Am I Your Friend? Or Customer?

Guest post, by Kai.

About two weeks ago, an old friend of mine from high school found me on Facebook. It is really great to connect with my old friends through Facebook. We happen to go to the same college, so we decided to meet up for lunch. When we met for lunch, he asked me what am I doing in life besides school. I told him that I run a blog, which is fairly new and  I treat my blog like a full-time job. He then followed up with asking a typical question of “how much are you making with your website?” I said I am making nothing because it is a new site and I don’t believe in overnight success.

Next, he told me about what he is doing right now. He said that he is working for a big great company. The company does middle-man work between clients and insurance, investment, etc. firms. Lets just say Financial Company. He told me he is making over $3,000 per month part-time while he is a full-time student in college. That sounds great right? I’m a poor college student, and I don’t mind making even $500 per month part-time while going to college. He asked me if I wanted to work for that company because he can “hook” me up. I was curious so I asked him what kind of experience do I need? He told me none because the company will train me.

No experience and $3,000 per month part-time? Who doesn’t like that idea! He said he will talk to the manager of the company, and my friend said he will get in touch with me to hang out again. Before we left, I asked him the name of the company again because I wanted to do a research on it myself. No experience needed and $3,000 per month part-time is a little too fishy for me.

When I went home to do a little bit of research on Google, I typed in the name of the company, and the first page on Google was filled with rip-off reports and scam alerts. It turns out that the company is a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. Basically, if I work for the company, I’ll be working under my friend, and whenever I “make money” my friend will earn a commission. I learned that if I decided to join the company, I’ll be a trainee who has to turn all my friends and family member into clients. My friends and family will have to buy investment and insurance plans because the company is there to “help them financially”. Throughout my training period, I will make $0 because I need to take bunch of tests for licenses before I can start making money, while my friend would make all the money from my leads. “Great friend,” I thought to myself.

My friend called me up couple days later to tell me that there is a spot available for me. I told him that I don’t think the job is right for me because I don’t have time. He said that is fine, but insist that I visit his office to check out what the company is all about. I figure there is no harm to at least take a look inside the company, I said “sure”. When I went inside, my friend introduced me to lots of people. They had a lot in common: they all told me how great the company is and how much they are earning. Whoa! I already red-flagged the company when I did my research, but having everyone telling me about how much they earn makes my research beyond resonable doubt. So and so earns $200,000 per year, so and so earns $1 million, etc. Without any reconsideration, I told my friend that the job isn’t for me and maybe I would be interested later on.

My “friend” has never called me since then.

Guest post, by Kai. This article was written by Kai, author of the blog “How to Increase Blog Traffic”.  Make sure to visit Kai’s blog, I consider it Number One On Google I am sure you will find it interesting.

13 Responses to “Am I Your Friend? Or Customer?”

1. Manz says:

   April 18, 2009 at 4:55 AM

   Some people will do anything for a buck!

   It’s great to read how you used your initiative to do some research and avoid a bad decision. The internet is great for some things!!

   Manz’s last blog post..Seeds Of Life

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2. Kai Lo says:

   April 18, 2009 at 7:54 AM

   @Manz – Absolutely! Nowadays, I even do a research on a new restaurant that I have never been to before I go.

   Kai Lo’s last blog post..Put Keywords In Title Tag

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   Hisham Reply:
   April 18th, 2009 at 8:09 PM

   @Kai Lo, search for the truth :)

   There is no good money with out great effort! good decision my friend!

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3. Hayat says:

   April 18, 2009 at 8:13 PM

   Nowdays there’s lots of people doing that , but the truth about this kind of jobs is a waste of time and sometimes money also .

   [Reply to this Comment]

   

   Kai Lo Reply:
   April 20th, 2009 at 7:17 AM

   I’m pretty sure the money is there, but I don’t think that type of job is ethical.

   Kai Lo’s last blog post..Simple Alternative Anchor Text Link Keyword Guide

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4. shane says:

   April 19, 2009 at 2:43 AM

   I tried MLM b/c I loved the product. I still use the product but it was not a good experience. Smart to stay away. Your friend is still your friend, they are just trying to build their business which, no matter what they tell you, requires constant attention.

   shane’s last blog post..Top 3 Fitness Trends: Boot Camp, Budget-Friendly, Getting Back to Basics

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   Kai Lo Reply:
   April 20th, 2009 at 7:18 AM

   I think you can still sell it to strangers, but friends are a lot easier because they are easier targets :(

   Kai Lo’s last blog post..Simple Alternative Anchor Text Link Keyword Guide

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5. Porteña says:

   April 19, 2009 at 6:26 AM

   I had lots of “friends” like this one you describe. Now, when some old school friend appears with an incredible offer like this, I say “Okay, I’ll buy your product, but you have to buy mine first, we both win!”. Of course, no one accepted at this moment, hahaha

   ,-·*’°§ PoRTeña §°’*·-,

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   Kai Lo Reply:
   April 20th, 2009 at 7:19 AM

   Win-win situation can’t be too bad! I should find some MLM programs and ask my friend to join haha.

   Kai Lo’s last blog post..Simple Alternative Anchor Text Link Keyword Guide

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6. Gopal.G says:

   April 19, 2009 at 1:14 PM

   You are absolutely right. This MLM business is creating a few rich people. but the warmth of friendship is completely lost. Good you refused the offer.

   Gopal.G’s last blog post..Amazing Dads

   [Reply to this Comment]

   

   Kai Lo Reply:
   April 20th, 2009 at 7:19 AM

   Yes, that “friend” still hasn’t call me yet. I don’t want to be rich off friends.

   Kai Lo’s last blog post..Simple Alternative Anchor Text Link Keyword Guide

   [Reply to this Comment]
7. Professional SEO Services says:

   April 21, 2009 at 7:26 PM

   It is true that a friend can not be treated the same way when he or she is the customer. Work has to be work and can’t be confused with anything. Great Article!

   [Reply to this Comment]
8. Kathleen Maher says:

   May 11, 2009 at 4:24 AM

   This really interested me. You can know someone for so many years, but easy money and a certain pressure “to join” are always red flags.
   Sometimes it’s business of sorts or social clubs, even religions. I thought Kai was especially tactful, saying it wasn’t a good fit. That way they can remain friends, more or less.

   Kathleen Maher’s last blog post..Want More

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