Melaleuca?

[decemberlov]

Does anyone use their products?
I have been for a few months now and I really do like them a lot I'm just having a really hard time spending the money lately.
They require you to spend"35 points" a month which usually comes out to about $85 a month in products. :0!
I started using the deodorant, toothpaste, shampoos etc and love all of them but recently I just feel like I'm wasting money.
Even with 5 people I don't use that much stuff!!
I've been seeing a lot more coupons recently for Tom's products which I was using previous to Melaleuca.
I think I just might have to cancel my account with them.
If you use them how do you justify the money or actually use that many products?
I'm thinking of maybe finding another person to split my monthly order with...but even then, I just don't know.....

[SteveinMN]

We had friends who sold Melaleuca for a while, so we bought some items from them. I'm not crazy about the smell of eucalyptus (the active ingredient), but the items we bought (shampoo, cleaner) seemed to work as advertised. The price, however, was kind of steep. Melaleuca is a multi-level-marketing program, so the prices have to include enough of a "kick" for everyone at every level.

I would say if you want to support the organization, go for it. It's your money. You can try to find someone else who would buy $43 a month of product along with you, but that's still $43 a month. Around here that's three months of water and sewer or half a month of insurance. If it were me, I'd look for eucalytpus-based products in more appropriate quantities.

[decemberlov]

I think you're right SteveinMN..it's really just so costly.
I found my self waking up it 3:00 am going "oh no! I forgot to place my order" and literally went down stairs to turn the computer on to place my order.
Basically what they do is send you products if you don't place your order for that month.
It's really stressing me out as I don't have the money to spend.....looks like I'll be calling to cancel today.

[puglogic]

decemberlov, I really don't like those programs for the same reason you give: I don't like being stressed out. Maybe they're worth it, maybe not, but I just don't like that hanging over my head and I'm not interested in selling other people. I like melaleuca but I can buy a bottle of tea tree oil for about $15.00 and it goes a long way if I want to make tooth powder or use it on skin lesions. I don't care for the scent in much else.

[decemberlov]

decemberlov, I really don't like those programs for the same reason you give: I don't like being stressed out. Maybe they're worth it, maybe not, but I just don't like that hanging over my head and I'm not interested in selling other people. I like melaleuca but I can buy a bottle of tea tree oil for about $15.00 and it goes a long way if I want to make tooth powder or use it on skin lesions. I don't care for the scent in much else.

I know...it was literally making me sick thinking about placing that order and interrupted my sleep last night :(
I started with good intentions and wanted to have better products for my family but not at that cost.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I don't like monthly bills. That the gas bill is a monthly bill, oh well what are you going to do, but it doesn't seem like toothpaste should be. There are a lot of natual products of several different brands out there, not all of them super cheap, but that's quite a lot of money you are already spending, so it's hard to imagine you couldn't buy most anything you wanted for that much.

[Jilly]

When I hear Melaleuca I think tree tea oil, but I am guessing that it might be a whole category or family of related plants.
The buying plan sounds just plain horrible. Kind of like that herbalife, should you be old enough to remember back that far. Are they still based on that pyramid structure where you bring in other buyers to help offset your purchases? Or,, maybe I am wrong, just blathering here.

But , if you know some of the ingredients that you like, is it possible to make your own toothpaste and other items or add those favorite ingredients to existing products?

[BayouGirl]

My sister in law tried to lure us into the melaleuca life many years ago. We half heartedly signed up, mostly to help my MIL (who SIL had also signed up) but it was too much stuff to buy, at too steep a price. I did like the stuff for cleaning the fiberglass tubs and I do like tea tree oil for cuts and bites and such but there was no way we could use all of that. I'm not the type who could ever try and recruit others to buy into it. So we bowed out after a few months and would help MIL make her monthly quota by buying the tub cleaner and tea tree oil from her.
Unfortunately the stuff is just way overpriced and I don't like those multi level marketing deals at all. Perhaps you can just buy the items you like from a friend who is still signed up in with melaleuca?

[SteveinMN]

When I hear Melaleuca I think tree tea oil, but I am guessing that it might be a whole category or family of related plants.
Jilly, you are correct. AFIACT, the only connection between melaleuca and eucalyptus is the letters e u c a & l . :|(

I still feel the same way about it, though.

[Minz]

Wow...glad I read this. I just met with a friend and her husband who let me know about the company and thought I may want to join. After reading this I don't think I want to join'. I wouldn't mind tagging onto her order here and there but as a single person I can't imagine I would buy much....plus I tend to clean with vinegar and baking soda...and also have seen those coupons lately for Tom's products.

[artist]

I buy directly from friends who sell Melaleuca. It's so worth it. I have severe eczema and these products is the only thing that works to relieve the pain and itching and intense dryness.

[decemberlov]

Wow...glad I read this. I just met with a friend and her husband who let me know about the company and thought I may want to join. After reading this I don't think I want to join'. I wouldn't mind tagging onto her order here and there but as a single person I can't imagine I would buy much....plus I tend to clean with vinegar and baking soda...and also have seen those coupons lately for Tom's products.

Glad the timing was right. I happened to sign up with the when it was a $1 membership - normally I believe it is $35.00??
I really thought with a family of 5 we would use more than we do but I kept finding myself ordering things I didn't really need just to meet the quota each month.

Also the minute they sign up they are on you too try and be a rep for them. This made me incredibly uncomfortable and the lady was really pushy about it >8)



Perhaps you can just buy the items you like from a friend who is still signed up in with melaleuca?


But , if you know some of the ingredients that you like, is it possible to make your own toothpaste and other items or add those favorite ingredients to existing products?

These are both good thoughts...

[catherine]

So funny you should bring it up. in 2005, my brother and SIL became distributors and asked me to join them as a "preferred customer" which meant I had to abide by the 35 point rule.

Just what you said, decemberlov, the products are really pretty good, but in my mind not worth the money or the handcuffs you're in with the monthly commitment.

Two weeks ago, my SIL called to say that they were dropping their commitment, leaving me free to drop mine (of course I could have dropped mine any time over the 7 years, but I really wanted to support their efforts). So I just cancelled. I might miss a couple of their products, but if I do, I'll just go ahead and spend the premium fee for them. However, I'm guessing my vinegar and baking soda will replace all the "Tough and Tender" and good eating will replace all the vitamins. As for the rest, my linen closet is STOCKED FULL of the moisturizer and OTC medications and I'll probably die before I use them up.

[decemberlov]

So funny you should bring it up. in 2005, my brother and SIL became distributors and asked me to join them as a "preferred customer" which meant I had to abide by the 35 point rule.

Just what you said, decemberlov, the products are really pretty good, but in my mind not worth the money or the handcuffs you're in with the monthly commitment.

Two weeks ago, my SIL called to say that they were dropping their commitment, leaving me free to drop mine (of course I could have dropped mine any time over the 7 years, but I really wanted to support their efforts). So I just cancelled. I might miss a couple of their products, but if I do, I'll just go ahead and spend the premium fee for them. However, I'm guessing my vinegar and baking soda will replace all the "Tough and Tender" and good eating will replace all the vitamins. As for the rest, my linen closet is STOCKED FULL of the moisturizer and OTC medications and I'll probably die before I use them up.

Yes, my life is stressful enough with out having to deal with another monthly commitment.
I must say that is extremely wonderful of you to help your SIL out for 7 years!!! I made it 4 months before I just couldn't do it anymore.
I tried calling and emailing last night to cancel and go no response so far. I really hope this is not going to be an issue and I don't somehow get sucked into another month.

Enjoy your life long supply of products :~)