UPDATE: Because I stopped selling LuLaRoe, the photos previously taken by Serena McRae (LuLaRoe consultant)…
7 Things LuLaRoe Doesn’t Want You to Know
LuLaRoe has caught a lot of heat in the media lately, mostly by Yahoo and other major news sites. Some bloggers have started to speak up, but not without major backlash coming our way.
Negativity is not allowed, but they will call you stale (among other things). Personally, I was talked down to in a condescending way when I asked my upline questions. I was told to “stop being negative” when I approached her about questions my customers had that I didn't know how to answer. It was a bad experience for me, and completely changed my view of LuLaRoe. That was only one of the reasons I quit selling LuLaRoe, though.
Recruitment is necessary. When I first joined LuLaRoe, I didn't think recruiting people was necessary. I knew I could sell enough inventory each month to profit $5,000 (which is plenty for us!). Unfortunately, as the inventory comes in, so do the defects! In just a few weeks we had dozens of exchange requests due to defects. We were never reimbursed by LuLaRoe for any of these exchanges; we paid for all of them out of pocket. Those who recruit make the big bucks. That's what the game is all about.
LuLaRoe is involved in several lawsuits. Between forcing independent retailers to charge sales tax illegally, and thousands of customers complaining about defective leggings, the lawsuits are plentiful.
It really is like a cult. I found this out the hard way when I decided not to sell and was attacked online by a LuLaRoe consultant, Brittanie Pyper. She even worked with other consultants to get my personal Facebook profile shut down after she talked badly about me in a video in her LuLaRoe group. I still cannot use my Facebook!
Many say it's just not worth it. While we had a ton of fun selling LuLaRoe, many consultants don't make any money at all. In fact, many are saddled with thousands of dollars of debt and LuLaRoe is still telling consultants to get personal loans or “cash a check from your credit card” (with 30% interest, even) in order to buy inventory.
LuLaRoe has a horrible rating with the BBB and GlassDoor. That's always a red flag.
{Images from my customers, used with permission. Photo on the left is seam not even sewn. Photo on the right, from Catherine Opel, is a tear.}
There really are a lot of defects. In fact, there's a group of nearly 30,000 people on Facebook who post about this fact regularly. I didn't believe it was that big of a problem at first, but when I saw my 12 year old (size 3) daughter wear a pair for the first time and have them SHRED while walking down the aisle at the grocery store, I knew I could no longer stand behind this product. Getting your money back when you have defective leggings is next to impossible. Yes, you can get another pair of leggings but shouldn't you have the option to get your money back when you spent $25 (or more!) on a defective product?
Standing up to LuLaRoe
Most of the links here are from huge websites or bloggers with large followings. If you are a small blogger, I do NOT recommend trying to make a stand against LuLaRoe by yourself. Consultants WILL retaliate, even if you are simply telling the truth about the company.
Ex consultants have a lot to say
“LuLaRoe was the single most negative experience in my life.”
“This company preys on moms who want to be home with their children.”
Anonymous says
Your “reasons” for quitting are not thought out or well explained. Necessary recruitment? NOT TRUE. If you want to qualify for bonuses or cruises yes…otherwise there are thousands of consultants who don’t recruit.
LIKE A CULt? because someone harassed you on Facebook? While there is no excuse for bullying (which that would be) please explain how that makes it a cult? And why can’t you use your Facebook? Seems as though this post is on Facebook…hmmm.
And as far as lularoe telling you to charge or borrow to get product….were they threatening you with expulsion if you didn’t? Did they say they wouldn’t be supportive? Take down your Facebook page?
NO. At least report the facts…that you were lazy and expected to get a big return with little work and you now have a place to whine and make excuses for. Not being a smart business woman
SlapDashMom says
Fact #1: This is a post about things LuLaRoe doesn’t want you to know, not about why I quit LuLaRoe.
Fact #2: I made damn good money, so the “big return” was there, but no amount of money will keep me in such a shady business. You’re money hungry? Cool. I’m not.
Fact #3: This is not “on Facebook”. It’s on my blog. Yes, it’s being shared on Facebook, though the LuLa cult is trying to get it shut down.
Please get things straight before commenting, and at least use your real name next time. Or, are you part of the cult too? Should I just call you Ms. Chuze Fitness since that’s where you’re posting from?
Nicole says
This seems to be exactly the negative retaliation you spoke of.
Laura Zerillo says
I drank the LLR Kool-Aid but as a business owner there will be ups and downs. I have been selling since last summer, and have had a total of 20 defective items returned to me. I have either refunded or exchanged these items for customer – some were not even purchased from me – and LLR has credited me for these items.
At the end of the day, LLR is my WHOLESALE SUPPLIER and they work for ME. Are there issues? Of course. Are those issues deal breakers? Absolutely not! LLR today is NOT the same company it was when I signed up 9 months ago; and the few issues I had in the past are non-existent now. Will I continue to sell LLR forever? Probably not. I have no interest in building a team or even growing my group to 5 digits. I have never been belittled or called names because of it. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I am part of a really great team that focuses on helping people succeed, and not building up their downline. I get out of it what I put into it. Some months are great, others not so much.
Again, it’s all relative. Great article though – truly.
Stacey Nickels says
Bless you for being a single mom of three beautiful girls! You are doing one of the hardest jobs in the world right there! There are so many direct sales companies out there, so many women have such a bad taste in their mouths. It makes me sad. I have been a “mompreneuer” for almost 9 years. Blessings to you and your girls????