Selling Jewelry

[footballmouse]

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me. I've been trying to get started with selling Lia Sophia jewelry since last August. I've only had 2 people book a party and I didn't get any bookings from those parties. I really want this side job to work. The money I earn from this job would be our spending/vacation money. I just can't seem to get anyone willing to have a party with some good people who would book a party of their own. What ideas can you give me to get my name out there? I've tried a couple of merchant nights but those were complete busts, nobody showed up to shop! The local craft shows will be starting in the fall, but I'm afraid this isn't considered crafts so that won't help me either. TIA for any suggestions.

 

[auntfrannie]

Around here in the fall there seem to be a lot of Ladies' Nights. Those tend to get a lot more traffic than craft shows. The ones I've been to have raffles, wine, food and all the vendors that specialize in products women want to buy. Good luck!

 

[Pigeon]

Just a suggestion... Why not get a regular part time job instead?

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

 

[Lewisc]

Just a suggestion... Why not get a regular part time job instead?

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

+1

who would book a party of their own

That's a reach.

 

[Nayan]

Just a suggestion... Why not get a regular part time job instead?

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

Agree 100%. There's a recent thread on the forums about the subject of these types of parties and not many liked or went to them. I would find something else to do.

 

[havaneselover]

I love when neighbors who don't invite me to their Christmas party invite me to a thirty one party. I find these to be obnoxious. If I want something I order online or buy at the mall. Not At a pretend party.

 

[wenrob]

Just a suggestion... Why not get a regular part time job instead?

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

I would have to agree, not to mention that the group of people you originally invited are probably the same people the others would have invited so it makes no sense to have a party when they've all been to one. My FB feed is filled with people suddenly selling all sorts of things, adding me to groups without my permission and constantly barraging me with invitations. This is a sure fire way to lose friends or have them avoid you. The profit margin on these types of things compared to the effort put into them is small, you'd almost certainly be able to save more with a part time job.

Have a read through the thread on this board called One Year to Save for Disney. It's very inspiring. She sometimes only puts a few cents a day into her fund but it's amazing to see how fast all those little deposits add up. I've started my own little Disney fund after reading it, grabbing 5$ cash when I go to the store, dropping any spare change in it, saving those Target gift cards instead of rolling them into the next purchase etc. In just over a week I've already accumulated over a $100 without it hurting my budget. If you would have asked me if I had a spare $100 last week I would have said no but apparently I did!

 

[wendow]

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

Couldn't agree more. I despise these parties as does everyone I know. I have also lost a few friendships b/c a friend would host one of these parties and when I didn't want to give up my evening to attend, I was accused of "not being supportive" and our friendship didn't survive. Sad. And interestingly enough, the people I have known who did these types of sales never did them for long and never made much money.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

You could try doing FB parties - virtual parties where no one has to actually show up, they just order.

Otherwise it may be time to move on and look for another source of income. The home party market has become over saturated, especially with jewelry.

 

[andieb0602]

I'm going to have to agree with the others that I really dislike these types of parties and I tend to unfollow any FB friends that post about them repeatedly. Craft fairs may work better for you - some will allow your business, some won't so you'll have to do some research - but you should consider the area you're trying to sell your items. You definitely want to try to sell in more affluent areas. Also consider maybe doing a school fair where you donate a % of the proceeds you make to the school. But really consider your customers. I think Lia Sophia jewelry is beautiful but there's no way I would even consider buying anything simply because of the cost. My DH does well for a living but, as a single income family, I can't justify the purchase, especially with the costs of food and gas rising.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

You would make more money and lose less friends working part-time at McDonalds, Rite-Aid, etc. Seriously, parties are usually after dinner and many places have a hard time filling that shift when school starts back up.

I have a one party per friend, will not invite any of my friends, and never book a party rule.

 

[Pigeon]

Yeah, I just unfriended somebody on FB who sent out a constant stream of CAbi propaganda. It's unfortunate as it was otherwise nice to catch up with her. I've got a neighbor across the street I avoid like the plague since she started selling Arbonne.

 

[soccerchick]

I tend to agree with others about parties. There are some DS companies I like, such as Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, and Origami Owl, where I purchase items, but I'm done with parties. With new stuff, if I get an invite I just won't go because I know I won't buy something. I just buy directly from reps when there's something I need/want. Stella and Dot was very popular here over the last year but I didn't attend a party. Cute stuff, but way overpriced.

Lia Sophia is also one of the more expensive jewelry companies and the quality is low (I had several pieces break). I can buy costume jewelry for much less at Target or Charming Charlie.

To be successful in DS you have to be willing to talk to lots and lots of people. I have a dear friend trying to make it with Arbonne - I think she's her own best customer. I wish her well, but I just can't buy foot lotions and eye creams that are 2-3x the price of stuff I can buy at specialty stores because I like her.

 

[Alesia]

Just a suggestion... Why not get a regular part time job instead?

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

Add me to the list, too.

Years ago, I sold Mary Kay. I never made any money because I wasn't aggressive enough - and I'm okay with that.

footballmouse - The only way you can make money from this is if you're willing to pressure people into spending their hard earned money on things they don't need, and probably don't even want, and you will alienate those people in the process. If you aren't willing to do that, then you will be extremely lucky to break even. Most people in direct sales end up losing money.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I HATE these types of parties and refuse to go after years of feeling guilted into going and buying at least something small. As others here have said, you'd be better off getting a part-time job to make extra money.

 

[JanaDee]

Just a suggestion... Why not get a regular part time job instead?

I hate everything about those kinds of parties, and everyone I know does too. They are an imposition and as far as I'm concerned, they kill friendships. Most people are busy. They don't want to spend their time hosting shakedowns masquerading as social events to make money for you. There are so many of these schemes, Argonne, Pampered Chef, CAbi, the list goes on and on.

 

[okeydokey]

The reason nobody books these parties is because the majority of people hate these parties and hate being shaken down by friends and family. You would be much better off with a part time job.

 

[3boymthr]

Agggh! Add me to the list of people who hate these parties and who hate especially the exorbitant prices of the POC that people push at these parties.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I have one sister who attempted to sell Mary Kay and ran into the same thing. She finally got a part time job at the mall and actually made some money. She gave up selling Mary Kay shortly after.

Another sister sold Pampered Chef. She managed to sell some but mostly wanted to sell it to get the pieces she wanted. Once she had those, she quit selling it. She never did make much money at it.

 

[footballmouse]

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I think I was just asking for suggestions on how to get my name out there. If you don't like them then that's up to you but it didn't answer my question.

I can't really get another part time job b/c I already work 2 jobs. Working 1 show a week made more sense than working 4 hrs every night at McDonald's and being a single mom this wouldn't work.

My friends and I who would always have these parties just looked at it as a girls night out and a chance to get together & have fun. Guess it just depends on the person.