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People that have not read the entire compensation plan should really stop saying what it is, because it is spreading misinformation. Demos will still get hostess rewards on their orders. There will still be a 50 percent off item at a certain hostess level.
Oh, and most demos will make more money with the new plan. Those that only make their minimum get the same discount they did before. Demos that sell 1800 a year will make five percent more on their sales. I sell just a little over what we need to get the five percent extra, and I will make more on this new plan. I know, because Stampin up provided each of us a snapshot of how much we would make on the new plan if our sales numbers were the same as last year. The majority of demos come out the same or ahead with the new plan.
Don't blame the posters, put the blame where it belongs on SU. They are the ones who chose to make all of this a big secret.
Cbet, I am sorry your demo is leaving. I know when I have loved a direct sales product it is always a bummer when the consultant you have come to know as a friend decides to get out of the direct sales business. I hope you can find another group setting to get together and play with stamps and paper!
I know just what you're saying. Unless you place an order qualifying for hostess rewards, you won't see any difference. Oh, there will no longer be 50% off rewards. I've only placed a couple of orders even qualifying for those, so no loss there for me. However, I think demos are loosing the most. It's hard to understand without hearing the whole story, but it seems demos are loosing their hostess rewards on their orders too. They're getting some kind of points or bonus points. SU is going to give them an extra 5% on quarterly sales over $300.00, or something like that. Anyway you cut it, it's simple math. It's a win for SU and loose for both demo and customer. Unless customers support their demos that 5% means squat. Now if a demo is a high performer the 5% may not look so bad. I'd say the hobby demo who makes the $300.00 minimum is loosing the most. Sure they get the 20%, but have to spend $300.00 a quarter. It wouldn't be worth it to me, and especially without hostess rewards.
I wasn't talking about demo or hostess benefits or rewards.
I was saying no one "forces" anybody to do anything. Including spending their own money to keep demo status, if you are not happy with the terms of original contract, just say NO.
Now with the new terms that SU is putting forth, each demo, business or hobby demo, must make the decision on their own if the new contract and bonus, rewards will work for them.
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
I know just what you're saying. Unless you place an order qualifying for hostess rewards, you won't see any difference. Oh, there will no longer be 50% off rewards. I've only placed a couple of orders even qualifying for those, so no loss there for me. However, I think demos are loosing the most. It's hard to understand without hearing the whole story, but it seems demos are loosing their hostess rewards on their orders too. They're getting some kind of points or bonus points. SU is going to give them an extra 5% on quarterly sales over $300.00, or something like that. Anyway you cut it, it's simple math. It's a win for SU and loose for both demo and customer. Unless customers support their demos that 5% means squat. Now if a demo is a high performer the 5% may not look so bad. I'd say the hobby demo who makes the $300.00 minimum is loosing the most. Sure they get the 20%, but have to spend $300.00 a quarter. It wouldn't be worth it to me, and especially without hostess rewards.
I'm not sure where you are getting your information but what you are saying is not true~
Hosts will still get a 1/2 off item with a qualifying order or party
Demonstrators can still earn Hostess Benefits
There are points to be earned by EVERY demonstrator~ no one has to qualify
The quarterly minimum is staying the same for every demonstrator as is the 20% discount
Your information is all wrong~ it is to bad you are making judgements without the correct information.
Don't blame the posters, put the blame where it belongs on SU. They are the ones who chose to make all of this a big secret.
It is not a big secret~ the information is there for all demonstrators to read and ask questions about. When misinformation is spread, it is spread by posters who have no idea what the plan is.
I was reading back over this thread and realized that I sounded really crabby and anti-SU along with a bit of "ooh, they'll be sorry!" (which was a recurring tantrum I used to use back in the 60's, and which did not affect my parents' decisions any more than it is going to affect SU's!).
I want to apologize to any demos that I might have offended. You signed on as a demo because you loved the product, and you're right, no one is forcing you to do anything or buy anything that you don't want. Lord knows that the only times I've been guilted into buying something was when I was invited to a home party or when an exceptionally adorable child has a flyer from school.
I'm crabby because my demo, who I love, has decided to quit being a demo. She was somewhat upset about the changes to the hostess benefits; I also know that she has been very disappointed in at least the last two Idea books as well as the minis - she has found very few sets that she loved. So I'm sure that the changes to the demo side were just the straw that broke the camel's back.
Will I still order from Stampin' Up? Probably, but not as much. I ordered a lot that I would have never even considered if I hadn't seen them at her classes. Is that going to make any difference to the company? No. I'm not a big enough customer that they'll even notice a difference. All I ask is from any company is that you fill my order in a timely fashion, that you do your best to make sure that it's correct, and that if there's a problem with it, you do what you can to fix it promptly. Stampin' Up has always met those requirements.
I've been a demo for almost 11 years, and you honestly didn't offend me at all, so no apology necessary. I am sorry for both you and your demo. Having a good relationship like that is a blessing and to see it change is sad. I have some lovely customers--actually, they've become friends to me--and there have been several times I've stuck it out because of them.
I love our products, and I enjoy the benefits, but I am not an SU-only gal. Never have been. Too many beautiful things in the world, and I never intended for this to be a true source of income for me. If I leave SU, I will do so with gratitude for the wonderful ride I've had. As I said in another forum...changes, even those that don't negatively impact us personally, sometimes take us on another path, and it doesn't mean either I or SU have failed each other. It only means I am on a new leg of my creative journey.
:-)
To be clear, I will be fine under the new plan. However, there can be times when I would not fundamentally agree with a change because of the impact it has in others. Unfortunately I tend to be overly sensitive that way. I don't think that makes me a bad person, just probably not very business savvy or profit-driven, lol!
Last edited by ChrisO; 02-09-2015 at 01:43 PM..
Reason: .
Don't blame the posters, put the blame where it belongs on SU. They are the ones who chose to make all of this a big secret.
One, I don't think not putting out a new hostess program for customers in Feb. that won't go in affect until June is keeping it a big secret. Everything else is on the business demo side, and really doesn't need to be privy to customers per a company announcement (obviously if someone is looking at joining their upline should let them see the entire new plan).
Two, even if you think it is a secret Stampin Up is not forcing you to type out details that you don't know for are a fact are true, and to continue putting out misinformation when several demos have ready confirmed that your previous details were wrong.
It is not a big secret~ the information is there for all demonstrators to read and ask questions about. When misinformation is spread, it is spread by posters who have no idea what the plan is.
So sorry for spreading misinformation. I can see I'm only getting bits and pieces now. Scrap everything I've said, except support your demo!
One, I don't think not putting out a new hostess program for customers in Feb. that won't go in affect until June is keeping it a big secret.
What is with the hostess clubs, which run for months? Let's say, your the last one to earn the hostess benefits in June, wouldn't you be disappointed, when your rewards were less than the others?
But I really like the idea of an even percentage for the hostess rewards, but again, cutting down to 10% (for the first level) is in fact a price increase! Since they are already overpriced, maybe they should change the direct sales system in some way - why should a third person earn money, if I order directly through the SU website? :confused: I really don't understand this. If I'm going to attend a workshop, fine, the demo has a lot of work and should be paid for. But with an online shop, there shouldn't be a person in-between! And the customer service of SU might be great, but with the demos I have made also quite different experiences, so I would be really happy if I could buy directly from SU.
Oh, and since the sales in Europe were so much better, the hostess rewards will surely increase there. Now, you have to buy for a minimum of $225 (200�), until you earn hostess rewards. So I'm pretty sure, they will lower the first hostess level up to $150 (let's say 135�). ;) Oh, and maybe the could fix the price difference, since a big shot is for over $118 ($99.95 in the US) and the magnetic platform for over $55 ($39.95 in the US) in their European catalog, for example (and this prices are calculated with the current rate of exchange, on the first day of validity of the catalog, the big shot was equivalent over $143 and the magnetic platform was $67! :shock: )
Last edited by stamping me.; 02-09-2015 at 02:49 PM..
A demo that is running a club should inform her members either that they are in a current club that will be affected, or before she does sign ups for a new club. But, Stampin Up cannot control how demos run their clubs.
What an interesting topic! I started with Stampin Up. I wouldn't be stamping today if not for them and for the demos. I've had four demos, some good, some not so good. I've met my best friends through them and their products are quality (mostly). A dear friend has informed me of the changes and in my opinion, they are not good. Customers are not rewarded for hostessing, demo's work too hard for their discounts and sets need to be sold SEPARATELY! Demos have to PAY for on line ordering! As we progress through stamping we all try new things, new techniques and new products and demos are severely warned, even top demos that using other products is a reason for termination. All they need is a good business manager (in light of the information I was given). This company could fly. For the demos out there, thank you for the fun years of learning! When children and grandchildren take over a company that was developed from scratch, they know how to sail a ship but do they know how to build one and make it float?
My stamping career started as a SU! customer. I was a faithful buyer for many years... until a company came along with no restrictions/angel policy. We are artists. Crafters. Designers. Its sad to see our industry so up in arms. This makes me so sad...
I hope you are not referring to me who has no idea what the "plan" is. As I said, I logged in and watched the videos every Tuesday.
Yes, you can still earn a half price item...... ONE. and that is at $450. Currently you can earn up to 4 half price items..... at $400, $500, $700, and $900. Come June, you can earn ONE (1) half price set. So if your order is $400, that is not enough for any half price items. Now it would be the rare customer who would order that much but a workshop or your turn to host a club would usually mean less or zero half price items.
Let's say your order is $900 (you, a workshop, a club, etc)..... still just ONE half price item.
Sounds like a reduction in hostess benefits to me.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by westiemom
I hope you are not referring to me who has no idea what the "plan" is. As I said, I logged in and watched the videos every Tuesday.
Yes, you can still earn a half price item...... ONE. and that is at $450. Currently you can earn up to 4 half price items..... at $400, $500, $700, and $900. Come June, you can earn ONE (1) half price set. So if your order is $400, that is not enough for any half price items. Now it would be the rare customer who would order that much but a workshop or your turn to host a club would usually mean less or zero half price items.
Let's say your order is $900 (you, a workshop, a club, etc)..... still just ONE half price item.
Sounds like a reduction in hostess benefits to me.
One is still better than ZERO like it used to be. I get that it's not ideal that they are changing it but it's still more than we used to get. As far as the 50% off item goes. And really? I wonder how many people had workshops that qualified for more than one? That's a BIG workshop! And I'm the QUEEN of big orders :roll eyes: and I think I've got the 50% off threshold once, maybe twice. I don't think a majority of people are going to be losing out on that aspect at least.
I also was introduced to Stamping (almost 20 years ago) by way of Stampin' Up!
Stamping has been my hobby, my passion, my therapy.
Please don't let these changes take the Joy out of your stamping!
Karen S
Karen - Not happening! I've been going to my demo's classes with my mother and a couple of her friends, and I'm pretty sure we're going to keep getting together on our own. And I'm in the process of cleaning/sorting/organizing the 7th pit of hell (otherwise known as my crafting cave) and I'm sure not going to let that effort be in vain
I already weighed in earlier in this discussion, but I've been following it since, and wanted to say something else. There have been valid points on both sides of this issue, but something still wasn't "sitting right" with me that I couldn't nail down. Here are my thoughts this morning:
As far as demos being "forced" to maintain minimums: ANY SALES POSITION REQUIRES THIS. I have a daughter in sales who has been in several different companies. Her father was/is in sales. I've worked in sales. There is ALWAYS a quota that you have to meet to keep your job. Stampin'Up! is no different in that regard. If you don't like quotas, you should stay out of sales (that would be me...)
On pricing: I have no issue with the prices of ANYTHING that Stampin'Up! sells except the dies. All of their other items are similar price points to similar products elsewhere. Yes, the stamps are at the high end of the range in price, but they are also at the high end of the range in quality. Ditto on papers and such... The dies seem to be considerably higher, and "exclusive" isn't much of a justifier, in my mind...
As far as the cuts in hostess benefits: Going back to the "other businesses" for examples, there is a thing in retail called a "loss leader" - something that they sell below cost to get you in the door, knowing that once you're there you will more likely purchase something besides that item. At Home Depot it's 2x4s, at many grocery stores it's milk. The sales ads in the Sunday paper are full of them. Hostess benefits are - in my mind - Stampin'Up!'s loss leader. They probably don't make any money off of them, but they DO motivate people to spend more. If I'm just placing an order with my demo then I only get a couple of things. If I'm hosting a workshop I approach friends to see if they want to order anything even if they can't come, and I buy - easily - three times more than usual. The result is that what would be a $30-$50 order for my demo (just me) becomes a $150-$300 order (for me and my friends). I'm motivated to push her sales for her because I see a benefit for me. Take away any or all of that benefit and I'm significantly less motivated, making it harder for her to meet her quotas.
On "the demise of Stampin'Up!": They are too strong to die, period. Yes, some will be disenfranchised or disappointed or not loyal or whatever. That's true of many companies, not just Stampin'Up! How many threads going how far back are there about Papertrey Ink, for example? And yet, here they are still, apparently as strong as ever, and people are loyal (or not) and buy from them (or not). The same will be true for Stampin'Up!
For me, personally, the differences in Stampin'Up!'s compensation plan or hostess benefits or anything else won't amount to much because I only order periodically, and it's mostly tools (punches that go with stamp sets that I already have, for example). My style and SU!s have diverged enough that I don't feel compelled to buy much in the way of stamps. That's a style thing, though, not an "I'm peeved" one...
Karen - Not happening! I've been going to my demo's classes with my mother and a couple of her friends, and I'm pretty sure we're going to keep getting together on our own. And I'm in the process of cleaning/sorting/organizing the 7th pit of hell (otherwise known as my crafting cave) and I'm sure not going to let that effort be in vain
Glad to hear you will continue classes...
now about the pit of hell...
One of these days, I will come home, and there will be a camera crew from Hoarders in my craft room.
Karen S
Glad to hear you will continue classes...
now about the pit of hell...
One of these days, I will come home, and there will be a camera crew from Hoarders in my craft room.
Karen S
Had to laugh!!!!! I'm a Hoarder too! Do you ever wonder why we bother cleaning and organizing when we just mess it all up again?;)
Glad to hear you will continue classes...
now about the pit of hell...
One of these days, I will come home, and there will be a camera crew from Hoarders in my craft room.
Karen S
Well, if they do, there are bound to be royalties... what would you, could you, spend it on ;)
On pricing: I have no issue with the prices of ANYTHING that Stampin'Up! sells except the dies. All of their other items are similar price points to similar products elsewhere. Yes, the stamps are at the high end of the range in price, but they are also at the high end of the range in quality. Ditto on papers and such... The dies seem to be considerably higher, and "exclusive" isn't much of a justifier, in my mind...
Yes, especially the dies are overpriced. But, in my opinion, the stamps and the products from other brands (such as the Big Shot from Sizzix) are too pricey, too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregzgurl
Hostess benefits are - in my mind - Stampin'Up!'s loss leader. They probably don't make any money off of them, but they DO motivate people to spend more.
That is absolutely what I think. So cutting down them has to go along with decreasing the other prices of stamps, dies & branded products.
Prices gone up, yes, but not the wages. So pretty hard times to come for stamping companies, I guess.
Wages is something that needs work on...I will agree! Sometime I feel like we live in the dark ages.
I guess what it comes down to. Is what are you going to spend your money on.
My dh provides for us. It's just me and him & our two cat's. Personally I don't spend a lot money in other places. Other than our regular monthly bills and living expenses.
So buying from time to time for things that will help me. Stay creative. Doesn't hurt us!
So therefore I choose to spend mine on Creating Materials.
The issues were with the manufacturer here in the US. They just didn't meet Stampin' Up! standards so they pulled them from the shelves. I'm thankful Stampin' Up! has the integrity to not sell an item they are not 100% sure of.
The issues were with the manufacturer here in the US. They just didn't meet Stampin' Up! standards so they pulled them from the shelves. I'm thankful Stampin' Up! has the integrity to not sell an item they are not 100% sure of.
I wish they'd have figured that out before I bought every set they had!
you really need to make sure the lids are on tight so they don't dry out and I did notice I have to push the brush tips in on some. Some of the tips you could see were out a little and I just pushed them back in. not sure why that's happening. I thought at first maybe I was using the other end that would have pushed the tip out on the other end but I don't think that's the case
I wish they'd have figured that out before I bought every set they had!
Unfortunately, the manufacturing was leaving microscopic holes in some of the markers when the tips was welded to the marker. They didn't look any different than the markers that were perfectly good. Because, the number of faulty markers climbed from an acceptable range at the beginning to 30 to 40 percent of the markers (when they discovered what was causing the issue) and the manufacturer couldn't offer a solution they chose to discontinue over selling a product that might arrive to you defective.
Oh, I am! So far so good. I'm just concerned about what the quality issues are and if I can expect problems.
Before they had discovered what the problem was, I had ordered the skin tones set - one of the 6 was dried out completely. I called SU! and they replaced the entire set (didn't ask me to send back the original set). The second set was fine. I then ordered the grey set, and again one was dry. I just called SU! when I heard about them pulling them from the shelves, and they have credited my Mastercard for the full amount of both sets, including the taxes paid (not the shipping, but that is because they were part of a larger order and I would have paid shipping anyway). No questions asked, no issues, just "yes, we've had some manufacturing problems, and we are so sorry about this - we'll just go ahead and credit you back for them". I sort of feel guilty, as I now have three sets - one with 5/6 working just fine, one with 6/6 working just fine and one with 2/3 working just fine - and I haven't paid a thing for them.....
__________________ Elizabeth
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