Melaleuca Scam
It seems a lot of the time I’m banging on about Amway / Quixtar on here, but another company we were involved with was Melaleuca. We weren’t with them for long for many reasons, I’ve discussed them in an earlier article called Melaleuca. I decided to do a search on them today to see what other experiences of them people have had out there because when we were going to join there was hardly negative on the net (compared to Amway where you constantly trip over it!).
I came across this article by John Parsons. He seems to think there is only the MomsWIN group promoting them, when in fact there are many. But that’s a problem with most MLM companies, you’ve usually never heard of the company before so your only contact with them is the people trying to recruit you. And it seems most people’s negative points (especially with Amway and Quixtar) are in the group promoting them and not the actual company themselves. Anyway, enough defending Melaleuca because we had our own fair share of problems there - a major one being the products are terrible.
Melaleuca has its corporate headquarters in Idaho and was founded over 17 years ago.
They claim that their mission is to create natural products safe for families to use, while making life easier for these families. In reality they create many more horror stories then happy customers.
The Melaleuca line of products includes some 300 items. These items include household cleaners, personal care items, candles, hygiene products, nutritional products and pharmaceuticals.
MomsWIN is the main marketer and seller of Melaleuca’s products. The WIN stands for women in net marketing. The MomsWIN group is not allowed to refer to themselves as affiliated with Melaleuca. This is likely do to the many claims against the momsWIN group for practicing in a multilevel marketing (MLM) scandal.
Those who enroll on a wholesale basis with MomsWIN are considered preferred customers. They are then obligated to purchase a minimum number of products each month. The number usually ranges from 8-12 products with a dollar amount in the $45-50 range.
The Melaleuca group defines their marketing though MomsWIN, as consumer direct marketing. In other words, their customers buy a membership into a wholesale club, in exchange, the club pays its marketing executives for their word of mouth referrals.
In reality, you get paid based on the number people you can get to join the wholesale club. The more people you get to join, the higher your monthly salary.
The typical story we have heard from customers warns others to never give any momsWIN group your personal banking information or credit card number unless you are positive you want to join.
Often at information sessions perspective members will be asked for their credit information. The next thing they realize is they are now a member. They check their credit card statement to find they have been charged $50 or more. They then check the mail to find they have been sent a small bottle of shampoo, some laundry detergent, and a bar of soap.
We have also heard complaints from people who have then tried to cancel their membership for months and months without success.
It is very important to do your research before joining such groups. Perform a search in one of the top search engines and see what information you get about the Melaleuca fraud or MomsWIN. This should provide you with enough information to make an educated decision.
John Parsons is founder of CorporateNarc.Com™.
The Mission of http://www.CorporateNarc.Com™ is to educate the public in consumer affairs and to provide consumers with up-to-date business information. In addition we hope to ensure better services for the consumer by exposing business fraud and corruption,as well as unfair and deceptive business practices.
December 29th, 2005 at 9:28 am
I have to tell you, I just read your article on Melaleuca. You say at the end you have given enough information to make an educated decision. By the sounds of your article, you have a problem about the Women in Net marketing. You seem to be judgmental about the business. I have investigated information about melaleuca, and found no mention of Momwin.
Maybe you dont understand the opportunity because it of the way it was presented to you.
Seems pretty good to me, if i can open my own home business and buy my products at wholesale prices. then get commissions and bonus’ for referring people as customers or as business owners themselves so that they can purchase the products from themselves.
I don’t know about you but i never received a cheque from walmart or any other store that i referred a customer to.
Doug
December 29th, 2005 at 2:03 pm
I didn’t write the article itself. So Doug, “I have to tell you” that you didn’t read my intro to the article. Plus I explain that the MomWIN group isn’t the only one in my intro.
Anyways… wholesale prices, my arse. MLM wholesale prices are a joke compared to actual wholesale prices.
I have no problem with people getting money for referring people to a company. None at all. I have plenty of problems with Melaleuca though. Which you’ll find in my own article on the subject which was linked to from …no wait… in the intro that you didn’t actually read.
December 30th, 2005 at 7:21 am
If all you got was a bottle of shampoo, laundry detergent and a bar of soap for $50 then you did get ripped off. I on the otherhand got what I paid for, safer products at a good price. Your article didn’t talk about all the harmful products that our drug & grocery stores are selling and how Melaleuca is a safer alternative to those products. You need to tell both sides if your going to be impartial. Do you know a better place to get safer cleaning products and make money for working only 20hrs a week? If you do let me know.
January 1st, 2006 at 2:49 am
My mother signed me up for Melaleuca membership over the phone (August 2004) so at the time, I was not able to read the small, light print on the back of the contract. I was not aware of the monthly withdrawal (first month was $45.99 but then changed to $47.99 without any notice to me). Although I did like many of the products, I felt the monthly credit card charge was a deception on Melaleuca’s part. My mother had no idea when she signed me up that this was going to happen. Over the next four months, Melaleuca charged me for a “convenience certificate” worth 35 points. Each were non-transferrable and expired in 12 months. Under the terms and conditions, however, it states that if you have not used your certificate in 6 months, the company will begin calling you each month thereafter to remind you of your unredeemed certificate, and will charge you $10 against the certificate for each month’s notification (in other words, expires in 11 months after it slowly had all of it’s value sucked away). I tried to call and cancel after the first month, but was told I needed to send the request in writing. After sending a written request, I found I was still being charged. When I called, I was told that no record of my cancellation request was found. I ended up having to cancel my credit card to stop the charges. Overall, Melaleuca charged me for $189.96 of products that I never received. I never used any of the certificates because I was so angry that I was getting charged without having given informed consent. I realize I was partly to blame for this as I shouldn’t have given my SS# and credit card# without being able to look at the contract. I chose to trust my mother, who was reacting to the pressure of enlisting me prior to the end of a special promotion deadline. Melaleuca does have good products, but I would never sign up with them again because of their terms and conditions, and in my opinion, unethical business practices.
January 5th, 2006 at 8:12 am
Hey,
My wife signed up a few months ago and we both really like the products. The only one we did not like was the breakfast shakes and we recieved a full refund. We just signed up for the products but started recieving small checks because our enroller started to put people under us in the organization. Since the we have refered several people and the checks are larger than our monthly order. I can’t think of any problems we have had with them. One person we signed up has already made Director and she is recieving checks a lot larger than ours. No one has cancelled or complained about any products so until then I’m a believer. The monthly order is not any larger than what a family spends already so your really just changing where you shop, not like adding an additiona expense to your budget. Sorry you had a bad experience but this does not seem to be typical.
January 10th, 2006 at 7:29 am
I think it’s sad that someone would put up a web site to talk bad about companies. That takes no skill at all. I can talk bad about your web site but what does it accomplish? Does it help people? No In fact your web site serves no purpose but to leave folks helpless.
The visitor of your web site is left with this feeling. “I guess this web site thinks no business works as they offer not even 1 suggestion on what works.”
I think your web site here at wanttoknowmore.com would be better if it was productive. Here are some suggestions..
1. Offer positive recognition about companies and rank them 1 star to 5 stars and why you feel you are qualified to rank them
2. Examine the compensation plans and the actual income of companies and rank those
Your site does none of that but comes off like you are a has-been. Like you tried other businesses (Like you even mentioned in countless negative articles here) and failed and failed and then you humor us all by saying “And here is why I quit those companies” ROFL! (Rolling on the floor laughing)
I take it back…what I said. This site does serve a purpose. It’s humorous and not serious. Nobody will take it serious but at least the visitors get a good laugh at someone who tried to succeed but keeps failing and then blames it on all those dastardly companies…hmmmm maybe the problem with your failure lies elsewhere?
March 18th, 2006 at 11:25 am
I just joined Melaleuca as a customer about three weeks ago, and plan to begin building my business as soon as possible. My wife’s parents have been buying the products for about ten years and have never had a complaint. We didn’t enroll through them however as they’re not interested in the business side of it, but that’s neither here nor there. I’ll admit, not being familiar, I was skeptical at first, but my wife seemed all for it, which seemed odd because she’s usually the skeptic.
Anyhow, we got our first shipment of products, mainly cleaning supplies we ordered. First off, Sol-U-Mel is AWESOME. Our daughter had gotten sick at daycare and had thrown up in her clothes, and had a diaper explosion in some others…Daycare forgot to give us the clothes that night. by the time we got them, they were stained and had mildew in them. This has happened once before, and with Tide and a stain stick, it took a couple days of soaking and two or three runs through the washer to get the stain mostly out. We used the Pre-Spot with some Sol-u-Mel, soaked it for a few hours one evening, and then tossed the clothes in the wash with MelaPower and MelaBrite, and the stains came out, the clothes looked brand new. This is just one of many stories of our success with the products. Especially regarding the laundry products and bathing products, I can attest to the fact that they work. I have pretty sensitive skin, as do my wife and daughter. With “regular” laundry detergent, my skin always seemed to be itchy…Same with my soap and body wash. With Melaleuca laundry soaps and bathing products, no more itching.
And the Renew lotion is as good as the claims about it say it is…No more exema for my daughter, and no more diaper rash either. Other lotions made it less noticeable, but this has gotten rid of it.
Now, I don’t know how I’ll do in the business…I think I’ll do well though. I haven’t started sharing with family and friends about the joys of the products, but I plan to very soon. I’ve looked into other MLM’s before, and this is nothing like any of them…These products actually work, the company works with you, not against you, and the service is unbeatable. I’ve had no unauthorized charges to my checking account. I enrolled, with my enroller, directly through Melaleuca’s toll-free number, not through MomsWIN or any other organization.
I’m not discounting your opinion…I’m sorry you had a bad experience with the products and the company, but so far, you’re about the only one I’ve seen. Everyone I know who’s tried the products, whether they pursue the business end of it or not, has nothing but positive things to say about the products. The only negative thing my wife could find to say is that she didn’t care for the toothpaste when she was a kid…That’s it.
March 18th, 2006 at 1:44 pm
Hey Chris Andrews.
“I have to tell you” I just looked at your response now. Is there a reason I didnt get notification for your posting like the one i just received about Wes’ posting? “…No wait….” I probably deleted them because I thought they would be the same bologna I read in your INTRO. just kidding i didnt really get notification.
Honestly… I dont mean to sound rude but it appears to me that you are pretending to know what you are talking about. You should really give a serious look at a business before you try to slam it. I don’t believe that you ever looked at Melaleuca let alone try the products. You seem like an intelligent person Chris and I am certain that if you actually had tried the Melaleuca business you would be successful at it.
When you look at all the benefits to the product and actually try them before you slam them. Then compare the price of buying someones wholesale product added with the overhead you have to pay in selling the products you will realize that the quality of Melaleucas product combined with the service Melaleuca provides for the business owner and the income potential it provides, is more than reasonable.
I hope i havent offended you. or will not offend you with my suggestion but. why dont you seek out someone who can explain Melaleuca to you, give it a try and then write an educated review. I am sure that you will follow through with Chris’ recommendations for your site…No wait…. there is a website that already does this so you can concentrate on becoming successful at the business. Aswell i believe Melaleuca has strict guidlines to usage of the web for protect from being misrepresented.
sorry about the sarcasm. Seriously. I can see fantastic potential with the business, it all depend on the person doing it. Not all business owners are ethical or have integrity and mislead people on purpose and some mislead others because they are uninformed or inexperienced. I heard that Frank Vanderslooth was recognized with an award for integrity by the Better Business Bureau.
anyway good luck and if I am wrong in my perception and you really did try the products and didnt like them. then I understand you have your own opinion but “if you don’t have anything nice to say you shouldnt say anything at all.” but If i am correct however “don’t knock it until you have tried it”.
Doug
April 12th, 2006 at 9:36 am
you say your website is updated with info…i am actually a Melaleuca Rep and have been with Amway as well.. both companies are still in business…unlike communisim we live in a free democratic society and have the right to choose and vote. do you vote ..do you have a choice…do you beleive everthing that the government is donig is correct …i dont know anyone that has come to me and said …hey check out poland the oportunity is great over there.
your info is not update as a mater of fact your 4 years behind…i know its hard keeping up with all the scams…im sure if your looking hard to find something you will usually find it no matter what. keep up the good work
Malest may attack it but at the end the truth still stand..winston churchill
April 21st, 2006 at 5:45 am
Yeah, Melaleuca has some good products especially the cleaners BUT I don’t like the unforced-forced-purchasing methods which I think are a little sneaky. I sometimes buy from Nature’s Sunshine and all you have to do to remain a member is buy $40 worth of product every year.Melaleuca COMMITS YOU TO BUYING AT LEAST $50 EACH MONTH!!! Who is going to need over $50 of cleaning products or whatever else per month?! NOT THIS STAY AT HOME MOM. And I don’t wanna hear that bologna about how I can really make a living selling this (I’d like to keep my friends thank-you-very-much) stuff to unsuspecting family members. I don’t want to hear about how I’m really ’saving their lives’ by getting them off conventional cleaners. I don’t know too many people who use cleaners enough to get Cancer from them-and I am REALLY into natural medicine.
April 23rd, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Amy Amy Amy…first of all, why use the word ‘unsuspecting’? The only reason someone would not know what they were getting into, would be because of someone not telling it how it is!
Now unfortunately, there are some, not a lot thankfully, reps out there, that don’t do the Melaleuca business the way they should be according to Melaleuca’s policies.
It’s really not about the cost of the products, although it’s easy to see money being saved compared to having to shop weekly in the local supermarket.
So you spend just $40 a year with Nature’s Sunshine - that’s good! But, their product lines don’t even come close to Melaleuca’s.
The whole idea with Melaleuca is, that if you agree with how they do things, and the terms of membership before signing up with them, then you know what you’re getting into. If you don’t agree with their terms, don’t sign up, simple as that!
You can make a living referring Melaleuca to others, and in part, I agree that ‘I’d like to keep my friends’ too. But, all we’re doing with Melaleuca is using the products and recommending them to others. Just the same as if you buy a new car, like the fact that it gets great mileage and mention it to a friend.
It’s easy to do presentations for Melaleuca, and if you do the invites right, you’ll have people come to see your presentation/talk, because THEY want to. There’s no hard-sell here! Oh, and we don’t sell products to people. You can do if you just want to keep your own points up and costs down. Indeed, I have several loyal customers who order from me each month, that don’t want to sign up. And they’re happy to pay the regular prices, which puts a few bucks in my pocket.
You say you’re into natural medicine, yet you don’t seem to understand the concept of Melaleuca! It’s not just about cleaners Amy, there’s so much more. And, if you did your research better, you’d know that since WWII, over 80,000 new chemicals have been made, and only 17,000 of them actually tested and approved as safe for human use. This is where companies like Johnson & Johnson, get away with using toxins in their products. Toxins that are carcinogenic. Basically, if it hasn’t been tested and given an official rating by the appropriate authorities, you can use it in a product, but you don’t have to list it on the container/label.
Since WWII, cancer cases, tumor cases and other diseases such as Alzeihmer’s, have increase at an astonishing rate in just the USA alone!
Utilize the internet well, and you’ll find plenty of information to back this up!
With Melaleuca’s 100% guarantee of satisfaction, both as a membership and product purchaser, you can’t lose with this company!
If you’re truly into natural medicines, you could enhance use of those medicines by having a healthier home and environment.
My biggest critic of using Melaleuca is my 5 year old son. His health can attest to the fact that using Melaleuca products for cleaning, bathing and internal health, has stopped his bronchial coughing fits, completely (and I do mean completely) cleared up his eczema.
My wife is a surgical nurse, and she loves using the products in her hospital, and we have several of her colleagues using Melaleuca too.
While Melaleuca may not be for everyone, that’s fine. But if you tried Melaleuca for just 3 months, and then go back to conventional brands, you’ll notice a huge difference, and probably realise just how toxic store brands can be. If it’s not for you, there’s no need to bash the company, products or other members.
I think your comment is unfair, simply because you’ve talked about Melaleuca without knowing anything about it other than the $50 commitment! (Here in Japan, it’s almost $100, but that balances out with national earning rates).
April 24th, 2006 at 2:52 am
Bernie, Bernie, Bernie, I never said the cleaners were no good. In fact, I LOVE the cleaners. I still plan on buying them- just not with my own membership. Have an open mind Bernie, there are plenty of equal and sometimes better vitamin supplements out there than just your precious melaleuca! I use cloth diapers, I don’t vaccinate my children,I breastfeed and even had both of my 10 lb. babies AT HOME because I do my research and I know what the risks are. The fact is Bernie, we can’t live our lives in a bubble- if chemicals from cleaners don’t kill us-something else will. We can’t save ourselves from everything. I know people who’ve lived their lives in the most healthy way possible and Still get sick with Cancer. And I won’t bother to blabber on about piddly facts and numbers you don’t care about -Don’t worry I’m not that Condescending.
May 24th, 2006 at 8:04 am
This post has been promoted to the front page called:
I AM A MEMBER OF MELALEUCA and I shout things
June 22nd, 2006 at 9:53 am
I am also new to melaleuca.I have been with them for three months now and I have nothing but good things to say about it.I was planning on just signing up as the preferred customer,but when I got my first shipment of product,i knew there was something here.So i decided to do the business aspect of it as well.My way of thinking is this:Even if i was to never able to make a good living doing this i would not stop buying the product itself.We are a family of six and the mony we save with this product is unbeleiveable.In three months we have probably saved closed to 300 dollars and for a family my size that is a lot of money.We have been able to convert this money into savings and fianally after years of wanting to I am now able to give my four kids an allowance.Now te product that has really sold my wife and i is the renew lotion.My six year old son has suffered from a severv case of exczema,we have tried prescriptions lotions,medicate lotions but nothing seemed to work that well,yes it did clear it up a little but this renew has completely rejuvinated his skin,its gone,his skin is soft and he is not scratching himself constantly.The product is what it says it is and until you try it you will never know the benefits.
July 14th, 2006 at 7:22 am
Hi all!! I have enrolled to Melaleuca to do as a home business about 2 months ago. I have known about this product for over ten years and have used it on occassion by buying from another representative. I have always loved the product and always will. I decided to try this as a business because I love the product and know its values. I have completely converted my home to Melaleuca products and am healthier for it. I use the vitamins and have an increased energy level and also a better mood. Everyone at work has noticed the difference in the way I fell and most have commented “I want on what you are on!” I do not try to sell the business to my co-workers although one is a representative now. I do not even try to sell the products to my co-workers. When they approach me and ask what I am taking, I tell them. Then I answer their questions, give them a catalog (only if they request it). I will purchase for them if they want me to or I will sign them as a preferred customer only after telling them the terms and conditions to being a member. If they become interested in marketing or trying this as a home business then I will explain the business aspect, the income potential (which is not a get rich thing…it takes time and dedication as any business does) and only sign them if they are truly committed to making income from home. If they want to make 30$ or 3000$ or more a month I will help them to reach their particular goal…that is my business aspect…helping others, afterall I am in the helping others business and have been for 16 years. you see I am a nurse and that is my business…helping others. I believe everyone should be able to reach their goals in whatever way they choose to do so. Melaleuca is a wonderful way to meet financial and healthy goals. It does take time and dedication and if anyone is looking for a get rich within a week business…you live in a fantasy world, because a business like that does not exist. In anything you pursue to do in life, you must work to do it…plain and simple. What makes Melaleuca different than other companies is that the groups of mentors that signed before you are there to help you to reach your success with their dedication to you and all of our hard work working together. People who fail at tis business do so because they are not dedicated and they do not believe in the products and they do not understand that building a business means that you have to help others to build their business and reach their dreams if you want to reach yours. It is all about helping others, not about being selfish…not about getting yourself rich…it is about helping others to reach their financial goals. Afterall, are we not all really placed here on this Earth to help others? I do not believe that any company that is willing to help others reach their goals should be ridiculed or put down. All this does is cause others to miss a great opportunity. Kellie
July 15th, 2006 at 12:09 am
It seems to me that most MLM companies have some kinda of health product that will drastically change your life. This unfortuantely just can’t be true - it can not be one sole thing that does it. I got fed up of hearing that I should be “ON the NUTRILITE” or “Taking the Melaleuca fructose blar de blar easy absorbed vitamins and minerals”. As a nutritionist I know which companies I trust and MLM companies that need to hide their secret formula aren’t part of it. Further more there are plenty of ways to keep your home healthy - why do so many people have tunnel vision. MLMies assume if I don’t use melaleuca I’m obviously putting poision into my home. What about eco balls, ecover, plain old white vinegar, air ionizers, organic hair and skin products? On top of this it is diet that makes the most difference - how many Melaleucans eat organic I wonder? Do they realise just how much pestacide, fat, sugar, etc etc.. :::yawn::: they are eating each year…. I could go on but i’m bored.
July 15th, 2006 at 1:31 am
Hi all! I am a Melaleuca business builder as well as a customer. Look, if you havent tried these products in your home, then you are really missing out on living a longer and healthier life. Our products are unique, most patented, and are very very affordable. Please don’t judge something if you havent even looked at what we can offer. Believe me, everyone needs melaleuca but they just dont know it yet. Please email me @ jacqueline_triplett@yahoo.com
July 15th, 2006 at 4:19 am
I have tried the products - I was once signed up and got my products like a good girl each month. I attended the meetings in the holiday inn near Heatrow. I have researched Tea Tree Oil and yes I know about all it’s wonders. But you obviously didn’t ready my post, so I repeat -
“MLMies assume if I don’t use melaleuca I’m obviously putting poision into my home. What about eco balls, ecover, plain old white vinegar, air ionizers, organic hair and skin products?” There are other products which are as good and some dare I say it better researched then Melaleuca products. Open your mind a little - if you like the products then fine, but don’t be so closed that you can’t recognise that there are other fantastic cleaning products too. As I mentioned ecoballs - with whom I am not affiliated in anyway - don’t use any detergent to wash clothes, you just pop that balls in the wash which last 1000 uses. Or for example Dr Hauska skin care products or Dermalogica skin care. Thanks for the offer, but been there and done that and I believe that yes - it is important to remove nasty cleaning products from the home - but also look at the environment, our food, our cars, electricity useage and pollution, mobile phone radiation the list is endless. What more can I say…
July 15th, 2006 at 4:24 am
Also dur silly me I didn’t realise that a “unique patented product” automatically made it good!! ?? !! ?? !!
July 15th, 2006 at 10:02 am
You, drop in the ocean seem to be totally against Melaleuca. I do not understand. I agree with you that there are many areas of life that need to be changed…many which we have no power over. I agree that there are other perfectly good products that are ecologically safe to use in your home other than Melaleuca. The thing I like about Melaleuca is the fact that I can get a whole assortment of products that are ecologically safe all in one place without ever having to run from store to store or website to website to get all these types of products. As for the UNIQUE PATENTED PRODUCT…it is not the patent that makes it good…it is what was patented. Also, the fructose compounding in the vitamins do cause an increase in absorption rate…many vitamins that are ingested today are never digested…I have seen this with my own eyes, just from the type of work I am in. This in itself it not a reason to come into the business. Matter of Fact, someone as critical as you does not belong in this type of business…be it Melaleuca-a direct marketing busines-or your so called MLM’s. You do not seem to be an e-business minded person. As I stated in an earlier post….this type of business is the business of helping others not thinking all about you. You make mention of many problems that we all face today…Here is my question to you….What exactly are you doing to radically change or reform these areas in life? Maybe you should concentrate yourself in that area (You would be very good at radical reform) and not spend so much time putting people down for the choices they have made for their life. You also mentioned many other products that are presumably good for the enviroment and our health which, if you’ve done your homework, you are probably very correct about and I applaud you for doing your part in your home to help your enviroment in your own way. So, please let others do their part in their homes in their own ways and applaud them instead of knocking them for their efforts. Also, Melaleuca has also been tested and proven in many areas of health under very strict guidelines, so it too, has its quality to help the enviroment and our health as I am sure what you do does for you. I am sorry that you had a bad experience with Melaleuca and decided to quit using the products, but no, you will not die any faster for choosing another direction for health in you life. Good luck to you and seriously…you should try to do some radical public speaking about changing all the bad things you listed going on in our world…one voice can go a long way and your voice just might be the one to cause a dominoe effect of change. Kellie
July 15th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
I’m not compeletely against Melaleuca, they have some great ideas. But people aren’t doing the necessary research - you’ve seen the difference the vitamins make then great - good for you. My point is that you go off on one telling me they are the best but your facts are all shoddy and spoon fed to you at the meetings. Fructose compounding has absolutely nothing to do with vitamins - rather it is a method used to aid the absorption of minerals. Of which are they lots of studies done so that we can identify which ones go in best and have the best effect on us. Of course you can’t patent a naturally occuring product so companies have to change it in some way to make it their own and sound good. I personally for example would avoid a product containing zinc sulphate but would take one containing zinc citrate because I’ve researched it and understand why one is better then the other. Tell me, which form is in the Melaleuca supplement please - and have you actually read any studies or are you just prepared to listen to the company tell you want is best. I’m NOT knocking anyones efforts - I just don’t like to be haggled at that I need to be doing it too - we each have our own ways. BUT recommending vitamins and minerals to all and sundry is a dodgy place to be, especially when you wouldn’t be able to back up your argument by science if you did have to goto court. All the best, Drop in the Ocean.
July 15th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
You say
“Matter of Fact, someone as critical as you does not belong in this type of business…be it Melaleuca-a direct marketing busines-or your so called MLM’s. You do not seem to be an e-business minded person. As I stated in an earlier post….this type of business is the business of helping others not thinking all about you.”
Ouch, from two posts you know all about me. That’s slightly judgemental and unfair. I’m the one putting others down? and yet here you are directly being nasty about me.
I do my part in the environment, but my point was not all the things that are wrong with the world - BUT my point is you can’t eat the wrong foods and take a supplement to make it all ok. Supplements are just that - to supplement a healty diet and in my experience this is not taught in Melaleuca. In fact the opposite is taught, constantly I hear “you should be on this”, “you’d feel a lot better if you took our supplements”. In my opinion is just wrong to assume that. I’ve not said that they wont help some people - I’m just saying they are not a brand I would use as there is no scientific evidence that they are “good forms” of vitamins and minerals - all they say is that they go in better then other forms. BUT not every form of a mineral is good for you. They’ve created a form that no one else in the world is now allowed to create, but where are the studies to show this form is good for you.
I’m sorry that you feel I’m a very selfish person who only thinks of me me me.
As I said I’m a nutritionist, I teach people how to use food to improve their lifestyle and sometimes I recommend supplements depending on the persons condition. Part of being a nutritionist is showing people what toxins are making a difference to their health, making them aware and showing them what we do have the ability to change. They can choose their own products just as I can. But to say I’m selfish because I don’t like the way Melaleuca products are sold? Ouch.
“You do not seem to be an e-business minded person.” I actually partake in several very successfully. Thanks.
July 15th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Drop In the Ocean - you do make some very good points, and I agree, it’s not fair of someone to judge you based on two posts.
However, as someone who has been through the mill of MLM’s (Amway, Herbalife, Juice Plus), I can honestly say, NOTHING comes even remotely close to Melaleuca.
I was a skeptic and very wary of getting involved with another ‘best thing’. But for over two years now, I’ve been using Melaleuca products in our house, and they HAVE made a HUGE difference to the health of our home, my son and myself.
Seriously, the house just ‘feels’ better to be in: no more smelly drains and no more pouring crap down them that kills the smell but also kills the environment; everything just smells cleaner, looks cleaner and stays cleaner longer.
As for the supplements, I find that the CellWise Whole Food Blend works wonders for me if taken at night. No kidding, I’ve noticed a great difference in my skin texture and tone, as well as a reduction in wrinkles.
I hate doing sales, and Melaleuca allows me the luxury of not having to sell anything to anyone, other than the product experiences.
I can’t say that Melaleuca is the best thing out there, because I haven’t tried them all to make a comparison. But I have tried other MLM products, and nothing comes close to Melaleuca.
Nor am I brainwashed with hype - in fact, the more hype it has the less inclined I am to want it. I tried it, liked it and will continue to use it.
My son no longer has coughing fits like before, something his doctor attributed to using ‘harsh chemicals’ at home (phosphorous in washing powder for example), and I haven’t had a single migraine in two years since switching to Melaleuca products.
There are some reps out there that totally misrepresent what Melaleuca sells. Melaleuca makes and markets its own products, as well as those of other companies that meet Melaleuca’s strict guidelines on chemical use in their products.
Reps who tell customers that Melaleuca’s products are ‘totally environmentally safe’ are not lying about that. But when they say ‘these products are completely all natural’, they are completely wrong. Melaleuca itself never has and never will state such a thing. Because there are chemicals in the products, but in amounts safe for human use even over long periods of time. Also, the chemicals that are in use in the products have all been tested and proved safe for human use. Other companies (Johnson & Johnson for one) claim to have all safe ingredients in their products, yet the baby-lotion alone contains chemicals that the body cannot process, and hence they stay in the body for many years and have been proven to cause cancer later in life.
Over 80,000 chemicals have been invented since the end of WWII, and yet only 17,000 have been tested. Not all of them have been deemed safe for human use.
But what about the remaining 63,000? Well, because they haven’t had ‘official’ tests yet, companies can use them and are not required to put them on the labels. Only when products have been tested are they required legally to be put on label information sections.
Melaleuca hides nothing, lists everything.
In all fairness, you should at least try it before you knock it or compare it to other companies’ products. That in itself is plain bigotry. (no disrespect intended).
At least with Melaleuca they allow you to try it, and if you’re not happy, you can cancel your membership within 3 months or more (depending on which country you are in), and get 100% of your fee back. Likewise, when you shop with them, you have upto 4 months (again, depending on which country you’re in), to send any unused or even fully used items, back for a complete 100% refund (shipping costs not included).
What have you got to lose? NOTHING!
No other company on earth can offer such things and know that they are more likely to have you as a satisfied customer with complete confidence in their products.
Give it a try.
(I could list my email here and phone number, and say contact me and I’ll sign you up, but I’m really not bothered about signing people up for my own benefit. I’d rather you try Melaleuca of your own accord and benefit from it yourself, even if someone else gets the credit for it!)
July 15th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
“In all fairness, you should at least try it before you knock it or compare it to other companies’ products. That in itself is plain bigotry. (no disrespect intended).”
I did state above that I have tried it, I was in Melaleuca, I have also tried Amway, and Herbalife, and products that are available through normal stores and websites.
July 16th, 2006 at 1:30 am
Drop in the Ocean;
The zinc in Melaleuca states it is: Zinc(as zinc sulfate, zinc oxide)
Why would you personally not use the sulfate? you said you researched it and I am truly interested in those results and why one is better than the other. Also, you being a nutritionist maybe you can help me with another question: Melaleuca has has Iodine(as potassium iodide) in it. Does this work in the body as K+ does? I see notheing else in the vitamins or minerals that have any type of potassium in them. I have borderline low blood potassium at all times and experience the leg cramps on occassion because it falls too low. I thought by taking the vitamins and minerals that this would tkae care of it, but after looking and finding that there really isn’t any K+ in them I am baffeled. As a nutritionist what would you suggest a good potassium supplement would be to take in my situation? I really do not want to take prescription potassium and I do have blood tests done every 3-6 months due to other medications I am currently on.
Oh, yes, I do do a lot of my own research into the Melaleuca claims and have found them to be tested on the things that the oil kills such as solmonella and staphylococcus. They also have a newer product (or at least new to me) that they claim also kills the HIV and Hepitits virus on surfaces which intrigues me because these are such deadly diseases. I have not had the chance to research these claims as of yet, but do plan to do so. I do use the product in my home because I figure what can it hurt? And I love the smell…it is made with Tyme Oil. I have always loved the smell of tyme so, if nothing else it is a great airfreshener. I will be doing my homework on this one. I did not say that you need to be on the Melaleuca vitamens and minerals. I feel that those that they help after trying them should stick with them. If they do not make a difference after trying them then why stick with them? Everybody’s bodies are different and their metabolism rates are specific to them so, it will not help all of the people all of the time, but it has helped many people and I am sure it will help many more. Thanks for your responses. kellie
July 16th, 2006 at 1:39 am
drop in the ocean;
Sorry for coming off as directly attacking you, I did not mean to sound that way. It did seem to me that you were being very critical of others choices. I see now that that is not how you are feeling and I am sure you do many good things to help people and are very successful in your e-businesses–please accept my appologies as I did not mean to hurt your feelings or anyone elses. kellie
July 16th, 2006 at 3:25 am
Hi Kellie,
Sorry also, sometimes I do come across in a bad way. I did not mean to be critical or squash anyones ambitions, dreams, or business. Thanks for your respect, I will have to do some research to answer your questions fully, I’ll try to get back to you soon. I do not have insurance so I have to be very careful with any advice I give. Please goto see a qualified nutritionist to make things clearer for you.
I respect you for using Melaleuca products, and I do like some of them. The one about HIV sounds very interesting. Please keep me upto date here with any more info you find out about it.
For now some chemistry:-
A mineral, or trace element can not really exist in it’s sole state. They are highly reactive and so we usually find them in forms where they are binded to other substances. For example Calcium ascorbate (gives calcium and vitamin C), Magnesium Oxide, magnesium ascorbate (gives magnesium and vitamin C), Zinc Sulphate, Zinc citrate. So you can see when we find a mineral in a supplement it is always bound to another compound. (Sorry if i’m insulting you here - you seem to know a lot so I’m not sure where to start.) Right so potassium iodide is both K+ and Iodine. How much K+ it would give I don’t know.
Now the way I see it there is a link between potassium and sodium. Low potassium is usually related to high blood pressure, and high potassium to low blood pressure. (don’t quote me here and please do your own research to back up what I say). ( please please go to see a qualified nutritionist to explain things better) a high sodium intake will reduce K+ and vice versa. High potassium can be as dangerous as low potassium and I would not supplement this mineral alone as I do not know the potential dangers.
Look at different salts available, have a quick read of this article http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sodium/NU00284 (I just found it and skimmed it, so I can not be responsible for how accurate it is). If you add salt to your food, reduce the amount you add or switch to a salt with a balance of sodium and potassium.
Also eat potassium rich foods http://www.pubquizhelp.34sp.com/sci/minerals.html see this page for foods.
I’ll answer the zinc question soon, just want to back up my answer as best I can with scientific evidence.
If you are on medication please check for contra-indications, as certain supplements and medication do not mix.
For more information on nutrition and supplement forms see www.patrickholford.com - he’s our leading nutritionist in the UK and really does back up everything he does. You can access some of the site for free, but unfortunately have to pay for full access. I’m not affiliated in anyway with this site.
Righty just got in so going to relax and watch a movie.
Please accept my apologies for also judging you. I see you are a person who is very aware and like me when I joined Melaleuca - just wants to help a lot of people.
All the best with everything. xx
July 16th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Hello
You might have read a few of my postings here. I was in Melaleuca and all gung-ho about it. I cant say anything bad about the products but the organization that i was in was crap. my support just up and went one day leaving me to fend for myself. So stuck in there then one of my friends who quit melaleuca told me about a new business and product. I quit melaleuca myself and I am glad I found this new PRODUCT. i am in the business but the product is what makes this one. It is a single focus approach and let me tell you the comp plan is not a dinasaur like melaleucas.
Chris you were right. although i dont entirely agree that melaleuca was a scam it is just an old company that will allow any type of behaviour from its marketing execs.
The new business i am in is marketing of Himalayan Goji Juice. I read the info on it and i was not sure because like most people say it looks too good to be true. They offered a 90day moneyback guarantee so i bought a case and joined the business.
I am glad i did. This product was formulated by Dr Earl Mindell after 7 yrs of research on the goji berry. he is a world know author and nutritionalist and brings great credibility to this product. The support is by far the best you will find anywhere. You can even call Dr Earl Mindell and talk to him.
I bought my case because of all the benefits it is said to have had on people. My interest was with my son. He has ADHD and the doctors were pressuring me to put him on meds. I heard goji was an option as well it was an option for my wife’s back pain. she has degenerative disc problems.
Within two weeks, after drinking two onces a day, My wifes back pain was gone. My son’s aggression slowed down, he was more focused and took things alot better. Myself, I feel great with lots of energy. This juice is worth looking into.
When you join the business, you get a free marketing website. mine is www.hiltz.freelife.com
i invite anyone to look at this and contact me. my contact info is on my website. Our team has a lot of tools to help you become successful and i can forward the info to anyone interested.
Sincerely
Doug
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I was in Melaleuca for almost 2 years and still have products I’m using. The vitamins and shampoo products are first class, truly. The cleaners are good and safe. I just don’t agree with the compulsory monthly order. The Co. is rather ‘manipulative’ in its ways, like all MLM.
October 2nd, 2007 at 4:55 am
I read through all the above statements, some true and some not, and wanted to ad my 2-cent worth. And by the way loved hearing from our fellow Mela reps. My experience is that when people inquire about working from home they are really looking for a quick paycheck, a get rich quick scam, and that’s what you’ll get if that is what your mind set is. I’ll be honest you’ll have better luck finding a money tree to plant out in your back yard if you’re wanting to earn some thing for doing absolutely nothing. A more honest approach is that you do have to work to earn an income with Melaleuca as with any home business you decide to go with, Nothing is FREE in life. If we did not perform at a 9 to 5 job you’d be out of work and out of a paycheck, correct? Rome was not built in one day and neither is a home business.
Melaleuca is a fantastic BBB based company, not only to shop with but also to earn a legit income with too. Proudly been a member myself sense 2005. And hopefully we all buy these types of products that Melaleuca offers every month doesn’t matter where you shop. Hopefully most individuals wash their hair, brush their teeth, and clean their homes, maybe even take supplements or use acetaminophen for a headache.
If you really think about it, what Melaleuca offers is just smart and makes sense. Think about it, most people don’t hesitate to purchase a Sams club membership or Cosco membership where we never receive a guarantee on any products or for that matter a guaranteed 100% refund on our membership fee or that we will even save any money, but we do with Melaleuca. Plus to boot the many other saving benefits Mela provides us all with such as the market place and Advantage dollars. I don’t know about you all but Wal-Mart does not pay me to shop with them every month! And if I tried to return an open bottle of laundry detergent to Wal-Mart maybe because I did not like it or it did not meet my expectations they would laugh me right out of the store, in the end I would be stuck with a product that I would just have to give away. Melaleuca does give us this guarantee! 60 to 90 days empty bottle back guarantee, No questions asked. We all need to be doing our part to make our environment a safer and healthier place for us all and our children. I hope we can all agree on that. A different type of gas to fuel our cars or a more economical car is not the only answer to improving our environment. Cant beat the fact that all products are made in the USA are eco friendly and I get to work from home honestly and earn a great paycheck. Now the only reason you will ever receive one of those lovely little back up orders is if your not shopping every month, why would we buy a membership with the understanding that you have to shop for 35 product points and then not do just that. And by the way that is typically a $45 to $60 order, any where from 4 to 6 products depending on what you buy. The back up order is in place to preserve our member benefits and of course our paychecks, would not want to loose my check because I did not shop for the items my family depends on every month, again I’d have to buy these no matter if I shop with the company I am paired with or I choose another store to do it with. I personally have never received a back up order my self, I have swapped where I shop, and confident in saying I’m a legitimate business owner.
October 3rd, 2007 at 3:12 am
The business side of this company is a total pyramid scam. Just look at it level wise you start at the bottom, recruit people to sell for you, then they recruit more people all the while you move up a level. Of course you don’t get paid in fact you pay out of your own pocket to be a member (a requirement) before you get paid which is usually a measely $50 to $100 bucks. They will tell you you have to work at it and build it up before the real money comes in but my dumbass friend hasn’t made any profit in fact he looses money on the $125 a month he pays to qualify to be a director of the company. So he has a bunch of products lying around that he doesn’t use that I get for free and he just keeps dreaming of the day that he will retire while the big checks come in. Even Sears which was a greedy cheap comany with their employees paid us a base salary even if we didn’t sell and didn’t charge us a monthly fee to sell their products. You morons that work for these companies either have little education and experience or criminal backgrounds and this is the only option for you. Or your some stay at home mom who thinks your going to sign up everyone at your day care. Also the drop out rate is like 65% a year. The 95% rentention rate is per month look it up. A big lie to make you think that you will retain all your customers while gaining new ones. What prove do you have that you retain or lose customers anyhow since you don’t actually work for the company? At least when you work retail you see the transaction take place with Melalueca I guess you just have to take their word. Besides you don’t just push the people out from the top of the pyramid. Whoever got there first makes the money all the rest just do the work!
October 13th, 2007 at 3:19 am
Robert have you ever delt with any successful people with in Melaleuca?,besides your buddy who either has not been building a Mela business for long or is not motivated to do what it take to be successful. We DONT SELL! We assist individuals with getting the details on our business, answering their questions and building a relationship… we want them to have the complete facts and make an educated decision. So I conduct an interview to see if they are going to be the right person to have on my team, just like a job interview. And I’m sorry to say your facts are totally WRONG about us being a pyramid scam!!!!!!!!!! If we were we’d not have the seal of approval with the BBB. Just to clarify I can in fact sign a business partner and they CAN in fact end up earning more then myself and will never break away from my org. unless I quit, which at this point would not be wise sense this business is my paycheck. I can in fact surpass my mentor’s paycheck, it depends all in how motivated you are. Work hard consistently and work with your partners. Hopefully your friend has a mentor to assist him with his business. And the only way he is only making a measly $50 to $100 paycheck is because he doesn’t duplicate, other words you have to work the business to make the money cant just sit back and expect the money to roll in, Melaleuca is not an automated system that builds you a paycheck for doing not a darn thing. We switch stores every day and this is no different, my husband doesn’t care where I shop just as long as we have the necessities we need every month for the home and I save money and the product actually works. I want to be ethical what about you? Why in the heck would they pay us an hr wage when this is a home business not a J.O.B? Jobs pay hourly not any business of any sort you start and own will pay the ower and hourly wage…employees get an hourly wage, so if your looking for hourly pay find a J.O B. And Robert even if they did pay hourly if you don’t work at your J.O.B. you’ll be fired and with out a paycheck any way, so we must do whats necessary to build our buisness and be successful.
Know what Bob at this point I’m asking my self who really is the moron here?????? I really thought your name calling was unnecessary, we are not children after all. I have a college Education, a husband, 2 kids, and have never been in trouble with the law, minus a speeding ticket or 2 a day in my life, what about you? Personally I did not want to enroll all my family and friends or the local daycare for that matter. There are other ways to find those who are interested in working from home. I seek out motivated, honest, self starting individuals who are as I was tired of the 9-5 fast passed work forces where I paid out almost all that I made for a month on child care and gas. And guess what Bob I would of waited eons to get a raise at a regular J.O.B;
January 29th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Ya his mentor, the high roller big money maker is now sleeping on his couch. This is a totally bogus company to work for. Things change all the time, nobody can cleary state what you make for each new customer, there is no way to prove who you retain or lose as a customer etc. I asked if I sign up 10 people how much can I guaranteed make and my response “Was gee that’s a good question” which never got answered directly and instead I got 5 different answers. Quit it already!
March 13th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I AM NEW TO MELALEUCA. I’VE PURCHASED LEADS, AFTER LEADS AND I HAVENT SIGNED ANYONE UP. THEY SAY YOU CAN MAKE GOOD PART TIME, BUT I HAVE WORKED UNTIL MY EYES HURT, AND NOTHING. I DO LIKE THE PRODUCTS, BUT NOT SURE ABOUT THE BUSINESS. I’M AT HOME WITH 3 CHILDREN, AND WAS WANTING TO CONTRIBUTE, BUT THIS IS GOING NO WHERE. MY OWN MOTHER DOESN’T WANT TO SIGN ON. IF I’M NOT GOING TO DO THE BUSINESS THEN I’LL PROBABLY NOT SHOP WITH THEM EITHER. AND EVERYTHING CAUSES CANCER.
May 30th, 2008 at 8:49 am
This article is so biased and inaccurate that it shouldn’t even be on here! MELALEUCA IS NOT A SCAM. IT’S A VERY REPUTABLE COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND 23 YEARS! THE PRODUCTS ARE PHENOMENAL…TRUST ME. I HAVE TONS! I SWEAR BY THEM. Just because you had a bad experience, you shouldn’t go and bash a company on the web with biased CRAP! By the way, when you sign up….Your agreement clearly states that you must cancel in WRITING!!!! You can’t just call them and try to cancel.
I love my Melaleuca business and my products and I’m becoming very successful too!
May 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
“I SWEAR BY THEM”
I tended to swear AT them.
June 7th, 2008 at 10:24 am
>The business side of this company is a total >pyramid scam.
FALSE: Pyramid Scams are illegal in all 50 states.
>Just look at it level wise you start at the >bottom, recruit people to sell for you, then >they recruit more people all the while you move >up a level.
This is the way it worked in the military and the way it works in corporate America. Name a company
where you start at the top or that has more CEOs than workers.
>Of course you don’t get paid in fact you pay out >of your own pocket to be a member (a >requirement) before you get paid
>which is usually a measely $50 to $100 bucks.
Compared to say a McDonalds franchise where they charge you two million and you attend training where they pay you nothing?
>he just keeps dreaming…
That may be his problem, he needs to work.
>Even Sears which was a greedy cheap comany with >their employees paid us a base salary even if we >didn’t sell
Maybe if they paid straight commission they would still be a large company?
>You morons
FALSE: That is actually a medical term for people with an I.Q. below 70, I doubt anyone READING this has an I.Q. below 70.
>that work for these companies either have little >education
You worked in retail sales, no DR. in front of your name and you make generalized statements. D you really want to compare educational backgrounds with eveyone involved with this company, including the nurses, doctors and engineers?
>criminal backgrounds
I hold a Secret Clearance and still work with the DOD so I have no legal problems.
>Also the drop out rate is like 65% a year.
FALSE: In order to get this figure you would have to assume you sign up your 100% the 1st month and then stop. I you sign up a 20 a month and only lose 1 your doin great.
>95% rentention rate is per month look it up.
TRUE: It is a monthly retention rate.
>A big lie
False: There is nothing untrue about the figure and as you said you can look it up so it’s not hidden.
>What prove do you have that you retain or lose >customers anyhow since you don’t actually work >for the company?
Last month’s business report has the customer’s name on it. If a customer cancels, who is not going to call and find out why? Do you have even one example of this ever happening?
>At least when you work retail you see the >transaction take place with Melalueca I guess >you just have to take their word.
Ah, retail. I remember those days. Calling home to see if we had enough money for $5 of gas. Before all the complex tax issues and and vacations. I’ll stick with the life I have now but I have been there.