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Post by FuzzyMutt on Jul 23, 2024 20:19:13 GMT
My Aunt, who I think the absolute world of- has 2 daughters.
One has been a train wreck her entire life. Full stop. She's leaned hard (read: preyed hard) on her mother financially (who truly cannot afford it), and emotionally for all these years, and it really just drives me nuts. She's the queen of starting go fund me's- and everyone knows her and doesn't donate. My Aunt, and Uncle (divorced) who barely get by themselves are always trying to help save her from homelessness etc when they can. Years ago, I made a firm stand that I would not give, or loan money for her- because it's good money after bad and it solves nothing. When she was younger, she rarely would work, and when she did, she usually had to "tell someone about themselves" and get fired or quit pretty quick. She's been known to steal (from me, too), and she lies like it's nobody's business. Now, she's older, and has alot of (lifestyle related) health issues, and truly cannot work and is on disability but still always has her hand out.
The other cousin. Well. Man, she has the worst luck on the entire planet. If two steps forward and three steps back were a life plan, she'd be the case study. She works sooooo hard. She has kids that she has never ever failed to keep safe even though she's been put through hell. She and her husband just split. It was a long time coming and there was a huge bang catalyst. They were barely keeping their heads above water as it was, there was a disruption in his income, and they were slowly drowning, but hoping when he got back to work they could catch up again. Well, he could no long be in the house. He is not back to work, and she is struggling, not knowing how she's going to get caught back up. She has a plan/hope, but there are too many moving parts, and I am so worried about her and her kids keeping their house and utilities on.
My Aunt has no money right now- none. But she decided to sell (MLM) to try to make some money to help my cousin. I have used the same stuff (not MLM) forever and had no intention of changing it. But, to help out (without sending cash) I decided to place an order. Man. Dumb. I don't like it, and I generally get the stuff I love for less using points/sales at Ulta. I considered offering to send it to her (another state) so she can use it as samples during "parties" but my guy told me that's a bad idea- 1) encourages more "parties" and 2) it's probably not acceptable to use "used product" as samples. But I don't know how that works. I know my house is clean etc.. but I guess it makes sense... sort of like at Ulta or Sephora, you don't put the lotion or foundation directly from the bottle onto your skin, you use a tissue/sponge or whatever.
Now- she's getting ready for another order and wants to know "what I want." Not, "if I want to order."
I KNOW I should have just said no to begin with- but I really wanted to help my cousin without sending cash directly (because -other cousin.) But truthfully, of my $120 order, my guess is less than $15 gets into my Aunts hands to pass to her. I really regret ordering.
Part of me wants to just tell her this. She knows very well my feelings on the first cousin, and that I want to help second cousin. Part of me wants to support her (I adore her and I know she feels helpless right now to help her daughter.) The other part of me says it's my money and I can give money to whoever I want- optics be damned. The other part of me thinks just place a small order and wait for the MLM thing to eventually blow over.
I know the Pea response is typically No means no, no is a full sentence.. etc... But, my aunt is truly the kindest, most generous, most loving person I have ever met on this Earth. I can't support my cousin, but I would rather hand over cash without the MLM getting a HUGE cut.
Anyone been here? TIA for any advice!
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Post by librarylady on Jul 23, 2024 20:34:42 GMT
Gift card from a grocery store to aunt or cousin (I am not sure who you are helping). If you want to explain, say that you didn't need to order but wanted to help.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,296
Jun 19, 2022 16:48:04 GMT
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Post by pantsonfire on Jul 23, 2024 20:39:14 GMT
Do NOT place another order.
Email back and say:
Thank you for reaching out. I am choosing not to place another order. I hope you are able to do well in your MLM adventure!
Don't mention finding it cheaper elsewhere. Don't mention money. Just kindly say no.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 23, 2024 20:45:02 GMT
I wouldn't place another order because then you are really stuck. This might be one of those situations where I'd use the little social white lie to get out of it without hurting anyone's feelings. Maybe say you think you had a reaction to it and no longer wish to use it?
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Post by silverlining on Jul 23, 2024 21:02:32 GMT
How about letting her know that your intention was to help her and her daughter and you realized that you could provide more help by giving them money directly?
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Post by shamrock on Jul 23, 2024 21:10:28 GMT
For makeup & skin care MLM my out if “no” doesn’t work (for whatever reason) I will say that my skin didn’t react well to it.
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caangel
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Posts: 5,734
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Jul 23, 2024 21:11:50 GMT
Do not order! IMO it is just prolonging the MLM grasp on her. Better to let that die as quickly as it can before she sinks more time and money into it.
I'd probably say "Unfortunately (the product) didn't work well for me/my skin but I was able to find something else that worked great. Thanks for checking!"
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,551
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Jul 4, 2014 21:35:44 GMT
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Post by MorningPerson on Jul 23, 2024 21:13:22 GMT
Gift card from a grocery store to aunt or cousin (I am not sure who you are helping). If you want to explain, say that you didn't need to order but wanted to help. How about letting her know that your intention was to help her and her daughter and you realized that you could provide more help by giving them money directly? I think a combination of these two suggestions would be perfect. It allows you to be truthful about purchasing/not purchasing her MLM items, it gives you some control over where the $$ ends up, and it’s what’s most kind to your aunt.
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kate
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Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Jul 23, 2024 21:14:15 GMT
Just spitballing here... Could you send your aunt some money and say, "The products weren't really my cup of tea, but I want to support you and Cousin. Here's $xx.xx - would you order something for Cousin that she would like? Or if she would prefer, you can use it to get her a gift card to the grocery store." Maybe that's too cold? But it lets her know you won't be a regular user of the products.
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Post by kenziekeeper on Jul 23, 2024 21:14:30 GMT
How about letting her know that your intention was to help her and her daughter and you realized that you could provide more help by giving them money directly? I like this, I would adjust it slightly from “giving them money” to just “helping them directly” and add a sentence that you’ve put a grocery gift card in the mail to her, to feel free to use it for herself or pass on to cousin.
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Post by workingclassdog on Jul 23, 2024 21:20:17 GMT
Gift card from a grocery store to aunt or cousin (I am not sure who you are helping). If you want to explain, say that you didn't need to order but wanted to help. How about letting her know that your intention was to help her and her daughter and you realized that you could provide more help by giving them money directly? I think a combination of these two suggestions would be perfect. It allows you to be truthful about purchasing/not purchasing her MLM items, it gives you some control over where the $$ ends up, and it’s what’s most kind to your aunt.
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Post by disneypal on Jul 23, 2024 21:29:44 GMT
That is tough and I think it is sweet that you ordered something that you normally wouldn't to help your aunt out. I think I would just reply back with "I don't need anything at the moment - thanks though."
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Post by jill8909 on Jul 23, 2024 21:52:07 GMT
"I'm sorry, I won't be placing an order. I'm still using what I have and honestly, I just don't use very much. But thanks for asking!"
Your choice - either you will be unhappy or your aunt will.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Jun 26, 2014 12:56:40 GMT
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Post by CeeScraps on Jul 23, 2024 22:04:04 GMT
WAIT...you can't afford to purchase anything. It's just not in your budget.
I'm leary of the gift cards as she may try to sell them. Is she close enough for you to drop off food once in awhile?
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scrappinmama
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Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Jul 23, 2024 23:18:31 GMT
No is a complete answer when it comes to MLMs. You can just say thank you for reaching out, but I'm not going to place an order. Hope you are doing well!
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Post by peasapie on Jul 23, 2024 23:45:57 GMT
I guess I'm a little confused about why you couldn't send your aunt money and she would then give it to your cousin in need, without you feeling guilty about helping the train wreck. But anyway, if it were me I would fess up and tell her that you get your product elsewhere and were trying to be supportive with your first purchase but really prefer to order it (for less) elsewhere. I hope our opinions help you decide, but I suspect we Peas will be all over the place with answers.
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Jul 24, 2024 0:15:40 GMT
WAIT...you can't afford to purchase anything. It's just not in your budget. I'm leary of the gift cards as she may try to sell them. Is she close enough for you to drop off food once in awhile? I really appreciate the range of answers-- all of them. I didn't have the words for it, but silverlining and peasapie @cangel, MorningPerson kind of put into words what I was feeling when I placed the order. I wanted to help. I wanted to support my Aunt in her endeavor, she never asks for anything. I always buy Girl Scout cookies, buy some squares for the local cheerleaders etc... but, I guess I expected her to find out how little she actually gets from these sales and decide it wasn't worthwhile. Akkk that didn't happen!! I think I'm just going to respond that I wasn't crazy about the products, got a zit (it's true!) and don't plan to continue using them. I LOVE the idea of sending a grocery gift card. I think I'll separate it from the "Just say no to the products, and just send. I'm going to send 2. One for my Aunt (she's providing last minute full "day care" and meals for my cousins elementary aged daughter), and one for my cousin. CeeScraps- I totally get the concern. And with the first cousin----- without a doubt. If the post office didn't cancel the stamp, she'd probably be trying to sell that. My aunt, however, would give the dinner out of her oven, the tires off her car and literally the unopened present she got from my Uncle to someone she felt needed it more than she did without a second thought. I've seen her do all these things, and I only know because I was there. She's taken in multiple kids over the years, and despite the hardship she went through while us kids were growing up, she was by far the most present, loving and kind adult I knew. Honestly, if I came into alot of money, and wanted to seriously help people, she would be the first person I would ask who I can help. She has a heart of gold, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if I wrote her a $10,000 check and asked her get it to people who can best benefit from it, not a penny would end up in her pocket. She truly is a one of a kind. <3 Sadly, I live about as far away from them as is possible in the US, otherwise I would love to be able to help by dropping off some groceries. I'd much rather spend the afternoon with her, and take her to the grocery store and buy whatever she wants than give a gift card. But I like the way the gift card may take off pressure. ETA: they both already get food benefits- but there is so much more at a grocery store.
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scrapngranny
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Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on Jul 24, 2024 0:24:41 GMT
I could fill pages about my lothing of MLMs. NO is the only complete sentence they understand.
This is something I would want to back away from completely. Even sending gift cards opens you up to being a go-to for financial assistance in the future. This doesn’t sound like a problem that throwing money at will fix.
Simply say that you really aren’t in the position to make any more purchases. Wish I could be more help and hope your new business does really well.
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Post by BSnyder on Jul 24, 2024 1:10:09 GMT
There is so much to say about MLMs, but unless she is part of a start up MLM, the likelihood of her making money is miniscule. As a downline at the bottom of the pyramid there is no money to be made, just helping those at the top remain there. In fact, it is far more likely that she will go further in debt to continue her "business." Friends and family are an easy target because they want to be supportive, but it actually makes the MLMer believe that they can make a go of it. As a result they stay longer and dig in deeper than if friends and family that don't want the product just find a way to not buy. MLM is an insidious business practice that seems innocent from the outside, but for most hoping to make supplemental income is a time and money pit. My advise is to gently let her know as soon as possible that this was a one time purchase and that you have other similar products you prefer at a price that better fits your budget and timeline for when you need more product. Then arm yourself with knowledge. Watch Hannah Alonzo This links to a video where Hannah speaks to her best friend about their relationship and MLMs after the best friend leaves hers.
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caangel
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Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Jul 24, 2024 1:18:42 GMT
WAIT...you can't afford to purchase anything. It's just not in your budget. I'm leary of the gift cards as she may try to sell them. Is she close enough for you to drop off food once in awhile? I really appreciate the range of answers-- all of them. I didn't have the words for it, but silverlining and peasapie @cangel, MorningPerson kind of put into words what I was feeling when I placed the order. I wanted to help. I wanted to support my Aunt in her endeavor, she never asks for anything. I always buy Girl Scout cookies, buy some squares for the local cheerleaders etc... but, I guess I expected her to find out how little she actually gets from these sales and decide it wasn't worthwhile. Akkk that didn't happen!! I think I'm just going to respond that I wasn't crazy about the products, got a zit (it's true!) and don't plan to continue using them. I LOVE the idea of sending a grocery gift card. I think I'll separate it from the "Just say no to the products, and just send. I'm going to send 2. One for my Aunt (she's providing last minute full "day care" and meals for my cousins elementary aged daughter), and one for my cousin. CeeScraps- I totally get the concern. And with the first cousin----- without a doubt. If the post office didn't cancel the stamp, she'd probably be trying to sell that. My aunt, however, would give the dinner out of her oven, the tires off her car and literally the unopened present she got from my Uncle to someone she felt needed it more than she did without a second thought. I've seen her do all these things, and I only know because I was there. She's taken in multiple kids over the years, and despite the hardship she went through while us kids were growing up, she was by far the most present, loving and kind adult I knew. Honestly, if I came into alot of money, and wanted to seriously help people, she would be the first person I would ask who I can help. She has a heart of gold, and I wouldn't be surprised at all if I wrote her a $10,000 check and asked her get it to people who can best benefit from it, not a penny would end up in her pocket. She truly is a one of a kind. <3 Sadly, I live about as far away from them as is possible in the US, otherwise I would love to be able to help by dropping off some groceries. I'd much rather spend the afternoon with her, and take her to the grocery store and buy whatever she wants than give a gift card. But I like the way the gift card may take off pressure. ETA: they both already get food benefits- but there is so much more at a grocery store. What about grocery delivery? Then you could get her things you know she would like to have and they would be delivered directly to her.
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