# A friend I thought was sharp joined an MLM scheme

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-i-thought-was-sharp-joined-an-mlm-scheme/436021>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 2, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-i-thought-was-sharp-joined-an-mlm-scheme/436021 "2008-02-02T21:09:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![iwakura43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de0a6/32.png) [@iwakura43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iwakura43)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-i-thought-was-sharp-joined-an-mlm-scheme/436021/1 "2008-02-02T21:09:04Z")

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One of my friends at school approached me the other day about a Great Business Opportunity, which of course turns out to be a multi-level-marketing program, selling (or buying) something called “agel.” It’s a dietary supplement (of course) which comes in individual tubes of a jello-like substance. I tried some after a workout, as you’re supposed to. _shrug_ it tastes okay. I don’t know how anyone’s supposed to judge the effectiveness of a dietary supplement based on a couple of samples. In any case, I don’t know whether it’s worth trying to convince him you can’t make any money on these “business opportunities” and he’d be far better off at his regular job tutoring for $20+ an hour. Oh well. Friends are friends, and he’s a close friend, but I can’t support him in this venture.

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**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\
**Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-i-thought-was-sharp-joined-an-mlm-scheme/436021/2 "2008-02-02T22:32:18Z")

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It happens. Even smart people have weak spots.

You could point him [here](http://www.mlmwatch.org/01General/10lies.html), where it says this:

> [@](#):
>
> For almost everyone who invests, MLM turns out to be a losing financial proposition. Fewer than 1% of all MLM distributors ever earn a profit and those earning a sustainable living at this business are a much smaller percentage still.

Back when my genius-level-IQ sister was thinking about joining a pyramid scheme, they had addled her brain with the mantra, “You shouldn’t have to exchange time and effort for money,” or something like that.

The ultimate teenager’s fantasy.

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**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-friend-i-thought-was-sharp-joined-an-mlm-scheme/436021/3 "2008-02-03T08:46:01Z")

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[QUOTE=Gala Matrix Fire]  
You could point him [here](http://www.mlmwatch.org/01General/10lies.html), where it says this:  
[/QUOTE]

I would add that the ones making money at it are people who understand the con and how to milk it.