This will be my last post regarding the fact that I believe that not ALL MLM's are "bad". I've sat on a few e-mails from Hal regarding just what to say, and quite frankly, I'm as tired, trying to get my point across as he is, trying to get HIS point across.
At this point, I am going to agree to disagree.
I do have a few points I would like to address, though, as my last post regarding "pro-MLM" (as I am so referred):
First, I find it grossly disturbing that I have been screwed, myself, in MLM's, to the tune of thousands of dollars, lost relationships, lost time, lost self-esteem (among other things) and have stated that MANY times, yet no one has ever asked, "So what do you think sucked about Mary Kay?" or "What did you find ridiculous about Amway/Quixtar?
As my husband says about people in general: "One 'oh shit' cancels out 500 'atta-boys'.
And, yes, I do agree with the concept that "pro-MLM" talk may be hurtful to those who are trying to kick the MLM habit. I agree completely. I guess I just felt defensive when I was being trashed about my own opinion and was defending myself more than I was stressing the "bad" in MLM's. My fault. I'll accept that. I wasn't trying to steer anyone toward MLM's; I was simply defending my own thought that it's nearly humanly impossible to say ALL MLM's are bad because there's no way that someone could have first-hand knowledge about them all...new ones are popping up every day.
Secondly, in the rules, there is no place that says, "No pro-MLM'ers are allowed". It simply says that any pro-MLM'ers should expect some backlash. And, rightfully so. And, maybe that portion of the rules needs to be re-thought. For as much as I am hearing, "Yes, we should have opposing viewpoints here...", I am still being shot down with statements which basically say, "Why is she being allowed so much voice here" and "Why aren't others shutting her up".
Which tells me that this group is more about people who share a common mistrust or hatred of MLM's, who want to tell everyone that "All MLM's suck". In other words, it seems more a place for a whole "misery loves company" setting, as opposed to people who are willing to share their experiences about their past MLM experiences, in hopes of steering would-be MLM'ers away from those MLM's that have proven to be scams or pyramid-type structures.
I thought that's what this group was about...a group of people who could act as a sounding board for others who are thinking about getting into an MLM; a group of people who would say, "My experience with X company was..." in hopes of helping someone steer away from that particular company because it proved to be less-than-honest. I didn't expect it to be of the mind that "All MLM's are evil! Stay away from them all! And if you believe that one might work, you're an idiot." How different is this from cult-like MLM's who allow you to believe only THEIR way of thinking?
It's that whole, "Think like us, be like us, or be gone" mentality.
This is a forum for exchange of opinion regarding MLM's. Not a structured, 12-step-type program. (That wasn't meant to be a derogatory remark; just a broad...very broad... comparison through the comment Vicki made about AA). I have not seen anything like that with this group. There is no, "This week we will be discussing the pitfalls of blah-blah-blah" or "This week, our focus is the X company". All I see is people exchanging their opinions with no recovery-type of structure, or tools by which to facilitate that recovery. So please don't tell me that this is all that it's about.
So my own expectations of this group were not what I originally thought.
I do have to say, though, that what I wonder about is this: if someone is absolutely "anti-MLM", does that mean that they want NOTHING to do with MLM's at all? I mean, do any of you have a Tupperware container in your home that you got before they started selling product in the mall? How about a Pampered Chef baking stone? Maybe some Mary Kay lipstick? How about some kind of vitamin you got from someone in one of those companies like Shaklee, or Herbalife (or whoever)? How about that picture or wall sconce or candle you got at that last home party you attended? Did you check out the latest Avon catalog that was circulating around your office? Or maybe you have one of those "adult toys" in your dresser from that fun party you went to at your girlfriend's house?
MLM's have been a part of our lives for many, many years, and sorry to say this, but they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Sure, the scams and pyramid-type structured companies will be taken to court, or shut down, but they won't disappear completely.
Because of this, I think it's VERY important that we continue to educate people on the pitfalls of MLM's and all the scams and pyramid schemes out there that are posing as "businesses"
Experiences will always vary from one person to another, as will opinions, which it appears is what this forum is about. But, having a different opinion doesn't make someone "wrong". It just makes them different. And for that, we should all be respected.
Terra
Vicki <v_eller@yahoo.
I posted something that Hal wrote about posting pro-MLM garbage.
I do believe that reading pro-MLM statements here can and does have a
negative effect on those looking for answers. Someone seeking help
does not need to hear that they should have worked harder, longer,
found the "good" MLM, that MLM's are not to blame for someone's
alienating behavior, etc. I don't think any type of "Devil's Advocate
is necessary here! I think an MLM addiction can be compared to an
alcohol or substance addiction. Do you think that they have people in
AA tell other addicts that if they just found the "good beer" they
will not have the same problems as they have been having? And I doubt
they have anyone who is pro-drug use in rehab centers playing devil's
advocate there either.
Let's get back to sharing stories and wisdom, rather than having
someone tell us that there are good ones out there. It's plain
HOGWASH!
Hal wrote:
Again, see my point earlier about this forum and what is appropriate.
You are in a place where the focus is NOT on proving why some MLMs are
good. I'm actually growing quite concerned, at this point, about what
would happen to those coming in seeking shelter from MLMs. They'll see
one person saying MLMs are okay, or at least some are, and that same
person fighting strongly to support MLMs and the good stuff in them.
That is one major reason I continue this discussion. (Actually, I'm
rather disappointed that I'm the only person here standing up for this
point of view here. There are many people here who are quite skilled
at a debate and I can only wonder where they have been in the past few
months...)
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