I think you've hit the nail on the head, quirky. You've been a consultant for 2 years, and your group leader sounds very experienced, as well. I don't think there's a group leader in my area who's had their tms for 2 years, let alone be a consultant for as long. Maybe that has something to do with it, and that's why what you and everyone else has to say is invaluable.
One thing I have found interesting is that it seems, in my group, it is the other consultants who seem to be really helpful when it comes to hands on knowledge, and that is probably to do with time and experience. When comes to the time when you become a group leader, your 2 years will hold you in good stead and you will be a great group leader.

The discussion is getting interesting.
I joined thinking I would learn to use the tm more efficiently, but you don't really learn that during training. As for the classes, I've had to pay to get into all the classes; the only ones you don't pay for are the ones you help at and if you're helping, you don't get to watch the class. The no free lunches rule applies.
If I had my time again, I'd like to do something with a consultant where I would provide leads and get a spotters fee rather than actually be a consultant. I think part of the incentive behind being a consultant is because people feel that they love the Thermomix so much that they want to be paid for every machine they hype up - let's face it, it isn't hard to rave about the Thermomix, is it?
I think it's great quirky is doing so well, but I don't think there are too many cases like hers around. Surely there must be more current and past consultants who can come into the discussion? It's easy to hear about the success stories, but what about the ones that don't make it? There must be lots of consultants who leave, otherwise, why is it there are so many owners on this forum who don't have a consultant? This is a huge area the company should address - what is the company doing to ensure all customers are being looked after, after all, customer care should be factored into the price of the tm. I realise the company knows they don't have any competition, but it's all a matter of time before there are competitors on the market. I'm going off on a tangent now, so I'll stop here.

Hi baf,
Nice to meet you.
I didn't mean to sound bitter - just trying to say it as it is.

Hi Chelsea,
Nice to meet you.
The people in the group I was with had varied sales numbers, and it wasn't uncommon for some not to have any sales for the month, and it wasn't uncommon to do several demos and not have any sales. The company would say that it was because the "close" wasn't done properly, but to be honest, you can't sell something to someone if they don't want it, and to force them would be unethical. This is not to say that it doesn't happen as there is a woman in the group who really pushes a sale and needless to say that her sales numbers are high and the company loves her and doesn't care what she does as long as she has sales numbers - that's what it's all about at the end of the day.
Drumming up sales is what it's all about, and the company expects you to do it yourself. They say they help, but in all honestly, the "help" they give is feeble. On top of that, question anything, and they have an answer for it, and it all comes back to hit you in the face.
As for income, the commission is on a sliding scale, so to make anything to replace a job, you'd have to look at no less than 10 sales a month, and I can tell you that that is a rare occurence. In a group of about 20, there were only a few who managed 4 sales last month. Does that satisfy your curiousity? I know nothing of Tupperware, but I think people doing Tupperware have it much easier.
One thing I will say for Thermomix is that they squeeze as much as they can out of you - they get alot more out of you than you get out of them. If you look at the recipecommunity site they created, the competition was for them to generate more recipes. That's a good example of how they get people to do their work  (and advertising) for free.