Most MLMs now have websites set up so that customers go on and order and pay for their order direct through the rep's "shop" and it won't be shipped before payment is made and commission earned, doesn't mean that these reps aren't still losing their own money trying to meet rank requirements, bottles for their own use and as samples for those they can see in person. There are so many things that I don't think we are aware of until you can speak to people who have been inside and 'escaped'. It is definitely made out to seem that it is all simply taking orders and payment then processing them, but the pressure to sell will have people lose out. Maybe they are naive enough not to have considered all of this, but they will likely do fine and quite well out of it. They have a huge following to sell and recruit from so imagine they won't personally lose anything, but those they recruit who really only have a handful of school/mums' group friends and family will struggle to meet various ranks without buying a lot themselves so would have to be satisfied with potentially earning little more than the commission off a bottle or 2 a week or even month despite putting hours in trying to make it work. The huns have all started sharing that we are getting close to Xmas so it's an excellent way to make money (before hinting at cars, bonuses and trips - none of it "free"), but it is becoming a quickly saturated market, so short of buying and gifting an influencer a significant amount in the hopes of being shared (like the body shop one involved with Mario), how are those with small followings going to stand out?
FM has definitely gone under the radar in terms of MLM exposés so far (probably due to the big accounts doing this being American), but it is definitely beginning to be noticed and discussed.
And yes, you'd like to think big accounts would do their homework and only get involved if it is reputable, but Gretchen Rossi of Real Housewives fame is peddling Monat, VP with her 4.6mil followers (last time I checked) got involved with a travel MLM encouraging her followers to become 'independent travel agents' in the middle of a global pandemic whilst the travel industry is facing a lot of redundancies, and there are others doing various other things (was Chloe Ferry not selling Herbalife? I recommend a doc called Betting on Zero for that expose). I don't think they think of the people beneath them. I'm not suggesting they go into it with the intention of causing harm to those they recruit, but it is very easy for them all to do proper research on MLM structures now and no excuse to recruit using their influence.
Anyway, I don't want to de-rail so am stepping off my soap box. I have no issue with them selling the products (although it obviously feeds MLMs to buy!) and said that at the start of my related comments here. They are in a perfect position to sell and do well with their following, and that is great for them - just don't use the influence and power you have over people to suggest they can 'run their own business', and be easily eligible for all the incentives at no cost to themselves, especially if they have small followings.
if only hey? Keep dreaming hun, you are pond life.
it may be about to lead to further regulation/big change).
