[mxer210]

MLM is not a business venture and therefore not a business, making the person who runs it, not an entrepreneur. This forum is to discuss entrepreneurial ventures and I think the community would appreciate that it be kept that way.

[jimmiejo]

Originally posted by yunedgar
Just for the record, MLM does indeed fall under the definition, because there are risks involved, with advertising you have to spend money thats a risk.

there is no risk in a strategically planned and researched business or advertising campaign. and that's the difference between mlms and businesses. there is no strategy whatsoever behind mlms. the cult.....ahem i mean group members, receive prepackaged materials with no part in the direction of the company other than pushing products and services that we don't want or need.

it's one of the least creatively and entrepreneurially driven industries. i can't count the number of 30 page long, multi-coloured, secret to life, $30,000 in 30 day, all you need to do is fill in this form, mlm sites out there. i can't stand them, much like many of the other members on this board.

you have every right to post these threads, just as i have every right to tell you to shove 'em. but im nicer than that.

[takeanumber3333]

As an analogy, it would be like me not recommending people to start an Enron and follow in its steps. In another analogy, it would be like me not recommending Intel Pentium 4 processors for gaming when the obvious choice is Advanced Micro Devices Athlon 64 processors. Do your research and you don't have to find out for yourself.

You didnt research anything except what you wanted to. Go read some success stories on MLM, instead of all the negaitves.

i can't count the number of 30 page long, multi-coloured, secret to life, $30,000 in 30 day, all you need to do is fill in this form, mlm sites out there. i can't stand them, much like many of the other members on this board.

Thats great, neither can I. But no one here is talking about those.

[marsbound2024]

How rude. I did my research. I read the long-term success stories and also read public disgust because they were successful due to false marketing. Now not all of them marketed falsely, but they did scheme. By the way, I did find that many fail within less than ten years. I am saying that most intelligent entrepreneurs will opt for a business other than an MLM. No offense.

, marsbound2024

[Sarafina]

Wow, the ignorance embedded within these posts is scarry. Takeanumber3333, you've come to a community thats VERY intolerant towards MLM/Network Marketing. I suspect that alot of the people hear have been burnt by MLM's that were indeed scams. I'm not comfortable saying every SINGLE one is a bad thing -- unlike most in this forum.

Originally posted by mxer210
MLM is not a business venture and therefore not a business, making the person who runs it, not an entrepreneur. This forum is to discuss entrepreneurial ventures and I think the community would appreciate that it be kept that way.

It doesn't matter if you're running an online audio store or selling magic beans at the end of your street. Entrepreneurship isn't limited to your rigid definitions. There's a big difference between expressing your opinion and outright insulting somebody else's efforts. This forum is to discuss entrepreneurial ventures but not on your terms. If you don't like it, don't post. It's not your place (or anybody elses) to categorize ventures as real or not......

[Aletheides]

When you are involved in an MLM you are an EMPLOYEE hands down, no questions asked.

If you are interested in starting, running, and marketing any aspects of YOUR OWN business, then post away.

I don't feel posts on MLM would contribute any to this community. In fact, it might make some run far away from these boards, never to return again.

[takeanumber3333]

When you are involved in an MLM you are an EMPLOYEE hands down, no questions asked.

Actually, it's basically like running an advertising business, and receiving commisions for your efforts.

What the difference between what I do and what Mxer does? Does he make the IPods? Nope, he sell's them and gets a percent of what he made Apple. Oh no, he's making someone else money

When you are involved in an MLM you are an EMPLOYEE hands down, no questions asked.

My MLM has never told me what to do. I decide when to work, what to work on, how hard to work and how much to invest in the different aspects.

Takeanumber3333, you've come to a community thats VERY intolerant towards MLM/Network Marketing.

I'm starting to sense that.

[Aletheides]

Originally posted by takeanumber3333
Actually, it's basically like running an advertising business, and receiving commisions for your efforts.

What the difference between what I do and what Mxer does? Does he make the IPods? Nope, he sell's them and gets a percent of what he made Apple. Oh no, he's making someone else money

Good point.

But the difference is that MXer doesn't try to drill the idea of selling Ipods everytime someone buys an Ipod from him. That is your job.

My MLM has never told me what to do.

Have they ever told you what you should do? You should sign people up to the false idea and try to get them to buy the overpriced products you are pushing, right?

An interesting thing about MLMs is that they are going to keep your ass working as much as they can for as long as they can. Quixtar has fine print somewhere in the contract that if you don't have $10,000 worth of undeveloped business being done under you, your ass doesn't get paid.

There is a reason MLMs have the reputation they have. It doesn't just appear out of nowhere.

Do you find it interesting that the only people who are tolerant of MLMs are the ones that are involved or the ones who have never been involved before?

I decide when to work, what to work on, how hard to work and how much to invest in the different aspects.

Fine, I will give you Independent Contractor. The fact is that you still represent a business that isn't yours, correct?

I'm starting to sense that.

Maybe if the forum was named Young MLMer, we might not have this debate, would we?

[takeanumber3333]

The fact is that you still represent a business that isn't yours, correct?

Everyone who doesn’t manufacture their own goods does.

There is a reason MLMs have the reputation they have. It doesn't just appear out of nowhere.

Correct, it has mostly come from what is called Wave 1 and Wave 2, which is where all the scams came from. We are now in Wave 3, and you can eliminate the risk by due diligence.

Guys, why do you think people like Robert Allen, Robert Kiyosaki, and Paul Zane Pilzer , along with professors from Harvard all support MLM? It's for real.

I’m sure were not old enough to remember, but this is exactly how franchising started as well. Everyone claimed it was a scam, they thought it was a waste of time and money. Well, now look, it accounts for 1/3 of our GDP. MLM almost mirrors franchises as well, with the exception you get to prospect to other potential franchisees as well.

[Aletheides]

Originally posted by takeanumber3333
Everyone who doesn’t manufacture their own goods does.

Footlocker isn't represented or paid by Nike, they just sell their shoes for profit.

The coffee growers of South America don't run Starbucks, they just sell them coffee.

These are big businesses.

I just want you to understand the fact that you are a 100% strictly commissioned salesman. You are paid by the big man based on your performance, right?

Can you agree to the fact that if you're a stellar salesman, chances are good that you will be successful @ MLM as well?

Guys, why do you think people like Robert Allen, Robert Kiyosaki, and Paul Zane Pilzer , along with professors from Harvard all support MLM? It's for real.

Money talks and bullshit walks. Do you honestly think they support these groups for free? People pay big bucks to hear them talk. Who's going to pay them the most? Those cult seminar loving MLMers.

I was listening to a tape of Robert Kiyosaki. He was telling a story about how he met a successful MLMer. This was when he first released Rich Dad Poor Dad and it wasn't doing well, until this MLMer picked it up and ordered a large amount of copies for his organization. And this was how it all began...Scratch my back, i'll scratch yours.

And why the hell are putting Paul Zane Pilzer's name next to Robert Allen and Robert Kiosaki. That's a damn shame.