Hmm.... Network Marketing....

rabbity

<div class="IPBDescription">is it worth it? is it safe? :o</div> i attended a talk on network marketing and the pros far outweighs the cons, in fact, its a win-win situation with VERY little or no loss at all. Im just wondering, anyone here done it before? Is it worth the time and stuff....?

im a full time student and need a lil pocket money, so something like this would really suit me, but i just have a few doubts and questions....

the plan kinda goes like this

1st level (i start with spending $300 for the starter kit)
2nd level (15%)
3rd level (45%)
4th level and so on... (10%)

oh if anyone dont know what network marketing is....
<a href='http://www.mymommybiz.com/party/choose/advantages.html' target='_blank'>http://www.mymommybiz.com/party/choose/advantages.html</a>

DOOManiac

Probably a scam or a pyramid scheme.

Especially since it doesn't even define what "Network Marketing" actually IS...

JHunz

From what I read of that, Network Marketing seems to be a term synonomous with pyramid scheme.

It's almost <i>never</i> a good idea to get into something where you have to pay several hundred dollars to have the ability to sell the starting kit to other . Unless, of course, you're the founder of the scheme, in which case you make mad money off of the dumb and optimistic.

ZeroByte

Errr.. I'd say it depends on the plan really. I dunno about plans that start with $300 though. If you're a student, you'd probably be selling to other students too, so idunno if you'd be able to make much of a headway selling this. I'd say study the plan carefully, think through if other people can also make money off it. Network marketing might screw your relationships with other people if other the ones you sell to don't make any money out of it.

And I wouldn't say network marketing is sychronous to pyramid schemes. Network marketing is really one where you sell products and make commisions off people you bring into the system as sellers.. However, some plans do suck.

Ehh, if you're interested in another direct selling thingy try this: <a href='http://www.naturessunshine.com' target='_blank'>http://www.naturessunshine.com</a>

The company sells health products and it's listed on the NASDAQ. You might find it easier to sell health products to your peers. Don't take my advice as being someone who has experience in this though. It's my dad who does these things and I just pick up bits and pieces.

DOOManiac

<!--QuoteBegin-ZeroByte+Feb 11 2004, 11:51 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (ZeroByte @ Feb 11 2004, 11:51 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Network marketing is really one where you sell products and make commisions off people you bring into the system as sellers.. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
There's already a phrase for that. The phrase is

pyramid scheme

:P

Gadzuko

The trick behind pyramid schemes is that they work, but only for the people who start them and their select first customers. And that's only for the successful pyramids. If you get in on a lower level, you're screwed.

DOOManiac

In most places they're also illegal, as scams should be.

rabbity

this the company im talking about
<a href='http://www.formorintl.com' target='_blank'>http://www.formorintl.com</a>

here's a few pages which might be of some relevance.....and no, its not illegal<a href='http://www.formorintl.com/index.cgi?page=inf_ocmp' target='_blank'>http://www.formorintl.com/index.cgi?page=inf_ocmp</a>
<a href='http://www.formorintl.com/index.cgi?page=inf_opla' target='_blank'>http://www.formorintl.com/index.cgi?page=inf_opla</a>
and here's an illustration of the financial plan
<img src='http://images.formor.com/financial_plan/Shared-Infinity-Bonus.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

rabbity

as you can see, if all goes well, by the "2ND" level , i should be able to make up for the $300 i spent on the starter kit

JHunz

That financial plan is pure gibberish. If they were really on the up-and-up, they would use plain english to tell you how much you are entitled to, rather than relying on "bonus volume" and ranks and colorful diagrams with arrows.

Here's what I could glean from it:
1) You have to order the starter kit to qualify, then 114 "BV" per month to stay qualified. That means <i>you</i> are paying <i>them</i> every month, and they are only paying you anything if you manage to resell the stuff.
2) In order to reach position 2, you would have to order 228 "BV" per month. In addition to that, you have to join the "Q-Club", which involves a minimum of 58 "BV" per month in addition to anything else you order. Starting to get the picture? And I <i>think</i> I read on one of those pages that the Q-club stuff is for personal use. Meaning they won't give you any money for reselling any of it.
3) You would be selling quick-weight-loss kits (pills of some sort, I think), and your potential market is mostly women with low self-esteem. If you have any respect for yourself the idea of taking advantage of them should disgust you.
4) The biggest payouts are if you manage to recruit other people into the organization. You would be sucking other people into this pyramid scheme, and that's only assuming you're a good enough salesman to manage it.

In summary, this = bad.

DOOManiac

<!--QuoteBegin-rabbity+Feb 11 2004, 05:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (rabbity @ Feb 11 2004, 05:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> and here's an illustration of the financial plan
<img src='http://images.formor.com/financial_plan/Shared-Infinity-Bonus.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Gee, that sure looks like a split half of something triangular shaped..

You know...

kinda like a <b>PYRAMID</b>...


Really, we're just trying to help you out by telling you to stay clear of a scam. If you want to go throw away your money, be my guest. I won't stop you.