Company-specific checklist
Someone pitched me doTERRA. What should I ask?
If someone invited you to join doTERRA or sell its products, you can slow the decision down and ask for written information first.
If you only have five minutes:
- Do not pay during the pitch.
- Ask for written documents before another meeting or purchase.
- Compare any earnings claim with costs, refund rules, and cancellation deadlines.
If you are being pressured right now: You can pause the conversation without debating the opportunity. Ask for written documents, take time away from the pitch, and decide later.
- Do not pay during the first conversation.
- Ask for the documents listed below.
- Use a script if you need more time.
Documents to request before paying
Ask for these in writing:
- The current income disclosure or earnings statement.
- The compensation plan or business plan.
- A full first-year and recurring expense list.
- The refund, cancellation, subscription, and inventory return rules.
You can ask to read these away from the pitch before paying, ordering product, joining a subscription, attending a paid event, or contacting friends.
- The current Opportunity and Earnings Disclosure Summary, with its date.
- The compensation plan and Wellness Advocate policies.
- A list of expected product purchases and other common costs.
- The written refund, cancellation, and return rules.
Common costs to check:
- Product, samples, shipping, and taxes.
- Starter kits, renewal fees, websites, apps, or back-office tools.
- Training, events, tickets, travel, meals, lodging, and childcare.
- Advertising, giveaways, displays, packaging, or payment fees.
- Licensing, exam prep, background checks, or required continuing education.
- Unsold inventory and unpaid time.
Gross income is not the same as money kept after these costs.
Questions to ask in writing
- Are the figures net income after expenses, or commissions before expenses?
- What share of comparable new advocates earned no commissions last year?
- How much product am I expected to buy to qualify for compensation?
- How much income comes from retail sales versus recruiting?
What this does not prove
Being invited to join doTERRA does not prove anything improper about the company or the person who contacted you. It is a reason to compare commissions with the cost of product and other expenses.
Read next
Sources
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Company disclosure
2026 Opportunity and Earnings Disclosure Summary (2025 data)
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Company disclosure
Income Disclosure (entry page)
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Regulatory public record
Warning Letter to doTERRA International, LLC
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Regulator guidance
Business Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing
Correction request
To request a correction, email corrections@boringanddevastating.com with this page URL, the specific text at issue, and supporting public sources.