AITAH for Refusing to Support My Brother’s MLM Business?
Family and money—two things that should never mix, right? Yet here I am, caught in the middle of a moral dilemma. My brother recently joined a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, and he’s been relentlessly pressuring me to buy his products or even sign up under him. I refused, and now he’s calling me unsupportive. Am I the jerk here? Let me walk you through the situation, and you can decide.
The MLM Pitch Begins
It started with a casual text: “Hey, I’ve got an amazing opportunity for you!” My brother, Jake, had just joined a health supplement MLM. At first, I was happy for him—he sounded excited. But then came the scripted sales pitch: “This isn’t just a product; it’s a lifestyle. You could be debt-free in six months!” Alarm bells went off.
I’ve seen friends lose thousands to MLMs. The business model relies on recruiting, not selling products. I told Jake I wasn’t interested, but he kept pushing. “You’re my sister. Why won’t you support me?” That guilt trip stung.
Setting Boundaries Firmly
After weeks of awkward calls and group chats with his “team,” I finally said no—firmly. I explained that I don’t believe in MLMs and won’t spend money on products I don’t need. Jake was furious. “Family is supposed to have your back,” he snapped. But is family support supposed to mean blind financial participation?
I offered other ways to help—promoting his social media posts, giving feedback on his pitch—but he dismissed those. “That’s not real support,” he said. It felt like he only valued my wallet.
The Family Backlash
Word got around. Our parents called me “selfish” for not “giving him a chance.” My aunt messaged me: “It’s just $50 for a starter kit. Why are you making this a big deal?” But it wasn’t about the money—it was the principle. MLMs thrive on pressuring personal networks, and I didn’t want to enable that.
Jake’s now barely speaking to me. At Thanksgiving, he made passive-aggressive comments about “people who don’t believe in you.” The whole thing has strained our relationship.
Why I Said No
I did my research. Jake’s MLM has a 98% loss rate for participants, according to the FTC. Most people lose money, and the ones at the top profit off their desperation. I couldn’t, in good conscience, validate that system—even for family.
Plus, I’ve been burned before. A college friend roped me into a makeup MLM, and I wasted $300 on products that gathered dust. I learned the hard way: MLMs aren’t businesses; they’re cults of hustle culture.
Was There a Better Way?
Maybe. I could’ve lied and said I was broke. But I wanted to be honest. I even sent Jake articles about MLM risks, but he called them “haters trying to tear him down.” That’s when I realized—he’s deep in the brainwashing.
Looking back, I wonder if I should’ve just bought one product to keep the peace. But would that have stopped at just one? Or would he have seen it as an opening to push for more?
Where Do We Go From Here?
Right now, we’re at a stalemate. Jake’s still in the MLM, still messaging the family group chat with “inspirational” quotes about “cutting out negative people.” I miss my brother, but I won’t apologize for protecting my finances and ethics.
If you’ve been in this situation, you know how isolating it feels. MLMs don’t just sell false dreams—they fracture relationships. So, AITAH? Or was I right to stand my ground?
Your Thoughts Matter
Have you dealt with a similar situation? Did you cave or hold firm? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your perspective. And if you’re facing MLM pressure from loved ones, remember: saying no isn’t selfish. It’s self-preservation.
