SCENTSY MLM Scam Deceptive Advertising by Sleazy Independent Consultants?
October 21, 2012
Is Scentsy a deceptive MLM company that uses fraudulent tactics and sleazy independent consultants to sell dangerous, overpriced products?
According to Carol B. it is. We received this angry complaint from Carol, who felt that she was deceptively tricked into attending a sales presentation by a coworker.
Here’s Carol’s story:
“I started working at a new job in a new town. Since I don’t know too many people here, I was really happy when a coworker sent me an email saying that she was having a few people over on Sunday afternoon, and she would love it if I would be able to come.
“I really appreciated her thinking of me, and I was really looking forward to meeting some new people.
“When I arrived, I found out that instead of a social get together, this was a home party and that my new ‘friend’ was an ‘independent consultant’ for some multi-level marketing scam called ‘Scentsy.’ Instead of a real party, I had to listen to a presentation about these stupid, overpriced warmers that melt scented wax with a light bulb. She was pushing these stupid warmers and wax bars packages for like $75 – $85. The Scentsy plug-in warmers are glorified nightlights they sell for $20, and the tabletop warmers are like $35. Of course, if you’re stupid enough to buy those you’ll have to buy their ridiculous scented wax bars for the rest of your life.
“I discreetly asked around and none of the other guests knew they were attending a sales presentation. Yet still they allowed themselves to be manipulated into buying these ridiculously overpriced air freshners just to be polite. I was the only one who didn’t buy.
“I have some advice to people who do these home parties like Scentsy and invite people under false pretenses: You are scum. You might think you are clever, and you might get some free products or whatever, but all those people you tricked, even the ones you tricked into buying and tell you they love the product, now know you’re scum and can’t be trusted.
“My advice to people who unknowingly show up to sales parties: You should leave. Or eat a bunch of their free food and then leave. Do not buy a thing! Make it clear you don’t appreciate being lied to and that if your friend needs money that bad she just should have asked you for a loan. Do not be ashamed. It’s your scummy host who should be ashamed. Go buy yourself a Glade Air Freshner and buy some new shoes with all the money you saved!”
The only good thing that came out of Carol’s experience with the Scentsy home party is a new goal she has at work.
Says Carol: “I now have a work fantasy that I will get promoted to supervisor over the sleazebag Scentsy consultant. I will call her in for a meeting to discuss a promotion and a raise. When she gets there, I’ll say ‘Oh, I didn’t mean a promotion and a raise! Sorry! The meeting was to let you know you’re fired! Good luck with your Scentsy MLM scam!”
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE SCENTSY MLM HOME PARTY OPPORTUNITY? IS IT A SCAM OR LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW!
Comments
169 Responses to “SCENTSY MLM Scam Deceptive Advertising by Sleazy Independent Consultants?”
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*tell
**their
Darn autofill.
This Carol B. is comical!!
WTF! Really? In response to your post; Is Scentsy a deceptive MLM company that uses fraudulent tactics and sleazy independent consultants to sell dangerous, overpriced products?
Jesus Christ–are you kidding me? Carol, go take a valium or something. You have not a clue as to how great Scentsy products are–and no–I do not sell them. But I know people who do, including a niece, who I do not appreciate you referring to as SCUM selling a SCAM product! While I do not agree with the tactics you described in marketing, to attack a company and their product because of one bad incident that really has nothing to do with their product, is just wrong.
You sat down and typed a tirade against a product that is actually pretty wonderful with absolutely NO facts in front of you other than you just HATED getting TRICKED into attending a Scentsy party. I am kind of thinking your co-worker did not trick you at all and I wish (oh how I wish)she would happen upon your filthy little comments, because you would probably be sitting down at the good old unemployment office. But don’t worry! There is always marketing. Hey, maybe you could become a Scentsy consultant!
Before you go off on Scentsy, referring to it as a glorified air freshener(whatever, Carol), maybe you should try the product? Research the company? Do some comparables? KNOW WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT? And WTF? Dangerous? Really? Where did that come from and where did it go, since I only see it in the heading of the post with no proof to back up the word. And overpriced compared to what? Since the only other product I know of on the market with a trusted brand name and similar product would be Yankee Candle, I am thinking Scentsy products are probably within the same price range for comparables and not overpriced.
Scentsy is an absolutely WONDERFUL product. I can state this because, unlike you, Carol, I have actually researched the company and use the products on a daily basis. I have been using two burners (I have a big house) for over two years to battle the not so wonderful scent of inside dogs.
Yes–some DUMB ASSES actually have indoor pooches in plurals. Anyway, before Scentsy, I did try all sorts of products, which NEVER really worked and would just mask the odor for a hour or two. Some of those products are friggin POISON to your pets and HELL on your home furnishings not to mention what they are possibly doing for the person breathing in their fumes. Scentsy is not toxic, is food grade wax and if you happen to have ever spilled one, like I have, you will appreciate the clean way it removes from surfaces, unlike a regular candle. I can leave my house with my scentsy on. When people visit my home, instead of ewwwww de Pomeranian, they ask me what I have been baking and immediately head to my kitchen, thinking they are going to get a treat.
Anyway, since you so blatantly attacked the company and this website has rebuttal capabilities, here are some Scentsy facts for you, straight from their website, which, by the way, features a FORBES “100 Most Promising Companies” banner. But what the hell do they know–right?
I say–they are doing pretty good for a company that has its first location listed as a 40′ foot ocean container on a small Idaho Sheep farm. And to go from $140,000 in revenue in 2004 to $535 million in 2011 aint too shabby, either. The wax is manufactured in Meridian Idaho, so a true USA product and the company is privately owned, held and operated by Orville and Heidi Thompson. Scentsy is sold in the US, Canada,Guam,Puerto Rico, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Germany, so a whole lotta “stupid” people in a whole lotta countries, matter of fact, over 200,000 Independent Consultants if their website is not LYING, like you, Carol. Speaking of lies, about the use of the word dangerous, again a direct quote from their website;
Scentsy Bars do not contain or release harmful phthalates. However, a small percentage of Scentsy Bar fragrances contain extremely low levels of non-harmful diethyl phthalate (DEP) which is commonly used in fragrances to help blend ingredients and to make fragrances last longer. DEP is thoroughly tested and is consistently regarded as safe for use in fragrance by several government bodies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP). Scentsy follows all safety standards regulating the use of DEP set by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). DEP has a reputation for creating suspicious byproducts when burned, but because Scentsy Bars are melted, not burned, the combustion that causes such byproducts doesn’t occur
Scentsy has won many awards from various distinguished organizations. They really don’t need a endorsement from the small potatoes amongst us, but if I were going to make a prediction about their future in marketing, I would put them right up there with the likes of Avon and Mary Kay. They will be around awhile, but even with their proven track record, it doesn’t hurt to stand behind a product and call bullshit when you hear it.
This is personal, but I have to say it, Carol. Your little work fantasy tags you as a BITCH, but not the same grade of BITCH as me. I am a MEGA Bitch. No marketing scams here–I earned it. I worked a lot of years at a lot of different jobs. I left all of them of my own accord and on good terms, so I could return if need be. I live way out in the country now, but I have lived all over the place, including some pretty metro areas, like Los Angeles, and Portland and I have ran across your type before. If I had a co-worker like you scheming to land my job, you would be out in the parking lot for a ass kicking. When the world does its final round around and you and I become cave dwellers again, I will be melting my scentsy in the bark pile to freshen things up while you try to figure out how you are going to sharpen your pencils without your electricity.
Hi–this morning I made a post about a comment posted to your website in rebuttal to a statement made about the product Scentsy. I found the comment in a search when looking for products on google. I have since read some of the comments you allowed to be posted on your site by a anon poster “guest” and I really have no desire to have my comments taken completely off task so that someone can attack things like my education, etc. for the sake of entertainment, so please do not use any posts I have previously sent to you. I thought you were a legit sight for, as your title suggested, complaints, and not one of those places where a malicious anon. guest can just come in and sling the shit. Guess I should have read farther.
lol…you’ve got to be kidding me. Someone’s a bitter soul. Scentsy is wonderful. Get a life.
Hey Crazy Carol STOP EATING THE TARTS THEY ARE NOT MEDS.AND MAYBE IF YOU WERENT SO FREAKN RUDE AND CLEARLY SELFISH YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME FRIENDS AND YOU WOULDNT HAVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR INCOME. I BET YOUR NOT NEW IN TOWN YOU PROBLY GOT CHASED OUT OF THE LAST ONE WITH PITCH FORKS AND FIRE. GET YOUR FREE MEALS AT THE MISSION AND STOP TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLES KINDNESS. SIGNED ONE OF THE IN HOME SALES CONSULTANTS THAT YOU REFERRED TO AS SCUM FOR TRYING TO EARN EXTRA MONEY TO PAY THEIR BILLS. GROW UP CAROL THATS WHY YOU DONT HAVE ANY FRIENDS.
Congratulations. The Psychotic Housewives of Scentsy have a new spokespsycho: MaryAnn Kramer. Are you related to Jim Kramer, the crazy stock guy who advised people to invest in Bear Sterns 6 days before it went bust? (Wait, his name is Cramer, not that Scentsy CONsultants would have known the difference).
I know you are all desperate to pretend you are real businesspeople with legitimate businesses but, sorry, gals, you are not “consultants.” Who are you kidding? Real “consultants” are professionals who get paid good money to help real companies make important business decisions… not housewives, grocery clerks and secretaries who want to delude themselves that they own a business.
What do you Scentsy CON-sultants consult about?
Whether to choose the Banana Nut Bread scent or the French Toast?
Whether Iced Pine is more “Martha Stewart” than Cozy Fireside?
Whether you’ll be less lonely with “Quiver” or “Lucky in Love”?
How much your fat, apathetic Hubby will love the Angler warmer (see, it has a fish on it!)?
How well the Toscana warmer goes with your tacky, pretentious furniture and tasteless decor?
How well a charitable donation warmer will mask your superficial, self-absorbed true self?
At least call yourselves CONsultants if you must, because people who manipulate their relationships with friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances into a commercial enterprise are con-artists, even if on a petty, small dollar level. Consultants… please!
While most Scentsy CONsultants mask their black hearts and true intentions with a phony smile, Maryann Kramer reveals their true attitudes. They think they are being “kind” and generous by providing Costco or Sam’s Club pastries, and that since you are “taking advantage” of their free food and drink, you OWE them a hefty purchase of the overpriced crap you’d be better off getting a Walmart.
Potential Scentsy customers: Read Maryann Kramer’s the hateful and meanspirited insults she heaps on poor Carol. If you don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of by your scheming, shameless Scentsy CONsultant, she is thinking the same words about you… and probably telling others.
If Psychotic Housewives of Scentsy ever becomes a reality show, Maryann Kramer gets my nomination. She speaks what all the rest of you CONsultants are thinking in your scheming, multi-level marketing brains.
Wow. I can’t believe the mannerisms of some people. Did you not learn anything as a child.
Yes people have a right to an opnion in the caseof this conversaion it is to like scentsy or not like scentsy. I have no issues with people stating that they dont like the company and they feel it is over priced. Fair enough. But to sterotype all independ consulants is silly. No I do not feel like ALL scentsy consultant are SCUM and LIARS.
The person who tricked you was wrong to go about it the way thet did, but did it not present you with the opurtunity to meet new friends which appeared to be something that was important to you? You have a choice at those parties to buy something or not. Consulant should not hold a gun to your head and say buy or die. Cuz they would most likely got to jail.
I am involved with scentsy and passion parties. It how i’ve paying my way through college. I try and give everyone the best deals and people dont mind spending a little extra on my business because its supporting me. With these parties Ive met some pretty amazing people. People whom if I was not doing the parties I would have never had the opurtunity to meet. Its a great socializing option.
My main point of this comment is just to say its not okay to be disrespectful to people. That include tricking people to come to parties if that is your intention or scrutinizing a company and the people that work for it just because its not your cup of tea
Marci wrote: ” I am, in fact, one person, have an LL.M. and am currently working on my S.J.D.” As a real lawyer, this proves how much of a liar you are. You can only get an LLM after you get a JD, and you cannot be a lawyer if you don’t have a JD. Not to mention wtf is an SJD?!
Partner, thanks for exposing Marci’s lies once and for all.
You see, guys, the problem with multi-level marketing schemes like Scentsy is they bring out the worst in lots (not all) people.
Scentsy con-sultants can’t be content with just saying: “I sell these overpriced air fresheners and if you buy a bunch of them I get to keep some of your money.”
No, they have to make out Scentsy like it’s some enlightened charity changing the world, protecting your children from Black Lung, etc. And they have to hide the fact they think they can make $$$ from friends and family.
When you blur the line between friendship and family relations with a slightly deceptive commercial enterprise, lies start happening.
People like Carol’s coworker start inviting people to sales pitches disguised as social gatherings. People like Marci start lying about her success, the success of Scentsy, and how Wal Mart candles “release dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens, into the air my children and guests breathe”
Scentsy people should just be careful that they don’t end up being as annoying and hated as the sleazy Amway salespeople. Amway started out with the same tactics, and we all know how annoying and sleazy Amway people seem.
Let stores do the selling. If you want to socialize while making money, get a job as a greeter at Walmart.
Guest, that was truely inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable.
I had never heard of Scentsy before and am unlikely to ever try it. In my opinion, if you need something like this in your home then you have a small cleaning problem that you should probably address …
If you LOVE the product and your friends LOVE the product, it only leads me to believe that you all fit into that large socio-economic bracket where such products are required because of the very small area left in your home to maneuver between your bed and the computer desk, or the tiny space on your lounge in front of the tv.
Save a fortune – teach your pets to toilet outside and call the hoarding show for some free advice!
Finally, the Scentsy scam is over and all of those crazy Mormons can retreat back to their marble caves.
Scentsy is a scam. It’s always been a scam in regards to how many +3000% markup you pay on those China products. You pay 6 people when you buy their crap.
Scentsy masquerades as a benevolent company but they are really manipulative, evil Mormon bastards that will soon be gone.
THANKS TO SAMS CLUB FOR PROVIDING REASONABLY PRICED ALTERNATIVES.
Scentsy, and their shitbag consultants, your day is OVER. About damn time.
Good lord, children! I feel like I just walked in to a jr high catfight! Both sides could take a lesson in “growthehellup.” How embarrassing for you all!
AMEN, KD! I really have to wonder where some of these strong opinions are coming from… There are more worthy causes than Scentsy for your passionate opinions.
I am weighing in AS a Scentsy Consultant (or ‘con’sultant** as one writer was kind enough to call us). I think the blanket insults and assumptions are disgusting. I’m shocked at such bullying behavior by grown adults. You can’t lump everyone into the same category based on your own negative feelings or experiences. You’re probably the same people who say that all Arabic people are terrorists. Disgusting.
I began selling Scentsy to supplement my own love for the product. I was buying so much that I felt I might as well just become a consultant and get a return on what I was spending. I had a house-fire due to a candle vs. cat accident, so flameless and non-toxic is high priority for me.
Once I signed up, people started coming TO ME. I don’t do a big shpeal. I don’t push product. I NEVER disguise a party as a social gathering. I don’t try to convince people to host parties (I’ve been to a large number of these types of parties, it’s my least favorite thing about them – the pressure). I’m not selling it to make the money, but the money is a bonus when it does come in. If someone seems iffy, I tell them to go away and think about it and if they would like to order they have my number. As for the price of the product – I believe the product to be worth every penny. I’m happy spending the money for a superior product as opposed to the knock offs. If you don’t want to spend the money for the Scentsy brand (or Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Mercedes, etc etc), there are other brands that offer the same type (albeit lower quality in MY opinion) of product for less.
** @guest – Consultant: A person who offers expert advice in a particular area. I have worked as a consultant when I was an Interior Designer, and I have a pretty good idea of what I consultant is. It’s a pretty broad term.
Scentsy and the people who sell it suck. Plain and simple. Haha
The only crime I see in this writing, would have to be the poor grammar and ignorance shown. Rock on Dumbass, rock on.
She’s just mad cause she doesn’t have any friends.
Scentsy is awesome! (And NOT overpriced, I might add.)
Scentsy is ok, the woman who founded it here in Idaho is smart and hardworking, and their consultants and customers are complete idiots. PT Barnum said it correctly, there is a sucker born every minute. Companies like Scentsy and Amway thrive off of these suckers. And the only people making any real money is the lady at the top, laughing as she cashes those checks. It isn’t about the candles, it’s about the suckers that you sign up who think they will get rich selling this crap.
You have to lie and invite people to parties that are actually snake oil sales presentations. Have fun, suckers.
I have been a Scentsy “consultant” since February 2012. I also have a full time job, am a full time student, and am an awesome mom above all else.
Say what you will because what I know is based on facts and NOT subjective opinions. Do your research!
1) Scentsy, Inc. was awarded the 2012 DSA Ethos Award.
2) Forbes Magazine named Scentsy, Inc. to its 2011 list of America’s 100 Most Promising Companies.
3) Scentsy, Inc. ranked in the top 100 companies on Inc. Magazine’s elite list of the fastest-growing, privately-held companies in the United States.
4) Scentsy, Inc. has been a BBB Accredited Business since 11/13/2009
By conducting a Scentsy fundraiser in March I was able to donate 100% of my commission from that event ($706) to a young lady who is raising money in order to participate in the 2013 United World Games. Can you explain to me the fault in that? Where does the scam come in … because I am truly confused.
Let’s not forget that we are all born with a little something called “free will.” If you don’t like the products, don’t purchase them. If you can’t afford the products, then don’t purchase them!
A credible Scentsy consultant follows all Scentsy Family Policies and Procedures.
Carol B … I am truly sorry that you were misled by your coworker and assure you that this is NOT how all Scentsy consultants conduct business.
RGB … I did not become a Scentsy consultant because I thought I was going to get rich. I became a consultant because I loved the products and saw it as a way to motivate myself to become more outgoing and social.
Guest 2 … To insinuate that Scentsy customers might have a pathological disorder shines light upon your own insensitivity. There are no words to combat your ignorance therefore I digress.
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