Phoenix Trading - Advice Please

ManicMum

:DI did Phoenix but wouldn't recommend it. Just didn't seem worth the time, money and effort to make next to buggar all income. In fact, I ended up with a loss of several hundred pound and still got lots of cards that i will be forever sending!

I was asked for who recommended me but it was someone who lived 500 miles away. I asked for someone nearer as really wanted the support of a local team but thye wouldn't allow that. I felt that to be very unfair. Especially as the person who recommended me was no longer a trader so they put me under the person who was the next up in her old chain. The mentor I had was good but it was different part of the country, more affluent etc and things just didn't work the same here. Also it was £6 postage unless you were ordering lots of things. I was getting small orders but people obviously wanted what they'd ordered within a reasonable amount of time so I was buying more and more stock in to get the free postage, otherwise I would have been working for nothing if had to pay £6 to fulfil a small order. I found I didn't have the time with 3 kids and boxes were junking up the house, hubby was getting annoyed. And despite what they say, you do need to be good at sales, the products don't sell themselves (as they say) and in this climate, people just didn't want to be spending much. There are success stories but they are probably not the norm.

But good luck to anyone who does make it work, just giving my story.

jenhug

i'm a purchaser of phoenix trading products, i absolutely love their stuff, quirky, good quality and good value for money. I love their christmas products best of all.

henrypootle

I've just had a look at their website and then found this thread - I really like the look of their products! Have requested further info

Money_maker

Henry - there is another Phoenix thread on here if you use the search function.

clairibel

Heres a massive thread on Phoenix cards and lots of helpful tips to get started :T

henrypootle

I've joined! Have just had the basic pack so far - see how I do with just having samples to show people - cant wait to receive it and get started. I've got a few ideas of ways of drumming up business and hopefully I'll soon get the £30 registration back and see how it goes. I'm really positive about it at the moment

seadream

Hi
I'm a little confused. I have the pack Phoenix send out but can't find info anywhere on the following:
1. Do I have to have stock upfront to sell?
2. If a customer places an order then can I not order it in from Phoenix?
3. If I can, how long does this take?
4. If you buy stock in advance, then how do you know what is best to buy?
5. I've been sent two price lists. Do I buy in at one ad sell at the other? The margin seems higher than 30% even when you add VAT
6. What do you do about your income tax - so you have to bookkeep carefully?
Thanks
Vic
Oh and my 'contact' is someone I don't know who lives 150 miles away as my old neighbour no longer trades, so they've made her up person my contact. I obviously no longer live in that area!

jhp

seadream wrote: »

Hi
I'm a little confused. I have the pack Phoenix send out but can't find info anywhere on the following:
1. Do I have to have stock upfront to sell?
2. If a customer places an order then can I not order it in from Phoenix?
3. If I can, how long does this take?
4. If you buy stock in advance, then how do you know what is best to buy?
5. I've been sent two price lists. Do I buy in at one ad sell at the other? The margin seems higher than 30% even when you add VAT
6. What do you do about your income tax - so you have to bookkeep carefully?
Thanks
Vic
Oh and my 'contact' is someone I don't know who lives 150 miles away as my old neighbour no longer trades, so they've made her up person my contact. I obviously no longer live in that area!

Why dont you ask the company 1 to 5 . As far as tax and nat insurance is concerned you need to register with HMRC

Newly self-employed tax helpline: 0845 915 4515

or use online registration

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/selfemployed/register-selfemp.htm#1

and keep good records of income and expenditure .:D

ManicMum

I used to do Phoenix but gave up due to postal charges amongst other things. It was £6 for small order or £3 for large one. Thing was when someone wanted something you didn't have but you didn't need any more stock or only a little bit, you either had to pay £6 thus wiping out any profits or keep placing orders for more and more stock. I quit whilst I was ahead as didn't have the time or energy to make it work. Like Kleeneze and any other selling thing, you need time and determination.

orangefleece30

jhp wrote: »

If you read the site rules your see your not allowed to advertise here or tout for business. Nor can you have a user name that promotes your biz.

Surely any one who posts in the thread that say there a trader are promoting their 'business' ?.