Anonymous wrote:I think the best you can do is say something like: "I'm not able to [whatever the ask was, but I'm wishing you good luck with the business! It's really nice to hear from you, let me know if you have time to get together socially. I'd love to reconnect."

Just go into it knowing she may ignore you or she may suggest her MLM as a social outlet. To me, it's worth it to give people a chance.

+1. Don't take it personally when friend doesn't reconnect with you. She's not trying to reconnect with you. She's trying to sell patchouli for her side hustle.

Anonymous wrote:An old friend who I’ve lost touch with reached out regarding her MLM. I have zero interest whatsoever in the MLM, but would love to reconnect. Is there any way to say that? Am I dumb to even be thinking about this? I know that her outreach is for business reasons, not because she’s trying to reestablish a relationship.

they've burned through their close friends and have moved on to old friends. They're probably 5 figures in debt with crates of crap they can't sell and they're desperate. They don't want friends, they want customers

Its worse when it's your best friend!

I guilt buy so much crap. I hate it.

"I'm on a no buy! How have you been though? It's been a while!"

Anonymous wrote:An old friend who I’ve lost touch with reached out regarding her MLM. I have zero interest whatsoever in the MLM, but would love to reconnect. Is there any way to say that? Am I dumb to even be thinking about this? I know that her outreach is for business reasons, not because she’s trying to reestablish a relationship.

You can, but she's only reaching out to you because she wants to sell you something. You will have to be really clear that you don't want to buy anything, but I wouldn't hold out much hope.

Do not use any response other than "I am not interested".

If you say "I'm not interested in an MLM" she will launch into her prepared speech about how "this isn't an MLM!" (spoiler: it is)

If you say "I am not interested in buying this" she will say "But you can sell it too!".

Just say "I am not interested".

I am normally pretty offended when someone I was fond of from way back when reaches out for the first time with a sales pitch. Not in a "ooh nice to hear from you" type of way, but in a "eff you for trying to use me" type of way.

I would not offer to meet for coffee, that's what she wants. So she can sell you her MLM.

"So good to hear from you! To be up front with you: I have a policy of not purchasing any goods from MLM companies. With that out of the way, I would really love to catch up with you and hear about how you and your family are doing. Do you have time to chat this weekend?"

Don't bother.

Was it an email directly to you or part of a long list? If a long list, don’t respond. If directly to you wish her well in her new venture and leave it at that. It doesn’t sound like either of you wants to rekindle an old relationship based on friendship alone.

Anonymous wrote:It's worth a shot to tell her you're not interested (in arbonne, younique, rodan + fields, beach body etc.) but just be careful because she probably won't take no for an answer the first time and keep trying to sell to you/ recruit you for her downline if you grab coffee/ catch up.

This is the problem here, agreed. Once people are in the MLM mindset, they lose normal social graces/genuine behavior and boundaries, and the catch-up coffee will absolutely eventually come around to her "business." Sorry OP, it sucks.

In my experience you have to tell her directly, point blank.

Hi Sally, It's so nice to hear from you. I enjoy seeing the pictures of your kids, they are getting so big!

I am not interested in purchasing any *face products*.

I hope all is well with your family! Take care, Jane

It's worth a shot to tell her you're not interested (in arbonne, younique, rodan + fields, beach body etc.) but just be careful because she probably won't take no for an answer the first time and keep trying to sell to you/ recruit you for her downline if you grab coffee/ catch up.

I think the best you can do is say something like: "I'm not able to [whatever the ask was, but I'm wishing you good luck with the business! It's really nice to hear from you, let me know if you have time to get together socially. I'd love to reconnect."

Just go into it knowing she may ignore you or she may suggest her MLM as a social outlet. To me, it's worth it to give people a chance.

Hi Susie. Nice to hear from you. It’s been so long. Would you like to grab a cup of coffee and catch up?

Basically ignore the sales pitch. Depending how she responds, either pushy or gets a clue and agrees to a coffee date, you can go from there.

An old friend who I’ve lost touch with reached out regarding her MLM. I have zero interest whatsoever in the MLM, but would love to reconnect. Is there any way to say that? Am I dumb to even be thinking about this? I know that her outreach is for business reasons, not because she’s trying to reestablish a relationship.