How to spot a Network Marketing presentation from a mile away

This happened to me again. I got invited to listen to another great "opportunity for advancement." Now don't get me wrong, I have developed quite an open ear for these Pyramid schemes but at the same time, people have to realize that this type of business model does tend to sound kind of shady.

Synopsis: I was minding my own business in Barnes and Noble when some dude came up to me and complimented my cool looking vans. At first I thought he might be one of them homosexuals the bible talks about but little did I know, he intentions would make Sodom and Gomorrah look like Disneyland. He asked about work and I said I was open for new opportunities, I guess that tipped him off because he suddenly became interested in my topic. He kinda hinted about what he did, looking back, I guess I could see how he was trying only give off slightly what he did but then again, hindsight is always 20/20. He was able to walk away with my business card which he them promptly called to set up a meeting.
The meeting was yesterday at a Starbucks and though initially I thought it was just going to be a chill meetup where he would tell me what he does and tell me about a job opening, but when I saw his business associate in my head I was like FUUUUCCCKKKKK..... not again. He works for Amway Global, pretty much think of it as a Costco online. You get money back for shopping on that site (the dude asked me if I would shop at a store if they paid me and I responded with "If they paid me money to shop there then that would tell me something about their product huh" ... he apparently didn't understand sarcasm). And as normal Multi-level Marketing schemes go the more you refer business to others, the more money you make until you reach a cap.

Bottom line was, I wasn't interested and for the rest of the "interview" I acted like worst interviewee ever and I did everything I shouldn't do at an interview shy of walking out. I checked the time, played with my fingers, hair, got up and walked around outside, made a phone call, and even asked them what their turn around rate (how often employees quit) was. OK BIG HINT. IF YOU WANT THESE PEOPLE TO END THE INTERVIEW EARLY OR HAVE THEM NOT BOTHER YOU, TELL THEM YOU HAVE NO AMBITIONS. Its like telling Jehova's Witnesses you have given blood before, they almost wanted to pack up and leave just right there.

Anyway, so looking back, if you want to spot someone asking you to join one of these meetings here are a couple things to look for.

1.) The person is usually someone you know. Multi-Level Marketing companies (MLMs) often tell people to sell to their friends. Its because most people that do MLMs have no social skill and find it hard to cold call. I gotta give props to this guy because finding someone randomly and pitching the idea to them is much more respectable than lying and cheating your own friends.

2.) They will constantly refer to what they do as an "opportunity." I have actually heard them say marketing firm, marketing opportunity, avenue for advancement, etc. Just everything shy from a job.

3.) They will constantly change the subject when you ask them more detail about the job.

4.) They will try to qualify you by asking you questions like "This job is for ambitious people only, are you ambitious? Do you have goals in life? Do you want to become financially independent? etc etc." Obviously you are going to answer yes to all of these. Their plan is to make it so that you have stumbled on this amazing opportunity that almost speaks directly to you. Oldest trick in the book. Psychics do it too.

5.) And lastly, they have to set up a meeting just to hang out with you. What I mean by this is usually, when a MLM guy gets your contact info he/she makes it sound like he/she wants to hang out with you. Who needs an appointment just to grab a beer or some coffee with a "friend."

There you have it, now you can have a heads up when you can gauge whether the new friend you made at a bookstore sees you as a potential cash cow or an actual companion.

*note: The reason why MLM has a negative view in my eye is their business model. Take USANA for example. I feel that if your product is so great and lifechanging, why not introduce it into the mainstream market? If people want to change their lifestyle, let them do it buy choice. Don't shove your product down people's throats by forcing them to pay $300 up front to buy a crapload of USANA products, and you wonder why so many people fail at these things.