An official Usborne Books thread....

deedee71

My experience with Usborne was shocking. My "Upline" was horrendous, constantly hassling me to buy extra books to stock up so that she would meet the targets. It took me 6 months of selling them at 1/2 price or less to get rid of them all.

I can't remember her name but she was based in Reading. Please don't allow yourself to be sucked into the targets etc.

I also found once my baby was a toddler it was impossible as you couldn't take him into schools. Most schools wouldn't even talk to me, god knows how many calls they must get about this kind of thing.

Definitely go for it to boost your self esteem, get you out the house etc but be careful.

makingmoney_2

Hi

A few years ago I used to buy Usborne books at a mother and toddler group I was attending. Perhaps you could set up in a very busy mother and toddler group in the affluent side of town.

Just a suggestion. The books are so appealing and cheaper than WH Smith.

I hope this helps.
Kam

Caroline73_2

domestic_goddess wrote: »

Yeay

I've got my starter pack....

I am going to start contacting schools today....

Wish me luck

:beer:

Good luck - let us know how it goes!

domestic_goddess

I just got a cancellation at a Christmas Fair on 19 December. Its been booked up for ages, the only snag is that it will cost £38 for one day.... Is that worth it do you think?

I will obviously need to build up a bit of a stock to take so what would you recommend....

Caroline73_2

£38 is an alright price, but check where the fair is being advertised etc, does it run every year, what are attendance figures like. Also many people will have bought presents by then so consider that. With any event I always consider whether I can afford to potentially lose the table fee if I don't gain anything (sales or leads) from it.

If you do stock for it then I would buy stocking fillers like snap cards and larger 'gift' type books - the stories for little boys/grls and Illustrated stories. Also things that sell well all year around, like beginners, discovery, see inside, that's not my and things from the reading programme, dinosaur and fairy books.

I never buy seasonal stuff unless it's ordered for a specific customer.

honey28

domestic_goddess wrote: »

Yeay

I've got my starter pack....

I am going to start contacting schools today....

Wish me luck

:beer:

Mine arrived late yeterday afternoon too :j

Caroline73_2

Ok Newbies - how is it going for you so far? Have you booked your gala tickets yet?

yummymummy85

I started doing Usborne Books in July last year and to date have not been successful at all. I don't know whether it is just the area that I'm in, I have spoken to another Usborne Rep local to me and she has faced the same problems. I've now decided to give it up as I have an 18 month old and another baby due in 5 weeks. I found it difficult enough to get out there with all the books etc with one baby let alone 2. I never received much help or advice from my Upline once I had signed up. I now have 3 boxes of books which are just sitting in my house despite trying to sell them for less than 1/2 RRP. I found that a lot of people (especially in this economic climate) would rather buy cheaper books for their children. Like I said, it may just have been the area in which we live as other people do seem to be quite successful with this. My advice would be to put a few feelers out before you sign up to see what kind of response you would get.

As a sidenote, if anyone's got any ideas how I can get rid of these books it'd be much appreciated!

83rachel

are any of you in the fife area by chance? i dont have the time/energy.patience to sell the books but i am looking for a seller in my area so i can buy some books for my kids, we home educate so it will be phonics etc, if your in the area please could you pm me so i can order from you

laurenjs88

How much do you want for the books Yummy? what area of the country are you in? I might be interested in having them off you. PM me