WAHM Forums

Hi Ladies,


I've been considering adding on AHA to my busy life. For Your Pleasure is very profitable dont get me wrong ,but I love AHA housey things.


I have heard some negative things on here and else where about AHA Can you all PLEASE give me your honest opinion of this company and if you had issues what they were. I read the latest issue on the other thread to save you from retyping it. smileys/smiley2.gif





Thanks!

smileys/smiley2.gif

Hi Jody,



I considered AHA last year because I thought they had a nice line of
products etc. One thing that made me decide against it was having
to send all the party money to AHA and then wait for a commission
check. Just my personal taste, I don't like sending all the money in
and waiting. I like to pay myself first and then send in the party
money.

I don't know much about it but am concerned about this withdrawl of money from people's account, but I don't kno wthey work but I don't like hearing that people had money withdrawn that they weren't expecting.. you should be able to know what you do or don't owe..


Again, not sure why this is, so not a criticism, just a question I would want answered about access to my account and why and how. thy have very nice products!

Ya the withdrawls have me concerned. I dont like waiting for a check either. I get paid the night of my show for my other biz. Hmmm

The only thing I know about AHA is from ordering from them. I do love their products, and have been very pleased with the quality of them. I wanted to join just to get the discount for myself, but never did. I can't wait tosee the new catalog!


I read the thread about money being taken out without someones knowledge and I quess I would take into account that there are 2 sides to every story, perhaps the contract wasn't read as carefully, and if it is AHA's fault, I would bet they would make things right.


Best of luck if you decide to add another company!

I didn't know that AHA does their commissions like that. I like getting paid the night of the party too. With Home and Garden Party, we get 30% the night of the party, and the other 10% is paid to us the 15th of every month.


Nora

Wow, Nora! You make 40% commission on parties? How great! I
didn't know that about your company. Taste of Home Entertaining will
start at a 25% commission the day/night of the party and an additional 10% of your personal wholesale as a bonus.


Edited by: cvkjafra

I love AHA and am a former consultant...I say go for it, but read you contract word for word. I never had a problem and found the home team staff to be very professional and helpful. The owners are wonderful and the products are great. Good luck to you!


On a side note...I love having a check sent to me from Linen World twice a month....If I get to keep the money the night of a party, I tended to piddle it away...this is like a real paycheck! My Nov 15th check was over 700 dollars, just in time for black Friday, if I was keeping the money after every show I can GUARANTEE you I would have spent itsmileys/smiley1.gif. JMHO and best of luck to all of you!

I used to be with AHA a couple years ago. I loved it, but had to quit due to family illnesses. They are a GREAT company. I like their products more than any other home decor company out there. And, believe me, I checked them ALL out!


Let us know what you decide.


Chris

I have heard so many good things about AHA, and I really like what I have seen of their products too.


I don't understand the concept of going in debt to your owncompany, so to avoid any withdrawls I did not want, I imagine I would avoid acruing debt with them!


I know the good I have heard, would far outweigh the bad!





Good luck!

I'm not sure about AHA having that access to my account. That just seems scary to me. smileys/smiley5.gifsmileys/smiley2.gif


And to add to Cheryl's post, we will get 25% profit, plus 5% set aside for our business supplies, and the 10% from our team. However, the entire commission plan has not been released yet, so there will most likely be other leadership bonus and such.


I would just say that you need to feel completely comfortable with the company you choose and always research. Coming to these boards will give you a chance to get in touch with these great DS women who have so much to share with us.


Good luck and much success to whatever you decided to do. I'm sure you'll be fine.

Well thanks for all the info ladies! You are all so great! Waiting for a check vs. getting paid might not be that bad. Seems like the cash I make never makes it to the bank. smileys/smiley2.gif





Does make sense! I'll let you all know what I decide to do.

HI again,



Here is how I deal with that "temptation to spend my profits". I have
two accounts, one for home and one for business. After a party, I
deposit EVERYTHING (including cash and even the change) into my
business account. I immediately write myself a check for my profit
25-50% minus 5% to cover business expenses. Percentage depends on what
company I had the party with, (Jafra is a 50% profit for me). It
keeps everything clean for me and then I am not "embezzling cash" from
my own business smileys/smiley36.gif It also keeps
everything clean for tax purposes. I have an ATM attached to my
business account for ordering purposes only.



It's a matter of being disciplined and treating your business as a business. smileys/smiley2.gif

I never thought of writting myself a check! Great idea! It is the new Year, I haven't had my first party of the year yet, this is Saturday. But I am going to do it.


Thanks Cheryl!smileys/smiley2.gif

i put all my money into a separate business account and I pay certain bills from it.. o

I have decided to NOT go with AHA or any other biz at this time. I am going to put my entire self into my FYP business.


I just received the AHA catalog and wasn't all that impressed. I guess after being with Home and Garden Party not much compares!





Thanks Ladies for all your insight

It feels good when you make the decision, doesn't it? I hope you have a great year with FYP!

Thanks Cheryl!It sure does! By the way how long have you done Jafra? I heard their Royal Jelly is the bomb

I just started with them last summer, August I think it was. And yes,
the Royal Jelly Products are awesome. Nothing makes my skin feel
as good as a bath with Royal Jelly Milk Bath followed by Royal Jelly
Body Complex. So smooth, even for this old skin of mine!

I am just the opposite. I LOVED the new At Home catalog. I didn't like the Home and Garden PArty Catalog. I thought it looked cheap. JMO though...

Hello All!


So sorry I missed this! Looks like fun! I was at the AHA Leadership Conference this week.


I'm glad you had a chance to think about your options and make a sound decision for yourself. Just a few quick notes.


Please don't let someone else's errors make your decision for you. And yes, if you give any company your debit card info, when they make the payment, it comes right out of your account. That's the way they work, regardless of the company you're with. This is why I suggest a credit card instead.


Also, when you compare comp plans, please be sure to consider other costs of doing business. When I looked into HGP, the 40% sounded impressive. But I also saw that I'd be paying much more for the monthly specials and hostess benefits, etc. I'd HAVE to be getting paid 40% to make up for all those extra costs.


The truly unfortunate part of all this is that the best part of AHA is not in the catalog. Some like the catalog, and some don't. If you don't like the catalog, don't sign up! But even if you LOVE the catalog and you have a great show at your house and your friends love it and you love it and your husband loves it and your coworkers love it and you can't sleep because you're so excited....well, you haven't even begun to tap into the heart of AHA.


AHA is an exceptional company, and you have to EXPERIENCE it to understand. There is no possible way to explain it. No amount of print in a catalog or promotional brochure can come to close to touching the heart of this company. I see lives being changed, our country being honored, God leading this company, and countless efforts to improve the quality of life for people in this county.


Ok, you all know I just came back from a conference, and I am FILLED with the spirit! Please allow me to share my mission statement with you:


"We the people of AtHome America, with committment and great pride, in the spirit of service to God first, followed by our families, and AtHome America, are on a mission to change America one heart, one home, one family at a time.


It is our goal to be a positive influence in the life of every person we touch through AHA. We will encourage families to enjoy Real LIfe with Style by enhancing their lives ~ spiritually, personally and professionally. We will do this by our own example, our career opportunity, our HomeWares and our website. We will offer families supportive information, unique suggestions and practical ideas on how to keep American tradition alive in their homes. We have a strong commitment to family values.


Every person associated with AtHome America will provide extraordinary service ~ to our AHA Family, our Home team members, our customers, our communities and our nation. We believe that we, as a company, are an important contributor in the greater opportunity to improve the quality of life in the USA."


This is our mission statement. I am honored and blessed to be a living, breathing, walking AHA mission statement!


Ok, I'll come down from my soap box. Thank you for letting me share my own excitement.

I wanted to clarify - even with the party fees and supplies, with HGP, I still make 35-38% commission per party. We don't pay for hostess benefits.


Nora

Nora, Don't you pay $5 per booking credit, $2 for 1/2 price items and $7 to place an order? Or has that all changed? Because that was the case with I was with HGP. Don't get me wrong I loved the stuff. I was tired of fee's and I had other issues. If HGP could do away with those Fee's it would be amazing!

Amen Leah...smileys/smiley2.gif

Those extra Fees HGP charges are used to pay for shipping Hostess Free products & other incentives the hostess' order from their parties.And yes, HGP is still a very worthwhile company to work for & I too, like recieving 40% commision & also love to get paid the night of the party as well as the fact that the discounts are great too! Our products aren't cheap, they are affordable for every one to purchase.


Rosalee- HGP

Rosalee, I'm not knocking HGP at all. I was a Diamond Designer with the company for 3 years. But I do know their are fee's and you pay for partial benefits.


Nobody can beat their products that is for sure! I truly feel this way. From their pottery to prints to candles, nothing compares in my eyes. smileys/smiley32.gif

Leah-


I thought you had decided not to do At Home America anymore because your "heart wasn't into it". I thought you switched to Arbonne?

Charlee,


My situation is that I've fallen into two companies that I adore. While I no longer feel a need to drench my home in trendy decor, there is no possible way I can just walk away from AHA. Never before have I seen a company run like AHA is run. That kind of gets into the whole, "you've just got to experience it" thing. It's really hard to find words for something that resonates so deeply within.


Then, something happened. I found myself facing the potential of not purchasing Arbonne products any more. I freaked out! I found a few products that have made significant improvements in my life, and I just don't want to go without them. So, rather than give them up, I'm sharing them. I feel rather neutral about the company, though.


So, I've come to the conclusion that I don't really have to decide. I can share two great opportunities, as many of the people on this board do.


I really am sorry thatso many peopleare coming down so hard on AHA. Not everybody has to love it, but never before on this board have I seen people discuss other businesses represented on this boardin such a negative way. I know other people on this board have had not-so-great experiences with other companies they were involved in. But they didn't dig into a company visibly on the board. And that's much more tactful, in my opinion. But, I've said my peace and I'm ready to move on and continue sharing with people who are open to the experience. And you know, it's kind of funny. In a way, I didn't even realize how strongly I felt about AHA until these threads popped up. I owe a big Thank You to everyone here!

Leah, I hope you don't think I was knocking AHA. I think their products
are awesome! I am just one who prefers to be paid the night of my
shows. And, as far as sharing more than one vision (two or more
companies) count me in. I love having all these options! I can relate
to being passionate about one and neutral about another company wise,
but at the same time loving the products.

Leah -


I hope you don't think I was knocking AHA or being negative. I feel the same strong passion for my business as you have for yours - and believe me I have felt attacked on this board before.


Nora

I was with AHA for a brief time. I loved the products, the company and the people. I had a pretty good start, too. It just turned out it was not the right time for me to be doing something like that.


The only thing I'd have to say was kind of a downer to me, lol, lugging all that stuff around to parties. lol (Okay, so I felt I had to carry everything I owned to the shows.) Okay that, and I'm so out of shape anyway. lol


As a matter of fact, I just emailed my former sponsor because I've been waiting for the new catalog to show up on her website. I'm getting impatient. lol Just might have to go to her house and grab me a catalog. lol


Every company is going to have something that doesn't fit someone. That's just life. It has to fit into your life.


I always read how you have to have a passion for what you do. Well, I have a question for you then. I seem to find something about a lot of companies that I feel a passion for. lol Sometimes out of frustration about what to do next, I just figure I should sign up for them all. lol How do you just pick one when you want something from all of them?


AHA is a great company. I sure hope, Mary, emails me back soon!





Pat

I always read how you have to have a passion for what you do. Well, I have a question for you then. I seem to find something about a lot of companies that I feel a passion for. lol Sometimes out of frustration about what to do next, I just figure I should sign up for them all. lol How do you just pick one when you want something from all of them?


Pat





Have a party! I love lots of different products and companies, but I don't love enough about all of them to sell for all. And you certainly can't make any money at that either. That's why we all offer great hostess programs. If you have a party you get the free stuff! (And I'm not above having a party for one company more than once a year). I love Watkins products, but don't like their business plan, and I think their things are a little pricey, but they are AWESOME. So, I had 2 parties last year and got over $300 in FREE products in both of those together. I'd never save that much selling to the few people I know who buy it.


Ok, I know that was off topic, but I had to answer. smileys/smiley2.gif

HI


I have been with AHA for a year and not once have I had them take money away from me. They are a very FAIR company and do go out of their way for their specialists and their hostesses.


I researched over 20 companies before I joined AHA. I love their products the people and of couse the money. More importantly, I like that I get paid twice a month ( like my hubbie) - I feel like I am back in the workforce again contributing to ur home of three kids. I also like the fact that AHA treasure family - they come first.


Any business is what you make of it. And there are TWO sides to every story. I have found AHA to be fair and more importantly honest. As Leah stated, you have to experience it to believe.


I do not like having all the party goods delivered to me to distribute - what a hassle! I do not want to be charged to used credit cards from customers! What a hassle and cost to me! And I do not want to take money the night I made it and only deliver it right back. How confusing for me!.


If you have experience AHA you need to. I am a believer! I love AHA!


Stacey

Hi Ladies


I have not visited the WAHM message boards in a very long time. I just decided to jump on tonight and immediately noticed the negative posts concerning AtHome America.


I have been with AtHome America for two years and have never had anything charged to my debit card.


Our co-founders, Lisa Brandau and Becky Wright, are two of the most sincere, loving, geniune, honest and supportive ladies I have ever had the pleasure to know. Their first and foremost goal in operating AtHome America is to MAKE US HAPPY! They are truly our "FRIENDS AND BIGGEST FANS!!!!"


As for the individual who has chosen to use these message boards to air her complaints about AtHome America, I say, "it's too bad she didn't stay with us long enough to findout what is truly at "the heart" of AtHome America, it really has nothing to do with the HomeWares and everything to do with changing lives and making a difference in America!"


I am PROUD topart of the AtHome America Family and can give my "personal" guarantee that Lisa Brandau and Becky Wright would never take advantage of anyone under any circumstance.


Diane Brewer
HomeStyle Specialist/Bronze Star Executive
AtHome America
homestylewithdiane@yahoo.com
www.athome.com/dianebrewer (http://www.athome.com/dianebrewer)Edited by: Diane