Vector Marketing, and Cutco

[Alfonso Crawford]

I got accepted to sell Cutco-wares, and I'm wondering about that prospect. The thing that bothers me is that there's a security-deposit on the knife-set, and that… well, I feel uncomfortable about trying to get references.

The first thing's negligible, since I can just return the set; but the second point's a little tough. I don't know many people, much less positive ones. I don't want to push myself out into an audience of people that I know are just mocking me to themselves. (I'm as certain as I am because they've shared there venomous thoughts with me, about many other people: they're very unforgiving, at times.)

I'm a little scatter-brained, I apologize. I've never done sales (always been a "back of the house"-kind of guy), and I'm nervous as all get-out. Failing in front of cynical folk (to whom I'm related, by the way) just gets me addled.

[mysticmadness]

dont worry after one week you will be just fine. this way or that way.

[solongotgon]

I was once recruited for Vector Marketing. Basically you will be selling knives door to door; most likely to people you know. They teach you everything from what to say to the customer and how to present the knives once you are in their kitchens. Everything is rehearsed; at least at the location I trained at. But most importantly they market via your family members and their friends and their friends through referrals. In the end you become the customer because you are also buying their knife set which is the best quality of knives I ever had. I just had a problem going door to door and cold calling people during night and morning times because that is when they are home the most. Plus your district manager breathes down your neck a lot even though they advertise that it is part time and base pay is $16. Not worth your headache and time and travel; unless you like that sort of thing.

[estudiant9]

I went through their training in 2006 and stopped just short of actually making my first sales visit. I never returned the knives so they kept my security deposit of around $140 as I remember. It was in fact a very good deal because my mom adores the knives and as a customer you'd only be able to get maybe three small knives for the money you gave them.

It's not for everyone for sure - turnover rates are very high because most people don't see the $15 base pay plus commission as being worth going through the trouble of making phone calls, getting contacts, and feeling humiliated again and again. If you can stomach the pain of door-to-door salesmanship, though, more power to you, and it will give you an extremely high rejection tolerance, which is a must for anyone who wishes to make it big in any field. I personally don't think the company is out to get anybody - they are simply after a certain type of people.

I would love to hear back from you as to what you make out of the experience.