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Dear Amy,

 

My friend recently joined a multi-level marketing company and has been constantly trying to sell me products I don’t need. I’ve tried changing the subject and politely declining, but she just keeps pushing. I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but I also don’t want to buy her overpriced vitamins. How do I get her to stop?

 

Sincerely, Pressured to Purchase

 

Dear Pressured to Purchase,

 

Ah, the MLM (multi-level marketing) friend — enthusiastic, unstoppable and convinced that the answer to life’s problems is a miracle face cream or some “revolutionary” wellness tea. Time to flip the script! The next time she launches into her sales pitch, give her an enthusiastic response, “Oh wow, that sounds great!” then add, “So, have you considered investing in my ‘Save the Houseplants’ fundraiser? For just $49.99 a month, you can sponsor a philodendron in need.” Start pulling out pictures of neglected houseplants or half-dead succulents. She might get the hint, or she might pull out her wallet. Either way, it’s a win.

If she keeps pushing, take it up a notch. Start “reviewing” her products with rave enthusiasm. Tell her, “Oh, I heard about that eye serum — it supposedly gives you 20/20 vision if you put it on your eyelids! And doesn’t that tea make your hair grow five inches in a week?” She’ll be forced to either correct you or realize that maybe her products don’t hold quite the life-altering potential she imagined.

And if she’s still persistent? Go full business rival. Make up your own (obviously bogus) line of products and start pitching them every time she brings up hers. “Yes, but have you heard about my patented Invisible vitamin? It’s gluten-free, caffeine-free and has zero calories.” Hand her an empty jar, say it’s a limited-edition prototype and offer to take “pre-orders.” She might think twice before bringing up her wares around a fellow “entrepreneur.”

If she’s still pushing for the purchase, be direct but kind. Let her know you respect her new business venture, but that you’re just not interested in buying right now. You can offer to support her by sharing her posts or recommending her products to anyone else who might be interested. It’s a gentle way of setting boundaries without putting your friendship on the line.

 

Best of bad advice,

Amy