Home shopping parties began in lounge rooms with complimentary wines, Tupperware containers and a whole lot of guilt.
The events may largely be gone but the business model remains, albeit in an updated format. Individuals now use their own social media channels to sell and advertise products.
If your friend is a part of one of these companies, or even worse, a part of a pyramid scheme, you may be asked to support them by buying one of their items.
But if you don’t want to buy it, and you don’t want to hurt their feelings, what do you do?
Listen to the Mamamia Out Loud hosts discuss the issue below…
A podcast listener wrote to us this week for advice on how to deal with a friend who had recently begun her own beauty business.
Sophie said her friend was flooding her Facebook with testimonials and product advertisements.
“I know I can hide her from my feed, but I don’t want to miss out on the updates of her kids’ achievements,” she wrote.
“I feel really anxious about catching up with her in person. I’m worried she’s going to bring up my lack of interest and corner me into buying the products.”
“Do I just suck it up and buy a lip gloss that I likely won’t use to show support for my friend or do I politely refuse?”
Top Comments
I got roped into listening to a bloody 2 hour presentation about the Lyoness club, an 'online shopping community'. The pitch was get in quick and sign other people up as this is going to be the next big thing in Australia. 5 years later....haven't heard a thing about it.
I have an old friend who runs gala events - only they are not fundraising for charity. I have let her know she is impinging on charity events and I won't support her business. We have different values, and I think the events sector should be supporting charities.