MLM, Can We Make Money?

I spent my Saturday recently at a Networking Seminar which I wasn't so sure what it will be about in the first place. The missus had bought the tickets and yeah, I've got not much of a choice. She had successfully sold 3 hours of my life for a mere SGD$15... :(

The first hour was spent by the guest speakers talking about their reasons taking up this business. Both said that they need the extra money, having more time to be at home, financial freedom etc etc. Another hour or so was spent on the recognition ceremony, and about 30 minutes on their actual product. The last 30 minutes was spent elaborating about why their business should be taken up.

I've been very skeptical all my life about MLMs, the way it works and where the money comes from. And this stance was no different when I went for it. The picture painted was rosy and such and I was surprised to find the seminar was very much like a party. There were people receiving flowers, gifts and such to recognise their different levels of achievement (eg. diamond, platinum, leaders club, etc etc) and everyone seems to know each other. They were hugging and shaking hands congratulating each other. They seemed to be making money and boy, do I envy them. Each group would cheer on for their mentor/upline and congratulate them.

"Go Diamond!" was the much favoured statement that evening.

As to all MLMs, there is always the element of persistence, and I hated that. Surprisingly these guys do it in an OKAY manner. I wasn't at all flustered and I felt good though there were attempts by them to keep me coming to their seminars. They kept insisting for me to go to another seminar some time soon, and even took it up a level by asking me to head on up to Malaysia to attend a 'Very Important', 'You must not miss it' seminar.

Mom was once a member of an MLM scheme. Though she made good money, about SGD$1K a month, the amount of enemies, backstabbing, rejection and time was too much for her to take. I could hear her talk to my father about her business every now and then, saying that the money isn't worth the effort and backlash. Friends would steal her potential downline through underhand tactics and her upline was selfish by keeping them for their own interests. She was basically taken advantage of and all her efforts of holding small introduction sessions at home, investing in tools has gone to waste.

Seeing her going down was something I could not forget. And thus led me to having a permenant downplay of all MLMs. The money is there, but would you trade so much of your emotions just to earn a few hundred dollars? I'm definitely not ready for it.

I'm keen to learn about experiences from the normal guy/girl on this issue. Have you actually earn an excess of $500 from MLMs a month consistently? How far have you gone to go where you are today? How much effort have you put in? How have your relationship with your friends, spouse, relatives changed after you took up the plan? I'm dying to hear your comments.