First of all--this is a "repost" as I inadvertently posted in SANDBOX rather than here in CO-ED DISCUSSION as I originally intended. Guess reading about Dannie's stepping away from the life affects us all, whether we want to admit it or not!
Hi ALL! This post is open for discussion to both hobbyist and providers. It's something that "hit me" on the way back from a trade show last night.
For better or worse-I recently had a "career change." To make a long story short-and not entirely accurate--I now sell "high end vacuum cleaners." They are seriously and without a doubt the best in the world. In fact-they are so "upper end" that they are only sold in home demonstrations and at trade shows-you have to see them work to appreciate and understand them. They come with a FOREVER warranty-the company has been in business over 100 years and they have thousands upon thousands of rabidly happy owners. Pass the "vacuum" on to your kids-company honors the warranty to replace ANYTHING for whatever reason. Plus-the product (not really a vacuum cleaner) is manufactured entirely 100% in the USA.
The suggested and quoted price at home shows is anywhere from $2795 to $6000. It's NOT the "cheap stuff." It would make a great gift for a spouse, a girlfriend, a mother, a sister--you'd become an instant hero. This product can't be bought online, it's not advertised. Existing customers can purchase additional products direct from their distributor. Enough "sales stuff." Here's my thought.
If a hobbyist wanted to almost instantly build their hobby slush fund-buy this product. It comes in a number of sets--with the "distributor to you" price being substantially less than the $2695/$6000.
Here's the way I imagine it working. You decide you want to increase your hobby slush fund-and perhaps assuage some of the usually accompanying guilt. You buy the $2795 product--for $1795 (plus taxes and shipping). You pay via check or credit/debit through PAYPAL--thus protecting yourself and creating a record of the amount of the transaction. After your payment has cleared-I return $1000 of it to you. You now have a high end gift on it's way to your spouse/household--and $1000 in your "hobby slush fund." This product makes an excellent gift-whether anniversary, holiday, or birthday. It's something 90% of all women would buy for themselves if they could afford it-or get their spouse to agree to buy it.
This is NOT pie in the sky or a scam. In fact-will be at a local Dallas trade show-open to the public--this weekend and again in September. If you were to buy it there-my partner would take your card info for $1795 (plus shipping and handling)--you wouldn't involve PAYPAL--and there wouldn't be the "hobby kick back."
Do I benefit? Absolutely! The company pays me commission on each product sold.
Will you (the hobbyest) get paperwork indicating the sale and all the warranty info? Absolutely! I've just kind of figured a way to run the payment through PAYPAL to accommodate the sale. Anyway-paid through PAYPAL, you'd be protected. And-whether paying by PAYPAL or check-the "paperwork" generated would be your proof that you paid $X for the product-only you (and I) know the cost was actually $Y.
I'm sure there will be skeptics and questions. Feel free to post or PM me for details as to the real nature of the product. It has an incredible reputation and very few distributors with a very real policy on selling online--thus my reluctance to publicize details.
I know this seems and feels like "hobby laundering"--but I'm thinking outside the box.