By Teresa Petrowski
Pyramid, ponzi, schemes & scams whatever you want to call it, for some reason Direct Sales consultants have been associated with these awful terms! In reality, direct sales companies are nowhere near that! According to the beloved Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_scheme),
“A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business model that involves promising participants payment or services, primarily for enrolling other people into the scheme, rather than supplying any real investment or sale of products or services to the public.”
The difference… “Direct selling is the marketing and selling of products directly to consumers away from a fixed retail location. Modern direct selling includes sales made through the party plan, one-on-one demonstrations, and other personal contact arrangements as well as internet sales. A textbook definition is: “The direct personal presentation, demonstration, and sale of products and services to consumers, usually in their homes or at their jobs.” Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_sales) has got it right…
“I feel there’s a big difference. Pyramid schemes seek to make money from you and quickly. Legitimate direct selling companies seek to make money with you as you build your business and at the same time building theirs by selling real products.” stated Lilly Otero, a Premier Director with Paparazzi Accessories (www.facebook.com/paparazzibylilly),
Here’s the simple version on how D.S. Companies works…
Depending on the company contract, you become an independent consultant for their company, which basically means you are their distributor in so many words but it is still considered your own business. You start out by buying what they call a kit! Kits can run from $99– to over $1,000 but you get at least 20% to 30% if not over 50% off the products. Then people purchase the items through you at the retail value either through your website or directly contacting you for their order. You then order them at a discount rate (wholesale) and that’s where your profit comes in! So whatever your buying discount is that is your profit. You can earn double the amount you are charged!!! The only “so called service” that you provide to these customers of yours is either have a party where you do demonstration of your products that can include games & giveaways for your hostess’ guests, but you have to at least give out the proper information regarding these products when networking with a customer.
Not only do Direct Sales companies encourage people to start their own business, they provide them with a sponsor that will guide them along the way! Once you become a sponsor and someone joins your team you get a certain percentage from what they make. “My team’s name is: G.L.A.M. Girls (Great Leaders Are Made). I currently have 36 personally sponsored but a total of 129 in my down line, representing 28 states… I feel direct sales is the way to go. My only regret is not doing it sooner.”, Lilly went on to say, “Being my own boss, having the flexibility I’ve always wanted is priceless while at the same time loving what I do and making a living.”
Some just join for the discount and then there are others who want to start their own business but don’t have $1,000’s to invest into to it. So they join these companies and not only is it their own business where they can create their own hours and they can make their own sales, the company also gives incentives once you reach a certain goal! Each company gives you great incentives such as free products, party leads, cars, and vacation trips.
So many people’s lives, especially women, are being changed because of direct sales and it is amazing to see.” Cassie Casey with Thirty-One (www.mythirtyone.com/cassiec). Cassie who joined Thirty- One in April 2011 has 29 members on her team “Cassie’s Gems”, 23 of whom she personally recruited! Cassie also qualified for the leadership trip to Cancun, Mexico in her FIRST year as a consultant! “This is not a scheme, it is real life, and it’s my life and changing it for me and for my family. I am a 25 year old mother of 3 girls under 5 years old. This is the first time my fiancé and I get to travel, and travel out of the country, alone. Our first REAL vacation without kids and without worrying about who is going to pay for this trip, the airline, etc.” she said.
Facebook, Twitter, & Google+ have been the biggest source of sales for Direct Sales Consultants! Many have found it odd that people find consultants through the internet without meeting them face to face! It has been known since the beginning of AOL over 15 years ago, that you don’t know who it is on the other side so don’t give them your personal information! We have been taught that even though you see a picture on the computer or someone instants messages insisting its them… that it may not be them and that you should never believe this other person is honest.
So consultants today are finding that it has become increasingly hard to get sales, party leads, & recruits because people and society in general are afraid of getting taken advantage of. Then there are others that do very well just because they have amazing customer service & sales skills. Many consultants have found it to be very helpful in advertising there business from other websites! There are also sites that can help you find a consultant in your area like DSPartyline.com and FindSalesRep.com.
D.S companies also designed to help your customers that have a party earn free products as well by getting either a percentage of sales you earn or a bunch of discounts (this varies with each company that you would host a party with). There have been many people questioning the idea of having a party and earning free products in the first place!! How will I know my guests & I will receive these products? Who is this person coming to my house? Really you’re going to give me free products?? There are many ways you can protect yourself, your identity, and your investment!
DSPartyline.com gives us 3 great tips that you must remember before buying or joining!
- Whether you are purchasing an item or joining a team make sure you get the consultants
information such as first & last name, city & state where they are from, & their consultant ID # which everyone should have. - Call the company and make sure they are a consultant with them to begin with and find out what their policy is if a consultant does not deliver the products to you! Also, find out what the hostess benefits are to having a party. Then contact the consultant, talk to them a little bit ask them why they joined and how it all works and you can then see for yourself if you want to book a party with them or not.
- When ordering either from a party or just placing an order, make sure you can get an
authorization number for your credit card when paying, an order # for when you place the order, an invoice from them, or a tracking number once they process the order.
Findsalesrep.com is one of the higher ranked Google sites there is to help you find consultants in your area. Once a consultant signs up with them they verify their website. If anything… Rep’s a company and they will explain things that the rep may not have explained.”, they went on to say, “We have that our know they want to make it, but they don’t know how.”
So how can we change your mind? Throw a party with a consultant and you too will see for yourself. Check out websites like DSPartyline.com & FindSalesRep.com to help you find consultants in your area and let them know I sent you!
