Torn Between Two Companies

[RachesMom]

Hi Ladies - I need your help!

I love both companies but need help deciding which to go with. Please message me all you want on which you think I should go with and why? I need to know opinions of others. They are both wonderful!!!

I am trying to choose between Premier Designs and Lia Sophia.

What are your opinions? Please be honest?

I know start up with Lia - not with Premier? I know requirements with Lia - not with Premier?

Please help!

Thanks,

Deanna

[Crissy]

Hi Deanna,
I will send you a pm about lia. I have been selling lia for over 4 years and can't say enough positive about our company.
Ultimatly, you must choose the company that you LOVE!
Make sure to check out our lia folder too
Good luck in your decision!

[Tazerplayer]

I would find one that you love and that you can afford to buy. Make sure that the costs of start up are within your budget. Not all companies charge annual fees or for the personal website. Check the commission and how it is given to you. Some seem better but you buy from the company a resale. Also when there is a sale or someone joins your team is there a cut in your commissions. Do you need to carry inventory?? Is that something you want to do? Is the company supportive and want you to succeed?

Do what makes you feel good. You feel good ~ You look good!!!!!
Any questions about Guy & Eva feel free to ask.

Jaime Crosby ~ Guy & Eva
Independent Style Advisor

[sue311]

Originally Posted by RachesMom

Hi Ladies - I need your help!

I love both companies but need help deciding which to go with. Please message me all you want on which you think I should go with and why? I need to know opinions of others. They are both wonderful!!!

I am trying to choose between Premier Designs and Lia Sophia.

What are your opinions? Please be honest?

I know start up with Lia - not with Premier? I know requirements with Lia - not with Premier?

Please help!

Thanks,

Deanna

I have seen pieces from both companies and I love them not so much the prices. I have bought pieces from Premier Designs (had to send back couple earrings as they changed). I dont like their silver pieces anymore....as mine have changed and I rarely wore them. I have couple gold and copper pieces that I still wear and love them.

My only concern with Lia Sophia is that there were so many consultants around doing it plus the start-up cost. Of course, this was over a year ago.

Have you bought any of the pieces or seen them? Also, startup and requirements are fine but what about website fee, hostess fee, shipping cost, credit card costs, business supplies. I know with Premier you dont carry inventory. I had a problem with that as I wanted my guests to take home their jewelry and not wait.

I wish you the best and if you have any questions about Cookie Lee, let me know.

[beekaycee]

Originally Posted by sue311

My only concern with Lia Sophia is that there were so many consultants around doing it plus the start-up cost. Of course, this was over a year ago.

Have you bought any of the pieces or seen them? Also, startup and requirements are fine but what about website fee, hostess fee, shipping cost, credit card costs, business supplies. I know with Premier you dont carry inventory. I had a problem with that as I wanted my guests to take home their jewelry and not wait.

I know several companies that have many more consultants than Lia Sophia has. I live in one of the highest Lia Sophia represented states, & I still feel like I have my own niche.

Our start up cost is only $149, which also is pretty normal for a DS company. The jewelry alone is worth over $1,000.

Lia Sophia's website is $10 per month (also pretty standard for the DS business)
Hostess Fee is $6 per $250 party. This is taken out directly from your paycheck.
Shipping is a flat rate $3.80 per order (CHEAP for UPS!)
Credit Card costs are $0000!!!
CHEAP business supplies.

We don't carry inventory, which is AMAZING. I don't have to guess what I can sell. My guests like it because I tell them I can get them a BRAND NEW piece of jewelry (as opposed to my worn samples) with their Lifetime Guarantee. I live close to our warehouse, so it comes quickly. & Even if I didn't live so close, the shipments are UPS, so that is pretty fast, anyway. Most orders through Lia Sophia are shipped next day after they are submitted.

[sbinder85]

I sell Premier and what got me hooked was not only the jewelry but how everyone is supportive of each other. The start up fee is $395 plus tax which includes catalogs, order forms, a handbook, website, these little poster boards that explains our hostess plan.. and some other items..message me and I can go into further details of what all is included.

Working with Premier you make 50% at each and every show you do no matter what the orders are.. if you have a $100 show you make $50.. you have a $500 show you make $250. Average Jewelers make roughly $1000 extra a month doing just 1 show a week for about 2-4hrs of work (set up, tear down and entering orders). We have no quotas, no inventories, and no deliveries. Shipping is just $4 no matter what the total order is and the jewelry packaged by order and shipped automatically to the Hostess and she passes the jewelry out to those who ordered.

It's truly an awesome company who treats everyone like a family.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

[gajewelrylady]

In making your decision be sure you compare 'apples to apples'..... By that I mean don't just look at the commission rate of 30% with lia sophia to 50% with premier. You earn 30% commission on both full price AND half price sales with lia sophia and only on full price with premier. You should also research average party sales to get an idea for potential earnings. Anyone can throw a number at you and say "oh with $1000 in sales you'll earn X amount of money", but if the averge show isn't $1000 that number is meaningless.

You also want to compare the cost of doing business. What do you pay for supplies, what kind of discount do you get on samples, what are your costs (if any) for your hostess program, etc. Find out how you get more jewelry for your display other than buying samples. Can you host a party yourself, get paid AND get the hostess benefits? Do you incur costs for processing credit cards or does the company do it for you? Is there an option for a personal website and what does it cost? Don't be afraid of asking too many questions....the only wrong question is the one you don't ask.

Don't let the number of consultants in your area sway your decision too much. The reality is that at any given time, 30% of the consultants are actively working their business, 30% are on their way in to the business and 30% are on their way out. There is room for anyone who wants to work a business and is willing to put in time and effort.

Finally, don't be afraid to "interview" potential uplines. You don't have to sign with the first person you meet or get from the company locator. Your upline should be your partner and business coach. She needs to understand what you want from your business and be able to help you define a vision and a plan that will help you be successful. She is NOT your boss and shouldn't put her expectations for her business on you.

Obviously I'm partial to lia sophia. I've been with the company for almost 9 years and it's my full time job. Every company has something good to offer, but I honestly believe we have the best programs for the customer, the hostess, and the advisor of any jewelry company in direct sales. Our jewelry is on-trend and appeals to every age, taste, and budget. The home office is always working to provide us with the best possible resources for selling and recruiting. I can't speak for every group, but my team all the way up through our Exec. Field VP (who is also my direct upline) is very close and we support and encourage each other.

I don't think you can go wrong by trying lia sophia. With the low cost of our starter kit, you should make your kit investment back with your first party and be "in the black", earning both money and free jewelry!

[Allura]

As an owner of a competing jewelry company, I can assure you that they are both great companies. I do think that sometimes people get too caught up in comparing the details of the programs and making their decisions because of them.

We worked with some of the top Comp plan experts in the industry, and the plans, fees and intricate details can be so complex that it is difficult to accurately compare them. But it's easy to decide if you love the product, or if your friends will want to book parties to help you sell it. And the lowest shipping cost or a free hostess plan won't matter if you don't get bookings and sell with a passion.

What I also think is critical and often overlooked are the tools the company provides you to get bookings and attendance. For example, at AllieCat Jewelry, we let a hostess give every attendee a free handmade petite pendant worth up to $15..no purchase necessary. And we give them to our Consultant free, shipping too. Why? Who wouldn't want to offer everyone a free piece of jewelry just for stopping by? Lots of bookings, lots of attendees!

So I'd suggest you consider the product, the company and the tools as carefully as you consider comp plans.