the tell this person,exactly what you have just told us....get it out,and over with

Boy, what is it about MLM that does this to people? I have the same experience with an old friend. Even if she's not directly trying to sell me on her products, they manage to enter the conversation every time.

Well, I can probably answer my own question: The more people they get to sell the products, the more money they make. Money trumps manners.

Of course, you know why the products are so expensiveÂbecause so many people (on those multi-levels) are taking a cut. I admit to a real aversion to MLM.

I imagine she thinks she is going to get wealthy selling and getting others to sell under her. That is what they all think initially. I had 2 different friends try to make it with MLM...One tried Amway, and the other did Melaluca and Prepaid Legal. Both I think had expense to get started as a seller. I don't think either of them made a thin dime.

I told them if I wanted a little part time job, making a little extra money, I'd go work at Mc Donalds, and then be done with it once I got off and came home. I let both of them know early on that though the products they were selling might be good, they did not warrant paying the big price. They soon got the message, barked up a few other trees, and then just totally dropped selling the stuff. The one friend was buying $50 of 'stuff' a month herself...just because she had no sales and I think she 'had' to to remain a seller...sigh.

Sue...who does not buy Longaberger Baskets or anything else that is sold at a 'party'...as she does not go to buying/selling parties anymore

If this is the company and products that I think it is, their stuff is way to pricey for me. A friend sent me home with the trial kit and there were something like 7 steps to go thru daily to take care of your face. I knew I wouldn't do it, I let it sit there for a few days and I took it back to her and told her that a- I knew I wouldn't follow the regime and b- it was too costly for me (over $200 for sample sizes). She was very nice and never mentioned it again.

I can only wish that your friend would be as nice, Nancy. If she isn't, then you'll just have to have a little chat with her. Tell her you're happy for her, that she has such a fun and interesting thing in her life, that you're glad she's enthused about her work/sales, but that she needs to count you out of it, that you're not interested in the product and only bought some from her to get her to back off, or to make HER happy. And that you wouldn't be doing that again, so could you please just go back to having the kind of relationship in the future that you had in the past- pre-Arbonne. If she's a good friend, she'll understand. If she's doesn't, well, you aren't losing much then, are you?

My Mary Kay lady is so nice and sweet and NOT pushy, I just love that she doesn't even bring the subject up or ever try to get to me to buy things. I have to approach her and that suits me fine.

As long as you listen at all, as long as you're willing to 'change' the conversation, and sometimes even buy products you never intended to--this person knows as long as she keeps talking, she's got a chance of selling you more.

I'd tell her once more what you've told us--that you are no longer going to listen to her sales spiel, nor buy her wares. THEN you have to follow through. If you're speaking on the phone, and she brings up her business, remember an appt. and get off quick. If you're in a gathering, and she starts on you, don't change the subject, walk away and find someone else to talk to. If you and she go out to lunch together and she starts up--ask the waiter to pack your food to go. It's up to you to make it clear to her that you simply are NOT going to be drawn into this again. Unfortunately, she's learned that while you have told her one thing in the past, a little persistance will get through your defenses. You have to learn from her example and become even MORE persistant than she is.

Good luck.

And to answer your question? yes, I've known people like that in the past. When they won't take 'no' for an answer, I avoid them until they get the point. Better yet, sometimes, I've sicced my husband on them--he always asks them so many unanswerable questions, and keeps at it so long, they generally get to a point where THEY'RE the ones trying to escape--LOL.

Boy, what is it about MLM that does this to people? I have the same experience with an old friend. Even if she's not directly trying to sell me on her products, they manage to enter the conversation every time. I have that exact same friend. She actually isn't selling the products yet ... but they already have her sucked in .. so it won't be long. She's been involved with a lot of other home party companies and I would sometimes buy things from a catalog from her (because I felt obligated), but wouldn't go to the parties. I honestly would rather have a root canal.

but wouldn't go to the parties. I honestly would rather have a root canal.
LMAO...good one!

Echo chemocurl!

You can say you aren't interested in participating in the company in any way--as a member or buying products. But don't worry, she'll burn out after a while when s/he isn't getting rich. Don't buy ANY more products. And don't be so sure it's a great company.

I went through this with my neighbors when they started to sell Amway. They recruited me into it, and what a waste of time and money that was. No one wants those products.

I don't know, but it sure seems to just "overtake" some people when they start selling, doesn't it? I had a friend who was single, had never married, etc. and kept telling me that I should attend this meeting and that meeting. When I told her that those nights were my DGD's ballgame nights she said, "Well, you just have to decide for yourself what's more important in your life, ballgames or financial security!" LOL

I told her that no better a salesperson than I would be I was better off sitting on the bleachers cheering my DGD on! LOL

She never brought it up again but still acts a little cool when we run into each other. Don't think she's even involved with that "marketing" anymore.

P.S. I didn't drink the purple Kool-Aid, either....

Curious what is Airbonne? So close is name it Airborn==you know that stuff that fizzes dropped in water and makes you feel better. Wonder if there will be a lawsuit etc-
Just curious

Arbonne is a company that sells all kinds of cosmetics and vitamins. Google Arbonne and you will find info. My DD got involved with them from a friend and signed up for a year to get the products at 35% off because there were a couple of items she really liked better than any she had tried before.

I even signed up for a year to help her but as you know it was a disaster and we didn't make anything and I'm not a salesperson and won't try to pressure others into it, but there were a few items I liked.

Now, I've found I can usually buy the products I like on E-bay tho' they all claim not to be associated with Arbonne, and for not being associated with them, they sure do have lots of products they're hawking. lol

I buy the items that DD likes for her birthday and Christmas off Ebay at about 1/4 the price the company wanted for them. Have even found them on Amazon too.

Yeah I was giving the benefit of the doubt when I said "Great" company. LOL
I haven't ever looked on ebay for the products. I really wouldn't even buy them except I feel roped into it to help her "make quota" for that particular month.

I am going to try to not order anything else. I am trying to get out of debt and buying $60 of cosmetics I don't want per month is not helping my debt efforts. I think maybe this is what I might tell her. Who could blame someone for trying to save money eh?

Hi Nan AK,

When your friend approaches you as a friend ... that's one thing.

When she approaches you with a business proposition, whether it's to encourage you to get involved as a dealer ...

... or to buy the stuff ...

then she becomes a business person, a store-keeper. You owe her the same kind of support and loyalty as to any other store-keeper.

If you'd like the stuff, at the price, and would buy it in a store, fine ... buy it.

If not ... don't.

And don't feel guilty, whatever you choose.

Friendship is friendship ... business is business.

ole joyful

P.S. Can I be your friend?

Nothing to sell ... (yet).

But ... who knows about next week?

o j