To be pissed off an MLM stall turned up at toddler group this morning?

[diditallgook]

Went to our usual Wednesday group only to find someone standing behind a table with a load of skincare products. It was really awkward and made people feel obliged to buy something (I didn’t.)

I don’t normally sweat the small stuff but I am wondering if I should mention something - but then I’ll look like a pain, won’t I?

How do you get guilt tripped?
"Sorry can't buy today" or
"Sorry not my thing".
That's all you have to say.
If you've spent 30quid on something you didn't want then that's on you.

Assume she is told how many people a month to message and what sort of tone to use to get a response.

I think that's exactly how it works. Everyone you know is a prospective recruit into the pyramid - so you get random facebook messages from people you were at school with 30 years ago. They are also told that no doesn't actually mean no, it means "not at the moment" so will be back in a few weeks.

And you haven’t read my other post properly

The only one that is remotely suitable for a toddler group is probably Usborne. I can’t get too exercised about parents of preschool children being offered the chance to buy books. If they want to buy them cheaper elsewhere, then that’s fine too.

Literally none of it is true about MLM. My travel lady (selling zero travel) claims she is eating at posh places and drinking cocktails on Mondays while I am at work in my normal boring job and having ‘meetings’ all day. They all fake it till they make it it’s just recruitment

They exploit vulnerable people, lie and cost people thousands.

I hate them.

Same. And I LOATHE the emotional blackmail selling tactics they get their brainwashed to use; I’m just a mum trying to make a better life for my kids/ this allows me to be around for my kids after school etc

I don’t want to buy shite with my hard-earned wages, so you can be around for your kids, not working!

I agree with you op, and often these groups are used to rope mum's into the 'business' too. Al it takes is for someone to mention feeling bad/sad/anxious about returning to work and they're all like 'oh come and join me.' it's exploitative, usually the women doing the selling are being exploited too, it's sickening how it's still allowed as business model.

I must live in a parallel universe because I've never been made to feel bad because I don't want to buy anything from any of these sellers.
Or be persuaded to join up to be a seller myself.
Never once has it happened.

Iiquidsnake mumsnet bingo win. No matter what the issue it must be man's fault. I mean seriously.

I agree - I liked the books and cards (Usborne and Phoenix I think) because I bought those anyway.

All the stuff I didn’t fancy? Never felt remotely obliged to buy. I’ve been through years of seeing them but I was never once talked to about becoming a rep.

If someone's short of money then last thing they need us being dragged into a massive scam, right?! How can people not realise MLM is predatory bullshit?

Because when you're being asked to join by Donna from the zumba class, Millie from dance class's mum or Sarah whose son goes to football with yours, you have no reason to disbelieve their lies about making £££ and sacking the boss.

That's the problem isn't it. They lie through their teeth claiming they're making bank when they're just getting into vast quantities of debt.

If someone wanted to start their own business, it's pretty much the antithesis of what they should be doing with their money and time.

I want to have pity for them as they're being scammed. But they are actively scamming other people and that's the whole 'business model'. Absolute load of fucking cobblers, isn't it?

Definitely say something, @diditallgook . It's not okay to make parents feel uncomfortable at these groups; they exist to give the toddlers socialisation and the parents some company. Not to try and avoid a hun.

Usbourne books at ours, drives me mad. Far more expensive than at Sainsbury’s too

https://ellebeaublog.com/

this is an absolutely fascinating rabbit hole of a read!

My nursery had a pamper evening from temple spa where she poured bubbly then upsold everyone- I promised myself I wouldn't buy that evening and stuck to it, only the poor nursery workers made purchases!

Blimey. Rude, much.

Definitely unreasonable. I'm guessing it's Tropic as a woman on our estate does it and peddles about how it's basically charity as the company does so many good things around the world. So when you shell out £50 for some suncream you are helping women and children in the 3rd world.

While I dislike the concept of MLM and the way vulnerable women are exploited (it's nearly always women) some of them actually sell decent products.

Our energy supplier is Utility Warehouse. We signed up with them years ago before they became an MLM. We have solar panels and our energy bills are very low because they gave us a really good feed in tariff rate. So, as a product I rate them even if they are an MLM. I quite like Tropic and Temple Spa products as well.

If I was at a toddler group and someone selling something I didn't want was there I would just say "no thanks" and not give it a second thought, regardless if it was a charity or an MLM (although if it was a charity I would probably give them a donation).

It’s rude to ask someone something politely and making it clear (through the word ‘not’) that it isn’t to be read aggressively - ok then.

They all pretend to be high up the pyramid lol.

They are Turkish and tbh their products are really good. I bought a few bits & was impressed. I’m looking at the business opportunity now as their prices are less that the ‘hyped’ brands I was using & actually better. 🥰