GETTING TO KNOW PETRA FASHIONS

Q.  What is Petra Fashions?
A.  Petra Fashions is a lingerie home party plan (direct sales company) with a home based office just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. All lingerie is designed by Petra and manufactured exclusively in the United States.

Q.  Is there an investment to get started?
A.  There is no dollar investment to start. When you give your Recruiter six dated shows and Petra's signed agreements you will receive a $600 sample kit which includes lingerie, supplies, training video and a helpful Consultant Guide.  All Petra asks is that you complete 10 shows with a sales total of $1,750 in three months which makes you become a qualified consultant. You will need to send in a $25 deposit with your first four shows to be held in escrow.  After you have competed your 10 shows you can have your $100 refunded or a $300 Merchandise Gift Certificate and choose more lingerie to add to your sample rack.

Petra Fashions

Q.  What else do I need to get started?
A.  You will need a portable garment rack from Wal-Mart or a similar store and other small miscellaneous items that you should have around your house. (Calculator, pencils, rack cover, etc.)

Q. What is a Debut Show?
A. A Debut Show is very important.  It is part of Petra's requirement in order for you to become a qualified consultant.  It is usually done in your own home to introduce Petra Fashions to your family and friends.  You should invite as many quests as possible.  It is very important that you check on attendance to remind each person to bring a guest.  You should encourage anyone who can't attend to either book a show or place an outside order.  Sales and bookings are a very important part of your Debut Show.  In order for the show to qualify as a Debut Show, sales must be at least $250.  You will receive 10% of the retail sales in Hostess Credits  and you can purchase a Preferred Hostess Garment for just $19.95 with sales of $325 and 10 attending guests.

Q.  Is every new Consultant required to hold a Debut Show?
A.  Yes.  If the new Consultant does her own Debut Show, distance being a consideration, she will earn a 25% commission.

Petra Fashions

Q. What if I only want to do Catalog shows?
A.  Petra is a home party plan.  Each order going into Petra Fashions must be $100.  It is very difficult to continually receive outside orders when there are only two catalogs per year. Petra Fashions is not sold like Avon.  It is similar to Tupperware, Princess House Crystal, and Party Lite Parties.  Instead of plastic bowls, crystal or candles, it is sleepwear and loungewear. By doing parties in women's living rooms, everyone can see and feel the product and your business will continue to grow.  If you do not sell $1,750 and do 10 parties within 90 days,  you will owe Petra Fashions $200 minus the money they have held in escrow. 

Q.  Does the Hostess receive free lingerie from Petra Fashions based on the sales and bookings from her party?
A.  Yes, Petra considers their Hostess Program one of the best in the party plan industry. Here is an example of how much a Petra Fashions hostess would earn from a show with 10 buying guests, purchases of $325 and three bookings:
 $110 Credit (Free)
 $40 Retail Value of $325 Bonus Credit (Cost $7.95)
 $40 Retail Value of 10 buying Guests Credit (Cost $7.95)
 $5 Guest List Credit
 $40 50% off First Booking Credit (Cost $20)
 $40 Second Booking Credit (Free)
 $100 Third Booking Credit (Free)
 =$375 TOTAL HOSTESS CREDIT FOR ONLY $35.95 A SAVINGS OF OVER 90%

Q.  Does a Petra Consultant have to pay for any of the Hostess Credits that a Hostess receives for having a party?
A.  No. 

Q.  Is each order delivered directly to the customer?
A.  No.  The entire order gets delivered to one location.  It is usually the hostesses house or  where she works.

Q.  What is a Salesperson called?
A.  A Consultant. 

Q.  Does Petra carry sexy (fun-to-wear) items?
A.  Yes, however Petra does not feature sexy (crotchless underwear etc.) in their catalog as they do not want to offend anyone.  Knowing that fun-to-wear items can increase attendance and help add to the fun at shows, Petra offers a large selection of fun-to-wear underwear for both men and women and provides a descriptive list of these items. 

Q.  What is the commission Consultants earn?
A.  25% of retail sales. 

Q.  As a Consultant, can I earn more than 25%
A.  Yes.  Sell $2,000 in a month and earn an extra 5%!

Q.  Can the Consultant keep the commission the night of the show?
A.  Yes, if the deposits total 25% of the retail sales excluding credit cards.

Q.  What forms of payment does Petra accept?
A.  Master Card, Visa and personal checks.

Q.  Are personal checks made out to Petra or the Consultant?
A.  The Consultant.  A new Consultant cannot send her own personal checks to Petra until she has completed 10 shows.  She must send in a money order Master Card or Visa.

Q.  Can a Consultant keep her commission the night of the show if money is owed C.O.D.?
A.  Yes.

Q.  What if a show is missing in the U.P.S. System and does not arrive?
A.  If a show is lost in transit, Petra will send out a duplicate show at no cost to the Consultant.

Q.  What does it cost to purchase samples?
A.  Samples can be purchased to put on your rack on a one-time basis at 60% off retail.

Q.  How many samples can be purchased?
A.  One of each sample at 60% off.  If the sample comes in different colors you can purchase one of  each color at 60% off.  Unlimited numbers of samples can be ordered at Consultant's cost which is 25% off retail.

Q.  What does a catalog cost?
A.  Catalogs are sold in packages of 20 for $14.00.  That's 70 cents per catalog.

Q.  What do order forms cost?
A.  Order forms are sold in packages of 100 for $1.00 - a penny a piece.

Q. How expensive are Petra's supplies to order for my business?
A. All supplies are sold at or below company cost.

Q. Does Petra carry any gifts that can be purchased as door prizes for shows?
A.  Yes.  These is a large list ranging in cost from 25 cents up to $5.00.

Q.  Is there a cost to call Customer Service when you are an out-of-state Consultant?
A.  Yes.  It is your Director's job to call Customer Service if she is not able to answer your question.  Most Directors are connected to Petra's Web site and can get the answers off their computer for you.  You can also E-mail Petra if you have your own computer and you are connected to the internet.

Q.  What is the average retail sales for a Petra Show?
A.  The average Petra show has retail sales of at least $325.

Q.  How many new catalogs are issued annually?
A.  Two large catalogs and two mini catalogs.  March and September mini catalogs...June and December...large catalogs. 

Q.  How are exchanges made?
A.  We teach the customer to make their own exchange.  The order form that the customer receives with their order doubles as an exchange form.

Q.  Is there a shipping and handling cost to the customer when an exchange is made?
A.  The customer pays to ship the exchange to Petra. The item is returned to the customer at no cost.

Q. How long does it take for a Hostess to receive her show?
A.  Petra asks that we give them 10 business days to process the show.  Processing time can vary depending on the time of the month.  It is possible to receive the show faster if it is not the end of the month!

Q. How are shows shipped?
A.  U.P.S.

Q.  What is the average price of Petra's lingerie?
A.  All lingerie is priced below $40.  Preferred Hostess Items in the middle of the catalog are valued higher, however, they cannot be purchased.  A hostess and Prior Hostess can earn these items with credit or special Hostess offers.

Q.  Have there been any complaints about Petra's quality?
A.  Petra uses its own manufacturers to sew their garments. They also have a  large staff of quality control experts.  However, as with any clothing distributor, there is an occasional exchange due to quality.

Q.  Does Petra have back orders?
A.  Yes.  Backorders happen when new catalogs come out.  It is very difficult to predict the supply and demand of new lingerie.  When a backorder is issued, the customer usually receives the back order very quickly.  Petra Fashions does not like backorders!

Q.  Does Petra have a newsletter?
A.  Yes.  It is called "In the Spotlight" sent out to Consultants and Managers.  Consultants and Managers are also kept current via e-mail and Petra's web site.

Q.  What sizes does Petra carry?
A.  Small through 5X.

Q.  Is there an additional charge for plus sizes?
A.  NO.

Q.  What does Petra charge for shipping and handling?
A.  $3.65 per customer order.

Q.  How often does Petra come out with new samples and how much do they cost?
A.  Petra has two major introductions and two smaller introductions annually.  All samples are available at 60% off retail.  However, Petra offers an additional discount should you want to purchase the entire collection.  You can also earn the entire collection at no cost to you by having a Prepack show.

Q.  What is a Prepack show?
A.  By holding your own show or taking catalog orders with sales of $300 or $600 you can earn ½ of the new samples or all the new samples free.  You still receive your 25% commission but no Hostess Credits are awarded.

Q.  Can I sell Petra Fashion over the internet?
A.  No.  The owner of Petra Fashions wants to keep the company strictly party plan and not Catalog sales via the internet.  They will terminate a Consultant or Director if caught selling through the internet.  You can advertise for bookings and recruits via the internet.

Q.  Can I earn more than a 25% commission?
A.  Yes.  Become a Petra Fashions Director and earn an additional 10% on your personal sales (35%), 10% commission on the Consultants in your Branch, $50 cash and a $50 Merchandise Gift Certificate on each qualified Consultant you recruit....PLUS......prizes......trips......

Q.  What is the most important thing for me to do in order to begin my Petra Business?
A.  Schedule your Debut Show and set a date with six friends, relatives, or acquaintances for their Petra Home Party within six weeks from the time you get your kit!