On the 2nd day they told us that we would have to buy a $100 knife kit to take to our sales sessions. They never told me anything about buying a knife kit during the interview.

So I told the manager that I didn’t have the money and I asked why they didn’t provide knife kits, the manager actually said that they were afraid we would steal it. Yeah great way to instill confidence in your employees.

Every job I’ve had provided uniforms and training. I thought it was stupid how they thought we would steal anything from them. They target college students because they know that adults with experience wouldn’t fall for their shtick.

I quit training and a week later at Wal-Mart I ran into a guy that was in my training class and he said that it wasn’t worth it. During training it was implied we needed to call up people we know to sell them stuff.

I never wanted to pitch products to family and friends, I hate it when that stuff is pitched to me and I wouldn’t do it to my family or friends.

Yeah Vector might not be technically a scam because they do have products to sell, but the way they approach business is sneaky and deceptive. In the internet age, I think person to person knife selling is an outdated concept.

If I want a knife I’ll buy it on Amazon.com thanks. Why have a third party? So I don’t bother with MLMs and other garbage like that. I avoid door to door salesmen and turn up my tv if they come to my door.

I tried to be nice in the past, but I had one experience when I told the guy no thank you after he made his speech. But some of them don’t care if you respectfully decline they’ll be rude to you. So what’s the point?

After that experience I didn’t want to deal with salespeople so now I turn up the tv if its someone like that. I don’t need their attitude. I also have skype and a cell phone instead of a landline, and I don’t have to deal with telemarketers anymore.

Yeah I’ll spend money on decent clothes and gas to go to work but that’s why you go to work so you can get money, an employer shouldn’t be asking money out of you.

I got my wife out of Melaleuca pretty quickly, although she resented my efforts initially. The common fallacy that I have noticed, and also in the comments above, such as those about Cutco, is the claim that they make good products. Sure some products are good, but they are all overpriced relative to similar quality products in traditional stores, or through online retailers. Sure Cutco makes good serrated knives (if you like that, almost all of my knives are straight), but for the price, these products are not worth it. They make you think that they are the only ones who sell these products, but this is rarely, if ever the case. Want a nice baking stone? Buy one online, I guarantee it will be cheaper than Pampered Chef. Want scissors that can cut pennies? All scissors can cut pennies. (I really surprised a Cutco salesman when I cut a penny with the little scissors I kept on my keychain. Why would you want to cut pennies anyway? Or, for that matter, cut leather or rope with your kitchen knives?)

Even if I see a product I like, I make a point of going somewhere else for it, not only for the savings, but also because I don’t like to support the business model. Don’t fall for the guilt trip, you only encourage further similar behavior, and you keep deluding these ‘salespeople’ with the idea that they have found a good job, when they could be searching for better, legitimate, jobs.

Plus, I doubled my money on their stock between 2000 and 2004, so that was nice…

Now a couple years later she has a $5000 credit card bill (her supervisor encouraged her to buy her stock on credit) and a whole lot of stock that she can’t sell even at cost.

I feel so bad for her, that the company would take advantage of her being young, low income, with tiny children, and vulnerable.

Also, years ago when Quixtar was the new thing, we had a couple come to our house and try to sell us on the deal. 90% of the time they were there they were showing videos of people with big houses and lots of expensive toys. And they sang the Amway rally song for us. Yeah, the Amway song. My husband and I still laugh about it. We were young and fairly low-income at the time, with small children (one of which is disabled) and the last thing I wanted was to go around selling this program and leaving my kids with someone else in the hopes that I make a sale. At the time we lived in a trailer and drove an old car, so I know they thought they had some easy bait but we were suspicious, mainly of all the videos of rich people. The whole experience was very tacky.

Anyway… My mom’s main advice was always, “it should be about the products.”

My aunt sold Pampered Chef several years ago, and a cousin of mine sold Cutco (and my GF did too, very briefly, several years before we met). Those were solid products and we had a few (of the cheaper ones) while I was growing up.

Then, a few years ago my girlfriend and I got suckered into Quixtar by a coworker of hers. I was new to her area, so I attended meetings and so forth to just meet people and “network” (but not really in a business sense), and to kinda get the feel for the “business”.

The funny thing was, they had several products that I actually liked — but was very much discouraged from treating the business as an actual business, since the “local team” ran it in the “just buy from yourself and recruit others” vein (which I found out was essentially illegal, but the entire organization skirted on a loophole). After attending one of the “big learning conferences”, which was essentially just a weekend of bragging by the diamonds, and then a semi-literate calvinistic “nondenominational” church service, I decided to slip out of the deal, despite the fact that I liked some of the stuff I could get. I do kinda lament not being able to have people buy the stuff from me as “clients”, but the system really isn’t set up to facilitate people getting stuff from you anonymously — they have to be signed up for stuff.

Once upon a time I was a network marketer. You know what, after swearing it off I am back in the mix 5 years later.

I originally did Quixtar. That had been the only MLM I had heard of and I got approached 4 times over a 6 year period. I gave it a try. I didn’t last. It wasn’t the right opportunity/product for me.

The difference this time is I have a use for the product and respect the people that are in my group.

I am with NetWorthUSA, and their 4 products teach people how to invest in real estate.

I am fortunate that in Kansas City we have 350 other distributors that form an investor community to network with. We have a huge contact base to draw from if you have a need for someone involved with buying, selling, renting or maintaining property. If you have questions you can get a multitude of answers.

I wanted to start investing in real estate. THAT is why I got back into network marketing, I wanted the contact base.

Has it worked? I bought my 1st house last fall via a lead from another member and made ~$10k with an additional 20% equity in the property and no money out of pocket. My rents provide enough profit to cover 3x my re-occurring monthly costs for NetWorthUSA.

I’m sold. It works…for me.

The deal is you have to find something that fits your style and that you have an ongoing interest in. I am interested in real estate and can give a strong endorsement because I have seen the benefit of my products and company.

Green cleaning, cookware, cosmetics, financial/legal services, health & nutrition, travel, real estate…you name it there is a MLM company out there that offers something for every interest. There are good companies and bad companies. Do your homework. You have to remember that the individuals that work their businesses all have different methods. Some may be less than forthright or ethical in their methods. That does not mean that the parent company or the industry is any less legitimate.

The bad experience always speaks louder than the pleasant one. I don’t agree with many of the methods PEOPLE many use either. Don’t condemn an entire industry based on poor marketing, communication, customer service and yes ethics of individuals. Most people are not trained how to do this stuff (as a software engineer I know I’m not). We are too busy trying to make it through our day jobs and many unfortunately many try to “push” things in the limited time they can devote to their MLM venture. Should you ever become a network marketer use those distasteful experiences to become a shining example of how it should be done.

Doing this is not easy and it takes a lot of work to see results. You may or may not make any money but the relationships you form along the way and your personal development is half the reward. Enjoy the journey.

Am I wildly successful and rich yet? No, but I will keep trying, growing and getting there slowly. One step and one income stream at a time.

The perfect comeback to a MLM pitch is this. Tell them you are always willing to look at investment opportunities, but you treat all opportunities the same. What you require is three years of tax returns to verify the kind of income this business will generate. (If you were to buy a business, your banker would ask for the same thing before you were loaned money, so it is a perfectly reasonable request) Tell them if the tax returns prove they are making the kind of money that they claim, you will seriously look at the opportunity.

I have used this line many times, and no one has taken me up on it. I will stick with investing in real businesses and rental property thank you.

Now, they may tell you their tax returns don’t show the type of income because the opportunity is “tax efficient”. That means you lose money…..

1) Do not pay the company/firm/whatever that is ‘recruiting’ you for ‘required training’ for whatever position they are recruiting you for. If they are legitimately recruiting you but you need training, they should provide it at a minimum for free, or as paid training. Or, if the training required is legitimately needed, it should be available from a university, community college, trade school, etc.

2) Avoid situations where you have to buy a product before you can sell it (ie buying your ‘demo set’ of cutco knives; they probably make more money on those demo-sets than actual ‘managers’ selling the knives to others.

Scams will almost always want you to put up money up front to get a position. A legitimate business is not going to demand that a recruit pay them to be recruited.

Very helpful in fending of MLMs as well as sales pitches in general.

1. She is an extremely hard worker and a self-starter
2. She is good at what she does
3. She is a professional, and treats her business as such
4. She is a little lucky
5. She is driven
6. She is brutally honest to everyone she speaks to that the 5 above are REQUIRED in order to be successful.

In our experience, most that fail do so because they lack #1 and #3, not because of the MLM business model.

There are all kinds of MLM’s out there. Some are shady, some are border line illegal. Some, however, ARE legitimate business models that, given the right MLM, the right person, and the right time, can be a tremendous success.

We all hope he smartens up soon and gets out.

As a fan of getrichslowly.org, isn’t my intention to promote my mlm businesses, because this is not a blog to promote anything besides getting rich slowly theory…experiences, etc, etc, etc..

I didn’t mention any name of my businesses opportunities like other people are doing, i’m a professional on what I do.

Finally, my point is this: Network Marketing has its own distinct culture, and financial growth is impossible without becoming part of that culture.

It’s Simple but harder at the same time…

To whom may it concern:
Do your homework! Read about mlm industry and then decide if you fit or not…remember that your mind is your most valuable possession!

God Bless!

PD
I hate sales by the way…I prefer to have multiple streams of passive income working for me, and one of my vehicles is the mlm business model integrated with the internet… I like to have options and get rich slowly…

Well, you can do all that and MORE with Dr. icup’s magical mystery pills, guaranteed to cure any and all diseases, and increase your pep, vim, and vigor by 150%.

But wait, I know what you’re thinking. “I’m just not a salesman, I couldn’t sell a Pardon to Scooter Libby.” Well, my friend, may I call you friend? That is the beauty of Dr. icup’s Magical Mystery Pills. YOu don’t have to sell the — they sell themselves! It really is that easy to have everything you’ve ever wanted.

Best of all, since I really like you, I’m going to let you in on the ground floor. And there is no ceiling!

How much would you pay to be able to quit your day job and make millions? $500? $250? $100? Since I like you, I tell you what I’m going to do. You too can have your very own Dr. icup’s Magical Mystery Pills information kit for the shockingly low price of $59.95, and then just 10 easy payments of $99.95!

Sign up a friend and I’ll GIVE YOU BACK 3 of your payments! That’s right, you will be SAVING NEARLY $300! Couldn’t you use an extra $300 right now? Who couldn’t?

Act Now!

I had a friend go into one of the PrePaid Legal scaminars awhile ago in college. I literally dragged her out of the meeting two hours in, with her screaming that she wanted to stay and would put the 2K on her credit card.

After a day, she profusely thanked me for saving her financial life.

I hate scams.

The wind blows equally to everyone…

I have been involved in the multilevel marketing industry since my 17 years old. Traveling to various places and countries. My experience teach me that this kind of business aren’t for everyone. There are a lots of testimonials of people in need of a real opportunity who join network markeitng and became part of the 97% that fails!…This industry it’s just an option…and if you fit in the industry, you’re gonna make very nice income but first you have discover if you like to help people (You must read the Business School book of Robert Riyosaki)
It is business (habits) skills that make you rich, not the money…

MLM is not a standard make-money-on-the-side job. For many, it becomes a lifestyle. Some have tried to incorporate spiritual principles. MLM “pep rallies,” training seminars, workshops, and retreats are the industry norm. Network Marketing has its own distinct culture, and financial growth is impossible without becoming part of that culture.

That’s the real truth…financial growth is impossible without becoming part of that culture…

I believe that mlm business works but isn’t for everybody (you have to do your research of the company management, the product, the timing, etc, etc… just like every other business have to do before it goes to the public)

Anyway, all i have to say is that thanks to my network marketing experiences now a day i am a better person and learn to see life from a complete different perspective.

I am an electrical engineer, I loved my career but to be honest I hated the lack of freedom that working in a traditional career offers.

That’s why i’m doing online business, including, online network marketing business….

I know that Network Marketing and Internet Marketing is asking people NO permission to grow and is a non-stop trend and a challenge. Every day I learn more about it and decided to be part of it spreading the mlm vision based on education, the same principle that kiyosaki recommends. It is not what you can do with the business, is what you can get out of yourself, your mind is your most valuable possession!

This is my vision in my currently mlm’s opportunities: My vision is to provide great information about the MLM industry and multiple streams of income resources, to give them support, training and financial opportunities for people who has the desire to overcome their financial struggles through home entrepreneurship.

There’s a real business idea there, and I think the financials are good for the small business people who I think would be the main users of Send Out Cards. (For example, a caterer who wants to send periodic messages to potential customers — in fact, any small businessperson who depends on many repeat customers.)

One thing that worries me is, I don’t know how I would see an accounting of how many customers actually sent cards — and if I don’t know that number, I don’t know that I’m really being paid the % I’m supposed to be paid for each card sent. I doubt there’s a way to audit the sales.

Well, I guess that’s my answer right there. If there’s no way to see the books, why would I pour effort into the business?

Sorry, but this is an oxymoron…all MLM companies are, by definition, pyramid schemes. As such, their business structures are both unsustainable and inherently dishonest. If their products are really worthwhile, they would be better sold through either door-to-door or direct marketing approaches and be more honest.

For the record, the scheme was “cutting out the middlemen” between large companies and the consumer. The website was so unprofessional and so obviously a template that I almost laughed. It said “It’s that simple!” no less than every page.

It’s never that simple.

The worst experiences I’ve had with these people, all Quixtar, has been on airplanes sitting next to them. Imagine getting the whole schpeel for 3 hours, with no way out!! It’s happened to my wife and I twice!! It was the same strategy for both of them, they were talking about how they both have full time jobs and do this on the side but make an extra $5,000 a month, and they both drive amazing cars, live in big houses and buy expensive crap. Yeah right, that’s why your sitting in the middle seat in coach! What a joke.

I told her I wanted nothing to do with this and so as soon as the lady came over I went upstairs to work on the computer. 4 1/2 hours later I finally went down and kicked her out myself. Even when I came down, she kept trying to lower the price and “calling for approval” for the new price to get us to buy. She even tried to guilt us into it by saying that if *we* bought a vacuum then *she* would get a free trip to Cancun (what a salesgirl!)..

The only upside to the event was that we realized what color the carpet actually was, hated it, and ripped it out in favor of wood

Then it also needs to be said that you need to separate the company from the individual making the sale. A company’s approach to MLM may be completely upstanding, but an individual salesperson may take something good and turn it into a cheesy sale that makes you feel taken advantage of. There are many people who are of the highest character that work for MLM companies that are solid, ethical organizations.

One sign of an ethical MLM company is their products – are they of good quality? If they have good products and are selling their products and not just their opportunity, they are probably a good company. A company cannot exist without customers; if they just have salespeople (aka just talk about the opportunity), you have a problem.

Finally, with everything, it’s not just the opportunity, it’s what you do with it. You can take the most upstanding MLM company, invest in a kit and then do nothing with it and claim you’ve been scammed. Treat a business like a hobby (do it when you feel like it) and it will pay you like a hobby; treat it like a business (with hard work and good ethics) and it will pay you like a business.