I was really surprised to find out that an acquaintance of mine had joined a multi-level marketing/pyramid scheme. For some reason, I thought that whole type of business didn't really exist anymore?
Back in the late 80's and early 90's they seemed to be everywhere and was a source of income for stay at home moms who weren't already involved with Avon or Amway.
The one he has linked up with requires a fee to join and monthly quotas whereby if he doesn't sign up at least 2 people to work on behalf of him, then you lose your "status", whatever that means. To me it seems like a lot of pressure.
The product he is representing is a health supplement which costs at least $300 a month. When I was given the sales pitch, all I could think about was "holy smokes, that is more than our monthly food budget...".
I have a hard time justifying that expenditure and I can afford it. What would I need to hear to convince me to shell over the money? Personally, I didn't hear anything that overrode the $300 plus dollars a month echoing in my head. I'm going to stick with eating better and exercising.
The thing about the pyramid scheme is that I find myself avoiding the friend/acquaintance because every time I see her, she tries to sell me the products or attempts to recruit me to sell these things as well.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you mentioned that a guy here at my gym is also involved in that. There's a few people I know selling things such as that Monavie juice also thinking it's going to be the next cure all. If people spent as much time and energy on themselves eating better and exercising instead of trying to make money off of stuff that cost's way too much and doesn't work really they would be so much better off. And the cost, don't even get me started on that...get real people! Just another cult as far as I'm concerned. People looking for the easy way out to health and fitness...there isn't one it's effort and hard work.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine several years back got into the "Amway" thing, and they pressured us to join too, and when we said no, they basically said we were fools for not taking advantage of "sure money". Every time we spoke after that they tried to get us to buy things through them or come to this party or that party where they were selling things. They even went so far as to say we were poisioning our children with the crap vitamins we could get at the drugstore - that we should buy THEIR vitamins because they are the ONLY vitamins that have anything useful in them, yada, yada, yada...
ReplyDeleteI would NEVER buy into anything that even remotely sounded like a pyramid scheme. I refuse to prey on the bottom person on the list.
Hi Sandra!
ReplyDeleteMe too. It has definitely interfered with the relationship as it is hard to avoid thinking it has become a "conflict of interest".
Hi Sue!
No, I cannot believe the cost either. There are no quick cures. I bet those companies do one heck of a job selling it to their representatives. Reminds me of the horror stories I hear about from people who've sat in on those timeshare presentations...
Hi Makky's Mom!
I avoid those parties where the sole purpose of going is to support that person's business. If I am really interested in something, I'd ask for a catalogue and look at it in the comfort of my own home.