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

Original poster

MLM Bashing, why?

89 replies

bagpackbagpack · 16/02/2017 22:33

Sorry for the click bait in advance...

F me, we all hate MLM? But why is it still here?

4 posts I have seen in 3 hours where people have been scammed, I know the VAST majority of mumsnetters wouldn't ever dream of joining an MLM, BUT PEOPLE STILL DO! (Mums netter or not)

Its really frustrating.

AIBU to think the MLM should be banned. And we as a group of like minded people might be able to influence this in some way?

OP posts:

Papafran · 20/08/2017 20:19

Can I just ask the people who sell scentsy and younique something? I can buy the products direct off the website so why would anyone bother going through an agent? Or do you get a big discount if you do?

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/08/2017 20:20

(and, for the benefit of anyone in MLMs reading this ... Making false claims about your success in order to persuade people to part with their money is fraud . Yes, if you do this, you are committing a criminal offence and risking prison.

NeverTwerkNaked · 20/08/2017 20:22

@bagpackbagpack ...your clickbait totally got me!! Totally agree there needs to be something done. I think it is a huge scandal.

MadMags · 20/08/2017 20:29

They're a scourge. They're even on here sounding like absolute dickheads!

NaughtyNannyPlum · 20/08/2017 20:29

Regarding Avon, some of their stuff is actually really good and at decent prices. I often order from Avon but wouldn't touch Younique with a barge pole.

rabbitcakes · 20/08/2017 20:38

I don't get the deal with Usborne books. You can buy them on Amazon for less that Doris round the corner. And they come next day. Why would you buy direct?!!!

zzzzzz1 · 20/08/2017 20:38

In the majority of cases, the real big earners in MLM do so by selling training materials and seminars to their own people, or via appearance fees for speeches at large corporate functions. As well, a huge percentage of an MLM's sales are made to those chasing the opportunity themselves. Many also charge monthly fees for online access or have minimum monthly purchases. It is almost mathematically impossible to make a living simply selling products to people on the street.

CaoNiMartacus · 20/08/2017 20:39

The only people who benefit from MLMs are the mostly Mormon bosses in Salt Lake City.

Grimbles · 20/08/2017 20:40

@NeverTwerkNaked it's always a white SUV isn't it? An evoque or Audi usually

Tanith · 20/08/2017 20:49

I'm not sure about Avon: in my day, it used to be a neighbour coming round and selling make up etc. and having a gossip. Their Skin So Soft oil was brilliant for getting rid of cats fleas
A nice side-line earner for a local Mum. She certainly wasn't going to make her fortune and her products were reasonable.

Younique is shockingly expensive rubbish and the idea is not to sell it (because so many see through the pseudo-American hard sell techniques), but to recruit some other poor sods to sign up as a seller so you can bully live off their earnings.
That's why it's a pyramid scheme in all but name.

A good product should sell itself. You should not need to lie. If you do, you should think seriously whether to continue - are you really the seller of the Century and are you prepared to con people? If not, then cut your losses now before you lose any more money.

Mantasay · 20/08/2017 20:55

YANBU. I don't know what the answer is though...

AltheaThoon · 20/08/2017 21:11

I used to cross the street to avoid a FL acquaintance when my DS had excema as a baby. One the one time she caught me she told me not to bother seeing a doctor because they'd just give him steroid cream - she had something better that would work wonders.

We went to see a doctor and the excema cleared up.

MiraiDevant · 20/08/2017 21:29

I was caught by a party invitation. Was so pleased to be invited - quite flattered as the woman was one of the Primary School "Royalty" mums. Lovely house, a lot of friends, clever - I was new and knew few people so was hoping to begin to fit in. It was a sales thing and I didn't realise until too late and I felt absolutely pushed into buying stuff. I couldn't have said no as it would have been rude, crass. I would have been ashamed to have missed the point, humiliated not to have understood that it was expected. Horrible feeling.

Now, so much older and more confident - and knowing more about it - I wouldn't think twice about leaving without buying.

NoPressureNoDiamonds · 20/08/2017 21:33

I know 3 people who got involved in them briefly (JP or similar). One tried to recruit me 😂. Made me angry cause she tried to use the "time with my family" line and I was about a month in to mat leave so it felt like she was trying to get me when she assumed I felt vulnerable in this respect. Arsehole.
However, of these 3 people I know 2 in a professional capacity and they are intelligent women. The other isn't particularly but she certainly isn't vulnerable iyswim. If they are stupid enough to fall for it then more fool them imo. I just removed them in FB so I didn't get bored by it all.

Flip

1 2 3 4