MLM Shock

[Goldielocks]

I was shocked today over MLM pricing.

Backstory..My SIL has been selling MLM Sentsy and Velata items (and something else) for almost 4 years now as a "side business".  I think that she has between 1-4 persons at any one time working under her, and nets about $150-$200 per month on average.   

My guess is that about 1/2 of her "Net" each month is my MIL purchasing only from her for many of MIL's gifts she gives to others (like grandkids and family), as well as buying lots of items for herself, and MIL is group buying to her friends who live in a different town.

So -- We received a Veleta Fondue from MIL about 2 years ago, (Christmas )and 4 chocolate packs to use in it.   I ran out a few months ago,   and the chocolate packs worked great, and the kids had fun, so I asked SIL for more.

SIL called today to place the order -- guess how much 2 x 6oz Chocolate packs are?   (12 oz is about 6 servings) 
--  $38.50 with tax and shipping   OMG...!!!--

As I have NEVER bought a single thing from SIL, and she made the effort, I did not run away, but decreased the order and chalked it up to giving her $20+ "just 'cause she's family and it's easter".  Wow.

WOW.  I can't believe people buy this stuff.

[Noahjoe]

But you just did. And that's why MLM works.

[Petuniajo]

But you just did. And that's why MLM works.

Yeah, what Noahjoe said... It IS shocking, but I think people feel guilted into buying in the name of family.

[GrowingTheGreen]

but I think people feel guilted into buying in the name of family.

Which is why MLM is so great at ruining relationships!

[bobechs]

but I think people feel guilted into buying in the name of family.

Which is why MLM is so great at ruining relationships!

But on the other hand, think of the great chocolate you get!

[Willbrewer]

Here ya go, for when you run out of chocolate again.
(Source - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/chocolate-fondue-recipe.html)

Ingredients

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream, reserve 1/4 cup to thin if fondue begins to thicken
4 bittersweet chocolate bars, chopped, 3 1/2 ounces each
2 tablespoons Frangelico or Amaretto liqueur, optional
1/4 cup finely chopped hazelnuts or almonds, optional


Directions

Heat 1/2 cup cream in a heavy non-reactive saucepot over moderate heat until cream comes to a low boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add chocolate. Let the chocolate stand in hot cream 3 to 5 minutes to soften, then whisk chocolate together with the cream. Stir in liqueur and/or chopped nuts and transfer the fondue to a fondue pot or set the mixing bowl on a rack above a small lit candle. If fondue becomes too thick, stir in reserved cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, to desired consistency. Arrange your favorite dippables in piles on a platter along side chocolate fondue with fondue forks, bamboo skewers or seafood forks, as utensils, for dipping.

Suggested Dippables, choose 3 or 4 selections of the following:
Hazelnut or almond biscotti
Salted pretzel sticks
Cubed pound cake
Sliced bananas
Stem strawberries
Sectioned navel oranges
Ripe fresh diced pineapple

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray

[MgoSam]

Yum, I'll have to save this. I can borrow a fondue pot from an aunt of mine.

[AH013]

I've seen a commission chart for Scentsy and other MLM businesses.  Wonder why 6oz of chocolate costs $20?  Because over 60% of that money can go to the people out there guilting you into buying it (and their "director", and their "director", and their "director", etc.)  Pyramids are expensive to feed.  SIL made at least $7 off your order, and the people above her probably got another $6 to share too.

[Goldielocks]

Thanks all,

I get it, I do...  It is very hard to buy absolutely nothing from SIL for all her MLM stuff for 4 years. Zero. Zip. Nada.  Even when so many of the "large starter" items/ base units become presents to us from MIL, and I STILL don't buy any on-going supplies..  (now I am silently pointing out failings of two family members...  )

SIL been pretty great about it, not comments or anything.

So when kids asked SIL directly for more chocolate, I really thought, oh, $10 per pack may be expensive, but $20 won't be overkill, and I can put on the nice manners for $20 every 4 years...  I had NO idea of that total cost.

So I am back to no buying......