And I thought only the liberals in our government were interested in punishing achievers. I have been a Tupperware representative for over a year. In that time, my online business has managed to sell a good deal of product and I have recruited several dozen new salespersons.
Tupperware has created a web site system whereby any rep can have a Tupperware sales site. Every site begins with "my.tupperware.com" and is followed by the representatives name. In my case, the url looks like http://my.tupperware.com/dealofday
In the spirit of innovation, I sought to build a better web site that would look less like a homespun Geocities site and more like a professional Tupperware site. I registered TupperwareDeals.com and began marketing their product, to great success.
A short time later, I received an email from Tupperware's legal department informing me that I may not use the domain TupperwareDeals.com as it infringes on their trademark name. Fine. Good. Dandy.
So I registered PlasticBargains.com and recreated the site to sell the Tupperware product. Permission was granted and I spent money to build this site.
Apparantly, the legal department didn't really understand what they were approving, as a short time later, I received ANOTHER kind letter from them informing me that my "dedicated" web site was in violation of their terms of service. I was told that "permanent web sites for the sales and promotion of Tupperware products were not permitted" and that I should use the inferior web site provided by Tupperware. Fine. Good. Dandy.
Not content to use their medieval web site, I decided to incorporate my PlasticBargains content into my existing WorldVillage.com site, thereby adhering to their requirement that my web site not be solely dedicated to the marketing and sales of Tupperware. Since my Tupperware page on WorldVillage.com was just one page among hundreds, I hardly think this constituted a dedicated site.
Surprise, surprise. I received notice this week, AFTER my Tupperware site had been temporarily shut down, that I was once again in violation of their terms of service. The reasoning I received from legal department? Since many distributors would seek to promote Tupperware products on their unprofessionally designed Geocities and Lycos web pages, it may be confusing if they allowed a professionally created site to exist.
What we have here is incredibly backwards thinking! They are punishing someone who is innovating and successfully selling product because they are afraid of the idiots that will do a poor job designing their sites! I am beginning to wonder if Tupperware takes lessons in running their business from the government...
So, I am a bit frustrated. I'll get over it. Now go buy some Tupperware so I can be happy again. Remember, it's all about the burp.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
November 11, 2003 11:23 PM
I'm not surprised about this, Joel. I remember years ago when I was running The Internet Mall that we had a couple of Tupperware reps list with us, then we began a dance with the Tupperware corporation: reps weren't allowed to list themselves when the venue was more appropriate to the corporate parent. For my part, I was rather glad, because I didn't really want to have dozens (or hundreds!) of people selling exactly the same products - off the same web site - with separate listings in the Mall. But I remember thinking that Tupperware was really making it hard for you to step out from the pack and differentiate yourself, particularly in the online world. Sounds like things haven't improved any. :-(
November 26, 2003 10:24 AM
Tupperware markets its products in such a way that people can get in on it and sell it through their communitues, pushing product by word of mouth. Safeway doesn't have Tupperware for sale, but you do. That's a business model that allows people with initiative and a belief in the product to be the ones who sell it and make money. If they didn't ensure a level playing field beyond those paramaters, someone would have cornered the Tupperware market a long long time ago.
I don't think that makes it right for them to give you the green light with your second domain and then pull the plug. But they're being consistant across the board I imagine.
Can you inagine if Microsoft ran its ISP business using a similar model? They provide and maintain servers and bandwidth to people who would, based on how great the servce is, flood the grapevine with "Thia great MSN Internet Service." You would have more choices of reps for that service and if you found a rep who sold you on those merits, I'm guessing you'd hold him or her to a high standard knowing that you could always get the same product someplace else. Only with a less impersonal touch. But instead you're stuck with a single company that doesn't hire the manpower required to manage their customer service and leaves you hanging. That's what's got me frustrated. Now, open up Outlook and send an e-mail to the antitrust division of the Justice Department, so I can be happy. Remember, it's all about the service.
December 2, 2003 06:57 PM
Joel:
here is the bottom line...because I agree with you. their system is medieval and by using it for even the $6.95 (not even mentioning the $14.95 "gold" edition which is nothing better), you get little bang for the buck and it resembles the row houses built in the 1950's.
How did they determine that you didn't own the product versus outright listing catalog items? Did they do a search through your home? Since I suspect that they didn't do the latter, and thereby can not prove what you own or don't own, I wouldn't put too much weight into what their legal dept has to say.
It seems Mr Ross changes his mind from one day to the next...ask him about ebay and selling at local booths in a flea market setting.
March 26, 2004 03:09 PM
Hello Joel;
I was just listening to Rush this morning in my garage when the postman came to me and had me sign
a certified letter from our Distributor saying that they would no longer "service" my wife as a
Manager.
This is our only means income. I am looking at lawsuit for her. Any sugestions?
May 21, 2004 01:55 PM
Gosh I am glad someone is making sales... I have spent a fortune on advertising and not even covering the cost of my tupperware site! Yes a lot of updating is needed! YES I am a gold member and the banners have NOT generated any darn sales! Hmmmmmm... Guess live parties are the best to go on here. I have blasted ads to millions and NADA .. listed on Pay Per clicks Google and so on and nothing but a bill at the end of the month :( I must be stuck on stupid here huh?
April 25, 2006 08:10 PM
The problem is....that there are thousands of tupperware ladies, holding REAL tupperware parties and giving 1st class customer service. We hate the fact that people like you and many others have turned this 60 year old PEOPLE business into an online impersonal game. We respect your need to be an internet seller, but this business is not about the "burp" it is about the people. The customers, the friendships, and the feeling that you get being together with friends, eating food, talking and seeing some great products all at the same time. People like me have to educate your "customers" on the proper use and care of our beloved products. This internet practice is illegal according to tupperware, just deal with it! Hey////better yet, go hold a party!
May 2, 2006 11:13 AM
I just happened on your web site by accident. I thought it interesting to see how many people think it is ok to sell something they know nothing about and then complain when they don't follow the company guidelines. I have sold Tupperware for over 36 years. I am still in business and love the product. We still hold home parties, give great personal service. We educate people on our products when we sell them. Most of all, we are willing to fix the problems you create on the internet when you sell things to people without any help on choosing the right product to fit their needs. So, stop complaining about all your quick sales. You are taking business away from people who also offer good customer service and follow up. Go sell Rubbermaid!
September 30, 2006 02:40 PM
I too am a Tupperware rep who uses other means to sell the Tupperware product. I do not have time to have a party or stand around in the mall and hope someone wants to buy something. The website provided to us by Tupperware seems to only drive in warranty replacement requests. I have found extreme success selling my Tupperware on eBay and Amazon. So much so, I am making over $4k each month.
Yesterday while flipping channels I noticed Tupperware was selling their items on QVC BELOW CONSULTANT COSTS!!! I thought to myself...LOWER than consultant cost! This is the LAST day of Record breaker sales offers.
For Tupperware to do this on the last final day of a HUGE sales month, rips sales from this month as well as from next month(not to mention it is LOWER than our cost, did I say that already?) After watching the show I called Customer and complained,no yelling, just a nice hey these people are under cutting me why is Tupperware approving of this?? Also who gets the recruits, and what does Joanne Clendening get for helping Tupperware and QVC, just think if they give her the sales credit for that show. I was told that it was only a promotion and as a consultant WE ARE INDPDT. SALES DIST. AND WE COULD SELL THE PRODUCT ANY WAY WE SEE FIT.... Remembering the letter I got from them a few months ago telling us that eBay was in violation I asked.... Does that mean I can sell on eBay? SHE SAID YES!!! So you see, not only are they willing to cut their own reps off at the knees to make a sale....they have become very good at double talking and twisting the rules to their needs... I say if you can sell it on the web or however and you are happy with the results...SCREW THEM.... GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SALES!!!!
January 21, 2007 10:43 PM
I'm glad when Tupperware levels the playing field and doesn't allow just anyone to sell NEW Tupperware. If you want to sell Tupperware put in the money and effort. Like any business it takes work to make a profit. One I would like to make, but my kitchen is well organized! I just wish my online parties went smoother. Lost one whole party group because my customers(my sis and all the people I knew)couldn't access/order the tupperware. We struggled until it was embarrassing to help people order/pay/get onto the site. We quit! Not much help upline cause they didn't know how. I'm waiting until Tupperware makes e parties easier to do. From the dates on this posting I see many changes since then. Breakthrough was a great idea.
October 8, 2007 01:28 PM
I'll like to ask you about your business!
May 30, 2008 02:50 AM
I agree - Tupperware needs to join the future instead of being stuck in the past. It doesn't matter if it's a people business - there are millions of people who don't want to go to Tupperware parties or waste gas to get there and just want to buy online. Tupperware needs to buck up and become part of the "now" time and not cater to the people who can't figure out the internet.
January 10, 2009 12:55 AM
To Carrie:
You have to be freaking kidding, right??? In this day and age of being able to buy almost anything online, why in the h*ll would I want to go to a neighborhood "party" to buy whatever tuppeware I happen to want? I hate those stupid parties! As an aside, I have sold Tupperware several different times in my life as well as Princess House crystal. I did very well when I lived in the city. I LOVE the product and constantly buy it for myself and as gifts. But I still absolutely hate the parties and really like being able to find it online. Especially if I can find a much better deal than is usually available at a party. This is just MY opinion. Please do not speak for all of us. For many like me, it IS about the burp (the product) and NOT the gathering.
January 10, 2009 01:01 AM
AND, the TW website search engine sucks so hard it oughta be a vacuum. You can't find anything you're looking for no matter how hard you try. I agree with some of the other posters, TW needs to get their business model into the tech age.
January 27, 2009 11:27 AM
I agree with you Carrie! I too used to be a rep for TW many years ago. I had a very faithful group of customers. I gave them 5 star customer service! But with online dealers popping up all over the internet offering discounts I eventually lost them. I have now started with another direct sales company this is still a ground floor opportunity and focuses on 'customer service'. Yes, we do parties or 'tastings' as we call them and I absolutely love it! I love the social aspect of doing business this way! It is about the people and always should be!
March 4, 2009 10:36 PM
everyone wants to make money selling this stuff. these oneline sellers that want tupperware to join the 21 century better be careful what they wish for. they may decide to discontinue all of you and open a state of the art online store. why would they need you! sure its about the product but its also about changing lives and providing people with a real chance at operating their own business. so go sell some more light bulbs or whatever on on ebay. try and see past your NOSE
March 6, 2009 02:55 AM
Carrie, Joan, Karen and Ron,
Get real! I agree with Kathy. If you want to keep living in the dark ages, fine, but don't criticize people who have the initiative to keep up with technology and social buying trends.
Light bulbs on Ebay? Oh dear Ron! You haven't looked at much of this site have you? Joel is one of the world's most successful internet marketers!
And if Tupperware did start their own site like you suggest, it would be someone like Joel that they would need to go to for marketing advice.
Bitter and jealous people are always going to be miserable, because what we think about most, we get more of. The internet is the natural evolution of change in business. Parties are an archaic 70s business model.
Joel, why don't you approach Tupperware and show them your sales figures? Then they might be less hasty in sending you these silly letters, and hire you as a consultant.