To worry about an "Arbonne" friend?

[phlebasconsidered]

A good friend has started to sell this. She is in the beauty trade anyway, and so says this is complimentary, but aibu to worry? I am the sort of person who only ever does make up and hair for work, i'm a quite happy Lidly moisturiser buyer and so on. I worry that since i've seen her and since she's been doing it, we are not the "same", she seems to be selling. I wonder what the facts are about this sort of MLM selling and I would like experiences, if possible.

I love my friend, but she is vulnerable; she has low self esteem and if the right sellers got to her she would believe them. I worry this is what has happened. My last meeting with her, which would normally have been a few glasses of wine and a chat and the kids playing, was more like a sales pitch.

Are Arbonne weird? And if so, what can I do? She's already been to London for a meeting and a big thing about a Mercedes.

I suppose I am saying, once a friend has gone that route, can I help? Should I? I love her, but i'm not getting anywhere.

Double Valium - do YOU know what a pyramid scheme is?

summer amway are vile. My friend couldn't even meet me without wearing an amway energy drink t-shirt.

Network marketing is another name for MLM. All the different companies mentioned are covered by the direct selling association so not some "scam".

directsellingnews.com/index.php/view/2013_dsn_global_100_list#.VI4RmmQgGc0

Again, with the "vested interest". I just understand how these companies work, I happen to use products from a network marketing company and been very happy with them. I'm not some naive teenager who doesn't understand how sales/marketing etc works because that's been my back ground for 20 odd years. I understand the process and know the costs involved to get products from manufacture to the shop shelf (and that goes for clothing/beauty products to mesical equipment) and I know with direct selling/mlm/network marketing - whatever you want to call it - these costs are dramatically cut down.

OP asked for some advice from people who knew about Arbonne and I replied because I've used the products and been to meetings my friends have put on as I'm a good friend and supportive of whatever they do. Just the same as when artist friends invite me to a gallery showing, cake making friends invite me to a baking event to showcase their wares and nail technician friends use me as practise for manicures.

Yes ovaltine - I do. I can see why you are trying to sell the concept that this isn't one. You think that IT isn't because there's a product involved right? And that makes it MLM? Except MLM is just a way of running a pyramid scheme but falling just outside the legal definition of one. Of course
, the only people who actually believe you are people who have already been sucked in / given up a shitload of money. Anyway - you carry on believing your version if it makes it all ok for you!

Ovaltine would you mind putting up the ingredient list from one of the products ? It seems to be very hard to find this online and It would be very interesting to see what the products actually do contain, given the 100% natural claims so would be great if you don't mind.

I'd be worried if it was a close friend with low self esteem.

The white Mercedes is never actually 'owned' by the person who gets it.

The products may be decent but there are plenty of decent products available, expensive and otherwise, without requiring the sort of hard sell that arbonne favours.

Someone tried to get me doing it a while back. I laughed.

Doublevalium - I'm quite happy with my view on it as I feel it comes from a more educated place than yours. But I'm sure you would say the same thing.

Sugarplumtree - I'll find a box and take a pic for you. Off on holiday tomoro so remind me via a pm next weekend if I forget in the morning (pinned down by a toddler/hot water bottle atm)

Thanks Ovaltine that is kind of you. If you're going away I'm sure you are very busy so don't worry. I was just being nosy. Have a lovely holiday.