Re: So what is this site really about?

> I thought it was about scams masquerading as real businesses, but I guess
> that's not the case. So what is the purpose of the site? Just curious.

Tracy,

This site really is about friend helping friends and newcomers in starting and growing their own business, and avoiding the scams that are waiting for them with promises of quick, easy money.

While you are looking only at MK, we are checking up on all the "latest" scams that come down the pike, online or off. The $6 chain letter/PayPal email schemes, home assembly schemes that almost never pay anyone a dime, the "gifting" circles, home typing jobs, and other obvious and not so obvious pyramid schemes, etc.

MK does work for many people and has for years. I don't know about your claim of 1% profitable vs. 99% failure rate, but you may be right.

According to the FTC, half of all new US businesses started will fail within 10 years. For MLM's, the failure rate (not reaching profit before quitting or the MLM going out of business) is more like 90%. Much of that can be attributed to the MLM recruiting methods. Promises of easy wealth, no selling, no recruiting, and other meaningless guarantees virtually guarantees that most who join will quit when reality slaps them across the face.

No business is perfect for everyone, but some MLM recruiting methods teach that everyone is a prospect.

If "front-loading" or a mandatory monthly "auto-shipping"is added to the mix, the odds of someone reaching profit before quitting gets quite small.

You never explained on the MK "front-loading" whether it was corporate policy or option, but pushed by the upline.

The FIB forum is primarily composed of people who are strongly or mildly anti-MLM. I'm on the fence only because I saw my 3 failures being partly my fault. I never should have joined two of the three companies I tried. Yet, others have made a good income for themselves and their families through those and other MLMs. I just can't dismiss MLM or Network Marketing entirely, when I know it has been an excellent source of income for others.

Folks here are definitely opposed to the "big room" opportunity and recruiting meetings, with all the hype and hollow promises.

Take a half hour (or less) to read through Scams 101 to see the detailed info that Lesley has written about learning to spot the Red Flags - warning signs that should alert you to be aware of scams, phony promoters, and empty guarantees.

People come here every week asking for info about this company or these products, this self-appointed web guru, or another bizopp promoter. And usually within a matter of hours, one or more of the regulars here will post a reply. Some answers come from personal experience, others from checking the company website, Googling for the "company & scam", etc. Some detailed responses may have involved a half hour or more of research, checking out the names of principals who may have been convicted in previous FTC court cases.

Friends in Business is not the only anti-scam site on the internet. What position do the other major sites take on MK?

Consider this. This on-going discussion will give your link more attention than a flat OK would ever have drawn. None of the moderators have edited your posts or removed your link.

Dennis Bevers