Documents

Documents to request before joining an MLM

Verbal answers can be sincere and still incomplete. Ask for the documents before you pay, buy product, subscribe, or recruit anyone.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-14

Short answer: Request the income disclosure, compensation plan, expense list, refund rules, cancellation rules, and any inventory, subscription, or licensing terms before joining.

Plain answer: Ask for the documents before money changes hands.

Request documents by text or email.
Read them away from the pitch conversation.
Use the expense worksheet before paying or recruiting.

Do this first:

Ask for the documents by text or email.
Do not rely only on verbal answers.
Keep copies before you decide.

Ask for these in writing

Income disclosure or earnings statement: Shows how the company describes participant earnings, including who is included and whether expenses are subtracted.
Compensation plan: Explains what activity may create compensation, rank, bonuses, or qualification.
Full expense list: Separates required costs from optional but commonly expected costs.
Refund and cancellation rules: Shows deadlines, conditions, exclusions, and how to stop payments.
Inventory buyback policy: Explains whether product or materials can be returned and what value may be recovered.
Subscription or autoship rules: Shows whether recurring product, website, tool, lead, or training charges continue until canceled.
Licensing requirements: Important when the opportunity involves insurance, securities, financial services, or other regulated products.

Simple request script

Can you send me the income disclosure, compensation plan, expense list, and refund rules? I want to read them before I decide.

Helpful next pages

Sources

Multi-level Marketing Businesses and Pyramid Schemes, Federal Trade Commission. Accessed 2026-06-14.
Business Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing, Federal Trade Commission, 2024. Accessed 2026-06-14.