What home party plan are you a consultant for?

[Leader of the Club]

Hi:

There is a lot of talk about earning extra $$$.

What home party plan or home sales (AVON, etc) are you a consultant for?

What do you love about it?

What are the disadvantages?

How do you handle the taxes, etc?

Give us all the info!

 

[mom23boys]

I am an Arbonne Consultant. I just started in July. I get 35% retail sales and 4% commission on other consultants. My upper sponser is pretty laid back, and we are good friends, so their is no pressure from her at all.

I have only had 3 shows so far, but made around $500. I love the discount that I get, since I was already using the products.

The disadvantage is asking people to have shows for me. I have lots of clients already (about 25) but no one will do a show for me. At least not untill September, and I kind of wanted to make a little more for my trip in a couple of days. Oh well, this will be Christmas money.

I think the taxes works if you make over $600 per year I will get a 1099, please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[mom2grace]

I do Pampered Chef. I chose it because there was no inventory, meaning not a lot of cash outlay up front. Everything they do is electronic and fast and easy. (all of the software is free too!)

I was very active for a few years, then I had my second child. You make money the first show, there is no pressure to have shows to sell the stuff sitting in your garage since there is nothing in your garage!

I like that the items are prices from $1 on up, the stuff is useful and everyone eats! They have a great return policy and most of their products are very good quality. I earned a ton of free products to stock my kitchen and give as gifts.

Also, I don't have the deliver anything, it all goes to the hostess or the person who ordered it by UPS.

For taxes, just keep track of your expenses....postage, mileage, office supplies, long distance phone calls, etc. Then, if you make enough money, you do one extra form on your taxes. Not a big deal.


Edited to add: You start out making 20%, then it goes up from there. (About $80-$100 per show) Also, there is not a lot of pressure to recruit! I did recruit, but on my own terms.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I chose to sell Tupperware. I make 25% from party sales. It's a great way to make $100 in three hours. I enjoy being around other women and we also cook now at parties.(then eat). I love to cook and bake so it was a no brainer for me. My start up kit was only $25 so I couldn't lose.

 

[kelleigh1]

I'm another Pampered Chef consultant. I'm still fairly new at it, but I'm enjoying it for the most part.

My only problem is that my upline directors are always pushing me about having more shows and recruiting more people to sell with me. That's just not me. I joined because I believe in the products and I love to cook and because everyone eats so there's always something that someone needs. For me this is a part-time thing, and I can't be a pushy salesperson. I average 2 shows per month at between $300-$400 per show, so I do make around $150 a month on commission. That is comfortable for me and I'm still able to keep my friends because I'm not constantly pushing them to have a show or buy something.

 

[tlbwriter]

Question for Pampered Chef consultants... I recently hosted a catalog party (no actual party, just catalog orders) with sales of just over $300. The consultant said that if I'd been a consultant, I would have received a little more than $60 in commission. That sounded piddly to me, and certainly didn't entice me into becoming a consultant! But you guys are reporting higher returns than that. So, was the low amount just because it was a catalog party?

 

[Alexander]

Longaberger for three years now. Only problem is I buy more than I sell, so there is no profit!

 

[flagdaytwins]

I am a rep for a jewelry company.

What you are about to read may sound negative -- the truth is, this business is not for everyone, though it's advertised as being such ("anyone can do this, you don't have to be a salesperson!"). You have to be a salesperson if you want to run a consistent business. I have been a rep for a number of companies, so what I am saying is based upon the industry, not upon any company i've worked for.

What I love about the company I represent: they are a great company to be associated with (I can give many details, but in interest of time). the product is gorgeous and of the highest quality. they reward their reps and hostesses generously. you can wear jewelry and be a walking advertisement!

What I love about the party plan business: flexibility in when I do my business. the ability to be my own boss. grow a downline (signing on others as reps) and you are golden -- the income is endless.

Disadvantages: if you are not a self-start or motivated or committed to being consistent with your business, your business may not be what you want it to be. if you take "no" personally, this business is not for you.

and......you are the only one responsible for generating business for yourself. you have to prospect for yourself. you have to almost be constantly in the business frame of mind to keep a steady supply of hostesses. be prepared for rejection -- from friends, family, strangers when you ask if they want to host a show. not everyone wants to host a show!

taxes were not an issue for me. if you do go into the business, consult with a professional tax person -- you won't believe how much you need to keep track of/write off. the whole tax thing should not be a reason why someone shouldn't join this industry. when you look at your commission, remember to mentally deduct your expenses -- i figured 5% of my commission goes for expenses (gas, display items, office supplies, product giveaways).

good luck!

 

[zulaya]

Lots of PC here! I'll chime in too.

I have been with Pampered Chef for 6 years. It helps that I am in a supportive group, meaning supportive of MY goals.

Let's see if I can answer the questions as posted:

What do I love:

$90 Investment - You get $350 in product plus the software and other business supplies to get you going. Hosts can reduce their Kit Cost to as little as $50. VERY low investment, and the products are yours to keep. Win-win deal when you think that you get all the products in the kit for less than $5 each.
No Inventory and No Territories
No Deliveries - everything is delivered UPS to the host or in the case of an individual order, to the guest
Super Starter Program - For the first 3 months, new consultants can earn more free product *in addition* to their commission for meeting minimal monthly sales levels.
No Sales Quotas - If you want to be very part time, you can. You only need $200 every other month to be active
Starting Commission is 20%-25% depending on monthly sales. Reach $15,000 in career sales, get another 2% commission. On average, New Consultants make $100 per show. I usually average more. I typically bring home around $1000 per month.
High Show Average
Pampered Chef pays for the Host Benefits Consultants don't have to do that.
Free Shipping on host orders and free products are not taxed - they're free
Pampered Chef pays credit card companies for us.[\B]
Our commission is NOT adjusted for returns
All products carry a minimum 1 year warranty Many have extended warranties
Affordable paperwork[\B]We change 2x per year and we get samples of paperwork at the start of the season for $4
We can always earn new products free[\B] Twice per year we have the chance to earn the new products free and we always have the choice to purchase samples at roughly 50% off
Liability Insurance Pampered Chef provides $1 million in coverage to to each consultant for only $2 per month
Toll free customer service line
And of course Incentive Programs I just came back from the Disney Trip in June and it was free.

Disadvantage: Sometimes I wish I had inventory for people who needed something that second. But we ship so fast, that it's never been a huge occurence for me.

Taxes: Pampered Partner (our software) has an Income and Expenses function. I put everything in there business related ~ and you'd be surprised the amount of tax advantages you get for having a home business ~ and then I do Turbo Tax.

Obviously, I love it, being in 6 years. But if you are looking for something, Pampered Chef can be it. There is major name recognition in many places. And everyone has to eat ~ whether they like to cook or not. So why not have the tools to make meal prep easier so that you can spend more time at the table with the family.

 

[kelleigh1]

Question for Pampered Chef consultants... I recently hosted a catalog party (no actual party, just catalog orders) with sales of just over $300. The consultant said that if I'd been a consultant, I would have received a little more than $60 in commission. That sounded piddly to me, and certainly didn't entice me into becoming a consultant! But you guys are reporting higher returns than that. So, was the low amount just because it was a catalog party?

The minimum commission is 20% of base sales (does not include tax or shipping charges), regardless of catalog or kitchen show. So yes, on a $300 show, that is a $60 commission.

But, most consultants don't have just one show per month. And your % increases with your sales level, so you can earn more. Also, there are special incentives every month based on sales. I earn free pieces throughout the year based on sales totals. Just yesterday I received the free item for my July sales and I've also qualified for the free August items too. (For submitting just two shows this month, I've earned the new mid-season items which aren't available for sale until October.) There are extra incentives - not just the commission.

 

[skiingwife]

I'm a Creative Memories consultant. I do it mostly for myself and a small group of friends. I also have a full time job, so I don't have much time to teach classes, but I enjoy the 30% discount.

 

[zulaya]

I PMed tlbwriter, but I'll expound here for the readers of the thread.

A Catalog Show involves almost no work on the consultant's part. She gets the host the catalogs, the host get the orders, the consultant enters them in the computer. An hour or two perhaps of the consultant's time was spent on her show. $60 for 2 hours equates to $30 an hour.

A Kitchen Show involves more work on the part of the consultant. She comes and does a recipe, interacts with guests, etc. The national Kitchen Show average is $500. So on average, a Kitchen Show would yield $100 at base commission.

kelleigh is right that the more shows you do, the higher your commission rate goes that month. $60 for that Catalog Show would be base commission.

Hope I didn't just confuse the heck out of everyone.

 

[Renate_do]

Hi,

I tried Creative Memories 3 years ago but as scrapbooking is not very well known at Germany I did not find a lot of people :-(.

Now I started FLP (Forever Living Products) but have the problem that almost all my friends and people I ask are against MLM companies as there are some black sheep here in this kind of business.

So I try to work harder on my main businnes...online travel agency specialist on Disneyland Resort Paris, Walt Disney World and vacation where people can take dance lessons in Ballroom dancing.

Greets from Germany
Renate

 

[kelleigh1]

Renate: If you had a connection at any of the military bases in Germany, I think you would have had great success with Creative Memories. My sister who works at Ramstein is a big scrapbooker and I know that her and many of her on-base friends love Creative Memories. She sent me one of their books for my wedding last year.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I have been a Mary Kay consultant in the past. I am no longer active. I really think it is a GREAT company and has a good plan, but it just wasn't for me. I couldn't balance my time and other committments to put the time in that is necessary.

 

[thelionqueen]

I have been a consultant with Tupperware for over 5 years.
I am TheLionQueen, and I am a Tupperholic
I cannot get enough Tupperware, I just LOVE IT!! I used to have parties during my first couple of years and made pretty good $$ (about $300-500 per month doing 1-2 parties per week)

Now it's just personal use. I LOVE Tupperware (did I say that already?) but the $$ making program has been changing and honestly I think it is not as profitable as it once was.

I have also done Longaberger....MISTAKE!!!!....

Love the products, but No One I know spends that kind of $$ on baskets, so I just used the discount. I love Longaberger too, but the prices are just completely ridiculous in my opinion.

Did Stampin Up last year, LOVE Stampin Up, but my upline person was really bad. I LOVE the products, and the small discount was nice, but nothing to justify the INCREDIBLY HIGH kit price (over $220.00 with tax & shipping). I know you get about $400 worth of product, but I think if they had a smaller kit they would get much more consultants.

Anyway, I love them all, Avon, Pampered Chef, Stampin Up, Longaberger and Tupperware (did I mention that I LOVE Tupperware), but as far as a financial venture, unless you are totally dedicated, is not an realistic avenue.

Just my opinion..

 

[kelleigh1]

I may need to order some Tupperware soon!! Do you have a website for your tupperware?

 

[etwinchester]

I'm a Mary Kay consultant. We earn 50% commission on sales and 4% and up on recruits.

I love doing it for many reasons:

* The best thing I love is the discount I get on the products since I already use Mary Kay. I also give a discount to my family. It's great to have your own business and be able to do that for them.

* It's also great to have this type of business to fall back on. When DH got laid off, I held more shows and got more customers to help us out. Even if I didn't hold a show, since it's a consumable product, the reorders are GREAT !

* The Mary Kay business plan is also wonderful. You can earn so many prizes. Harvard is also teaching the Mary Kay business plan so that speaks for itself.

* My director doesn't push me to have shows. She knew coming in that I wanted it primarily for the discount, but then I started working it PT. She told me it's my business and I can work it whatever way I want. I can always step it up later if I loose my other job or if I want a higher income.

* An inventory is NOT mandatory. It is encourage so you have products on hand. I would take a small portion of my profit to invest in an inventory. Then when people called, I was able to give them products right away. I still only keep the basics in stock and order the rest as needed. The delivery comes within a few days so it's great and not a big deal to people.

* A lot of people wear makeup and care about their skin. It will be great for DD when she is older as well. Proms, school functions, etc... I will have the products for play around for her. Other people love it as well. You try the samples before you buy and we still have a 100% money back guarantee that we DO stand by.

* Taxes are easy. So much stuff is a tax write off and it's great just for that.

* If for any reason you are unhappy with with company and you have an inventory, they will buy back your products at 90% so you are not stuck with them. You could also have a sale to your customers if you so choose to get rid of what you have.

The only disadvantage I have now is that my DH works late and if I want to hold a show, sometimes it can be difficult getting him home in time to watch DD. Other than that, I LOVE it...

Please PM me if you have any questions or are thinking of joining. I'm happy doing it PT for now. The reorders are great for a little extra money...

 

[MandM-Mom]

Another Pampered Chef Consultant! I was very active in the beginning but then got busy with other organizations and such and don't do that many anymore. I adore Pampered Chef products but just don't have the time in my schedule anymore, mom of 2, TA at a school for disabled children and president of the auxiliary at my husbands fire dept. TOOOoooo busy! Although this school year I am not going back to being a TA, I have decided to go back to doing Home Daycare which I did for 5 years before I went back to work. I hope to pick back up on my Pampered Chef.

 

[Local_Girl]

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far...this has been very informative. I have a question, especially for Pampered Chef consultants, but really for all...(and pardon my ignorance on this, but I've never done the home sales thing before ). How do you find out how many consultants are currently active in your area? Can saturation be a problem in an area...or do you just look at it as an opportunity to "shine"? Would appreciate any thoughts on the subject...thanks!