Posts Tagged ‘shopping’

I came across an interesting blog post today from a freelance writer who has covered direct selling in the past. I respect her because she always asks really great questions when she interviews me and does a fair and equitable job of laying out the facts. While I hesitated momentarily on linking to this post because it focuses on a specific product from a specific company, the point is really one that’s much larger – it has to do with price and value.

Reporters often ask me questions about how the price and quality of direct selling products compare with that of their in-store counterparts. I haven’t done any research to assess price or quality of direct selling products, so there will be no dollar figure or performance assessments here.

But what intrigues me about Leah’s post is her description of how the kitchen shears she bought ended up being such a useful tool for her that she bought another pair to have around the house. Were the kitchen shears so special that every household in America should have a set? Probably not – but they worked for Leah. Could she have picked up a comparable set of scissors at Target for less? Maybe, but they may not have cut the same way, or been as versatile as Leah found her favorite set to be. The point is, those scissors have value for her and that’s all that matters.

She also mentions that she left the direct selling party she attended with some other gadgets that she hasn’t really used yet. She saw them demonstrated and had to have them. Trust me – I know the feeling. I have plenty of items in my closet that I might have seen demonstrated in the store or featured at a direct selling party. I don’t regret having purchased them, I just don’t use them as much as I’d like to – witness with proverbial treadmill or gym membership.

But back to the discussion of value and quality. I can buy a $3 lipstick through direct selling – I can also buy a $50 lipstick through direct selling. I can do the same in a retail store. I can be disappointed with the quality of a product I bought in a store – or be amazed by it. The same is true for direct selling products. In any shopping environment, there is never a substitute for the consumer’s ability to evaluate a product and make a purchase decision. I don’t care if you are in a busy mall or your best friend’s living room, the assessment of value remains with each individual consumer. What has value to me, may be outrageous to you – and that’s the beauty of having choices.

However, neither price nor quality even touches on what really differentiates direct selling from a traditional retail store – often, the extra value for direct selling products and services comes in the form of the demonstration and personal service.

It’s true, demonstration of a product, whether in a store or someone’s home, probably sways a lot of people to buy a things they wouldn’t have purchased if that same product was just sitting on a shelf with only its packaging to speak for it – why do you think grocery stores set up sample stations on Saturday afternoons? It’s not to give patrons a free snack – it’s so you’ll be exposed to something you otherwise wouldn’t have noticed and buy it!

So, the next time you are invited to a direct selling party or demonstration, look at it as the opportunity to be exposed to new products and ideas that you otherwise might not have noticed. Don’t feel compelled to fall in love with anything – but don’t sell the experience short, either. You never know when you might find the perfect pair of kitchen shears.

It’s early September, and already the stores are full of Halloween decorations. Before we know it, we’ll be gathering for Thanksgiving and looking forward to Hanukah and Christmas.

It’s just about this time that many direct sellers are getting ready for holiday sales. In fact, many direct sellers do most, if not all, of their selling activity during this time just to earn extra money for the holidays or qualify for great deals on holiday gifts that they’ll buy themselves! Consumers are also finishing up their shopping lists and want to find interesting gifts – which they can do in a less stressful, more fun atmosphere through direct selling.

While you may not be able to avoid the mall completely, direct selling is a great way to get a jump on your shopping list. And consider this:

* Instead of driving circles around a mall parking lot, you can park in your host’s driveway.
* Instead of battling the crowds, you can relax with family or friends and take your time perusing the merchandise.
* Instead of standing in line at the cash register, you can fill out an order form at your leisure.
* Instead of lugging bags of gifts out to your car, your purchases will be delivered to your home.

Hard to argue with that! To see if the gifts on your list are available from a DSA member, check out this list of companies. Happy shopping!

I had a great time last weekend celebrating our country’s 232nd birthday. My family and I ventured to downtown Washington DC (even though I go there everyday for work, on major holidays like July 4, it’s definitely an adventure). We had a great view of both the Capitol and the Washington Monument from the top of one of the many government buildings adjacent to the mall. My kids were duly impressed by the grandeur of it all, and we spent most of the ride home talking about which shape and color of fireworks was the best. It had been a few years since I’d taken part in our country’s birthday celebration in any significant way (other than watching fireworks on TV) so I took a few minutes to reflect on how lucky we are to be able to celebrate our Independence.

Of course, one of the other staples of any holiday weekend, especially one where millions of hard-working Americans find themselves with an extra day off, are in-store sales. Dozens, even hundreds, of ads proclaim the great deals that can be had from sea to shining sea. I did venture to the local shopping mall at the behest of my daughter, who at four is a verified shop-a-holic, and the sea of people I found there was fairly reminiscent of the sea of people that had been present the day before on the National mall.

I didn’t find too many great deals, but since my mind is never far from direct selling, as I was watching the crowd and sipping on my lite coffee Frappuccino while we took a quick rest, I was reminded that shopping in the home offers respite from several common aspect of the mall that are often better left behind:

• crowded parking lots and stores, especially around the holidays
• salespeople who aren’t familiar with the products
• impersonal shopping experiences that don’t provide a high level of customer service

Instead, direct selling takes place in the comfort of your own home (or the home of a friend, relative or coworker) with a knowledgeable sales representative who cares a lot about her products and works hard to personalize each shopping experience.

Clearly, direct selling will never completely replace retail shopping. I shop at the mall like most others, but it’s nice to know that direct selling can offer a little independence from the traditional shopping experience.