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Original poster

Should I be worried about a friend joining an MLM if...

82 replies

Summerbreezes · 05/06/2019 11:55

She says it's just a hobby or side project because she's always loved the products. She said she's keeping her day job.

Is it going to stay that way or should I be worried?

OP posts:
bringthethunder · 05/06/2019 11:57

I don't know what MLM stands for so I can't advise....

Soola · 05/06/2019 11:59

She lose money.

Bezalelle · 05/06/2019 12:19

I would be worried, as she'll still be recruiting vulnerable women to be her "down-lines", and helping to fuel what's becoming a scourge.

jackolantern · 05/06/2019 12:22

She'll be paying for stuff she won't sell. Get her to check the terms and conditions carefully, if there's any get-out for not accepting full refund for unsold goods etc. If she can make any money at all without recruiting (spoiler: she can't).

They all say they love the product but the reality is that they and their money are the real products being sold.

Tooner · 05/06/2019 12:26

Suggest she watches the recent TV exposure on MLM companies before she goes ahead. Resist buying anything from her if she is so daft to sign up.

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 05/06/2019 12:27

You should be worried about anyone joining an MLM.

They invariably lose money, and lose friends as they try and flog products to them relentlessly.

codenameduchess · 05/06/2019 12:27

She will be sucked in and loose money. My SIL said the same and lost hundreds, as well as lots of friends because of the shit she was peddling.

MLMs are bad news.

Original poster
Summerbreezes · 05/06/2019 12:38

Wow I hadn't even thought that far ahead. She only started a couple of weeks ago so she hasn't mentioned anything about recruiting yet but I'll keep a look out.

The other problem is that I'm not in her very close group of friends. I just know her through her partner who I've known for years, then they got together a few years ago.

OP posts:
IJustLostTheGame · 05/06/2019 13:02

If it's Arbonne they are told to say they joined because they love the products. If they start whittering on about white Mercedes run for the hills.

If its Avon its probably true. I joined Avon for that reason and a few friends who liked it anyway would order through me.

If its aloe vera nonsense she'll soon get over it.

HotChocolateLover · 05/06/2019 13:41

As a PP said, that documentary is such an eye opener. Please don’t give her any encouragement by buying anything, even just to be nice. These MLMs are scams who prey on the vulnerable.

Purpleneonpinkunicorns · 05/06/2019 13:45

Just wondering what's the documentary called as I've been wanting to watch it but don't know the name or channel for it...I would defo stay away from any mlms and hope your friend gets out soon OP.

Original poster
Summerbreezes · 05/06/2019 13:48

Here's the documentary www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p076n2hg/secrets-of-the-multilevel-millionaires-ellie-undercover

I've already watched it twice.

I just worry that if I send it to her, she'll see me as a hater who is trying to interfere.

OP posts:
user1474894224 · 05/06/2019 13:55

You said she's not that close a friend. I would keep out of it. Not your business.

CatFaceCats · 05/06/2019 14:49

Just leave her be - unless she starts trying to sell/recruit you.
I do Avon, but I don’t think half my friends even realise as I don’t advertise on FB, and have never tried to recruit a person in my life! Im purely old school, drop flyers to see if people would like a catalogue and then catalogues to those who do.
Which company has she joined?

Purpleneonpinkunicorns · 05/06/2019 15:56

Thanks OP I shall be watching that tonight and then sending the link to my friend who wants to join younique Hmm..I did show her elles blog though so not sure if she still wants to go ahead.

Twentytwentyhindsight · 05/06/2019 17:39

If she's only joining to get the products at a discounted price because she 'loves them so much', why announce it to the world?

It's the start of a sales pitch.

PonderingPanda · 05/06/2019 18:22

I didn't watch all the documentary, but it seems to prey on those who are really vulnerable Sad and who are desperate for money. As one lady said her friends work 2 jobs and use food banks so wouldn't buy her products.... so where did she think she'd get the custom from?

It's just so awful.

IHaveBrilloHair · 05/06/2019 18:25

Phase her out immediately

DownThePan · 05/06/2019 21:45

What's she flogging? Aloe, CBD, Mascara, Weightloss coffee?

TheSmallClangerWhistlesAgain · 05/06/2019 21:50

Is Avon an MLM? I know reps get a bonus if they recruit but the main purpose of it does seem to be selling Avon products.

MyKingdomForBrie · 05/06/2019 21:53

Well she will lose money and friends but I don't think you need to take any action really, she has a day job so probably not overly vulnerable and you don't know that she's going to go spending huge amounts of money or anything yet. If she was close friend I'd definitely say some thing but not to an acquaintance type friend.

You could share the documentary generally on your FB then she could see it that way, though she's unlikely to watch it at this stage while it's all shiny and new to her.

Geddes89 · 06/06/2019 08:04

Wow. Never have I heard a group of more unsupportive “friends”. If your so call friend had opened a store I’m sure you’d all be there supporting her, not sending statistics that most tradition businesses fail to make a profit in the first 2 years of trading. Just because it’s a different sales model it’s considered a scam and your friends considered an idiot for getting involved. I say good luck to the girl for trying something new. Network marketing is a big deal, it’s the future of business. You probably have no hesitation in sharing your Airbnb discount code or giving referrals on Groupon or amazon that you’re paid a commission for, why should your friend not do this for a product she loves and has had a great experience with? Instead of raising concerns to a group of women who have no idea and have outdated ideas about an industry based on a document, why not just ask the girl? Less judgement more compassion...start a conversation and take a genuine interest in what your friend is doing and why. She might just open up to you. And the reasons why she’s gotten started will become clear. I’m not involved in network marketing but I have friends who make a 6 figure a year income and have never scammed or conned anyone...they help people shop from a different store, they coach and mentor people to do what they’ve done to make a side income and they then give back in a big way to charity to help make the world a better place. Yet you’re all still out there spending money on Starbucks who don’t pay their taxes preaching about how network marketing is a bad thing. ...hopefully this is some food for thought!!

Flatwhite101 · 06/06/2019 08:09

"I'm not involved in network marketing..."

Grin
titchy · 06/06/2019 08:13

she’s gotten started will become clear. I’m not involved in network marketing but I have friends who make a 6 figure a year income

You were doing ok till that point gedes!

They can never resist dropping the 'six figure salary' in though can they!

00100001 · 06/06/2019 08:15

"I’m not involved in network marketing but I have friends who make a 6 figure a year income and have never scammed or conned anyone..."

Oh. Sure. You're not involved at aaaallll.
Halo

For someone "not involved" you sure are defensive of it and know a lot about it....