Do I support my friend?

jaylee3

Someone pleeeeeeeeeze tell us the name of this dodgy company that loads of people seem to know on this thread. It's killing me!

jackyann

I have dodged these things in my time - but usually with people who were in my circle, rather than a "good friend".

I think that if she is that good you have to be as honest as you can. Could you say to her that you will support her in other ways? Could you help with childcare for example? I have done that.

I also think that you shouldn't think you are being a bad friend - she is the one testing the boundaries of friendship, and you are being understanding.

None of these schemes ever really work long term: except possibly for tried-and-tested goods like Tupperware & Avon - and then usually only if the seller keeps things low-key.

SeduLOUs

I did Avon one Christmas when I was early stages of debt recovery. Tried not to push it with friends and just had a book around the house so that if anyone saw it and wanted a look they could, but I didn't want to shove it in their face.

Mum bought a bag for £50, and several weeks later I hadn't seen her use it. I was convinced she'd only bought it to help out. Perhaps I was wrong, but it was enough for me to quit shortly after. Maybe I'm just not one for sales, but door knocking just took hours and hours and only produced about £1 per hour of work in my experience, and that was during 'holiday' season.

Feral_Moon

I haven't read beyond the OP post but if it involves selling Amway then tell her to run for the hills! Had my fingers burnt by that pyramid selling scheme 15 yrs ago. Lost a fortune!

meritaten

Avon isn't that bad if you have hundreds of friends! they do actually run it honestly. but it isn't going to bring in anything other than pocket money unless you go out and run it aggressively.
most 'working from home' schemes are just that - schemes!
I did some working from home for a local factory, and after a few months quit when i realised that the hours i was 'working' amounted to just a couple of quid - about a third of what i would earn on their premises.
and for chrissakes tell her don't 'make crackers'! now that really is a con!

selloptape

Might it be the JP one?

Feral_Moon

Avon used to be good when you had your own round and set of customers. Both I, and my mother before me, made adequate PIN money to make it worthwhile the effort.

But, nowadays, they use social media to advertise so anyone can poach your patch. You no longer have exclusive access to your customers. And who wants to wait three weeks to get an order on the ground these days when you can order direct from Avon website and get next day delivery?

The advent of Internet ordering killed the poor Avon lady. It's now become more of a pyramid selling setup.

ETA: my local Avon lady has been delivering 10+ years now, so on the rare occasion I want to order something, I always order through her

SeduLOUs

meritaten wrote: »

Avon isn't that bad if you have hundreds of friends! they do actually run it honestly. but it isn't going to bring in anything other than pocket money unless you go out and run it aggressively.
most 'working from home' schemes are just that - schemes!
I did some working from home for a local factory, and after a few months quit when i realised that the hours i was 'working' amounted to just a couple of quid - about a third of what i would earn on their premises.
and for chrissakes tell her don't 'make crackers'! now that really is a con!

Yea, I realised how it actually worked and started signing people up - there's no money in actually selling products. Made a couple hundred quid in bonuses and thought it might turn out OK. But then my 'leader' started sending me to 16 year olds houses to get their mums to sign the paperwork. I got a right telling off by my leader after a girl decided against it when I'd explained to her how she'd have to register as self-employed with HMRC (mum specifically asked how tax would work and I wasn't going to lie). Apparently I was supposed to keep my mouth shut and just spout "16 year olds don't pay tax" even though a) they do if they earn enough, and b) it wasn't the 16 year old named on the contract.

My morals couldn't take it anymore so it was game over.

DJoyceB

You should probably let her make her own choices, if you don't want to get involved simply DON'T. Good luck with it.

Topcat1982

Although she invites you, you don't have to go! She won't be offended.

I say no to these things all the time, no-one cares