I'm dithering - opinions needed.

[LindaBabe]

I belong to a "stamp club" of 11 women with Stampin up. The deal is - every month we spend a mminimum of $25 and once every 11 months we get to be hostess.

Which is a better deal for me?

1. Stay in Stamp club, pace my purchases over 11 months, be the hostess once, get approximately 65-80$ free and 1 item at half price.
2. Drop out of stamp club, hostess 2x a year (party of 1, me) get about the same amount free, but pay larger amounts 2x year.
3. Become a 'hobby' demo - do same as #2, but also make the 20% commission. (Must meet minimum 300 / quarter, but have until end of December for 1st quarter.)

On the surface, it looks like #3 might be more 'profitable' but is it really?

I know some of you are or have been demos in various things. What has been your experience?

As a customer with a wish list, which would you choose?

 

[Reddy]

do you know enough people that would buy from you??
I used to do Avon - knew several that loved to look at the books & wanted samples but didn't buy a thing - I had 2 people who would buy and that was it so I stopped selling it

 

[LindaBabe]

no one would likely buy from me - it would just be me. Decided it isn't worth the effort - I'm just going to stay in club.

 

[lynner]

Good choice. The problem with #3 is that you are expected to spend $1200 per year in product, whether for you or customers/friends/etc. and you will get some great deals, but eventually you will get to a catalog where you just simply are not that interested, and it may become a struggle to maintain that level. I was able to support my CM for several years, but towards the end I was just simply not interested in the new products, there were so many more dynamic scrapbook companies in the marketplace (just talking paper/adhesives here, not albums/tools, which CM is still the tops for) and new techniques and ideas that I was much more interested in.

 

[LindaBabe]

Thanks for the reality check!

It's a lot easier being a no stress hostess.

You were dead right about the catalog that doesn't interest me - THIS is the year - they changed their catty and I don't care for it. Maybe it's just the layout, but I can't FIND things to buy.

On the other hand, the holiday mini, I want everything. Which was the cause of the dilemma in the first place because I need to 'front load' my year's purchases, before that catalog expires. The September, October, November, December hostesses are going to make out like bandits on me !

 

[missesdisney]

Sounds like if you are wavering then options 2 or 3 may be better for you. I joined CTMH as a consultant for the pure reason you have said here for this. I get the discount and the minimum to keep it is not hideous. I spend a lot anyway and I still get the discount and free product if I buy enough to be a hostess myself. I put up a blog site and I enjoy sharing ideas and promoting online but I don't do shows or any real demo and have had a few sales from a few peeps who found me online to keep the minimum so far without having to spend all of it.

Depending on what the initial outlay is if you sign up with them, it may be worth it for you and if you don't maintain the sales you haven't lost anything assuming the sign up kit has things you'll use.

I find myself buying enough for a hostess a few times a year and get the free items there - I don't like to spread it out myself....I get too anxious for new stuff

Good luck whichever way you go.

Maria