Doing a little research here, gals. Few easy questions:

1. Have any of you been involved with other MLMs?
2. If so, which ones?
3. How did they refer to themselves (i.e. MK insists they're not MLM, that they're a dual-marketing company) - what did these MLMs call themselves (wholesale buying clubs?).
4. Prior to MK or your other MLM experience, did you know what a MLM was?

Thanks! 

Several years ago someone tried to get me and my husband to sell Amway.  My husband was on to the MLM pyramid thing right away and said we wouldn't be part of it.  Whew!  Then in 2005 MK entered and it was a 'dual-marketing' company... so I thought I was safe.  Ha!!!!

 

My husband signed us up for Amway once (sister in law was part of it).  We knew nothing of MLM's and were moving out of the country.  He just wanted to help her out by signing up.  We let the membership expire (couldn't use it where we were anyway) and used the products rec'd with start-up fee.  Found them to be more expensive than what I could get at the commissary anyway.

Then, in a weak moment while hundreds of miles away at a training school, hubby signed up for Amway again (but as Quixtar.)  This time he knew what an MLM was...but....just couldn't say no to someone who'd invited a lonely airman to their house for a BBQ.    He told me I could cancel it if I wasn't interested.        ME?  I HAVE TO CANCEL IT??    He thought I might like their cleaning products, and maybe they're cheaper, so this was my opportunity to try them.  Good grief...

Took me awhile but I've finally trained him to JUST SAY NO!

Both times we were told it was a pyramid company.

Yup - MK was my 2nd. I sold Stampin' Up for 7 years, and when they really started pushing the recruiting end of it, I got out. I didn't think about whether or not it was an MLM, I just knew it would be easier to place my own orders and earn my own hostess free sets. I did several shows but never made any money since I was buying stamp sets and accessories like they were the last thing on earth!

Then MK, 

and then I started Usborne books, which does admit to being an MLM, but I actually do make some money from this. Not much, but enough to earn lots of free books for my own kiddos. I don't do shows, I just pass around the catalog. It also doesn't have any requirements after your first order! I was shocked. I don't recruit, but if someone REALLY wants to sign up under me, I make sure they know what they will be getting themselves into. The biggest disservice an MLM does to someone is make lots of claims about how little you'll work for how much you'll make.  I wasn't born yesterday, and I don't figure anyone else was, either!

Prior to MLM, the only thing I knew about it was what I knew about pyramids and Amway. Basically,  but it obviously didn't faze me since I still signed up and took the bait - hook, line, and sinker for MK.

Wow.

What HAVEN'T I done?

Amway/Quixtar
MK
Melaleuca
Pre-Paid Legal
Changes International
Celebrations by Lillian vernon
AtHome America
Mia Bella Candles
Excel Communications
Jafra
Fruta Vida
Pro Image
Ameriplan
Arbonne

And probably more,  if I sat down and thought about it.....those are just off the top of my head.

Why?  Well, I guess I keep hoping one will work.  That I am doing something wrong, and if I find the right "thing" I can make money.

I have no college education.  I am broke.  I have multiple young kids, so anything requiring child care is out.  My husband works his tail off and I feel like a pathetic loser because I cannot find a way to make money without giving it all to a freakin' babysitter. 

I don't have the money to develop a business all from scratch.  The appeal of a home business is that I can make a commission off of sales and I don't have to create catalogs, make the products myself, etc.  So, I scrape together 50 bucks or so for a new starter kit with a new company in the hope and prayer that this time I can make it work.

And, then, I don't.  Or I DO start making money and the company folds.  (Has happened more than once.)  That is what really makes my cry myself to sleep at night....because I was MAKING MONEY, and then the company folds. 

So my sweet, long-suffering husband just holds me and tells me it's okay, even though we really could not afford the starter kit and other expenses.  So I break even, usually, and then start the cycle all over again.

It's really easy for people to say how MLM's suck, but those people either have a husband who has a great job or they themselves have great job skills.  The jobs I qualify for are (at the most) around 9-10 bucks an hour.  After paying taxes and child care, I am in the hole. 

At least when I start a new company I can have some hope for a while.

Just me, I was also in Excel, along with being in Avon, Tupperware and Herbalife.

I think you need to stop beating yourself up over being in MLM.  Even people with college educations get sucked in by these schemes.  One of the top people in Herbalife is a OB/GYN and a state senator from New Mexico.  I once heard him state that he puts his patients on Herbalife, which makes me angry.

Have you looked into finding a job that has telecommuting as a benefit?  Many businesses are offering a flex place type of work schedule where employees don't have to come into the office very often, sometimes not at all.

Do you have a hobby or other skill that you could turn to in order to make a few bucks here and there?  Something to think about.

I am one of the persons who says that MLMs stink, but I don't have a husband or great job skills, either.  It's just that with having been in four of them, I have concluded that it is the system that is broken, not me.

Justme, you're not broken -- the system is. 

Michelle