FAQ in party plan.......

Kelly replied:

Hmmm. where to start.

First thing I would do is check the company out on DSSA website.

I would talk to past and present consultants.

Do they have targets you need to meet?

What is the commission? Bonuses? Royalties on downline?

Start up cost?

On-going costs?

Payment options - for parties and kits

garauntees on products?

my mind has gone blank now...

noone replied:

I think Kelly has just about covered everything...

I would host a party for the company, and find out what I, my friends and family thought about the products.  It would be a great way to show off the products without paying for a kit and earn yourself some free items at the same time.  If my consultant did not live nearby, I'd host a catalogue party and "go it alone" ie try out selling the products and see how it goes...

Also see what kind of support network the company has.

Consider their:

* returns policy

* recruiting methods

* contract terms

* Permitted advertising methods

* Whether there are territories

* How many consultants are in your area.  If there are four other consultants from X Co then perhaps it would be good to go with Y Co - party swapping, networking and not trying to tempt away loyal (?) customers.

HTH

marina replied:

The Direct Selling Association of Australia Inc (DSAA) is the national trade association and voice of Australia’s direct selling industry. ...

this is the actual name. it is not dssa.

All of kellys questions are great.

also find out the commission structure on sales and downline.

find out about holidays , prizes, etc.

 if  there is a money back guarantee on the business. If  after a couple of months you do  not like it do you get your money back.

PatriciaStorie replied:

Thank you girls. Some of the questions you have posted i would not have even thought of.  I have written them down and i will refer to them as i go through the information that i receive from the different pps.

Thanks again. anyone else who can think of anything that i should think about, would be great.

Patricia

CKCath replied:

Some of the things I considered, or in some cases should have considered LOL (I am in a rural community) were:

1.  Where is the company based? I wanted to support an Australian company,  not an overseas one, if I had a choice (which I did )

2.  What are the delivery costs and who pays them? Do the customers pay a handling fee and does this actually cover the postage to you or not?

3.  Can I collect my product from the warehouse and save on delivery costs (obviously there is a distance issue here)

4.  How long will it take deliveries to arrive to me?

5.  When do I pay, on ordering, on delivery, in arrears?

6.  How much are catalogs, how often are they updated and how do I update the ones I have , eg add fliers or throw out the old when the new one is released?

7.  If I have a problem, who can I talk to? Do I only have contact with my up line, or can I contact head office or even the company owners if I need to?

MOST IMPORTANT......Do I love this product enough to sell it successfully. You may find the "perfect" company and not like the products, or you may find a brand new company who's products you love but might not appear as stable... if you love the product you have made the right choice for you.

When you do find the product you love make sure you ask lots of questions, not only about the company but your recruiter. If you don't get along with them you may find it difficult as well. Ask if you can talk to other people on the team or even attend a team meeting before you decide. If you don't like the person who makes first contact but still think that is the plan for you, search for a consultant you do think you can work with.

Good luck with your search, it sounds like you are putting lots of thought into it.

Graham replied:

Here are a few more :

Can you start immediately or do you need a certain number of bookings in place?

How long has the company been in business?

Do you have to reach minimum monthly sales requirements?

Does your company offer low commission but have lots of "hype" instead? Do they offer free trips worth very little, that very few ever achieve, instead of a good solid high commission and other ways to get regular extra cash and free product for everyone?

Do you have to reach the full promotion achievement level to get your leadership bonuses each month?

When does your first leadership level kick in?

Do you have a choice of Starter Packs?

Do you have Customer promotions every month?

Does your company invite you to suggest changes to the way they do things? Do they listen to you?

Does your company provide you with comprehensive sales aids? Are they free to download and print or are they sold to you at a profit?

Does your company have easy, simple ordering procedures?

How much freight do you have to charge customers for and pay?