »
Our neighbour, who my BF was friends with, started selling essential oils in the past few months. When she started posting on Facebook that some combination of essential oils could help cure your cold this season, my BF sent her message stating that it was dangerous to make unsubstantiated medical claims because it could cost the health of an innocent child if an easily influenced mother used essential oils to treat her child instead of seeing a doctor, for example. Lets just say the relationship has sort of deteriorated since then. The neighbour claims that my BF is doing this on purpose to be an asshole, but he just can't justify encouraging someone who goes so against every scientific fibre of his very being. I've never been close to her for the same reason. It's unfortunate since we cross paths almost daily, but meh, what are ya gonna do.

cats

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #40 on: March 21, 2017, 07:46:10 AM »
I don't have too much exposure to MLMs but have had a few people try to recruit me.  The recruitment method is SO scammy!  Most of the time, they won't say upfront what the product/business is.  One woman I went to school with, haven't seen in person in 10+ years, but we are friends on FB.  She messages me about how she has a "business opportunity".  She had been constantly talking up on FB various diet supplements she was taking to lose weight, but never actually disclosing the name of the supplements or the company, just "message me to find out more!".  Because I wasn't initially 100% sure this was an MLM thing (this was maybe 7 years ago, before everyone and their mother really seemed to be pushing MLMs all over FB), I messaged back and asked for more info.  I got a fairly vague response--no company name, no type of business, nothing.  Eventually I just told her I was too busy and fortunately haven't heard anything since.  She still posts about the various things she takes on FB and STILL never explicitly posts the name of the company.  After googling one of the product names in a picture she posted, I figured she is probably shilling for Amway.  But it's SO weird that she never just says "I use these great Amway products"!  I know another woman who sells Beachbody and it is the same thing.  She never explicitly mentions Shakeology (just "amazing superfoods shake") or workouts specific to Beachbody, but that's what she's selling.  Is this something MLMs specifically encourage?  It seems so shady to me.  If I am trying to recruit a friend to work at my company, I can tell them the name, the type of business, what the day to day nature of the job might be (or someone they can talk to to find out more), etc.


I'm a red panda

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #41 on: March 21, 2017, 07:59:29 AM »
My neighbor just got into LuLaRoe and is already totally despondent. It cost 10k to buy in and she was on the wait list for months for an opening. Now that she's in, she's discovered how hard it is, how little support she gets from the mothership, and how disorganized and poorly run that mothership is. She was in tears over the 10k that she's now positive will be a loss.

I just told her I was sorry, but in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, you really would have been better off starting a side hustle on your home computer for no money and working to build something of your own."

Holy crap! $10k?  It was $4k last year. 

Although I've heard they are onboarding so many new consultants they can't even get them stock. They just take their money.

TheGrimSqueaker

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #42 on: March 21, 2017, 08:26:50 AM »
My neighbor just got into LuLaRoe and is already totally despondent. It cost 10k to buy in and she was on the wait list for months for an opening. Now that she's in, she's discovered how hard it is, how little support she gets from the mothership, and how disorganized and poorly run that mothership is. She was in tears over the 10k that she's now positive will be a loss.

I just told her I was sorry, but in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, you really would have been better off starting a side hustle on your home computer for no money and working to build something of your own."

Holy crap! $10k?  It was $4k last year. 

Although I've heard they are onboarding so many new consultants they can't even get them stock. They just take their money.

For just the $4k a family could put someone through an entire associate's degree including books, lab fees, and plus licensing fees. Then they'd have a RN or a radiology tech. Or, they could put two people through an income producing credential like a Class A CDL.

I'm a red panda

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #43 on: March 21, 2017, 08:48:23 AM »
My neighbor just got into LuLaRoe and is already totally despondent. It cost 10k to buy in and she was on the wait list for months for an opening. Now that she's in, she's discovered how hard it is, how little support she gets from the mothership, and how disorganized and poorly run that mothership is. She was in tears over the 10k that she's now positive will be a loss.

I just told her I was sorry, but in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, you really would have been better off starting a side hustle on your home computer for no money and working to build something of your own."

Holy crap! $10k?  It was $4k last year. 

Although I've heard they are onboarding so many new consultants they can't even get them stock. They just take their money.

For just the $4k a family could put someone through an entire associate's degree including books, lab fees, and plus licensing fees. Then they'd have a RN or a radiology tech. Or, they could put two people through an income producing credential like a Class A CDL.

But then they would have to work for someone else and wouldn't "own their own business" and be a #girlboss

I absolutely hate the "own their own business" line with MLM.  Can you make major product and marketing decisions? No- you don't own the business.

MgoSam

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #44 on: March 21, 2017, 09:10:42 AM »
My neighbor just got into LuLaRoe and is already totally despondent. It cost 10k to buy in and she was on the wait list for months for an opening. Now that she's in, she's discovered how hard it is, how little support she gets from the mothership, and how disorganized and poorly run that mothership is. She was in tears over the 10k that she's now positive will be a loss.

I just told her I was sorry, but in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, you really would have been better off starting a side hustle on your home computer for no money and working to build something of your own."

Holy crap! $10k?  It was $4k last year. 

Although I've heard they are onboarding so many new consultants they can't even get them stock. They just take their money.

For just the $4k a family could put someone through an entire associate's degree including books, lab fees, and plus licensing fees. Then they'd have a RN or a radiology tech. Or, they could put two people through an income producing credential like a Class A CDL.

But then they would have to work for someone else and wouldn't "own their own business" and be a #girlboss

I absolutely hate the "own their own business" line with MLM.  Can you make major product and marketing decisions? No- you don't own the business.

For $10K you can lease a perfectly acceptable car and drive full-time for a company like Uber or Lftye. Or you can work for Instacart. Sure, they aren't glamorous, but if the goal is be your own boss, you are with companies such as that.

solon

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #45 on: March 21, 2017, 09:28:15 AM »
For $10K you can lease a perfectly acceptable car and drive full-time for a company like Uber or Lftye. Or you can work for Instacart. Sure, they aren't glamorous, but if the goal is be your own boss, you are with companies such as that.

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frooglepoodle

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #46 on: March 21, 2017, 09:39:36 AM »
I have a friend who started selling LuLaRoe in order to be able to stay home with her kids. It seems like she's doing pretty well with it, but she's mentioned it can take ages to get new inventory orders.

I may be way off base, but it seems like the $6-10k that consultants pay to buy in and a little leg work, they could order similar items wholesale and ACTUALLY GET TO PICK THE SPECIFIC MERCHANDISE. Use the same Facebook sales model or sell on eBay or Amazon.

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #47 on: March 21, 2017, 09:40:28 AM »
My cousin is one of these MLM suckers and it drives me nuts on facebook, though now that she's had her third kid she doesn't seem to go on about it as much. She was big into Plexus for quite awhile; I enjoyed watching her brother give her crap about it all the time. Now it's Lularoe. She hasn't finished college and has three young kids (all under 5) and is all-in on the "my own business from home" line, and it's pretty exasperating. I hate how the MLM companies take advantage of people like that who don't necessarily have the critical thinking skills to see through it...

Fortunately my neighborhood is mostly engineers and executives (it comes with the whole host of "keeping up with Joneses" with the kids, so it has its own problems), and very few MLM folks seem to make inroads. I've been to a wine party at my next door neighbor's house and a 31 party across the street, but both were only throwing the party as a favor to a friend and there was truly zero pressure to buy anything, and people I'd have hung out with anyway. My old neighborhood was full of MLMs and I don't miss that at all!

NorthernDreamer

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #48 on: March 21, 2017, 09:42:42 AM »
My neighbor just got into LuLaRoe and is already totally despondent. It cost 10k to buy in and she was on the wait list for months for an opening. Now that she's in, she's discovered how hard it is, how little support she gets from the mothership, and how disorganized and poorly run that mothership is. She was in tears over the 10k that she's now positive will be a loss.

I just told her I was sorry, but in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, you really would have been better off starting a side hustle on your home computer for no money and working to build something of your own."

LuLaRoe is breaking wide open lately. Leggings falling apart, the Morman sisterhood shunning consultants who say anything remotely negative or question the LLR gospel, illegal tax charging in the US, stock issues, fugly patterns.... I do have two pairs of their leggings and one shirt from before the quality went downhill. The idea of actually becoming a consultant and forking over $10k is insane. Now there are spin-off companies started by other people from the main family - Honey & Lace and Agnes & Dora. This is how these pyramid schemers get away with it, they set up fall-back plans and jump ship once sh*t really hits the fan. There are going to be so many LLR consultants in debt once the dust settles. I feel so bad for them all, but really, no one forced them to sign up. Sure people made false promises that preyed on their hopes. But our society needs to develop critical thinking skills and not poor-me all over life.

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Re: No, I won't buy into your MLM
« Reply #49 on: March 21, 2017, 09:44:09 AM »
Wine parties were pretty popular in my neighborhood for awhile.  The wine was ridiculously overpriced.  $25 was the low end bottle, and really no different from a $6 yellow tail.

The cost to host the party was a bit high, as you had to buy all the food- but the wine for the actual party was a good deal something like $50 for 6 bottles?  So we hosted one just as a way to have people over. It was fun. 

But I'm glad that trend is over, because now DH is back to buying in the $15 range, not the $40 range!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!