MLM destroys ties among close friends

JAKARTA (JP): The emergence of Multi-Level Marketing ruined a friendship. MLM companies such as CNI, Amway, Avon, Sara Lee and Fortune have crept into established companies and usurped the loyalty of their employees.

The other day, an old friend of mine approached me and, staring at my fogged-up glasses, asked, "Do your glasses fog over often?" Since I thought he was really concerned, I responded "Quite often. By the way, how have you been doing?" I tried to change the subject, but he was intent on my glasses.

"You know there's a spray that can prevent the fogging."

We hadn't met for quite a while so I didn't want to let him down. "Oh, I never knew. Where can I get that?" I asked.

My friend then got busy in his bag and said, "Fortunately, I brought a sample." Curious, I waited for him to stop rummaging in his bag.

"This product costs Rp 9,000 but I can give you a 10 percent discount," he said while pounding away on his calculator trying to calculate the discounted price.

Alas. My friend was selling. I began to feel uncomfortable. A meeting with an old friend had been ruined for the sake of a couple of thousand rupiah. Since I was more irritated than interested, I excused myself.

A few days later, I happened to meet a former roommate from Balikpapan. I was glad to see him looking well and obviously doing well. But when I tried to build a conversation, I was isolated as he boasted about his achievements. He now manages a MLM company.

"My moonlighting income exceeds my salary from this company!" he crowed. "It's three times as much as from the oil company I have worked at for 15 years."

"How?" I asked, beginning to develop an interest.

"I now manage the East Kalimantan market for a MLM company," he continued proudly.

I immediately felt uncomfortable and attempted to change the subject, "I hear you just got back from vacation."

"Right. You know I got a pin from the top American manager when I stopped over in Jakarta before going home. I was proud to be one of the very few decorated," he said, preening.

He didn't display a pinch of loyalty toward the oil company which had paid for his air tickets the last 15 years. Loyalty sold for a pin.

It sickened me to know that the oil company provided him with European car, a big house, schooling for children and other perks

"Why don't you resign from the oil company then?" I asked, not bothering to hide my annoyance.

"I will when I've got 20 times more than what I earn from the oil company."

"If you want to be a manager, just sign on to be on my downline," he continued.

Since many of my fellow employees work in the MLM business, I understood the term "downline" as someone under the person who signed them up. I left him without saying good-bye.

The MLM business is a parasite. Those who are proud to be MLM managers use established companies to pay the phone bills and post as well as getting a customer list -- all, of course, on company time.

It also ruins friendships by creating people who launch into sales pitches before saying hello.

-- Wisnu Pras