About Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Recent Changes to Smart Living Company
How It Works
Recent Changes to Smart Living Company
Recent Changes to Smart Living Company
There have been many wonderful changes to our business recently. Smart Living Company’s new management team listens to our members’ suggestions and responds by making changes to improve the company. Here are some of the recent changes:
Business Name Change
In 2012, we changed our name from Specialty Merchandise Corporation to Smart Living Company to reflect the changes in our executive management team and our business. We are improving our image by making real changes; our image reflects on all of our members who want to sell home décor and giftware from their homes.
Free Trial Membership
We now offer a free “Buyer’s Club” membership. While this membership does not offer the deepest wholesale pricing on merchandise nor any business coaching, it does offer a no-risk opportunity to familiarize yourself with Smart Living Company and how we operate before you launch your own business.
Monthly Memberships
We now offer three different, simple memberships that primarily offer different wholesale pricing and business coaching packages. Most importantly, the memberships are available on a month-to-month basis so you can join, upgrade, downgrade, or cancel any month you like without a long-term obligation to pay membership fees.
Lower Shipping Charges
We received feedback that our merchandise shipping fees were too high. In response, in 2012, we began offering multiple shipping options at various prices so members could choose a shipping option that meets their business needs. This makes us one of the least-expensive shipping business opportunities.
No More Handling Charges
Beginning in 2012, we no longer charge a $2.50 handling fee on orders. This helps to make us one of the least expensive shipping business opportunities.
Earn Up to 10% in Monthly Rebates
We changed our rebate program, which awards members up to 10% back on wholesale merchandise purchases, from an annual payout to monthly payout. This way, our members can quickly reinvest their rebate into growing their business.
Chat Customer Support
In 2013, we improved our customer support! Before we only offered telephone-based support, which admittedly would at times get busy. Now, in addition to telephone support, we also offer our members immediate online chat support during regular business hours.
HOW IT WORKS
How does Smart Living Company’s home-based business opportunity work?
Anyone who wants to start a home-based business selling home décor and/or giftware can join Smart Living Company. We offer you different methods to market and sell the merchandise online and offline. We offer you thousands of wholesale merchandise items, the ability to drop-ship to your customers, live one-on-one business coaching, and business training materials.
Can I join for free, or will it cost me something?
Yes and yes. There are now three different membership types to choose from: the Buyer’s Club membership is free, and there are two paid memberships, the Premiere ($19.95 per month) and Enterprise ($39.95 per month). There are many advantages to the paid memberships that you can learn more about HERE.
Do most people start at the Buyer’s Club level?
Most people prefer to start at the Enterprise level so they can take advantage of the unlimited coaching support for our business experts and the deepest wholesale merchandise discount pricing, which is typically between 50% to 66% lower than retail.
Is this a multi-level marketing program?
No, Smart Living Company is not a multi-level marketing program. You may not sign up other members to sell for you, and you are not compensated if you sign up other members. When you become a member you have access to low prices on beautiful home décor and accessories, which you can sell directly to consumers online, at home parties, and sub-wholesalers.
What are the different ways I can sell merchandise?
We offer members with live one-on-one coaching on several different marketing methods, including online avenues such as eBay, Facebook, Amazon.com, Pinterest, and email, as well as offline methods such as sub-wholesaling, catalogs, school fundraisers, flea markets, etc.
Do I have to keep physical inventory on hand, or can Smart Living Company ship the merchandise directly to my customers?
You can operate your business either way. Smart Living Company can drop-ship merchandise directly to your customers from our warehouse, or you can choose to keep a selection of inventory on hand in your own home or warehouse and ship merchandise to your customers yourself. One of the great benefits of our home-based business opportunity is that you do not have to buy and stock inventory, which allows you to first sell merchandise before having to buy any merchandise.
How long does it take to get started?
Your user name and password are sent you within minutes of joining Smart Living Company, giving you immediate access to purchase inventory and study our money-making materials that can help you start your business. How long it takes for you to start selling depends on you and how you choose to sell your products. Home parties, catalog distribution, school fundraisers, and sub-wholesaling to local retailers are some of the faster methods of selling because of the face-to-face interaction, but they also require the most work. Online methods of selling are usually easy to set up but often take longer to get sales because you first need to build your online marketing, advertising, branding, and reputation.
Do I need to purchase catalogs or are they provided?
You can download our “World of Products” catalog for free on the Smart Living Company website. If you would like additional print catalogs mailed to you to give to your customers, they are available for purchase.
Can I build my own website to sell my products, or do I have to purchase one from eMerchantClub?
Yes, you can build your own website with any provider you choose or even host our products on marketplace websites such as eBay. eMerchantClub is a separate company and partner; you can learn more about their websites and what they can offer you as a Smart Living Company member by visiting www.emerchantclub.com. One benefit of eMerchantClub is that they have a direct tie-in to Smart Living Company’s merchandise inventory, price lists, etc.
What are some of the advantages to having a personal business expert consultation?
You will get one-on-one assistance from on e of our business coaches who have many years of experience with marketing, maintaining, and running a home-based business. They will be able to spend hours on the phone with you reviewing step-by-step instructions that will help put you on the right track for success.
