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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not support friends new business venture

216 replies

melclaire1111 · 05/02/2018 06:17

Not sure if I'm being a bit unfair or if i should stick with my current stance!

I Have a friend, let's call her B. We have been friends for many years after meeting through mutual school friends and have been through many milestones together (broken relationships, engagements, weddings, buying houses etc)

That's about where the similarity ends tho. B went to uni and came out with a very well paid job which she progressed further into (financial controller type role) I didn't go to uni but instead work in a more administrative role at team leader level, any more responsibility does not appeal to me and am perfectly happy.

We both had DC's within 6 month of each other. B didn't return to work. She was made redundant while on maternity leave and was fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with DC. I went bavk full time after 8 months as financially we needed the money and I wanted DC to go to a nursery setting which they do full time and are absolutely thriving there. B and i have argued about this in the past as she has called me an absent parent for doing this and did once say what was the point in having children if all I did was send them to childcare but we have agreed to have difference of opinions on this!

Anyway b has recently started selling products to a well know MLM company, and is flooding her Facebook with posts about how great the products are and trying to get everyone to buy them. The products don't really appeal to me but I have put a few 'likes on her posts to support her.

Today however I received a message asking if i wanted to buy anything as she was putting an order in today. I politely said no as we don't have much money spare (attempting to move house so all spare money is going towards that as the potential new house needs some work) she then replied saying I was the only one of her friends who hadn't brought anything, she was hurt that I'm not supporting her and if it was me she would be buying everything she could. I told her that I think shes doing really well but the products aren't for my liking (she sells make up, I barely wear a coat of mascara when I go out, for work I wear no make up!) And that I didn't have the money to spend on stuff I don't need!

She then carried in saying that I could order the cheapest item they do (£35) and that would make her happy! I politely declined again and received a massive rant how I was an awful friend and she has now blocked me on everything!

I don't feel I'm being unreasonable but Wasn't expecting her reaction I guess.

OP posts:
Abracadabraapileofbollocks · 05/02/2018 08:14

Meh. She wasn't ever a friend if she so readily insulted you and expects you to fund her lifestyle.
Don't bother when she comes back in a couple of weeks with how much money she will claim to have made. Just don't even respond. She will always be like this now.

Namastethefuckawayfromme · 05/02/2018 08:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GeorgeTheHamster · 05/02/2018 08:15

I knew it was going to be one of those shit selling things as soon as I saw the title. It's not a "business" and you don't have to support it. How many genuine businesses do you feel bad about not buying stuff form? None, right? So if this were a genuine business you wouldn't feel bad here either.

It's not a business it's a load of nonsense.

whiskyowl · 05/02/2018 08:16

Wow, she's super-entitled, isn't she?

I think a certain tranche of wealthy people don't have much experience of financial hardship, and honestly can't imagine what it is like. I am not excusing your friend in saying this - if anything, it condemns her all the more. The fact remains that anyone who can put their own MLM business over a friend's financial wellbeing is being a cow.

NewYearNewMe18 · 05/02/2018 08:21

Lets just stop here - in the past as she has called me an absent parent for doing this and did once say what was the point in having children if all I did was send them to childcare - she's no friend, she's a judgemental cow. Bin her without a second thought

I was the only one of her friends who hadn't brought anything .... make her happy manipulative and emotionally blackmailing. Bin , block and forget

PoorYorick · 05/02/2018 08:23

If she was previously in a high up financial role, I'm really surprised she's fallen for this bullshit. No need for you to follow her into the pit.

Strongmummy · 05/02/2018 08:24

I knew it was going to be this MLM nonsense. Tell her to do one! Also remind her that it isn’t a business venture and that she’s being used a zero pay sales rep that has to buy their own stock!! You don’t needs this woman in your life

feska5 · 05/02/2018 08:36

She called you an absent parent and now she’s blocked you. She’s not a friend! It’s that simple. Move on and be grateful she won’t be pressurising you into buy stuff you don’t want and she won’t be insulting you either.

Idontdowindows · 05/02/2018 08:36

MLM is a cult. You are right not to support your friend. She's not running a business, she has been sucked into a cult.

Unfortunately, you are now the enemy, as you will notice.

k2p2k2tog · 05/02/2018 08:38

remind her that it isn’t a business venture and that she’s being used a zero pay sales rep

I do agree with this and I am strongly anti-MLM but that MLM bots will refuse to hear anything against their new "business". They are totally brainwashed by the people further up the pyramid and either truly believe it's going to bring them untold riches, or have fallen for the "fake it till you make it" mantra. They have been told to expect crtiicism and have been told what to say in return.

All you can do is ignore, ignore, ignore. Do not engage. Wait until they come out the other side. Although it does seem that this woman was hardly a friend in the first place.

BrightonBollock · 05/02/2018 08:46

I've seen a few friendships end because of the pushy MLM sales pitch .She's not much of a friend if she values a £35 sale more than you.You've had a lucky escape tbh....even if it's from the cringe worthy inspirational quotes they post all day long on FB Confused

Aeroflotgirl · 05/02/2018 08:48

I hate it and makes me cringe when you hear friends saying their rocking their business, etc, makes me cringe. It's not your business, yiu don't own Younique, you are just one of the many cogs in the wheel that feeds this monster. Like that of other MLM.

Chaosofcalm · 05/02/2018 08:51

‘Business venture’ it is not.

You should have ended our friendship when she called you an absent parent.

Thank your lucky stars that do t have to MLM and she is out of your life.

Sparkletastic · 05/02/2018 08:52

MLM or not she sounds like a dick and you are well rid.

barefoofdoctor · 05/02/2018 08:53

She is an ass. Once she realises her #bossbabe status won't allow her to #work from the comfort of her own #Jacuzzi #making memories and having #quality famalam time she will no doubt realise she's ditched a good friend over a couple of quid. Astonishing someone high up in financial control careerwise would fall for this hogwash. She sounds rather desperate .

specialsubject · 05/02/2018 08:55

Yes, not a business venture, a trap for fools. She clearly flicked her hair through her degree course if she's fallen for this.

File under silly cow ( with a side order of nastiness) and tell her to get back in touch when her brain is reconnected.

Jux · 05/02/2018 08:56

The MLM thing is inexorable when you get stuck in it, and it's crap. The people who introduce you to it will put enormous pressure on you to sell sell sell without let or hindrance (or conscience, or sense or any cognitive function) because if you sell then they get commission too, and they need it because they've sunk even more dosh into than you, and they have people above them who are in the same situation as they are only more so and so it goes on and on and on. An enormous number of people are putting pressure on you to sell.

That's what your friend is suffering.

Put up with the blocking. She is not in her right mind atm. When she extricates herself she'll become a human being again.

iknowimcoming · 05/02/2018 08:58

Yanbu! I'm constantly baffled that there are people left on this earth who still get taken in by this crap, haven't they heard? Confused you're well rid OP! Thanks

honeyroar · 05/02/2018 09:01

She's done you a favour by blocking you!

JaneEyre70 · 05/02/2018 09:12

She's been brainwashed. I had a FB friend request from a very dear old friend I'd lost touch with, and was so chuffed to be back in touch. We shared life stories, then the "have you tried FL" started...... and went on and on and on. She asked for my phone number and my mum's - and it was a sales call. The final straw came when she joined me to a weight loss group, knowing I was a newly diagnosed diabetic and really struggling to get my head round it all. Blocked and lesson learned, but boy it actually hurt. I wasn't a friend, I was a potential victim Hmm

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 05/02/2018 09:18

YANBU.

Also well done for making it clear right from the start that you won't be buying - I suspect a lot of people buy a few items just to be polite, and then get pursued even more relentlessly forever. Stay strong!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 05/02/2018 09:20

OP, by the time she's finished pestering everyone to buy her products, she won't have any friends left, they will have blocked her ! 😂
Don't give her another thought, she wasn't a friend my Lovely.
Keep your well earned money in your purse.
It's just a shame you didn't dump her, when she questioned your parenting.

blueberrymuffs · 05/02/2018 09:22

Sounds like you've had a lucky escape.

Onwards and upwards op! Grin x

ittakes2 · 05/02/2018 09:27

wow! I'm sorry but seems like she is showing you her true colours. even if you were a massive makeup fan - not a reason to buy her products if you don't like them!!