I delete anyone on social media who gets sucked into a multilevel marketing scheme.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets annoyed by this! I feel like they've just been suckered into something, and I hate it. On the other hand, they then post these things about how "you support multi-million dollar companies but you won't support your own friend" and I'm like "but .... is your product ACTUALLY superior?" I truly don't know. Lularoe, for example, is just very expensive sweatwear. Right?
@HappyToBeHere I would listen to people about their "business" if they did things outside of social media. I've asked so many people that sell different things and it's conclusive that they all have to recruit people to make money (though they won't explicitly tell you that). Their product may work and be great but I wish people would stop telling me that I can stay home and make more money than a traditional job...it's just not accurate. I will never invest money into something that won't offer a return.
I don't (or haven't been) getting worked up about people's pregnancy comments. Now, if someone told me I looked huge, or looked like I was carrying more than one baby, or look like I'm ready to pop- I'd be upset, sure. No one likes to hear they look fat. But people do tell me I barely look pregnant; my sister saw me arrive at a restaurant the other day and said, "Did you leave the baby at home?" I've been petite my entire life so it's just an extension of the other historical comments about my weight or lack thereof. A coworker commented that I was looking "more with child" and I thought that was a rather nice way to put it. I don't say this to minimize anyone else's offense at comments directed at pregnant women- only sharing that my surely unpopular opinion is that I won't get worked up about them.
My U/O is that I don't love people putting things they do on me, like my being pregnant is an excuse for them to do something. Ex: someone in my office brought in doughnuts this am and said that she thought I might want a treat...thanks, but you brought doughnuts b/c you wanted to and for the whole office, not because I am pregnant. OR my co-worker came in late yesterday (we are a very chill office, people come in anytime between 9-11 so no one cared) but she proceeded to state she figured it was fine since I was late last week. Um, I had a Dr apt that was in the calendar, and I stayed late that night. But I am glad you think what I do gives you someone to 'blame' what you do on?!
TW: 1 infant loss 8/17: Our daughter was born 8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass 2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old 4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
@aehogan90@HappyToBeHere you are totally entitled to your opinion but know that there is money to be made in MLM companies (maybe not all). Even without recruiting a sole, I do make money with my business. Would I make more if I built a larger team, of course. Does it replace what I made in a corporate job, not even close. Do I enjoy having my own business, sharing products I love, and bringing income into my family, yes. Do I work my business outside of social media, yes. I fully agree some people are over the top on social media. I personally only post in a private VIP group unless there's an amazing deal and then I share on my personal pages. But please stop lumping all MLMs until you can truly know the ins and outs of each individual person's business.
***TW in Siggy*** Me: 34 / DH: 33 Married: Nov 2011 TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014 TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
@bumpybump I don't lump them all together because I truly don't even know the half of them. But I have inquired into a few of them because my sister sells Rodan and Fields. I know you can make money off of MLM, and actually know a few people who have made a lot of money. My issue with it is, the people I've talked to have not given me correct info. I know you have to put the work in to get the most out of it. But I've been told that you can just sell on social media and you'll make enough to supplement an income. I just feel like the people that ONLY try to sell on social media and don't go beyond the scope of their friends are not giving me accurate information.
@bumpybump - I really don't know the ins and outs, so your post is super fair. I do support good friends who sell for MLMs, but I just find that there are so, so many now, and I worry that some of them are getting taken advantage of and pushing friends away (especially on social media).
As someone who works with a MLM, I get super bummed when I see stuff like this, but also totally understand because of the culture around them and how people have ruined it for those of us who are doing it and not being obnoxious about it (e.g. not sending random FB messages like omg heyyyy we haven't talked in seven years but let me tell you about this awesome opportunity!).
Some companies are super shady and some aren't. I know that for me, it made sense because of the culture the company I work with is more heavy on education + legislation, not selling/building a team.
I guess I just say give it a chance if your friend is working hard and you trust them. We all are just doing what's best for us and our families, and for a lot of people MLMs make that possible in a more flexible way.
What's kind of fascinating about MLMs is the sales training or lack thereof. One of my coworkers, who posts a lot on social media anyway, starting tying some of her usual posting volume to Jamberry (the nails?). So she'd say something like, "huge meeting today- glad my nails are looking cute #jamberry" with a pic of her- indeed cute- nail design. That's wise of her. Non-invasive and still her voice and a real status update.
But on the other hand, there are people that were formally very quiet on social media and the next thing you know every post is about their product and it doesn't even sound like their voice- it sounds like copy/paste shill. That annoys me the most about MLMs. I don't want to be advertised to any more than necessary on SOCIAL media, thank you very much.
The biggest transgression was this woman I know from college. We're not friends-friends, but we see each other maybe once a year at other people's get-togethers and are very friendly. Well out of the blue she sent me a private message about her MLM skin care line. I politely replied that I was happy with my existing skin care. She wrote back again pushing her product. Woman, we talk once a year, and now you're blowing up my messages selling me shit I told you I don't want? So, I defriended her, and then heard through the grapevine she was upset I defriended her! What? So after sitting on her re-friend request awhile I finally approved it. Her MLM days were very short-lived, apparently.
The frustrating thing for me is that I've tried to inquire for a few different companies like this but nobody could ever answered my questions I asked about their specific companies. It was annoying because it was something I was potentially interested in. But when you get the run around from multiple people from different companies, you give up and just assume something is up. Then did some research of my own and found some shady stuff. But I do apologize to you @bumpybump for lumping them all together. I realize that's not exactly fair. Would be interested in hearing what you do.
I have some friends who have been able to travel, take days off, splurge on family trips of holidays doing MLM. I salute them for it. I also have friends who have invested way too much, and sell everything under the sun. I get it if you want to try it out but, I have some friends who sell 4+ things. I can't keep it all straight and get more messages from them on a daily basis than I know how to send. I just hate getting blasted and then the emails/ messages about why aren't I responding and can't I come to a party.
Trust me, if I was interested, I would go to my friends first, but after the 40th invite can I get off your list? Kudos to you making the money and loving what you do, that is awesome. But, maybe have a cut-off where I am no longer in your email blast list.
TW: 1 infant loss 8/17: Our daughter was born 8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass 2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old 4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
I have a few friends/family members that do the MLM thing. It doesn't bother me...do what you want to make your money. Buttt don't continuously pester me about it. I have gotten just put into like 10 facebook groups for the same products. I remove myself from them, and end up right back in them. Or someone from high school messages me trying to get me to sell the product. Our house flooded in August, and I had a girl message me not two days later saying she was so sorry my house flooded and I must need extra money right now so why not sell the product. Ummm no maam. You don't know if I need extra money for one, and for two, I'm gutting and fixing my house, I don't have time for anything extra!
My UO is probably going to come off as ungrateful, but that's not how I mean it. I'm having to have 3 showers because our families are so huge. One for my side, one for his, and a friend one. I'm really excited for my family and the friend ones. DH's family just got with me on a date for theirs...July 9. Exactly a month before baby is due. My anxiety is going to be through the roof waiting until after that to finish buying stuff off the registry (mainly big items if they're left). Also, I've reached beyond my limit with MIL and don't want anything to do with her. And she cant just plan a shower and let me show up...she's going to ask my opinion on EVERYTHING, yet boldly state hers as well. I'd honestly be perfectly fine not having that shower.
@smallbutmighty77 Kind of along the same vein as yours, but I get SO annoyed when people are like, "Oh, you should sit! Have my chair," "Let me carry that!," or, "You need to eat!" I'm just like...pregnancy is not a disability.
@mrsmatt1212 Funny that you mention the type of person who sends out random FB messages...I JUST received a message from a guy in college I met maybe one time who is suddenly interested in my life and my work out regimen (he's a beachbody coach). Ummm...no thanks?
My UO is... I really don't like the "Don't Say Baby" game at showers. There is always someone who takes it way too seriously... trying to trick people into saying it, interrupting other people's conversations when the word slips.
I know it is partially the fact that I don't have a competitive nature, but it's the interruptions that bother me more.
MLM's generally drive me pretty nuts. So many people around me are selling something so I feel like the sales pushes are a constant bombardment. If I'm interested in your product then I'll seek you out. I'm supposed to be your friend, not just a potential sales target.
It also gets really annoying/scary when you see people selling something that really should require additional education but all they spout is the company literature and repeat those lines as if it's the bible.
Together: January 2002 Married: May 2008 Baby: August 2017
Clearly we like to rush along at lightning speed...
@smallbutmighty77 Kind of along the same vein as yours, but I get SO annoyed when people are like, "Oh, you should sit! Have my chair," "Let me carry that!," or, "You need to eat!" I'm just like...pregnancy is not a disability.
One of my coworkers saw me carrying my laptop and a bottle of water and tried to intervene. Dude, my cats are heavier than this. I'm fine.
@Feliciosity I hate ALL the shower games. MIL and SIL are planning my "shower". They came to ask me for an invite list and I immediately told them that I do not want a shower. I told them they can throw a party/BBQ whatever they want to celebrate the baby but I want to invite all friends and family (not just ladies), and only provide registry info for people that ask about it. No shower games allowed!
@Feliciosity - I hate that game with a passion. I do tend to have a competitive nature, but seriously ... when complete strangers at baby showers are like "HAAAAAAAAAAA YOU SAID BABY" when I'm in the middle of a conversation I'm like ... "here ... take all of my pins ... " because it's pointlessly uncomfortable to me.
@feliciosity This probably isn't an UO, but I also hate that shower game where the guests cut a piece of ribbon to the length that they think would fit around the guest of honor's belly. It might as well be called the "How fat is the pregnant lady" game.
@sarahbethbr ooooh my gosh! We're not that delicate, ha! I actually used the line "I'm pregnant, not disabled" to my FIL when he was telling me not to lift stuff around the house and he actually responded by saying, "You are until my grandbaby comes out!" Ughhh.
@felix08 I despise that game as well! I think the only fun things are stations where people can decorate headbands, onesies, or bibs. I had fun competing to diaper and dress a baby doll blindfolded. The other stuff is just uncomfortable and weird.
My UO??? what's the point of having a UO thread if people are going to get grumpy at you for posting your unpopular opinion???
I didn't see anyone get grumpy on this thread..not sure if you're referring to another BMB? To me, the point of the UO thread is to generate conversation. If everyone just posts an opinion they think is unpopular and leaves, what's the point? I don't see anything wrong with having some back and forth discussion. Just my .02.
My UO??? what's the point of having a UO thread if people are going to get grumpy at you for posting your unpopular opinion???
Ok, I'll bite. Disagreeing and engaging in discussion about opinions is the entire point of UO. You start getting flamed when you UO things like "I kick puppies and kittens and set butterflies on fire" because obviously that's terrible and you deserve to be torn apart about it. I don't feel like anyone today has done anything other than have a discussion.
@Nxy EW I have never heard of that melted chocolate thing. As if changing diapers isn't gross enough.. let's ruin chocolate for everyone! (JK that wouldn't be possible in my case).
@secicc12 oh yea they melt all sorts of chocolate and put it in diapers and see who can guess what diaper has what candy bar in it. I usually just don't play it's the worst.
I get both sides of the MLM bebate. On one hand, I used to be a consultant for Jamberry, and I loved the products & benefits. But I never pushed it on social media the way I have several friends doing now with their MLM products. I just "unfollow" people instead of unfriending them though.
In our community there isn't much opportunity for spouses with young kids to be traditionally employed so A LOT of spouses turn to MLM sales. Which on its own is awesome! Buuut they tend to get "friendly" just to invite you to their events then the only interaction they have with you is because they want you to come to their whatever party. However that just makes me dislike our community not sales people.
@Nxy I told my sister, I did NOT want to play the 'what candy bar is this' game. Can we just keep a snickers a snickers and not make it about poop?! PS this made me laugh-needed that today!
TW: 1 infant loss 8/17: Our daughter was born 8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass 2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old 4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
I got one that fired up my coworker today when I said it...
I think the entire United airline thing was obviously handled so poorly. Why not go up to $1,400 or whatever the cut off was to offer people?? and yes I think overbooking is a stupid thing they do BUT
I think they guy they dragged off is a jerk (and convicted felon). It sucks your name got selected on a flight you paid for...but once security comes on to remove you grow up and get off the flight. He's totally a guy that wouldn't give my 95 year old grandma a seat on the subway because he got there first and I hate people like that.
In the community I live in there seems to be one MLM that everyone is involved with. And I have seem people make money and lose money. At DS preschool there is one mom who has a Mercedes she received as a "reward" for sales and another mom with a garage full of stuff she is trying to off load to other sales reps to make some of her money back. In general I just ignore any sales attempts mainly because we are big on saving and that is extra money I don't have to spend.
@pinkyswife I don't totally agree but not necessarily disagree. I only say that because I don't know the man and wouldn't call him a jerk based on a situation he was forced into. They should have resolved the issue before any passenger was on board of the plane. Everyone has something to get home to or a destination for a reason. I don't think he's the only person that would have put up a fight. And I definitely don't think him screaming or acting the way he did equates to him not giving up his seat to someone who needed it in a subway. That's like comparing apples and oranges. But just my opinion
Re: UO 4/13
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
I don't say this to minimize anyone else's offense at comments directed at pregnant women- only sharing that my surely unpopular opinion is that I won't get worked up about them.
Ex: someone in my office brought in doughnuts this am and said that she thought I might want a treat...thanks, but you brought doughnuts b/c you wanted to and for the whole office, not because I am pregnant. OR my co-worker came in late yesterday (we are a very chill office, people come in anytime between 9-11 so no one cared) but she proceeded to state she figured it was fine since I was late last week. Um, I had a Dr apt that was in the calendar, and I stayed late that night. But I am glad you think what I do gives you someone to 'blame' what you do on?!
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
@aehogan90 @HappyToBeHere you are totally entitled to your opinion but know that there is money to be made in MLM companies (maybe not all). Even without recruiting a sole, I do make money with my business. Would I make more if I built a larger team, of course. Does it replace what I made in a corporate job, not even close. Do I enjoy having my own business, sharing products I love, and bringing income into my family, yes. Do I work my business outside of social media, yes. I fully agree some people are over the top on social media. I personally only post in a private VIP group unless there's an amazing deal and then I share on my personal pages. But please stop lumping all MLMs until you can truly know the ins and outs of each individual person's business.
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
Sorry to hijack the thread!
Some companies are super shady and some aren't. I know that for me, it made sense because of the culture the company I work with is more heavy on education + legislation, not selling/building a team.
I guess I just say give it a chance if your friend is working hard and you trust them. We all are just doing what's best for us and our families, and for a lot of people MLMs make that possible in a more flexible way.
What's kind of fascinating about MLMs is the sales training or lack thereof. One of my coworkers, who posts a lot on social media anyway, starting tying some of her usual posting volume to Jamberry (the nails?). So she'd say something like, "huge meeting today- glad my nails are looking cute #jamberry" with a pic of her- indeed cute- nail design. That's wise of her. Non-invasive and still her voice and a real status update.
But on the other hand, there are people that were formally very quiet on social media and the next thing you know every post is about their product and it doesn't even sound like their voice- it sounds like copy/paste shill. That annoys me the most about MLMs. I don't want to be advertised to any more than necessary on SOCIAL media, thank you very much.
The biggest transgression was this woman I know from college. We're not friends-friends, but we see each other maybe once a year at other people's get-togethers and are very friendly. Well out of the blue she sent me a private message about her MLM skin care line. I politely replied that I was happy with my existing skin care. She wrote back again pushing her product. Woman, we talk once a year, and now you're blowing up my messages selling me shit I told you I don't want? So, I defriended her, and then heard through the grapevine she was upset I defriended her! What? So after sitting on her re-friend request awhile I finally approved it. Her MLM days were very short-lived, apparently.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
I also have friends who have invested way too much, and sell everything under the sun. I get it if you want to try it out but, I have some friends who sell 4+ things. I can't keep it all straight and get more messages from them on a daily basis than I know how to send. I just hate getting blasted and then the emails/ messages about why aren't I responding and can't I come to a party.
Trust me, if I was interested, I would go to my friends first, but after the 40th invite can I get off your list?
Kudos to you making the money and loving what you do, that is awesome. But, maybe have a cut-off where I am no longer in your email blast list.
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
I know it is partially the fact that I don't have a competitive nature, but it's the interruptions that bother me more.
It also gets really annoying/scary when you see people selling something that really should require additional education but all they spout is the company literature and repeat those lines as if it's the bible.
Together: January 2002
Married: May 2008
Baby: August 2017
Clearly we like to rush along at lightning speed...
ETA: typo
eta: YGPM
***TW in Siggy***
Me: 34 / DH: 33
Married: Nov 2011
TTC #1: Jan 2013, BFP Sept 2013, DD: June 2014
TTC #2: Aug 2016, BFP Nov 2016, DS: August 2017
Ok, I'll bite. Disagreeing and engaging in discussion about opinions is the entire point of UO. You start getting flamed when you UO things like "I kick puppies and kittens and set butterflies on fire" because obviously that's terrible and you deserve to be torn apart about it. I don't feel like anyone today has done anything other than have a discussion.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19
However that just makes me dislike our community not sales people.
1 infant loss
8/17: Our daughter was born
8/18: Our daughter kicked open heart surgery ass
2/19: We lost our son to Prader-Willi/Paradoxical Vocal Cord/ Noonans at 6wks old
4/26/2020: EDD for baby #3!!!
I think the entire United airline thing was obviously handled so poorly. Why not go up to $1,400 or whatever the cut off was to offer people?? and yes I think overbooking is a stupid thing they do BUT
I think they guy they dragged off is a jerk (and convicted felon). It sucks your name got selected on a flight you paid for...but once security comes on to remove you grow up and get off the flight. He's totally a guy that wouldn't give my 95 year old grandma a seat on the subway because he got there first and I hate people like that.
5.5.16 | 8.14.17 | 1.30.19