Silpada Designs Closing as of July 31

[Deleted]

There was an old thread on pyramid schemes with lots of references to Silpada, but I decided to start a new one.

Silpada was founded by a couple of local women, grew into a huge business, was sold to Avon, then bought back by the founders at a bargain-sale price 3 years ago. They say that sales have been going downhill for about 6 years (basically the time Avon bought it and, I think, jacked up their prices).

A friend was trying to help her special-needs teenage daughter build up a business (daughter is a bit socially awkward, has problems with dyslexia and once told me she gets seizures if she consumes too much sugar).  She's really heartbroken and is trying to help her daughter find a new path.

I always liked Silpada's merchandise and the low-key nature of the parties.  I suspect it was another victim of the "I-can-buy-a-cheaper-imitation-at-Wal-Mart" syndrome.

[swamp]

May 26, 2016 7:47:42 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

There was an old thread on pyramid schemes with lots of references to Silpada, but I decided to start a new one.

Silpada was founded by a couple of local women, grew into a huge business, was sold to Avon, then bought back by the founders at a bargain-sale price 3 years ago. They say that sales have been going downhill for about 6 years (basically the time Avon bought it and, I think, jacked up their prices).

A friend was trying to help her special-needs teenage daughter build up a business (daughter is a bit socially awkward, has problems with dyslexia and once told me she gets seizures if she consumes too much sugar).  She's really heartbroken and is trying to help her daughter find a new path.

I always liked Silpada's merchandise and the low-key nature of the parties.  I suspect it was another victim of the "I-can-buy-a-cheaper-imitation-at-Wal-Mart" syndrome.

Or a victim of, "I don't want to go to your house and feel obligated to buy crap I don't want or need."

[taz157]

May 26, 2016 7:50:14 GMT -5 swamp said:

May 26, 2016 7:47:42 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

There was an old thread on pyramid schemes with lots of references to Silpada, but I decided to start a new one.

Silpada was founded by a couple of local women, grew into a huge business, was sold to Avon, then bought back by the founders at a bargain-sale price 3 years ago. They say that sales have been going downhill for about 6 years (basically the time Avon bought it and, I think, jacked up their prices).

A friend was trying to help her special-needs teenage daughter build up a business (daughter is a bit socially awkward, has problems with dyslexia and once told me she gets seizures if she consumes too much sugar).  She's really heartbroken and is trying to help her daughter find a new path.

I always liked Silpada's merchandise and the low-key nature of the parties.  I suspect it was another victim of the "I-can-buy-a-cheaper-imitation-at-Wal-Mart" syndrome.

Or a victim of, "I don't want to go to your house and feel obligated to buy crap I don't want or need."

Yeah that!!

[cael]

I've never been to a Silpada party, but that Premier Designs company went through several of my friend circles 5 or 6 years ago. The stuff was ok but jewelry isn't really my thing.. and I think Lia Sophia went under too right?

Now Lularoe better not go away anytime soon, I'm too hooked on that!

[Anne_in_VA]

The Silpada and Premier went through work and friends a few years ago.  I bought a few pieces, but found the quality wasn't very good and I didn't buy any after the first party.  I did buy one necklace that I loved, but the plating wore off after a few wearings and it broke in several places shortly thereafter.  I tried to get a replacement or refund but ran into roadblocks, so I just gave up after a couple of tries.

[Deleted]

I've noticed a big difference in quality (and, of course, price) between Silpada and Premier; one of the Admins at my last job had a "clearance sale" on her Premier jewelry when she decided to get out of the business and it just looked flimsy. What I liked about Silpada was that they rarely used plating on anything- typically they used sterling silver- so it wouldn't wear through.

[bean29]

Or a victim of, "I don't want to go to your house and feel obligated to buy crap I don't want or need."

 

I have several Slipada pieces, and I actually thought Slipada went out of business last year - I have a piece I loved that I would have tried to get repaired had I known they were still in business. I bought the pieces I have b/c family members had parties and I felt obligated to buy something. I do buy good quality jewelry, but I usually shop the better department stores and buy on sale - I felt I could get pieces for a fraction of what Slipada asked.

I don't have these parties myself b/c I don't want to obligate my family to buy stuff they don't need.  My niece apparently is selling some kind of Minerals or Mud wrap products and Tastefully Simple products and my cousin used to sell Tastefully Simple and is now doing Group Wine Sales.  I just ignore the invitations now.  I might have attended a Slipada party to replace the piece I really liked and I would definitely go to a Tupperware party if someone had one - My SIL just put out a call saying she was going to place an order if anyone knew of a dealer...again, I want stuff but I don't want it enough to have the party myself.

I read somewhere that the Group Parties really worked when Women didn't get out of the house much - I think that is true - now we have our own incomes, and we are out shopping all the time - we don't need to go to a home party to see things we might want to buy.  Even people who are house bound have access to the internet and can get good deals on nearly anything they want.

[Deleted]

May 26, 2016 9:40:15 GMT -5 bean29 said:

I read somewhere that the Group Parties really worked when women didn't get out of the house much - I think that is true - now we have our own incomes, and we are out shopping all the time - we don't need to go to a home party to see things we might want to buy.  Even people who are house bound have access to the internet and can get good deals on nearly anything they want.

I agree- it was a form of socializing and it was also a way to make money in a time when women had fewer opportunities in the workplace (especially married ones, who were seen to be taking a job away from a man who needed it). The multi-level marketing seemed to drag on after women had more opportunities because some sold in the office and, later, on-line. (I'm about to buy a pair of Silpada earrings off my friend's site- no party needed.)

It's enlightening to do a search on e-Bay for Mary Kay starter/sample kits. There are tons of them for sale.

[Tiny]

Even people who are house bound have access to the internet and can get good deals on nearly anything they want.

they don't need the internet - they just need a TV (cable not required) and a telephone... I swear there's 3 different "home shopping" shows that my over the air antenna picks up. I think there's a non-stop infomercial channel too for ninja blenders, square cookware, and various weight loss systems, too.

plenty of ways to buy stuff you may not really need - but feel compelled to purchase - the show hosts are so 'friendly' and they WANT you to be happy and have a wonderful life and to achieve that you need the product they are selling.


On topic... I remember Party Lite from back in the day. I see a lot of it at garage sales and the various 'flea market' community sales.

Currently there's some sort of weight loss product - a "wrap"? and maybe some special drinks you can make where you can only get the 'supplies' thru someone who sells the stuff. I see this on FB.

[bean29]

I was looking at e-bay for my piece I really liked and there is a lot of Silpada stuff out there.  I guess I might try to pick up a few pieces but I prefer to be looking at it.

Was there another in-home sale of high quality jewelry company?  Pretty sure my boxes are blue and the ones in the pics are all brown.

I bought what looks to be a stone/silver necklace and earrings at a re-sale shop last year just because it seemed fun -was bright multicolors.  It said it was Silpada and had a box with it.  I don't know for sure - price was fine for something I liked even if it was costume jewelry (Looks like Sterling Silver).  They had quite a few really nice pieces in a glass case.  I should look for a holiday coupon sale and go back. 

ETA:  I googled Jewelry Repair and my city and found a high quality jeweler close to my office.  I am going to pay to have my favorite Sterling Silver/Black Onyx piece fixed.  It had earrings and I lost one, I would replace them if I could. 

[Deleted]

May 26, 2016 10:33:02 GMT -5 bean29 said:

I was looking at e-bay for my piece I really liked and there is a lot of Silpada stuff out there. 

Ooh, never thought of that. Good thing to do next time I decide to treat myself to something!

[Deleted]

Hmm. I just had a Silpada Facebook party a couple of weeks ago.

I thought their stuff was good quality.

[imawino]

May 26, 2016 7:50:14 GMT -5 swamp said:

May 26, 2016 7:47:42 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

There was an old thread on pyramid schemes with lots of references to Silpada, but I decided to start a new one.

Silpada was founded by a couple of local women, grew into a huge business, was sold to Avon, then bought back by the founders at a bargain-sale price 3 years ago. They say that sales have been going downhill for about 6 years (basically the time Avon bought it and, I think, jacked up their prices).

A friend was trying to help her special-needs teenage daughter build up a business (daughter is a bit socially awkward, has problems with dyslexia and once told me she gets seizures if she consumes too much sugar).  She's really heartbroken and is trying to help her daughter find a new path.

I always liked Silpada's merchandise and the low-key nature of the parties.  I suspect it was another victim of the "I-can-buy-a-cheaper-imitation-at-Wal-Mart" syndrome.

Or a victim of, "I don't want to go to your house and feel obligated to buy crap I don't want or need."

Exactly that.  Nothing to do with getting it cheaper at Wal-Mart.  I don't shop at Wal-Mart nor do I go to a "party" where someone is trying to sell me stuff I don't want but will now feel obligated to buy because I had your wine and cheese.  Thanks, but no!

To be fair, I did go to a Silpada party about 10 years ago because it was a co-worker and I couldn't get out of it (my NO is much firmer now), and I bought a couple of things (because I felt obligated).  I did not find them to be a particularly good quality. 

[bean29]

Blester, I think there is no doubt it is good quality.  I tend to buy nice jewelry for an event. I then buy an outfit (Dress, Jewelry, Shoes -if I don't have something that will work).  To me buying expensive Jewelry when I am not sure what I will wear it with is just backwards. I do have a very nice sterling silver and mother of pearl piece DH bought me at Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee and I have never worn it. DH bought it 3 years ago in August (We looked at the stuff last summer, and I had a price in mind for something I wanted and the lady would not come down. She said she rememberd us from the prior year and she remembered what we bought. She clearly was not happy when I told DH don't go over $X b/c I have never worn the other one I have). I sometimes have to be very clear with him or he will just go ahead and buy it anyways.

Clearly the one piece I talked about was worth whatever I paid b/c as I was looking at the stuff on e-bay I remembered my Mother and DS's MIL were buying jewelry to wear to her wedding and she has been married about 20 years - so I got 20 years of wear out of it.  The trick is to find something that is timeless and very wearable.  It might not be that old though b/c my SIL's sister was a dealer and SIL had numerous parties over the years.  I lost the earring on my last job though and that was over 10 years ago.

[lexxy703]

My SIL was selling Silpada years ago & I bought a couple of things but she didn't have a party. She just handed out the catalogue. She live in the sticks on the side of a mountain so I doubt she expected us all to drive out there. I liked my stuff well enough.

[Miss Tequila]

May 26, 2016 7:50:14 GMT -5 swamp said:

May 26, 2016 7:47:42 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

There was an old thread on pyramid schemes with lots of references to Silpada, but I decided to start a new one.

Silpada was founded by a couple of local women, grew into a huge business, was sold to Avon, then bought back by the founders at a bargain-sale price 3 years ago. They say that sales have been going downhill for about 6 years (basically the time Avon bought it and, I think, jacked up their prices).

A friend was trying to help her special-needs teenage daughter build up a business (daughter is a bit socially awkward, has problems with dyslexia and once told me she gets seizures if she consumes too much sugar).  She's really heartbroken and is trying to help her daughter find a new path.

I always liked Silpada's merchandise and the low-key nature of the parties.  I suspect it was another victim of the "I-can-buy-a-cheaper-imitation-at-Wal-Mart" syndrome.

Or a victim of, "I don't want to go to your house and feel obligated to buy crap I don't want or need."

I will not go to a home party. It's not a "party" if Im expected to buy something! The only exception would be a wine party and Im pretty sure they aren't allowed in PA

[wvugurl26]

May 26, 2016 17:15:53 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

May 26, 2016 7:50:14 GMT -5 swamp said:

Or a victim of, "I don't want to go to your house and feel obligated to buy crap I don't want or need."

I will not go to a home party. It's not a "party" if Im expected to buy something! The only exception would be a wine party and Im pretty sure they aren't allowed in PA

They have them in Maryland. And they are pretty strict. Not Pennsylvania crazy though.