Arbonne
Reviews and Complaints

You can tell that all these comments are fake and ridiculous! Find something better to do with your time. None of your efforts have slowed done or impacted Arbonne.

I agree with reiemher ! Sounds like the rep jumped in and didn't do her homework on the company which led her to misslead you . I suggest you try another party with different rep and actually use the product.They are formulated in Switzerland but are made in the USA ! I can sleep a night knowing a 6 year old in a sweat shop is not making anything I use with Arbonne. For this and the fact they make great products, I will gladly pay a higher price. Remember, you get what you pay for so you might think about actually using some of their products before you knock them! I did alot of research on the company 7 years ago when I was introduced to it before I used the products at that time I choose to just use the products and not sell wish I had back then. Several people that was just starting out then are still there and are doing better than you can imagine all because it truely is the best. Sorry you feel that way about them, maybe you will think about what I said and give them a chance . I suggest the Re9, thats what I started on 7 years ago and I am 42 but everyone tells me I look 28-30. Thank You Arbonne!

Do you know which carcinogens are used in the products? Is it in all the skincare, or just a couple of products? Their line is approved by some modeling company.

You're an idiot. So what if the products are formulated in Switzerland, yet made in the U.S? What is the big deal? Would you rather have them made in a sweat shop by a group of 6 year olds in Thailand? Some American you are. Eek.
And as far as the ingredients, Arbonne can back up every ingredient (which is available to the public - it's no secret) as to what plant, fruit, flower or vegetable they are derived from. And bottom line, this is why the products are more expensive - because they take the time and spend money on resources to formulate safe products. Any smart human being knows that it's cheaper to formulate ingredients from chemicals and/or by-products. It's why taco bell is under fire for saying they used ground beef when it's actually textured vegetable protein. It's cheaper than real meat. You probably think your perfume is actually made from real flowers. Sorry honey, it's just a chemical that is made to smell like it. Come on, educate yourself.

I also have used Arbonne for 8 years and loved it till they changed the formula. My face has been breaking out badly around the nose area. I am 63 years old and take very good care of my skin. I don't think I ever had more than 6 pimples in my life till now. With the new RE9 I had 8 zits all in the same area and I could never seem to get them to go away without more coming. I finally stopped the product and you guessed it. My face has cleared up and back to great skin again. I was so embarrassed when people would ask me what happened to your nose...OMG! Thank God I stopped. DO NOT BUY THIS LINE! It is horrible to your skin.

I forgot to say, Anna, that I also agree about not being able to hold them up to the light to see how much you have left! That's funny! I thought I was the only one who did that! I haven't lodged that particular complaint yet, but I will if you will!

And to the person who complained about the sizes being smaller for the same price or more...well yes, everything else is like that, too, including the supermarket, in this economy. For the most part, Arbonne is an awesome company, but they are, afterall, in business to make money as well! They have families to feed, too! (And overhead to pay, and employees to pay, and suppliers to pay, etc...all overhead...). My husband is a jeweler and we owned a jewelry store for years...when gold skyrocketed, we HAD to raise prices in order to stay in business, and believe me, we are not rich from that. We live in a small town and hubby would never charge people that he knew didn't have much money, which is nice, but it sure didn't help us pay the bills! I like to eat, and so does he, and also our five little doggies! Sometimes people think that a certain kind of business just makes people rich and that we don't care, but nothing is further from the truth with a lot of us! Depends on the people...

I'm not going to waste much time responding to the poster who claims Arbonne uses mineral oil, dyes and fragrances...I can read, too (since age 4), and um...she's obviously not reading the same ingredient lists I am reading. But anyway...

To the rest of you...I agree, sometimes some of the new products don't perform the same on some people as the old ones did, myself included. I have been a consultant for probably 12+ years now, and love most of the products, but not all. I also realize that each person and their skin/bodies/chemical makeup are not all the same, no matter how pure a product is. Many people are allergic to natural ingredients ie certain herbs, etc., so that is not really a fair assessment of a product. We all have to figure out what works for us and go from there. I'm a little mad about some stuff being discontinued, too, believe me! I guess I am lucky I have been with Arbonne for so long...I can go back to using some of the "old faithfuls" when something new doesn't sit so well with me. (Things that have been around for years and haven't changed yet!)

Anyway, I hope you guys have a good consultant who will work with you if you are not consultants yourself, until you find something that fits for you. Yep, it's frustrating, I know that. But things change and as much as we hate it sometimes, we have to "deal with it", sigh. The good thing is...if you complain about it on Arbonne's website, they actually WILL listen if enough people say something. You can't just be mad and keep it to yourself! I have seen them change things when enough people make themselves heard. Just be specific about what you don't like. Don't just say "I liked the old stuff better" and be done with it. Tell them WHY...ie it makes your skin feel greasy; you aren't getting the same results (whatever they may be), etc.

For instance, their mascara formulas have changed a LOT lately because people (myself included!) have had "issues" with some of the latest new stuff. Not every product is going to be right for everybody, that's just a given, but you WILL be heard from corporate, even if the wheels move a bit slowly sometimes!

If you guys want to message me about other suggestions on what to use (if your consultant isn't helping), please feel free to do so. I will not ask you to buy from me or bug you in any other way...I don't mind helping "for free"!

Why did Arbonne change a wonderful skin care program like NutriMin C RE9? It made my skin look and feel youthful. Their replacemment products do nothing for my skin. Please, Arbonne, don't discontinue the old line that I loved!

Totally true about the 'new' product, I do not like how it makes my skin feel and look. I REALLY liked the previous product. If you also notice, the package or bottles are of smaller size, so you don't get as much for the same amount of money, if not more money. I'm in the process of seaching for a new facial system for cleansing, moisturizing and wrinkle care!

I was given some Arbonne products and read the ingredients before I used them. They are NOT the 'holistic, free of parabens and mineral oils, dyes and chemical fragrances, pure Swiss skin care" they claim to be!

The best skin care products are not the most expensive ones, but rather gentle ones that are effective - those with the highest-quality ingredients, not the highest price.

Here's a review of Arbonne Skin Care http://www.best-mens-skin-care.com/Arbonne-skin-care.html to help you decide about the claims for yourself.

I understand the rationale in purchasing products from an intelligent and knowledgeable consultant. What I don't understand from your response is why Arbonne products continue to be posted on EBay if it is "illegal". Saying or authoring a statement is not addressing the "real" challenge in this specific comment. If the Arbonne company does not take legal action to stop the illegal selling of products on EBay; how is the company supporting both its consultants and clients?

I wouldn't call it "cheating the system" so much as I would call it "cheating your clients", actually. Arbonne is a direct sales company for a reason...all of the complaints that I have read here (some legitimate, some not) have a right to be heard, which means their Consultants should have tended to their problem, whether it's a problem with a product or building their business. I am ashamed of all the Uplines and Consultants who have apparently not done so for these complainants.

It is not fair to clients who buy from eBay, which is why Arbonne doesn't allow it. It has nothing to do with "stifling our business". Those clients have the right to personal attention from you in all manners. Not doing so results in complaints such as I have been reading about on here...no answers to their problems or complaints. And that is what gives Arbonne a bad name to these people, which is a shame.

If I just wanted a skincare product, I could go grab one off any shelf at any store. I prefer knowing exactly what is going on (and in) my skin, which means education, which means a personal consultant, which does not mean eBay or a lame consultant who ignores their clients' complaints. My health is not "up for Bids" on eBay or anywhere else.

All that said, I realize that the internet is ONE of the best ways to "get your point across" these days, and actually Arbonne realizes it, too. You can get your own website (professionally done) through Arbonne...yes, it takes some effort to promote it (this is still a "job", afterall, not a free ride), but it doesn't cheapen the product or yourself by putting both up for bids with no follow-through for someone who wants more than a product full of chemicals and crap that they can buy anywhere. They deserve more than that, and that is the basic premise of Arbonne.

If you sell on eBay (or anywhere else that is basically impersonal), you will probably make a lot of sales, yes, but I can guarantee you that you won't have many loyal repeat customers, which is how you make money in this business if that is all you are wanting. They will just move on to the next good deal that they can bid on. I am not preaching...I know this from experience when I was new to the company...I thought if I could just get everyone to TRY it, they would "fall in love" and that would be it. Nope. Some did, of course, but the vast majority weren't using it for the right reasons, which is being educated on WHY you don't want all those harmful ingredients in and on your skin.

You will be doing yourself and your clients a greater service by making a personal connection with them, even if it is just through the internet, but eBay is not the effective, long-run way to do it, for either of you! It makes our products look cheap, actually, and that is not what we want to portray, right?

Much success to you!

To start as a consultant in 2018 there is a $79.00 fee plus shipping and taxes. It equals out to be about $93.00
What you get - 10 catalogs (these are $9 to order later), 10 Samples of the RE9 skin set (these are $28 to order later), your own unique log in and website with reporting tools.
To renew your consultant membership (yearly) it is $30.00 - no additional items are included.

If your Upline is truly committed, she will set you up with samples and loan you their products for your first three-four shows. The point of this business it to make money - not go into debt.

I have had two consultants who signed up under me for the $93. I GAVE both of them tons of different samples, a few hostess gift to get them started, and have loaned them my products to share with others.

When going into a MLM business ALWAYS "test drive" your UPLINE Sponser.

There is a right way to do this business.

I got suckered info paying $350 to be a "consultant", and to have the samples I was told I needed to be successful in this company. I was also told that the products are all natural, which they are not, they are made with botanical additives, big difference, and literally didn't use any of it, because I wanted natural baby products, and Arbonne has carcinogenic additives to things like their sunscreen. Not impressed at all!

I have been unable to get into my arbonne account for the past 2 or 3 months . My ID Number is [protected], my pin is 8654 . I need help in ordering products.

Only $29, in addition to the initial $75! I love how arbonne consultants put a shiny bow on everything to make it sound like your getting such a great deal. No I have to agree with you here, arbonne doesnt do anything for their consultants. They only care about making their next penny. This one was by far my favorite... "get your ticket for vegas conference for ONLY $99*... *offer valid after $300 purchase." I JUST signed up as a consultant in October and I am so peeved that I have to pay a renewal fee now, and not in october. Such bs. My up line also tried to tell me I'd pay $15 and have a $15 account credit for my next purchase. Another pile of bs. I just went to renew and had to pay $30. Way to go arbonne, another one bites the dust. And to the person who commented here, you just made her point even more valid. And she was already a consultant, your not telling her anything she didn't know. All you did was put a shiny bow on it.

To sign yourself up again, you would only need to pay $29. Our business plan has changed, and we now have 2 signup levels. Preferred Client and Consultant. Preferred Clients are discount buyers. There is no minimum order requirements, quotas, etc. Consultants have to place an order of $150 under their own ID each month. Preferred Clients receive 20% off and Consultants receive 35% off. To be a consultant, the signup is $109. The consultant level is for those individuals who are interested in building a business under our new business plan. Anyone who was signed up before this business plan (Feb 2009) were grandfathered in and will continue to receive their 35% off with no requirements so long as they renew each year for the $15. If someone misses their renewal, they must signup again. They can choose to signup for $29 as a Preferred Client (20%) or $109 as a Consultant (35%). I'm sorry that you missed out on your renewal deadline. If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me and I will try to explain further. megancurtis at myarbonne . com

Just a little FYI here, I tried Avon for a split second (couldn't stand the products) and guess what? They also ask for your SSN #. Anyone want to slam AVON who has been around 125 years!? Thought not. And no, I haven't signed up for Arbonne yet, but I want to.

Just thought I'd mention that Watkins is still around and that they do indeed give free product to hosts or hostesses based on event sales. Sure, in Canada you need at least $250 in sales to benefit, but the products are free and you can choose anything you like. Not all mlm companies have a bad rap.

OK Group! Home Party Consultants everywhere are giving nothing FREE. The companies, no matter what company, Longaberger Baskets, Candles, Home Decor, whatever are incentive based programs for the customers. If you sell/buy X amount you get something for 1/2 price. Earn dollars to get something. Usually the cheap stuff they show you that you can pick from.
Remember or not when the Fuller Brush Man, the Insurance Man, the Watkins Man, The Vacume Sales Guy, The Encyclopedia Guy all came to the housed to sell to you. Well think about this cry babies about Network marketing. With all the companies folding, millions out of jobs. We might see a return of people selling door to door to put food on the table. That is all anyone is ever trying to do. Not everyone is a good sales person, not everyone follows through. There are very good people doing very well with customers who are good business people trying and working at making a living. You have choices. Yes and yeah America, we do have choices. If you do not like home parties, don't have them, if you don't like network markerters, do not use them. It is all all about your personal choices. I you like using 6 tons of Dove hand cream once an hour, don't buy expensive handcream that does not have 6 gallons of solvent in it. Yep, Alchohol is a Solvent! Can tak your nail polish right off those cute little fingers.

Oh Brother! Who or what organization now days does NOT have your Social Security number. Yes they ask all of this only when you sign up. If it is a huge deal get Life Lock, Identity Theft from Pre Paid Legal or any other company. Our socials are floating all over and they can also find you personally any time the Gov. wants just by your cell phone. All your e-mails are screened also. Your still using the internet and your phone.
Welcome to 2011.

Hi Prairie Dweller,

I know every Arbonne rep runs his/her business a little different, but all of our reps in my line always give a completely 100% free $35 Can. value product up front at the beginning of the pary as a thanks for doing the party. Also, you are never encouraged to put out a lot of food and drink, unless it is your usual group of friends and you love to do that anyways.

I am not very active with Arbonne in Canada at the moment, but there are many ways of doing Hostess rewards, and I didn't always charge the $27 for the $100 product - it is different in Canada, but I would just give them $100 free product for every $300 retail that was sold at the party, plus their free gift. I don't think I ever had a dissatified hostess, not that I am aware of. It is up to each Arbonne rep how to run their business, and some are more generous than others as to what they give away.

I am surprised that your rep would say the Preferred Client membership was your 'reward' that is misleading, as it is everyone's choice to sign up for that, and you certainly didn't need to sign up for the PC to get your $100 for $27, she could just put those orders along with her 'party order'. It is completely different from getting the year long PC membership. She was probably trying to sign people up that month to meet her quota, and that was her way of making it look attractive, or to coerce you into signing up, but it seems to have the reverse effect on you!

Also, in Canada, we only have to give the last 4 digits of our SS # never the full number. I have had people give completely different numbers for ex. drivers license numbers or whatever, as they don't remember their SS #. So identity theft is not really a problem with that covered.

If you like the products, go on Ebay and get some cheaper, or go on arbonne.com and find a different rep who WILL give you a free product for hosting- but I think you are probably done with hosting - and I don't blame you.

Dear Praire Dweller,

Please call 800-ARBONNE anytime or log onto www.arbonne.com to post this concern. There is a CONTACT US button. Customer Service will respond. If you are that sceptical, I'm sure you did this already before you would get on the internet and discuss something your not informed. I would love to see you Priaire Dweller come back on this blog and follow up with the understanding of the situation after you have been informed properly.

If you were opening a preferred client account (which is allowing you to re-sell product), much like if you opened a franchise to sell items from a store you would need to provide the company a TAX ID # to the state so they can collect taxes. This is standard for any business owner. I own several businesses. This is usually a social. However, you can create a tax id # with the state. When buying a direct marketing companies products ou do NOT have to open a preferred client /reseller account.

To buy Retail is your first option. Simply pay suggested retail. Much like if you became a re-seller of any other beauty product. Also log onto www.arbonne.com and click shop now. You will be given a Client ID. No Social involved. If you host a party, you also get $100 of items for $20 + tax if the sales are $250. Your rep does not need a social if you are just getting your $100 of product as our thanks for opening your home.

Living the Dream:

1) Yes, I am serious. Arbonne does not need our SS# to process refunds. Are YOU serious? And commission check? Again, who signed up to sell this stuff? No me! Being a preferred client, once again, explained to me, was my reward for having great party sales. Why do you need my SS#?

2) As to your "um...that's 80% off!" comment. Let me explain how I came across this Arbonne rep. This woman had a booth set up at a summer festival. Her sign said "sign up for a free drawing" for product. She calls 3-4 wks later and tells me I won the drawing (woooo-hooo!). What is it? I won a "girls spa night". I'm thinking - well, okay this should be fun and I get at least a free product of some kind, so yeah!
Turns out, I had a good party with sales enough to not only be eligible to purchase stuff at 80% off as you put it, but I reached the preferred client status! YAY! But what does that mean? Well.. I get to purchase products at a great discount for one full year. I think that's a bit strange, but think if I end up liking the product, I would actually buy it year round, so cool IF I like it.
NOT SO FAST sister. I need your Social Security number if you want to take advantage of the deal.
I'm like.. "look, no one asks you for your SS# for buying purposes. This has to be wrong". I earned this and am not signing up for ###, so why the SS#?" She says she will check into it just to make sure it's not just for those signing up to be a consultant, but she's sure the deal is correct.
In the meantime, I'm also doing research on the subject, still in disbelief that this is necessary when I "earned" this yr-round discount from party sales. LOL Guess where it led me?! Right here to the complaints board where I find many others complaining of the same practice.

3). I am a business owner. Not an affiliate, not a sales rep, but a business owner. I run a retail website that is nearing 10 yrs in business. I collect and process personal information on 10's of thousands of customers a year. I also process refunds. Never once have I had need to issue these folks a 1099 or ask them for their SS# to give them back their money. Um... yeah.
Now gee, should I have affiliates/distributors/sales reps out there that I cut commission checks for... YES, then now I will need to ask for SS# & issue 1099's.
But there's a difference. One is a CUSTOMER and the other is NOT. Do y'all see the difference yet?
Why even use this offer unless you are signing someone up to be a consultant? Don't even mention it until then, as that is exactly what you are doing

Once again - no free gift - didn't earn anything but a discount on a little product - rep was very misleading in her pitch.
How much does Arbonne know about the reps they ask to collect all this info? There's only a handful of institutions that would even ask for your SS# (loan companies, employers, the IRS etc), but this little Arbonne rep would have had every single piece of information to steal one's identity: name, address, phone, CC# and SS# should anyone be stupid enough to hand it over.
IF I had signed up to be a consultant/rep whatever you call them, then I should be expected to give my SS# to ARBONNE themselves, NOT the rep. The rep isn't even an employee of Arbonne, they are independant contractors that are 1099'd!

Very shady practices, in my experience. And though not every rep is as ignorant as the one I ran across (in any company), she did quote Arbonne policy on the SS# thing and that is to me, the biggest deal closer about this company.

PrairieDweller, are you serious? When you register for a discounted account, Arbonne wants your SSN in case they have to issue you any refund or commission checks, for tax purposes. I apologize that your consultant/friend didn't explain that to you. I have never had a problem when I've explained that to any of my clients.

As for your party, for every $250 sold in product, you earn $100 of product for $20--plus tax (umm...that's 80% off!). Most consultants give the hostess a free gift to begin with, but it depends on who your consultant was. Again, I don't know who your consultant was, but she should have told you not to go all out on food, drink, etc. Our hostesses are supposed to feel appreciated, because like you said, you are providing us a place to meet new people and opening your home to the company. I never encourage my hostesses to pay a lot for food and drink or spend too much time cooking. The whole point of the party is to hear about the products, try them and if you want, to buy some things. If there is too much food, people get too wrapped up talking and eating. :)

And it's the worst party company you have ever encountered? Really? I have looked at plenty of party companies' hostess rewards plan and I believe that we rank up there in the top 3. My average party is $750, which means that my hostess walks away with $300 of product for $60, plus tax--and whatever gifts they got for free. Not too shabby!

I hate that you had such a negative experience, but calling out the entire company as a scam is just a little much.

Whoa - They do NOT need your SS# for taxes and a 1099 for BUYING products as a CLIENT. Only if you are a reseller/rep and are making a business off of it.
According to the rep I just held a party for, I get to be a "preferred client" as a reward that my party sales reached $250+
As a "preferred client" I can order and re order products I want for a whole year at a big discounts. I'm not selling the stuff. The rep stated that was my reward for great party sales! And yes, the only catch is... they want your SS#! Not the last 4 digits... not a special pin or password, your full SS#.
Now why in the hell would I need to provide that after I JUST DID YOU THE FAVOR of inviting friends and family over and giving up 3 hours of my life so you can sell your wares? Where is my reward? The $100 worth of products for only $27 surely can't be it, can it? That seems hoaky. I have to PAY for what I earned? Nothing free? WTF

I opened my home and my hospitality to this rep who did NOT tell me this is what I was in for. I had a great party, sold over the required $250 in products and what do I get?
I get asked for my debit card number, DOB (to pay for my products I earned), full name and address and NOW my SS#.
I refused. So because I refused to divulge my SS#, all I got for all of that time and money spent on snacks/drinks for hosting the party is to PAY $27 for something that's "worth UP TO $100" (by the way, there's no such thing). - oh, and all sets are off limits!

This is the absolute worst party company I have ever encountered. I actually LOST money and 3 hours of my life I'll never get back.
DO NOT HOST AN ARBONNE PARTY WHATEVER YOU DO! TOTAL SCAM!

DJ G is correct, I have been a consultant for 3 years and that is the only reason they need that information, and that is for your 1099. Taxes need to be claimed if you make over $600 in commission from Arbonne, which you can easily do. Hope that helps too!

I’m laughing reading these comments. Arbonne is the farthest thing from a scam. You have to have a hustlemid set just like any sales job. It’s not going to fall out of the sky. They have so many easy bonuses, you’re just doing it all wrong. It’s funny though because just because you suck at the business doesn’t mean others are going to. Granted it’s not a business for everyone if you’re a lazy person with bad work ethic. This business can be for everyone if you want it badly enough. Your team trains you and it’s all self paced. You only get paid on sales so get your [censored] together and start selling. The compensation plan is secure and safe for one, and if you’re doing your job, your bank account is direct deposited with your commission. It’s not that difficult. This thread is a joke. Arbonne is amazing and it’s changing lives around the globe.

https://www.arbonne.com/Pws/VernonKelley/ICE/repagreement.aspx?FlowType=ICE

I honestly had never heard of Arbonne until my friend, who is a consultant, gave me a presentation online, after what felt like a quick and friendly catch up. I was pretty taken aback at the impersonal nature of the latter presentation, and his very practised speech. He is my friend, but his 'presentation' made me feel like a customer and I couldn't even get a word in through the bombardment of information. I felt awkward to say the least. And I have to say, he is one of the most uplifting, positive, charismatic people I know. And I STILL cringed, because he doesn't see what is evident to those of us not involved in MLM schemes - the change. He is doing staggeringly well through Arbonne and I can see why, because he is so committed to it. Personally, I never want to approach people I care about in such a way. What it comes down to for me is, if you weren't making money from it, would you try and encourage me to buy the product? If not, why get involved? I also don't believe anyone should have to pay into a job. It is not your business, Arbonne is the business, you just sell their product. You do not make it or stock it or ship it.

I am truely amazed by all these comments. The uplines defending the company and the downlines wounded by the company. Business is business Its your own business., you get out of it what you put into it. No one controls your destiny but you! I've done direct sales for 20 years. Arbonne was one of them. I had a $1200.00 investment with 3 months did not see that return. It was hard to sell for me, but that was me.I did not continue to sell it. I sold Partylite for 18 years. Great company. great products! I was very successful and a Upline. It put my kids thru private school and College.I was recently divorce when I started, my kids were well taken care of. They went on cruises, Island trips, and lots more. I just didnt want to carry the stuff anymore, and I didnt have the time to devote to my downline. That was my choice. For the past two years I've been seeeling Touchstone Crystal Jewelry a Swarovski Company. I love it! The Jewelry sells itself! The investment was $129.00 and I made that back plus $300 on my first show and also received and additional $800.00 in product. I can carry Thousands of dollars of Jewelry in a Rolling case. Perhaps Arbonne wasn't for you like it wasn't for me. The point is you have to love what you sell to be happy and successful selling it. Only you control your destiny. Wishing you the best. BTW I saw these post becuase a friend of mine is having a Arbonne party I live in NJ she lives in Cali, so I was looking for the website to place an order! I still use the seasalt scrub, and its the best I've ever found. Good luck in whatever you have chosen to do.

I signed up as a rep with Arbonne to get the 35% discount. I do not sell it to anyone, just for myself. I just noticed that I'm no longer receiving ANY discount! What's up with that? I can get it cheaper on Ebay!

Hello, I would like to start by saying that Arbonne is a legitimate network marketing company, not a pyramid scheme. One of the differences is this... in a pyramid scheme, those in your down line CANNOT make more money than you, while in a network marketing business, those in your down line CAN make more money than you. If you put more into your business, you will get more out of it than your up line. So, PrairieDweller, your entire statement has already been debunked. I understand that not everyone has this information, so I'm just letting you know:) Also, a pyramid scheme often provides no product, or a worthless product, while a networking company offers a legitimate and useful product. There are MANY other differences between these two, but these are the most important two for me! If your curiosity is inclined, do a quick google search on the differences, or ask someone who .

So Arbonne is what you make of it. It can be a great company for those of us who might have more of a knack for entrepreneurship. If you are not willing to put your time and effort in, and do not have some of the basic skills required to manage a business, just like any business you start, you will fail. When you become a consultant, you now own a business. You may have an amazing up line who is passionate about all thing's Arbonne, offering unparalleled support to your down line, you may have had the worst up line in the world who decided to approach their business in a more "pushy" format, or you may have an up line who does this part time, offering some support, but not much. No matter which scenario, the actual company itself gives you all the tools to make this a successful business. It's unfortunate that some of you have been "sucked in" by reps who may choose to be running their business poorly (in which case I would report them to Arbonne, instead of saying nothing and complaining about them on websites like this. I would not have signed up under a rep like this!), but after you have decided to become a rep, it's now up to you how you run your company. I was lucky to have a very non-pushy and supportive up line, but unfortunate in that I signed up very shortly after 2 girls above me signed up, which did not give them the time yet to learn how to support new consultants. But they are amazing, and did their best while learning how to run this business.

While I understand that many of you may have been "sucked in" to a business through poor practices, and maybe were not properly informed that when you sign up you now OWN AND MANAGE a business. For you, I am sorry. I think we've all been there at some point in our lives, we've all felt "duped" at some point. I hope that instead of staying angry at the company, you direct your frustration to the rep, and to Arbonne about the rep, and allow this to be a learning experience. Forgive the one who "duped" you. Forgiveness is hard when you've felt taken advantage of (I speak of this from personal experience), but moving on and forgiving is more about your personal healing than the person or thing we are trying to heal from. It's not saying what was done to you was okay, but it is saying what was done to you no longer holds power over you. Staying angry only gives the person/thing more control over you, and may just keep you FROM embracing the journey life has laid out FOR you out of fear of being duped again. Forgiveness gives you freedom and healing.

Bottom line is this... if you are not the kind of person who has the skills required to run your own business, I wouldn't become involved in ANY network company. Not because the business model is flawed, but because not everyone has the skill set to run their own business. I recommend discovering where your strengths lie, and allowing your career choices reflect this.

One last note, to both those who love Arbonne and those who hate the company, wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if we all choose to discuss such matters in a calm, rational, non combative format? The strong accusations will drive those who do not see your perspective further away. The more cordial we can be, the more progress we, as humanity, can make:) namaste

All skin care companies have their faults, as do all multilevel marketing companies. However, Arbonne DOES NOT require you to stock anything, purchase anything, nor sell anything. You are only required to pay your annual membership and purchase a one time consultant kit - Nothing more! The reason as to why the products are so expensive is due to having to pay all of the commission to the consultants, which is typical of multilevel marketing companies.

I am an arbonne consultant and i have been doing it for a month and a half and i love it! I did not have to invest anything as i had an amazing team who let me use their products until i could get mine (which i used my commission to buy my products) and that took less then a month! I got out there my first week and put ads up for the spa parties, talked to woman in the grocery store and booked 8 spa parties in 3 days! Not one of them may i add was including any of my friends OR family! You earn 35% commission on every order and an extra 4% if your months total when your a consultant, you earn 8% of your months total when your an Area manager, and the list goes up from there! For me it seems super easy to move up as like i said i have been here for a month and i qualified to be promoted to area manager! I think peoples misconception is that its a get rich quick scheme and its not, but NOTHING is! I also have a freelance photography business and i had to invest thousands of dollars at first for camera, equipment and props. You have to ALWYAS put something into what you want to do in order to get anything out! To work in a company like Arbonne you have to be self motivated and set goals and know how to work it! Everyone has a different experience so i would say if your looking to get into it dont just judge it on some bad or good experiences, you have to know within yourself that you have the determination to succeed! And thats with anything even outside of Arbonne!

NERIUM... Just GO NERIUM! www.nerium.com They've accomplished in less than 2 years what it has taken Arbonne over 30 to do, with market failures and noted bankruptcies.

You go gals...Lynne and bgoat17 you don't have a clue...like Amber said - get it right! Thanks gals who are actually in the know...calm down everyone else...and stop being so paranoid... this is a reputable company of 30 years...send in some claims of stealing someones identity via Arbonne...

Actually you are only required to provide the last 4 digits of your SSN or SIN as it is called in Canada here. I don't think anyone can do anything nefarious with just the last 4 digits and you can just put down any old 4 dig. it doesn't even have to be your SSN, as long as you remember what 4 dig they are.

I agree about the SSN and an MLM is a nice way of sugar coating a pyramid scheme. They call the $29 a Preferred client price and consultants will TELL you it is just to get the discount, however if you read the print, you are signing yourself into the clan. Please not #4 on your Preferred Client/Consultant Application and Agreegment..."If I fail to annually renew my Arbonne business, or if it is canceled or terminated for any reason, I will permanently lose all rights as an Arbonne Independent Consultant." Everything is grouped together. The difference with the higher fee is that you get an extra 15% discount to put toward your profit.

The consultant sign up is $109 NOT $29, this is preferred client price. Get it right.

Your first red flag should have been when you were asked, or encouraged, to invest $3, 000 (or any money) into becoming a DM. It all takes WORK, as in netWORKING. Fabulous products and extraordinary business plan for those who wish to take advantage of the opportunity without investing in inventory. If this upline is still in business, let me encourage you to contact Arbonne and file a complaint. It is not how Arbonne does business. Unfortunately, there are unethical individuals in life, sounds like you got connected to them.

HI there, I'm terribly sorry you had such a terrible experience with your upline - I am a current DM with Arbonne and have actually experienced MORE support and training and guidance (i reached out and asked for it) from my ENVP - I realize at this point that you may no longer be an Arbonne consultant and that you let your membership lapse - but I am sure you are aware that everyone benefits from your promotions - you do, your upline does and your downline (are motivated to do the same) do as well - infact with Arbonne, the higher you go, the bigger your % of bonus checks - believe me I have checked out a lot of network marketing companies in my life time, Arbonne is by far the most ethical one out there with the most generous compensation structure.

Again, I'm so sorry about your experience - if you'd like to talk more about it, i'd love to hear from you via private message through this site.

A very happy, motivated and DM on the fast track to success with tremendous support and training from her upline

Not everyone can use every product. For some it is wonderful and not as expensive as some leading high end brands. Do what is good for your skin. The products are made in the USA. Look on the site for product lists and chemical names and see what they do in the product. Over the counter products have no fruits or vegatables and have tons of unpronouncable ingredients. Some science must be put in products. It is what percentage which is harmful. I have a 30 yr. resin manufacturing company, some ingredients are harmful at specific amounts only.

I doubt you have any serious chemical burns. They'll probably heal. Yeah. Cheap colognes are not a good thing. I would check to make sure that the products you buy are noncomedogenic and/or safe for sensitive skin.

Safe for sensitive skin is actually a higher rating (more pure product) than noncomedogenic. All Mary Kay products are safe for sensitive skin. You can also look on the labels of products in the drug store. ;)

I don't know if this is why i am seeing sudden rash type of things around my skin, yes i was using cheap colognes and now i am afraid that they may be chemical burns as well. how do i tell the difference? and seems like i have too much around my upper body and i am waiting to see a doc soon. Keep us informed.

I don't know. Perhaps Avon and Arbonne are department store equivalent. Mary Kay's selling point is the customer service, and the lower cost over time for MK customers. I think Mary Kay is great, but that's just me and my skin. I'm really sorry that you invested so much.

I also would think that the company would take care of your customer, but it is your responsibility if you sold the product to get someone to help her and/or refund her. You are an "independent representative", right? So, do you guys buy it back and then send it to the company for a refund?

I do Mary Kay and it's a simple sheet that you ship with the item. You just write the reason why you want to return it and they credit you for it. No problem.

mercy
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dodogodssolution@yahoo.com my thanks to you for a great works

When I married my husband I was already pregnant and so I didn't have a job. He had a really good job though so I was able to stay home and take care of our son when it was born. When we had our second child we moved to a bigger house, but then strange things started to happen. Things would fly off the walls and doors would slam at night. Our oldest son talked about seeing figures and hearing voices. We consulted a medium and they said the house was haunted. After living there about a year more with only minor occurrences we moved out. That was when the bad luck started to happen. Everything started to fail, with my husband's job, our money and our luck in general. I went back to the same medium and they told me that a spirit had followed me and placed a curse upon me for disturbing it and not being respectful in the previous house. He tried to remove it but was unable. The misfortune kept going on and getting more severe as I tried to search out someone to break the curse. But when I found Dr.dodogods spell he finally did it. Things started turning around almost immediately after he cast the spell and have been great from there! This was really a miracle for us, thank you Dr.dodogods spell from the bottom of my heart!
Posted by. miss mercy

I tried an Arbonne powder foundation last month and was unhappy with the thick, heavy, unnatural look of it. I expected a lot more out of a nearly $50 foundation. When I went to the website and printed out the return form, the company insisted that I would have to write out ALL of my credit card information for a refund and mail it in with the package. Who in their right mind would do that?

Not me. I am left with these choices:
1) Exchange the product that I don't want for other products that I don't want + pay yet another shipping fee.
2) Have the company make an adjustment to the meager pay of the 18 year old rep who sold me the foundation, then bug her to give me a refund.
or
3) Write down all of my credit card info, name, mailing address, etc. and put it in a package marked for Irvine CA and hope that nothing bad comes of it.
I think I'll go with choice 4) Throw away the most expensive cosmetic product I have ever purchased and RUN the next time a friend invites me to an "Arbonne Party".

I used to be associated with the company & I agree - strongly. My personal CPA said to me, when I informed him I was being charged the full amount upfront (sales taxes, ) that I should absorb that cost into my selling price, because it was NOT legal to charge it to the client for the full amount, unless the client was paying full price for the product...With bonus items & all they don't pay full price most of the time.

I do like the products, but they are overpriced in my opinion...Just no getting around it. What disgusts me the most, besides the sales tax & ssn# requirements, is the way they change the game plan around every few months...I suppose they think it's good marketing.

I personally think it's just another ploy to keep people off guard..."If you buy this you get...so & so for free...$100 for $20, etc. etc." Anyone with half a brain can see right through that. Add it up...At the end of the order sheet, after taxes & all the extras, you end up paying FULL PRICE. They're not really giving you a price break at all... So, why not be straightforward in the first place...It's just a sham, scam, or any way you want to look at it...Deceptive!

HELPP>... i live in NJ. i just hosted a arbonne party and received $400.00 HOSTESS CREDIT of product for $80.00. i am being charged tax on the $400.00 not $80.00. when i questioned it, i am told that the govt law. i can't see in any right mind that this is the LAW.
i don't see how this company is over charging on TAX and getting away with it.

does anyone know who to contact?

SCAMMMMMMMMMMMM

Here is the deal...Arbonne is 100% legit, and they do these things, because it is the law. Blame the government for the tax. ...As far as sticking with other products etc, that's your choice, but I just wanted to say, that I feel Arbonne products are underpriced! Yes, they are too cheap. Why? seriously take a look at the ingredients, and their phylosophy..and the fact that they have been around for 30 years. As far as comparing them to other companies? Can't they are in the Ultra Premium Swiss skin care line...What does that mean? They are the best of the best! and something the average person cant afford. The fact that you can, should make them first in your eyes. Want to try a sample...visit my site www.KatrinaMacperson.com Oh by the way, Im not giving away samples..they cost money. If you cant pay for it..Then dont. Cheers :)

If you ask me the government should not be permitted to force companies like Mary Kay, Arbonne, and the like to collect retail price tax from it's retail sales companies. Retail sales consultants should never have to pay tax on more than they sell the product for, and never before they sell the product, and if they don't sell it at all they should not pay tax of more than the purchase price. It is the government however, make no mistake about it. These are the federal laws in place regarding this tax collection method and this particular type of business. I got a business license to avoid paying these unfair taxes, you can too. But no matter what other issues Arbonne may have I know Mary Kay does this same thing. I was a consultant for more than 10 years.

How does Morgan Wall think you get the same product if taxes are taken on retail or discounted? 10.00 product at 10% = 1.00 tax added to discounted price of 6.50 = 7.50. If taxed on actual purchased price it would be 6.50 at 10% = 7.15. Not sure whose calculating her tax, but wished mine was done that way!

I was told by Arbonne to contact my local tax office for rules and rates. I did this and I was told that i should be taxed on total paid, not retail. I can not find a positive way to explain this to customers. I personally can not find anywhere in writing that this is legit. I even asked Arbonne to provide this in writing or point and i was told to contact my local tax office. I did this and it wasn't what Arbonne said. Arbonne says the government makes them do it!

When it comes to self employed businesses, Avon is only one out of a handful that does not require you to host a party. You can, but most representatives just need the catalog to sell from. I believe this to be a big portion of Arbonne's and other similar companies problem.

Many people who are becoming a consultant for the first time with Arbonne do not completely understand the mentality and personality that is required of them. A lot of people do not understand that you actually NEED to read the fine print, UNDERSTAND the fine print and that THIS IS A BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY, not a social hour. These self employment opportunities cannot seem to communicate how hard it is just to get a constant stable customer and they cannot teach you how to manage your time. It is assumed that this information is already known and accepted. It takes months of hard 60+ hour weeks with little sleep to pull off any adequate sales in your first 6 months as a consultant or a representative. I have been with Avon for almost a year, and because I lost the flexibility of 60 hours a week that was dedicated to Avon, due to college, I have lost almost all of my customers. I have gone back to a traditional job while selling Avon on the side. I rarely ever place an order any more and Avon is easier to sell and spread the word about than Arbonne or Mary Kay, Tubberware or even Pamper Chef. All of these other businesses have to work twice as hard in order to get a one time sale because none of these companies can manufacture their products at a cheaper price, thus driving up the price for the customers and consultants/representatives.

Yes, there is an earning opportunity with any of these companies but before you sign up, do consider whether you have any of the qualities mentioned earlier. If you do, use them to your advantage, make enough money to go back to school for a Business degree. These self employment opportunities are only stepping stones in teaching the average person how to run a business and how to succeed in making money. Remember: You are in business to MAKE MONEY.

-Elisabeth (Business Management Major)

I am sooo sorry that you had a reaction to the product and that the reps were not helpfull. I can speak from experience being I just recently stopped selling the product. You can return the product and get your money back. If you wanted to exchange the product for something else that is sooo easy too. I did it for my sister, it just takes a bit of time for the consultant to put in the figures. But it is really easy. As for the reaction there are some people that have a reaction to the "C" in the product. If this is what happened then your rep should have exchanged it for the other anti aging product that does not have any citrus in it. Again sorry you had a bad experience, maybe call Arbonne them selves or log on to the website and find another rep to deal with.

My Arbone rep has been terrible. I had a beyond sevre reaction the night cream. I got flack when I was returning it. I thought I would return it for a brush set, but apparently I am not allowed as the bursh set is a promo item. I don't understand, I payed for my night cream in the first place why can I not choose what I want. After dealing with her upline about it I was told I could just call the head of arbonne if I didn't like it.

Wow, it is not my fault I reacted to your product when you claimed the prodect would not make me react and spewed all this fancy flim flam about how good and natural the product is.

I wish I could just ask for my money back, but unfrotunetly it looks like the cash back policy I was told existed doesn't exist!

Plus I have to say I ordered the fizzy drink tabs, half of them don't even work, they just don't fizz, they sit in my cup and do nothing. I have gotten better fizz tabs from the drug store. There is nothing superior that I can see with my own eyes about those tabs.

Really I am disapointed in Arbonne and its reps at this point, especially since i dealth with 2 of them and the upline rep was out right snobby and snippy. I didn't ask for this expensive great to make me break out in a rash and make my skin peel...goodness...well folks, pray it doesn't happen to you, they make it really hard to return their products, their easy return policy is not what they state.

In any business you OPEN as a BUSINESS owner you HAVE to do your own reaserch! When i Opened my Salon, I worked like a dog with a $100, 000 investment...when i struggled and nobody was walking ..did i quit & blamed in on the distrub. or the ones i paid to help and set it up..NO! You are responsible for your own business..u didnt feel u had the right upline...guess what ..reach up or do it on your own. Anything u want bad enough in life u will achieve ..BUT ONLY if u stick top it long enough! My salon has been open now for 9 years... because of STICKING IT OUT! MLM companies is no different...bottom line its your business, u get Amazing quality products for $ ( any MLM company) Its just another genius way of DISTRUBUTION. When u refer ..u get paid. I rather have 100 people talking about my buz/products then paid adv or a billboard!
Just get very frustrated when someone ignorant blame everyone else for their failures in life! Btw.. DIDNT u get your products for the $ spend? u speak like u paid with no return & loss. BTW i am not YET involved In MLM... but anyone smart knows MLM is the wave of future, and Arbonne is one of the TOP ones!

Well of course you didnt make it you had a customer base of three people, reaching the next level means that you worked hard developing and selling to gain this level of sales. How could you expect maintain or go any further no downline and no customer base? Arbonne is not a get rich quick scheme, the levels of promtoion are there for a reason to comepnsate those who have worked for it. You cannot buy your success. I am sorry you were not told this or discouraged from taking the easy way out.

I signed up to buy the product for a full cleanse weight loss and I became constipated, I called and emailed the consultant and told her that I wasnt sent the fiber and should I still continue and she said yes to go ahead and I did and still was constapated and feeling worst so stoped the arbone product and I contacted her several times again and tried to contact the company and no onw got back to me. I had to go to the doctor who sent me for an xray and it showed that my food was backined up past my colan and that I could soon become toxic if I didnt have a bowel movement and my liver and kidneys would fail. I had to go to the emergency room and see a doctor and have tests and a barium enema and several hundred dollars in debt later and missing work, I still havent heard from anyone at Arbonne that cares and I could have died. I am disgusted with Arbonne and I am in Debt with doctor and hospital bills because of them.
D.L Hailey Idaho

The Arbonne consultants that sign you up leave you hanging and if you try to communicate with the company through email in response to one of theirs, they ignore it.
Arbonne is not a good company and dosent care about human beings.

Response to Consultant - I am agreeing with you about the meetings - that's why I stopped going too. I never had anyone to bring to them so I didn't think it was worth it as I had heard it all before. Same stories, same hype, and didnt' want to leave my kids home on a school night as my hubby had the same night out also.

I unfortunately invested a substantial amount more than you, and feel really bad for people who buy a 'full demo line' as they like to call it in Arbonne to 'get you to District' so you can 'start making a real paycheck' which in reality it helps them more than it helps you.

I keep going back and forth about Arbonne even after 2 years and attending many meetings and events and selling much product and doing many home parties. I still have a room full of stuff that I have to get rid of before it expires. It all adds up to more work than is worth it for me. Some people have great success, but it is definitely not easy. After I went to my upline's Mercedes presentation and had to listen to all of the Arbonne people drone on and on how wonderful everything is, and my husband could not wait to get out of there and just thought it was all so fake sounding, that was the turning point for me. I feel they charge way too much for their products botanical or not. there are so many products even in the stores with better ingredients for cheaper, because they don't have to pay a whole corporate staff and all the VPs. All that takes a lot of money you know! Anyone who thinks otherwise has their head in the sand. I agree is it quite cult-like at least that is my observation. I thought I had made friends in Arbonne, but the ones higher than me don't call me on a personal level any more since I have not been 'actively selling' probably cause they are too busy calling all the people who are making money for them! So, yeah, watch out for fake people!

I am a consultant and when I signed up I was excited and my upline manager gave me lots of tools to get started. I purchased 1200 worth of products not the full amount she was tring to get me to buy. I went to some meetings and my upline was there for me when I had questions in the begining. But now when I email her I get no response and I have stopped going to the meetings. The meetings that I attended were the same thing over and over again. I got tired of hearing them. Part of it was about the new sale items for the new month, but I don't see the point because I can look those up online myself. So in the end I am selling all of my excess products and restructuring my business to work the way I want to build it. I don't have to may bad feelings but I wish that it would have worked out better for me because I love the products and still use them.

Thanks.

www.pinktruth.com

That's all you need to see.

Greetings!

I think in any company where you sign up below an upline, you have to look at how that person operates as an individual and not blame the whole company.

So overall I will tell you that I have had similar experiences with other companies and I figured out it was the person that I dealing with rather than the "company policy". I had the same thing happen with Mary Kay by the way. It's called front loading. That way the person above you gets credit and you and invested in products which some people ten to think will motivate you to sell and be successful but the real motivation has to come from within you and if you are not ready to do the business, no matter what product or what company it is then you are just not ready or the timing in your life does not permit it right now.

The products are great, your experience was awful. So maybe you should find a nice consultant that will buy out your inventory or else if you don't want to sell anymore try to sell if off on someplace like ebay, yard sale(that's free) or Amazon.

Just make the decision about what you want to do and move forward on that so you can get on with your life and not carry negative feelings on your back because that will weigh you down and keep you from being happy and life is just too short for that.

If you do like the products and are thinking about trying to buy again, you can always let your account expire and then sign up again under someone else. Just interview uplines first. Or just keep the account and ignore the upline you have now. That person should have had more compassion for your situation but they didn't, it's done and now you have to make changes in how you deal with the situation.

So decide, react and move forward as great blessings await you somewhere! Peace!