Serious MLM question

[Anonymous]

My parents were involved in a MLM company for years. They spent far more than they ever made but were brainwashed into thinking that was their fault for not working hard enough or whatever. It ruined their finances and their retirement has been a nightmare. They are good people who are optimistic and trusting. It breaks my heart that they were exploited this way. Anyway, I won’t touch any MLM product with a ten foot pole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why? Because it’s an entire system set up to take advantage of unsuspecting sellers. It’s a pyramid scheme. Thousands of sellers are lured in with the promise of making it rich. It’s a scam. They put out thousands of dollars in buying the product, only to realize that the market is saturated and anything they sell provides a minimal return on investment.

I don’t want to be a part of that or encourage that.

I agree with everyone else's points, but especially this one. Certain MLM companies (i.e., Herbalife) specifically target lower income minorities who have little recourse to recoup any losses if/ when the company goes bust.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know DCUM hates all MLM. But my question is - why? I understand the annoyance of the fake BS, pushy sellers, #momboss nonsense. But I have to say, some of the products are very good and if the sellers aren’t annoying or pushy, why would you categorically refuse to buy any of it? Honestly curious. You have to admit that not all MLM sellers are terrible, right? I know some who have never even mentioned their products to me, let alone tried to sell me anything.

Every single one of the products has a higher quality and less expensive non MLM alternative. There are no MLM products that are truly original or that have anything you can't get somewhere else.

And I would never support them because the structure itself is predatory. Specifically they target women and tell them that this bussiness will make all their dreams come true etc. it's all BS and frankly kind of sad.

Ok, I hate MLM's as well, but I have to assume that some people are actually making money. I know some women who have been selling the same MLM for years. I can't imagine they would continue to do it if they weren't making any profit.

A very few are. Some are making a little, or breaking even, which is fine with many people b/c they like the products themselves.

But, for the most part, the MLM is structured so that sellers see the $300 commission check, but don't really remember the $1200 they spent on products themselves to stock their inventory. So, they think they've "made" $300, but they've lost $900. At some point, most people figure out that they're putting in waaaay more money than is coming back to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please Op, tell us what products are good. Waiting...

I have used my Pampered Chef round pizza stone for over 25 years. It is great.

And I'm sure one from bed bath and beyond is just as good and costs less.

That wasn’t the question I was answering.

[Anonymous]

I won’t support victims of a pyramid scheme by enabling them. It is like giving alcohol to an alcoholic.

[Anonymous]

I have no dog in this, but it is interesting that people are keenly anti-exploitation when it comes to MLM, but don’t boycott big businesses that underpay their workers. MLM sellers often have better work options, where your local Walmart or McD worker does not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this, but it is interesting that people are keenly anti-exploitation when it comes to MLM, but don’t boycott big businesses that underpay their workers. MLM sellers often have better work options, where your local Walmart or McD worker does not.

Huh? Please explain those better work options.

[Anonymous]

Not all MLMs require sellers to buy and stock inventory.

[Anonymous]

MLMS are a cult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not all MLMs require sellers to buy and stock inventory.

They all require them to make a certain amount of sales to stay active or to get the discounts. Sellers often end up buying the stuff themselves to meet those goals. Same thing.

As for the question about quality ... you're paying $20 for a lipstick that should cost $7. It's not even the same quality as, say, Clinique.

Listen to The Dream. The companies get their profit from the sellers, not from you, the consumer. They don't charge sellers wholesale. They charge them slightly discounted retail, and the additional up-charge you pay nets the seller a couple of dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know DCUM hates all MLM. But my question is - why? I understand the annoyance of the fake BS, pushy sellers, #momboss nonsense. But I have to say, some of the products are very good and if the sellers aren’t annoying or pushy, why would you categorically refuse to buy any of it? Honestly curious. You have to admit that not all MLM sellers are terrible, right? I know some who have never even mentioned their products to me, let alone tried to sell me anything.

Every single one of the products has a higher quality and less expensive non MLM alternative. There are no MLM products that are truly original or that have anything you can't get somewhere else.

And I would never support them because the structure itself is predatory. Specifically they target women and tell them that this bussiness will make all their dreams come true etc. it's all BS and frankly kind of sad.

Ok, I hate MLM's as well, but I have to assume that some people are actually making money. I know some women who have been selling the same MLM for years. I can't imagine they would continue to do it if they weren't making any profit.

You'd be wrong. I know a woman who has lost money on every single MLM she's done - lots of money - but she keeps joining up with them, convinced each time this will be the one that sends her into her mansion with granite pillars. Same goes for those who stay with the same MLM despite never making money. They believe the next event, the next coaching call, the next podcast (all at a cost BTW) will be the thing that gives them the missing piece to success.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not all MLMs require sellers to buy and stock inventory.

Name them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have no dog in this, but it is interesting that people are keenly anti-exploitation when it comes to MLM, but don’t boycott big businesses that underpay their workers. MLM sellers often have better work options, where your local Walmart or McD worker does not.

Apples and oranges. I don't use these companies because of their low-wages and low concern about their workers, but they also don't require employees to spend thousands of dollars on product before joining. There are no McDonald's employees heavily in credit card debt and storing 6 months of hamburgers in their garage because the company required them to show a certain amount of hamburger sales or they'd be fired.

MLMs are predatory, full stop. I advise everyone to listen to The Dream podcast.

[Anonymous]

Younique does not require the purchase of inventory.

[Anonymous]

It’s not about the products. It is about the insincere language of the marketing. Like do they think we can’t see through it? Also the idea of making your friends and family your customers. That is not how business works.