To be annoyed with my cousin....

[TableFlowerss]

So a cousin that I’ve not seen for about a year sends me a message out of the blue asking how I was etc...(She lives about 2 miles away)

Never messaged and I thought ‘that’s nice’, maybe she’s struggling with lockdown and I’d feeling lonely as she’s single. She said would Iike to FaceTime catch up as she’s started her own business and would like to show me it.

I did think there might be more to it as she seemed intent on pinning me down to a date for a FaceTime. (Again I never hear from her from one year to the next and she passes my house several times a month)

I was expecting her to show me a craft hobby she’d set up and I thought she probably wants me to buy some items.

I wasn’t overly keen as I felt it was a bit underhanded to pretend she wants to genuinely catch up with me, when the reality is she wants to sell me stuff.

I got it wrong though....

Yesterday she called with the how are you etc and then asked if I minded if her boss joins us on the FaceTime call - (at this point I’m like WTF)

Over a barrel I said ‘yes it’s ok’. So then ‘Sarah’ her boss appears and stated talking about the business. (I’m not naming it but it’s once if those pyramid types where you have to get people on board and then you get commission etc.... there’s loads of them!)

So I had to follow their internet link and hear her waffle on how amazing the business is, both the product/service and being an ‘employee’. Then they get to the end after about 20 mins and she says ‘so if you click on that link and we’ll get you signed up’

I was fuming. I feel that was so out of order of my cousin to be sly about it and pretend she wanted to chat. She just wanted to sign me up!!

As you can imagine, I was under pressure but I said no anyway because I was so mad that she’s put me in that situation.

I’ve got my own shit to deal with at the moment and Ive not got time for shit like that. It’s the underhanded aspect of if that I’m pissed off with!

Please send your cousin this link - whichever MLM she is with it will be relevant to as they all use the same tactics and methods. They are AWFUL.

go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=ellebeaublog.com/poonique/

@greyhills

I feel a bit sorry for your cousin. She's in a vulnerable place emotionally and has been brainwashed into believing this stuff; and it appears that her 'boss' is manipulating her rather thoroughly.

Try not to be too cross with her - save your annoyance for 'Sarah'.

Though of course Sarah has an upline too and is probably under similar pressure. Ultimately the blame lies with the MLM companies themselves and the Government’s unwillingness to regulate their practices and demand transparency. It also lies with their dishonest representative association, the Direct Selling Association which is currently lying to people about the benefits of MLM all over the media. Utility Warehouse has some politicians who appear to have an interest in it (other MLMs have this blurred line too no doubt) so that doesn’t help get things sorted out.

Aside from the whole annoying element in general of the MLM concept, as you can all relate, having people constantly trying to sell you stuff, tagging you in stuff on FB etc when you’ve already said no.

What’s really got to me over and above anything else, is the deceit and pretending she was looking for some feedback about her business venture. (Ie do you like these designs?.... she’s got two boys so I thought she maybe wants the perspective from a parent of a girl for example)

I was sitting there in my PJ’s then I get asked if ‘Sally can join in to’. I just think it’s a really shitty thing to do when you try to blindside the person.

It’s awful.

@greyhills

I feel a bit sorry for your cousin. She's in a vulnerable place emotionally and has been brainwashed into believing this stuff; and it appears that her 'boss' is manipulating her rather thoroughly.

Try not to be too cross with her - save your annoyance for 'Sarah'.

I understand what you’re saying and I know it’s because you’re probably an understanding person. Objectively you’re right but I also agree with @YouokHun in that where’s the line to be drawn, because in theory everyone’s under pressure from the top.

So I can’t say I feel sorry for my cousin, because ultimately the buck lies with her for trying to blindside me, lie to me and use me for her own financial gain. All on the back of pretending to want to catch up.