Home party sales

[IrishLake]

Does anyone sell anything here? I have friends, or friends of friends who sell Tupperware, Longaberger, 31, Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Lia Sofia, Premier Jewelery, Scentsy, Usborn Books, and I'm sure there's others that I'm forgetting. Some are really good about not being pushy. Some are insanely pushy. I enjoy buying some things that I like, or as a gift, when I have a little extra money. If I dont' like the product though, I won't buy it. (That's when those friends get really pushy).

I ask because I'm thinking of going into one of these businesses. It's a "newer" company that's only 3 years old. But they're starting to really take off. I first heard about them 6 months ago, and am kicking myself for not signing up sooner. A friend of mine signed up to sell last month, and have made over $3000 in sales since she started.

[Xylochick216]

I've sold Scentsy for about 15 months or so. I refuse to be one of those people who is constantly selling, so I probably don't make as much as I could. I just don't want my friends to run every time they see me! I post on FB about once a month with any specials and a link to my Scentsy page and I sell mostly through word-of-mouth and online sales, not parties.

I think it's always good to look to see if your area is saturated with consultants already and to see how much time/effort you want to put into any venture as well as looking to see what the sales minimums are to remain active. Having a good sponsor who isn't too pushy has been good for me. Good luck!

[JayhawkAOII]

I tried Arbonne for a while, and I firmly believe that I do not have the personality type for the network marketing model.

Important considerations: Do you have to buy inventory? What about samples? How much money do you have to spend up front before you can even begin? Do you like cold calling? That is what you'll be doing once your warm market dries up. Think about what your time is worth before you start. You will have to put more time into this than you think. I am not saying you will not be successful, because I don't know you. Just go in with your eyes wide open. If something in your gut seems wrong...trust your gut.

I am not trying to be a negative nelly, but the success rate for network marketing is 2% of all people who start. 2%. I would encourage you to visit this website: pinktruth.com. While it is geared toward Mary Kay, the topics discussed could fit any one of the network marketing companies out there.

[AnchorAlumna]

DD sold 31, but once she had sold everybody she knows, there was nobody left to sell to. She's a really good salesperson, but works 40 hrs a week, commutes another 10, has a 2-year-old and is expecting another. She barely has time to do laundry, cook a meal, clean a little and play with her 2-year-old - there's nothing left over right now to expand her friend network.

I dunno, there's a lot of pyramid aspect to it. She adored her...."boss" I guess you could say. The woman has a bunch of sellers under her and encourages them to sign up their friends as salespeople.

And I'm at the age where I refuse waste my time at any more "parties." If you can't sell it to me when I want 1 item, go away.

[IrishLake]

Xylo, I think that's what I'll do. Just keep it to mostly book parties, and maybe some craft-type fairs or festivals.

I could never sell makeup because I don't hardly wear any.

This product sells itself though, and I plan on targeting the Greek demographic.

[IrishLake]

It's a $150 start up, and that's my starter kit of supplies. As long as I make back my $150, then I won't consider it a failure if it doesn't work out. I could sell the product on Ebay for face value and make back more than my $150.

It's a simple product that sells itself because it's custom designed by each buyer. I like simple. It's not something I'm looking to make a living off of, just some extra cash to throw at my student loan debt.

[IrishLake]

A friend of mine sells Premier Jewelery, and I just don't like it. She's very pushy, and all of our friends have been pushed into hosting parties for her. I haven't gone to any because I just don't like the product. And I don't enjoy being pushed into attending one party a month where I would buy $50-$100 of product that I would never, ever wear. So I at least have an example of what NOT to do. With my product, I'll be able to quit at any time with no penalty. I figure I have nothing to lose if it doesn't work.

[amanda6035]

I did Mary Kay for just under a year. Bad idea. You only make money if you sell the crap out of it, and you have to keep inventory on stock... if you dont have it, people change their mind on sales, but if you do have it... it's just a mess.

Now I'm doing Ava Anderson.... which is what I thought you were going to say when you said it was only 3 years old, because that's how old this company is too. It's personal care and house hold cleaning products without toxic chemicals. I'm not really selling - I'm doing it for a discount for myself. With Ava's business plan, if you have $500 worth of purchases in a 6 month period, you keep your discount and remain active. I can buy that much on my own because I buy all my family personal products, as well as stocking up on the baby stuff for the millions of baby showers I go to these days, and it has become my go to baby shower gift item. Plus, with Ava, you dont keep inventory in stock - the customers order from you through the warehouse and it's shipped to them in 2 business days or less. No risk on my part as long as I have sales of at least $500 in a six month period... I've only had 2 official customer since I started and thats because I'm not really "selling." If someone asks me about it, I share, but Mary Kay burned me out and I don't want my friends hating me or thinking "Oh ish, here she comes, quick, look busy so she wont try to sell us something...."

[JayhawkAOII]

Before you make a plan to sell on Ebay, check the agreement that you are required to sign. Most direct marketing companies do not allow sales on Ebay, and if they choose to, can terminate your agreement. How many companies actually go through the brain damage of doing it? I have no idea, but they can hold you to it if they choose.

You are really better off just getting a part time job.

[IrishLake]

JayHawk, I would only do that if I decided to get out of the business.

An official part time job, on top of 3 kids and a husband who works a 24 on, 48 off schedule, is damn near impossible. I've looked into a few serving/bartending options, and when they ask what my availability is and what my full time job is (I'm a geologist).... it's not encouraging, to say the least.

[AZTheta]

I guessed what it is and I think you should do it. I'll buy from you. <>~~~~~~~

[LouisaMay]

I sold Creative Memories for several years. I loved the company and the products, but I just couldn't make the quotas. I'm now looking at two different direct sales companies. Neither has quotas! Yay!

Good luck. You've made me really curious! Spill the beans.

[IrishLake]

It's Origami Owl. What turned me on is that they offer greek letter charms.

[ree-Xi]

I would highly suggest you find out as much as possible about the company.

- How much do average sellers make?
- What is the average time from initial investment before the average seller earns back the $150?
- Does the product have a wide variety of price points?
- Are there any complaints online or with the BBB?
- How is your paycheck earned? A percentage of your personal sales? Do you have to recruit other people?
- Do you have a wide enough target audience to support ongoing sales? Once you've sold to friends and family, is the product something that people "need" or really like to have?

[IrishLake]

Good things to think about, ree. So far, I've only read good things and asked myself most of those same questions. They have an A- BBB rating, but not accredited. 18 complaints with the BBB in 3 years.
Average varies. After 3 parties, my friend (and sponsor) has over $3000 in sales in her first month.
Wide variety of prices based on what you are looking for and how much customization you want on your product. I could get a simple locket with 3 charms in it for $35. One of the Greek lockets styled above would be more than that.
Paycheck is commission based, anywhere from 30-50%. Recruiting of other people under me is not necessary, just an added bonus if it happens.
If I target local sorority chapters and alumnae groups, then my target customers could change every year. It's certainly not a need, but none of the home party sales companies are. Like I said, it's just potential extra money. Not something I need to live on. My $150 investment should be recouped after my first party.