MLM Survivors Club: [MLM Survivors Club] Re: Melalueca

Its not really that complicated. I am going to be courteous because
Hal suggested we should be :) .

Since all you good MLMers insist on comparing MLMs to traditional
businesses, let me just say - In traditional "brick and mortar"
operations the money always flows into the organization from outside -
ALWAYS! More of this money goes to the top, but it does trickle down
in a pre-negotiated fashion.

In MLM, the money always flows from the bottom of the pyramid to the
top - ALWAYS! You HAVE TO do your bit to participate. There is very
little(if any) money coming in from outside. Most of the revenue comes
from the distributors(The churn at the bottom is by design). The model
is DESIGNED to make 99% fail(They are just temporary customers -
tricked into thinking it will lead to enormous wealth). Also, the idea
that purchasing product for personal use somehow constitutes an
"investment" is ludicrous to say the least.

Thats all I have the patience for ;). Hats off to Hal for
de-constructing your arguments with more patience than I can muster.

--- In mlmsurvivorsclub@yahoogroups.com, "im_tam" <getremembered@...>
wrote:
>
> I have been watching and reading this group for a long time. And
> silently I have heard so many different people and feelings about MLM
> come across here.
>
> But this one, I had to say something.
>
> Answer me this:
> What kind of business do you think you can get into that requires you
> to do nothing, buy nothing, invest nothing, no training, and then
> earn money?
> I mean seriously....you couldn't set yourself up in a brick and
> mortar business this way, franchise (which flows to the top as well,
> by the way), and expect money just to come to you?
> If you want a McDonalds business, you better have been trained about
> what the heck you should do to make it work on all levels, don't you
> think?
> Wouldn't it be ridiculous to think they should just hand you over the
> products and equipment to run the business of any kind at no cost to
> you?
> Do you really honestly believe that you shouldn't be a product of the
> product, no one it takes like, feels like, actually does? I mean how
> can you sell a burger, a coffee, lotion, a vitamin, get well card,
> car, house, anything if you haven't used one or tried it?
> I know I wouldn't invest my money in a stock broker that has never
> bought or traded stock on his own, nor would I think it right that he
> should expect payment because he feels entitled to it. It requires
> work, not matter the business AND money. I mean guys, come on....
>
> And as far as the 99%+ that don't make money, that's not exactly
> accurate..But to prove a point, let's look at traditional business.
> 80% of businesses fail in their first 2 years. Now these are guys
> that KEEP WORKING on their business and it finally fails somewhere in
> the 1st 2 years. That also applies to the network marketing business,
> doesn't it? Sure it does. You're buying a mini-franchise so why
> shouldn't you feel obligated to work it?
> So what happens to the tradional 20% that are still in business after
> 2 years? Another 80% fail before they make it to 5 years. And that is
> the same in the network marketing business too.
> See where the numbers say that 'so many have failed' are for several
> reasons.
> One, they don't feel they 'owe' this business of their choosing
> anything. And then wonder why it doesn't grow like the magic
> beanstalk thrown out the window.
> Two, they really do try, they do all they can as they muddle around
> in this new business, but they are doing it all wrong. It's not their
> fault, their heart is most definitely in it, but they are doing it
> all wrong and no matter how much they 'love' the business it won't
> keep a burger joint in business doing it all wrong either.
> There is a right way of doing this business, but the truth is, its
> not being taught in mainstream network marketing. It is in the
> boardroom, it is in the corporate circles - they get how to build
> success, but for some reason people expect to pay for the brick and
> mortar business, but not for the 'home business' or 'online business'
> that they choose. It's a very very broken way of thinking. And folks,
> it only breeds instand failure. I mean you might as well not even
> sign up for ANY and I mean ANY 'business' if you aren't going to work
> it like a business, invest in it like a business, stick with it like
> a business, learn how to do it right so you actually profit.
> Third, They quit before they have even begun. Can you imagine saying
> to CEO of McDonalds, "Dude, it's been 3 months and I have not made my
> investment back, much less have an income that will replace my job,
> so I quite!" Are you kidding me? That's how silly this all sounds and
> how damaging it is to think this way.
>
> Now, I have been in MLM's of different kinds for 20 years +. I've
> seen the Good, the Bad, and the really Ugly...I have also worked
> Corporate America, and guess what? I've see the Good, the Bad, and
> the very very ugly. No what I found? Idiots exist in every place you
> go. So do really amazing people. You can and will find them and have
> to deal with them. You can whine about that or you can just learn
> that is life and move on. What I'm saying is, there is huge
> possibilities in franchising oneself in network marketing as a viable
> business or you can go and get yourself a donut shop. It makes no
> difference to me. But they are the same model.
>
> Now let's address the Pyramid scheme issue. Some losers exist in
> every single type of business you can imagine. ALL OF THEM have
> morons that ruin it for the other guys. So what? That doesn't undo
> the vast number that really are trying to do something good or have a
> good business. Now you don't buy from every business in your town do
> you? No, just the ones that you like or are your favorites. That
> doesn't make the others 'bad', just not the ones you go to. But
> obviously someone does because they are still in business. Right?
> Right. And then there is the issue of have any of you people that cry
> foul with companies keeping percentages of profits please explain to
> me the classic all time pyramid of CEO, Vice President, Supervisors,
> Managers, Employees??? You don't think that there is more 'zeros' in
> the paychecks at the top than you are getting from your J-O-B?
>
> Listen, the truth is, if the people that whined about the business
> they have chosen to get into then get out. Do your group, team,
> upline, downline, whatever you want to call them a favor and just
> quit. Just like I would tell an employee that whines because he
> doesn't want to work in my store and just sit in the bench and still
> get a paycheck or is just a negative rain cloud everywhere he goes.
> You'd be fired! So why should you be treated any differenlty if you
> are acting like that in your network marketing business? You think
> you are owed something? YOU CHOSE IT.
>
> For those that want to learn network marketing the right way, its a
> great business and anyone that wants to learn the burger business can
> succeed too, its a great business I'm told. You get my point? It's
> not just luck. Not anymore than the traditional business is luck. And
> it's not just that you were failed by network marketing. A lot of
> people fail their own venture in MLM. That's the cold hard facts.
> I've seen it, been there done that, got the t-shirt, the mug, the
> watch, you name it.
>
> Do I think there are schmoes out there that will spoil things if they
> can? Yep. If you let them or are looking for them, consciously or
> unconsciously.
> I know some of those type in my school, my church, my neighborhood
> too. It's the ones that succeed that just don't hang with the other
> crabs in the bucket that keep pulling
> the ones trying to move up, back down. Get my drift?
>
> There are those that no matter what, they will find a way to be a
> victim.
>
> There are those that no matter what, take responsibility for their
> choices to get into business - no one chained you to a chair and beat
> you to sign a paper remember? If you really hate the market don't get
> into it! I hate working on cars, I have no intention of ever being a
> mechanic!
>
> For those that get what I am saying - Much Success To You! Truly! And
> network marketing or no network marketing is soley a choice...A
> CHOICE.
>
> I choose not to shop at Basha's because I don't like the way the
> store is laid out and the lack of what I want there...but they have
> great covered parking. I can't stand on the corner with my megaphone
> crying foul because I walked into their store and stood in line after
> pulling things off the shelf and throwing them in my cart. And then
> they didn't follow me home, unload my car, put it away, cook it up
> and feed me, right? Right...
>
> Ridiculous...
>
> Business is business, it's just a matter of choice and focus. I would
> LOVE to hear what your 'choice' has been for your 'now' and your
> future. What is the pay model? What will it give you? Think these
> things through and then go for it.
>
> If you get what I am saying I wish you Much Success in this new year.
> For those that don't? I wish you Much Success in the new year, but
> you will assume there is an alterior motive for me wishing you
> success when I don't know you. Half full.....half empty.....Cheers!
>
> --- In mlmsurvivorsclub@yahoogroups.com, "chip_embere"
> <chip_embere@> wrote:
> >
> > Here is my simple rule of thumb for any MLM.
> >
> > 1. If they require you to buy a single dime's worth of product for
> > personal use ("Use it to understand it", "be your own best customer"
> > etc) - DON'T GET INTO IT - They are recruiting you as a customer
> > first. So whether you make a penny or not (and 99%+ don't), the
> > company always makes money. Remember that the "Autoship" makes money
> > for the company from 100 % of distributors whereas only a small
> > fraction at the tip of the pyramid see any returns. (This is the
> REAL
> > reason why these are pyramid schemes - Money flowing from all levels
> > to the top because every distributor is a customer first).
> >
> > 2. If they require any form of training whatsoever - books,
> cassettes,
> > motivation meetings - BIG RED FLAG - Thats a NO NO as well.
> > (Remember they said "Anyone can do it").
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In mlmsurvivorsclub@yahoogroups.com, "bfelliot2003"
> > <bfelliot2003@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Has anyone here had any experiences with Melalueca? Was signed up
> but
> > > got out. Keep receiving email about how well Canadians are doing
> with
> > > it. Any advice?
> > >
> >
>