Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I have an opportunity to get involved in a direct sale program. it is one that is basically brand new to Long Island and so i think i might have some luck with it (i.e. the products and idea will be "new" to people).

however, was just curious if anyone has done something like this--- selling something like Lia Sophia or Avon, Party Lite, etc. Do you REALLY make money? It's a $200.00 start-up and that's it. What do you earn from a typical party? Is it worth it? How much time did you put in to earn X amount of money?

I am thinking if I could even earn $500 - $1,000 a month with it, I would be happy as it would let me work part-time next year when i'll have a 2 year old and an infant.

Any thoughts or advice on this would be appreciated. Fms are welome. Thanks!

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I tried Pampered Chef and At Home America and to be honest, people just have no interest in going to home parties and even if they come they never spend a lot on the products so you don't really make a lot of income either. I would be surprised if you could pull down $500-1000/month. I am not saying it's impossible but it could take a loooong time to get to that point. KWIM? Good luck though!!!

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

My sil just had a pampered chef party and the host was telling me that she does about 4 parties a month and bring home an average of $1600 a month and started selling in may

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I did PartyLite for awihle, and the first few months I made some nice extra cash, but I figured out it was because my family and friends had booked then and after awhile I had trouble getting parties booked.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I was recently thinking of doing the same with Initials, Inc. My SIL is involved w/ it in CT & is one of the only reps in the area & she said if I got in on LI I'd be doing great as its so new & there's really no one closer than VA. YET I think once you get past your friend's friends; it gets "old" & unless you really pushed & got involved w/ craft fairs, school events, etc.; not sure if it would remain profitable.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I was a high level leader for Partylite almost 15 years ago, then I helped bring a company that was based in Chicago and sold Home Interior stuff to Long Island. The products were great and I did very well with it. With both companies I would usually earn between $150-$200 per party. The sales commission was 25% at that time....so you can see how high your sales need to be. The average party would have 10 guests-so you need ALL of them to spend a signifigant amount.
Because I became a leader I earned smaller comission on the girls in my group & that is really how you start earning $$$$ in all direct sales.

The economy was in the toilet when I started, much like now. Money was tight. I got into a few circles of women that made these parties their special treat, they would take turns having them, it would be a night out & everyone got to splurge on something they would not normally buy.

Things were different then though-now people have Home Goods and Etsy so most of the kinds of things I sold are easy to find inexpensively now....everyone loves a bargain & frankly most direct sales companies sell things that are priced higher than retail stores.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try, just recognize that the person trying sign you up will always paint a very rosy picture because they benefit so much from your sales.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I have been doing Avon for a little over a year - I am really not making much at all.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

My sister did Mary Kay and she did well, she had the pink Cadillac and everything, but she spent TONS of time on it. It was way more than a full time job for her. She was constantly out in the public trying to book parties. She did advertising and promotions.

She said once you get past your immediate family/friends it becomes a lot of work. When she stopped putting in a ton of effort the business fizzled out.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I went to a Pampered Chef party and the host showed us her sales--she does very well! I think if you really work it and put yourself out there you can. It helps to know a lot of people I think

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

My mom does pampered chef- and has been for about 5 years now. She does very well with it- has a few people under, etc.

I did Mary Kay- and although I do really love their products, it was difficult. I don't really agree with how they want you to sell (they want you to literally walk up to random people and compliment them on their makeup- I mean, seriously, if some did that to me, I'd think they were cuckoo for cocoa puffs.)

Another thing to consider is how you stock merchandise. With MK, You have to buy all the products at 50% off the retail price, and then sell them for full retail- that is how you make your money. With Pampered Chef, you don't have to stock anything, and you get an actual commission check- which IMO, is a better way to go!

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I did partylite for about a year and loved it, the only reason I stopped is because I moved and it is hard to start back up when you dont know anyone in the area to get you started with parties. I did not have to invest anything when I started which was great. They basically fronted me the kit which was worth like $500 and if I booked a certain amount within the 1st month you got it for free, it was really easy to do. I did it part time for extra $ and usually made around $600-$800/month ($150-$200/party). They had great incentives too, like book a certain amount in the month and get things for free. I really liked their program. I would be a bit shy to a program that is new to the area unless you are a very outgoing person willing to invest the time it takes to get ppl familiar w/the products. Good luck, keep us posted on what you decide.

Message edited 11/19/2010 9:52:42 AM.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

When I was an avid Lia Sophia seller -- really giving it my all, i was making about $1000 a month, some months $1200.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I sold Tupperware for 2 years. At the time, we made 25% of party sales. A typical party was $400-500. I sold a lot at first because friends helped me out making parties, but it petered out. The stuff sold itself, but getting people to host parties was a chore. I did not recruit - didn't want to - and that above anything else was what leaders want you to do in any of those direct sale companies. I dont care WHAT they tell you.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I did avon for about a year. Did it just to see how much and to be honest it was a waste. In the beginnng nc it was right before xmas I made a nice chunck of change. But that didnt keep up and it was more trouble and work than it was worth.

So I stopped.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I sold Cookie Lee jewelry. Cute stuff and very affordable, but I lost interest. My regular job is too demanding, and I was tired of hitting up the same people.
But if anyone is selling 31 Gifts, I'm interested in having a party, I think their stuff is too cute.

Oh and I agree I'm obsessed with Etsy, and their merchandise is unique and affordable, so I can see them hurting some direct sale companies.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

Thanks everyone!!!! I decided to go for it!!!! Worse case scenario is I quit if it's not for me. I am a bit nervous about getting people to host parties for me as I am not a pushy person, but hopefully, it will all work out. :)

Anyone want to learn more about some really pretty jewelry!? (not Lia Sophia or Stella & Dot) FM me

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I just started selling Avon in September and so far I am doing pretty good. I haven't made that much yet because I keep spending my earnings on getting stuff for myself. But in the long run I think I can do pretty well with it.

Re: Anyone with direct sales experience (i.e. Lia Sophia, Avon, etc.)

I sell Pampered Chef, I just started a 3 months ago. I enjoy it, but the past month, I havent been trying to get parties, its been very busy at home and with school and finals. Once the holidays are over, I'm going to jumop back in! I have made money doing it, I did 3 parties in October and made about $600 in commission. There are people out theer who LOVE pampered chef and will go crazy buying things! The products sell themselves.

Good Luck!!