Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be confused about friend’s Maldives holiday

245 replies

Jacobijake · 02/11/2021 11:44

A friend of mine had a ‘proper’ job but also sells FM cosmetics on the side. I know this is an MLM and so I’ve muted all her posts and she doesn’t try to sell to me so it doesn’t bother me and I don’t think about it.

However she’s recently (last week) been to the Maldives on a work trip which looked amazing, she said she didn’t have to pay for it it came through her ‘side hustle’ Hmm I guess I’m just wondering if that’s true? I always thought MLMs were a complete con and no one made money etc but I’ve seen the holiday pics and it’s a 5* resort! Also pictured are loads of other sellers of her particular thing (FM cosmetics).

To be clear I have no intention of buying products/joining/ and I genuinely think all MLMs prey on the vulnerable.

OP posts:
steff13 · 02/11/2021 14:31

The Watts family murders were linked to the parents involvement in a MLM

The Shanann Watts and her children were murdered because Christ Watts was having an affair and didn't want to be bothered with his family anymore. Shanann worked for an MLM, but Chris killed her and their children because he is a monster. The MLM didn't have anything to do with it.

Squeezita · 02/11/2021 14:42

@steff13 the point is Shannann Watts was under huge pressure to maintain a happy family image due to her job, and she couldn't afford to pay the mortgage on her home on her MLM 'salary', part of the reason she didn't leave her husband.

If she had a normal job, she may have been able to leave Chris Watts.

user564398 · 02/11/2021 14:43

That 'holiday' looks like some awful wedding that you wouldn't really want to be at. Thats no holiday.

cuttlefishgame · 02/11/2021 14:49

@CallMeRisley

Apparently FM “hired the whole island” Hmm
They probably own the place. Business who do that sort of thing put it in their corporate finances under 'Overseas Development' or some such nonsense.

Still, hey ho - the more that people fly out to these things the greater their carbon footprint: and the Maldives will be one of the first land areas to disappear underneath rising sea levels.

steff13 · 02/11/2021 14:49

[quote Squeezita]@steff13 the point is Shannann Watts was under huge pressure to maintain a happy family image due to her job, and she couldn't afford to pay the mortgage on her home on her MLM 'salary', part of the reason she didn't leave her husband.

If she had a normal job, she may have been able to leave Chris Watts.[/quote]
I'm not a fan of MLMs, but she was an educated woman. She could have had a regular job. It's a stretch to blame the MLM.

peaceanddove · 02/11/2021 15:02

An ex friend walked away from a £45K job in local government to join the Forever MLM cult. I know that in the following 3 years she didn't earn a single penny of real money (her DH told me) and he had to pay for everything.

She posted old (back when she actually earned a decent salary) photos of herself in 5* locations pretending they were current. She would buy designer clothes and bags, pose in them for FB, then return them. It was pathetic.

turnaroundtime · 02/11/2021 15:16

@fatshitcrazy

I know someone in the same trip, I think they get the accommodation but have to pay their own airfare and for everything else while they are there. It's all a big con
to be fair, the accommodation at a Maldivian resort is the biggest cost by far
LittleGwyneth · 02/11/2021 15:20

A small number of people do make decent money in MLMs. But it often ruins your friendships, and you're taking part in something unethical. Plus you've got to be really good at it, with a brass neck, for that to even be a possibility.

Thewiseoneincognito · 02/11/2021 15:22

MLM Huns this may be a wake up call trigger you so perhaps don’t read my post….

STAY THE F AWAY FROM MLMS/ PYRAMID SCHEMES. NOTHING GOOD WILL EVER COME OF IT DESPITE WHAT THE CHARLAT-HUNS TELL YOU.

Hopeisallineed · 02/11/2021 15:39

My friend works for Neals Yard. I always thought this was a pyramid scheme but she insists it’s not. Feels like it is and I don’t really like the set up…because it’s organic and right on does not make it okay but am wondering if you would class it as pyramid selling?

ElephantOfRisk · 02/11/2021 15:41

i have 2 separate neighbours/acquaintances/friends that are repeat MLM offendors.

The seem to be otherwise bright and capable women so I have no idea why they keep doing it. Neither has changed lifestyle through all of them (I think one is on her 4th and the other at least 3) I've known them for over 16 years. They both have a nice life, nice house and nothing flashy, both funded mainly by their DHs I presume. It's just bizarre. One keeps posting about people needing to buy from small self employed business owners, as if she is one.

ElephantOfRisk · 02/11/2021 15:43

Neals Yard is apparently NOT a pyramid scheme, it's an MLM....

springiscoming12 · 02/11/2021 15:46

Probably self funded OP, either she’s paying it herself or using her “commission” to pay for it.
Watch the Amazon series LulaRich, it’s about an American MLM and it’s fascinating.

Bluntness100 · 02/11/2021 15:51

Can’t believe some of these responses, 😂😂😂😂

Even after someone said it was all expenses paid. And to suggest the hotel accommodation is free, eh, no I’d bet good money it was bloody expensive,

Haffiana · 02/11/2021 16:02

The thing that enrages me about these schemes is that they target those least able to pay for them, young out-of-work mothers desperate for a job that works around their children's schooling. They end up in debt instead.

SO many on these threads believe it is possible as well. Be careful - if you believe it is possible then you are a prime target.

thisplaceisweird · 02/11/2021 16:02

They're actively encouraged to lie about their lavish lifestyles and how much money they make.

Must be all too tempting to invited to a special trip with a tiny portion of it paid and then make out to your facebook friends that you're so succesful your company brought you away for an all expenses paid trip.

Haffiana · 02/11/2021 16:08

As an actual small business owner, who works directly with many other small business owners, I have never, ever once encountered anybody who actually posts on social media about their car or 'holiday'.

Nor would any self-respecting self-employed person go on 'holiday' with a bunch of random other self-employed people. FFS, why would anyone think that would be a desirable thing to do?

I go on holiday with my family and friends.

RantyAunty · 02/11/2021 16:16

It's mostly bunk except for the people at the very top.

A predatory business model that takes advantage of mostly women.
Most come out with a few boxes of worthless trinkets, debt, and friends who avoid them.

If they took the money and effort they waste on these scams, and put it into a solid education for a well paid career, they'd be making plenty of legit money.

YourFinestPantaloons · 02/11/2021 16:17

@TaraR2020

I have a friend with the same mlm, they've put in a lot of work and make a lot of money through it - and yes, they get free trips to the Maldives and other places.

It's not for me, personally, but I'm definitely envious of the free holidays!

Your friend is lying, they don't make a lot of money at all, they will tell you that for if they ever need to recruit you.

There's so many things to follow that reveal the truth about MLM. Usually these holidays are a few days, the company pays for hotel and the 'ambassadors' have to pay for flights, food and activities

youvegottenminuteslynn · 02/11/2021 16:18

I know someone in the same trip, I think they get the accommodation but have to pay their own airfare and for everything else while they are there. It's all a big con

This. It's a shitty misrepresentation, just like the cars they are 'given' that are actually leased on finance, in your name and if you don’t maintain your sales, they withdraw their contribution to your lease payments, leaving you to shoulder the burden of the entire amount for the remainder of the lease commitment.

MLMs are a disgusting business model. Truly.

YourFinestPantaloons · 02/11/2021 16:18

Ms Sponlie is a good source to follow, she works hard to expose the holes on these companies

Hopeisallineed · 02/11/2021 16:19

@ElephantOfRisk don’t they essentially work the same way though?

YourFinestPantaloons · 02/11/2021 16:21

@MrsMcCluskeysCat

It's like when they get a 'free car'. Except it's a PCP/HP taken out in their name which if they don't hit the ridiculously high sales target each month they won't be reimbursed for so have to cover the payments themselves.
Yep. A friend did some Keto MLM, got a Range Rover but she had to make about £800 of sales a month in order for them to pay for the car. And if she didn't, the payment that month had to come out her own pocket - £700!!! So she often bought her own stock to ensure she hit the target
DentalWorries · 02/11/2021 16:24

I had a friend who toyed with joining one of the juice type ones. When she was considering signing up as an incentive they invited her to spend her Saturday morning visiting a car dealership to congratulate one of the huns on the car they were being presented with 😂 She realised at that point it wasn’t a genuine business opportunity

Malibuismysecrethome · 02/11/2021 16:36

Does anyone remember the paper hearts MLM from about 20 years ago?

Swipe left for the next trending thread