Name: Origami Owl
Type of Business: MLM
Owner: “Bella”
Website: www.origamiowl.com
Overall Rating: 45/100
There are many (and I mean many) multilevel marketing businesses out there and the only difference is the products. If you were going to ask me if Origami Owl is a scam and I said yes, then that would mean all of them are.
I have a very different approach when it comes to MLM although I am not a fan, so this review is definitely going to be unbiased because I won’t be trying to get you to join.
There is so much controversy pertaining to this subject that finding the actual facts is difficult, at best. Here, I will start with the facts that I do know:
Who is Origami Owl?
Origami Owl (also referred to as “OO” or “O2”), was founded in 2010 by 14-year old Isabella (“Bella”) Weems…Or so the company would like you to believe.
After further digging into public business records and speaking with a corporate insider, Origami Owl was actually founded by Bella’s mother who brought in the aunt and uncle as CEO’s of marketing. As a marketing angle, they named Bella as the founder.
Smart marketing move, especially because Bella gave her mother the idea by using her babysitting money to make lockets and sell to her friends (she was saving for a car). When mom did a little looking, she found the original living locket company and copied their business model.
According to the BBB, Origami Owl has had 311 complaints, mostly involving the poor customer service and quality of product; yet, they maintain a B+ rating.
In addition, according to The Direct Selling Network (“DSN”), in 2014 the company generated over $250 million in revenue and is listed as number 32 on their “The North America 50” list – which lists the top direct selling companies in North America.
What is the Origami Owl Business Opportunity?
Now that we know who Origami Owl is, what’s up with their business opportunity and is it worth the $149 investment?
Well, the company is your basic MLM design:
- Make money by selling the product and
- Make money by recruiting others to sell, do the same.
If you are not into recruiting and don’t have the time to host the parties, then this is NOT the business for you. You can still make money without MLM, so don’t feel that this is your only way out of your 9-5.
To begin, the job is relatively simple. “Designers” (that’s what they call their base level, individual sellers) host home parties called “Jewelry Bars”. At these parties, the designers demo and sell the Origami Owl products.
From there, they are to enter the order through a company portal or by calling…
And THAT is where it all goes south!
The Customer Service Experience
“Chartstrophic vortex to Hell” is the most appropriate way to explain Origami Owl’s customer service practices.
After reading complaint after complaint regarding Origami Owl’s customer service, I just had to call it and see if they were as bad everyone made the out to be…
They were worse…
After going through a two and a half hour hold, I was rudely greeted. I asked the basic, typical questions about joining their business program and the woman stated, “look, just ask someone who’s already a designer. I wouldn’t be in your up-line.” and literally hung up on me.
Personally, I would not join based on just THAT experience.
In addition to my poor experience, there are complaints about orders being lost, refusal for a return even though the customer was in the full right, refusal for replacement of a product when product was broken upon delivery and (the main complaint) the extremely long wait time just to be hung up on by rude employees.
So, my advice to you: Only buy from Origami Owl if you are willing to accept the product in whatever condition it arrives, if it arrives – because customer service will not help you. And don’t join Origami Owl if you are not willing to wait on the phone for long hours and go through 3 or 4 customer service agents to get one that will rudely help.
The Quality of Origami Owl’s Products
Perhaps if the products were less expensive and not categorized as “high end” lockets, I wouldn’t be as mystified by their quality, but… they are not.
Upon first inspection of the products online, I was so confused as to why previous customers were complaining about the product quality. Depicted is stunning, youthful jewelry that would compliment any woman.
What you Receive, it Not What you See
Yes, it’s beautiful but the materials are cheap. It feels almost like cheap plastic. I search their site for details on the materials that make up their living lockets but failed to locate them.
In my opinion, if you can’t list the materials, then I’m not sure I want to purchase from you.
Not only that, the charms are reported to have fallen out after wearing once, the chains break easily and the latching barely holds.
Does that sound like a $40-$80 locket to you?… I didn’t think so.
Product Overview
Name: Origami Owl
Owner: “Bella”
Type of Business: MLM
Price: $149 to get started
Overall Rating: 45/100
Although some may think this is the best MLM in the business (its members), with its not so premium lockets and what not, I can’t recommend something so pricey, with a mediocre product.
Although they give people the impression that this can change your life, it is just like any other MLM out there, just with a different product.
Is Origami Owl a Scam?
In the basic sense of the word “scam”, Origami Owl is NOT a scam. But, that doesn’t mean they are business worth investing in.
Like with all MLM’s, you need to make sure you believe in the product, trust the company and are willing to stand behind the company’s actions (good or bad).
The MLM structure and comp plan are commendable; but the ethics of this company and the horrific customer service are business killers. Yes, you can make an okay income, especially if you are incredible at organizing home parties and recruiting an active, motivated downline. But, in my personal opinion, I feel this business is more headache than what it’s worth.
Origami Owl. Not for me… but that’s just my opinion 🙂
– John
A Work at Home Jobs
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That’s an interesting review.. I purchased products and loved them so much that I then became a designer. The one warranty exchange I had to do for someone went smoothly. Yes there was a bit of a hold… Maybe 10 minutes… But the person who answered was friendly, helpful, answered all of my questions and other me to where I could find the info online… I was a new designer at the time. The jewelry does not feel like cheap plastic. The charms can’t just fall out of the lockets… I have seem it happen where one of my friends had one of the lockets from when the company first started… She put in too many charms and the glass popped out. The lockets twist on and only a couple are hinged. But again if it’s not over loaded, there will be no problem. I’ve done many other businesses in this model and this if the first one I have been successful at. And I mean that I have made back my initial investment with my first party and I continue to make extra money each month with just a few hours of work. I have 1-2 parties a month. That’s 6 hours. I wish my 9-5 paid as well. As I grow, I feel confident I will be able to do this full time and leave my stressful job behind.
That’s great to hear Crystal and I hope this can last forever for you too as most of the time things happen in a chain effect type motion. If the people under you aren’t doing as good as you, they will start dropping off. If this is something people can see themselves doing then more power to them. I have tried a couple of MLMs and I can’t see myself doing that anymore especially when something like affiliate marketing exists. There’s no better online business than selling regular products that people already want without having to play the recruiting game to make money. It’s good to see that you’re doing good with this and I do hope you can finally quit your 9-5. If it wasn’t for the Wealthy Affiliate, I would probably still have a 9-5 too, lol!