WAHM Forums

I know what makes Party Plans a big hit with people, and it’s not just the products. We women love getting together right? Most of us like shopping right? It’s a GREAT combo IMO. Anyway I was kind of shocked when I asked a friend of mine what she thought of a company I am looking at. She said “I can go to Walmart to find that stuff”. Now I don’t think she looked very close because last time I check Walmart does not personalize bags with embroidery for you, but anyway, what shocked me about her comment is that she has sold for almost as many companies as me, so she knows that almost all party plan products can be “found at Walmart” (at least a similar item). I just don’t get it that mentality. Fine it’s not your style, no biggie not everyone like everything, but hello we all know that most stuff sold at Walmart is crap anyway, lol.

That was a thoughtless comment on her part, sicne she knows about home businesses.


Yes, you can get what we sell, or some version of it, at walmart, target, etc....but not the EXACT thing. You can go into any health food store and get juice drinks but there are still a ton of home based compabies that do well.
Same thing with makeup, skincare, candles(my biz)..you can get them in stores but not the same. I personally think that many home based businesses have better quality items than in the stores anyway, plus its a whole other way of shopping...more personal, more fun, and helping"the little guy(or girl..lol)", not the huge corporation....kwim?

People should think before they speak....dont let her comment bother you too much

http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif
Debra

I've heard that from people too. I figure if they have that mentality they are not into having a home party and unfortunatly do not make good hostesses.

I usually respond with something like "Well you cant party at wal mart and you dont have a blast shopping like you can in your own home !"

Plus....as consultants we give better customer service than Walmart! No fighting crowds, not getting whats left after its picked over, no driving around searching for a parking space or putting up with other rude customers.

We can spend one on one time with our customers and help them to select the products they need and those fat cat stores usually don't offer the same type of guarantees or warranty on those similar products.

I think the qualityof products in DS businesses is a lot better plus I get satisfaction when I buy from DS Sellers that I am helping someone to work from home!

and let's not forget the amazing opportunity for hostess to get FREE products and 1/2 price, also depending on what is being sold, you get free consultation, learning like the pampered chef, fashion, plus free refreshments and of course lots of laughter and bonding w/ other women.

I totally agree with you that the products found at Wal Mart are crap and I refuse to support that store because they put the "mom and pop" stores out of business. I would much rather pay double than step foot in that store. I hate Wal Mart.

I have had a few people make comments over the past couple of year just like you are talking about. I was standing and talking with a friend that sells Tupperware one afternoon and another women we both knew came up to talk....she asked what we were talking about and I said we were talking about some new things Tupperware just came out with and she made the same comment..."I can buy that at Wal Mart for half the price". I thought that was pretty rude and took a lot of nerve to say. I don't know if people don't think before they speak or don't care if they hurt people's feelings but it's just rude.

There is a huge difference between "crap" and quality products. I agree!

AND just try to back to Walmart when their plastic crap breaks or MELTS in the dishwasher and ask for a replacement. I lost the cover to my Tupperware cannister set when I moved my consultant replaced it. I really hate Walmart too. PC warranties everything .

I agree. It's about quality and personal service!

I totally agree with you that the products found at Wal Mart are crap and I refuse to support that store because they put the "mom and pop" stores out of business. I would much rather pay double than step foot in that store. I hate Wal Mart.

I hate that store too and REFUSE to buy anything at Walmart! I haven't shopped there for years!

My customers don't get someone from Walmart who will deliver to their door or come to their house last minute.
They don't get someone who calls them to check and see if they need anything , and they will not have as much fun shopping at walmart as they would around a table of laughing women enjoying good eats and drinks!
Not gonna happen!

no driving around searching for a parking space or putting up with other rude customers.


RUDE customers? AT Walmart???I'm shocked!
LOL

dont forget the rude cashiers too

LOL! This is so true and sort of funny. Some folks just don't get it.....nor want to. We just have to accept them and move on to those that appreciate quality and service.

There are many times when I know I am paying more for something but I do so because I appreciate the service that is involved with it.

Just recently I realized something regarding soda. We don't drink much soda at our home so it was one of those E-Duh moments! LOL!

Anyhow, We like to pick up a 2 liter of soda when we order pizza, but I thought to myself, why is it so much more expensive at the pizza shop?
You can pick up a 2 litter bottle for around $1.50, but at a pizza shop you are paying $2 plus for one.


Then I realized.....Ah ha.....convenience and service! Is it worth it? Well, to me it is. Rather than making two stops, fighting with kids, getting in and out of vehicles, etc., it can all be done with one stop.

And......for the rest of the story! LOL!

Happy TGIF!http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

I do know that what I offer my customers usually can't be found in a store such as Wal-Mart, Target or even Michaels. - Personal knowledge and experience with the products. I teach my customers how to use our products and show them how it can be used. I don't remember the last time I went to any of these stores and had a hands on demonstration of any product.I'm also just a phone call or email away when they get stuck at 8pm in the kitchen and can't remember where they put their recipe. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif Now can you put a price tag on that?
I have had customers say the same thing to me at a few of my classes. I just remind them that I provide great customer service if they have any problems. That normally keeps them quiet the rest of the night about finding it somewhere else.

I always buy from direct sellers whenever possible! From skin care to candles, jewelry to bedding I LOVE supporting other WAHM's!

I always find it funny, the people who are so cheap are the same ones who complain about the economy and the loss of jobs. And yet, for their personal purchases, it is all about how cheap they can get it for themselves and they are critical of anyone who sells anything. Some people lump all people who sell anything as if they are crooks taking advantage of hardworking folks.

Now as for one of my "friends" telling me I could buy something at Walmart, well, they probably would get an earful from me. Hopefully, Walmart will sell them some friends cheap like themselves. I don't like cheap people. I know we value things differently, but cheap is not something I can respect much.

I realize that everyone values things differently. I like a cute handbag, but I don't care a thing if it is a designer. I think it is foolish to pay $100 or more for a purse or for shoes. But that is what some people care about and that is fine.

But there are some things I am willing to pay alot of money for. Like Skincare. I love Arbonne and Aloette. Wrinkles are my enemy! SoI will pay what I have to save my face. Idon't buy makeup at discount stores because I neverget the correct color. So I am willing to pay a bit more to be able to sample it ahead of time.I pay alot for my clothes because I am a larger gal and I need them to fit properly to look good. Larger lady clothes tend to cost more. Yes, Walmart has some large lady clothes for $15-$20. I shop at Catherine's alot. But looking good is somethign I take pride in, even if I am large. I am willing to pay to look good.

I used to love to get invited to a scrapbooking workshop because asI worked on my pages, I was able to buy what I needed from the rep right there.For awhile, a gift shop that also sold scrapbooking items also held workshops.I would pay more to be able to buy and use the items as needed.

As for Tupperware, I think that if you are active in the kitchen and cook alot, it is a great investment. Your leftovers are kept fresher. Your produce lasts much longer (the fridge fresh line is great!). There is also room for Gladware in that you can send those leftovers home with someone. But the seal is certainly not as good as Tupperware. So I am willing to pay extra. The only bad thing about Tupperware (from the consultant perspective) is that it lasts so long, you only need so much! I have the same set of storage bowls that I have been using for over 15 years and they are still my "go to" bowls. I also have the fridge fresh line (which I highly recommend).

Pampered Chef. Well Walmart has stolen lots of their products and ideas. But I will say that I know if I buy something from PC, it is quality and it will last and I can put it in the dishwasher without worry.

For the most part, if there is any sort of fador discovery in buying something (remember when scrapbooking first came out), Walmart will jump on it and you will start seeing it in their stores. That bothers me alot but like you all said, just because it looks the same, doens't mean it holds up the same.

I do shop at Walmart for some things. I don't buy their meat because our local market has better prices honestly. I try to use our local pharmacy if possible but sometimes they don't have what I need and I have to go to Walmart to get it. Our nearest Walmart is over 30 miles away so I prefer to buy local if I can and the difference isn't double.Like groceries.

hmm, as I read over this, I realize that I am willing to pay more for alot of items. I guess I better get off here and sell some of my line to pay for it :)

You all make tremendously good points and I totally agree. While I still shop at the dreaded "W" store, it is more for the convenience of getting everything in one place. Like Leanne though, I don't buy our meat there since we get ours from a local farmer and we have it processed the way we like it.

Another point is this...as a hostess, you can not walk into ANY store and say..."I want that for free and that for 1/2 price since I have brought my friends and they are going to buy a few things." Can you imagine the response from that sales person??

Like many, I look for deals and sales, but that is the great thing about direct sales. Host a show, choose what you want to be on sale. Some people will always buy the cheap stuff thinking they are getting such an awesome deal. If they only would realize that they will end up using more to get the same effect as our high quality products OR have to purchase items over and over again to replace the cheap things that don't last.

You are telling the true, I also have same opinion about it.

I really hate when people say things like that! When I sold Avon I had someone say that Avon was to expensive but asked for a book anyway. Called later to place an order, when it came in I gave her a call, got a message saying "this is ________ and if you're lucky I'll return your call!" Never received a call back and left it at that. Another time I was out knocking on doors and an elderly lady answered the door. She said "why don't you people get out and find a regular job!". I appoligised for desturbing her and walked away, then she said "And don't leave those books on my doorstep either, I've told others not to and they still did" When I was out I would just pass her house by. One day she was out when I was making my rounds. I greeted her nicely and she just looked at me funny. Another time when I was selling for a basket party plan one of the guests said "I can get all the baskets I want in yard sales!" That remark cause noone to place an order. I've never let things like this get to me but with the basket remark and all the time I spent there I was a little upset!

This goes to show you how some people can be!

Oh, my grandson works for Walmart as a night stocker but on black friday this year he worked an earlier shift and got cused out by a deaf lady! He didn't know it until she gave him the finger ! ! ! !

So don't feel bad I think we all have had some kind of problems in our line of work.

Barbara

In a recent study performed by the DSA, the number one reason people have "parties" is to get together with friends and have fun. It's not because of the products! Although, I do believe most DS companies have MUCH better products then Walmart, Target, etc. The quality is not the same. Sure, I can go to Walmart or Target to buy a candle, but does it smell when you light it?? NO!! So, to me, that's just a waste of money. I would rather spend a few extra dollars for a quality product and I know I can always get that with a DS company. Don't let ignorant people get you down. Just move on and know that you have an awesome product that lots of other people would love to buy from you! Good luck!

Janine, just checked out your website. What a great idea! Congrats!

Thank you! That's very sweet of you to say! We're very excited about our new venture. We figured we could help indie businesses plus help consumers save some money....in this economy, every little bit helps!

This is a great thread! I admit that I do shop at Walmart at times for groceries because it is close and convenient to get everything at one place. However I am willing to pay more for specialty items that I know I can't get at Walmart. Sometimes it looks like people are having a party at my local Walmart, but I know they can't sample gourmet chocolates like they can with me and not get arrested. :D

I find people say these things because they are ignorant and really don't know what they are talking about. Its their loss- missing out on a fun night with friends and free stuff!!

Brings up a great point- if your company sold products that were also sold in stores would you find this a help or hinderance?

Ours are exclusive but I know there are a couple of companies out there who do...so I thought this was interesting...