Local Tupperware Distributor - A Dying Breed?

This morning, I accessed the Tupperware home web site, and searched for a local Tupperware distributor. I typed in my zip code, the only required element, and searched within 5 miles of our beautiful small town. Nothing. I tried again, enlarging my search to 10 miles. Nothing. I was sure there would be a local Tupperware distributor within 50 miles, but there was not.

The local Tupperware distributor in our state, if indeed you call it local, is more than 100 miles from our home. There is one closer - 75 miles, and in a different state.

Are local Tupperware distributors a dying breed?

Yes - and no.

By Any Other Name

Local Tupperware distributors are a dying breed so far as the name is concerned. Tupperware no longer refers to their sales force personnel as "distributors". In name, local Tupperware distributors no longer exist.
Instead, there are Tupperware Consultants, Tupperware Managers, and Tupperware Dealers.

Picture yourself launching a Tupperware business.

1. Tupperware Consultants

You begin as a Tupperware Consultant. You become a Tupperware Consultant by contacting a local Tupperware "distributor" and asking to be sponsored under him or her. After registering as a Consultant, you get a phone call from your Tupperware Dealer, who encourages you with visions of success. The Tupperware Dealer tells you how to sell the products. He or she encourages you to recruit new Consultants. You will be credited with your own sales as well as a percentage of your "group" sales. The better you do, the sooner your business will become strong.

You work hard and sell to everyone you know. Your new recruits register under you, and begin selling. They begin recruiting, too. Your group sales increase, your group gets larger, and your business grows.

2. Tupperware Managers

Counting the Consultants you personally sponsored, and all they sponsored, you now have a goodly number of Consultants in your widening group. You climb a rung of the ladder, and become a Tupperware Manager. Your Tupperware Dealer calls again, and congratulates you, urging you to set your sights on becoming Tupperware Dealer.

Determined, you look for more people to sponsor. You work hard to increase your sales. You begin Tupperware fundraisers. You urge your group members to set higher goals and reap greater earnings.

3. Tupperware Dealers

Your goal of Tupperware Dealer seems more difficult to attain. It isn't automatic, either, as the promotion to Manager was. The Tupperware Company formally invites a successful Manager to become a Tupperware Dealer. There is no other way to become one. Those positions are limited, and not open to just anyone. You have to prove yourself. So you and your recruits increase sales and add more recruits to the deepening group.

At long last, the invitation comes. You no longer need to sell or recruit. All you need to do now is collect residual income, and encourage Consultants or Managers.

That title-change process has been altered a little since it was first instituted in the 1950's, but Tupperware representatives still follow the same basic plan - climb the ladder in much the same way.

Local Tupperware distributors are, therefore, a dying breed in name.

With a Different Approach

Local Tupperware distributors have a different approach now than they used to have. More avenues are open for selling Tupperware.

* Party Sales

Selling Tupperware at parties is much the same as it has always been. You can sell at a casual home party; Christmas party; Hanukkah party; Kwanzaa party; baby shower; wedding shower; office party; etc. These days, there are also "catalog parties" that involve no partying - simply looking through a catalog and placing your order. Tupperware parties involve organization, games, refreshments, invitations, and other hosting responsibilities. They reward the Tupperware representatives win earnings as well as recognition.

* Internet Sales

Increasing numbers of Tupperware representatives are establishing their own Internet web sites. This includes men who dub themselves "Tupperware lady" while earning money. The Tupperware company has created an Internet system that allows any representative to build a Tupperware sales site. The URL of each of these sites begins with "my.tupperware.com" and is followed by the representative's name. Internet sales can be individual or through online "parties".

* Mall Sales

Mall Showcases, sometimes called Retail Showcases, offer the enterprising representative a third way to sell Tupperware products. Located in a growing number of malls across the United States, each Showcase is staffed by a Tupperware Consultant, and allows customers to buy products on the spot. They also offer assistance in planning Tupperware parties.

Local Tupperware distributors, you see, have a different approach. They are still very active in practice.

Locate Your Local Tupperware Distributor

You can locate a local Tupperware distributor by visiting the Tupperware company web site at http://order.tupperware.com. If your "local" representative is as far away as mine, you can always visit the web sites of listed distributors for assistance.

Want to Become a Tupperware Representative?

If the idea of selling Tupperware appeals to you, and you can get excited about letting an Internet site sell for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you might want to look into becoming a Tupperware Consultant.

* Cost: You can get started for less than $100. Through January of 2007, the cost was $59.99. If you want a web site, Tupperware will rent one to you for $7.95 per month.
* Requirements: You are no longer required to host parties or attend Tupperware representative rallies. You are required to make sales of at least $250 every 4 months to remain active. You are not required to recruit new representatives.
* Training: Your training and support will come through the Internet. You will attend web-based meetings online.
* Income: You will earn 25% commission on every sale you make personally. You receive a 5% bonus when monthly sales reach $1000, 10% bonus when monthly sales reach $3000. You may also earn free Tupperware products. If you choose to recruit new Consultants, you will earn additional income from the group's sales.
* Other perks: Tupperware offers additional perks in the form of trips, discounts on Tupperware products, etc.

To get more information about becoming a Tupperware Consultant, visit the Tupperware website.

Are local Tupperware distributors a dying breed?

No, not really. The company may someday choose another method for product distribution, but for now, the "Tupperware lady" breed is alive and well.