MLMs

[alotofyarn]

I thought this was an interesting article on MLMs, which we've talked about a lot: http://www.vox.com/2016/5/12/1157746...evel-marketing

[SoonerTexan]

Interesting. I don't buy her assertion that if we made the workplace more accessible for women that most selling these products would jump at the chance, though.

Did I mention that someone from church recently reached out to me on Facebook and we had a nice little chat about our babies? We have mutual friends, but never met. I thought I had made a friend. Then the next day she invited me to join her next beach body challenge. I'm realllllyyyy tired of feeling like "a mark"


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[Deebs]

Soooo - I just joined a MLM company. I actually did it because I've spent two decades living at a dermatologist and finally found something that freed me from that. I wanted a discount on the products, but I also do want to sell it with my friends. As a bonus, I have a network of people I am working with, which is helping me meet people in my new location. Most of the people I've met through the company have other jobs, but they either want a supplemental income or the chance to have some work freedom in the future. Most of them started, though, because they were using products they really liked. Maybe that's not the case for bags, but I don't think people go into MLM for a one size fits all reason.


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[alotofyarn]

Deb - the article mentions that. I think that's great, and my sister actually sells Premier Jewelry for the same reason. It's the people that don't post anything on FB other than comments about their success and their amazing product, and repeatedly add me to groups or invite me to parties even though we haven't spoken in years, that annoy me.

I've had an Usborne book party, and I'll probably do it again sometime. I've attended a ton of parties that friends have hosted too, and it's for the same reason - I actually really like the product.

[SoonerTexan]

MLMs

I really like Usborne books and Jamberry nails.

I real DONT like being approached by barely friends or not even acquaintances to buy stuff or join their team. Party invites don't bother me so much, but when this is the fifth time I've politely declined. It's probably time for you to read something into it.

I'm actually really impressed with the Mary Kay mascara V gave me and when she gets settled I'm going to try out some other stuff and place an order. Because V is my friend and I want to support her business and I genuinely like the product. But she really is my friend...liked watched my babies and had my back the past 4 years. Not "we run in similar circles maybe you will buy my stuff."

I don't like feeling used and I have felt EXTREMELY used in the past 2-3 years. To the point I almost want to just stop hanging out with an entire group of people. Maybe it is just really rampant here, I don't know. I actually think some of these woman are making bank, but the social structure and mechanisms they have built to get there has me awed and feeling a little sick at the same time. I have really strong feelings about it because I've been put in awkward situations or been a little hurt too many times.

You know what would be awesome...a no solicitation feature on Facebook 😇


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[spotty_dog]

I really like how that article picks out all the complexity of why women with families and MLM seem to go hand-in-hand. But you're right ALOY (sorry! Meant ST!), of the people I know that are selling Amway, Scentsy, Lularoe, and Jamberry, I can't really buy the article's argument that business owners could capture these women's passion and motivation by offering more attractive work-from-home options. Among other things, I feel like there is a society-wide cultural pressure that is driving some of this. (The guilt of buying things for yourself, especially if you buy full-price when you could be getting a distributor discount? The need to not let anyone else down if your ability to promote your business slips for a while? The religious aspect? And certainly the socializing aspect.)

I dunno, I just got added to another friend's new Lularoe group. Although I am insanely skeptical about the longevity and practicality of this business model, I do want her, and her "sponsor" who's a mutual friend, to succeed, and am trying to figure out if I can help out with some small purchases. I also have a family member who got into Amway last year, and other than inviting me to the first seminar she went to, I haven't heard a peep since. So I think that it doesn't have to be the nature of MLM to make you feel like every friend relationship has turned you into a potential customer instead. (My friend in New Mexico who sells Premier Designs jewelry sometimes makes me feel that way though…)

[ides]

I haven't been solicited to really at all, but I'm not a very social person. The people I tend to make close friends with don't really get into that stuff either. Fingers crossed I didn't just jinx myself!

I personally find it all a little tacky and there seems to be SO many of these companies, I have no idea of them all other than I'm quite sure I won't be buying any product.

My mom used to sell Tupperware back in the late 70's and early 80's. She's been a buyer of Mary Kay for decades. I remember them coming over but they really didn't seem pushy and she knew wha she wanted. Their makeup always seemed good.


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[ladymoreta]

It's tough... I really want to support my friends, but I also don't want a selfie every day of them drinking their shakes in their car. I love reconnecting with people on Facebook, but I hate when it turns into a sales pitch. I think there's a line that most of my salespeople friends don't cross, but when people do, it gets them filtered out of my news feed. So heads up, if you're selling stuff, mix in enough pictures of cute kids/dogs/funny memes to keep me on the hook.

My favorite MLMs are Mary Kay and Tupperware. I've used Mary Kay for somewhere around 15 years, and it's stood the test of time. As has my Tupperware I bought in college when I "sold" it (to myself, mostly).

[alotofyarn]

It's tough... I really want to support my friends, but I also don't want a selfie every day of them drinking their shakes in their car. I love reconnecting with people on Facebook, but I hate when it turns into a sales pitch. I think there's a line that most of my salespeople friends don't cross, but when people do, it gets them filtered out of my news feed. So heads up, if you're selling stuff, mix in enough pictures of cute kids/dogs/funny memes to keep me on the hook.

I've blocked several friends for posting too many pictures of their eyelashes. I've got one friend who recently started doing team beachbody, and she's about to get blocked. I mean, she's lost weight and looks good, but there are several posts a day about her healthy snacks and her workouts, and it's obnoxious.

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