MLM bot watch - Continued discussion of the network marketing companies Forever Living, Herbal Life, Juice Plus etc as a pyramid scheme or scam

[CheekySmile]

Still continuing the discussion of the various network marketing schemes or multi-level marketing schemes (MLMs) that people we know are involved in.

If you have an MLM bot of your own then join us and share their claims and content.

Or if you are researching a company before signing up to be a network marketer please take a look at the previous threads here and here and also this thread which delves deeper into the workings of MLMs.

And don't forget our very own MN MLM Timeless Vie!
www.facebook.com/timelessvie
www.twitter.com/timelessvie
www.timelessvie.wordpress.com

Toobusytowee - 'Private Eye' is another publication which I have previously approached, but without any result. In a couple of phone conversations, I got the impression that the staff considered the average 'Private Eye' reader not to be a potential target for 'MLM' cult recruitment.

rayofhope - You are absolutely right to protect your indentity and those of your loved ones, and you should not in any way blame yourself for doing so.

Obviously, I want people to speak out openly about 'MLM' racketeering, but I also realise that some people find it impossible to identify themselves.

Thank-you for continuing to do what you can, because I, above all people, know the levels of honesty and courage you have already shown.

Rayofhope, when were you active in flp?

First time posting here but I've been following all the threads. Over Christmas a relative became a Tropic bot and I'm already sick of it. She's ex FL which left her in a pile of debt so I really don't know why she's trying again with this shit.
She recently left her job and within two days had announced her new venture. I received a recruitment message as did my mother, aunt and anyone else she could think of. She's not trying to sell us the products so it looks like she's just slipped back into the FL way of things.

Insufferable twunt.

SomebodySedateMe - Sadly, going from one self-gratifying 'MLM' game of make-believe to another, is not that unusual. It's essentially the same as compulsive gambling, but where the losing 'MLM' players cannot accept that the game is rigged, and instead they desperately continue to believe that the next roll of the 'FLP' dice, or spin of the 'Tropic Skin' wheel, etc., must be the one which finally brings them the jackpot.

Your relative will only be in danger whilst she has access to cash, and/or credit.

I've advised one guy (a pensioner) in the USA who fell victim to 5 successive 'MLM' cultic rackets in 4 years, before he finally did some research and realised the truth. I believe Robert FitzPatrick has had contact with another American guy who had wasted his cash in 7 'MLM' cultic rackets over period of more than 10 years.

FGS - someone I thought was sane has just put up the "would anyone like to try this box of goodies for 48 hours?" Crap on FB

This disturbing link was sent to my Blog this evening, but I've not posted it. The anonymous sender has told me that he/she is 'proud to be a Tropic Skin Care Abassador' and 'anyone who believes Tropic Skin Care is a scam is nuts.'*

www.larnetimes.co.uk/news/your-community/down-your-way/whitehead-women-s-institute-fundraiser-for-hope-house-1-7119292

Been ages since I posted but just catching up. Good work everyone. I'm a former mag journo too and while I don't know about legalities, I agree they will want people to be photographed and named which given the regret, embarrassment and occasionally shame felt by former bots would be tricky. Not at all impossible in the right hands though. It would be strongest as a three-hander case study piece with bots from different scams.
In the meantime I wonder would it be worth contacting editors pointing out the scam so they hopefully won't feature the products. The bots were all over a recent aloe plug in Cosmo recently.

Most beauty editors have Twitter accounts. I wonder which p.r. company FL use? I'm just relieved that because the product/packaging looks so uncool it seldom gets picked up and used in editorial by the glossies.

Long time lurker & have NC as I was on the original thread that started but come off MN over November and December. I remember eyespy and found his posts extremely insightful (it was a shame others disagreed).

I want to post my FLbot's update

Today's update only got 4 likes out of 1000+ FB friends
A simple hello could lead to a million things
I have 2 Jan spaces remaining on the 5 Month Manager Training Program
This is what I started Jan 2015 and in those 5 months I not only gained time freedom and the luxury of working from home around my family, I also gained financial freedom... which back 7 months ago was double my full time salary... not bad for 5 months work!
I had no experience or relevant qualifications and nothing over 10 spare hours per week but the training and constant support is basically on tap and this allowed me to build a business in the spare time that I did have around a full time job and family commitments! Just look what that has given me!
I have become a professional Network Marketer and Business Coach with a team of over 100 all on exactly the same path as me and achieving life-changing things!! The income has continued to grow, I have developed so much as a person and have been treated like royalty by this amazing company, enjoying the experiences and friends that I would never have had if I hadn't have found and listened to this opportunity!^
This has changed my life... fact! And changed others like you wouldn't believe!.. I once thought it was too good to be true... I hold my hands up...I was soooo wrong!!!
2015 was the warm up... 2016 is the year to shine and if you want a change, are considering stating your own business for an additional income or for a completely new career change, or are just intrigued message me and I can tell you more on-line or over a cuppa with absolutely no pressure involved... I'm not into that!
‪#‎gettingpaidforchatting‬ #2016
‪#‎Newyearnewgoals‬ ‪#‎financialfreedom‬ ‪#‎timefreedon‬ ‪#‎beyourownboss‬ ‪#‎recognition‬ ‪#‎achieveyourworth‬ ‪#‎thecarnandholidaysarentbadeither‬

Sminky you are right - they are hardly queuing up to feature the premium prices/pound land packaging rubbish. Must be why bots were so excited when Cosmo featured them. Also, apologies - thought I'd read to end of thread before posting but I missed the last page.
Like many on here I've gone from eye rolling amusement about FL to real concern. Really had no idea and I think most people still don't. It's rife at our school gates and I'm sick of it.

They all manage to 'double my salary' is that another line they are told to spin.

AbolishFLobots - Thanks for the thumbs up, but I wasn't surprised or offended when my posts were politely criticised (by some members) for being too long, and serious, for this type of forum; so I took the hint and created another thread.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/2446930-FL-MLM-Thread-3?watched=1

I first began to post on MN last year at the request of a political reseacher with whom I was then in contact via my Blog, and who wanted to see the reaction of MN members (who had mainly been taking the piss out FLbots) to my (far from funny) analysis of the wider 'MLM' phenomenon.

I'd previous told this reseacher that the full and frightening truth about 'MLM' cultism, is unthinkable to most people (even when they witness parts of it first hand).

Various other members have asked me to keep posting on MN and, thankfully, there are an increasing number of concerned people coming to these threads who, like you, are thinking the unthinkable.

It looks like the well down castle bot is giving out bulk brought gifts for other bots...

I love this thread, been reading so far but haven't posted before. I live in a large village with a large percentage of housewives (me being one too) and FL is rife here. Within a one mile radius I know of eight FL bots. How an earth are they making any money if there's so many of them? Allegedly one of those is raking in 5k a month. Haven't seen her in white Range Rover yet though.

Our community has a free monthly magazine, aimed at mums and that 5k earner had a full page feature of her and this amazing opportunity. I wonder if the editor (one of the local mums) is aware of the whole dodgy MLM behind FL. I just think it was disgusting to give her this platform.

There's also one mum who has started to do Younique. Until now she has been dull little mouse, hair scraped back, no make-up and barely says a word if you pump into her. (she always looks like a deer at headlights rather than stuck up) But now that she's selling Younique, she has re-invented herself, FB full of selfies with full on make up and constant feed of offers and inspirational memes.

Considering I hardly know her, she sent me a jolly message just before new year, asking how the kids are and how lovely christmas she had. And then if I'd like to have a Younique party I declined btw. I can't help but feel sorry for her, what I know, her family isn't in strong financial position, so this must be dead serious for her. She's clearly trying very hard but based on the tumble weed on her updates, it's not looking good for her.

Also what about those dire FB updates about pay cheques?? I mean who does that in real life?? I could never imagine to do that, it's just unbelievable embarrassing and crass.

From what I've read on this thread heli I would be very surprised if your not really is making £5k a month.

Bot not Not!

barely says a word if you pump into her

Not the point I know, but typo of the century for me

The 5k a month fits nicely with the 'earnt double my salary' remember this is often said after less than 6mths. So presuming a job that pays around the minimum wage and approx 15k a year that equates to 60k, which is 5k a month. (I hope people have followed my reasoning/maths)

But it is also apparently achieved on 10hrs a week. Which on lots of rounding up/down is about £125 an hour. Which is quite ridiculous really.

I'm still not believing £5k of profit each month. This thread has made me too cynical.

Oops!!!

Probably £5k turnover for her team. I also find the hyperbole over the ordinary a bit much to. You are going on a holiday? To Lanzarote? Amazing. Going on holiday abroad has not been 'amazing' since the 1960's. £800 a month income? Amazing? Smashing it? Really? That cheque for £16.53. That slays me. I couldn't get into the West End and back and get a McDonalds for that. You went for a coffee? You did some work at your laptop in a hotel? You are a cake? You went to an actual gym? Well I have never, ever seen that before.

Helipad yeah, the showing off about getting paid. You did something to make money for a business and you got paid? Wow. It's both weird and hyperbolic. Client messaged me yesterday and asked me to go to Dublin then Spain for him to do a job, so thats where I'll be next week. Did not post hysterical screaming selfie on Facebook even though it's all expenses paid. Won't be creating any nauseating memes of me kissing my passport. Everytime I do something in my business, I think, 'wonder how a bot would 'promote' this?' Maybe next time I film a production process for my educational blog, I should be in the corner of the shot, pulling an excited face.

That shouldve been 'ate a cake'. My ipad is being totally amazing tonight huns!

I did wonder about the cake. To turn oneself into a cake would be #amazing.