Home party sales

[greekdee]

Oh Lord, I did Premier Jewelry for about 18 months and it just was not for me. It was so hard to get people to book parties, and when they did, sales were always low. By the time I decided to get out, I'd accumulated a lot of sample jewelry and had several trunk shows out of my home during designated drop-in hours. People could take it and go -- no ordering. I actually did pretty good with that type of selling, but still had a lot of merchandise to unload.

Guess what? Our house got robbed and the thief walked out with every bit of my Premier Jewelry! I always wondered if they mistook it for the real deal, and if so, how ticked they must have been when the pawn shop wouldn't take it. I imagine it got sold at flea markets. As for my loss, our homeowner's insurance covered all of it!

[UNCalum]

I just became a consultant for a skincare company two months ago. It was created by the two Dermatologists that created Proactiv. I've enjoyed it so far, and it's fairly new (5 years old as opposed to Arbonne that is around 20 years old). There wasn't a huge amount of $ required to become a consultant, which was important to me. I wanted to use the products for a while before encouraging others to try them, so I bought a Business Starter kit. The products are amazing and I think it helps this company that they have the brand recognition associated with the success of Proactiv. I did do some research to make sure my area wasn't saturated, and being in a state near the east coast I am in good shape. It started in California and has been moving East since 2008/2009. For anyone considering getting started as a consultant in a direct sales company, definitely do your homework! I have friends that have tried Southern Living at Home, the Trump Network (sold to another company) and of course Pampered Chef, Avon, Mary Kay, etc. Some have been successful and some regret getting involved... As for me, I love it and have already made my initial investment back.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

AOIIalum, I would be the second in my county. My friend was the first. I plan on catering to greek chapters at Ohio State, Ohio University, Capital U, Otterbein U, etc. It is a fairly new thing in Ohio. None of my friends in my hometown have heard of it yet. I had my friend check the O2 website, and she said there's 2 sellers in my husbands hometown, and 2 in my hometown, yet none of our family or friends in those towns have heard of it yet. There's only 20 in all of Columbus. That is why I'm jumping on now! Get while the gettin is good!

That's funny, as you're catering to my geographic area. It seems to be all anyone in my extended circle is talking about these days!

[IrishLake]

I talked to a few more people over the weekend, and did a little more researching. I've found a few others in the area who sell and talked to some more family members. Only a few more family in the greater Columbus area have heard of it. My aunt was supposed to go to a party a few weeks ago but couldn't go at the last minute. So she's willing to host a party for me. My SiL said she'd consider it once my niece is a little older, so this summer sometime. And my sister is going to host one for the DG's at her house in Athens. Hopefully I can network with girls in other chapters from there on out. I see no reason why I won't make back my $150. If it doesn't pan out in the long run, that's certainly ok!
I think I'm going to send an Email to ONU and see if they'd let me set up a booth at their "Greekapalooza" in fall right before Recruitment starts.
There is another sales rep who seems to have an edge on all the upcoming vendor fairs where I am, but I'm not worried. I'll get in somewhere!

[honeychile]

I'll be honest - I would rather be dipped in honey and tied to a tree in bear country before I'll attend one of these parties. I will, however, check out a catalog, and order things when I want them. Unfortunately, the alumnae group to which I belong seems to have one of these every other meeting.

The makeup from the Proactiv people sounds intriguing, though. If I can order online, I'd be interested. I never broke out more than once or twice until the last five years, and I'm really tired of trying to deal with it!

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I'll be honest - I would rather be dipped in honey and tied to a tree in bear country before I'll attend one of these parties. I will, however, check out a catalog, and order things when I want them.

Me, too! Too bad it never works out that way!

[IrishLake]

I'm such a hypocrite, but I often feel the same way. If I'm familiar with the product, I don't feel the need to go to the party. But if it's something I want, I'll buy it from the seller/hostess via their website. (I'm like this with Pampered Chef, Scentsy and 31). I hope to keep the majority of sales to "catalog" parties, but I know I have to do real in person parties or vendor fairs to get my name out there.

[AGDee]

I feel the same way. I have appreciated friends who are now having "parties" via Facebook. I order stuff that way all the time. There are a few Tastefully Simple items I like to have in the cupboard at all times and I know I want when it comes to Tupperware. I don't get the whole 31 craze. I got a lunch bag as a shower gift. It doesn't close. What good is that?

[IrishLake]

So.... Origami Owl still has not yet gotten their shit together. It has been over 7 weeks since I signed up to sell. I'm still not even close to getting "invited." First they put a "hold" on inviting new sellers because they were rolling out new hostess rewards programs, and they were discontinuing items and bringing out over 100 new items. That was a 2 week freeze. Now, the last 2 weeks have been frozen because of a strike in Hong Kong (shipping port). They only invite 1,000 a week, and based on the code I was assigned, I'm still 2 weeks away from getting an invite. And that's even if they start inviting next week again. It'll be even longer if they don't.

I'm so incredibly frustrated. Part of me says "All of these problems just means they're going through a major growth spurt and there is a high demand for the product. It'll get better." But at the same time, I am seeing multiple opportunities pass me by. I still want to try a direct sales to help make a little extra income for my family. SO.... I am now a sales "Pro" with Damsel in Defense. If O2 ever gets their ducks in a row, I may sign up to still do that as well. But I'm really excited about Damsel. It's a very young company and the products are definitely more my style!

[WCUAXID]

I thought it was origami owl...I am going to party at my neighbors this Monday. I hope the product is cute!!

[IrishLake]

The O2 items are absolutely cute! You'll enjoy building your locket. I wish they would have invited me weeks ago, but it was time for me to move to another product.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by 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.

I was just thinking today "damn, WHY did I get involved in this?" My friend pushed me into it. Now, I LOVE the products but the whole process is absolutely ridiculous. It's made for those who are, as you say, going to sell the crap out of it. Every quarter you have to start with a $400 sale. That's easy if you have regular customers and are having parties galore. For someone like me who does it basically for the discount and the few customers I did have, it doesn't work. Plus, there is so much product knowledge that I can't keep up with it. I can't make the weekly meetings that are 45 min away. So now I'm trying to find a makeup company comparable to MK with decent prices.

I'm thinking about going into Origami Owl. I'm having a catalogue party soon.

[IrishLake]

Just be aware, PM Mama, Origami Owl isn't able to give "instant gratification" as far as selling like other companies do. At least not right now they can't. If you're thinking of doing it, sign up now. It'll be weeks or possibly months before they "invite" you to sell! I'm well into week #7. With all the awesome response I'm getting about Damsel in Defense, I am rethinking O2 all together. I don't think I'll have the time for two or enough extra money to invest in inventory for both!

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by UNCalum

I just became a consultant for a skincare company two months ago. It was created by the two Dermatologists that created Proactiv. I've enjoyed it so far, and it's fairly new (5 years old as opposed to Arbonne that is around 20 years old). There wasn't a huge amount of $ required to become a consultant, which was important to me. I wanted to use the products for a while before encouraging others to try them, so I bought a Business Starter kit. The products are amazing and I think it helps this company that they have the brand recognition associated with the success of Proactiv. I did do some research to make sure my area wasn't saturated, and being in a state near the east coast I am in good shape. It started in California and has been moving East since 2008/2009. For anyone considering getting started as a consultant in a direct sales company, definitely do your homework! I have friends that have tried Southern Living at Home, the Trump Network (sold to another company) and of course Pampered Chef, Avon, Mary Kay, etc. Some have been successful and some regret getting involved... As for me, I love it and have already made my initial investment back.

I know someone that "sells" this stuff. I went to one of the programs/shows or whatever and walked away wondering why they never really talked about the product, just how much $$ I could make selling the stuff, and recruiting others to sell it. My friend does great, but I was very uncomfortable about the whole thing.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by IrishLake

Just be aware, PM Mama, Origami Owl isn't able to give "instant gratification" as far as selling like other companies do. At least not right now they can't. If you're thinking of doing it, sign up now. It'll be weeks or possibly months before they "invite" you to sell! I'm well into week #7. With all the awesome response I'm getting about Damsel in Defense, I am rethinking O2 all together. I don't think I'll have the time for two or enough extra money to invest in inventory for both!

I'm looking at the Damsel in Defense site. Don't you need a permit or something for pepper spray and tasers?