WAHM Forums

Weekenders? I'm looking to hear the good, the bad and the ugly and you guys are always the first people I come to! I received an info packet today from a rep about 50 miles from me, and I'm quite intrigued. I've been putting my feelers out and looking at other companies to add to my Linen World biz ( which BTWis FINALLYpicking up!smileys/smiley1.gif) and I visited the Weekenders site and couldn't believe my eyes...they have revamped their line and the clothes are great! They started a new line geared for 30 somethings and it's adorable. Since there is no rep in my surrounding area, I don't know much about it and would like to hear from you guys what you have ever heard, thought or otherwise.


Thanks bunches!
Lisa


Edited for typosEdited by: lisa_1228

I have heard their clothes are amazing. Last forever! I have not purchased any myself. When Petra went under I did look at them but couldn't afford the start up at the time and where I live, people won't pay as much as they charge for their stuff. That's not a bad thing on Weekenders, but it wouldn't work around here. I was surprised that people around here would spend $40 on a pj set with Petra. Everyone compares everything to Wal-Mart here and it's hard to get them out of that mindset.


Anyway, I think they are an awesome company. Just research their comp plan and start up. Think of how many parties you'd have to do to make what you want to make and think of how you'd market to getthe kind ofclientele you'll need to pay for the clothes. Pray about it and if the Lord gives you a good feeling about it, go for it! He'll bring the people in contact with you that you need to make it a success!!


Let us know what you decide!!!

Your a doll Krystal..I always know I can count on you for encouragement!


Yes, the stuff is real nice...a little pricey, but not outrageous. I suppose it might generate more parties if women want the stuff a little cheaper by getting the hostess benefits. Thanks for your input...as always you are an inspiration!


Lisa

I've seen weekenders, but not lately. They do have wonderful clothes. You need to know your market. Out here, there aren't very many as the clothes are a bit high end, in other areas, they do very well. If you are the only one, and in a good market that could sustain the prices, wow, it might be a great opportunity. Check the comp plan and the hostess plan(that's a key thing). Also, do they change their product line frequently, how much inventory do you have to carry, those are important for any company you would check into. Also, check to make sure your company allows you to sell for two different companies.


Hope this helps,


Marie with Taste of Home Entertaining. www.mupdike.tohe.com

I met a weekenders rep two weeks ago at a conference I set up at . I saw the clothes and they do look wonderful. I know she did really well that day as she sold some outfit to be uniforms for the massage therepists at a local spa. I did talk with the rep to here her pros and cons of her business as I like to know what every business offers their people. I do know they are not permitted to do any print advertising as far as in publications and they are also not allow to have their own website so that it has been a little harder for this rep to market herself because of this. I do however think their clothes look fantastic and very business casual which is so in in this day and age.

I like this board, I learn so much. My company has quite a few guidelines on what we can and can't do. Many of the DSA companies do now a days. I've looked at many. We have a company website, but they don't allow us to have our own website. We can advertise, but only locally and only their preapproved items. They had a really long explaination why. The companies do this so everything stays uniform. I'm kind of glad I don't have to come up with my own website. You do need to look very closely at the dos and don'ts. Remember, you have a lot of friends here on the board, so when you talk to a rep a company, feel free to come back and ask us or even check out their site on the board or in the DSA section. Take your time and research. Sorry, it's late and I'm running on.


Marie - Taste of Home Entertaining. www.mupdike.tohe.com (http://www.mupdike.tohe.com)


make preparing food and entertaining fun for the whole family

I have a Weekender's Skirt that I love. I've had it for more than a year and it's black and still just as black as can be. Usually I wash it in cold to keep it that way, but I've also washed in warm and it's still fine. Plus I've dried it in the dryer without it shrinking. I would love to have more of their clothes, but for my budget they are too expensive. But then they last and last too. So...it's one of those dilemmas.

I purchased an outfit almost 5 years ago and I still have it and it is still in great condition. I purchased it at a vendor blendor type function right off the rack and the rep never kept in touch. It was an impulse buy and if I had really thought about it I probably wouldn't have spent that much, but in hindsight it was a great deal for a good quality outfit that has lasted years.

I know the product is great quality and everyone who has some of the pieces swears they last forever. My mom and MIL used to have a rep and I always thought the stuff was nice, but really dated and "older". Now they have a new line and have updated the old. I believe they introduce new lines in the srping and fall. I am expecting a call from a rep and I'll get more info then. It is quite a bit to get started, although you can do it for a couple hundred, but if you buy all the sets at once ( around 1k ) you automatically go up to the 40% commission rate. IF you start lower, you accumulate sales and the higher your sales go up, the more your commission goes up until you reach the 40%. you never lose it once you get there.


Thanks for your input...keep it coming!
Lisa

I had a weekenders show a couple years ago. I still have the shirt I got. Although the prices were really expensive, I still loved their things.





Good Luck!

Hi there! I agree that the clothes are pretty nice, especially if they have come out with a new line. My friend who was a rep only had one complaint. She did not have a lot of options when ordering the new lines. It was expensive, all in one size and you could not pick and choose colors, etc. It was just all in a kit. So if there was a shirt that you really didn't like, and didn't plan on showing, you got it anyway. That was a couple of years ago, it might have changed, but it is something to look into. Good luck!

Valerie
marykay.com/vschaefer

Hi there,


Even though I am not a Weekenders rep I absolutely love their clothes. Some people say that their pieces a kinda pricey, but they last forever and the best of it all - No DRY CLEANING!!!!


Their clothing line has changed over the years and I absolutely love their new Spring/Summer line. I could go broke buying thier clothes, but they are worth it.smileys/smiley36.gif


I hope that helps. Good luck with your decision


Thysis

Thanks girls for your input...as far as ordering kits, you are able to choose your sizes, but there are "kits" you have to order, not mix and match...however in the brochure I got, you could choose from 2 different sets and both had different colors inthem, so maybe that aspect has changed over the last few years.


I know they are great clothes and everyone who has them loves them! I'm still undecided.


Valerie: Is your friend still a rep, and did she do well with it? Just curious.


Thanks again everyone! Lisa

I did it once several years ago - the clothes are top quality and do last a long time - they are fairly pricey -


I had to get out cause the investment at the change of each season was just more than I could afford every time. It was breaking me financially - and it was party plan only so that wasn't working for me either - I like the freedom to sell in different ways -


But as I said the product is very good quality - I still buy a piece now and then


hth


MegEdited by: Meg J

Lisa,



It sounds like you are already working with someone, but I just wanted
to chime in because I just joined Weekenders this month after modeling
in a fashion show! The new JOY collection is absolutely the
best! I had my first presentation last Friday with a few friends
and neighbors and sold $700 with 2 future bookings. I am really
excited about it. My sales manager is Joellen Sutterfield!



Good luck!

Hi Lisa, no my friend did not last long in the business because of what Meg just said, at the change of every season, it's another investment. After doing a few parties with her friends, she no longer had bookings and just quit. We even did a combined MK and weekenders event at my house. I sold a lot while she didn't. People said it was overpriced. However, I also know people who didn't succeed with MK, and I have. I don't think you should make your judgement on what other people think, but on your passion.
I think the drawbacks are that it is not a consumable product, and that not everyone likes the clothing. Also that you have to buy the new line every season, and use them as demos. I don't believe you sell your demos, so it is your investment without return.
The positives are- you make 40% which is a fairly good amount. If you establish customers, they will probably want the newer lines. The company has a decent reputation as far as I can tell.

Best of Luck,
Valerie

Actually, you can</span> sell your samples at the end of the season!smileys/smiley32.gif
My team upline reccommended that to me right from the start. Of course,
the samples that I ordered in my size I will keep, but the others I
will be selling to customers or party guests at a discount in August. I
will use that money to purchase the Fall line samples. We don't carry
inventory, just the sample packs, the company fills the orders for your
parties. You can invest in one or two sample presentation packs
or all of them, it's your choice!



Valerie is right in that
you can't judge your success based on others. Not everyone succeeds in
Direct Sales, but others are very successful. It was worth the
investment for me because I was in need of a new summer wardrobe! smileys/smiley36.gif


Oh and just to clear up the website thing, we do have the opportunity
to have our own personal website (click the link below) it is not a
shopping cart site, but it does show the clothes and has some fun ideas
etc. The customer can contact the consultant when they click on "how to
order"



Feel free to contact me with questions if you don't get them answered
by the person you are signing up under. Just be sure to
base your decision on facts from the company. I have all the
information since I just recently signed up and I'd be happy to share
with you.



Good luck with your decision!


Edited by: metsmom

Thanks girls...I appreciate your honesty and opinions! Thats why I love it here!


Cheryl...I sent you a PM


Lisa

I got your message. I pm'd you back! Ask me any questions you might have, I'd be happy to help!smileys/smiley2.gif

How exactly are the clothes designed so that they hold up so well? Are there any online shops?

Weekenders uses high quality knits and construction. If you launder
them properly they will last for years! The styles are simple but mix
and matchable so they stay in style. The new JOY collection is a trendy
new line that just came out this year to complement the traditional
Weekenders line.



Weekenders can only be purchased through an independent coordinator
either by attending a presentation, or having a one on one appointment
or ordering directly from the coordinator (via the catalog or after
viewing the styles on the website) I'd be happy to send you a
catalog to view. Also, feel free to visit my website (link below) and
browse around!



The Weekenders USA site is down for maintanance tonight (May 29), try tomorrow, sorry for the inconvenience!


Edited by: metsmom