Beauty

[FleurFairy]

Three of my friends are now hawking this Rodan + Fields line and are raving about how great their skin looks. I do not want to shell out $300+ to keep them in business when I could use that money to get Botox. The more I hear about it, the more inclined I am to believe that it's just a pyramid scheme where "partners" try to recruit others to join their "team" for a "nominal" start-up fee. Has anyone else heard of this company?

[Sunnycorle]

I totally agree with you. I had a friend who was being stalked by a RF consultant and was trying to get me into joining her for a meeting. I said no thanks, I already have all the skin care I need and the lines I like.

[suzyQ3]

I don't recall whether I've heard about it. But I steer clear of any multi-level (nice euphemism) marketing scheme. I see no need when there are just so many good skincare/cosmetic lines that out there that are structured traditionally.

[hovis]

My niece had a showing a couple of weeks ago. I also declined. I already have a beauty regime. I'm 68 and I don't need that expense. I felt bad when I heard only one person showed up. The 2 girls that are pushing these products are the same ones that came up with Proactive.

[millieshops]

It's not a pyramid scheme a la Bernie Madoff, but it's certainly not often many people make real money once they're involved.

By the way - you will still need products even if you have Botox or even surgery. It's just unlikely you "need" this particular one. You might like it, but that's a whole other story and if it costs $300 to find out, I'd pass.

[sommertime]

Isn't that how Mary Kay, Avon etc. got started, by using home parties for selling their makeup?! Is the $300 for buying a kit to become a sales rep? or do they expect you to buy this amount to use just for yourself.

[FleurFairy]

sommertime - I believe that R&F's real scheme is getting people to work for them selling their products for a buy-in fee. THAT'S where their real money comes from. Their aim is for their consultants to recruit others to become consultants. The selling skincare products for personal use comes secondary. That's why I say it smells strongly of pyramid scheme. The $300 is for the line of skincare they ask friends to buy at these selling parties.

[sommertime]

Wow, I would be skeptical too, if someone wanted me to start out immediately with $300 worth of products just to try. Just tell your "friends" that you are not looking for a job! I am a bit suprised by Rodan & Fields using this approach, since they started out selling Proactive on tv, and not thru the friends & family plan.

[cassiem]

The Rodan + Fields skincare line used to be sold at high end department stores, they even had their own counter. The line didn't sell well, so the company switched to a consultant/home party model like Mary Kay and Avon. I tried some of the products years ago when they were still sold in stores. Nothing impressed me, very harsh, very expensive.

[ildiko]

An acquaintance of mine became a consultant and I wanted to support her so I figured I try a product or two. I certainly did not want to sign up to sell it nor wanted shell out a ton of money for one of their regimen set so only bought a smaller set. It was a skin lightening set including a lotion and a cream. They were both very small and cost me about $90.00. Ridiculous. On top of it it did not even work for me. Every time I used it my skin became like parchment paper. I am sure the products are not necessarily bad but the price is absolutely outrageous. I think there are much better products out there for a lot less. One of her friend however reached a pretty high level of building her team or selling the products and got a free Lexus from the company. I also know the girl so at least I know it is not a fake so I suppose it works for some. I could never convince anyone that they need to spend this much money to get great skin. I will certainly not buy anything else from them.