https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 05 May 2026 11:30:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2421139 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:47:48 +0000 Rockies11 2421139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't buy because I think it's all overpriced, it's a pain to arrange and pick up as opposed to just buying from a store, I have been in several situations of high pressure parties where i end up spending $100 on something I don't need or want out of guilt and peer pressure. </p> <p>I find it creepy how into the products the reps get, and annoying seeing reps fight in social media about whether doterra or young living is a more premium oil (or whatever - that was just from today). I am tired of 60 percent of my social media being shakeology memes (I think they tell you to post every day? They must). I think it's annoying that 75 percent of craft fairs are now direct sales instead of actual crafts. I think it's off-putting that someone befriends you and seems nice and then all of the sudden you are somehow in the middle of a jamberry party. </p> <p>I just want to go to a store and buy what I need when I need it from a stranger so that I can pick it out without any sense of guilt, pressure, or obligation. So I never buy from direct sales in the hopes that it won't proliferate any further than it already has, which seems extremely unlikely but at least I am doing what I can to just make it stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2421120 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:22:52 +0000 catomd00 2421120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: it works is the worst!! Follow a few baby related companies on IG and you get bombarded by these people preying on new moms! It's disgusting! I finally had enough of one Girl in Particular trying to follow me (I didn't know her) so I gave her a piece of my mind on one of her photos and good lord her entire friend list who also sold it started requesting to follow me! I just shut down my account because it was so annoying!</p> <p>Also I do love my one "friend" who sells r+f and posts how amazing her skin is now and shoes you with pics she has clearyyyyyy enhanced with photo apps! You're not fooling me sweetie! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2421108 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 22:14:55 +0000 Boogs 2421108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: Ok, I lied, it's $995 :silly: </p> <p>@BandDmommy: Yup</p> <p>@MrsKoala: @Purpledaisy: Agreed. As it is there isn't a ton of time to scroll through social media, but to have to weed through all of that, geez! It's like make a business page! Some people who post very infrequently, I don't mind. It's more a handful of specific people I'm thinking of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2421076 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:55:10 +0000 catomd00 2421076@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The products are overpriced and not great quality much of the time.</p> <p>Don't like the selling and advertising techniques. I find selling to your friends as your main source to be highly obnoxious and inappropriate. Some of them actually seem almost cult like. I also think many of them overpromise to recruit new sellers and it feels very predatory and wrong.</p> <p>No matter how much I love a product, if one of your company's representatives rubs me the wrong way enough or if I think your business model is unethical or shady then i won't buy your product. There's always a competitor out there... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2421028 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 21:10:54 +0000 Purpledaisy 2421028@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I just find them annoying. I hate my social media being clogged up by people trying to sell stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2420984 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:23:33 +0000 MrsKoala 2420984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Generally, I think the products are not quality and I am tired of seeing people shilling their businesses on social media. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2420957 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:01:29 +0000 BandDmommy 2420957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: is that R&amp;F? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2420954 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:58:43 +0000 sorrycharlie 2420954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boogs: $1k?!?!? Holy shit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/3#post-2420941 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 19:45:55 +0000 Boogs 2420941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I feel like I've heard that about the same company. I know three people who sell for them (family, so hard to unfriend) and one most specifically will post more than once a day, across more than one platform. Like you have crappy skin and you say this stuff is great. Even to the point where you are privately harassing me to buy $200+ worth of stuff. Not cool. The people I also mentioned are all part of the same team or whatever it is. At first it was about the products and now it seems to be about joining their team and "investing" in a 1k sellers kit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420517 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:26:17 +0000 lilteacherbee 2420517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: "What I hate is the parties where you're invited basically with the expectation of buying something and then you spend more time learning about the AMAZINGLY AWESOME business opportunity and how the sales person quit their job and has UMPTEEN hours a week with their kids and YOU CAN TOO, and oh yeah, here are some products..."</p> <p>YES. Thank you! That's the problem I have with it, too. My best friend started selling Mary Kay last year. I went to her very first party along with a few of her family members to let her "practice." The girl who "recruited" her was there, to teach her how to run the party. Well, this girl was so aggressive about wanting to recruit ME (and that is sooo far way from my personality/anything I'd be interested in). I was 35+ weeks pregnant at the time and she went on and on about how I could stay home with my kids, etc. I was like "um I have a month until I have a newborn, I don't want to start anything right now." She then went on to tell me stories of people she knew who started right before their due dates and made so much money... Ugh! I couldn't get out of there fast enough! But I went to support my best friend because she supported me when I started my (photography) business. I've basically told her since then that I'll let her know when I want more stuff, but I just can't handle all the parties, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420512 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:21:26 +0000 looch 2420512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: you wrote "I feel like the scheme part comes in with the companies that require you to spend a certain amount to sell or whatever (I feel like I've read this about R+F, and other companies)." </p> <p>I'd love it if a rep from R+F would comment, because I really would love to know how it works. I've done some reading online from former reps, and it's always the same thing, that you have to spend to earn. </p> <p>I kind of feel if you were the first people in the door, you're probably making some bank. But the people joining up now, not so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420509 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:17:15 +0000 Mrs D 2420509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: You say things better than me! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420503 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:13:54 +0000 snowjewelz 2420503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad most of my social network don't seem to be in any direct selling companies. I did get invited to 2 jamberry online parties, but it's on FB so it's not that "in my face", and I am always tempted to get Jamberry anyway. </p> <p>I think I've helped a friend once and bought some Stella &amp; Dot things. But it was back when I was single and had more disposable income! </p> <p>Other than that, I only found out my friend does doTerra when I started asking her about essential oils and I asked her to get me a few oils. </p> <p>You can invite me to parties all you want; I only do what I want to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420496 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:05:44 +0000 daniellemybelle 2420496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It makes me uncomfortable to "support" one friend or family member's MLM business and not another because I like one product better than the other. So I have just made it a policy that I don't participate in anything related to direct sales ever so no one can ever take it personally.</p> <p>I saw a product on Facebook the other day that for the first time seemed like something I couldn't find somewhere else for a better price and less hassle. So I guess another big reason is I see no need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420495 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:05:31 +0000 BadgerMom 2420495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: That is very true. MLM is at the core of pretty much any business as they all have a some sort of hierarchy. I think what turns me off is the companies and sales people that seem to put more focus on the MLM aspect and less on the sales/product. If you're a sales person that lets people know you're out there and lets people come to you with the occasional "hey I'm out here" email/post, I really don't get the same feeling from that and I think some companies are more OK with that type of sales than others. What I hate is the parties where you're invited basically with the expectation of buying something and then you spend more time learning about the AMAZINGLY AWESOME business opportunity and how the sales person quit their job and has UMPTEEN hours a week with their kids and YOU CAN TOO, and oh yeah, here are some products... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420492 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:03:35 +0000 sorrycharlie 2420492@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: see that's what I would see as a scheme - if they have to keep paying in. The only money I "lose" is what I spend on myself, which I see as no different than if I went to Lush or Origins or even Target and bought a ton of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, scrub, facial stuff, etc. </p> <p>@avivoca: thank you! that means a lot - I really try not to bombard. I oftentimes use instagram to post to facebook, which is why there are posts in both places. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420488 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:01:30 +0000 .twist. 2420488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@IRunForFun: UGH. My husband is a certified fitness trainer but was considering the idea of joining a program like that... I admit that I kind of talked him out of it because it would make him sound like a nutritionist when he isn't. He agreed that wasn't the image he wanted to represent so he didn't do it. </p> <p>I went to a Beauty Control party a few years ago and bought a pretty expensive grouping of items. Only after I purchased it, money gone, did I find out that I then had to attend a recruiting meet up (although, they didn't call it that!), sign my name that I did, in fact attend, before they would send me my products.</p> <p>I think someone from a "wrap" company added me on IG. They're gone now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420484 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:59:51 +0000 IRunForFun 2420484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, do not get me started on the It Works and wraps companies where people deliberately target women who are vulnerable or self-conscious about their appearance. Gross. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420478 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:57:28 +0000 avivoca 2420478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: I like the way you handle it on social media. I never feel pressured by you, which I appreciate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420474 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:55:48 +0000 IRunForFun 2420474@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One of the things I dislike the most is the level of deception in marketing these things. </p> <p>I'll just use a personal example, I wanted to try 21 Day Fix, which is a Beachbody program, and I have an acquaintance who is a Beachbody coach. At the point when I asked her about 21DF she wasn't heavy into marketing the whole thing so I felt fine about going through her to make the purchase - why not give her the kickback, right? </p> <p>I so regret it! Since then she's gotten WAY into pushing the program and every social media post she has is about why everyone should become a coach and change their lives. She touts herself as a fitness coach and says she offers one-on-one health coaching and nutrition advice, etc. The thing that gets me is these are completely false claims! To become a Beachbody "coach" you pay a monthly fee and then you gain the title. I mean I know there's some networking/training/personal development involved but in no way do you become a certified, qualified fitness coach. It drives me insane. I feel like it takes away from the people who have actually gone through rigorous training and education to become actual coaches. I am always getting messages from this acquaintance now about how she thinks I'd "make a great coach" yada yada...and I know it's all BS and she's trying to get me to join under her so she can make a profit. </p> <p>Then there is the constant posting about being your own boss and taking on interns and all that. You're not your own boss. You work for a giant MLM. </p> <p>I also think there's a level of deception when these people are talking about how much money they are making. You need to buy in, so you need to recruit a certain number of people per month to make back your investment. My BFF's husband's best friend's wife does Beachbody too and the husband hates it and says it's a total scam...she's constantly posting on IG about how much money she makes each month, when in reality, they're losing money...she just posts that to entice people to join in hopes of ACTUALLY making money. </p> <p>So, yeah. I can get behind the concept of some of these things...exercising and eating healthy, which can be done with Beachbody, is great! But I don't think the way the MLM is run and marketed is great, so I'd rather find a fitness program I can purchase independently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420471 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:54:37 +0000 sorrycharlie 2420471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: I'm not sure! see, I think "multi level marketing" as at its basis, multiple levels. as with any company, you know? you can work your way up if you sell enough/have a large enough team. if I sold $800+ a month, I'd get a bonus because I have a large enough team (one of my 4 team members also has several recruits, and grand-recruits :P ). Would I also get a (small..) bonus based on their sales? Yes. But I so don't care about that, lol. </p> <p>For AANT, they just bought the old American Tourister location and they have brought so many jobs to RI - not only people as reps, but people working in the actual building. Customer service, marketing, manufacturing, what have you - 95% of products will be made in house by Spring (or perhaps even Feb), which is really cool.</p> <p>I feel like the scheme part comes in with the companies that require you to spend a certain amount to sell or whatever (I feel like I've read this about R+F, and other companies). </p> <p>FWIW, I've purchased from (and know reps in), 31, Pampered Chef, Jamberry, Scentsy (though I don't know anything about Scentsy specifically!), Discovery Toys, Usborne Books. All of which may or may not have requirements to remain a consultant (ranging from nothing but paying a small monthly fee to have access to the back office where you run your site, parties and whatnot - fair IMO), to x amount per quarter. For Ava Anderson Non Toxic (which I sell and use), it's $500/6 months (J-J, J-D). Honestly, a lot of that I hit with my own purchases anyway (I buy cleaner, candles, body stuff, etc etc..I don't blow money on like $200 worth of face wash lol!). And I have several people who are repeat customers - they fell in love and place sizable orders every so often. </p> <p>I may be not in the norm, but I really just love seeing people happy with their products - and if not, I want to help (not by saying - like it or else! but helping get a refund, figure out why - ingredient or other, etc). I don't send unsolicited messages, or harass or anything else - but have been by other company reps, so I can totally see why people can't stand it. I just wish they all weren't stuck under the same umbrella! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420453 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:44:52 +0000 BadgerMom 2420453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: Out of curiousity, is there a way to find out which DS companies have a MLM component and which ones don't? It always seems kind of hush hush so I've always grouped the two together thinking some companies were just better at hiding it than others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420451 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:43:38 +0000 Mrs D 2420451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: as you know...you and I see very much eye to eye on this ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420446 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:39:40 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 2420446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For the most part, I am really against MLMs. I went to a few meet-ups as a new mom when my son was tiny, and at each one, a majority of the people there were trying to sell their products/promote their businesses (DoTerra, Arbonne, Thirtyone, etc.). 6 months ago I was at the post office with my infant son, and the woman in line next to me starts talking to me about how hard it is to lug a baby around on errands, how she's totally been there, etc. Next thing I know she's shoving a pamphlet in my face and trying to force me to buy a bag from her. Come ON.</p> <p>I get it-as a mom it would be really nice to be able to make money from something like this! However, I, too, have my own business (tutoring), and would never even hand out a business card unless I was specifically asked.</p> <p>As a rule, I don't attend parties like that having already been to some, and feeling like they're just forcing me to spend money. However, there are a few Mary Kay and Arbonne products I use and like, and I've made it clear to the friends who sell it that I'll be in touch with them when I want something, and if they try and force a party on me I'm out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420442 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:39:22 +0000 sorrycharlie 2420442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate that so many ruin it for a few. I sell for two companies - most likely have no idea about one of them, because I joined for the discount. period. </p> <p>the other, I bought and used the products for over a year before even joining - and again, joined for the discount. but I really do love the products. I've had several (4!) people with interest who joined on their own because they also loved the stuff. I don't make a dime off them. There is no scheme. I don't have to purchase anything to sell - you just use a link. People that complain about shipping, well, it's heavy stuff and sent (typically) 2-day priority. I mean, mailing at the PO is not free either and people still BST. </p> <p>I just hate when people go on mega rants, particularly on facebook, and bash direct selling as a whole (or saying it's a pyramid scheme, which MOST are not - they are not one and the same). I don't post that often. I don't care if people don't buy. I like the stuff and like to share with others - and I always offer deals when I can (out of my own pocket) to help offset shipping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420441 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:39:18 +0000 BadgerMom 2420441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Yep. That's where having a different junk/shopping email address comes in. I can look at it when I want and search for things but it doesn't clutter up my inbox. That has helped relieve my annoyance with every company's spam male (not just direct sales) a lot, but unfortunately it's not quite that easy on Facebook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420434 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:35:54 +0000 avivoca 2420434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: Not necessarily, my car salesman is still trying to reach out to me and see if I am in the market for a new car.</p> <p>@Mrs D: I tend to limit supporting companies whose policies I don't agree with. For DS companies, I don't agree with the thought that you use your network as a way to increase sales or that you are pressured to sign up people below you (downlines, I guess) in order to make money. Have I bought from them? Sure. I like my Pampered Chef stuff, I've purchased Jamberry, and I've attended Mary Kay parties, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth with companies like Plexus/It Works/R+F/etc and the way I've personally seen people handle it or looked into the marketing they do. If I don't agree with a conventional company's policy, I don't support them either (Walmart and Hobby Lobby come to mind). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420429 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:34:07 +0000 Mrs D 2420429@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pwnstar: From my opinion...when I have contacted people who put me on email lists/FB message me and asked them not to they respect it. If not they get hidden/blocked/unfriended! :)</p> <p>That said...I cannot think of many companies I have purchased from online that merely making a purchase doesnt almost always sign you up for their emails - in some form. Which you then have to unsubscribe to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420426 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:33:05 +0000 BandDmommy 2420426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: So true. I finally broke down and bought something at a party and now I get daily emails, a weekly newsletter, calls. I don't have time for that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-hate-direct-selling-companies/page/2#post-2420424 Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:32:45 +0000 Cole 2420424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was pondering this a bit more and I think one of the reasons I dislike the advertising techniques is the companies frequently push hard that their product is the only one worth using. I 100% an aware that all brands do this but I think it's a bit more grazing grating hearing a friend tell you that what you are currently using is worthless and that you need to switch to their product. My mother in law sold scrapbooking supplies through creative memories and she really pushed the idea that their products were far superior than others on terms of archival safety. They are now out of business and my mil won't scrapbook anymore because she's totally brainwashed. I also realize this is a case of "a few bad apples" because I know most people aren't militant about the things they sell. In fact I am more likely to buy from someone who says I love everything we sell except X. </p>