Network Marketing - Arbonne

sbk1972 · 19 Dec 2016 at 07:45

Hi all

Any of you guys experienced this stuff ? Ive noticed a friend on my Facebook seems to be pumping this crap to everyone. Ive looked at it and to me it just looks like some sort of pyramid scheme i.e. you manager other sellers, who manage their own sellers and everyone gets a drink out of the sales. Trouble is, who actually buys this stuff ?

I noticed from my friends constant crap that all the top managers get given white Mercedes, all seem to be travelling to endless network marketing shows and everyone just seems to pump out David Brent like positive sayings, all very American.

To me, it looks some big con where you all pretend to be positive and tell everyone that this will change your life, as you risen off commission from them.

Or am I just being negative ? :-)

SBK

holymonk · 19 Dec 2016 at 08:20

I know people who are involved in this. I think the same as you.

ci_newman · 19 Dec 2016 at 08:20

It's just another Avon clone.

shifty_uk · 19 Dec 2016 at 08:25

Google is littered with pyramid scheme stories regarding these guys - avoid.

My other half had experience of former colleagues being involved in it; the white Mercedes always makes me laugh as it seems to be one of their key tactics for getting people involved(this was 5+ years ago!) Bottom line was, said friends were trying to punt this crap to everyone on their social media sites, get everyone involved in selling it with the promise of a Merc but ultimately made absolutely no money and gave it up.

Its like Avon but not as successful - at least not in this country.

sbk1972 · 19 Dec 2016 at 08:55

Im just tired of the endless positive dribble. All you ever read is how they love each other and how they enrich each other's lives. They have vision boards, life goals, positive stories, and other crazy stuff.

Who pay's for the Mercs ? I doubt they are brought outright and more that the company pay's the monthly costs ?

All the men seem to be gay and all the women seem to be old birds done up with makeup.

I literally have to stop myself from commenting what total crazy brain washed crap it is when my friend uploads a comment and the usual wash of "Go girl" or Love you or you made my life better or Your positivity makes my world stronger. Who talks like this nowadays ?

SBK

enkoda · 19 Dec 2016 at 09:52

I get the same on FB but from people peddling nutritional supplements, making extraordinary medical claims that the manufacturers themselves don't make.

AHarvey · 19 Dec 2016 at 10:00

If you ask them if it's a pyramid scheme they'll deny it, they'll tell you its network marketing but if you arrange the design of it down it becomes a pyramid scheme.

The only way to make real money is by building a team beneath you, and helping them build a team as well. The higher up you are the more money you make. People at the bottom make nothing.

I know a lot of people do this. Started with some energy company and god forbid you question it, even had people delete me from facebook for doing so

Skiddley · 19 Dec 2016 at 11:41

Some people I know are into Forever - looks similar. Hard push on the lifesyle\work from home side of things, publication of bonus cheques etc.

Dave M · 19 Dec 2016 at 12:39

sbk1972 said:
the usual wash of "Go girl" or Love you or you made my life better or Your positivity makes my world stronger. Who talks like this nowadays ?

Unrelated, but Mormons do - I think it's part of brain-washing 101.

Derp · 20 Dec 2016 at 13:15

My sister was into this a few years ago. As for whether this is a pyramid scheme, as already said, if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck...

Despite what the brainwashed Arbonne sellers tell you, it certainly has all the hallmarks of being one. Strictly speaking, I suppose it's not a pyramid scheme - which is why they've not been shutdown - due to how pyramid schemes rely on income from signing-up members versus actually selling something, whereas Arbonne sellers can earn income from selling, but really they get much more money from being managers of other sellers.

The thing is, I actually liked their men's facewash product. It works really, really well and left my skin feeling nicer than any of the usual brands I buy. But I got so fed up of the sales pitch rubbish that I'd rather buy an inferior product than have to endure their crap.

I also disliked that the sellers are required to buy the products they give out as samples. That's just shady, imo.

And as for the white Mercs. I actually got dragged to a meeting in Bristol by my sister once, where this was discussed. It's a huge scam (unsurprisingly!). The cars are all leased, but the lease is in the name of each "area manager", meaning that if you - or rather the people underneath you - don't hit your sales targets each month then you're forking out for the car from your own pocket.

Steer well clear of Arbonne and anyone associated with it.