WAHM Forums

Right now I am trying to decide between joining a jewelry party plan or
bath and body party plan. I really like both companies (both are well
established), their plans, and love both of their products, so I am not
quite sure which one to choose. The price to start both plans is almost
the same, so that is not a factor.



With the bath and body products, I think I might be able to get more repeat customers because it is a consumable product.



With jewelry, however, I am not sure how many repeat customers I can
get since some of the pieces can be somewhat pricey. The jewelry is
extremely high quality and beautiful, but I am afraid that I will
continually have to find new customers.



I have contacted a few consultants from each of the companies to hear
their experiences, but that hasn't really helped in my decision since
they have all said positive things!



I would be excited to sell either of the products, so I honestly can't
decide! Does anyone have any advice or opinions on which type of plan
may be better to join?

I don't have experience selling either one really, we have some bath & body but it'sjust part of a broader product line. My thought is though that like you said, you'd probably get more repeat customers with bath & body. I think you'd have more flexibility too... like one thing I'm planning to do later on is have spa parties to feature our skin care, cosmetics, etc, that ladies could come to and bring their friends. No sales pressure, just a fun night where they could get to know the products. Things like that. If you're doing jewellery, it would pretty much just be sales, and I'm not sure what your market would be like. I know myself I wouldn't be interested in jewellery as a customer, most of mine comes from the department store smileys/smiley1.gif

You bring up some very valid points. I am just starting with a B&B biz, and one of the many reasons I decided to sign up is the fact that the products are consumable.


Idon't think that one type of businessis better than the other though. It simply boils down to what type of business works for you; what is the best fit for you.


Good luck with your decision. I wish I could help more.


Michele


P.S. -Maybe you could just sign up with both smileys/smiley2.gif

Hi! I love bath and body, but like kaaryn said about jewelry, I buy it at Wal-Mart. I don't however buy jewelry at Wal-Mart or anywhere else because #1 the real stuff is too expensive and #2 the other stuff at the retail outlets tends to fall apart very quickly.


I am with Latasia Jewelry and since I've started holding parties at the end of Feb. I have been so busy I can't see straight. I love it! I love it and have not struggled with bookings and have the prior hostesses and customers both ordering on every party that comes up. I love the guarantee that we have on our jewelry, something department stores selling fashion jewelry don't have. I love the quality and cuts of the stones, they are absolutely brilliant. I love the fact that I'm wearing different things than people see each and every day when they go into stores. Our hostess program is second to none. I just closed out a regular old catalog party today that was $568 in sales and the Hostess got $257 in free jewelry and then another $100 worth for just $20!! I also love that I made $280!!!! My sales at the home shows have been higher than that. I'm averaging 2 and 3 bookings from each one because of the awesome hostess program! Also, when they book at a party and hold theirs within 30 days of that night they get to choose any of our $50 Hostess Exclusive Pieces for that month for half price the night their party holds and when bookings come off of their party and hold within 30 days, they get any ring in the book for $7.50, no matter if it's a $20 ring or $100 ring! They also get an additional $30 in credit for a cost of $3 to them just for getting their guest list back to you within 3 days of booking. So, the incentives are there for them to book and encourage their friends to book off them.


Everyone is going to have different opinions. It's going to be the same where you live. You are going to have people love a product and then run into people who just don't care about it. So you are going to have to go with which one you like the best, are the most passionate about and which one you will enjoy yourself the most. If you aren't having fun, you won't get out there and get to the people that will say yes.


Let us know what you decide!! Best wishes!!

It really is going to have to come down to which you feel that you could work the best at selling


I agree that there are those that buy thier Bath & Body at Walmart - BUT thier are those who buy at Victoria Secrets, and all the Fancy Mall shops


There are also those who buy thier jewelry at Kays, Target etc


So it will really all depend on which you can be the most hyped in - whichever one you will need to use it to sell it - be your best advertising - look at which will give you more options of selling to reach your goals- can you do home parties, online parties, single orders, sell at craft shows - what are the acceptable means for which you can advertise both to get your name out


I Rep for 4 Home Biz, 1 being a Bath & Body - why because Ioffer my customers fresh made at the time of order product that does NOT sit on a warehouse shelf before it hits the store - PLUS Ioffer my customers over 90 scents to choose from - THEY have a CHOICE in the scents of the products - they dont have tosettle for one of the from the 5-10 scetns that stores carry


And lastly the line that I use in my ads and that you also mentioned - "Consumable Products = Repeat Orders" - it is true - I Rep for 3 Biz that are consumable


Whatever you decide do share with us and I wish you the BEST, as a new venture is always so exciting


Tonja

One of the reasons I joined Avon was because I wanted both Bath & Body and jewelry. It is really hard to decide what to sell, becausewe all have more than one type of product that we love.


I do have many repeat jewelry customers, but I have more repeat B & B customers, plus I sella lot of skin care andmake up. Jewelry is my passion and AVON has some really beautiful pieces at VERY good prices.


You really need to join the company that you will be most excited about, because that is going to be a big part ofbeing great at selling.


I wish you the best ~

I agree with the other posts. You have to choose the business that appeals to YOU most. You will find customers, and repeat customers, for both businesses. I would check out the hostess plans and compare. Which can be more appealing and more free stuff for the customers? Which compensation plan is better for you?


With Premier Designs jewelry, I have many repeat retail customers. But, my main business comes from the home parties. Women want to get the FREE jewelry for having the home show!! Plus, as jewelers we make 50% off everything we sell!


Good luck and keep us posted! smileys/smiley2.gif

In the long term, I would start first with bath & body- because it is a consumable product & if your customers like your product they more than likely will keep coming back. I don't sell jewelry, but think it would be harder to sell(at least in my area).Good luck with whatever you decide to do.


Rosalee Decker-HGP Designer www.ywave.com/~zelmyrs/ (http://www.ywave.com/~zelmyrs/) "This is the day the Lord has made; rejoice & be glad in it." smileys/smiley17.gif

Wrtie out a list of postivies and negatives and see what happens.


Sure..bath and body stuff is consumable. But you hav to keep some instock to show. And it runs out. And that eats up some of your profits because you have to re-order stock to show. Plus you have to keep the foot tubs, towelsand supplies cleaned up every night you do a show. With jewelry, it's not consumable but you also don't need to use you profits to keep buying more.


The commission might be the same but what is the average show sales for each company. That could make a huge difference. Good luck!

dsmom


Hows the hunt going?





cindy

Thank you everyone for posting your replies! smileys/smiley4.gif I really appreciate hearing what everyone has to say...although, I am probably more confused now than I was before.



I am leaning more towards the jewelry right now, but I have been
reading some of the different boards and I have become strangely
intrigued by the romance party plans.smileys/smiley9.gif They are something that I never</span>
thought I would consider, but they seem like they would be a lot of fun
and it could be an untapped market. I just have no idea how I would
begin to approach people to have a party without them thinking I was
weird.



I need to stop reading about all these different plans and focus!

</span>

If your interested in the romance party plans, my roomate is with one. her website is www.temptationparties.com/3737 (http://www.temptationparties.com/3737) I can give you her email if you want to pm me.





blessings in your search


cindyEdited by: cinnabunch

There are definately a lot of choices. Goodluck in your decision making.

I think that Latasia and country bunny are both great party plans...but for my I choose princess house cause I simply love the product and it's something that is appealing to alot of people too.

I don't want to make this a hug issue. I just know ALOT of HGP Reps left due to all these fees.

I would consider a company with the largest selection of products possible - especially one with a LOT of consumables - if you want long term success !


I would go for both - I did - and a lot more !! I hate to be limited - and don't go for anything that limits how you sell either - go for creativity so you can sell in a variety of venues !!


Best of luck to you -


Let me know if you want to talk more -


Meg


(aka free spirit - LOL)

I say follow your heart sweetie!

I am still no further in deciding between the jewelry company and the bath and body company! I would most likely make more in total sales on the jewelry during one party than on the bath and body company's products, but again, people may come back to reorder for the bath and body and not for the jewelry.


I am really considering joining both, but Ithinkto be successful in the long run, I would really need to put my time and energy into one.


Anyone have any thoughts? I already know both companies allow you to be a consultant for other companies until you get into higher positions.


For those of you that have more than one business, do you find that you don't have the time to market all the companies to people, especially since you can't market the products together?

The choice is yours,you have to decide what you are most excited about!smileys/smiley1.gifIf you can handle two biz's than thats great.There are lots of people on this board that have multiple companies and are doing great.Good Luck in deciding!Thats always the hardest part!I am a rep for three companies and my take on that is,if you keep organized and manage your time wisely,than you will do just fine.Of course there are people that will say that having multiple biz's will cause you to stretch yourself too thin,but for me it has been working out just fine.

dsmom,
You mentioned that you might be interested in a Romance company. I have to say from personal experience the romance parties have been the easiest to get bookings for. It’s a fact that sex and romance sell, just look all around you I’m sure you can see what I mean.
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The other big thing about romance products is you can’t go to Wal-mart or Target to them. Sure there are stores to go to but most women don’t want to go and you can’t turn things on or taste the edible lotions in those stores.

I don’t know if I would say that bath and body gets any more reorders that any other company. I know I don’t always order my stuff from just one rep or just one company. However, I’m sure with any of the companies you can get repeat orders. You get reorders by keeping in contact with your customers.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

OK&lt; Here is my 2cents, yes bath &amp; body is a consumable product, as is skin care and make up. Which by the way I sell all of those with my company. But the other more important thought to that is there is no one specific targeted market, meaning I sell my products to men and women, old and young.... there are no limitations. Quality product, reasonable price, people come back for that! It can be consumable, but be a so-so product and people will go elswhere. I know a lot more people care about the quality- its all about what you get for what you are paying for.... And also the values behind the company matter to a lot more people today than ever before.... make a difference, whatever it is you are doing!

Maybe way the differences in the compensation plans,if there are monthly quotas etc. It was mentioned above the amounts of products.Prices?And of course go with your heart..Thats a biggy.Which one do you think you would have more fun selling.


Lot's of luck in your search!smileys/smiley2.gif

Do whichever feels right to you. I joined lia sophia because I loved the jewelry and wanted it at the discount price! (the money's great too.) We change catalogs every 6 months, so I have a lot of hostesses that have had 2 or 3 shows for me since I started (Feb-05). Looks/trends are constantly changing so I have a lot of repeat customers as well. Iagree with the earlier post and suggest looking into compensation/quotas, etc. Figure out which works best for you. Bath and Body wasn't an option for me when I started (I didn't know of any company), jewelry just fell into my lap, and there are lots of Avon and Mary Kay ladies here where I live. Pick the job that will make you money, and that you can have fun with. (Jewelry for me- I'm like a raccoon...if it sparkles, I want it) If you do choose Bath and Body products- please send me the link to your website. I also love that stuff,,,I just might be your best customer@ smileys/smiley36.gif) Good luck to you!

Hi DsMom,


Let me know if you would like to know more on the Romance Biz! I love it and the bookings are out of this world! I'm very very busy.


You can email me at jotrv6@aol.com


Visit my website at www.jodysromance.com (http://www.jodysromance.com) or click on my banner. smileys/smiley2.gif

dsmom~


Go with what you get most excited about when you think about the products! If you are excitedabout them......your customers will be too!! You have to love your products/company first......that will keep you going!


Just my two cents!!


Have a great day!

I had to laugh about the Romance consideration. When I posted my
"top choices" here--someone mentioned that you can't buy romance
products at Walmart. That opened a door that I never knew that I
would consider. I signed with Spice It Up last year because of
that one comment. And FYI, of all the party plans I have tried, I
have never had any problem getting bookings with SIU. However, I
have since basically "given" my biz--bookings and all--to my
sister. I found the parties loads of fun, but just not quite what
I wanted to be doing with my life.



Anyway, for me--I would go with jewelry instead of B &amp; B just
because I love jewelry and am terrible about even remembering to use
all the B &amp; B products that I have already!