Multilevel Marketing: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

[@danielr3522]

'I'm not going to swindle anyone. I lost but no one else is going to lose because of me.' - God bless that woman.

[@cheesecakelasagna]

Good for her for noticing where to draw the line with the selling stuff, albeit a bit late. She recognized the products aren't selling themselves and expiring and then the "friend" basically introduced her the illegal method.

[@danielr3522]

@@cheesecakelasagna Absolutely, good on her :-)

[@lizh4244]

props to her. most ppl who get to the point of losing all their invested money dont have the guts she has to draw the line at recruiting more people

[@Davidgallenberger]

Don’t believe in God but yes I agree.

[@blameitonrio86]

@@cheesecakelasagna Yes, very impressed with her.

[@CatsMeowPaw]

I think Norway has the right approach: any business where 50% or more of the revenue comes from recruiting more members is declared an illegal pyramid scheme. Practical, easy to understand, fair, and reasonable.

[@kay2393]

Collin Porterfield you lost me after your first sentence lmao. inside sales means no product is being move legitimately. MLMs like lularoe or paparazzi are still scams, but don't technically sell fraudulent products, just shitty ones. they're still pyramid schemes, and suffer from the inside sale problem. 50 is understandable because if your inside sales are nearing overtaking your outside sales, something is clearly wrong. i'm sure 49% would warrant an investigation, too. inside sales on a large scale are essentially "cheating" at being a business, and do not reflect the true market status of the company.

[@Lavi255]

Collin Porterfield Sure but 51% of your profits coming from outside sales as opposed to inside sales is almost impossible to do in these mlm type companies. In order for that to happen you need a really really good product and if you have that then is no point in engaging in these practices in the first place. The whole thing about it is being low effort as in just take a shitty product and try to trick as many people into it with false promises and after that they will do all the work for you while you cash in. These companies will get nowhere even close to 51% outside sales because nobody is interesting in buying lipstick from their friends garage etc that is why they depend entirely on inside buying.

[@klustermonkey824]

Collin Porterfield I guess we found the "Independent Business Owner"

[@Defenestrator20]

You might want to get "your" grammar usage right before calling other people idiots... But then again, I'm just a stupid American, so what do I know.

[@mimim7026]

USA has a similar guideline, but it's 30%. You need to make 70% of your money or more from selling the product or it is one indication of an illegal pyramid scheme.

[@kylezo]

That woman in the documentary clip is a FUCKING HERO. Holy shit that was moving. She said "I lost everything but it stops with me". That takes real, genuine, toes to tip courage and character.

[@jhui604]

Where?

[@thespartan-sangheili3224]

What's the old Truman quote? "the buck stops here"?

[@jessnalulila5552]

@@jhui604 21:25

[@johndepp750]

I'm sure you're getting unemployment now right ? She must have sucked lol

[@PureVikingPowers]

That documentary Betting On Zero is available on youtube

[@sandata]

just wanted to come back here to say that this segment literally saved me from signing up with an MLM today. heard the pitch, it sounded innocuous at first, then recognized the signs from this bit. wasted two hours of my time, but i got out before they got any money out of me. i mean this very sincerely: thank you mr zazu.

[@Dom-bn1ru]

Do u think Andrew Tate thing is a MLM as well

[@michaellee4463]

Congratulations on dodging a major bullet

[@brianfarley2723]

@@Dom-bn1ru Yes 100%

[@bas_ee]

@@Dom-bn1ru andrew tate is the dumbest fucking most asshole guy in the world. Hitler was more tolerable than him

[@Darkness-ie2yl]

This is what this entire world is built on my friend. Scamming the next person you see.

[@tranquilthoughts7233]

Here's a good rule of thumb: When your boss goes out of his way to explain to you why exactly the company is not a criminal organisation then the company is probably a criminal organisation.

[@fetchstixRHD]

Pretty much a general principle - if you have to ask whether something is legit, most of the time it really isn't! (e.g. scam/phishing messages)

[@brisas33]

Yes, I remember my old boss used to tell us not to go on KZbin and watch these videos that pretty much exposed the whole business, he would talk about how “it’s just the haters, the naysayers, stay positive, don’t listen to that”. They had me for 7 months, then I went to a leadership meeting in Houston, and I decided to do more research. I found the videos and realized that everything I felt about the company wasn’t me being “negative” it was true and they were basically brainwashing us. One of the worst experiences of my life. It messed with my mental health, but I was able to pick up the pieces, I found a stable job and I am grateful I came across those videos.

[@ValFatherTime]

Except you don’t have a boss in an MLM, you’re an independent contractor. I can probably guess the industry you’re in… is it fast food?

[@MidnightAndLuna]

Exactly! MLM reps are constantly trying to explain why they are not a scam or pyramid scheme. No legitimate opportunity or business would have to defend themselves that way. It’s a huge red flag!

[@ValFatherTime]

@@MidnightAndLuna they have to explain why it’s not a pyramid because retards like you keep thinking it’s a pyramid. Even though the FTC DNB and BBB say they aren’t. They do it because you guys are uneducated and you come from school/job backgrounds. Not business backgrounds.

[@JBrooksNYS]

These poor salespeople will never understand. Because you're not arguing against their logic. You're arguing against their hopes and dreams.

[@tacticalyuzu8278]

Yeah. and MLM is more of a cult than a business. MLM distributors are brainwashed in to rejecting any sort of disagreements or criticism, and they believe they will be saved one day.

[@ewetoob6369]

And the same statement can be applied to religious people.

[@sinnahj]

KingOfKings as a former MLM distributor...this is the most powerful statement I've ever heard.

[@mrgaudy1954]

They’ve got to take responsibility for their own naivety though, my sympathy is limited when a lot of these people are driven by greed just as much as the companies themselves.

[@priyeshgupta164]

My friend has been dragged into it, the worst part is he doesn't even care if he is doing wrong and BTW he had to pay around 8k to enter "his pyramid" :((

[@alannapowell7678]

I read somewhere on some other youtube video "if you have to pay to work at the company, you are not the employee, you're the customer."

[@freedomworks3976]

Alanna Powell you are the customer

[@evansimmons5311]

Noam Chomsky maybe?

[@zestorm6233]

true but than again if you pay to open a coffe shop are you a customer?

[@joyfulness9968]

@@zestorm6233 you are the customer of those people that you bought from. If you bought coffee machines from someone, then you are his customer. But if people buy a cup of coffee from your shop, then they are your customers.

[@wordsculpt]

@@joyfulness9968 An excellent explanation for someone who clearly needed it.

[@uhohspaghettios2391]

This video popped up in my recommendations today, and I felt compelled to comment. I watched this the day it came out five years ago as a naive 23 year old, having heard of some of the companies but with no understanding of what an MLM was or how they operated. About a month later, I was approached at my job by a girl about my age asking if I was interested in "helping people". I thought it was some kind of volunteering gig at a food bank or homeless shelter; it was Amway. I'm usually a big pushover, even with people I don't know very well, but because I'd watched this video, I knew enough to be suspicious of this girl and to ask the right questions about the company, the products, and how they operate. I got away from that interaction without an ounce of the guilt I usually feel for being firm or for denying my people-pleasing nature. Thank you John Oliver and the Last Week Tonight team for helping to protect a young 20-something from making a horrible mistake. ❤

[@ttacking_you]

Sigh... So young. Smh. She *STILL* would've let you 'gash up,' tenderfoot! Truuuuust me. You just don't

[@ttacking_you]

... know*

[@wailingalen]

Looks like you gotten wise!! You have your whole life ahead of you!!!

[@xavierrobinson9126]

You really need to do an update to this story - COVID has let these MLMs run wild and the unbelievable volume of stealth Herbalife ‘nutrition’ cafes with shakes/smoothies and “loaded” teas is terrifying.

[@curiousculture3415]

So true. Many warning letters were sent to different companies and MLM's over health claims

[@maebymaeidk]

I was just thinking this- and tic tok has become a place for free marketing and crazy recruit stories for these schemes. It's terrifying.

[@alainab6644]

What is a nutrition Cafe? Are they selling this stuff in brick and mortar buildings now or is it something else? Thanks. 🙂❤

[@curiousculture3415]

@@alainab6644 Yes. Brick and mortar nutrition cafés that are recruitment hubs. They have been popping up everywhere. Doesn't say Herbalife outside but inside it is full of Herbalife products. This is just another way to fleece people.

[@alainab6644]

@@curiousculture3415 That is insane! Thanks for letting me know. I had no idea!

[@ibreathenapalm1112]

I almost joined an MLM a month ago. I declined it thinking that it would be to good to be true. I'm 18 so I didn't have any knowledge about the thing until this video popped up on my recommendations. Thank God. Edit: The MLM company is like if Netflix and Skillshare had an evil baby. My "friend" lied to me about making a last groupie before leaving. So I sat there at Mc Donald's for half an hour thinking it'll be a last hoorah, but well, there I saw him with some other guy in company uniform with a pen and paper. He lied to me and it did hurt my feelings. I won't be seeing my friends for a long time and as the last meeting, he thought it would be a great way for him to sell me out to some shady company. I'll never forgive him.

[@amanda-us1rt]

Hey i am 18 too i have been watching explanations on MLMs like Shanann Watts' Thrive company she worked for... I still dont get a way of a simple explanation as to why it wont work

[@ibreathenapalm1112]

@@amanda-us1rt what I know from the MLM interviewer guy that approached me, basically it's like a fountain. The water goes down and pumped back up. Imagine the pouring water is the assets and profits while the pumping water to the top is the profits. So let say, you're the bottom part of the fountain. You got the money but you first need to give it to the CEO which is the top of the fountain. The water is pumped on top then the rest of the water is distributed towards layers and layers until finally you got your share but it's insufficient to make a profit and buy back the assets which intern makes it unprofitable.

[@marysunshine2027]

I breathe Napalm yup and my friend is in a Vasayo scam. People are so gullible. I bought into it but quit at 300

[@leveitantern2822]

I breathe Napalm same

[@johnnymkool2893]

You are young and need life lessons? Here is a key one... don’t get you life lessons from this show if you want to have a chance at success.. enjoy it for what it is - moronic comedy with an agenda

[@howdybucko]

i hate the fact that it targets vulnerable people, especially younger mothers and people with health issues that don’t have other options

[@spars2425]

I quited for the same reason. I was not losing much money, but I remember my "leader" asked me to persuade a girl to join our team and purchase a bunch of products right in the beginning. But she was just a stupid kid with no idea of the responsibility she's gonna carry. At that moment, I just realized its all scam and these people care about nothing but finishing the month with high positive return..

[@BrokebutCreative]

Its a symptom of a bigger problem in this country. No one would be this desperate if we actually took care of our people. Not only that a lot of MLMs are based on wellness and yeah the products could be $40 not work but it's better than going to a doctor and getting sacked with a $100 bill plus prescriptions plus any follow ups. America is broken.

[@Generalindifference]

Your comment describes my sister inlaw exactly and I'm trying to convince her she is in a pyramid scheme

[@DmonHiro]

On one hand, yeah. On the other hand, I can't feel sorry for the idiot that lost 22.000$. How do you lose that much and only THEN figure it out. He dumb.

[@vladstan3056]

You have other options, its about not having education.

[@MidnightAndLuna]

This episode helped me and my husband and couldn’t be more thankful! We almost got sucked into Amway right around the time this came out. After everything I’ve learned since then about Amway and other MLMs, we seriously dodged a bullet.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Yes you did, now spread the word to others, send the link to everybody you know and encourage them to do the same.

[@Jibril_Abdulkadir]

Same with me almost got caught up in a financial mlm

[@sandata]

gosh it was amway that almost got me too!! glad you and your husband saw the signs before you could get scammed!!

[@MidnightAndLuna]

@@sandata glad you didn’t either. We dodged a bullet

[@maka6134]

What made you think Amway wasnt a piramid scheme at first? Like didnt they tell you that you could make a lot of money by signing other people up?

[@spongeintheshoe]

Falling for a pyramid scheme is like becoming a vampire: Someone comes along and bleeds you dry, and if you want to survive afterward, your only option is to do the same thing to someone else.

[@msj9097]

Never heard a better explanation than this!

[@metzger5850]

You do all of it to yourself though..so it's more like vampire gambling.

[@yama5182]

spongeintheshoe ...Exactly!

[@asperbergers7136]

"Turn it upside down.." -Frank

[@je19662008]

But at least as a vampire, you get to do cool shit like climb up walls, float in midair, turn into a bat or wolf, become super strong, and get some kickass sex appeal. When you fall for one of these schemes, you don't even get those. You just become a chump.

[@MakedaPhillips]

this video stopped me from making a HUGE mistake! i was approached by an MLM and literally when the guy was trying to explain it to me, I just thought of this video. Thanks for so much for this!

[@Horsethief666]

Kuhanathan Nerojan go to hell.

[@kuhanathannerojan309]

Pocahontas lol.. no Need to talk to kids yeah...

[@lonsdaleitepolitics9597]

Shame on you Kuhanthan for trying to sell network marketing to someone who just barely avoided it by making invalid points. That is perfectly embodied in Pocohontas' comment.

[@kuhanathannerojan309]

Lonsdaleite Mapping shame on your self whoever... to put the people in trouble by telling on something which u don't even know.. grow up kids.. thus guys is talking just only a company kid.. grow up kids.. my number is there if u can prove me wrong kid. Do u have that guts?

[@lonsdaleitepolitics9597]

I'm sorry... but you literally just insulted me, called me a child, were redundant, and didn't actually counter my statement. Your response was incoherent. Also, why do I need to call you to prove you wrong? I think your comment embodies why you're wrong.

[@UltraNic97]

Jon Oliver delivers a comedic TED Talk on a weekly basis

[@lanswipe]

HOLY SHIT!

[@zephirol4638]

No.. just no...

[@awakenedhypnosis]

He and his team are brilliant!

[@darrellzilla]

You have my sympathies. Clearly you misunderstand the topic.

[@g718ny]

I dont find him funny some jokes are tho. I feel the same with Trevor noah

[@BangMaster96]

If you have to pay in order to stay "employed" in any of these MLM Companies, then you aren't an independent contractor, you are the customer.

[@fetchstixRHD]

I'm getting flashbacks to the truck episode with those negative paychecks - actually, never mind, sounds pretty fitting too!

[@ValFatherTime]

Please do some business research then re-read your comment. It’s quite a hilarious display of your incompetence

[@BangMaster96]

@@ValFatherTime You make no sense

[@ValFatherTime]

@@BangMaster96 what makes no sense? Maybe you have reading comprehension issues .

[@BangMaster96]

@@ValFatherTime Your comment makes no sense, as in "you're blurting out nonsense" You have basic comprehension issues

[@justchecking3139]

My daughter joins these things all the time. I think she's on her 4th one now. I keep telling her to stop wasting money. I sent her this. Let's hope she believes you.

[@knowbuddy0]

My sister is the same way. I tried pointing it out over and over and it does no good. She hangs on every word these scammers say.

[@sam_salu]

It is the “dream” that they all convinced to be a member. And if a recruiter touches people’s heart, ambition, emotionally they will join with you no matter what. No matter what it cost. And that’s the problem, ALL MLM companies are giving people fake hopes & dreams. Only the Top 10 will succeed in a Bad way by pleasing people’s money, begging them to join, convincing people till they trust you. Giving people fake hopes & dreams is not good. It’s bad. It’s sad because i was there. I’ve been there done that. Please spread the truth, share the facts even though it’s hurtful but it is still a *Fact.*

[@knowbuddy0]

They use actual psychological manipulation techniques that were discovered in the past from research that was funded by governments and marketing/advertising moguls to find out how to influence the subconscious through advertising and other techniques to trick the brain into being interested. Its pretty shady stuff when you really think about it

[@bennettdejoya2]

You might want to show her this documentary kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpaUk5qAZdikqtk

[@knowbuddy0]

@@bennettdejoya2 I've been wanting to but I know the second she reads the title she will automatically dismiss it. I've been trying to find a way to get her to watch it as it's a awesome documentary

[@Cherie112358]

I live in Utah, and it really sucks when you think you're making a new friend, and they just want to recruit you into their cult. Not that cult, the other one.

[@ragabashmoon1551]

Yea, I live in Kansas and when I was in high school I joined the Mormon church (no regrets on that, beyond the fact that I now pretty much think all organized religion is bad... most Christians haven't even read the bible, they just parrot what their church leaders tell them) but even here they're all about their Amway... and I'm just like "uuuh no thanks. But hey, at least you have your ten years of food for when the apocalypse comes, you'll be set."

[@Camaleonte9087]

teapots?

[@rainbowwwkim]

O o f. Maybe find a different state 😬

[@AumaanXaryne]

I'm concerned you have to not only identify but avoid _multiple_ cults in your social sphere. For the low low price of your dignity and immortal soul I have some Essential Oils that'll help you out.

[@ragabashmoon1551]

Well, the funny thing is, by the dictionary definition of what a cult is, yes, the Mormon religion IS a cult. So is Lutheran, Protestant, the Church of England, Catholicism, even Christianity itself is a cult by the strictest definition.

[@cgygflkj]

Honestly selling actual drugs would be less risky and get more results than this.

[@fleon4115]

And drugs actually work!

[@wesleymccoy4072]

I had a friend who did both. Can confirm he made more selling drugs.

[@shawnojani9764]

It would be far more ethical too.

[@mysteriousdeath14400]

And, ironically, at least drug dealing is honest work... the customer is getting exactly what they paid for...

[@lizmariequinn]

@@fleon4115 😂😂

[@greg_gamer]

A college professor, whom I respected deeply, tried to lure me into one of these. After he was laid off by the university (after teaching for 35 years, with a 40-year-long career in all of the best companies), I assume that he got dragged into these due to his severance pay. He then started contacting his formuer students with a "great job opportunity". As he was a dear and credible professor, many accepted to meet with him. I was one of these students who gave him the benefit of the doubt even after countless red flags during his pitch. At the meeting, he brings a second person (his "partner") who starts spewing all of the clichés, talking a lot but without saying anything. I just said I wasn't interested and left. Then I warned my college colleagues about what had happened. Two friends later told me this professor tried to recruit them a couple of weeks later. I feel sorry for this professor, to be honest. Disregarding all the awful ethical implications of recruiting former students to a pyramid scheme, it must have been extremely difficult for him after he was laid off.

[@SSGoatanks]

Some individuals even set up booths around campuses and ask students if they're looking for work to sign up for a job interview appointment. They have you meet up at a Starbucks and then tell you that they can help you start your own business. All they need is a valid credit card for collateral before they can ship you the products you'll be selling for them - this happens all the time especially during bad economic times.

[@andyyipster]

Just curious, how is that professor doing now?

[@greg_gamer]

@@andyyipster haven't heard from him anymore. on linkedin, he's still listed as "autonomous lecturer", which I reckon is just codeword for "unemployed stuck in a pyramid scheme". None of my colleagues mentioned they were contacted by him with this bullshit.

[@DopeyDetector]

Cool story, I realzzzz zzzzz zzzzz😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴

[@SairanBurghausen]

@@DopeyDetectorIs this your way of saying that nobody ever listens to you and you feel bitter?

[@uzaiyaro]

The single most amazing fact about MLMs for me, is that you quite literally have a higher chance of making money in Vegas than you do in any of these pyramid schemes, regardless of what they call themselves.

[@Jerryyang1012]

Considering the house advantage over you is something within 3% (i.e. 47 against 53) if memory serves, yeah those casinos are fucking honest businesses compared to MLM companies.

[@katashworth41]

And you at least get free drinks in Vegas, rather than whatever crap you were supposed to be selling.

[@TheNeshkey]

Basically the only way to make money from an MLM company, or any other pyramid scheme, is by starting your own, then using it to scam other people out of their hard earned money!

[@sytherwusky]

I would describe the industry as the wild West but without the sheriff

[@honeylis7]

..and in Vegas, you get free drinks AND usually show tickets, a room, or meals, or something else comped. I don't care for gambling either way but at least if you go in with $500 you know you're getting some entertainment for your net loss.

[@vandergriff65]

As a former bank teller the checking and saving bit is spot on! One guy wanted to be big infront of his girl and said he doesnt care and i said "by law i cant accept anything unless you tell me where to deposit in" he said checking

[@lovecraftscat5044]

XD

[@thedogdogification]

Ah yes, the old “brag to my significant other about how how familiar I am with money by demonstrating I don’t know how basic bank accounts work” method.

[@MiguelMartinez-gn5xg]

I had no idea that was a thing 😂

[@jamestierney2531]

Hey Dog…good one. You knocked it “outta the park.” Thanks!

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3XWppuLoLagqNE&ab_channel=Bulut%C4%B0%C5%9Fin

[@jbo22fly]

I'm not normally a John Oliver or LWT fan, but he hit it out of the park with this. My wife got into Young Living MLM and I'm slowly but surely getting her out of it. Thank you John Oliver.

[@rebeccahayes6873]

Hell yes for getting her out!!

[@ugabuga1512]

True!! Trying to get her out of your life is really the best decision bro good luck!

[@johnnikasjr.8161]

Ha! Senator "Oral" Hatch was involved with Young Living which caused him to consider cannabis as it's been called a herb. But the whores we send to Washington get more from profiteers in Big Pharm, who know it's not about curing folks, there's a lot more money in extending their need for medical care I used to work for a company that made stainless steel parts for YL's processing works.

[@YEDxFILMS]

Jon B I might’ve slid her divorce papers

[@suicide4love]

How are you getting her out? My friend is deep in it and I'm looking for advice.

[@TheFiddle101]

Coming to this very late but it's brilliant. Here in Bulgaria, someone I know conned me into buying a stupid box of those Herbalife pills. He simply opened a new container, pulled a pill out and told me to try it out, then charged me the equivalent of 25 dollars for a useless product. There's another loss that's not mentioned, that of relations, friends and acquaintances who get pushed to accept a product or a scheme they don't want and go right off the seller.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

It's never too late, there are 10s of millions of people who reach 18 years old every year. If you were 12 years old when this video was made you are now a primary target.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Do something productive by sending the link to everybody you know and encourage them to do the same.

[@carmeloshin]

​@@ScottTexJohnson fuck outta here with that bullshit lmao. You are the exact kind of scum that OP is advising against

[@ScottTexJohnson]

@@carmeloshin Hey "tough" guy, I'll bet you're too scared to come on my podcast to defend yourself. LOL

[@raysanchez3777]

@carmeloshin I dunno what you said, but your probably a part of the problem rather than the solution. You have the look....if you don't know what that look is...ask if u have a debt, that's not a mortgage, over 5k...u look like you leasing alot

[@katenz100]

Actual conversation during a introduction meeting where I unknowinly got dragged by a friend. "I knew a pregnant woman whose baby tested positive for down syndrome. She began drinking this and when it was born, the baby was no longer down syndrome" "are you telling me this product cures down syndrome?" "no, I'm just saying the baby tested for down syndrome and was born normal following consumption of this product" It removes chromosomes people.

[@ZelphTheWebmancer]

That explains it way too much.

[@kafi1373]

Might explain why normal people that join those MLM´s are retarded

[@kathys.7330]

May not be politically correct but way too funny not to laugh

[@knittingnana2939]

That has to be the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. The person who made up that lie obviously knew nothing about downs syndrome. And if someone believes that tripe, they deserve to have all their money wasted on an mlm

[@Funkopedia]

See this show's video on gene splicing

[@athousandlives7231]

I feel with all the recruiting/preying on people unemployed due to Covid-19, the MLM people have been doing, this video needs a part 2. Showing how specifically vulnerable people are targeted, new MLM companies that are currently on the rise and some of the FTC crackdown that has been going on.

[@KittyTwitty9876]

Yes. I would include blessing looms/gifting circles/Ponzi schemes too

[@athousandlives7231]

Annabella Neko Yes absolutely!

[@jetblack81]

He rather do anti trump videos his masters tell him to do

[@athousandlives7231]

Nightwishmaster Are your replying to jet blacker or me? 😅

[@Nightwishmaster]

@@athousandlives7231 jet blacker, sorry, I was on a weird interface when I made that comment!

[@mohammadxmodarres]

Four years in, I want to thank you so much for this feature. I have copy and pasted this link too many times on text threads and Facebook groups whenever someone pitches an MLM. It ends the conversation immediately. I think it has saved so many people thousands of dollars and problems.

[@kellyl13]

I had a friend in college who maxed out her credit cards because of Mary Kay. It's scary because I found out by just being invited to a "make-up party"; they aren't even honest about it being a sales pitch. I literally thought I was just going to get makeovers with my friends (maybe that was a bit naïve, but I was only 20), and I felt really uncomfortable when I realized she was selling the makeup. Even though I knew the company was BS, I still bought a few things despite the fact that I don't wear make-up on a regular basis because I felt like a crappy friend if I didn't.

[@aaab6054]

That is what pyramid schemes and mlms count on people will buy the product just to support their friend/family.

[@sapphiresupernova]

Same here! She wasn't even my friend. My best friend signed me up for a stupid makeover even though she a) knew I didn't wear makeup and b) didn't know her friend. I felt bad and bought a $20 lotion I was allergic to. I even told said "friend" I was allergic to it and she didn't care. I fucking hate mary kay.

[@kellyl13]

@@sapphiresupernova Wow, that really sucks! And I thought the foundation that doesn't match my skin tone was bad.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Do something productive by sending the link to everybody you know and encourage them to do the same.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

@@aaab6054 Exactly. Do something productive by sending the link to everybody you know and encourage them to do the same.

[@KurtisC93]

"Multilevel marketing" is to "pyramid scheme" what "enhanced interrogation technique" is to "torture".

[@BetaJackMaxis]

It's what escorts and call girls are to prostitutes and whores.

[@boris5950]

No. On the other hand, most currencies are pyramid schemes, but no one seems to notice or care. I wonder why that is.

[@defunctworks]

Boris Paing the fuck are you on about

[@HonthaVinber]

@@boris5950 Pyramid Scheme: "a form of investment (illegal in the US and elsewhere) in which each paying participant recruits two further participants, with returns being given to early participants using money contributed by later ones." I don't really know or care what your point is about money, but money fits nowhere into the definition of pyramid scheme. No ones going to listen to you if you're arguement is effectively "This term is bad so it must apply to this thing i don't like."

[@tiagocardosom]

@@HonthaVinber from where i'm from we call it a "bubble". It's basically something "too good to be true" and you know it will eventually "burst"

[@trioen3242]

The only proper MLM with no fees for participating is infact drug dealing

[@AlexKS1992]

You make more money selling drugs.

[@Raquelwhatzhot]

Pimping too

[@dylanchouinard6141]

The only proper MLM is Men Loving Men

[@nuggets0717]

@@dylanchouinard6141 this comment deserves to be on the top 😤

[@dylanchouinard6141]

@@nuggets0717 thanks

[@houseofschenck6230]

Please do another video on MLMs. They've been running rampant during COVID-19.

[@LSSYLondon]

Timeshares are an even bigger scam now.

[@eszterpopoluska9440]

Yes, they do indeed and my mother is a victim too.

[@houseofschenck6230]

@@hexostatus4658 I know, I watch many of them. This show is aired on television and can get the message to a different audience.

[@SusieQSydney]

Have you ever used their products or you just lazy uninformed hater

[@elliel8626]

@@SusieQSydney oh, you want me to have bought and used overpriced products from the... 50+ MLMs out there? ma’am, please watch this video again.

[@JemIsMyName-o]

Here because I just saved my friend from getting roped into a MLM. The person recruiting her tried to recruit me but I’ve been burned by these m f’ers before and called them out and blocked. I had to do a deep dive to send her info to back my disgust. Thank you, John! ❤

[@readysteadywhoa]

An MLM CEO running out on stage to a song with the lyrics 'I wanna watch you bleed'. Very subtle

[@alexmarkadonis7179]

You can taste the bright lights but you won't get them for free... You can have anything you want but you better not take it from me... You're gonna die... Feel my, my, my, my serpentine... It's gonna bring you down! They are upfront about it, technically.

[@rileylittleraven]

Isn't the line before that something about getting on your knees? Hot damn, that's creepy!

[@clintonnickens1004]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I thought I was the only one that noticed that 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you killed it

[@lindseydickey9282]

I caught that too. "You wanna know where you are...youre in the jungle, baby. Youre gonna diiiiiiieeeeeeyyyaaaaaaauhhhhh!!"

[@alanshaw9793]

@@alexmarkadonis7179 ll

[@joshualevi]

“Able to work from home” doesn’t have the same desirable ring to it anymore does it? Hahahhahaha

[@nickvang7]

The problem isn't the ability to work from home. It's the inability to not work from home

[@hothothotchocolate9620]

to soon buddy

[@jalabi99]

Yeah, that didn't age well :)

[@spongeintheshoe]

Now it's more desirable than ever.

[@MrPowerpen]

I wouldnt mind it if I could

[@grunthostheflatulent5914]

If someone ever says to you, "I have a business opportunity for you" and/or there is a whiteboard in their living room, best leave...

[@roopa_sudha]

And you will never have any opportunity in your whole life

[@mauia88]

My aunt said that quote exactly 2 days ago.

[@NLTops]

Now now, there's nothing inherently wrong with whiteboards. I have a whiteboard and it has never been involved in any business opportunities.

[@siddharthsuhan4163]

This this is on top in India. We are fighting against this scam. So that people can save their lives and money.

[@gigisilk798]

Jokes on them, I hate people on a general basis, so trying to even interact with people on MY OWN TIME when I WON'T be getting paid for it, to try and sell a product is a no-no for me. Pass. Too much work. I'm just waiting for the robots to take over "a-la" Don't Bite the Sun-style.

[@GuantaiN]

As a desperate college graduate some 15 years ago, I joined GNLD. The sales pitch was so perfect that I borrowed the registration fee (about $50 at the time). Lucky I realized after registering that "being my own boss" would cost me 10 times as much to buy shit I'd have to start selling to everyone in my village. I miss that $50.

[@chapmanwiki]

Bottom line: If you need 40 people in your network to make a living, then only 1 in 40 people in that MLM can ever make a living.

[@bararobberbaron859]

I know your comment is a month old, and I'm sorry for that. But your comment is just so beautifully succinct and it's the easiest thing to say to people either in an MLM or considering joining one. I will use your comment for some idiots in my life that got involved.

[@jessicabellandy5687]

My boss needs 2000 employees and only him and maybe 3 others at the top are making a living. Less than 1% for sure.

[@tomnguyen1999]

yet all 2000 employees have a living, salaries, benefits, peace of mind, some get commission.....

[@jessicabellandy5687]

@@tomnguyen1999 nope we get lied to and scammed, work holidays with no holiday pay, get floating time but they don't tell you it's halved, every 2 holidays you work you get 1 day off and of course it can only be used non peak. Salaries are cut too forcing you to take medical and therefore paying you less for the "deal"... Who are the scammers?

[@sarahann530]

@@jessicabellandy5687 You are getting fucked , get a real job. You are just playing the victim

[@marcus4489074]

I remember my mom buying $25,000 worth of Mary Kay back in the late 90s. She spent years trying to get rid of it. Most of it expired. She still fell for pramid scheme after pyramid scheme, and is still falling for them to this day. I've had several people try to recruit me, and I can tell them right off back. From what I've seen, there are two types - the ones that hype the product ("This product is revolutionary. It's going to change the market forever. You need to get in on the ground floor..."), and the ones that hype you ("You seem so smart and ambitious. You're too good for this job. I can tell you're different. That's why I want to bring you in on this exclusive way to make money. It's only for real go-getters, like I know you are, though.") They're mostly sociopaths, though. They know you're not going to make any money and are living paycheck to paycheck already. That's what they count on, because then you're desperate for something new. Sickening.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Have you contacted everybody you know and provided the Oliver video link? That's one of the best ways to get these scams shut down, educate them.

[@arielc3204]

marcus4489074 A pyramid scheme is selling something that has no tangible product and or value. I'm sorry for your mom she was dumb she didn't fall for a pyramid scheme. she had product she could of sold she just had no business leadership. she could of sold it and made a lot of money but she didn't so your mom failed at business and aiming too high.

[@neirinluthe6383]

I was almost recruited to one of these pyramid schemes during my first year in college. I didn't even know were my friend was taking me at the time. Turns out it was one of the seminars they had every week. The people recruiting me used the second approach. They were hyping me up (you'll be able to help your parents if you earn your own money etc). I thought it was weird that they were asking for a membership fee before joining. The fee was too expensive. I don't remember if these seminars was mandatory but I remember that their schedule was very late. I wouldn't be able to attend classes the next day if I went. (I skipped class after attending that seminar once). The speeches during was too hyped. Thank goodness I said no.

[@uhurus2]

marcus4489074 Yeah, sickening indeed.

[@flackstar007]

Calling someone dumb is not a good way to get a point across... Unless the point is that you have no morals and like to abuse others for self gain. As for the tangible product, having a product is easy anyone can do this, its how you sell the product and in doing so sell the person. For cheap products like this market saturation is the biggest problem therefore they are selling a lie right from the beginning as most people won't want to buy something that is not in a store for obvious legitimacy reasons. And by business leadership the main way to get ahead in such a scheme is to bring others on board creating more losers to turn oneself into a "success" Not to mention the obvious fact that when you join you are carrying the people who joined before you. So when it comes to such a scheme, the only "winner" is the one who founds a scheme not the ones who join another's scheme. Yes that's right, someone wants you to join their (marketing, advertising business that is about selling not advertising or marketing) Reply to them that you would rather them join your own business doing the same thing and that they are lucky as they are getting in on the ground level. What does the business sell (literally anything you want, for instance ali express has tons of cheap products easily available to be "re-sold" at huge increases in price. Then you take a cut of all their sales profits and so on with new members and now you are truly your own boss... Only it costs your soul and the chance to call yourself a human being, but why worry about these things when you are eating fine foods in a fancy home while your "customers" pay for your lifestyle with their livelihoods...

[@elstonngunn4193]

As someone under 18 I’m lucky to have gained the knowledge that get rich quick schemes never work

[@kylezo]

You should be proud of yourself. Just remember, when it gets hard is when a loved one tries to suck you in. it's predatory, codependent, and it's the real magic sauce of MLMs. It's like with flat earthers, the truth doesn't matter to them, so you just have to remain strong and draw a line. You can do your best to educate them, but some people are a lost cause, and this can be extremely painful when it's someone you care about - and that's when it matters most to stand your ground, and it can cost you important relationships. The tears in the eyes of the victims shown in that documentary are real (and the disgusting shades of colonialism shown here with rich white folks trying to co-opt other cultures is disturbing as fuck, besides). My exes mom was sucked in to Nu Skin, it was hard to watch.

[@robhiggins7823]

nice viper profile pic 😂

[@stephenroberts7554]

The old saying if it sounds too good to be true applies here

[@pasaesballard3601]

@@kylezo outstanding

[@daiakuma7324]

Des tdtrrdtdtdrdrdrdr

[@dreapress1227]

I belonged to a weightloss MLM. The lady that talked me into it promised me it was NOT a pyramid scheme by saying it was an MLM. I didn’t realize that was just a fancy way of saying pyramid scheme. I was young and naive, so I signed up and paid $800 for the weight loss kit. I actually made a lot of money the first couple of months bc sadly, I signed a lot of my friends up, but after that, not much. I was making so much money the first couple of months and promised so much more, that I quit my day job. But after the first maybe, four or five months my business dried up and I had to go back to my old $12 an hour day job. It was very disappointing. Thankfully I didn’t make any major life changing decisions, other than quitting my job. My husband was the real moneymaker in our household so it wasn’t a huge deal. We’re the lucky ones.

[@ParadoxNerdHLM]

"It's not a pyramid scheme, that would be illegal" "What do you call it then?" "A ziggurat plan"

[@IR240474]

hahahaha... ziggurat (in ancient Mesopotamia) a rectangular stepped tower, sometimes surmounted by a temple. Ziggurats are first attested in the late 3rd millennium BC and probably inspired the biblical story of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9).

[@Rebecca-zw4pm]

Nice!

[@carultch]

@@IR240474 If I went to Iraq today, could I visit the Ziggurats in person?

[@Dinosaurianationazation]

ilmunaughtii: "Send in the Hun Slayers..."

[@IR240474]

@@carultch I am not sure Carl, I don't want to give you the wrong info. The lockdown won't help, and even if everything was good, there is still trouble there so be careful.

[@JamesWillmus]

I'd rather make an honest living, like running moonshine into Utah or dealing Cocaine on the streets of Vegas.

[@AlexKS1992]

You'd make a killing selling booze and drugs in Utah.

[@spartans-4196]

Or prostitution. Or mugging people. Or a bunch of other crimes, because they're still more honest the MLM's.

[@FIoydMayweather]

Hey papi let's go to mexico and start our own cartel at this point, so we will cut out the middle man, and become true entrepreneurs WORKING FOR OURSELVES !!! I'm talking about that #MILLIONAIREMINDSET, shit perhaps even #BILLIONAIREMINDSET !!

[@THEFAITHFULFISH]

That's more like it !

[@ArcanineEspeon]

@@AlexKS1992 Drugs maybe, but liquor stores aren't exactly in short supply, they're just government run. You can still get as drunk on whatever you desire as you can in other states. The big difference is that grocery store alcohol sucks. (As a 19 year old who has never ingested more than 2 sips of an alcoholic beverage in one day, you know I'm your go-to guy for alcohol expertise.)

[@saininj]

I hate getting approached by random people trying to recruit me into their MLM. They always come off so friendly, and genuinely seem interested in your life. The second they throw in the, "I have an exciting business opportunity." I sigh and roll my eyes.

[@relsidebr4785]

You should say... Should I drop my pants right now or later so I can get fucked

[@CRASHjester]

Cristiang Gutierrez Also offer lube

[@cindy846]

So true!!

[@BrownieBlog]

It’s really disappointing, I live in an area with a large amount of these people, and I immediately doubt the intentions of any stranger being nice to me. It’s really easy to pick them out, because they’re all over the top and come off very disingenuous.

[@gazman2626]

@@BrownieBlog that's really a shame....

[@Cheeky_Chelsea]

Please do this again, my middle age mother has become obsessed with this crap and is buying boxes and boxes of candles. I've told her it's a scam but she won't listen.

[@brittanypleasant4517]

My MIL is involved in a vitamin MLM. It's so hard watching a trainwreck happen in front of you and them not listening when you tell them to (leave) get out of the way!

[@Mark-sj3xb]

To quote Jan Levinson: “It’s an INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!!!”

[@elisam.r.9960]

While we wait for a sequel, you can also watch/share videos by Hannah Alonzo. She makes a variety of anti-MLM videos. Many of them involve people sharing their experiences with/in MLMs.

[@punkaholia]

Any company having to say they are not a pyramid scheme should be a huge red flag. If my boss told me during the interview we weren't transporting drugs in our trucks, I'd be pretty sure we were.

[@averyn34]

Id also be hella down to work for him if he was

[@bepowerification]

Sounds like a good job. Id take it

[@StarryxNight5]

This cereal does not contain live spiders

[@ouestlelivre]

I'm a teacher. If I interviewed for a job and they told me "we don't beat the kids." .... red flag!!

[@deimosvoralius2988]

It's like that transformers movie where he had a dating laws card in his wallet....

[@umeercheema6895]

A 30 minute John Oliver video? It's christmas, people.

[@RaghavPandeylettherebelight]

two of those, brother.

[@tiempo9855]

same thing with spanish captions, brother.

[@ConsoleWarSucks]

Different endings, brother.

[@elroyscout]

Light the fireworks gents and ladies

[@TheAnthraxBiology]

*Hermano

[@CatsMeowPaw]

Several friends of mine have been sucked into MLM pyramid schemes. The beauty of the schemes is after people fail (and the vast majority do fail), the scheme members who haven't yet failed blame the victim for their failure. "You didn't put in enough hours" "You didn't do it right" "You're just no good at this" The most sinister aspect of MLM pyramids is there is no 'be your own boss'. You're still working for someone else. That client list you built up after hundreds of hours of harassing coworkers, friends and family? It can be taken from you in an instant with no compensation. The most insulting aspect of MLM pyramids is they go out of their way to insult people working for a living.

[@collinporterfield102]

You make some good points -- but those go the behavior of the individuals, not the business model. We can blame the company only if it encourages or allows this sort of behavior. The problem usually is a very few people running amok and lying about all sorts of things, which is not confined to MLM by any stretch. But the public does not really hear about people doing things right. It's the same basic nature that causes people to want to see a train or car wreck.

[@carlpen850]

@ CatsMeowPaw... You should tell your friends to immediately get out of the MLM scam and get into the Religion Business where the big money is. It's the perfect scam with a built in buyer's base... it's the only business where you can sell an invisible product and not be charged with fraud and best of all you don't PAY TAXES. I know of a woman who runs a "faith healing" scam right out of her living room... she always drives a brand new SUV which of course "the Lord" provides for her... I didn't know God had a dealership.

[@sepalaverdad6924]

CatsMeowPaw : Friend, I recommend that you research the company 4Life research. We are a marketing network based on personal consumption. This company is in the doctor's reference book called Phycichan Desk Reference (PDR). If you want to do it as a business, you can do it, otherwise you stay like a consumer who wants good health. Those who seek "Time, Money and Health" are the ones who are going to do the business. They understand that this implies "investment, training and taking time and energy to develop this business". If one is not willing to pay the price, it is better not to do so, because you will waste your time, less health. Some people do not understand the word "multilevel" and that is why they imagine that it is a pyramid. The word "multilevel" means that you will be paid from a multitude of levels, are the people who have been added to your business day after day. This journalist criticizes the network or multi-level marketing business "calling them pyramids" because the concept he has is erroneous. But he does not realize that the whole corporate world is pyramids, also the government, the educational system, religions, sports and also God in heaven. This journalist works for a pyramid and does not know it, but however he is still there. Why? Because from there comes the income to live. Network businesses also have to be worked to generate income. The difference is that you are not an employee of anybody, and like all business, it works with people. You also have to have a product or service to offer to people, otherwise it is not a business. For example, in the television network where this journalist works: This is the owner of the chain as the head, the principal, the first of the pyramid. 2. Under the owner, there is the CEO or general manager of the company. 3. Under the CEO are the supervisors. 4. Below supervisors are the other employees. All these including the CEO work for the pyramid and each one has a different salary is not like that. Who takes all the money that goes into this labor pyramid system? Not the owner, the head of the pyramid? In the system of network marketing or multilevel is not so, the one below can go to the top and earn more than him. Everything depends on the performance of each one. If the performance is poor, no money will come in, but if it is efficient then there will be a lot of money. In the corporate world you make rich and richer is the owner.In the business of marketing through, the harder you work, the more people you will have and the wealth you build will be yours, not the owner, because you are working for your own franchise style business. We have to admit that they have infused into the legitimate business of marketing through the network "the mentioned illegal pyramids" that are simply scams to swindle people. So we have to be very careful with these illegal pyramids, which usually focus on asking large sums of money to enter them, and the worst of all is that they invent companies and products that do not have to scam people. You are responsible if you fall into these types of illegal businesses. Make sure the company is successful and enjoys a good reputation, go to the BBB (Better Business Bureau) website and they will give you more information about that company.

[@Volkbrecht]

I can confirm what Lucio Guardado states. The mere amount of money these companies make plus the time they are around should tell people that there is more to them than just the pyramid recruting scheme. The only real problem with MLMs is, if you are a gullible idiot who thinks there are easy ways to make money, then yes, you can lose some money. Because, and this is what the recruiters at companies like Amway don't tell you: the MLM business model is around for decades already, so clawing your way into an established, saturated market will be just as hard (if not harder, because there are personal loyalties in the game you don't have as deep when shopping in stores) as when opening a brick-and-mortar store. Because this is what your competition is. In the end, it's not about recruiting, it's about moving those companies' products.

[@carloscabrera5311]

Collin Porterfield there you go. A true pyramid loyal schemer spoke.

[@MaidMirawyn]

It’s June 2024. Over the past few years, I’ve shared this with dozens of people. Since I’ve shared it in Facebook groups, too, far more than that have seen it. Thanks, John, Jaime, and crew! I wish we didn’t still need it.

[@sammym841]

Rewatching these during quarantine, it's weird to hear the live audience again

[@JonathanLundkvist]

Other people is a lie.

[@Problematist]

Live audiences is a mistake.

[@Alex-uf6ss]

Any time I see a show or anything with many people I kind of freak out lol

[@vernalgrenier3369]

Falling for a pyramid scheme is like becoming a vampire: Someone comes along and bleeds you dry, and if you want to survive afterward, your only option is to do the same thing to someone else.

[@TheDragonQueen-uh4lm]

The fact you cant buy from a store and have to buy from other people make it sound like a drug dealer ring.

[@dddmemaybe]

This is that winning perspective m8e.

[@ErdnußRiegel6969]

Atleast you can make a living off Drug dealing

[@jy3n2]

Except that with drugs, the business model doesn't revolve around recruiting your own competition.

[@lunarmartian3840]

hahaha right, if the product was any good, they would sell it at stores

[@bluchismoon]

Drug dealing is also a pyramid scheme. The people at the top keep most of the money and everyone under them has to peddle the merch. The only difference is that the product actually is in demand, and if you try leaving you might end up dead.

[@jjgems5909]

As a Latina I can attest to the fact that these companies really love to market to our community. The galaxy soccer (fútbol) club has then as a sponsor. I lived in Colombia and almost every stay at home mom I knew tried to sell catalog products like Avon, and Herbalife, etc... and a lot of my family now I’m the states has gotten involved (WHOA! I actually started typing this before he brought up the Latino community! That’s insane!)

[@benjaminmadrigalperez9010]

In México one of the biggest soccer teams Is sponsored by Herbalife. Even the stadium was called Herbalife at some point.

[@anax3672]

Avon is kind of diferent though.

[@TheRalliev2]

@@anax3672 That's what they always say - this one is different...they're all scams.

[@velotill]

they made a version of this with Spanish subtitles kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaqQgGejrsqIsMk

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3XWppuLoLagqNE&ab_channel=Bulut%C4%B0%C5%9Fin

[@mrquazimoto0075]

I remember watching this back when it came out and never finished it...youtube decided to show this video on my feed and saw that I only finished half of it. I was 24 then....im 31 now. Man has life changed for me since then. I think I was watching this on my way to gradschool and totally forgot to finish it.

[@ohmusicsweetmusic]

The FTC allows pyramid schemes to exist by not enforcing fines and refusing to define what a pyramid scheme even is. So when he said, "it's a LEGAL pyramid scheme", he is exactly right.

[@Ramsey276one]

Hilariously TRAGIC

[@edwardtan1354]

I just found out in a follow up from Coffeezilla thanks to Raegan (god bless this mad lad's soul for pointing most of the problems to his tennure as president), endorsing MLMs HE NEUTERED THE FTC AND KEPT IT THAT WAY, hence why the FTC can not redefine what a scam is

[@avitalalef9947]

I think that another factor to take into this conclusion might be those spinning doors... Once you set a standard for higher paying job after you're done here the clerks start to think if extra aggressiveness towards pyramid schemes worth it (having no job in the future)

[@rbnzo25]

Don’t discredit the FTC Zelle that. They do fine them! About $5

[@SigmaDad93]

Pyramid scheme was defined. A Pyramid Scheme doesn't offer products or services. Do you mean stricter laws on how the companies operate?

[@johannes4123]

2 minutes in, and it's starting to sound a lot like a pyramid scheme

[@johannes4123]

well, would you look at that

[@alecstewart212]

Yup, welcome to American capitalism, buddy.

[@Kaddywompous]

Alec Stewart It's actually the exact opposite of American capitalism. That's the problem.

[@brpadington]

The only difference between an MLM and a pyramid scheme is that an mlm has a real product.

[@matthewmarkham5096]

If you have to say your business isn't a pyramid scheme, it's probably a pyramid scheme.

[@emmabragdon5133]

John is talking about MLMs working internationally, and this shouldn’t have surprised me as much as it did, but I’ve seen it. I met someone in an elevator in our apartment building in China. He had asked if I was an English teacher (a common question for me as a white person), so when he asked for my contact I gave it to him thinking he may be looking for a tutor. He was not looking for an English tutor, he sold Herbalife. I moved halfway across the globe and someone tried to sell me Herbalife.

[@kstreet]

Herbalife has sold more in parts of Asia than anywhere else on the planet. It's sold in 94 countries. It's a virus.

[@uncuentofriki3635]

Mind you, I'm from a small town in Mexico and even there it's easy to find at least half a dozen people selling herbalife. The milkshakes make me sleep.

[@abamosime]

I live in Botswana, the smallest African country of 2million people, not city, country, and Herbalife and Amway found their way here.

[@sejuanisupportonly7385]

@@Fatemaforlife They have cought on to it, but if the "biggest economy in the world" is corrupt enough to have elected officials being parts of an MLM board, then do you expect a country like the aforementioned Botswana to say "hey take your money elsewhere" ? Really now?

[@jenniferdonnelly6993]

@@uncuentofriki3635 Be careful. Stay away from this Sharks.

[@RememberRox]

My cousin lives in a poor developing country. her mother is constantly sick, and my cousin is trying to complete her nursing degree so she can take care of her mother and three younger brothers. recently my mother told me that my cousin has become a businesswoman! And she sells stuff! "Oh!" i said. "She makes and sells her own products?" "No" she answered. The conversation stopped there and I didn't give it another thought. Fast forward a week and I dust off my account on facebook only to see my feed filled with posts from her telling everyone how amazing this company is, and that you simply MUST join! Post after post, trying to convince others to join the "family" and "sisterhood". I don't speak her language so I contact my mother and inform her that my cousin might be involved in an MLM. Turns out my cousin had taken a bank loan to afford the "starter pack", shes trying to sell her products but every potential client thinks it's too expensive. She said she did this because she wanted to help her family, she is the breadwinner of her family. I'm FUMING and so SAD that she got herself involved in this. But she is the target for these companies, she is young, poor and dream big.

[@davidsalone4742]

The back end research by his staff in these videos is amazing. Kudos.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Yes, he did a very good job with this video. Have you done your part and forwarded the Oliver video link to everyone you know and encouraged them to do the same, and so on, ala network marketing/MLM? If not, you're part of the problem.

[@LexiLSify]

Always. They have to in order not to get sued for diffamation (or in order to make sure they'd win when getting sued). Also It makes their arguments very strong, as they are based on verifiable facts. (Doesn't mean they can't be biased sometimes after all, it's a comedy show that doesn't hide its political views). Or they don't bother doing that much research or at least present it when talking about foreign elections (when talking bout french elections, he completely dismissed a guy whose plan wasn't bad or stupid, and just like main French media focused on Macron and the far right candidate).

[@thunderb00m]

the same staff that would say fuck off to john.

[@SeriusSim]

I agree, the ammount of research is amazing, and on par with the quality of writing. But honestly the most special part of the show for me are the photomontages, seriously who is the genius artist behind them!??!?

[@justinwebber9968]

The amount of pyramid schemes I've had to talk my wife out of is ridiculous.

[@painexotic3757]

does your wife not have a job or skill? This seems to be a common factor amongst people attracted to mlms. I see single moms attracted to mlms because they tend to not have jobs or are forced to work part-time. I also see young and poor people attracted to these schemes because of the promises of quick riches.

[@justinwebber9968]

@@painexotic3757 She runs her own business, but like you said mlm's seem attractive because of the promise of quick, easy returns. It probably is mostly single Mums and people on lower incomes. Although, even when you have money life tends to kick you in the teeth, I can see why people get drawn in.

[@alanmorganstein2699]

this

[@directx3497]

I have a friend that is constantly trying to talk me into buying and selling stuff

[@cathydiep1567]

@freedom300 *they're Be careful with your comment, it leans on the sexist discriminatory side. Men can also be emotional. If anything, most people I know who have joined MLM's are men

[@stevenferdin]

Worst part of these people is that they prey on the destitute. I've never been approached by an MLM agent since I've been steadly employed, it was always when I was down on my luck with an empty bank account.

[@GhostGrind]

Odd, unusually people who have some level of success are the best candidates for an MLM business opportunity. They are more likely to succeed than a broke person.

[@allyli1718]

@@GhostGrind facts. those people are less easy to take advantage of because they’re not desperate, which is why MLMs don’t target them, even when they’re the perfect candidate.

[@DamjanMilinkovic]

This video is pure gold. I was caught in a mlm scheme once but luckily I was able to get out of it before ruining friendships or making people change their opinion about me.

[@achilleaskifonidis5824]

So, nobody is going to mention the fact that Joe Nobody was presumably buried while still alive?

[@MsJacqM]

What!?

[@Nyxy-Noo]

I'm pretty sure it's just a Prop for the "Show".

[@Nyxy-Noo]

@Poison Sumac You are very welcome in that case.

[@Nyxy-Noo]

@Poison Sumac Not sure what Platinum has to do with my failed attempt at sarcasm, but last time I went to the doctors they didn't say anything about my composition. So I'd assume not?

[@Nyxy-Noo]

@Poison Sumac Ah, so then it was a dense insult, got it. I mean in all fairness, I am a little bit dense. Mentally that is.

[@ryanluther5785]

Do you want to be rich? Work your own hours? Be your own boss? Why don’t you try selling this great new product: COCAINE?

[@neiloch]

At least cocaine works, and how!

[@mealexman]

If it ever gets legal am first in line

[@SebAnders]

Cocaine. It's one hell of a drug.

[@janesmith1840]

@@mealexman If it ever becomes legal, selling it on the street will be even more illegal than it is now, because it'll be considered a controlled substance like alcohol.

[@mealexman]

@@janesmith1840 yea i know was talking about opening a real shop

[@raheemakadir5148]

My sister dropped out of medical school because of these schemes, its heartbreaking

[@houseofschenck6230]

That's incredibly sad. Which one of the scams did she join?

[@dhirajgawande007]

😶

[@htrrsprings2103]

Bruuhhh.. 💀 Doctor to scammed? Smfh

[@johndepp750]

I'm sure you're getting unemployment now right ?

[@houseofschenck6230]

@@johndepp750 To whom is your comment directed?

[@tonyj9743]

Had a friend who told me she was considering a MLM. I showed her this and she changed her mind.

[@OldSaltyBear]

Many years ago while I was in college an old grade school buddy called me up to say he was in town and wanted to hang out. I'm stoked because I hadn't seen him in years. He arrives in a suit and tie carrying a brief case. With him is a "friend" dressed the same way tagging along. First thought is "oh shite he joined the Jehova's Witnesses". He then proceeds to ask me what I plan to do with my life... to which I reply "I'm in Pharmacy School at University and working full time at a hospital." He then questions my choices and then hands me Amway pamphlets. Thats right... he actually tells me he thinks pharmacy school is a stretch for my abilities and that I should quit and do Amway. I take a deep breathe before thanking him for popping bye... and then tell him he should leave and not come back until he realizes how disrespectful he has been. Never saw him again. Soooo.... these days I'm a healthcare data integration engineer for a company ranked in the top 10 of the Fortune 500 list. Earns a little better than a pharmacist, but not as stressful. Last I heard he is selling insurance. Not that selling insurance is bad. I'm just saying... imagine if I listened to him.

[@AC-dm9zm]

William Baehr I won’t be surprised if you find out he’s selling Primerica life insurance...ANOTHER MLM

[@adegames1836]

How did u become a health data integration engineer ?? I’m interested just finished pharmacy school, thanks

[@Serennekin]

Omg man I totally relate to this!! I’ve been approached multiple times by Amway people and they all use these tactics. A few years ago I was approached by this guy in my church group who introduced me to this whole Amway thing and basically I ended up going to a few of their MLM meetings before I decided they were crazy people. Since then, I’ve been approached multiple times by Amway people usually at work and they all do the same thing. They ask me what I plan on doing with my life, and no matter WHAT I say, they’ll find a way to try and shoot me down for it. I remember telling the first guy that I planned on doing nursing and immediately he would talk about how he has “nurse friends” that are miserable and that they work hours they don’t want and basically everything terrible about nursing. The second guy, asked me what I planned on doing with my life and at the time I said I’m trying out a lot of stuff. I asked him what he does and he says that he’s doing this great opportunity where he’s going to retire in about another year. I asked him how and he says he has his own online business or something like that. To which I instantly knew he was a part of an MLM. So I asked if he’s a part of network marketing and Amway and told him I’m already familiar with all that stuff. Basically I said I’m not interested in whatever he’s offering. Third guy seemed normal at first. He asked me what I wanna do for my life and I said music production for film. I can’t remember our conversation after that but I remember he talked about some opportunity where he’s making a side income and trying to quit his band teacher job to go and do it full time. He said he wanted to meet with me over coffee to talk about it. So obviously I knew where it was going. I gave him my number to be nice and I never replied to him. It’s so sad because these people come off as so nice and for a second you think that they actually care about you and want to connect as friends, but then they pull out their “early retirement” “great opportunity” bullshit and reveal their true intentions. And the thing is, I’ve noticed they LOVE to target young people working minimum wage jobs. And a lot of these young people fall for it and waste their lives doing this instead of college or some other useful thing like the military or apprenticeships.

[@kdog6606]

Similar thing happened to me. Funnily enough one of the other people lured into this "catch up" sales pitches offered me an actual job in non mlm marketing. Now working full time in digital marketing. Life huh...

[@joanneludwigstinger500]

I also had someone try to suck me into Amway. Their add under "employment" Did not mention the name, Amway. During the interview, in their apartment, the name Amway wasn't mentioned. It wasn't until we went to a rally, that we heard the name. We walked out of there pumped, like everyone else. Only difference was when we got home we were terrified at how close we were to a deceptive cult. Told us if our friends weren't customers or recruits, to get new friends.

[@artepjan]

Pyramids are in fact graves, aren't they?

[@darrylferguson3622]

MLM's are graves for your money. The ones who really succeed are the guys at the top, while the people at the bottom work their asses off to go up the "ladder".

[@IgnisTMage]

Petra J. Expensive Graves! Built from human suffering!

[@Ami_E_Bowen]

Says a lot, doesn't it?

[@EddVCR]

*sdimaryp

[@mistertea603]

Holy sh!t!!!! The Egyptians were right!!!

[@ayshlaila3975]

These programs target poor folks or those otherwise struggling financially. That's why folks say it's expensive to be poor.

[@saulbravo3485]

It’s sad.

[@RedGreenBrown]

That's not why its expensive to be poor. Paying rent instead of owning a house, having to take out high-interest short-term loans just to pay bills to survive, etc.

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@RedGreenBrown This probably doesn't help.

[@conniedavidescu1979]

Sick people too.. I see them recruiting in every support group I belong to on fb. It's disgusting.

[@dutchik5107]

And people. Don't forget. Not being able to buy stuff in bulk. And stuff that will last, but the really cheap stuff that breaks all the damn time. Which in the long run is more expensive. Also cheap food being unhealthy. And then the cost on your health

[@MistyMagdalenaGrace]

This video was very very healing for me! I love you John Oliver! This was 100% spot ON! I am glad I am out of this industry - even though many people come "after me" to sign up again....NEVER

[@DesertHomesteader]

I got roped into Primerica at one particularly vulnerable time in my life (many, many years ago). Thankfully, the first big meeting I went to was full of zealots who treated the company like it was the second coming of Jesus (literally waving hands in the air during speeches like they were trying to scoop up the spirit and shouting "amen") and that was enough to put me off. I count myself lucky.

[@datsunmadman]

DGPrepper I got sucker in back in 2001.

[@ericdeloza4258]

DGPrepper I have a friend that dropped out if college for Primerica. Seems bad

[@PersonPlaceThing1]

Primerica actually helps people save money and get money into proper investments and less inflated life insurance plans. Regardless of your income, they do well for anyone involved. I also know some people making around $250,000/year. However, you need to have the right personality and drive for something like that. It's not easy, and not everyone can do it, so many will be unsuccessful, because not everyone is fit for the bill.

[@Wentr-z]

DGPrepper I had a friend almost get into that as well. Same with amway. They make it seem like you could make thousands and thousands in weeks to months. I feel like a idiot for even going to a amway meeting and believing for a second I could do it. But after research, and just thinking logically, I said fuck you, and fuck this I'm going back to work.

[@Gitami]

Nearly got in a few years in 2012-2013. Thankfully my laziness and anti-socialness censured me from joining, did get a free pizza out of the meeting. Not so with another company that was selling some new phone plan, lost $240 in membership fee before I decided to just quit as they didn't provide what they advertised for months, turns out we were only licensed to sell bottled water.

[@sauravrao234]

"It's not a pyramid scheme....its a triangle of opportunity "

[@curiousculture3415]

😂😂😂😂 It's a square without one side

[@muhammedsillah3363]

under-rated

[@user-xw4cx1ku6s]

It’s a reverse funnel system.

[@nathaliebatiste9521]

“Triangle of opportunity” I love it!

[@lesley9989]

@@curiousculture3415 😂

[@sistakia33]

Whenever a celebrity endorses stuff like this...I stop watching them. If I want to be lied to by likable people I'll listen to my kids! At least they're fun to watch as the lies get better!

[@alexiswilliamsinc]

sistakia33 😂🤣😂

[@Tina06019]

Haha!

[@phanatic215]

😂😂 At least they are adorable when they do it, and some of the greatest story tellers who craft magnificent tales about the cat that ran up the wall, jumped to the fridge, then jump to the couch, then the television that has a Wii controller sticking out of it.

[@sistakia33]

@@phanatic215 There was the answer to how ketchup ended up on the ceiling... from my son as well as what happened to an entire package of Oreo cookies overnight! My daughter was so great at story telling that at five years old you couldn't even sweat the truth out of her! I learned to appreciate her mind because I sure couldn't beat it!

[@Rainbowthewindsage]

I'd listen to my Dad, it's obvious he's lying (unicorn meat is obviously not cubed ham) but is at least doesn't bother denying it's bullshit.

[@roshnipatel2000]

In my communication class in college, we were allowed to give our first presentation on any subject. And one girl basically did a marketing pitch for the MLM she worked for. My friend and I considered signing up but we never did lol

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Which MLM was it, and what grade did she get?

[@anstef1485]

I have a similar story of a student inviting people to their place for a "business opportunity". Stayed away.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

@@anstef1485 Did you ever find out which MLM it was?

[@ValFatherTime]

@@ScottTexJohnson maybe it was amway?

[@roshnipatel2000]

@@ScottTexJohnson I think she got a good grade because the professor looked impressed. In fact, the whole class seemed impressed. It was some skin care company that I think started with the letter A.

[@ZrinNZ]

My dad's partner here in New Zealand was a part of Avon (*holds up crucifix*) and got pretty high up in the "presidents club". You know material things she got as "rewards"? Some ceramic dolls, plates and cutlery. Dad's garage was FULL of crap that clearly wasn't being sold. She had more mailers stacked in boxes than she did product sometimes. Instead of buying as orders came in, she bought a crap ton of product and basically was just *HOPING* they would sell. I took notice after she left Avon that she has maybe 2 friends now and she seems to have no idea why. She used to socialise every week. Now she works or is at home. Pyramid schemes straight up DESTROY friendships.

[@Vitorruy1]

Zrin Avon and Nature were big here in Brazil. Now it's Hinode. Same crap

[@ExplodingWalkie-talkie]

"holds up crucifix" 😂🤣😂

[@mrknockknock1]

They don't just destroy friendships, they destroy lives. They intoxicate people with the idea that "you don't have to be talented or have to work hard to make money". They make people forget that skill and productivity is essential to earn, unless you're a criminal. In any legal transaction, you only get money if you give someone else some product or service that satisfies them. MLMs make people forget this basic rule, and they get reeled in thinking "easy money, tons of money, no stress, world's in my hand". And then, they make rash moves like quitting any job or opportunity they might already have, ones that are legitimate. Then they buy all the product they can from the MLM, *HOPING* it would sell, and at first, start out very hopeful and full of belief about the scheme. But slowly, their minds start to decay and they realize that it's just not going to work. The obvious starts to hit them, but by then, it's too late, because they are desperate to cover up their losses before they quit. And hence, they start selling the same dreams and illusions to other people in order to cover up the losses. They become the very scumbags who recruited them in the first place, out of a will to survive.

[@cezra833]

I sold Avon when I was a teenager and I made a ton of money. I didn't have to recruit anyone and I only bought the stock that I had existing orders for. If an order was cancelled I could return the stock for free. I was given an area that I would be the only rep for ( 3 streets near my old primary school), and I would put the catalogues out and collect them back with any orders. The only thing I had to buy was extra catalogues each selling period as only the first five were free and I could have managed with just the free ones, but I was lazy and didn't want to have to go out so often. I was never encouraged to do anything other than sell the products to my customers. It was a great job for a teenager and I never, ever had to do a hard sell or anything like that, nor did anyone else I knew who sold Avon.

[@ExplodingWalkie-talkie]

@@cezra833 I had an aunt who sold Avon back in South America and a neighbor who sold Tupperware. The meetings were fun, we loved ordering stuff from them and they were very savvy and made good money and everyone was satisfied. I'm sure many have benefited from some of these companies but again, I think they should be honest with ppl and let them know NO ONE has become rich selling their stuff, also, if they focus more on recruitment, then it's a scam.

[@LeendaBeks]

as someone who's parents did an mlm a couple years ago, this is crazy accurate

[@monkofdarktimes]

Linda Rebecca my family are in one I agree

[@thisislesbomaya]

seize the means of production

[@mariecarter3488]

b h

[@videoomaster]

My buddy fell for erbalife. He tried to reel me in among some other people including family and neighbors. The meeting at the cafe was so cringy!! It was him and some good looking girl meeting with me, I think she was the one that tricked him into it. The meeting was a red flag from the get go since they were trying to sell me a dream or some emotions. The lady was asking me questions like what are some things in your life that are not going well? Do you have any haters in your life? What would you say to to those haters if you ever make it? And of course the whole meeting made its way round to her telling me selling through erbalife would make all the bad things in my life go away and that I will tell the haters off as I drive off in a beemer. Pure scam. So I basically said I dont make any big decisions like buying 1000 package or get into a new job without thinking it over for at least one day, and I go the fuck out of there.

[@AaronGalceran]

Marie Carter

[@kelseyhopkins9019]

To be fair, coming out on stage to "I wanna watch you bleed!" is pretty honest for an MLM ceo

[@laurahall5218]

The only example of truth in advertising!

[@Ramsey276one]

SIGMUND FREUD!!!! XD

[@nickscope27]

welcome to the jungle makes very much sense bc its a shitshow

[@saltytriscuit896]

@@nickscope27 P R E S E N T A T I O N!

[@pokermitten9795]

I had the same thought

[@zackharvey7027]

I remember growing up and having my family get involved with these schemes. Thankfully they never got to far into them, but I still have people close that keep doing this. Its both heart breaking and infuriating to me that these kinds of scammers can get away with this crap.

[@dolebiscuit]

8k dislikes from all the people selling supplements on Facebook

[@mr_torle]

Or now on Instagram.

[@candice_ecidnac]

Those Lularoe "reps" are pissed.

[@MsKimLorraine]

dolebiscuit and Primerica reps

[@EliteHunting1911]

@finn bell prove it

[@livingdeaddemon2350]

finn bell how do you know how much they made last year?

[@masonh5077]

It's not a pyramid scheme - it's a reverse funnel system.

[@1584283]

into my pocket

[@meredythwithay5187]

B e r r i e s

[@andrewhailstorm4081]

Mason Hopkins More people should listen to others stuck in a kids’ playground

[@Myrrdin5]

Except it is or to cite the show “it is not not a pyramid scheme”

[@christopherfrost1820]

When i was much younger someone tried to lure me into amway, went to a meeting and when they said "Its a pyramid but its a upside down pyramid" i was completely out lol

[@johnfredericks4376]

I got sucked into MLMs in my life and I'm so glad I'm over it. I used to gravitate towards health and wellness" MLMs. Melaleuca, Noni Juice, Market America, and narrowly managed to dodge Kangen water. I eventually ended up legitimately going into the fitness and health industry through getting a bachelor's in exercise science, nutrition, and certifying as a trainer. My heart sank at an MLM training for a weight loss product when the instructor (supposedly a certified health instructor) literally told the class that "muscle turns to fat". It was downhill from there.

[@DopeyDetector]

Most amerikkkans are super dopey. Their low IQ and high greed make them easy marks for MLMs

[@Theswellerguy]

My ex wife was wrapped into Young Living selling essential oils and it was truly disheartening. Never really sold many oils but made money off off people who didn't have money to stockpile product but had to. It was scary and sad. The insanity of the scheme ultimately led to the end of our marriage. Thankfully.

[@SpaceBoy-97]

I had some coworker in college a few years back try to introduce me to Amway. Told him I was a marketing major and that I was interested in pursuing it as a career. He told me that he had a job opportunity for me. I met him at the library to learn more about it. As soon as he started talking about it I just had a bad vibe. I wasn't all that familiar with MLM's, but the whole concept was just flawed. I had him draw out a diagram of how the business worked and he literally drew out a pyramid. I then started to ask him if he saw how running a business like this is extremely problematic and that he was probably being taken advantage of. He got pissy and walked out, never really talked to him much again. All I could do was laugh. As many other commenters have said, you aren't going to sway these people with logic.

[@dwightstjohn8549]

No matter their age, they have "the answers to the questions" but dig a little deeper: I think what they're really saying is they're BETTER than others, esp. you and me!!! My little brother, (I changed his diapers) ALWAYS has "the answers to the questions". His SELFISHNESS is almost like a hard core drug addict, that stashes their small child in a closet to go do drugs, or is willing to set you up for a hard core mugging to get THEIR product. It's the same thing, as far as I"m concerned.

[@davidrossi1486]

Religion is the ultimate MLM scheme. Same tactics, apparently massive payoffs. But you can’t sue.

[@TheNeshkey]

Whenever a friend or colleague has tried to talk me about a MLM scheme, I just tried to show them that those things were just pyramid schemes designed to enrich their founders, and that one had a better chance of becoming rich from say gambling. They usually get angry and claim that I'm just jealous of their impending wealth, at which point, I wish them success. Of course I never raise the topic with them when a few years have passed and they're actually financially worse off.

[@BarryRocha]

@@davidrossi1486 also tax free

[@callmeqi]

How is it pyramid when your downline is earning much more than you?

[@GnarledStaff]

We here in the US really need to get our lobbying industry under control. Legalizing corruption was a terrible idea.

[@akatoshslayer7599]

"These are not bribes." do you know how much money is being paid to make sure that statement gets spread around? 10 million? 30 million? 100 million!!!! Actually around 400 million from defense contractors, 160 million from "We are not a monopoly, as we only service the entire states Tennessee and Ohio. If you lived in Kentucky you would be under a different company." telecommunications industry, and it only goes down from there to things like 30,000$ a year from alpaca farmers. I say around as exact numbers are not reported. Since the money being funneled into our politicians pockets no longer has to have a reported source do to legislation. Yep not bribes at all.

[@googiegress]

All money donated to political campaigns should be equally shared by the candidates vying for that position, so it's impossible to donate to a specific politician or party. And it should be illegal for politicians to accept any income, gifts, benefits, coupons, ANYTHING beyond their salaries. And create a legal cause of action so we could sue politicians who leave office and suddenly make money, with the burden of proof on them that they didn't act during their term in office to earn that money and just delay the income until after (such as leaving office and suddenly a bunch of oil companies cut you some hefty checks for apparently no reason). The fine would be set at 10x the improperly earned income. Don't like it? Don't be a crooked politician; just show up for work and serve your country.

[@ritamariekelley4077]

@@googiegress Many countries have publicly funded elections. They're safe, clean and efficient and they don't last forever like ours.

[@googiegress]

@@ritamariekelley4077 Totally agree. I love that many countries have a campaigning moratorium just before the election so voters get some peace to talk and think. There are a lot of ideas we could take from other countries who do it better, on a variety of topics. I think there's a strong bias of unwarranted American exceptionalism that prevents growth and improvement.

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3XWppuLoLagqNE&ab_channel=Bulut%C4%B0%C5%9Fin

[@Tyler-yz5sd]

My girlfriend is dabbling into this with makeup. The sellers throw big parties and everyone does each other's makeup and then try to peddle their brushes and little shit, and then tell the girls, "Now you can throw a big fun party like this and even make a little money too!" I've always warned her it was a pyramid scheme. I can't goddamn bloody hell fucking wait to show her this video. GG as always John Oliver

[@HUGO-n9q]

I hope she proves you wrong so she can dump your average behind.

[@redleader2211]

HUGO c Pyramid junkie confirmed.

[@HUGO-n9q]

average Joe to 9:5 job confirm haha

[@BubbleTeaLuvFTW]

Is it Rodan and Fields? Because one of my friend's mom works with them and I didn't know it was a MLM until I saw this video.

[@Talik13]

As a side note; these aren't pyramid schemes, they're different. And as a rebuttal - my mom has been selling Mary Kay for 16+ years and she absolutely loves it. We've even gotten 4 cars out of it that our family uses.

[@rosequartz4102]

What kills me is that the mlm-ers call themselves "business owners." If you aren't producing or making your product and, most importantly, pricing your own product, advertising it and selling it, YOU ARE NOT A BUSINESS OWNER.

[@Deepaksingh-xq4fg]

They are unpaid salesman

[@ValFatherTime]

Because business owners manufacture and make their own products? Lol Walmart MUST manufacture Tide, Crest, Reebok, PlayStation, etc?

[@MidnightAndLuna]

Exactly!

[@ValFatherTime]

@@MidnightAndLuna “exactly” yet that statement is incorrect 😂😂 This is why so many people fail at MLMs…

[@joanna0988]

Well technically if you buy into a franchise that all happens but you're still a business owner.

[@nittany272]

“It’s not an illegal pyramid scheme.” I remember walking out of a job on the spot when the words “let me explain why this isn’t bait and switch” were uttered by my “recruiter.”

[@RichardX1]

Let me guess: nobody even mentioned the phrase "bait and switch" before the recruiter said that.

[@noizepusher7594]

This is like that post where the guy wants to own a frog “not for sexual reasons”

[@amybess]

@@noizepusher7594 what

[@crowinthedusk]

@@amybess There is a, I believe, Yahoo answers post out there, where a man asks the best way to buy a frog, and he added (not for sexual reasons). Which, naturally, only confirmed that he wanted to use a frog for sexual reasons, as nobody would think that it was for sex reasons had he not mentioned it

[@williamwingo4740]

A bait-and-switch variation was common in the 1970's. Recruiters would advertise a "fee-paid" position. Then when they got you in the office, you were "overqualified" for that one "--but we have several other, non-fee-paid positions, if you're interested..." right. If they want you to pay money, they are not legitimate.

[@cindy846]

Everyone wants to make money. Everyone wants to be their own boss. But there's no shortcut to get there. Running an actual business takes EFFORTS and TIME. There's no such thing as "easy money".

[@jonmcgregor524]

That is exactly right and something that is preached by anyone who is considering joining with Amway. I actually heard it about seven times before they allowed me to join. They don't like the Stigma that a 60-year company has as being a "pyramid" as it is not a pyramid since the person in the "middle" can out make the person at the top. Interesting comments though from those who "heard" it from someone who failed.

[@esquibelle]

@@jonmcgregor524 Cult member You will soon be broke too

[@Lyysabeth]

Spot the mlm victim

[@CIARUNSITE]

Sure there's easy money. It's called being born to a rich family.

[@Pete-mk3oj]

Okie dokie, then. And how exactly would you explain companies like this? Surely these pyramid schemes were not born of honest effort or time. One of the purest forms of a business shortcut. And all the money they're making sure as hell seems "easy" to me.

[@RaviSingh-vf3he]

Man!! I'm a college student in india and these companies are trying to do this shit with students barely passing their school!!! Much needed video, thank you 💜

[@ishaansrivastava2008]

MLMs are huge in India

[@OmkarYadav-zk2br]

Same bhai

[@OmkarYadav-zk2br]

Muze bhi bahot chutiye mile hain

[@arshadkarim444]

Bro, I am from delhi, some of my friends have already joined it, and one of them is portrayed as super successful. I hope they realise it soon. To be honest these MLMs are killing indian youth.

[@BassMatriX]

Shout out to the graphic designer that came up with the logo for Jizz. You are truly an unsung hero.

[@MissJ_musiclife]

The scary part is how they make you feel like it’s YOUR problem that you’re not making profit... they make you believe you must be a loser to not succeed in their “business”.

[@g718ny]

Yes! Politics do this as well.

[@declassified137]

People who fall for this shit deserve it

[@adriana7310]

Thats horrible, im sorry that they made you feel that way 😔

[@cruiseny26]

It's a tactic that cults use as well. They praise you during initiation and then devalue you. Then you have to work harder to warm back their favor. Also if it's always your fault, then the company is never responsible.

[@four_girls_in_search_of_awesom]

Watching this made me think of a character on Orange Is The New Black. She's a Latina ex felon who couldn't find a job, and ended up selling Herbalife-esque products. Big surprise, she can barely sell anything, and in the end she resorted to selling drugs, the thing she was put in prison for, just so she could get her kids out of foster care. These companies prey on the poor and disadvantaged, with no regard for their wellbeing.

[@iknowihaveanincrediblysmal6103]

four_girls_in_search_of_awesomeness yeah flows eyes do look like Michael Vick lol

[@booognish]

four_girls_in_search_of_awesomeness dayas mom. She’s hot. Daya is too. These companies are evil, cult like, Scientology kinda shit

[@tracinicole6694]

I had the same thought

[@TheSameYellowToy]

Herbalife heavily targets the Latino community, especially immigrants, they convince immigrants that MLM is the way to achieve the American Dream. I recently listened to a podcast where an activist was discussing how Herbalife has economically destroyed Latino families and communities.

[@Restrictted]

...ooooor. She could've just worked at a restaurant and became a restaurant manager and made $50k+ bonus'. You know the legal way.

[@seansteel3326]

I got tricked into Amway a couple days back. I am backing out fully right away.

[@mermaidlilyrose]

Shyam Koundinya sorry, but how do you get "tricked"? Into amway. You most likely heard a story about it from a presenter then thought for a moment that you wanted to do it, but decided against it. The biggest thing with direct sales or any small business is personal ownership. If you failed, keep trying. That's what learning is all about. Transitioning from employee mindset to business owner mindset takes time. Your pay is purely based off your efforts. Go in with your eyes wide open, ask questions & see if it's a good fit. If not, it's not. No problem.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

You don't get it, Jai. Most MLMs are scams. Why would someone keep trying to make a scam work?

[@andrestrevino8119]

What happens if you give a phone number to Amway? does it have any negative repercussions? Some individuals attempted to sign me up today and I gave them my number. I didn't sign up though, thank goodness I didn't.

[@ScottTexJohnson]

Z- 11, the best thing you can do is contact everybody you know who isn't in Amway and let them know most MLMs are scams, and most MLMs are also scams. Also, encourage them to contact everybody they know, and so on. When enough people are educated about MLM scams, they will collapse.

[@ghosthunter245]

Yes, please stay far far away from Amway or any MLM business. The people that recruited you and all others ignore their 'hype'. They will make you feel like you're missing out on something great. But trust me, years from now those same people will no longer be in Amway because they will eventually get tired of getting nowhere and give up themselves after wasting money and valuable time from their life, and most importantly wasting other people times and ruining relationships. They will stay shut when you bring this up and give them the "I TOLD YOU SO!!" Just ignore them and do you.

[@aroseh]

very happy i saw this a few years ago, because recently this info became very useful to me. a friend of mine got sucked into an mlm recently and thanks to this video i was able to recognise quite quickly. i’ve warned her about it and am so thankful that i may have just saved her a lot of stress and money in the future

[@oxymoron02]

Best question to pose anyone thinking of joining an MLM scheme: "When was the last time you bought anything from someone in an MLM scheme?"

[@GhostGrind]

A lot of people out there don’t even know that multi level marketing companies exist so you’re statement is invalid.

[@mikelxanadu]

You must be fun at parties.

[@GhostGrind]

@@mikelxanadu What you mean little boy? And what I meant was most people don't know a MLM distributor, there are less than 10 million in the states.

[@JaredC63]

@@mikelxanadu And you must be a lot of fun at your Tupperware and Mary Kay parties. Good luck hun!

[@JaredC63]

@@GhostGrind his/her idea of "fun at parties" obviously means Mary Kay and Pure Romance pitches lol

[@Nofurtherquestions]

You're not a business owner. You bought a starter kit: you're a customer.

[@georgegates526]

It's an old saying but when: "You're given the business" , it means "You're being ripped off", which is old too.

[@PiLLO360]

😭😭

[@alexanderkelly7819]

So mf true

[@Raquelwhatzhot]

So true

[@j.dragon651]

@@georgegates526 never came across that in all my reading?

[@mikurunrunrun]

Got up for a sec to pick up cat and came back to a man screaming at a tombstone.

[@carultch]

I just read that in Hans Moleman's voice.

[@poolnoodleninja8686]

Mikurunrun liked ur comment coz i legit lol'd!! 😆😆

[@elleahtooker8321]

I want this segment revisited with info on the new pop up shops they do, we have 5 in our local area selling shakes and teas and it seems outrageous. I think it’s a way to sell more product within the shakes and teas instead of it sitting in your garage in complete containers

[@syxepop]

If those are like the ones popping up here in Puerto Rico, they're NOT pop-up shops... Herbalife Nutrition Clubs keep popping and bankrupting all the time, even 3-5 in THE SAME BLOCK. Even a Club that closed it is replaced weeks later by ANOTHER Club.

[@42k78]

I also liked hearing that woman declare that she wouldn't swindle anyone. She might have nothing now but at least she's not brainwashed anymore. A step in the right direction. It's amazing to hear about her story and how she was able to put her foot down but people like her are too rare and too few in history.

[@AaronCLB]

It took my mom two years to leave Amway 🤦‍♂️ thank god she woke up. She’s an immigrant and sadly gullible, she was extremely vulnerable.

[@PrincessAndBear]

Amway is definitely a scam!

[@manganesesyringa531]

"Multilevel marketing" is to "pyramid scheme" what "enhanced interrogation technique" is to "torture".

[@tonib.3016]

For anyone who doesn't know...Betsy Devos is married to Dick Devos...son of Richard Devos of the Amway Co. Please ppl...don't give your hard earned $$$ to the Devos family. Betsy owns 10 yachts...she doesn't need another, FFS.

[@mthreewit8691]

Shout out to mom for raising a son who cares.

[@atomangelo9940]

I’m sorry your mom went through that without mentorship, amway by itself is a good company but they don’t care who you are before you join, none of them give you proper training and mentorship before joining which is crucial in my opinion, going from an employee mentality to buisness owner mentality is a lot of work, hope she finds people that actually want her to succeed not just join.

[@deuteronomydeeznutz4278]

"Millionaire mindset" first sign of a scam

[@ericme4767]

I STILL GOT STUCK ON "RHINO EJACULATE".

[@jamesmuthiani5680]

I kept getting called 'poor mindset' guy coz i wouldn't join and had all these specific wuestions they couln't answer. Well. Please to say I focused on my Interior architecture biz, and am earning legit money y'all. Well it aint as much as the MLM promised, but am building my career, and that is satisfying.

[@VelcroKittie]

Oh big time! MLM's are all about the "mindset". They focus on it so much because this is what keeps people hanging on instead of seeing sense and walking away. It's very cult like

[@Turtletoots3]

@@jamesmuthiani5680 I be if you check in with the people who tried to recruit you, you'll find they're not doing well at all :D

[@JackRabbitSlim]

That's why you're never going to achieve double black diamond, Miguel, with that attitude you probably won't even make it to Supreme Jade Amethyst. Good luck in life, loser, I'll wave at you as I pass by in my new Mercedes gold-plated private jet.

[@ambre2496]

How come i just watch this again & again over time, probably my favorite episode of LWT ? It'so over the top