Silpada?

Hi Billie

I'm hoping you can help me by answering some questions about Silpada. I am undecide between Silpada, Lia sophia, and Premier Designs. Can you help me in the following questions... you probably answered before.

1. How are parties submitted?
Parties are submitted online.

2. Do you pay yourself first or do you have to submit first all the money and wait for a check?
You always get paid first. You only send Silpada the money that you owe them (70% of retail) unless full payment is made by customers through credit cards. In that case, Silpada deposits your commission into your bank account.3. What is your profit on shows?

4. What discounts to you get as a Rep? 30% discount. When a new catalog comes out, you can buy anything in that book for 50% off providing that you are either a new rep, or you are an established rep who has been working her business.

5. How does the hostess program work and WHO pays for it? The hostess gets free jewelry and free shipping depending on the amount of sales at her show. Silpada pays 100% of this cost. The hostess also gets a half price item which she pays for.

6. What are the shipping costs? Shipping is $4 for each customer no matter how much jewelry they order.

7. What is the return fee when there is an item? There is no cost to return an item for exchange or refund. Silpada absorbs all the cost themselves.

8. What is the shipping time? Most orders ship within 3 days unless something is on backorder. There are occasionally exceptions to this but overall, Silpada ships very fast!

9. Are there a lot of back orders? No.

10. How do you become active in the business and stay that way? You have to be good at what you do. You need to work your business every day. Wear the jewelry, make phone calls to customers to see how they like their jewelry, work events occasionally, just make yourself visible!

11. Are you considered a consultant as soon as you submit your agreement? Yes. You will receive confirmation from Silpada within 24 hours of submitting your contract and instructed to set up your personal website. You can begin submitting orders immediately.

12. What is the residual income plan amd how far deep do you get commision from your downline? You receive 30% commission on everything you sell. You also receive a lesser commission on your direct recruits, their recruits and also the next level of recruits providing that you are also working your own business every month.

13. Are there minimum orders? No. You can submit a single order at any time where you will still receive your 30% commission. There are no hostess benefits (free jewelry) unless the order meets show requirements of 10 orders that total at least $500

14. What is considered a qualifying party for hostess credit 10 separate orders that total at least $500 retail.

15. Do you lose a downline if someone moves up ahead in you in position before you do? No.

16. Do you still receive bonus or commision on those that move up a level before you? Yes.
a. or do you lose them No.
b. How can you continue to receive commision on them if they do move up in the ladder before you? Your commission is always based upon your level 1,2,3 recruits regardless of whether or not they move up ahead of you.

17. Can you take individual orders before you submit your first party? Yes

18. Can you take internet orders? Yes but you cannot advertise yourself as a Silpada Rep on the internet (message boards and other social sites. This is why I cannot give my full name, phone number, email, etc here in this post.

19. How much are web sites if offered? All reps get their personal website which is included in your sign up fee.

20. What is the warranty on the jewelry? lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. Some restrictions apply such as watch batteries, leather watchbands and loss of jewelry (like losing an earring)

21. Are there a lot of returns do to breakage? Not a lot but the longer you are a rep, the more returns you will have due to the lifetime warranty. That's why people love Silpada. They can break a bracelet or necklace 5 years after they buy it and Silpada will replace it free unless it is retired. In that case, they can select something of equal value and the whole return process is FREE!

22. What is the start up cost and what comes with it? $199 plus shipping and tax but you get to select a 3 piece jewelry set that can be valued up to $179 which is included in this sign up fee. It's a bargain for sure!!

23. Is there a renewl fee? Yes, $199 per year at the time of your anniversary. If you work your business you will receive new catalogs for free which cost $1 each so the renewal fee is minimal in my opinion. Also remember that you get to purchase new jewelry at 50% discount.

24. Where is the jewelry Made at? Silpada jewelry is handcrafted by artists from all over the world.

25. What is the average expense of a booking out of your pocket? That varies but it is minimal. Personally, I mail out invitations for my hostesses so I do pay postage for that. Other than postage, I print the invitations on my computer and don't have any other expenses other than gas to drive to her house.

26. How much are the catalogs? If you are working your business, you will receive 50 catalogs free. If you need additional catalogs as the year progresses, they are sold in packs of $25 for $1 each ($25)

27. What is the average cost for the display equipment?

if i am going to be hounded to recruit-- sadly this won't work for me. and the sponser may will only get frustrated. believe me, i would never turn down someone who was interested and i would help them every step of the way and if i couldn't, i'd ask the sponser to do it. after all, i still am a business woman.

thoughts??

I am considering joining Silpada as a rep and I have really enjoyed reading all these postings. I would like to ask if anyone feels that the items placed on ebay are negatively affecting sales for those who are new to Silpada? Also, what do you think hampers sales?

Does anyone, who has been working the business for a while, see web based ordering and using social media to generate leads as a viable way to make it work?

Hi Billie!!
You are so helpful and have such a wealth of information to share. I stop back here regularly to learn more. Question No. 13, in which your answer referenced hostess free jewlery, please tell me there hasn't been a change to that....(I am a relatively new consultant), but for 3 orders with retail of $150 or more, hostess rewards is $25 in free jewelry; 6 orders with retail of $300 or more is 20% of total retail in free jewelry....right?

Also, could you please send me the name of the company you purchased your trays and carrying case? I purchased a scrap booking cart-type contraption at a craft supply store but returned because I heard about the trays and case you mentioned.

Jewellery does sell (especially costume jewellery). All my sister had to do once was to put it on her desk in the office (not dispaay as such)-but she managed to sell the stock she had to colleagues within a day. I don't know your particular brand, but I believe you can't really go wrong with jewellery.

is there a way to find out if the your local area is saturated with reps? of course if i ask the company they say no. i tried going online to see if i could find the websites of the local reps but was unsuccessful.