Anyone do Arbonne?

noodlepoopsie

My friend approached me months ago, and I'm still stuck on the fence as to whether to do it or not.

I have more and more friends signing up, and I don't want to be the last if I'm going to do it, but I also don't want to sign up and end up spending money and not getting anything back.

My boyfriend is not a fan but says he'll support me whatever - he says it's a pyramid scheme, but it's not. They were investigated a few years back and found out that it was ok.

Everything in the presentations makes sense to me, and part of me thinks it could be what I'm looking for; but then I think, can I really afford the monthly spend on products? I don't spend much on myself as it is!

I try asking on Twitter and things, but the people who do do it always seem a little, well, brainwashed, if that makes sense.

Anyone got any thoughts / experiences etc?

sarahlasvegas

How much do you have to pay to start it? and do you have to buy monthly products? arent you just selling via your site after?

Im not too sure how it works, but a friend has started and asked if I'm interested too, so would like to know more.

mrylandb

A friend approached me regarding this recently and gave it the big sales pitch. To me it is a pryamid in all but name, yes you can climb up that pryamid, but essentially commission is paid to the person that recruited you.

The sales pitch and documentation paints a picture....turnover is $450m. Customers number 1.1m. So every person spends on average approx £20 - £25 a month on skincare products. I don't know anyone that spends that amount each month

I am not doubting the potential (ok, I am a little....), but I do think that it will take a huge amount of effort to build your network and get the sales going. She reckons she will be earning £15k a month next year and part of the big plan. I do get the impression that they do get a bit brainwashed and they are becoming too Americanised (everything is wonderful and a great picture is painted at all times) But they have to be positive and happy in order to get everyone else to buy in to the idea.

My advice would be to do a lot of research on line. There are plenty of websites with positive as well as negative stories to tell. Ask about how many consultants in the area are working, what your targets are / should be. It really is one of those things that you get out what you put in. If you're not committed then you could suffer.

I understand that you buy the cosmetics at a 35% discount and then sell to your friends / family etc at full price or lower discount. Personally I don't feel comfortable doing that, which is why I said no.

wongawonga

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3291200 :eek:

CKhalvashi

mrylandb wrote: »

A friend approached me regarding this recently and gave it the big sales pitch. To me it is a pryamid in all but name, yes you can climb up that pryamid, but essentially commission is paid to the person that recruited you.

The sales pitch and documentation paints a picture....turnover is $450m. Customers number 1.1m. So every person spends on average approx £20 - £25 a month on skincare products. I don't know anyone that spends that amount each month

I am not doubting the potential (ok, I am a little....), but I do think that it will take a huge amount of effort to build your network and get the sales going. She reckons she will be earning £15k a month next year and part of the big plan. I do get the impression that they do get a bit brainwashed and they are becoming too Americanised (everything is wonderful and a great picture is painted at all times) But they have to be positive and happy in order to get everyone else to buy in to the idea.

My advice would be to do a lot of research on line. There are plenty of websites with positive as well as negative stories to tell. Ask about how many consultants in the area are working, what your targets are / should be. It really is one of those things that you get out what you put in. If you're not committed then you could suffer.

I understand that you buy the cosmetics at a 35% discount and then sell to your friends / family etc at full price or lower discount. Personally I don't feel comfortable doing that, which is why I said no.

I ended up sitting through a consultation about 5 years ago for a similar scheme, with a vulnerable resident.

They seem very very very close to the mark of pyramidding if they're not.

CK

noodlepoopsie

Thanks for the replies. Still a little on the fence, perhaps I just don't have the time to keep meeting up with people and going through a presentation.

The friend who has invited me, their person (wasn't sure how to phrase this!) has just received their free white mercedes.
Everytime I see someone driving one, I want to knock on the window and ask if they work for Arbonne!

melsbels84

noodlepoopsie wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Still a little on the fence, perhaps I just don't have the time to keep meeting up with people and going through a presentation.

The friend who has invited me, their person (wasn't sure how to phrase this!) has just received their free white mercedes.
Everytime I see someone driving one, I want to knock on the window and ask if they work for Arbonne!

What did you decide to do in the end? My friend's approached me about it and I'm so unsure what to do!!

J_pink

melsbels84 wrote: »

What did you decide to do in the end? My friend's approached me about it and I'm so unsure what to do!!

Hi there, I'm glad I found this thread. Before you commit I hoped to share my story of friendships lost. I am not the Arbonne consultant - my friends were and still are 12 months later. What happened was my old friend 'sharked' every friend and friend-of-friend that she could; literally everybody through social network sites, at important events - weddings, Christenings. It became cringeworthy and I wasn't the ony one who noticed. I lost a good friend to 'the other side' (code word for BS marketing scams and ridiculous American marketing buzzwords). I think she was abducted by aliens or went through that 'Stepford Wives' machine - because she's not the same.

I truly believe the only person who will benefit are those at the very top. Everyone else are puppets to these people. I was so upset at loosing my friend I sought the advice of a former boss - consequently a Marketing Director and his warnings were an eye opener: get her out of there...fast!

As far as my knowledge tells me, there are some advantageous aspects of this career pathway: friendships (at least in the short term); a busy social life; beauty and skincare (although check out the ingredients list!!! - awful) and obviously the positive energy that the teams share is great. It's improtant people know, however, that this is all at a terrible price. That of filtering through your friends and family for business gain. Where is the dignity?

I hope you find happiness whatever your decision. I just miss my friend (before the aliens abducted her):A

noodlepoopsie

melsbels84 wrote: »

What did you decide to do in the end? My friend's approached me about it and I'm so unsure what to do!!

I decided against it! A few other of my friend's were poached and another of mine recently asked to meet up (predicting that it'd be about this, I declined) with her and promised to give me an un-brainwashed opinion on it all - though ironically, sounded as though she'd already been brainwashed.

Not sure how they avoid the 'pyramid scheme' label, but they do, but that's all it seems like it is to me!

Another friend told me the famous 'free white Mercedes' isn't even free, and the fees come out of what you'd have been earning?!

Ypaymore

noodlepoopsie wrote: »

Another friend told me the famous 'free white Mercedes' isn't even free, and the fees come out of what you'd have been earning?!

I read the pay/incentive plan a while ago.

When you get to a very high level with them.( Regional Vice President) which requires you to build and keep going a large team of people.You buy/lease a white merc.They give you a monthly car bonus to pay for it . If you dont maintain the position they dont pay you.

I read an american article not so long ago which said many people in the states in network marketing not solely Arbonne, qualify for the merc/bmw etc and then business starts evaporating and they cant pay for vehicle because bonus is withdrawn. So they end up losing car and getting into debt.

PlutoinCapricorn

gb12345, keep up the good work. The people who are trying to push something that seems dodgy always have arguments that will convince only the stupid, desperate or naive and gullible.

It is up to people who know better to educate the latter group.

The pyramid example is what I mean. I hope that many others will see your post.

As for recommending things, I would only ever listen to people who DON'T get a share of the profits as they have no vested interest. Use your brains people!