Is Selling Nonconsumable Products a Wise Choice in Today's Economy?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the challenges and considerations of selling nonconsumable products, particularly in the context of the Pampered Chef business. Participants share their thoughts on whether selling consumable items might be more beneficial in the current economy, with a focus on personal experiences and opinions regarding various product categories.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses concern about selling nonconsumable products like Pampered Chef in an economy where people may prefer consumables that need replenishing.
  • Another participant mentions that while candles are a popular item, they may be viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity, especially in tough economic times.
  • Several users note that consumable products, such as food and kitchen tools, are essential and may have a broader appeal compared to luxury items like candles.
  • One participant shares their experience that many direct sellers, including those selling consumables, are struggling to maintain sales and recruit new team members.
  • Another participant highlights that the success of a product often depends on the specific customer base and their purchasing habits.
  • One participant emphasizes that they prefer to sell what they are passionate about, suggesting that personal interest in a product can influence sales success.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ among participants regarding the viability of selling nonconsumable versus consumable products. While some believe consumables are more favorable in the current market, others feel that personal passion for a product is more important than its consumability.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal anecdotes and experiences related to their own sales efforts and the challenges faced by others in the direct selling industry. The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on market trends and consumer behavior.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering expanding their product offerings or those interested in understanding market dynamics related to consumable versus nonconsumable products may find this discussion relevant.

i'm big on the asian when i stir fry. i coat my beef with corn startch and 1-2 Tablespoos of the asian seasoning before frying. it has made my Broccoli Beef 10X better! and it was yummy to begin with!
 
I understand your mom's thinking about consumables. PC has consumables, too. I get calls all the time for spices and sprinkles. Beyond that, the Gold Canyon candles are great, but they last a really long time. It's not like people need new ones every couple of weeks. Also, I can't imagine doing well with a DS company unless I was passionate about the product. How crazy are you about Gold Canyon Candles? Finally, remember that once you promote to Director you'll have to give the other one up anyway.
 
Winnipegk said:
Another thing to think about...Most of the time, you'll only get repeat business if you call them! I have purchased Epicure from 3 different people in the past 2 years. Not one of them has ever called me to ask if I need more. So what happens? I see an Epicure consultant at a trade show and I order more. I don't think to call them when I run out, nor do I have the loyalty to track them down because I only ever spoke to them once - when I placed my order.

So unless you're the queen of customer care and can call all of your customers every few months to ask for orders, I don't know that you'll see that much repeat business.
Click to expand...

Great point!!!

chefsteph07 said:
I have a friend in Partylite and she has to keep replacing the candles in HER kit to burn at her shows! That's the other thing I like about PC, we don't have to restock our OWN supply when we do shows..there was a time when my PL friend had a show and she was stressing because she didn't have such and such candles to show because she already burned them at her last show and didn't have time to reorder! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I have to restock items when they find their way into my house out of my kit or when I loose something! But yes, you are right about this.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
LOL - I'm reading through this and thinking that we aren't biased at all, are we?:p:D
Click to expand...

Of course we aren't.:D

Just like my kids are the cutest kids on the planet.:rolleyes:
 
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