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In a pitch right now? Words you can use →

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Someone pitched me an MLM. What should I do?

Take a breath. You do not need to decide today. You can be kind, ask for written facts, and wait.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-30

Short answer: Say, "I need time to read the documents." You do not have to pay, buy product, subscribe, attend a paid event, or contact friends and family before you have read the income disclosure, expense list, compensation plan, and cancellation rules.

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.

Words to use now Before You Pay

Not sure what to say? You don't have to find the words yourself. These are calm, ready-to-use scripts for asking for documents, slowing things down, and saying no.

See words you can use →

Income disclosure means a document showing what people typically earn. A compensation plan means the rules for how participants are paid.

First, slow the decision down

Pressure can make ordinary questions feel rude. They are not rude. You are allowed to ask how typical participants do, what expenses are common, and how to leave if it does not work for you.

Ask for four documents

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.

Look for the missing number

The number you need is not only what someone received from the company. The useful number is net income after expenses for people who started at a similar time and level.

Net income means money left after expenses.

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.

If the pitch came from someone you care about

You can protect the relationship and still protect your decision. Ask for written documents, take time, and avoid debating personal stories. A sincere person can still have incomplete information.

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If they named a company

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