At home party consultants?

[kmadison714]

I sell Scentsy and Origami Owl. I LOVE Scentsy because it's something I use myself everyday and you don't necessarily have to do parties. I very rarely do. I work part-time at a law firm as well, so it's not something I'm doing as my main income. I do it because I love the product! I honestly have probably 10-15 in home parties a year. The rest are orders from regular customers or online (basket) parties.

Origami Owl is a newer company for me. I'm not a huge jewelry person, but love the concept of this jewelry! The commission is amazing and it's really popular!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I know you already have your mind made up, so this is more for the discussion going on.

I HATE these parties and it feels like many of my SAHM peers are doing it. At first it didn't bother me, but recently every get together has become somebody's party. I just want to get together and visit. One person hosted 2 in person parties and 1 online party within the same circle of friends in 3 weeks time (or backed a party for somebody else - how ever it works). That is overkill. And because this is what's going on, I've declined a lot of invitations to these get togethers because I don't like it and despite what the hosts says, yes there is an expectation you buy something. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't afford to support each and every one and frankly most of the stuff is so overpriced anyway. I truly believe it has started to affect some of the friendships and I know one friend who sells who has hard feelings towards a few people who she feels don't support her business.

The online parties on FB don't bother me as much because those are easier to ignore. Just please don't turn all of your posts into business related! I guess my advice would be to feel out what others are doing and try to do something else. 3 friends selling the same product means I won't buy from any of them.

And to answer your original question, in my circle the breakdown is as follows
1 sells Pampered Chef
1 sells Premier Jewelry
2 sell Partylite
1 sells 31 Bags (is that what it's called)
1 sells Tupperwear

I have many on FB who sell Jamberry & Origami Owl

 

[Andtototoo]

I hate those parties and I've stopped even pretending to be "nice" enough to go and here's why. EVERY single one of my "friends" has given my name to the consultant and then I have them hounding me to host a party. (Mary Kay was the absolute worst; I couldn't get this one "consultant" off my back for TEN YEARS! And I never once bought a single thing from her! All I ever did was make the huge mistake of attending a "party" because my "friend" asked me to in order to make the party seem larger. And what do I get in return? TEN YEARS of phone calls. Argh... that's a sore point with me.)

If someone on my FB starts selling something, I immediately hide their posts for about 6 months. That's usually about how long it takes for them to get over their initial love affair with it and realize they aren't really making money on it plus they're pissing off their friends/family.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I generally dislike this type of thing, but I love Tastefully Simple. I love to cook and bake, my DH loves to eat, so it works for us I, my MIL, and my SIL rotate having parties with one particular consultant (she really is FABULOUS), and now some family friends have started using the same lady, so she's earning lots of money from us!

My other SIL is an Origami Owl consultant and I feel kind of bad - I went to her first party, bought a chain and some charms, and have not purchased anything else or had a party of my own. I'm not really into jewelry in general, it's not the style of jewelry that I do like, nor do I know anyone who really likes jewelry either. But she's doing pretty well anyway; her circle of friends LOVES that stuff.

 

[Nayan]

Ugh I really despise the Beach Body "coaches." Do they have ANY actual training in physical fitness or nutrition? Most of the ones that I've seen are actually not in very good shape (many would even classify as obese) and are really only doing it to sell those "shakeology" drinks.

I'm sad to say that one gal who pushes this on Facebook and has been doing so for well over 9 months still looks the same as she did when she started, meaning no weight-loss whatsoever.

I also dislike parties and will not attend or buy. Facebook parties I ignore.

 

[crz4mm2]

Origami Owl.

I have sold lots of different things. This is my 'home'.
So glad I found it.

 

[Shmily1]

I know a lot of consultants and personally do several myself. I will only sell items that I personally want to purchase. If I love it, then I'm good with it. I don't do many in home parties but do some online and have customers that contact me to buy the items. It's really all to fund my own buying habits right now, but I can see how I can go bigger when I have the time to do it.

 

[okeydokey]

I really dislike these parties and decline most all invitations to them. I hate the hard sell to book your own party next. Ugh!

I have a couple of friends that do the advocare and Body by Vi stuff, and that's all they post about on Facebook. I just scroll on by, it is so annoying.

 

[amberama76]

I sell tupperware. I spend all my profit from selling it to buy stuff for myself so I haven't made any money technically!

I asked a few friends to host parties but I have only held one. Mostly friends and family just orders stuff from me.

I haven't put any effort in to selling since I started planning this Disney trip because all my free time has been taken up reading message boards and blogs so that I can learn everything there is to know before next June so our trip is PERFECT. (HA HA)

They've got these super cute Mickey and Minnie lunch sets due to come out in August that have put me back in the mood to sell again so I can get them with my commission!

 

[Saimaeve]

I don't like them. I just got inundated with 4-5 group adds from one Origami Owl consultant in the span of an hour. I will occasionally buy something to help someone. But that's it. (Im pretty sure that's their business model actually)

I can think of several consultants on my FB list from each of the following:
Scentsy : holy cow it's a Scentsy Army
Perfectly Posh
Younique
Origami Owl - Origami Owl Army and Scentsy Army will be going to war soon with as many of them
Tastefully Simple
31 Bags
Avon
Mary Kay
Something to do with Pearls and opening them?
Partylite
Jamberry- They'll all have pretty nails at least



I'm glad I work remotely and not in a selling scheme.

 

[Saimaeve]

I hate those parties and I've stopped even pretending to be "nice" enough to go and here's why. EVERY single one of my "friends" has given my name to the consultant and then I have them hounding me to host a party. (Mary Kay was the absolute worst; I couldn't get this one "consultant" off my back for TEN YEARS! And I never once bought a single thing from her! All I ever did was make the huge mistake of attending a "party" because my "friend" asked me to in order to make the party seem larger. And what do I get in return? TEN YEARS of phone calls. Argh... that's a sore point with me.)

If someone on my FB starts selling something, I immediately hide their posts for about 6 months. That's usually about how long it takes for them to get over their initial love affair with it and realize they aren't really making money on it plus they're pissing off their friends/family.

This! Mary Kay is very very pushy. Im not sure if its how they're coached to approach things or the high minimum party they must have to reach, but I had someone approach me at the store when I was 18 to come to a party (Which she told me was something completely different) and I was still getting emails 8 years later when I changed primary email addresses.

 

[eliza61]

I think the problem with these multi level marketing "businesses" is that they exploit relationships.
You are told that your family and friends are your natural customers because they will want to help you and you will be able to tell them how much you love the product, however, in all honesty, your friends and family don't like being "sold to", there is always the feeling of obligation to buy from you, and then also they never know of you are hanging out with them because you like them or because you're fishing for a sell.

Beautifylly stated.

first, every one says they would "never" hard sell or expect guest to purchase. Baloney. You go to a party, you are expected to buy some thing. I posted a situation a few years back. My neighbor had a party, swore up and down it would be a chance for everyone to get together. I almost go into a fight with the consultant because I refused to buy some thing and was not going to take the book to my job for her.

My electrician (is a she) is a 31 consultant. she installed some light fixtures for me in my kitchen and the entire time "talked" up her 31 stuff.

Next, they say the stuff they are selling is "affordable" but I don't find that to be so. 31, Tupperware, partylite, all that stuff I can find same quality and cheaper elsewhere.

I flat out refuse now to go to them

 

[PollyannaMom]

I did Usborne Books for a while, and I loved them!

I didn't make much at all, though, because I didn't like doing parties. I did just enough to qualify, and then I moved on to doing tables at craft fairs, etc. I really enjoyed that, because it wasn't about pushing anyone - they were coming to me, and it was about helping them find the right books.

I spent most of what I made getting more samples, gifts for nieces and nephews, and books for DS - but it was a nice transitional job between my SAHM days and teaching, and we still use many of the reference books now.

 

[Princess Row]

Origami Owl.
I started a year ago. I am not a push sales consultant, and don't plan to be. I have most of my customers come to me and I make EXCELLENT sales. I am putting myself through college with the money I make. The in home parties, I do are laid back and I try to make them fun. I just got back from convention, I had THE BEST TIME, and I am so excited for what the company is doing. For me it's a hobby to sell it, and I LOVE IT! I feel that the customers I have genuinely like the products, and I can make a relationship with them rather than just sell them a piece of jewelry.

 

[EeyoreME]

I am a consultant for Usborne Books & More! We love reading and thought why not... Well we fell in love! My daughter usually has one of these books in her hand and I LOVE helping get books into the hands of children by hosting parties on facebook... Host's get free books this way! It's a win win! Here is a link to my site! Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!!!

https://1104109.myubam.com/

 

[Tinkerdreams]

I dislike these type of parties also. However, I have to say I just attended one for the traveling vineyard. It was unique as it is a wine pairing event. You have food paired with particular wines and see how the wine tastes with and without a particular food.
You buy the wine through this type of event.

 

[scoutie]

I used to do The Traveling Vineyard (wine tastings). At the end of my time doing it, I had made $1.86 for the sales quarter. I don't like to bother people, and I'm uncomfortable asking people to host parties, buy things, etc., so any type of sales is bad for me. The Traveling Vineyard had a consumable product, but people had to pay to ship the wine, and although the wines were said to be boutique wines, they weren't really. I have quite a few Rodan and Fields, Mary Kay, LulaRoe salespeople as FB friends, and I've hidden them if it's all they post. These friends also message me occasionally, saying "Do you want to know about a great opportunity?" or "I don't understand why you wouldn't want to take advantage of this business opportunity." I need a job that brings in real income, and I don't have time to sell things to people who don't want them. To answer the original question.... I honestly don't like going to any parties. My time is precious and I'd rather spend it with family or friends instead of going to a sales party.

Mary Kay is very very pushy.

They are, and the "free" car, is actually a car that you have to lease. If you make your sales quota for the week, Mary Kay pays the month lease, but if you don't, you pay it. Not really free. There are some other sketchy things that go on with Mary Kay.

Tinkerdreams--it's so funny you posted about The Traveling Vineyard! Hardly anybody knows about that!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I know this is an old thread but a good topic.

I have a particular friend that is forever doing parties to get "free" stuff. Partylite, Premier jewelry, Origami Owl, etc. If I don't want to buy anything I decline and she tells me just to come anyway but then you have to tell the saleslady when she comes to you "Oh I'm not interested." Usually in front of everyone. It gets awkward IMO. So I just don't go. Plus when you go they want you to fill out a card with your name and email. Now they have your info to harass you for LIFE.

I have an aunt that sells Origami Owl and she is pushy. She's calmed down lately. I have cousins that sell Mary Kay and I had to tell them to back the heck up. The stuff is expensive and I don't like Mary Kay products at all.

I actually like Origami Owl and have bought a lot of stuff but I find it doesn't hold up well so I don't buy anymore. All of my silver jewelry has turned colors and one of my lockets broke and all of my charms went flying everywhere while I was in the lobby at work.

Now a new party I went to and don't mind going to is Pure Romance. Sex toys. I always purchase something and it's a really fun girls night or afternoon (brunch on Sunday). I don't sell but one friend usually books a party from the previous party so it's 3 parties in 6 months. The stuff is pricey so it gives me time to stagger my purchases. One of my friends may start selling as a consultant which will be great. No more parties. I can just purchase directly.

 

[Terapin]

I've done a few: the easiest to sell was a Tea business -Steeped. A popular product and at a price point that wasn't out of reach for anyone. Those that don't like hot tea can make iced tea. I've sold Silpada silver jewellery and that went well until I ran out of people around me that wanted to host parties (some people would host them annually though and i did well). I've also done Discovery Toys, but honestly just for my own kids and for a few people that wanted toys.

 

[PollyannaMom]

What do you sell and why? If you don't, what kind of parties do you like to go to and why? I might be staying home with the kids next year and would like to earn a few dollars while earning products. I sold Stampin' Up about 8 years ago but am not into that any longer. Thanks!

I was all set to type an answer, and then I realized I did...two years ago :

I did Usborne Books for a while, and I loved them!

I didn't make much at all, though, because I didn't like doing parties. I did just enough to qualify, and then I moved on to doing tables at craft fairs, etc. I really enjoyed that, because it wasn't about pushing anyone - they were coming to me, and it was about helping them find the right books.

I spent most of what I made getting more samples, gifts for nieces and nephews, and books for DS - but it was a nice transitional job between my SAHM days and teaching, and we still use many of the reference books now.

Zombie status aside, though, it's still true! I loved the books, and we're into the upper level math reference now. (I even still occasionally buy books as gifts from a consultant that I used to work with.)

I haven't been to any sales parties in quite a while, but I generally do attend if it's Tupperware Tastefully Simple, so if this thread had been new, I'd recommend those ones as well.

OP, if you're reading, which one did you choose, and how has it been going?