Enough with the fucking MLMs already

[Eagles]

I was in the parking lot at the food store loading my stuff into the back of my car, and at the moment that the handle snapped on one of my reusable bags, I was approached by a young woman. She handed me a small gift bag and asked if I wear makeup, then launched into a speech about their special promotion with their amazing 3D fiber mascara, that I could buy today for only $30 but with the additional free gifts included in the bag, there was a total value of $129. I declined as politely as possible and wished her luck, and she moved on to another car.

What the fuck? What the fuck. STOP. Now we approach strangers who are struggling to load toilet paper and perishables into their SUVs in the parking lot? It's not enough that I was added to THREE Facebook MLM groups last week? I don't want your makeup, your skincare, your leggings, your Tupperware, your smoothies, your supplements, your jewelry, your candles, or your bags. Stop the fucking madness. The only MLM I'm interested in is 31 because the big utility totes are awesome, and I know a rep so I don't want to hear anyone else's pitch. I don't want to go to your Pampered Chef party and I certainly don't want to pass around dildos while we sip wine and eat cheese and crackers. For Christ's sake, if you want a job selling shit, go to a store and get one.

I think I've gone off the deep end.

[ginap]

I don't think its you who has gone off the deep end. I have an acquaintance that sells R&F and she has become a wee unglued over face wash.

[themysteriouswife]

I'm sitting in MLM hell now. I'm at DD's swim lessons and a mom has passed out Mary Kay every class. I've avoided her until today. I'm acting busy in my phone.

[frkls]

you know, i didn't really care about it at all until immediately after i lost my job, and a woman (whom i really like!) pushed HARD for me to join her MK team because it was going to rescue my family from the total financial and emotional clusterfuck that was our lives.

[UMaineTeach]

Legal opinions on if you are allowed to keep the gift bag without paying/buying? I mean, it was given and then the terms elaborated on...

[Eagles]

May 10, 2016 16:50:48 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

That chick was probably a scam if she approached you in a parking lot. But the only way to eradicate MLMs is to refuse to participate at all. I'm sorry but you can't have those totes.

The one I own was a gift so I didn't even pay for it, at least. It does keep my paper towels, plastic bags, and jumper cables neatly corralled in the cargo space.

[Deleted]

YOU SAY NOTHING BAD ABOUT TUPPERWARE! NOTHING.

[elleblue]

My SIL started selling the 31 bags a few years ago. I never bought any and only feel a small twinge of guilt here and there when I think of it.

[Eagles]

May 10, 2016 16:58:18 GMT -5 UMaineTeach said:

Legal opinions on if you are allowed to keep the gift bag without paying/buying? I mean, it was given and then the terms elaborated on...

I gave it back, obviously. I have all the makeup I need. I'm certainly not buying parking lot makeup. Who does?

[Alyssa]

I have a couple friends pushing Beautycounter crap right now. I hid them from my timeline.

[spindle92]

and the obnoxious mompreneur hashtags or the stupid "Don't buy from a corporation and support a high priced CEO. Buy from a stay at home mom who is just trying to feed her family" bs I see all the time.

STOP THE INSANITY!

[jigsy]

Isn't Younique foundation supposed to be the shit though? IIRC there was chatter over on the make up board.

[Deleted]

In the last month, I have seen THREE friends all post about how they've been diligent using their R&F face wash and how, for the first time, their husbands complimented their faces. These ladies don't know each other, so I'm fairly certain that's just what R&F told them to say. Which is why MLM is pervading. Real companies get sued for false advertising. But who is going to sue cousin Abby, even when you know she's full of it because all the R&F consultants on your feed are positing the exact same thing? I think as we see transaction costs increase for reputable companies, we will see more and more of this. I don't thing it's such a bad deal for the people selling, but I do think even the nicest people get brainwashed and start acting like lunatics. Facebook is not a free advertising space!

[UMaineTeach]

May 10, 2016 17:24:54 GMT -5 Eagles said:

May 10, 2016 16:58:18 GMT -5 UMaineTeach said:

Legal opinions on if you are allowed to keep the gift bag without paying/buying? I mean, it was given and then the terms elaborated on...

I gave it back, obviously. I have all the makeup I need. I'm certainly not buying parking lot makeup. Who does?

I would have given it back too. Just thinking you (someone) might be within her rights to say thanks and get in the car.

[wambam]

May 10, 2016 17:20:09 GMT -5 elleblue said:

My SIL started selling the 31 bags a few years ago. I never bought any and only feel a small twinge of guilt here and there when I think of it.

I went to numerous parties thrown by girls at my gym because snacks and wine. I never bought anything either. This probably makes me an asshole but i just don't care.

[pinkeggs]

I've posted about my relentless I+Work$ FB friend before. She has posted some of the most offensive shit ever. (I.e. Memes that say "You can't have a CEO lifestyle with a minimum wage work ethic!" And "thank God I took a chance and went to work for myself in my own business. Today I saw little Johnny's first steps! I just want to cry for all the moms missing these precious moments while slaving away working for someone else!")

Anyway, she took her kid on a "girls only" Disney trip and today posted "I've been to two international airports and the most populated theme park in the country in the last two days and I didn't see a single other I+ Work$ tote bag, tshirt, or water bottle. But tell me again how we're too saturated!?!"

Lol. I'll keep my job where I can go on vacation for a few days without having to shill online, thanks. I know I should just delete her, but train wreck and all...

Plexu$ is the new one taking over my feed, ugh...

[oliviapope]

My friend started selling MK and I went to her debut party (to be supportive) and honestly I can see how they pull people in. Of course, a normal person can just fucking google "MLM+scam" and see how many different ways you get screwed. I fell down a rabbit hole reading a blog about MK and how it really works and I honestly just feel bad for my friend. She legit thinks she's going to make 6 figures doing it. I'm like, don't you think it's odd you had to open a CC and buy $1800 worth of product? Where are the skeptics?! If it sounds too good to be true, then it is!

[RoxMonster]

Ugh down with MLMs!

I just have one FB friend who shills that crap (some sort of makeup line), though I have her blocked now. But she would constantly post these sanctimonious statuses about how "My boss is so awesome, she let me stay home with my sick kid today without taking a sick day. You know why? Because I am my boss and I can be home with my kids whenever I want and go to every field trip and school play."

Well fucking bully for you. I seriously hate those types of posts possibly more than the shilling of crap. Way to try and guilt trip working moms while being a sanctimonious asshole.

[kme]

Sunday MIL is having a trifecta of MLNs; bags, jewelry and skin care. "Come and bring the baby". Nope nope nope!

[DotAndBuzz]

I have staunchly refused until 2 weeks ago, when my neighbor (she's awesome) asked me to come to her daughter's R&F launch party. Her daughter is lovely, babysat for us a TON, is now in college, and has a chronic illness that severely changed her course of study timeline. So I was like, OK, I can allow myself this ONE time. For Daughter. Because the reps do make money, and if she legit may not be able to get a "regular" job, this could work out for her, she has a strong work ethic, etc. Still not ok, I know, but it was a rationale that worked for me.

It was going fine, I was drinking it up with my neighbor/her mom, and then we had to listen to the talk. Daughter's college and HS friends were there, and completely falling hook, line, and sinker listening to the higher-up talk about all the "amazing financial benefits" to becoming a consultant. Like, they were just grinning ear to ear and were totally transfixed. THAT is how it keeps happening. It was actually kind of amazing to watch the system feed right into itself.

[hisno1girl]

If someone handed me MLM literature, unprompted, I would rip it into a million pieces and make it fucking rain confetti.

I'm in a very foul mood right now.

[memenee]

May 10, 2016 17:20:09 GMT -5 elleblue said:

My SIL started selling the 31 bags a few years ago. I never bought any and only feel a small twinge of guilt here and there when I think of it.

Anything you can tell me about this one? Is the quality at least decent?

My dd1's class mother sells it. At the beginning of the school year she collected $25 per student to go towards various things like teacher gifts throughout the year, parties, etc.

Well every time there is a gift for the teacher she always emails us to tell us what the class got the teacher...and it's ALWAYS a damn 31 bag thing. Christmas she got a 31 bag tote plus a gift card, Valentine's Day she got a 31 bag makeup case and a gift card, same for teacher appreciation week and end of year gift! Wtf? Not cool. I would rather put the money towards a larger gift card for teacher.

[Deleted]

May 10, 2016 19:40:49 GMT -5 memenee said:

May 10, 2016 17:20:09 GMT -5 elleblue said:

My SIL started selling the 31 bags a few years ago. I never bought any and only feel a small twinge of guilt here and there when I think of it.

Anything you can tell me about this one? Is the quality at least decent?

My dd1's class mother sells it. At the beginning of the school year she collected $25 per student to go towards various things like teacher gifts throughout the year, parties, etc.

Well every time there is a gift for the teacher she always emails us to tell us what the class got the teacher...and it's ALWAYS a damn 31 bag thing. Christmas she got a 31 bag tote plus a gift card, Valentine's Day she got a 31 bag makeup case and a gift card, same for teacher appreciation week and end of year gift! Wtf? Not cool. I would rather put the money towards a larger gift card for teacher.

Perhaps I spoke too soon about MLM's avoiding litigation costs.

[frannyr]

May 10, 2016 19:40:49 GMT -5 memenee said:

May 10, 2016 17:20:09 GMT -5 elleblue said:

My SIL started selling the 31 bags a few years ago. I never bought any and only feel a small twinge of guilt here and there when I think of it.

Anything you can tell me about this one? Is the quality at least decent?

My dd1's class mother sells it. At the beginning of the school year she collected $25 per student to go towards various things like teacher gifts throughout the year, parties, etc.

Well every time there is a gift for the teacher she always emails us to tell us what the class got the teacher...and it's ALWAYS a damn 31 bag thing. Christmas she got a 31 bag tote plus a gift card, Valentine's Day she got a 31 bag makeup case and a gift card, same for teacher appreciation week and end of year gift! Wtf? Not cool. I would rather put the money towards a larger gift card for teacher.

I was surprised at how poor the quality of the 31 products are.  I bought a purse that the lining ripped out of, an umbrella that stopped opening properly after a few uses and bag that also started to fall apart.  It seems so much less popular these days.

[elleblue]

May 10, 2016 19:40:49 GMT -5 memenee said:

May 10, 2016 17:20:09 GMT -5 elleblue said:

My SIL started selling the 31 bags a few years ago. I never bought any and only feel a small twinge of guilt here and there when I think of it.

Anything you can tell me about this one? Is the quality at least decent?

My dd1's class mother sells it. At the beginning of the school year she collected $25 per student to go towards various things like teacher gifts throughout the year, parties, etc.

Well every time there is a gift for the teacher she always emails us to tell us what the class got the teacher...and it's ALWAYS a damn 31 bag thing. Christmas she got a 31 bag tote plus a gift card, Valentine's Day she got a 31 bag makeup case and a gift card, same for teacher appreciation week and end of year gift! Wtf? Not cool. I would rather put the money towards a larger gift card for teacher.

No clue to be honest. Basically I'm not really interested in paying $100+ on a bag I know nothing about. If I could see them in person, I might feel differently. My SIL lives in an entirely different state, so...lol.

[blackcat]

I have a FB friend whom I met on TK, and I really like her!! We've known each other for a long time. However, she's apparently now an Isagen1x consultant or some crap, and every time (every time!) I post something, whether it be about my cat, my house, my travels, whatever, she private messages me and starts off with, "OMG I love seeing your stories about your (insert whatever I just posted)..." followed up with the same exact paragraph that she just keeps copying and pasting, talking about what she's selling and how it's life changing and only costs this much, but oh wait, it's way less if you also get 2 friends to join, etc etc. It's downright insulting. Oh, and then she closes with, "Let's plan a lunch date soon!" Um, no. I go back and forth over unfriending her.

[sallywalker]

May 10, 2016 20:24:36 GMT -5 blackcat said:

I have a FB friend whom I met on TK, and I really like her!! We've known each other for a long time. However, she's apparently now an Isagen1x consultant or some crap, and every time (every time!) I post something, whether it be about my cat, my house, my travels, whatever, she private messages me and starts off with, "OMG I love seeing your stories about your (insert whatever I just posted)..." followed up with the same exact paragraph that she just keeps copying and pasting, talking about what she's selling and how it's life changing and only costs this much, but oh wait, it's way less if you also get 2 friends to join, etc etc. It's downright insulting. Oh, and then she closes with, "Let's plan a lunch date soon!" Um, no. I go back and forth over unfriending her.

Yes! I have a friend that will message me to join her team, but won't reach out when she is in town to visit. She never asks about my life or the kids. It's only about her business and joining her team. It makes me sad.

I sell Senegence products. I have a private Facebook group that I added people to and I show the products. People can order if they want or leave the group if they want. I've been using it for over a year and really love the product. It's fun for me and I enjoy helping people pick out their makeup. I don't think I'm going to get rich from selling it, but it's a fun hobby. I've never hounded anyone to join my team and I don't post things on my personal pages.

It also drives me crazy when they will try to get people to sign up to sell something when they have never even tried the product. This makes no sense! Who wants someone representing their product when they have never even tried it and have no knowledge of it?

[statlerwaldorf]

May 10, 2016 19:54:50 GMT -5 frannyr said:

May 10, 2016 19:40:49 GMT -5 memenee said:

Anything you can tell me about this one? Is the quality at least decent?

My dd1's class mother sells it. At the beginning of the school year she collected $25 per student to go towards various things like teacher gifts throughout the year, parties, etc.

Well every time there is a gift for the teacher she always emails us to tell us what the class got the teacher...and it's ALWAYS a damn 31 bag thing. Christmas she got a 31 bag tote plus a gift card, Valentine's Day she got a 31 bag makeup case and a gift card, same for teacher appreciation week and end of year gift! Wtf? Not cool. I would rather put the money towards a larger gift card for teacher.

I was surprised at how poor the quality of the 31 products are.  I bought a purse that the lining ripped out of, an umbrella that stopped opening properly after a few uses and bag that also started to fall apart.  It seems so much less popular these days.

The 31 factory near me shut down a few months ago.

May 10, 2016 19:54:50 GMT -5 frannyr said:

May 10, 2016 19:40:49 GMT -5 memenee said:

Anything you can tell me about this one? Is the quality at least decent?

My dd1's class mother sells it. At the beginning of the school year she collected $25 per student to go towards various things like teacher gifts throughout the year, parties, etc.

Well every time there is a gift for the teacher she always emails us to tell us what the class got the teacher...and it's ALWAYS a damn 31 bag thing. Christmas she got a 31 bag tote plus a gift card, Valentine's Day she got a 31 bag makeup case and a gift card, same for teacher appreciation week and end of year gift! Wtf? Not cool. I would rather put the money towards a larger gift card for teacher.

I was surprised at how poor the quality of the 31 products are.  I bought a purse that the lining ripped out of, an umbrella that stopped opening properly after a few uses and bag that also started to fall apart.  It seems so much less popular these days.

The 31 factory near me shut down a few months ago.

[zaneyzoo]

Around here, the cult group of ne-r-I-um is hot and heavy. It's ridiculous. It's some skin care shit made out of a poisonous plant they put on their face and it doesn't even help. They post pics of people using this eye cream and in 5 minutes, wrinkles are gone! But honestly it's that they are so puffy from their irritated skin that it makes it look like wrinkles are gone.

And they all earn luxury cars. And then there's some supplement that makes your brain amazing.

And these people give this shit to their kids!!!!! Shit that isn't even fda approved.

They are obnoxious as fuck and are always messaging and texting. Truly, they are the worst

[CurlyQ284]

DHs cousin reached out to me a few weeks ago. I hadn't heard from his cousins in a long time and she asked when we were visiting and we chatted about our summer visit. I really miss her.

Then she wanted to know if I heard of it.works. I was really upset that she reached out and pretended to care when really she just wanted to sell me shit. I said it wasn't in the budget, and she mentioned her yuge bonus check that she got from it.works.

Ugh I'm so irritated.