stella & dot trunk show...direct sales??
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Anonymous
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I like the idea of shopping at a party so was happy to go when my friend recently became a stylist. I am going to buy a few pieces because i need jewellery anyway and loathe the idea of shopping around at different stores for hours when i like the S&D pieces i saw at the show... but quality is a concern and i will see when my delivery comes what happens...i have 3 months to return which i feel is a good policy.
My only question is why is this company so successful if it's not making people $$$ being a stylist? The comment above makes sense- that the success of Stella & Dot is from the $199 startup fee and all the investment of show pieces but is that really the case?Looks to me that there are other similiar jewellery co's so why is this one making the big bucks and leaving others in the dust? |
Anonymous
I started as a stylist with S & D after CXhristmas. I asked someone if I could be. Don't have to work, just wanted to earn some extra and have some fun with it. Never even heard of it before, just heard a freidn talking about her jewelry one day. YOU MUST BE PUSHY or you will not make it. I am not a pushy person, therefore, I have only held one trunk show in 3 months. No one wants to book one, free jewelry or not. I joined networking groups for women, where they want to sell you their product, but don't care about yours. I have spent over 3,000 on sample jewlery in a couple months so I would have a great display. I have worked very hard at trying to find bookings. these successful girls have so many stylists under them, that is how they make their money. Off of your hard work. I do not know friends who would have a show for me, or even come to a show if I had one. They are simply not ionterested. None of my friends work (either retired or don't have to), so I cannot do any type of office show. My best friend's friends are all on unemployment and don't have money to spend so she can't even have one for me. Your sponsors and upline are more interested in how many new stylists you can sponsor. How can I even think of asking someone to be a stylist, if I can't even get trunk shows scheduled myslef? I have worked very hard at this to no success. Now the summer line is coming out and I will buy more. Basically, I am getting alot of neat jewelry for myself and for gifts at half off (just for samples) regular prices are 25% off, and then I will sell what I don't want on Ebay where many stylists are doing the same thing, and people are buying it like crazy. Why not? Please do not get into this scheme, unless you have lots of money to invest because the $199.00 kit is nothing and you would be embarrassed to display it only at a show. It is a great tax deduction though, so hopefully my UNsuccess at this will lead me to a refund next year. That's the only good thing I can say right now. They do have support conference calls all the time, but if I have to listen to the traing person Danielle again for even 2 minutes, I would vomit. They have jewlery that is just as cute and trendy on the auctions on FB. I honestly cannot tell the difference between that and my S & D. Don't let these pushy people push you into something that will not work unless you are just as pushy. |
Anonymous
| I agree...Feeling obligated to buy overpriced jewellery is not good. Needless to say my friendship with my lovely Stella and Dot drone (I mean representative) has ended...13 years down the tubes because I was tired of getting invitations to shows as opposed to "how are you doing" email. |
Anonymous
| Oh and ALL of my Stella and Dot jewellery has tarnished or "peeled" I get more compliments on my really cheap costume jewellery than I do on this merchandise. |
Anonymous
| I find Stella and Dot overpriced and not as nice as Silpada. I think I'd rather hit small boutiques to buy one of a kind pieces rather than show up at work wearing a piece the person in the next office is also wearing. I do believe Stella and Dot gives stay at home moms something to do and gives them a way to get out and meet people. I think that is productive. |
Anonymous
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If you become a stylist get ready for your friends to desert you or stop returning your calls. Honestly a business should not be reliant on pushing your friends to purchase something they absolutely cannot afford and do not need.
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Anonymous
| Generally, I hate going to these events too particularly for crap I don't need aka overpriced jewelry. Why do I attend then? Sometimes, the friends are struggling financially. One had a job loss and is a relative, another is near bankruptcy. I go because I want to give them moral support and these parties are so public that if they don't have enough people show it would be embarassing for them. I feel these direct to home companies prey on vulnerable people. Sometimes people host these parties because they think it will increase their popularity within their friend group (ie the rep) and I generally decline them. I'll go if you are an otherwise close friend particularly one with a sad backstory and buy the cheapest thing offered. I'd rather just give my friend 20 dollars instead of buying something for 35 that my friend may get 5 to 7 dollars on and get something I don't need. However, I don't want my friend to feel bad and I know they would if I say I don't like costume jewelry, candles or flowery purses but I know you are doing poorly financially so here is 20 dollars. Folks whether you realize it or not when you host a party many people are buying things out of sympathy or feeling obligated from a social standpoint. |
Anonymous
| I cannot afford this jewerly - it is not something I want to spend my hard earned money on. I work full time - and often more than full time. I have been invited to upteen "parties" and have never attended. Although this does not appear to have affected any of my friendships, I feel akward about it. One stylist tries to hijack all neighborhood parties to sell S&D. One person even asked if she could set up her display at a neighbor child's birthday party?!!! Most of these people choose not to work (other than their S&D). I cannot help it but to feel that I am funding their ability to stay home.... |
Anonymous
| PP How do you get out of them without causing bad feelings? I get out of all the non-close friends ones but the close friends are difficult for me. Are you honest with them? What do you say? |
Anonymous
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Here's my experience: I have a friend who recently started selling S&D and I have been to two of her shows, just to support her. She's a sahm by choice, with a nanny to take care of her kids. She has literally never had a job in her life. She has more money than ANY of her friends, thanks to inheritance and her husband working. I'm happy for her that she has such a nice life, and I do enjoy her company, but she's losing all of her friends over this.
Watching her do the hard sell on people who truly can not afford to buy the, admittedly cute but over-priced jewlery is nauseating. People are talking about her behind her back, and they are not saying nice things. After her recent party, several people heard her say "I can't believe that b%#*ch didn't buy anything!" That "b^%$ch" is a single mom who lost her job and was under the mistaken impression that she had been invited to a party. The whole thing is ugly and out of control. I personally would never buy into one of these at home sales ventures. I do think it's tacky and low-class to try to sell merchandise to friends and family. I do not mind getting the invitations, most of which I decline, but the second someone starts questioning why I am not attending, or pressuring me to buy, I am judging them and the likelyhood of a continued friendship becomes unlikely. From everything I've seen first-hand and heard about from others, nearly no one actually makes any money on these things. If you are looking for a second job or trying to make ends meet, this is almost certainly NOT the way to do it. If you are bored and looking to buy a title to feel better about your life ($199 and suddenly you're a "stylist" just makes me laugh,) and have too many friends and are looking lose some, this is for you. |
Anonymous
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I very much resent the S&D speak where they talk all about how it is EMPOWERING to women and ENABLES women to do work they LOVE.
It is a pyramid scheme that provides the rep with some income, but a smidgen of income in comparison to everyone above them. It's not particularly creative either: you're a pawn in their grand scheme. Normally I don't care what other people do because I'm laid back and not very judge-y, but this company and others like it are predatory and I judge them. You may say that you don't pressure people to buy or have parties but if you're emailing and calling and chatting and posting it up about Stella and Dot, you're making people feel incredibly awkward time and time again. It's annoying, and it's putting the potential customer in a compromised position whether or not they purchase items from you. Sure, we can stop being your friend, but most women aren't going to do that. We're just going to tip toe around you and roll our eyes more often than we did before you became a rep. On a final note, stop calling women "girls" all the time. It's silly, and it demeans you, the company, and women in general. |
Anonymous
Sounds like your friend doesn't need the money. Why is she doing this? I'm surprised she'd find this 'fun'. Is this her new hobby? |
Anonymous
| Wow, I'm shocked at some of the comments here. It's so interesting to me that you feel it your jobs to judge others for there choices of work. A huge percentage of people who work for Stella & Dot do it on top of full time jobs and its no one's intent to make their friends feel uncomfortable. Most stylists do it for a little extra income, some great jewelry, and for funny. Maybe some of you need to just support your friends instead of judging them, I mean, it's jewelry for cryin' out loud. |
Anonymous
We wouldn't care or negatively judge you if your job was insert worst job you can think of that doesn't involve pestering friends. We care because we are personally negatively impacted but your business opportunity which is really just guilting your friends to part their hard earned cash. If this is so great sell only to strangers. |
Anonymous
| How is this different than the a rodan and fields sales people's? They bug me too! |