Who here's a nappy advisor? Flame?

[lunavix]

Which company are you with and why?

anyone?

Flamesparrow def is - check her out on the Feb 06 postnatal thread.

Flame has started her own nappy company now so prob isn't doing advice any more!

Are you thinking of becoming one lunavix? I ask because I do it informally and don't promote any single company but do wonder whether to take it one step further...

Me - I'm an agent for Bumdiddy Baby. I didn't like Lollipop terms - seemed to tie your hands too much. Bumdiddy Baby don?t have a minimum demo kit purchase, nor do they have tie in clauses about not sourcing products from elsewhere. Suited me better! Why?

Hope it's ok to say this...

We have agents who join us for the same reasons SAHM is with Bumdiddy. Our agents also sell our clothing, shoes and toys if they want to. No specific demo pack to buy (you obviously need to have some basics otherwise you can't show anyone anything) and you can sell nappies from other companies too - the whole point here is to promote real nappies, not to tie people into something which isn't perfect for them. We send out orders free of carriage and can send anonymously to your customers.

Emma

That is it exactly - promoting real nappies ? not trying to get rich quick. I don?t think real nappies are the market in which to make money!!!

DH says it?s my hobby. He?s probably right!

Ello. Still doing advice (tis on the site )

I'm with babykind and geobel for selling, but pretty much just me for the advice side of things (I advise things I can't sell if I think it is the better nappy for you).

And I'm bloody rude because I never got back to you Emma I completely forgot we were emailing!!!

s'ok Flame!! :-)

Hope things are going ok :-)

Yup, tis good but hectic - got set up with a free host for a shop, so setting that up and should be able to advertise properly soon

Brilliant! Well let me know when you're sorted, if you wanted to do anything with us :-)

SAHMof1 I am quite upset about your message, I have been a Lollipop advisor for yonks and am certainly not in it to 'Get rich quick'
I have done loads of unpaid work with the local Real Nappy Network and the council. I love what I do even though I don't make much money. I am actually quite hurt that that is how people see me - as somebody who is only out to make money!

Crinkle, SAHM's message was a response to mine and I think you've misunderstood it. I'm sure she didn't mean that Lollipop advisors are into it to get rich quick - after all if that was the case we'd all be doing it and promoting RN at the same time!!

Neither of us meant to deride LP in any way at all, and if that was the way it was taken then I apologise. It was just pointed out that it's nice to work with companies who don't limit their agent's opportunities (and therefore their customer's choices).

Emma

Oh yes definately - it was two seperate posts... one about not coping with lollipop terms (which I didn't either), and the other was to Emma about being in it for the love of it. They were two seperate issues rather than that lollipop are evil iyswim.

I can see how it can be misread though.

Apology accepted makesachange but you can see how it looked to me.
Just because some people don't sign up with lollipop because of the contract terms doesn't mean that other ways of selling nappies are necessarily better - they are just different.
I get customers coming to me because they feel there is 'just too much choice'(their words not mine) and they want the process simplified. I have pointed others in the direction of sites which sell things that I don't (which doesn't breach my contract as I am not 'selling' for somebody else just giving the individual a choice.)
Horses for courses I suppose
I promote nappies like you and as you said nobody is likely to get rich quick in this game.
Lunavix asked who you are with and why, well I like the support network lollipop gives me, the contact with other advisors, the training and I suppose I also like working with a long established company that people have heard of (no offence to those who haven't been around so long) oh and I look forward to the summer conference all year!

The support of the other advisors and training did appeal to me a lot - if I wasn't overly passionate about wambamboos I probably would have been more swayed

Flame - yes I'm considering promoting nappies, it really also fits in with other work I'm doing.

However I've just fallen in love with wambamboos and swaddlebees

I really need to sell a few more to be able to try out swaddlebees

They're amazing. I've never seen a cloth nappy fit like it.

ive never tried swaddlebees either!
i like the thought of lollipop as its the only nappy agent round here ive heard of.but what is pros and cons?is it something you can do with your lo?

You can do it with your lo but you do need to bear things in mind eg doing a demo witrh lo screaming head off!

As far as I am aware (please correct me people) lollipop have the best advisor support. They have a forum, team leaders, training events.... but on the downside you have to buy a kit, and the products are a little more limited.

Other companies (eg babykind, twinkle, bebeco) all don't make you buy a kit (although technically you do need to show nappies! So you need to have some!) but while they support advisors it isn't quite the same.

I think that's summed it up!

I did sign up with one local but they havne't offered any support at all. I'd like to do lollipop instead but don't have the £200+ for the kit

Lunavix

I am an ex-advisor for Lollipop and loved it - the support and friendship was great. People came to me because they valued my opinion and trusted my advice - gained through using cloth myself and the support provided by Lollipop. Most mums have no idea what they want when they ask for a demo and they find it reassuring to see and feel all the nappies Lollipop sell - some have seen stuff on the internet and will ask about other nappies and if one Lollipop sells is not similar and no alternative then they can go elsewhere to buy - most advisors know about most cloth nappies on the market or another advisor will and you can get the info you need to advise your customer. Many new mums make mistakes buying online - as we all know and it can be an expensive mistake and put them off cloth altogether - good advice and support for the customer is vital to make sure they get what they need - it isn't about how much you sell - but it is nice when running a business - it is about customer satisfaction.

Lollipop also sells a wide range of other products. The kit starts at £100 for the basic lollipop kit and then £50 for an add on kit - with training manual, training days and online support forum.

I left simply because my children were out of cloth - but you can continue if you wish to.

Lollipop has recently reduced their initial kit costs and there is a way to get your kit price refunded after the first month. It's mainly to stop some people joining for cheap nappies! This also makes sure that the kit that is shown customers is in good condition and is in keeping with the high standards of professionalism the company portrays. They do give a great deal of training and support and the advisor forum is amazing. They were also the first to have advisors and have leaded the way for 7 plus years. Lots of other companies have tried to copy them with advisors etc. but the support and training is second to none. With so many advisors all over the country, many having been with the company for years, they have been through all the wrong ways to do things and stop newer advisors wasting time, money and effort with things that have been tried before and failed. I would contact them again and checkout the new kit structure.

Choosing which company to agent for comes down to a few different things:

• Cost of set up. Of course you need nappies to demo but it's a bit unfair if you HAVE to buy nappies you already have, if you've got them in good enough condition to demo. However it is clearly important to have a good range of good condition nappies so being able to have your starter pack refunded if you sell enough is fair.

• What you can earn. No, you're not in this to make millions but yes, you do have to make some money. Bear in mind that different companies offer different commissions AND there is postage to consider. If you have, say, a 20% commission rate but have to pay £5 carriage for every order you then either have to hold stock (and can you afford that?) or your customers who just want one wrap or a couple of nappies are going to cost you more to handle than you earn. Other companies have free shipping on all orders, and we, for instance, ship directly to you (best for new customers who may need talking through things) or if you prefer direct to your customer, without any Makes a Change branding and with your return address on your parcel making you look very professional. Also with commissions it's worth looking at the whole range on offer. We offer up to 25% to agents on some nappies such as packs of wambamboos (with free shipping as well).

• Order processing. With our anonymous shipping system you can open your own online shop or ebay shop offering everything we sell including baby shoes, clothing and eco toys as well as nappies, and not stock a thing - just pass orders to us to deal with. A great way of starting a new business with no risk.

• Future business. You may start this as a little part time thing but you may grow it into a bigger business. You can then buy nappies wholesale (eg Wambamboos from us, Tots Bots from Tots Bots) so if you're tied into a contract with your agency then this may become a problem.

• Support. There is no question that Lollipop has an excellent support and training system which if you're going into selling for the first time is very helpful. On the other hand, if you've got the passion for real nappies and the knowledge from your own experience, that's worth more than anything. I know that we're not the only company to also offer a great deal of support and information for agents, in fact all of the main nappy sellers are very experienced in doing this. If you are looking for the community offered by Lollipop and some others then that may be the route for you as you will get to talk lots about nappies! If you just want to get on and promote RN then don't be put off by the fact that us other companies don't do conferences and have regional managers. It doesn't mean we don't support you or don't care - quite the opposite.

• Nappy Brands. Finally, look at the brands on offer. If you love Swaddlebees and Wambamboos then try us. If you are really into Kooshies (for instance) then we're not your best choice. Of course, most major nappy companies can source other brands if you really like them so if a company appeals to you then just ask whether they can source the brand you like. For instance, we don't stock Sandys but we can easily get them if you want to sell them.

In summary, there are lots to consider when choosing who to agent for. And you're not stuck with most of them so why not sign up with a couple who offer non-exclusive terms and see how you get on?

Emma

I'm sorry makesachange but this last post looks supiciously like 'why we are much better than lollipop'
Or have I misunderstood again?