Deprogramming an MLM victim?

[StanUpshaw]

I just found out a coworker has been taken in by one of these work from home pyramid schemes (Watkins Spices (http://www.watkinsonline.com/)). She's been throwing away some cash on newspaper classifieds, but now she's talking about getting a booth in the local craft market. I have no idea exactly how much that costs, but I'm sure it's hundreds of dollars that she could be putting to better use.

The other people in the office are encouraging her. Of course they're just trying to be supportive, but it's only helping her dig a deeper hole.

Has anyone had any success in getting someone they know to think critically about a scam like this?

[PapaBear]

The only way you can do it is to be as good at "selling" as the people who run these things.

[keithy_19]

I got hired to sell knives. I then realized there was no money in it and all I had to gain was a set of knives that I could use to cut pennies. So, I never bought them and quit before I started. They were intense about keeping me on board. I told them I moved to PA. They stopped calling me after that.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I just found out a coworker has been taken in by one of these work from home pyramid schemes (Watkins Spices (http://www.watkinsonline.com/)). She's been throwing away some cash on newspaper classifieds, but now she's talking about getting a booth in the local craft market. I have no idea exactly how much that costs, but I'm sure it's hundreds of dollars that she could be putting to better use.

The other people in the office are encouraging her. Of course they're just trying to be supportive, but it's only helping her dig a deeper hole.

Has anyone had any success in getting someone they know to think critically about a scam like this?

Well, speaking as a former employee of the biggest MLM schemes around (Cydcor) and reading up on it, Watkins doesn't seem that bad, comparatively speaking.

Is her income so bad that if she does this, she'll be in the poorhouse? It sounds like she had a job and she's trying to branch out. If so, I don't see what's so upsetting.

[keithy_19]

It sounds like she had a job and she's trying to branch out. If so, I don't see what's so upsetting.

Cleary Upshaw is part of a rival spice operation.

[Willmore]

I just found out a coworker has been taken in by one of these work from home pyramid schemes (Watkins Spices (http://www.watkinsonline.com/)). She's been throwing away some cash on newspaper classifieds, but now she's talking about getting a booth in the local craft market. I have no idea exactly how much that costs, but I'm sure it's hundreds of dollars that she could be putting to better use.

The other people in the office are encouraging her. Of course they're just trying to be supportive, but it's only helping her dig a deeper hole.

Has anyone had any success in getting someone they know to think critically about a scam like this?

Damn right, skippy. That $100 should be spent responsibly - on booze, coke and hookers.

Seriously, if someone else is fucking up their life, I don't see how it's any of my business. If you're so inclined, you can try to tell the person that they are going to get burnt and that they should at least hedge their bets, but the only way the person is going to learn not to fall for these scams is if they do gets burnt for 5-6 grand of money they can't afford.

[StanUpshaw]

And now I had to make a pity purchase of some overpriced lotion.

[PapaBear]

And now I had to make a pity purchase of some overpriced lotion.
Enabler!

[keithy_19]

Enabler!

:lol:

[Tenbatsuzen]

And now I had to make a pity purchase of some overpriced lotion.

http://ewpopwatch.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/tedlevine_l.jpg

[weekapaugjz]

And now I had to make a pity purchase of some overpriced lotion.

that's because you're weak willed.

[Bernie Madoff]

But out, Butinski! You're killin' my action!

Regards & Salutations,

B.M.

[angrymissy]

A few years ago, my friend and I met this nice girl who moved here from the sticks of Montana. She moved here to be a live in nanny. Some MLM sucked her in, she spend over $6,000 and refused to talk to anyone who would bad mouth it (company told her to do this).

She ended up losing her mind at some convention in ATL and they found her wacked out on crack in some shitty part of the city. She ended up calling my friend from jail and her parents had to go get her and bring her back to Montana.

AND THAT'S MY MLM STORY. THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR COWORKER.

[Gutter]

Penn and Teller did an episode of Bullshit on this.

[CountryBob]

Yeah - the man cave or whatever it was called meats and drinking accessories was so douche chill inducing.

[Chigworthy]

that's because you're weak willed.

Acai juice will cure that. Get jacked on the juice!

[Gutter]

Yeah - the man cave or whatever it was called meats and drinking accessories was so douche chill inducing.

yea, thats the one.

its like a tupperwear party for men. hahaha......the kid they highlighted in the episode didn't sell shit and didn't get anyone else involved in like 4 weeks or some shit. i don't know anyone that can handle a month without a paycheck.

[Misteriosa]

I got hired to sell knives. I then realized there was no money in it and all I had to gain was a set of knives that I could use to cut pennies. So, I never bought them and quit before I started. They were intense about keeping me on board. I told them I moved to PA. They stopped calling me after that.

cutco, ftl :dry:

they used to "advertise" that at my college. it would be written in chalk on some unused portion of the board. "make 1k per week part time!" or "summer jobs available, call now" and then post a number. i was in a really tough financial spot (which is just what these fucks target) so i called and was "scheduled for an interview". they were so slimy and "peppy". it just reinforced my burning hate for sales people. they wanted the $300 for their knives upfront. smelling the tell tale odor of an MLM, i asked why someone couldnt work off the cost of the merch as they earned. after getting a bunch of murmurs in agreement, they promptly showed me the door.

[Willmore]

A few years ago, my friend and I met this nice girl who moved here from the sticks of Montana. She moved here to be a live in nanny. Some MLM sucked her in, she spend over $6,000 and refused to talk to anyone who would bad mouth it (company told her to do this).

She ended up losing her mind at some convention in ATL and they found her wacked out on crack in some shitty part of the city. She ended up calling my friend from jail and her parents had to go get her and bring her back to Montana.

AND THAT'S MY MLM STORY. THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOUR COWORKER.

I already work with crazy people, no MLM is needed to reinforce that.

[Crash]

Cleary Upshaw is part of a rival spice operation.

http://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1pzmVerAv4aWb7b5n18ifIvYcHW8MuH9CMP-fzusqjDdK7eoh0bfJTpijQsolhulLmpcYDoWnxCSs

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pabYYe08NRg/SgRh0DPpVpI/AAAAAAAAAEU/SPu1UgPJeJQ/s400/xBlue+Eyes.JPG

[Crash]

From the WIKI article on MLM's:

Income levels

Several sources have commented on the income level of specific MLMs or MLMs in general:

The Times: "The Government investigation claims to have revealed that just 10 per cent of Amway's agents in Britain make any profit, with less than one in ten selling a single item of the group's products."

Scheibeler, a high level "Emerald" Amway member: "UK Justice Norris found in 2008 that out of an IBO [Independent Business Owners] population of 33,000, 'only about 90 made sufficient incomes to cover the costs of actively building their business.' That's a 99.7 percent loss rate for investors."

Newsweek: based on Mona Vie's own 2007 income disclosure statement "fewer than 1 percent qualified for commissions and of those, only 10 percent made more than $100 a week."

Business Students Focus on Ethics: "In the USA, the average annual income from MLM for 90% MLM members is no more than US $5,000, which is far from being a sufficient means of making a living (San Lian Life Weekly 1998)"

USA Today: "While earning potential varies by company and sales ability, DSA says the median annual income for those in direct sales is $2,400."[23] In a October 15, 2010 article it was stated that documents of a MLM called Fortune reveal that 30 percent of its representatives make no money and that 54 percent of the remaining 70 percent only make $93 a month. The article also states Fortune is under investigation by the Attorney Generals of Texas, Kentucky, North Dakota, and North Carolina with Missouri, South Carolina, Illinois, and Florida following up complaints against the company.

[Sinestro]

So you can't make money making products at home?