Does anyone here do direct selling?

[GoodEgg]

Creative Memories? I had a couple of friends who did really well in that. I don't think scrapbooking is quite as "hot" as it used to be, but it's still very popular.

The products, as I remember, are very high quality. They might still be a bit limited in their designs though, which isn't a good selling point in scrapbooking. There's a lot of product competition out there (believe me I know ... I sell scrapbooking supplies on eBay).

I did Discovery Toys when my daughter was young too. One thing I can say that I found is ... when I was involved with my mom's group and their contacts, mostly sahm's on a limited income, I found myself working hard to get them the little bit they wanted to buy, and it kinda broke my heart sometimes ... I'd let my commission go to give a good deal sometimes. Then when I got a spot at a community center in a VERY nice part of town, I found those ladies were practically rabid to buy, especially when they heard there was a sale! I made a LOT more money in a very short time selling to them.

Basically ... your income will depend upon who your customers are. If there are people around who can afford to buy a lot, you can make a lot more. I know that's pretty basic, but ... it's just that the difference is so great.

Good luck whatever you decide!

trish

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

I'm a distributor for Scent-Sation, home of the Mia Bella Candles.
They are a natural wax candle that smells wonderful. We also have soy based soaps and other bath products.


You can take a look here. If you want to see the products, click on Shop Online and you can browse the products.
http://www.Rafter7Candles.com

I love Pampered Chef, and have several things from them.
I don't know if they have minimum orders you have to place or a certain number of parties you must demonstrate at to remain active or not.
I know some companies have high requirements.

Jean

 

[CarriBrown]

Two of my friends have been direct selling for a while. One of them is really helping me and telling me what questions to ask and what to avoid.
I'm kind of thinking Pampered Chef still...

 

[pipermark]

I work for a direct selling company at their corporate headquarters. The only thing I will tell you is watch spending a lot of money for up front inventory. A reasonable fee for a party kit, they usually range from 100- 300 dollars is normal, especially when you compare it to the cost of starting any type of traditional business.

Also, many of these direct selling companies are multi-level, (NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, GREAT CONCEPT and it works). However, if they do make you purchase stock up front , and you find that it is not your cup of tea, be aware that their is a federal law that allows you to return your unused inventory up to 90 days, and the company can only charge a reasonable restocking fee.

I enjoy working for this type of company , because these type of businesses are really the only chance many people have to improve their quality of life. (because of the low initial investment for these type of businesses). What I always tell people about direct selling:
1. To be successful will take work , you will have to dedicate at least 2 hours of solid work time a week.
2. Many of these companies associates feel they have to sell you on making hundreds of thousands a year, i easy money. This is false. Big Money does not come easy, unless you already have it, it takes hard work. There are people that make 6 figure incomes in direct selling, but thats about 2 percent of the industry. HOWEVER, truth be told many of us would see a change in the quailty of our life with a few extra hundred dollars a month in our pockets, wouldn't we, sure we would, and this is a very reachable goal.
3. If you don't like talking to people this is probably not for you, the INTERNET based ones dont work unless you spend thousands of dollars on leads and you run a grist mill. If you enjoy people, than just have fun at the parties, and dont worry about the selling, if everyone is having a good time, that will just happen.

GOOD LUCK and have fun!

 

[Crunchie]

I've never sold, but I do like Pampered Chef products--good quality stuff!

I have a friend who just started selling products that are from a division of Amway (multi-level marketing). She's making an extra few hundred dollars a month. It seems to be working well for her, and she is using a lot of their products and really likes them.

 

[QueenieBee]

A friend of my is a rep for Close To My Heart.

http://www.closetomyheart.com/

Stampin' up! is another hot company as well.

http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/default.asp

Crafts/card making/scrapbooking is HOT right now. Of course, you have to enjoy that kind of thing to make it work.

I've been considering it myself because I love paper crafting.

I have only heard good about Pampered Chef. I love their products.

 

[lizardz]

Hi Carrie,
I used to sell Pampered Chef - still love the products. I had a really difficult time, probably because I didn't have a lot of contacts to begin with. If you have a good base of motivated contacts, you could probably do very well. If not, it can really be a struggle. Also, remember that pretty much all of your shows will be nights or weekends. There will be lots of phone call support to your hostesses to try to encourage them to get their numbers up, and there are quotas that PC expects you to meet. I would check around and try to find out how many other consultants are in your area - when I was doing it, there were quite a few, so everyone got kind of partied out. Of course, I live in a smaller area, so if you live in a larger city it may be okay. I never really made any money at it and was always seeing the person above me frantic to make her quotas, so it kind of turned me off from it. I realize I'm really not a salesperson, so it definitely was not the right move for me. That said, it is a great product and you can get a lot of return customers. If you're okay with working weekends, doing lots of phone calling, and enjoy sales, it could really work for you. You have to decide if it feels right for you. I just wanted you to have my perspective from my experience because I know that's not something the person trying to enroll you will give you. Good luck with your decision.
Blessings,
Liz

 

[wegotchickens]

I do PartyLite, but mostly to have candles for myself. I went into it because the lady who was a consultant in my area moved and I had no one to buy candles from. I have a set of customers who order regularly, and that keeps me going. Any money I make goes back into candles. I do maybe 4 shows a year.

I work full time, so I didn't go into it to earn big $ but I know consultants who make their living at it.
I just love the product. Those who do it as big business get a lot of other benefits that I don't get being small time.

I do Avon the same way, for the same reason. I make operating costs back, and get some product. With a teen and pre-teen daughters I actually save money in the long run.

DH told me to stay away from PamperedChef because we don't have enough space in our kitchen for all the stuff I want

I think for any of these, you get back what you put into it in time & energy, plus some $. You have to like people, though.