Is Using Supplies From Ebay a Good Idea for New Consultants on a Budget?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores the use of supplies from eBay for new consultants on a budget, with participants sharing their experiences and opinions on the pros and cons of purchasing materials from this platform versus official sources. Various suggestions for essential supplies and kits are also discussed.

Discussion Character

  • Opinion-based
  • Anecdotal
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, inquires about the viability of using eBay for supplies like order forms and invites to save money.
  • Another participant suggests that the Booster Kit is a better investment than eBay supplies, noting it provides essential materials for new consultants.
  • Several users mention that items on eBay may be outdated or come from other consultants, which could lead to issues with branding and quality.
  • One participant shares their experience of ordering from eBay but expresses concern about the legitimacy of the items received.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of organization and suggests using notes during shows to manage anxiety about professionalism.
  • Some participants discuss alternative sources for supplies, including checking the marketplace within the community or borrowing from directors.
  • One participant mentions that they have had positive experiences with official vendors like Vista Print for business cards.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the use of eBay for supplies, with some participants strongly advising against it due to potential issues, while others express a willingness to explore it for cost savings. There is general agreement on the value of the Booster Kit as a reliable option for new consultants.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects the experiences of new consultants navigating the initial stages of their business, focusing on budget constraints and the need for essential supplies.

Who May Find This Useful

New consultants looking for cost-effective solutions for supplies and those interested in shared experiences regarding the use of eBay and official vendors.

I can see you are going to be a great consultant!!! You have so much energy about the business!
 
"...Quick question, has anyone ever read any books written by Christie Nortrup such as Hanging Up on Your Phone Phobias or Presentation for Profit? They got really high reviews on Amazon and like I said, I need to get my hands on SOMETHING because I need to learn how to do something I've never done and Im nervous as heck! Yes, I have read The Pampered Chef book by Doris. It was amazing and when I was pondering this idea last year, I bought it and read it from cover to cover twice. Great book...very inspirational..."


Denarella,

Don't forget about the online classes on Consultant's Corner. They are very inspirational, and TPC has CD's for order ($2) you can listen to in the car- talk about motivation on the way to your show!!!

Good luck!
Rhonda
 
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  • #33
I'm going to join all answers on this one....:D ....this working full time stuff is for the birds! LOL...

As for the binders, if I put a blade to something, someone's getting hurt (that's me). Martha Stewart I am not. That's why I have all of you. Hopefully, someday soon, I can repay with some helpful hints of my own!

As for the training on CC, I sooooo look forward to that. After putting my son to bed, plugging my Bose headphones into my laptop and being sponge-like and absorbing more. (Don't know if any of you watch Spongebob the episode where all he knows is breathing and fine dining....)

I cant wait to get the two books so atleast I have something to start with. My recruiter promies to come with reading material to the PC party tonight at my neighbor's.

Guess where I'm spending my lunch hour today, Ladies? STAPLES!!! LOL! Pathetic....Im so Pathetic.....

My sister has her house up for sale but she said she would definitely have a catalog show at her school (she's a kindergarten teacher) and teacher friend and her sister always throw a big PC party at one of their houses and they're disgusted with their Consultant. WHOO HOO!!!! I love my sister!:D
 
DenarellaGuess where I'm spending my lunch hour today said:
[/COLOR]:D
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You are NOT pathetic... if I was close, I'd come join you for lunch hour... Staples sounds MUCH more interesting than our cafeteria!!! Yep, it's official... I'm a OS junkie as well.
Don't know if I should tell you this, but if you don't have time to get out to get your OS fix, you can order ONLINE with Office Depot and have everything delivered TO YOUR DOOR FREE!!!!! In the first few months with PC, I think I had more Office Depot boxes delivered to my house than PC stuff!! After all, a new business required a COMPLETE overhaul of my desk, right????
I know the prices are a bit higher, but since I don't get to Staples very often without my three kids, I enjoy getting my fix this way... the extra cost is SOOOOOO worth not having to drag my kids out.
 
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  • #35
You're soooo bad......but soo good...I LOVE overhauls! Especially desk ones! I'm thinking Im going to need my OWN Desk in my home. Perhaps an early bday present?! LOL....(Oct 2)

I'm going to check out Office Max now while Im sitting here! Hey! I read a list of supplies on here....something like electric stapler, red pens, calculator, zipper bag for change at shows....anything else recommended?:D
 
You all are so funny!














Okay, I admit it. I am an OS junkie too.:rolleyes:
 
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  • #37
Rumor has it........the first step is admitting you HAVE a problem


Hello. My name is Dena. And Im an office supply junkie.....
;)
 
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  • #38
Sorry....Hit the size button by accident....Yikes! :eek:
 
Speaking of OS junkies... I just talked with Valerie at Sticking to Business and she is coming out with new magnets (aprons!) in the next few weeks! Her stuff is SO professional and nice - check her out!

...did you know that she is a one person operation?? You would never guess when you see her site/stuff!

Check her out: www.stickingtobusiness.com

Tell her I sent you!
 
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  • #40
You're like my.........Dealer! LOL!!! LOVE IT!!! Hey, what was the last issue of Empowering Women? I have one from last August....how often do they come out?
 
Does anybody have a promotional code for Nancy's Artwork?

--Jenny L
 
Denarella said:
....Dealer! LOL!!! LOVE IT!!! Hey, what was the last issue of Empowering Women? I have one from last August....how often do they come out?
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I think they are a specialty magazine that covers one DS co. per issue. You'll never see them on a newsstand. That Aug. 2006 issue was "our" issue. It's available on supply order, and the price will be going down (10 copies for $13.00).
 
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  • #43
When I was thinking about....doing this last summer, I got the August book and then when I got a package to reel me in, I got the same one THIS summer....just wondered if there are newer ones out there. They are very inspiring!
 
Barnes and Noble carries Empowering Women. I think they come out every month...but don't quote me on that.
 
Really? I can't imagine that they'd sell too many of them of a newsstand.
 
chefann said:
Really? I can't imagine that they'd sell too many of them of a newsstand.
Click to expand...
They are in the business/home based business area.
 
Several bookstores in my area carry them, many of the the DS companies have been in them lately I think PC was the first though.
 
Teresa Lynn said:
Several bookstores in my area carry them, many of the the DS companies have been in them lately I think PC was the first though.
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PC was the second. I think SLAT was 1st.
 
I was pretty surprised, too. Our Staples carries them at the checkout stand as well. Some jewelry company I've never heard of is feastured this month. The DS company my mom works with was featured a few months back.
 
"Empowering Women was created to support the unique demands of direct selling companies and independent business-builders worldwide."

Full website coming soon.
 
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  • #51
Beth.......and Ladies...I need to know what other supplies I need to purchase....Bring It On! LOL!
 
I thought Avon was first...
 
- Recruiting brochures (Your life, your way)
- Recruiting DVDs
- PP/P3 receipt paper (for printing official receipts from the software)

oh, wait - you mean from the office supply store!
Pens, highlighters
Stamp Pad refill ink
file folders
folders or envelopes to use as host packs
thumb drive (for storing software backup and all the great files you'll find here)
LABELS - for catalogs, invitations, all sorts of things
rubber bands (I put stickers on postcards, then rubber band them back into the original packs of 40)
colored paper (for flyers)
organizer for colored paper and labels

You actually can do this business with very little additional expenditure. Don't go nuts and blow your first commission check before you get it. :D
 
Denarella said:
....and Ladies...I need to know what other supplies I need to purchase....Bring It On! LOL!
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So... I'm not a lady??:eek: :p
 
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  • #55
No Silly......I was directing the question to you and then I said to myself "Self...don't offend everyone else" and I also wanted EVERYONE'S input. :eek:
 
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  • #56
Questions...Thumb drives....heard of but never used....expensive?
 
It's a USB flash drive. Not expensive. Handier than floppies, which many systems don't have today anyway.
 
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  • #58
And other silly question follows....What is this Motivational Calendar you speak of in your footnote? I often shop Cafe Press for gifts and I saw the calendar but you can't see IN it....what is it actually? Wall Calendar, desk calendar? What's special about it....pardon my ignorance!
 
Okay then...

If you don't have a laptop then be sure you have at least one good calculator.

It also helps most people to have something more stable to write their order out on so for now I would either get some folders (the ones that are only a couple cents for back to school) or some binders and make some lapboards (Ann has given instructions for that).

You will need pens.

A system to keep track of your leads - a notebook, file folder or use the P3 program - whatever works for you.

Labels or a stamp to make sure everything has your contact info on it.

Business cards - make your own or go to vistaprint for now. (You can also get a stamp at www.vistaprint.com or you can go to www.AmericasStampDepot.com (both sites offer free stampers - just have to pay shipping) and I'm sure there are other sites too.

Other than that everything else can wait until you have a couple of paychecks!

If you haven't gotten your paperwork from PC yet there is a lot in there for you - including a calendar.
 
E-bay is a great place to buy promotional items that ex-consultants are trying to get rid of.

Thumb drives....heard of but never used....expensive?
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I would be lost without mine! I take it everywhere with me and my whole "life" is on it! It's great to keep all your docs with you and have them handy.
 
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