Hi guys…. OK, because I’m never one to withhold my opinion ….. I guess I have to say that part of your letter highlights what frustrates me about YL.  You attempted to get men involved not by the healing properties of the oils, but by the “very lucrative payment plan” put forth by YL.  YL’s oils are the most expensive out there & I had always hoped that was because they were of the highest quality.  I’m sure that you will still argue that that is true.  However, the people making lucrative incomes do so because I have to pay $9 for a tube of toothpaste.  I do believe in the products, but I just get so frustrated w/ pyramid businesses & am continually trying to reconcile using these oils w/ the price I’m having to pay.  Obviously for those who have been healed by these oils, they are worth the price.  For those of us just trying to live a safer, healthier life, it is starting to break the bank sometimes & it’s just frustrating to know that the middle man is benefiting from YL’s “very lucrative payment plan”.

Maybe you can give me some other perspective on this — I used to sell NuSkin but just couldn’t buy into their plan to make others rich on my back.  I wish that YL’s products were a little more reasonably priced & it seems that they could do this.  I’m a big proponent of Fair Trade, & YL just doesn’t seem fair enough.  I just have a problem when I think that money is starting to be the bottom line for people rather than helping others.

Thanks for any perspective you can give.  I just am really trying to feel good about this company, but I keep having a hard time.

Take care!!

Our response:

We are so glad you wrote to us about this!  We never realized you were so conflicted about the company and network marketing companies in general.  There are so many myths and misconceptions about the industry and YL in particular, we appreciate the opportunity to give the “other” side.

First, the cost of the products.  We, too, felt this way in the beginning before we learned about YL. One of the most important things to know is that YL are growers and producers of many of the oils.  We are the only company like that. Everyone else is just a broker.  As for quality, yes we would argue YL is the best but not because it’s company hype.  As you further learn about what it takes to make a medicinal grade oil, you will quickly learn that EVERY OTHER COMPANY compares themselves to YL. There is good reason for that.  We are #1. What does that mean?  Well, for starters, when oils are being tested for quality, it’s not just GC testing  - which is basically all any other source does.  Essential oil quality doesn’t just mean certain percentages of compounds.  The oil also has to be tested relative to a worldwide database of AFNOR and ISO standards. YL not only consistently resets that standard but owns the largest comparable database.  So while other companies hype themselves as “the best” or “as good as YL”, it’s all empty rhetoric.  You can’t just say it, you have to prove it, and no one has been able to hold a stick to YL yet.  Gary Young has devoted his life to bringing the best essential oils to the market for medicinal purposes. Do you know of any other company that allows its members/customers to be part of the planting, harvesting, and distillation? YL members are invited to participate in everything the company does. There is so much for you to learn, I think it would just blow you away!

Second on cost – there’s a misconception that if there weren’t distributors making money, then the cost would be cheaper.  That is not true. For every product, YL makes 50% and 50% goes to the field.  Their 50% pays for farms, equipment, farm staff, corporate staff, cost of manufacturing and producing,  office overhead, etc.  They have no budget for sales, educating, and advertising.  The 50% that goes to the field is their cost for that.  If we did not exist, they would have to pay additionally for salespeople, educators, and have a massive advertising budget just to make people aware that this even exists and can be used outside traditional aromatherapy.

YL does not make a lot of profit on each product.  In fact there are some products that they lost money on and discontinued. They are dependent on a small profit and large volume. If they wanted more profit, they would have to compromise ingredients and add extenders to the oils (like almost every other company does).   All eyes are on YL.  Not only does Gary take a philosophical position on creating the “cleanest, most non-toxic” products, he also knows that so many people would love to see him go down.  They continually try to trash him and take his product for testing to see if it’s compromised.  So far no one has succeeded.  We are VERY proud of that!

Now for myths about network marketing in general. It’s very cliche to call it “pyramid” and is a little misleading. Your traditional job and every organization  known uses a pyramid business structure.  What that means is that the head of the company makes the most money and everyone underneath him/her makes subsequently less and less until you get to the mail room who makes the least.  In network marketing, everyone has the opportunity to make whatever they want.  Personally, we make more money than the woman who signed us up.  So that kind of shatters the whole pyramid theory that only the people at the “top” can make the most money.   Also, every traditional product you purchase has a line of distributors in between. That is not what sets network marketing apart from other companies. It’s just that most people never think about the everyday products they use and how many people got a “cut” before it got to them.  Everything from milk, eggs, bread, drugs, toothbrushes, potatoes, you name it.  There’s a loooooooooooooong line of middle men.  The primary reason for a network marketing type set up is that everyone in business and advertising knows that the strongest, most effective advertising is word-of-mouth. Network marketing companies work solely on that premise.  In YL, it’s particularly important because the product is so unique that we have a lot of educating and support to give as well.

Another misconception is that you are taking money to help your friends.  I have two thoughts about this. I happen to have a private practice that is devoted to helping people get well.  I get paid for that just like your doctor gets paid and therapists get paid, etc.  I even get paid if a friend or family member comes in. In fact, they feel weird if they don’t pay!   In network marketing it’s still a little different though.  Your friends/family/members/etc are not paying you.  The company is paying you a small percentage of each product for referring that member to the company.  We do not stock product or provide customer service.   The company does that.  We are paid to refer to the company and support our customers in getting them educated in how to use it.  If we didn’t stand behind the product, we would never recommend it.

This company and the products have absolutely changed our lives and the lives of many of the people we work with.  No one ever comes to YL with intention of building a business. It’s always the product.  I am so grateful though for my income because it allows me to afford my product and also gives me more flexibility to teach people about how they can change their lives for the better.  We have had so many people over the years and especially now coming to us asking how they can maximize the compensation plan.  They NEED the money. They are out of work or need another income.  We are grateful that YL provides this opportunity and it does not make the product cost more because it’s networked instead of traditional middle men. And in YL  everyone has the opportunity to get wholesale pricing.  We all pay the same price.  But for those that are passionate enough to share with others, they are also rewarded for the referral.  When was the last time your supermarket or department store gave you an item at wholesale or paid you for referring someone to their store?

Sorry this is so lengthy and I hope it clears up some of your thoughts. Keep the questions and opinions coming. We seriously do appreciate when people are honest and also give us the opportunity to explain.  You are really a classy woman for doing that….  :)

I would also encourage you to start attending YL events and Distributor events so you can really learn all this company is about. Also, Gary has a blog that is an excellent way to “hear” his passion for what he does:   http://www.dgaryyoung.com/blog/

This shows you a little about the distillation process.  We have been to the farms and seen this. It’s clearly not “I distilled oil in my kitchen and it’s as good as YL’s”:  http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/company/farms/purity.html

There is also a from Seed to Seal process that YL has put in a video:  https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/company/seedToSeal/seedToSealVideo

From John:

I just wanted to add my 2¢  :)

Young Living’s statement of “Wellness, Purpose, and Abundance” applies to many different things. How about financial wellness? How about purpose for someone who lost or is having trouble finding work or support themselves or their families? How about abundance of life and freedom? Like never missing your kid’s soccer game or being able to take a class on something that gives you joy?

We know so many people in Young Living who had nothing…living in their car nothing. Without the opportunity afforded them by Young Living, how could they help themselves? Welfare or food stamps? That is being part of the problem, not part of a solution. How about the many lives they were able to touch because of the oils? You MUST be able to help yourself before you are able to help anyone else.

Another thing to consider is men’s general resistance to taking care of their health in general. Speaking to them about oils is not doing it. How about coming from another direction to get the guys involved and exposed to the company. Talking to guys about dollars and cents absolutely makes sense.

What if we can change someones life with this project? What if there is a man struggling with how he is going to be able to put his kids through college? What if there is a guy who hates his job, but can’t get out of it to follow his dreams?

Don’t get hung up on the money. It’s just money. Just little pieces of paper. It is not about the money itself, but what it allows you to do.

By the way, if you find the products expensive I have to ask: are you taking advantage of any of the benefits Young Living gives its wholesale members? Are you part of the rewards program which gives you discounted shipping and allows you to build up points (almost dollar for dollar) towards products?

Have YOU considered building a downline? We are always teaching others how to get their Young Living products for FREE!

John

PS.  Thank you again for giving us this opportunity.  It helps us reinforce why we do what we do and it’s a great feeling to discuss it!

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Also, here is my two cents worth.

I would not even have a life right now if it had not been for Young Living Essential Oils. You can read about how they have helped me heal after a number of car accidents at my HUB PAGES articles in the box on the right side of this blog.. Also, I constantly hear of people not being helped, not satisfied, or are disillusioned with the traditional medical help. As far as I am concerned there has not been the type of alternative available till Young Living came along for the every day person who is ready to take responsibility for their health. Not only are the products completely non-toxic for us, they are not polluting the environment the same way drugs and toxic chemicals do that are found in so many other products, even those labeled ‘natural’.

I owe the quality of my life to Young Living products, and that is the truth. But as for a lucrative payment plan, 5% of the pv of an item is not lucrative as far as I’m concerned.

Jennifer Hansen

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