Is an MLM a Pyramid Scheme?
Technically, Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) is a Pyramid Scheme because its structure looks like… a pyramid scheme, where a pyramid is a mathematical shape and a scheme is a mathematical diagram.
Most traditional companies also have an organizational chart in the shape of a pyramid. The earnings are low at a working bee level and are higher upward the line of the position and seniority hierarchy with a disproportionate increase in the executive management level. Wouldn’t you agree?
However, the common use of a “Pyramid Scheme” term is to reflect on a scam within the business. The definition of “scheme” in such a case is “a devious plan of action”. In this sense…
What is the difference between Multi-Level Marketing and a Pyramid Scheme?
Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) is a strategy for the sale of products or services, where the company’s revenue is produced by independent distributors. MLM companies encourage their existing distributors to recruit new distributors. A percentage based on the sales of a participant’s sales force would be his/her compensation, in addition to his/her personal sales. The compensation packages are defined as a pyramid-shaped commission system.
Multi-Level Marketing business model is a legal entity.
Yet, there is a very fine line between legitimate and fraudulent MLM businesses. We’ll look deeper into these differences once we set definitions clear and get Pyramid and Ponzi Scheme explained.
Pyramid Scheme is where a participant makes all of his/her money by recruiting others and there is no product or service being exchanged. Or, there might be a product, which participants buy and sell to new recruits, but there are none, or a low percentage of the customers, who value the product and want to buy it, and who are not a part of the compensation plan.
The Pyramid Scheme is illegal.
Ponzi Scheme is a fraudulent investment arrangement. The investors are promised low risk and high return. There is no actual investment at all. Instead, the money is being shifted from the larger pool of newer investors to the smaller pool of older investors. Older investors receive their high returns as they were promised. Based on their personal experience, old investors build a good reputation for the arranger. More and more of new investors get attracted by this good reputation of a schemer. Redistribution of money continues until the pool of newer investors becomes not large enough to sustain the demand of older investors. Then, the whole scheme collapses and the “investors” lose a lot of money.
Charles Ponzi was an Italian immigrant who in the 1920s became known in the United States and Canada as a swindler. Ponzi promised his clients to double their investments in 90 days by buying discounted postal reply coupons in other countries and redeeming them in the US at face value. In reality, he was paying to earlier investors from the money collected from the later investors. Charles Ponzi wasn’t the one who originally came up with this fraudulent investment idea, but he ran his campaign for over a year, and when it collapsed, it cost his “investors” over $20 million. His name became so identified with this type of fraud that it is now referred to as a Ponzi scheme.
The Ponzi scheme is illegal.
This video below illustrates the difference between Ponzi and Pyramid Scheme
My personal experience with MLM business model as an outsider, customer and later… a member
I first heard the words “multi-level marketing” over 30 years ago. Back then the name was applied to a pure Ponzi Scheme. I knew nothing about Ponzi at that time, but I was an A+ math student and loved mathematical logic. When a friend, who wanted to get me involved, explained how it works, I immediately realized that there was nothing of value, and so-called “MLM” was a simple redistribution of money. Thus, I decided for myself that MLM is a fraud and I don’t want to be around any of it. For several years, I’d walk away as soon as I hear the term, without even listening. Therefore, I didn’t know that there was more than one scenario and even a legitimate option existed.
Several years later, on a local fair, I bought some cosmetics by Mary Kay and liked it a lot. The salesperson gave me her business card, and I called her when I needed a refill. Only when she tried to recruit me I realized that I was using a product from an MLM company. That was different from my first encounter with the MLM term. However, I was so turned against it, that I assumed that there will be another dupe somewhere down the road. Besides, I never wished to work as an independent distributor. I turned that offer down.
Years later, I purchased an eye mascara from Avon, and was so happy with it, that I still use only this particular type of Avon mascara.
The prices on either Mary Kay or Avon products are in the average range, or even on a lower side. I am fully satisfied as a customer. No wonder Avon Products, Inc., a multi-level marketing business has been in business for over 130 years. The California Perfume Company was founded in 1886 by David H. McConnell and renamed to Avon in 1932.
Now, that I became a customer of a couple of MLM companies, I stopped being so negative about this business model. I knew that at least some of them offer quality products at a reasonable price. I’ve gotten to know a few people working as distributors for MLM businesses. I’ve seen that their work was very hard, time-consuming and energy-depleting. I didn’t know these people long enough to see whether they were able to move up in the levels of hierarchy.
Three years ago, I came across another MLM company – this time, it was in the financial industry. The time was right and I had a need for their services. I saw a lot of value in what they had to offer: education, the variety of quality financial products, a new professional occupation, personal earnings if I become their associate, and own business opportunity. One product that I got interested in offered life insurance now and a supplement to the retirement income later. Considering all the positive facts, I started looking carefully into what negative could come up later if I decide to join.
During these three years that I was making baby-steps of getting more and more involved with the company, I made some friends, observed them working their butts off, witnessed a friend’s promotion from a Marketing Director (MD) to a Senior Marketing Director (SMD).
The MLM company I am talking about is World Financial Group, which has been in business for over 25 years.
What should you look for when choosing an MLM opportunity? What are the warning signs?
As I mentioned at the beginning of my post, most organizations are shaped in a pyramid form. The dollar amount is higher at the top of either pyramid: a traditional company or MLM business. However, a legal pyramid (MLM or non-MLM) offers a valuable product or service to its customers. There are customers, who are not members of the business. Customers willingly give their money to the organization in exchange for a valuable product or service. The product(s) or service(s) offered by the MLM company is not overpriced.
Since in a multi-level marketing business model, “upline” participants receive a portion from the sales performed by their “downline” distributors, the overall price of the product could grow too high. In a legitimate company, the distribution of compensation inside the MLM pyramid should not affect end-customers. The product delivered to clients must be an average market price for the product of similar functionality and quality.
How can you recognize a scam company from a trustworthy one?
10 Red Flags of Scams:
10 Red Flags of Scams:- You’ve been promised quick money at a little effort – that’s the most obvious lie.
While the business itself might still be legitimate, the person, who is trying to recruit you, is not being honest. There is no such thing as quick and easy money. You need to work hard and smart to start a career or business. Don’t fall for the “get-rich-quick” scheme. - There is no product or service for sale.
Lack of a product is the most alerting sign that the business might be a pyramid scheme. - There is no demand for the product or service.
Such a company would push the recruiting over the sales of the product. If a company is focused on “building a team” of new distributors rather than acquiring new customers, consider it a clear and loud warning – a bright red flag. - The product(s) or service(s) is overpriced.
An overpriced product might be a direct result of an MLM structure: the distributor and too many people above him/her are being fed from a sale.
If a number of layers in the pyramid noticeably affects the product’s price, then it will become difficult to interest more customers. - The company and its founder do not have an established good reputation.
The reputation is important but doesn’t mean much as a single factor (remember the Ponzi Scheme!) - A company is in business for a short period, there is no known physical location of the headquarters.
You are safer to go with a company that has been around for a number of years than with a start-up. Even though, you might be attracted by an opportunity to get to the ground floor – that’s a wrong call. With direct sales, it doesn’t matter at what point you start. - High-pressure recruiting tactic.
Your recruiter is trying to lure you by an unsupported benefit of enrolling quicker, not giving you time to research the company and think over the opportunity. Such behavior should raise a doubt. Does your recruiter fear that if given more time, you’d find out something about the company that will prevent you from participating? You don’t want to make a rushed decision. - High start-up cost
To enroll, you may be asked to pay a significant amount of money in immediate exchange for nothing valuable – plain promises of future revenue. Every MLM company would have some start-up costs, and a low enrollment fee is okay. Higher amounts are a red flag. There should be no requirement to purchase training or marketing materials or to pay to attend training seminars. - Watch out for a pressure to buy and stock inventory.
Buying a few popular items to have on hand is okay, but don’t fill your garage with the products, especially if you don’t know for sure that you can sell them all. - Find out if a company buys back an unsold inventory and at what price.
In the United States, if a distributor cancels his/her contract of participation, MLM company is required by law to buy back inventory at a price not less than 90% of the distributor’s original net cost.
If a number of layers in the pyramid noticeably affects the product’s price, then it will become difficult to interest more customers.There is one more problem I’d like to address. It’s an ethical issue…
You Risk Your Reputation, and Thus Your Circle of Friends.
This is the nature of the business. It has nothing to do with the MLM scams. Let me explain, please…
To be successful, any direct salesperson, whether (s)he is associated with single-level or multi-level marketing company, must be
- out-going,
- friendly,
- talkative,
- goal-oriented,
- passionate about his occupation,
- highly engaged in his business,
- relationship-driven,
- attention-seeking.
What is a recruiter? A recruiter is a salesperson, who sells an opportunity. To be successful, any recruiter must have exactly the same qualities as listed above.
While most of these qualities are positive and well accepted by others, the whole set together is not as enjoyable as may seem from the first sight. When you are associated with an MLM business, you are a direct salesperson and a recruiter at the same time.
To become successful, you must have all of these characteristics, and double the power. For your financial gain, you must sell products or services and grow your team by recruiting new members. Wherever you go, your goal is to expand your social circle – so, that you get new people to hire or to sell to. There will be no social gathering where you won’t talk about your business. Most likely, unless you know a secret on how to avoid it, you’ll become annoying to your friends, family, and everybody you meet. You’ll be gaining acquaintances, but losing true friends. You’ll become an aggressively enterprising person, a hustler.
I don’t know how to accomplish the goal of expanding the number of my potential clients and not experience the negative outcome I described above. That was and still is my personal biggest stopper from becoming an associate in an MLM company. I do know people who manage to carefully mask their hiring and selling intentions while establishing connections and engaging new people. Every occupation requires certain skills and talents, and these people are talented salespeople – they will certainly succeed in a legitimate MLM business. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. Are you, my reader? If not, you can still enjoy the benefits and passive income coming from MLM opportunity — please continue reading.
My Conclusion.
MLM does not equal to SCAM. Not ALL MLM businesses are scams. Some are legitimate, trustworthy, and offer great services and products at reasonable prices.
My #1 recommendation in online MLM business is:
Changing The Future Outcome or CTFO
This is an MLM company that allows its associates to work 100% online – no need to become a hustler!!! Use your own website and online marketing skills (see the WA opportunity below), your social networks, and/or join a team of like-minded people and contribute to their mutual marketing attempts utilizing their skills and knowledge and enriching with your own ideas. And if you are a talented salesperson and are not concerned about damaging your reputation in your social circle, sell and recruit wherever you go – such method always works well for MLM businesses.
CTFO offers Pure Hemp CBD Oil Products in 4 categories:
- Health
- Anto-Aging
- Nutrition
- Pets
and NON-CBD skin and anti-aging products.
My #1 recommendation in brick-and-mortar MLM business is:
>> Click Here to Read my Review
and decide whether this opportunity is good for you too. <<<
However, with every MLM, including WFG, you do need to go and hunt for your clients and partners.
This does not fit my personality at all, and I don’t want to change my nature. I won’t do this: I treasure my friends, I prefer to discuss a wide range of topics at a party, rather than speak about my business.
But wait… What if there is another solution?
If somehow I could let people know what is my area of expertise, then people, who are interested in more information, could contact me, instead of me running after everybody and asking whether they want me to help them. But, how could I let people know what I am good at?
I’ll use Internet Marketing instead of personal network marketing. Once someone shows me his/her interest, then I’d be happy to meet with this person face-to-face, or via any of the online methods of personal communication and tell him/her everything (s)he wants to know.
What? Internet Marketing? How do I do it?
You, my friend, can learn to do it! Yes, yes and yes!
My Number 1 recommendation in Online Marketing is Wealthy Affiliate.
>>> Read their review and join Wealthy Affiliate and
learn Online Marketing. <<<
With these two companies, you’d be well-equipped to create income online and through MLM opportunity.
By the way, in their training, Wealthy Affiliate is focusing on Affiliate Marketing and they offer a wonderful Affiliate Program themselves.
Please use the “Comments” area below to share your concerns, observations and ask questions. I’d be happy to hear from you and keep this discussion going.
Julia this is an excellent article and I believe important to distinguish the differences between MLM and pyramid scheme structures. I have come across this discussion many times working in the MLM structure of doterra essential oils. Thanks for sharing and clarifying this point.
Dear Fleur,
Thank you so much for your feedback. I’ve written this article because I see way too often how people make grimaces as soon as they hear “MLM”. I was the same way until I’ve taken a closer look and realized the difference.
I believe that MLM businesses deserve justification and clear distinguishing from those pyramid schemes which act under MLM mask. I understand that your experience with doTERRA Essential Oils was mostly positive and this company is a legitimate MLM business. Is that right?
Thank you again, and all the best to you!
Wow, Julia, what a thorough post on multi-level marketing versus pyramid schemes. You covered so many different aspects. Bravo! It was fascinating to read your journey on how you first resisted and slowly started understanding the benefits of being involved in a legitimate direct selling company.
I’ve been in Leadership positions in a number of MLM companies over the years and became Head of Network Marketing for a local company here in South Africa, so I understand MLM from both perspectives: out in the field and in Corporate.
One of the criteria I always consider when looking at joining a new company, is whether the company is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA).
I also look very deeply into the Compensation Plan to see whether it would be a fit for my way of networking or not. For example, some people are brilliant sales people and do well in a system that drives individual sales, others can recruit hundreds of people, others recruit a handful of people and focus on building leaders. I favour a compensation plan that drives the latter because that’s my particular field of expertise. What’s yours? What do you love most about building your network?
Dear Lauren,
Thank you so much for your insightful comment.
Your experience in the field is priceless. I am way more junior in MLM business, and am in the process of discovering which approach and type of compensation plan I like the best. I would definitely like to focus on building leaders, but I assume that this is not something you do in the early stage of your involvement.
I’ve done much research to understand the difference between the good and the bad in MLM business, but still warn my readers to be very careful with choosing the company, because there are many pyramid schemes hiding under the legit MLM mask.
I can’t say that I fully agree that a company’s participation in DSA is a good indicator of the company’s legitimacy, not lately. In 1970 only 5% of the DSA members were MLMs, this ratio went up to 90% in 2011, and MLM companies adapted direct selling companies name, which is misleading because direct selling companies don’t have to be multi-level. It feels to me that today DSA offers legal protection to participating companies more than it really demands to follow the business ethics.
I do believe that the product or service and customers’ interest in it and involvement are the key factors.
All the best to you,
~Julia
Hi Julia. Thank you for this really informative article. I really learned a lot from reading this, thank you. I have heard the term MLM banded around the internet and other places but didn’t really understand the way it worked or how it could work. I had also heard of pyramid schemes and like you, wanted to stay well away from them. Coincidentally, I actually grew up in the town where Avon had its UK factory for many years and knew many Avon consultants personally including my sister who always loved her work with the company.
I think the key is to really gather as much information about these opportunities as you can before committing any money because I’m sure there are a lot of scams out there. That said, there are no doubt, many legitimate business opportunities too and one would have to be discerning and thorough in your research in order to differentiate between the two.
Dear Gail,
I appreciate your comment. Thank you for your insight.
It’s interesting that you had an Avon factory in your hometown, and many people were involved in selling their products. I am glad to know that your sister loved her work. Even though Avon is an oldest and very well established company, I still hear accusations towards them of being a pyramid scheme. I think this is because many people know that the company runs an MLM business model, and because of lack of understanding the difference, they identify it with the Pyramid Scheme. I hope that my readers, like yourself, will now be able to see the difference.
Thank you again,
~ Julia
Hi Julia,
We’ve met on the other review of yours, WFG. In short, we came from the same part of the world. I’m from Romania, you are a very intelligent person, and therefore I do follow your take in these industries. I’ve been in the USA since 1990 and I’m doing/did well in this great country of ours. I’ve got my hands wet with MLM (my wife Mary Kay, myself WFG, both strong legit companies, but product-wise, selling nothing special. WFG flagship product VUL/FFIUL, I have a beef with it, because is not suitable for the intended market).
Before to put in trial MLM, we need to judge first, what Wall Street and SEC (a government watchdog) gave us, American people:
– Bernie Madoff runs a Ponzi scheme on the making for 20+ years. $65 billions lost in pensions, funds and lives destroyed.
– Congress and banksters gave us deregulation in the finance industry and as a result, anybody with a pulse, no job no income verification, got a home loan, became homeowner overnight and finally in 2008 market crashed and the economy was on the brink of being bankrupt.
– Financial wizards issued Credit cards to dead people and dogs. Americans in debt like never before
-and student debt loans in trillions… financial balloon heading for crash (paid by us) sustained by the same Congress (bought and sold by finance industry) and we voted for so MLM…
MLM means selling some product. Pure and simple. You have to be a master in selling to have the smallest chance in MLM. That’s it. There is a product to sell, there is no Ponzi scheme, no pyramid scheme, there is a legitimate business, approved by FTC. All sorts of bad things can happen in MLM? Of course, if you are afraid of that, don’t even think about to join MLM.
But if you do join with only one desire, scope, dream and focus 1000% not 100% and sacrifice your time, family and hobbies, time measured in years to make a living in MLM , besides selling, you need to be good at recruiting, managing people and immune to high turn over of people coming /go to your team. It takes 10 years from your life, full-time dedication to reach 6 figures or 7 figures income and to build a team, and with that still, you might not sleep at night because it might dissolve without notice.
Is it possible? Yes!
Chances to “make it” in any MLM is no greater than 1% out of hundred. In the meantime, the MLM might be shut down, the product will not sell no matter what, you have a monster to fight like Amazon and other 2000 websites selling the same thing.
Heads up, it helps a lot and makes sense to join an MLM when is at inception. If you join at level 6-7 in MLM, mathematically, the odds are stack against you.
Sorry, at level 6 or 7 if you are not able to sell ice to Eskimos, you will not make it.
Wish you and your readers well!
Hi Emil,
Sure, I recognize your face ? and voice. LOL
Thank you for coming back, reading another one of my articles and adding value to it in your comment.
I prefer to keep politics out of my posts, but I can’t agree with you more. Very well said! Maybe you should start a blog of your own?!
Unfortunately for me, I must agree with you on the point that succeeding in MLM business requires passion and excellent skills of a salesperson as well as a recruiter… Yes, the statistics indicated in the report of the analysis performed by an independent firm in 2011 (“The Case (for and) against Multi-level Marketing By Jon M. Taylor, MBA, Ph.D., Consumer Awareness Institute”) tell us that the rate of success in an MLM business model is 1% and 99% lose money. Not much probably has changed during the last 8 years, but some things have. Besides, I don’t like to solidly rely on one outdated source. Having said that, I do agree that the rate of success is very low.
I started the previous paragraph with “Unfortunately for me…” because I realized once that I don’t have passion for sales and I don’t have the required skills, and most of all, I don’t want to learn the skill needed for the success in MLM. For that very reason, after 3 years of observing the business, I didn’t get involved with WFG any further and switched to affiliate marketing, which I like so far very much. However, despite my realization, I got myself involved with another MLM. Here, I know for sure, that I won’t be among 99% of those who lose money with MLM, but since I still don’t have a passion for sales and recruitment, most likely I won’t make the 1% of successful associates either. So, these statistical numbers must be wrong somewhere…
So, why did I join another MLM?
I joined because I wanted to try the product and came to love it; it saved me the quality of life and helped me and my family a lot in many cases.
Why am I so sure that I won’t lose money?
Because there is no fee to join and no obligations to buy anything.
Yet, I love the products and buy some of them anyway – so, I have the potential of earning the highest available compensation.
I am really interested to find out what you think about this MLM and especially its compensation plan. I feel like it’s too much to ask you for… but if you have time and interest of your own, I would certainly appreciate your feedback. Here are direct links to my posts related to this company, but if you’d like to do your independent research, that’s totally fine.
CTFO Review 2018
CBD Oil for Pain Relief. What Is 10x Pure?
How to buy CBD Oil Online? || The best CBD oil brands
I truly appreciate readers like you and value your opinion. Thank you very much,
~ Julia
P.S. I saw your new comment on WFG article, but I need more time to reply as I got lots of comments on my latest post, and need to answer them too. One thing that caught my eye right away was your mentioning of the “cult mentality”. You are right again! I am trying to avoid participation in this cult in my new MLM company (though, they work hard to create it and get all the associates under its spell). Yet, I admit that I created my own “cult” over some of their products, but it came out solidly from my personal experience.
Hi Julia,
Thanks for a Like on my pics and voice.
I can tell you this CTFO is a young MLM. No negative reviews yet.
Sells a product which for now has a demand, the market for CBD will grow, so is a good start to join this MLM.
The market is not saturated.
There are 12 major players controlling the global market, one might be a supplier for CTFO. Forces against you. Huge, huge, Competition, other sellers and Google of course. Did I mention huge competition yet?
Depending how much money you gonna loose before you break even. That’s the critical point because from then on you will make money.
General population desire to join an MLM is only 15%, translate it to a hard time in recruiting, on the web is even less likely to build a stable team overnight.
Time: nobody will make it in MLM part-time, few hours or as a hobby, etc. If that is your case you are a Miracle
Compensations, I’m not worried about that, you have brains, and I know, you know.
CTFO looks good on paper, and already you know any MLM is designed to make money first to whoever is starting. No matter his/her credentials and trustworthiness.
For you is still a must to work from home, right? You have to have this or any MLM to make some income? If so, if you have a certain amount expressed in $ and cents on the table, you will spend until you see the daylight, this MLM looks good, but like any MLM is not Kosher, do not generate false hopes with CTFO either.
Good luck from the bottom of my heart.
Hello, Emil.
Thank you for your knowledge-sharing on a traditional MLM.
CTFO is NOT a traditional MLM company. The only way to really lose money in a shape of time (not $$ from your pocket!) is to set full force and commitment to this company and yet fail. Most people grow within CTFO while having another source of income. Only when some hit high numbers in CTFO earnings, they consider quitting whatever they were doing before. There are not many people yet, who are full-time earners on their CTFO business.
I don’t make unrealistic hopes and advise others against it. I suggest to define small steps and understand that while the opportunity is endless, not everyone will make it to the top.
I’m planning to write a post about my journey with CTFO, but here is the summary:
CTFO is FREE to join and there are NO obligations to buy kits or products. People join CTFO for three reasons:
1. They like CTFO’s wide variety of high-quality CBD and non-CBD products — customers (that’s how I’ve started)
2. Liking the products, customers start offering these products to their friends. Why not get 20% of CV back from the purchases your friends and family members make and offset your own cost of products or even earn some extra money? So, people become part-time relaxed CTFO associates. I call it “freelancers” (this was my second step, and I am currently in this phase, trying to get to the next one)
3. Build your team of 1-3 qualified members and a part-time CTFO business; get additional 5K – 10K -15K annually to your income from other sources. According to our compensation plan, this can be achieved with only 1-3 active associates in your team.
4. Put in full time to build a full-scale business with at least 6-digit annual earnings.
With the CTFO compensation plan, there is a good chance for someone actively and productively working, to earn more money than his/ her upline.
CTFO is getting ahead of the huge competition in the CBD market by introducing its 10xPure patented products.
To answer your questions, Emil… Yes, I still have to make my income by working from home. However, MLM is not the only option to earn money from home. I don’t make false expectations and don’t solidly rely on the earnings from this opportunity as my only stream of income. As I explained above, I am gradually progressing…
To reiterate, I totally agree with you that making a living from any MLM company is hard work and requires lots of time. The success ratio is low, but I am convinced that part of the problem is not an MLM model, but rather a mindset of people who join. As you pointed out, lots of people set high expectations, but not willing to dedicate much time, focus and effort. With the CTFO’s free income opportunity and such top-grade and in-demand product, we see that this happens unbelievably often. Lots of people gladly jump in on this opportunity and then do nothing to develop it into a business. Those who take it seriously are making steady progress.
I thank you for your warm wishes. The same goes back to you.
~ Julia
Hi Julia,
My dear,
Your statement :
“CTFO is NOT a traditional MLM company”
your link is giving me:
“CTFO utilizes a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) business structure”
You win! No need to defend CTFO
I know for sure CTFO is not Big Farma, they also started using CBD in some drug
I know for sure CTFO is not CVS or Walgreen, they started to sell CBD
I know for sure CTFO is not Amazon
If direct selling, network marketing is not used in CTFO material, I agree with you.
My answer to you is, my bad, I’m sorry, my mistake to name CTFO ” traditional MLM “.
I can say only this :
CTFO, they offer a unique advantage over many other CBD MLM companies. Their CBD oil products are priced cheaper than others without any compromise in quality. In the USA there are 10 MLM companies selling CBD. I know the name of 9 MLM companies selling CBD, the 10th, CTFO is not a traditional MLM.
Friends?
Back to what does matter to you
CBD is a new Gold rush
Hype, hope, and big bucks.
CBD big placebo effect for now
Good to start selling it.
The big players catching up, Big Farma, CVS, Walgreen, Amazon
Medical community did not conclude CBD is doing any harm, nor any benefits. No research avail showing CBD taken orally is going fast enough in the bloodstream to be effective. Too much CBD in ingredients will harm, to less is ineffective.
So far CBD is getting traction by word of mouth “is great, is doing good to the body”. My wife uses it and she stands besides CBD.
In the future when the market is saturated with CBD, the price will come down a lot, and some MLM companies, will not be able to sell CBD, and their supplier will start altering the ingredients, to make it cheaper. From then on MLM might not be a place to sell CBD.
Julia, with your trust in CTFO you will do well with the company.
All the best!
Dear Emil,
I do not appreciate your sarcasm, and this is my last reply if you continue in this tone. The emphasis in my statement was on “traditional” not on “MLM”. Of course, CTFO is a Multi-Level Marketing business. However, most MLMs require investment: fee to join, obligations to buy the company’s products and such. My point was that in this MLM one will or will not earn MUCH money, but one has to be very creative and try really hard to lose money in this free opportunity. And no, it doesn’t have to take life away to work on this business; it can be done part-time or as a hobby. Of course, the more one works the more (s)he earns – but this is not MLM-specific; this is true for any self-employment. I didn’t want to argue your points made in the previous messages, because they were true for most TRADITIONAL MLMs, but I don’t think they are valid for CTFO. WFG is also not a traditional MLM, and I also believe that it’s not set for its associates to lose money – whether they earn much or not is another question.
Your opinion about CBD itself is an opinion of a person who didn’t use it yet and didn’t put much effort into learning and investigating – no blame, we can’t know everything about everything. But please don’t present your opinion as a proven fact.
Chinese started using cannabis for the medicinal purpose more than 5 thousand years ago. There isn’t much medical research, but there is some, which proves that CBD works well to help with certain ailments. There was some research done proving that CBD and Medical Marijuana significantly reduce inflammation, epileptic seizures, helps in breast cancer treatment. My close friend is successfully treating her breast cancer with medical marijuana and other herbs from Eastern medicine. There is one FDA-approved hemp-derived CBD drug that can be prescribed to kids as young as 2 years old to help with 2 types of epileptic seizures. My other friends have been using medical marijuana since 2014 to help their child in reducing seizures: they went down from 6-7 seizures per day to about 1 per 6 months. Personal experiences of many people are good enough for me when scientific research was not allowed due to legislative stupidity.
Also, the placebo effect doesn’t work on pets. When an old dog is no longer able to walk the stairs because of her arthritis and in a couple of days after starting on CBD oil daily, starts walking stairs again for another 4 months, it tells me that CBD works. Yes, I am talking about our own dog – 15 years 3 months old Labrador Retriever, still alive and still climbing stairs (hard to say “walking” any longer, but she makes it out of the house on her own). Out of curiosity, google lifespan for pure Labrador Retriever breed.
I know that you meant well, but I’d really like to stop arguing. I don’t like controversy. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts on what you know better than I do – WFG operations – you were fully involved and learned from your personal experience.
The things I do professionally, I don’t take lightly. I educate myself well before I start sharing my knowledge and helping others. I am only starting my journey as an MLM associate, but I’ve been CTFO customer for a year now. I’ve learned everything I could about the cannabis plant, hemp & marijuana cultivates, mammals’ endocannabinoid system, endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytonutrients, and I continue learning daily.
CBD market IS currently a Gold Rush. It’s a result of political games. We can’t change this fact – so it’s better to take advantage of it (if we can) at an early stage.
Thank you, and all the best.
~ Julia