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Royce2

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My lady is into a program called Arbonne. And without a doubt it is full of MLM. All the right keywords of "passive-income" and "free vacation trips" are all there.
However, she told me that she's not paying them a dime for any fees and not doing any CD brainwashing. She's been exposed to Am#@y as well lol

I mean I personally allow her to do this thing just because she's getting basically free sales coaching from a mentor and a 15% commission off of any product she sells. As of today she is sitting around $200 in commission sales since 2 months ago. And the MLM part is completely up to her if she wants minions or not but they "strongly" recommend it.

My wife is also being careful of introducing the product to everyone she knows. She takes a different approach and creates a separate Instagram/Facebook page to the people who are interested and gives her friends/family a choice if they want to be bombarded by products and offers or not. Because of that the response is mostly positive.

I feel as if there is nothing wrong in what she is doing. Am I wrong?

What do you think of Arbonne?
 
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Jaden Jones

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While I dont know much about this company, Im sure its like most MLM companies. People try to sell an overhyped, overpriced product hoping that the laws of supply and demand dont apply to them. As always, the people at the top will do well, but generally most people involved will not. I personally dont like them, and would definitely push hard to convince friends and family they shouldnt either. But thats me, if your wife isnt losing any money, the most she will lose is time and maybe some confidence in future (actually worthwhile) opportunities.
 
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James Klymus

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I mean it sounds like a glorified affiliate program at this point, with all of the MLM stuff being optional. Sometimes you have to let people do their own thing (Which you are doing), Maybe she will make some extra money, But you dont want to build your house on land you dont own.
 

Royce2

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if your wife isnt losing any money, the most she will lose is time and maybe some confidence in future (actually worthwhile) opportunities.
She's barely putting any time into that. All of her sales were word of mouth.
About the worthwhile opportunities I completely agree. I want her to become her own consultant and find her own products that are not over inflated but she wont trust me just yet, luckily I am a patient husband. Heh
 

Royce2

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I mean it sounds like a glorified affiliate program at this point, with all of the MLM stuff being optional. Sometimes you have to let people do their own thing (Which you are doing), Maybe she will make some extra money, But you dont want to build your house on land you dont own.
Completely agree. We do not depend on this program. This is a complete non-dependent move on our part
 
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Supercar

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My ex-girlfriend quit her job in 2009 to do Arbonne full-time. She was doing Arbonne from 2005 to 2012. She must have been doing well because we never had any money issues. In 2011 she jumped onto another MLM program called Isagenix. She said it had a faster growth and was more profitable. Her LinkedIn says she is still there.

Yes, it is all about pitching overpriced products to your family, real friends, Facebook friends, and everyone you meet. You have to have a simple mind and no reservations or consciousness. Everyone in this MLM world looks and sounds as if they are on Prozac, which she was until she quit her day job in 2009. I think she really believes that by selling overpriced products to her friends she is really helping them and everyone in her "network" becomes better off.
 
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minivanman

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Moving past the part of you LETTING her do it..... :eek:

Back in my cleaning days, we had a customer that was a single lady and lived in a house that was better than my house. WAY better than my house so her house had to be way over $1 million (mine sold for $705,000). All she did was sell Arbonne.

My very 1st cleaning customer ever (had her from the start until I sold the business the 3rd time) used to sell Longaberger baskets. She also did very well. They also had a house well over $1 million but her husband was a very successful real estate guy so I don't think it mattered what her income was. But I do know she made great money doing it.

I also knew some people that sold Amway, they both worked their @sses off at their day job and for a little extra spending money Amway was their choice. They worked 7 days a week trying to get suckers to sell Amway. :wideyed:
 

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There are millions of product your wife could buy and attempt to resell for a profit. Why did she choose this one?

The above is what I don't get about the people who join MLMs.
 
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Zcott

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MLM is a legit business model. Many people are successful with it.

Most people who get involved have no idea how to market or sell. To be successful in MLM, as with all entrepreneurial pursuits, it is all about hustle and most people doing it don't realise that. They do a few facebook post and target their family and friends. Wondering why they haven't made $5,000 within a month they give up and cry 'scam.' This taints the image of the MLM model, that it is a scam and you alienate yourself from your family and friends.

Good multi level marketers know it has a bad image of 'pyramid scheme' and have to deploy somewhat deceptive tactics to get people involved in MLM. I found myself target of some very good MLMers last year.

Some are very smooth sales people. Some invite you to obscure meetings where you have no idea it is MLM until two or three meetings in. They build up the relationship and after a few weeks you end up in a group meeting of people who have 'qualified' to be there (basically anyone) and promote a lot of things to do with time money freedom. It was actually quite funny, they joke about it by saying everyone thinks MLM is a scam but they see working 9-5 for 40 years a scam, and that it doesn't matter what vehicle you are driving as long as you get to the destination.

I wouldn't do it myself or recommend others do it, but, point is, it's a viable business model and has been used for a long time. It has a negative image. If your wife can deal with that, doesn't alienate herself from friends and family, learns how to market and sell (MLM salespeople typically have a 'mentor' who has a vested interest that they do well), then good luck to her.
 

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G-Man

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I came by to comment on this:





But looks like I as beat to it.
It's not Royce's fault you can't get your wife in line. (EDIT: Marked under sarcasm so I don't get hate mail.)
There are millions of product your wife could buy and attempt to resell for a profit. Why did she choose this one?

The above is what I don't get about the people who join MLMs.
I think it's because they give you a cookie cutter model of what to do, which is really the scariest part of finding some random product to try to re-sell. It's like the difference between me opening G-man's chicken shack, and opening a chick-fil-a franchise.

My only problem with MLMs really is that they seem to get people in to trying to sell their friends and family, which is where the comparison to a fast food franchise dies. Nobody would avoid me on social media if I owned a chick - fil - a.
 
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CareCPA

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It's not Royce's fault you can't get your wife in line.
I'm going to assume this is sarcasm. It would make me really sad if you actually thought this way.
 

SEBASTlAN

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Supercar

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It was actually quite funny, they joke about it by saying everyone thinks MLM is a scam but they see working 9-5 for 40 years a scam, and that it doesn't matter what vehicle you are driving as long as you get to the destination.
MLM is immoral because, as a pyramid participant, you are are not creating much of a value.

You are up-selling your hand lotion because it could make your buyer rich if he/she, in turn, upsells it to many other buyers. In the end, the folks who get screwed are those at the bottom of the pyramid, who buy the product but can't find any other willing buyers who are not involved in the pyramid already.

All of your profit comes from that unfortunate layer of MLM'ers at the bottom who can't continue to sell, as well as from those along the sides of the pyramid, who fail to continue growing the pyramid.
 
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Royce2

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What I want to set her up with is to get her to become an ACTUAL health consultant. And maybe even source her own products herself and sell them. Her passion is to make others healthy and happy so I think her piggybacking on the Arbonne MLM is a great place to start. Again as stated before, FREE mentoring, and actually good commission rates. But no wonder the products are so inflated is to get everyone a piece of pie requires a lot of markup. But again to look at it, if the product works, and if the consumers don't mind paying for it. That product is more valuable to them than the price, isn't that so? Keep in mind there was no platinum level sales tactics involved when she made her first few sales, she just had the opportunity to show someone a solution they have been looking for everywhere and it hit all the marks so they bought.
 

becks22

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I used to do Arbonne before I got my head on straight. It's very cult-like. I look back and shiver. Poor 19 year old me was so naive :frown: Edited to say that I when I joined, I thought it was the best thing ever and no one could talk me out of it. There's really nothing you can do besides being supportive.

I will say that the only things I liked about the products is that they are vegan and that was was a selling point for me. There were many successful consultants in my area. My upline had many multi- millionaires that joined around 2000- 2005 and had hundred if not thousands of consultants underneath them. That's how they made their money-- by taking 1 to 5% of everyone else's sales commissions. Unfortunately, no one else joining now is going to get there. It's an early adapter market for MLMs.
 
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Primeperiwinkle

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I think you should allow her to fail or succeed on her own, then stand by her side happily making Belgian waffles on Sunday morning while she shares her trials and triumphs. This way you’ll be supporting whatever endeavor she pursues, since you trust in her abilities and mind and passion so much.
 

minivanman

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I think you should allow her to fail or succeed on her own, then stand by her side happily making Belgian waffles on Sunday morning while she shares her trials and triumphs. This way you’ll be supporting whatever endeavor she pursues, since you trust in her abilities and mind and passion so much.

Right, it's not about YOU wanting her to do ANYTHING. It's about if SHE wants to do this for a month or 10 years. If YOU don't want to sell it.... don't. If SHE wants to go flip burgers, it's HER that is doing it, not YOU. It's not really YOUR problem at all unless it starts interfering with your personal life. I wish my wife would quit working all together but she has told me she will probably work until she dies.... nothing I can do about it.

But, what you can do.... IF she is open and WANTS to hear it.... give her ideas about what she could do in the future. If she is happy doing what she is doing I will GUARANTEE you that what YOU want will NEVER happen if you push it over on her. Case in point, my buddy informed me about 2 hours ago his wife filed for divorce after 37 years of marriage. I know why.... she lost her job of 34 years and he has been hounding her to do things she doesn't want to do. Their house is up for sale in Kansas City, Kansas if anyone is looking.
 

MJ DeMarco

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I feel as if there is nothing wrong in what she is doing. Am I wrong?

There's nothing wrong with it, she might get some value from it, assuming it doesn't eat her time. And your wife should be able to do what she wants, no?

My thoughts are clear on MLM though, there are better things to focus on. Sourcing a product and trying to sell it thru a variety of channels, IMO, would be a better self-development experience. And much more profitable.
 
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SquatchMan

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I'd put an end to it before she gets fully brainwashed by the MLM marketing stuff. Some come to their senses, but some end up hopping around different MLM companies for the rest of their life.

I find people that peddle MLM unbearable and I refuse to associate with them. Couldn't imagine living with one.

That's just me though.
 

Isaac Oh

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I'm young but my take, when this comes to relationships, is to be accepting of her choice and not try to manipulate her into moving away from it. She's intelligent enough and has her own reasons. At the same time, be there for her and inspire her with your success.
 
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ManlyMansNegator

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I'm young but my take, when this comes to relationships, is to be accepting of her choice and not try to manipulate her into moving away from it. She's intelligent enough and has her own reasons. At the same time, be there for her and inspire her with your success.
Let us assume , hypothetically, your wife is doing drugs.Would you take a similiar approach of "letting" her move away from it or would you warn her of its negative impacts and push for rehabilitation.

Although that is an extreme my best friends brother in law was in the same position as OP.Letting people do as they wish without warning them is very harmful.

Infact if you love someone you would warn them of the negative effects , not "inspire her..".

MLM just burns money ,especially this late in the game.The problem with "Scams" like these is the use of emotional manipulation .They are often set in nice rooms with well dressed people.The warm homey atmosphere causes people to be easily influenced and to fall into the scheme.

OP should at least tell her of the negative effects, this plants a seed of doubt in their heads.My girlfriend exposed MLM for me early on and if it wasnt for her i would've wasted a long time on the venture.


Right, it's not about YOU wanting her to do ANYTHING. It's about if SHE wants to do this for a month or 10 years. If YOU don't want to sell it.... don't. If SHE wants to go flip burgers, it's HER that is doing it, not YOU. It's not really YOUR problem at all unless it starts interfering with your personal life. I wish my wife would quit working all together but she has told me she will probably work until she dies.... nothing I can do about it.

But, what you can do.... IF she is open and WANTS to hear it.... give her ideas about what she could do in the future. If she is happy doing what she is doing I will GUARANTEE you that what YOU want will NEVER happen if you push it over on her. Case in point, my buddy informed me about 2 hours ago his wife filed for divorce after 37 years of marriage. I know why.... she lost her job of 34 years and he has been hounding her to do things she doesn't want to do. Their house is up for sale in Kansas City, Kansas if anyone is looking.
Weird way of looking at things.Relationships should help with the transference of knowledge.Warning each other of fruitless ventures would be a net beneficial.

If you are simply a yes man who doesn't set boundaries or offer criticism , then you don't love your partner.
 

Isaac Oh

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Let us assume , hypothetically, your wife is doing drugs.Would you take a similiar approach of "letting" her move away from it or would you warn her of its negative impacts and push for rehabilitation.

Although that is an extreme my best friends brother in law was in the same position as OP.Letting people do as they wish without warning them is very harmful.

Infact if you love someone you would warn them of the negative effects , not "inspire her..".

MLM just burns money ,especially this late in the game.The problem with "Scams" like these is the use of emotional manipulation .They are often set in nice rooms with well dressed people.The warm homey atmosphere causes people to be easily influenced and to fall into the scheme.

OP should at least tell her of the negative effects, this plants a seed of doubt in their heads.My girlfriend exposed MLM for me early on and if it wasnt for her i would've wasted a long time on the venture.



Weird way of looking at things.Relationships should help with the transference of knowledge.Warning each other of fruitless ventures would be a net beneficial.

If you are simply a yes man who doesn't set boundaries or offer criticism , then you don't love your partner.
Good point! I do agree with what you said. But I do think there is a gray area that OP is dealing with.

He should be looking out for her well being. At the same time, he should be careful when he engages that discussion for the sake of your relationship.

Totally agree with you
 

Royce2

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Sourcing a product and trying to sell it thru a variety of channels, IMO, would be a better self-development experience.
Fully agree on that.

I'd put an end to it before she gets fully brainwashed by the MLM marketing stuff.
I find people that peddle MLM unbearable and I refuse to associate with them. Couldn't imagine living with one.
She's not the type to get brainwashed. MLM can't fully achieve that with people who don't care so much about money and don't buy into fairy tales. I've stated why she's doing it loud and clear. She's not buying the dream, she's using the services to her own advantage. It's a very generic stereotype that you refer to when you find them unbearable. Some of those people actually are very nice people and seem to be living off of it just fine. Thanks for the feedback though.
 
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Royce2

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Although that is an extreme my best friends brother in law was in the same position as OP.Letting people do as they wish without warning them is very harmful.
Warned her before she even started and she fully acknowledges my boundaries that I set beforehand.
Infact if you love someone you would warn them of the negative effects , not "inspire her..".
You can warn them of the negative effects of a MLM AND inspire them at the same time. What are you talking about?
If you are simply a yes man who doesn't set boundaries or offer criticism , then you don't love your partner.
Fully agree on that.
 

Royce2

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Good point! I do agree with what you said. But I do think there is a gray area that OP is dealing with.

He should be looking out for her well being. At the same time, he should be careful when he engages that discussion for the sake of your relationship.

Totally agree with you
Perfect understanding Mr Isaac.
Yes it's a gray area but we BOTH came to terms and agreements BEFORE she started this thing.
 

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