Author Topic: my sister is selling Plexus...  (Read 10057 times)

Frugal D

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my sister is selling Plexus...
« on: August 18, 2015, 08:52:36 PM »
Anybody heard of it? It's basically Herbalife 2.0 and joins a long list of pyramid schemes selling lotions, potions, and pills. It's really sickening.

I had a very long and serious conversation with my sister and parents about it. Walked them through the aspects that make it a pyramid scheme and the destruction that they cause on their "ambassadors". It fell on deaf ears. I'm livid that my aunt and cousin even got my sister roped into this garbage.

My sister screamed at me for apparently telling her how to spend her money. She's about 4 months in and I don't know how much money she's already dumped into it, nor do I really care at this point. I'm embarrassed every time I see her plug Plexus on Facebook.

I'm just venting. 

Can't Wait

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2015, 07:46:26 AM »
It's really annoying when I see my Facebook friends post this nonsense. Luckily, I don't have any family members that have been suckered into it.

One thing I've noticed - Its usually just a phase and it typically doesn't last long. I think people tend to realize how dumb it is after a short period of time and move on to something else. It's very similar to folks who make New Year's resolutions to lose weight or exercise more.

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2015, 07:58:54 AM »
My wife has a friend who plugs this crap. Her husband was also complaining the other day that she spends $1500/mo on groceries, for their family of 3 (the third is three years old). I don't even want to know what she spends on her "pink drink".

RunHappy

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2015, 08:25:49 AM »
The people on my FB pages seem to plug BeachBody and Rodan and Fields.

I have to say I like the Beachbody workout videos and use them almost daily (when I'm not pregnant), although I don't follow the recommended schedule, I just do what I'm in the mood for.   What I like is that most of the exercises use your own body weight.  As a former road warrior often working out in hotel rooms, that was very important to me.  I don't understand all the other stuff BB sells like 21-Day Fix (different size tupperware containers) and their Shakeology drink stuff (although I have a couple of bags that friends have sent me). 

 The other R&F is apparently skincare stuff.  Which at one point I probably would have been a sucker for, because I had terrible skin.  However with a much improved diet, water, and exercise routine it is amazing how my skin problems are almost non-existent. 

I'm a red panda

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2015, 08:38:06 AM »
Eh, at least she isn't selling heroin.


I don't understand all the other stuff BB sells like 21-Day Fix (different size tupperware containers) and their Shakeology drink stuff (although I have a couple of bags that friends have sent me). 
 
I actually liked the idea of 21-day fix. Those containers were a lot easier to figure out than any sort of "weigh food", or "follow this exact plan" diet I've seen.  But holy crap it was so much food. I just couldn't eat that much.  The workouts on 21-day fix are pretty awesome too.  Nearly everyone on my FB shills that stuff too.  And Younique makeup. And some brand of jewerly.  And Jamberry (I do love Jamberry as frivolous as it is...)

The new party I've been invited to lately is for cleaning supplies (Norwex).  Seriously- a $25 microfiber cloth? Are you people insane?

fiveoh

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2015, 09:10:37 AM »
Beachbody garbage is popping up all over my FB lately, along with some people close to me getting into it.  Having a lot of experience in the Health and Fitness industry i'm torn by it.  If it helps people to workout/eat well then it's a good thing but holy crap its so expensive compared to everything else out there and not any better.  The videos and containers are good but are just there to push their shakeology which is 3-4x more expensive than similar products.  Not to mention the whole pyramid scheme aspect of it.  Unfortunately these types of programs will always be around.

Frugal D

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #6 on: August 19, 2015, 09:11:09 AM »
I don't even want to know what she spends on her "pink drink".

Exactly. The execs should be thrown in jail. And one day they will be, but it's very difficult proving a pyramid scheme and the FTC doesn't have the bandwidth to look at the thousands of schemes out there.

I'm a red panda

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2015, 09:23:09 AM »
Not to mention the whole pyramid scheme aspect of it. 

My problem with Beachbody is that the coaches act like they are nutritional and fitness experts, and well, they aren't. They are people who workout. Most have no actual background in what they are spewing.  I've had a number of people try to "recruit" me, and I've told them since I haven't actually hit any of my weight loss goals on Beachbody, it makes no sense for me to "coach", and they all say "we are all still struggling on our journey"- so you don't even have had to successfully lost weight/got in shape/whatever to be a "coach".  I've seen a number of truly obese people coaching others on weight loss success.  Um....

However, I don't really see it as a pyramid scheme.  Yes, you earn money off your recruits- but the people on the bottom of the pyramid don't really get screwed.  The start up kit is basically the cost of buying the products.  If you drink shakeology, then the discount you get on it is higher than the monthly cost to maintain the website, so you aren't losing money- and that is without a single sale.  A true pyramid scheme screws the people on the bottom to benefit those on the top.

geekette

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2015, 09:23:46 AM »
Ick - on my feed I get Norwex, Thirtyone, Park Lane, Jewelry in Candles...  All either junk or incredibly overpriced (sometimes both).  I can't believe people actually buy Jewelry in Candles!  Here, burn this (expensive) candle as quickly as you can so you can get your bubble gum machine "jewelry" out.

Frugal D

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2015, 09:24:57 AM »
Beachbody garbage is popping up all over my FB lately, along with some people close to me getting into it.  Having a lot of experience in the Health and Fitness industry i'm torn by it.  If it helps people to workout/eat well then it's a good thing but holy crap its so expensive compared to everything else out there and not any better.  The videos and containers are good but are just there to push their shakeology which is 3-4x more expensive than similar products.  Not to mention the whole pyramid scheme aspect of it.  Unfortunately these types of programs will always be around.

I don't know a ton about what BB is doing, but I am a huge fan of the P90X videos which are just a 1 time cost. There are many legitimate multilevel companies out there. True pyramid schemes can be difficult to spot. You basically want to look for 1 of 2 things:

1) Are "ambassadors" consuming roughly 60% (or more) of their own product to generate sales?
2) Are "ambassadors" more incentivized to recruit more "ambassadors" rather than just selling the product?

I've been fascinated (maybe that's not the right word) by pyramid schemes since Bill Ackman set out on his quest to bring down Herbalife. He's put out a ton of good material on the subject which I supplemented with too many Google searches.

Not sure why I care so much. I just have a huge moral issue with it.

 

iamlittlehedgehog

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #10 on: August 19, 2015, 09:38:34 AM »
These things piss me off - then they add you to advertising groups where they shill it non-stop

Right now the big ones are (at least in my circle)
-Pure Romance
-31 Bags or whatever
-Jamberry
-It Works (body wraps or something?)

The only legit success I know of with an MLM is my friend who sells Pure Romance products. But she hosts anywhere from 2-5 parties a week and has her social media presence on point, it is a lot of work for her :/

I'm a red panda

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #11 on: August 19, 2015, 09:47:29 AM »
iamlittlehedgehog- I have a friend who quit her job as an Aerospace Engineer to do Beachbody full time. She makes 6 figures with Beachbody.  But like the person you mentioned, she works her ass off.


Quote
1) Are "ambassadors" consuming roughly 60% (or more) of their own product to generate sales?
I'm not sure about this one being a pyramid scheme. I once "sold" The Angel Company stamps. I did it for a discount. I never sold to anyone else, and I got significant benefit from the relationship with the company. The vast majority of "consultants" I knew were in it for the discount, not to sell to others. It was really no different than me buying from Hobby Lobby. The value of the stamps I picked in my "starter kit" exceeded the cost to become a consultant.  There was no minimum sales requirement to remain a consultant, so I didn't HAVE to buy things when I didn't want to.  So the only way the company made money off me was by me buying the product- but that's how all company's make money.  I think the main thing in a pyramid scheme is that recruiting provides more income than selling, and that the level of recruiting required is unsustainable past only a few levels.

RunHappy

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #12 on: August 19, 2015, 09:52:13 AM »
Not to mention the whole pyramid scheme aspect of it. 

My problem with Beachbody is that the coaches act like they are nutritional and fitness experts, and well, they aren't. They are people who workout. Most have no actual background in what they are spewing. 

I agree with you on the term "coach" that is applied to the sales people.  I know a lot of people in the fitness industry for years who get very annoyed by the BB "coaches" who basically bought the title.  I know several people who became "coaches" after completing 1 or 2 rounds of P90X.  Ummmm sorry 180 days of exercise does not qualify you after 10 years of couch surfing.   

Frugal D

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #13 on: August 19, 2015, 09:53:20 AM »
Quote
1) Are "ambassadors" consuming roughly 60% (or more) of their own product to generate sales?
I'm not sure about this one being a pyramid scheme. I once "sold" The Angel Company stamps. I did it for a discount. I never sold to anyone else, and I got significant benefit from the relationship with the company. The vast majority of "consultants" I knew were in it for the discount, not to sell to others. It was really no different than me buying from Hobby Lobby. The value of the stamps I picked in my "starter kit" exceeded the cost to become a consultant.  There was no minimum sales requirement to remain a consultant, so I didn't HAVE to buy things when I didn't want to.  So the only way the company made money off me was by me buying the product- but that's how all company's make money.  I think the main thing in a pyramid scheme is that recruiting provides more income than selling, and that the level of recruiting required is unsustainable past only a few levels.
[/quote]

That's a good point. I should have included that the ~60% consumption threshold is for maintaining status as an "ambassador" or "consultant" for the purpose of remaining in the payout pools.

Mr. Green

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #14 on: August 19, 2015, 09:55:14 AM »
Anybody heard of it? It's basically Herbalife 2.0 and joins a long list of pyramid schemes selling lotions, potions, and pills. It's really sickening.

I had a very long and serious conversation with my sister and parents about it. Walked them through the aspects that make it a pyramid scheme and the destruction that they cause on their "ambassadors". It fell on deaf ears. I'm livid that my aunt and cousin even got my sister roped into this garbage.

My sister screamed at me for apparently telling her how to spend her money. She's about 4 months in and I don't know how much money she's already dumped into it, nor do I really care at this point. I'm embarrassed every time I see her plug Plexus on Facebook.

I'm just venting.
Why are you embarrassed about something someone else is doing? Sounds like self-enslavement to me.

Frugal D

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #15 on: August 19, 2015, 10:03:36 AM »
Why are you embarrassed about something someone else is doing? Sounds like self-enslavement to me.

You're right, I shouldn't care. Just tough when you want the best for a family member and see them going down the wrong path.

Can't Wait

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #16 on: August 19, 2015, 10:38:11 AM »
Why are you embarrassed about something someone else is doing? Sounds like self-enslavement to me.

You're right, I shouldn't care. Just tough when you want the best for a family member and see them going down the wrong path.


I'd be embarrassed to see a family member trying to monetize their friendships/family thru Facebook.

Tyson

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2015, 10:43:39 AM »
Why are you embarrassed about something someone else is doing? Sounds like self-enslavement to me.

You're right, I shouldn't care. Just tough when you want the best for a family member and see them going down the wrong path.

Some people just have to make the mistakes themselves before they will learn.  I fell for an MLM when I was young (in college), and I'm glad I went thought it and that its now behind me.  Luckily I was really poor at the time, so wasn't able to waste tooooooo much money.

Mr. Green

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #18 on: August 19, 2015, 10:48:32 AM »
Why are you embarrassed about something someone else is doing? Sounds like self-enslavement to me.

You're right, I shouldn't care. Just tough when you want the best for a family member and see them going down the wrong path.


I'd be embarrassed to see a family member trying to monetize their friendships/family thru Facebook.
You'd be embarrassed for a family member who started a landscaping business and asked all their Facebook friends if they could handle their lawn care work?
« Last Edit: August 19, 2015, 10:51:13 AM by Mr. Green »

fiveoh

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #19 on: August 19, 2015, 10:49:04 AM »
Not to mention the whole pyramid scheme aspect of it. 

My problem with Beachbody is that the coaches act like they are nutritional and fitness experts, and well, they aren't. They are people who workout. Most have no actual background in what they are spewing.  I've had a number of people try to "recruit" me, and I've told them since I haven't actually hit any of my weight loss goals on Beachbody, it makes no sense for me to "coach", and they all say "we are all still struggling on our journey"- so you don't even have had to successfully lost weight/got in shape/whatever to be a "coach".  I've seen a number of truly obese people coaching others on weight loss success.  Um....

However, I don't really see it as a pyramid scheme.  Yes, you earn money off your recruits- but the people on the bottom of the pyramid don't really get screwed.  The start up kit is basically the cost of buying the products.  If you drink shakeology, then the discount you get on it is higher than the monthly cost to maintain the website, so you aren't losing money- and that is without a single sale.  A true pyramid scheme screws the people on the bottom to benefit those on the top.

You are right IF YOU are going to drink the shakes all the time the coach cost isn't too bad.  The question is why would you drink the shakes, when you can get a comparable or better product for 1/3 of the cost?  Also, are you going to drink these shakes for the rest of your life?  The reason most people fail at losing weight and gain it back is because they go on "diets" for a length of time.  Instead of changing their eating habits and lifestyle. 

Yes, I have a HUGE issue with the term "coaches" and people who have no fitness/nutrition background at all "coaching" people.  IMO it's a lawsuit waiting to happen but I'm sure it would fall on these coaches and not BB who probably has lots of disclaimers and things in place. 

ReadyToStash

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #20 on: August 19, 2015, 10:58:12 AM »
Last year, my mom decided to get into the It Works! crap. If you're unfamiliar with it, basically it's a wrap that you use on whatever part of your body you want to "trim up". They also have some other supplements and pills for exorbitant prices.

I'd just lost about 20lbs when she called me up to say "Hey if you want to keep that weight off you'd better buy my stuff!" When I told her I was uncomfortable with the whole thing, she didn't speak to me until she had to (family member passing away). I just hope she doesn't give them any more of her money.

ClassyCat

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #21 on: August 19, 2015, 11:47:05 AM »
I've seen a couple people plug products like this on Facebook. It's sad because I know they work in retail and hate it, so they were sucked in by the "get rich quick" aspect of it and got screwed over in terms of money and pride. My uncle's ex-wife, however, appears to be one of those people who was apparently successful with it. I have no idea what success entails or how much you have to sell to get that far, but she just quit her full-time teaching position to be a full-time salesperson instead. It's... bizarre, to say the least. I'm still not quite sure what she's been trying to sell, after all these years. She seems to try to sell results to people.

Can't Wait

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #22 on: August 19, 2015, 11:49:18 AM »
Why are you embarrassed about something someone else is doing? Sounds like self-enslavement to me.

You're right, I shouldn't care. Just tough when you want the best for a family member and see them going down the wrong path.


I'd be embarrassed to see a family member trying to monetize their friendships/family thru Facebook.
You'd be embarrassed for a family member who started a landscaping business and asked all their Facebook friends if they could handle their lawn care work?

I wouldn't be embarrassed if they created a Facebook page for their business, like many businesses do. But if they shamelessly plugged their business and/or pestered and begged their friends and family for business via a social networking site, then yes, I'd be embarrassed.

It all depends on how its displayed. Unsolicited recommendations and shameless plugging on sites like Facebook just seems desperate to me. I use Facebook to keep in touch with my family and friends, not to ask them for money or their business.

Another Reader

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #23 on: August 19, 2015, 11:51:12 AM »
Facebook has an "unfriend" button for this exact situation.  You might have to listen to this nonsense at Thanksgiving, but no point in subjecting yourself to at any other time.

Can't Wait

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #24 on: August 19, 2015, 11:59:43 AM »
Facebook has an "unfriend" button for this exact situation.  You might have to listen to this nonsense at Thanksgiving, but no point in subjecting yourself to at any other time.

Yep.

I usually just unfollow the person so their posts won't show up in my feed anymore.

Blonde Lawyer

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #25 on: August 19, 2015, 12:22:32 PM »
I seriously considered joining Damsels in Defense.  I previously worked in law enforcement, take personal safety seriously and think few women are educated on the topic.  I was thinking of giving free safety classes and selling the products at the classes.  I only found the company researching products I wanted to buy for myself or a friend anyway.  Then I read all their legal fine print and didn't feel comfortable jumping on board.  I'd be happy to buy from them or host a party though.  While I'm generally turned off by "pinkifying" things, if it gets more women interested in personal safety then I'm for it.

** I think all people, men and women should be interested in personal safety but I find the women I encounter less interested in learning physical defense techniques then men.  Not trying to be sexist.  YMMV.

Just curious if anyone actually has signed up to sell this product here.  Now I'm pretty sure I'd have no time for it anyway.

Mr. Green

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #26 on: August 19, 2015, 01:06:37 PM »
It all depends on how its displayed. Unsolicited recommendations and shameless plugging on sites like Facebook just seems desperate to me. I use Facebook to keep in touch with my family and friends, not to ask them for money or their business.
Are you are aware that Facebook shows you unsolicited recommendations and shamelessly plugs sites as you scroll down the page?

Can't Wait

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #27 on: August 19, 2015, 07:03:43 PM »
It all depends on how its displayed. Unsolicited recommendations and shameless plugging on sites like Facebook just seems desperate to me. I use Facebook to keep in touch with my family and friends, not to ask them for money or their business.
Are you are aware that Facebook shows you unsolicited recommendations and shamelessly plugs sites as you scroll down the page?


Haha yes, I am aware. Did you know almost every site on the entire interwebs does exactly that?

I don't expect to see the same behaviour from a family member on  Facebook though.

10dollarsatatime

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #28 on: August 19, 2015, 07:51:57 PM »
I'll admit to owning a few beach body workouts, and I enjoy them.  However, I got them for free when I liberated them from my mother. :)

My favorite beach body story involves a company I used to freelance for.  They provided all the technical support for the beach body conference held in Vegas for their "coaches".  One of the video guys snapped a picture of an obese woman and posted it to facebook with a caption much like this: "Only in America can someone who looks like this become a "lifestyle coach".

Problem.  In this room, where this guy was sitting when he posted, was a projection of a feed that pulled mentions of "beach body" from any and all social media outlets.  His post ended up on a very large screen for a lot of people to see.

And... to make matters worse... the OWNER of this company hit "like" on the post before he realized what was going on.

I never did find out if there were any repercussions from that...

fiveoh

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #29 on: August 20, 2015, 07:40:17 AM »
I'll admit to owning a few beach body workouts, and I enjoy them.  However, I got them for free when I liberated them from my mother. :)

My favorite beach body story involves a company I used to freelance for.  They provided all the technical support for the beach body conference held in Vegas for their "coaches".  One of the video guys snapped a picture of an obese woman and posted it to facebook with a caption much like this: "Only in America can someone who looks like this become a "lifestyle coach".

Problem.  In this room, where this guy was sitting when he posted, was a projection of a feed that pulled mentions of "beach body" from any and all social media outlets.  His post ended up on a very large screen for a lot of people to see.

And... to make matters worse... the OWNER of this company hit "like" on the post before he realized what was going on.

I never did find out if there were any repercussions from that...

Ahahahha.. thats great.

Slee_stack

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #30 on: August 20, 2015, 08:40:07 AM »
I'm pretty ignorant of all this stuff.  I think I've heard of Herbalife and presume its a vitamin, but have never looked it up.

Ahh, the pratfalls of only logging into FB once a quarter...

I've become immune to web page advertisements.  I do use popup / ad blockers most of the time, but even when they do appear, I honestly don't even acknowledge their content.  I've developed a habit of auto closing pop-ups, scrolls, banners, whatever and jumping over static ads to read only the content I want to.  I seriously don't even know what ads are where.  Its a weird, but happy thing.

hudsoncat

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #31 on: August 20, 2015, 11:31:40 AM »
But don't you know that Plexus helps you lose weight and can cure anything? According to Facebook, it can cure acne, diabetes, and even cancer! (just, wow) Plexus, It Works, Essential Oils, JamBerry... I've unfollowed many a person lately.

My recent favorite was someone selling Stella & Dot (admittedly, some of that looks kind of cute). Last month the company had a big weekend in Vegas for their stylists. A friend posted on Facebook how just a few months ago she could never imagine being able to take a trip to Vegas and it was all because of S&D! That she had to pay for still... yeah, she totally admitted to me offline she hadn't actually made enough money through selling S&D to pay for the trip she was taking to celebrate selling S&D... Awesome.

bobechs

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Re: my sister is selling Plexus...
« Reply #32 on: August 20, 2015, 02:46:01 PM »

I've become immune to web page advertisements. ..

Dream on.