Oh, so it is Forever Living Products!
By my_january
@my_january (967)
Philippines
August 7, 2011 7:25am CST
My boyfriend was messaged by one of his previous colleague regarding a “business opportunity/proposal”. Upon reading the message, my boyfriend grew interests and curiosity as he is planning to engage on one and so he asked me to come with him, to meet this person.
This was last Saturday and the meeting place was at Bonaventure Building in front of Greenhills in San Juan. So we arrived just in time for the appointment but the girl was not yet there. She arrived an hour late (which really pissed me off) but of course, I don’t want to be the antagonist here okay. And I don’t want to ruin the mood as it is a business opportunity talk right? So we met at the entrance, they were two ladies; we introduced ourselves blah blah and they lead us to the entrance to their office. And that was when we knew that it was about Forever Living Products.
Before all these, my boyfriend asked his colleague what was this business is about (this was in email), she said that it was like Mc Donald’s and Starbucks sharing their business to other’s so you earn money even if you’re just drinking coffee. Wow, that was all pleasant words really! I just find it awkward for her not to answer the question straightly that it was about Forever Living Products. I think she really have this gut feeling that my boyfriend would not accept it if he knows it even before the meeting.
So we entered the room, sat on a small round table, we’re 6 persons at that moment. The spokes person started to explain about the concept of this business, saying that this is not sales, this is not networking, blah blah and that you’re creating your own business etc etc, all the words enticing enough for you to join. But really I am not convinced. I am the type of person that hates selling; I am not in to sales really, though I wish I had the gift as they said that money comes with selling if you do it the right way. So they asked ask with things about our work, that it what we’re doing right now is not a career and that you could spend your entire life working in a company but will never earn the salary that you wish you could earn. They talked about mentoring if we will have issues on making a sale (when they said it is not selling), and that the mentor was one of the top of the line, earning 7 digits a month- multi-currency as she had built her network overseas, around the world. WOW!
So how true were all these testimonies? I heard from them that this company has a good reputation and it was 25 years running in the Philippines. Also, they said that products are good and effective and one’s daily necessity as it deals on health and wellness. Then they started talking about the Business Pack we can buy for 16,000PHP, you can use the product or sell it, if you sold that whole pack, the return is 24,000PHP. Only if you sell the whole pack. If you don't want to sell, you can recruit people and then hope that you're recruit will buy the business pack so you can earn. 
I just think that that there are people who were born with golden hands when it comes to this kind of thing. I mean, some of us can be successful on fields that are meant for us. If this is on the networking, multi-level marketing field then that’s okay. I just don’t know someone, a friend, a relative, an acquaintance who joined this type of company and then eventually get rich. Yeah, there are a lot of people I know who joined, but like fire that dies naturally, they too didn’t pursue with what they have started. Maybe that's the reason I don't believe on this...
What are your thoughts about this type of business running on sales with a multi-level marketing aspect? I am not saying that they are scam,,, I don’t know, I think it is not just for me. 
I just think that that there are people who were born with golden hands when it comes to this kind of thing. I mean, some of us can be successful on fields that are meant for us. If this is on the networking, multi-level marketing field then that’s okay. I just don’t know someone, a friend, a relative, an acquaintance who joined this type of company and then eventually get rich. Yeah, there are a lot of people I know who joined, but like fire that dies naturally, they too didn’t pursue with what they have started. Maybe that's the reason I don't believe on this...
What are your thoughts about this type of business running on sales with a multi-level marketing aspect? I am not saying that they are scam,,, I don’t know, I think it is not just for me. 8 responses
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
8 Aug 11
Multi-level marketing is not a scam, but it is a pyramid scheme.
That sound contradictory, but it is a legal pyramid system.
The important thing to understand here, is that you will never earn a lot from selling product. It is hard to sell product. You will work very very hard, looking up people, trying to find buyers, over and over and over again. The bottom line is, you won't make much money.
So the real way people earn money through this system is to recruit others to sell for you. The more people you recruit, the more money you'll make. Similarly, the more people they recruit, the more money they'll make. Hence, the pyramid scheme.
So how hard is it to recruit people? Very hard. And even if you recruit, many will not work hard at selling stuff. So many of the people you train to sell the product, won't.
For those that are fully invested in this system, once you get several dozen recruits, and half of them actually sell some product, that's when the money starts coming in.
Some people can make a very good living off of this. But it takes years of very hard work, recruiting, training, recruiting, training, on and on, to get the number of good selling people, to start collecting the cash.
So what are the keys to success? Unfortunately, the two biggest are chance. First, is how lucky you are at finding good recruits. You have no idea how motivated, or how naturally good a guy is going to be at selling. So if you hit a bunch of bad sales people, you'll spend weeks training someone who will never sell a thing.
Equally you could train up some really great sales people, and have a little cash flow at the start. You just don't know.
The second issue is market saturation. If someone else is selling the same stuff in your area, it's going to be that much more difficult to earn money. Often it becomes a game of who can wait out the other person. You work hard to out sell him, so he starves and leaves. Of course he's trying to do the same thing to you.
The biggest issue I want to get across to you is this. Yes there is money to be made in multi-level marketing. And yes, those people with their amazing story is true. She likely is making 7 digit income, with a network around the world.
But I wager she spent 10 years building it, and was earning very very little the first 5. Building your network is really really hard. You are going to be living on very little money, while working many many hours. You are going to spend your weekend looking for recruits, your weeks training recruits, and your spare time looking for sales. You won't be relaxing on the beach, or taking a vacation, or seeing a movie. You'll be finding sales, recruits, and contacting people to try and get them into the market.
Multi-level marketing only becomes fun, after you spent years building your network. Until then, it's a non-stop race.
I'm not saying do not do it. I just want you to understand that it will not be a easy free-ride into earning money. It is work... hard work.
1 person likes this
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
Hi andy77e, very well said. I really learned a lot. Thank you!
But you know, the part where you explained that the person has spent 10 years in building a network, that's the part where I am also confused. Last Saturday, they made it sound to us that it is very very easy. The spokesperson even told us that she is very excited to see the paycheck of the person who referred me and my boyfriend. I am positive that she just started 2 weeks ago. And this person also told us that after a month she'll check her earnings, if it's bigger than what she's getting on her full time job, she'll go full time with forever living. Can you honestly say that in 2 weeks she will earn a lot? The spokesperson also told us the companies she had worked for, her recent was a leading telecommunications company of our country (Philippines) and she is even proud to say that she's now with Forever living full time. So at that moment, for me, they made earning money in that type of field sound really easy... Just like that.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
9 Aug 11
She wants people to join her, so she can earn more money.
Making it sound easy is how you get people to join.
If you do this, and start recruiting people, you are going to need to pitch this to them the same way, and make it sound really easy. That's how you recruit people. Convince them it's easy money.
Remember, if you join this company, you are going to be the one running around trying to convince people they can make money really easy, just like she did to you.
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
When you are planning to venture into business, there are times when you have to trust your gut feel. If from the start you have doubts, don't feel comfortable with the biz model or the product etc... nothing is holding you not to proceed and I hope you don't get sweet talked into joining and doling out hard earned money then living to regret your decision and worse end up consuming the product ( could be over priced because of too many middle men)because you failed in selling them. Just to give a tip if I may, most successful businessman became successful because they enjoy what they are doing and believe in the product they are selling, seem not to be in your case, anyway good luck to you
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
Yes! I also share the same outlook when starting a business. I did not fall for all the sugar coating they've given us that day. Thanks for your 2 cents, I appreciate the tip! 
@enigma13 (372)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
well stated louievill! A + rating for you! if you are lucky enough to have the money to start up your own business then it better be something you enjoy. It would be wise not to proceed with the deal if you have doubts too. Direct selling might not do well nowadays as people are having a hard time making ends meet as it is.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
I think all MLM in general adopt the same tactic and that's a "don't tell all" kind of approach or even "kidnap" approach and I understand them perfectly. More often, we only hear feed backs from those who join and fails and what we hear are normally the bad side of the business, maybe it's their form of denial. I also joined an MLM business, I can't say that I was successful since I already quit but I can't say that I'm unsuccessful either since I was able to get my money's worth. If you sat with them and finished their briefing then it should give you an overview of the business as well as its earning potential which is huge. But in general, in would boil down to how much hard work you'll do and what sales is to you.
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
yes, I agree with you ybong007. But at that point, they made it all sound very, very easy. That if you won't think first, you'll really fall. Maybe that's why a lot of people initially joined and eventually quit. Because at start, they just get dolled of all the sugar coating and sweet talks from the recruiters. Like what you have said, the "Don't tell all" and "kidnap" approach really work. I agree, in all types of business, if you want to earn money, it boils down to HARD WORK.
@bluespygirl (2112)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
Hello there! If you are not into sales, then you are not for this kind of business. Networking nor multi level marketing (MLM) is just the same. There are many ways to earn.
I have heard and attended many MLMs seminar. I am into sales but I don't like this kind of business. This business requires more effort than the regular business. I don't like the idea of investing big amount of money. This amount can start you a business already. In my case, that amount will do many things to my business. I don't think too that the products are effective.
I also believe the saying that when you had things easily, it will easily be gone to you. Just like money.
That is really the tactic of the networkers. Lots of blah blahs. And they will not tell you what kind of business they are offering you unless you met in person. To tell you, I had met someone and he told me that he got his car through networking. Then, I found out that he got it in installment plan. Yeah, it is good that he got the downpayment of the car through networking. But I think he lied in someway. Did your husband joined or signed in?
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
Hi bluespygirl, My boyfriend signed in out of courtesy to his ex-colleague, he paid the 8pesos for the membership. But he had no plans of pursuing it, like you know recruiting other people, neither purchasing the business pack. I definitely agree with you that this kind of business requires a lot of effort. And yeah the business pack amount can already help you out in starting a small business. Thank you for posting.
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
Hi bluespygirl, My boyfriend signed in out of courtesy to his ex-colleague, he paid the 8pesos for the membership. But he had no plans of pursuing it, like you know recruiting other people, neither purchasing the business pack. I definitely agree with you that this kind of business requires a lot of effort. And yeah the business pack amount can already help you out in starting a small business. Thank you for posting.
@voracious (624)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
I know forever living products sells a range variety of products but the only problem is it's so very expensive and their products are not easy to disposed unlike Green Barley of Health Wealth corporation and Vita Plus plus the taste of their products tastes like hell and it can't be consume so easily. About the revenue, the income is good if you sell/recruit other people but what about if no one buy or join your group? I'm sure your money will be wasted. I've been in MLM business for 5 years and luckilly I have a very good and stable income here in Health wealth. I'm not defaming the forever living products but I'm just stating the facts that their products are hard to market.
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
hey voracious! So now I know a person who has a stable income for 5 years through MLM. That's what I have also read through research that their product are a little expensive, but they reiterate to us that it is effective. They even mention a skin condition and the most proven and tested remedy is a product of theirs. I also asked them how much a product of them would cost, they just can't give me figures... They said, it's all in the business pack, (so I guess to get that information, I need to shell out 16,000 huh) Anyway, thanks for commenting and good luck to your endeavor!
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
8 Aug 11
For me it is good but if you like other then it is better so be good to use it so thst you have more time to be live in this earth it takes you 2 times to be.
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
7 Aug 11
i was once invited by a friend before,
he said that were going to a PARTy....
but isn't it a party after all but....
it a PART of a business to be a member of forever living products....
and to my surprise, are they still in operational until now year 2011?
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
9 Aug 11
yes mantis36, they are still in full operations. Like what the spokesperson said, they are currently targeting to recruit young professionals on this kind of business. I think they see that yuppies are vibrant and has more determination in earning money. And I am sorry to hear that you were fooled about the party thing... I am thankful that it didn't happen to us because I'll get really really piss!!!
Thank you for the comment! 
Thank you for the comment! 