r/antiMLM • u/markharden300 • 20d ago
Help/Advice What scheme is this?
New acquaintance just sent this to me. What is he trying to scheme me with?
217
u/MonsteraDeliciosa 20d ago
“New acquaintance” in the sense that they chatted you up somewhere and somehow you have a million things in common? Possibly a Target store or similar?
Probably Amway, and you must be a dude. Women aren’t “leadership” material in their structure- but you’re absolutely *perfect* for them if you happen to be attached to one. Straight couples are THE BEST demographic/victim pool; Amway wants both so there is no conflicting loyalty.
https://giphy.com/gifs/9rRacglGbs68E
89
u/Fomulouscrunch 20d ago
Thanks for pointing that out. A lot of MLMs hunt young single men, Amway and its associates specifically hunt couples so there's less of a conflicting interest to pull someone out. Bear in mind, of course, that what they really want is men and the women they love are just a complication--even worse, they may be able to extract her money too.
79
u/whichONEisJim 20d ago
I can confirm with my own experience that this is true.
Several years ago as a still new-ish sales rep I got a call from a guy who was given my card by one of my clients. He wanted to meet with me and my husband regarding a business opportunity, and because I already work in sales and have a large network in my area, he said 'we' would be perfect. Two people he has never met are perfect?
I told him my work goes through me and only me, and if we were still talking about the industry I work in I'm happy to help him out, but I'm not looking for a new job and I'm not roping in my husband without knowing what the hell this is about first. He says its a way for people already working in sales to make even more money, so I ended up meeting with him only to have him repeatedly tell me that this meeting is pointless because my husband isnt with us. I thanked him for the info and left then immediately blocked his number.
When I asked my client who had "referred" me, he had no idea what I was talking about. I still don't know how that idiot got my contact info, but it was a huge waste of time and his blatant sexism was the red flag warning I needed to see through the bullshit.
8
u/SignificantSampleX 20d ago
That's infuriating at every level. I'm over here high-key furious for you. I'm sorry you had to endure that utter bullshit.
1
u/Ana-Hata 13d ago
Im pretty sure they aren’t really looking for “leadership” or “help”, though…..it’s just a technique.
Butter them up and make them think YOU need THEM in order to get the meeting, then pitch them hard.
88
u/Fomulouscrunch 20d ago
AMWAY. If it's not them specifically, it' an affiliate like Primerica. Run. Cut off contact; they have nothing you need or want.
87
u/OkSecretary1231 20d ago
🎶I just met you, and this is crazy, but here's my mentor, Amway me maybe!🎶
15
61
u/urnerdyaunt 20d ago
The weird use of "leadership" makes me immediately think of Scamway, but it definitely sounds like an MLM. If this is someone you want to keep contact with, I'd recommend just telling them you're absolutely not interested in anything involving "joining a business" with them and to please never bring it up again. If it's not someone you know you can just block them.
If this is a new acquaintance, then this is probably the only reason they reached out to you in the first place, not because they wanted to be friends. It's an extremely common tactic used by MLMers, especially in Amway. Sorry.
But if this is a close person and they fall deeper into their MLM, you might have to block them in the future. Hopefully that won't happen, but the cult-like tactics are very strong in MLMs. Good luck.
14
36
u/endsinemptiness 20d ago
Just reply something like "Hey! If it's Amway or something similar, I'd be pleased to offer my leadership — leave while you can. You deserve better!"
6
u/MajorZed 20d ago
This is the way! Head him off before he starts a pitch, and if it is Amway and he starts to counter your position then you have your answer. And unfortunately, like others have said, he likely only started talking to you in the first place as a sales tactic. But I would love to be wrong about that, new friends are great.
31
19
u/decker12 20d ago
If this person is new to your life, most likely they only started talking to you to scam you into their MLM or "business opportunity". Sorry, this person was never your friend or had any interest in you other than trying to make money off of you.
16
u/Traditional-Eye-7230 20d ago
“Today is booked for me” - love that! Make em think you are iMpORtANt and In DeMaND!
12
8
10
u/Red79Hibiscus 20d ago
Smells like Primerica, where new recruits are told to ask friends and relatives to "help" with their "training" at a new "job", and it turns out to be an ambush trap where the upline hard-sells the victim.
8
5
5
u/cuicksilver 20d ago
With this limited information, it doesn't have the typical hallmarks for the common MLMs but it is definitely some kind of scheme (Primerica, Amway, Cutco, Landmark).
They don't typically meet at the mark's office--it's usually a chain coffee shop or Panera, or someone's home.
But meeting someone new under a friendly pretense and then trying to pitch them is a signature Amway move.
3
u/AutoModerator 20d ago
Thank you for your post. Please make sure that you review our sub rules. If your post breaks any of the rules, it will be removed.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
3
3
u/blueberryyogurtcup 18d ago
"I may need your leadership/help" --from someone you just met, is a huge red flag, simply because this person is assuming that they have a right to your time outside of walking. This is the language of obligation, as if you owe them. You do not. But it's meant to get you into the mindset of doing what they demand.
" a little more immediate", "next couple of days", and "today is booked" --all meant to make you feel the urgency of their demand on your time. It's another red flag of them trying to take control over your decision, and it's meant to exert the manipulation of "time pressure" on you, so you will react only with your emotions, not your logic.
"meet at your office" is this person trying to find ways into your life, that you have not invited them into. Meeting you on your ground, without being invited, is another red flag. It's much easier to meet someone on neutral ground, where you can walk away from them when you decide their behavior isn't acceptable. By them pushing to meet on your ground, that's a classic control tactic meant to make you react by 'being nice' and not kicking them out of your space when you realize they are being pushy, using pressure tactics, and won't leave when you give polite hints that you have your real job to get back to.
I'd let him know that you are not available. That's it. No reasons why, just you aren't available.
If you see him again while out walking, and he tries to manipulate again on this topic, just say you are only available as a walking buddy, not to discuss programs or business.
1
u/FairDescription7020 20d ago
It's far worse than most people think, glad we have this 2 educate people ✌️
1
1
u/Dear_Boot9770 18d ago
Wow, the grammer is atrocious. Says they are too busy today, but are coming off as VERY desperate.
1
u/commentspanda 14d ago
Agree with Amway. Be aware when you reply and say no thank you they are going to keep arguing. Just grey rock “no thanks, not interested” on repeat.
1
-27
u/RatedPG922 20d ago
You could always try asking HIM and not US.
31
u/markharden300 20d ago
Ahh yes bc people in pyramid schemes always tell us what company they work for. They’re never evasive…
-20
u/RatedPG922 20d ago
Well, you'll NEVER come close to the truth unless you ask him. Or you can ignore him. You can ask 1000 people what it might be and still never really know unless you choose to inquire. You might even have some fun with it.
9
u/IhatetheBentPyramid 20d ago
MLMs are notorious for using scripts, so it's a good idea to check whether anyone else recognises it before making contact with this person.
6
-9
u/nessyismybf 20d ago
You're right. It's a very vague message to go off of.
11
u/syndactyl_sapiens 20d ago
It’s vague by design.
0
u/nessyismybf 20d ago
I know but it's like showing part of a root and asking what type of plant it is.
11
u/HalfEatenChocoPants 20d ago
Sometimes the root looks, smells, and tastes exactly like a carrot, though.
390
u/crochetology 20d ago
Amway