So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

hostage

Lieutenant
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
1,291
I love my neighbors, but I should have known better when I got invited to go to this meeting. I felt very uncomfortable by the cult/religous attitude and overly kind attitude of people there. I had no idea what I was going to, until I walked into the conference room. It was an intro into why you should do this. Most of the people that were there had were already members, so I am guessing they were there to try to conveince others to join just like Asch Conformity psych experement.

I was very impressed by the company's model. Not what they were offering to me, but at what they did. The basicly got a lot of poor saps, that had to pay to be employees, even though they weren't employed and the company gets out of any employment liabilities. Then the suckers actually believe they own their own business. They then have to pay $x every month for hosting, $x for training, $x every year and get $1 comission for every $100. They are also required to recruit to others and purchase products. This company doesn't actually make, they just sell other companies products. They also make money by advertisting and referring others to other websites.

The sad thing about this, is it does wierd out most people and they know better. So I believe in the end, most people will end up broke with no friends. The high pressure attitude and overly friendly attitude will creap most people out.

I am planning on speaking to her husband about this, though this did kind of wierd me out. She is a nice person and she gives us great gardening tips, though I am worried about her putting time and money into this and getting screwed. I also think this will negatively impact her relationships with others and alienate herself. I desperately avoid doing business and speaking about religion to friends. That can put both of you in a really aquard position, espsially if you have to live next to them.

A sucker is born every minute.

How should I approach this with my neighbor? She thinks this thing is amazing and I "don't get it". I ran a business for 5 years, I have had a lot of experience with people trying to sell me the world and then give me nothing.

-Hostage
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

You're right; pyramid schemes are insidious and usually only serve to enrich a few at the expense of many. However, I wouldn't approach them about it at all. Clearly they've already chosen to sink their money into it, and you've already been to the meeting and said "no thanks", so there's really nothing further to discuss. If either of them continues to badger you about it that's a different matter, but I say stick to gardening tips and a cold frosty beverage on the porch. As for discussing religion, I differ with you there, but I won't get into it 'cause I follows da rules. However, be happy to share via PM if you'd like. Good luck with the neighbs.:)
 

dwco5051

Commander
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
2,457
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

My wife and I got invited to a friends house back in the early '60s for dinner. When I arrived there 4 or 5 other couples we knew there and it was a demonstration of waterless cooking pots and pans. Since I was an unemployed college student at the time and my wife was working part time as a cashier at a supermarket we made the best of it and ate enough to fill us up for at least two days.

About 15 years ago a neighbor invited me over and it was three people trying to get me into some Amway type scheme. I guess I am a slow learner.

One of my Amish neighbors came to me to ask about a get rich home scheme that one of her relatives was trying to get her into. She didn't know anything about it but was told a $1200 dollar investment in inventory would bring back double that in weeks. I researched the company and it was one of those deals that they would refer customers to your computer and you would ship the items. We had a long discussion on such scams and I told her they don't even make kerosene powered computers. I thought she may be safe in the future but a couple of weeks ago she told me that the same relative was buying Iraqi currency and what did I think of that investment.
 

TilliamWe

Banned
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
6,579
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

I agree with incoop, don't say anything.
 

Tim Frank

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 29, 2008
Messages
5,346
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

I love my neighbors, but I should have known better when I got invited to go to this meeting. I felt very uncomfortable by the cult/religous attitude and overly kind attitude of people there. I had no idea what I was going to, until I walked into the conference room. It was an intro into why you should do this. Most of the people that were there had were already members, so I am guessing they were there to try to conveince others to join just like Asch Conformity psych experement.

I was very impressed by the company's model. Not what they were offering to me, but at what they did. The basicly got a lot of poor saps, that had to pay to be employees, even though they weren't employed and the company gets out of any employment liabilities. Then the suckers actually believe they own their own business. They then have to pay $x every month for hosting, $x for training, $x every year and get $1 comission for every $100. They are also required to recruit to others and purchase products. This company doesn't actually make, they just sell other companies products. They also make money by advertisting and referring others to other websites.

The sad thing about this, is it does wierd out most people and they know better. So I believe in the end, most people will end up broke with no friends. The high pressure attitude and overly friendly attitude will creap most people out.

I am planning on speaking to her husband about this, though this did kind of wierd me out. She is a nice person and she gives us great gardening tips, though I am worried about her putting time and money into this and getting screwed. I also think this will negatively impact her relationships with others and alienate herself. I desperately avoid doing business and speaking about religion to friends. That can put both of you in a really aquard position, espsially if you have to live next to them.

A sucker is born every minute.

How should I approach this with my neighbor? She thinks this thing is amazing and I "don't get it". I ran a business for 5 years, I have had a lot of experience with people trying to sell me the world and then give me nothing.

-Hostage

Puzzling post.
You start by saying the you are impressed... with what the company does...they prey on people.:confused:
You then mentioned your discomfort with the religious tie-in, but did not in any way explain what that might be.:rolleyes:

Then you close by wondering what to tell your neighbour.:facepalm:

Best bet might be to tell the truth and say that you are not the best person to comment on this.;)
 

mommicked

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
1,700
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

If the great get rich quick plan involves you recruting new folks to join whatever; and them to encourage others, because it is such a great opportunity, and the more onboard, or under you, or their own suckers, means more $$$$ for everyone. Make a vertical chart of their names , you being at the top of course, to help you guage your imminent wealth. Then underneath add names of friends,family,co-workers and their friends, family, coworkers, and people you hav'nt met yet and all the people they may get to join (A friend did this), It looks exactly like a pyramid! And I let him know, and told him for the umpteenth time I was NOT interested. He still would not admit this was a PYRAMID scam........... He may be rich by now. I havn't talked to him in a year:p
 

cribber

Lieutenant
Joined
May 29, 2008
Messages
1,338
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

If pressed for a reply just say "no thanks" and let it go there. I had a buddy ask me about one of these offerings and told him "thanks, but it didn't fit my investment strategy."
 

Boomyal

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
12,072
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

...... the same relative was buying Iraqi currency and what did I think of that investment....

The theory was that the iraqi dinar would act like the Kuwaiti dinar after the first Gulf War. The Kuwaiti dinar got down to about 10 cents to the dollar. Today it is worth 3.66 dollars to the K-dinar.

Iraqi currency has lagged a bit behind that performance level. In addition to that, there is no where that you can trade I-dinars. Plenty of people will sell them to you but no body will buy them.
 

halfmoa

Ensign
Joined
Aug 19, 2011
Messages
955
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

I love my neighbors, but I should have known better when I got invited to go to this meeting. I felt very uncomfortable by the cult/religous attitude and overly kind attitude of people there. I had no idea what I was going to, until I walked into the conference room. It was an intro into why you should do this. Most of the people that were there had were already members, so I am guessing they were there to try to conveince others to join just like Asch Conformity psych experement.

I was very impressed by the company's model. Not what they were offering to me, but at what they did. The basicly got a lot of poor saps, that had to pay to be employees, even though they weren't employed and the company gets out of any employment liabilities. Then the suckers actually believe they own their own business. They then have to pay $x every month for hosting, $x for training, $x every year and get $1 comission for every $100. They are also required to recruit to others and purchase products. This company doesn't actually make, they just sell other companies products. They also make money by advertisting and referring others to other websites.

The sad thing about this, is it does wierd out most people and they know better. So I believe in the end, most people will end up broke with no friends. The high pressure attitude and overly friendly attitude will creap most people out.

I am planning on speaking to her husband about this, though this did kind of wierd me out. She is a nice person and she gives us great gardening tips, though I am worried about her putting time and money into this and getting screwed. I also think this will negatively impact her relationships with others and alienate herself. I desperately avoid doing business and speaking about religion to friends. That can put both of you in a really aquard position, espsially if you have to live next to them.

A sucker is born every minute.

How should I approach this with my neighbor? She thinks this thing is amazing and I "don't get it". I ran a business for 5 years, I have had a lot of experience with people trying to sell me the world and then give me nothing.

-Hostage

You just blew my mind....I hope I hope I hope I don't ever go through this.
 

mommicked

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
1,700
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

Hostage, was the name of this entity or whatever four words and includeing high tech by chance? It sounds like the same one my friend is into. I actually attended a special recruting session complete w free lunch and several fast talking, highly motivational speakers, mostly talking about how rich they had become and how much their latest royalties check was, as they stressed how it was perfectly legal and not a scam. They hooked a few dozen out of about 125, but alot of folks walked out after the show was over. It was almost a joke to see the members watch all the folks leave quietly.
 

fireman57

Captain
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
3,811
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

If all of you will send me 100 dollars I will refer you to other threads and you can charge them whatever you want for advice/conversation. That way you can make as much as you want.
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

I need to go back to drinking :D NOT......Could boating be a pyramid scheme? Hmmmmm

Suppliers sells componets to Manufactures

Manufacture pays labor to manufacture boats

Manufacture sends boats to Distirbuters

Distributers sends boats to Dealers

Dealers sells boat to buyers

Buyers buy Accessories for boat

Suppliers sell repair parts for boat.

I have not problem with that pyramid,,,but the one mentioned...........BTDT and told to get lost. I boat,,,,I don't have time to be a salesman that is going to rip others off..
 

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

I am at the point in my life where I want to speak my mind. In a respectable way, I would explain my position to my neighbor if pushed by the neighbor. I don't know that i'd initiate discussions but I really don't have the time for questionable activities or people. There aren't many legitimate, ethical ways to make money quickly.
 

mommicked

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
1,700
Re: So my neighbor tricked me into going to a Pyramid Meeting.

My friend, mentioned in previous replies, was also my boss. I had worked for him for 15 yrs. He became obsessed w this crap and neglected his real job in the process. Our work WAS slow because of the economy. I became very upset when he tried again and again to get me to join even offering to pay my fee so I'd have nothing to loose. I was upset because I figured he thought I was an idiot that would fall for this, and I also lost respect for him. I cannot fathom trying to rip off friends and family. I have alot of friends and I'm sure he thought I would get lots to join. I no longer work there. True believers in this kinda stuff scare me:eek::eek:
 
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