Is Usborne books an MLM or ok?

[CucumberTree]

So I’m against MLM like Younique/forever living shit etc, is Usborne books a more old school style selling or is it now just another inverted pyramid scheme MLM to suck other mums into?

[babychange12]

Think it's an mlm..

[babychange12]

And the books are cheaper from amazon

[PatchworkElmer]

It’s an MLM

[totalitarian]

Mlm. Avoid

[CucumberTree]

Thanks, it popped up on a school mums friends post, I’m not friends with the original posted but the person sharing it is usually sensible and I wondered if they would be signed up next/signing me up etc.

Did it used to be not an MLM selling/donating books to school?

[mencken]

it is indeed an MLM. plenty of stock from those who don't make money ends up on ebay at a fraction of the price.

use a real bookshop. Or a library.

[BSintolerant]

It’s an MLM. Run away! Run away!

[FriedasCarLoad]

Shame it's an MLM. It actually has some nice products.

[bookmum08]

I looked into it a while ago but because you can buy Usborne books from any regular book shop these days I couldn't see the point.

[WittyUser]

Use this if you're not sure!

isthisanmlm.com/mlm/usborne

[AncientRainbowABC]

MLM. One of the local mums posted about it on the local FB group and ended the post with a quote along the lines of “however bad your life is, you can make a change today”. Definitely run.

[CucumberTree]

Thanks, it’s a shame seemingly sensible people are still blindly sucked in by essentially wanting their friends to find their “new business venture”

[StillCounting123]

There is local woman who has just set up as an Usborne rep.

I had a look as there are so many fantastic Usborne books, but then I looked at the official Usborne site and the prices are pretty much the same. What am I missing? What benefits are there for the customer to buy from her vs the actual site?

[zigaziga]

It’s such a shame as it is a decent business unlike the crappy make up brands. I honestly don’t get it either.. same as Body Shop.. I could buy from an actual high street shop or from the company’s website, why would I buy from a rep?

[myusernamewastakenbyme]

Its a pyramid scam/scheme...run for the hills....avoid like the plague...don't touch it with a barge pole etc etc

[ThickFast]

It weird how it seems more legit because it’s books. Books that are on my shelves so it’s a recognised household name.

[Stompythedinosaur]

Yes, it's a MLM. I hate that schools buy into it, as it is a rip off for the parents paying.

[AncientRainbowABC]

Yes! So true, ThickFast. I felt exactly the same. Easier to dismiss an unknown oil or whatever else.

[DullDullWeather]

Oh I remember Usbourne books youngest DC being 16 now long ago.

I always found them very good quality and informative especially the Find the (insert objects) books . Another good brand I recall was Dorling Kindesley
They used to sell them at toddler groups but you could also buy them in shops and likely still can.

[lunar1]

You can buy the books so much cheaper everywhere else.

[RogueApostrophe]

All the discount book shops have Usborne books for tuppence. It makes no sense to buy it from an independent consultant. Same with Body Shop, Neals's Yard etc. There are always sales on these products somewhere or loyalty points that you won't acquire when you buy from the MLM-arm of the company.

[zigaziga]

It weird how it seems more legit because it’s books.

Yes. I guess with the others (make up, aloe Vera, the weird jewellery ones) you get the impression that someone came up with the MLM copycat idea first and then invented any old crap to sell into it and it didn’t particularly matter what it was. Whereas these are good quality books.
I own loads that I’ve bought through Waterstones whereas I thought the “appeal” of the crap make-up was that you can only buy through a rep. What is the point of being a rep if you aren’t offering anything extra at all?

Neal’s Yard is another weird one because I actually like their products and there is an actual shop round the corner from me so again, what would be the point in me buying through a rep? All it does is make me suspicious of the brand..

[ThickFast]

Oh yeah Neal’s Yard. They’re supposed to be ‘ethical‘ as well aren’t they?

[Enderman]

I really like Usbourne books we’ve got some lovely ones but it’s never occurred to me to buy through someone. What’s the point?

[Maverickallthetime]

I think people buy to raise money for schools, that seems how they push it. We had a pushy rep keep messaging us on the PTA asking us to sell the books. We said no!