I didn't either, Rebecca. Seems like kissing cousins with doTerra and the Avon lady.

Me too, Scola.

R + F is just like Mary Kay, Avon, Beachbody, Tastefully Simple, Younique, Amway, and all of the rest of the Multi-Level Marketing organizations. They refer to themselves as direct sales organizations, but it's MLM all the way. Their products may not all be bad--I buy from Tastefully Simple and Younique--but the company makes money from sales to its reps and recruiting new reps, and not by sales to consumers. It becomes unconscionable when directors or other higher ups force large inventory packages on those that cannot afford them, or force reps to recruit sales people so they can get a percentage of what the new recruit buys. The more recruits you have in your downline, the more money you make off of their sales. Those MK cars and other incentives? Not even remotely free. You have to maintain a certain level of sales or there's a copay, and the company doesn't care how you get the sales as long as the product is leaving its distribution centers. Sales are measured by what is bought by company reps, not by what is sold to the end user.

I watched a friend of mine get suckered in and end up over $10,000 in debt with product that couldn't be moved--because NO ONE wanted to buy it and she ended up with a garage-ful of hand cream and face wash--and did some research.

Edit: Yes, I realize the absurdity of using the products. I buy from people I know who don't see this as a get rich quick scheme. They end up with a little pocket money, and I end up with the products I want. Still trying to reconcile it.

My MIL kept getting pulled into those MLM things--Utah is the capital of them, to the point where they'll use the phrase Multi Level Marketing in the promotional material. The Mormon Church is becoming notorious for people at the various churches saying "Oh, Brother So-and-So is a member in good standing, I'm sure the deal he's offering is worthwhile." So many MLM scams around here. Fortunately, I generally hang out in tech/geek circles, not the homemaker circles, so I don't run into it often.

There are a couple of Mary Kay Cadillacs/SUVs wandering around town. I'm always tempted to bump them in parking lots.

Rodan and Fields is ProActiv, right?

When my friend was doing Arbonne, I felt like the products were good, but I'm not buying department store cosmetics/skin care anyway, so wasn't going to start spending that kind of money just to buy it from a friend.

I just learned that gaslighting is related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Or that gaslights produce carbon monoxide and I assume that has something to do with the term.

I think it's just that the husband in the movie was turning the lights up and down? Yeah: [link] If you haven't seen the movie, do! It's great.

R&F is decent stuff, but it's not better than what you can buy at the drugstore. Olay is just as good. I hate MLM -- I almost got suckered into one, when I was young and trusted people.

Yeah, the term gaslighting comes from the title of the movie--verbing a noun kind of thing--"He's Gaslight-ing me!" referring to the husband in the movie trying to drive his wife crazy by manipulating her percieved reality.

The microwave died a while ago, but I think it was before I went to New Orleans, and then we were busy with other stuff, blah blah, so we didn't get it replaced until last week.

Now the fridge is dying. I do not want to shop for more appliances.

That's unfortunate timing. Get better, fridge, soldier on for Dana!

Fracture in my other lower molar, so getting a crown on that before it breaks, too. And replacing the crown next to it because it is problematic and might as well do it all at once. Will I get back to the office today? Time will tell.

Been meaning to see Gaslight for forever, but I didn't know the details of the husband's plot. I need a lot more leisure time so I can catch up on my movies (and reading and tv)

Zen, I'm glad you weren't being thrown under the bus.

Dana, I'm sorry. Is it just me, or do appliances not last as long as they used to?

Ugh, -t. Thanks for the reminder to call the dentist. I hope the process is pain-free and smooth.