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I know there are lots of threads discussing the benefits of becoming a SU demonstrator. I have read them and have pretty well made my decision. The only thing holding me back is timing. I am fanatical about getting the best deal I can. (In everything!) So I was just wondering if this is the "best" time to join. I know there are several incentives/promos for people who sign up in March. Do you all think that this is about as good as it gets? Or do you think they will offer anything better...say next month! I know that something better will come along eventually. That's just the way it goes. I was just hoping that this is the best time, at least for a little while!
Sorry, I am kind of rambling. This is a big decision so I am trying to really look at all the angles!!
Thanks!
__________________ Wendy Lord great wonders workest Thou, to Thy sway all creatures bow.
Write Thou deeply on my heart, who I am and who Thou art. Scrappractical - The Blog
I just signed up in February, but I've been a SU customer for a long, long time... And I'm thinking there won't be a better time than right now. You've probably seen all the comments on here - the starter kit is deeply discounted, you get an extra free set up to $47.95 (I think - it's a really high value, anyway), 30% off your first order. It's great timing, and I don't know if I've ever seen anything better.
I well remember thinking the same things when I signed up! It can be daunting trying to figure out when the best time is. Stampin' Up often has different specials at different times of the year. In my opinion, there is no one better time than any other. The best thing is to look at what works best for you!
What I ended up looking at was when I had to meet my first quarterly minimum. The quarter you sign up in is not the quarter you have to meet your minimums. It is the first full quarter. Sooooo, if you signed up now, you'd have to meet your first minimum by June 30th. If you waited until mid next month, you'd have to meet your minimum by September 30th. For me, that made all the difference in the world (more than a special)!
As far as specials go, this is the BEST special I've ever seen Stampin' Up! have (till the end of March). I've been a demonstrator for over 2 years. They do have different specials that come and go that they don't announce ahead of time, so we don't know what (or if) there is a promotion next month. They will do other promotions eventually, especially since the economics are down right now.
I will say that Stampin' Up! is an excellent company and I'm proud to be a part of it!
Think through all your options, but in my opinion, now is probably the best promo they'll have in a while!
__________________ Sending you a SMILE! :p
This is the day the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it!
I wondered the same thing when I signed up as a demonstrator, but my experience has been that the best deals happen during SAB, so I think you can't really go wrong by signing on now!
Have fun
__________________ Aimee mom to two girls & one cool dog! My blog
Right now they have a great deal. You get an additional free stamp set and it's only $169.You can even split up the payments. I signed last week! I'm so excited!!
I well remember thinking the same things when I signed up! It can be daunting trying to figure out when the best time is. Stampin' Up often has different specials at different times of the year. In my opinion, there is no one better time than any other. The best thing is to look at what works best for you!
What I ended up looking at was when I had to meet my first quarterly minimum. The quarter you sign up in is not the quarter you have to meet your minimums. It is the first full quarter. Sooooo, if you signed up now, you'd have to meet your first minimum by June 30th. If you waited until mid next month, you'd have to meet your minimum by September 30th. For me, that made all the difference in the world (more than a special)!
hope that helps!
I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks for the info! I think it will be ok for me, but it's definately something to consider!
__________________ Wendy Lord great wonders workest Thou, to Thy sway all creatures bow.
Write Thou deeply on my heart, who I am and who Thou art. Scrappractical - The Blog
In regards to the deal, yes, now is the best time. The discount and the free stamp set has never occurred at the same time before. You also have the option of making 3 payments, which is a first.
Being the end of a quarter the timing for minimums isn't the best because you'll really only have 3 months to make your first minimum. But there is also an incentive for sales for the next three months where you can earn more free stamps.
Good luck!
__________________ Heather Hawkins - Stampin' Up! Demo and new mom. I have the two best jobs ever! stampinheather.blogspot.com
Oh! I am new to the posting part of this place but I was wondering too. Are you concerned that they are laying off people at the main facitlity??
Michele
I am in no way concerned about Stampin' Up. They have a "no-debt" policy so they are in a good financial position to weather the recession. However, smart business practises dictate the loss of a few jobs in order to maintain viability. I think this is what we're seeing from Stampin' Up. It is unfortunate that job loss has to occur, but perhaps when the economy turns around and with more demonstrators showing the need for a creative outlet in these current times, I would hope that those jobs could be returned!
In regards to the deal, yes, now is the best time. The discount and the free stamp set has never occurred at the same time before. You also have the option of making 3 payments, which is a first.
Being the end of a quarter the timing for minimums isn't the best because you'll really only have 3 months to make your first minimum. But there is also an incentive for sales for the next three months where you can earn more free stamps.
Good luck!
Oh, the incentives are news to me! That's helpful to know! Thanks!!
I am going for it! I am signing up tomorrow!!!
__________________ Wendy Lord great wonders workest Thou, to Thy sway all creatures bow.
Write Thou deeply on my heart, who I am and who Thou art. Scrappractical - The Blog
Oh, the incentives are news to me! That's helpful to know! Thanks!!
I am going for it! I am signing up tomorrow!!!
If you want to sign up and take advantage of the three payments to pay for your kit, you must sign up the old fashioned way, through the mail. You can not take advantage of this offer through the online method of signing up. You will still get the discount on the kit and the free stamp set. You should talk to your current demo and ask her to help you figure it all out.
Yup, I definitely think now is the best time to sign up. You get lots of incentives right now and the cost to become a demonstrator is the lowest I've seen it in the 3 years since I've been demonstrating. Good luck and have lots of fun!
I don't think there is any way to really judge "the best time" -- there could be a better deal in August, but the price of products could rise by then, KWIM? If you need a longer time to meet your first quarter, then you should wait.
Otherwise, decide and don't look back. Even if there is a "better" deal 3 months from now, you would have lost out on 3 months of either enjoying a discount for yourself or from starting to build your business.
In the long run, $30 or even $100 will not seem like much. (even though I totally get wanting the best deal!)
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
I think any time you are feeling called to sign up is the right time. Yes, the incentives now are great and many but it all depends on when you are ready. Talk to the demo you want to sign up under and maybe a few more. But I say go for it!!! Signing up to be a SU! Demo was one of the best things I ever did for myself and now that my business is increasing my family is seeing the benefits also. I am trying to help my DD stay in college since she has decided to go an additional half a year after her Senior Year.
Good luck on your decision and on your business.
__________________ Barbara SU! Demo with a Blog
Procrastinators of the world unite... tomorrow!
Thanks for all the advice everyone! It was very helpful!!
__________________ Wendy Lord great wonders workest Thou, to Thy sway all creatures bow.
Write Thou deeply on my heart, who I am and who Thou art. Scrappractical - The Blog
Ok! The paperwork is in the mail! I am officially on my way to becoming a SU demo!!
__________________ Wendy Lord great wonders workest Thou, to Thy sway all creatures bow.
Write Thou deeply on my heart, who I am and who Thou art. Scrappractical - The Blog
Thank you! I can't wait to get my kit! I wish I could get started today!
__________________ Wendy Lord great wonders workest Thou, to Thy sway all creatures bow.
Write Thou deeply on my heart, who I am and who Thou art. Scrappractical - The Blog
Ok! The paperwork is in the mail! I am officially on my way to becoming a SU demo!!
Woohoo! Congratulations! Make sure and head down to the Comments and Suggestions forum (down at the bottom of the list) to read the thread about how to go about signing up for the SU Demo-Only forums. You'll find a ton of help there with all kinds of things, from projects to running workshops and tons of other stuff...
I have been interested in this for a while but I was a Creative Memories Consultant and I worked hard at it for 5 years but I still lostmy shirt ebause thye kept demanding more from their hobbist. the only people who seemed to fare well were leaders.
What is your obligation after you sign up as a demo, do you have to order so much over the next three orders like CM.?
I have been interested in this for a while but I was a Creative Memories Consultant and I worked hard at it for 5 years but I still lostmy shirt ebause thye kept demanding more from their hobbist. the only people who seemed to fare well were leaders.
What is your obligation after you sign up as a demo, do you have to order so much over the next three orders like CM.?
The only requirement is $300 in sales per quarter. However that is maintained (i.e. 1 large order, several small orders, all at the beginning of the quarter, all at the end, etc.) doesn't matter. And there is a no cash and carry policy, so you do not have to stockpile product.
__________________ Heather Hawkins - Stampin' Up! Demo and new mom. I have the two best jobs ever! stampinheather.blogspot.com
I have been interested in this for a while but I was a Creative Memories Consultant and I worked hard at it for 5 years but I still lostmy shirt ebause thye kept demanding more from their hobbist. the only people who seemed to fare well were leaders.
What is your obligation after you sign up as a demo, do you have to order so much over the next three orders like CM.?
The requirements for SU! are the same whether you're in it for a career or just to support your own habit. You have to sell a minimum of $300 per calendar quarter, and as was mentioned earlier you have till the end of your first full quarter to meet your first quota. If you signed up this week, you'd have till the end of June. April 1st? You'd have till the end of September.
Everyone gets the same perks from the company -- a free monthly magazine, the ability to order preview products early, a free copy of every catalog and mini, and a discount on your own purchases. The main difference between hobbyists and business demos is the amount of commission you make. The base rate is the same across the board for everyone, with the chance to earn additional $$ for monthly sales of $400 or more. You also earn a small percentage based on your downline's (demos you recruit) sales, as long as your own personal sales stay at a certain level each month.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
And there is a no cash and carry policy, so you do not have to stockpile product.
This is the BEST part, IMO! Puts everyone on a level playing field, whether you're a college student, SAHM, 9-5 office worker, or a full-time career demo with huge monthly sales numbers. If we were allowed to (or had to) carry an inventory, there's no way I'd have ever signed up. The cash-and-carry part is the main reason why I won't demo for cosmetic companies like Mary Kay -- I just can't afford to keep that stuff around hoping someone will buy it before it gets discontinued and I'm out the $$ I paid for it.
__________________ Rachel Proud SU! demo and Sci-Fi Geek!
My Stampin' Up! blog "I'm a time traveler -- I point and laugh at archaeologists." 10th Doctor, "Silence in the Library"
This is the BEST part, IMO! Puts everyone on a level playing field, whether you're a college student, SAHM, 9-5 office worker, or a full-time career demo with huge monthly sales numbers. If we were allowed to (or had to) carry an inventory, there's no way I'd have ever signed up. The cash-and-carry part is the main reason why I won't demo for cosmetic companies like Mary Kay -- I just can't afford to keep that stuff around hoping someone will buy it before it gets discontinued and I'm out the $$ I paid for it.
I agree that's definitely a big plus. I have a friend who took out a loan against her house for her Mary Kay business (which I think is crazy).
I have another friend who was a demo for another scrapping company (I don't remember which one) a while ago and she still has a ton of product left.
Is now the time?
