Direct Selling

[Fredl]

My wife has made some friends in the church that I'm sure she'd miss were we to leave. Perhaps her best, Nancy, a distributor of a Utah product which I will leave un-named, has sold her a product that has had some rather mixed effects: it reduced menstrual pain but also had the effect of producing 2(!) menstrual cycles last month. She researched it on the internet and became convinced that it wasn't surprizing, considering the well documented effects of one of the major components (soy powder) of the mix.

Not surprizingly, she has discontinued its use.

She's been a little dismayed at the pressure Nancy has been putting on her to become a distributor. Nancy's had other distributors call her and they have been very insistent about their "testimony" of the product and that she reinterpret her experince of the product in a more positive way. They have gone so far as to indicate that if she doesn't have a favorable "testimony" of the product, it must indicate a weak testimony of the chuch, since so many sisters have so much good to say about it and to indicate otherwise indicates a distrust of so many fellow members.

Before the unfortunate side effects, my wife was talking to me about becoming a distributor so I'm sure she looked like a real good prospect to Nancy. I wasn't very enthusiastic and, boy, am I happy that this little chapter of our life is over.

I think this is the clearest picture of the "dark side"of the church my wife has gotten to date, and an unpleasant view it is. None of her friends from the other major community we're part of (Filipinos in the area and mixed Filipino-American couples and families). would presume on their friendship with her in this way.

Fred

[dogzilla]

I read somewhere that the "never question authority" mindset really comes in handy when you're trying to suck a poor unsuspecting Mormon into a MLM. (Multi-level Marketing Scheme)

I think they're legal, but barely. They are never a good way to generate income. There's something about the child-like mind of a TBM that allows them to be duped by these shysters.

I guess, since the church encourages breeding, she could say that two menstrual cycles a month means ovulating twice, which doubles your chances of getting knocked up again, in a given month! Seems like you'd target newlywed TBM women... :duh

Me, I'd rather gnaw my own foot off...

[miss taken]

I think there is another thread on mlm and mormons somewhere.

My own experience, was that a member of the stake presidency got into Amway. He became extrememly rich. Got all the members involved, and my bishop conned £29 pounds out of me, (I couldn't afford it) to buy useless Amway products that I wouldn't dream of selling to someone else.

Someone else tried it on me when I was a little older and wiser and got quite upset when I refused to get onboard.

The bishop who sold me the Amway stuff was using 'unrighteous influence' (to coin a mormon term) in my opinion, and wasn't one of the better ones...

Mary

[peter_mary]

Our ward was recently rocked when the Bishop and a counselor in the Elder's Quorum Presidency (both with WAY more money than brains) got sucked in by a guy who has several failed Multi-Level Marketing schemes to his name. These two dupes and one other in our ward (who is THE quintessential salesman...he could sell snow to a Laplander...) bought in at the top level to help start this little company...to the tune of $25,000 appiece. Then they set about to hold meetings, first inviting people from our ward to join at the next tier ($15,000), and then members of our Stake, and once they filled those slots (50), then they started opening up the next level for a mere $150 per person.

They were selling...are you ready?

Little vials of blueberry juice.

Yup...claimed it was the perfect antioxidant, and that their concentrated juice "formula" was superior in every way to just eating blueberries (where the hell did the juice come from, if not regular friggin' blueberries?)

Our Bishop's wife REGULARLY bore her testimony that this was a God-given program, to which they were divinely lead by the spirit. She could tear all up as she bore witness to the truthfullness of this proven money-making business. Friends, I wish with all my heart that I was embellishing things here, but tragically, I am not.

Long story made short, they lost their assess, and took down half the ward with 'em. It stuns me that all these people who followed their Bishop (wearing the "mantle of the Lord") right into this pit of greed and consumption, didn't turn tail and run FAR away from Mormonism. I thought the Lord's annointed couldn't lead their people astray? Or is that only when they happen to NOT be leading their people astray? I can't keep up...

Anyway, they are actually trying to wrest the patent away from the shyster who started the company SO THEY CAN DO IT AGAIN! They are so convinced that God meant for them to be doing this, that they are spending money to prove themselves right, and sucking the cash from others who are STILL to proud to admit they were wrong the first time! How many times does the "LORD" have to kick sense into some people?

Keep in mind, for perspective's sake, that this is the same Bishop who felt inspired to call Peter_Mary to be his first counselor in the Bishopric...

THAT should tell you something...

Peter_Mary

[noodle]

Little vials of blueberry juice. Peter_Mary :duh Why didn't I think of that?!

Hey, I got hit up recently in NC when I stopped in for a chair massage. I happened to pick up a bottle of some vitamins the massage therapist was selling (stupid me), and consequently got a sermon on becoming a rep for this company. My sis saved me by dragging me out of the store and telling some lie about me being independently wealthy... these people are EVERYWHERE!

[free thinker]

[U]Anyway, they are actually trying to wrest the patent away from the shyster who started the company SO THEY CAN DO IT AGAIN! They are so convinced that God meant for them to be doing this, that they are spending money to prove themselves right, and sucking the cash from others who are STILL to proud to admit they were wrong the first time!


Free Thinker goes into full barf mode... :Puking :Puking


In the immortal words of PT Barnum " There is a sucker born every minute"


free thinker

[hitchiker]

I think there is another thread on mlm and mormons somewhere.

My own experience, was that a member of the stake presidency got into Amway. He became extrememly rich. Got all the members involved, and my bishop conned £29 pounds out of me, (I couldn't afford it) to buy useless Amway products that I wouldn't dream of selling to someone else.

Someone else tried it on me when I was a little older and wiser and got quite upset when I refused to get onboard.

The bishop who sold me the Amway stuff was using 'unrighteous influence' (to coin a mormon term) in my opinion, and wasn't one of the better ones...

Mary
My own SP was conned into a fake nigerian oil scam , they conned him so well with wonderfull promises of riches , he went all over the stake and got all the gullible greedy members to put all there savings in it , he also said the scheme was supported by some G A , members trusted there S P they willingly gave their money , after all , how could a man of god be wrong , he lost something like 1.5 million nz$ . when found guilty of fraud he was given a five year jail term , nobody ever got a cent back , hey didn't this happen before in some place called kirtland , or was it zion , except that guy got away with it

[cactus jack]

Unnanmed Utah MLM.....
Amway?
Melaluca?
Herbalife?

Hmmm, can't think of any more names though I know there's a few more out there.

[miss taken]

Unnanmed Utah MLM.....
Amway?
Melaluca?
Herbalife?

Hmmm, can't think of any more names though I know there's a few more out there.


For my sins, I am going to a Donny Osmond concert with a church friend in October. (don't laugh)

His website is full of melaluca stuff...
Mary

[peter_mary]

Actually, *ahem* Melaleuca is a South East Idaho company. North Zion would be remiss if they didn't participate with the Mother Ship of Zion in ALL things... :rolleyes:

And as far Utah MLMs...

NuSkin
USANA
Noni Juice
Mormonism...

Peter_Mary

[miss taken]

Actually, *ahem* Melaleuca is a South East Idaho company. North Zion would be remiss if they didn't participate with the Mother Ship of Zion in ALL things... :rolleyes:

And as far Utah MLMs...

NuSkin
USANA
Noni Juice
Mormonism...

Peter_Mary

Noni Juice...???? What in heavens name is Noni Juice!?

[peter_mary]

...knock, and you shall receive.

Or something like that...

Noni Juice...???? What in heavens name is Noni Juice!?

From noni_juice.com:

What is Noni?

For over 2000 years, Noni (morinda citrifolia) has been used for its many beneficial properties. The early Polynesians used it as a general tonic. They found it particularly beneficial for imbalances of the immune, respiratory, digestive, and intestinal systems. It was also determined to be helpful for the central nervous system and as an aid for injured muscles, bones, and tissue. Currently, scientists are studying possibilities in treating hypertension, cancer, high blood pressure, and counteracting the aging process.

In this country, we used to have a name for these kinds of "general tonics." We called 'em "snake oil." They were touted to cure everything from hang-nails to gout, and their properties were so amazing, so miraculous, that they could be used to extract cash from even the most skeptical of patrons. And so it is with Noni-Juice.

And blueberry juice.

And Melaleuca oil.

and...(fill in the blank)

Color me skeptical... :rolleyes:

Peter_Mary

[dancinfree]

[QUOTE=peter_mary
Color me skeptical... :rolleyes:

Peter_Mary[/QUOTE]

How about if I just color you with blueberry juice..? :D

[flotsam]

During the last years of his life my grandpa guzzled Noni Juice like it was water in an attempt to stave off heart disease.

Poor guy croaked anyway. Which is really too bad, because Noni Juice is not known for its agreement with the palatte. Talk about dying with a bad taste in your mouth.

[peter_mary]

How about if I just color you with blueberry juice..? :D

What...do I have blueberry stains all over me...AGAIN?!

::checks mirror::

Damn...

:D

Peter_Mary

[sweet and low]

What is the difference between a MLM and a pyramid scheme? I know that, while they are barely legal in most other states, pyramid schemes are illegal in Utah. Funny that Donny Osmond hosts a game show called Pyramid, eh?

[Fredl]

What is the difference between a MLM and a pyramid scheme? I know that, while they are barely legal in most other states, pyramid schemes are illegal in Utah. Funny that Donny Osmond hosts a game show called Pyramid, eh?

Thr primary difference between the two is that in a pyramid scheme, the primary source of profit is from selling the distributorship itself rather than the product. In MLM, distributors make over rides on the sales of "downline" distributors they have recruited into the business but becoming a distributor costs a person little or nothing. At least, in the several years that I worked in the Computer Systems department at Shaklee Corp,. that was the way they described it.

Fred

[miss taken]

I got into this subject on a scrapbooking forum

This is the UK position.

http://www.moneyweb.co.uk/essays/internet/pyramid.html

Pyramid schemes are actually illegal over here...

[Fredl]

I got into this subject on a scrapbooking forum

This is the UK position.

http://www.moneyweb.co.uk/essays/internet/pyramid.html

Pyramid schemes are actually illegal over here...

Pyramid schemes are illegal in the US, also.

Fred

[miss taken]

Pyramid schemes are illegal in the US, also.

Fred

Thanks Fred, I didn't know too much about the US position...
Mary

[dogzilla]

What...do I have blueberry stains all over me...AGAIN?!

::checks mirror::

Damn...

:D

Peter_Mary

[Mrs. Beauregard]

Violet! You're turning violet, Violet!

[/Mrs. Beauregard]

[nate]

...knock, and you shall receive.
From noni_juice.com:



In this country, we used to have a name for these kinds of "general tonics." We called 'em "snake oil." They were touted to cure everything from hang-nails to gout, and their properties were so amazing, so miraculous, that they could be used to extract cash from even the most skeptical of patrons. And so it is with Noni-Juice.

And blueberry juice.

And Melaleuca oil.

and...(fill in the blank)

Color me skeptical... :rolleyes:

Peter_Mary


This is funny. I just got hitup by my mormon massage therapist the other day to buy some noni-juice for my wife; was raving up and down about how great it was. Sounded great until he gave me a login number and I found out that he'll get $20 for every case I order.

And Melapuka! Ha!
They do have some good products, but comeon, you don't need melapuka oil in EVERY SINGLE household and toiletry product you buy. What a crock. My mother still refuses to believe that the tea tree oil they sell at Safeway for 1/4 the cost is the exact same thing.

Nate

[dogzilla]

My cousin sells maleleuca. The problem I have with it is a botanical one: Maleleuca trees were imported from wherever the come from (I wanna say Australia, but I can't remember offhand.) and have become what you call "an exotic, invasive pest" throughout the Florida landscape. Because they are non-natives, they have shallow root systems and uproot quite easily. Enter Hurricane Season. Now we have thousands of exotic, invasive pests that are huge projectiles in 120 mph winds.

Nice. :rolleyes:

[why me]

The reason why this type of direct selling is popular in the church is because it promotes self-reliance. It also allows women to work from home. It is also very capitalistic. These are the three reasons why I believe that these marketing gimmicks are so popular in church circles. I have also experienced this direct selling when I was younger. The final gimmick is the gimmick of getting rich...it also expliots trust in friendships as fish feed on fish. I don't think that there is a cure for this direct selling until the stress is no longer on self-reliance, wealth and the capitalist intent of a private business and individual intiative. But this is only my opinion.... :)

[free thinker]

The LDS church should capitalize on this and make tithing a multi level system.


You pay tithing to the ones who brought you in to the church, and on down the line etc. :cool: What the hell? Why not?

free thinker

[dancinfree]

The reason why this type of direct selling is popular in the church is because it promotes self-reliance. It also allows women to work from home. It is also very capitalistic. These are the three reasons why I believe that these marketing gimmicks are so popular in church circles. I have also experienced this direct selling when I was younger. The final gimmick is the gimmick of getting rich...it also expliots trust in friendships as fish feed on fish. I don't think that there is a cure for this direct selling until the stress is no longer on self-reliance, wealth and the capitalist intent of a private business and individual intiative. But this is only my opinion.... :)

I know another program that is just as popular..it's called the "free lunch summer program" in my area school. Many saints who "believe in self-reliance :Puking ", abuse this program with the mentality that they deserve something for nothing and that they're not hurting anyone..kind of like multi-level businesses. I don't think there will be a cure for people's lack of responsibility either, in this area. The only difference is that I wasn't stupid enough to join the program and yet I HAVE to participate with my money. Don't get me started Why Me....I just couldn't resist!! :)