Melaleuca home products? Anyone have opinions?

[Landor n Stella]

A coworker recently approached me about signing up for Melaleuca products. It's a multi-level marketing business, similar to Mary Kay or Tupperware or any of the hundreds of other companies like this. I usually don't even consider buying from these kinds of companies, but Melaleuca seems a little bit different and some people genuinely are excited about their products, which appear to be pretty top-quality. Melaleuca sells cleaning supplies, vitamins, hair/beauty products, some protein/snack foods, makeup, etc. http://www.melaleuca.com/ Anyway, does anyone have experience with this company or have opinions to share with me about whether I should do it or not?

Here's my pros/cons list thus far:

Pros: more natural products; super-concentrated formulas so one bottle lasts longer; they have sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner (! this is usually very expensive or hard to find in regular stores, and I swear by it for controlling my curly hair); the cleaning products have no phosphates or other ingredients that are harmful to our waterways/reservoirs.

Cons: To get the better (read: less-inflated) pricing, you have to agree to purchase 35 points worth of stuff every month. This roughly works out to $60-$70. If you don't order and also don't cancel your membership, then they automatically bill you and send you a pre-built package of stuff. Not necessarily the stuff you would choose, and probably full of the stuff that isn't moving fast enough.   Cancellation has to be done in writing. Neither of these things is hard to deal with knowing about it up front, but many of the reviews I have read have been from people who did not understand these two concepts, and got roped into paying more/getting more than they planned on. If I decide to purchase some products, I will only do so until I no longer need anything, and then cancel my account which can be canceled at any time. 

Your thoughts/input appreciated!
~Stella

[Daley]

It's an MLM, and friends don't let friends do MLMs. You can get just as good or better stuff (mostly) elsewhere cheaper and without the constant push to BUY! BUY! BUY! My parents were (still are) suckers for these sorts of pyramid/ponzie schemes, and I specifically remember them getting into Melaleuca back in the early-mid 90's and (shock) leaving just as quickly. The only valuable pull-aways I have of the experience?

1) I learned the value of good 100% Aussie pharmaceutical grade Tea Tree oil (even available at Walmart now) as a human antiseptic (but don't use it or any other essential oils on pets unless you want to destroy their liver and potentially kill them).
2) I learned that Melaleuca's tea blend was quite tasty, especially as a cold sweet tea. It is the only product that I might still be inclined to purchase to this day in small quantities if given the opportunity and ability to justify the price.
3) I learned that I really shouldn't emulate my parents' financial and work habits.

That is all.

[shedinator]

DON't DO IT!!!!
MLMs are fine for about 2 months, while you're getting together with friends, making a little money, and buying stuff that you all probably would've bought anyway. But once you've exhausted them, you're working with people who you may not like, and you realize the money isn't that great, so you start recruiting a team, thereby perpetuating the pyramid, and always acutely aware of the fact that the person who recruited you is making more, and if you could just get up to their level... but you can't, because they'll always be a level higher. IMO, MLMs are less enjoyable AND less profitable than just getting into a traditional sales career.

[HeidiO]

I don't like it when aquaintances try to sell me things.  I always wonder if they actually like me or if they are trying to use me.  Makes me uncomfortable.
Heidi

[liquidbanana]

I think you should research Melaleuca more. If my memory is correct, they are not as "natural" as they claim.

One MLM company I do like is Miessence. I would never pay so much for shampoo and similar products, but they are good quality and really non-toxic/natural.

But Dr Bonners is the way to go, man. ;)