Multi-Level Marketing

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  • #602623
    sushee
    Member

    Who here has experience with MLM? How successful have you been, how profitable has it been for you and how much time did you invest in it? How long did it take, timewise, to get up and running and start earning a decent income? What products do you deal with?

    MLM has been around a very long time (Amway is still doing it for over 100 years now) and many people have been very successful at it, though I’m sure there are exceptions. I’d like to know what the propensity for success is versus failure.

    #863023
    farrocks
    Member

    Is this about Melaleuca? I love their products.

    #863024
    avhaben
    Participant

    99 out of 100 are on the losing-end of a MLM business.

    #863025
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    If you could do well as a MLM marketer, you could do well at ANY sales job and make alot more money

    #863026
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    Anyone who engages in it is ???? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???.

    That is my opinion.

    #863027
    HaQer
    Member

    Farrocs, I think kangen water is a multi-level marketing scheme.

    my opinion about this type of marketing:

    If a product is not good enough to sell itself in the traditional fashion then they try to convince people that not only is it a good product but you can even make money off of it so you aren’t really spending the $1500 on the product.

    Then once you were conned into buying it, you feel the need to make your money back so you delude yourself into thinking that it’s a great product and tell all your friends about it.

    Then the same thing happens to them — they buy it, want to make money back, etc…

    The people at the top of the pyramid make a lot of money while most people just end up spending a lot of time and money for a product that they don’t really need.

    #863028
    m in Israel
    Member

    I made a lot of money from Amway when I was in high school, by babysitting for all the Amway members who were going to meetings to try to recruit more sellers, or who were going to the Chizzuk meetings. Helped me pay for seminary!

    #863029
    AinOhdMilvado
    Participant

    Do NOT get involved in MLM – unless you want to end up with a basement or garage full of soap products (or whatever).

    Yes, I know they tell you they are doing unbelieveably great, they are quitting their regular jobs, they know a doctor who is retiring early because he’s making soooo much residual income from the mlm and he himself doesn’t even have to do anything anymore.

    These stories MAY be true for the people who came in at the very beginning of the company, but before you get involved (AND DON’T!!!) speak to people who have been in the business for 3 or 4 years and see if THEY are still singing it’s praises.

    If you are smart you wont fall for the hype and you will STAY AWAY!!!

    #863030
    2scents
    Participant

    If it is to good to be true, Probably isnt!

    #863031
    bpt
    Participant

    Ditto to what M in Israel and Zahavasdad said. There are better ways to make money (but few easier ways to lose money!)

    #863032

    If you are interested in Ambit Energy, I advise against it. Period.

    #863033
    davidz123
    Member

    I did Melaleuca and lost a TON of money and i’ve been in sales most of my career. The guys on top make a lot of money and when you don’t, they blame your failure on you and no one else, even if you did everything they advised you to do. Take my advice…get a salary-paying job and don’t feel that you’re missing out on the millions of dollars they say you could be making. You’ll sleep better at night knowing that the salary you make is from honest work and from the comfort of knowing that you’re income is predictable as long as you’re employed.

    #863034
    avhaben
    Participant

    Flatbush Dude: Why? It’s quite popular lately.

    #863035
    farrocks
    Member

    I love Meleleuca’s products, though I’ve never became a sales agent for them. Just a customer.

    Can anyone explain their opposition to Ambit Energy or Meleleuca’s direct sales programs? Specifically, not just against mlm’s in general.

    #863036
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    Can anyone explain their opposition to Ambit Energy or Meleleuca’s direct sales programs? Specifically, not just against mlm’s in general.

    No. They are an MLM, which means they are a scam.

    I cannot explain my opposition separately from my opposition to MLM’s. That is like asking me to explain my opposition to speeding on the Grand Central separately from my opposition to speeding in general.

    #863037
    farrocks
    Member

    popa: Then Amway is a scam too, and they’ve been going at it openly and legally for, what, 100 years.

    Anyways, anyone with Ambit Energy or Meleleuca experience, please share the details.

    #863038
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    popa: Then Amway is a scam too

    It is a scam, and anyone who gets involved in it, I think is close to a thief.

    and they’ve been going at it openly and legally for, what, 100 years.

    Also correct. It is a legal scam. Lobby your state senator.

    #863039
    farrocks
    Member

    If its a scam, why would anyone sign up? After so many years and decades, it should’ve been so obvious, that no one would join.

    #863040
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    If its a scam, why would anyone sign up?

    That’s how scams work. If nobody fell for it, it wouldn’t be a good scam.

    #863041
    nitpicker
    Participant

    I agree with poppa. those who are successful and make money,

    are only successful because of all the work put in by those who are not.

    #863042
    nitpicker
    Participant

    mlms are not all of a kind. some only steal work. others entice hopefuls to purchase product that they often get stuck with.

    either way though, they are dishonest.

    #863043
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    I agree with poppa. those who are successful and make money,

    are only successful because of all the work put in by those who are not

    I would put it even harsher. I would say they are only successful by ripping off the people who are signing up through them, most of whom will lose money on the deal.

    #863044
    zichmich
    Member

    I am involved with Ambit Energy for about six months and have made some money with them. I work it very part time. No one that I brought into lost money with them.

    They have a advantage over other MLM’s that they sell a service [electricity] – not a product.

    It doesnt cost anyone a penny to become their customer -[you just use them as your electricity supplier]It can be proved after a few months of use if their rates are cheaper – [simply compare someone’s bill who uses Ambit to someone who doesn’t]

    If someone is interested in joining as a consultant then a good idea before investing $$$, they should do the following: Try to get 10-15 customers. -[which as mentioned doesnt cost them anything]If you could do that then it’s worth a try, because by bringing 15 customers you would earn most of your investment back.

    I would appreciate it if the MODS are impartial, and let this post go through. It’s OK to hear a different opinion.

    Ok, we think it is a scam but we will let your post through anyway. Let’s see what others have to say about it.

    #863045
    HaQer
    Member

    This is interesting. zichmich is trying to convince us that some MLM programs are not scams. And the mods are letting it through. So let’s dissect this…

    In all of these programs they get you to pay money upfront for “something” that they claim you need. Often this “something” is something that they will say you use already in some way. Such as water. The Kangen water people will try to convince you that not only is Kangen water much healthier than regular water, and that regular water is very unhealthy for you, but they will tell you that you spend thousands of dollars per year on bottled water anyway so why not spend $2000 upfront and you will save lot’s of money in the long run. (Then they tell you that you will actually make that $2k back).

    Same here, Ambit tells you that you use energy anyway, so you aren’t paying any more than you would have. And of course, their energy is better for whatever reason. And you will make money.

    The question is, is Ambit energy really any better or cheaper? What is the catch? (I don’t know enough about this program to give answers here, maybe popa can help us out)

    In terms of Kangen water… Are you really spending thousands of dollars per year on bottled water (or can you just spend $50 for a good filter for your sink)? Is regular filtered tap water really that unhealthy as they say? Does Kangen water really make you any healthier just because it is “ionized”? The answer to these questions is probably really a resounding “no”. But they will bring you all kinds of “proofs” that they are correct and since you are not a doctor you will take their word for it. When your doctor tells you that they are wrong, they will give you a whole conspiracy theory that doctors and the medical/pharmaceutical business just don’t believe in it because it will take away there business.

    #863046
    2scents
    Participant

    Zichmic.

    First please explain, how come does one make back the money by signing up an additional 12 people? I thought that Ambit is here to save money.

    Next, I have heard (sorry, Only heard) that Ambit doesnt like it when you work the system, for instance they threw off someone that I know of, only becuase he did what you described, he recureted recruters to get more recuters, however the catch was that the recuters first recuted before singing up. so like that they came in ready to make some commision.

    so it is either them scamming you, or if your smart enough, you scamming them, all about knowing the system.

    #863047
    2scents
    Participant

    Mods, who are the we?

    are you sitting around the circular CR table sipping from your mugs and modding posts on your laptop?

    that sounds like a bunch of fun!

    #863048
    zichmich
    Member

    Dear Mods: Did you do ANY research on Ambit Energy? If you think this is a scam then close this thread, but it’s ethical that you allow all opinions under the sun but you dont allow other opionions other than your personal predijuce regarding a discussion o MLM’s.

    There are used car salesmen who would rip you off when they have the opportunity and there are honest used car salesmen. The Same with MLM’s. Dont compare one to another if you didnt thoroghly research it. So keep your personal views out of it. If you dont want to do it -fine. It’s not for everyone.

    I personally know of a few people who make a living through it. Most however dont more than a couple hundred dollars a month doing it. Yes, there are people who lost money. But the people that lost money didnt try to work. I don’t know of ANYONE that tried to consistently work this business part time [3-5 hours a week]for at least two months and lose out. Nintey eight percent of people who aren’t successful in this business is that they stop after 3-4 weeks.

    Bottom Line: Don’t join before you tried to get at least some customers. Also this is NOT a get rich-quick scheme. those who are successful are those that work – just like in any other business. Again if you are thinking of joining, speak to people that have tried it – for at least two months.

    #863049
    popa_bar_abba
    Participant

    The question is, is Ambit energy really any better or cheaper? What is the catch? (I don’t know enough about this program to give answers here, maybe popa can help us out)

    The catch is that it isn’t cheaper, after the delivery fees which the electricity company gets to charge you even if you are using ambit.

    The simplest proof to a scam, is that if it was really a profitable way to make money, it would be run like a regular business. The normal business model is the most efficient way to run a business, and makes for the largest profits. If it is running as an MLM, it is because it is one big ?? ?? ?????.

    I will note here that Dans Deals has banned all talk of ambit energy from his site. Because he doesn’t want his site used to promote scams.

    However, you should not accuse your acquaintances who do it of being thieves. Probably, they don’t understand, and are the victims of the thievery.

    It is the same with all of them: Scamway, ambit, maddoff, and the rest.

    #863050
    avhaben
    Participant

    I hope zichmich addresses the points about Ambit asked.

    #863051
    zichmich
    Member

    HaQer: “Same here, Ambit tells you that you use energy anyway, so you aren’t paying any more than you would have. And of course, their energy is better for whatever reason. And you will make money.”

    As far as paying more money as a customer, If you live in NY or NJ then there is a good chance that someone you know is a customer. Simply compare a bill from someone that uses ConEdison as their esco [supplier] to someone that uses Ambit. DON’T trust me! Find out, Verify if what what I claim is true, doing your own research. [google-ing is’nt called research,] Compare two actual bills and decide.

    HaQer: “In all of these programs they get you to pay money upfront for “something” that they claim you need. Often this “something” is something that they will say you use already in some way. Such as water. The Kangen water people will try to convince you that not only is Kangen water much healthier than regular water, and that regular water is very unhealthy for you, but they will tell you that you spend thousands of dollars per year on bottled water anyway so why not spend $2000 upfront and you will save lot’s of money in the long run. (Then they tell you that you will actually make that $2k back).”

    The simple difference between Ambit energy and Kangen water [and most of the other MLM’s] is that everyone uses electric, – that is if you happen to pay a monthly electric bill – then around 40-50 percent of your charges is for the supply that you use. So it doesnt make a difference if you use ConEdison for your supply and delivery or you use another esco, you will ALWAYS pay for your consumption. [By the way -for those that don’t know, the bill will still come from ConEd and delivery charges will remain by ConEd, it can’t be changed. You will just get a additional page with the supply charges from Ambit.]

    Now as far as water filters, many people have a filter on the tap which you can buy at your local hardware store for about $15. I don’t know anything about expensive water filters, but most people don’t have them as opposed to electric as explained above. Same thing with all other products, it’s not a neccesity.

    #863052
    zichmich
    Member

    2Scents wrote-“First please explain, how come does one make back the money by signing up an additional 12 people? I thought that Ambit is here to save money.”

    Ambit will save you money as a consumer of electricity. You will save about 10% of your supply charges (electricity used).

    If you refer 15 customers to Ambit, Ambit will send you a check for their average electricty payments every month.

    If you want to take this a step further and actually make money, then you sign up as a consultant and pay a fee. You then refer other people and that is where the MLM comes about.

    About your other point, that person must have done some other shtick to warrant that. I dont know any details to comment.

    #863053
    zichmich
    Member

    Poppa wrote “The catch is that it isn’t cheaper, after the delivery fees which the electricity company gets to charge you even if you are using ambit.”

    I have compared numerous bills to check if they are cheaper. Did you compare actual bills?

    “The simplest proof to a scam, is that if it was really a profitable way to make money, it would be run like a regular business.”

    For Ambit Energy to reach a large segment of the market share they would need many salespeople. By paying people to refer others they reach a large amount of the population in a relatively short amount of time who join through refferals.

    Because a business is run in an unconventional manner it doesnt make it a scam.

    There. I approved your posts.

    But, it stands. We believe that Ambit energy is gezel. Get a real job or sit and learn, but don’t be mevatel Torah to scam others.

    #863054
    avhaben
    Participant

    zichmich: What if a customer has another third-party Esco (not ConEd). Will they still save by switching to Ambit? (Talking about just being a plain cosumer of their product and nothing to do with joining their selling program.) Or are other esco’s (non-coned) cheaper than Ambit?

    #863055
    zichmich
    Member

    avhaben: There are dozens of third party esco’s. Some are cheaper, most are more expensive. Many have various different gimmicks to get customers. [BTW I am aware of at least another three electric companies that use the MLM model.] So your question do you save or pay more if you switch to Ambit? It depends who your current esco is. If someone is with ConEd Directly – then there is definite savings.

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