Shout Out to Joel!

So, I decided to dig around and see if there was any new activity with Arbonne and googled Arbonne Crap. The first site that popped up was Joel's "To Arbonne or Not to Arbonne".  I had no idea that Joel had opened this back up for more discussion.  In fact a poster on this site posted something about it, but it just went right over my head.  So here is the URL http://www.joelcomm.com/to_arbonne_or_not_to_arbonne.html.  There is some interesting conversation going on.  One of the posters brought up the theory that Arbonne products are just relabled failures from other  MLM scams.  Makes sense considering I haven't come across one Arbonne Rep that can tell me what the first product marketed was, or even who the first distributor was.

Comments

[pinkcadillac]

I'm interested in knowing the details of Arbonne's "beginning years". They don't have any company history available, besides their claim they're "25 years old".
There is nothing to back up any of their statements about their history, as far as I can tell.

[Cassandra]

I checked my upline's info and at the "top" is a District Manager who started in 1985. :)

[Leah]

If you wanted to watch Cecilia Stoll's video, she talks about the early days. It was just the basics, normal to oily and normal to dry. They weren't in great packaging or anything. Everyone can be traced back to about 5 or 6 ENVP's.

[Cat]

OK, but I want hard facts. They've got to be out there! I read Cecilia Stoll's info and you can find a timeline with some info that I haven't seen before (as well as some disturbing training info!), but nothing earth shattering. I can Google Johnson & Johnson and get oodles of info...more than anyone would need. Somewhere out there an Arbot has compiled this info, right?

[Leah]

I followed my upline back to 1987, including the last one, which is Arbonne, Arbonne. The lady under that is a District Manager, and the next 5 or 6 are NVP's. Maybe if you can locate one of the 1987 ladies, she'll know some history, but I doubt she'd take the time. Turns out Cecilia Stoll has only been in since the early 90's, so she's not one of the super early ones.

[Cassandra]

I found this info fairly easily:

Brief History Of Arbonne International, Inc.

1975 Initial research and development started in Europe

1976 First basic formulas tested

1977 First revised formulas tested

1978 Second revised formulas tested

1979 Third revised formulas tested and accepted

1980 Arbonne UK (United Kingdom) Ltd. established
Arbonne International, Inc., established
Basic formulas adjusted for the US market

1981 First 15 skin care products test marketed

1982 Additional 10 skin care products and 25 glamour products introduced

1983 Sales established in Oregon, Utah, California

1985 Marketing system upgraded. Bonus programs and recognition programs introduced

1986 Established Canada and Rocky Mountain region

1987 Established key people in all 8 regions within the USA
(June 1987) (Marketing program re-designed for total national recruiting and growth)

1988 Rita Davenport becomes a consultant

1989 Holding company established in Luxembourg

1991 Rita Davenport becomes President

1993 Corporate office and distribution center moves to Aliso Viejo, Ca. Facility and is three times larger than previous facility

1993 Arbonne Institute of Management established to provide excellent training at all management levels

1997 Bio-Nutria“ Vitality Weight Management products introduced

1998 Bio-Nutria“ Fitness and Longevity products introduced

1999 NutriMin C products introduced

2000 ABC Baby line, ClearAdvantage Acne line and Phyto Prolief introduced

[Cat]

Yep, That's what's in Cecilia Stoll's info. I want hard facts though. Not because I don't believe this timeline....I just want details to back it up.

[pinkcadillac]

God I love the Arbots. They're so easy.:P

Hey....pssst... did you know Arbonne's lab in Switzerland doesn't exist???

[Cat]

WHAT!!!?? The Hell you say! Haven't you heard about all those Arbots who's sister's best friend's cousins ex-husband's sisters that have actually been there? Or what about the lady who actually had her picture taken in front of that oh so official Arbonne sign?

[JJ]

Cat and PC. The dynamic duo!! I love it.

[pinkcadillac]

No WAY. I heard last winter that somebody's upline was going to actually VISIT the lab and bring back pictures--I'm still waiting for that treat!

[annie frannie]

Don't know if these are the kind of facts you are looking for, but this was on the Better Business Bureau Website:

DBA: Arbonne International, Inc
» Other
Address: 9400 Jeronimo
Irvine , CA 92618 » Other
Primary Phone: (949) 770-2610 » Other
Primary Fax: (949) 837-8415 » Other
Primary Contact: Stian Morck,Executive Vice President » Other
E-mail Address:
stian@arbonne.com
Website:

Company ID: 13015968
Business Start Date: 1/1/1979
BBB Created Record on: 3/31/1989

[Cassandra]

I'm surprised that none of you are replying about my post, "I checked my upline's info and at the "top" is a District Manager who started in 1985. :)" Actually, I'm not all that surprised, because it kinda shoots down your theory of "pyramid scheme", LOL!

[pinkcadillac]

It doesn't shoot down our "theory" at all, Cassandra. But you crack me up, girl.
:)

[Cassandra]

oh... you are too funny PC! LOL! Still... no comment? LOL!!!

[JJ]

Cassandra, if you had any idea how absolutely foolish you are making yourself look you would go away, quietly. The regulars on this blog are not the slightest bit swayed by you blind ARbot rhetoric. I know that I speak for Cat and PC when I say that nothing and I mean absolutely nothing that you say can begin to shift our opinion of arbonne, mlm in general or those individuals such as yourself, that are involved in and defend these slimy organizations. We don't budge because we are certain that we are RIGHT. We debate the "Arbot of the week" but don't take you and your kind seriously. You are a joke around here and the punchline is that you don't even have the sense to realize it!! HAHA, how funny is that? Well, I guess for you, not all that funny:-( Anyway, you are making a fool of yourself, but don't feel to bad, there have been plenty before you and there will be plenty more after you. The world is slap full of idiots.

[pinkcadillac]

JJ, my favorite is "Go sell crazy somwhere else; we're all stocked up here." LOL

And cassandra: the reason that your comment doesn't prove anything is simple. In MLM scams, the people who join up the earliest make it to the top easier, and everyone at the bottom of the pyramid lose money. That's why once an MLM has been operating for a while, and the market is saturated, the only way to get to the top is to recruit like crazy and frontload inventory.

So just because your little "Pyramid Topper" joined in 1985, doesn't prove that Arbonne is legit; quite the opposite, in fact.

JJ - why do I still bother with these nuts who can't understand basic math or logic????
;)

[Cassandra]

PC, the point was that the "topper" of my "pyramid" is a District Manager, if your pyramid theory held true, that person would be a National Vice President. I know an ENVP of 18 years who makes about half less than someone she sponsored who's been in for 8. That doesn't fit too well with your theory either.

JJ, at least I don't try to degrade others by calling names and talking down to those who don't agree with me. So in that aspect, JJ, you are the foolish looking one. The only way you know how to debate is to degrade. And guess what? I won't budge because I am certain that I am right. I know I can never change your mind about mlm, Arbonne, that's not my intention. There are others who read this blog who do not post, it's for their information, not yours. Frankly, JJ, you are a hoot! Very entertaining, but extremely misinformed. I actually find it quite amusing that the majority of "regulars" who are against Arbonne on this blog have never themselves been IN Arbonne.

[Cassandra]

and PC, can you at least try to be civil? No need in calling me a nut. Seriously, you are just bringing this "debate" down to elementary school level. Actually, Cat did say it was her sandbox, and something about throwing sand. *sigh*

"but extremely misinformed."

Wrong, as usual cassandra. Unfortunately for me I am extremely over-informed about arbonne.
The difference between you and I is that I know and understand the truth. You only know what those above you want you to know.

[Cassandra]

I disagree. I DO understand the company, and NOT from my upline either as they very rarely communicate with me.

The Law of Attraction is HUGE in my belief. Once you understand it, your life will change. :) Since I don't want to attract negativity into my life, this blog (and others) is something I will avoid. NO, nobody is scaring me away, and NO I am not tucking tail. I am choosing for only positive things in my life right now, and we all know that this is FAR from positive, even for those of you who are "anti-Arbonne" and "anti-mlm". :) I want progress in my life, so I am moving on to better things. :) Please save the slander and name calling.

Cassandra wrote:
"The only way you know how to debate is to degrade. "

Well if you weren't so stupid, there wouldn't me anything to degrade.

[JJ]

Law of Attraction is the most powerful force in the universe. It is simple in concept but practice is necessary. But once you "get it",  there is no looking back! It will be part of you forever. The simplest definition of this law is "like attracts like."  Other definitions include:

You get what you think about, whether wanted or unwanted.

All forms of matter and energy are attracted to that which is of a like vibration.

You are a living magnet.

You get what you put your energy and focus on, whether wanted or unwanted.

Energy attracts like energy

Everything draws to itself that which is like itself.

uuuhhhhh................CULT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pinkcadillac]

Oh God, JJ. That crap is STRAIGHT out of that book called "The Secrets of Super-Selling", and you're right - it's blasphemous cultish bullsh*t.

[JJ]

"All forms of matter and energy are attracted to that which is of a like vibration."

That is my favorite.