Comments on: Multi Level Marketing Spoof Film

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 02 May 2009 04:22:06 +0000

I personally don’t support MLMs because the people are too pushy, but they are not only here in Utah. Granted I seem to get hit up way more here than elsewhere, but I was working at a kiosk selling and the mall is a recruiters heaven.
What I have a problem with is grouping MLM with door sales. I do door sales for a Comcast contractor and my average customer get way superior services for about 40% less than what they are paying now. People are at times uncomfortable to see someone at the door that is selling something, but we give them a better product for less money.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:58:14 +0000

What are you talking about Ray? Are you a fan of MLM? Have you had sucess with it? Tell us where we may be wrong…

By: Ray

Ray — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 22:36:06 +0000

I’ve read all these comments and all I can say is you people have no clue. You sound like a bunch of punk teenagers.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 20:22:50 +0000

Hey everyone! I don’t know if you know about this, but the movie Don was talking about at the beginning– it’s called “Believe” and it’s hitting theatres in Utah on April 20. It looks Awesome! I’ve seen the two main guys, Larry Bagby and Lincolne Hoppe in some other movies and they are hilarious! I can’t imagine that this isn’t so funny and going to be a big hit! If you haven’t checked out the website, you should do so! It’s great! http://www.believethemovie.com. I even saw a contest on there to win a CD. That could be pretty cool. I think MLM is a hoot- at least for the people who believe in it. My aunt gave it a try once, and I think her only customers were us in the family. I guess some have sucess, but those are the ones that get right into it at the beginning! I don’t know. I think this movie jokes around about that… Has anyone heard anything more about it???

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 19:53:50 +0000

Jer:

You couldn’t be more on the money. Let’s get something going here.

Chris

By: Joshua Steimle

Joshua Steimle — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:10:42 +0000

Well, if you do start a political movement let me know. That’s something I’d be willing to get behind. Anything to get these people out of the state and restore some dignity to Utah.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 17:20:24 +0000

Let me weigh in here too. Anyone who knows me knows that I am somewhat passionate about this whole MLM deal. OK, maybe somewhat isn’t strong enough wording. Anyway, here’s my biggest problem: The reason so many of these companies now generate the lion’s share of their business overseas (china, japan, etc.) is that consumers (and entrepreneurial minded folk) in those countries aren’t sophisticated enough to know that they can buy a non MLM brand of Mangosteen fruit juice at costco for 1/5 the price. Or that Pomegranate juice has just as many health benefits, and you can buy that at Wal-mart for $5 a bottle, but that it’s not ‘exotic’ enough to support the claims of independant distributors who will tell you it cured their cancer. And grew their hair back. And mowed their lawn too boot. They are taking less sophisticated people to the cleaners oversees, and then they spread their money around Utah like a poison. To make matters worse, Utah has the most favorable laws ON THE PLANET for MLM companies. They just changed them last summer. In all their wisdom, the state legislature rolled back Utah’s MLM laws 25 years. Used to say that as a network marketing company you had to spend more than 50% of your efforts in selling product, not in signing up distributors. Utah just changed it back. Within 3 weeks, Morinda, Xango, StampinUp all changed their entire marketing strategies to take advantage of the new streamlined paths to bilk the unknowing out of more money. Go Utah! I for one will support, and possibly will lead out, any campaign to run these types of companies out of our state. They are not good for anything, well except paying enough money into the community and politicians to pass laws that seriously negatively impact lots of people. If you’re going to make all your money in China, then just move over there. I won’t miss you for 1 split second.

By: Russell Page

Russell Page — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 15:30:01 +0000

I had a very similar thought last night. You still playing baseball?

By: Blake Snow

Blake Snow — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:43:20 +0000

Well, I don’t think we’ll crack this nut today. It appears we’re each at opposite ends of the sprectrum. I believe a majority of said companies profit by exploiting the ignorant, and you believe a majority face the same ethical dilemmas as any other industry. Agree to disagree.

By: Russell Page

Russell Page — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 01:37:10 +0000

@ Blake

Ignorance is bliss? Justification is trite? Smells like crap? . . . now that’s being coy.

And yes, if we’re going off numbers, I’ll bet summer sales and MLM are far outnumbered when it comes to shady businesses in other industries, web and PR included. Summer sales and MLM are largely phenoms of Utah county. We just know it well because it’s in our backyard. A few other thoughts. . .

- Noni-type juice is actually sold at Costco and people buy it. I see it there almost everytime I go. Dark fruits (mangosteen, grapes, blueberries, noni, etc . . . are loaded with antioxidants, which doctors say are good for getting rid of carcinogens, which cause cancers). Will they do all that these companies promise? Not likely.
- Wild Oats Market sells juices on the shelf from “Pure Fruit Technologies” for darn near $30 a bottle and people buy it. Pure Fruit is a Tahitian Noni company.
- $50 lotions are sold at cosmetics counters and people buy it. Does it make them feel happier? Probably . . . at least for the moment.
- $50 shampoos are sold in salons and people buy it. Does it make their hair healthier? Who knows. But, people still buy it.
- DishNetwork, Alarms, Pest Control and the like are sold in retail stores and people still buy it.

The point is, I don’t see the validity of the arguments here. I don’t care for MLM because it looks like a “reap what others sow” type of operation to me no matter what they are selling. Summer sales is the opposite because you only “reap what you sow.” If you don’t sell, you don’t get paid. I know people who got hosed in SS (good friends) but I don’t sit back and call the industry shady by any means when it was a person who was shady.