Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

AIBU to be a bit resentful about my friend?

144 replies

happyvalley4 · 05/09/2016 09:40

I have a really good friend. We've been very close for 20 years.

She's recently started selling the Forever Living Aloe products and has been a real pain.

She's always messaging me about buying the products and when I do (I've spent about £200 already!) she's bugging me about getting my other friends to buy as well.

I've now agreed to hold a party for her and invited some of my friends. I'll have to lay on drinks and nibbles and all I'll get is 15% off the price of one item. And to be honest I don't even want to buy anything!

But that isn't enough she's now messaged me to rope in another 8 people to start the C9 diet which costs £100!! I could probably sell it if I make enough effort but why should I?

But then I feel mean because she is my friend and I would do anything for her

So AIBU to not help my friend any further? And do you have any advice about how to handle the situation going forwards?

(By the way I am self employed so as well as being a mum I also have my own business to run)

OP posts:

Willow2016 · 07/09/2016 09:54

Fetchez

Its bloody disgusting isnt it?
You should be able to sue these people for false claims/get them legally cautioned and made to stop selling their snake oil. I know that saying you can cure cancer IS illegal but I dont know about the other conditions.

Dailymailisacrapnewspaper · 07/09/2016 10:38

If you are already committed then hijack the event. May cost you a bit more in wine and nibbles.

Say they arrive at 7.30. Offer wine and say- we are all going to have a chat about holidays/life etc and then at 9pm XXX is going to do a short presentation about forever living.

Make it your party to which she is invited to have a small slot rather than her party

Greyponcho · 09/09/2016 11:33

fetchez - I'd previously argued the science of an autoimmune disease with my bot after a doctor told them AV could cure it as the AI disease was "just an inflammation" problem. Idiots.

MunchCrunch01 · 09/09/2016 11:42

honestly, I've been invited to these sorts of things before and I didn't mind that much - I wouldn't do it again in your shoes, but I wouldn't cringe the whole time, your friends decided to come, they know it's a shake-down, everyone knows these sorts of things are, maybe they fancy having a couple of glasses of wine and don't mind spending £10 on naff stuff. Don't worry too much, yes your friend's put you in a bad position, but it's not THAT bad and the best thing to do now is act breezy. You didn't press gang your friends into it. The ones I've been to, I've known the person behind it really needed the money and not been too bothered about shelling out less than I'd spend in the pub.

StealthPolarBear · 09/09/2016 12:20

Do these people really believe this crap cures autism/cancer/whatever?
It's the snake oil of the 21st century isn't it

Greyponcho · 09/09/2016 12:36

munchcrunch unfortunately with 'Forever Living' products, £10 wouldn't really be enough, unless you bought a lip balm. Yes, it's really overpriced

MunchCrunch01 · 09/09/2016 12:38

honestly, I'd smile and say I wanted the cheapest item I could find whilst quaffing white wine, wouldn't be bothered! FL sounds like a complete scam. The worst one I've been to was novelty crystal items - mind you, I bought my mum a crystal father christmas at that party and it was the best pressie (in her mind) she ever got from me!

Twunk · 09/09/2016 13:13

We get deleted on our other threads but seems the FL lawyers haven't picked up on this one! unless they look up our posts which is entirely possible.

OP I completely understand she is a good friend and you've made a commitment, however you are helping her in a scam. Disengage ASAP and hope she comes to her senses soon. Until she comes out of it of her own accord then maintain the friendship by talking about other things pre-FL. I wish you luck!

Alachia · 09/09/2016 13:16

What is the C9 diet, please? Asking 'cos I'm nosy.

Twunk · 09/09/2016 13:21

Spend over £100. Eat nothing for 9 days, drink revolting aloe gloop.

Or you could just do the middle bit and save yourself £100.

Or you could reject stupid yoyo dieting.

Twunk · 09/09/2016 13:26

Here is the Timeless Vie advice on friends in MLMs:

Talk to them about what they used to do before they joined MLM.

Remind them of fun memories you have together.

Criticise MLM in general, not their specific MLM (it’ll get their back up and they’ll shut down)

You can try telling them you’d love to see them but there can be no discussion of their MLM

Remind them of the goals they used to have before MLM

Alachia · 09/09/2016 13:27

these people really believe this crap cures autism/cancer/whatever?
It's the snake oil of the 21st century isn't it

When I was at my lowest I would try all sorts of product as I was desperate to feel better. My thoughts were so jumbled I couldn't see through the talk and would believe almost anything (ashamed). It's people like that they prey on, and these people, like me, are often unable to really afford whatever the product is but are easily convinced it's worth a try. I suspect that the marketing advice the sellers are given tells them people like me are easy targets for selling, but having never been a seller can't be sure.

I'm still desperate to feel better, but my brain is less scrambled and I have no patience for such things now.

Alachia · 09/09/2016 13:30

Eww. That sounds horrible Twunk. I have no intention of trying it. Besides, I'm no good at swallowing foul tasting gunk drinks.

StealthPolarBear · 09/09/2016 14:04

Ala that's so cynical of them then. They don't even believe (mistakenly) that it does work, just that they can convince enough vulnerable people to part with their cash.
:( I'm sorry

JellyBelli · 09/09/2016 14:04

Its your 'friend' that has jeopardised your friendshiop by scamming £200 out of you and demanding more. Just Say No!

BSintolerant · 11/09/2016 00:22

The snake oil of the 21st century sums it up. Those who pedal it should hisssssss off.

fastdaytears · 12/09/2016 14:35

I don't understand why people agree to go to these "parties". They sound awful! The parties not the people...

Memoires · 12/09/2016 19:02

Fastdaytears I went to one because I was newish to the area and knew very few people. I was hoping I'd meet some nice people (I didn't), no one wanted to talk to anyone else unless they already knew them. Also because I hadn't had an evening out for over4 years.

Alachia · 12/09/2016 19:40

I went to one because a the mum of one of DD's friends asked and I was trying to get out of the house (am agoraphobic).

debbs77 · 12/09/2016 19:44

These schemes are not a con and are not pyramid schemes.

However, she isn't doing these kinds of businesses any favours.

Ask her to make it an online Facebook party instead x

Chihuahualala · 12/09/2016 19:46

Do you do forever living debbs?

Wallywobbles · 12/09/2016 19:47

I would walk away from a friend who asked me to come to any forever living, or similar, party. Beware you are heading somewhere you will not want to go. A zone with far fewer friends.

I'd say sorry face to face, I love you to bits but I think these products are crap and that what you are doing is wrong. Please do not involve me or talk to me about them any further.

Willow2016 · 12/09/2016 19:51

Of course it is, the company only actually make money from 'signing up' new members not the actual products. And thats from the horses mouth, or tpiaw one of the company directors! You gonna argue with him?

fastdaytears · 12/09/2016 19:57

These schemes are not a con and are not pyramid schemes

That's your opinion but it's not one widely held around here. If it's not a pyramid scheme then why the huge emphasis on recruiting and "passive income"?

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 12/09/2016 19:58

Someone I thought was a friend tried sucking me into buying these products.

I messaged them saying that in my world you don't use friendships to make money. Blunt. To the point. Got a speedy apology and they never mentioned it again.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6