Monat MLM Review: Is it a Scam?

Heard of Monat?

Wondering how people make money selling Monat's products?

You may have heard it is some kind of MLM scheme.

In this Monat MLM review I will reveal all and tell you if this opportunity is worth it or some kind of a scam to avoid.

What is Monat?

They are a company formed in 2014 that sells various products including Monat shampoo and skincare products. However, you cannot purchase the items from the company directly. Instead, you need to buy through a representative.

The representative will be somebody that has bought into the Monat system and has products that they can sell.

While we are on the subject of Monat products, there has been many a review of the quality of them, particularly their shampoos. it causes a reaction that can cause hair to fall out in some people.

Monat representatives often claim that it is your body getting used to the brilliance of the product. However, some believe that this is a lie made up to justify selling more and more of it.

Over the years, Monat MLM has come under a bit of fire for what it does. There are some people that believe Monat to be a scam. So, that is what I want to focus on in this Monat MLM review.

Is Monat an MLM?

Yes. Monat is an MLM (Multilevel Marketing)

While Monat advertises itself as a company that makes Monat skin care products that you can sell to people, that isn't actually how you make money with this business model.

The business model works by you recruiting people into the system.

As you recruit people, you will gain commissions from their sales. As the people you recruit get some people under them, you get commissions on their sales too.

So, it really is multilevel. If you looked at a diagram of Monat, you would see it looks like a pyramid, which leads me neatly onto the next question.

Is Monat a Pyramid Scheme?

It isn't. Pyramid schemes are illegal. They are also ever so slightly different.

A pyramid scheme is functionally similar to an MLM.

This means that the whole idea is to recruit people. As people are recruited, the money is passed up the pyramid. This is the same way that Monat works. However, it has a very, very small difference.

Because Monat also allows people to buy products and sell them to make money, it isn't legally classed as a pyramid scheme.

Of course, this probably isn't going to stop people from calling them a pyramid scheme. After all, the whole business structure does actually look like a pyramid, doesn't it?

How much money can you make seling Monat products?

I am not going to lie. The potential to make thousands and thousands of dollars per month with Monat is certainly possible. There are people doing it.

The marketing material doesn't lie, and if you actively recruit people for the Monat hair products MLM, then you could potentially make a sizeable income. That part is not up for dispute. In fact, some people at the upper echelons of the system could become millionaires.

However, if you want the cold, hard truth, the majority of people that try to make money with Monat end up making a loss. However, they have to keep buying them to get their rather pitiful downline commissions, which often do not make up for how much is being spent.

So, the answer is that you can make money, but you will probably be emptying your bank account instead.

How often do you get paid with  Monat?

It depends. Monat doesn't actually make it clear.

Obviously, if you buy some of their products and sell them for cash, then you will be getting paid instantly. You will be cutting out the middleman. This part isn't a problem and is the clearest part of the business model.

As I explained before, this entire business model is built upon the idea that you recruit people into the system.

The payment structure for Monat is so convoluted that it is tough to know exactly when you are going to be getting paid, or even what you are getting paid.

This is because there are just so many different things to think about.

My best guess is that you will get paid monthly for anybody that you have recruited into the system. However, in order to get paid, those people must spend around $200 per month each. 

You must also be spending the same amount. You aren't going to get paid as a passive income like this. You need to be actively spending money and sending it further up the pyramid to whoever recruited you. As I said, it is convoluted.

To let you know just how confusing the system is, there are stipulations in their agreement that you will only start to get paid once you have recruited four people. 

However, to be honest with you, some people say that this isn't the case. I think the monthly payments based upon who you recruit is the best 'guess'.

Oh, and no. Monat customer service doesn't really seem to know either.

How much does it cost to become a Monat Market Partner?

To become a Monat Market Partner, you will have to spend $49.99 per year.

This will entitle you to 30% off all products while your subscription is active. There will be no minimum purchase requirements, which is unique for an MLM like this.

However, if you actually want to get paid by Monat monthly, then you will need to spend a minimum amount of cash each month. 

So, if you buy a product one month and sell it all the next month, you wouldn't actually qualify for payment since you would have had to have made a second purchase.

There is also a VIP membership for a $19.99 flat payment. This will only give you 15% off of the retail price of Monat, but you only pay the $19.99 once. However, you are required to make three minimum purchases from Monat. The cost of this will vary.

Monat Pyramid Scheme Reddit

There was an interesting post on Reddit.

It was a quote from somebody that worked as part of the Monat MLM scheme. They claimed that a real job is a pyramid scheme, and Monat is anything but, all the while describing it in such a way that it seemed like a pyramid scheme. 

If you look at the screenshot below, you will get an idea about what I mean:

A job is a pyramid scheme?

C'mon man!

Is Monat MLM a Scam?

This is a tough question to answer. This is because Monat multi-level marketing could be seen as both a scam and not a scam. I guess I suppose it will depend heavily on what your idea of a scam actually is.

On one hand, Monat isn't really going to be taking your money and running. There is the potential to make money with the system.

It takes a lot of work and effort, and you will likely have to spend a lot of money to get there, but it isn't impossible to climb up the ranks and make some money with them.

In my mind, a scam wouldn't be like that. A scam would never offer you the potential to make any money because it is just that, a scam.

On the other hand, the whole business model of Monat is not exactly what it seems. You aren't going to be making money selling products as the company claims. The only way that you can climb the rankings is to recruit people.

This is difficult. It isn't properly laid out before you splash your cash on joining the scheme. If a company doesn't make it clear how you make money, then yes, it could be classed as a scam. A good company would never hide anything about themselves, would they?

How many lawsuits have been filed against Monat?

Quite a few. However, we only ever really hear about the class action lawsuits against Monat.

To date, they have had five class-action lawsuits filed against them. It is likely that there are smaller cases, but these do not get promoted anywhere near as heavily.

Does Monat really give you a Cadillac?

No. Monat does not give you a Cadillac. However, they will provide you with the initial downpayment and money that you need to rent it monthly. However, there is going to be a caveat.

You have to put the Cadillac in your name. This means that it will be relying on your credit history when you obtain it. It also means that if you miss a payment, or something goes wrong with the contract, you will be the one that is left on the hook. ?

You also have to remember that Monat is only going to continue to give you the money while you maintain your ranking with them.

If you fall down the pyramid (i.e. you stop selling as much), then you have one month to recover, or they will withdraw all support for the Cadillac.

Of course, you are still going to be on the hook for the monthly payments.

Monat Pros and Cons

I guess now is the time where I have to sum up the pros and cons.


However, do bear in mind that because it is an MLM, I am going to be negative about it. This isn't so much targeted as Monat, but the entire MLM business model.

Pros
  • There is the potential to make money
  • The product is a popular brand name, so it could be easy to sell it.
  • One of the cheaper MLM systems to join.
Cons
  • You will probably make a loss
  • The entire business model depends on you recruiting people. This means constantly bugging your friends.
  • You have to spend a certain amount of money each month to gain your commissions
  • The products Monat sells are not that brilliant.
  • The commission structure is convoluted and difficult to understand.

Final Thoughts on Monat MLM

So, is Monat worth joining? As you have probably picked up from this Monat network marketing review, the answer is probably not.

While MLMs could potentially make money for people, there are going to be far, far better systems out there that you can utilize.

These are systems that will make you a ton more cash, and you won't have to be irritating your friends to try and make an income. That is always a plus, right?

Start Your Own Store

Look, since you're at this page you have proven to me that you have entrepreneurial aspirations.

You want to be your own boss and you don't want the boredom of a 9-5 job until you retire.

Or, maybe you want to make some extra side cash, and that's ok too.

If you don't want to be involved in some shady MLM scheme, don't want to annoy your friends and family and don't want your Cadillac repo'd, listen up.

Start your own online store.

You'll be in charge of the entire process and can even find products similar to Monat if you wish. The best part is, you won't have to stock any products and you won't have to bother your friends and family.

The concept is called dropshipping and all you need is a laptop and an internet connection. 



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Drew Mann

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