Question about switching consultants!

[Love Making Cards]

Hey Ladies,

I have been using this one consultant for a year and a half. It was going great up until the last couple of months. I have become disappointed.
I know of another consultant that sells from the same company, is it rude to switch over. I think they know of each other.
I feel bad but I see what this other consultant offers but is the grass greener on the other side?
Thanks for your feedback!

[sillyfilly]

Why are you disappointed? I would not want to change demos unless I was really unhappy with the current one. Why hurt anyone's feelings if it's not necessary. I have such a great demo I wouldn't want any other. I have been buying from her for 6 years.

[Yapha]

This gets talked about often by the demonstrators. The bottom line is that nobody "owns" a customer. If your consultant isn't meeting your needs, then you owe to yourself to find someone who is. It is up to you whether or not you want to give your current a consultant to a chance to fix the situation.

[cobby]

As someone who used to be a consultant; I would have liked to know if one of my regular customers was unhappy; and why, and if there was anything I could do to fix the situation I would have done it. But that's me.

At the time I did this there were many other consultants around, and some had been doing it a long time and were actually making a profit. These gals could afford to give away product, hold many classes either for free or for a low price that would barely cover materials. If one of my customers came to me and asked why I did not do the same I would explain that I could not afford to do that. That I enjoy this craft and sharing and teaching others about it but my family could not be "losing money" in the process.

If a customer of mine wanted to be affiliated with another consultant who could give away product I would send them on their way with my blessings. Free stuff is hard to resist so I would understand.

Sorry, I seem to be babbling...but the bottom line is that if I were still a consultant for any company I would want a chance to "make it right" if possible. Just my two cents.

[basketballmom]

A lot depends on why you are disappointed.
A lack of info from your current consultant? you don't like her cards? she's late with orders and delivery?
Or does it seem that the other consultant offers more free stuff, better deals?

Either way, if you have been with the current consultant or demo for over a year, why not talk to her? Tell her why you are disappointed. Give her a chance to make it right, if possible. (what would you want if you were in her shoes?)

There are also some people who work with multiple demonstrators. Some of them are my part-time customers. I do my best, and hope that one day they'll decide I'm so awesome that they become my full-time customers! Would this work for you? At least while you check out the grass on the other side of the fence?

[Love Making Cards]

Thanks ladies!!
It has nothing to do with free stuff!

It's probably petty stuff but I feel the other lady treats her costumers better.

I feel uncomfortable putting the info online. I don't know if she goes on here much.
Thanks for your responses!!!

[stamphappy1650]

I'm a demo and I have customers that have switched from their existing demo due to a few reasons:

The demo never held any events like classes, open house, emails of sales, etc.

The people attending events were catty, a bit mean, and were a tight group and didn't want to visit with others outside the group.

The demo's creative style was not to their liking.

When a person switches over to me I feel sorry for the demo because it's hard to get new customers but I'm careful to never bad mouth the other demo and I let the customer know that it's ok to have multiple demos. I don't own my customers and I want them to go where they are happy.

Depending on your reason for leaving you could send an email to check to see if she is ok - perhaps she is not well, her non-SU life is too busy, etc. If I don't send out my class list I hear from my customers and that let's me know I'm not doing a good job but I try to keep them up to date when my real job & life is busy and I'm behind.

As a customer you should feel comfortable shopping where you like. Something that would be nice is that if your old demo is supply you with free catalogs you should let her know to take you off her catalog list. Otherwise I don't think you need to explain. When she finds out you are with another customer she should not make you or the other demo feel bad in anyway.

PS hope it's not me!!

[basketballmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Love Making Cards

Thanks ladies!!
It has nothing to do with free stuff!

It's probably petty stuff but I feel the other lady treats her costumers better.

I feel uncomfortable putting the info online. I don't know if she goes on here much.
Thanks for your responses!!!

I understand that you don't want to put the information online. That's fine. We're just responding to the "what if" scenarios.

The whole point of stamping is that when you are with others, it is supposed to be fun! And when you're the customer, you should be treated well.

I'll add to the chorus of "hope it isn't me!"
(but if it is ... please let me know what I could do better!)