Dreading MLM event
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Anonymous
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I am fully aware how most MLM companies work, and that "consultants" don't earn much from product sales, but mostly by recruiting new members. I reluctantly agreed to host an event for my sister, who of course thinks her MLM company is the cat's meow, so fantastic! She even took a sabbatical from her job to pursue this. I've tried some of the products, they're fine, but nothing out of the ordinary and definitely not worth the $$ they charge. I have been enthusiastically providing feedback on the social media groups created for the event, but response has been worse than tepid. Only 2 people have RSVP'd, and one of them is my mother. My sister has only posted two videos about the company, both touting the benefits of becoming a consultant (stock videos from the website). Nothing describing products, why they are great, why someone should shell out the $ for them, why they should attend the event, etc. I have offered these suggestions and more, they have fallen on deaf ears. In sum, she stinks at this.
Do I share with her my disapproval of MLM after this event, which I suspect will be a complete failure? Do I tell her to go back to work? She has already tried to enlist me to join, beyond "No thanks," do I say anymore? I really believe this is a complete waste of time and $, especially for her - she is not entrepreneurial in the least, seems to know nothing of basic marketing, and is not a people person. WWYD? Be frank, honest, or just let her learn the hard way? My hesitation in being honest is that she is defensive, and will assume I am just being negative, unsupportive, when there is a wealth of research and anecdotal stories to demonstrate why someone with her personality and lack of a "killer instinct" won't go far in MLM. Thanks for any for any feedback. |
Anonymous
| Is it too late to cancel? I realize she's your sister, but don't do this to your friends. |
Anonymous
| At this point, probably just let her learn the hard way and then help her move on after she hits rock bottom. |
Anonymous
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The more you try to talk her out of it or tell her how bad it is, the more she will probably defend it. These companies are rrrreally good at telling their sales people about all the negatives that they will hear and how to respond. So she has already been coached on that probably. I would just tell her that there are only 2 RSVPs and that you suggest that you cancel the event. Don't try to slam the products or her for doing this. It may backfire.
I'm speaking from my own experience. My DH was part of an MLM when we were first dating and my family freaked out about it. I was not a fan of it either and thought that it was a complete waste of $$ and time. These companies are so good at brainwashing. My family thought that I was getting pulled into a cult, and honestly it kind of felt that way. I never believed in it but their constant criticism was annoying. Once they realized that I wasn't actually being brainwashed then my family was fine. But your sister is an adult and will figure things out on her own, hopefully before she loses a lot of money or time on this. |
Anonymous
| I had a good friend that got into selling herbalife, and that really messed up her finances. It was almost like a cult for her. Yes, I think you should share your concerns with your sister and encourage her to get a non MLM job. |
Anonymous
| Op, you don't give any advice that's not asked for. She's not asking for advice so MYOB. But that should have included not hosting. |
Anonymous
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Dear God. You've made all the mistakes you shouldn't have.
Do not host MLMs. Do not ever remotely express that MLMs are OK. They are not. The only way to make money is to buy in when the business has just started and the sellers are few - of course there's also a risk. The rest of the time, people lose money. In short, do whatever you want to end this situation, but in the future don't host again or help out in any way whatsoever. These things should be banned, they prey on silly ignorant women. |
Anonymous
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For things like this, my rule of thumb is you can voice your concern one time using 1-2 sentences, then drop it and don't bring it up again. Going into a long tirade or nagging constantly will only strengthen her resolve.
I'd do the event, and if you need to comfort her afterwards because it didn't go well, gently bring it up. But not more than that. |
Anonymous
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Stop faking the enthusiasm. She will be more hurt afterwards when you tell her you were faking it.
Since no one is responding, tell her you want to reschedule. Remind no MLM product actually sells itself. It's the consultant that makes the difference. So if your sister isn't naturally bubbly and outgoing, this is probably not going to work well for her. |
Anonymous
| OP here, thanks for the thoughtful replies. I agree I should never have agreed to host, goes against my better judgment, but honestly felt sorry for her. And, given how poorly this event seems to be planned and promoted, I think I will take PP's advice, just say, "too bad it didn't work out so well," "no thanks, not interested in any product nor joining the team," and leave it at that. Unless she asks for direct feedback. Otherwise, she's an adult, school of hard knocks. Oh, and I'm not worried about losing friends, none of them are coming! ? |
Anonymous
Great advice throughout. Don't give reasons why you aren't buying or doing further events. "It just doesn't work for me." Rinse and repeat. If you give reasons, those are just things to argue against. Be smoothly noncommittal, just firm. |
ZachF
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Member Offline
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This is real simple. Ask her what she thinks are the ten best products they sell and the purchase cost of each. Or five.
Then tell her you will get back to her. Go on ebay and put those in a search. She should be shocked to learn that a bottle of something that she is trying to sell retail for $24.95, or whatever, is on ebay with an asking price of $5 and still may not get sold at that price. THAT is her competition and she doesn't stand a chance. Who are these people (in my best Jerry Seinfeld voice) listing this stuff so cheaply on ebay? That will be her once she finally admits failure and is stuck with all the products she bought and can't sell. These companies make money by selling large quantities of their stuff wholesale to people they can convince, like your sister, that there is a willing market out there for their wonderful products. The products are stacked up in spare bedrooms and garages of these gullible people all over the country. I've actually known a few people who were successful in MLM. Call it Amway, Quickstar, whatever. Exactly 2. I won't bother to mention, nor could I recall and count all the people I've met who tried and failed at it. The two I know both worked full time, good paying jobs and they were among the best in the country at the MLM thing as a sideline. They both had their wives fully involved and yes, it was very cult like. They worked it every single day and spent many evenings a week putting on recruiting seminars in a hosts house because to make any money at all, you spend all your time recruiting new members to buy the products these members hope to sell. Both of these guys were top level, professional sales people who would be successful in most any sales environment. No one else I've ever met could possibly do the job I saw them do. For some reason, people get conned into thinking that sales is easy and any idiot can do it. By your description, your sister is the farthest thing from a sales person and has no business getting involved in this, any more than she should perform brain surgery. I feel for her and I know you are concerned for her, as you should be. Especially because she left her job to do this which means she really drank all the Kool-Aid they fed her. It takes someone with years of successful sales experience, tons of charisma, a driving desire, and total support from her spouse to make this work. As you say, she has none of that and there is zero chance she will profit from this. In fact, she will take a loss. Try to talk some sense into her before she buys any more product. Help her to open her eyes and see that the demand is just not there and she is not cut out for sales and marketing or she would already be doing that job somewhere. And ask her, why would anyone buy this from you at $XX when they can buy it online for like 1/4th $XX. |
Anonymous
| Why are you buying products and hosting this event? You are enabling her. Stop it. |
Anonymous
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Tell her that you need to cancel the event due to some problem that you make up.
Do not ever host something like that again. Stay totally away from it. Do NOT post anything in support of anything ever again. Don't prey on your friends, and don't let her prey on your friends either. Tell your mother that you no longer support MLMs and strongly suggest she stay away from them too. |
Anonymous
| She gave up her job for MLM? Tell her to quit while she's ahead and go back to that job. Wow. |