Dropping Melaleuca - What are the alternatives?

[eastkygal]

So, I've been a Melaleuca customer for over 3 years. Each month I have to buy 35 points of products. This runs anywhere from $60-90 monthly. I am finding myself buying a stock pile of products and this isn't necessary. DD1 is now on Vanicream for her eczema and it is working wonderfully for us. I find it a better product too. I also, haven't been fond of the hair care line, and that there are still parabens in the lotions. What I do love are the cleaning products, tea tree oil that is high quality and can be used undiluted on the skin (it is lovely stuff - the best I've had), dental hygiene, and the vitamins.

But, I don't need these products every month, nor do I need as much as I have to buy to meet my quota of points. I think I can save money and get greener products even by dropping the company and shopping when I need something. So, I live very rural. We have one very very small health food store then there is Wal-Mart and dollar stores. No Target or anything along those lines. The major grocery chain is Food City. So, I'm wondering if there is a place online to get good tea tree oil that I can use like I do the Melaleuca product? Also, does it make sense to pay a little more for something - buy local - and only shop when you need something, and that resulting in saving money? I'll probably make a lot of my cleaning supplies myself. Another perk about Melaleuca is you get loyalty dollars. By the end of the year I have about $140 to use with Melaleuca for Christmas gifts.

Amway and Shaklee - do they have monthly quotas?

[Amys1st]

Do a frontier co-op. I sat down with a friend who does melaleuca to hear her speil and I get all the same stuff thru frontier but at wholesale. I order every other month. You need to do a $250 order to get the free overnight shipping.

I used to run a coop here before they were not allowed and it is easy to get a few people together to order. This was about 5 years ago. Now as NAtural living goes more and more mainstream, its easier to do it locally as an order.

[earthmama369]

I was going to suggest Frontier as well. I used to order through Amy's co-op, and when MDC put the kabosh on co-ops, I started my own through a local group. We order every other month, but you could order as often or as little as you like. For orders over $250, they'll ship free to your house. Even without a group of friends to order with, I could order just for my own household a couple times a year and meet the minimum for free shipping, no problem. Frontier carries excellent quality essential oils and spices, plus they act as a wholesaler for other companies, like Burt's Bees and Newman's Own. If you create a wholesale account, you can buy at wholesale prices, which are generally about 50% off retail. They also run monthly sales for additional savings.

[YinYang]

OK, I'm ignorant - as in frontiercoop.com?

[phathui5]

I think that the products you can get from Frontier are much better quality than the Melaleuca stuff.

[eastkygal]

thanks! $250 ain't bad. I could round up that much locally. I was under the impression a co-op would be a lot of work. I'll look into it for sure. I'm sure there are a better range of products from Frontier. I'm real perturbed about the parabens and some other things in the Melaleuca. Including that there are still dyes in the scent free laundry soap.

Are the essential oils "skin grade"?

It seems like I could save money this way.