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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's a new one. On my flight from DCA to Chicago, the woman next to me tried giving me her doTerra sales pitch! It started off friendly- she asked me if I was from DC, what I was visiting Chicago for, explained that she was in DC touring colleges with her son, la la la. Then, somehow the conversation shifted and BAM! The next thing I know she's handing me a business card, telling me how essential oils are so much better than that "chemical-ee" (her word) junk, and I'd feel SO much better "about it all" if I tried the essential oils. She ended with a friendly, "I'm always available at this number if you have questions," and all I could think about was coming back to report to DCUM. So, if you're reading this, Essential Oils Lady in row 15 on Delta yesterday, congratulations on your infamy.

My cousin is an accomplished L&D nurse, masters degree, ex-military, 4 kids ... She's no fool in general and yet she's always going on and on on FB about DoTerra oils. Sigh. I thought I had escaped this particular brand of crazy but I guess not. She doesn't even sell it! She's just an enthusiast, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a new one. On my flight from DCA to Chicago, the woman next to me tried giving me her doTerra sales pitch! It started off friendly- she asked me if I was from DC, what I was visiting Chicago for, explained that she was in DC touring colleges with her son, la la la. Then, somehow the conversation shifted and BAM! The next thing I know she's handing me a business card, telling me how essential oils are so much better than that "chemical-ee" (her word) junk, and I'd feel SO much better "about it all" if I tried the essential oils. She ended with a friendly, "I'm always available at this number if you have questions," and all I could think about was coming back to report to DCUM. So, if you're reading this, Essential Oils Lady in row 15 on Delta yesterday, congratulations on your infamy.

My cousin is an accomplished L&D nurse, masters degree, ex-military, 4 kids ... She's no fool in general and yet she's always going on and on on FB about DoTerra oils. Sigh. I thought I had escaped this particular brand of crazy but I guess not. She doesn't even sell it! She's just an enthusiast, I guess.

I'm a nurse and I've had several coworkers post about their love for the oils. They aren't selling them either. One even was going on and on about how she doesn't even use Tylenol/Advil anymore, she just uses the Peppermint Oil and it cures any headache she has! I just find that hard to believe...

[Anonymous]

I have one agressive R&F FB friend. Her posts are ridiculous but I've been ignoring them. I'd never heard of R&F before she started hawking it. At first, all her posts were about the products. Now all her posts are about how great it is to sell R&Fs. 80% of her shit is "welcome to my team!" type stuff. It's clear she's figured out how to make money. Don't sell the product, sign people up to work under you. Classic pyramid. I was still ignoring it until she sent me a private message along the lines of:

Hey your kid is cute, life looks great, do you want to work for me?

I ignored it. Then a month later she replied "just checking in". I still didn't respond and just unfriended her. You are not just checking in, we have not talked in 10 years since we left college, and now you are trying to push shit on me? No thank you. Buh bye.

[Anonymous]

The butthurt is strong in this article. I wonder if she has an oil for that? http://commonscentsmom.com/an-open-letter-to-my-friend-who-thinks-im-just-trying-to-sell-her-stuff/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a new one. On my flight from DCA to Chicago, the woman next to me tried giving me her doTerra sales pitch! It started off friendly- she asked me if I was from DC, what I was visiting Chicago for, explained that she was in DC touring colleges with her son, la la la. Then, somehow the conversation shifted and BAM! The next thing I know she's handing me a business card, telling me how essential oils are so much better than that "chemical-ee" (her word) junk, and I'd feel SO much better "about it all" if I tried the essential oils. She ended with a friendly, "I'm always available at this number if you have questions," and all I could think about was coming back to report to DCUM. So, if you're reading this, Essential Oils Lady in row 15 on Delta yesterday, congratulations on your infamy.

My cousin is an accomplished L&D nurse, masters degree, ex-military, 4 kids ... She's no fool in general and yet she's always going on and on on FB about DoTerra oils. Sigh. I thought I had escaped this particular brand of crazy but I guess not. She doesn't even sell it! She's just an enthusiast, I guess.

I'm a nurse and I've had several coworkers post about their love for the oils. They aren't selling them either. One even was going on and on about how she doesn't even use Tylenol/Advil anymore, she just uses the Peppermint Oil and it cures any headache she has! I just find that hard to believe...

Could it be the placebo effect?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cutco is the worst of all. Being the mom of a recent highschool grad, all my sons friends are selling cutco. It is such a scam on these poor kids and their parents' friends!

Yep.

On neighbor kid got me. But I do love that pizza cutter.

My parents are the only people who bought Cutco knives from my brother when he sold them as a high schooler nearly 20 years ago...but they're still using some of those knives!

I sold Cutco as a college kid. It was actually good for me as I started out being uncomfortable asking for the sale and calling strangers (well, friends of friends) so it helped push my comfort level a bit. It helped me recognize that I never wanted to work in sales but definitely gave me some skills and built up confidence over that summer. I also thought the knives were good and my family has been using them daily for 16 years later. No regrets on my end (in fact, one of my dad's friends still calls me "Knives"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to make a quick comment on "counter girls" at makeup counters vs. the RF Lady MLM. When I first moved here, I worked for Estee Lauder at Hecht's. I had worked as a makeup artist through my college training, which was theater. In the five years that I worked for them (started f/t then switched to p/t when I got a job in my field), they paid for countless trainings on products and skincare and makeup techniques, they paid for my licensure as a makeup artist (this is back when DC and MD required that - they don't anymore except for permanent makeup/tattoo), they gave me around $900 of free products per year to make sure that I used and knew the products, and they had contests and incentives for superior sales and service - I won a handbag and airline tickets one year, and cash bonus when our store won counter of the year for sales. I also had the opportunity to advance from sales to counter trainer to counter manager, and when I moved on to my chosen field they still had me on part time to work promotions as a makeup artist. And all the while they paid a solid hourly wage plus commission, and I got health insurance and vacation benefits. And they never charged me for product, or to set up my "business". They were a great company to work for, and they stood behind their products.

I'm posting this because there was an earlier comment to the effect of "I probably know more than a MAC counter girl", and it really rubbed me the wrong way. A number of very famous makeup artists got their start at MAC counters, and MAC and EL train their staffers very well. A friend of mine was selling Mary Kay, and I was surprised when she had me apply all the products on my skin myself, as they are trained not to touch the person - to avoid licensing legality issues. So you invite people over for a "pampering party", and they end up putting their own facials and creams on because you don't have the training to do so or want to avoid the licensing in your state?

Go to your local Sephora or Ulta and talk with one of their line specialists (BeneFit, Anastasia, Lorac, etc.) I bet you they will know their products inside out, as well as show you how to apply them and new tips and tricks. Same for the big counters at Nordstroms or what have you. The R+F "I know these products because I use them" argument is the case for any over the counter company. And you walk up to the counter or makeup chair to start your purchase, vs. being pressured by a friend.

I'm the "RF lady" and I am glad you posted this. I'm actually very impressed by this bc it's not been my experience in these stores, but it probably depends on the store itself. I appreciate this response though and I'm sorry I generalized.

[Anonymous]

"RF Lady" - are you allowed to touch clients?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"RF Lady" - are you allowed to touch clients?

I think so, but I've never had to touch anyone. We don't sell make-up or do make-overs. It's skincare. People don't need me showing them how to wash their faces

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a new one. On my flight from DCA to Chicago, the woman next to me tried giving me her doTerra sales pitch! It started off friendly- she asked me if I was from DC, what I was visiting Chicago for, explained that she was in DC touring colleges with her son, la la la. Then, somehow the conversation shifted and BAM! The next thing I know she's handing me a business card, telling me how essential oils are so much better than that "chemical-ee" (her word) junk, and I'd feel SO much better "about it all" if I tried the essential oils. She ended with a friendly, "I'm always available at this number if you have questions," and all I could think about was coming back to report to DCUM. So, if you're reading this, Essential Oils Lady in row 15 on Delta yesterday, congratulations on your infamy.

My cousin is an accomplished L&D nurse, masters degree, ex-military, 4 kids ... She's no fool in general and yet she's always going on and on on FB about DoTerra oils. Sigh. I thought I had escaped this particular brand of crazy but I guess not. She doesn't even sell it! She's just an enthusiast, I guess.

I'm worried that we know each other in real life... This fits my sister to a T, although she does do MLMs (a new one every few months!)

[Anonymous]

I was at a wedding once talking to a girl who had "just started her own business." I had, too, and was so excited to finally talk to and get advice from another woman in the same boat. I asked what she did and she hauled out some ten-word-long title like "Chief Grand Dragon Viking Warlord Managing Director of Pampered Chef." I was about four cocktails in and snarfed something out of my nose. What's with the crazy titles?

I'm all about supporting women who go into business for themselves, but something about hawking stuff that you can buy cheaper elsewhere just gets to me.

On another note, I recently went to a community event that encouraged women to advertise their home-based businesses. Like a dolt I had business cards made up (I have a service-based business, think tutoring and writing coaching that kinda thing) and was so excited...it was the first time I'd made cards and gone to an event with the intent to network. Showed up and it was table after table of Beachbody, Stella and Dot, etc. I stuck my cards back into my pocket and just had the free snax!

[Anonymous]

18:16, your post proves what a male friend of mine once said: "I'm convinced that these businesses are just women trading the same $100 with each other over and over."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wanted to make a quick comment on "counter girls" at makeup counters vs. the RF Lady MLM. When I first moved here, I worked for Estee Lauder at Hecht's. I had worked as a makeup artist through my college training, which was theater. In the five years that I worked for them (started f/t then switched to p/t when I got a job in my field), they paid for countless trainings on products and skincare and makeup techniques, they paid for my licensure as a makeup artist (this is back when DC and MD required that - they don't anymore except for permanent makeup/tattoo), they gave me around $900 of free products per year to make sure that I used and knew the products, and they had contests and incentives for superior sales and service - I won a handbag and airline tickets one year, and cash bonus when our store won counter of the year for sales. I also had the opportunity to advance from sales to counter trainer to counter manager, and when I moved on to my chosen field they still had me on part time to work promotions as a makeup artist. And all the while they paid a solid hourly wage plus commission, and I got health insurance and vacation benefits. And they never charged me for product, or to set up my "business". They were a great company to work for, and they stood behind their products.

I'm posting this because there was an earlier comment to the effect of "I probably know more than a MAC counter girl", and it really rubbed me the wrong way. A number of very famous makeup artists got their start at MAC counters, and MAC and EL train their staffers very well. A friend of mine was selling Mary Kay, and I was surprised when she had me apply all the products on my skin myself, as they are trained not to touch the person - to avoid licensing legality issues. So you invite people over for a "pampering party", and they end up putting their own facials and creams on because you don't have the training to do so or want to avoid the licensing in your state?

Go to your local Sephora or Ulta and talk with one of their line specialists (BeneFit, Anastasia, Lorac, etc.) I bet you they will know their products inside out, as well as show you how to apply them and new tips and tricks. Same for the big counters at Nordstroms or what have you. The R+F "I know these products because I use them" argument is the case for any over the counter company. And you walk up to the counter or makeup chair to start your purchase, vs. being pressured by a friend.

+1

I know several make up artists that got their start at MAC, Bobbi Brown, etc. counters. All are excellent at what they do. I would believe their advice any day over my R&F hawking friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Itemizing your taxes isn't proof that you're not naive or dim.

I figured out how to itemize my taxes at 18 (huge healthcare expenses) and I'm an idiot when it comes to that kind of thing.

[Anonymous]

I really want to know if you feel dumb with these social media posts like "greatest OPPORTUNITY evah!!!!" I would feel like a total idiot constantly posting that.