Does anyone do Usborne books? Looking for some advice

[winnie76winnie]

I am considering signing up to do Usborne books. Can anyone who already does it give me a bit of advice. Does it fit in well with your children? Can you make a reasonable amount of money doing it?

Yes Travi - like a bleddy bungee rope it is!

He he!

HELP! Suggestions please! Still haven't heard from my 'recruiter', TL whatever and was hoping to chat with before now! I have a meeting at my son's school in about 2 hours and was planning to use it as an opportunity to drop off some info about Usborne. Perhaps I could just leave one of the catalogues and the web address for schools? Is there anything I could download and leave with the Head?

Any help would be welcomed!!

Usborne have just called back and my TL's upline is going to call me this evening. That's good - but won't help me this afternoon!

Ah well, worse things happen at sea...

Sorry I didnt get on before hun! Havent been able to get onto here since yesterday - just wouldnt let me log on!

Im sorry about your TL - thats not on. At least its in hand now. It makes other people look bad though doesnt it grrrr!

How did you get on hun???? What did you take in the end?? I hope it went ok!

Hi Nicki - I took a couple of leaflets and the Ready Steady Read info. The school have just called and want 2 of the Phonics packs (great deal!) and a Guided Reading pack! Not a lot but it's a start. My dilemma now is I didn't ask about payment, and should I order them straight away or wait until I have more orders? Does the commission work on on a total of any amount of orders (yea, I know, more delivery charges). For example if a put in 5 separate orders of around £25 (I know that would be stupid, but for arguments sake)would that still count towards the £100 needed for Flying Start step 1?

Again, sorry for bombarding you but I tried to contact my TL's upline (all these words!) and she's not around. Yes, some one did get in touch last night (the person who was supposed to call is packing it in I think). She's very nice - although I did call the office again yesterday and explained how much you were helping me but they would not let me change. Nonsense really but d I push it??

In summary:

• should I always get payment up front before I order, even from schools?
• will separate orders count towards totals say for Flying Start?
• and when I order for schools can I place orders for myself (catalogues etc) in same order?
• who do I put down as hostess when there isn't one?

AArgh!I hate not knowing what to do! Thanks, again!!

Hi Travi
I'm so sorry youre having TL probs. They won't let you swap over to me hun but I'll still help you out.
Well done on the orders! Ideally you do need to ask for payment up front otherwise youre paying for orders out of your own pocket.
Remind me if you have anything else booked? Its def worth waiting until you have a £100 order to put through because delivery is cheaper and you get the 20% free books.
For the sake of flying start - you can put 100 orders of £1 in (and I'd think you were a nugget)and as long as you did it within your date you'd get the freebies. (YAY).
I regularly put orders together and add my own bits and pieces, its just easier that way.
And if theres no hostess put yourself down as hostess.

Youre doing SO well hun! Chuffed to bits for you!! Don't hesitate to ask if theres anything else as you go on. x

Hi Nicki - I know once I get into the swing of this it will all go swimmingly!! Hah! Just beginning to realise how organised you have to be to make this work...There's obvious stuff that experienced organisers must do automatically. I couldn't even complete an order today. Clueless or what! I do have a couple of events over the next 2 weeks. A home party (my house) and a coffee morning hosted by someone else. Probably the only coffee morning I'll do as I start my new job soon. Weekends will always be an option I guess - just have to seek out charity event etc. Time to start buying local newspapers!!

Really appreciate your help. Thanks!!

Think its like anything new you start

Its not thats its complicated , its just new to you

Soon, when you have done more events, it will become second nature

If I can do it anyone can, belive me

When I first started I took the handbook with me every night to bed and read it. I couldnt understand much lol. But as soon as I got started and did some orders it was ok

The first thing I did (and most do) is a sale at home with friends and family. Bit of a practise run I suppose

Doesn't matter too much if you are not sure what you are doing when its your best friend and Aunty Nellie there

Make sure you do you ordering on line, it is so much easier that way, it takes you through it page by page

I know you're right anniebear. I think the home one and hosted coffee morning will be OK, but I think I will order some more catalogues for them anyway - BTW do catalogues and leaflets count toward totals? Two just wont be enough. Its the school stuff I was more worried about - and I'm sure whilst reading through stuff last night that the special offers don't count towards totals?! Is that right? The school has ordered 2 of the Phonics packs - will they not count toward my total? This is dead easy stuff (I know!) but I just don't know the answers!! Anyway - I've resolved to speak to the head and establish how quickly she wants the order (and to sort out payment). If she's in no hurry, I will wait 'til I have more orders. The catalogues however are a must (whether the count towards totals or not). This is when being able to speak to my TL would be VERY HANDY. Daft questions that could be answered instantly!!(thats frustration, not envy!)

Hey Travi
While youre waiting, email me if you have any questions hun, I'm usually online but have problems at the mo getting on here. I'll send you my mobile no. so if you get stuck you can text etc. I hope that will help
Catalogues and leaflets don't count towards your totals but special offers do - so you do get your commission on the phonics etc.
I put orders together too but keep an eye on the phonics set stock as it soon shoots out.
Do this by logging onto your ordering section, go to product enquiry and then type Phonics. It'll bring up Phonics (not boxed) and the number of stock beside it. When its gone its gone x
Well done on getting the school order though!

Im always right

PMSL - She is too lol!!!

Give me a couple of months - I'll be just as cocky!!(I hope!)

Something to look forward to!!!

How are you getting on Travi?

MESSAGE FOR CHELSYGIRL

Hello if you get this far! To answer what you posted on the thread, I did a stock check last month and had just under £1000 of stock (none of which I paid for either lol!)and this fits into 4 plastic storage tubs which stack on top of each other in the bottom of a cupboard. Hope that helps. I couldnt cope with tripping over books etc!

Hi to you all!!

I am an Usborne Organiser and LOVE
my job! Let me know if you want an information pack on joining!!

Shauna.x

Hi everyone - its been a long time since I posted on this thread, but just wanted to drop in again and say hello to you all!

I joined quite a while ago now, and am absolutely loving it! Huge thanks to Nickisue who has really helped me get started. Reading about the nightmare that Travipop has had, I'm really glad I've got Nicki as my team leader.

Whats everyone up to over Easter? I've got some bookings at our local soft play centre.

Hi Winnie! Thanks for that! Mind you - its not me thats got your sales and bookings is it?! I've just helped you along the way, thats all!

Easter weekend was really busy for me and I got some cracking sales. This next week I have a couple of new playgroups (new as in I've not been before), another softplay and a charity morning sale. The diary for april is choc-a-bloc though!
Now is a really good time to ask people about going to county shows over the summer. They are usually fantastic sales and good for recruiting too. Have a look online and see whats going on nearby.

How did you get on with your SureStart meeting Winnie?

Hi Nicki! It went really well thanks. They dont get their budget until 3rd April, but they intend to place quite a big order then (over £1,000.00 from what I can gather) so keep everything crossed for me!

How is everyone else getting on?

sounds like you are doing really well

Another one here who would recommend anyone joining Usborne to join through Nicki (shes lovely !!)

Bless you Ang! What can I say to that? Lol!

Is anyone doing the community book pledge? I fancy giving it a try but I dont know if I'm brave enough. Does anyone have any advice?

Im doing two!

I'm doing one in a nearby town (fairly big) for a special needs nursery and one in Sept in my town for one of the local primary schools. Apart from being a great way to increase sales its great to be able to give something back Ive been toying with the idea of adapting it for the Brownies etc to use on behalf of a local charity but I'm going to have to speak to the leader about it after Easter.

As for being brave enough - the worse thing that can happen is you turn up, with your signed letter from the school etc and ask them to pledge a book or amount for the school/charity and in return have book plates with "This book was donated by.... X Business" to advertise their community spirit and they so no. Their loss as there will be plenty of people optimistic about the scheme who will benefit from the good advertising.

I know someone who has done £1500 so far by visiting different offices, hairdressers, garages etc and on top of that the school she is doing it for will get 60% in free books on top. She is a very timid person too and said it was awkward the first 1-2 times but fine after that.

Go for it!

WOO HOO! Have you sen the April starter kit! What a cracker! People should be queue-ing up to join lol! And the April host offer is great too. I love telling people they can have free books!

You've persuaded me Nicki - I'm going to give the book pledge a go. If nothing else the exercise going up and down the high street will do me some good!

I agree about the April starter kit, it really is lovely - and such good value as well - you'd make over £100.00 profit just selling your starter kit at an event.