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Whether it's a requirement or not, I can certainly attest that I'm more likely to buy something that is demonstrated! I've bought stamp sets and new colors of paper & ink after seeing them used that I NEVER would have bought otherwise.
For further clarification the gal at DS asked me to share this with you...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator Agreement >>> Section 6
Representation of Competing Products. I agree not to respresent or assist any other person or entity selling or marketing the products of other direct selling or multi-level marketing companies who offer the same or similar Products. I also agree not to sell, promote, or demonstrate any other products, other than those offered and purchased through the Company, while participating in in-home workshops or Stampin' Up! events, or any other meeting with existing or potential Demonstrators or customers.
HTH
...Okay...You Non-demos have got to think this is really boring now. Sorry about me posting here, but I just felt if necessary to clarify misinformation.
Well, I stand corrected, Consuelo! When I first started I had an old square punch and asked DS if I could use it till I could purchase theirs. I got the green light but I guess things change. Sorry if I misled anyone.
But I still think it is hypocritical to demonstrate and promote something you wouldn't purchase yourself, but I know that is just my opinion and a controversial one so I will pipe down and quit beating a dead horse...
__________________
Milette
The dreamers of the day are dangerous people,For they dream their dreams with open eyes,And make them come true.- D.H. Lawrence
It is my understanding then and now we use only SU products at workshops and when we are representing SU as a Demo unless we are using something SU doesn't sell or sell as a like product. For example, we would use only SU's mono tape at workshops, etc. And we can use the other privately when we are making cards for others????
Also, if SU had not started selling the wheel guide and we had a similar one of our own we could have used it at workshops until SU came out with theirs, if thats not too confusing. Right?
For example, I hear from people that they use Viking mono for their own projects, but are quick to point out that they only demo with SU's SNAIL. Why?
Quite honestly, I'm not one who has run out and bought the new snail adhesive and I will continue to demo using Mono. It's not "Viking" Mono it Tomboy and it's what we sell only in different packaging. If asked I'll say "this is the old style, I haven't needed to buy the new holder yet" or "the product is the same, just different packaging and it's been slow in becoming available." Both are honest answers. And why should I buy it? It really makes no sense to me to spend money on a holder I already have just because SU changed the design.
For example, I hear from people that they use Viking mono for their own projects, but are quick to point out that they only demo with SU's SNAIL. Why?
Quite honestly, I'm not one who has run out and bought the new snail adhesive and I will continue to demo using Mono. It's not "Viking" Mono it Tomboy and it's what we sell only in different packaging. If asked I'll say "this is the old style, I haven't needed to buy the new holder yet" or "the product is the same, just different packaging and it's been slow in becoming available." Both are honest answers. And why should I buy it? It really makes no sense to me to spend money on a holder I already have just because SU changed the design.
I still have the old mono as well. I tell my customers that they can keep their old mono. The refills we currently sell will fit into them. I also tell them that if they purchase a whole new mono - that it will look different in that it is now marketed with the SU! logo. Same product - new look!
__________________ Karen Madison (6/7/00) & Mackenzie (8/22/04) & Trenton Joshua (3/30/06) My Blog WatercoloredDreams
I don't know why people are getting upset about telling where you might be able to get stuff cheaper. I buy all of my envelopes at a local store or at an outlet store when they have a sale. I can buy 250 for $9, which is a big savings to me. There is no way I could afford to buy the SU envelopes and give them out, I do stamp camps once a month and have 35 - 45 people at these camps and do 3 projects involving cards. Since that can be between 100 - 120 envelopes, plus the make and takes I do for each workshop, I would really be out money. And almost everyone who does cards say they don't send them out but use them for a sample, but always take the envelope! My customers have a local Michaels and Hobby Lobby that they shop for extra stuff that we don't carry, but buy all their paper, stamps, and ink from me. And a lot of other stuff we carry, but I know they go to the stores for the deals and the 40% coupon. I myself have 7 versamark pads for class, and I didn't buy them all from SU but did use coupons to get them.
Well, after having contemplated this for a while I believe I need to say a couple of things. Responsibility is just that and I take full responsibility for the mistake I made when I offered up the paper supplier. I am apologizing for my thoughtless information and, believe me, I won't be doing it anytime soon. I was not using good sense (cents). What some may find hard to belileve is that some demonstrators need what it costs for that paper from their clients to make their quota. No if, buts, or ands about it.
I was thinking if people had a lot of white, etc. they would order more of the colored, stamps, etc. to use it. It would not always be the case. No one has badgered me into saying this nor has anyone commented to me in a negative way. For this I thank you, but I am still responsibile. If I had been thinking "Do unto others..." this might not have happened.
The only thing that has not happened is for this thread to go up in smoke.
I have wished and wished it and it is still here. So, that said I would ask again, of those people I offended, for your forgiveness. And please know, this mouth will try to think before it spills over.
No Emoticons can express my duress. I am sorry and would like this thread to disappear. Start a new one, but please keep in mind some people really count on the money they are making. Others do not and thats okay too. We all have to live here and love what we do and share in it.
It is not my intent to judge others. This is me and my affront.
MADEW/Shirley: I hate it when someone feels they have to apologize for something they said here. I don't think you did anything "wrong" by offering up the paper site. Are you fearful what some of these ladies will think about you? Are you fearful that SU will find out? What have we become, when we can't be open and honest? I go to Stamp Camps. Do you think I've ever thought OR ASKED - "is this an SU product?".
Shirley, I think you are being way to hard on yourself, very thoughtful apology and I think that if you did offend anyone then that more than takes care of it. I, as a customer and not a demo, appreciate it when my demo gives me the heads up on deals she might have seen or heard about. I think that makes her more honest and more loyal to me as her customer. I have bought ink pads at Hobby Lobby when they were half off and realize that although they were cheap they did not in anyway compare to SU. My dollar spent and lesson earned. I think we are able to make the choice ourselves on what we buy and from whom and my buying white cardstock or envelopes from another source does not take away from my SU order at all, it gives me more flexibility in my ordering. I love Hallmark ornaments, that does not keep me from buying other ornaments elsewhere. I love chai tea from Tastefully Simple, that does not keep me from buying chai tea from other sources if it is available. My Hallmark store still gets my business as does my friend who sells Tastefully Simple. The woman working behind the counter at the card store has pointed out other sales at other stores she thinks I might like.....that makes me like her more. I really don't understand the hurt feelings over this issue.
Wow! I think I was the first person to suggest this thread be moved...now I click on the topic days later and see all this controversy. It was never my intention to offend anyone, keep "secrets," or try to foster an environment of "us/them."
Stephanie--Please do not be hard on yourself. You were innocently asking for assistance, and as we all know, members are quick to share a multitude of sources, techniques, and just good ol' advice. Do not ever hesitate to post. When push comes to shove, I believe that the members on this site are good people...we may tend to disagree from time to time, but that's human nature! We're here for you!
Just to clarify my thought process: When I first saw this, because Stephanie identified herself as a demo, I thought, "Oh, gosh...as demos we probably shouldn't be promoting companies that are in direct competition with SU." That was it. While I still stand by my position, I feel badly that some have been upset by this discussion. I love this site, have had nothing but positive experiences, and in no way want to be thought of (or promote myself) in a negative light.
Stamper to stamper, do I buy from the competition? Heck, yes...if I didn't get inexpensive basics for some of my mass produced personal projects, I wouldn't be able to pay the utility bills! When I put on my "demo" face, I'm SU! all the way, and truly stand behind the quality of the products and company philosophy.
So, in a nutshell, I'm sorry if I offended anyone and ruffled feathers. I think we now need to go back to what we do best...stamp, share, and enjoy!
Well, after having contemplated this for a while I believe I need to say a couple of things. . . .What some may find hard to belileve is that some demonstrators need what it costs for that paper from their clients to make their quota. No if, buts, or ands about it.
There is a common misconception that all demonstrators are rolling in dough. Some may be, and in particular, those with large downlines. Those with small downlines or none, are dependent on the commissions of their sales alone. They cannot afford to offer great deals, because they have no other income from SU! (meaning, downline overrides) to fall back on.
There is also a misconception that being a demonstrator is only about "fun", and sharing. That it is not work, or a legitimate "job". To the point, where, in some comments I have read, that despite their outlay of business expenses, and hours of work put in, some folks leave the impression that demonstrators are not entitled to an income--not even that 20% instant income!
I must stress: for some, it IS the sole income for their family and puts food on the table and pays the mortgage. I have at least one demo'r friend for which this is the case; her dh lost his job and it fell on her to be the breadwinner. And, she works her SU! tail off. Many of us are in that position.
IT IS A RARE EXCEPTION that a demonstrator can say, "I make so much money that my dh could quit his job and work for me!" Boy, if I could do that, I would love to relieve my dh of his immensely high stress job . . .
Quote:
I was thinking if people had a lot of white, etc. they would order more of the colored, stamps, etc. to use it. It would not always be the case.
For my clients, they have a budget to stick to (as do I!), and if they save $10 on one product by not purchasing it through me, it does not mean they then devote that $10 saved towards purchasing rubber stamps, etc. through me. Much as I would like to think that would happen, it simply does not.
Quote:
The only thing that has not happened is for this thread to go up in smoke.I have wished and wished it and it is still here . . . Start a new one, but please keep in mind some people really count on the money they are making. Others do not and thats okay too . . .
Shirley, please do not feel badly. Everyone, myself included, wants or needs to save money.
But, I especially and genuinely appreciate the comments above you made, as it shows a clear ability to view not just from a consumer perspective, but also from another: the hard-working demo'r who has to rely on her SU! biz for income for her family.
I was lucky, for the longest time, that for me, it wasn't a requirement to make money via my SU! biz. However, recently circumstances have changed.
I will not divulge those personal events, but suffice it to say, I must now approach my business from the standpoint that what was once income used for "fun EXTRAS" (i.e. family vacations), NEEDS to be put towards the actual family budget.
Demonstrators are bound by their contract to promote the sale of SU! products, purchased through SU!. It's that plain and simple.
It is not about deliberately harboring "deals" or secrets/privvy info from the consumer in an effort to force them to purchase product via a demonstrator, as I believe some may have mis-interpreted . . .
There are always multiple perspectives in any given situation. I so appreciate that you didn't merely view it through your own, but also through mine . . .
BEAR HUGS ALWAYS,
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
