Can Power Sellers on eBay Really Make a Profit?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the experiences and frustrations of participants regarding power sellers on eBay who sell Pampered Chef products at significantly reduced prices. Participants share their observations about the impact of these sellers on their businesses and discuss potential reasons behind their ability to sell at such low prices.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about how power sellers on eBay can profit by selling Pampered Chef items for half price or less, suggesting they may be obtaining items through large, fictitious shows.
  • Another participant mentions the possibility of sellers profiting from selling catalogs, questioning who would pay for something that is typically free.
  • Several participants share their frustration about customers opting to purchase from eBay sellers instead of at shows, impacting their sales.
  • One participant notes that they have contacted Home Office regarding suspicious sellers and received a response indicating that they are investigating the suppliers.
  • Another participant mentions that they have seen no items cheaper on eBay than what they sell, suggesting that some sellers may eventually face consequences for not following the rules.
  • One participant speculates that the sellers may be third parties receiving products from various consultants, possibly including those at higher ranks within the company.
  • Another participant recounts a personal experience where a customer chose not to buy due to the availability of cheaper options on eBay, despite attempts to explain warranty differences.
  • One participant expresses disbelief at the prices some sellers are charging for catalogs, indicating a general sentiment of frustration and disbelief regarding the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants, with some expressing frustration over the impact of eBay sellers on their businesses, while others believe that they have not seen lower prices on eBay compared to their own sales. No clear consensus emerges regarding the effectiveness of Home Office's response to these issues.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and observations related to selling Pampered Chef products, highlighting the challenges they face in a competitive market influenced by online sellers.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants who are experiencing similar frustrations with eBay sellers or are curious about the dynamics of selling Pampered Chef products in a competitive environment may find this discussion relevant.

C
Chef Bobby
Gold Member
Messages
1,045
I'm trying to figure out how certain people are making any profit with PC or Ebay because I see big power sellers on Ebay letting new PC items go for half price or sometimes less. The only thing I could imagine is that they are doing very large make believe shows and getting lots of items free, half price, and discounted and then selling them on Ebay. Seems like HO would notice.
Good example. Check out this seller's items. myfavoritekitchenstore
 
Either that, or they're making a killing on something else. Like selling a CATALOG. Who pays $3.75 for something they can get for free?
 
Chef Bobby said:
I'm trying to figure out how certain people are making any profit with PC or Ebay because I see big power sellers on Ebay letting new PC items go for half price or sometimes less. The only thing I could imagine is that they are doing very large make believe shows and getting lots of items free, half price, and discounted and then selling them on Ebay. Seems like HO would notice.
Good example. Check out this seller's items. myfavoritekitchenstore
Click to expand...

I have sent emails to HO about this seller. I got a reply that they are looking into who is supplying them. I would think this would be easy to track down, but maybe they are really good at hiding it.

I know some will say that this isn't a big deal, but when you have someone say that they will "just get it off of eBay", you realize it effects us personally.
 
omg yes i have seen that seller on ebay! i hate that they can do this, i too have had customers tell me they will just get it on ebay..i had one person at one show go on and on about ebay and it actually made one customer not buy anything when she knew she could get it much cheaper on ebay...i did try to tell her she would not be getting the warranty but that didn't changer mind
 
pc_jessica said:
omg yes i have seen that seller on ebay! i hate that they can do this, i too have had customers tell me they will just get it on ebay..i had one person at one show go on and on about ebay and it actually made one customer not buy anything when she knew she could get it much cheaper on ebay...i did try to tell her she would not be getting the warranty but that didn't changer mind
Click to expand...



Not to mention that they would have probably paid more for shipping from the seller on Ebay.
 
I have sent HO links to sellers on Amazon also. They were successful in taking one down, but they will just pop up with a new site, I am sure.

It's really sad, because we all know that the people doing this (or their suppliers) are most likely going on the top trips, making huge sales each month with the company and profiting big.

Ugh!
 
I have never seen anything go cheaper on ebay than what we sell it for. Everything I have seen has been more expensive...and people selling incentive stuff are making a killing. But, they will eventually get "bit". When you don't follow the rules it always comes back to bite you eventually.
 
jwpamp said:
I have sent HO links to sellers on Amazon also. They were successful in taking one down, but they will just pop up with a new site, I am sure.

It's really sad, because we all know that the people doing this (or their suppliers) are most likely going on the top trips, making huge sales each month with the company and profiting big.

Ugh!
Click to expand...

You know I've often wondered if some (I'm not saying all) of the sellers that have huge sales in their first month (the ones listed in the CN) are some of the suppliers to these people.
 
gotta be directors or above because they get doubles of stuff!:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
  • Thread starter
  • #10
Shawnna said:
I have never seen anything go cheaper on ebay than what we sell it for. Everything I have seen has been more expensive...and people selling incentive stuff are making a killing. But, they will eventually get "bit". When you don't follow the rules it always comes back to bite you eventually.
Click to expand...

Go to this seller's site. They have their own store.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/myfavoritekitchenstore__W0QQ_armrsZ1
 
NooraK said:
Either that, or they're making a killing on something else. Like selling a CATALOG. Who pays $3.75 for something they can get for free?
Click to expand...

Maybe someone should bid on that catalog. I am sure their info would be stamped on it.
 
This is so frustrating!!! How can someone sell over 3000 products in 6 mths and not get caught by HO!
 
I was actually approached by someone that puts product on ebay as a service for consultants. WE can't, but she can. No thanks.
 
Chef Bobby said:
Go to this seller's site. They have their own store.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/myfavoritekitchenstore__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Click to expand...

They already have fall product up. Sigh... Karma's a b*tch. It'll come back to bite them in the rear someday...
 
pc_jessica said:
omg yes i have seen that seller on ebay! i hate that they can do this, i too have had customers tell me they will just get it on ebay..i had one person at one show go on and on about ebay and it actually made one customer not buy anything when she knew she could get it much cheaper on ebay...i did try to tell her she would not be getting the warranty but that didn't changer mind
Click to expand...

Not to mention if the product arrives NOT damaged. I have heard of that happening!
 
This has to be a third party that is receiving items from consultants from different companies. I can't imagine that there would be someone involved in Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia & Silpada. I don't think the two jewelry companies would allow you to be a consultant for both. Heck, Tupperware/PC is getting to be more the same as well. Unreal!
 
People who sell on ebay will get there's when they get to pearly gates.

I don't think they really care how they hurt us honest peoples businesses.

Lisa
 
It looks like you could easily track down who is selling PC on Ebay. There are several ways to look it up or to get that information if you really want to.

Not sure how you would stop a NON-Pampered Chef consultant from selling on ebay though... this is a different story. When I sell things to people I never ask what they are going to do with it.
 
I just had a show and a customer said I should do cash and carry show. She went to a show and bought things like a food chopper ( said there were a couple) and a covered baker, and more. Maybe people are buying things to stay active and then selling like that?
 
honestly, I think that this particular person is some type of third party, getting stuff from different consultants, and at least with the PC stuff, probably getting some director or above's second set and receiving some type of "cut" in the profits.

I'm sure that there is all kinds out there. I know in TX, there was someone who got busted having a "store-front" of sorts at the largest flea market in the state. the whole operation was mind-blowing and repulsive. Luckily, if I remember correctly PC banned her for life.
 
Last edited:
Chef Bobby said:
Go to this seller's site. They have their own store.
http://stores.shop.ebay.com/myfavoritekitchenstore__W0QQ_armrsZ1
Click to expand...

I can not belive that they are selling a fall/winter catalog on there and already have 7 bids on it so far it is at $10 for a catalog that I am sure any of us would give freely to a customer!

I had a lady at one of my shows who wouldn't buy anything because she said that she gets it all on ebay. :grumpy:
 
I am in shock that someone wants for pay over $10 for a catalog...that is unreal.
I wish we could stop them also. No one has ever told me they could get it cheaper on ebay but I know some other consultants that have had that also happen to them...it is a shame.
 
I just had a show and a customer said I should do cash and carry show. She went to a show and bought things like a food chopper ( said there were a couple) and a covered baker, and more. Maybe people are buying things to stay active and then selling like that?
Click to expand...


My hubby has asked my why at my Sept. / Oct. shows I don't sell me "old style" used things or even things I have extra and do cash & Carry at my shows.

I've told him that I won't do that to my hostess, how would I "make up" to her that $ amount in sales for her show.

Does anyone do this and how do you handle that??

Just curious.

Lisa
 
Lisa/ChefBear said:
My hubby has asked my why at my Sept. / Oct. shows I don't sell me "old style" used things or even things I have extra and do cash & Carry at my shows.

I've told him that I won't do that to my hostess, how would I "make up" to her that $ amount in sales for her show.

Does anyone do this and how do you handle that??

Just curious.

Lisa
Click to expand...


absolutely not. IMO - if you are going to sell old style or extra items, those items should be sold at a booth, or an Open House, etc.
 
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  • Thread starter
  • #25
I've only done 1 show in my own home, but whenever I do another, I would have a few cash & carry items. I wouldn't bring them to a hostess' party and hurt her party sales.
 
On my 4th anniversary, I had a Mystery Hostess party, at my home, that hit close to $900 in sales. I also had the top of my SPA covered with discontinued items (SBCK) demo samples that I could no longer demo, and some incentive items I did not want, that I sold at a discount just to get rid of them. Everyone went home happy, and I went happily to the bank the next day! I have offered Cash & Carry at our church bazaar, and on average it covers the cost of the booth. Most folks come looking for bargains at our White Elephant table, so they are happy not to pay shipping and handling, and have what they see instantly.
 
That catalog is at $10.50! WHAT A BUNCH OF DUMMIES!
Anyway, I look at it this way, same as most of you, they will get theirs. I wish there was a way Pampered Chef could tell eBay - NO PC Products are allowed. I do cash and carry. Rummage, booths but never attached to a party. That is so unfair to the host. HERE IS A A LITTLE WISH I WISH FOR ALL THOSE SELLING OUR STUFF ON E-BAY.
MAY THE PRODUCTS SHOW UP AT THE BUYERS HOMES BROKE
AND OUT OF BUSINESS YOU'LL BE WITH NO WARRANTY.
THEN SADLY ENOUGH YOUR GREAT WISDON ABOUND
AND DOWN THE TUBES YOU'LL GO WITH NOT A PENNY TO BE FOUND!
I HOPE YOU END UP BROKE AND TIED UP IN LAW SUITES!
 
pampered1224 said:
That catalog is at $10.50! WHAT A BUNCH OF DUMMIES!
Anyway, I look at it this way, same as most of you, they will get theirs. I wish there was a way Pampered Chef could tell eBay - NO PC Products are allowed. I do cash and carry. Rummage, booths but never attached to a party. That is so unfair to the host. HERE IS A A LITTLE WISH I WISH FOR ALL THOSE SELLING OUR STUFF ON E-BAY.
MAY THE PRODUCTS SHOW UP AT THE BUYERS HOMES BROKE
AND OUT OF BUSINESS YOU'LL BE WITH NO WARRANTY.
THEN SADLY ENOUGH YOUR GREAT WISDON ABOUND
AND DOWN THE TUBES YOU'LL GO WITH NOT A PENNY TO BE FOUND!
I HOPE YOU END UP BROKE AND TIED UP IN LAW SUITES!
Click to expand...

Love it!!!
 
So just for kicks, I sent a question to the seller of the catalog. I hid my email address... I asked if there would be any consultant info in the catalog. The reply was no.
 
Did you ask how then you could order out of the catalog?
 
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