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Usborne Books at Home Organiser

10 replies

Sandra2010 · 22/09/2020 11:36

This is a bit late as I've already signed up but does anyone have any experience of doing this and can you give me advice of what NOT to do? I've got ideas and I'm quite enthusiastic about it, but I've not really done anything like this before so any help with mistakes I shouldn't make would be brilliant.

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MsStillwell · 04/10/2020 21:38

May I ask what drew you to this?

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Sandra2010 · 05/10/2020 01:09

I was thinking about doing something on top of my p/t job, but make up and candles don't appeal. Then I saw this and I didn't even know you could do it! I am very passionate about children reading and having books around them. I have a kindle for convenience but I always have books around me too.

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StormyInTheNorth · 05/10/2020 01:25

Oh dear. It's a MLM. I signed up around the same time of year as you thinking, oh yes, christmas, people will buy books.
You get for your £47 lots of books that are really not sellable because they are quite niche, like a boys puberty book and one that preyed on mental wellness.
The books themselves are not good quality and too expensive when you find that the 'That's not my...' books are going for a quid in the supermarket and all books are cheaper on amazon.
You also may find that while your friends may buy from you once to help you out, they will find an excuse the next time. From experience my family told me to do one.
You have to sell £120 pounds worth of books in a six week period (iir) and if you want to order 1 book or 20 it's £5.50 delivery, it is lower if you hit the £120 mark. Most customers want a book within a week, so you have to order it and take a hit. They deduct the commission at source so you never see it in your bank account.
Stock... you will find that all the popular books are out of stock. Mainly because other organisers are holding them or have bought up lots as stock for stalls.
I assume you've joined the facebook groups. The woman who was leading mine is earning £££ from her downline. You will be able to see her physical sales on your portal. She won't have flogged much.

If you're in your 14 day period, please take my advice and cancel. If not, try to make the first target so they don't charge you full whack for your starter kit.

I broke even and I still have some of the starter kit left under the spare bed. I can't even give them away.

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StormyInTheNorth · 05/10/2020 01:28

I too 'am passionate about putting books into the hands of children', but trust me, they are not worth the money. Also, their history selection is littered with inaccuracies.

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Bluewavescrashing · 05/10/2020 01:35

You don't own a business OP. You're an unpaid sales rep. The products will not sell themselves as you've no doubt been told. Usborne books, can be bought for h as lf the price at supermarkets, Amazon, the Works etc. You'll struggle to recruit others as people are wise to MLM now. You're likely to lose friends if you try to get them to buy from you repeatedly or host parties. You'll be encouraged to buy stock out of your own pocket stationery, adverts etc and making any profit will be really hard. People above you in the team will lie to you about the realities of selling and recruiting.

If the contract has a 14 day cooling off period, get out now before you lose money.

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Nikori · 05/10/2020 01:43

The only way to make money from MLMs is by recruiting not by selling.

You can either starting doing #Bossbabe posts in social media and brag about all the money you are making to try and reel in as many friends as you can to sign up.

Or get out now while your losses are still minimal.

Personally, I’d go for the second option.

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BSintolerant · 05/10/2020 06:27

You’ve got sucked into the murky world of MLM. Return your stock, get your money back and run! You’ll lose money, friends and your self-esteem if you carry on.

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BSintolerant · 05/10/2020 06:29

This excellent documentary shows how Multilevel Marketing (aka network marketing or direct sales) manipulates people:

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p076n2hg/secrets-of-the-multilevel-millionaires-ellie-undercover

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TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 05/10/2020 06:33

A FB acquaintance does a make-up and perfume version of this. I've ended up unfollowing her posts because of the utter tedium of the relentless promotion of it all and her cheerleading of the other women she's recruited (who are always "smashing it"). How big a market can there be for cheap unbranded versions of the real deal? I know the Usborne books are at least genuine, but don't alienate all your family and friends by doing this...

Run! Run for your life!