Forever Living Products: what to check before buying or joining

Forever Living Products is a company that sells aloe vera products mainly through direct selling by independent associates. This model has two sides: buying products and the option of a business partnership. It is wise to assess each separately.

If you are buying products

Choose a product by its purpose, not by the company story. Read the ingredients and warnings on the label. In the European Union, cosmetics must have a responsible person in the EU and a safety assessment before being placed on the market, and serious undesirable effects must be reported to the national authority. Check price and availability in the store for your country.

If you are considering joining

The FTC warns that most people who join legitimate MLM companies make little or no money, and some lose money. Promises of big earnings, pressure to join immediately and required inventory purchases are warning signs.

1. Ask for a written refund policy and the terms for unsold inventory.
2. Ask active and former associates how much they earned after expenses.
3. Check whether income comes from sales to customers outside the network or from recruiting.
4. Have an independent adviser review the contract before signing.
5. Start with a small amount of products you really use.

Sample questions for a conversation

Prepare three questions: how much will I realistically spend in the first three months, what do I get back if I quit, and how does returning products work. Write down the answers and compare them before deciding.

Decide slowly and on the basis of numbers, not promises.

Sources: FTC European Commission.