MLM HORROR STORIES #54 | Elementary school teacher emailing former students about Herbalife

[@hannahbucklin9607]

Cosmetologist here! Mary Kay pitches free “facials” but legally can’t touch your face. That is a licensed thing. If they put the product in your face and your have a reaction, you can sue them. So they use the term to get people excited, but then just give you the products to apply yourself. Then if there is a reaction, you are responsible for what you put on your own face! So dirty! ☺️

[@slippypippy]

Not to be impolite, but I would struggle to not deck someone if they suggested I diffuse essential oils around my pets. Avoiding diffusing oil is common knowledge.

[@beez3077]

If someone/something doesn’t like what I diffuse they can hop over to another room.

[@beccacleveland3116]

@@beez3077 you care more about diffusing than about the comfort of other people/animals??? that's weird as hell; I can't imagine spending time with someone like that 💀

[@HannahAlonzo]

This comment made me laugh 🤣

[@ladyv5655]

@@beez3077 , if you have kids/pets, I feel very sorry for them.

[@snowletsh5759]

It’s not common knowledge. Being in rescue for 15 years interviewing thousands of potential adopter and conducting home Visits. It’s not, and that’s fine, which is why videos like this talking about it and educating others are great!

[@hollywalsh1220]

I just laughed to myself at the idea of someone trying to pitch Hannah a MLM and then Hannah sharing what she does… 😅👀

[@tuschi8039]

Would that count as content for MLM Top Fails? 😇

[@ridinwithjake]

That would be gold. Would love to see an unscripted such event on video.

[@CarboneCat]

The infamous “It’s natural so it must be safe and healthy” fallacy always irks me up. Arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury are all natural and I wouldn’t qualify any of these substances as healthy… 🙄

[@rainbowdragonflies1134]

And snake venom, don't forget snake venom.

[@CarboneCat]

@@rainbowdragonflies1134 And venomous mushrooms. The list can go on and on.

[@loosilu]

You can't tout something as a powerful medicine and simultaneously say it's harmless. It's either powerful or harmless, pick one.

[@BedeSisters]

Also tobacco. It’s natural too.

[@loosilu]

@@BedeSisters nicotine is a natural and STRONG pesticide

[@sporkle1290]

Can 100% confirm about kittens getting into everything. I once baked a cake and put it inside a cupboard that was above my own head height to let it cool down somewhere the cats wouldn't get to it. Lo and behold, half an hour later I find that one of my kitties has somehow managed to get into the cupboard, close the door behind him and start helping himself 😆

[@salaltschul3604]

Oh my god, tiny little bites out of the cake! So cute. One time my cat seemingly disappeared but she'd never been outside so she couldn't have escaped. I was looking for her all day and figured she'd show when she was ready. Getting ready for bed I open my drawer to get clean PJs and there's the cat, asleep on my jammies. She'd crawled in through the back of the dresser and made a nest for herself.

[@TeroTheShortOne]

One of my Twitter mutuals just posted about being woken up by her cat making goblin noises in her kitchen, which turned out to be him going to town on the prime rib he had *opened the fridge* to get to. She's still not sure how he managed the child lock she's got on there because she knows he tries to open everything.

[@Kayla_P99]

One of the important things to remember about pets and essential oils is that those animals have smaller livers and kidneys that process things so a smaller amount is potentially dangerous.

[@williamkitty6246]

My local gym had one of those ballet boxes in the girls' locker room. I knew about Mary Kay and how it is an MLM. I took one of the raffle forms and wrote,'It's a scam' in large letters and placed it in front. The note was gone the next day, but the box remained. So, I took another ballet and wrote, "Don't waste your money, get out of this MLM while you can." I know that was also not appreciated because that note also disappeared. I was curious, so I went three days in a row, and this time put,'You're upline is lying to you. Look up the income disclosure" online.' I know there was no chance it did anything but dang it, I had the opportunity and I wasn't going to pass it up! The ballet box is now gone- doubt it was because of me.

[@anainesgonzalez8868]

thank you for your service 😀

[@hellenmuka7207]

You're relentless.....why did you scribble on my Mary Kay forms??..don't do that again Hun ..

[@jacintaquee]

should’ve sharpied the box

[@tiararoxeanne1318]

Oh, you're doing God's work🙏

[@emoo2342]

As a military wife, when I feel bad about myself, I remind myself that I’ve never sunken my money or time into an MLM and I feel a bit better.😅 I’ve told my husband how paranoid I am about hanging out with some of the wives in the areas that we go to because MLM involvement is so pervasive in this community of people.~_~ I always ask for details prior to any dinners, parties, etc. He screens them for me, now, before we meet up with anyone.😅

[@shlayaespino8689]

Facts! Lol i been a military spouse for 8 years & it's crazy how hard they push. I try to avoid them. If I go around them, I try to spy on their fb or ig to see if it's safe to engage with them 😂

[@daricej9753]

Evertime I tried to be a big girl and talk to people, someone tried to pitch me (scentsy, lularoe, Avon, the wraps, bodi aka Beach Body)

[@emoo2342]

@@shlayaespino8689 Hah! That's brilliant, hadn't thought of that. I may have to make a new account, just for that.xD

[@emoo2342]

@@daricej9753 Eeeeyup--it happens and it's always uncomfortable. I just got a cricut not too long ago and I really might make a "Don't pitch to me" shirt.xD

[@FloridasYesteryear]

Every Monday my son comes home from school and asks if the MLM lady posted a video. He loves listening to you read the letters of people's experiences and is always looking out for a cat siting. He also likes to listen to you read the letters when he is going to sleep at night. So we have been going through your past letters. He says as he gets older he will keep his eye out for MLMs so he knows not to join it and will stop his friends from joining so they don't get scammed. He is 11. So keep fighting the good fight.

[@LadybugMeghan]

I won a free bridal makeover a long time ago from a Mary Kay rep 😂 she wasn't very happy when I told her my wedding was a few years out because I was a broke college student who didn't currently have a job so no money to join 😂

[@elizabethmccready]

I did too when I bought my dress at David's Bridal, they were very annoyed when I was rebuffing them. I even blocked the lady's number later. Lesson learned, haha. Should have listened to my mom when she told me it was an MLM pitch.

[@businessacc179]

This is what baffles me- the huns totally loop you in under false pretenses and then are annoyed/upset/angry when they get a “no.” Like you have no entitlement of me signing up because you got me here under false pretenses!

[@christinad8771]

My daughter was diagnosed with NF1(Neurofibromitosis) like the lady in that story. It's a gene mutation basically so nothing can prevent it, nor treat it. It also comes with a hundred possible symptoms such as tumors, seizures, high blood pressure, vision issues, bahavioural diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism etc. On the flip side they might just get one or two symptoms. My daughter is 3 and has the spots on her body and started having seizures. We are awaiting brain scans. We pray that she doesn't get any more symptoms. I am big on healthy eating and finding natural ways of living however there are certain things that cannot be prevented with essential oils nor cured by the same means. I pray for that lady and her family all the health and happiness ❤️

[@RachelMarotta]

Thank you! I live a fairly normal life I had to have spinal fusion from scoliosis. I now have a beautiful daughter who also has NF. She has a few tumors aswell but is very high functioning and loving life.

[@yogabeantt]

Sending best wishes to y’all

[@cherylashelton]

I have a friend that is an incredible 25 year old nf2 warrior. You got this mama! I'm glad you won't be drawn in,but is t it awful how predatory these companies are? Ughhhh

[@miglek9613]

Just a small side note - ADHD and autism are not "behavioral diagnoses", they're neurotypes, despite what conversion therapy proponents would like you to believe. The idea that these neurotypes are just a behavior pattern that can be untaught is one of the reasons why most autistic people end up being either undiagnosed and unsupported, struggling with regular burnouts, addiction, etc. as a result or spend their entire lives believing the way their brain works makes them undeserving of love unless they learn to pretend to be neurotypical and put up a performance 24/7 (which is the reason why ABA "works")

[@joriehoffrage9745]

I have NF1. I’m currently 31 and have lived life fully, and I pray the same for your daughter. The symptoms people experience with NF and the extent to which they do varies so much, but the majority of people are mildly to moderately impacted and are able to live full and typical lives. All the best to you and your daughter.

[@farrahupson]

It never ceases to amaze me how far people get by implying that things are safe because they're "natural". Arsenic, rattlesnake venom, and urushiol (a literal PLANT OIL, from poison ivy, lol) are also perfectly natural.

[@TheLauraLedesma]

I'm pretty slim and I get the Hey Girl messages about losing weight ALL THE TIME. It's really annoying! I'm also almost 70 and other than occasionally helping people with house cleaning, I'm VERY happily retired and I just reply that I don't need to, nor WANT to, work. They just don't give up. I was actually a hun for over 40 years and the last one was Jamberry, which pretty much fell apart. That's when I found the anti MLM community and wow. I got a lot of flack for not recruiting, because I had no desire to quit my job and become a leader, it was always just a hobby that let me get a discount on the products. If I had quit my legitimate jobs for a more active role in the MLMs, I wouldn't be able to collect my Social Security, which would have been financially devastating. I know 2 women my age who have to continue to hustle. I only work occasionally, usually only when I want to, unless one of my clients really needs me. I didn't know about how I could have sabotaged my retirement, I think God was watching out for me. I thought that being a leader was a responsibility, I had no idea that you just sit back and collect from other's failures. Thanks for all your hard work!

[@BloominFleury29]

Just imagine someone with a ED seeing one.

[@DracoTriste]

Losing social security, especially going into the future in this economy, would truly be devastating for so, so many. THAT is one downside of joining MLMs I had never even considered. Needs to be talked about more for sure.

[@vixceous]

That's so sad.

[@madisonbutler3874]

I lowkey almost want to find a Mary Kay ballot box so I can show up to the “free facial” with snark and all these facts 😂😂

[@Laundrey1]

Okay, my ADHD self can’t wait until the end of the video so I comment so many times lol! The Mary Kay story reminded me of a time I went to a “free facial”. As a young mom, I really needed the relaxation. I never understood why I went to basically do things I would do at my own home. And I was very uncomfortable removing my makeup in front of people. I’m super insecure so I never let anyone see me without at least mascara and eyebrow tint. I was bullied into taking it off. The makeup suggestions they have made me look so ugly and I couldn’t wait to get out of there. They were promoting their microdermabrasion line and my face started stinging really badly. I have super sensitive skin. The rep seemed annoyed that I mentioned it and wanted to know how to get it off my skin. I bought nothing and never used their crap products again. Years later I found they are not legally allowed to apply any products to customers’ faces because they aren’t licensed cosmetologists. That should speak volumes. I decided that a girls’ night in my house that allowed me to keep mascara on and removed the annoying stranger selling crap and giving pitches was better.

[@TheLauraLedesma]

When I sold Jamberry, we weren't allowed to do others' nails unless we were a licensed nail tech, and when they went under, they were bought by a company that sells "wellness" fizzy sticks. I got out because I realized I am not qualified to give medical advice. They had a stick that they claimed could prevent and improve Alzheimers! I was horrified.

[@Laundrey1]

@@TheLauraLedesma I didn’t know that about Jamberry. It was huge where I am a few years back but I never liked them. They always lifted and then got stuck in my hair and pulled strands out. Later on I found that there’s a reason nothing sticks on my nails and it has to do with my genetic condition. Needless to say, I never got into it. I knew some that got deep into it. But that’s weird that you mentioned they rebranded as a completely different company. Why don’t people question these companies when they move from Beauty to food and health/nutrition related companies? That’s sketchy! It just shows the motivation isn’t anything but money. It’s sad that people are so into MLMs as “businesses”. I’m glad you got out.

[@TheLauraLedesma]

@Laundrey1 There was a team call where they said DO NOT TAKE ORDERS. People weren't being paid their commissions. They were bought by a company called M Global and then shortly after, M Global was bought by Youngevity. I had a downline of 1, she's still in it. Saying my manicure is better than yours was a claim I didn't mind making. I can't tell you that I have the cure for Alzheimers when I never even finished college!

[@hkuffler91]

I never thought I shouldn't diffuse essential oils near my pets. I purchase non-MLM oils and I never thought about risks that it would cause to my pets. My cat is old AF and I will be super careful from now on with them around him. Thanks!

[@MyDaroga]

I am so happy to hear this! We can only do the best we know and now you know.

[@thicccemogf3488]

Hi! I’m actually the mom from the UsBorne books story. I actually had a really productive conversation with my mom yesterday about her being involved in Scentsy. I recently learned how to budget and since she had lost her job right before Christmas I asked her if she wanted me to help her with a budget while she was on unemployment, until she got a job again. My dad made some remark about how they would have had an emergency fund for something like this if she didn’t have a room full of Scentsy. That obviously upset her so we went upstairs and talked and I made sure to lead with compassion by letting her know she is not a failure (her words) and that they designed it so 99% of people will not be able to make a living by being a consultant with them. She is going to let me sit down and go over her last 12 months of finances and I’m hoping once she sees the numbers it will give her the push she needs to get out. Her rank only makes 11,000 a year and in her stock room there is probably 20k-30k worth of stuff. But she did tell me that she had been thinking of giving it up for awhile. So wish me luck with the whole budgeting thing. I know when I sat down and looked at my budget it shocked me how much I was spending on just stupid shit I didn’t need, and now that money is being allocated to an emergency fund. So I’m hoping she ends up with the same realization.

[@HannahAlonzo]

I love this so much, thank you for sending in your story and for sharing this update! Wishing you and your mom all the best! ❤️

[@Alyse_bell]

With that first story, how sad for that Hun that she can only see the point of making conversation or starting a friendship if she can make a sale and no other reason.

[@emmakatemedina]

The diet product part is right on with my thoughts exactly. The sales tactics of companies like ItWorks and BODI are always "lose weight, look pretty" when and like... some women are happy with the way they look. It is a very sexist view of the female consumer that we are always looking for the next, new way to lose weight.

[@emberglar5466]

Your thumbnail got me. Don’t use essential oils on pets!! I’ve learned that candles are even bad. Exposure can actually cause death in cats and ferrets. It probably hurts other animals too!

[@NellyMariaArt]

Mary Kay and those “free facials” 🙄. I was so excited to be treated to a facial only to be given pea sized lotion samples and an annoying sales pitch.

[@RachelMarotta]

Hahaha seriously. I had to drive like 40 minutes for that "prize"

[@user-tl2nj3ip5v]

I just caught my mom watching a young living rep video about how to use their oils 😭😭😭 she's still watching it too holy crap it's time to write my own horror story 🤣

[@NA-vj5lu]

Oh no! I caught my mom a few months back watching airbone. Thank goodness she clued in after awhile watching it was crap lol

[@nathaliemlromer]

Regarding the story involving the "rescue kittens" just to indicate how small a space a cat needs to get into "somewhere". Decades ago I owned a cat. He was a large tabby. He hardly ate but was huge. Anyway, even with the window drilled almost shut in the bathroom (to have a fresh air flow into the house I lived in) and the gap being only an inch wide and about 2 feet long, THIS cat always got through it. So, we screwed this window shut in its entirety. The bathroom door gets shut and has a hook at the top end. One day we went out. On arriving home we find the bathroom door open. Somehow the cat had got to the hook and unlatched it, opened the door. On finding the bathroom window screwed shut he had somehow clawed away the wood around the window and knocked the entire window out. It was outside on the grass and hadn't even shattered. None of our other four cats we also had even went to the bathroom. We found them hiding in the corner of the living room. If you needed a story as to why you shouldn't ever assume that cats cannot "do stuff" remember this cat, a tom cat who was like 10 kilo (we fed him only once a day a tiny bit on advice of the vet) who proves Jellicle Cats are real... ;-)

[@Marissa-vm7cl]

For the second story, for anyone who is having trouble with stressed out cats, please look into feliway. We would use this at the vets office I worked at and it would help a lot with cats who were stressed out. They come in sprays and diffusers. It is not essential oils, definitely don't use oils around your pets.

[@MyDaroga]

Feliway was a lifesaver when I first brought my cat home. I am hard seconding this recommendation.

[@kerrieonmywaywardson]

Yes! Calming care, too! My elders, dog and cat, have had great experiences on this!

[@furryfromfinley3602]

its a pheromone, my vet uses it, it is amazing stuff. Worth the price tag.

[@dariennedykes678]

Love feliway!

[@skankfaceBECCA]

But also dont be suprised if it doesnt work, either. My cat needs to be physically/medically sedated in order to get his nails trimmed - we cant do it at home because if we try, he breaks skin/draws blood. So we take him to the vet and he has to basically be drugged for the vet techs to do it. Feliway never worked nor calming chews. It sucks but it can be a reality!

[@sushicat.3707]

29:55 My 4th grade teacher was a World Book hun. Yep, World Book Encyclopedias. I had transferred into my second Christian school in 2 years in the middle of the school year. My teacher was in her 70’s. This school was notorious for not paying their teachers a living wage, even for 1984. One day, not long after I began attending this school, my teacher offered to give me and my brother a ride home. My mom told her we lived 30 min away, and teacher said it was fine. My mom thought she was trying to be helpful, and wanted to discuss my progress. No. She brought all this World Book promo stuff, tried to sign us up on a subscription/installment plan for a set of encyclopedias. She was there forever. My mom was like “Well, we use the library’s when we need them. Anyway, for just reading, we have this set from 1953.” That school year could not end soon enough.

[@nicoleshan6410]

This is one of the saddest stories I've ever heard... Whoever preyed on your teacher is a vile person.

[@sushicat.3707]

@@nicoleshan6410 it’s one of those “prey became the predator” things. She would pitch every kid’s parents at every opportunity, and if they didn’t buy, she’d make remarks on the kid’s assignments about World Book.

[@BloominFleury29]

3:52 just imagine someone recovering from an eating disorder getting that hey hun message

[@charq52]

When I moved into my new house last year, there were oil defusers in every room…the first thing I did was throw them all in the trash. Open a window if you need a good smell in your house.

[@mermeow]

30 years or so ago, I'd been corresponding with a young man in the Philippines. I worked with his aunt. Nothing but letters, photos, long-distance flirtations happened. Last week he FB messaged me out of the blue. Red flags were going off. Why now? I found his FB page, & saw that he was following a girl that was a Mary Kay rep. Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner! 😹

[@SomeplaceScary]

Had a friend who would 24/7 diffuse oils in her closed room with her cats in it, and whenever I'd gently try to tell her it was really bad for them, she'd act like I was spitefully trying to ruin her few joys in her (admittedly difficult) life and get really defensive about it. I finally just dropped it. It's been a few years, but I hope the kitties aren't having problems from it now.

[@maggielovestoads]

The thing that really gets me is that time and time again people send in stories where they think they’ve made a genuine connection with the hun. It’s so sad how deceiving they can be (even if they aren’t being deceiving knowingly). The feeling of being used and realizing that your relationship meant nothing to the other person and that they were taking advantage of you with ulterior motives is such an icky feeling it makes me upset that it’s so prevalent in MLMs

[@fleabitz1474]

Thank you for using your platform to debunk the notion of oils being helpful for pets, and also for demonstrating how easy it is to find this kind of information on the web. I have read about cats dying after having had oils put on their skin. Also the negative effects of breathing in diffused oils may not show up immediately; the cat may develop a serious condition and you might never realize it's because they were breathing in oils for months or years. I would never use oils around pets, and also people should think about things like incense and scented candles and air fresheners around pets. Keep their air clean.

[@juniperwool]

As a former Usborne rep, I will say what they don't tell you is that it is usually strongly recommended that you give a book gift to anyone who is hosting a party... and ben when they don't hit the $150 mark (at least that's what my up line told me and was having me do). I was losing money because I was having to pay for an extra book and ship it to them personally! Also, most of the time, you make your pitches at the END of parties as a way people can "make money" too. Even though, I only broke even. It was at thy point I got out fairly quickly thankfully as the lady above me wasn't making money either and we both figured out we needed to get out before we paid too much out of pocket to stay in.

[@AndeLikeTheMint]

Monday mornings can be rough and your new video notifications are such a great thing to see 😄

[@francescasanna1347]

Agreed. It's afternoon here (Italy) but it's nice to have a new video to watch after a long day

[@kaylarealtalk_safespace5127]

Thanks for a new video Hannah! I'm glad the girl in your 2nd story had some common sense, because essential oils are especially toxic to cats specifically.

[@Kattlarv]

I'm also reminded of several stories of people who stole from friends and family as they "wanted to be independent/make their own money". One case was literally just stealing items, jewelry, etc and pawning them off to "get an income". And several others was stealing credit cards, emails and etc and signing people up. As: If they could get people to purchase like, $5000 worth of products, they would get *$500*! Boss babe, yaasss! Slay queen! /S The cognitive dissonance of MLM's never cease to derp me.

[@lindseysmith7433]

My son has NF1 and that is a scary diagnosis.. It makes me sad that someone would suggest that. The tumors are best left untouched unless causing pain and discomfort.

[@gallagherwitt]

OMG it's AWFUL in the military community. My husband just retired last year, but I was with him for 19 years of his career, and good Lord, the MLM infestation was terrible. It's 10x worse overseas, largely because spouses are *strictly* limited when it comes to work. There are so few jobs available, and strict limitations on at-home businesses, so the MLMs move in aggressively. I even had someone approach me with the idea that I could work less and make more, not to mention have way more growth potential, and she added with a sneer, "in case that writing thing doesn't pan out." I was several years deep into a 6-figure career by that point, but okay, sure, let me sign up to sell your essential oil d!ldos or whatever instead. So frustrating. I tried to talk a lot of the wives out of getting involved with MLMs, but overseas, they were so short on options for both income and socializing, it was almost impossible to convince them until they'd been thoroughly burned. I kept wishing the bases would ban MLMs, but they just ignore it like they do everything else. The host countries don't have a lot of jurisdiction over what goes on in housing, either, so... it just continues.

[@ScoopJessica]

We need a more in-depth video storytime about the military wife who sold Zyia, and any other experiences you've personally had!

[@HannahAlonzo]

Thankfully this was the only super “close call” I’ve had with meeting a military spouse in an MLM and they moved away shortly after, so nothing more to report! 🙏🏼

[@Feynix4]

I just had to tell my mom that essential oils are not safe to diffuse around pets when she was sick and wanted to diffuse eucalyptus oil (not from an MLM thankfully) to try and clear up her sinuses. I felt bad telling her that but she agreed that the safety of our two dogs was more important than just clearing her nose out.

[@holly22972]

I’m currently a vet student and I worked in an animal ER for 3 years before school. We once had a woman bring her young cat in for seizures and other serious symptoms. Come to find out that she had been putting eucalyptus oil on her cat as a stress relief treatment because they had just moved to the area, and the cat was stressed in the new house. It was an incredibly sad appointment and didn’t end well :( I never knew if she sold oils but I just remember how shocked she was that eucalyptus and other oils are toxic to animals. I honestly wish more knew how oils affected pets. I feel like it’s something people don’t necessarily think about because if it’s through a diffusion, people assume it’s fine because it’s in the air when in reality it can be harmful :(

[@HannahAlonzo]

Noooo this breaks my heart 😭

[@rondaherriott]

Doterra teaches that they are pet safe. I used to use them. But I looked up what was and wasn’t safe around my menagerie of pets. There aren’t many that are.

[@Mt4evr]

Doterra huns also teach to dilute oils in water. Apparently they missed their science lessons 😅 it's disgusting the amount of misinformation the "oily" huns spout

[@Purplegoldfish]

I had a cat at one point that HATED the lavender air freshener my mum used (I like the scent too). It has been suggested to use citrus or lavender scents to deter cats from certain areas of the house (they always love it or hate it). We had some messes to clean up after the lavender air freshener was used around the litter box 😂 And this was NOT an essential oil, who knows how much worse it could have been 😅

[@Kattlarv]

To me, the biggest "da faque?" moment is how they basically go "Hey: If you can make your friends and family give me $1000, I will give YOU 25 % of it! ... Or well, like 10 %. Considering my price inflation." Like... anyone not mentally behind can go "Wait... why wouldn't I just ask my friends and family directly for $250 instead?"

[@Mt4evr]

Yes! I've thought this same thing lol.

[@whiteglovian]

ive tried to explain to my mom that her diffusing lavender oils is especially dangerous to my cat, and she mostly stopped that specific oil, but she refuses to stop entirely despite her oils often sending me into athsma attacks thankfully, she uses store bought instead of mlm oils

[@missjillmars]

My mom is a Doterrorist and came back from the conference one year so excited to tell me they rolled out a line for pets. I immediately refused, but am furious they aren't just targeting people anymore, but animals too.

[@erin1411]

I seriously love how Hannah is always open to take a side tangent, do some quick research, and report back. I feel wiser every time I watch her videos.

[@pantaleimona]

I'm horrified to think folks offhandedly recommend oils to be used for animals. They can absolutely be toxic and sometimes the dangers are breed specific. MLM Hons' pitches can be intentionally indifferent or foolishly underinformed.

[@ooshiikurai]

At a craft fair, I found cat treats that had essential oils in them. At the time I had alarm bells going off and stayed clear of getting any cause it just didn’t sound safe. I just recently discover how unsafe even smelling oils is for pets. I can’t imagine how awful it would be for them to eat them.

[@Akiku2]

I’ve also never had covid, but I’ve also taken every precaution and, go ahead and call me paranoid, I sanitize the seats on the bus and train before sitting down.

[@I.Am.Butting.In.Again.]

She has mentioned not long ago that she will get through your emails in order they are sent lovely. It seems she has lots to get thru x

[@Akiku2]

@@I.Am.Butting.In.Again. I’m probably one of the few people in America who doesn’t have a single mlm interaction.

[@I.Am.Butting.In.Again.]

@@Akiku2wow! Lucky you lol we i the uk are smothered by them.

[@Akiku2]

@@I.Am.Butting.In.Again. The thing is, I’m probably one of the people they would target most heavily. I’m extremely impulsive, I have ADHD, and I am autistic. On top of that, I live in Chicago. You would think I would’ve encountered at least one by now, but no. I have had absolutely no experiences with any MLM. I will admit though that I am reading some raps on Twitter. I’m putting stuff out there in order to try and get some of them to actually message me. I am not a good person. I am an utter troll to people at times.

[@I.Am.Butting.In.Again.]

@@Akiku2same here! I mean I feel bad sometimes that i write comments and then think of how bad they look to others. Hey pls don't be so hard on yourself tho as we never know the reasons why as you say you are a troll sometimes. Just try to say nicer things hunny and i send you love and best thoughts x

[@yelmite_]

Woot woot! Another Hannah video to get me through a slog of a day.

[@nothingtoseeherebye74]

Aliens could be attacking the earth and doTERRA or Young Living huns would still try to bribe them into using their essential oils.

[@jenny_loves_stitch]

Omg the story where someone tried to say that diffusing oils can prevent a virus 😂 Seeing as I diffuse oils daily and still managed to get the vid all I can say is … The lie detector says… that is a lie 😂

[@DoIlookFatToYou]

Thank you for this video! I met a woman just like this, who was launching her own “business” as an Optavia hun and “life coach” she was getting her divorce as a stay-at-home mom with a husband who was paying alimony. I was 110 pounds at the time, working 80 hours a week as a fellow divorced mom, and I cannot tell you how insulting she was when I wouldn’t pay for her services. She assumed that I because I wasn’t paying for her services, I was “poor” and told people that. Um. I was making $110k per year at the time (great work-life balance,) and she was making $40k and have I mentioned that I’m a decade younger than her? And I was 110 lbs at the time? These Huns are really awful. I’ve ended the friendship that introduced me to her too.

[@liftpanic]

Such an important point, that even oils that are not toxic to pets could be extremely disburbing to them because of their more sensitive senses of smell. As you said......why even do it?

[@JWells5501]

First story…so sad people befriend people at church to those looking for a true connection and they get pitched a MLM.

[@kadeelacayo4806]

To the writer that is clean . I’m so proud of you ❤ I know how hard it is … it’s almost impossible and actually impossible for so many.

[@WidgetBeaker]

In a different Usborne horror story, the writer also said that they were responsible for the tax and shipping on the books purchased by their guests during the party. In that case, it was specifically a baby shower, so maybe this would have been different. Had it not been, however, this single mom looking for help with Christmas gifts may have found herself in the hole even further based on what her friends and family DID purchase...

[@Sewingistherapy]

I was pitched this party thing once for Usborne and I agreed because I had no clue the scope of mlms at this point and we had no money for our kids for Christmas that year. Anyway, the party was technically successful as in it did sell more than like $600. However, when I went to redeem my “free” books, I had to pay shipping. And it was so much for shipping that I ended up passing on the books because I couldn’t afford the shipping. So yeah. At least at that point, they weren’t actually free. Erika

[@HannahAlonzo]

YES I forgot to mention the shipping fee, thank you for bringing that up!

[@Lorie336]

Hi from one Erika to another! 👋 One of the KZbinrs in the Booktube community is part of Usborne, not sure if she still is, but this was about a year ago and I looked into it. Looking at it, it doesn't scream MLM, but something in me just didn't trust it and about a couple weeks later found Hannah's channel and one of the early horror stories talked about this or one of the fail videos did. I am sorry that you couldn't get your books because I am all about giving books as gifts, this MLM pisses me off as a book lover. Also, love the avatar, Belle is my favorite princess for obvious reasons. Hope you have a wonderful day! 😊💕💕💕

[@Sewingistherapy]

@@Lorie336 oh hey! I see a lot of Erica’s but not too many spelled our way! Belle has always been my favorite as well! That is actually me and my husband in the photo though! I made my dress for Halloween last year and we got him the Beast costume because I didn’t have time to make his. Hope you have a great day as well! 😊

[@I.Am.Butting.In.Again.]

@@Sewingistherapy it's so so beautiful.

[@Sewingistherapy]

@@I.Am.Butting.In.Again. thank you!

[@Katjj]

After a good and productive workday at my traditional corporate job 🤣 getting a 🔔 for Hannah's new video is like 🍒 on a 🎂.

[@MelissaModsMetal]

I swear my next day off..tomorrow I AM WRITING YOU AN EMAIL ABOUT MY HORROR STORY!!

[@thewanderingxs5422]

Also I want to add that diffusing ANYTHING (including candles, teflon and EO) around birds is extremely dangerous and often deadly

[@sarahgreiner2694]

Good to know about the name change. A few months ago, the pastor's wife at church sent out an email asking if we might be interested in a party for USborn. I sent back an email (I think I replied all) where I suggested avoiding doing so as it was an MLM and predatory in nature. I never heard anything more about it.

[@TedApelt]

Correct. There are substances plants produce (including oils) that are nontoxic to humans, but toxic to pets.

[@jessilyngray1223]

As a navy wife who was stationed overseas the last command we where at I would say about half the spouses where all part of one MLM and all the queen bee's down line. I was pitched like day two of being out of isolation. I was left out of a lot of group things because I wasn't part of the it group.

[@HayleighPaige]

Story #3 is the company NewAge Beverages. Good news is they’ve filed for bankruptcy

[@RachelMarotta]

Thank you for that. I am happy they are out of business. ❤️

[@HayleighPaige]

@@RachelMarotta right! We’ll see what happens, based on an article from Reuters I saw, they’ve received a bid to purchase their assets, but hopefully that means the business and structure itself will no longer exist…

[@mitdec2179]

Hannah you are glowing!! Perfect video to watch while I'm on my boring coperate 9 to 5 lunch break with pto, health benefits, vacation and a boss who is understanding to family time 😊

[@deed421]

Most don’t have that so they want jobs you can do any home

[@jennifer2185]

The military community is crawling with MLM's, it makes me uneasy. It sucks moving across the country just wanting to make some friends and every time you meet someone they start trying to sell you something. Can meaningful friendships not be made anymore?!

[@saraht3196]

honestly i wonder if mary kay reps make you do the "facial" or "makeover" yourself to avoid legal liability because they aren't licensed to do so. i know chelsea has talked about how monat reps could get in trouble in the state of california for their "hair washing parties", so maybe mary kay is just legally covering themselves ? just my theory

[@kerrieonmywaywardson]

Note from experience: be careful of any time of air freshener/oil diffuser that are eye level with your fur babies. We had glade plug ins that almost killed our cat. Be careful out there ❤

[@avafrisbee1949]

So I know this is anecdotal but I didn’t know diffusing oils would hurt my cat. I was having a difficult time sleeping so I used a timed diffuser in my bedroom and diffused some nice smelling oils for about an hour before bed and it probably kept going for like an hour after I had fallen asleep. Anyway my cat started having seizures. Obviously we took him to the vet and the vet couldn’t find anything. But he did have a seizure in the office. Nothing came back on the blood work or anything. We did get an anti-seizure medication and that helped a lot but he still occasionally had a seizure here and there. Eventually I stopped diffusing the oils for various reasons and my cat’s seizures completely stopped. I explained it all to the vet and he said it was unlikely the oils caused seizures but that we could try to stop the medication since my cat hadn’t had a seizure in months. Anyway, cat was off the medication and he never had another seizure the rest of his life. Completely anecdotal, even our vet thinks it was a coincidence and oils couldn’t cause seizures, but we now have two kittens (currently about 8 months old) and I refuse to have oils in the house because of it. I’m probably the crazy cat lady worried about nothing even when the vet says not to worry but my husband agrees with me and the benefit I get from some nice smelling oils isn’t worth risking my pets’ health.

[@Lely238-njusgsvwvhajdkjf]

Definitely needing this on my first day back in school 🤧❤️

[@jenniferculipher4058]

My husband is in an MLM. He’s only made back the money he spent on the enrollment. I can’t seem to get him to see that it’s never going to work. 😢

[@Aalisrocklist]

oh someone tried to get me into the Noni juice. Hear this: a medicine student, and he wanted me to give it to my grandmother, who had terminal cancer. I eventually "dropped" that friend.

[@ZenitsusDad]

Years ago, my cat got into the cleaners under our kitchen sink. At the time we had these garbage disposal cleaners that were basically scent beads you dropped into the disposal and then ran like normal. She’d gotten into those, specifically, and almost immediately she started foaming at the mouth and gagging. Thankfully she’s okay, but I had to call pet poison control to learn how to induce vomiting to make sure she got it all out and we watched her like a hawk for the next 24 hours for the sole reason that the cleaner she’d gotten into had citrus essential oil in it.

[@flowerprincejess]

Thank you! People need to understand that essential oils ARE NOT FOR PETS. I use eucalyptus oil when I'm congested but the oil is kept away from the cat(also he's an old man) and is only diffused for limited time in a room away from him. Please keep oils from your pets if you love them! All pet care should come from a VET with a LICENSE.

[@jadeedwards1829]

Hannah! I'm a newer subscriber:) I came across your channel a couple months ago and I've been addicted... to the point where I listen to your videos to and from work instead of music, lmao! I just today had an interaction that raised my eyebrows so heavily thanks to your channel! A man that our company works with, who oftentimes stops by to handle finances, etc. has been talking to me for weeks about an infection he got on his leg, that has since spread and gotten worse-- to the point where he's been to the hospital TWICE because of it. He just today mentioned to me that he's been using DOTERRA oils on it this whole time, and he's under the impression that it's helping! He was also told by the woman who has been selling it to him to put a concoction of oils in a tablet to take it as a pill. It took every ounce of me not to start screaming all of the knowledge I've gained from your channel at him, not only about how it is not safe to use ESSENTIAL OILS as a "healing property" for a very bad infection, but also for the fact that this woman is solely communicating with him for her own financial gain, NOT his physical wellbeing!! I sat there in shock, jaw on the floor. SMH!!!

[@kayliemcintosh7841]

My essential oils are going to last FOREVER because I only diffuse oils with the windows open and I add them to like, my DIY hand sanitizer and little things like that. But I'm super sketched out by using them around my cat. - "why risk it?" Valid.

[@lindahall1021]

I love the smell of diffused oils and bought a diffuser at Costco with oils from the drug store, but I have a cat, and after I looked up just how many oils that cats are allergic to, I put my diffuser away. In a box. Way up high in a closet. And yes, the plants too. We allow our cat out on our screened summer deck, and we have the only deck in the neighborhood without any potted flowers and plants!

[@ariana8159]

My mom would have me drink Noni juice in the 90s as well. It was absolutely revolting! I never knew it was an MLM product, but doesn't surprise me.

[@Impenguinful]

Hey, I’m a vet in the UK and just to let you know we have a product over here which is licensed and tested for animals called Pet Remedy which includes essential oils. I definitely agree with not just randomly diffusing oils as this has been tested and comes with a diffuser to control the amount but this is maybe where people are getting stuff from?

[@SongbirdInShadow]

Weeee got new stuff to listen to while I sew! Love all your content, hope you are well. And can't wait to listen to this one!

[@LauraFunFunFloweries]

13:39 +/- & if you have, ratties, or other, small animals/rodents, any parfumies/cleaning agents/etc, can irritate their already sensitive airways & cause/worsen, upper respiratory infections!!

[@thestitchqueencrochet]

After watching your videos, I've realized that so many people I knew/know are in MLMS... it's pretty sad to see their posts knowing that they are most likely not making money..

[@nya.rae555]

after working in a vet clinic for five years, we had one client that each time she would bring in her cats they would REAK of essential oils because she said it calmed them down… it did not

[@carlic.7555]

Lmao PAPERPIE?! What kind of name is that?? 😂

[@neonloneliness1]

my mom is a big believer in essential oils. when the p@ndem!c was at its peak she diffused them quite a bit but she also wore a mask, washed her hands, used hand sanitizer, practiced social distancing and got vaccinated!! she views the essential oils as an extra level of protection after doing everything she's supposed to do

[@yolandaponkers1581]

I love that the person from the third story knew not to spend money she didn’t have. Her parents taught her well! When I have kids, I’m definitely going to tell them that.

[@angelachristina]

Ughh... essential oils and pets. Using these oils before trying medication is unfortunately often a thing some pet owners want to do. I worked with rescue bunnies. We had an elderly lady who worked for a MLM that always treated her foster bunnies with oils. But rabbits are extremely sensitive for essential oils. Their lung tissue starts dissolving after being exposed to these oils for some time. The lady didn't care what we told her about essential oils and the animals. So we removed the foster bunnies from her. Two of them had already changes in their lung tissue.

[@catz7679]

Wow. I did not know that about bunnies. Thank you.

[@angelachristina]

@@catz7679 you're very welcome ☺️

[@KayJoyy]

I am so thankful to the person who had the story about her foster kitties. I had no idea even diffusing essential oils are harmful and although I only do it for an hour or two, I live in a studio apartment so theres not a single room i can do it in. I will no longer be diffusing essential oils while my babies and I live in this apartment. Thank you so much for your videos Hannah. You are spreading vast amounts of knowledge to a lot of people and it is so valuable and possibly life saving!

[@fantasymagic97]

I found you just before Christmas break and I’m already basically caught up with your videos. Thank you so much for making them. They have helped me understand why I’ve always felt a little uncomfortable about some companies and things that my mom seems to find normal. I shared your videos with my sister and we both have been binging them.

[@KL-91]

How crazy is that some MLM reps invite absolutely random people into their houses!?!?!

[@Whiskin87]

Oof, the struggle of being a military spouse avoiding MLMs! 😅

[@sailorgreeny]

18:07 I have neurofibromatosis, was diagnosed at 3 and spent a lot of my childhood going to a specialist as well as special ed because of development delays. I’m considered disabled although not on disability and doing well at my current job (have a job coach and that helps) but hearing about the juice thing made me so mad. I am so grateful I never had anything like that happen to me but so angry there are people like that out there and sorry op had to go through that and drink nasty juice that did nothing but cost the family money they didn’t have. I actually was thinking “that sounds like neurofibromas” at the description of the lump on the arm. They grow everywhere but are not cancerous thankfully.

[@furryfromfinley3602]

to cat owners, there is a pheromone diffuser called FeliWay, it is the pheromone cats emit when calm. My vet uses it in there clinic to settle stressed pets, it is wonderful stuff but expensive. i believe there is one for dogs as well.

[@anainesgonzalez8868]

The first story reminded me how I started to be more interested in these companies and why people in them acted to weirdly. Someone from Herbalife approached me and my partner at the time (both 20 years old and pretty healthy) if we use to eat breakfast. That question took my attention so we agreed to enter an Herbalife shop and weight ourselves. As expected everything showed we were pretty healthy so I was a little shocked when they kept repeating to us we really needed to buy their products to improve our health

[@mandymorrow5473]

I had an Usborne book party once. I never got my free books, and my mom bought a lot of books for her classroom to help me get them!

[@catpurr1956]

Thanks for sharing again the dangers to pets of essential oils. Let's not forget the birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Their breathing and skin are hugely impacted. You've seen oil droplets on top of water; imagine how that can affect aquatic environments. Also, can you please spread the word of the possible danger to people who are prone to seizures? Epilepsy or otherwise; this can be a trigger. Please spread the word. Thanks.

[@dorahnotani4316]

Imagine my excitement, I click off the other video so quick

[@almostelphaba]

I need some Hannah merch that says “That’s asinine” and “The audacity!”

[@sarawithoutanh8302]

This is how I always shut down sales pitches and it’s so sad how shocking it is for people. I like my hair. I like my freckles. I like my body. I like my job. These shouldn’t be absolutely shocking statements. 😢