Comments on: Direct Sales – Good Way to Make Extra Money or Fast Way to Lose Friends?

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:05:10 +0000

It’s been 4 years since you’ve written this article, ( I stumbled upon it ) and I’m wondering how direct sales have impacted the sluggish economy.

I too hated direct sales, direct sales people and have avoided phone calls from friends that I KNEW just wanted to sell me something or recruit me.

Then I lost my job. Thinking I would be employed in no time this economy had another message for me. I began to become bitter and that is no good for interviews!

Out of boredom I went to a direct sales party a friend was giving and REALLY enjoyed myself. After thinking a long time about what people would think of me, I decided that I needed to have FUN in my life and do SOMETHING to keep me busy until I found work.

A funny thing happened along the way. I began to really like what I was doing and as time passed I was actually making some money.

I don’t invite my friends to have parties. I rarely even discuss what I do unless asked.
As a sales person I prefer to build my customer base outside of my personal life.

I can honestly say that direct sales gave me confidence back that this harsh economy took from me.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:30:30 +0000

Direct sales is extremely *IN*efficient. You have an untrained sales force selling in a ton of venues showing the product to consumers who may or may not want it at all. Furthermore they are giving out samples, free refreshments, etc. And the “host” of the sale/party has to be compensated for the risk and for cashing in some of their credibilty, so they get a fairly large cut of the profits (though usually in the form of the same merchandise they are hawking.) And if it’s a pyramid scheme, sorry I mean MLM, then there has to be even more profit added in to compensate all the levels.

Compare that to a “normal” store where the few consumers who are actually interested can seek out the product. Or even better, an online store where there is no need for a bunch of individual stores with their relatively high overhead.

By: I'm a seller, but UGH!

I'm a seller, but UGH! — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 21:05:16 +0000

LOL what is up with all the candles? If I want a smelly candle I will get a cheap one at the store. I don’t need a candle that will last me 20 years.

By: Sokrith Soeung

Sokrith Soeung — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:21:47 +0000

I want to know about derict sales clearly, and I want to make the money also.

By: Mylie

Mylie — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:17:49 +0000

I don’t like direct sales parties. I think they not only influence individual relationships, but are damaging to the very structure of our society, and to relationships among women in general. Almost no one I know just invites some friends over for coffee, or to do a craft or bake Christmas cookies together. In fact few people I know invite other women over unless there is some financial motivation. Direct sales parties seem to be more and more replacing real socializing. I believe it is hard to be a true friend to others and truly be building a relationship, when you have a motive of profit as well. If people were always invited to these parties on the basis of “I’ve having a party to sell this merchandise. If you might be interested in buying some, I’d love to have you,” that would be okay. But the invitations I have received are almost always from people purporting that they just want me to come, and would enjoy my company, and don’t expect me to buy anything at all. Yet there is always the feeling that that is really not the real expectation. This lack of directness and not-quite-truthfulness is probably what is really damaging. Our society is just lacking in enough pure disinterested love, giving, and friendship, whereas there is always enough materialism and profiteering to go around.

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By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:47:59 +0000

I have tried the MLM a couple times. It was 20 years between the two times and time had erased the bad taste the first one left. The last time was a costly experience with a company I thought was reputable. I won’t get into it, but I definitely do not think of the woman who snagged me as a friend. I do have to say that as a young mother, I enjoyed the tupperware parties, home dec parties, etc. You are basically getting together with friends, seeing new items and having a good time. We really didn’t feel pressured to buy in my group since we all were on limited budgets. We just had a good time and the hostess got gifts for having the party. Now if I want to buy one of these products, I’ll just go to their web site and buy it. That doesn’t happen too often as I’m on my way to debt free living and prefer to spend my money on paying off the remaining debts.

By: Chad @ Sentient Money

Chad @ Sentient Money — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:50:20 +0000

I abhore direct sales. I would definitely think less of a person, whether they were friends/family or not. It’s classless.

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