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The only thing I could figure was she didn't have anyone else to give the catalogs too? I don't know, but essentially she was going to charge me for the catalogs. I really wish she ran her business like yours. I actually know for a fact, that the reason she doesn't have everything shipped to each person directly is that she puts everyone's orders in at once and has a party under her name. So as I said, great friend, not a great demo.
The friendship part trumps the demo part any day! Trust me, I'm not alone. Most demos are really on top of things. But the ones that aren't may lead people to eBay and that's what hurts.
Best of luck to you!!!
__________________ Stella MacKay, Independent Demonstrator for Stampin' Up! since 2002
I have to second the poster who said she buys them on ebay precut. I like that fact also. I asked a demo about paying her to cut them for me, since I have a heck of a time, and she flat out laughed at me, and said no.
I third you, on the cutting. Do not enjoy it at all. It is very time consuming, and I let them get backed up. Blisters are the result.
Also, I think people get into the who reusing/recycling of just about everything now. From clothing/accessories, to decorative items....Everyone wants to simplify, organize, purge....
I have to second the poster who said she buys them on ebay precut. I like that fact also. I asked a demo about paying her to cut them for me, since I have a heck of a time, and she flat out laughed at me, and said no.
I wouldn't laugh at ya, but I'd say no, too. Imagine having to cut every customer's sets, plus your own... my typical order for myself has more than 5 sets (just for me). That's just too much cutting! Not to mention, I have carpal tunnel, so it's also painful for me to cut that much.
One of my demos loves to cut and I had to tell her not to cut mine because I also love to cut them. I cut my friend's for her and she then lets me use them first for about a week for doing it. That is the best deal!! (except that often after the week I find I have to have the set and order it).
Are you kidding?? I LOVE to cut out the sets and would do it in a heartbeat!! LOL I literally bond over them! I guess if I cut them out and then had to give them away,I would grieve a bit!! LOL
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
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Originally Posted by Joan B
I keep thinking I need to invest in a whole pile of SU sets, let them sit and increase in value like wine!! LOL But that got me to thinking, why are SU sets so much more popular on ebay, or is it just my imagination.
I have bought some sets just to sell on ebay recently from the Spring mini and made almost 2 times their worth on ebay and then they were in the new catty . I also sold my tag punch in June right before the new catty came out just in speculation that it would be in the new catty and it was and I sold it for A LOT. Unfrogettable is selling so good on there and it is in the catty. I think that people just don't "know" about SU! like some people do and they hear of a great stamp set and "have" to have it so they go after it at all costs!
My demo's own MIL buys stuff on ebay (and from her). She lives in another state and she was visiting and came to a workshop then went back home and bought hundreds of $$ of stuff on ebay, why? She wanted it right then while her excitement was high.
Also, we are Americans (and Canadians, too ) and it is all about the INSTANT GRATIFICATION. I want everything NOW and so do a lot of people. Luckily for me, I am very close to my demo and we order so much that almost every week we have new stuff coming, so I rarely have to wait for anything. Last week I was wondering why I was so depressed and then it came to me, I hadn't gotten any new SU! stuff all week:(. Though I generally only sell on ebay, with ebay you can get your stuff pretty darn fast.
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Originally Posted by nvscrapmom
I have to second the poster who said she buys them on ebay precut. I like that fact also. I asked a demo about paying her to cut them for me, since I have a heck of a time, and she flat out laughed at me, and said no.
Then you need a new demo.... that isn't an unreasonable request, and I know many of us are willing to do that for our customers....
Let's face it, I want my customers to buy, but I want them to USE the stuff more than I want them to buy it... one of the moms on my son's baseball team had been to one of my very first workshops I did as a demo. She mentioned that she hadn't even opened her stuff yet! So we made a date to get together, I mounted the stuff, and gave her a private class! I haven't talked to her since then (only because of the flooding in this area, didn't want to push, ya know?)
Anyway, point of the story is that customer service is key. I just had my first year anniversary with SU, and despite being in a very rural area with a small customer base, my upline informed me that I had the top sales of ANY of her downline for the year, and was even close to selling more than she did (and she earned cruise!!) Those little things like helping mount stamps really mean a lot to my customers, and my sales reflect that....
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I LOVE to cut out the stamps, too! I do it for my demo, I do all her "dirty work" for my discount but I do it for a couple of friends, too. I actually find it relaxing, I sit and watch tv and cut away! I also, don't have little kids so I seem to have more time than my demo or some of my friends so I am just sitting there anyway;) .
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ETA: better sales is not the only reason I offer extra service, it's because I want to make sure my customers are happy. I take it personally when a customer isn't happy with what they've bought or the service I provide...
ETA: better sales is not the only reason I offer extra service, it's because I want to make sure my customers are happy. I take it personally when a customer isn't happy with what they've bought or the service I provide...
I agree. When I become a demo, if one of my customers asked me to mount their stamps, I'd do it in a heatbeat! One, because I LOVE doing it, and 2 because it's good business sense. AND from the way the some of the PP have mentioned this, they have a problem with their hands, why make it harder on them :mad: I would think you'd keep more customers if you provided this...
Though I generally only sell on ebay, with ebay you can get your stuff pretty darn fast.
If your demo puts in a customer direct order, you can get it just as fast. My SU! stuff almosts comes faster than anything from ebay because you have to count on someone to actually get to the post office with ebay.
Can see why you do so well. It is all of those above and beyond things you do that make the difference!
I wish people who genuinely do not have the time or interest in having classes, or are not able to place an order given to them, even within a week or two, would not take the job on. It does drive people to other sources.
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Originally Posted by StampinMelis
If your demo puts in a customer direct order, you can get it just as fast. My SU! stuff almosts comes faster than anything from ebay because you have to count on someone to actually get to the post office with ebay.
All of my demo's orders are shipped to my house so I get my stuff FAST :-D I am referring to people that arent so familiar with the whole SU! company and their options of shipping and finding a demo and stuff.
On occasion I have offered to or just mounted stamps for some of my customers....
I want them to USE them rigt away!!! If they just let them sit because of the mounting issue, and not use them, it does them (or me) no good.
I once had a customer tell me at a camp she still hadn't used/mounted her sets from last month, and that is when I realized she was needing help mounting them.
I cannot believe all these customers that don't get great service from their demo. Customers are my number one concern. I get them minis, retired lists etc etc. as soon as possible. You all need to find a new demo that appreciates her customers. A mini for $5. That is insane. Look around. It will be worth it. A good demo has soooo much to offer.
__________________ Dawn B. Anything is possible when you open your heart.... My BLOG
I cannot believe all these customers that don't get great service from their demo. Customers are my number one concern. I get them minis, retired lists etc etc. as soon as possible. You all need to find a new demo that appreciates her customers. A mini for $5. That is insane. Look around. It will be worth it. A good demo has soooo much to offer.
SOO true!! I cannot believe there are gals who don't want to be more helpful to keep their customers happy. I only have a handful, so I do my very best to make them all happy! They are what keep me afloat!!!
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Originally Posted by willosmama
SOO true!! I cannot believe there are gals who don't want to be more helpful to keep their customers happy. I only have a handful, so I do my very best to make them all happy! They are what keep me afloat!!!
same here... eventually I might even start to break even! ;)
I have a great demo, who delivers the products as soon as she gets them. She does not play any games, hold orders or anything like that. Finally decided where my loyalties need to go, after working with some others.
You know, you guys might be right, maybe I should look around, but it is hard to admit it, because I really care about my friend and I did promise her a big order in October. The reason I say this, is I just got an order from her and I was the one that noticed that the watercolor paper I had ordered was not with the order. And she said, wow, you notice stuff quick, that was on back order. Do you guys know if that would be true? My dillema is that I really don't want to let my friend down. Have any of you had to decide on an issue like this>?
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It wasn't listed on our backorder report, but that doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't backordered... it's only listed if it's going to be unavailable for more than a couple days....
Personally I would have told someone if something was on backorder instead of just letting it slide... It's easy enough to tell if something didn't ship, and a heads up would be nice instead of waiting to see if the customer "noticed" it wasn't there.... (No offense to your friend, but that's just how I am... I hate when stuff is backordered, I feel like I'm personally responsible... something I need to work on! I have to stop blaming myself for things that I cannot control.... like the weather and UPS....)
I would just tell your demo/friend that you won't be able to place an order with her in October after all. It would only be as awkward as you make it (and I've been there). Her SU business is not your responsibility.
You know, you guys might be right, maybe I should look around, but it is hard to admit it, because I really care about my friend and I did promise her a big order in October. The reason I say this, is I just got an order from her and I was the one that noticed that the watercolor paper I had ordered was not with the order. And she said, wow, you notice stuff quick, that was on back order. Do you guys know if that would be true? My dillema is that I really don't want to let my friend down. Have any of you had to decide on an issue like this>?
I would not make any snap judgements about leaving your demo, as some have suggested. You have some time between now and October. Think about what your demo DOES offer. Does she offer classes you attend? Does she allow you to use her stamps in her home for free? Do you get a mini catalog from her? Did you get a big catty from her? What kind of incentives does she offer for purchases? There are a lot of little things demos can do that add up, right? If, once you weigh the pros and cons, you think another demo might serve you better, ask around and see if you can find someone else.
To preserve the friendship, I think you owe it to your friend to explain to her why you are disappointed with her service. Mabe if she knows a good friend is selecting a new demo because she is not giving 100%, she may choose to make some changes in her business. Hopefully she will remember that you are a friend first, customer second. Good luck!
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Originally Posted by Mahloumel
I would just tell your demo/friend that you won't be able to place an order with her in October after all. It would only be as awkward as you make it (and I've been there). Her SU business is not your responsibility.
I agree. If she truly is your friend then she will understand. This is why, unfortunately, friendship and business dont always mix well! But your friends business and happiness don't lie with you.
__________________ "If you want to be listened to, you should put in time listening."-Marge Piercy
I am wondering if there is any advertising that the company foots so the demos don't have to take all that out of their 20%? I have never worked for any retail company that made me pay for their catalogs and then made me give those catalogs away or charge the customer down the line. Seems like this should be the company expense. I am speaking particularly of the mini-catalogs at this point. My friend sells several products and the "flyers" or "supplements" are all free to her to give to her customers.
Actually, many direct sales companies do this. When I was with Creative Memories, I had to pay for all my catalogs, supplements, and newsletters. I did not charge my customers for them, but they did cost me. I looked at it as a business expense. With CM, I actually had to pay for all my hostess incentives, including their hostess credit/free product. I had a friend that I offered my discount to, then she wanted to get the hostess benefits also. I tried to explain to her that the hostess benefits came out of my profit/pocket, but she didn't get it. I only offered her the discount one time. Full price after that!
Actually, many direct sales companies do this. When I was with Creative Memories, I had to pay for all my catalogs, supplements, and newsletters. I did not charge my customers for them, but they did cost me. I looked at it as a business expense. With CM, I actually had to pay for all my hostess incentives, including their hostess credit/free product. I had a friend that I offered my discount to, then she wanted to get the hostess benefits also. I tried to explain to her that the hostess benefits came out of my profit/pocket, but she didn't get it. I only offered her the discount one time. Full price after that!
Actually SU WILL pay for your mini catalogs, and the mailing of them also, depending upon your sales. And SU does foot quite a large bill for advertising. I have gotten a couple of customers from the DIY specials they do, and the gorgeous print ads in nationally recognized craft magazines.
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Milette
The dreamers of the day are dangerous people,For they dream their dreams with open eyes,And make them come true.- D.H. Lawrence
Actually, many direct sales companies do this. When I was with Creative Memories, I had to pay for all my catalogs, supplements, and newsletters. I did not charge my customers for them, but they did cost me. I looked at it as a business expense. With CM, I actually had to pay for all my hostess incentives, including their hostess credit/free product. I had a friend that I offered my discount to, then she wanted to get the hostess benefits also. I tried to explain to her that the hostess benefits came out of my profit/pocket, but she didn't get it. I only offered her the discount one time. Full price after that!
Yes, I know Mary Kay consultants pay for all of their brochures, as well as hostess gifts. Tupperware demos pay for their own brochures too.
The only advertising SU foots is the full page ads in national magazines!
Same here. I shop eBay also. The demos in my area are very pushy about hosting a workshop. Plus, I have bought level 2 & 3 hostess sets at a resonable price because I know if I even have a workshop, I would never reach that high of sales. However, now I am in a club, which by the way, we will have our meetings at our demos home. (Yeah! I don't have to clean my house!!!!) Plus, I have found retired sets that I wanted on eBay. --Jeannie
Quote:
Originally Posted by canben
I calculate the shipping into my bid. So if a set is listed in the IB&C for $19.95, and it's listed for $9.95 on e-bay with $3.85 shipping, I've gotten a VERY good deal. As for contacting my demo and ordering from her - well, lately she's been kinda hard to get a hold of, it took her almost a week to get us the retired list (I saw it here before she sent it out), I NEVER received the retired accessories list, and I haven't received a mini since LAST fall.... So needless to say, it's MUCH easier to get them on e-bay. Of course, that's also why I'm going to become a demo here shortly (as soon as DH releases the money for me :rolleyes
