Re: MLM's (was: Protandim)

[Guest guest]

> > I have never been associated with an MLM that forced consumers to buy

> > stuff, and if that was their policy then I wouldn't join that MLM either.

>

> People, it was s joke... it is *impossible* for an MLM to force anyone

> to buy something against their will.

>

Well, actually, MLM's often require the prospective representative to purchase a

certain amount before joining. And some require the buyer (even when not a

representative) to purchase a certain amount each and every month in order to

buy at their " preferred " prices. I know this well as I was once invited to

become a member by the wife of one of our commercial photography clients - so I

thought I would return the favor. While I had no interest in becoming a

representative I had to become a " member " and purchase at least $50 worth of

products each month in order to take advantage of their preferred pricing. To be

fair they WERE good products but even the " preferred " prices were so high you

didn't get very much for the $50 - and the shipping and handling added close to

$10 more. I now buy some of the same products (though different brands) for less

than half the cost of theirs with no need to purchase every month. Here is a

good expose of MLM's:

http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/MLM.php

This information is not intended to indict anyone. It's just a cautionary tale

to do your homework before joining one. I'm quite sure that algaelady did that.

And she has always been upfront with us about her role.

Best,

Dee

[Guest guest]

But to paraphrase ' comment, joining isn't forced by the MLM but is made

available as a free choice. You can always choose to not buy a membership. In my

experience, most MLM products are available also at retail. Besides walking away

or buying at retail, you can also choose to go into the business and access the

wholesale price.

All of these would involve free choice to accept or refuse.

The retail price of Immunocal in Europe by the way is about double the MLM

wholesale price. Neither position forces you to buy but there is certainly an

incentive to buy from the MLM for that particular product. And, you can choose

an alternative undenatured whey at that, as we have on this list.

all good,

Duncan

> > > I have never been associated with an MLM that forced consumers to buy

> > > stuff, and if that was their policy then I wouldn't join that MLM either.

> >

> > People, it was s joke... it is *impossible* for an MLM to force anyone

> > to buy something against their will.

> >

>

> Well, actually, MLM's often require the prospective representative to purchase

a certain amount before joining. And some require the buyer (even when not a

representative) to purchase a certain amount each and every month in order to

buy at their " preferred " prices. I know this well as I was once invited to

become a member by the wife of one of our commercial photography clients - so I

thought I would return the favor. While I had no interest in becoming a

representative I had to become a " member " and purchase at least $50 worth of

products each month in order to take advantage of their preferred pricing. To be

fair they WERE good products but even the " preferred " prices were so high you

didn't get very much for the $50 - and the shipping and handling added close to

$10 more. I now buy some of the same products (though different brands) for less

than half the cost of theirs with no need to purchase every month. Here is a

good expose of MLM's:

>

> http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/MLM.php

>

> This information is not intended to indict anyone. It's just a cautionary tale

to do your homework before joining one. I'm quite sure that algaelady did that.

And she has always been upfront with us about her role.

>

> Best,

> Dee

>