Your first steps as a VDI

THE FIRST STEPS

You've chosen a company, signed a contract... and you're ready to take the plunge into the world of door-to-door selling. But the first steps aren't always easy! To help you get started, read on for some practical advice:

Get trained

Most companies offer training seminars where you can learn the basics of sales and get a detailed presentation of their products. If you have the opportunity to take part, don't hesitate!

THE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL FIRST MEETINGS

Prepare your product presentation

Your customers want to be seduced and see that they are dealing with a serious and knowledgeable salesperson. Don't just limit yourself to technical specifications, put your products on stage to spark your customers' imagination.

Make a list of the questions you might be asked

This will enable you to anticipate trick questions! A "knowledgeable" salesperson will gain credibility with his or her customers.

Build trust

Why would you want to do that? Quite simply because welcoming a stranger into your home can be a little unsettling at first. Will he really deliver my products? Who do I contact if I have a problem? These are simple questions, but they're vital for your customers. A simple telephone number and/or e-mail address (such as: surname.first name@nomdelentreprise.com) are essential to reassure your customers!

Have fun!

Don't forget that your customers organise home sales with their friends and family... They generally take advantage of this meeting to do some shopping, of course, but also to share a convivial moment! Don't be too strict or austere, just be cheerful! A salesperson who combines seriousness and dynamism is almost guaranteed a financial return.

DAY-TO-DAY HOME SELLING

Once the door-to-door sale has been completed

In order to protect consumers and guarantee the integrity of the VDI profession, French legislation and the FVD have put in place a comprehensive legislative framework based on the Consumer Code and a professional code of ethics, which must be complied with in the context of doorstep selling.

3 rules to follow

Provide a valid order form when the sale is concluded. This order form, dated and signed by the buyer, must contain a number of specific items of information, as well as several articles of the French Consumer Code.
Customers may withdraw from the contract within 7 days of signing the order form. It is forbidden to receive payment during the withdrawal period.

Product delivery

The delivery times for the product(s) ordered must appear on the order form drawn up when the sale is concluded.

Tax

Declaring your income to your tax office is compulsory for all employees and those in a similar position. VDIs are no exception to this rule, and must do so from the end of their first year in business.

VAT exemption

VDIs are covered by the micro-enterprise scheme and are exempt from VAT, provided they do not exceed the income thresholds set by the government: €27,000 gross commission for agents and €76,300 turnover excluding tax for buyer-resellers.