Anyone heard of Arbonne International?

My friend, who I haven't heard from in a long time suddenly mails me samples of skin cream, a cd of how to join, etc. It made my skin crawl to think she was using an old friendship to persuade me to join a pyramid scheme. Anyone have knowledge of this organization? I hope for her sake it's legit, but my feeling is that it isn't. I have no intention of buying or joining.

I have never tried it cos I refuse to purchase from someone I don't like....

My wife was hooked on their products for a while--they are all-natural, supposedly environmentally friendly, etc. Several of our friends used the products as well.

As for the business end, I believe it's run similarly to Mary Kay, so one might make a small fortune (We did know one person who made enough that both she and her husband quit their day jobs to sell it full time) or one might wind up with a lot of product they paid for but can't sell (as happened to someone we knew who did Mary Kay). Either way, the salespeople hold "parties" where they introduce the products, etc. My wife hosted a party for a co-worker who was in it (thus qualifying her as a consultant and earning her the consultant discount), but never went any further or put out any money, etc.

You don't have to actually join to buy the products, of course, and there's no charge other than for the products (at least not for the simple consumer).

Why would a friend whom I haven't heard from in a couple of years all of a sudden mail me a packet to "join her team?" It felt weird to be sent this. I did email her back with a personal update of my family and asked her what was up. Haven't heard back and I'm wondering if it's because I wasn't interested in joining her team and she decided I wasn't worth the effort. I don't know.

put a lot of pressure on their consultants to recruit recruit recruit. I knew someone who was a consultant and all she could talk about was the business opportunity. She introduced me to another consultant, who was doing well, and really not recruiting a whole lot, but she was constantly doing parties.

I think "businesses" like this are more about recruiting than actually selling product.

I had a friend contact me a few years ago out of the blue (had not spoken to her for 5 years prior) trying to sell Nikken products (magnets and very expensive bedding which supposedly promoted wellness). Personally, I hate being used like that.

I'd feel like I was being used if a friend approached me out of the blue after a couple of years with a business proposition. I think the business is legitimate (which is not to say it's a good idea to buy the starter pack or anything), but I don't blame you for being put off by the whole affair, and I'm sorry your friend apparently treated you that way.