Phoenix Trading : Opinions Please

PabloNeruda

I'm considering investing in a start-up pack but would appreciate any advice from anybody out there with experience. I would basically like to know what can I reasonably expect to earn, and whether this is can be successfully run solely as an internet business from home, or whether it involves lots of trudging around delivering leaflets and hosting 'parties'?

Also, is it one of these multi-level marketing companies, where the only chance of making half-decent funds to supplement my current income is to move up the pyramid? I am looking to try to earn another £300-£400 per month.

Many thanks

Astaroth

Never heard of the company in particular but certainly have known enough people with connections to the other similiar MLM schemes that actually sell a product like Tupperware, Ann Summers, Avon etc....

In general a profit can be made from doing it at the bottom level and not recruiting anyone else. My mother did tupperware for a few years and always turned a decent profit but this is from when tupperware was all the rage. Ann Summers have the easy trick that sex sells and lots of alcohol make people want to discuss sex more so you have an easy ploy there.

For cards though... personally I wouldnt go online to buy a b'day card for my misses and I cant see a "party" being much fun - I could be wrong on both of these counts.

There are other considerations, eg if you arent doing online sales then how saturated is your local market, people arent going to want a "card party" every month so are their going to be enough people to support the business. If you are going to be online, how many other stores are there? Are you good enough at SEO to get your site listed highly in the likes of Google for people to actually find it?

Recruiting others was the only way to get decent results in the MLM schemes I have known but then there was always a problem that too many people recruited their friends and so effectively you increased your own competition as many of your "customers" knew both of you but there is only so many lunch boxes one person can buy

tru

I know someone who does this, she doesn't recruit but you can if you want to. What you earn depends on how much work you put in and how you sell. You can order loads of stock and sell at school fetes, Christmas fayres etc. or you can do parties and only order what's been ordered at the party.
The cards are lovely.
I don't think it would work online though.
You definitely need a car.

Go to the Phoenix website, you can get in touch with someone local to you and they'll come round and show you the cards and how it all works.

tru

I was just thinking - it may be easier for women to do this than men, it's mostly women who take the kids to playgroup, school, tumbletots etc. and that's where the woman I know started off.

Call me sexist if you like

Astaroth

Not sexist if it is based on fact rather than discrimination which is unfounded. Have to agree with you that most of the MLM type companies that actually sell a product (rather than just themselves) are better suited to females in my opinion

fairylights_2

I tried this for a while but settled on Usborne Children's books as I'm a lot more interested in books than cards. I'd have a good check of your area before you sign up because I've seen a LOT of people recently doing it - although that might just be round me!

In itself the MLM/direct selling thing is only as difficult as you make it - if you're painfully shy, you're not going to get very far. You have to develop a VERY thick skin to make the big money. Working on the assumption you get paid 90p/£1 per card, and you have to pay 53p+vat (or thereabouts) you're making about 30p per card. So £300 per month is 1000 cards (thus £1000 sales) if my dodgy arithmetic is right. That's what won the books over for me - £300 from the books is about £800 of sales (you get a bonus when you sell over ) which is much easier when each item costs £4 - £10

Good luck with it, though. It certainly beats sitting in an office all day!

Elljay_2

Just seen this thread so I apologise if this is too late. I have been a Trader for the last 5 years and enjoy it. But I am quite shy so obviously I don't earn mega bucks. The comments above are all valid and basically you earn what you put into it. After all everyone buys cards and they are really nice quality. Do try and check your area though. As there are only so many fayres and markets. I would go down the "Order when you have your orders" route at first and then you don't have to outlay a lot of money at the beginning for your stock. It is a good way of setting up your own business quite cheaply ( as opposed to hundreds of pounds initial outlay.) If anyone wants to pm me I will answer all your questions honestly. The company also issues a map of how many traders where, so let me know where you live!!

michelle_paice

I too am considering phoenix cards, but am steering towards My Secret Kitchen party plan, where you present food and hosts and their friends get to taste and share recipe ideas!