SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION ABOUT THE VDI STATUS WITH YVES DUPLATRE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE ELORA BRAND
Present on many job forums, Elora’s recruitment service receives more than a hundred phone calls every week. And the findings are quite surprising. Many people are interested in direct sales. But, in most cases, they don’t know what direct sales really are, nor what the status of Independent Home Salesperson (VDI) means. Easy money, shady contracts… you hear all sorts of things about VDI. Just take a look at some blogs or forums and you’ll find rumors, false information, and small ads offering “dream” jobs in exchange for outrageous fees.
The practical and essential guide for independent home salespeople from the FVD
First of all, you should know—and this is the whole purpose of our guide—that the VDI status is governed by extremely precise laws, especially by the Commercial Code.
While some direct sales companies, real “money machines,” interpret the Commercial Code in ways that are more than questionable, others are very serious and constantly work to develop and enrich their network, both literally and figuratively. Our company Elora, a very active member of the Fédération de la Vente Directe (FVD), is committed to transparency and ensures compliance with the FVD’s code of ethics. So, before you start in direct sales, make sure your future company is a member of the FVD. If that’s the case, you can be sure you’ll be able to work in the best conditions, safely and legally. My advice: the FVD regularly publishes a practical guide for VDIs where you’ll find everything you need to know about being an Independent Home Salesperson. You absolutely must read it before starting your activity.
Being an independent home salesperson is a real profession..
Whether you’re looking for extra income or a full-time job, being an independent home salesperson (VDI) is a real profession. A career that can truly allow you to earn a very good living. Want a concrete example? To earn the equivalent of the minimum wage at Elora, you need to hold on average two sales meetings per week, that’s two afternoons of work, which is about 6 hours a week… far from the 35-hour minimum wage in other types of jobs. This is a reality.
Managing a team of independent saleswomen is also an opportunity we offer to anyone who loves their job and enjoys sharing their enthusiasm. It’s a chance for our future managers to discover their team management skills and see their income increase significantly (commissions on sales). But be careful, I’m not talking about easy money here. Once again, Elora stands against direct sales companies that promise you incomes of 10,000 euros a month or more thanks to your direct sales! Let’s be honest, you won’t meet many VDIs earning that much in direct sales. Maybe a few dozen in all of France?! On the other hand, and this is reality, many independent home salespeople earn as much as company executives. Remember one thing: if it were easy to earn €10,000 a month, everyone in France would be doing direct sales…
My vision of the Independent Home Salesperson
Let’s come back for a moment to the profession of Independent Home Salesperson. To succeed, you’ll need to find clients, host sales meetings, build customer loyalty, and above all, enjoy sharing unique moments of conviviality every time. For Elora, training is a key element for success in Direct Sales… because working in direct sales is a profession like any other. It requires know-how, discipline, professionalism, energy, and passion. The only difference with other jobs is that your income isn’t capped. Many employees from large companies complain about not benefiting from record profits and only getting crumbs. They should come work in Direct Sales, because your earnings are proportional to your efforts! Do you think our best saleswomen (also called Fashion Consultant)—who earn executive-level salaries (choosing their own hours, taking two or three months of vacation a year)—would trade their situation for that of shop saleswomen earning minimum wage for 35 hours a week, working 6 days out of 7, even Sundays during the holidays?!
I think you know the answer.
Why don’t these people join Direct Sales? Probably because they don’t know us. But a good salesperson will always be a good salesperson. It’s up to them to choose the distribution method that will allow them to thrive the most or earn the most.
To conclude, Elora and I encourage you to discover what direct sales is all about. An exciting, rewarding, and flexible activity. A human adventure, rich in connections, that matches your personality, your style, and your energy. An activity where it’s possible to become a VDI with a free starter kit and therefore without investment. But don’t rush. Get informed. Weigh the pros and cons (find out more at: how to become a VDI). Take all the time you need to get started, and above all, choose the company that suits you best.
"Those who move forward too hastily will retreat even faster." [Mencius, Chinese philosopher]
YVES DUPLATRE
