If you’ve been following this blog, or know me personally, you know I am super thrifty with my money! I am also a huge supporter of direct sellers. Can you be thrifty and support these companies at the same time??? Yes!
For the most part, the products you buy from direct sellers are more expensive than similar items you could buy in a store. However, there are 4 main reasons you should buy from a direct seller.
Table of Contents
First- What is a direct sales company?
You are probably already familiar with many direct sales companies For example, Mary Kay, Avon, Pampered Chef, Norwex, Usborne Book & More, Young Living, Scentsy and so many more are direct sales companies.
According to The Balance Small Business: ” Direct sales describes the business model where independent contractors (or representatives or distributors) sell a company’s products and/or services directly to consumers. They might do this through door-to-door sales, through the internet or by having parties in their homes. There is no fixed retail location, although often direct sellers work out of their homes. “
Many of these companies are also Multi-Level Marketing companies (or MLM). With an MLM, the independent contractors also make money from recruiting others to work for the company. These are NOT pyramid schemes. You can read more about why here.
4 Reasons You Should Buy from a Direct Seller:
1 ) The knowledge of the consultants.
Most direct sales consultants have received extensive training on their products. They have most likely watched hours upon hours of videos about the products, and have personally tried most of what they sell. This may not matter for some items BUT here are a few cases where I have found the knowledge of the consultants super important.
- Essential Oils– If you have ever looked into using oils, there is A LOT you need to know. My Young Living consultant has been able to answer every question I’ve had about how to use the oils! She also offers training classes for free, which don’t come with oils bought from online websites or retailers.
- Makeup/Skin Care- They are pros at matching colors to your skin and they will let you try samples of the products. I guarantee the clerk at CVS can’t do this for you 🙂
- Books- Consultants with book companies are like your own personal librarian. They can help you find books based on your child’s interests, reading levels, or disability. You won’t get this information from Amazon!
- Cleaning Products- Consultants who sell cleaning products are usually full of helpful tips on cleaning everything in your home. Most have samples or “test-it” kits you can borrow and some will even come and clean your home to show you how the products work!
2) Better quality product
Yes, you can buy a similar product in the store, but often the quality doesn’t compare. You understand what I mean if you’ve used a regular microfiber cloth vs. a Norwex cloth! The same is true for Pampered Chef knives and my favorite Mary Kay CC cream!
Now- Not ALL products are of better quality. This is where free samples and testing the products for yourself comes in handy.
3) Warranties and Guarantees that come with the products.
Most direct sales companies offer replacements if your product breaks, gets damaged, or fails in some way. Many even have lifetime warranties. I know I would much rather spend a little extra on a necklace knowing that if it breaks, I can get a new one free of charge. Or that if my child chews on a books I can get it replaced at a discount!
4) You are supporting your friends.
Yes, sometimes direct sellers seem very salesy or will message you after not talking to you for years BUT have you ever stopped to think about why they are selling their products in the first place? I have met so many women who are in direct sales because it allows them to be a stay at home mom, pay off debt, pay for an adoption, give to their church and so many more amazing reasons.
I have also bought products from friends so they can earn Christmas presents for their friends and families, or so that money can be donated to a worthy charity. Did I need to buy a shirt that costs more than I would normally spend? No- but I know that money went to a hard-working woman who deserved it.
Supporting your friends is the most important reason why you should buy from a direct seller.
So what are some ways to save money on these products?
If I’ve convinced you to give direct sellers your business, let me offer a few tips on how you can get the most for your money!
- Join their Facebook groups– Most post about special sales and contests which can get you great deals and free items.
- Attend parties– Every party I’ve ever attended has some sort of prize given to people who participated. I myself have won Jamberry nails, a Norwex cloth, coupons, and many other things just for participating.
- Host your own party– You can do this without bugging your friends! Personally ask them if they want to attend instead of just adding them to events and groups. Don’t want to bother with inviting friends? Some companies have pretty low hostess requirements (ex- With Usborne Books & More $100 counts as a party). Sometimes your own order will qualify you for hostess rewards, or get just a few friends or family together and split the rewards.
So what do I buy from direct sellers?
I gathered up a few items from around my house for this post. Here’s a list of my favorite companies shown in the picture above (starting at the top and working to the bottom):
- 31 lunch bag
- Young Living Essential Oils
- Mary Kay makeup
- Norwex cleaning products
- Color Street nails
- Pampered Chef cooking utensils
- Jordan Essentials magnesium stick
- Paparazzi Jewelry
- Usborne Books & More
- LuLaRoe shirt
- 31 wallet
- Premier Jewelry
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