I'm still looking for those magic five questions, but in the meantime
I've been winging it and sent a few of my own. I got a response from
the guy (Jeremy) and he is 110% convinced he is right. Below is most
of the e-mail I'd sent him with my questions. I would like to post his
response in full to show you how dedicated Jeremy is. I don't want to
totally burst his bubble, but I do want him to think about it
carefully and not lose his shirt (he seems like such a nice guy). Part
of it is I get the impression he doesn't see Melaleuca as an MLM.
Anyway, here's the portions from my message to him:
"MLMs are not for everyone. I am one of those people that does not do
well with the MLM concept. I don't believe in it.
"...Melaleuca is just another MLM to me. 'We get paid by referring
people to the company.' That's the very definition of an MLM and MLMs
are dangerously close to being simple pyramid schemes.
"The problem I have always had with companies like Melaleuca, Avon,
Equinox ... , et al. is that if the products were that good and that
valuable and no home should be without it, then why can I only find it
through individual representatives? Why isn't the product on the
shelves competing with all the other similar products at the local
Wal-Mart? Why isn't the product sold on QVC or HSN? Why don't the
companies open store fronts? The MLM always claims that it is to keep
the costs down, but the truth of the matter is that a lot of the cost
involved with the products is to pay commissions up and down the line.
The product could be sold for practically the same price by an
enterprising franchise if the franchise owner were able to keep the
profits from their sales and not have to provide for commissions.
"The truth of the matter is, Jeremy, that I have never seen a solid
business model for an MLM (and for the sake of this conversation
understand in my mind Melaleuca is simply another MLM) that could show
a business owner could succeed by simply marketing the product and not
by bringing in other business owners. If Melaleuca is different, then
I am certainly willing to listen, but truthfully, don't expect any
'investment' from me. If I can make a fair wage solely on my
commission from selling the product and I am free to sell the product
however I see fit, then I am willing to listen.
"I would certainly be interested in seeing the financials of
successful Melaleuca representatives. I would be interested in seeing
profit and loss statements. I would be interested in seeing a person
who made their sole income from selling Melaleuca and wasn't propped
up by any other income (either theirs, their spouse's or parents, etc)."
I thought I'd hit him there with both barrels, but he was totally
undeterred. I'll wait to post his response until I have permission.
I'm not pro-MLM by any means and don't want to be construed as one. I
just don't know how to better show you how wrapped up in it all Jeremy is.
Thanks everyone!!
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