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Fair Trade Jewelry and Ethical Fashion

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REQUIREMENTS

Q. What are the requirements for being a Partner?

A. You must be 18 years or older and a US citizen or permanent resident that resides in the 50 states, with a valid Social Security Number or Green Card. You will also need access to a computer and a US credit card or debit card. 

Q. Are only women allowed to become Partners?

A. Anyone 18 years or older and a US citizen can become a Partner. 

Q. How old does someone need to be to sign up as a Partner?

A. 18 years old. 

Q. Can US citizen military spouses sign up to be a Partner with an APO or DPO address?

A. Yes they can. A Partner who resides at an APO/DPO address can only sell to those who have APO/DPO addresses or US addresses. International orders will not be accepted. 

Q. Are there any monthly or quarterly sales requirement's to be a Partner?

A. As a Partner, you must actively sell Trades of Hope products and have a minimum of one commissionable order of any value within the last 12 consecutive months to be a Partner. As a Partner, if you have $0 in commissionable sales within a 12 consecutive month period, you will be deactivated. 

Q. Are there any monthly requirements to earn a success-line and be part of the career track? Why?

A. There is a $300 monthly personal retail volume sales (PRV) requirement if you choose to enter the career track and collect your success-line. This is to ensure that you are able to train your team in personal sales and are not building a career just on sponsoring. If you do not produce a minimum of $300 PRV for at least one month in a six consecutive month period, your success-line will roll-up as per our policy on Roll-Ups. Your personal account is not affected by this compression. 

NEW PARTNER KITS

Q: What shipping method is used to send starter kits and about how long do they take to arrive?

A. Kits are sent by USPS within 3 business days of the order being placed and should arrive within 2 weeks 

Q. How much is a Kit?

A. We offer a variety or kit choices, that change seasonally so that you have the best tools possible. Head to our Be a Partner page to see our current offers.

SELLING TRADES OF HOPE

Q. Are you a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA)?

A. Yes, Trades of Hope is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA). 

Q. Are you part of any organizations that uphold and affirm your fair trade status?

A. Trades of Hope is a member of the Fair Trade Federation. As members of the Fair Trade Federation, Trades of Hope fully commits to following the fair trade principles created by the Fair Trade Federation and participating in accountability and partnership with them. To learn more about the Fair Trade Principles and the Fair Trade Federation, click here. 

Q. What is your Return Policy?

A. 30 Day Policy-If you are not completely satisfied with your Trades of Hope product, you may request to exchange any item or receive a refund (less the cost of shipping & handling) within 30 days of purchase. Your exchange or refund will be processed upon receipt of your returned item at the Trades of Hope Home Office. Original receipt must be included. Please notify your Partner to request a exchange or a refund. 
90 Day Policy-Products received damaged in transit or any item with product quality concerns due to defect may be replaced with the same item within 90 days of purchase. Replacement products ship free. This warranty does not cover products damaged through normal wear, accident or misuse. Please contact your Partner to request a replacement. 

Q. How much do I make as a Partner?

A. A Partner has an unlimited income potential and is defined by the individual herself by the time and effort invested in her business. She earns first by selling products to others which will earn her from 25 -33% of the her personal retail volume. Additional income can be earned by building and developing a team of Partners. Commissions earned from building her success line range from 1 – 7% of the wholesale volumes of the sales generated by the team. 
 

Q. Can I sell online or is it limited to parties?

A. Yes, you can sell online. Trades of Hope offers an extensive back office and a personal replicated site. With this site, you will create your own URL when you sign up. When you send customers to this URL, anything they purchase through it will be credited to you! 

Q. How much is the technology suite, and is it necessary?

A. The Technology Suite includes many tools designed to work together in helping your business be successful.  It is FREE for your first 30 days. After 30 days, you will be charged $9.95 per month, which can be paid through commissions in your eWallet or by debit/credit card on file. Subscription to the Technology Suite is optional and may be cancelled at any time by contacting Customer Service. 

Q. What happens if I do not earn PRV within 12 months to remain a Partner or the $300 PRV on the career track?

A. If you do not earn PRV within 12 consecutive months, your account will be deactivated. If you do not meet the $300 PRV on the career track, you will not lose your title, but you will move to the appropriate place for your pay rank. You can move back into the higher pay rank in the next month if you meet the requirements. 

Q. Can I host my first party rather than letting another Partner host it?

A. Yes, if you have purchased your Kit, you can host your first party. If you have not purchased your kit, you will need to have a Partner host your party. We do recommend, if possible, attending a TOH party at least once before hosting your own. 

Q. Can someone sign up without ordering a kit?

A. No, you must order a kit to become a Partner. 

Q. I live in Canada and would love to join, can I be a Partner and live in Canada?

A. Currently, we do not sell in Canada. 

Q. I have a friend who owns a retail store and was wondering if they could carry the TOH products or do they need to be a Partner??

A. They need to be a Partners. Once signing on, they can display 1-3 of each product in their store, but they do need to purchase a kit as any orders they take must be placed through the Trades of Hope PARTNER back office. Orders cannot be taken through the store’s point of sale process. A PARTNER‘s limit of product to purchase with her discount is 3, so she could display 1 items and sell 2 for cash and carry. No more than that can be carried. Keep in mind that hostess rewards cannot be collected off of cash and carry items sold. 

Q. Can I advertise online?

A. Yes. We offer personalized replicated websites that easily connect to social media. No other websites are permitted. 

Q. Can I sell on eBay, PoshMark, Etsy or similar sites?

A. No, Trades of Hope does not allow our products to be sold on eBay, PoshMark, Etsy or similar sites. 

Q. Can I sell at fairs and events?

A. Yes! Trades of Hope Partners are allowed to sell at local events and expos. You can elect to purchase inventory to resell at the event or take orders that will be shipped directly to your customer. The policy is that we only allow one Partner per event unless they are doing it together. The first to register and pay for the event may sell there. 

ARTISANS

Q. How much of the money do the women who made the product earn?

A. In past, we have seen charities “giveback” a couple dollars of each bracelet to a developing community. 

But we are not a charity, and our Artisan partners have told us they don’t want charity. They want a dignified and fair opportunity. 

That is why we pay our Artisan partners 100% of their asking price (they set the price!) for a product order before you even see that product on our website! We are in a business partnership with them. Not a charity.

Our Artisans receive 3 to 6 times what they would normally make in their region. The Fair Trade communities that are helping them get their product to market follow guidelines of checks and balances to give back, not just to the Artisan, but to their community as a whole as well. This includes things like wells, children’s schools, education for adults, land, and developing homes. It is life changing. Fair Trade is about providing a living wage for those in extreme poverty and giving them a chance for a better life. To understand more about Fair Trade go to www.fairtradefederation.org.

Q. How do you find your artisans?

A. In past, we have connected with Artisan partners through our CEO’s network of nonprofit contacts. Our team has also traveled the world to trade shows to meet with new Artisans in person. Today, a majority of connections are made through our Artisan application on our website. As we are a leader in the fair trade industry, Artisan communities apply regularly. We enter into partnerships based on their needs (we are always eager to help in urgent circumstances), sustainability, and product development opportunities.

Q. If I have an artisan suggestion, whom should I send it to and will you use them?

A. Trades of Hope asks all artisan groups to contact us directly by filling out an application. This application is here. If you know of a group, please have the head of this group contact us with this application, preferably someone who is on the ground in that country. We love to help or give advice to new groups starting up as well, but they must email us directly.

Q. What is Gifts of Hope?

A. Not only do we help women out of poverty by buying their handcrafts and selling them through home parties, but we also take a portion of our sales and put it towards helping women create sustainable businesses or ministries that are helping the surrounding communities. In the past, we have purchased chickens, roosters, goats, sewing machines, tools, and more in hopes to empower women and raise up strong communities. Giving women in Africa things like chickens and goats allows them to feed their families all year by eating the eggs and drinking the milk. Also, they will have a sustainable business by selling the eggs and milk in their community, too! We have purchased sewing machines and tools to help them have a sustainable sewing business to help their families and their communities benefit, too. We have also donated to end sex trafficking to help women out of the sex industry. As we grow, more and more money will be able to go towards Gifts of Hope from the parties! We are so excited about this opportunity. 

Q. How are the stories of women collected?

The women who choose to share their stories of hope with you do so on a volunteer basis. Many of these Artisans are from communities were women are ignored and oppressed. We never speak on their behalf, but create a platform for them to finally use their voices at their will. We take every opportunity to quote Artisans directly. Every product’s packaging and web page include a quoted message the Artisan wishes for you to hear. These stories are sent to our Artisan Communications department, which touches base with our Artisan communities daily.

SPONSORS

Q. When I sign on, who will be my sponsor?

A. Trades of Hope will ask you how you heard about us. If it was through a Partner, she will become your sponsor. If you did not hear about us through a Partner, Trades of Hope reserves the right to place you at their discretion with a Partner who has invested with Trades of Hope and will be able to train you. 
 

Q. How is commission paid?

 A. If you are a Partner, TOH will pay your commissions monthly through your SkyWallet, which is located in your Partner Portal. 

ORDERING AND DELIVERY

Q. How long does it take for orders to be delivered?

A. Orders are submitted immediately to our Distribution Center and are processed within 2 business days. You should receive your order within 7-10 business days. 

Q. How much is shipping and where do you ship?
A. Shipping is currently $6.95 per customer order, and we also offer priority shipping for $19.95. We direct ship to the customer. We ship to APO (Army Post Office) addresses, DPO (Embassy) addresses and the 50 United States. We currently do not ship to Puerto Rico or Guam.

Orders are processed within 2 business days, Monday-Friday. All Orders should arrive to you within 7-10 business days.

For questions about your shipment, please contact your Partner or email: [email protected]

Q. What type of parties does Trades of Hope offer?

A. We offer E-Parties/Online Parties and Home Parties.