MLM destroys ties among close friends

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