WAHM Forums

I am now selling Mia Bella Candles.


I understand the concept of the client paying first and then using that money to order the candles.


But most of my customers want the product in their hands FIRST...before they actually pay for it.


What do I tell them? or HOW do I explain that payment must be made up front?


I'm stumped!


IreneEdited by: abbysmom

Hi Irene,

I knew exactly how you are feeling. I had a hard time as first too with getting money up front from people. But what I have found works best is telling them, that money have to paid at the same time as I order. My customers do not have a problem with it then. If they do, I always tell them that they can always stop by at the first of the month and see what the Candle of the Month is and buy then!smileys/smiley2.gif

Hope that helps!

Natalie

It depends on my customers how I do it. I have a friend who has always paid up front, then I deliver the candles to her. BUT I also have a few others who order them through me over the phone, and I pay for them, then when I deliver them, they pay me. You should do what works best for you.

I have customers who I know are "good" for the money, so I just get their money when they get their candles, but if you dont have customers like that or you need their payment to make the purchase to corp. than i would do as Natalie said above and just explain that when we place our order, we have to pay uprfront. I am sure they will understand!! And, remember, when people order online or from most ALL home party businesses, they pay upfront. This is a most common thing. HTH!! Have a Scent-sational day!! smileys/smiley2.gif

Most people who attend parties are used to paying up front before they get their product.


If it is a show, expo or craft show, etc, I can see why they might hesitate.


But, for parties, special orders, etc, paying upfront or at least half is standard.


Even when one custom orders from a brick and mortar retail store, there is often an upfront charge.


I just took a picture into Michael's for framing and paid the whole thing upfront.

I pretty much only sell online and I would never send someone their product without payment up front. I own a Consultant Check list where people come to complain about consultants they've had issues with. There are WAY too many bad transactions that I don't trust anyone unless I know them or have seen them online long enough to know they are for real.


If I sell to my local friends and family - I don't normally get the money up front. If they offer, than I accept, but not normally.


Tamra

I should think that 1/2 up front could be a decent compromise if they really feel uncomfortable with it.



But not even with friends, with my jewelry business these last 15+ years, for instance ... do I extend credit.



People forget, bills rear their ugly heads and the potential confusion and bad feelings flat aren't worth it in my experience.



Just my .02 ;-)



Andrea

I am so used to paying first that it never even occured to me that it might be an issue...until I was helping a friend set up her website and she was concerned about having people pay when they order. She custom makes Asian Baby Carriers (Mei Tais). She ran into some problems with people who weren't paying after the product was complete...so she decided to charge up front. No big deal.


If it was someone I am good friends with, I usually have no problem placing the order and collecting the money when the order arrives...but if it is someone ordering from me online, I am definitely not shelling the money out for their order unless they pay for it first. Just my two cents smileys/smiley1.gif

As far as I know, there is only one direct sales company that allows you to pay when product is delivered, and that is Avon. As a former Avon rep, I have been stiffed by customers ordering things and then vanishing off the face of the earth when their orders arrive, then I had to eat the cost.smileys/smiley11.gif


I would think most would not have a problem with it. I liked buying party plan products before I received them, because when the product arrives its like Christmas! And its already paid for so no worries, just enjoy!smileys/smiley2.gif

wow...thank you all for your wonderful, informative responses.





I am going to do my first flea market this coming Saturday. HUGE SAN JOSE/SILICON VALLEY FLEA MARKET.


Wish me luck as I am sooooooo nervous!


Irene

Wow! Good luck! I plan to do flea markets some time in the future, I want to have the money to invest in products first. The closest flea market to me is in Concord, CA (you and I are not too far apart!)

Wow! Good luck! I plan to do flea markets some time in the future, I want to have the money to invest in products first. The closest flea market to me is in Concord, CA (you and I are not too far apart!)





WHY HAAAAHH-DEEEE NEIGHBOR!!!!! Actually, I will be moving to Modesto next month. I hope people like candles there...seems to be a slower pace around there. (bitting my nails)