Get Paid Today - MLM is Dead

Marcello asked:


I want to hear from any person in MLM / Network Marketing that has ever sold enough of their product or service to make a decent full time living (say at least $50k/year in earnings) before ever recruiting someone into their down-line.

The obvious nature of the question is to help refute that MLMers only really make money by recruiting. Say it ain’t so. Also, what product or service did you sell?
Aircoole - see Avon.
Jay S - you hit the nail on the head.

Wesley

Marcello asked:


Has it been proven enough yet that these generally are set up as ponzi schemes, and those that are actually legal have products that no one could make a living selling on their own, thus making the recruiting part necessary?

I am sure there are those who will respond with their company being the best and wanting to get my email etc…or those who are making big bucks but won’t show me a financial statement despite calling this a business opportunity (who would start a business without seeing operating statements?). But I want to hear from those who are actually convinced about network marketing/mlm without having to sort through the above mentioned replies.

So, is anyone out there, or is is this industry dead?
ibofightback - thanks for the answer, but going over your numbers I had to comment.

You say Network Marketing Firms distribute over $100 billion a year in goods and services and there are 8-10 million distributors…well simple division means that is $10,000-$12,000 annual sales/distributor!!! Even at 50% commission you could earn more with minimum wage in a year!

With all due respect, your numbers give more credence to the belief that network marketing/mlm is a pure ponzi scheme than anything I have heard.

It seems to me more than ever that the issue with network marketing/mlm is that its all about recruiting others to do the work, and not selling the products themselves. Of those 8-10 million distributors, how many can possibly be distributing enough on their own merit to make a living? Its all about making money off the efforts of others isn’t it?

Chris