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Original poster

Being an Usbourne book seller.

20 replies

bookmum08 · 20/02/2018 14:07

I have been looking at being a Usbourne seller for a while, most likely selling via school fairs etc. However one thing I can't figure out is once someone has ordered a book how does the book actually get to them? Is it sent directly to them or would I have to personally deliver? I don't drive so I wouldn't be able to deliver. Thanks.

OP posts:
Praisebe · 20/02/2018 14:08

Its all a scam don't do it

tigercub50 · 20/02/2018 14:10

It’s not a scam - I know someone who does it & have bought books from her

scurryfunge · 20/02/2018 14:11

It's MLM so no money to be made.

ShotsFired · 20/02/2018 14:13

It's not a scam, but it is and MLM, and risky when pretty much all the stock is available online/at The Works or similar shops far cheaper.

You need a large captive or cash-rich/time-poor market who are happy to repeat buy from you.

So its reputable in a sense that it is a known and trusted brand, but disreputable in that it relies on the above and you won't get rich quick.

delilahbucket · 20/02/2018 14:14

Anything that relies on you selling to friends and family is not a business. If you're lucky and people feel they should "support you", you could make a few quid for a couple of months, but it is literally a few quid and you are reliant on guilt tripping people. You can't earn much beyond that unless you recruit and rely on them to guilt trip their friends and family, and on and on it goes.

NerrSnerr · 20/02/2018 14:15

The books are expensive. I know someone who did it and I bought one book to help her out but nowadays Amazon, the works and charity shops just make it unsustainable.

Sarahjconnor · 20/02/2018 14:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NerrSnerr · 20/02/2018 14:17

I also agree with the guilt tripping. My friend also tried fetes and things but never sold anything.

Original poster
bookmum08 · 20/02/2018 15:17

Hmm. Not looking so great then!! I do know quite a few people who probably would buy - they are the sort who do pay cover price from nearby independent shops (and have never heard of The Works!), but I still need to know if I have to personally deliver any orders!!

OP posts:
ShotsFired · 20/02/2018 15:18

@NerrSnerr My friend also tried fetes and things but never sold anything.

There was a local school fete recently. I like to go to these things for the cake stall to support them if I can.

However, looking at the list of stalls, it was like a who's who of MLM schemes. Usborne, Tropic, Younique, Stella & Dot... - all of them. I didn't want to run that gauntlet so didn't attend.

Original poster
bookmum08 · 20/02/2018 15:19

Also what does MLM mean?

OP posts:
Megs4x3 · 20/02/2018 15:27

Multi Level Marketing. It's a system that relies on you building a network of sellers that you supervise in addition to selling yourself if you hope to make anything more than very little income.

DancesWithOtters · 20/02/2018 15:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Praisebe · 20/02/2018 19:00

Well it is a scam anything that is mlm is a scam its impossible to make any money from it without guilt tripping and scamming others into joining you

thatcoldfeeling · 20/02/2018 19:06

Yes - you do have to either deliver the books or buy in the stock in advance so you are giving it to them on purchase and re-ordering to replenish stock.

Really poor way to make money and the person I know who did this worked loads of hours and was gullibly fooled into thinking getting invited to a 'gala dinner' meant she had a successful business.

womaninatightspot · 20/02/2018 19:14

I have a friend who does this she normally sells to other school parents and delivers to them at the school gates in branded paper bags.

MuddlingMackem · 25/02/2018 22:15

If you're a book fiend and you want to be able to get books easily for yourself plus maybe sell at toddler groups or fairs, then give it a go. It's pretty cheap start up, £38, and you have to put in one £100+ order within six weeks to not have to pay full price for your start up kit which is worth around £140, so that's the most that you'll lose if it doesn't work out.

I do Usborne, it certainly doesn't pay me a wage, but I'm a book addict and I love it as the books are really good quality, and I look on it as a self-funding hobby. Grin

I don't drive either, but I just wouldn't attend fairs or toddler groups I can't get to on public transport. However, if you live in a place with rubbish public transport then it probably won't work for you.

MumsinBusiness · 03/03/2018 22:26

I’m a school fundraiser, basically I shop around to find the best deals for PTA’s. It fits in well with having kids & is going so well that I’m training up other freelancers. I recommend it. I started the company & it isn’t mlm. 👍

NeverTwerkNaked · 03/03/2018 22:29

Don’t do it!
There’s always one at local school fairs, looking bored and gloomy as all the parents steer their kids towards the second hand book stall!

It is an MLM and there are about 10 reps in our local area and yet they still are all trying to recruit more and more people.

NeverTwerkNaked · 03/03/2018 22:30

It’s also a bit grim as MLM sellers always end up putting emotional pressure on friend and family to buy off them.

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