I couldn't believe this... in a random conversation, my colleague said in the morning that she'll be going to KL tonight - with her father to listen to some sort of "ceramah". So me and another colleague was like, Oh, ok... that's cool. Then the matter was dismissed.
Next thing I know, during lunch she brought up the topic again. But this time, in a different context. She asked if we ever heard of "Lampe Berger" in a hesitating manner (I think she couldn't decide whether to share it with us or not, or whether we have ever heard of it). And then it just clicked instantly in my head. So that "ceramah" was the LB talk?
I proceed to tell her that I heard of it, and as a matter of fact, I had been to their office. The beautiful and calm environment, the scent that brainwashes you and the expensive products on display. It all came back to me. To be honest, during my college - 2nd year, I was casually talking to a classmate whom I'm not close to. Perhaps that was why it's easier to talk to him. And he took the opportunity to recruit me... at first I didn't really understand what he says coz he refused to be elaborate. He kept insisting that I visit his office and the consultants will explain in detailed. And so I did. Due to the fact I was afraid to go alone (I'm a girl after all and I don't know him that well), I dragged along a close friend.
Both of us opened our eyes to the beautiful exterior of the place.
Then a consultant came along to talk to us. He then proceeds to explain their scheme/ business. But what got me was that we need to pay RM2000+ as a "fee" to gain entry to the group and that the money was actually to purchase the lamps and oils. If you don't use it, how do you know how to sell/ promote it? I'll agree with that for now - but I don't agree with PAYING for it.
I was a naive student, unexposed to something like that. I didn't know. I thought like, 2k? What the hell man, I can withdraw it from a savings my parents had for me. And I did request from my mum, much to her dismay. I was scolded and shouted at, yet I insist on the money. Still, my mum saw through it and refused to help me... I was devastated and resort to borrowing the money from 2 friends. Both agreed to lend me but they don't have much idea on what I was gonna do with it.
A friend got the better of me. She is a close friend to the guy who introduced me to LB. She called me one day and asked how are things going on - coz she knew I went with him to LB office. I said I wanted to do it, and that I can earn money. She sounded hesitant, and said it's not that she's against it or something but consider about it again. I said I can't coz they told me the "membership fee" is going on hike in a few days' time... if I don't cough up the money soon, I'll be paying extra few hundred juz coz I sign-up late (obviously this is a tactic that I didn't see thru then).
She told me, "Think about it again... you are paying the amount to buy something like that. Do you even need it? And how are you going to recruit people? It's not easy you know... don't you think it's like doing sales which you don't like?"
I think the last question struck me. It hit me hard at that time. But I rejected it... I managed to save myself before I drown into it. Later on I found out that quite a number of my classmates/ seniors actually knew about LB coz they guy tried to recruit them. He even lost a number of good friends due to his persistence that they couldn't take. He skipped many classes and failed several papers in his exams thus had to re- take them... all due to the concentration on his "side business". I think when he looks back someday, he's gonna realize that he'd lost more "things" than money could buy.
See, when you think about it
RATIONALLY, you are paying RM2k as a "membership fee" for something you don't even need. Then you are expected to RECRUIT about 5 people to be able to earn some commission. And imagine "consulting", pestering, influencing, persuading, forcing your friends, relatives, family members, colleagues, classmates, school mates or even strangers to cough up the same amount so that you can cover back your wasted 2k. Best of all, you expect them to recruit summore people so they could help fill your pocket. How does that make you feel? I guess you'll say it's a win-win situation coz both of you are earning. NO. Look closer. What happens when you couldn't get the 5 people?
Sure, there's no time limit or whatsoever but don't you feel guilty? You know they don't need the products... Yet you involve them into it - thinking when the 5 members each recruit summore people, more money's going into your pocket without you needing to do anything. Sure, they said the products are good, recognized, cure diseases etc but is there any credibility? Who can prove that it works? If it's SO GOOD, why are other countries like Taiwan etc are banning LB? Give me sound reasons. And what's with the LB cured SARS? If it did, it would get MAXIMUM EXPOSURE throughout the world. And everyone would be LETHAL/ IMMUNE to it as long as they have the LB lamp/ oil. U gonna buy that?
More people on the boat is equivalent to more victims in need of help. In the LB office, they introduce me to "high rank officers" who are so-called 'successful'... and these people will strengthen the idea that you can really reach that (their) stage if you work hard.
Hell man, after I realize my mistake, I don't buy that idea anymore. I truly believes that a GENUINE business does not require their staffs/ employees etc to dig out a single cent (unless you're really buying from the comp). So see, who profit from this whole thing? Those at the top of course. You think you will pull through to the top? Know you place...
This is a WAKE-UP call.
Wake up before it's too late.
I hope that before joining the scheme,
RESEARCH the company. No, not the good stuffs, but what negatives that people talks about. Read
BOTH the good and the bad then make a judgment - on what you think is best.
UNDERSTAND the nature of the business/ what you are bound to do once you joined. Seek other
OPINIONS from people around you... you'll never know if they can give you some good advice/ insights. If you still can't come through with a conclusion and your friend "pesters" you to go for the "ceramah", get another friend with a strong foothold/ against LB to go with you and you'll see for yourself how they counter argue the points. Thing is, if you go alone or with someone who supports LB, you're bound to join them.
Perhaps if you're bloody rich, 2k's not a prob and you can waste it... but for some, that's hard earned money and they can't afford to live without it. Worse thing is, the scheme allows the "members" to cut queue by paying abt 30k to rise to a higher position (instead of recruiting more members). So what is this? Buying a position with
MONEY? Is that ethical? Why is it even permissible?
I'm not interested to get any hate-mails/ comments from LB die-hard fan. Say what you want but truth is that there are people who suffered from this scheme, especially those who lost money for buying what they DON'T NEED/ WANT. I feel for them. Do check Steven Yip's blog for more exposure/ explanation on LB.
http://antilampeberger.blogspot.com
As for my colleague, I sincerely hope she won't dwell into it. I have no power to stop her, but I've already told her my experience and gave her some antiLB sites to look into, but in the end it's all her choice. LB's got great staffs to brainwash others. They are influential people who master the art of persuasion. So if you have a friend who's anti-LB, headstrong, loud, has a drop-dead NO-NO principle + nothing in this world could shake his/ her belief (in another word, stubborn lol) - around you, bring him/ her/ them along to LB office if you consider joining. That friend might actually save your ass.
Don't take my words for granted.
If you do, I won't feel sorry for you.
