Multi-Level Marketing

#1 05-29-2004, 09:58 PM

Why is it that folks always wanna try and get you to go to a "business meeting"? But they ain't really pullin in any money? A couple that I went to school with just tried to recruit me.

Oh you can use your network. Oh you've got the mind for our business. Don't you wanna be your own boss? Well just come to our meeting in Columbia and we will tell you all about it.

My question was why you taking this stuff to layaway? I saw em in Wal-Mart.

Naw I didn't really ask em. I just said Not Interested. In the past I used to give people my number. Talk about stalkahs.

I just don't think multi-level marketing is for me.

What is your take on multi level marketing?

1) Have you ever tried it?

2) If you tried it, did you make money?

3) Do you know anyone involved with Multi-Level marketing?

4) If so, did they make money?

BigChill06 · #2 05-29-2004, 10:41 PM

I saw a story about these schemes on Dateline a while back. It was interesting because I know somebody who got caught up in the hype. He actually criticized me for getting a Master's Degree! Told me that I was going about it all wrong! I told him that I would believe him when he picks me up in his BMW 745i and takes me to his house to discuss the program. Needless to say he owns neither.

Back to the story.....

The story was explaining how the "success stories" made their money. Most of the poeple who are successful in these schemes are the ones at the top; the ones who make the motivational speeches and rally the troops; the ones who you will only see at major conventions. They make their money on the various starter kits, motivational tapes, books, and other materials that help to motivate those die hard be your own boss types. They didn't find anyone who actually created wealth from the scheme. However they did find someone who quit his job and ended up in serious debt because of the program. He was successful at first - like, the first year. But after that he started losing money.

I have never believed in these schemes because of the fact that there have been so many of them floating around for years. Yet there aren't many millionaires being made. What kills me is that they REALLY think that they are going to become wealthy. It's like they are brainwashed or something.

#3 05-29-2004, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BigChill06
I have never believed in these schemes because of the fact that there have been so many of them floating around for years. Yet there aren't many millionaires being made. What kills me is that they REALLY think that they are going to become wealthy. It's like they are brainwashed or something.

I feel you.

You only hear about em but never see one in real life.

Makes you wonder if they really exist.

Kinda like Delta Gents.

AXEAM · #4 05-29-2004, 11:45 PM

(1) Yes

(2) No

(3) Yes

(4) Noooo!!!!!!!

But in their sales pitch they swear they make a ton of money.

#5 05-30-2004, 04:46 PM

I believe multi-level marketing is a great thing. The only downfall is actually knowing people who are going to help you keep that 'platinum status' in that business. I have gone to a couple of 'be your own boss' meetings myself. You always get excited to hear what other people have done to get where they want to be in that business. For instance, the last one I went to hosted a speaker who was 35 years old and retired. They said it was strictly from this business. I don't want to 'incriminate' the business so I won't state the name of the 'business meeting' I attended. Anyway, naturally, I got excited, feeling I could do the same and was really going to until I started understanding that the money's not going to come in until you accrue a certain amount of points. In addition to that, one must be able to 'convince' others to participate, hence, the networking part of a business. That was my discouragement from doing this business. I mean, knowing I had to try to get people with me and keep them with me in order to keep getting 'paid', was a discouragement for me. Anyway, I never tried it, although I'm still thinking about it. I guess I can say that multi-level marketing is a good thing, but may or may not be for me.

AXEAM · #6 05-30-2004, 05:02 PM

Always remember if it sounds too good to be true........

Conskeeted7 · #7 06-02-2004, 08:42 PM

I have to respond to this because of a recent invitation to learn more about this 'business' that a friend of mine has 'started'.

I don't like the fact that people HAVE to use a script in order to do this. I am a person and you can vary from the script to answer my question. I don't like the fakeness of it. You tell me all the good, but don't get to the nitty-gritty.

A friend of mine I've known for years gave me a presentation for one of these and it was the worse few minutes of my life...that's right, I left early. I wasn't interested because of the fakeness and all the scripting. Just be real..I knew that wasn't him, so I could see right through it. But I am just sick of the lines..."have you thought about working for yourself?' or if I'm happy with my job? Just because I'm working and not doing this doesn't mean that I'm not on the right track in life...PLEASE!!

Sorry...had to vent

Steeltrap · #8 06-02-2004, 09:02 PM

Seven years ago, I wrote a story about Equinox, which is a now-defunct MLM, that won me a first-place award in a Nevada State Press Association contest.
I did it from public documents, so I wasn't sued. But it was strange stuff to write about. I have never had interest in it, although former roommates of mine tried to get me involved.

#9 06-02-2004, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Seven years ago, I wrote a story about Equinox, which is a now-defunct MLM, that won me a first-place award in a Nevada State Press Association contest.
I did it from public documents, so I wasn't sued. But it was strange stuff to write about. I have never had interest in it, although former roommates of mine tried to get me involved.

Could you post or send me the article if you still have it?

Steeltrap · #10 06-02-2004, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by laidbackfella
Could you post or send me the article if you still have it?

I'm going to have to hit my storage to find a copy. It may take several days (my old paper's archive isn't that great), but I will send you a PM with it.

#11 06-02-2004, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I'm going to have to hit my storage to find a copy. It may take several days (my old paper's archive isn't that great), but I will send you a PM with it.

Don't go through a whole bunch of trouble for it.

I was just curious about your findings.

Steeltrap · #12 06-02-2004, 09:27 PM

From what I remember, that company in particular was bad news, but the premise of MLM is pretty sketchy. Often times, people who are involved in it have to end up stretching themselves financially in order to establish their businesses, and they are aggressive recruiters into their "uplines."

Here's a link to an article that's old (1996), but it takes a look at MLM from a critical POV. I used this in my research:

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/me...evel-9640.html

abaici · #13 06-02-2004, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steeltrap
Seven years ago, I wrote a story about Equinox, which is a now-defunct MLM, that won me a first-place award in a Nevada State Press Association contest.
I did it from public documents, so I wasn't sued. But it was strange stuff to write about. I have never had interest in it, although former roommates of mine tried to get me involved.

Belated kudos!

Steeltrap · #14 06-02-2004, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by abaici
Belated kudos!

Thank you, Soror. That was a good year. I swept my category (business writing for weekly newspapers).

lovelyivy84 · #15 06-03-2004, 09:15 AM

That stuff is just another pyramid scheme.

I have never met anyone who made money from those. Went to a meeting for one that I thought was a job interview, but made my excuses and left before they started the presentation.

I am so not interested in others making money off of me.