I guess I would be classified as "dumb" by some of you because my family has benefitted tremendously from products from a direct sales company. I'm class of '90 and I don't need income from any direct sales company or "MLM", but in trying to save my daughter's life, and willing to try almost anything, I agreed somewhat skeptically to try a health supplement recommended by a naturopathic doctor.
Prior to this, for 18 months we had tried everything traditional medicine could offer...3 MRIs, numerous bloodwork tests, multiple visits to doctors, neurologists and other specialists all over the country. None of the "smart" educated MDs couldn't diagnose my beautiful (now) 21 year old daughter who was slowly deteriorating, losing her ability to walk or function. They went from MS to Lyme to all sorts of exotic potential diseases as they hypothesized what was wrong.
Long story short, within days of taking the proprietary supplement, which can only be bought via a direct sales company, my daughter became symptom free. I decided to buy some for myself for just general wellness, and guess what? My eczema...that often prevented me from wearing my Aggie ring...went away. Then, I noticed the horrible popping in my hips from arthritis went away. I had given up riding horses, playing sports etc, just thinking that I was getting old. I have been playing basketball like crazy the last few weeks and gone back to roping. Oh, by the way, my 24 year old son and I both lost over 25 pounds within 2 months of taking these supplements.
So, when my family has benefitted so much from something that is generally criticized on here, it gets me fired up. I get pretty annoyed at the small minded CRITICISM I see played out on these boards, whether it's towards our beloved sports teams and coaches, or something like non-traditional methods of business (MLM). I've never seen the statue of a CRITIC. I would suggest you read the Man in the Arena by Teddy Roosevelt. Find something more productive than criticism.
I don't like being sold. Don't particularly like most sales people. But I have more respect for those who have the balls to try to better themselves (and just maybe save someone's life) than for those "smart" critic types who sit back and point the finger at those who are striving valiantly "in the arena".