
- It helps if you have access to a
computer. (Which you do, or you would not be reading this!)
However, some folks only have limited access, and if that is your case,
let us know so that we can make arrangements to process your parties.
- Contact
Us and provide us your name, address, and phone number.
- After we have signed you up and provided
you your ID number and Password for access
to the Home Reunions
website you will be able to log in and submit your parties. We also
have a comprehensive 'how to' section on our site for our Bear
Advisors. Your login ID and password will be provide shortly after you
sign up.
- Decide if you want to do Cash & Carry parties, Catalog
parties, or both (we will discuss these options with you. You can start
with Catalog parties, and work into doing Cash & Carry parties as
your business grows. When you are ready to do Cash & Carry parties,
we will make you a 'beary' special offer for 'show/sell' items!).
- Get your Home Reunion Party startup package, and any
necessary marketing materials from us, your Sponsor Retailer. (We will
send these to you via Priority Mail.)
- Congratulations…and welcome to the
Family!

- Find a Hostess.
- Pick a date with your
Hostess.
- Discuss what you will need her to
do for her Home Reunions Party.
- What snacks and drinks to provide
- Which rooms you'll be using to hold the party
- Anticipated number of guests
- Special offers that might be running (Provide a copy of
the current and next month offers, if possible. This allows the hostess
to set 'goals' for her party.)
- General party rules:
- Minimum Party Order is $100.
- All orders and money due
at time of the party
- Acceptable forms of payment:
- Cash (Be prepared to give change!) (Note: do
not send us cash in the mail. Instead, send us a check or money order
for cash sales.)
- Checks or Money Orders (Payable to: Reinhart's)
- Credit Cards (We accept Visa, MasterCard,
American Express and Discover Cards.)
- Guidelines for free
Hostess Merchandise: All hostess rewards must
be chosen from the current Home Reunions catalog. No exceptions, as
these items are sent directly to the hostess from The Boyds Collection,
LTD.
- Delivery of
merchandise/Cash & Carry Options. Explain that products
ordered from the catalog will ship directly to the hostess for her to
separate and deliver to her guests.
- Set a party end date - this is the last day
you will accept
any orders for this
party. We recommended that it be the night of the party, or no more
than 2 days later. This will allow the Hostess to make her final
selections and avoid extra phone calls and trips to collect additional
outside orders and payments.
- Give Hostess all necessary
materials:
- Invitations - If a hostess is going to use the
Home Reunions Postcards (What with email, many do not) we suggest that
she mail them 2 weeks in advance
- Catalogs & order forms
for folks who cannot attend (it isn't uncommon for a hostess to have
several orders waiting for you when you get to her home to do the
party!)
Please note that occasionally items may be
temporarily unavailable for ordering. There is an up-to-date list on
the Home Reunions website that will tell you which items are not
available. If you are handing out catalogs for out-of-party ordering,
please make sure you attach a current list of unavailable items so
there are not any disappointed customers.

- Log in to the Boyds Home Reunions web site to check for any
last minute bits of information you might need. Check for any new
emails from us, as we try to alert our Bear Advisors of information as
we get it.
- Print out the UNAVAILABLE
List. This will eliminate placing an order for
backordered merchandise.
- Pack up your car with plenty of catalogs (take a few
more than the expected number of guests, you never know when someone
will bring a friend that wasn't on the list), sales order forms, bags,
tissue paper, Cash & Carry items,
make sure you have some cash (for making change), prize/award items,
a special 'Thank You' Bear for your hostess, and a big smile. Having
everything at your fingertips will ensure a successful party.
- Arrive 1 hour prior to
the party.
- Solicit the help of your Hostess to set up your bears & friends, making
sure they are looking at your customers and are properly groomed.
- Dis
cuss any party specials
with your Hostess; for example, the first 5 people to order $50.00 or
more win a free bear; every $25.00 spent gets an entry into a drawing
for a free bear - Be Creative, these promotions are proven to be a
success!
- Greet guests, inviting them to stroll around and
meet Boyds sweetest friends; browse through your catalogs; and mingle.
- When all guests have arrived, give a brief overview of
Boyds philosophy, highlight a few of the
groups, pieces, or special arrangements you have on hand,
and explain the current specials
you are offering. This is a great time to give your hostess a 'Thank
You' bear, and don't forget to mention any coming offers for hostesses
that you are aware of. This may help you get additional parties booked
from those in attendance. You should also mention that Catalog orders
will arrive in 2 to 6 weeks (they are delivered to the hostess).
Mention too that, as a hostess, they get 20% of sales in the form of
FREE Boyds Stuff, and, half price items too!
- Allow open time for taking orders, making cash & carry
sales, questions, and soliciting of new Home Reunions Parties. Remind
guests of snacks when they are finished, thank your Hostess for her
generosity, and congratulate her on a fun party! The more care you take
with her party, the more she'll encourage her friends to give it a try!
- See each guest off, thanking them for their order.
- Tally up party totals,
and give the Hostess a first-glance at her 20% Hostess Credit amount.
This will allow her to place her own Home Reunion order, and her free
Hostess product order with you. This will also enable her to "juggle"
things so that she can get all the products she was hoping for...and
maybe a few extra!
- Do a final tally, giving the Hostess copies of all the orders
that will be arriving to her via FED EX GROUND in the next 2-6 weeks,
along with your card for any last minute questions, or concerns.
- Pack up your stuff, and
head home!
- Log in to the Boyds Home Reunions web site and enter your
party details, catalog orders, Hostess information and Hostess credit
items. NOTE: Once you do this, the party is considered closed.
Make sure no outside orders exist before you do this step. Party
minimum is $100.00
.
- Send us the original receipt copies (the white ones) from
the party, along with the checks and credit card information via Priority
Mail. Let us know your Party is awaiting approval (call or email).
Once we have received the receipts and payments, we will verify and
approve your party. The sooner we give your party the OK, the sooner
your Hostess's order will get processed and delivered!
- We will send you your commission & other items via
Priority Mail. You get a generous 20% cash commission; and the
opportunity to order half-price stuff at certain dollar levels…why not
take advantage of it? And don't forget the rewards you get from Boyds,
and us, for acheiving certain sales levels! We will also include some
replacement supplies with your commission check.
- Mark your calendar for 6 weeks, and give your Hostess a
follow-up call. It's a great way to continue your relationship with her
and address any concerns that may have arisen. Be sure to ask if she
knows of anyone who might want to do a Boyds Home Reunions party. She
might even be ready to book another one herself!

Congratulations
on a job well done! Now…do it again!

- Home Reunion parties must total a minimum of $100.00 to be
registered.
- Cash & Carry items are charged their cost plus any
applicable sales tax.
- Catalog Orders are charged their cost, any applicable sales
tax and $3 per order handling charge. This charge is a flat fee no
matter how big or small the order is.
- Catalog orders and hostess's free items are shipped as a
complete order to the Hostess's home. They should arrive within 2-6
weeks.
- Damaged or incorrect orders should be called in directly to
Boyds. Please call 800-377-3050 (use option 3, then select option 2)
- Your enthusiasm for this program will spill over to your
Hostesses and their guests. If you have a concern, feel free to discuss
it with us, but don't lose your happy face when representing the Home
Reunion Program. By remaining positive, and emphasizing the good in
this program, your business is guaranteed to grow and prosper!
- Have Fun with Boyds Home Reunions!
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