Really appreciate your comments about MLMs. I have tried to do some research on Dallin Larsen, the head cheese over at Monarch Health Sciences (Monavie)...so far, nothing. Are you aware of any legal action in the States or NZ regarding this company? My son is interested in selling the "berry juice" and I'm trying to open his eyes without being the discouraging father.
Regards
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Gary Moller Comments:I have not looked into Monavie lately; but have had a number of approaches by various well-intentioned people recently to sell the bottles.
As one father to another, let me say that you are probably the last person to save your son from the clutches of yet another predatory pyramid scheme. Sadly, their methods border on brain-washing and your son must take care. Hopefully there is a mature and sensible person nearby who can keep an eye on him and assist him with making the best decisions for his career and financial security.
One thing about MLM adherents is their evangelic zeal. I am surprised that I have not had an MLM Fatwah taken out on me yet for my heretical comments.
There is always the same formula: A brilliant scientist makes a huge discovery; rather than allow the big multinationals to get hold of it, he forms a company that brings this miracle product direct to you. There is always the same sales pattern that focuses on a prospect's dissatisfaction with life, desire to be independent and to be wealthy and important. To be the head of their own business, to own a flash car and to be lauded by thousands for their business brilliance. The process bears a remarkable and disturbing resemblance with Christian fundamentalist brain-washing. The conferences and training programmes, the glitz, the glamour, the Armani suits and the flashy dental work are all designed to pull the new recruit in so tight and so deep that they can see nothing else. They hand over their money and work their butts off. Few ever get a profitable return, losing friends, families, workmates and even their regular jobs in the process.
"If you're tired of living paycheck-to-paycheck, knowing all your hard work is building someone ELSE'S bank account and not your own, here is a way you can change all that and finally begin working toward the kind of life and lifestyle you've always dreamed of having.
My own experience has shown me that having a business of your own is by far the best way to get out of debt and gain control over your TIME and your FUTURE."
Yeah right Mate! We have heard this spiel before! Same pitch, different product.
Mona Vie is nothing more than a slightly bitter tasting berry that can not claim to be any more nutritious than, say, a blueberry. At $70-90 a bottle, it sure must pack some nutritional punch! Not likely! Even if it does pack more punch than a blueberry, at $5.50 a half kg from Pak'n Save, I can buy a hell of a lot of blue berries for 70 bucks. So, if blueberries are not quite as good why not just eat more of them? Why invest in a product that comes from land that is clear-felled Amazon rain forest? Mona vie has got that covered by setting up charity for the now landless and the destitute peoples of Amazonia.
Here is the link to what I regard as little more than a cynical conscience balm.
I have written about MLM's and Monavie before (please click on the key words below), noting that one becomes a nutritional expert by reading just a few pages of notes. In total, I spent the best part of $60k and several years on my university education and even then I think I barely know enough to advise on human nutrition. The fact about Monavie is it is not really about nutrition; it is a pyramid selling scheme that makes those at the top very rich. The fact there is a product of any kind at all is due to the need for something tangible to hang the scheme on and to make it technically legal in the eyes of the law. Whether any product is sold or not, the Suits at the top make a killing off the poor suckers at the bottom of the pyramid. When it collapses, the next wonder product is wheeled out by the suits under a new company. Mona vie is just one of a whole succession of near identical get rich quick pyramid schemes that have come and gone over the last 3 or so decades.
My advice to your son is to stay clear of such schemes and to stick to a good honest regular job and build a real career.
In the interests of fairness, the owners of Monavie are invited to respond by using the 'Comments" function below this posting.
