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Original poster

are lots more people joining MLMs? 2 friends in 2 days have invited me to join MLM selling paged

43 replies

NeverTwerkNaked · 30/05/2020 11:32

One for body shop, one for some weird perfume MLM. Both had casual contracts in retail so lost their jobs at the start of lockdown. Both have children in year groups with no "return to school date". They were classic targets for MLM recruiters I guess, but it is really hard to see them do this. And hard to see other friends spend money to support their "exciting new venture".

I want to speak up and warn them but past experience tells me this isn't usually well received...

OP posts:

mencken · 30/05/2020 11:37

as I believe the phrase goes, you can't argue with stupid.

two mins on google would tell them that they are being suckered. Sadly there is a reason that only women are targeted for this, and only women in their demographic too. You can't generally sell useless shit to men so all the products are smelly stuff, overpriced slap, reeking candles and so on. Combine that 'touch of luxury' with alleged easy money and bingo, another recruit.

if asked, just tell them that you don't pay for overpriced products from pyramid schemes, sorry.

Original poster

NeverTwerkNaked · 30/05/2020 11:39

I think it's that they want and need to believe it will work. So desperation as much as anything. They probably feel that don't have any other options right now.
I won't be buying but it is hard to see other people, some who don't have much to spare, buying to "support" a friend.

OP posts:

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 30/05/2020 11:43

I have one FB friend who has been involved in one MLM after another. I don't why. She has also successfully set up her own bookkeeping/accountancy business.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/05/2020 11:48

I can see a lot of people getting suckered into this as unemployment starts to rise.

Original poster

NeverTwerkNaked · 30/05/2020 11:56

It's a double whammy as well of unemployment and not even being able to look for another job out of the house if you have children at home.

OP posts:

Witchend · 30/05/2020 12:04

You can't generally sell useless shit to men

The men's equivalent would have lots of useless (inc obsolete) computer cables and different size screws and drill parts
I think I've just seen a gap in the market.

relievedlady · 30/05/2020 12:07

Yep.
Tons of people advertising on personal pages then sending requests for their BUSINESS pages

Also lots on loca selling sites.

Can't get my head round how so many women fall for the sham selling to be honest.

I've been surprised at some of the people I thought had more savvy.

Brainwashed at its best.
Someone I know welcomed a good customer and buddy ie fake friend on board a month ago and ins now complaining all sales are going to them and not her

Well that tends to happen when you recruit your own customers on your doorstep

Norma27 · 30/05/2020 12:10

MLM bots have been absolute vultures recruiting during this crisis. Despicable.

SallyLovesCheese · 30/05/2020 12:23

I have a friend who's recently started an MLM "business". She is constantly messaging me about offers and Zoom parties, despite the fact I told her we are tightening our belts now (I'm a part-time teacher and was topping up my income with freelance educational sessions which stopped with lockdown, so as DH is a house-husband we're actually around £300 short each month atm).

When I remind her she says "Oh, that's a shame" which makes me mad because it feels like she's saying it's a shame I can't buy stuff off her, rather than the fact we're having to dip into savings every month. I need to get rid, don't I?

IrmaFayLear · 30/05/2020 12:31

It is very awkward. I must admit I have bought quite a bit from a friend to be polite, but I drew the line at the message urging me to "Buy PonkyProducts to treat your NHS friends and family!"

Original poster

NeverTwerkNaked · 30/05/2020 12:35

@Witchend even my MLM cynic husband might get sucked into that one

OP posts:

Original poster

NeverTwerkNaked · 30/05/2020 12:37

Parents at our school raised £100s of pounds to provide lockdown gifts for the teachers and then the mum organising it got persuaded to spend it all on shitty handcreams etc for the teachers by an MLM mum

OP posts:

MusicianTom · 30/05/2020 12:42

I've had two friends, both of whom I thought had their heads screwed on right, join Arbonne. I've sent both of them a message saying that I wouldn't be their friend if I didn't tell them about how many people lose money with this sort of company, and I know they've been told that if someone doesn't support their new business, then they aren't a friend and should dump them. I direct them to the BBC documentary, the Poonique blog, and the Botwatch blog page about Arbonne's own income figures, and say something about how they probably don't want to thear this right now, but I wouldn't forgive myself if I kept quiet.

Aubergined · 30/05/2020 12:51

@MusicianTom Did your friends reply to your messages? What did they say?

Original poster

NeverTwerkNaked · 30/05/2020 12:53

@MusicianTom I've done that several times in the past and lost friends each time

OP posts:

Witchend · 30/05/2020 12:53

@NeverTwerkNaked
I have a first customer! Will just tell dh that his collection is going to be sold.

Snaleandthewhail · 30/05/2020 12:55

I have two fb friends, diffeeent ends of the country, invited me to Like their perfume company. Same thing, same wheeze, same “look at me after a month”.

MusicianTom · 30/05/2020 13:31

@Aubergined, @NeverTwerkNaked I was lucky, both of them replied quite positively and said thanks for the message. They both then spouted some nigh-identical guff (copy and paste, anyone?) about how their company isn't like that, and their upline is really supportive, blah blah blah. Neither of them have unfriended me, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and have promised myself I won't say, "I told you so"

SallyLovesCheese · 30/05/2020 14:54

[quote Witchend]@NeverTwerkNaked
I have a first customer! Will just tell dh that his collection is going to be sold.[/quote]
My DH says "Don't look at the tools. Don't touch the tools. Don't talk about the tools."

It'd be grounds for divorce if I sold his stuff! 😆

SallyLovesCheese · 30/05/2020 14:56

@NeverTwerkNaked

That's frustrating for the parents who offered money. I'm guessing some of it will be going into that mum's bank account if she bought the items from her own "business".

ThePenIsBlue · 30/05/2020 15:00

Is tropic A MLM? I’ve got a few friends doing that.....

ShinyFootball · 30/05/2020 15:10

Oh this is really sad.

I know the easy thing to say is well these women should know better. But people are desperate. The pitch must be very persuasive or so many people wouldn't fall for it. It's an expert scam. Really sad to hear they are taking advantage of the situation with unemployment like this.

mooching · 30/05/2020 15:11

@thepenisisblue yes I think it is

JasperRising · 30/05/2020 15:19

MLM reps have been actively chasing down people made redundant or furloughed. Lots of posts asking who of their friends or friends are redundant/furloughed plus 'lifestyle' posts about how glad they are that they can work from home and their income. Plus presenting themselves as charitable by asking people to buy products from them to be donated to NHS workers.

I can imagine plenty of people who have reduced income at the moment and are desperate for work they can do at home will have been sucked into investing money they can't really afford into starting as an MLM distributor. Most will lose money or break even at best.

And as for men, quite a few will do tailored recruitment drives targeting men or father's days product bundles so they don't get off totally unscathed (though it is mainly women sucked in).

AnotherBoredOne · 30/05/2020 15:27

@never
The same thing happened to me for an end of year teacher collection. Arbonne products from her business, I was so so cross. I get my own gifts now :(

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