One Billion Dollars Short, Bill Ackman, and the Siege Of Herbalife (2015) • Hacker News Board

Re: One Billion Dollars Short, Bill Ackman, and the Siege Of Herbalife (2015)

#141

Post by lawrenceyan » Wed, Aug 02, 2017, 9:25 PM UTC

ringaroundthetx wrote: post #133

lawrenceyan wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How was Ackman able to get away with having lost so much money on Valeant?

"get away"? His fund didn't go insolvent, many investors did redeem their stake in his funds when their lockup periods were up, and he has enough interest and clout to continue? I'm not sure what you are asking. Its worded like you thought there would be police or broken kneecaps involved

"Get away" more in the sense as to why people still continue to invest their capital into his fund after such a massive failure on Ackman's part.

Re: One Billion Dollars Short, Bill Ackman, and the Siege Of Herbalife (2015)

#142

Post by anotherbrownguy » Thu, Aug 03, 2017, 2:29 PM UTC

gehsty wrote: post #140

anotherbrownguy wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I think the main difference is that there is a chain of people who profit from selling to their 'downlines' How is it different from 3rd party Apple resellers? >Apple sell a product that the majority of people like As does Herbalife. >they are actively trying to sell directly to the customer Herbalife lets distributors handle sales, not very different from Apple's resellers. >They use networks as it is their only op…

It is different because there is only one level of re sellers, these re sellers are not the only path to market for the product, and that path to market when sold through a re seller is pretty clear, ie you know Apple make the phone, you know Apple have sold it to the carrier and the carrier is now selling it to you. There are literally multiple layers but the layers are clear and none shady (with the reseller layer…

>If Herbalife's product is as good as they claim why not sell it direct to customers either online or in supermarkets?

For the same reason Apple made iPhone exclusive to a carrier when it launched for the first time... and for the same reason many phone companies still do it with their phones.

Apple and these phones companies do it because they make anti-competitive deals... which have seem some backlash. However, Herbalife doesn't have that because they provide additional value. Products like fitness supplements are only good if you use it in an intended way, which is what a lot of these health clubs try to do. You can buy any other food supplement, but you will not get the results. People choose Herbalife because it just works.

Re: One Billion Dollars Short, Bill Ackman, and the Siege Of Herbalife (2015)

#143

Post by gehsty » Thu, Aug 03, 2017, 9:09 PM UTC

anotherbrownguy wrote: post #142

gehsty wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is different because there is only one level of re sellers, these re sellers are not the only path to market for the product, and that path to market when sold through a re seller is pretty clear, ie you know Apple make the phone, you know Apple have sold it to the carrier and the carrier is now selling it to you. There are literally multiple layers but the layers are clear and none shady (with the reseller layer…

>If Herbalife's product is as good as they claim why not sell it direct to customers either online or in supermarkets? For the same reason Apple made iPhone exclusive to a carrier when it launched for the first time... and for the same reason many phone companies still do it with their phones. Apple and these phones companies do it because they make anti-competitive deals... which have seem some backlash. However, He…

Apple had to make the iPhone exclusive to the launch network in the US as part of their negotiations to not have any carrier branding and for Apple to retain full control of the software. Nothing to do with downlines or shifting inventory.

Apple would clearly rather you bought the phone directly from them, their entire philosophy is based on continuous integration, from controlling the sale of their devices through to producing their own hardware and software, they are probably the least MLM like consumer electronics company going.

Do you distribute Herbalife products or do you just use them? I'm genuinely interested as no one I know who's tried them thinks they are superior product, and anyone I know who's got into anything remotely MLMy has lost money and regretted it.

Re: One Billion Dollars Short, Bill Ackman, and the Siege Of Herbalife (2015)

#144

Post by anotherbrownguy » Thu, Aug 10, 2017, 9:49 PM UTC

gehsty wrote: post #143

anotherbrownguy wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>If Herbalife's product is as good as they claim why not sell it direct to customers either online or in supermarkets? For the same reason Apple made iPhone exclusive to a carrier when it launched for the first time... and for the same reason many phone companies still do it with their phones. Apple and these phones companies do it because they make anti-competitive deals... which have seem some backlash. However, He…

Apple had to make the iPhone exclusive to the launch network in the US as part of their negotiations to not have any carrier branding and for Apple to retain full control of the software. Nothing to do with downlines or shifting inventory. Apple would clearly rather you bought the phone directly from them, their entire philosophy is based on continuous integration, from controlling the sale of their devices through t…

I don't buy Herbalife products for the same reason I don't buy most Apple products. They are overpriced for what they are and I am capable enough to make whatever cheaper alternative "just work" for me without additional help from Herbalife and Apple. But I do understand the value they provide for many people willing to pay for it and willing to buy everything tech related and everything supplement related respectively from them.