Pheonix cards, how does it work?

[Skribble]

So with Pheonix cards do you have to but stock "starter pack" first. Do you carry enough stock to sell at fairs etc or do you tend to have samples and take orders? If you get in loads of Christmas cards to sell at fairs can you return what you don't sell.

I don't mind buying stock as thats how my business works for fairs anyway i was considering running alongside my present lines and perhaps branching out into parties.

Is there targets and area managers pushing you to sell so they can get their cut?

[netter]

I've just had my starter pack but have told my sponsor I won't be doing anything for the next few weeks as I have other things on. She is fine with that. If you want a totally non pushy sponsor I can either pass her details on to you or do it myself.

Some people just get the starter kit which is basically a folder with a sample of every card and catalogues. They then take orders but be aware there is a delivery charge so you have to get a certain level of orders to make it worth your while.

If you do fairs I would say you need to have stock in to sell on the day. There are 3 different options for starter stock, plus a christmas pack at the moment. I chose the lowest level for both and the total cost was just under £200. You can't send unsold stock back I'm afraid, I'll just save any unsold xmas stuff for next year. I anticipate I won't make any more orders for the rest of the year, this amount of stick will see me through for the small amount I will be doing.

My plan is to take stock to NCT events and toddler groups I go to anyway and give them a commission on everything I sell. That is pretty much all I can commit to at the moment though it sounds like you are already set up with the fairs.

CAT me if you would like an info pack sent out, no hassle.

[Skribble]

Not sure if this is the best way for me to buy stock. I am considering doing stockingfiller parties and thought I could combine the two.

[netter]

Stocking filler parties, that is interesting!!! What sort of prices are you talking? One of the reason I like the cards was because most of the party plan stuff around is out of the pruce range of many of my friends/aquaintances. If you have a good range of prices I imagine it would do well in the run up to xmas.

I gues with the cards it depends on what level of orders you anticipate getting. The standard delivery charge per order is £7 or £3 for over £125 of stuff. You could bypass the normal birthday cards starter kit and just buy xmas stock, or as you say take orders from parties and only order specific items. I just felt I wouldn't get that level or order per party to make it worth my while so preferred to but one lot up front.

[Skribble]

All of the toys i have at the moment are under a pound apart from the wooden skipping ropes with animal handles £1.50ish.

Not sure how early to start promoting parties, I usually get my christmas the week before when its all reduced. But when do most parents buy stuff in.

[netter]

I'd start promoting now if I were you, especially as school/toddler groups have just started back. I tend to buy bits in as and when I spot a bargain. Just trying to get some bits for dd's birthday party bags together at the moment, but I spotted a little winnie book/socck gift set today for £2 and ordered that. It was a sample left in a school staff room. Really cute

[Skribble]

Do you think Mums would like a morning session with cakes and cuppas or an evening one with crisps and lambrini . It would be in a hosts house and they would get a percentage of the total sales off their own order. Couple of games or a raffle for a giggle and to break up the selling/ demonstrating.

[netter]

Not sure, depends on the age of their children. I don't mind either, but I work p/t so sometimes miss daytime events.

However my NCT group have found it hard to organise evening mums events as some of them have problems with childcare or they have small babies they don;t want to leave. On the other hand do you really want your kids round when you are buying xmas pressies!!!!!

Have you tried your local NCT branch by the way. They may let you go to one of their coffee mornings in return for a raffle prize.

[Skribble]

Barge pole and NCT come to mind but that is a bit prejudice as I have had nothing to do with them, I don't even know if their is a group near by.