The traditional MLM model has some issues, but even with all of those, just the sales training alone you get from most of these programs is stellar and worth the entry price. You've pointed out some of the deficiencies, such as the autoship one. And, definitely, some of these companies are more into signing people up and making them forced customers of some product or other, than actually selling the products legitimately. It pays to research which MLM company you'll join and not get badgered into one whose sole business model is growing your downstream.

I do agree with your outloook, that change is a-coming!