Hi Kathleen,
Sorry to hear your struggles in getting the demos and sales for the Thermomix. I imagine it can be a tough gig sometimes!! I thought I'd share my decision making process of buying my TMX to see if there's anything of use in it for you ...
It took me over 6 months of serious thinking to decide on buying a Thermomix. I loved it from the first moment I saw it - probably 6 months before my first demo, but I just had to justify it in my own mind. Hubby said to buy it if I wanted to, but since I already had a mix-master, blender, stick blender, ice cream maker, soft serve ice cream maker, bread maker, cool mortar and pestle, awesome set of scales and juicer, as well as a steam oven in my kitchen, I couldn't really justify it it my own mind.
The only thing I didn't have was a food processor ... and imagine my delight when I saw the Bellini at Target - for 1/10th of the price of a Thermomix
Of course I didn't expect it to match up to the TMX (and I do know you get what you pay for) but if I could get a food processor that could heat, that could be a good alternative ... right??? wrong!!!
I bought it, left it in the box for a week while reading reviews, made sure I had a good copy of my receipt, and then decided to open it and try it - knowing it could get my money back if there were any issues. It made awesome beetroot salad and play dough, but that was about all
My attempt at making custard resulted in burning, as did sauteeing. There was vertical movement in the blades and liquids leaked out, and after not much use, there was some 'play' in the blades, so instead of being 90 degrees to each other, there was probably a 10% movement either way. So, it was then I decided that it was going back to Target and I'd think again about the TMX.
One thing that I did like was that each month I'd get an email from a consultant about the latest offer for purchases that month. I think that could be enhanced if you were to include a recipe and a photo of the result - and the time it takes to prepare it! I didn't get phone calls or text messages - and I think that would turn me off if I did get them.
I made up my mind in my own time and although I love cooking and know I could do without a Thermomix, I am absolutely blown away with how much time it saves me in preparing fresh home cooked meals! I have made so much in my first week of owning my machine, and I've had no failures (except for maybe one batch of yoghurt that could have been set a little more). I know the cost is a huge barrier for some people, but it is truly worth it. Unfortunately, it's not easy conveying this to prospective buyers - you need to SHOW them.
Find 'time-poor' people and demonstrate to them ... try mum's groups, day-care centres, kindy's, tuckshops, P&F groups, single parents groups
Find the people who would benefit from the allergies side of it ... approach health food stores and see if they'll let you advertise in their newsletters, do a demo for staff, get them to put on a demo for clients
Find the health conscious people - gyms, personal trainers, boot camps, triathlons
Find the ones who should be health conscious - health management centres in hospitals, maybe corporate businesses with staff who are likely to spend long hours at work, work social clubs,
You could work out a few recipes which focus on the best dishes for these groups of people, put on a free demo with samples, include a little take home pack with recipes and maybe samples. Perhaps try to get some people on board first to include some cross-marketing ideas with them ... eg, a welcome voucher from a Personal Trainer or gym to include in the gift bag for the new mum group or the ones who should be health conscious; a discount voucher from the health food store to give to the other groups.
I know it's all easier said than done, but once you exhaust your current circle of friends, perhaps it's easier to approach groups than individuals. Make sure you get their email addresses so you can send them a follow-up email, and then a monthly email. For me, I loved getting the info while I was deciding.
Wow - this has gone on for a little longer than I had hoped. These are just my thoughts and my process for making my decision - others may differ. Even if you get just a little bit out if it will be great. Good Luck!
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