Most of this information is now outdated (Jan 12, 2008)
Ok--I got through the first 50 pages.
I took a stab at printing out some questions and answers. One thing I noticed is how everyone is keen to help us newbies and answer question after question!! We certainly appreciate you!!!!! And Thank you. You all ROCK!!!!!
This is just my humble attempt to compile some basic info. If you have any edits, suggestions or anything, just let me know.
This is information I basically cut and paste from you all!!! I in NO WAY want to get credit for it---that belongs to all of you who take the time to help us and answer our numerous questions --
GETTING STARTED:
Is there any other training available? Yes, Thanks to SplshMtn99 for this great link with Demonstrator Training tips:
http://blank.narms.com/training/event0.html
What type of shoes do I need? Black, closed toe (even in summer) and comfortable!
What is my "uniform"? You are supposed to wear: White/Black long sleeved shirt, blouse or polo Black, Closed toe shoes Black cap and apron Black pants or skirt. Hair net and black hat for food events.
What is in my Welcome Package? A training DV and new employee packet.
What will be in my starter kit? Your black hat & black apron, your cardboard table & cardboard trash can & a few plastic gloves.
Is the event table easy to assemble? Another great tip from SplshMtn99: I made a strap to keep my starter kit table closed while carrying it. I was having trouble with the box opening at the bottom while carrying. It actually opened & everything fell out. I bought a piece of strapping (webbing) like used on fanny packs, backpacks.... I bought enough to go around the closed up table box & a about 2 inches to over lap -- going around the short way & thru the handle. It happens to be white. Then I just sewed on some velcro tabs at each end. It keeps the table closed up nicely while carrying it. Cost VERY little!!!!
How do I assemble the trash can? It ends up being six sides-not all equal sides but six of them. There are six flaps...one that is kinda U shaped, two identical triangles, two more similar triangles and then a single longer tab-like one. Hold the future trash can with the longer tab-like one closest to you. Fold in the U shaped one, follow with the first set of triange ones (both of them), then the second set of triangles (both of them) and then finally the single tab...push the tab all the way in and it will lock with the others. Then push down from the new inside of the trash can. Voila!!
BOOKING AN EVENT:
How do I know what's available?
What are Off Dates? Off Dates are offered the same way that all other events are -- on ebooking. You'll notice them because instead of having one date next to the event, they'll list like 6 or 7 dates to pick from. Can't miss them. Don't be confused though by all those dates. You can only pick ONE of them. Once an event is booked, it disappears from availability. So its one event per store. Also, when you click it, it reminds you that its paid at off date rate & makes you click ok again to continue. Off date rate is $8 less than the total.
Is there a penalty for "unbooking" an event? No, as long as you do it in enough time for them to repost it and mail the kit to someone else.
Why can't I book multiple dates for the same event at the same store? When you see multiple dates available for an event, an event is only to be at a store just once. So, when you pick a date to work it, the listing goes away...and you won't be able to book it again. Also, booking it on an alternative date pays $8 less (so $62, not $70). (But if you have another store nearby, you could book another store for another day.)
PRE-EVENT, EVENT AND POST EVENT
Is there an Event Checklist? Yes, courtesy of SplshMtn99: For all the newbies, here's a little cheat sheet I made for myself after reading this entire thread when I was new & watching the DVD several times. Maybe it will help you with tomorrow & putting you at ease that you've done everything to prepare. (They were written for when the kit is sent to store, but really not much different.)
DAY BEFORE EVENT:
Print instructions & any emails received that amend the instructions. Print store report form.
Call in to activate THE COMPANY card. (If your event is on a Monday, only activate the card Mon AM).
Read instructions....and learn script. Pack necessary supplies.
DAY OF EVENT:
NOTE: *Some event personnel that work thru TMT agency, like to buy product as soon as they get to store. They do this so they can make SURE that their swipe in & swipe out receipts cover the entire 4 or 5 hr event.
If their reciepts are even just a minute shy of the full event time, they are docked in their paycheck.
I arrive about 15 min early. Grab a carriage & put my table & supplies in it. Go to the service desk & ask for mgr. Sometimes they come to desk with my box that was delivered to the store; most times I go to their office with my carriage--what ever they want.
If I'm near the back room, I open THE COMPANY box & put contents in carriage & go get rid of empty box in back room compactor.
Then take carriage & go buy the stuff I need. (I just tell cashier the other junk in carriage is for my demo. No problems so far....and instructions prove all that anyway.) I'm usually thru check-out around 11. 11:10 at latest depending on how long I waited at service desk, or finding product, or check out lines.
Then I take carriage & go set up table. Then I take carriage & grab some extra product for table display. I count the product on the shelf. Note quantity somewhere. Also note price & aisle # for customers. Ditch the carriage when empty. Ready to roll by 11:15 most days. (first few events took me longer until I figured out this routine)
About 15-20 minutes before end of event, I put back any remaining product I took from shelf to sell (NOT the remaining product I bought to demo out). I count the remaining product on the shelf. Note it somewhere OR fill out answers on the report form. I grab a carriage & start breaking down. Put everything in carriage. I put the stuff to go back to the manager in the child seat. All trash in my trash bag; and box up my table. I walk the store with my carriage, picking up any trash I find from event. Toss it in my bag. Head to back room. Throw out trash in compactor. Go to service desk & ask for manager to come sign me out. Give him/her whatever is left from event that instructions say to give them. Go swipe out thru register making a 75 cent purchase. Go home.
Immediately, complete report form if you didn't at the store. ***Make copy of report form & receipts for your records in case lost in the mail to agency. Either make copy at store or at home (scanner), but only after completed & signed.*** Call in results to Computerlink. Attach receipts. Prepare your own envelope to mail it that night or next day using address labels (if they were provided).
If doing another event next day, activate THE COMPANY card again.
__________________
Who can I contact on the weekend if I need help? Please call the The company Help Desk at (800) 275-6166
How do I display the various signs needed? It depends, you can fold the cardboardish sign into a tent & it holds fine. A tiny piece of tape will hold it if you have a problem. Other paper signs you can just lay on the table or tape to the back of the microwave that faces the customer.
Can I use my own ideas to make my display more attractive and consumer friendly? It seems like the answer is yes--to a certain degree. One idea posted has been to use a small wicker basket or trays for the napkins and small samples (gum, candy).
How do I know how much I sold? To figure out how much you sold: count the product on the shelf BEFORE the event & again AFTER the event & subtract. (Don't include the ones you bought for sampling.)
Do I get a break?: (from again, SplshMtn99) 10 minute break if needed is allowed, but event materials/supplies must be secure prior to break. Before I go on break, I stop putting out more samples so they all get taken. In other words, I don't leave any samples on table while gone. I've been taking my bag of purchased product into the break-room with me -- along with receipt. All other supplies like cups, napkins..... I store under the table.
Can I eat candy, chew gum, drink while on the floor? The simple answer is NO , HOWEVER it is a good idea to keep breath strips/mints in pants pocket to slip into your mouth every now & then so you don't knock people over. GUM--NEVER--chewing gum looks very unprofessional.
How do I know what supplies I will need and where do I get them? As far as supplies, when you first fill out an application with THE COMPANY, they ask if you have some basic items (toaster oven, toaster, small microwave, skillet, etc..) and pay you extra if you can bring it along with you to use for the demo. Other items, like shelf product (which would be whatever you need for your promo....i.e..Rice mix or Kudos bars) are taken from the shelf and purchased with the "THE COMPANY card" they give you. You submit the receipts at the end to show what you've purchased with the card. Super Target usually has tables, paper goods, micros, toaster ovens, skillets, etc.. in their demo area.
Where is my kit sent? Walmart events--the kit is mailed to you; Target events--the kit is mailed to Target. You may want to leave a little extra time to arrive at Target and locate the kit.
Do I purchase product and set up during my event time or prior/ Do I do my final check of the store an dbreakdown after my end time or slightly before? Your product must be purchased, and your table set up at or before the scheduled event start time. Most demonstrators do their check near the end of the scheduled event.
I don't have to purchase anything for my event with the THE COMPANY card, do I still need to activate it? YES, even if you do not have to purchase any product for your demo you need to make a $.75 (cent) purchase for yourself at the beginning and end of your demo. Your THE COMPANY card is like a time card. You need to punch in and out by making a purchase.
Can I mail more than one report in the same envelope? Yes, people have reported doing that and being paid correctly.
Should I keep a copy of my paperwork? This answer will vary--some people don't copy or save anything--they just mail it in. Others, like me, would make a copy, mark on it the date I get paid for that event, and file for tax purposes. So I say yes, photocopy all paperwork/receipts before sending in the originals and keep AT LEAST until you get paid.
THE THE COMPANY CARD:
How do I get my THE COMPANY card? It is mailed to your home once you are hired.
What do I need to know about my THE COMPANY card?:Activating THE COMPANY card is covered in your training DVD & new employee packet. IT IS NOT MENTIONED ON EVENT INSTRUCTIONS. It's just something you need to do for every event.
Every event requires you to activate your THE COMPANY card before the event; and every event requires you to report the results of the event from the report form. The instructions are on the card sleeve. Call 800-771-5650 within 24 hrs prior to event. Follow the instructions on the prompts. You'll need the event ID# located on report form. IF YOU DON'T DO THIS, YOUR THE COMPANY CARD WILL NOT WORK AT THE STORE. You won't be able to buy anything. After the event, you will call the same phone # (also known as Computerlink) and follow the prompts to report your results. The directions are also on the Store eport form. THEN BE SURE TO MAIL IN THE REPORT FORM BY THE NEXT DAY. Failure to swipe in & out, report results & mail form will be reasons to not be paid in full.
Are there any special rules about the THE COMPANY Card? yes--for Monday events you can only activate your card on Monday morning, because on Sunday nights they clean the system of any activated cards.
MISC:
Where can I get cheap tablecloths? Tablecloths don't always come in the kit. Buy the white plastic ones from the Dollar Store.
Where can I get additional gloves? It has been reported you can buy disposable gloves at the Dollar Store.
What do I do with my purse, other personal belongings? Some people leave them at the service desk or in an employee area, others lock them in their car. Others just bring the THE COMPANY card, a small amount of cash/debit card/driver license and keep
This Kmart is busy since no Walmarts or Targets on Cape Cod.
Maybe its time for me to retire at 42. 
)
I didn't realize we had a DISer doing Cape demos. They were listed for about a week if not longer before I booked them. I only waited for the instructions to appear before I took them.
Connie's pizza on 8/25. It's a ST
