Arbonne

[iloveglee]

does anyone know anything about arbonne as a business opportunity. a relative has just gone into this and is quite evangelical about it (a worry by itself), and is trying to get me interested. i have a nasty feeling that this is some kind of pyramid scheme, although it is a legal company and i know that pyramid schemes are illegal. i have quite an uneasy feeling about it but cant quite put my finger on why. the product as i understand it is top quality, but is also top price. how can anyone ever hope to make any money selling this when you can get top quality, organic, not tested on animals etc. at boots, body shop or any department store for much less. why would anyone buy it. there has to be much more about this than meets the eye. they want me to go to a 'seminar' but are very reluctant to tell me much about it, all i get is you will have to come along and see for yourself. i am happy to suspend my scepticism but would very much welcome any input from anyone who is, or has been involved. both sides of the argument.

[factor-fiction]

This may be useful.
http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/MLMexample.php
Typing ARBONNE SCAM into Google throws up lots of hits too

[iloveglee]

thats useful, get the impression that even though this is not exactly a scam, nor is it illegal the reality is that very few people will make money. i remember from many years ago amway which was similar i think. i have found the explanation from the arbonne website of how to earn money and move up the various levels and frankly it would take a financial expert to understand it. it seems to me that if there are many levels of earning potential, which are depending in a large part on those on the levels below you to create an income, then this is a pyramid in all but name and various disclaimers and 'codes of ethics' are put in place so keep within the law. from the way this relative is raving about this, and the words and phrases she is using suggests to me some kind of brainwashing has maybe been going on here. i am almost tempted to go along with my brain in unwashable mode!!!

[boxtops]

Amway is still about and is quite legitimate - I was an agent for them, at a very small scale, some years back. For Amway you had to work extremely hard to make any money. It's the same with many such companies where you sell to your family and friends and slowly widen your range and recruit other people. I know nothing of Arbonne so can't say whether it's similar to selling companies I've been an agent for over the years.

[Just-Jude]

The word "seminar" says it all. I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole!

[iloveglee]

yes, seminar does ring bells. its not only that, its the stuff that is now coming out, you know the kind of thing that makes me think these seminars are the kind of thing you hear from tv evangelists. you get the impression they might be speaking in tongues and taking up serpents next. that kind of thing makes me very nervous. i believe this is similar to amway, but there are some differences which make it less distinguishable from a pyramid than some of the other companies of this type. there is no doubt that the potential rewards are vastly exaggerated.

[brenda]

Don't waste your time going to the seminar, and keep your money safe with you.
Schemes like this do not make fortunes for the average punter, and may well after a lot of hard work end in tears.

[iloveglee]

this is, unfortunately, very much as i feared. i do hope my relative doesnt get in too deep. i suspect though that nothing i say will dissuade her from her enthusiasm, which is, as i mentioned before, evangelical.