h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Obviously the initial article was written by a person who has little knowledge of the true business / life opportunity that MLM offers.

He compares it to a pyramid scheme or chain letter but these are illegal.

MLM is a means of distribution that allows a company to provide goods without the distribution costs normal to conventional business. No advertising and No middlemen, therefore profit on the goods can be paid to the seller direct. But unlike Direct sales there is no need for huge ( and pushy) sales efforts.

It is only needed to recommend a product that you like to others -- if they like it great - if not fine!

Yes- large incomes can be generated if the effort is put in - but most people are happy just to supplement their present income with a couple of hundred pound a month extra. And keep their day job.

But what it really offers is a personal growth opportunity by allowing you to see further than -the day job. Hope !!!

And it can be done -- I know I have done it
All the best

Just a couple of questions from a sceptic who would like to learn more:
"He compares it to a pyramid scheme or chain letter but these are illegal."
And? Is the fact that pyramid schemes are illegal something that prooves that MLM is not a pyramid scheme disguised as a business?
Just because some good lawyers have found a loophole in the law, does this mean that it is not a pyramid scheme?

Also, to my experience, you tend to irritate the hell out of any "friends" if you try to sell them anything. It's an unsettling experience, you know, when your friends try to get money off you on something that you might see as a complete scam.

I know you'll say that if they don't want the product that's fine, but it isn't. The attempt to sell something through friends and family (which is the way many people tend to do it, possibly amateurs, I wouldn't know) creates a horrible mood, and can seriously damage a friendship. The expression "Never mix business and pleasure" works both ways, you know...

I must admit that I am a bit biased, but if you can give me a good reason why this is legit, and indeed not something that the people at the bottom of the pyramid loose a lot of money on, I'll give in.

"He compares it to a pyramid scheme or chain letter but these are illegal."

I remember an episode of The Simpsons... Homer and a froom full of gullible Springfieldians being given the spiel...

"We do not do pyramid sales. We believe in the flattened trapezoid business model"