Our Industry

Direct Selling Today

Today, shoppers have access to just about any product or service through direct selling somewhere in the world. Many people think of cosmetics, cleaning products and systems, nutritional products and homewares as products that are available through direct selling, but there are countless other products such as kitchen items, cookware, jewellery, clothing, spa products, scrapbooking supplies and many more. To find out more about the products available from DSAA members click here.

There are lots of benefits when you choose to shop with a direct seller:

• You can try and test the products you are interested in before buying them
• Your consultation can be tailored to your exact requirements
• Consultations take place in a relaxed, friendly environment and the timing is flexible
• The products are delivered to your home
• You have the right to cancel the order within a given period
• You have direct personal contact with the seller
• Your purchases are guaranteed
• You have access to personal after sales service

Today, anyone can participate in the direct selling industry and take advantage of the benefits available for both consumers and independent salespersons.

You can buy products and services from direct selling organisations in a number of ways. Find out more about ways to shop.

Becoming an independent salesperson in the direct selling industry can have significant benefits. There are few or no restrictions to becoming a direct sales entrepreneur. Anyone can do it regardless of their age, background, education, or previous experience. Salespersons set their own personal goals and objectives and devote as much or as little time to the activity as they choose. Success depends on individual ambition and a willingness to succeed. Importantly, industry rewards are exclusively tied to the sale of products, sponsoring and helping other people become successful.,. The industry is supported by a variety of compensation and reward systems for managing distribution networks and salespersons can select a system that best suits their needs.

What Can You Buy?
Ways to Sell
Ways to Shop
Things to Remember

What Can You Buy?

The wide range of goods on offer illustrates the strength of the direct selling approach. To make it easier to find the products you are looking for, we have classified our Members' products into groups. Click on the category that interests you to find out more about the DSAA members selling that type of product. Alternatively view all our members.

Services - telecommunications.

Personal - cosmetics, fragrances, skincare, personal care, jewellery, fashion accessories, clothing, personal colour and image products.

Food and Health - food supplements, nutritional supplements, sports drinks and foods, health foods, weight loss and management products, fitness, aromatherapy, magnetic therapy products, therapeutic massage equipment, water filters and air purification system, wines.

Household - kitchenware, homewares, manchester, furnishings, candles and associated products, cleaning products and systems, car care, security.

Family - books, toys, games, audio visual, gifts, arts and crafts, personal development products, pet care, photo safe albums and supplies, educational materials.

Ways to Sell

Direct Selling organisations generally use one or more of following three methods of selling:

Network Marketing: involves building a business on duplication. Salespersons build their businesses through selling the products and recruiting new people to join their teams. Often the emphasis is on recruitment which carries additional income based on the sales of the recruited downline.

Party Plan: The salesperson earns money based on a percentage of the sales they make during their presentations.

Door-to-door sales: Salespersons leave catalogues at their potential customers homes. They then return a few days later to collect the catalogue and any order. Some door to door salespersons leave catalogues in commercial offices and other places of work. Sales from unsolicited door knocking remains a feature of direct selling but is less featured in our Members' business models.

Ways to Shop

Direct Selling is perhaps best known for its personal, door to door, and party plan sales and these well established methods remain important for the industry today. However technologies are playing an increasing role alongside the person-to-person contact that underpins the industry's success. To read more about different ways to shop click here.

In-home presentations

The party plan method offers friends, family members, co-workers and other groups a fun and relaxing way to get together and shop at the same time. In most cases, the host is responsible for inviting guests, providing light snacks and securing a gathering usually at home. On the day of the party, guests socialise and view products and services displayed. Generally the salesperson at the party will briefly introduce the products and services available and provide samples or demonstrations to the group. Afterwards, guests have the chance to ask questions and place orders. The host will usually receive discounted or free products or other specials from the salesperson in appreciation of their time and effort involved in hosting the party. In home parties are sometimes referred to as demonstrations, shows, spas, makeovers etc.

Person-to-Person

A large proportion of direct sales take place in a person-to-person manner. Salespersons are more than happy to meet in private with customers and prospective customers to discuss products or services and provide demonstrations, fittings or other assistance or information which may be required.

Online

The key thing to remember about online purchases is that you still have access to a helpful salesperson who can provide knowledge and advice that just can't be matched in an online setting. Having this kind of service is a key benefit to direct selling online.

Most direct selling organisations (DSO) offer consumers two ways to shop online. The first is through a salesperson's own Web page, which can usually be accessed from the DSO's Web site. Customers who shop this way have more than likely been introduced to products or services by their salesperson in the past. If you don't already have contact with a salesperson you can often enter your location or post code on the DSO's main Web site and a knowledgeable salesperson will contact you directly. The salesperson will receive a discount or commission for sales made online.

In some cases, customers can shop directly from a DSO's Web site and you can be directed to a local salesperson who will usually follow up with you to make sure you are happy with your purchase.

Kiosks

Some salespersons choose to sell products or services from retail kiosks, usually located in shopping centres or other high-traffic areas. These generally can be run by the salesperson or the DSO .

Telephone

Phone orders can be placed either through a salesperson, or directly through a DSO. This method is customarily used by customers who have previously made purchases and sales are generally credited to the salesperson who can follow up with you after the sale.

Things to Remember

Direct selling is a great way to shop, however it is a good idea to keep the following points in mind.

It is important to know who you are dealing with and to check the identity of sales people. All good direct selling personnel carry literature about their organisations products which should include the name, address and phone number of the DSO. Check whether the order form and literature, shown to you by a salesperson carries the DSAA logo. This indicates that the company is a DSAA member and committed to the highest standards of ethical business practice.

Never sign anything until you are absolutely sure of the identity of the salesperson and the DSO and what you are signing. Always make sure you receive a printed receipt showing the name and address of the DSO supplying the goods.

Don't pay for anything unless you are completely satisfied about the identity and credentials of the salesperson and the quality of the product. It is also a good idea to check that the product you are offered is covered by a guarantee.

Remember, when purchasing DSAA Member's products you have the unqualified right to cancel the purchase within ten days of placing the order.

Beware of verbal promises about special prices and terms of delivery. Check that any special terms are shown in the DSO's literature.