MLM - Whether this word scares you? Or are you open to MLM?
By Venkataraman
@venkataraman_vc (5293)
Chennai, India
October 27, 2010 12:32am CST
I am doing a MLM, which is based on Mobile recharging concept. (Initially I was thinking that "MLM is not for me." But, when I got into it, I saw amazing income. Besides earning, I got lot of friends. I feel like, I've got many people to support me.)
What do you feel about MLM? (Implied question is, when it comes to MLM, do you hear what others say OR you just shut down your ears? I have seen many people simply shut down their ears when they hear the very word "MLM")
6 responses
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
28 Oct 10
MLM actually is a very good business concept. However there are a lot of business that has the same concept as MLM but are pyramid scheme in reality. There are a lot of people who don't know the difference between what is an MLM and a pyramid scheme since the two are almost have the same concept except that an MLM has a product. In an MLM, even people with no background in business will have the chance to earn a lot of money if he works hard.
1 person likes this
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
27 Oct 10
hi venkat,
Sorry, I am not into MLM. Not because of any fear but simply the concept doesnt gel with me. I mean those at the lower ends just get nothing and their money is wasted.
It works good for many and bad for many too. I feel it is more of killing a relation when you work and market for an MLM. You end up in making more enemies because everyone doenst share your mind frame and might not be willing to invest the time and effort into it. So they would blame you for luring them into all this....
I do not want that to happen with me and this is why I stay away from them. Also morally, it doesnt make any sense getting income from your downline who works harder than you.
Cheers,
theSids.
@venkataraman_vc (5293)
• Chennai, India
27 Oct 10
Exactly what I was thinking before I got into the industry. It is just because we are not used to it.
Are you sure, you are not losing (or making anyone else profit) when you buy things in the market? Do you know, how much is the difference between the cost price and the MRP? It passes many hands before it reaches you. Do they do it as a service?
I just don't blindly support the industry. There are lots of risks, I agree. But, the risks co-exist in every industry, even in the traditional businesses.
Many MLMs, fix their prices abnormally, just to share the commission with the uplines. But, if we search, we can find a company which sells products competitive with market price. (I've found one, but it would become like promotional, so I'm not mentioning it. I just wanted to discuss the issue only.)
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
27 Oct 10
HI Venkat,
Good to read your reply. You rarely reply to your posts.
Yes, I am aware that I am not losing money. These MLMs - here there are many.
I have noticed that most of the products they sell, are not useful in any way(for me at least) and their policies in terms of returns are all in shambles and never effective. The products are too much of a cost for Indians and I think I should not get into arguments on this side. As we both would be right.
Then lastly, I stay at home and do not have many friends or meet ups with other people who should be the market segment. So I stay away from these MLMs. I have seen DAD waste money, my brother was next in the line and he too ended up wasting much. Some of my friends and colleagues are into this and are doing somewhat better though... But they always end up discussing about MLMs and that is what makes me more sick of these.
I appreciate your not mentioning of the brand. But yes, in case you have a local brand and is economical with very little (for me even 1000 is higher side as I do not have a living/earning due to my illness), I can think of MLMs.
Cheers,
theSids.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
31 Oct 10
Ok, I got it, See, when you say that there are no payments to the middlemen - retailers - agent - distributor... I agree that is true. But what are the MLMs that people really believe on? - The international ones. and their products are damn costly. Like you have a product A. That the MLM sells for XXXX INR. right! the same Indian product is available for cheaper price even after paying to all these middlemen + the commercials. So at end Who Loses more money? In MLM you pay more get good products (most of them say this).
The other scenario = You buy a local product from a shop. There is some defect in the product or you are not satisfied. You simply go and return the product or get an exchange(90% chances of return or exchange) because the shopkeeper knows if he doesnt, you wont come to him the second time. But with MLMs? Who Cares once the product is sold? You are just one in a million or a billion... It has been a personal experience in this matter here and so I am mentioning this. I got a product woth Rs. 2160.00 from one of these MLM guys and he had assured that if I am not comfortable, it can be refunded 90% amount within 7 days. The third day I called him up and asked to return the product as it had a defect... Nothing happened and that product is still dumped here occupying space in my room.
@strawberrychocodahi (4818)
• Philippines
27 Oct 10
Before I was not into MLM because I have been scammed. Ever since that happened I really promised myself I won't do such again. Until my mom registered me as a member under her to a company that offers Traditional Chinese Medicine which is approved by BFAD, has ISO certification and most importantly a part of DSA (or Direct Selling association) in the Philippines, without this approval, I would never ever join such MLM that is fly by night or fake.
Most people in our country are still allergic when they hear MLM, they would eventually say already it is a "Scam". You cannot just trust a company that easily, even when you hear testimonies that they have earned a lot by joining a company.
This is the only company I trusted that didn't showed off cheques and sweet talks by recruiting people to join under you. It is solely a company that you earn because you sell products and you don't get any money because people joined under you, which by far are the bait for fake MLM companies.
The registration fee is reasonable and not as high as most fake MLM's are. They don't do binary system that most fallen MLM's do. It is a company that has 110 country branches (not just offices), because when I came to India, Tiens / Tienshi was also there. It is by far the only Direct Selling Company me and my family have trusted.
@venkataraman_vc (5293)
• Chennai, India
27 Oct 10
I was also scammed two times. But, I have to admit that since I entered into MLM industry, my attitude and personality have changed greatly. So, I would say everyone should give MLM a try, irrespective of whether they earn or not. (Just buying product once don't count. One should at least talk with people, so that they gain knowledge about handling people.)
I'm really wondering, why there is no regulatory authority in India for MLMs, even the industry is existing for about 12 years. (The answer is, the red-tapism wants to keep the MLM industry as it is, so that they can profit.)
@venkatachary (1165)
• India
27 Oct 10
I do not know anything about MLM, and I have also not tried.In some sites I have read the word MLM.
@BRAHMAVIDYA (101)
• India
27 Oct 10
Common people hate MLM because of the numerous scams present in the MLM world.But there are jenuine companies also which are really great.personally I am thinking of joining some good company too....
@venkataraman_vc (5293)
• Chennai, India
27 Oct 10
The thing is, we are used to traditional marketing only. Scams exist in every industry. (Recently I've seen an advert on the TV regarding a hair oil. The commercial was starred by a celebrity. It promises to regrow the fallen hairs. But, actually it's a crap. I've seen many discussions on the internet about the scam, but I didn't see anyone, including the victims, who raised it as an issue against the company. I bet, if the same thing happened in the MLM industry, there would be a huge uproar. It's just our attitude and nothing else.
@BRAHMAVIDYA (101)
• India
27 Oct 10
Common people hate MLM because of the numerous scams present in the MLM world.But there are jenuine companies also which are really great.personally I am thinking of joining some good company too....
