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Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) is a method based on distributors selling goods or services, in the meantime attracting new recruits to the company. These salespeople are incentivized to draw others in by receiving a percentage from their sales. The same way, the newbies are encouraged not only to sell products but to look for likely candidates to join under their wing.

“Sounds a lot like a pyramid scheme,” you might think. And you’re right. The two are definitely alike; however, one is legal, the other—not so much. Also known as network marketing, MLM is a legitimate process, yet the line between the two can often get somewhat faded.

Whether it’s a pyramid scheme or a MLM company, some distributors can get way out of line to increase their sales. Such instances deserve shaming, and that’s exactly what the ‘Anti MLM’ community members on Reddit do. They share screenshots and memes and roast them one image at a time. We collected some of the best examples, covering the heartless, the crazy, and the foolish of multi-level marketing representatives for you to enjoy.

Multi-level marketing is often also called direct sales, which is based on person-to-person pitches. According to Statista, the US is the global leader when it comes to this. Back in 2021, direct sales generated nearly 43 billion dollars, which is more than double the amount in Korea—the follow-up country on the list. Germany, China, and Japan line up behind the two respectively.

IBIS data indicated that now, in 2023, the US market size of direct selling companies is over 65 billion dollars. It also revealed that it has been steadily growing for the last five years.

#2

Holy Personal And Possible(?) Hippa Violation. I Hope This Lady Loses Her Job

Holy Personal And Possible(?) Hippa Violation. I Hope This Lady Loses Her Job

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Multi-level marketing is not a recent innovation. It’s believed to date back to the junction of the 19th and 20th centuries. Determining the exact year is difficult; so is finding out who were the first ones to introduce it, but such companies as AVON and Nutrilite are considered to be among the flag bearers.

According to Zippia, AVON recently had roughly 23,000 distributors and an annual revenue of 3.4 billion US dollars. The largest MLM company in the US (Amway), is believed to have around 15,000 distributors and nearly 9 billion in revenue.

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#4

They Better Leave The Poor Rats Alone!

They Better Leave The Poor Rats Alone!

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#5

Came Across This Beaut In One Of My Facebook Groups

Came Across This Beaut In One Of My Facebook Groups

LusciousMalfoy92 Report

Back in the day, distributors would have to go door to door selling their products. Nowadays, there are numerous ways to reach a person without having to show up at their house. People are connected through phones and social media, which means a salesperson can reach them in a matter of minutes.

A lot of them choose the latter option to spread information or try to recruit others—online platforms are mostly free, readily available, and easy to use. However, looks can be deceiving, and some MLM companies that seem to be flourishing on social media might not be in real life.

#7

Taken From Facebook, But Huns Are Getting Bold

Taken From Facebook, But Huns Are Getting Bold

the_pink_witch Report

#8

I Was Sick To My Stomach Thinking My Friend Got Sucked In

I Was Sick To My Stomach Thinking My Friend Got Sucked In

CannaZebra Report

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The way multi-level marketing is introduced usually sounds very appealing. Recruiters tend to emphasize that you can work from anywhere, at any time, and make loads of money. Seems too good to be true? Well, because it most likely is.

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The overwhelming majority (91%) join such schemes with hopes of earning money, yet as many as 47% admit to losing it in the end. The numbers show that these options are far from the easy peasy lemon squeezy kind of options they are often presented as. Fundera pointed out that 52% of MLM distributors say that the way the company presented making money is “not too accurate” or “not at all accurate.”

#11

As Seen On Whitepeopletwitter

As Seen On Whitepeopletwitter

twuraychel Report

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censorshipsucks
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope you showed her the malleus maleficarum and said "gonna use this on you if you do not back off"

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According to Fundera, roughly one in 13 adults have taken part in MLM at some point in their lives. In addition to that, Direct Selling Association revealed that over 16 million Americans in 2021 alone signed independent contractors’ agreements with direct sales companies.

#12

My Optometrists Office, Of All F***ing Places

My Optometrists Office, Of All F***ing Places

ChemicalEscapes Report

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand people taking herbalife in the same way as I would understand runners drinking eggnog. It's basically a nutrition-deprived diet that will make you lose weight. But it's not really food.

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#13

I Like Sharing This With The Mlm Huns; They Always Have The Same Thing To Say, "Those People Didn't Try Hard Enough"

I Like Sharing This With The Mlm Huns; They Always Have The Same Thing To Say, "Those People Didn't Try Hard Enough"

waynestractor Report

#14

The Only Possible Explanation

The Only Possible Explanation

Radiant_Ad6909 Report

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

head of major govt agency, owns a mega corporation, something like that. Not on a normal american salary, no way.

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In some ways, multi-level marketing companies resemble a cult. According to the author and mental health professional Steven Alan Hassan, they both use similar strategies, such as appealing to people’s emotions and creating false portrayals of certain situations.

“Most MLMs use tactics of recruitment, financial manipulation, and the promise of large profits. But, like all cults, they employ thought control, magical thinking, thought-stopping, and self-blame. Failures are blamed directly on the consultants, for lack of hard work or competence. The group has no accountability, and the leaders do not allow questions or criticism,” he wrote in Psychology Today.

#15

Last Minute April Fool I Did For My Husband

Last Minute April Fool I Did For My Husband

eight-oh-kate Report

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MiriPanda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Husbands counter prank: "Honey, how wonderful! I was afraid of telling you, but now we are literally on the same team, yay!"

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#17

Just Getting Straight To The Point

Just Getting Straight To The Point

Smithmonkey98 Report

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Eric C.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't Babylon Bee akin to The Onion? This seems more like a trolling article

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Someone from your close circle might have tried to convince you to join such endeavors. Whether it’s an uncle taking his shot at it during another family gathering or a classmate with eyes full of enthusiasm, they most likely mean well, but it’s important to take their assertions with a grain of salt. What sounds like legitimate MLM can end up being a pyramid scheme.

#18

Soon As I See These I'm Checked Out

Soon As I See These I'm Checked Out

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who uses these in a non-ironic way doesn't know what they mean. "Detox" - oh, precisely what POISON are you removing from my body with your detox-cleanse? Do you know its chemical formula? Is it cyanide? Strychnine? Arsenic? What...? Oh, you mean butter? f**k off. "Organic"... yeah... so... contains hydrated carbon molecules, like almost everything above the lithosphere and exposed to the atmosphere. Oh you mean not mass-farmed? So unsustainable and resource-intensive food for privileged rich people, got it. Superfood? Oh you mean like, you can totally eat only that and not die of malnutrition? You go ahead first. I will watch. If you live longer than a month I'll consider it. Anti-ageing. Sure. That's why you have crow's feet Sharon. Antioxidant. You mean a reducing agent? You mean like pure hydrogen? That reduces substances in a redox reaction. Because the opposite of an oxidising agent (antioxidant) is a reducing agent. So I must huff hydrogen ? or what?...

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#19

Well This Seems Unethical

Well This Seems Unethical

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Joolee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really? They're like little lice, they get in there when you're susceptible

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#20

The Nerve. My Grandma Passed Away The Day Before I Got This Message

The Nerve. My Grandma Passed Away The Day Before I Got This Message

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A pyramid scheme is a fraudulent system based on promises of high returns and emphasis on recruitment. In such cases, the founder attracts X amount of people, who then have to do the same, creating a snowball effect leading to rapid expansion. Newcomers usually have to pay a certain amount in order to be able to join.

In these schemes, people receive money for recruiting others, not for selling the goods. One of the main differences between that and legitimate MLM is that no product is actually sold in a pyramid scheme.

#21

Oven Roasted!

Oven Roasted!

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Zaphod_000
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But... Subway has vinegar at their stores, *gasp* Subway is a secret MLM!!!!!

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#22

At What Point Will Huns Begin To Realize This Isn’t Normal?

At What Point Will Huns Begin To Realize This Isn’t Normal?

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TheQueenZ
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeesh all these using deaths and children. I just can't take it. These people have no souls.

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#23

No Words

No Words

itred09 Report

The pyramid scheme always leads to an inevitable collapse. That is why it’s important to look for possible red flags before signing up for anything of that kind. Associate Professor of Economics at Hamline University, Stacie Bosley, spoke about how to spot a pyramid scheme in a TED-Ed Video.

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She distinguished three main signs to be on the lookout for—urgency-based pressure, promises about life-changing amounts of money, and having to pay in order to be able to sell goods and services.

#24

Our Daughter Passed Away Last Month. My Husband Received This Message Today From Someone He Knew In Highschool

Our Daughter Passed Away Last Month. My Husband Received This Message Today From Someone He Knew In Highschool

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#26

I'm Doing This At 6cm Dilated!

I'm Doing This At 6cm Dilated!

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Marianne
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In case someone doesn't know what that means: she is about to give birth.

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Pyramid schemes as well as MLM are typically very superficially appealing, especially to those going through hardships in life. The prospect of earning large sums fast might seem like the only way out for some of them. Sadly, certain people use others’ unfortunate circumstances to make money.

#27

Girl On My Facebook Posted This… She’s Dead Serious…

Girl On My Facebook Posted This… She’s Dead Serious…

BustingCaptain Report

#28

Posted By A Hun Who “Owns Her Own Business” Selling I’m Sure You Can Guess Which Essential Oils

Posted By A Hun Who “Owns Her Own Business” Selling I’m Sure You Can Guess Which Essential Oils

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Hotdogking
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not to worry I know just the thing for struggling teens with gullible or neglectful parents. I can’t remember its name, but the company that makes it is known as C-P-S. I suggest giving them a ring, they’ll definitly be able to help your daughter

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Such fast ways of generating money can be not only dangerous, but annoying as well. These images are great proof that certain distributors take it too far with their pitches. And when the recipients’ patience runs out, they might turn to the online world to let out their despair or shame the irritating salespeople.

#30

God, Just Shut The F**k Up Already!

God, Just Shut The F**k Up Already!

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censorshipsucks
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they also can't afford to sink 4000 USD in buying c**p stock and then trying to sell that to their family and friends

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Note: this post originally had 79 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.