AIBU not to want to buy goods from my friends?

[Amyksays]

As its Christmas, I've a few friends remember that they sell body shop, Neals yard, aloe stuff etc. I really don't like them asking me to buy stuff, I find it uncomfortable, I would never try and sell them building supplies (that's what I do!). I know it's a bit of extra income for some, but I don't like feeling under pressure to buy, I don't think it's fair.

Just say thanks but no thanks...

Yanbu - just politely decline. If they are real friends then of course they will take no for an answer. Anyone who has a problem with you saying no isn't a real friend.

You could always try selling them building supplies to break their thoughts. They might avoid you until after Christmas

I have a couple of friends like this and I HATE it!

It's a case of smiling through gritted teeth and saying you're already all set for Christmas, thank you very much, but it does get wearing.

No 'business' worth its name survives on selling shite stuff to friends and family anyway.

Oh yes I have this at work. Avon, Forever Living, Pampered Chef etc. I just say no thanks I have a list of specific things people want. Nightmare though, you can tell when someone is skint as they do the hard sell act on everyone.

Do what a bunch of us used to do back in the days when I went to baby/toddler groups - burst into laughter every time someone tried to pitch something (for some reason there was a slew of people at the two groups I regularly attended who clearly started coming purely in order to sell) and say 'Oh, you, you are a joker!' Continue ad nauseam.

Thanks it's not just me! Of course, I politely decline - I just feel like I've disappointed them, but equally I wish I wasn't put in that position in the first place!

Yes, maybe I'll offer them some nice silicon render in return!

The worst ones are the ones who aren't skint and for some reason buy into the whole company marketing ethos whole heartedly and apparently become genuinely motivated to achieve the rewards given to the top salespeople/ recruiters for their product of choice...

The lack of irony and self depreciation when they try to sell their friends stuff and post adverts and testimonials on social media is quite unnerving and disappointing...

It's appallingly rude to try to sell to friends. I still resent one ex-friend who asked me to a drinks party which turned out to be a hard sell for overpriced tat, and this when she knew I was struggling financially.

I'd look at them in mild surprise and ask if they want any cut price building supplies. Go on looking and with a bit of luck they'll recognize how unimpressed you are.

Maybe they'd like a nice new pointing trowel in their stocking on Christmas morning?

I consistently say no thanks. I never go to any of their events, this can be trickier these are often marketed as "Charity events" for local causes. Yes they raise some money for the charity by selling people a table at these events but at the end of the day it's them trying to flog me their crap again. They give up in the end!

Was at a fair recently where I knew two people. I have bought off one of them before because I liked what she had made - think lovely cushions which I still use. But there was nothing I liked so I chatted a bit then moved on. My dd (who is nicer than me) bought something though but her dp burst out laughing when she got it home because it really was overpriced.

Just say sorry, spent up at the moment so they can move on to their next victim. Alternatively tell them you have some copies of concrete mixers monthly going cheap and would they like some.

YADNBU (have you seen the long running anti MLM scam threads on here?)

I find this desperate, rude and exploitative, both of me as a friend and them as often vulnerable people by the MLM companies.

I think that you should say: as it's Christmas and Money is tight, you aren't dealing in cash but are happy to trade aloe shite or whatever it is they are selling for building supplies.

I'm sure a bucket of reinforced levelling compound would be a fair trade for a tube of stinky hand lotion.

Ugh. The last time I bought from one of these things I spent £25 on stuff I didn't want or need out of politeness, then the party "host" told me later that the lady running it was disappointed with her sales. Meh. Since then I have no problem with just saying "no" from the start.

5moreminutes has hit on my favourite - the Pampered Chef party that was thrown in someone's brand new Poggenpohl kitchen...

Schmack, I've just looked up MLM and that is exactly what it is, thank you! People won't be told that they won't make any money, I've given up with that. And I've had the raising funds for charity but too, that was Forever Aloe stuff.

I'm happy for people involved in MLMs to tell me once, and perhaps a yearly reminder on Facebook.

But beyond that, it feels like pressure to buy, and that's rather rude. I certainly think that selling evenings/parties unfairly put people's friends in uncomfortable positions.

I hate this. I have a 'friend' who is always selling some shite. I just want to scream GET A JOB when I get the emails.

Definitely time to throw a building supplies party! With themed cakes and nibbles!

Print off a page with links to the MLM threads on here, and MLM Watch, and hand it over whenever they try the sales pitch. Tell them you're saving them from being scammed.

YANBU, its rude, tacky and pushy.

I'd go to a building supplies party before any of the established MLM scam parties.

I don't any stupidly overpriced diet supplements, cosmetics or kitchen equipment but what I do need is some flags and gravel for my front drive and it would be nicer to choose them with wine, nibbles and chat instead of at the Jewsons trade counter.

YADNBU!

I am so over this overpriced crap and the ensuing harrassment in RL or on social media from those who are stupid (yes, I said it!) enough to sign up to these blatant scams.
I have a business, and I do not put any pressure or badger my friends to buy my products. I create my own customer base, and dong guilt trip people I know into buying stuff they dont want to just to be polite or make me feel better. I keep hearing how we should support the people doing this by buying their crap, but why? We are just misleading them In the end, because nobody else outside of the pity purchasers wants or needs these products.

Dong? meant 'Dont'