Some of the people that posted earlier seem to have such a chip on their shoulders…I’m surprised that they would even walk into a store, let alone talk to a sales person.

Come off it people, you can say “no” and be done with it. Otherwise, you’re holding a grudge. Get off it.

There’s a lot of passion in their remarks. Kevin, in particular, seems to have something going on, as he makes some categorical remarks. He also says that direct sales people cannot deduct expenses. This is incorrect. If you run a business from your house and are an independent representative, you can certainly deduct your legitimate business expenses. But don’t take my word for it, ask your accountant.

Peace,

Lee

I enjoy supporting businesses of people I know when they are selling a great quality product, wether it is direct marketing or a store-front business. I prefer to keep my dollars local too.

I’ve worked (part-time)in direct sales now for close to ten years. There are people out there who DO love our products, search them out, thank me for introducing them to it, etc! The level of customer service is much higher in direct sales with an established rep than at a box store.

I DO agree that not all companies/reps are the same! I too have had some high pressure/bad experiences with other people in direct sales. But I’ve also had some bad experiences with Craigslist, used items that were not worth their $2, and generic items!

She is a SAHM and had been making a nice income before that, so she was not swayed by the comments about how much she could earn by doing this. If she wanted a nice income, she would have gone back to work, because to make that kind of money in MLM you basically have to work full time anyway.

But I also believe that all situations (even bad ones) happen for a reason.

I also sold Cutco knives. I did this right after I graduated from college, as I worked part-time at a bank and continued looking for a “real job” in journalism.

I did a “demo” for one of my bank co-workers at her house. She politely listened to my entire demo and then suggested that I apply for a job opening that she heard about at her local newspaper. (This was years before the decline of print media.)

I took her advice and was hired as a reporter for that newspaper.

So even though I didn’t make a lot of money directly from selling Cutco, I do appreciate the fact that it indirectly led me to my first real job.

And I agree with Trent’s point that if you have a close friend whose a part of an MLM program/scheme, it’s a great idea to help them find a job where their skills will be put to better use.

2. Napoleon Dynamite and Uncle Rico driving over the Tupperware while demonstrating how robust it is!

It’s an example of a product that largely sells itself, all you need to do is get the word out, and people will come to you. Beyond that the extent of the selling is in the gentle persuasion category.

The problem with most MLMs, and most sales situations, is that the products and services themselves are suspect. They need to be explained to a customer by a convincing sales person, otherwise they would never buy.

That really sets up the pushy, obnoxious sales person, because he/she is in a position of needing to create a market for the product that wouldn’t exist otherwise. That requires a certain moxy, which most people don’t have and that’s why most people have to sell to family and friends, and their sales careers are short lived.

It’s really kind of sad for the sales people. We all need to earn money, and those often bogus products can make a person look bad while trying to earn a living. Hopefully they don’t go back after having been burned once. It is a common scheme.

Quite honestly, I find the attitude displayed here a little discouraging. Legit people who are trying to make money and dabble in entrepreneurship should be EN-couraged, not DIS-couraged. If you don’t want to host a party or buy a product, politely decline the offer. Lots of people need to make ends meet somehow, yet don’t have the ability to work some minimum wage job because they can’t afford daycare or they want to try out being their own boss and having some flexibility in their schedule. There are reasons besides money people want to do something.

I also find it somehow confusing that Trent will promote his blog and livelihood through social networking “Follow me on Twitter!”, “Be a fan of me on Facebook”, “Become a friend of the Simple Dollar!”, yet when someone tries to sell lipstick or a cheese grater, it’s somehow wrong.

Also, in the dollar per hour category, I bet the beginning of the Simple Dollar had similar poor returns on “investment”, and Lord knows the Internet is littered with blogger and websites that never made it — just the same way there are people who didn’t make it with home jewelery sales or Tupperware. But there are people who are willing to work their tails off to try this stuff out and they can do well for themselves.

As a successful direct sales business owner for almost 16 years, I don’t “pitch” to my family and friends. Instead, I simply notify them, just as I would if I opened an ice cream store in town.

Pitching is quite different than notifying. Chasing and bugging is also different. I simply notify. I don’t ask anyone to buy or join, that is up to them.

Honestly, in most cases, I would much prefer to buy from and support my friends and family, all things being equal.

Our friends recently opened a wine shop. We joined their wine club, refer people there and buy wine there regularly.

Some other friends have a local restaurant. I would much rather support them than the national chain up the street.

I personally promote a high quality line of products that are priced competitively, meaning they aren’t a rip off like some direct sales companies. We go head to head with the number one competitor, who is not direct sales.

My friends are all my customer and they pass on referrals. They have not joined me in business and that is fine. I value my friendships above all, and would never want them to feel obligated.

But, it’s bad business not to at least notify. Be a professional in your approach and you’ll be fine, assuming your product line is quality and priced right.

EXPECT Success!

Jackie Ulmer

My husband “worked” (ha!) for Cutco while we were engaged. I hated it the whole time, but he was determined it was a good thing. He did make some money off of it… he is very charismatic. In the process, he sold his family (and my family to a point) knives they couldn’t afford. He ended up managing a “branch” in Arkansas for the summer. He called me in the middle of the summer with no money, no food, no way to get out of the town. One bus ticket later, that was the end of that. He was left with some bad debt that I think is all paid off now. And did his “mentor” help him during the crisis? No, of course not, he dropped him like a hot potato as soon as it became clear he wasn’t going to make money for him.

I still use the knives, because they are good knives. But they are so not worth the price we paid for them, emotionally, relationally, and financially.

I also sell Avon, and I have NEVER EVER:
– knocked on doors
– talked people’s ears off about it
– pressured anyone to buy anything

I put out brochures and flyers. If anyone is interested, all my contact info is right there for them; there’s no need for me to be pushy about it.

Avon has been around for over 120 years, and a company doesn’t last that long if they don’t have good quality merchandise, good value for the prices, and good customer service! I got into it because I wanted a little extra money, I use & really like some of the products, and because of their corporate and environmental policies.

I personally think it’s the fact that the prices are competitive with stores (especially if you hit a sale- they have some GREAT sales!) but the quality, at least of the products I’ve used, is better. I don’t feel the need to be pushy or host parties, because I think the products sell themselves. Most people that try them end up liking them- and if they don’t, AVON has a no-hassle returns policy, which I find reassures people they won’t be wasting their money- if they don’t like it, they get their money back. I don’t know how long I’ll continue doing it, but for now, it’s something I enjoy.

On the other hand, the friends of mine who have sold it have all admitted to me that in the end, they made minimal money from selling it, and most eventually gave it up, the exception being a neighbour I once had who approached it in a very determined, business-like fashion, regularly canvassing the neighbourhood, and always managing to upsell me when she visited. I always ended up buying stuff I didn’t plan to buy, but never minded in the end, since it was so good. She was a brilliant saleswoman, but I suspect that very few of us could do what she did.