'Fess up...if you sell for mlm companies, give us the dirt

[Anonymous]

10k per month is still six figures per year...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. I sell R&F and have been for over two years. I have a decent team under me and sell to many customers. Look, it's true that some of the language and caps used in posts that people copy are very salesy and annoying. I do use FB, but try to make all the posts my own. I've done well and would be considered successful, top 1%. It's a few thousand per month at this point, but growing steadily and I keep track of every penny I put back into the business, I still come out quite a bit on top after all the expenditures. I don't stalk people and I don't talk about it to friends who I know aren't interested since they already know I'm doing it. Products are good. I def. use them myself and that's about it. I also have a full time job so it's a side thing for right now. Can't say I totally disagree with some of the comments here, but there are many people who actually make very real money doing this.

So if you're top 1% you're only making a few thousand?

Yes, but I'm at the bottom of the top sort of speak. People right above me are brining in in the 6 digits/month, consistently. I've reached a decent level and yes, even a low percentage get where I am, but it's really bc most people quit before they start seeing the ROI. If you stick it out, everyone will absolutely be where I am and much higher.

I'm sorry. Am I really supposed to believe you know people effectively making seven figures selling what boils down to department store level face cream (because that's what a year of someone making six figures a month amounts to)? I know an Obagi rep and their stuff is 1. expensive and 2. works and while she has a lovely life, she's nowhere near making that kind of money. I simply don't believe you.

I didn't say 6 figures, I said 6 digits, so yes, many make 10-30K/month. We pay our own taxes as 1099 contractors, so we have to account for that as well. These people have usually been in the business for 2-4 years. There are few that get there in under 2, but very few. You don't have to believe me, I've seen their checks, they share their numbers with us as a motivator.

I can't even. Who counts the digits after the period when bragging about how much money you're making. "Six digits" ya'll. That's why people are getting scammed. Because the MLM are "promising" things they can't deliver on.

How is that not accurate? It is 6 digits, what did you want me to call it? That's how many digits there are. And no one tells you that you will 100% make that kind of money, but it's possible and many people in the company do just that. I never ever promise anything bc how are you supposed to know how much that person will want to work? how motivated they will be, etc.? Most people want to get the product discount and make extra couple of hundred bucks a month and that's fine, but some really make it a career money making business. You get in not expecting much and sometimes it becomes much more than you thought. I'm just sharing my experience. It's the truth and I'm trying to be nice and explain, but you seem to just want to insult me, which is ok I guess. I'm not bothered by it.

Not only are you misleading with your "6 digits," you can't even count. 10-30K, you say. That's 10,000.00. 5 digits before the decimal, and 7 digits counting the two after the decimal. Where are you getting 6? Are you counting only dimes, not down to pennies? You are NOT doing much to dispel the stereotype of stupid women falling for MLM schemes!!

I think she means 10,000 - maybe? Is that one of their techniques?

That's what I meant. I really didn't mean to confuse anyone. I'm not stupid, just needed to clarify. I don't speak in digits, I should've just said over 10K/month, that's it.

10K is still % digits before the decimal and 7 counting the 2 after the decimal. Where are you getting 6? Can you really not even count to 6???

[Anonymous]

Sorry, that % was supposed to be 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite. I sell R&F and have been for over two years. I have a decent team under me and sell to many customers. Look, it's true that some of the language and caps used in posts that people copy are very salesy and annoying. I do use FB, but try to make all the posts my own. I've done well and would be considered successful, top 1%. It's a few thousand per month at this point, but growing steadily and I keep track of every penny I put back into the business, I still come out quite a bit on top after all the expenditures. I don't stalk people and I don't talk about it to friends who I know aren't interested since they already know I'm doing it. Products are good. I def. use them myself and that's about it. I also have a full time job so it's a side thing for right now. Can't say I totally disagree with some of the comments here, but there are many people who actually make very real money doing this.

So if you're top 1% you're only making a few thousand?

Yes, but I'm at the bottom of the top sort of speak. People right above me are brining in in the 6 digits/month, consistently. I've reached a decent level and yes, even a low percentage get where I am, but it's really bc most people quit before they start seeing the ROI. If you stick it out, everyone will absolutely be where I am and much higher.

I'm sorry. Am I really supposed to believe you know people effectively making seven figures selling what boils down to department store level face cream (because that's what a year of someone making six figures a month amounts to)? I know an Obagi rep and their stuff is 1. expensive and 2. works and while she has a lovely life, she's nowhere near making that kind of money. I simply don't believe you.

I didn't say 6 figures, I said 6 digits, so yes, many make 10-30K/month. We pay our own taxes as 1099 contractors, so we have to account for that as well. These people have usually been in the business for 2-4 years. There are few that get there in under 2, but very few. You don't have to believe me, I've seen their checks, they share their numbers with us as a motivator.

I can't even. Who counts the digits after the period when bragging about how much money you're making. "Six digits" ya'll. That's why people are getting scammed. Because the MLM are "promising" things they can't deliver on.

How is that not accurate? It is 6 digits, what did you want me to call it? That's how many digits there are. And no one tells you that you will 100% make that kind of money, but it's possible and many people in the company do just that. I never ever promise anything bc how are you supposed to know how much that person will want to work? how motivated they will be, etc.? Most people want to get the product discount and make extra couple of hundred bucks a month and that's fine, but some really make it a career money making business. You get in not expecting much and sometimes it becomes much more than you thought. I'm just sharing my experience. It's the truth and I'm trying to be nice and explain, but you seem to just want to insult me, which is ok I guess. I'm not bothered by it.

Not only are you misleading with your "6 digits," you can't even count. 10-30K, you say. That's 10,000.00. 5 digits before the decimal, and 7 digits counting the two after the decimal. Where are you getting 6? Are you counting only dimes, not down to pennies? You are NOT doing much to dispel the stereotype of stupid women falling for MLM schemes!!

I think she means 10,000 - maybe? Is that one of their techniques?

That's what I meant. I really didn't mean to confuse anyone. I'm not stupid, just needed to clarify. I don't speak in digits, I should've just said over 10K/month, that's it.

10K is still % digits before the decimal and 7 counting the 2 after the decimal. Where are you getting 6? Can you really not even count to 6???

Who cares, you know what I meant now, right? I was typing fast and wasn't really thinking about it. You know now that I'm talking about 10K+ since I've said it many times. Next insult please. We already know I'm an idiot, moving on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10k per month is still six figures per year...

Exactly. Many are able to make 6 figures/year and get lots of perks along the way. I'm not responding to any more insults about stupid digits. I mistyped. Moving on!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My rebuke has always been: if the product is so great, why don't they sell it in retail stores like all other products? You don't see Tide or Coke or Sony selling through MLMs.

This is the straight dope. MLM'ers really couldn't care less about selling the product. The main focus is selling you the dream and growing their "team" a.k.a. their downline. I had some run-ins with an assortment of MLMs that were often booking conferences at a hotel I worked at long ago. I couldn't stand the sleaze and constant pitches, so I did some digging and found out the real truth. Ever since then it's basically been my life's mission to shout the truth from the rooftops whenever I get the chance.

Selling Tupperware, Avon, and Mary Kay as a side-gig and for the discounts are the only MLMs that I really can't frown on. Tupperware and Avon make terrific products, but selling it full-time isn't going to put you on the path to early retirement.

It's insane how fast these things start up and then fizzle out, only to pop up again in another form to sucker in more sheep. The skeeziest off the top of my head...Amway, NuSkin, Pre-Paid Legal/Legal Shield, Nerium, Herbalife, IT works, Juice Plus, Advocare, Monavie, those guy parties with the grilled meats, Scentsy, Stella&Dot, the utility bill discount MLM (like wth? how does this even work?) and the granddaddy of failures=WakeUpNow (true entertainment in the misfortunes of others as told by Ira Glass: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/543/wake-up-now)

SCAMS...EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! If you're getting into an MLM "at the ground floor opportunity", it's already too late. You will not make money!

A friendly alert on how to spot an MLM:
#1 You have to pay something to get the privilege to sell...SCAM!
#2 You find yourself "recruiting" instead of actually selling...SCAM!
#3 You are told that the standard U.S. corporate structure is a pyramid scheme itself (entry-level workers, supervisors, managers, CEO/CFO)...SCAM!
#4 You hear "It's not a pyramid scheme! It's an MLM because there's a product to sell!" ...SCAM!
#5 You can buy an equivalent product right off the shelf at Target...SCAM!
#6 You're introduced to someone who drives a shiny Benz, but can't come up with two nickels to rub together...SCAM!

If you're the first to sell a product in your area, you will make a little money at the start but it'll quickly dry up as the real money is growing your team...but then you'll basically be stealing the pennies earned by whoever else joins your team (if that ever even happens). If you want to give it a try, do some research. The very first step in researching should always be putting "generic MLM company + scam" in a google search and seeing what turns up...you may be surprised that not everyone is happy in MLM-land

If you ever make it public that you sell for an MLM (which you pretty much have to do constantly), the smarter people of this world will look down on you, tag you as a dummy, and may even have a little pity. Be a smarter person.

Lastly, any friends you have who aren't idiots will hate you. That's reason enough to never start. DON'T BE A SUCKER!


Great reads if you still aren't convinced:
http://www.cockeyed.com/workfromhome/workfromhome_s.html

http://www.cockeyed.com/workfromhome/epilogue/unsuccessful/unsuccessful2005.html

[Anonymous]

17:33

Wish there was an intervention show for these people. I'd watch!

[Anonymous]

The work entails helping people that reach out to you for help, being very good at following up with them and truly helping them with their issues with their skin. It's being honest and true about your own results and sharing them with people and it is about reaching out and letting people know you are doing this, but def. not harassing anyone. People who do that, don't work the business correctly. This particular company has a full 60-day return policy, so I don't feel badly having my friends try the products. If they don't work, no problem, send them back. Just like any sales job, this is making a sale, except it's to your own network. Like I said, you have to be a normal human being and act like yourself. I don't do the scripts and I don't harass my friends, that doesn't work, clearly

Ok, so question for you here. Do you not realize/feel guilty about charging your friends $200 for skin creme that is probably worth $10 just so that all of the people up the pyramid get their cut?? I just don't know how you could do that to your friends?

[Anonymous]

sorry cream not creme

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The work entails helping people that reach out to you for help, being very good at following up with them and truly helping them with their issues with their skin. It's being honest and true about your own results and sharing them with people and it is about reaching out and letting people know you are doing this, but def. not harassing anyone. People who do that, don't work the business correctly. This particular company has a full 60-day return policy, so I don't feel badly having my friends try the products. If they don't work, no problem, send them back. Just like any sales job, this is making a sale, except it's to your own network. Like I said, you have to be a normal human being and act like yourself. I don't do the scripts and I don't harass my friends, that doesn't work, clearly

Ok, so question for you here. Do you not realize/feel guilty about charging your friends $200 for skin creme that is probably worth $10 just so that all of the people up the pyramid get their cut?? I just don't know how you could do that to your friends?

No, absolutely not. One cream is never $200, first of all, it's about $140-$190 for a full 4-piece skincare regimen, which lasts 60-90 days/minimum. Completely in line with Clinique, Estee Lauder, etc. I buy it myself at consultant discount, which is 25% off, so I pay for it just like everyone else and I like it. I used to buy one eye cream for $100 from Estee Lauder at Nordstrom's, it was way more expensive and I think the ingredients in the products I use and sell are better and more effective. They doctors are same ones that created Proactiv, so they are not just some sales people selling random skincare. They actually formulated these products and tested them through clinical trials. Of course, there are people who try the products and don't love them or decide they want to try something else, so they return them for a full refund within 60 days even if they've used them up. You can't do that at any retail store if they have been opened. I see myself as a wholesaler really. Company gets a cut, I get a cut, and yes, the cost is passed down to consumer, just like in any other retail business. I'm also there and provide great customer service. I manage customer accounts, make sure they're getting right products that work for them, follow up with them, delay and move up their orders, etc. I do a lot of customer care work just like any good store would. If you buy something at the store, that's it. Your transaction is done. I'm always there for my customers and take pride in them being happy bc as you pointed out they are my friends and family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dont do MLM sales but I am a pharm rep which I feel is an equally hated and looked down upon industry. I make good money (not great; around 200k a yr but work about 34 hours a week so good life balance) but I feel like people constantly want to tell me Im sales scum and they can't stand my industry. So I kinda feel for MLM people and Im sure *some* do make decent money.

I think pharm sales is FAR more legit than MLM...its an actual career choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so question for you here. Do you not realize/feel guilty about charging your friends $200 for skin creme that is probably worth $10 just so that all of the people up the pyramid get their cut?? I just don't know how you could do that to your friends?

No, absolutely not. One cream is never $200, first of all, it's about $140-$190 for a full 4-piece skincare regimen, which lasts 60-90 days/minimum. Completely in line with Clinique, Estee Lauder, etc. I buy it myself at consultant discount, which is 25% off, so I pay for it just like everyone else and I like it. I used to buy one eye cream for $100 from Estee Lauder at Nordstrom's, it was way more expensive and I think the ingredients in the products I use and sell are better and more effective. They doctors are same ones that created Proactiv, so they are not just some sales people selling random skincare. They actually formulated these products and tested them through clinical trials. Of course, there are people who try the products and don't love them or decide they want to try something else, so they return them for a full refund within 60 days even if they've used them up. You can't do that at any retail store if they have been opened. I see myself as a wholesaler really. Company gets a cut, I get a cut, and yes, the cost is passed down to consumer, just like in any other retail business. I'm also there and provide great customer service. I manage customer accounts, make sure they're getting right products that work for them, follow up with them, delay and move up their orders, etc. I do a lot of customer care work just like any good store would. If you buy something at the store, that's it. Your transaction is done. I'm always there for my customers and take pride in them being happy bc as you pointed out they are my friends and family.

Thankfully for you, it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. Read 17:33 above if you want some pointers.

If I'm a doctor who's created a miracle cream that actually works, my product's going on the shelf of every Wal-Mart, Target, and pharmacy in the country. While the idea of setting up a pyramid of desperate housewife middlewomen in order to get my product sold does sound mildly appealing, I think I'd rather just cash in right at the start without all the hassle.

MLM's guise of "recruiting" salespeople helps to hide the fact that the product stinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My rebuke has always been: if the product is so great, why don't they sell it in retail stores like all other products? You don't see Tide or Coke or Sony selling through MLMs.

Actually, they did sell in retail stores (Nordstrom and few other high end department stores for quite a few years and pulled out 5 years ago to do direct sales. Products did very well, but their numbers skyrocketed when they cut out the wholesalers. Obv. as you can imagine, consultants use and sell products and it's much more lucrative not having a middle man. In meantime, lots of people can make extra $ and do a much better job of selling their products since we are using them ourselves!

This is the straight dope. MLM'ers really couldn't care less about selling the product. The main focus is selling you the dream and growing their "team" a.k.a. their downline. I had some run-ins with an assortment of MLMs that were often booking conferences at a hotel I worked at long ago. I couldn't stand the sleaze and constant pitches, so I did some digging and found out the real truth. Ever since then it's basically been my life's mission to shout the truth from the rooftops whenever I get the chance.

Selling Tupperware, Avon, and Mary Kay as a side-gig and for the discounts are the only MLMs that I really can't frown on. Tupperware and Avon make terrific products, but selling it full-time isn't going to put you on the path to early retirement.

It's insane how fast these things start up and then fizzle out, only to pop up again in another form to sucker in more sheep. The skeeziest off the top of my head...Amway, NuSkin, Pre-Paid Legal/Legal Shield, Nerium, Herbalife, IT works, Juice Plus, Advocare, Monavie, those guy parties with the grilled meats, Scentsy, Stella&Dot, the utility bill discount MLM (like wth? how does this even work?) and the granddaddy of failures=WakeUpNow (true entertainment in the misfortunes of others as told by Ira Glass: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/543/wake-up-now)

SCAMS...EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! If you're getting into an MLM "at the ground floor opportunity", it's already too late. You will not make money!

A friendly alert on how to spot an MLM:
#1 You have to pay something to get the privilege to sell...SCAM!
#2 You find yourself "recruiting" instead of actually selling...SCAM!
#3 You are told that the standard U.S. corporate structure is a pyramid scheme itself (entry-level workers, supervisors, managers, CEO/CFO)...SCAM!
#4 You hear "It's not a pyramid scheme! It's an MLM because there's a product to sell!" ...SCAM!
#5 You can buy an equivalent product right off the shelf at Target...SCAM!
#6 You're introduced to someone who drives a shiny Benz, but can't come up with two nickels to rub together...SCAM!

If you're the first to sell a product in your area, you will make a little money at the start but it'll quickly dry up as the real money is growing your team...but then you'll basically be stealing the pennies earned by whoever else joins your team (if that ever even happens). If you want to give it a try, do some research. The very first step in researching should always be putting "generic MLM company + scam" in a google search and seeing what turns up...you may be surprised that not everyone is happy in MLM-land

If you ever make it public that you sell for an MLM (which you pretty much have to do constantly), the smarter people of this world will look down on you, tag you as a dummy, and may even have a little pity. Be a smarter person.

Lastly, any friends you have who aren't idiots will hate you. That's reason enough to never start. DON'T BE A SUCKER!


Great reads if you still aren't convinced:
http://www.cockeyed.com/workfromhome/workfromhome_s.html

http://www.cockeyed.com/workfromhome/epilogue/unsuccessful/unsuccessful2005.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also think they quit because they don't take it seriously from the beginning. They don't treat it like a real business and you have to treat it like a business and grow it as such. I think it's like training for a marathon. It's long and tedious and sometimes very emotionally draining, but at the end, if you stick it out and consistently work at it, the payoff is there.

Because it is not a business. It is an opportunity to become an independent contractor to a business.

To become a business the person has to set up a business themselves - say they form a corporation - and then purchase the products and sell them to customers. They do not need to recruit anyone to get more business they only need to find customers to buy their goods. When you go to CVS, CVS does not try and recruit you to work at CVS in order to get a discount on Neutrogena do they? Of course not, because that's not how a business works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, so question for you here. Do you not realize/feel guilty about charging your friends $200 for skin creme that is probably worth $10 just so that all of the people up the pyramid get their cut?? I just don't know how you could do that to your friends?

No, absolutely not. One cream is never $200, first of all, it's about $140-$190 for a full 4-piece skincare regimen, which lasts 60-90 days/minimum. Completely in line with Clinique, Estee Lauder, etc. I buy it myself at consultant discount, which is 25% off, so I pay for it just like everyone else and I like it. I used to buy one eye cream for $100 from Estee Lauder at Nordstrom's, it was way more expensive and I think the ingredients in the products I use and sell are better and more effective. They doctors are same ones that created Proactiv, so they are not just some sales people selling random skincare. They actually formulated these products and tested them through clinical trials. Of course, there are people who try the products and don't love them or decide they want to try something else, so they return them for a full refund within 60 days even if they've used them up. You can't do that at any retail store if they have been opened. I see myself as a wholesaler really. Company gets a cut, I get a cut, and yes, the cost is passed down to consumer, just like in any other retail business. I'm also there and provide great customer service. I manage customer accounts, make sure they're getting right products that work for them, follow up with them, delay and move up their orders, etc. I do a lot of customer care work just like any good store would. If you buy something at the store, that's it. Your transaction is done. I'm always there for my customers and take pride in them being happy bc as you pointed out they are my friends and family.

Thankfully for you, it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round. Read 17:33 above if you want some pointers.

If I'm a doctor who's created a miracle cream that actually works, my product's going on the shelf of every Wal-Mart, Target, and pharmacy in the country. While the idea of setting up a pyramid of desperate housewife middlewomen in order to get my product sold does sound mildly appealing, I think I'd rather just cash in right at the start without all the hassle.

MLM's guise of "recruiting" salespeople helps to hide the fact that the product stinks.

Look, clearly you will think what you want and I'm not here to convince you. I just wanted to share my personal experience bc it's been positive and answer real questions people have. BTW, 90% of consultants have full time jobs and do this on the side and some do end up quitting their full time jobs eventually to do this full time bc they are done with corporate world. Pretty much everyone I know is college educated and yes, some are mothers who want to be able to be home with their kids and have their own income or just have something for themselves and others aren't. There are teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, pilots, pretty much every profession you can imagine represented. I know many personally, otherwise, I wouldn't say that. I just hate blanket statements like it's all "desperate housewife middlewomen" because that's just not true. I'm not being defensive bc really I don't care if you believe me, etc. but I want to set the record straight.