stella & dot trunk show...direct sales??

[Anonymous]

I attended a stella & dot trunk show yesterday afternoon at a friends house and just loved it. The stylist was so cute and trendy that it made me want to sign on. I have never sold anything in my life. Does anyone have experience with direct sales? if so, what do you think? I think it would be a great way to earn some extra cash. TIA

[Anonymous]

If you don't mind bugging the crap out of family and friends, than go for it. Most people I know are sick of these type of sale and unless you are one of the first in your area/social group to do this, you won't make a lot of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't mind bugging the crap out of family and friends, than go for it. Most people I know are sick of these type of sale and unless you are one of the first in your area/social group to do this, you won't make a lot of money.

I totally agree with this. I have been invited to at least 3 stella & dot shows just this past year alone.

[Anonymous]

While I agree the jewelry looks cute, it is overpriced and poorly made, too.

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine from college sells Lia Sophia and has made a lot of money doing so...you have to be very sales oriented and not mind asking a lot of people to help you get started.

[Anonymous]

I have a necklace from stella and dot, and honestly, it's pretty nice. Now, I have multiple friends selling multiple types of jewelry and I've been invited to WAY to many parties. I'd get tired to bugging friends and family to buy stuff though.

[Anonymous]

I get so annoyed when I get invited to some party where someone is selling jewelry, or candles, or southern living crap, or whatever. It doesn't matter if the stuff is nice--I hate feeling obligated and find the whole thing really tacky. Anyway, these days there is a thing called the internet and you have access to pretty much anything you could ever want from the comfort of your living room, including mid-range trendy costume jewelry, so there's really no point in doing the party sales thing. I like parties and I like shopping, but I see no reason to mix the two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I attended a stella & dot trunk show yesterday afternoon at a friends house and just loved it. The stylist was so cute and trendy that it made me want to sign on. I have never sold anything in my life. Does anyone have experience with direct sales? if so, what do you think? I think it would be a great way to earn some extra cash. TIA

Hi, Please ignore the past negative posters. My mother taught me many moons ago that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Evidently everyone has not received the same sage advice. With that said, I say go for it. I am new to Stella & Dot myself and love the support of the company and there are great women in our local area who are Stylists and very supportive. I've met everyone from lawyers to pharmaceutical reps, to full-time moms. There is no obligation to continue if you don't enjoy it and you get to keep the free jewelry you receive when you sign up if you decide it's not for you. Most people you invite to your trunk shows will be your friends or family who would more than likely support you with their attendance regardless of your what your side business effort is.

I have not had my first trunk show yet but I will soon. My friends have been great and a few have purchased items from my website simply because they love quite a few pieces from the line (you'll receive a website if you sign up).

Unfortunately, direct sales does have a stigma and this actually caused trepidation for me as well before I dove in. I saw it as cheesy, etc. However, once I looked through the main website for prospective Stylists, and saw the quality of the business model and resources I was sold. If you feel this is something that may be fun and rewarding for you based on your experience at the trunk show, give it a try. So far I love it

Take care and good luck!

[Anonymous]

Sorry PP, I disagree with you and echo what the other posters have said. I get invited to at least one trunk show a month. They're always billed as some sort of party or girl's night, but they're not. A party is an event held for the entertainment of the host and her guests. A trunk show- no matter what it's called- is an event held with the purpose of selling a certain product. Most people I know hate being invited to these events and only attend because they feel obligated. I personally resent it when a so-called-friend of mine uses our friendship to try to sell me something. I find the whole direct sales thing to be extremely tacky. If I want jewelry, I know where to buy it. I don't need someone pushing it on me.

While not everyone may agree with me, there are plenty of people who do. I have known several women who have done this kind of thing (including 2 Stella Dot reps). Trust me, their friends all complain about being sales targets and all say how distasteful the whole thing is. I would think the little cash you could make would not be worth alienating some of your friends and acquaintances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I attended a stella & dot trunk show yesterday afternoon at a friends house and just loved it. The stylist was so cute and trendy that it made me want to sign on. I have never sold anything in my life. Does anyone have experience with direct sales? if so, what do you think? I think it would be a great way to earn some extra cash. TIA

Hi, Please ignore the past negative posters. My mother taught me many moons ago that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Evidently everyone has not received the same sage advice.

Also, OP asked what people think of direct sales. I don't understand how giving our honest opinion is not "nice." I think it's not nice to belittle others' opinions just because you happen to disagree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry PP, I disagree with you and echo what the other posters have said. I get invited to at least one trunk show a month. They're always billed as some sort of party or girl's night, but they're not. A party is an event held for the entertainment of the host and her guests. A trunk show- no matter what it's called- is an event held with the purpose of selling a certain product. Most people I know hate being invited to these events and only attend because they feel obligated. I personally resent it when a so-called-friend of mine uses our friendship to try to sell me something. I find the whole direct sales thing to be extremely tacky. If I want jewelry, I know where to buy it. I don't need someone pushing it on me.

While not everyone may agree with me, there are plenty of people who do. I have known several women who have done this kind of thing (including 2 Stella Dot reps). Trust me, their friends all complain about being sales targets and all say how distasteful the whole thing is. I would think the little cash you could make would not be worth alienating some of your friends and acquaintances.

Yes, thank you for saying this. I have been invited to many of these time of "parties" and hate feeling obligated to purchase an item just because I am there. It is tacky to use friends like this.

[Anonymous]

That is what is great about life- free choice and your own opinions! Those that don’t love, don’t have to love. Those that do- can do it, go, whatever!

If you love it, listen to yourself and go for it. I love Stella & Dot! I think people should never feel obligated to buy something they don’t want or go to an event they won’t enjoy. No more than they feel obligated to pop into a cute boutique on their main street. I think Stella & Dot has the most adorable invites. I think it’s a pop up shop in someone’s living room that offers the benefit of friends being able to give each other style advice. I agree a shopping event shouldn’t try to pretend it’s not one! But any invitation I’ve seen is pretty clear that it says come by and shop! It is fun and social! Now of course, only go if you want to. No one should make you feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do ? ( except if you are a kid and we want you to eat vegtables- then it’s tough luck!).

I agree that some other companies have not so great products or they are high pressure. This is so not fun. But Stella & Dot is very classy and casual. AND CUTE!

I’m not put out when I get a catalog in the mail! I don't feel pressured by Boden, or a friend. I may just browse, and if I’m not in the mood to buy or don’t need anything, I just don’t. When I get invited to some home parties, I skip it since I know I don't like the brand. , I feel happy friends are thinking of me. Nothing more, nothing less. Just not for me. But Stella & Dot, I absolutely love. I buy gifts online from a Stylist- its super easy and my friend and family love getting it!

Especially as moms, we appreciate flexible career choices. When the product is quality and cute, I love to shop in a way that supports girlfriends and offers great personal service. I actually love this much more than a big box store! I would never buy or go if I didn’t like the product though. It’s only if you do and are in the market for a little style. I certainly understand other companies may not have products you love, then you don’t’ want to go. But have you seen Stella & Dot? It’s AMAZING! And in every fashion magazine. But if fashion isn’t your thing, I can see why you would want to skip it!

Generally, girls like to look cute and socialize! So lots of people find this fun. Good luck to you and thanks for sharing thoughts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is what is great about life- free choice and your own opinions! Those that don’t love, don’t have to love. Those that do- can do it, go, whatever!

If you love it, listen to yourself and go for it. I love Stella & Dot! I think people should never feel obligated to buy something they don’t want or go to an event they won’t enjoy. No more than they feel obligated to pop into a cute boutique on their main street. I think Stella & Dot has the most adorable invites. I think it’s a pop up shop in someone’s living room that offers the benefit of friends being able to give each other style advice. I agree a shopping event shouldn’t try to pretend it’s not one! But any invitation I’ve seen is pretty clear that it says come by and shop! It is fun and social! Now of course, only go if you want to. No one should make you feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do ? ( except if you are a kid and we want you to eat vegtables- then it’s tough luck!).

I agree that some other companies have not so great products or they are high pressure. This is so not fun. But Stella & Dot is very classy and casual. AND CUTE!

I’m not put out when I get a catalog in the mail! I don't feel pressured by Boden, or a friend. I may just browse, and if I’m not in the mood to buy or don’t need anything, I just don’t. When I get invited to some home parties, I skip it since I know I don't like the brand. , I feel happy friends are thinking of me. Nothing more, nothing less. Just not for me. But Stella & Dot, I absolutely love. I buy gifts online from a Stylist- its super easy and my friend and family love getting it!

Especially as moms, we appreciate flexible career choices. When the product is quality and cute, I love to shop in a way that supports girlfriends and offers great personal service. I actually love this much more than a big box store! I would never buy or go if I didn’t like the product though. It’s only if you do and are in the market for a little style. I certainly understand other companies may not have products you love, then you don’t’ want to go. But have you seen Stella & Dot? It’s AMAZING! And in every fashion magazine. But if fashion isn’t your thing, I can see why you would want to skip it!

Generally, girls like to look cute and socialize! So lots of people find this fun. Good luck to you and thanks for sharing thoughts!

Just so I'm clear PP, are you Stella or Dot?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is what is great about life- free choice and your own opinions! Those that don’t love, don’t have to love. Those that do- can do it, go, whatever!

If you love it, listen to yourself and go for it. I love Stella & Dot! I think people should never feel obligated to buy something they don’t want or go to an event they won’t enjoy. No more than they feel obligated to pop into a cute boutique on their main street. I think Stella & Dot has the most adorable invites. I think it’s a pop up shop in someone’s living room that offers the benefit of friends being able to give each other style advice. I agree a shopping event shouldn’t try to pretend it’s not one! But any invitation I’ve seen is pretty clear that it says come by and shop! It is fun and social! Now of course, only go if you want to. No one should make you feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do ? ( except if you are a kid and we want you to eat vegtables- then it’s tough luck!).

I agree that some other companies have not so great products or they are high pressure. This is so not fun. But Stella & Dot is very classy and casual. AND CUTE!

I’m not put out when I get a catalog in the mail! I don't feel pressured by Boden, or a friend. I may just browse, and if I’m not in the mood to buy or don’t need anything, I just don’t. When I get invited to some home parties, I skip it since I know I don't like the brand. , I feel happy friends are thinking of me. Nothing more, nothing less. Just not for me. But Stella & Dot, I absolutely love. I buy gifts online from a Stylist- its super easy and my friend and family love getting it!

Especially as moms, we appreciate flexible career choices. When the product is quality and cute, I love to shop in a way that supports girlfriends and offers great personal service. I actually love this much more than a big box store! I would never buy or go if I didn’t like the product though. It’s only if you do and are in the market for a little style. I certainly understand other companies may not have products you love, then you don’t’ want to go. But have you seen Stella & Dot? It’s AMAZING! And in every fashion magazine. But if fashion isn’t your thing, I can see why you would want to skip it!

Generally, girls like to look cute and socialize! So lots of people find this fun. Good luck to you and thanks for sharing thoughts!

Just so I'm clear PP, are you Stella or Dot?

Ha! My thoughts exactly!

[Anonymous]

Op do NOT do it. I HATE being invited to these so-called parties. And Stella and dot is awful quality. It feels like tin.