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MLM Bot Watch 24 - Powered by Twunk's Yazoo: Tragicomic cultic wampum flogging scamalangadingdongs like Forever Living, Ariix, Herbalife, Younique, Juiceplus, LifeTreeWorld.

999 replies

stopfaffing · 17/06/2016 06:12

New thread, links to follow...

OP posts:
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cozietoesie · 19/07/2016 06:45

Well indeed - a deal was hammered out. And it's taken long enough. But what the MLM have had to concede in non-compensatory terms seems to be pretty brutal. (The stunned initial silence from the media when the FTC Chairwoman invited questions is quite telling, I think.)

The future approach of the Independent Compliance Auditor will likely be key, I guess.

ForeverYazoonique · 19/07/2016 09:06

Wow to the video - I got about halfway through before my internet connection gave up (grrrrr) but I got her statement and a couple of questions.

What is very obvious is the clear practice of purchasing stock at wholesale just to qualify for bonuses and the recruitment being such an integral part of the bonus structure is a real problem for the FTC.

It's far more damning of the business structure than I imagined. And you can see she's agreed not to call it a pyramid scheme but still thinks it is one.

ForeverYazoonique · 19/07/2016 09:08

And let's make this clear - Herbal life is not especially bad. It seems really rather tediously typical of the MLM industry.

cozietoesie · 19/07/2016 09:24

I'm going to be interested to see the real-life reaction of other players in the industry to the ruling. (I have my doubts whether there will be a unanimous approach. Obviously, I wouldn't be expecting concerns about 'poacher turned gamekeeper' activity but commercial advantage and all?........)

Jonsey32 · 19/07/2016 13:19

I have a question. Being on maternity leave I have become morbidly fascinated with these companies because of all the propositions I have had!
I have been following one of the LTW girls and have watched things play out over the last few days. She put something on her Facebook and then quite a few people started saying how they hadn't been paid etc..... These comments were later removed and only positive things left.
Last night a video was put up about what a terrible day she had had and how evil people were...
I guess my question is..... These
People at the top who claim to be making the most... Are they really not concerned that there seem to be major problems? So they believe all that they are told from even higher up or are they in on the scam?
I really can't work it out?? It's bothering me!
Hope that all makes sense!! X

Toobusytowee · 19/07/2016 13:32

Jonsey, my theory is that a lot of the people joining LTW have previously been in MLMs. They believe in the 'business model' because they have had it drummed into their heads again and again that the system works. They are given anecdotal evidence that MLM is great. They eventually stop questioning and just believe everything they are told. They completely lose their critical faculties and lose their ability to think properly when it comes to their MLM.

In LTW, they can see some problems but they are told it will all be ok. Just have faith, everything will be ok. They are told these things by their 'team', their 'leaders' and their 'family'. They have sunk money into it already so , like a gambler, they will hang on a bit more and see if they can recoup their money.

MyCatsHateMLMtoo · 19/07/2016 17:02

Jonesy I know who you mean. I saw the fb video you mentioned where she lamented about the flack she's being getting from disgruntled people who she persuaded to get involved in the MLM. I note that early on in the video she tried to distance herself from the company, even though she has been instrumental in persuading many, many people into her downline with all sorts of false promises and dreams. These same people are now upset because her promises of 'making money shopping' , £££ and free cars have not been realised and that in fact orders are not being processed, money is not being refunded, calls, emails and complaints are not being dealt with.

She says she has been involved in MLM companies for six years, so there is no doubt she knows the drill and that in order to have any chance at all of making any money, you have to be a founder or near founder member and have to persuade vulnerable people to sign up. The vast majority don't make a living and usually spend more than they ever earn. Sometimes a lot more.

This woman is still banging her MLM drum, publicising an up and coming training event later this month. However, she also owns a real business so won't be in a vulnerable financial position should this latest MLM venture go pair shaped (like all her previous ones did, presumably).

Her MLM is 'relaunching' later this year (September I think) and the question many current members who are owed money, shopping and answers are asking is...what the hell happened to MY money? Where is it? Where is my shopping orders? They want answers and until recently, she was the mouthpiece who had all the answers. Not any more, apparently.

cozietoesie · 19/07/2016 17:25

This is an interesting article about the recent FTC decision and its likely impact.

You'll notice that it foreshadows the issuing of new MLM 'guidance' by the FTC.

cozietoesie · 19/07/2016 17:31

I'm desperately sorry, MyCats, for those people who have been persuaded into an MLM, particularly where they were hoping to make budgets stretch a little or gain some independence.

Jonsey32 · 19/07/2016 19:07

Mycats you've hit the nail
On the head I think.
I watched in fascination because I really couldn't work out if she knows the game is up or is also a victim.
Perhaps there's a fine line but yhI fact she deleted anything negative - the poor ladies saying they hadn't received their pay etc - tells me
She must know the situation and is trying to hide it from the people who are still ploughing money in.
I honestly find it upsetting to watch.

DollyTwat · 19/07/2016 21:29

That lady knows exactly what's she's doing. This is not the first scam she's been involved in.

The Sky deal has unraveled quite spectaculay, from LTW

This is to clarify the confusion about our recent launch of services. LTW is not teamed up with SKY directly. LTW is referring new customers to Ipik Solutions. Ipik Solutions is a business unit and trading name of Apex Junction Ltd, who is an independent company providing following products and services.

Fully authorised and approved Sky Retailer.
Independent Sky expert with local knowledge & Customised advice.
Satellite Installations.
Communal System Installations.
Media Installations.
CCTV Solutions.
In order for us to take this venture successfully forward all LTW IBOs have to be compliant with Ipik Solutions policies and procedures. According to the company’s policies few critical points are mentioned below.

All offers are only for new customers to Sky (Non-Sky customers).
Any existing Sky customer will not be entertained for any new offers.
All exclusive offers and prices are not allowed to advertise via any medium.
Ipik Solutions are holding and not processing all LTW referred customers due to the following compliance issues.

Offers are being advertised on social media.
Existing customers are being referred for new offers.
Existing customers are being advised to cancel existing contracts and re-sign with new offers.
All referrals and offers will be released once again when we address all above issues with responsibility. And take immediate below actions for the successful future of this venture.

Remove all offers immediately from any medium.
Only use word of mouth to promote exclusive offers & prices and once customer is referred Ipik Solutions trained staff will explain all offers and prices available.
Only refer new customers.
Make sure all referrals know that they are getting their sky packages via Ipik Solutions.
Stay compliant with company’s policies and procedures.
If any IBO or customer has any concerns about credentials of Ipik Solutions then feel free to contact directly to Ipik solutions via their website OR contact can be made to LTW as well and all questions will be answered at the level of satisfaction.

Regards

Your Lifetree World Team

MyCatsHateMLMtoo · 19/07/2016 21:39

It seems that Sky have been on to LTW and put them in their place.

However:-

"Existing customers advised to cancel existing contracts and re-sign with new ones" Really? Shock

"Only use word of mouth to promote offers" In other words, no written evidence Shock.

You couldn't make it up (although they seem too Hmm).

cozietoesie · 19/07/2016 21:51

Gosh.

Oh - and I do hope, particularly given the extremely sensitive data they seem to be holding, that all these MLMs and other companies are fully DPA-compliant, including registration as appropriate. It could all get quite difficult for them otherwise eg in the event of an ICO complaint investigation.

I'm sure they are of course. Smile

DollyTwat · 19/07/2016 22:03

LTW people still advertising it as an exclusive deal with Sky.

I predict the brothers at the top making a quick getaway quite soon, winding it all up and taking the dosh

CamelsAndMaus · 20/07/2016 03:55

Thoroughly depressed this morning.

My cousin posted a few months ago about not wanting to return to work after maternity (two young children) and I warned her at the time about MLMs as she was the perfect obvious target.

Now one of her "friends" is advocating a miracle berry cure added to yoghurt for exzema which she should try on her youngest. A bit more digging (and it was, in the style of these things, difficult to work out exactly which MLM was involved) and it's Juice Plus.

With the standard "inspirational" posts about how it's paying her mortgage. More subtle postings than some of the huns (this one can actually spell) but one of the times when living over 4,000 miles away from the UK is disheartening.

CamelsAndMaus · 20/07/2016 04:04

And googling show that this image of "Jodie" and the miracle cure has been shared by many, many people (I've found examples in Spain, Russia and Portugal).

MyCatsHateMLMtoo · 20/07/2016 08:37

Can you tell your cousin about the use of 'library' pictures that bear no relation to a cure using the miracle product? So sad Sad.

cozietoesie · 20/07/2016 09:25

Is she actually in, though, CAM, or just 'listening' to them? She may still be reachable.

CamelsAndMaus · 20/07/2016 10:11

Thankfully not "in" and I've managed to speak to her via FB so hopefully she won't get sucked in (since this another of her friends is raving about FL aloe vera gel as well).

CAM

cozietoesie · 20/07/2016 10:20

There are loads and loads of useful links in BotWatchBlog. I'd maybe steer her to those and to Timeless Vie as well.

Lots of luck.

CamelsAndMaus · 20/07/2016 11:24

I've steered her here as I've told her that she is now anonymously famous on MN ;) I'm far less worried about her now (although I'm sure she'll be targeted more) but hopefully she'll read up and prevent others if possible.

CAM

CamelsAndMaus · 20/07/2016 11:28

And on a completely random note, I just re-looked at the second picture I posted and I'm now trying to work out why her (cousin's bot friend, not cousin) tabulated, detailed notebook is upside down. Because that picture isn't posed at all is it? Or taken from somewhere else?

CAM

cozietoesie · 20/07/2016 11:41

Could it be written from right to left?

Toobusytowee · 20/07/2016 13:33

I think the pad has been left as she has been writing on it. There appears to be a margin on the left. My money is on the person being left handed and choosing to write that way so that their hand doesn't hit the spiral bit as they get to the edge of the page.

cozietoesie · 20/07/2016 13:46

In light of this, I wonder how many UK MLM operations will be introducing 'Wonderful New and Revised Compensation Schemes' very shortly? 😊

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