Question by Chick: What do you think about selling products for companies as an independent contractor?
I recently posted a ? about Avon. But I want to know about all of them! I’ve got to get some extra cash flow, so I’m researching. Right now I’m considering anything EXCEPT for companies that sell sex products. I’m a single mom of a 4 year old & I don’t feel its approriate to have those products in my home. You guys know how 4 year olds can be… INTO EVERYTHING! I work full time, go to school 9 credit hours per semester, & I’m a single parent. So I think this may be better for me than say getting a 2nd conventional part time job.

1) Have you ever sold: Avon, Mary Kay, Partylite, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, or a company not listed here?

2) How long did you stay w/the company? If you are still w/them, for how long?

3) How much did or do you make an average? What’s the profit percentage?

4) How hard was it? How much time did/do you have to invest?

5) What’s the start up cost?

I know I’m asking a lot of questions, but like I said, I’m researching. Thank you in advance!

Best answer:

Answer by Jack S
1. Yes, Rich Plan Foods.

2. Six years – off and on.

3. $ 425.00 per sale on an average sale being $ 3,600.00 I made about $ 375 profit out of that. It cost me $ 50 every time I went out the door on an appointment if you factor in gas, lunch/dinner, time, etc.

4. Hard enough. There’s a learning curve. No money to invest other than time to learn the food products and then to practice the sales presentation for various styles of people.

5. Nada. The company gives you a binder, menus, contracts, credit apps and training – free.

I read everything I could get my hands on regarding sales. But there are a LOT of sales books out there geared towards corporate or Business to Business sales and those techniques normally don’t apply when you’re selling Direct In-Home.

You’ll learn from authors like:

Tony Allessandra, John Lawhon, Zig Ziglar, Dale Carnegie, Dan Kennedy, Og Mandino, John Lavalle, Richard Bandler, John Grinder, Bob Burg, Frank Bettger, and others.

There’s SOME useful material out there from car dealerships but for the most part, they are really pushy at sales training but again the B2B sales are all about non-pressure. You want to just pressure the prospect enough that s/he is willing to make a decision – tonight.

99% of the time people will NOT call you back; will NOT sign up after tonight; just say anything to make you feel good and get you out the door. In this regard, ‘buyers are liars’ and you don’t want tire kickers. You want to get in there, talk turkey, get down to business and get out of there. Why? People don’t want a sales person in their home for 3 to 4 hours. If you can get in and out in under 60-90 minutes, you’ll make LOTS of $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ !

What do you think? Answer below!

Question by Chick: What do you think about selling products for companies as an independent contractor?
I recently posted a ? about Avon. But I want to know about all of them! I’ve got to get some extra cash flow, so I’m researching. Right now I’m considering anything EXCEPT for companies that sell sex products. I’m a single mom of a 4 year old & I don’t feel its approriate to have those products in my home. You guys know how 4 year olds can be… INTO EVERYTHING! I work full time, go to school 9 credit hours per semester, & I’m a single parent. So I think this may be better for me than say getting a 2nd conventional part time job.

1) Have you ever sold: Avon, Mary Kay, Partylite, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, or a company not listed here?

2) How long did you stay w/the company? If you are still w/them, for how long?

3) How much did or do you make an average? What’s the profit percentage?

4) How hard was it? How much time did/do you have to invest?

5) What’s the start up cost?

I know I’m asking a lot of questions, but like I said, I’m researching. Thank you in advance!

Best answer:

Answer by Avon Leader
1. I have sold Avon, Mary Kay & Melaleuca. I am currently with Avon.

2. I am with Avon now for 10 years.

3. I expect to earn somewhere around $ 40,000 for this year. I am in Avon’s Leadership program and that is where I make the majority of my money.

4. With any of these businesses you must invest some time and money. The reason why I believe most people quit is because they don’t understand the nature of the business. But, consistency and committment really do pay off in the long run. If you want to be a business owner without the high overhead direct sales is a great way to go.

5. The start up is only $ 10 and new reps earn 50% (with a minimum $ 50 order) in their first 4 campaigns on all our core brochure items (which makes up most of our brochure — it includes our cosmetics, skincare, fragrances, bath & body, most of our jewelry and some of our giftables) and 20% on our fixed earnings items. What’s great is there is no stocking involved and our brochures and samples are really reasonably priced.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!