How do y'all feel about direct sales or MLM as a side hussle?

16 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 22,2025 at 12:48PM UTC

   NO

2. AnonymousApril 22,2025 at 1:13PM UTC

   Waste of time and money. The only people getting rich are the ones who run it…NOT your upline etc. look at AMWAY history, Mary Kay , Lou la rue. There are some wonderful articles and podcasts on the schemes of MLMs. Some are really fun and compelling to feel a part of something but it’s all designed to keep you as a slave. Better to drive uber or Lyft or do online sales on amazon or

   eBay. Good luck!

3. AnonymousApril 22,2025 at 1:29PM UTC

   There are different direct sales jobs like pharmaceutical sales, staffing, outside sales reps, etc. MLM's - honestly how are you helping others? Do you get satisfaction from high pressure and lying to customers? That's what that is. You asked our feelings, that's mine. Don't do it.

4. AnonymousApril 22,2025 at 1:49PM UTC

   not great

5. AnonymousApril 22,2025 at 2:57PM UTC

   As someone who was sucked into this crap, absolutely not. I spent WAY more than I ever made and still have stuff stored away. Their flawed math was something like one in every 3 people you approach will be a sale. Complete and utter bull. The only people who purchased from me were friends and relatives, and even that was limited. I hustled my behind off and have literally nothing to show for it.

6. AnonymousApril 22,2025 at 3:05PM UTC

   I actually have been doing direct sales since college. I don’t make a ton of money but if all you are looking for is an extra 200 coming in, it is do able. Make sure to pick a company where you use what they are selling, I choose Mary Kay. I have used the products since college and liked them so I make a little money and get my make-up and skin care at cost. I don’t lie, i work it when I feel like it, and I enjoy it. I tune out all the extra. I also am an introvert so this helped me learn to talk to people. Direct sales can be a nice way to make a little money. Don’t buy into the hype and just keep it in perspective. FYI yes I have listened to all the podcasts on MLMs and direct sales out there. One interesting thing I found was they all have sponsors, often times it is a competing business to the direct sales company they are speaking about….. so always think critically. That is also a skill I perfected in direct sales.

7. AnonymousApril 23,2025 at 12:15PM UTC

   No

8. AnonymousApril 23,2025 at 12:34PM UTC

   I feel strongly about it being an absolutely not.

9. AnonymousApril 23,2025 at 1:11PM UTC

   I did direct sales with an MLM while a SAHM to help get me out of the house once in a while and make a few extra dollars while we were down an income. I didn't get rich, but I made money almost every month, and I made some long-term friends, had a lot of fun, and took a couple cool trips. As long as you don't go into it expecting to become a millionaire, and knowing it's a job (like, hours of actual work, not just a fun little thing you do for a couple minutes a week), you can actually do well. But like the Mary Kay rep said below, it should be a company that you really use what they sell, something that is "consumable" (i.e. people will need or want to buy more when they run out), and there should be an income structure that makes sense and is 100% transparent. If those things don't exist, it's not going to be worth the energy. FWIW, I did have folks that I knew personally within my company who made real income (upwards of six figures in some cases), but the majority were looking for (and getting) a few extra hundred a month to cover activity costs for kids, or pay for a trip now and then. Things that would fall outside the normal budget.

10. AnonymousApril 23,2025 at 6:52PM UTC

    MLM is shorthand for a legal pyramid scheme. Look up "amway controversy" to see how bad it can get. AVOID.

11. AnonymousApril 23,2025 at 6:53PM UTC

    great way to lose trust from all your family and friends.

12. Titra HamiltonApril 23,2025 at 7:22PM UTC

    I tried it years ago (Organo Gold coffee). Good products, but as a result of my experience, it is a hard "No" for me. I recuperated my investment and got out. Others I know have tried or currently are in MLMs for Pre-paid Legal Services, Public Adjusting and Travel Services. In all three, they bug co-workers, family and friends, something I am not comfortable doing. Also, as a side hustle, you really don't make much money unless you are at the top of the pyramid. If are in it early, then you'll make the same money with a more traditional side hustle. Mine is bartending, and I earn as much as $150 to $700 per event. In short, consider another side hustle.

13. AnonymousApril 24,2025 at 1:47PM UTC

    Your friends will hang up before you can say “business opportunity.” I tried one years ago out of curiosity. Fortunately I was able to afford to lose $400.

    A line people including alleged friends use when you turn them down “I guess you’re just not a salesperson.” Gee, I guess you’re right.

14. AnonymousApril 24,2025 at 2:26PM UTC

    It is a Hard NO. I bought from a friend who was selling $h!tWorks and it didn't work. Since they had a 100% satisfaction guarantee, I asked about it. I was doing everything she said to do. Well she then decided to tell me that if I had read the small print, the guarantee was only if I bought xxx to go with it.

    Watch LuLaRich.

    Yes people at the top make money. Think about it though. If it were really YOUR business, couldn't you make decisions about price, the actual product, promotions, and advertisements? These sales reps are pushed hard and bullied into pestering friends and family until no one wants to deal with them or avoids them like the plague.

    Most of the women that lose money are the ones who can afford it the least. Look at the income disclosures. Example, Primerica (had a man leave our big company to become a financial analyst for Primerica - making a great salary here to them) Their income disclosure shows most of their agents made an average of 7,758 per YEAR. That is hardly enough to live on. Plus you want them to join your team as well.

    That is the other thing i have never understood. If there is so much money to be made, why in the world would you want to share and give your potential money to 100 other people.

    I just don't get it....

15. AnonymousApril 24,2025 at 2:46PM UTC

    Thank you all for the input. I knew that the answer was NO and I hate hate it when I compliment a friend on something on FB and within seconds, I get a direct message that I too can have this 'wonderful' thing, or start selling it.

16. AnonymousApril 24,2025 at 6:09PM UTC

    That's just so gross when 'friends' do this.