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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider becoming a Stella & Dot Stylist?

98 replies

DriveMeMad · 04/10/2015 19:10

Is it totally naff? Will I become a complete pest getting people to do trunk shows? Will people think I've been brainwashed/conned?

It seems like it would work well for us as a bit of extra income whilst I work PT in my "career" job. The upfront costs are ok, there seems to be a relatively easy exit strategy if you don't like it whereby you can recoup any investment, the support from other S&D members seems very positive and useful.

I've always thought direct/pyramid selling is a bit crap but there's something about this that ticks all my boxes. DH is supportive too. I'm on the verge of signing up. Yet I'm really unsure of what friends and family will say/think. My self-confidence is a bit low atm plus I'll need to rope them in to host parties so it does kind of matter what they think........

OP posts:
Gobbolinothewitchscat · 05/10/2015 09:49

As I said, you're taking advantage of people's good will. The vast majority of people will go to be nice to you. Not because they love Stella & Dot. Be under no illusions about that. If you're comfortable taking advantage of that good will then that's up to you but don't dress it up as though you are doing them some massive favour. If you were, you'd just direct them to the website for free.

LieselVonTwat · 05/10/2015 09:57

And that's fine dancelikenooneiswatching, provided you aren't expecting your family and friends to pay for your desire to stay out of the 9 to 5. Far too many MLMers do.

PeasinPod1 · 05/10/2015 10:08

I've been to a S&D party and most spent between £50-£250 each! It is good quality and the bracelet I have gets more compliments that anything and is very different from bog standard accessorize jewellery.

Though I think they are very mean and silly not to offer guests at the parties more of an incentive i.e. flat 10% discount on everything, going up to say 20% off over a £100 spoend...they offer zero which is why I wont go to any more parties as it is slightly overpriced, though very pretty. OP I'd say def go for it! I was inspired by it too.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 05/10/2015 10:10

I think it's about selling a product and no more than that. I can honestly say I cannot imagine anyone I know going to trunk party purely out of goodwill/pity. I certainly wouldn't go to a Jamie Oliver or Scentsy party but that's because I don't want those products. I would want to go to a S&D party because I like their products and would happily buy something.

If I opened a coffee shop would I be taking advantage of friends and family who come in for a drink?

OP posts:
TPel · 05/10/2015 10:13

I have a friend who is a S & D stylist.

I haven't ever been to a party - I live a fair way from her and the thought of attending a sales party fills me with horror - but I do buy from her from time to time. I think they are quite expensive but on the whole, good quality.

I think she enjoys it, it isn't her main job by any stretch.

LadyLonely1 · 05/10/2015 10:21

Tbf I think you can get better than this and at much cheaper prices at countless other places, accessorize for a start. I can't see how this is so unique from anything else.

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 05/10/2015 10:22

I've thought about it too but in the end I think the products are just too expensive and I live in a wealthy area.
I get my S&D stuff from eBay.

Bluenailsblueshoes · 05/10/2015 10:23

Just calling it a trunk party gets on my nerves.
I think it's too expensive to make it appeal to enough people.
If I were you I would look at skincare and cosmetics, you've got a much wider audience and people can come and spend £10 on a mascara so don't feel as ripped off. Plus if they like the skincare they will re-order from you.

CerseiHeartsJaime4ever · 05/10/2015 10:31

I love Stella and Dot but can only afford the sale pieces. I agree with PeasinPod1, I would have bought lots more if there were offers etc. I have a friend who does it and she has had some success - she is a fantastic networker and has a blog, wears all the stuff and is at every local event going. We have three reps locally but everyone I know has bought something from her specifically because she puts so much in to it.

dancelikenooneiswatching · 05/10/2015 10:33

Liesel I can assure you that at the age of 62 and after working from the age of 15, and running my own very successful business (not MLM) for the last 25 years, I neither expect nor need anyone to pay for my "desire to stay out of the 9-5".

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 05/10/2015 10:33

Honestly - opening a coffee shop is not the same as these parties. Can't you see that? Attendance at a party is by invite only - it creates an obligation. Going into a shop is not. That is why Stella & Dot etc don't open high street shops. They want to go into houses, where it is harder to refuse invites and easier to hard sell to people.

Plus the average price of a coffee is a lot less than the average price of Stella & Dot stuff

The correct coffee shop analogy would be setting up your coffee shop in a friend's house and charging £15 for a latte (ie over the odds).

From my experience, you are quite unique in being able to turn down invitations from close friends inviting you to their parties. Most people don't feel that they can and feel that should, at least, attend the first party.

CerseiHeartsJaime4ever · 05/10/2015 10:38

Sorry, I have just read a bit more - My friend is definitely not pushy and she never pushed parties or sales on to her friends. It was very separate from her personal life. The most she would say to a friend is if you asked her where she got it a certain item she was wearing, she would talk to you about it.

Other wise it was all word of mouth because she is so well known in the area and personable.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 05/10/2015 10:54

Ok gobbolino I guess I'll count you out of hosting a trunk show Grin though I appreciate your comments as I know there will be others I'll come across with similar views.

I'd hope to adopt a similarly low key approach cersei

OP posts:
KimKK · 05/10/2015 11:49

Sorry but I agree with gobbolino. I hate these parties but I love my friends.

Duckdeamon · 05/10/2015 12:47

Many people in RL will think all this stuff but won't tell you. It is not at all the same as supporting a friend's own business or buying from a stall because of the social obligation element of it being a gathering in someone's home.

Lagoleee · 05/10/2015 12:55

I absolutely loathe being flogged to, it makes me want to run a country mile from that person. Also think the s and d stuff I'd naff. Honestly I also think it's a bit horrible to target the 'yummy mummies' - often nice women who don't like hurt feelings in my experience. It all sounds a bit naff and grabby to me. Sorry if I sound harsh!

Lagoleee · 05/10/2015 12:57

Trunk parties! Yeeech!

Lagoleee · 05/10/2015 13:05

God three posts from me. I have someone I barely know in rl make me feel incredibly uncomfortable and indebted and all sorts of negative things... And guess what sh I was flogging... Stella and dot. I had no idea until I read this thread why on earth she was banging on at me, showing me her jewelry and inviting me to her house. I thought she was absolutely bonkers. Do it if you want but stay well away from me!!

LieselVonTwat · 05/10/2015 13:05

Then there's no issue dancelikenooneiswatching, but if you're not MLMing it isn't immediately obvious what relevance your response had to scarlett's post. Most people can well appreciate why someone wouldn't fancy the 9-5, it's just quite a big step from understanding that to thinking it's a good idea for someone to join a pyramid scheme.

Bambambini · 05/10/2015 14:06

"The idea that a host invites their own friends to their house and subjects them to some else selling to them in order to receive freebies is beyond me!"

This and what goblin said. Not interested in these parties or people I know trying to flog me stuff to make money and using the fact that they know me as leverage.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 05/10/2015 14:32

Hmm the responses are putting me off somewhat I must admit. Though I'm not sure how representative you guys posting on this one thread are of the potential clientele in my local area.

I might float the idea with a group of friends and get their take on it.

OP posts:
Shanolyooo · 05/10/2015 14:42

Well I'm a mid thirties 'yummy mummy' and I think it's naff beyond belief. And any of my friends think the same. We avoid sellers, think it's bizarre and resent being given the hard sell in disguise of socialising.

Shanolyooo · 05/10/2015 14:44

And your friends will be nice to your face about it, but feel exactly as everyone on the thread has said.

Original poster
DriveMeMad · 05/10/2015 14:51

I wonder if part of this distaste for direct selling is due to culture, ie it's not a very British thing to do?

FWIW I don't think it's disguised as socialising... It's promoted as an opportunity to buy jewellery. There's no disguise about it.

If it was only sold at gift fairs, pop up shops, fetes etc.... Would you feel differently?

OP posts:
Scoobydoo8 · 05/10/2015 14:53

How many of you posters are wearing jewelry? I have boxes of jewelry but never bother wiht it much these days unless going out to dinner maybe. (not counting wedding rings etc)