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

[NeverTwerkNaked]

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 I've definitely noticed more popping up on Facebook from my friends. I've tried explaining but I was told I wasnt being supportive so I said good luck and left it at that.

One of my friends has started doing it and they aren't even short of money.
It's the constant posting of positive sounding meaningless memes that really annoys me.

@ThePenIsBlue yes it is an MLM

@Iwantacookie it's pretty hard to get through to people once they have been sucked in, because the MLMS prepare them for "negativity" so it feels almost too late once they announce their "new business venture!!! "

@Witchend there will be dad's everywhere posting inspirational memes before the year is out #pyramid

My local MLM friend always told me how stupid i was “slaving for the man” when I could have my own “Bizness” , I’m slightly smug now that my very secure job has been so unaffected by COVID whilst she is bemoaning the lack of government help for her (I’m only a bit snug as it’s not really nice seeing anyone in financial hardship)

Cue the flood of huns and bots tumbling in here to assure us that it's not really an MLM, maybe we've (all?) had bad experiences but THEIRS is different, and not-so-subtly accusing us of putting our fellow women down instead of lifting them up. Any minute now...

Is the perfume one FM world per chance?

If it is then I can sort of see how people get sucked in, because it is relatively risk free to the person running it. I believe even Martin Lewis said that of the MLM’s FM world is one of the least risky.

That being said, it relies on perfumes which all have numbers instead of names and only the reps know which fragrances they represent. But the rep is sold the products at cost price and it’s up to them to sell them on at the RRP.

Not something I would ever want to get involved in.

I have managed to be blocked by people selling juice plus and foreverliving, I consider that an achievement.

Yep - and also a few random "I saw your post on random support group about struggling with lockdown and wanted to spread some positivity" friend requests that when you look at the profile they're always a "business owner at X MLM"

Also one trying to leech onto a local tragedy of a school fire to flog sodding usborne books.

So much negativity! Real bossbabes fix each others crowns!!

Only joking. MLMs are an absolute disgrace. Preying on the vulnerable.

Its reassuring to know that the fm world perfume stuff isnt too bad, i know someone whos started that. I was a bit concerned as she works in retail, her husband works in the pub trade but self employed so they have very little cash coming in. And have a newborn baby

Sorry posted before i meant to...

I was worried that she had spent a lot of money in this scheme which was going to cost massively in the long run. But she seems to be doing it more for cheap perfume for herself and sharing the cheaper products with frienda and family if they want, so although shes set up a fb page, there isnt a massive hard sell going on. Yet anyway...

A friend of mine is doing Essens. I didn’t realise it was an MLM. Shame because their perfumes smell the same as the real ones.

I have a ‘Younique’ friend who‘s face looks like she’s going out clubbing on a daily basis.

I believe even Martin Lewis said that of the MLM’s FM world is one of the least risky.

Is there an actual reference for this? He did a segment on buying perfume for Christmas in which he talked about buying smell-a-like perfumes which the FM World reps all use to link his name with their products but he could equally have been talking about Aldi and Lidl products.

Even if an MLM doesn't require much initial money for the starter pack they all end up costing money in purchasing samples to give people, payments for your website or stationary, purchasing products so you can say you have tested them or to give as prizes, and time spent trying to get sales or recruit that could have been spent on other work or time with family and friends (if you calculate time spent on getting sales, MLMs rarely pay even close to minimum wage).

FM reps seem to tie themselves in knots over their perfumes not being copies/fakes but also if you like a particular fragrance they can help you (so it is a copy??). A lot of people seem to say that while their fragrances may have similarities to brand perfume they are not exactly the same and the scent rarely last that long.

My local MLM friend always told me how stupid i was “slaving for the man” when I could have my own “Bizness

I’ve met lots of MLM “business owners” who are aiming for “promotions” - in your own business Hun? You sure?

A couple of years ago there were lots of Stella & Dot business owners until they woke up one morning to the news S&D were quitting Europe and their own business was no more. @JasperRising is right; they find a way to get money out of the sign ups

I am rather sad that I know no one who is part of an MLM!

Not really as I wouldn't want anyone to ruin their life with it but it seems everyone knows lots of people so seems strange that I don't.

I have one on facebook. I keep her on my friends list for the entertainment value.