Why are MLMs/ Network Marketing 'businesses' a scam?

[Spongebobette]

This is the 44th thread in a long series about the dangers of network marketing/ MLMs such as Forever Living, Ariix, NuSkin, Arbonne, Younique, Valentus, TS Life, and MANY MANY more!
Posts here will give examples of the lies told by 'top bots' who portray luxury lifestyles in order to lure in new victims and of the other techniques and brainwashing used by MLMs
Over 90% of people who join an MLM end up LOSING money. Always bear that in mind when considering paying money to join!

DH replied to his SIL's begging message (I joined the end of the last thread to mention this) to say we have no interest in the products she sells and to fuck off with the emotional blackmail.

Apparently we can't possibly not have any interest because we have skin. Everyone with skin needs the quality skincare she sells. This was said with a straight face.

Ah, you see, @DappledThings..... no is never taken as meaning no.

What's the deal with Thermomix? I notice a few local mums hosting lunches at theirs where they cook for you and show you what the machine can do. Tempted to go for the free food...

@RelativePitch

Yes oils. Don't think it's the same person though. Sadly there are probably a lot of people who have been sucked in via church connections. It can only have been a church person who got the hooks in. She's spouting nonsense about vibrations and spiritual healing. Saying oils are Biblical and can cure various medical conditions. Never mind all that, I can't believe the prices. Eyewatering. Interestingly a quick Google of the company didn't turn up anything juicy. I wonder if they have lots of lawyers getting negative commentary taken down.

Thanks for the link sorry can't remember who posted it.

@Spongebobette thanks for link

My Juice Plus bot has read the MLM Social Media Cliche book and it’s sooo cringey

Daily spamming of grainy and badly photoshopped weight loss pics, acne cure pics, pregnancy supplements, telling people how someone could stop their diabetes medication and of course de rigeour snapchat pics.

She has a launch party coming up but thank fuck I have a legimate reason not to go. She has a good heart but it is becoming evident she’s a lot thicker than I thought. It would never occur to her that it may not be a good idea to push pills and supplements on pregnant women. Nevermind to advocate stopping medication for diabetes.

Also being accused of emotional blackmail was an unbelievable thing to say and has left her in tears. So denying the EB with a bit of EB. Ok then.

Sad day when a young mum you know now seems to be signing up to her 2nd mlm venture previously done juice plus with no success, just have to sit back and see how it unfolds

@Rednaxela if it's YL oils they had a bit of trouble. They had been illegally importing a particular kind of wood from South America which was endangered. They were fined a hefty amount, but in fairness to YL it was exposed by whistleblowers in the company and they themselves went to the authorities. There was a bit of scandal with former employees sending off their own oils for testing to prove just how pure their oils were and were dismayed to find that synthetic cinnamon had been used, but YL strongly refute that and say it's a case of sour grapes. But yes I agree, the mindset of certain branches of Christianity lends itself very easily to that of MLM. The oils are eye wateringly expensive. Bots have to place a certain amount every month to stay within the commission structure. My bot is very active on social media and very likeable, but is very careful never to make health claims. It's just 'support ' for one's wellness line!

Churches/places of worship are good recruiting grounds. Lots of people, plenty of trust and a sense of community that can be exploited. Remember that pastor who was heavily promoting the dodgy car ponzi that was massive for about 3 weeks?

Hi there, vulnerable friend (very young unemployed ftm mum with little family support or qualifications) has been recently recruited into one of these schemes. She has given up looking for employment or education opportunities. How can I convince her this is a bad idea without seeming too pushy? Don't want to come on the attack as she needs support more than anything right now but can't sit by and watch.

Oh dear @merlotmummy14 has she parted with any money yet? Which MLM is it?

There’s advice on the anti MLM sites such as Botwatch and Timeless Vie. But she may be in the clutches of her upline already, who’ll be telling her that anyone saying anything negative about her business

• isn’t being supportive as a real friend should be
• probably had a failed MLM business because they didn’t try hard enough and are now bitter and twisted
• is a sad person who should be pitied

And she’ll be told it’s best to disengage from you as you’ll just try to drag her down

Grrrrrr Yawn’s got a mum with an 11 week old baby ‘launching her business’ tonight.

Poor woman has probably been encouraged to think she can make enough money to stay at home after maternity leave

S H E W O N T

God yawn really goes for the vulnerable ones, doesn't she

Just seen a few posts about Nu Skins whitening toothpaste - not sure if she's invested money in it yet but will be meeting her next week for coffee and catch up so can see what she's saying then as she's usually pretty honest. I just can't believe they would allow somebody in such a vulnerable situation to join them. Should I directly tell her it's a scam or should I just mention later in the conversation I was reading about these MLM, explain what they are and hope she can put 2 and 2 together? She's very easily influenced but I'm not sure how far in she's got as haven't been active on social media of late.

In the US they target the "homeschooling" moms (who are usually religious) because they are often desperate for some extra income being SAHMs with often large families. I will admit not having as much sympathy for them as I do for the vulnerable single mothers, as they tend to be very holier than thou about mothers who have real jobs.

Interesting Women who sold fake diet and cancer treatments ordered to pay £820,000 www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-46128286

Sleaze is back guys! Our fave anti Semitic conspiracy theorist ponzi scammer is back on FB!!!!!

He’s explained his absence by explaining that he prefers helping people in the real world, rather than on social media. He’s also shown that he & Wig have made 3/4 of a million in the past few months! It must be true - there’s a screengrab of some numbers.

He’s also explained that the reason that they appear so broke humble, is that they only keep what they need for ‘cost of living’ and they give the rest of their squillions of bitcoin away to ‘help others’.

Truly, they are saints. All that money, and they give it away to unnamed causes/individuals whilst persuading people to invest in their scams. Angels of crypto-ponzis.

If you google ‘disgusting lying robbing hypocrite’ it takes you to Sleaze’s page

Probably

Interesting news report cazzyg. Sounds like those two will be up shit loch without a haggis if they don't pay their fine.

Seriously though, why tell people your diet drops can cure cancer? Vile, greedy people.

Looks like Broke has acquired another pet on impulse. How long will this puppy last?

Does show that false medical claims can lead to serious outcomes!

Wonder if that will lead to any changes of behaviour in botland

I know I’m late to the party, but how good is The Dream podcast????

Wow huns! Everyone should be made to listen to this before they are legally allowed to sign up to an MLM.

Wouldn’t it be brilliant if by law all posts about MLMs had to have a Government warning? Like on cigarette packets?

WARNING: MLM’s are proven to result in financial losses for 99% of participants. Participants are subject to emotional manipulation and pressure. Products are overpriced and uncompetitive, making retail sales difficult or impossible. Join at your own risk and never spend more than you can afford.

......than you can afford........Let me add on there, 'without recourse to plastic'. Too many people go into debt on their cards - but still think that they can 'afford it' because their cards work..........

For a while.......

Breast cancer awareness month is at an end so now it's time to donate packs of FL products to domestic violence charities... At least if you are a well educated bot.