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Only for a noncompeting company...one that doesn't sell scrapbooking or stamping supplies. So, Pampered Chef would be OK, but CTMH would not. Does that make sense?
I know when SU came to Canada, there was a short time when you could be a demo for both Creative Memories and SU, but that was just a trial phase. At the end of it, you had to pick one - SU's policy was you could not do SU and another home based that sold similar products - even though CM did not sell stamps, they did sell paper.
Ask your demo, they would know for sure about being a demo for SU and another company.
You can still be the hostess for as many different companies as you would like, So on Monday you could host a SU party, on Tuesday a CM party, on Wednesday a PaperedChef party, on Thursday a CTMH party..... and so on.... but dont know about being the demo for more than one company.....
"A demonstrator, a demonstrator’s spouse, or a supporting demonstrator may not own or hold part ownership in, or represent, a retail or wholesale business that sells products in the rubber stamping or scrapbooking industries."
__________________ Kathy Wrose "Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
Legally those things will not hold up in court. I worked for a company and one of the consultants (demos) tested it and the lawyers said they can try to limit you but have no legal leg to stand upon.
Tell me if the lawyers would uphold if it you willingly signed this:
"I agree not to represent or assist any other person or entity selling or marketing the products of other direct-selling or multilevel 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 home workshops or Stampin’ Up! events, or any other meeting with existing or potential demonstrators or customers."
I'll be you SU! would put ALL their lawyers into upholding this one. This is in the agreement ALL demos sign.
__________________ Kathy Wrose "Fun must be always." - Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks "It was fun." - Kirk, Star Trek: Generations
I also agree not to sell, promote, or demonstrate any other products, other than those offered and purchased through the company, while participating in home workshops or Stampin’ Up! events, or any other meeting with existing or potential demonstrators or customers."
well I guess using a tumbled tile at a workshop would be out then, and no crayon resist since they dont sell crayons.
I mean PLEASE sometimes you have to work outside the box. KWIM?
There is a fine line with home show based companies, you as a demo or consultant, need to know what that line is.
The previous post regarding things not holding up in court is absolutely true true true!
I have seen a lawyer about SU!'s policy about selling the things that you make. Although they now have the angel policy, it was a huge issue for me in that past. I really did not feel that they had the right to tell me what to do with the things that I made - especially since I paid for all products. Anyway, we saw a lawyer who specializes in copyright law and to make a long story short..... they do not have a leg to stand on in that dept... They write all the rules and contracts that they want but what they can do about it is a whole different story.
Now, as far as selling for another company - according to their demo agreement - you can not. But, like the person stated before they have no legal recourse. Especially since they make it sooooo very clear in all of their contracts that you are not an "employee" of SU! (otherwise they would have to pay major taxes and such)
But, they do have the right to cancel your demoship at any time......
The previous post regarding things not holding up in court is absolutely true true true!
I have seen a lawyer about SU!'s policy about selling the things that you make. Although they now have the angel policy, it was a huge issue for me in that past. I really did not feel that they had the right to tell me what to do with the things that I made - especially since I paid for all products. Anyway, we saw a lawyer who specializes in copyright law and to make a long story short..... they do not have a leg to stand on in that dept... They write all the rules and contracts that they want but what they can do about it is a whole different story.
Now, as far as selling for another company - according to their demo agreement - you can not. But, like the person stated before they have no legal recourse. Especially since they make it sooooo very clear in all of their contracts that you are not an "employee" of SU! (otherwise they would have to pay major taxes and such)
But, they do have the right to cancel your demoship at any time......
You must have a large retail base to pay a copyright lawyer to check this out.
I don't understand why people won't respect agreements or argue the point. Just go to another company. SU! treats employees & demonstrators very well respect that!!!!!
Ladies this is an ethics question. If you signed a contract saying you will not demo for another company that is a direct competitor why would go and do it??!! I am sorry but this is why are legal system is the way it is, with lawyers getting rich and good companies getting hurt or going out of business just to make a point that contracts have loop holes. I would hope that people might start using some commonsense and set a good example for those around them and play by the rules.
FYI, you would not make a generalization that all doctors are bad because of one botched operation, you would not make a generalization about race or religion but why are you buying into the medias push that all lawyers are bad!....sorry but this really chaps my hide, I work for a man who is so ethical that it costs us all the time, we have some clients who are absolutely nuts but my boss says, crazy people need attorneys too, he fights for the little guy who no one else would fight for, don't go make generalizations that all lawyers have no ethics and are getting rich because that is soooo wrong!! There I will get off my soapbox now.
When you get in a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. -- Harriet Beecher Stowe
"I also agree not to sell, promote, or demonstrate any other products, other than those offered and purchased through the company, while participating in home workshops or Stampin’ Up! events, or any other meeting with existing or potential demonstrators or customers."
Does this mean that if I become a demo, I can't have my sister over to my home and use non-SU products???
if you decide you want to do this..just do it and keep your mouth
shut..who going to know what you do in your personal life
unless you tell the whole world..or unless you have
another consultant who is going to call the corporation
and tell on you.. you have to decide for yourself what you want to do in your life dont let other people do it for you.
my husband work in the legal field..he is always willing to take on companies cause most of the time they drop there cases cause it cost to much more and time for such a small case.
Reguarding your original question..... I demo for two companies that are very different: Stampin' Up! and Scentsy (a wickless candle company). Neither one cares if I am involved with the other. The only concern I can see is that once I make manager with Scentsy, they ask you no longer represent any other company. Because I will be a manager MUCH faster with Scentsy than SU, I will unfortunately have to loose my SU demonstratorship . But I did sign on knowing this and am willing to honor my agreement.
"I also agree not to sell, promote, or demonstrate any other products, other than those offered and purchased through the company, while participating in home workshops or Stampin’ Up! events, or any other meeting with existing or potential demonstrators or customers."
Does this mean that if I become a demo, I can't have my sister over to my home and use non-SU products???
Yikes, Les
Getting together with family you can use whatever you want. What they are saying is that you can't demo other products. You sister is your sister first and customer second. I'm sure she knows already you use other than SU merchandise, just don't go using other stamps when with her is all I'd advise.
if you decide you want to do this..just do it and keep your mouth
shut..who going to know what you do in your personal life
unless you tell the whole world..or unless you have
another consultant who is going to call the corporation
and tell on you.. you have to decide for yourself what you want to do in your life dont let other people do it for you.
my husband work in the legal field..he is always willing to take on companies cause most of the time they drop there cases cause it cost to much more and time for such a small case.
Right on! I personally don't want to work for a company that wants to try and dictate my life! You can't sell another company product, you can't do your own advertising (without permission), you can't advertise on yahoo groups, now you can't use other products with customers or potential customers??? Spare me!!! Sometimes you have to use other products. With only 20% off (40% for Home Interiors!!!) workshops get a bit expensive!!
just a little defense of my profession...
IF the SU contract clause cited was not upheld by a court, it COULD be because it was too broad a restriction to be reasonable in view of OUR public policy encouraging competition, NOT because our courts and lawyers want to encourage unethical behavior :? NOT saying it would be struck down... I come here so I dont HAVE to think about such things
When I do a SU! party, I dont promote Michaels, Tall Mouse, Hobby Lobby, SaVon, Vons, Albertons, Albert tacos, Taco Mesa etc etc etc. I promote SU!, per my CHOICE of agreement by willingly signing the contract! It DOESNT say I CANT use tumbled tiles, mirrors, clothing, walls etc etc. It says I may not USE other competing companies products, which is other companies that sell scrapbooks, scrap paper, rubber stamps, ink, etc , AT MY WORKSHOP. If I wanted to sell that stuff, I would have signed on with them. Has anyone picked apart CTMH or CM?? If you are a demo, it shouldnt chap your hide, you willingly signed it. If you arent a demo, what is the concern about the contract, you either agree or dont, sign or dont. Or, you could as someone else said, sign up with all 3 or 4 companies and work them all, in your good conscience.
Home interiors doesnt compare to SU!. Diff product line.
SU! CHOOSES to run its business how they want to, so does CTMH and CM and HI and party lite and SLAH etc. I CHOOSE to abide by the rules.
Dang this got too long, and it wont make a difference to anyone anyway. note to self.................
I feel sorry for Rubberinker, all she did was ask a simple yes or no question of can she consult for more than one company (stamping). Please just answer the question and don't go stirring up more pots today.
I feel sorry for Rubberinker, all she did was ask a simple yes or no question of can she consult for more than one company (stamping). Please just answer the question and don't go stirring up more pots today.
While nice in theory, that rarely happens. It is a discussion board and as such every question turns into a discussion.
Alright ladies enough is enough
Some people post just to get a rise out of some of us. There will always be an argument about something.
Not quit arguing and get back to making beautiful things so I can look at the gallery!! :twisted: :twisted:
OK - the original question was: Can I demo for two companies? The simple answer is no. You sign an agreement that prohibits selling for any other company that sells similar products.
Now, for my other post that seems to have ignited a heated discussion. I stand by it as I have seen some others do as well. The fact that I am a demonstrator aside because I have a signed agreement that does in fact govern my ethics and actions. I must highlight the fact that I do in fact follow my demo agreement to the letter.
On the other hand, from a customer point of view...which there is no signed agreement..... I do not feel (and I also know this from a legal stand point) that SU! has the right to govern what I do with my hand made creations that are made using SU! stamps. This was something that came up before I became a demo.
So many of you preached about "doing the right thing." Well, in my opinion the right thing is not a violation of my civil rights and I think that SU! is in the wrong on this one.
Before, I get bombarded with emails about "if your not happy change companies, " let me tell you that I am very happy and as previously stated I follow my signed agreement to the letter. I was merely commenting on issues that are customer related.
Have a grea day!
Ok, I am confused. :shock: It was my understanding that as long as we use one of the "angel policy" stamps to show SU copyright that we can sell our homemade items anywhere except at a workshop or demonstration (for example at a craft show, flea market. etc).
Please let me know if I'm wrong!!! I haven't done it yet but I will definitely need to make note to self!
I'm not trying to stir anything else up (I agree that if you give your word, or signature, or whatever that you won't represent a rival company that you shouldn't) but I think it behooves me to find out whether I can sell anything I make.
__________________ smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to!
Thank you to all who answered my straightforward question straight-forwardly.
I was simply asking a question that I genuinely wanted to know the answer to. I am not a demo for either company but like the product line of both and really wanted to know whether I had to restrict myself to one or the other. I think each company has strengths in different areas but wanted to know if, once I chose company #1, I would be forever precluded from demonstrating products that I thought company #2 had a particularly pleasing line.
I resent the implication that this question was posted just to stir up trouble,. Frankly the trouble started when the nay-sayers imputed a lot more meaning into my post that was intended.
I do appreciate the responses from those who quoted the stampin up rules directly, especially the quote that came from the SU manual. Again, as a non-demonstrator, I don’t have the manual so I would not have known the rule until AFTER I signed up. I came here to get a answer before signing so that I would not inadvertently break any rules
I am not sure why so many people must be so negative about everything else whilst going about the praise of Stampin Up. My post was not an attempt to “SU Bash�? and I am not sure why so many felt it necessary to take the “I’ll just take my toys from the sandbox and go home�? approach- ie the very defensive “If you don’t’ like it you don’t have to sign with SU�?. Nor was not necessary to question anyone’s ethics or morals especially those who provided objective answers.
Again, thanks to all the responses. You ladies are among the most knowledgeable group on the web when it comes to stamping. I hope this board can remain a place for OPEN discourse about stamping related topics..
Hmmm...I personally believe if you feel you might have to stray from the "straight & narrow" of a companies policies and procedures...then maybe this company isn't for you?
Also, as far as the legal mumbo-jumbo...I also agree that this is a "grey area" and would just be money in the pockets of greedy lawyers (NOT to say there aren't wonderful people representing this field, but...)!
Okay & lastly... I do believe that SU would have the recourse to "TERMINATE" your demonstratorship if you did deviate from their way or the highway
I too second the motion...NOW and I mean NOW...get back to the CREATIVE juices and give me something good to CASE in the gallery :lol:
Can you be a Demo for two companies?
