Navigating Price Differences: My Struggle as a Border City Consultant

[friday]

I have just lost my fourth show THIS MONTH due to price differences in the US. Apparently there are consultants in the Port Huron/Detroit area who are doing catalogue shows, and even crossing border and presenting cooking shows. I can understand that when a bar pan costs $42.50 here and $29 there. But what am I supposed to tell my team- who are having the same problem. Customers don't really care if they have to cross border to get exchanges done. Its only 6 minutes away from my front door to the US.
I called HO and was told that they really haven't heard about this kind of problem and that my situation is unique. REALLY?? Are there that few border city consultants?
I am so very frustrated. I had scheduled 6 shows for January and was feeling pumped about a great start to the new year. Now I am down to 2. What do you all think? I need help because I am feeling so very frustrated.

 

[chefann]

Aw, that sucks!

How do US consultants get into Canada with a car full of brand-new products (for deliveries) without being stopped at the border? My coworker (who has a cottage in Ontario where she lives 90% of the time) has been stopped for having too many things in boxes. The border agent thought she had more than what was considered "personal use." And they'd have to carry them over because HO won't ship to Canada from a US consultant's show; and re-shipping them would eat any price difference.

 

[rennea]

Alison I would call HO about this. I know that there has been alot of talk about this lately and not just with PC. Tell them that you have lost customers because of this. HO needs to hear about this from us. A lot of people in my cluster complained and are still doing so.

There is a write up on CC about US/Canadian pricing and I thought it was a lot of hog wash myself. I do expect there to be some difference but somethings are way out of line.

 

[friday]

Aw, that sucks!

How do US consultants get into Canada with a car full of brand-new products (for deliveries) without being stopped at the border? My coworker (who has a cottage in Ontario where she lives 90% of the time) has been stopped for having too many things in boxes. The border agent thought she had more than what was considered "personal use." And they'd have to carry them over because HO won't ship to Canada from a US consultant's show; and re-shipping them would eat any price difference.

People just go over and drive them over. I have brought an entire pick up truck with the bed AND the cab loaded full of crates of music and been waved through at customs. Its pretty rare to get hauled over at the Canadian border. SHOOT, when my husband entered the country- he landed in Detroit, at the Canadian border they asked Citizenship and he said Chilean- and they WAVED US THROUGH!! He didnt even have to show ID!!!

 

[janetupnorth]

...and if they do catalog shows they aren't carrying products over.I REALLY think you guys should complain again to HO...there are SOOOO many issues with that.One being liability. I'm sure a US consultant liability insurance does not cover us in Canada.Plus, the whole customs and declaration thing...I'm sure there are many more legal issues.

 

[janetupnorth]

Alison - just a side note. Don't get discouraged. If people are really crossing the borders, they aren't loyal customers anyway. Keep chugging and looking for those good customers!...oh and ask them how they are getting their warranty exchanges done????

 

[rennea]

Janet you have touched on some very important issues and HO does need to know if they don't already that is this happening.

 

[janetupnorth]

One more thought hit me...how is the US consultant entering it...definitely not as a Canadian address. Hopefully, she is at least getting the correct names in the system...It doesn't allow PC to give proper service to their customers either...

 

[rennea]

One more thought hit me...how is the US consultant entering it...definitely not as a Canadian address. Hopefully, she is at least getting the correct names in the system...

It doesn't allow PC to give proper service to their customers either...

I would guess the customers name c/o her own address.

 

[janetupnorth]

I would guess the customers name c/o her own address.

That's what I figured but still an issue...

 

[Christ Follower]

I'm sorry Al! (((((HUGS)))))

 

[rennea]

Alison did you ever contact HO about this problem? Did you notice that our stoneware prices went down....not alot though!!

 

[friday]

Alison did you ever contact HO about this problem? Did you notice that our stoneware prices went down....not alot though!!

I did contact HO. Apparently the rule about selling in other countries was omitted from the paperwork but not because it is now allowed. Turns out that presenting shows for the purpose of producing income in Canada (for US girls) and vice versa, is a federal tax law violation, AND a customs and immigration violation. You are not allowed to earn money in a country where you are not authorized (through green card or work permit) to do so. Potentially people who do it could be banned from entering the other country for an period of time to be determined by a JUDGE!!!! (ouch)

 

[rennea]

I did contact HO. Apparently the rule about selling in other countries was omitted from the paperwork but not because it is now allowed. Turns out that presenting shows for the purpose of producing income in Canada (for US girls) and vice versa, is a federal tax law violation, AND a customs and immigration violation. You are not allowed to earn money in a country where you are not authorized (through green card or work permit) to do so. Potentially people who do it could be banned from entering the other country for an period of time to be determined by a JUDGE!!!! (ouch)

OMG!!!!!!!!! I think that they should have that information in the paperwork

 

[janetupnorth]

Yes, they should send an IMPORTANT reminder out!!!!