MLM Again!

I have a few friends who’s quite active in the MLM scene, and to tell you the truth, I hardly contact them after I get to know their background. I’m not sure why these MLM marketers just don’t know how to be frank about what they want to tell you when they ask you to go out lim teh. Why do they have to be so secretive about it? Why do they have to conceal their true intention, but instead, they cover it up with “lim teh”?.

I am going to talk about this stalker who’s an MLM marketer, and yeah, I finally agree to go out lim teh with him after a few weeks stalking my mobile. We met after work in a coffee shop yesterday. Like any other MLM marketers, they started the conversation casually, asking how’s life, how’s work, how’s study, how’s your girlfriend, etc. And after 5-10 minutes of bullshit, he say that he has something great to share. He talks about how our life would end if we’re employees, he talks about the stages of life and its enjoyment, he talks about retirement. Then he talks about the 4 types of people, and how one can enjoy life if they manage to jump from side A to side B. He talks about the active income and passive income stuff. Well, if you read Rich Dad Poor Dad, I’m sure you will know about this 4 types of people I talk about.

And then, he started to talk about the MLM company that he joins. He talks about how powerful the company is, how big the company is, how great their products, etc. He talks about the opportunity of him, able to talk to a Datuk casually. He brag about how the MLM company rewards their member if they manage to achieve a certain ranking. Fully sponsored vacation to places of attraction. All those nice stuff lah.

Well, I kept quiet and nodded most of the time when he talks about this stuff. Well, I agree with him when he talks the stages of life and the 4 types of people. I have nothing to disagree when he brags about the powerful MLM company that he joins. I have nothing to doubt, I mean, it is quite well established, as far as I know.

Then, he starts talking about how one can make money with a so called 20×20 plan when they join this MLM company. He says that, on the first month, you only have to find 20 customers and you can get a profit of around RM2,000 plus a bonus of around RM600. After you’re stable, then you can look for 20 distributors, and if this 20 distributors can find 20 customers like you did, you can earn lots and lots of bonus by just having your downline working on the customer. He says that looking for people is very easy, the chances are big, because there’s thousands of people in Miri itself. Then he talks about the rankings and all the earnings nonsense la. The winning phrase at the end of the story is:

“Now, do you have RM85 to spare?”

Epic WIN conclusive end.

Right, so anyway, I said “No”, cos I really don’t have RM85 in my wallet. Then he asked for my IC and I said no. He claims that this RM85 is refundable if I don’t get rich within a year. No gain no loss, as he claims. And so I said, “If you insisted on me joining and guarantees me this kinda of passive income in a year time, why don’t you tell me your story? I am curious about your successful story”.

So my first question, “How long have joined this company?”

He answered, “Last year May, but I only started seriously doing it February this year”.

Then I asked, “How many sales have you closed up until now?”

He answered, stuttering, “Er… so far none”.

So I proceed, “Right, and how many people have you recruited so far?”

He answered, “So far four.”

Then I said, “Miri has thousands of people, no? And you haven’t even close any sales to anyone, and thus far, you have recruited 4 people which I guess thus far also haven’t close any sales, right? I figure you have worked really hard to get this 4 people right? And working hard, is this even passive income that you’re claiming?”

“If you fail to achieve your own 20×20 plan, and yet you’re trying to get me into doing it, what makes you think I can achieve it?”

He kept quiet.

And guess what, since he failed to recruit me, he try to get me into buying his products. He say how good his RM18 toothpaste is compared to the regular RM5 toothpaste I use at home. He say how one can have economical benefit by using his products. Well, I didn’t manage to shoot him this time, cos my mum called me and asked me if I’m coming home for dinner. Well, I quickly use the “mum call me to come home” reason to get out from the scene. And yeah, our talks ends there.

Here’s the thing. I don’t think that their products is bad. In fact, I am using one of their products, and I must say I am quite impressed with what it can do compare to other products that is offered in the market. And as for their business plan, I think it’s not a bad one either. The 20×20 is achievable, though I believe the 1 month duration is a bit too short for people like me who’s currently employed full time. I don’t despise the business plans and the products. What I despise is the marketers.

Why do they have to be so persistent? I love to make money my own way, I have my own plans ahead, and my financial planning is not for you to bug in. I’m not seeking your financial advice, so please, don’t talk about financial planning with me. I have my own plans for retirement, and it’s not the MLM way.