Wife determined to do multi-level marketing, key risks?

Page 10 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
Read: backpeddle. You seemed pretty serious about it here.

So I *seemed* serious to you, therefor I was serious. This is where the part comes in that you don't realize it, and thus miss the point.

Hint: quotes, facts, and logical arguments are much more effective than baseless jabs at one's learning abilities. Given your own history in this thread of routine misunderstanding and forgetfulness, I'd say that's doubly true in your case.

I agree with baseless jabs and I'm sorry on my behalf. But don't act like you didn't do it either.

You are free to quote where I've misrepresented you. As you can see above, linking to such things is really quite easy (when actual examples exist, that is).

Anywhere you shrunk my post with your quote is where you misrepresented me. To keep context you quote the entire post and bold or otherwise highlight the point you're arguing with. I can then provide where the context changes the meaning of how you're interpreting it.

When everyone seems to misunderstand you, maybe they aren't the problem ;) Since you're so keen on popular consensus, let me point out to you that while I may be the loudest voice in the thread, you're the one standing on an island.

Even Alkemyst understood me.
 

Gunslinger08

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
13,234
2
81
My wife has a relative that was heavily involved in one of the old school MLM companies and left to join MonaVie several years ago. The relative is amazing at MLM, so it works for them, but it's not something I'd ever be interested in doing. I am not a sales person (at all) or a believer in MLM products.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
Thank you for posting that. That is the first time I've seen evidence of someone having a significant amount of sales. How much was your income off of those sales?

I guessed previously $2500. I really don't know an exact number.

Roughly 25-30% of that sales number is profit from the product, I then probably had $2000-$3000 in commissions. I then probably had $2000-$3000 in advertising for that month.

$2500 seems like a reasonable guess.

EDIT:

I forgot I also earned my own advertising revenue from the website I used. On a good month that would be $300-$400 on top.
 

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,415
404
126
Keep getting pests trying to rope me into either Brit World Wide, Amway or Market America.
F*cking scams and their "seminars" are annoying as f*ck.
 

glenn1

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
25,383
1,013
126
My wife has a relative that was heavily involved in one of the old school MLM companies and left to join MonaVie several years ago. The relative is amazing at MLM, so it works for them, but it's not something I'd ever be interested in doing. I am not a sales person (at all) or a believer in MLM products.

I'm not even attempting to debate the intrinsic merits of MLM here or with my wife. In the end you can assess it like any other business proposition and analyze the value proposition, profitabilty drivers, calculate your breakeven point, etc.

The best I can tell now, she looks at this as a time efficient income source, with the *potential* of earning concurrent incomes - basically, she could sell product during any downtime at work, while monitoring our child playing, etc. I personally don't see that synergy happening, especially at work where I would be extremely wary about conducting personal business whenever on the clock. Study for her nursing grad school program during work downtime - sure, that relates directly to her current nursing work, and that's what I'm attempting to focus her energies toward.

That being said, my biggest concern with committing to a business enterprise of any sort would be assuming personal financial liability. I'd have the same concern whether she was selling Amway, opening a restaurant, or anything else (being a "self-employed" 1099 contractor would be the exception that proves the rule since you're not putting your own capital at risk). Seems like while the risks to personal fisc is a potential factor with MLM, it's a lot less than other entrepreneurial options since the initial buy-in is lower and we can put an upper bound on what we're willing to let her spend. I'd be surprised if she achieves sustainabilty before the seed funds run out, but I suppose we shall see. Although I do wonder if we proceed with this, it winds up being "dog catches car syndrome" where it became a matter of principle to do this after my initial pushback, and once she gets into it she quickly loses interest.
 

BikeJunkie

Golden Member
Oct 21, 2013
1,390
0
0
So I *seemed* serious to you, therefor I was serious. This is where the part comes in that you don't realize it, and thus miss the point.

Sorry, this is a texbook backpeddle. You tell me what about that post would imply you were being anything but serious, which is precisely how it reads.

I agree with baseless jabs and I'm sorry on my behalf. But don't act like you didn't do it either.

No need to apologize, and I have no problem with being called names as long as there's something to substantiate it. Being frustrated doesn't count :)

Even Alkemyst understood me.

I'm new here, but my understanding is that his endorsement is one you don't really want... especially when it's the only one. That said, he just thought I was being hard on you. HE didn't agree with you or disagree with me. He just said I was raging (and I was/am - already owned up to that). Besides, that was PAGES ago. A lot's happened since then, eh?
 
Last edited:

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
Sorry, this is a texbook backpeddle. You tell me what about that post would imply you were being anything but serious, which is precisely how it reads.

The mere fact I'm telling you I wasn't serious should be enough, but your arrogance won't allow you to believe that.

No need to apologize, and I have no problem with being called names as long as there's something to substantiate it. Being frustrated doesn't count :)

Names are never justified.

I'm new here, but my understanding is that his endorsement is one you don't really want... especially when it's the only one. That said, he just thought I was being hard on you. I didn't agree you or disagree with me. Besides, that was PAGES ago. A lot's happened since then, eh?

Lol, now trying to discredit it. It's not my fault HE understood it PAGES ago, and you still can't grasp it.

Wow, I don't see anywhere that he is promoting MLMs, get your MLM rage under control.

...

It begs the question why I still bother, but this still holds true:

....
As much as it might seem that I'm here to argue, I'm genuinely trying to help people.
 

bas1c

Senior member
Nov 3, 2009
325
1
71
It begs the question why I still bother, but this still holds true:

Originally Posted by Tweak155
....
As much as it might seem that I'm here to argue, I'm genuinely trying to help people.

Not going to insinuate or say that you are this, but...you do understand that nearly every scam artist or fraud says these things right?
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
Not going to insinuate or say that you are this, but...you do understand that nearly every scam artist or fraud says these things right?

What exactly am I trying to "scam" you into, given the insinuation?
 

bas1c

Senior member
Nov 3, 2009
325
1
71
What exactly am I trying to "scam" you into, given the insinuation?

I'm just saying...some people like to keep saying "trying to genuinely help people" as if it's providing some kind of rock hard evidence. Again, I specifically said i'm not trying to insinuate anything. But you submitted your self-quote as some kind of proof or admissible fact. Nobody can prove the veracity of your statement so why bother even quoting it?
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
I'm just saying...some people like to keep saying "trying to genuinely help people" as if it's providing some kind of rock hard evidence. Again, I specifically said i'm not trying to insinuate anything. But you submitted your self-quote as some kind of proof or admissible fact. Nobody can prove the veracity of your statement so why bother even quoting it?

"Nobody" can prove the veracity of my statements because they choose not to. Have you tried reading or listening to the material I've suggested? There is even another thread where someone started suggestions, which unfortunately only some people took seriously.

I suggest reading these things because I've personally benefited from them, and I do believe you would too.
 
Last edited:

BikeJunkie

Golden Member
Oct 21, 2013
1,390
0
0
The mere fact I'm telling you I wasn't serious should be enough

Why did you wait so long to "clarify" it, then - you know, when people actually responded to it under the premise that you were being serious? And maybe you should examine why you're so misunderstood.

But I'll ask again: what about that post implied you weren't being serious? Is it too much to ask you how/why I misunderstood you? (linked for your convenience - please quote what I missed from it)

your arrogance won't allow you to believe that. ...
Names are never justified.

It's been fun watching you struggle with righteousness through this thread. "You're arrogant! I'm sorry. You're a dimwit! Names are never justified!" Quite the internal battle you have going there ;)

Lol, now trying to discredit it.

Umm, yes? You pretty much said it yourself: even Alkemyst, strongly implying he's some sort of outlier. You can't ignore the fact that his is not exactly a reigning endorsement. Doing so is to be willfully ignorant. But like I said, he took no sides - just said I was raging. Still doesn't change the fact that your view is not a popular one at all, and that several others have already said you're acting quite clueless, inconsistent, and cagey.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
Why did you wait so long to "clarify" it, then - you know, when people actually responded to it under the premise that you were being serious? And maybe you should examine why you're so misunderstood.

Because I didn't know it needed to be clarified? Where did someone respond to it, other than you, that I was being serious that I taught you something?

But I'll ask again: what about that post implied you weren't being serious? Is it too much to ask you how/why I misunderstood you? (linked for your convenience - please quote what I missed from it)

It is a series of my replies vs your replies where you don't seem to take me seriously about anything. The series of this thread proves that. Additionally I've told you I wasn't serious.

It's been fun watching you struggle with righteousness through this thread. "You're arrogant! I'm sorry. You're a dimwit! Names are never justified!" Quite the internal battle you have going there ;)

"You're arrogant" is not name calling. Dimwit, yes. No internal battle involved.

Umm, yes? You pretty much said it yourself: even Alkemyst, strongly implying he's some sort of outlier. You can't ignore the fact that his is not exactly a reigning endorsement. Doing so is to be willfully ignorant. But like I said, he took no sides - just said I was raging. Still doesn't change the fact that your view is not a popular one at all, and that several others have already said you're acting quite clueless, inconsistent, and cagey.

He's known as one of the best trolls here to some people. I personally have no real issues with the guy.

Do you believe I'm promoting MLM's?
 

bas1c

Senior member
Nov 3, 2009
325
1
71
"Nobody" can prove the veracity of my statements because they choose not to. Have you tried reading or listening to the material I've suggested? There is even another thread where someone started suggestions, I suggest reading any of those as well as other people have found them beneficial:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2364100

I suggest reading these things because I've personally benefited from them, and I do believe you would too.

EDIT:

Clearly you should ignore the obvious trolls though :)

No, the sincerity and truthfulness about your desire to help others as the reason for your participation in this thread cannot be proven even if someone chooses to believe you. You are engaged in an argument with BikeJunkie about your supposed motives for the stance you are taking in this thread. It has sort of gone all over the place...but anyway, you respond to his criticisms with vague remarks about him, and others of like mind, not understanding what you are saying. You never specifically state what they have misinterpreted nor state what you actually mean (if they have, in fact, misunderstood). You don't really address anything and then you follow it up by the "fact" that you are just genuinely trying to help people as if that summarizes all your arguments. Just because you say it's a fact doesn't make it so.
 

Tweak155

Lifer
Sep 23, 2003
11,449
264
126
No, the sincerity and truthfulness about your desire to help others as the reason for your participation in this thread cannot be proven even if someone chooses to believe you.

Then it can't be disproven either.

You are engaged in an argument with BikeJunkie about your supposed motives for the stance you are taking in this thread. It has sort of gone all over the place...but anyway, you respond to his criticisms with vague remarks about him, and others of like mind, not understanding what you are saying.

I understand everything I am saying. It is the unwillingness of both you and BikeJunkie to actually read my posts from the beginning prior to his and your mis-representation of my quotes that causes YOUR misunderstanding.

Quote my posts, unmolested, and highlight your issues with them. If you refuse to do this work, it's the same reason I refuse to simply quote my posts in order.

You never specifically state what they have misinterpreted nor state what you actually mean (if they have, in fact, misunderstood). You don't really address anything and then you follow it up by the "fact" that you are just genuinely trying to help people as if that summarizes all your arguments. Just because you say it's a fact doesn't make it so.

I do address it, you just refuse to do the work. I've added an alternate approach to achieve answers. See above.

Context is very important. If we were face to face and I said I was going to kill you, you'd likely have a very different reaction if we were playing a FPS game and I said the same thing.
 

bas1c

Senior member
Nov 3, 2009
325
1
71
Then it can't be disproven either.

Exactly, so don't even bother with stating it.


I understand everything I am saying. It is the unwillingness of both you and BikeJunkie to actually read my posts from the beginning prior to his and your mis-representation of my quotes that causes YOUR misunderstanding.

Quote my posts, unmolested, and highlight your issues with them. If you refuse to do this work, it's the same reason I refuse to simply quote my posts in order.



I do address it, you just refuse to do the work. I've added an alternate approach to achieve answers. See above.

Context is very important. If we were face to face and I said I was going to kill you, you'd likely have a very different reaction if we were playing a FPS game and I said the same thing.

The problem with this approach is that if you don't clearly correct us and define what you mean things can't be moved forward. It makes it convenient for you to just sit back and just say "you are understanding incorrectly, read the thread again" every time we have the opposing view and keeps you from having to further defend your stance and statements.
 

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
19
81
What exactly am I trying to "scam" you into, given the insinuation?

While I don't have much love for MLM in general, I haven't seen you insinuate anything about it other than that you made a lot of money at one time doing it. I'm not really sure why this thread became so adversarial honestly.

I have a friend who supposedly makes a lot of money doing it too. He's with an outfit call Team America or something. He tried to sell me on it, but I didn't like the feel of his pitch. Supposedly they're selling something that get you discounts on other things, but he didn't really act like he even cared about their product. It was all about getting me into sales. I know he was pushing it that way because he stood to make a lot more money off of me if I sold the product rather than making a one time purchase, but it felt disingenuous. Essentially he was tacitly admitting that the thing he was selling is basically worthless and the only reason to show any interest in the whole deal was to start trying to sell this worthless product to other people and getting other people to sell this worthless product for you. It said to me that the only reason he and everyone else was in on it was the "get rich quick" side rather than the quality product side of sales.

Maybe that appeals to some people, but I've been in retail for a long time now. I've learned that the only sustainable way to stay in sales is to sell products that are of good quality. I spend a lot of time and money trying out products to weed out the ones that are the best. I believe that's what will keep me in business in perpetuity. The sales pitch can make someone buy the first one of anything, but people only come back over and over again when the product is good. If your primary motivation isn't to sell the product, but to sell me on selling the product, that's an immediate red flag for me. I don't want to be a part of anything like that. The whole selling to friends and family part of it is just icing on that cake for me. I already sell things to friends and family, but I don't come to their door or call them or bother them at all to do it. They come to me because they know that I have good things that they want or need at good prices. I feel that's the most honest way to go about it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.