This really struck my funny bone!
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11642)
United States
January 20, 2008 9:45am CST
I am a member of MANY forums, for different things. One of the forums I belong to is a group of moms that have their own businesses. We swap ideas and advice all the time. I have a home business as well as being a CPA so I contribute in many areas. A lot of times, women will be looking for another income stream in addition to or to replace what they are already doing, so they'll ask for reps to send them info on what they're doing.
Well, I cam across one message today that really just kinda made me do a double-take and I would love to respond to the message but I feel it would be unwanted advice.
OK, the woman asked for a rep that lived closed to her to sell her one of the items so she could try it out. She stated she already had someone she was going to work with so she was not looking to sign up with anyone else. That's all fine and dandy, but the reason she wanted to purchase just this one item from someone local is because she didn't want to pay "the ridiculous shipping for one" item. That really floored me that she was not willing to pay something that she was going to ask her potential customers to pay!
I guess for me that was really odd because the company I work with is extremely reasonable with their prices and shipping costs. I would never ask my friends/family to pay "the ridiculous shipping" and profit from it!
Maybe it's just me, but I fell like replying and telling her what she's really setting herself up for. If she thinks it's "ridiculous shipping" everyone else will and she'll lose customers very quickly. Even if she has all local customers, she's going to have to pay that shipping to get it delivered to her so she can hand-deliver it to the customer.
6 people like this
9 responses
@terri0824 (5203)
• United States
20 Jan 08
Especially with the price of gas these days too! I also take in consideration my time, because it is worth something too! So in reality she wouldn't be saving any more by delivering the item, as to shipping the item in my opinion.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
21 Jan 08
You have a couple good points there too. I hated being in a business where I had to run all over town to deliver stuff. Glad I don't do that any more!
1 person likes this
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
21 Jan 08
Running all over town to deliver items gets old really fast. I even stopped being a party host for one company because I was expected to deliver the items to my guests. That was not fun!
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
21 Jan 08
That is another thing I thought about. If her upline was truely going to help her, they'd offer to send her the item as a sample. But, that also sets the precident for this girls new business and she'd lose money by doing that.
1 person likes this
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
21 Jan 08
That is a really good point. Uplines are valuable and should be respected. Going outside of the chain is not a good practice to start.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169530)
• United States
20 Jan 08
I think people who have a good business head will completely identify with what you are saying here. I can see why you wanted to give her some advice, and why you feel she may ultimately fail.
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Jan 08
I would hope that she doesn't fail, but I would like her to know up front that she might have a problem. Like another poster said - you need to believe in your product or you can't really promote it well. And if shipping is part of the product, you have to feel good about it. I hope she is able to work around her comfort level in that respect.
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
30 Jan 08
Another thing wrong with this is if she hand delivers the product then she had to pay for the gasoline in her car adding more to the cost of the product.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Jan 08
Sometimes people don't pay attention to those costs because they don't see the amount on a peice of paper. It is still an expense though!
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Jan 08
I just don't want to seem rude. We've also had a few people on the site spamming others because they replied with something other than what they asked for. Some of the women can get pretty petty about it so that's why I'm hesitant to reply to her. I think I'll stew on it a bit before I respond...
2 people like this
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
20 Jan 08
I would find a kind way to reply. You have a good point that if the potential rep thinks the shipping cost is too high it is going to be hard to sell the product. One thing I have learned is that if you don't believe in a product it is so much harder to sell it. Shipping may seem like a little issue now, but when there are many customers the rep may start to feel resentful about any comments she may get. I think everyone should have a chance to know all of the facts before getting involved with any business. This may not be something she is considering on the business side as well as the personal side.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Jan 08
I do think I have a moral obligation to reply to her. I'm sure I will, but I need to figure out what exactly to say. She may not realize that her potential customers are going to feel the same way she does.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
21 Jan 08
I'm still debating it. Some times I feel it's really not my concern, but I hate to see people set themselves up for failure.
1 person likes this
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
21 Jan 08
Moral obligations stink, huh! LOL I'm just picking on you. I'm sure you will find a way to say the right thing.
1 person likes this
@chrislotz (8136)
• Canada
29 Jan 08
I personally, don't buy very often from the internet companies because I don't want to pay the shipping charges either. I think what these companies should do is put the shipping charge right into the price of the item so people don't realize they are paying for the shipping. That way it doesn't hurt as bad. But then if she doesn't want to pay the shipping charges she may as well not become a representative of any company online because she will always be paying shipping charges to be able to sell the products. She can charge those shipping charges back to her customers, but they could be like her and not buy from her because they don't want to pay them either. I know I won't buy anything more online just for this reason alone. If I can buy the item in a store and don't have to pay extra, I will do that instead.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
30 Jan 08
Actually, for most of the "party plan" businesses, even if you hand deliver the items there's still shipping involved because the person who you're buying it from is paying shipping and will pass it along in the price. I have one place I buy most of my household good at, online, and it's STILL cheaper than if I had gone to the store and not paid shipping.
But you are so right, if she's hesitant about paying the shipping, her customers will feel the same way.
@sonyareads (73)
•
22 Jan 08
I soo agree. She won't be successful. If she does join this company, won't she have to pay the shipping fees anyway for the things she orders?
I don't know what business she is wanting to go in to, but every home business I have had has required some sort of purchase, whether it was business materials, or a monthly quota or something. If she won't purchase from her own company, why would anyone else???? That's the stupidest thing I have heard!!
I am a member of a few different online communities for women that have their own home business as well. I have heard a lot of dumb things that make me want to say something, but I usually stop myself. Every now and then, I butt in and regret it because most of them still won't get it, even if you spell it out for them.
My favorites are the ones that say " I don't want to invest anything to start. I don't want to use my computer. I don't want to talk to anyone. I don't want to leave my house. I can't do anything during the day because I have kids. I can't do anything at night because my husband is home then and that's our time. I really need a paycheck. Can't some one help me???" Well sure, let me send you check for NOTHING.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
22 Jan 08
Oh My GOSH!! Are we talking to the same people? It amazes me how they think "Working From Home" means sitting around in PJ's waiting for the mailman to deliver the check. I tell people right up front what is required and that it is WORK. Saves me a lot of time with some people.
